October 28, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 44 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Happy halloween
RyeCity REVIEW THE
October 28, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 44 | www.ryecityreview.com
Bus service questioned after Manhattanville death By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
On hold? A decision on a controversial proposal from telecommunications contractor Crown Castle to affix additional wireless equipment to utility poles in Rye will likely be extended until the end of the year. For story, see page 9. Photo courtesy Zephyr Video Productions
Rye Neck school district prepares for second bond try By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye Neck Union Free School District is preparing to propose another bond after voters narrowly rejected a previous $35.5 million bond for districtwide improvements on Oct. 6, according to the schools superintendent. The school district plans to propose another bond with an adjusted scope of construction unlike the preceding one that failed earlier this month by 17 votes, according to Dr. Peter Mustich, the schools superinten-
dent. “Clearly we are still disappointed with the results of the bond vote,” he said. According to Veronica Sessler, the district clerk, 263 residents voted in favor of the bond proposal while 280 voted it down. Despite the school district’s plans for a second bond proposal, there is no time frame, according to Mustich. The superintendent added that the scope of construction, and the estimated cost of another bond, has not yet been discussed at a Board of Education meeting. Mustich told the Review that
it’s “urgent” to address the roof replacements and repairs needed districtwide, which were included in the previous $35.5 million borrowing plan that failed, and to date, have not been tackled in 25 years. The bond encompassed a total of $6 million specifically allocated to replacing roofs at the Daniel Warren and F.E. Bellows elementary schools, and the joint Rye Neck middle and high schools’ building. The middle school and high school would have also received new equipment and furnishings, renovation work to convert science rooms into classrooms,
eight general classroom expansions, and upgraded seating in the auditorium for a total cost of $13.9 million. Reconstruction plans would have also included a number of improvements to the school’s gymnasium, including a new set of bleachers and lighting upgrades. Additional renovations would have taken place in Daniel Warren’s main offices, library and nurse’s office, as well as updated equipment and furnishings, and two new additional classrooms for a cost of $3.6 million. BOND continued on page 15
With a considerable amount of attention centered on the recent death of Robby Schartner, a Manhattanville student who was killed by a drunk driver on Oct. 9, the college’s student body has reignited a debate about the school’s shuttle bus service. Schartner, a 21-year-old junior, was struck and killed by Emma Fox, of Rye, while walking along Westchester Avenue in White Plains in the early morning hours. It is believed that Schartner was walking back to campus after a night out on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains.According to police, Fox, 24, had been traveling eastbound on Westchester Avenue at about 5 a.m. when she fatally hit Schartner with her car, a 2012 Nissan Sentra. White Plains police reported that Fox had been intoxicated at the time of the incident and was measured with a blood alcohol of 0.21; the legal limit in New York state is 0.08. In the aftermath of the tragic event, Manhattanville students are pointing to last year’s controversial change by the school administration to alter the bus service schedule. “What’s it going to take for the school to realize that having transportation provided is for our own safety?” asked Jess Cowle, a junior at the college, which is located in Purchase. On Aug. 21, 2015, Sharlise
Smith-Rodriguez, the college’s dean of students, sent a welcome letter to the student body alerting them of upcoming events and changes in policy for the 201516 academic year. According to the memo, which was delivered as a blast email, the school changed the schedule for the Valiant Express.The bus service changes included the addition of four early morning runs to transport students from the college to and from White Plains from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Additionally, the last two weekend runs would be eliminated. “I get why they changed the hours because they didn’t want to be seen as encouraging drinking,” said Gianni Mogrovejo, a senior at the college. “But, I’ve had friends who have had to walk back to campus at night, which is extremely unsafe. By not having those hours, you’re waiting for an accident to happen; and it may have already happened with the recent loss the school took.” Prior to the service changes, the Valiant Express ran until 3:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Since the changes, the final bus on Fridays and Saturdays, which transports students from downtown White Plains back to campus, comes at 1:30 a.m. According to J.J. Pryor, the college’s managing director of the office of communications, the college enacted the bus BUS continued on page 12
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