By Carol P. Bartold

Feb. 10, 2016:  The Bronxville Board of Trustees, at its February 8 meeting, introduced Wayne Ballard, the village's new superintendent of the department of public works, and Greg Wirszyla, the new library director at the Bronxville Public Library.

Ballard, a licensed professional engineer, comes to Bronxville with experience as the superintendent of highways for the Clarkstown Highway Department in Nanuet. He supervised a staff of over 70 employees and had charge of over 300 miles of town roads with an additional 130 miles of roads for brush and leaf removal. Ballard administered a $15 million budget.

Ballard earned credits in hematology at Queensborough Community College and received his bachelor of civil engineering degree from The City College of New York. He worked as a structural engineer for Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and Meyer Dorfman Consulting Engineers. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and several other professional organizations.

Wirszyla assumes the Bronxville Library director post after having served as director of the Mamakating Library in Wurtsboro, New York. An avid reader of history and historical fiction, Wirszyla earned a bachelor of arts degree in history at the University at Buffalo and a master of science degree in library and information science, as well as a master of science degree in education, at Long Island University.

Wirszyla served as library media specialist at Chester Academy in Chester, New York, and head of reference and adult services in the Cornwall Public Library in Cornwall, New York.

Other Trustee Business

Mayor Mary Marvin reported that, over the past year, the board of trustees has been in consultation with the chairs of the zoning and planning boards to review the zoning code and revise it to be more realistic in the current business climate. The trustees are examining ways to make the code more competitive with neighboring communities in terms of businesses, downtown procedures, and regulations.

In an effort to ensure a level of control and oversight on future projects that have a major impact on public streets and sidewalks, the trustees are in preliminary discussions to add a provision to the code to give the board of trustees a role in larger development projects that impact the right of way.

Trustee Anne W. Poorman noted that the trustees often receive questions from residents about the Pondfield Court LLC development of the former Manhattan Storage Building at 100 Pondfield Road. She reminded the public that such applications that come before the planning board for approval must, under the village code, be delegated to and remain with that board, not with the trustees.

Poorman stated that the trustees urge interested citizens to contact the planning board with questions and concerns about the application. "That is the legal forum for answering questions and airing opinions concerning the project or any other proposed development projects," she said.

Although interested residents can contact the planning board by sending a signed letter or email, Poorman suggested that they attend a board meeting. "The best way to make one's view known is to attend and comment at a planning board meeting," she said. "That way all board members and other interested parties can hear comments in real time."

Poorman added that the trustees have been advised that it is not permissible for them to comment as trustees on issues before the planning board.

The Bronxville Board of Trustees will meet on Monday, March 14, at 8:00 pm in the trustees room at Bronxville Village Hall.

Pictured here:  Bronxville Village trustees at the February 8 meeting. 

Photo by N. Bower