Rye Residents to Vote on $1.68M Bond for Road Improvements

The City of Rye has two bond referendums on the ballot today: one for a $176,000 improvement to the Rye Free Reading Room and another $1,680,000 to improve city infrastructure.  

The two bonds are expected to increase the tax rate by .6 percent over the adopted 2012 tax rate and cost approximately $19 per home per year, according to city officials. The bonds would not affect the city’s current Triple A rating or put the city over the two percent state mandated tax cap, according to the city fact sheet.

The fact sheet states: 

“There can be no compromises when it comes to safety. A much longer list of possible capital and infrastructure needs was pared down t the most critical elements to be covered by this bond. While the city recognizes the severe fiscal challenges faced by municipalities today, it still has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its residents and provide the necessary capital investments to maintain the integrity of our infrastructure, which is in all our residents’ best interests.”

The projects chosen for this bond came out of recommendations made by the 2009 Central Business District Planning and Streetscape Study. Read FAQs on the bond in the PDF attached to this article.

The $1.6 million infrastructure project includes several projects:

Smith Street Reconstruction, $330,000

Smith/Elm/Purchase intersection Improvements, $550,000 – This would replace the existing signal with stop signs and other traffic calming measures and include bump outs, new crosswalks and other street amenities.

Locust Avenue Sewer Siphon Replacement, $250,000 -This would construct a new sewer line with more reliable gravity sewer flow to the County trunk in Blind Brook.

Boston Post Road Retaining Wall, $300,000 - This would be the first phase of a three phase process that would replace the wall and sidewalk between Thistle Lane and Purdy Avenue.

Sidewalk and Pedestrian Improvements, $250,000 – This would mean new or upgraded sidewalks, crosswalk improvements, flashing beacons and speed indicators and other pedestrian safety improvements around schools.

The $176,000 improvement to the Rye Free Reading Room would install sprinklers and a fire alarm system as well as ADA and flood control improvements. 

What are your thoughts on the propositions? Tell us in the comments.