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City Hall Reports 100 WP Homes Still Out According to Con Edison

Posted on August 3, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From The Mayor’s Office. August 3, 2006: David Maloney, press spokesperson for Mayor Joseph Delfino reports that as of 12:25 P.M., according to Con Edison there are 100 homes still without power in White Plains, in the most oppressive heat wave in White Plains memory, that are expected to be hooked up by Con Edison this afternoon.

Maloney said 27 homes on Murchison at Ridgeway, (Gedney Farms) without power since 6:45 P.M. were expected to be restored by 1 P.M.; 23 homes at Cedarwood and Redwood (Rosedale)reported out since 8:50 P.M. last night are expected to be reconnected by 2 P.M.; 19 homes at Pinebrook Drive and Maple Moor (North Street) which lost power at 5:36 P.M. are expected to be back on at 1 P.M., and 31 homes at Robertson Avenue and Tarrytown Road (Battle Hill) out since 1:30 A.M. today are projected to be restored by 3:32 P.M.

Maloney said earlier today he had received ten calls at the Mayor’s office complaining of lack of power who had not been able to reach Con Edison. Maloney said the city had been told a feeder cable in Mamaroneck was responsible for the outage, but did not have a comment on reports from a Highlands resident that Con Edison personnel had personally told him circuit breaker failure caused the outages in their neighborhood Tuesday evening. Maloney earlier today urged residents to advise City Hall of outages.

A Con Edison spokesperson reporting 700 White Plains homes out at midnight Wednesday evening said circuit breaker failure could have been the cause, but a Con Edision laboratory investigation would have to determine the true cause.

746 OUT. Reynal Park, Prospect Park Join Rolling Blackouts of White Plains

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. August 2, 2006: With the 11 o’clock temperature 88 degrees with 66% humidity (very icky) a sweltering, fetid sweat sock of a night shrouds the county seat in stifling misery for those without power. A resident of Reynal Park reports that about 25% of her neighborhood is without power at this time, having gone out sometime between 8 P.M. and 10 P.M. She says she knows persons checking into hotels because they cannot stand the heat.

Joy Farber of Con Edison Media Relations reports to WPCNR as of 11 P.M. there are 746 customers without power in White Plains, in the 6,561 Westchester County residents without electricity at this time. Farber said the numbers of outages have “hit a spike” as people have returned to their residences. If help is needed, the Mayor’s Office urges people to call the police at 422-6111

Asked whether the majority of outages in White Plains could be caused by circuit breakers on the wires blowing and causing a short circuit blacking out vast blocks as happened last night in the Highlands, Farber said “that could have been a cause,” but actual causes would be determined until lines that fail were “autopsied” at Con Edison’s laboratory in The Bronx. Farber said she would try and find out. Farber said most of the outages were heat related. In a number of cases in the past,

WPCNR has asked the reason behind blackouts, and Con Edison has given the same answer that the laboratory has to investigate, however, results never seem to be announced of those investigations. The failure of the transformers in downtown White Plains two years ago where feeder cables melted, but why they melted was never explained.

A “CitizeNetReporter” from the Highlands reports that Midchester Avenue — home to Councilman Benjamin Boykin– has been out since 4 o’clock — and that the fire department was going house to house on that street, but did not know why. WPCNR has also learned that a portion of Prospect Park went “offline” at 4:30 this afternoon. A CitizeNetReporter also notes that there are other portions of the Highlands that have winked out.

The cause of the rolling blackouts tonight in White Plains is not known at this time.

New Outages Reported Within Last Hour in WP

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From WPCNR Reporters. August 2, 2006: As of 4:30 P.M., WPCNR was told that Midchester Avenue has lost power in the Highlands, and is advised that Easton Avenue is out. Con Ed reported 24 White Plains homes “out” as of midday, another reader advises “My wife tells me power went off in last 2 hours on Soundview Circle. Neighbors also without power. I called Con Ed. They don’t seem to have an explanation. I wonder how widespread it is. Delightful.

Con Edison Urges Conservation.

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From The Mayor’s Office. August 2, 2006: As of 5 PM with the temperature steady at 95 degrees in the shade, and residents begin to return to their homes, when evening demand yesterday blew circuit breakers in the Highlands, the Mayor’s Office has released to WPCNR the following Con Edison statement:

“As a result of the record setting temperatures that continue in Westchester County today….

We continue to be fully mobilized for the current heat event and have brought in additional staffing at all levels, 24/7.

We are responding to local scattered outages in the county as a result of this excessive heat event

Con Edison set a new record for electric usage Tuesday, reaching 13,103 megawatts at 5 P.M. (Tuesday), which topped the new 13,059 megawatts the company set last year on July 27, 2005. The load forecast for today is significantly higher than for yesterday.

We urge all customers not to use any unnecessary electrical appliances and conserve energy during the current heat wave.

Electric supplies are sufficient to meet the projected demand for electricity this week, and company crews remain ready to respond to any power outage that may occur.

If customers do experience an outage, they should contact Con Edison by calling the 24-hour, toll free number at 1-800-75CONED.

Municipal concerns should continue to be addressed through normal channels.”

Con Edison requests:

“Turn off appliances when they are not needed. Set air conditioners at 78 degrees or higher. Use energy-intensive appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and dryers late at night, or early in the morning.”

Power Back to Most in WP. Con Ed: 24 Out as of 1 PM. 2,244 Countywide.

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey. August 2, 2006: With the thermometer outside the WPCNR newsroom reading 93 in the shade as of 1 PM, a Con Edison spokesperson reports most of White Plains homes have been restored to power, only 24 remain without electricity in the city.

Across Westchester, there are 2,244 homes without power. However, the Highlands residents sweltering last night have a power vigilante to thank for their restoration. WPCNR does caution there is a lag time between when customers are restored and when Con Edison reports them restored.

According to a White Plains CitizeNetReporter, one resident alone is responsible for bringing power back to the Highlands before midnight last night. He told a story of how most of the 200 Highlands homes were restored by early this morning.

It began with a power-outted resident driving about the area to see the extent of the outage, when he encountered a Con Edison Utility Lineman leaving the Highlands neighborhood around 10PM. The citizen flashed his headlights, causing the Con Ed truck to stop. The citizen asked where he was going. The lineman said he was being called off to another trouble area in the county.

The citizen complained asking for someone he could call. The lineman said he was not allowed to give that information. The resident told the lineman that he would give the lineman’s truck license plate to the media if something was not done. (The resident reports that media was giving extensive coverage to a senior assisted living residence in Riverdale.”Does this mean the way to get attention is to go to the media?” the resident asked our correspondent.)

The lineman then left the area. The resident returned to his home, called Con Edison again and was told the neighborhood could not expect restoration until 5 AM at the earliest. After the resident had gone to bed in his sultry house, he was awakened by his wife who said there was a beeping sound outside their home. It turned out it was the Con Edison lineman utility truck coming back.

The resident came down to the street and found out that the lineman had returned with a Con Edison foreman and they were hunting for a circuit breaker that had blown.

As the resident told our correspondent, “they were searching for a blown circuit breaker on the wire. They have to go through the neighborhood looking at the wires to find where the circuit breaker is.” A short time later about 11:45 P.M. the area to the North from Bryant to Bolton and Old Mamaroneck Road to South Lexington was restored.

This is at odds with what the Con Edison press office told WPCNR at 12:15 that there were still 200 homes out, but it is understandable since Con Edison cannot tell when homes and businesses go out individually, that they would not know when they come back on either. So, there would be a “lag” time in reporting how many customers are restored.

The resident said he felt the Con Edison linemen and crews were working hard but appeared to be disorganized deploying at the whim of headquarters. He complained bitterly about the White Plains City Government not making any tours of the stricken Highlands last week to check on how residents were doing, nor providing any help in the forms of ice and water. He also complained that White Plains Police were not prepared to communicate timely information to residents in an emergency.

The resident said he felt the Con Edison linemen and crews were working hard but appeared to be disorganized deploying at the whim of headquarters. He complained bitterly about the White Plains City Government not making any tours of the stricken Highlands July 18-23 to check on how residents were doing, nor providing any help in the forms of ice and water. He also complained that White Plains Police were not prepared to communicate timely information to residents in an emergency.

The resident also asked the foreman on infrastructure, saying if we’re using too much electricity, does that mean the infrastructure needs replacing. The foreman said, according to the resident, absolutely not, that Con Edison had put in four new substations in downtown White Plains.

The resident reports talking to the foreman supervising the lineman, asking him what could have caused the outage in the Highlands.

The foreman said “You’re using too much electricity.”

Air Pistol Licensing Legislation Put in Moth Balls.

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. August 2, 2006: An ordinance requiring the licensing and registration and identification of owners of air pistols and BB guns, and penalties for “unlicensed” air pistols and recreational guns (available for sale at The Sports Authority, Wal-Mart, and Sears, among other stores in the city), initiated and requested by the Commissioner of Public Safety in White Plains, Dr. Frank Straub has been “tabled indefinitely” according to David Maloney, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office. The ordinance, modeled word for word on a law on the books in Yonkers, was scheduled to become law at the August 7 Common Council meeting.

There was no explanation from the Mayor’s office why the legislation has been withdrawn. Asked if the legislation was being rewritten or adjusted, Maloney repeated it has been tabled indefinitely.

Recreational Air Pistol Sales Will Not Be Regulated: A tableaux of the guns an Air Pistol Ordinance would have regulated, requiring registration by new owners. Photo, Courtesy, Carl Albanese.

City Hall: Feeder Cable Malfunctions. 200 in WP, Mamaroneck, Bronx OUT

Posted on August 2, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. By John F. Bailey. August 2, 2006: According to David Maloney of The Mayor’s Office, 200 White Plains residents in the Highlands remain without electricity at this hour. The power outage was first reported to WPCNR 8:45 P.M. Wednesday evening by a “CitizeNetReporter” in the Highlands.

Maloney said that White Plains Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti, has been in contact with Con Edison sources, and Nicoletti reports that the cause of the outage in White Plains is a malfunction in a Con Edison feeder cable in Mamaroneck. The faulty feeder has, according to Nicoletti caused outages in the Bronx and in parts of Mamaroneck as well as White Plains. The power is out indefinitely.

Maloney said there is no indication from Con Edison when the feeder problem and when White Plains residents might be restored to power. Residents may come to the Senior Center in White Plains if they need relief from the heat. If you need help contact the White Plains Police at 422-6111.

200 Without Power at Midnight Blackouts Douse Highlands, Prospect PK

Posted on August 1, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY CIRCUIT. August 1, 2006, UPDATED August 2, 2006,12:30 P.M. E.D.T.: Con Edison spokesperson Joy Farber reports to WPCNR as of 12:15 A.M. Wednesday, 200 White Plains customers in the Highlands area are without power. The cause, Ms. Farber said, is not known, and Con Edison crews she reported were enroute. Across Westchester County a total of 500 residents were without power, including the White Plains residents. Farber said crews would work throughout the night to restore power. She said the cause was not known, but said it was possibly “heat-releated.”

White Plains Police reported scattered blackouts being reported about the city Tuesday evening as of 9:15 P.M. A “CitizeNetReporter” living in the Highlands, south of Bryant Avenue reports his power went out at 8:45 P.M. A police spokesperson had said at the time they were attempting to confirm several outage reports with Con Edison. Another “CitizeNetReporter” advised that Prospect Park was dark.

If you are without power, Con Edison will not know it unless you report it by telephoning 800-75CONED, waiting through the voicemail options and giving the information about your location at the automated prompts.

Mayor Calls Con Ed Presence Insufficient. Communications Inaccurate

Posted on August 1, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. August 1, 2006: Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains has made public his concerns about the efficiency of Con Edison efforts in White Plains during the July 19-20-21-22-23 “Mystery Storm” recovery.

Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains Demands Better Con Ed Response. Photo, November 2005 WPCNR News Archive

Rocked on Ridgeway, July 18, 2006. Photo by WPCNR News

In a letter to Sandra Miller, Director of Public Affairs for Con Edison in Westchester County, the Mayor cites Con Edison for shorting White Plains Con Edison personnel, delaying 7,000 residents’ return to power. Here is a copy of the Mayor’s letter:

July 24, 2006

Dear Ms. Miller,

The storm that hit White Plains on Tuesday July 18, 2006, caused massive outages throughout the southern end of White Plains, particularly the Highlands, Gedney Farms, Rosedale, Saxon Woods, Havilands Manor, and Hillair Circle neighborhoods. According to your own estimates, more than 7,000 White Plains residents experienced outages and were without power for the better part of last week. The damage caused by this storm, which struck quickly and inflicted massive damage to electrical infrastructure, could not have been predicted.

My concern is in how few Con Ed line crews were available within the City of White Plains once the storm had passed. Our Department of Public Works (DPW) amassed a crew of more than 100 employees, who worked around the clock to clear the affectedl areas of trees and debris.

Unfortunately, the work of the DPW staff was hampered by an insufficient presence of Con Ed personnel necessary to ensure that power was cut to the lines so that we could move as quickly as possible to clear the affected areas. I would also ask that a review be taken by Con Ed to ensure that the staffing levels are adequate in the most affected areas.

It has also been brought to my attention by our residents that information was difficult to obtain from Con Ed, and that often the information that was communicated was incorrect. I would suggest that Con Ed review their communications process as it relates to handling inquiries and disseminating information to the customers after major storm activity has passed.

I thank you in advance for your attention to the concerns I have outlined above. Please contact me directly should you wish to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely

Joseph M. Delfino

Mayor

Bond Referendum $69.3 Million. School Board OKs $5.1M Architect Fee.

Posted on August 1, 2006 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. August 1, 2006: The Board of Education approved a contract with the architectural firm of Kaeyer Garment & Davidson (Mount Kisco) last night defining fees the firm will be paid if the Capital Projects Bond, currently projected to be presented to voters at a total of $66.7 Million, is approved by city voters. The Superintendent of Schools also indicated the district would push for an October referendum date.

According to the contract approved last night,5-0, Michele Tratoros, Peter Bassano, Bill Pollak, Rosemarie Eller and Terry McGuire voted to pay Kaeyer Garment & Davidson 8% of the Construction cost for construction projects under $5 Million, and 7% of the construction cost for projects over $5 Million. Donna McLaughlin and Rick Tompkins were not present.

Two projects in the plan cost over $5 Million: the new Post Road School ($39.4 Million) and the Loucks Field Renovation ($5.7 Million). K.G & D would earn $2,755,130 of its fee (by WPCNR estimate) on the Post Road School construction and $404,442 on the Loucks Field construction.

An actual fee figure was not in the contract, which states “After the approval of the bond referendum by the voters of the White Plains City School District, the above-referenced percentages shall be converted to a fixed lump sum.” Should the referendum not be approved, Kaeyer Garment & Davidson would be paid $50,000 for their work to date.

The $5 Million fee is a preliminary figure, based on the present cost estimates provided by Triton Construction to the Capital Projects Committee the night of July 20

Going to the Ref in October.

The School Board is considering pushing for a referendum on the bond this October, before the general election. The Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors said last night that the Capital Projects Committee will present its final recommendations to the district August 15.

The last meeting for deliberations by the Capital Projects Committee is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Education House at 7:30 P.M. Connors expressed the possibility that the Board of Education could consider the Capital Projects Committee recommendation in the last two weeks of this month and schedule a bond referendum vote in October.

Construction Cost Projections Included in New Bond Threshold.

Another factor in the “bond creep” is the cost of construction, projected by Triton Construction as being 2% per quarter. That inflation rate, according to Terrance Schreurs, Assistant Superintendent for Business is built into the present $69.4 M estimate. The “Conceptual Estimate” presented to the Capital Projects Committee July 20 pegged the estimate at $69,366,748 , not $66.7 Million as previously costed.

That final figure depends on the Capital Projects Committee final decision on the Highlands Parker Stadium Project. The committee as of July 20 was of a consensus to eliminate artificial surfacing of the Highlands Parker Stadium, and renovate the bleachers only. This may bring the cost back to $66-67 Million level. No estimate has been prepared for executing the bleacher improvement only. If the Parker Stadium project is reduced by say, $2 Million, the Kaeyer Garment Davidson total fee for the entire project would reduce $223,817 to $4,874,150.

“Below Market”

Previously, the Board of Education had expressed reservations about the contract over “technicalities,” Assistant Superintendent for Business Terrance Schruers told WPCNR last night. However, other than legal language there was no significant change from the terms of the deal. Peter Bassano mentioned that 80% of the architect’s fee would be paid when construction began, but did not provide details, however Bassano praised the contract payment arrangement as “below market” for services KG & D will provide as part of the project, but did not provide details. KG & D is the only architect consulted on the preparation of the entire capital projects upgrade.

Schreurs said the 80% of fee arrangement for KG & D, the architect would be paid as the architects designed each separate project in sequence – not in a lump sum.

The Breakdown

Chris Pearson of Triton Construction presented the following updated Cost Summary Conceptual Estimate to the Capital Projects Committee July 20. WPCNR has computed the architect fee associated with each individual construction project

School Total Bond Cost Architect’s Fee

(WPCNR Estimate)

Post Road

New Building $39,359,008 $2,755,130

Mamaroneck

AVE School $4,271,825 $ 341,746

High School

Lockers $ 500,250 $40,020

Infrastructure

Program

Church Street

School $2,712,508 $217,000

Dammann

House Infra $ 198,387 $ 15,870

District

Wide Infra $ 109,405 $ 8,752

Eastview

School $2,682,604 $214,608

Education

House $ 142,664 $ 11,413

George

Washington $ 402,609 $ 32,208

High School

Infrastructure $3,298,042 $ 263,843

Highlands

Middle School $1,643,988 $131,519

Mamaroneck

Ave School $1,784,172 $142,734

Ridgeway

School $1,551,505 $124,120

Rochambeau $1,259,321 $100,745

Site Development

Program

Loucks Field $5,777,742 $404,442

Highlands

Parker Stadium $3,672,717 $293,817

TOTAL COSTS ESTIMATED ARCHITECT FEE

As of 7/20/06 $69,366,748 $5,097,967

Parker Stadium

Cutback if full

Parker turf

Program eliminated $1,000,000 (est) $70,000 *

Alternative upgrade to Parker Stadium has not been defined, this is an estimate of the architect fee only, if the district did $1M of repairs to the Parker bleachers.