Board authorizes continuation of emergency sewer repair for East Hartsdale Avenue amid bidding dispute

The Town Board authorized continuation of emergency repairs on the collapsed East Hartsdale Avenue sewer project on July 7 after an extended discussion about whether to proceed under the town’s existing emergency/on‑call contract or pause for a new competitive bid. Commissioner of Public Works Frank Morbino said high‑resolution camera footage shows the break is outside the building foundation and can be repaired in‑place rather than requiring a $20,000,000 reroute around the building. He described the current temporary bypass pumps as essential and warned that when they fail the town would face a public‑health emergency: "If the bypass pumps fail...there's going to be a public health emergency," he said.

Residents and building representatives urged rapid permanent repair. Barbara Bridal, representing several East Hartsdale Avenue buildings, described repeated disruptions since the collapse and said the buildings are prepared to cooperate with mitigation measures: "The decision needs to be made for this simple repair... The buildings are ready to work with you."

A procurement dispute emerged over whether the town should keep Murano Brothers working under an existing emergency and on‑call contract (which staff said had been competitively bid previously and includes extension options) or pause for a separate public bid. One board member raised potential conflict concerns, noting a consultant (Mike McGarvey) who produced an opinion is a consultant to Murano; staff countered that McGarvey was described as "consulting for, not employed by" a contractor and that Murano had won the original emergency/on‑call bid.

An independent contractor, Peter Maroney, sharply criticized the two‑year timeline and argued alternatives — including pump systems — might have allowed faster, lower‑cost fixes; town staff and building representatives disputed some of his claims on site constraints and flood‑zone limitations.

After extended discussion and questions about cost controls and transparency, a board member moved to allow the emergency contractor to continue while the town controller works with bond counsel to secure funds and the board agreed to ratify the action at the next regular meeting. The motion was seconded and moved forward despite at least one member expressing that a competitive bidding process should be used. Town Comptroller Kimberly Gutline advised continuing under emergency procurement because pump failures have continued.

Officials said the next steps include finalizing traffic and egress plans, confirming vibration monitoring, coordinating with Westchester County to investigate groundwater infiltration near a 48‑inch county water transmission main, and returning to the board with more detailed cost and schedule information.