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Westchester County, Standard Amusements Promise To Retain Playland Workers

RYE, N.Y. -- The Westchester County Board of Legislators and the Labor, Parks, Planning and Housing Committee at its meeting on Wednesday addressed the jobs of current Rye Playland employees and promised to help retain jobs. 

Photo Credit: File

The meeting was held to continue its review of the proposed Management Agreement with Standard Amusements to operate Playland Amusement Park for 15 years. 

The agenda items for discussion included, the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, an overview of the actual contract document, and labor related issues.

At the meeting, Standard Amusements representatives indicated that they recognize the value of the county employees’ experience, institutional knowledge and commitment to Playland and would like to hire as many of those employees as practical.

Civil Service Employees Association leadership made the point that the public employee pension system which many employees are enrolled in would not be transferable to a private operator.

Standard indicated that they would be open to contracting with the county for the services of those employees needed so that they could stay in New York State Pension System.

Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett said that any county employees who did not find suitable employment with the private operator would be transferred to positions in Parks Department or another county Department. CSEA leadership indicated that they were satisfied with the assurances from Standard Amusements and the administration.

Regarding environmental issues, County Planning Commissioner Edward Buroughs reported that because the Board of Legislators was considering a management agreement and not a plan which includes proposals for specific, physical work at Playland, the agreement is a “Type II” action under SEQRA which means it has no significant impact on the environment and therefore requires no further environmental review.

Additional environmental reviews could be triggered in the future as specific proposals for capital projects come before county commissioners and the Board of Legislators.

The next committee meeting will be at 9 a.m., May 20, with a public hearing at 7 p.m., the same day.

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