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Coalition Says New Rochelle Clean Water Repairs Require $800M From State

MAMARONECK, N.Y. – Town leaders, union officials, conservationists and construction executives stood together Wednesday to call for additional funding for what they say are “critically needed clean water infrastructure projects” in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle.

Mamaroneck town Supervisor Nancy Seligson speaks at Wednesday's news conference.

Mamaroneck town Supervisor Nancy Seligson speaks at Wednesday's news conference.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Sue Odiema
A coalition of officials called on New York state Wednesday to provide $800 million in grants for clean water repair costs.

A coalition of officials called on New York state Wednesday to provide $800 million in grants for clean water repair costs.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Sue Odiema
Hommocks Conservation Area

Hommocks Conservation Area

Photo Credit: Contributed/Sue Odiema

According to a statement from town Supervisor Nancy Seligson, the group met to discuss upgrades to the wastewater and drinking water facilities and the need for work on underground pipes and culverts.

“Aging infrastructure is a crisis, not just here in the Sound Shore area, but throughout the county, state and nation,” Seligson said.

According to a joint statement from the groups, the final price tag for the numerous projects is expected to be too high for funding by local government alone.

According to the group, which met Wednesday at the Hommocks Conservation Area, a recently released report from the Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley and the Construction Advancement Institution of Westchester & Mid-Hudson Inc. determined that more than $1 billion of work in the area is needed to sufficiently reduce pollution and protect the drinking water supply. Of that figure, projects costing about $250 million are "ready to go" clean water efforts.

The Clean Water Jobs Coalition, which endorsed the report, is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature to set aside $800 million next year for infrastructure projects.

“These clean water funds are vital to the environmental and economic well-being of our region,” said Ross J. Pepe, president of the CIC and executive director of the CAI. “Our findings demonstrate that communities cannot do it alone and need the support of New York state to meet this challenge. “

Calls for more state spending on infrastructure were echoed by multiple group members Wednesday, including Assemblyman Steve Otis and state Sen. George Latimer.

In his comments on the projects, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson stressed the need for the infrastructure funding to come as a result of a “robust state/local partnership.”

“By working together, we can make the essential, necessary investments in the future of our environment, economy and quality of life,” he said.

According to the groups’ statement, a copy of the report from the CIC and CAI has been shared with Cuomo’s office and with leaders in the Legislature.

The report will also be made available online.

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