Friday, February 29, 2008

AN OPEN LETTER TO UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE OFFICIALS PETER SWIDERSKI...

I am writing to address the good citizens of Greenburgh, following on and reiterating my comments at the Town Board meeting last Wednesday. We would like to see the Town Board and the Villages work cooperatively together. The Villages have no interest in conflict, and no interest in unnecessarily dividing this town. Greenburgh is a wonderful community. As I said on Wednesday, the entire Town boasts of so many advantages, so many resources, and so many good and decent people that the precise fact of where an individual lives in the Town matters less than the fact that we enjoy it together, today and in the future. We are certainly seeking to work towards the pursuit of those goals, hand in hand with the Town Board.
There is apparently some concern regarding recent moves to modify Finneran. After the recent court decision, a re-examination of Town programs has led to the realization that if the Town is to maintain its range of choices and programs, some changes to Finneran would be necessary. The Villages’ interest in a modification to Finneran is to give the Town Board the flexibility to allow non-unincorporated residents access to facilities, parks and/or programs as needed. We have absolutely no problem with the imposition of fees on Village residents, cost plus or otherwise, for that access: it would only be fair. Any resolution asking for such modification to the law should certainly state that. Somehow, there is a perception that we want to allow all village residents to enjoy access to Finneran facilities solely at the unincorporated’s expense. Nobody ever suggested that, and if that is what is being read into what we are proposing, then we want to dispel that notion immediately. It is not what at all what we seek.
This Finneran modification is not intended to benefit the Villages unfairly, and we are open to an approach that makes sense and displays a “good government” sensibility. We believe the modification, in fact, provides greater benefits to Unincorporated Greenburgh than to the Villages, and is very much intended as a “win win” for both sides. It is extended as such, and intended as such. Our first assumption, in dealing with friends and neighbors, is that they operate in good will. It is certainly what is intended on our part, and we hope to be treated as such accordingly.
I will read the responses to this posting and I will try my best to respond to those who extend that courtesy of assuming my good will. Thank you for your time.
Peter Swiderski
Village Officials Committee
Hastings Village Trustee

MARCH 4 WORK SESSION AGENDA--SUMMARY OF LAST TWO WORK SESSIONS

ANOTHER OPEN GOVERNMENT GOAL---PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH ACCESS TO ALL RESOLUTIONS BEFORE EACH BOARD MEETING. In recent years residents have complained about the lack of advance access to resolutions that are being considered by the Town Board for adoption. At our work session this Tuesday we will discuss the possibility of posting all resolutions on our web site in advance of Town Board meetings and requiring department heads to submit final resolutions to the clerk’s office by a specific date/time in advance of each meeting.
Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
2:00 p.m. Special Meeting and Vote re: Fairview Fire District and WestHELP,
Bond Resolution – CO 1 from 2/27/08 (Ray Hart, Public Finance

Associates, Inc. financial advisor will be attending.)

2:30 p.m. Budget Amendments – Bart Talamini

3:00 p.m. Vehicle Procurement Policy and Energy Conservation - Nikki Coddington

3:15 p.m. Westchester County Department of Planning—mixed use study

3:45 p.m. Membership: Budget Committee and Hartsdale Parking Committee (follow up to resolution authorization committee)

4:00 p.m. Courts – Expanding the Audit of the Courts to Include 2006 and 2007 (audit did not include 2006/2007)


4:20 p.m. Board Review: Process re: Resolutions

Distribution of Resolutions in Advance of Meetings to the Public

and Possible Postings of Resolutions on the Website in Advance of Meetings – Joe Lucassey

4:50 p.m. Executive Session – Personnel

5:00 p.m. TDYCC Search Committee Update

Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 12, 2008


Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed Fire District Contract

The Village of Hastings requested that the Town of Greenburgh consider an agreement between the two to provide fire protection services to the Donald Park Fire Protection District. The contract was approved on Wednesday, Feb 13

Theodore D. Young Community Center - Reorganization

An update was provided to the Board regarding the Theodore D. Young Community Center reorganization. It was confirmed that Valerie Whitehead would be appointed as the Acting Commissioner of TDYCC. Councilwoman Sonja Brown also reported that a Search Committee will be formed.



Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 26, 2008



Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit – Proposed Amendments to “The Finneran Law”

Discussions on this issue raised several questions regarding the opportunity for sufficient input from residents who live in the unincorporated sections of the Town. A special meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 7:00 p.m. to continue public comment and decide on the proposed amendments re: this decision.

Appointment of Two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee (VOC)

Councilmen Kevin Morgan and Francis Sheehan agreed to serve as Board representatives to meet with the VOC.

Sunrise Assisted Living

Sunrise Assisted Living and John Meyer Consulting presented their proposal to the Town Board to develop a senior living housing facility on a parcel of land near Benedict Avenue in Tarrytown. The Town Board requested that the presenters conduct a traffic impact and economic impact analysis for each permitted principle use allowed on the site.

Westchester Federal Credit Union

The credit union has agreed to provide six “Welcome to the Town of Greenburgh” signs at designated locations at entry points to the Town. In addition, the credit union will install a sign on the grounds of Town Hall indicating their presence within the building.

NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority representative will be sharing space with Nikki Coddington at Town Hall for a fee and at no cost to the Town of Greenburgh. Board members support this request.

Library Board Interviews

Five candidates have been invited to interview with the Town Board for the vacant Library Board position. Interviews are being scheduled for March 11th during the Work Session.

Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption

The County is expected to pass legislation on March 11th re: an exemption for changing the taxable status date from June 1st of the year to Mary 1st of the year. There are no financial implications.

Streaming Live of Work Sessions and Board Meetings

As a result of a new contract with Globix and the Town of Greenburgh, all meetings will be

streamed live as of February 27, 2008.

TDYCC Search Committee Update

Two Search Committee Chairs have been nominated (Mr. Sam Wilkins and Mr. Mel

Burrows) to coordinate meetings and help identify Search Committee members. To

Date, at least twenty applicants have expressed interest in the position of Commissioner.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

HASTINGS FIRE CONTRACT APPROVED--HAD EXPIRED IN 2005

The Town Board finally approved the contract with Hastings for fire protection--serving the Donald Park fire district at last nights Town Board meeting. Hastings had been providing the town with fire protection services, without reimbursement or a contract, since the end of December, 2005.
We now have to work on approving a contract with Irvington. They have also been serving parts of unincorporated Greenburgh without a contract since the end of December, 2005.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

looking for work?

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Freedman [mailto:RFreedman@mkirealtors.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:27 AM
Subject: looking to hire Assistant Controller for R/E firm



I am looking to hire someone with an accounting background looking for a f/t position who can do bank reconciliations, budget preparations, general ledger, journal entries, experienced in excel etc. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.

Please let me know if you have someone in mind who may be qualified and interested in working for a mid-to-large size property management firm in mid-town Manhattan. Thanks, Bob Freedman

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

NEW WELCOME TO GREENBURGH SIGNS TO BE PAID FOR BY WESTCHESTER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

Westchester Federal Credit Union (which rents space at Town Hall) will pay for six attractive new WELCOME TO GREENBURGH SIGNS to be placed at the entrance of Greenburgh. In return the town will let the credit union place an attractive sign at Town Hall announcing that they have offices at Town Hall.

Special meeting NEXT TUESDAY at 7 PM requesting that the NYS Legislature amend chapter 891 of the laws of 1982 re: Finneran Law. Amendment will permit tennis bubble to be built.

CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSION MARCH 18

WE WILL POSTPONE TOWN BD WORK SESSION ON COURTS--ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY. Meeting will be held at end of March.

TODAY, for first time, we streamed our Board work session live on the internet.

BURGLAR CAUGHT IN EDGEMONT!

The Greenburgh police department does an excellent job. Some residents in Edgemont were concerned about burglaries. Today, the police made an arrest. The following is a statement from the police. Congratulations to the department on doing a great job—as usual.!

PAUL FEINER

At approximately 11:15am this date, this agency received a call of a residential burglary that had just occurred in the Edgemont section of Town. The homeowner confronted the suspect inside the home and chased the suspect out. A description of the suspect and his vehicle was broadcast to responding units and subsequently found and stopped by Greenburgh Police. The occupants were positively identified and placed under arrest.



Lt Chris McNerney

URGING STATE DOT TO CONSTRUCT SIDEWALK ON 9A WHERE HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT OCCURRED

Last month a pedestrian lost his life on a curve on 9A where a hit and run occurred. Over the years the curve has been the scene of a number of accidents. Beyond the curve heading north is an entrance to the rails to trails running path. Inasmuch as this is a state road, would it be possible for the state DOT to fund a walking path at this location so we can prevent fatalities when people are walking or running?

Monday, February 25, 2008

revised work session agenda--tomorrow

Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
2:00 p.m. Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit—discussion: possible state legislation
2:25 p.m. Agenda Review

2:55 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond

3:25 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (request to put sign at town hall—they rent space from us)

3:45 p.m. NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space (they will pay rent and share space with Energy Conservation Coordinator)

4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews

4:05 p.m. Request to Postpone Meeting Re: Courts—the state is assigning a clerk to work at the courts. A postponement will provide the town with the benefit of hearing from the clerk.
4:10 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal

4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:00 p.m. Streaming Update - George Malone—we may need to increase capacity so more people can access Bd meetings via internet
5:15: p.m. TDYCC Search Committee - Update

FROM: yonkerstribune.typepad.com--centro properties that owns hartsdale properties having financial problems

The Credit Market Loss Drama to Impact Greenburgh/Westchester County By Hezi Aris
YONKERS, NY -- The Melbourne, Australian based retail property empire known as Centro Properties Group has been hard hit by an inability to pay off short-term debt that has been the catalyst to bring Austalian Stock Exchange authorities to impose trading halts on its stock being traded as early as mid-December 2007 and thereafter. At the last moment Centro Properties Group, the owner of more than 700 U.S. malls, eight of whom are situated in Westchester County announced that they had been granted a three months reprieve to repay USD $3.5 billion of short-term debt as it proceeded to sell assets to remain financially solvent.
Centro will deliver its half-year result on February 28, 2008. It would not provide a per share earnings forecast for fiscal 2008 until the outcome of the recapitalization is determined.
Creditors including National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Australia’s biggest, extended the deadline on A(ustralian) $2.3 billion to April 30, 2008. The deadline on loans of about $1.3 billion associated with its U.S. venture has been moved to September 30, 2008. A syndicate of about a dozen banks, including CBA, Australia-New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ), NAB, and St George, have lent the USD $3.5 billion to Centro. Foreign participants to the lending syndicate included Bank of America (BoA), Wachovia and JPMorgan Chase & Co, Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS), and BNP Paribas .
GREENBURGH PROPERTIES

Dalewood I, II & III Shopping Center 353-371 North Central Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530-1811
North Central Avenue 1-15 North Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Under former company CEO Andrew Scott, A$9 billion of malls were purchased of two years, transforming the owner of Australian regional retail centers into an international mall operator. Scott quit January 15 and was replaced by Rufrano, the head of the company's U.S. business.
The Centro America Fund has A$1.1 billion in assets and investments in 32 U.S. shopping centers. Centro owns 41 percent of that.
Rufrano is seeking to persuade investors and creditors to let Centro retain a A$26.6 billion collection of malls that stretches from Perth, Western Australia to Yonkers, New York.
About 65 percent of the company's assets are in the U.S., including malls gained when Centro paid $5.2 billion in cash and assumed debt for New Plan Excel Realty Trust, the biggest U.S. acquisition by an Australian-based real estate investment trust. Rufrano was CEO of New Plan at the time of the sale.
Scott's expansion into the U.S., based on a strategy of using short-term borrowing to fund long-term investments, collapsed last year as the fallout from the U.S. subprime mortgage market drove up borrowing costs.
The credit crunch also shut off Centro from the commercial mortgage-backed securities market, which the company had relied on for much of its financing.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

TENNIS COURT BUBBLE MAY NEED STATE LEGISLATION

The recent decision in the Taxter Ridge case raises questions about how we can authorize the tennis bubble and other programs that benefit the town. It is possible that we may have to ask the State Legislature to amend the Finneran Law to give the town flexibility to permit programs that allow non-residents to participate, on terms that the Town Board will set. We will discuss this at the work session on Tuesday, February 26.The Board work session begins at 2 PM and is televised live on public access. This meeting will also be streamed on the internet.

Friday, February 22, 2008

IF TOWN BD AND ARDSLEY BD MEET THE SAME NIGHT BOTH MEETINGS CAN BE AIRED ON CABLEVISION

Judith Beville, Town Clerk, reports that Cablevision has corrected a problem: She said "that a final resolve has been reached and that the Village of Ardsley is now able to control its access to the Village, only, and not the entire Town of Greenburgh." As a result, Town Board meetings will be aired on cablevision and won't be pre-empted by Ardsley Board meetings when both meetings are held the same evening. Ardsley residents will be watching Ardsley meetings- the rest of the town will watch Greenburgh meetings.

OOPS--NO APPOINTMENT TO VILLAGE COMMITTEE, APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH VILLAGE COMMITTEE!

Oops...made a mistake with the agenda. This Tuesday the Board will not be appointing two Board members to the village committee. We will be appointing two members to meet with the village officials committee. Sorry about the blunder!

TOWN BOARD WORK SESSIONS AND BOARD MEETINGS TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE INTERNET BEGINNING TUESDAY!

Town of Greenburgh
Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
We are very pleased that the Town Board meetings will now be more open than ever. Our work sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons when most people work. This year we started televising our Board work sessions live. However, residents who work outside of Greenburgh were not able to watch the meetings. This Tuesday we will stream the work session live on the internet. You'll be able to watch our meeting from anywhere in the world- live! Our Town Board meetings will also be streamed live on the internet --starting on Wednesday. If you are unable to access our meeting from the internet this Tuesday or Wednesday or if you have observations after you watch the streamed Town Board meetings, please contact townboard@greenburghny.com or townclerk@greenburghny.com. We will keep working to make improvements!
2:00 p.m. Agenda Review
2:45 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond-- (proposed development near Glenville Woods)
3:45 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (they would like to put up a small sign at Town Hall advising people that they have an office at Town Hall)
4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews (there is one vacancy)

4:05 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal

4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:15: p.m. Adjourn


Work Session Summary – No work session was held on February 19, 2008


March 4th Work Session (tentative)

· Westchester County Department of Planning
· Nikki Coddington, Al Regula--energy conservation initiatives
· Library Board Interviews

Thursday, February 21, 2008

SHOULD COUNTY LEASE EMPTY PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE AND TURN THEM INTO PARK/RIDE FOR COMMUTER BUSES?

Should the town ask the county to temporarily lease vacant parking lots on Central Ave and turn them into parking areas for commuters who would like to take the bus into Manhattan?
Currently, there are no parking spots available north of White Plains for commuter parking. Some people park their cars on Central Ave illegally-- they do so at their own risk since some of the landlords on Central Ave tow or ticket cars.

Monday, February 18, 2008

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-- WEEK OF FEB 18...POST YOUR COMMENTS

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY...WEEK OF FEB 18TH...POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT TOWN ISSUES.

NO WORK SESSION TOMORROW --TUESDAY.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

DEPUTY PLANNING COMMISSIONER POSITION WON'T BE FILLED...

The Greenburgh Town Board appointed Thomas Madden as Commissioner of Planning. Mr. Madden previously served as Deputy Commissioner. To save taxpayers money -- the town will be leaving the deputy position vacant.
Under NYS law the town can hire professional planning consultants and bill the applicant for the cost of the planning review.
Valerie Whitehead has been named as Acting Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center. The deputy commissioner slot will not be filled until a permanent commissioner is appointed. Among options: eliminate the deputy commissioner slot and replace with another program coordinator.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

CLICK ON COMMENTS TO READ ENTIRE DECISION BERNSTEIN VS.FEINER (Taxter Ridge lawsuit)

THE ENTIRE DECISION CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMMENTS

Decided on February 13, 2008

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE DIVISION : SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
ROBERT A. SPOLZINO, J.P.
STEVEN W. FISHER
HOWARD MILLER
MARK C. DILLON, JJ.
2005-03677 OPINION, ORDER & JUDGMENT
2005-06091
(Index No. 10944/03)
[*1]In the Matter of Robert B. Bernstein, respondent,

v

Paul J. Feiner, etc., et al., appellants.
APPEALS by Paul J. Feiner, as Town Supervisor, Town of Greenburgh, New York, and the Town of Greenburgh, in a hybrid proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, alleging, inter alia, that they failed to perform a duty enjoined upon them by law, and action to enjoin them from acquiring any portion of the property known as Taxter Ridge, from (1) so much of an amended order and judgment (one paper) of the Supreme Court (Richard A. Molea, J.), entered February 17, 2005, in Westchester County, as granted that branch of the petition which was for a judgment declaring that Town Law § 232 prohibits the Town of Greenburgh from financing the cost of acquiring property known as Taxter Ridge for parkland by imposing a tax solely upon property owners residing in the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh, and (2) so much of an order of the same court entered May 6, 2005, as, upon reargument, adhered to its original determination.
Timothy W. Lewis, Town Attorney, Greenburgh, N.Y. (David R. Fried and
Richard L. Marasse of counsel), for appellants.
Robert B. Bernstein, Hartsdale, N.Y., respondent pro se.
Keane & Beane, P.C., White Plains, N.Y. (Richard L. O'Rourke of
counsel), for Joseph Bova, amicus curiae.
ORDERED that the appeal from the order entered May 6, 2005, is dismissed as academic in light of our determination of the appeal from the amended order and judgment; and it is further,

ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the appellants.

ENTER:
James Edward Pelzer
Clerk of the Court

APPELLATE DIVISION REVERSES TAXTER RIDGE CASE

Yesterday the Appellate Division reversed the Taxter Ridge case which Bob Bernstein brought. The court upheld the Finneran Law and made it very clear that parks and recreation facilities are the obligations of the unincorporated area. We are bound by the decision.
I would have been satisfied with any decision that the court made. I thought that it was important and fair that everyone have their day in court, and since the villages weren’t included in the complaint I thought that they had the right to have an appeal in which they could take part.
We now have some work to do to repair some of the problems that the case has brought about, and we will have better communications between the town and the villages to make that happen. With the new spirit on the Town Board, and the goodwill of our residents, I know that we can do this.

COURT RULES ON KATHWOOD HOMES

a decision dated February 13, 2008, Judge Mary H. Smith of the Westchester County Supreme Court has ordered the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board to grant a variance to the WBRC Corporation develop a sixth lot on the proposed Kathwood Road subdivision near the Sprain Brook Parkway. WBRC has sufficient lot size to develop five of the six lots on which it has partially built homes on Kathwood Road but needs an additional 86 square feet to develop the sixth lot. The Court concluded that the granting of a variance would not cause a significant impact to the neighborhood or change its character. The property is located in the R-7.5 Zoning District.

In any event, the existing partially built homes on Kathwood Road cannot be completed until a related legal action by WBRC, regarding a different issue, is resolved by the court.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

WORK FOR TAXES MEETING FRIDAY AT 10--SHOULD SENIORS BE ABLE TO DEFER PAYING TAXES UNTIL THEY SELL THEIR HOME OR PASS?

I am planning to hold a meeting with department heads and senior citizens to discuss the proposed work for taxes initiative. The meeting will be held this Friday, February 15 at 10 AM at the Lee Jackson Room, Town Hall. About 125 communities around the nation (including Boston, Boulder)provide senior citizens with the option of working off their property taxes. Seniors receive a tax credit (state income tax free) and are given stipends (in most communities less than $8 an hour) for community service.
NY State has not authorized tax credits for seniors. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss lobbying efforts to persuade the NY State Legislature to approve this option for seniors. Until the state law is approved the town may want to provide a limited number of seniors with various part time jobs –model the program on the successful work for taxes initiative that exists around the nation.
IN ADDITION—THE Hastings on Hudson Senior Council is recommending that the town review a program that exists in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Seniors, on fixed incomes, are able to defer paying property taxes until they sell their home or pass away. This is another program that might help senior citizens continue to reside in their home. A copy of the Massachusetts law authorizing Sudbury to implement this initiative follows. The NY State Legislature would have to approve a similar authorization.
THIS IS THE LAW THAT MASSACHUSETTS APPROVED FOR SUDBURY, MASS.
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding clause Forty-first A of Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, and subject to Sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act, the board of assessors of the town of Sudbury shall defer the real estate property tax payment for property of a person 60 years of age or older and occupied by him as his domicile, or a person who owns the same jointly with his spouse, either of whom is 60 years or older and occupied as their domicile, or of a person who owns the same jointly or is a tenant in common with a person not his spouse and occupied by him as his domicile, if the person claiming the exemption either alone or together with his spouse had combined income of $60,000 or less during the preceding year. No restrictions shall be imposed based upon the number of years the property owner (a) has been domiciled in the commonwealth; or (b) owns and occupies as his domicile such real property.
SECTION 2. Any such person may, on or before December 15 of each year to which the tax relates or within 3 months after the date on which the bill or notice is first sent, whichever is later, apply to the board of assessors for an exemption of all or part of such real property from taxation during such year; provided, however, that in the case of real estate owned by a person jointly or as a tenant in common with a person not his spouse, the exemption shall not exceed that proportion of total valuation which the amount of his interest in such property bears to the whole tax due. The board of assessors shall grant such exemption provided that the owner or owners of such real property have entered into a tax deferral and recovery agreement with the board of assessors on behalf of the city or town. The said agreement shall provide:-
(1) that no sale or transfer of such real property may be consummated unless the taxes which would otherwise have been assessed on such portion of the real property as is so exempt have been paid, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum for the first year and at an annual rate set thereafter by the board of selectmen provided that the rate set by the selectmen shall never exceed 8 per cent per annum;
(2) that the total amount of such taxes due, plus interest, for the current and prior years does not exceed 50 per cent of the owner's proportional share of the full and fair cash value of such real property;
(3) that upon the demise of the owner of such real property, the heirs-at-law, assignees or devisees shall have first priority to the real property by paying in full the total taxes which would otherwise have been due, plus interest; provided, however, that if such heir-at-law, assignee or devisee is a surviving spouse who enters into a tax deferral and recovery agreement under this clause, payment of the taxes and interest due shall not be required during the life of such surviving spouse. Any additional taxes deferred, plus interest, on said real property under a tax deferral and recovery agreement signed by a surviving spouse shall be added to the taxes and interest which would otherwise have been due, and the payment of which has been postponed during the life of such surviving spouse, in determining the 50 per cent requirement of subparagraph (2);
(4) that if the taxes due, plus interest, are not paid by the heir-at-law, assignee or devisee or if payment is not postponed during the life of a surviving spouse, such taxes and interest shall be recovered from the estate of the owner; and
(5) that any joint owner or mortgagee holding a mortgage on such property has given written prior approval for such agreement, which written approval shall be made a part of such agreement.
SECTION 3. In the case of each tax deferral and recovery agreement entered into between the board of assessors and the owner or owners of such real property, the board of assessors shall forthwith cause to be recorded in the registry of deeds of the county or district in which the city or town is situated a statement of their action which shall constitute a lien upon the land covered by such agreement for such taxes as have been assessed under this act, plus interest as hereinafter provided. A lien filed pursuant to this act shall be subsequent to any liens securing a reverse mortgage, excepting shared appreciation instruments. The statement shall name the owner or owners and shall include a description of the land adequate for identification. Unless such a statement is recorded the lien shall not be effective with respect to a bona fide purchaser or other transferee without actual knowledge of such lien. The filing fee for such statement shall be paid by the city or town and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes due.
SECTION 4. In addition to the remedies provided by this act, the recorded statement of the assessors provided for in this act shall have the same force and effect as a valid taking for nonpayment of taxes under section 53 of chapter 60 of the General Laws, except that: (1) interest shall accrue at the rate provided in this act until the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred, after which time interest shall accrue at the rate provided in section 62 of said chapter 60; (2) no assignment of the municipality's interest under this act may be made pursuant to section 52 of said chapter 60; (3) no petition under section 65 of said chapter 60 to foreclose the lien may be filed before the expiration of 6 months from the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved September 12, 2002.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

WORK SESSION ON COURTS FEB 29 AT 4 PM

The Town Board met with the three Town Judges during our work session this afternoon. We are scheduling a work session (to be televised on public access and streamed live on the internet) on Friday, Feb 29th at 4 PM to discuss the courts and the audit we commissioned. The 3 Judges, court clerk and former Town Judge James Hubert will be invited to attend.
Over the decades there have been a number of problems at the court. Should the Town Board play a more active role in the courts or should we respect the fact that the Judiciary is considered a separate branch of government?

Monday, February 11, 2008

Town Bd to vote to create parking committee for E Hartsdale Ave

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD
AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE HARTSDALE PARKING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND ADDRESS CONCERNS
RELATING TO PARKING ON EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE
AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD
WHEREAS, the Town Board acknowledges that there is a lack of adequate parking along East Hartsdale Avenue and the surrounding vicinity which adversely affects residents, businesses and patrons; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes this development requires a study of the different alternatives that exist to address the parking problem;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board will create a committee, to be named the Hartsdale Parking Advisory Committee, to study and address concerns and alternatives relating to parking on East Hartsdale Avenue and make recommendations to the Town Board.
Submitted: February 11, 2008

UPDATE; East Hartsdale Flood study

Mr. Regula:

Following is an update on the Hartsdale Brook Flood Study.
Our surveyor has completed his work and is processing his data.
He has advised that we will receive it by Friday 2/8.
Once we receive the survey data we will finally be in a position to proceed with our hydraulic analyses.
I will contact Mr. Cioce once we have received the data so that we can set up meeting date to review our work.
Thank you very much,

Dennis
Dennis Rocks, P.E.



Leonard Jackson Associates

Sunday, February 10, 2008

LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT

There will be a library construction update this Wednesday night at our Town Board meeting. Questions will be answered. If you have a question(s) please e mail townboard@greenburghny.com with your questions in advance of the meeting.

Saturday, February 09, 2008

MORE TRAFFIC IN ARDSLEY...NO TAXES FOR THE TOWN...IT'S UNFAIR!

I am contacting our county lawmakers and will ask that the town get some tax revenue from the county in the event that the Board of Elections moves to Saw Mill River Road. I am of the opinion that this is a bad location for the Bd of Elections - it is not centrally located (the Bd of Elections should be located in White Plains)...it's not easily acccessible to people around the county. Traffic in Ardsley is horrible - this will generate additional traffic in and around Ardsley. I would prefer that the county locate the Bd of Elections elsewhere. Non profits and county governments do not pay taxes to local governments.
Glenn Blain writes in the Journal News:
WHITE PLAINS – In what may be the first test of the Democrats’ super majority on the Westchester legislature, County Executive Andrew Spano is reviving a once-defeated plan to move the Board of Elections to Greenburgh.
The Spano administration re-submitted to the Board of Legislators a $13.3 million proposal to purchase and renovate a vacant industrial building at 450 Saw Mill River Road for use by the Board of Elections.
“A decision was made to resubmit because we need a (new) facility,” said Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz.
Since the plan fell one vote short of approval in the legislature last spring, the administration has investigated several other properties but found none that were as affordable or as convenient as the building on Saw Mill River Road, Schwartz said.

Friday, February 08, 2008

work session agenda 2/12...summary from this past Tuesday's work session

Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)


1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed fire contract

1:45 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Agenda Review


3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Theodore D. Young Com. Ctr. – Reorganization
Motion for Executive Session - Personnel

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Courts – Executive Session

` 5:15: p.m. Adjourn



Work Session Summary – February 5, 2008

The Town Board met in Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing candidates for

the position of Comptroller.



Live Streaming Update

We expect meetings to be streamed live shortly. We are awaiting the arrival of a essential

piece of equipment. The equipment is expected to arrive on Monday, February 11th. We hope to begin streaming at this meeting, provided the equipment does arrive. We apologize for this delay.



February 26th Work Session (tentative)



· Westchester County Department of Planning

· Amendment fo Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veterans’ Exemption – Edye McCarthy

· Sunrise Assisted Living

· Tax Certiorari







Please Note: There will be no Work Session on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

STORAGE FACILITY ON CENTRAL AVE? what do you think?

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? EARLY FEEDBACK WANTED ON STORAGE DELUXE FACILITY ON CENTRAL AVE…
Benefits: significant taxes.
No additional costs for school district
Low traffic
Negatives: Current zoning does not allow for self storage
Feel free to contact snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com.
Dear Supervisor Feiner:
My name is Steve Novenstein and I am the President of Storage Deluxe Realty. We currently own 27 Self-Storage Properties in the New York area, including 4 facilities in Westchester (White Plains, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle and Yorktown).
As a resident of Scarsdale and with my office located in White Plains, I am constantly driving and shopping on Central Avenue. There are many vacant and underutilized sites along Central Avenue that would make great self storage facilities. Self Storage developments offer tremendous benefits for towns in that it generates very low traffic and offers a nice real estate tax rate.
We have developed many first class storage facilities and we would be thrilled to work with members of the community on a design that reflects the charm of the community. We envision utilizing brick and stucco with a great landscaping plan.
Currently, the zoning for Central Avenue does not allow for self-storage. We are working on a couple of sites on Central Avenue and before we get too far into the process, we would like to hear from the community and address any comments or questions they may have. snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com
Sincerely,
Steve Novenstein
www.storagedeluxe.com

LANZA FAMILY FOUNDATION TO FUND SUNDAY LIBRARY HOURS/CYBERMOBILE

I am pleased to report that the Lanza Family Foundation will make a generous donation of $12,284 to the town- enabling the Greenburgh Library to resume Sunday library hours beginning March 16 (excluding summer Sundays). In addition, the Lanza Family Foundation is donating $25,000 which will be used to reactivate the cybermobile.
The Lanza Family Foundation will require the Library to provide the Foundation with detailed weekly usage reports regarding the cybermobile/Sunday hours (cost analysis, number of people who use the cybermobile/Sunday hours, etc..) The $25,000 being allocated to the cybermobile will enable the library to provide cybermobile service to the community for at least a few months.
The Sunday hours and cybermobile service was discontinued in January, 2008 by the Greenburgh Library Board. I am very grateful to the Lanza Family Foundation for their very generous donation. Many residents, especially senior citizens, have been hurt because of the cuts. Representatives of the Lanza Family Foundation met with Supervisor Paul Feiner, Town Clerk Judith Beville, Philanthropic Coordinator George Gumina and Winsome Gordon of the Philanthropic Office to discuss the terms of their generous donation.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

COMPARISONS RE: GREENBURGH LIBRARY VS. OTHER LIBRARIES FROM WLS

A letter from the Director of the Westchester Library System: data/comparisons:
My statistics are as of the State Annual Report for 2006 and, therefore, the data is reflective of the budget for Greenburgh Public Library in the old building. Having said that I’m happy to forward the comparative data you request.
The short version is that as far as grand total circulation transactions Greenburgh ranked third in 2006 (565,494) behind Yonkers (899,488) and White Plains (575,863) and ahead of large libraries such as New Rochelle (545,238), Yorktown (493,429), Scarsdale (441,901), Mount Pleasant (424,020) and Ossining (402,607) and so on.
In Circulations per capita Greenburgh ranks 16th at 13.52 circs/capita behind Ardsley (30.68); Bronxville (29.43); Scarsdale (24.79); Chappaqua (22.53); Larchmont (20.83); Hastings (19.67); Pound Ridge (19.56); Croton (19.30); Katonah (19.14); Armonk (18.15); Irvington (16.24); Rye (16.17); Briarcliff (14.31); Bedford (14.11) and Yorktown (13.59).
Population Chartered to Serve Greenburgh is 5th (41,828) behind Yonkers (196,086); New Rochelle (72,182); Mount Vernon (68,381) and White Plains (53,077). Immediately following Greenburgh are Port Chester (36,469); Yorktown (36,318), Mount Pleasant (33,323), Ossining (33,047) and Harrison (24,154).
In Circs per hour opened Greenburgh ranked third (145.40) behind White Plains (186.12) and Yorktown (159.07) followed by Scarsdale (131.83) and Chappaqua (116.15).
In total library materials collection Greenburgh has the 4th largest collection in the county behind Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and White Plains and ranks 33rd in the county on the total library materials per capita followed by Yonkers, Somers, Yorktown, Pelham and Port Chester.
On Library Materials purchases Greenburgh ranked third in spending ($402,000) behind White Plains ($576,501) and Mount Vernon ($429,584) followed by Scarsdale ($279,125); New Rochelle ($252,767), Harrison ($232,351), Yonkers ($230,086); Yorktown ($204,996); Rye ($203,789) and Mount Pleasant ($200,231).
On Library Materials spending per capita Greenburgh ranked 8th and 6th in Library Materials expense as a percent of total operating budget.
I’ll forward the charts asap.
Siobhan A Reardon
Director
Westchester Library System
540 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, New York 10591-

WHO WON GREENBURGH? work session to discuss comptroller candidates Friday at 2 followed by reorganization

The Town Board will be holding a work session this Friday at 2 PM. We interviewed 3 candidates for the position of Comptroller in executive session yesterday and will meet a 4th candidate on Friday. The Board will review the candidates in executive session. At 3:30 PM we will discuss reorganization issues till 5:30 PM. That portion of the meeting will be open and will also be televised.

HOW DID GREENBURGH VOTE YESTERDAY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?
Barack Obama: 5,803 (45.3%)….Bill Richardson 168 (1.3%)…Dennis Kucinich 88 (.7%)…Hillary Clinton 6,650 (51.9%) Joe Biden 22 (.2%)…John Edwards 86 (.7%)

John McCain: 1,634 (57.9%)…Mike Huckabee 177 (6.3%)…Mitt Romney 772 (27.3%)…Ron Paul 101 (3.6%)…Rudy Guiliani 139 (4.9%)

Monday, February 04, 2008

QUESTION: WOULD REINSTATEMENT OF CYBERMOBILE HELP LIBRARY RAISE FUNDS?

Question of the day: If the cybermobile is reinstated by the Library Board --and if the cybermobile would make stops in Edgemont (near Cotswold Park/Crane Pond) --would the library be able to develop additional relationships with some people who do not use the library at the current time but who have financial resources to make significant donations to the library? If people are pleased with the fact that 1) the library is providing service to their immediate neighborhood...2) the staff is excellent 3) the service is great then is it possible that the library could raise additional funds for programs/services when the new library opens?
Do you think that re-starting the cybermobile could generate major donations for the library in the future?

DID YOU KNOW that one person donated $2 million dollars to the Dobbs Ferry library before the Dobbs Ferry library was built a few years back? How can we motivate additional people to donate significant dollars to the library? In return the town could name the building, rooms, etc..) in their honor

Sunday, February 03, 2008

150,000 VISITS TO THIS BLOG SITE SO FAR...GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY...WEEK OF FEB 4TH...POST YOUR COMMENTS

This blog site continues to get lots of traffic. This weekend we reached the 150,000+ blog visit. The blog was started in the late summer of 2006.

Please feel free to post your comments about Greenburgh town issues on this blog. Your comments are appreciated.

THIS WEEK--
Interviews with comptroller candidates...
Meeting with Board, Theodore Young Community Center Tuesday night...

Saturday, February 02, 2008

GREEN INITIATIVES...

Gas prices and global warming: two great reasons to think about how to “green” the ways we get around. Reducing the number of miles we drive alone helps lower our use of fossil fuels and reduces our carbon footprint; it also saves on the cost of gas and vehicle wear and tear, and helps reduce local air pollution and traffic congestion. Solutions? Carpooling and ridesharing; taking public transportation; walking and biking.
With Greenburgh’s “Green Your Miles” campaign, we hope to raise Greenburgh residents’ awareness about ways to save money and reduce their environmental impact while on the move. Information about some solutions can be found at:
· http://www.NuRide.com, a free and highly flexible online ridesharing service that offers rewards (such as gift certificates) for sharing rides, not just for commuting but for any reason
· http://www.GoLoco.org, a service that helps people and communities create their own personal public transportation network
· http://www.MetroPool.com, help with commuter alternatives including carpooling, vanpooling, and public transportation.
· And at http://www.greenburghny.com, click on “Save Energy” on the left of the home page, then check out the “Transportation” section.
An interview with MetroPool CEO John Lyons about ridesharing and other commuter alternatives can be seen currently on “The Energy Show” on Greenburgh cable channels 75 and 76.
So… “Green Your Miles,” save some money, and help the planet! Share your success stories in “greening your miles”; write pfeiner@greenburghny.com.

(Questions? Contact the Energy Conservation Coordinator at 993-1649.)

Friday, February 01, 2008

TOWN BD WORK SESSION THIS TUESDAY--AGENDA

Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Council Members Tuesday, February 5, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We were hoping to stream this work session live on the internet. There are some technical issues regarding software and hardware so the first streaming of work sessions may start later in the month. It’s possible that we will resolve the technical problems by Tuesday –but not definite. Sorry for the inconvenience.
1:00 p.m. Permanent Citizens’ Budget Committee to address E. Hartsdale parking
(Representation to include: parking authority, residents, businesses)

Reorganization – Review Town Board Rules and Procedures
2:00 p.m. Overtime Presentation – Comptroller’s Office… discussion: draft overtime request form

2:15 p.m. Executive Session – Personnel (interview: comptroller candidates)

5:30 p.m. Adjourn

The Town Board will meet with the Theodore Young Community Center Advisory Board at 8 PM at the center to discuss the community center.

February 12th Work Session (tentative)

· Sunrise Assisted Living
· Reorganization
· Court Audit Report / Review
· Town Board Meeting Agenda Review
· Library: cybermobile/Sunday hours—efforts to restore
· Theodore D. Young Community Center – Reorganization
· Update Carter Ledyard
· E Hartsdale Ave sidewalk sales—should they be expanded to include more weekends
· DEPT OVERTIME REVIEW



Please Note: There will be no Work Session on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.