Dobbs Ferry authorizes larger CDBG match for three sidewalk projects and senior van

The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on Jan. 14 authorized increasing the village's matching commitment on Community Development Block Grant projects to the maximum permitted by Westchester County, up to $200,000 per project, to improve the village's chances of securing grant funds for three sidewalk projects and a senior van.

The action authorizes the village to increase its total match previously estimated at about $575,000 by roughly $100,000 to enable the county to consider a larger request in its review. Rob, village staff, told trustees that county reviewers advised the village it was eligible to "increase the amount up to the maximum of 50% or $200,000 match." He said the larger match would give the county more flexibility to fund project work and to help include more sidewalks in the application.

The CDBG application the board discussed covers three sidewalk projects and a senior transportation van. Rob identified the three sidewalk projects and their preliminary estimates as: Wallgrove (from Broadway to Bellwood), 1,500 linear feet, estimated $300,000; Walgrove (Bellwood to the Springhurst entrance), 1,000 linear feet, estimated $200,000; and Bellwood (Ashford to Wallgrove), 1,500 linear feet, estimated $300,000. The senior van was described in the discussion as an approximately $75,000 vehicle; trustees said acquiring a vehicle under 14 seats would avoid the need for a commercial driver's license and improve operational flexibility.

Trustees pressed staff on why the three sidewalk projects had similar estimated costs despite differing lengths; Rob and other staff explained that the county performs planning and design and that the application must include conservative estimates and escalation factors for 2026'27 construction. Valerie Manastra, the village planner, explained the county review process: "At that point in time, you have to put in an estimated match as well as the project cost. So the county then... review all the projects, look to see if anything can be tweaked... and I think that's why they came back and said to Rob, you can increase your... the match, which would allow them a little bit more flexibility in terms of what they can fund your individual projects." She added that authorizing the higher maximum match protects the village if actual construction estimates exceed the original application numbers.

Trustees discussed whether the village should have substituted a fourth sidewalk for the senior van to further maximize matching funds; staff replied that the application process and prior public hearing had already locked in the four priorities submitted earlier and that the late opportunity permitted only an increase to the match amounts. Trustee questions also clarified that the $200,000 figure is a per-project maximum the county allows for matching eligibility, not a guaranteed award.

Is there a motion to authorize matching funding up to the maximum of $200,000 per project for the CDBG grant projects if full funding is awarded? Trustee Galen moved and Trustee Rosenberg seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

The resolution directs staff to proceed with the increased match authorization so the county can proceed with planning and final cost estimates; final project scopes and budgets will depend on county design work and the amount of CDBG funding awarded.

Questions and next steps recorded during the discussion indicate staff will return with more definitive cost breakdowns as planning and design progress and as the county finalizes funding decisions.