On Record: PC Leaders on Rye Brook's Affordable Housing Plans

As Rye Brook looks ahead to an Oct. 25 public hearing on its affordable housing obligations, Port Chester leaders said this week they're worried about the neighboring community affordable housing into so-called District 4.

Children of families living in that district, which borders Port Chester, are sent to Port Chester schools, which have been plagued by in recent years.

Here are statements from Port Chester's elected leaders on how they perceive Rye Brook's approach to fulfilling its obligation in an .

Trustee Sam Terenzi, Republican:

The argument "centers around the fact that Rye Brook has the luxury of fulfilling their affordable housing needs and dumping it in the Port Chester School District."

"The thing that galls me is that they're gonna tell you they're doing everything in their power to take care of their affordable housing needs...but I think District 4 is going to suffer for it."

"This has got to do with the right thing, the neighborly thing to do."

"God forbid if that underclass happens to be walking down North Ridge Street or Country Ridge Road, God forbid. To me, this is just blatant dumping in Port Chester."

Trustee Daniel Brakewood, Democrat:

"It's very important for us to provide considered input into that process, to make sure we have well-founded, clearly thought-out input into their public hearings. I don't think we can do that in the timeframe they've laid out."

"The central part is basically building in the Port Chester school system." Brakewood has asked Village Attorney Anthony Cerreto to look into whether building in District 4 would meet the housing settlement's requirements, "because quite honestly it's not in the spirit of the agreement."

"My main point right now is that we need more time ... This isn't something they should be rushing into, and it isn't something we should be rushing into."

Trustee Bart Didden, Republican:

"The importance of the discussion tonight is so that the school board can see we're here and we have a legal right, as a neighboring community to this floating zone, to participate in the review process.

"We've all heard from constituents, residents and taxpayers who want to make their opinion known, and we have certain legal rights in the process Rye Brook is going through."

"Tonight was important to get it out there...so everybody knows we know and we're going to exercise our right as a neighboring community."

Mayor Dennis Pilla, Democrat:

"While I respect the spirit of what everybody is saying here so far, we want to avoid dumping into Port Chester schools by another community, and I'm not suggesting they're doing that...then we have to proceed cautiously so we don't hurt the outcome."

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