The Somers Record 04.23.20

Vol. 10 No. 1 Visit TapIntoSomers.net for the latest news. Thursday, April 23, 2020

Grief, anxiety, depression Planning Board continues
skyrocket during coronavirus to vet STEAM school

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT periods of time, we have seen an increase of BY CAROL REIF at leaves a 107-acre parcel and a
STAFF WRITER people struggling with anxiety, isolation and STAFF WRITER 233-acre parcel. Williams said there are
lack of connectedness.” “no development plans” for those parcels
Mental health professionals are seeing Despite a recent lull in the conversa- “at this point in time.”
new mental health issues emerge as people Juliette Sussmann, a licensed mental tion about Bluestone Peak Academy, the
cope with self-isolation and job loss due to health counselor who operates a private proposed STEAM school project is “alive Under the proposal, the remaining
the coronavirus. practice in Katonah, said that the mental ef- and well,”Supervisor Rick Morrissey said land would remain zoned OB-100. at
fects of the global pandemic can take a toll last week. defaults to R-80 zoning, which allows for
ere’s been a dramatic increase in calls to on everyone. residential uses.
a hotline set up by the Westchester County ere are two processes happening
Department of Mental Health by people “In general, people are struggling, but I “simultaneously and in parallel,” Rich However, the town has asked Ever-
seeking support for new or emerging mental believe they also work to stay present. I think Williams, the project’s engineer, said green Ridge to remove the option of
health conditions. this a ects people with or without previous Wednesday, April 15, at a virtual Plan- multifamily housing, such as condomini-
mental health issues,”Sussmann said.“It cer- ning Board meeting. ums, from the application for the zoning
“We’ve received over 200 calls in the last tainly can create more anxiety in people be- change for the school.
two weeks where many people who don’t cause the unknown creates a ght-or- ight e Town Board, as the lead agency
have pre-existing conditions are anxious or feeling. I think there’s an increase in fear due under the state’s Environmental Quality e Planning Board was also asked to
depressed and are seeking services,”said Mi- to not knowing what’s next and there’s also Review Act, is considering environmen- comment on the proposed zoning change
chael Orth, commissioner of Westchester life and death issues that people haven’t had tal impacts on an equal plane with social and amendments to the Comprehensive
Department of Community Mental Health. to deal with before.” and economic factors. It is also looking at Plan, which was last tweaked in 2016. Its
“Our clinics haven’t seen an increase. e amending the zoning ordinance to allow members were split on whether it should
psychiatric hospital census is pretty stable, Sussmann added that in her opinion, the private for-pro t boarding and day recommend that the Town Board consid-
if not lower. Our outpatient clinics are not clients who were already engaging in some school to operate on about 345 acres of er the change to ban multifamily housing
overwhelmed at this time. Most of the hos- form of therapy before the pandemic may be IBM’s former 723-acre campus o Route as a separate issue.
pital services are being done remotely. So more resilient during this time because they 100. e town’s comprehensive plan has
our traditional system hasn’t really felt the have an understanding of their own mental to be tweaked to re ect any changes in Planning Board member Bruce A.
impact, but clearly, as this goes on for longer health and practice using coping mecha- zoning. Prince led the charge on that account.
nisms.
See pages 14-15 for tips Meanwhile, the Planning Board has Saying the town has spent more than a
on coping with stress during Pamela M.Marinelli,an LMHC who op- been tasked with handling Evergreen year discussing the school project, Prince
erates a private practice in Mahopac,said one Ridge LLC’s application for site plan noted that he has a roomful of “plans and
the pandemic of the biggest emotions people are dealing approval and its request to subdivide the documents and memorandums” about it.
parcel into four lots.
with right now is grief. “We’ve looked at every tree on the
“It’s a loss of the way things used to be One parcel would contain the school’s property; we’ve even discussed how to
and loss of jobs, loss of contact, the grief administrative o ces, classrooms, student make the curbs so the turtles don’t get
of not being able to see your family, ” dorms, eld house and athletic elds; an- caught on the roads. We’ve got the DEC,
Marinelli said. other, a facilities yard with a wastewater DEP, DOT and everybody else involved
treatment plant and water storage tanks. with this.”
SEE MENTAL HEALTH PAGE 4
SEE STEAM PAGE 27

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 27
CLASSIFIEDS 26
HEALTH & WELLNESS 16
LEGAL NOTICES 26
LEISURE 24
OPINION
SPORTS 6 PORCH PORTRAITS

19 Neighbors at home.
pg 3

Page 2 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 23, 2020

The Staff North Salem couple killed in apparent murder-suicide

EDITORIAL TEAM BY CAROL REIF Scarpino Jr. issued a statement on Friday, stress at this time,” Scarpino added.
JODI WEINBERGER
STAFF WRITER April 17, that addressed the a ect the CO- He asked residents to check in on one an-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] VID-19 outbreak could be having on vulner- other by phone or email and through social

BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER e North Salem community was in able people. media. If someone’s calls are going unan-
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628
[email protected] mourning this week after a married couple Scarpino noted that his department had swered or there is concern about someone’s

ADVERTISING TEAM were found dead in their Titicus Road home. been “concerned with a possible increase in safety, they shouldn’t hesitate to call 9-1-1,
LISA KAIN
State police, who are investigating the in- domestic violence as people are con ned to their local police or the Special Prosecutions
914-351-2424
[email protected] cident as a possible murder-suicide, believe their homes without the normal routines of Division at 914-995-3000.

PAUL FORHAN that Barry Naderman used a .22-caliber ri e going to work and school, and with the add- Anyone who fears someone who has ac-
914-202-2392
[email protected] to shoot his 64-year-old wife, Peggy, before ed burden of a damaging nancial downturn, cess to weapons and has threatened to use
CORINNE STANTON
845-621-4049 turning the weapon on himself. business interruption, and job losses.” them should contact the county’s Red Flag
[email protected]
JENNIFER CONNELLY Naderman, 63, a civil engineer, was well- e DA added that while there doesn’t Extreme Risk Protection Order Unit for help
917-446-7757
[email protected] known among local planners, engineers and seem to be a “higher number of domestic vio- with a court order to remove weapons from “a
BRUCE HELLER
914-202-2941 municipal o cials. e couple had their own lence reports or arrests” in the county, “we are loved one in crisis.” e unit’s phone number
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE land planning business in Yorktown and heartbroken over ve deaths in Westchester is 914-995-3339.

CO-FOUNDER Somers. families in the last two weeks.” Wendy Getting, planning and engineer-
914-924-9122
[email protected] Police found the Nadermans’ bodies af- Scarpino speci cally referenced the Na- ing senior o ce assistant with the town of
GABRIELLE BILIK
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER ter being called to 752 Titicus Road near derman case, and another reported murder- Somers, said Friday that while she hadn’t seen
[email protected]
the New York-Connecticut border at 2 a.m. suicide in Mount Vernon on Sunday, April 5, Naderman for a while, she remembered him
PRODUCTION TEAM
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL ursday, April 16, to check on an alarm ac- in which a man shot his wife, daughter and as being “a really nice guy.”

CREATIVE DIRECTOR tivation. himself. “I’m just shocked; it’s so sad,” she added.
PHOTOGRAPHER
e investigation is still active, but police “Two such incidents are two too many,” he Timothy Allen, a senior partner at Bibbo
[email protected]
CHRISTINA ROSE assured shaken neighbors last week that there said. Associates, an engineering rm based in

ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER was no ongoing danger to the public. “While none of us know exactly what Somers, was a good friend and colleague of
DESIGNER
While authorities have not released a pos- precipitated these ve horrendous deaths, Barry Naderman’s for more than 20 years.
[email protected]
sible motive in the Naderman case, West- we urge everyone to be aware of friends and “All I can say is I’m devastated,” he said,
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BRETT FREEMAN chester County District Attorney Anthony family members who may be under extreme choking up.
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Thursday, April 23, 2020 The Somers Record – Page 3

Your Neighbor

Porch Portraits

Grace Zidmomg eBremauanant,tLhoeriLLaokveePll,uardnydsSCalurabhhoMuasreinell and SChhruribstOinaekMwaithhohneery,plaerfet,natst ,TArunmnap aPnadrkToinm
Maroselli.

PHOTOS: BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER

Grace Zimmermann, Lori their home in Yorktown. join me for good. He has lots of time and
Lovell, and Sarah Marinelli exibility so he would visit me often until he
Here’s their quarantine story nishes his time with the town.
Somers residents and longtime friends— He and our son, Aidan, would spend
Grace Zimmermann, Lori Lovell, and Sar- in Vedat’s own words: (TshitetiGnga)shVeisd(astt,aLnedkinaga)nVdjodsoag, HDaunkae, college breaks with me and globe trot. On
ah Marinelli—continue to have co ee to- “My wife and I are able March 13, I received o cial word that my
gether in the lakeside community in which departure was suspended for 60 days or un-
they live. Here is their quarantine story, in to work from home and the til further notice. My recruiter said that as
Grace’s words: soon as the ban is lifted, all will continue as
kids are doing schoolwork planned.So,here I am staying with my won-
“Lori and I have been walking and/or hav- derful parents inde nitely; Eddie remains
ing co ee together for more than 20 years— remotely, so our days dur- isolated from all of us while he runs the Yor-
ktown Sewer Plant; and Aidan is staying in
rst with kids in strollers, then with dogs on ing coronavirus aren’t that di erent in some able hour and then we Ithaca to nish the semester at Cornell Uni-
leash, always around the lake. Kids grew up, versity online.
dogs passed away and walking morphed into respects. We’re largely staying indoors, but I repeat it the next day.I feel a bit guilty saying Not exactly as planned, but I am cherish-
more sedentary activity: having co ee. ing the time with my parents and I believe
do leave occasionally to do some volunteer- it,but I’ve actually really enjoyed spending so they are cherishing me as well. We take
So, these quarantine restrictions are good turns cooking and baking. We walk outside
for us. We can socialize and have our cof- ing delivering meals for seniors. Otherwise, much time with my family.I like these guys.” together or separately, Dad practices his jav-
fee but maintain a safe distance in a pretty elin,and indoors we all have our own devices
outdoor setting; see neighbors we might not we’re staying isolated. The Mahoneys and TVs. Sometimes we hang out together
otherwise see more often; get a ‘dog x;’ and Work and school are done earlier than and sometimes we each do our own thing.
revive an old healthy habit of walking. I take care of going out for any essentials,
usual, so by early afternoon we’re nding although my mom’s pantry and freezer are
On a nice day around 5-6 p.m.,our neigh- stocked for more than one pandemic! I ren-
borhood is bustling with dog walkers, jog- ways to keep ourselves busy. If the weather is Ed and Christine Mahoney sold their dezvous with Ed every couple of days to
gers and walkers—social distancing intact. bring him food. Aidan remains in his ele-
good, we’ll go for a walk with the dog.We’re Somers home on March 26 in preparation ment and has a few friends who also stayed
e camaraderie is heartwarming—unlike in Ithaca. He also just received wonderful
I’ve ever seen while living here 30 years.” taking pride in visiting every local trail. for Christine’s professional relocation to the news that he will be interning with the Na-
tional Hurricane Center in Miami this sum-
The Gashis I’ve been busying myself doing some lawn United Kingdom. But the pandemic put mer, so he is very motivated to push through
this weird and surreal time.”
Vedat Gashi, a freshman Westchester work and rediscovering video games (mostly those plans on hold,and now Christine nds
County legislator representing parts of Yor-
ktown and Somers,and his family have been Madden and mostly poorly). My wife has herself living in Trump Park (Shrub Oak)
making the most of social distancing from
discovered a talent for making bread, and I with her parents,Tom and Anna Maroselli.

found a talent eating it. In the evening, we Christine Mahoney’s quarantine story, in

watch a lot (A LOT) of reality TV (“Lego her own words:

Masters and “ e Great British Bake O ”) “I was recruited for the coolest job oppor-

at the moment. I’ve also never had so much tunity back in July to provide early interven-

dessert in my life. tion services for U.S. military abroad. It had

We also do some occasional theme days been a six-plus month vetting process. e

like “Fancy Dress Dinner Friday”and “Mov- plan was that I was going to stay with my

ie Mondays”(we just did a min Penny Mar- parents for two to four weeks before depar-

shall marathon with “Big” and “A League of ture.

eir Own”). Video conference parties with My husband, Ed, who works in the town

friends are new to us—and a lot more fun of Yorktown’s wastewater treatment plant,

than it sounds. was to move in with his mom, also in York-

We try to get the kids in bed at a reason- town,until he retires next October and could

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Page 4 – The Somers Record Thursday, April 23, 2020

MENTAL HEALTH out teachers having those in-person interac- She added that she is continuously updat- Scan this QR Code
tions, he worries abuse could go unnoticed. ing the database and is asking for the public’s using your smart-
FROM PAGE 1 help in nding more resources. phone to access the
“(School is) where kids spend a lot of their Yorktown Together!
With recent major holidays like Easter time and where professionals can recognize “I’m just asking people to send me an COVID-19 Resource
and Passover, many families missed out on the signs and symptoms of child abuse,” email.It doesn’t even have to have a message,
that time to connect, she added. Toth said.“I’m very concerned for those kids just send me the link so that we may take a Guide.
who don’t have the chance to disclose or be look at it,”Talbert said.
“I know people who have lost loved ones

right now and have not been able to grieve observed to show that they’re being abused.” Westchester County has also set up a hot-

those people how they typically would in Marinelli also expressed her concern line and hired additional sta to help people tine, eating healthy and making sure to get a

person. I think grief and loss are a huge part about seeing spikes in domestic abuse and dealing with new mental struggles. healthy dose of sunshine and fresh air to stave

of this,” Marinelli said. substance abuse disorder with many people “We set up the telephone line where we o the moody blues, Marinelli recommended

Self-isolation and quarantine can also being cut o from their normal routines. had our professionals respond and problem- following the three elements of self-compas-

bring about symptoms of mental health “ ese are issues that thrive on isolation and solve, troubleshoot,”Orth said.“We connect sion by Dr. Kristin Ne , a pioneering self-

conditions for people who normally might so if people are stuck at home and struggling, people to our mental health community- compassion researcher, author and teacher.

not struggle. that is also an issue and a fear of mine that based agencies, and we’re also fortunate to First, don’t compare your su ering to

“In a situation like this, everybody’s vul- people are su ering in silence,”Marinelli said. have about 60 clinicians who are providing what someone else is going through. Sec-

nerabilities are heightened, even [in] people She added that people are having to over- pro bono services for those people who may ond, practice self-kindness.

who didn’t realize they had vulnerabilities come the obstacle of reaching out through be struggling and really don’t need long- “It’s OK if you didn’t accomplish all of

around anxiety or depression,” said Eric digital platforms to seek help. However, some term treatment, but just need somebody to these things that you set out for and it’s OK

Toth, a licensed master social worker and organizations have come up with ways to talk to and some short-term support.” if you didn’t learn a new skill or read a new

the CEO of CoveCare Center. “I think provide support to all residents in one space. Toth said that CoveCare is currently ac- book today, whatever it is,”Marinelli said.

people who are anxious are feeling more Alliance for Safe Kids in Yorktown has cepting new clients who may feel they need ird, she said, is to practice mindfulness,

anxious, people who were feeling isolated compiled a database of resources that can more in-depth treatment at this time. being conscious of one’s thoughts and come

and depressed are feeling more isolated and help a variety of people overcome issues dur- “If someone calls Monday through Friday from a place of non-judgment when evaluat-

depressed. People who relied on substances ing the pandemic. It’s as simple as scanning between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., the front desk ing those thoughts.

for a variety of reasons and used them in a QR code with your smartphone camera should be able to eld their call and begin She added it is best to share your thoughts

ways that aren’t healthy for them are going and it takes you to multiple pages containing the process,”Toth said. with someone you trust,but if you don’t have

to quite possibly escalate that use. e other support hotlines, text numbers, virtual meet- He also said that anyone who needs im- a support system, write it down in a journal

thing that is probably a little hidden, and ings and even a YouTube link for the elderly mediate support should contact the United or reach out for support.

again, I think will be the next wave of need, that will teach them how to use FaceTime. Way 211 hotline,which covers a wide variety Sussmann recommended working on

is the rise in domestic violence, speci cally “We’ve been looking at so many di erent of issues, including substance abuse and do- staying in the present and taking things one

partner violence.In the normal environment, things, such as how to support the youth, mestic violence. day at a time,reminding people that they can

it’s hard for people to get out of those situa- our parents and caregivers that are wearing “I think it’s a great time for neighbors to always reset their day, use mindfulness and

tions very often; in the current environment, so many di erent hats while they’re at home be checking in on each other. Family mem- distract themselves and focus on the things

it makes it extraordinarily more di cult for with their families, and our seniors,” ASK bers,friends should be checking in on people they like to keep their mind in the present.

people to get out of those environments.” Executive Director Liz Talbert said. “We who they think could be vulnerable to any- “ is too shall pass. We’re going to get

One thing Toth was speci cally concerned thought this would be an ideal thing for the thing,”Toth said. through this together and it’s important to

about is that often calls to Child Protective community,to have a portal of sorts where we While all mental health professionals stay positive and do your best to stay in the

Services are made by school personnel.With- could keep all this information in one place.” have recommended maintaining a daily rou- present,”Sussmann said.

THANK YOU

TO ALL OF THE FIR ST RESPONDER S, HE ALTHC ARE
EMPLOYEES, PHARMACIES, EMT’S, FIREFIGHTERS AND
HARD WORKING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PUTTING THEIR
HE ALTH AT RISK FOR THE PUB LIC E VERY SING LE DAY...YOU
ARE OUR HEROES. PLE A SE STAY SAFE AND HE ALTHY.

1# AGENT IN DONNA O’CONNELL
SOMERS Associate Real Estate Broker
M ..
[email protected]
donnaoconnell.houlihanlawrence.com

SOMERS BROKERAGE • VILLAGE SQUARE, SOMERS, NY

Source: HGMLS, 1/1/19-12/31/19, total dollar volume of Single Family homes and Condominiums sold by agent, Somers school district.