Mayor’s Report Full of “Wonderful News”

By Stephen E. Lipken

Bronxville Mayor Mary C. Marvin opened a Board meeting and Work Session on January 10, with a “wonderfully good” report, beginning with the Picture House Regional Film Center taking over the historic Bronxville Bow Tie Cinemas, 84 Kraft Avenue, in operation since 1929 extending their film and educational programs, plus three screens.

Mayor Marvin went on to say that Iona College acquired the Concordia College 28-acre campus on December 7, forming a partnership with NewYork Presbyterian Hospital to be renamed NYP Iona School of Health Services, started with a $20 million-dollar NYP gift. 

Marvin noted that Iona President Dr. Seamus Carey said that in addition to the Health Care School, the campus would be a “vibrant hub” of world-class seminars; speakers; performing arts; athletics and summer camps. Classes will begin in January 2023.

Lastly, Trustees Mary Behrens, William Fredericks; Village Administrator James Palmer and Marvin invited Congressman Jamaal Bowman to visit the Village, concentrating on showing Bowman the flooding issues, taking him to Parkway Road, Bronx River, destroyed bridge over the Duck Pond and asked him questions about the Army Corps of Engineers.  

At the Work Session, Palmer introduced Auditor Alan Kassay from PKF O’Connor Davies, who disseminated the Independent Auditor’s Report, reporting the Village’s financial statements and funds for year ending May 31, 2021.  An Unmodified Opinion, also known as a Clean Opinion, is the best that a municipality can receive, which applies to Bronxville, Kassay noted.

“Original Budget Revenues totaled $16.6 million; Actual Results: $16.3 million, about $390,000 less than the prior year, with losses in Parking, Fines and Forfeitures, due to COVID,” Kassay began.  “However, a Premium issued from the $13 million-dollar bond is $339,472, basically your year’s Surplus. Fund Balance Beginning of Year of $9,207,534 plus Net Change in Fund Balance $348,097, equals $9,555,631 End of Year,” Kassay concluded.