Noam Bramson on New Rochelle

By Olin Bradley

On January 19, 2024, I interviewed the well-known former mayor of New Rochelle, Noam Bramson.  I asked for his opinion on some general questions regarding his service to New Rochelle and more specific questions from fellow high schoolers.  There was no intention to depict Mr. Bramson in any particular light; the purpose of this interview was purely information in the context of the transition to the first new mayor in years.  You may find the summarized version below.  (Q indicates question, A indicates answer)

Q - Why did you decide to run for mayor of New Rochelle?

A - I’ve been interested in public service since childhood.  I participated in the Model Congress program during school and the experience of observing passionate debates stuck with me.  I’ve cared very deeply for New Rochelle and wish for it to succeed, and so my interests naturally guided me to public service.  That’s why I joined the city council and ultimately became the mayor.

Q - What were the main focuses and objectives of your administration, and were they achieved?

A - The goals of municipal government are very broad and we are responsible for both communicating with the community and providing public services.  The redevelopment of our downtown and investment in New Rochelle is a particularly remarkable accomplishment that remains ongoing.  We have also made great progress in environmental sustainability and are improving the quality of life of our city for a more sustainable environment.

Q - How would you describe New Rochelle at the beginning of your administration compared to today?

A - Some remarkably positive aspects of New Rochelle have remained largely the same and have been for generations.  First and foremost, there is the exceptionally diverse character of our city. Beyond that, we have charming neighborhoods, a rich history, and an enviable location within the New York metropolitan area with transit access to match.  All of those aspects remain.  I believe a responsible city government should value and preserve those resources. What's changed is the historic levels of economic investment now present in our downtown, which has historically been economically depressed.  Our policymaking has shifted from a very traditional operation to a more creative and forward-looking approach.  It’s evident in our environmental initiatives, our approach to human services, the opportunities we extend to our residents, and how we achieve equity so that the benefits of progress are shared with everyone.  

Q -  How do you think New Rochelle will continue to change in the future?

A -  It’s difficult to predict.  A healthy community evolves in balance between change and preservation.  Choosing between that is at the heart of what it means to be an active citizen within a community.  Still, I can’t predict the future, and that is largely the collective decision of individuals within society.  However, I will say I have tremendous confidence in the city’s new administration.  I believe our new mayor, Yadira Ramos-Herbert, is a person of extraordinary intellect, integrity, and vision.  She is the right person to lead us into the next chapter, whatever that may be.

Q - How would you describe your view of the new administration?

A - I have the greatest admiration for Yadira, I'm very proud that she is my mayor.

Q - What are the major issues facing New Rochelle today and what do you believe can be done?

A -  First is our aging infrastructure, which requires constant reinvestment and the ability to generate resources for reinvestment.  It’s an everlasting problem, but we're continuing to do our best to support a positive investment climate, which is critical to job creation, our tax base, and our businesses.  It's being cognizant of changes in the larger world and in our government, to which we must adjust accordingly.  All of those things and more will determine whether New Rochelle remains a place where people want to live, where people start families, and where people retire.  I'm hopeful that over the last twenty-five years, we've done our part to hand the baton over to the next generation of leadership to continually move us forward. 

Question A - Some members of New Rochelle High School would like to know in particular what your administration has done to address water management and drinking water quality.

A -  In New Rochelle, drinking water is not a municipal responsibility; we receive our drinking water from a private company called Veolia.  That's not the case everywhere in the country.  Some places have municipal drinking water systems, others have private systems.  But because we have a private water system in New Rochelle which is regulated at the state level by the Public Service Commission, the city's role in this area is minimal. 

Question B - Overcrowding in New Rochelle High School.

A -  Both of my sons had a spectacular experience at New Rochelle High School.  I'm a graduate myself from 1987.  I know there are concerns about overcrowding in the New Rochelle schools. However, the fact is that enrollment is actually declining right now.  Therefore, I don't think that the spatial and resource constraints that have been experienced by the schools lately are likely to be as acute going forward.  Prior to approving our city development plans, we worked with the school district to make accurate estimates of how many new students will be generated and to make sure that the school district is provided with all the necessary resources to accommodate them.  Therefore, I think that our school system will be functional for years to come.

Question C - Police effectiveness and crime rates.

A - Fortunately, our crime rate in New Rochelle is low, and compared to other communities around the country of our approximate size, we're among the safest. Additionally, when put in historical context, our crime rate is far lower today than it was in prior decades.  That's partly because of broader trends that are not specific to New Rochelle.  However, it's also attributable to our competent and professional police department that always aims to work in concert with the community that it serves.  There have been flashpoints, and the nature of police-community relationships has been the subject of intense discussion.  Still, I am pleased that our police department has been forward-thinking in delivering both traditional policing and stronger community engagement, which will be a perpetual challenge.  There's nothing more important to a city than safety, and it has to be done correctly so that everyone feels safe.

Q - What are your future plans and ambitions now that you are no longer mayor?

A -  I'm already in my new position. I am very fortunate to now be serving as the executive director of Sustainable Westchester, a non-profit organization that works with the towns, cities, and villages of the county and the county government itself to support environmental programming, assist in climate action, and explore shared solutions to help the county become more sustainable.  It's very gratifying to be able to utilize the experience I developed as mayor to work in service of a cause that I strongly believe in. The team at Sustainable Westchester is very talented, dedicated, and mission-oriented; I hope that I will prove sufficient to warrant their trust and confidence.