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New Rochelle City Manager 

Wilfredo Melendez 

Dear Neighbors,

This month I am introducing my 2025 Work Plan to Council. In November, we saw presentations from City Departments outlining their 2024 accomplishments and 2025 goals. The work plan incorporates these efforts and gives a projection of what can be expected each quarter. You can view my presentation- as well as all Council and Board meetings- live and on demand through the City website newrochelleny.com/ccmeetings.

In the middle of this month we look forward to the return of the popular “Skate at Lincoln Park” event, offering free outdoor skating to the public during the school winter recess February 15-22.  The rink will be open each day from noon to 6 p.m. with cups of hot chocolate being provided free to the first 100 visitors. This is the first major event of 2025, and our departmental teams are busy preparing a fun-filled schedule for  throughout the year. City and community happenings are posted to our City events calendar www.newrochelleny.com/events. For the month of February, you can find observances in recognition and celebration of Black History Month. Also in February will be an Open House at City Hall on Monday, February 10 for youth and their families to learn more about our Summer Youth Employment Programs. 

At the end of 2024, I appointed a number of senior staff, each bringing experience and expertise to our core team. I am proud to welcome Todd Castaldo as Deputy City Manager, Alvaro Alfonzo-Larrain P.E. as Public Works Commissioner, Michelle Oliveros as Human Resource Commissioner and Kim Jones as City Clerk. In January, additional appointments from the Department of Public Works included Alexander Oliveira, formerly head of Sewers and Drains, to serve as Deputy Public Works Commissioner and former Deputy Commissioner Jessica Paladino, Esq., to now serve as Assistant Corporation Counsel in our Law Department. 

Throughout the year, the City receives a number of recognitions. Our most recent, a Diamond Engineering Excellence Award, was earned in partnership with design firm H2M Architects from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York  for the evaluation and expansion of the sanitary sewer system in Downtown New Rochelle, a critical investment in New Rochelle’s future. 

I’d like to close this column with a brief review of how we handle snow events. When a winter storm is predicted for our area, we closely monitor weather news and receive detailed reports. 24 hours before a storm, we will begin preparatory activities including staffing shifts and mobilizing our equipment. Then we will begin brining streets, with special attention to problem areas. Brine is a liquid solution that helps prevent ice from bonding to the road surface. When snow accumulates to 2”. and as conditions allow, we can begin plowing. The bulk of our street clearing is performed by our Streets and Highways staff, supplemented by contractors for our more narrow and dead-end streets. Any power issues should be reported directly by the public to Con Ed at 1-800-75 CONED. 

It is vital that we are able to reach you in an emergency. If you have not already done so, please sign up for our NewRo Alert system to receive calls, texts and/or emails as this is the primary way we can communicate directly with the public. We will also post important messages on our social media accounts, cable access channels and on the City website. Sign up at www.newrochelleny.com/newroalert.

As always, my office is ready to assist you with any questions or concerns. We can be reached at (914) 654-2140 or by email at citymanager@newrochelleny.com