Spring Valley’s Deputy Mayor, Yisroel Eisenbach, has been working diligently behind the scenes for the past five years to reduce disruptions caused by utility construction, particularly on Fridays and Jewish holidays. Since his election in 2019, Eisenbach has taken the lead in fostering relationships with various utility companies to ensure that construction activities in the village of Spring Valley are minimized during these critical times.
Eisenbach’s initiative began shortly after taking office. Recognizing the importance of preserving peace and reducing traffic during Jewish Holidays, he reached out to water, sewer, and energy companies, asking them to avoid scheduling construction on Fridays, especially during the winter months, as well as during Jewish holidays. Eisenbach explained that he provided the companies with a detailed list of Jewish holidays and requested that they refrain from performing non-emergency construction work, sometimes even a day or two before the holiday depending on how it fell within the week.
Over the past few years, Eisenbach’s efforts have seen success. “This year in February, the utility companies reached out to me proactively, asking for the list of Jewish holidays,” Eisenbach tells Monsey Scoop. He specifically praised the cooperation of Trish Austin, a key figure at O&R (Orange & Rockland Utilities), and mentioned the positive relationship he developed with Veolia Water, despite recent changes in their administration.
Eisenbach highlighted the positive impact of his initiative on the community, particularly in reducing traffic and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere during the holidays. “It’s not always a 100% success rate,” Eisenbach admitted, “but we try, and the key is years of relationship building, communication, and constant follow-up.”
Eisenbach acknowledged that emergencies do arise, such as a recent incident where a car hit a utility pole on a Friday morning, necessitating immediate repairs. He also noted that some companies, like cable providers or those with whom the village has less direct communication, might still perform construction without prior coordination. Nonetheless, his ongoing efforts aim to reduce disruptions wherever possible, especially before significant holidays.
The Deputy Mayor’s initiative reflects a long-term commitment to the well-being of Spring Valley’s residents, ensuring that holidays are observed with minimal interruption from construction work.