From the Office of the New Rochelle City Manager
New Rochelle City Manager
Wilfredo Melendez
Dear Neighbors,
As we begin the fall season, this column provides some key reminders along with some updates and a lookahead to upcoming programming.
Fall reminders
Fall Leaf Collection begins October 14: Please remember that all leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags or open containers weighing no more than 75lbs. for collection. Leaves placed loosely at the curb and the blowing of leaves into the street are strictly prohibited and can clog storm water drains. Yard waste (grass clippings, twigs, sticks and other yard generated debris) collection concludes on October 24. Please- DO NOT mix yard waste with leaves. Leaf blowers are only allowed to be used weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Check your heating system: As colder weather approaches, the City of New Rochelle encourages all residents and landlords to inspect and service their heating systems to ensure they are safe, efficient, and ready for winter. Don’t wait until the first freeze—act now to keep your home safe and warm all winter long.
Keep Sidewalks Clear and Safe: Maintaining the curb and sidewalk in front of your property isn’t just a common courtesy: it’s your responsibility. Per Sections 281-3 and 281-4 of the Code of the City of New Rochelle, property owners are responsible for keeping curbs and sidewalks abutting their property clean and free of litter and dirt, ice and snow, and animal feces.
Fire prevention week October 5-11: This year’s theme is “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”, working to educate everyone about buying, charging, using and recycling these batteries safely. And don’t forget to check your smoke detector batteries when ‘clocks fall back” on November 2.
Lawn sign ordinance: As Election Day draws near, residents are reminded that City Code Section 270-7 prohibits placing signs on public property —including medians, sidewalks, and utility poles. Signs are only allowed on private property with the owner’s permission. Help keep our community clean and safe!
Quaker Ridge Road update – The Public Comment Period for the Quaker Ridge Road Complete Streets project has recently wrapped. I’d like to thank everyone who attended our September 9th Public Hearing and submitted written comments on the planned improvements to Quaker Ridge Road focused on enhanced safety for all users of the thoroughfare. On September 19, the City submitted a grant application to the Westchester County Complete Streets Municipal Assistance grant program to cover construction costs of the changes, including lane redesign, paving and signal updates in accordance with Complete Streets design guidelines.
Huguenot Street paving – Year two of our Downtown Street Milling and Paving program is scheduled to begin on October 5. This year the project will mill and pave Huguenot Street from Echo Avenue to Pintard Avenue as well as LeCount Place and North Avenue from Huguenot Street to Anderson Street, and Lawton Street from Huguenot Street to Main Street. To limit the impact on traffic flow in the downtown, this work will be conducted at night. Work is expected to last through October 14, weather permitting.
New Traffic Regulations Adopted for School Days – In response to changes in start and end times for public elementary schools during the 2025–2026 academic year, the City School District of New Rochelle requested updates to certain time-based traffic regulations.
At its September 9 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved these changes, which include:
• Extended one-way street hours on school days at certain location; and,
• Longer “No Turn on Red” periods at key intersections on school days.
The Department of Public Works is currently updating all affected traffic signs across the city to reflect these new regulations. A full list is available at newrochelleny.gov/schooltraffic
Westchester Power mailing – If you are a New Rochelle resident or small businesses currently supplied electricity by Westchester Power, you should be receiving a mailing from Sustainable Westchester about a new municipal energy supply contract beginning December 1, 2025. Customers are encouraged to learn more about the program- which provides access to renewable energy at competitive fixed rates- including how to opt out and how to choose between 100% or 50% Renewable Energy. More information is available at sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedterritory/, or by calling Sustainable Westchester at (914) 242-4725 or emailing wp@sustainablewestchester.org
Sustainability Efforts Continue
Food Scraps Recycling Program: As part of our ongoing commitment to reduce waste sent to landfills, our two locations to drop off food scraps are in full operation: Pinebrook Tennis Center and D’Onofrio Park. This initiative removes food scraps from the solid waste stream and offers residents a convenient way to recycle. Between September of 2024 through June of 2025, the City has collected over 23 tons of food scraps. Additionally, compost bin kits and compostable bags are now available for purchase at the Public Works office at City Hall. You can learn more at newrochelleny.gov/foodscraps
Helpsy Textile Recycling: New Rochelle has partnered with Helpsy, a certified B Corp, to provide at-home clothing recycling pickup to residents. This initiative saves money, time, and the planet’s resources. Sign up at www.helpsy.com/newrochelleny, bag up your unwanted clothes, textiles, footwear, linens, stuffed animals and other items, and Helpsy picks up from your front steps on collection day.
Reminders and Opportunities
The New Rochelle Youth Bureau is now accepting applications for its Youth Council. The Youth Council offers young people, grades 8th – 12th, the opportunity to be a part of a selected group of individuals who are concerned with youth related issues within the community. Our Youth Council sponsors community service projects and interacts with other youth organizations throughout Westchester.
New Assessment Calendar Dates:
New assessment dates will begin for the 2026 assessment cycle:
December 1 – Taxable status date. Exemption forms due
December 1- Valuation date
February 1- Tentative assessment roll
Third Tuesday in February – Grievance Day
April 1- Final assessment roll
May 1- Deadline for appeals filed with the County Clerk
September 1 – School tax bill first half
January 1- City tax bill
March 1 – School tax bill second half
June 1 – County tax bill
Fall events: Finally, our departments are working hard to create and coordinate special events that keep New Rochelle as the ideal place to live, work and grow. In October we can look forward to Heritage celebrations for German and Italian Americans, Views & Brews at Hudson Park on October 4, the NRPD’s Touch a Truck at Hudson Park and Scarecrows on the Sound at Davenport Park on October 11, the Fall-o-Ween at Five Islands Park on October 17, the Todora Golf Outing at Wykagyl Country Club on October 20, and the Ward Acres Howl-o-ween pet event on October 25, as well as community events like the New Rochelle Council on the Arts ArtsFest and Hudson Park Children’s Museum Wildcliff Haunted Mansion. Our website community calendar has information on all these and more: newrochelleny.com/events
Thank you for taking the time to read this update. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at (914) 654-2140. And remember- our MobileNR app and web portal streamlines your access to City Hall, allowing you to report non-emergency issues and access City information 24/7. More information is available at newrochelleny/gov/MobileNR.
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