Flags Flown at Half-Mast in Memory of Former Mayor Rippa; Massage Establishment Zoning Code Discussed
By Stephen E. Lipken
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert convened the Tuesday, May 13th City Council meeting, calling for flags to be flown at half-mast until May 19th, in compliance with Chapter 151-3 (4) (a) (1) in memory of the late Vincent R. Rippa, Mayor of New Rochelle from January 1, 1976 to December 31, 1979. Mr. Rippa passed away on May 10th.
Then a request by Police Chief Robert Gazzola and Deputy Chief Neil Reynolds to use $71,720 of forfeiture funds to purchase new computer hardware was approved.
Next, a proposed amendment to Chapter 331, Zoning Code re: Massage Establishments was introduced. “We have some issues regarding Massage Establishments,” Building Commissioner Paul Vacca began. “The existing establishments that are already open will go through a licensing process. We have had issues with some of the establishments. The public will have a chance to opine on these and we want to limit their hours of operation. If you have been following the news in the Tri-State Area, this is becoming an issue all over the place.
“In order to protect our citizens and people that work at these establishments, I think that it would be better to have a permit process.” Councilman Albert Tarantino noted that closing these establishments is a long process, also expressing concern regarding “children walking by.” Vacca replied that after a hearing (due process) their license can be revoked. “I would like to tell you that there was no prostitution going on in some of these places—but there was,” Vacca stressed, emphasizing that massage therapists must be licensed, as well as licensing the businesses.
A Public Hearing regarding this issue was called for Tuesday, June 10th and Council voted by roll call to withdraw Lead Agency Status re: Proposed Amendment to Chapter 331, Zoning Code (Massage Establishments).