Recently, we asked other Sound Shore mayors and supervisors to tell us what makes them and their communities tick. Jaine Elkind Eney, supervisor of the town of Mamaroneck, and Jennifer Monachino Lapey, mayor of Pelham Manor, took the time to respond to us:
Jaine Elkind Eney, supervisor of the town of Mamaroneck
Tell us a bit about your background and what led you to become mayor.
“I grew up in Pelham Manor and am a third-generation Pelham resident. I graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1987 and was captain of the varsity tennis team. I have a B.A. in history from Smith College, where I was co-captain of the varsity tennis team, and a law degree from St. John’s University. At St. John’s, I worked as a notes and comments editor for the St. John’s Journal of Legal Commentary. In 1996, I earned the American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in legal research and writing.
“I served as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County for several years. Upon returning to Pelham to raise my family, I became involved in not-for-profit work and served as chair of the Pelham Preservation & Garden Society, among other positions. Through local advocacy work, I saw a need for competent leaders at the municipal level. That need motivated me to run for office. I presently serve as mayor of Pelham Manor and practice law as general counsel at a privately held company in Westchester County.”
What makes your municipality desirable to residents, workers and business owners?
“Pelham Manor is just over one square mile and is located slightly north of New Your City. While the village is completely navigable for pedestrians, it offers great access to public transportation. The village features a panoply of architecture as well as incredibly friendly neighbors. Pelham Manor is about balance and direct relationships with our residents, fostered by local control. We are committed to the principles that have distinguished us as a municipality over the years, such as fiscal responsibility. We do not carry debt, and Pelham Manor has been New York state tax cap compliant since the inception of that program. We provide high-level police, fire and DPW (Department of Public Works) services in a cost-effective manner. Pelham Manor is also deeply committed to the environment and has a demonstrated record of promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible initiatives. Notably, Pelham Manor has one of the highest recycling rates in Westchester County, at about 67%.”
What are your community’s challenges?
‘Some of our greatest challenges center on the cost of living. Fortunately, Pelham Manor remains reasonably accessible for renters, as well as buyers, according to Westchester County’s 2019 Housing Needs Assessment Report. Covid-19 remains a challenge, too. Throughout the pandemic, we have kept Village Hall open safely, and we have maintained essential services without reduction or interruption. In addition, Pelham Manor offers an industry-leading Covid-19 hub on our village website, complementing our already robust communications platform.”
How have taxes in Westchester County and New York state affected your municipality?
“Taxes are a focal point for residents. The school tax comprises the majority of the residential tax burden in our village. We do our best to provide value at the village level. While some residents relocate after their children have completed high school, we are thrilled that many seniors choose to stay in Pelham Manor. We focus on communication and outreach to seniors, and I also remind residents about the town of Pelham’s extensive programming for seniors.”
What’s ahead for your community?
“We will continue to provide exemplary municipal services and collaborate with neighboring municipalities, gaining efficiencies whenever possible. In my opinion, the sky is the limit for Pelham Manor. I would not have returned to raise my family here if I did not believe in this exceptional village.”
For more, visit pelhammanor.org.
Jennifer Monachino Lapey, mayor of Pelham Manor
Tell us a bit about your background and what led you to become supervisor.
“For over three decades, I have served the community in which I live. I feel passionately about the town offering excellent recreational opportunities, a wide variety of housing options so that we can maintain a diverse community, continuing to be on the forefront of environmental initiatives and planning for the future…. I was motivated to run for election to work on these ideals. My time as an elected official began in 2010 when I became a trustee and then deputy mayor in the village of Larchmont. Prior to being elected in the village of Larchmont, I served on the town of Mamaroneck’s Board of Assessment Review for 17 years, 14 of them as chair.
“I joined the town board in 2012 and began my position as town supervisor this past January. I am especially proud that I was a member of the town communication committee that resulted in the monthly supervisor e-newsletters and semiannual mailed newsletters so that the town could better communicate with our residents. I am also proud that I spearheaded the project to renovate the Hommocks Park Ice Rink locker rooms, which included much-needed changing rooms for female players as well as indoor space for summer camp activities. Aside from my municipal responsibilities, I maintain a local law practice.”
What makes your municipality desirable to residents, workers and business owners?
“We have a lot to be proud of in the town of Mamaroneck. Our location along the beautiful Long Island Sound, our proximity to New York City (and easy access to get there via several highways as well as two Metro-North Railroad stations), the diversity of our residents, excellent schools, beautiful conservation trails, a great variety of recreation activities and an active business community make the town of Mamaroneck a desirable place to live and work. Another attribute that makes the town of Mamaroneck so special is its longstanding tradition of good government. We run a transparent, responsive, progressive, inclusive and civil government. I plan to continue that tradition, working with our professional, experienced and caring department heads and staff, who are dedicated to providing the best possible service to the residents of our community.”
What are your community’s challenges?
“I think it’s important to maintain the diverse community that we live in. A common challenge in desirable communities such as ours is continuing to provide a high level of services for our residents while keeping our community diverse and affordable for the next generation, as well as for our aging population. It is also important that people who work for and in the town be able to live here. The availability of a wide variety of housing options is an essential element of maintaining a diverse community such as ours, affordable housing being an integral part of that. We are proud that we built the Hommocks Park Apartments, which is one example that offers both affordable and workforce housing in our community.
“Another challenge we face is that ours is a built-out community. If I could wave a magic wand, I would create more land for the town for recreation, housing and schools.”
How have taxes in Westchester County and New York state affected your municipality?
“The federal limit on the deductibility of state and local taxes (SALT) has added to the cost of living in all of the towns in our area of New York state. The town of Mamaroneck is no exception. To try to offset some of this, we are continually working to deliver the high level of services that our residents expect at the lowest cost possible. Wherever we can, we work with our neighboring communities to share services so that we can take advantage of economies of scale.”
What’s ahead for your community?
“I’ll have the answer to that question in the next 12 to 18 months as the town of Mamaroneck is currently in the process of updating its comprehensive plan. Over the next several months, the town, together with input from local residents through public workshops and events, will identify goals and strategies for the future of our Mamaroneck. The plan will provide a blueprint for future growth and preservation of the town. We want to ensure that the town of Mamaroneck will remain a great place to live and work.”
For more, visit townofmamaroneckny.org.
