Westchester County will spend $274 million on infrastructure improvement projects this year, $86 million more than last year”™s capital budget.
County Executive Robert P. Astorino, a Republican, announced Friday that he had reached an agreement on the capital plan with new Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz. Kaplowitz became chairman Monday with the backing of a coalition that included all seven Republicans on the 17-member board. The coalition had pledged a more collaborative relationship with the executive after several years where leadership often clashed with Astorino.
“The Board of Legislators is committed to working with the administration to move these capital projects through the approval process,” Kaplowitz said.
The plan calls for improvements to county-owned roads, $82 million for a sewer improvement project in Eastview, $25 million in improvements to the Westchester County Airport and $24 million for structural upgrades to the Yonkers Joint Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Astorino made the announcement of the agreement at a breakfast hosted by the Business Council of Westchester at Tarrytown”™s Tappan Hill Mansion. Marsha Gordon, the president and CEO of the business council, said the infrastructure improvements would benefit residents as well as businesses.
“It creates well-paying jobs, generated significant economic activity and ensures that our roads, bridges and transportation systems are safe, secure and up to date,” she said.
