Richard Abel
No biography on file yet.
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 16
- Total speaking time
- 2:04:36
- Avg per meeting
- 7:47
- Segments
- 2113
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Top issues during term (20)
Westchester Crossing (United Hospital site) redevelopment approvals
A 20-year tax abatement on the hotel parcel reduces near-term tax revenue but is projected to enable a project that adds jobs, spending, and long-term tax base.
Costco expansion at 1 Westchester Avenue
The IDA will study the PILOT and benefits package for the revised project, with a decision expected over the next few months.
Church expansion parking relief at 35 Traverse Avenue
No direct cost to the village; the church avoids buying 19 parking spaces it says it cannot afford.
Graduated parking fines local law
Higher or graduated parking fines could bring in more revenue — and cost violators more.
Term limits for Mayor and Trustees
Trustees also discussed aligning election cycles to save the roughly $100,000+ cost of standalone mayoral elections.
Outstanding parking ticket collection IMA with Town of Rye
Uncollected parking fines represent lost revenue for the Village.
Residential parking, traffic circulation, and public safety study (RFP 2026-07)
The Village will pay a consulting firm for the study; the cost isn't specified in the RFP excerpt.
Site plan deadline extensions for stalled projects (Portview, 155 Irving, 157 Westchester)
The developer says it has spent over $5 million on pre-development costs; the village collects fees and PILOT revenue from these projects.
Fair Share Mitigation Payment Local Law build-out limit removal
Potential loss of millions in mitigation fees — one recent project alone owes over $3 million.
Restaurant outdoor dining at 179 Rectory Street
Extended outdoor seating seasons could help a 26-year-old restaurant recover business lost since COVID.
D&B Company shipping containers interpretation
E-bike and scooter safety
Building heights and form-based code reform (CD-5, CD-6, CD-6T)
Could reshape what gets built downtown and how tall buildings near homes can be.
Willet Avenue/Highland Street pedestrian crossing safety
A study would require a capital project and funding, and the county won't cost-share — village taxpayers would pay.
Comprehensive plan progress
Truck traffic and sidewalk safety at 21 Grace Church Street coffee plant
Delays are costing the business money, and restrictions could raise its operating costs; roughly 29-year employees say their jobs depend on approval.
FY 2026-2027 PCIDA budget
About $3 million in fund balance may be earmarked for long-term PILOT administration costs.
Potential sale of KTI synagogue woodland on King Street
Conservation options discussed could involve park fund or county land bank money; the property was listed for $2.8 million.
Capitol Theatre marquee message boards
No direct cost to the village; the theatre pays for its own sign installation.
Carpet World multi-storefront signage
Decisions during term (410)
Recorded while Abel was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Local Law I-XX of 2026 — 155-157 Irving Avenue site plan extension
Local Law I-XXI of 2026 — 157 Westchester Avenue site plan extension
Approval of September 2, 8, 23 and 30, 2026 minutes
Budget Transfer — FY 2026-27 General Fund, Fire Department, $4,950
Free parking for the 2026 holiday season
Approval of September 28, 2026 Minutes
Case #2024-0255 — 35 Traverse Avenue site plan approval
Case #2026-0275 — 21 Grace Church Street site plan and special exception approval
Case #2026-0274 — 179 Rectory Street adjourned
Case #2026-0276 — 1 Westchester Avenue (Costco) adjourned
September 28, 2026
155-157 Irving Avenue site plan extension public hearing continued to November 2
157 Westchester Avenue site plan extension public hearing continued to November 2
Designating polling locations and hours for the March 16, 2027 village election
Add-on of resolutions II through VI to the agenda
Intergovernmental agreement with New York State for endpoint protection and response services
Updated DEA Equitable Sharing and Task Force Agreement
Capital Project #2026-308 — Westchester & Bowman Avenue traffic improvements, $200,000
Budget amendment — FY 2026-27 General Fund, police emergency services vehicle repair, $11,600
Budget amendment — Capital Project #2021-212, computer hardware/equipment, $124,000
Voting record (122)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Local Law I-XX of 2026 — 155-157 Irving Avenue site plan extension
Wants consistent policy for extensions rather than ad hoc requests
Local Law I-XXI of 2026 — 157 Westchester Avenue site plan extension
Approval of September 2, 8, 23 and 30, 2026 minutes
Was absent for one of the meetings
Adopt United Hospital Fourth Amended Findings (Resolution 0000.1)
United Hospital PMU Amendments (Resolution 000.1)
Adopt United Hospital Amended Site Plan (Resolution 00.1)
Add-on: defined timeframe for street closures, police escorts and use of village property
Appointment of Village Prosecutor and Confirmation of Prosecutorial Authority
Budget Transfer – FY 2026-27 General Fund – Fire Department Training Equipment ($8,000)
Budget Amendment – FY 2026-27 General Fund – Central Garage Sanitation Truck Repair ($44,000)
Local law extending Westchester Avenue/Irving Avenue project site plan approval
Term limits for mayor and trustees
Wanted an immediate vote on term limits he has advocated for over twenty years.
United Hospital site hearing tabled to Sept. 30
Fair Share Mitigation local law adopted
223-227 Westchester Ave permit extension hearing adjourned
South Regent Street renamed for Lou Larizza
Opposes the rationale of naming multiple things after one person; would favor it if the basketball court naming were withdrawn.
ArtsWestchester underpass mural add-on accepted
Had no information on the project.
Approval of July 29, August 11 and August 25 minutes
Teamsters Local 456 contract ratified
Westchester Crossing public hearing — adjourned to September 8
Adoption of Local Law No. I-16 of 2026 — disabled veterans tax exemption
Capital Project #2026-304 — 2026 Sidewalk Program ($950,000)
Award of Bid No. 2026-08 — Sidewalk Program to Woodland Manor LLC ($860,250)
Capital Project #2026-305 — Lyon Park 9-11 Memorial Improvements ($8,000)
Award of Bid No. 2026-11 — HVAC services to F&F Mechanical Service, LLC
Capital Project #2026-306 — Village Hall 3rd Floor HVAC ($20,000)
Capital Project #2026-307 — Fire Dept Station Alerting System ($165,000)
Award of Bid No. 2026-12 — Fire alerting system to Electronic Systems Solutions, Inc. ($160,890.27)
Acceptance of SYEP donations ($18,250 total)
Reappointment of Dr. Janusz R. Richards to Town of Rye Board of Assessment Review
Construction noise waiver for 28 Pearl Street redevelopment
Two years of extended construction hours is inconsiderate to Smith Street residents