ConEd rate hikes, ICE raids loom large at forum

Mount Kisco Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, County Legislator Erika Pierce and Assemblymember Chris Burdick take questions at a forum held at the Mount Kisco Public Library. MARTIN WILBUR PHOTO

By MARTIN WILBUR

Combatting Con Edison’s proposed double-digit rate hikes, assurances that local police aren’t assisting federal agents in immigration raids and a proposed Mount Kisco solar farm were the key topics discussed at a local forum.

Village Mayor J. Michael Cindrich, County Legislator Erika Pierce and Assemblymember Chris Burdick spoke and took questions from area residents on June 26 at the Mount Kisco Public Library during a “Coffee and Conversations” session. 

Each of the three officials updated the roughly 40 residents who attended on some of their accomplishments in office and the legislation that they have supported or are proposing. Residents were given the chance to ask questions as well.

The looming Con Edison rate increase —  the target of a lawsuit brought by the county and multiple Westchester municipalities — remains high on the list of priorities for Burdick and Pierce. The utility filed a rate increase request of 11.4 percent for the electricity delivery charge and 13.3 percent for natural gas with the New York State Public Service Commission, far in excess of the inflation rate that has consistently remained between 2 and 3 percent.

Burdick, who is an intervenor in the matter, pointed to how many families, but particularly seniors on fixed incomes, are already under fiscal stress that would worsen if the rates are approved. 

While Con Edison affects residents in Mount Kisco, most of the remaining residents in Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge are NYSEG customers, and they may not be spared either.

“It just is not fair, it is not right and NYSEG is about to file for rate increases,” Burdick said. 

As an intervenor, the assemblyman and some of his colleagues have the authority to obtain detailed filings and submit questions that Con Edison must respond to. The utility must also provide evidence and participate in confidential settlement discussions.

Pierce said numerous municipalities have joined the county in challenging Con Edison’s rate increase before the Public Service Commission. Mount Kisco decided against joining.

“The problem is we can’t share concerns, only the people who are in the lawsuit get to see the answers,” Pierce said. 

Cindrich explained that with the county taking the lead in the case it wasn’t necessary for the village to spend extra money. 

However, the mayor criticized Con Edison for reducing voltage during the recent heat wave by 8 percent, which could damage electrical equipment in homes.

The officials reminded the public that there will be hearings next week in Cortlandt and White Plains, where the public can ask questions of Con Edison and express their views. The hearings are at Cortlandt Town Hall, located at 1 Heady St., Cortlandt Manor, on Tuesday, July 8 at 1 and 6 p.m., and the Westchester County Center, located at 198 Central Ave., White Plains, on Wednesday, July 9, at 1 and 6 p.m.

David Smith of Bedford pressed the panel on whether police departments were assisting agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement in their raids in Westchester.

“In some corners they seemed to be getting support from local police departments,” Smith said. “I’m wondering if there are guidelines or policies.”

The fear is particularly strong in Mount Kisco, which has a large immigrant population estimated to be between 40 and 50 percent.

Cindrich, a retired career law enforcement officer, including time with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, lambasted the current agencies involved in the raids for having agents wear masks, failing to produce warrants and refusing to identify themselves, something that wasn’t done when he was working.

“We did have federal agents in Mount Kisco,” Cindrich said. “They claimed to be executing warrants. Nobody saw the warrants. The community police who are assigned to the Village/Town of Mount Kisco were not cooperating with the agents. They did not give them any information.”

The county’s policy is if the actions taken by the federal agencies are solely immigration-related matters, then Westchester officers neither help nor hinder the operation, Pierce said. If there is a crime or a criminal investigation, then Westchester County law enforcement gets involved, she said.

“We do not hinder their action, but we absolutely do not work with them except when there are issues that are not just immigration related, in which we all cooperate, which is the law,” Pierce said. “As the mayor said, there is no collaboration going on. We want our residents here of all stripes to understand their rights.”

Pierce urged people not to post rumors or unverified information related to raids on social media. Those accounts may be unreliable and would only discourage families to go to work, school or doctor’s appointments. Officials also want to make sure that the immigrant population calls police if they are a victim or witness a crime or other emergency.

Concern was also raised regarding the proposed solar farm at 180 South Bedford Road, near the Bedford town line. Nearly two years ago Homeland Towers was approved for a monopole at the site and currently the village planning board is going through the environmental review for the solar array.

John Stockbridge of Bedford pressed the panel on what they would do to preserve open space in light of the proposal to clear about 500 trees for a solar farm on a portion of the 25-acre parcel at 180 South Bedford Road. An advocate of solar, Stockbridge said the renewable form of energy should not be at the expense of green space. Instead, it should go on impervious surfaces and rooftops.

“We are hurting our environment; we are hurting our open space. Basically, we are also hurting the character of the towns that we’re in,” Stockbridge said. “This is the kind of thing where our comprehensive plans, we want to preserve open space land. We want to have an environment be protective of our views and our life.”

Cindrich responded that a zoning change made in 2018, the year after he left office after his initial 14-year stint as mayor, allowed for solar installations in multiple districts. While mayor, he said he worked with then-County Legislator Pete Harckham and former Bedford Supervisor Lee Roberts to make a joint purchase of 180 South Bedford Road, but the deal fell through.

Legally, there is little Mount Kisco can do to prevent the private property owner from pursuing the solar array, but village officials are determined not to make a similar mistake in the future.

“We’re going to be entertaining a law, a very robust law that the village board worked on for over a year now to control battery energy storage systems,” Cindrich said. “We have the support of the fire department, building department, the engineer.”