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Community Development official proposes part‑time sustainability coordinator; announces $400,000 county design funds for Hartsdale Brook
Summary
Commissioner Garrett proposed a $50,000 part‑time sustainability coordinator to pursue grants and support townwide electrification and EV infrastructure, and announced $400,000 from Westchester County for Hartsdale Brook flood‑mitigation design that supplements an existing FEMA grant.
Garrett, the town’s Commissioner of the Department of Community Development and Conservation, presented his department’s 2026 budget priorities at the Oct. 7 work session and proposed adding a part‑time sustainability coordinator with an allocation of $50,000 to target grants for EV charging, municipal fleet electrification and solar projects. "I have this sustainability coordinator in this budget and this is new for 2026. It would be a part time position," Garrett said.
Garrett framed the role as grant‑focused support for townwide initiatives rather than a core departmental shift, saying the hire would free department staff to continue their land‑use and permit work while pursuing sustainability funding. He noted the town already has a full‑time forestry officer and that roughly 80% of that officer’s time is dedicated to tree permits while the remainder assists engineering and DPW functions.
The commissioner also said the town is pursuing a climate‑or energy‑community certification administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; earning bronze status would increase the town’s competitiveness for other grants. "If the town obtains the bronze level certification, that enables the town extra points when it applies for various other grants," Garrett said.
On infrastructure funding, Garrett announced a $400,000 contract coming through from Westchester County’s Stormwater Advisory Board to supplement design work on Hartsdale Brook. He said that funding will match a FEMA grant already in hand and “really, you’re talking close to $1,000,000 of investment for flood mitigation design, with no taxpayer dollars.” The board discussed follow‑up contacts with county sustainability staff and the potential formation of a task force to meet certification requirements.
Board members asked for additional financial clarifications on departmental accruals and staffing lines, and Garrett agreed to follow up with the comptroller’s office on an accrued time line item flagged during the presentation. The work session discussion did not include any final approvals; the proposed budget line items will be reviewed again as the supervisor assembles the town proposal required to be released by Oct. 30.
