I disagree with the informal decision of the Zoning Board to deny the variance requested for a drive through window for Deli Delicious. The store is now closed. The residents who opposed the variance request may have won the battle - but at some point in the future the property will be sold. It's possible that traffic impacts from another business will be less desirable than a deli. I think the town has to be more business friendly. Closing a business that has been an asset to our town for 28 years is sad. It also sends the wrong message to other businesses considering Greenburgh--that we are not business friendly. Vacant businesses = more unemployment, more tax certiorari refunds (higher taxes), more eyesores and make it more difficult to attract other businesses to our town.
PAUL FEINER
Dear Mr. Feiner:
As a result of the decision made by the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board of Appeals to deny the variances requested for a drive through window for Deli Delicious, the owner, Ernie Tartaglione, was forced to close the doors to the building he built and the business he operated for the last 28 years. I must tell you that it was heartbreaking to see Ernie hugging his employees, one of whom was his own son, as they left the premises in tears and without a job. This should also be a sad day for the Town of Greenburgh, as it is left with another empty store in a prominent location in the Town and a number of unemployed residents. It certainly does not send a very positive message to the existing businesses in Greenburgh or to anyone who might be contemplating starting a new business there. Even though the outcome of the lengthy Zoning Board of Appeals process was not what we had hoped it would be, Ernie and I want you to know that we appreciated your understanding of the problem and your support for the application.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY RESPONDS TO TODAY SHOW REPORT ON AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS AT SKATING RINKS
Last week, in response to a news report on the TODAY SHOW about air quality at skating facilities across the nation (some skaters have been hospitalized), Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner wrote to area skating facilities and to the Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Health. Feiner received the following response from the Westchester Skating Academy.
________________________________________
From: Dean Hall [mailto:dean.hall@asecenters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 5:19 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: Letter dated February 11, 2011 Air Quality Concerns
Mr. Feiner,
I received your letter in regards to air quality within our facility the Westchester Skating Academy. Below is a statement that is currently on our website that should answer your questions and concerns.
AIR QUALITY AT OUR FACILITY (WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY)
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our guests and employees. This facility has continuous fresh air ventilated into the ice rink(s). We employ electronic carbon monoxide detectors that, if an issue arises, will alert our operations personnel and activate the fresh air purge system. The ice resurfacers are operated with clean burning fuel and exhausted through a catalytic converter. We regularly maintain the ice resurfacers to ensure that they are in good working order in accordance with the highest safety standards.
If you have any other questions please feel free to give me a call.
Dean Hall
Vice President
American Skating Entertainment Centers
Work: (914) 347-8232
________________________________________
From: Dean Hall [mailto:dean.hall@asecenters.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2011 5:19 PM
To: Paul Feiner
Subject: Letter dated February 11, 2011 Air Quality Concerns
Mr. Feiner,
I received your letter in regards to air quality within our facility the Westchester Skating Academy. Below is a statement that is currently on our website that should answer your questions and concerns.
AIR QUALITY AT OUR FACILITY (WESTCHESTER SKATING ACADEMY)
There is nothing more important to us than the safety of our guests and employees. This facility has continuous fresh air ventilated into the ice rink(s). We employ electronic carbon monoxide detectors that, if an issue arises, will alert our operations personnel and activate the fresh air purge system. The ice resurfacers are operated with clean burning fuel and exhausted through a catalytic converter. We regularly maintain the ice resurfacers to ensure that they are in good working order in accordance with the highest safety standards.
If you have any other questions please feel free to give me a call.
Dean Hall
Vice President
American Skating Entertainment Centers
Work: (914) 347-8232
Sunday, February 13, 2011
march 7th meeting --help the lois Bronz Children's Center
Dear Parents and Concerned Members of our Community:
After all the speculation and rumors, we, the Board of Directors, would like to inform you that the Lois Bronz Children’s Center has no intention of closing. Facing challenging economic times, we find ourselves in the same situation as many businesses across America, struggling to make ends meet. However, LBCC isn’t like most businesses. We provide vital services upon which hundreds of children and families depend every year. Our board and staff take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to caring for your children.
To address the financial pressure, we have made major adjustments to the way we operate. We have taken many cost cutting measures in our back office operations and business processes. These measures were planned and implemented very carefully so that they would not affect the availability or the quality of your children’s early childhood education.
For over 45 years, LBCC has been there for our parents who depend on us to take care of their children so that they can go to work. We are grateful for the support we have received over these four decades from Federal, State and County governments, WestCOP, corporations and other generous foundations and individuals. Yet now, many of these organizations and individuals are facing their own fiscal crises. It's important to remember, that as a private not-for-profit facility - not a public institution - we rely heavily on financial donations and we have been actively seeking funds from new corporations, individuals and foundations
Now we turn to you for ideas to raise money. It is the time for our community to come together to demonstrate its commitment to quality early childhood education in our own back yard.
On March 7th, Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner will host an indoor rally for parents and concerned community members. We urge you to attend and invite family and friends who can help support LBCC.
We look forward to seeing you on March 7th at 6:30 pm at the Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue. Please bring your ideas and donations!
Sincerely yours,
LBCC Board of Directors
After all the speculation and rumors, we, the Board of Directors, would like to inform you that the Lois Bronz Children’s Center has no intention of closing. Facing challenging economic times, we find ourselves in the same situation as many businesses across America, struggling to make ends meet. However, LBCC isn’t like most businesses. We provide vital services upon which hundreds of children and families depend every year. Our board and staff take this responsibility seriously and remain committed to caring for your children.
To address the financial pressure, we have made major adjustments to the way we operate. We have taken many cost cutting measures in our back office operations and business processes. These measures were planned and implemented very carefully so that they would not affect the availability or the quality of your children’s early childhood education.
For over 45 years, LBCC has been there for our parents who depend on us to take care of their children so that they can go to work. We are grateful for the support we have received over these four decades from Federal, State and County governments, WestCOP, corporations and other generous foundations and individuals. Yet now, many of these organizations and individuals are facing their own fiscal crises. It's important to remember, that as a private not-for-profit facility - not a public institution - we rely heavily on financial donations and we have been actively seeking funds from new corporations, individuals and foundations
Now we turn to you for ideas to raise money. It is the time for our community to come together to demonstrate its commitment to quality early childhood education in our own back yard.
On March 7th, Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner will host an indoor rally for parents and concerned community members. We urge you to attend and invite family and friends who can help support LBCC.
We look forward to seeing you on March 7th at 6:30 pm at the Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue. Please bring your ideas and donations!
Sincerely yours,
LBCC Board of Directors
Thursday, February 10, 2011
REQUESTING COMMISSIONER OF BOARD OF HEALTH TO INVESTIGATE TODAY SHOW REPORT ABOUT ICE SKATING SAFETY PROBLEM--CARBON MONOXIDE FROM FUEL RESURFACERS
GREENBURGH TOWN SUPERVISOR PAUL FEINER HAS WRITTEN TO THE COMMISSIONER OF THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH ASKING THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO FOLLOW UP ON THE TODAY SHOW REPORT--RELATING TO SAFETY OF ICE SKATING RINKS. THE TODAY SHOW INVESTIGATION, WHICH WAS SEEN BY MANY WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH, INDICATED THAT fuel powered resurfacers that spit out carbon monoxide and miniscule particles at ice skating rinks across the nation could be dangerous to the health of children and skaters. There are other methods of cleaning the ice that are safer.
A copy of the e mail Feiner sent to the Commissioner and County Executive follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 10:35 PM
To: caa9@westchestergov.com
Cc: ceo@westchestergov.com
Subject: REQUESTING COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH TO FOLLOW UP ON TODAY SHOW REPORT-SAFETY OF ICE SKATING RINKS
Commissioner of Board of Health
Cheryl Archbald
Westchester County
Dear Commissioner:
I would like to request that your department review the investigation conducted by the TODAY show which indicated that fuel powered resurfacers that spit out carbon monoxide and miniscule particles at ice skating rinks across the nation could be dangerous to the health of children and skaters. There are safer methods that are more costly.
If you believe that the findings of the TODAY show have merit - please reach out to all ice skating rinks in Westchester and ask them to address this problem. I received some complaints from parents of skaters who watched the TODAY show.
I am enclosing a copy of a summary from the show which aired on Thursday morning.
Sincerely,
PAUL FEINER
enc
Toxic carbon monoxide fumes looming at ice rinks may be putting the thousands of children who skate and play hockey at risk, according to a "Today" show investigation.
Former Ice Capades dancer Linda Davis was diagnosed with long-term carbon monoxide poisoning, which has left her with chronic lung and memory problems and requires her to use a respirator, she tells the show.
"It started small, and then it progressed into completely debilitating me," she said. "You just don't know what your child is exposed to."
Nancy Fischer recently learned what her 14-year-old son, who plays ice hockey three or four nights a week, has been exposed to after he fainted in the locker room and couldn't get up. He had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors told his family he'd been stricken by carbon monoxide poisoning -- along with the rest of his team.
"It was very scary," Fischer tells "Today." "I didn't know the long-term effects. You think your kids are safe in a rink -- and he wasn't."
But how are the dangerous fumes getting trapped inside the rinks? Through the machines used to clean and resurface the ice, experts say.
Many rinks sweep the ice with fuel-powered resurfacers, which spit out both carbon monoxide and miniscule particles. The fumes and the particles linger inside the enclosed rinks and can wreak havoc on those who breathe them in.
"There's very little ventilation," certified industrial hygienist Joseph Cocciardi tells the show. "Whatever toxic materials are in the ice rink stay there."
Last week, at least 61 people taking part in an ice hockey tournament in Gunnison, Colorado, were sickened by fumes and had to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The "Today" investigation found that at least 250 in all have been poisoned at ice rinks around the country.
Watch a video from the "Today" show detailing the issue.
A copy of the e mail Feiner sent to the Commissioner and County Executive follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2011 10:35 PM
To: caa9@westchestergov.com
Cc: ceo@westchestergov.com
Subject: REQUESTING COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH TO FOLLOW UP ON TODAY SHOW REPORT-SAFETY OF ICE SKATING RINKS
Commissioner of Board of Health
Cheryl Archbald
Westchester County
Dear Commissioner:
I would like to request that your department review the investigation conducted by the TODAY show which indicated that fuel powered resurfacers that spit out carbon monoxide and miniscule particles at ice skating rinks across the nation could be dangerous to the health of children and skaters. There are safer methods that are more costly.
If you believe that the findings of the TODAY show have merit - please reach out to all ice skating rinks in Westchester and ask them to address this problem. I received some complaints from parents of skaters who watched the TODAY show.
I am enclosing a copy of a summary from the show which aired on Thursday morning.
Sincerely,
PAUL FEINER
enc
Toxic carbon monoxide fumes looming at ice rinks may be putting the thousands of children who skate and play hockey at risk, according to a "Today" show investigation.
Former Ice Capades dancer Linda Davis was diagnosed with long-term carbon monoxide poisoning, which has left her with chronic lung and memory problems and requires her to use a respirator, she tells the show.
"It started small, and then it progressed into completely debilitating me," she said. "You just don't know what your child is exposed to."
Nancy Fischer recently learned what her 14-year-old son, who plays ice hockey three or four nights a week, has been exposed to after he fainted in the locker room and couldn't get up. He had to be rushed to the hospital, where doctors told his family he'd been stricken by carbon monoxide poisoning -- along with the rest of his team.
"It was very scary," Fischer tells "Today." "I didn't know the long-term effects. You think your kids are safe in a rink -- and he wasn't."
But how are the dangerous fumes getting trapped inside the rinks? Through the machines used to clean and resurface the ice, experts say.
Many rinks sweep the ice with fuel-powered resurfacers, which spit out both carbon monoxide and miniscule particles. The fumes and the particles linger inside the enclosed rinks and can wreak havoc on those who breathe them in.
"There's very little ventilation," certified industrial hygienist Joseph Cocciardi tells the show. "Whatever toxic materials are in the ice rink stay there."
Last week, at least 61 people taking part in an ice hockey tournament in Gunnison, Colorado, were sickened by fumes and had to be treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The "Today" investigation found that at least 250 in all have been poisoned at ice rinks around the country.
Watch a video from the "Today" show detailing the issue.
town owns frank's nursery...radio program (bullying) tomorrow on wvox...jazz elites.. pets alive
GREAT NEWS. We own Frank’s Nursery! The town of Greenburgh now owns the abandoned Frank’s Nursery off of Dobbs Ferry Road. We foreclosed on the property because the owners did not pay their taxes. The order and judgment of foreclosure sale was signed by NY State Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. The property is just under 7 acres and is in a prime location (near the Sprain Parkway). In the coming months we will explore options for the property: (sale or renting out the property, keeping the property for future town uses). I believe that the town should turn this property into a revenue generator for the town. Your thoughts are welcome…
MY GUEST ON WVOX TOMORROW—MICHAEL ZELDES –CHAIR OF A GROUP THAT ADDRESSES BULLYING AND BIASED BEHAVIOR 10 am Friday--- program streamed live on www.wvox.com or 1460 am
I have two guests on my WVOX Radio (1460 AM) program tomorrow (Friday) between 10 AM and 11 AM.
Michael Zeldes is a resident of Irvington for over 14 years and the proud father of an 8th grade boy and a Fifth grade girl in the Irvington School District. Michael is the Chairman of the Village's Diversity Task Force, a group he formed 9 months ago to pro-actively address Bullying and Biased behavior in and out its schools. He has recently led efforts to implement various programs in the District to raise awareness and train Faculty and other school staff in the hopes that by doing so bullying and other harassing behaviors will be not be tolerated at school or within the community.
Additionally, Michael is a board member of the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Foundation at Westchester Medical Center and is has chaired its annual Wines of the World wine tasting and auction fundraising event for the past 6 years.
From 10:30 to 11 I will interview Julie Fraitag-Weinstein, Director of the Inter-Village Continuing Education
PETS ALIVE (formerly called the Elmsford Animal Shelter) is having their Valentine’s Day party Sunday, February13 at 100 Warehouse Lane, South between 12 and 3:30 PM. Meet the pets and consider an adoption. www.petsalivewest.org.
If you watched the Town Board meeting on TV last night you probably were impressed with the young adults who set the tone for the meeting with their brief jazz concert. Jazz Elite is a group of young, advanced level musicians from the region. They will be hosting a “Night of Jazz on March 5th at Union Baptist Church in Fairview. The event will help raise money for the group's members to attend an upcoming jazz competition in California. Artistic director, Iantheia Calhoun, who is also a music teacher at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York, will conduct the performance.
"We are excited about this concert! We want to show metropolitan-area parents that they don't have to send their children all the way to New York City for a quality music program," Calhoun said. "Those who attend will have the great opportunity to see the high level of talent in our young musicians, who practice right here in Westchester."
Founded in 2003, Jazz Elite is a sponsored program by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Funds donated by businesses, other organizations and private citizens – which are encouraged – are helpful in keeping the program afloat and allow students to attend various music festivals throughout the year. With additional funding, Calhoun hopes to expand the program for students so they are able to participate in more events and receive private music lessons.
As part of an annual tuition program, students take part in weekly rehearsals at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in Greenburgh, New York and participate in jazz clinics with music professionals, such as jazz legend Jon Faddis; hard bop jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater; Ron Carter, professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU); and saxophonist Tia Fuller, who plays in R&B singer Beyonce's all female band.
Students audition in September at an assigned location in Westchester County for a seat in Jazz Elite. The program is designed to help students develop their aural, sight-reading, improvisational, and Big Band ensemble playing skills throughout the year.
Prior to forming Jazz Elite, Calhoun organized a Jazz Ensemble at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York. Those students performed at the Greenwich Festival in Connecticut and Sleepy Hollow Festival in New York, as well as the prestigious Next Generation Festival in California, which the young musicians of Jazz Elite plan to attend this April. Proceeds from the benefit concert will assist in that effort.
"Jazz, to me and to these students, is something special," Calhoun said. "With jazz, you really have to think; you're expanding your mind. You have to look at the chords, and understand how to solo over those changes. Then, you have to communicate it to your audience and move them through your expression. Jazz is on such a grand level of understanding and expression. I'm proud to expose our children to wonderful pieces of work in the jazz music genre.”
Currently, Jazz Elite – an ethnically diverse group of 7th to 12th graders – has eight woodwind section players, five trombone players, six trumpet players and eight members in the rhythm section. The program is always looking to bring in additional talent, according to Calhoun.
"A Night of Jazz" will take place on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium of Union Baptist Church, located at 31 Manhattan Avenue in White Plains. Admission to the event is $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. For more information about the event or to make a donation to Jazz Elite, contact Artistic Director Iantheia Calhoun at 914-462-2669 or mscjazz@mac.com.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
MY GUEST ON WVOX TOMORROW—MICHAEL ZELDES –CHAIR OF A GROUP THAT ADDRESSES BULLYING AND BIASED BEHAVIOR 10 am Friday--- program streamed live on www.wvox.com or 1460 am
I have two guests on my WVOX Radio (1460 AM) program tomorrow (Friday) between 10 AM and 11 AM.
Michael Zeldes is a resident of Irvington for over 14 years and the proud father of an 8th grade boy and a Fifth grade girl in the Irvington School District. Michael is the Chairman of the Village's Diversity Task Force, a group he formed 9 months ago to pro-actively address Bullying and Biased behavior in and out its schools. He has recently led efforts to implement various programs in the District to raise awareness and train Faculty and other school staff in the hopes that by doing so bullying and other harassing behaviors will be not be tolerated at school or within the community.
Additionally, Michael is a board member of the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Foundation at Westchester Medical Center and is has chaired its annual Wines of the World wine tasting and auction fundraising event for the past 6 years.
From 10:30 to 11 I will interview Julie Fraitag-Weinstein, Director of the Inter-Village Continuing Education
PETS ALIVE (formerly called the Elmsford Animal Shelter) is having their Valentine’s Day party Sunday, February13 at 100 Warehouse Lane, South between 12 and 3:30 PM. Meet the pets and consider an adoption. www.petsalivewest.org.
If you watched the Town Board meeting on TV last night you probably were impressed with the young adults who set the tone for the meeting with their brief jazz concert. Jazz Elite is a group of young, advanced level musicians from the region. They will be hosting a “Night of Jazz on March 5th at Union Baptist Church in Fairview. The event will help raise money for the group's members to attend an upcoming jazz competition in California. Artistic director, Iantheia Calhoun, who is also a music teacher at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York, will conduct the performance.
"We are excited about this concert! We want to show metropolitan-area parents that they don't have to send their children all the way to New York City for a quality music program," Calhoun said. "Those who attend will have the great opportunity to see the high level of talent in our young musicians, who practice right here in Westchester."
Founded in 2003, Jazz Elite is a sponsored program by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Funds donated by businesses, other organizations and private citizens – which are encouraged – are helpful in keeping the program afloat and allow students to attend various music festivals throughout the year. With additional funding, Calhoun hopes to expand the program for students so they are able to participate in more events and receive private music lessons.
As part of an annual tuition program, students take part in weekly rehearsals at the Theodore D. Young Community Center in Greenburgh, New York and participate in jazz clinics with music professionals, such as jazz legend Jon Faddis; hard bop jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater; Ron Carter, professor of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU); and saxophonist Tia Fuller, who plays in R&B singer Beyonce's all female band.
Students audition in September at an assigned location in Westchester County for a seat in Jazz Elite. The program is designed to help students develop their aural, sight-reading, improvisational, and Big Band ensemble playing skills throughout the year.
Prior to forming Jazz Elite, Calhoun organized a Jazz Ensemble at Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, New York. Those students performed at the Greenwich Festival in Connecticut and Sleepy Hollow Festival in New York, as well as the prestigious Next Generation Festival in California, which the young musicians of Jazz Elite plan to attend this April. Proceeds from the benefit concert will assist in that effort.
"Jazz, to me and to these students, is something special," Calhoun said. "With jazz, you really have to think; you're expanding your mind. You have to look at the chords, and understand how to solo over those changes. Then, you have to communicate it to your audience and move them through your expression. Jazz is on such a grand level of understanding and expression. I'm proud to expose our children to wonderful pieces of work in the jazz music genre.”
Currently, Jazz Elite – an ethnically diverse group of 7th to 12th graders – has eight woodwind section players, five trombone players, six trumpet players and eight members in the rhythm section. The program is always looking to bring in additional talent, according to Calhoun.
"A Night of Jazz" will take place on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. in the main auditorium of Union Baptist Church, located at 31 Manhattan Avenue in White Plains. Admission to the event is $35 for adults, $25 for senior citizens, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. For more information about the event or to make a donation to Jazz Elite, contact Artistic Director Iantheia Calhoun at 914-462-2669 or mscjazz@mac.com.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
report --meeting --new businesses
From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:48 PM
To: gblist@cit-e.net
Subject: WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES---REPORT OF MEETING TO DISCUSS WAYS TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES
Members of the Town Board, Planning & Zoning Boards met with residents of the community, commercial realtors on Feb 8 to discuss ways in which the town can be more business friendly. The meeting was very productive. Commercial realtors indicated that they would like to see the town amend our parking requirements and signage laws. Current restrictive signage laws make it difficult for businesses that are not located close to the road to publicize their services. If we amend our laws it would make it easier to attract businesses to Central Ave and the other commercial sections of town. In addition, we discussed a proposal that could save applicants significant dollars and time: having joint Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board hearings. If presentations would be made to different boards on the same evening applicants would not have to pay their attorneys and consultants to attend as many meetings. And the time period required to review the applications would be shortened. A draft of the comprehensive plan will be released to the community in the coming months. Some of the recommendations may be incorporated into the document.
Dennis Dilmaghani indicated that he would like to meet with residents of the Edgemont community. He owns the abandoned health spa on Central Ave and would like to replace the spa with a development that would be acceptable to the community. A meeting with Mr. Dilmaghani and civic leaders will be proposed.
We also discussed action steps the town could take to make businesses feel more welcome. Among the ideas: posting information about new businesses on the website and helping the local businesses publicize their new services. We also are going to conduct a survey of existing businesses --to get their feedback (experiences they had dealing with town government staff and the boards reviewing applications).
WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES!
2 new businesses opening...A New Martial Arts Studio named
Scarsdale Aikido & Shaolin Martial Arts and Yoga Studio
Located at 77 Tarrytown Road
FIRST NATIONAL URGENT CARE FRANCHISE, DOCTORS EXPRESS, TO OPEN IN HARTSDALE, NY, AND SERVE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
As emergency room visits escalate in New York and the nation continues to debate—and survive—the healthcare issue, a local entrepreneur and two doctors are working to do their part to offer a cure for the ailing healthcare system. Dan H. Purugganan of Mount Kisco, NY, is the Franchisee and Master Developer for a flagship urgent-care center called Doctors Express, located in Hartsdale, NY, at 359 North Central Avenue in the Dalewood Shopping Plaza between the Pathmark and Verizon stores.
The state-of-the-art center will open to patients on Friday, February 11th, 2011, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event slated for Thursday, February 17th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Grand Opening event is for media and area dignitaries. A special community day with kids’ activities and tours of the facility will be open to all on Saturday, February 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. . The company was founded in Baltimore, MD, in 2005 by an emergency room physician seeking a more efficient, affordable and personable system for urgent care patients. Doctors Express walk-in medical centers are quickly becoming America’s first nationally branded urgent care centers. Much like an emergency room, Doctors Express is a full 4-stage urgent care facility with physicians on staff. The centers provide state‐of‐the‐art treatment for acute illnesses, trauma, and sports injuries, including minor surgical procedures. Digital x‐ray service is available at all Doctors Express locations. Pre‐employment physicals, drug screening, and treatment of work-related injuries are also available to local employers. For more information, visit www.DoctorsExpress.com.
SHOP LOCALLY.
PAUL FEINER
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 11:48 PM
To: gblist@cit-e.net
Subject: WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES---REPORT OF MEETING TO DISCUSS WAYS TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES
Members of the Town Board, Planning & Zoning Boards met with residents of the community, commercial realtors on Feb 8 to discuss ways in which the town can be more business friendly. The meeting was very productive. Commercial realtors indicated that they would like to see the town amend our parking requirements and signage laws. Current restrictive signage laws make it difficult for businesses that are not located close to the road to publicize their services. If we amend our laws it would make it easier to attract businesses to Central Ave and the other commercial sections of town. In addition, we discussed a proposal that could save applicants significant dollars and time: having joint Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board hearings. If presentations would be made to different boards on the same evening applicants would not have to pay their attorneys and consultants to attend as many meetings. And the time period required to review the applications would be shortened. A draft of the comprehensive plan will be released to the community in the coming months. Some of the recommendations may be incorporated into the document.
Dennis Dilmaghani indicated that he would like to meet with residents of the Edgemont community. He owns the abandoned health spa on Central Ave and would like to replace the spa with a development that would be acceptable to the community. A meeting with Mr. Dilmaghani and civic leaders will be proposed.
We also discussed action steps the town could take to make businesses feel more welcome. Among the ideas: posting information about new businesses on the website and helping the local businesses publicize their new services. We also are going to conduct a survey of existing businesses --to get their feedback (experiences they had dealing with town government staff and the boards reviewing applications).
WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES!
2 new businesses opening...A New Martial Arts Studio named
Scarsdale Aikido & Shaolin Martial Arts and Yoga Studio
Located at 77 Tarrytown Road
FIRST NATIONAL URGENT CARE FRANCHISE, DOCTORS EXPRESS, TO OPEN IN HARTSDALE, NY, AND SERVE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
As emergency room visits escalate in New York and the nation continues to debate—and survive—the healthcare issue, a local entrepreneur and two doctors are working to do their part to offer a cure for the ailing healthcare system. Dan H. Purugganan of Mount Kisco, NY, is the Franchisee and Master Developer for a flagship urgent-care center called Doctors Express, located in Hartsdale, NY, at 359 North Central Avenue in the Dalewood Shopping Plaza between the Pathmark and Verizon stores.
The state-of-the-art center will open to patients on Friday, February 11th, 2011, with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event slated for Thursday, February 17th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Grand Opening event is for media and area dignitaries. A special community day with kids’ activities and tours of the facility will be open to all on Saturday, February 19th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. . The company was founded in Baltimore, MD, in 2005 by an emergency room physician seeking a more efficient, affordable and personable system for urgent care patients. Doctors Express walk-in medical centers are quickly becoming America’s first nationally branded urgent care centers. Much like an emergency room, Doctors Express is a full 4-stage urgent care facility with physicians on staff. The centers provide state‐of‐the‐art treatment for acute illnesses, trauma, and sports injuries, including minor surgical procedures. Digital x‐ray service is available at all Doctors Express locations. Pre‐employment physicals, drug screening, and treatment of work-related injuries are also available to local employers. For more information, visit www.DoctorsExpress.com.
SHOP LOCALLY.
PAUL FEINER
Monday, February 07, 2011
RUSSIAN OFFICIALS TO ATTEND TOWN BD MEETING
Visiting local elected officials and administrative offices from Russia: Pavel Aleksandrovich Voronichev, Mikhail Borisovich Galakhov, Andrey Ivanovich Golikov, Pavel Mikhaylovich Stetsko, Yevgeniy Yuryevich Yumashev, Yelena Sergeyevna Potapova will attend the Town Board work session Tuesday morning and the Town Board meeting Wednesday evening. These leaders (including Mayors from Russian towns) are participating in the Open World Program. The goal: to enhance understanding and capabilities for cooperation between the United States and Russia. The leaders are gaining significant, firsthand exposure to America's democratic government and our free market system.
Funded almost entirely by the U.S. Congress, Open World links Members of Congress to Eurasian leaders and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy.
Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World program has enabled some 16,000 current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society and community life; work with their American counterparts; stay in American homes; and gain new ideas and inspiration for implementing change back home. More than 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states have partnered with Congress and Open World to make this ambitious public diplomacy effort possible. Open World currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Councilwoman Diana Juettner, who has been working with the Rotary Club to facilitate this visit in Greenburgh and I met with some of the Russian visitors at the Rotary Gift of Life fundraiser this past weekend. The Rotary Clubs are raising money to provide heart transplants to sick children.
PAUL FEINER
Funded almost entirely by the U.S. Congress, Open World links Members of Congress to Eurasian leaders and is an instrument for Americans engaged in citizen diplomacy.
Since its founding by Congress in 1999, the Open World program has enabled some 16,000 current and future Eurasian leaders to experience American democracy, civil society and community life; work with their American counterparts; stay in American homes; and gain new ideas and inspiration for implementing change back home. More than 6,000 American host families and their communities in all 50 states have partnered with Congress and Open World to make this ambitious public diplomacy effort possible. Open World currently operates exchanges for political and civic leaders from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Councilwoman Diana Juettner, who has been working with the Rotary Club to facilitate this visit in Greenburgh and I met with some of the Russian visitors at the Rotary Gift of Life fundraiser this past weekend. The Rotary Clubs are raising money to provide heart transplants to sick children.
PAUL FEINER
Sunday, February 06, 2011
candidate sign regulation...snn meeting tomorrow...meeting to promote downtown business development tuesday at 7:30 PM
SHOULD CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE BE REQUIRED TO REMOVE CAMPAIGN SIGNS AFTER THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER --AND LOSE A DEPOSIT IF THEY DON'T
PUBLIC HEARING FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011, AT 8:30 PM, TO CONSIDER A LOCAL LAW TO PERMIT THE TOWN BOARD TO REGULATE THE POSTING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS WITHIN THE TOWN BY REQUIRING THE IMPOSITION OF A REFUNDABLE FEE FOR SUCH SIGNS UPON A CANDIDATE, POLITICAL COMMITTEE OR POLITICAL PARTY, REFUNDABLE ONLY IF SIGNS HAVE BEEN TIMELY REMOVED AFTER THE PRIMARY OR ELECTION FOR WHICH THE SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED .
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK MEETING MONDAY, FEB 6 AT 4:15 pm to 5:15 PM a few weeks ago I announced plans to start a new program in town--student news network. Students will have the opportunity to report the news, anchor and produce TV news shows and express their views on issues that interest them. We have had a number of meetings with students since I first started SNN. We have about 50 students working on the project and hope to air our first show in five or six weeks. Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, a former NY Times reporter who deeveloped the first social TV model as a Hofstra University Journalism professor, are donating their time to the start up of SNN. Town Clerk Judith Beville is also involved in the program. If you are a student and want to get involved, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.i
On Monday (Feb 7) SNN will meet at 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. We are asking students to be ready with story ideas. Tell us what you need to know about--writing, video shooting, editing, radio/podcasting, interviewing. We will form training groups.
INTERVIEW WITH DR. ZUCKERBERG POSTED ON SNNEWS.
On Friday, February 4th I hosted my weekly radio interview on WVOX radio (1460 AM). My guest was Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, father of TIME Magazine Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg. The Associated Press wrote a story about the interview which can be heard in its entirety on SNNews:Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH . Over 270 news outlets from around the world published the AP story summarizing the interview.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH FOLLOW UP MEETING WITH TOWN BOARD, PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD AND BUSINESS LEADERS---WHAT ACTIONS CAN THE TOWN TAKE TO HELP TURN VACANT STORE FRONTS ON CENTRAL AVE INTO NEW BUSINESSES. Meeting begins at 7:30 PM--Greenburgh Town Hall. We need to promote and encourage a vibrant & healthy business community.
PAUL FEINER
PUBLIC HEARING FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2011, AT 8:30 PM, TO CONSIDER A LOCAL LAW TO PERMIT THE TOWN BOARD TO REGULATE THE POSTING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGN SIGNS WITHIN THE TOWN BY REQUIRING THE IMPOSITION OF A REFUNDABLE FEE FOR SUCH SIGNS UPON A CANDIDATE, POLITICAL COMMITTEE OR POLITICAL PARTY, REFUNDABLE ONLY IF SIGNS HAVE BEEN TIMELY REMOVED AFTER THE PRIMARY OR ELECTION FOR WHICH THE SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED .
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK MEETING MONDAY, FEB 6 AT 4:15 pm to 5:15 PM a few weeks ago I announced plans to start a new program in town--student news network. Students will have the opportunity to report the news, anchor and produce TV news shows and express their views on issues that interest them. We have had a number of meetings with students since I first started SNN. We have about 50 students working on the project and hope to air our first show in five or six weeks. Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, a former NY Times reporter who deeveloped the first social TV model as a Hofstra University Journalism professor, are donating their time to the start up of SNN. Town Clerk Judith Beville is also involved in the program. If you are a student and want to get involved, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.i
On Monday (Feb 7) SNN will meet at 4:15 to 5:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. We are asking students to be ready with story ideas. Tell us what you need to know about--writing, video shooting, editing, radio/podcasting, interviewing. We will form training groups.
INTERVIEW WITH DR. ZUCKERBERG POSTED ON SNNEWS.
On Friday, February 4th I hosted my weekly radio interview on WVOX radio (1460 AM). My guest was Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, father of TIME Magazine Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg. The Associated Press wrote a story about the interview which can be heard in its entirety on SNNews:Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH . Over 270 news outlets from around the world published the AP story summarizing the interview.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH FOLLOW UP MEETING WITH TOWN BOARD, PLANNING BOARD, ZONING BOARD AND BUSINESS LEADERS---WHAT ACTIONS CAN THE TOWN TAKE TO HELP TURN VACANT STORE FRONTS ON CENTRAL AVE INTO NEW BUSINESSES. Meeting begins at 7:30 PM--Greenburgh Town Hall. We need to promote and encourage a vibrant & healthy business community.
PAUL FEINER
Saturday, February 05, 2011
YOU CAN LISTEN TO WVOX RADIO INTERVIEW WITH DR. ED ZUCKERBERG, FATHER OF MARK (OF FACEBOOK FAME)...ON OUR STUDENT NEWS NETWORK SITE
My interview on WVOX on Friday, February 4th with Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, father of TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR MARK ZUCKERBERG (founder of FACEBOOK) was the subject of a news story by the Associated Press. As a result, over 260 news outlets world wide published summaries of the interview.
Danielle Brody of Edgemont co-hosted the program with me. She is a member of SNN--student news network. The entire interview has been streamed on the snn website. If you would like to listen to the hour long interview in its entirety visit:
Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH
Streamed on Student Network News - a project Paul Feiner launched with support from Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, who developed the first Social TV Broadcast model as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
Danielle Brody of Edgemont co-hosted the program with me. She is a member of SNN--student news network. The entire interview has been streamed on the snn website. If you would like to listen to the hour long interview in its entirety visit:
Listen to the interview on SNNews: http://bit.ly/hOuqbH
Streamed on Student Network News - a project Paul Feiner launched with support from Alan Brody of iBreakfast.com and Mo Krochmal, who developed the first Social TV Broadcast model as a Hofstra University journalism professor.
Friday, February 04, 2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY ABOUT MY INTERVIEW WITH DR. ED ZUCKERBERG, FATHER OF MARK --TIME MAGAZINE PERSON OF THE YEAR
Zuckerberg Dad: Mark Got Computer Exposure Young
Facebook Founder's Father Says Parents Should Support Children's Passions
BETH J. HARPAZ, Associated Press
POSTED: 12:16 pm PST February 4, 2011
UPDATED: 12:30 pm PST February 4, 2011
facebookdel.icio.usbuzzdiggreddit›› Email›› Print
NEW YORK -- Mark Zuckerberg's father said in a radio interview Friday that an early exposure to computers inspired his son's interest in technology, and he encouraged parents to support their children's strengths and passions with a balance of "work and play."
"My kids all grew up around the office and were all exposed to computers," said Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, a dentist. "There are advantages to being exposed to computers early on. That certainly enriched Mark's interest in technology."
Zuckerberg said he computerized his offices in 1985. Mark was born in 1984 and was raised in the house where his father's dental offices are located in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., in suburban Westchester.
The dentist spoke for an hour on Westchester station WVOX in an interview with Paul Feiner, supervisor of Greenburgh. Dobbs Ferry is a village in the town of Greenburgh.
The dentist said his own computer science background was "limited" - he majored in biology in college - but he said he's "always been technologically oriented in the office" and "always had the latest high-tech toys," including an early Atari 800.
"It came with a disk for programming," he said. "I thought Mark might be interested and I imparted that knowledge to him. From there it took off."
He said Mark got a book on programming, but "ultimately his ability to program was self-taught."
Feiner and a number of callers to the live radio program asked Zuckerberg for advice on parenting.
"Probably the best thing I can say is something that my wife and I have always believed in," he said. "Rather than impose upon your kids or try and steer their lives in a certain direction, to recognize what their strengths are and support their strengths and support the development of the things they're passionate about."
Zuckerberg said he "didn't believe in physical discipline" but added that certain behaviors require parents to let children know "right there on the spot, this is a behavior that will not be tolerated. If you impart your dislikes about certain negative behaviors early in their lives, they will learn to understand what your feelings on certain matters are."
Zuckerberg said he was not familiar with a new best-seller called "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which recommends pushing children to succeed academically in part by limiting extracurricular activities.
Zuckerberg said he doesn't want to portray himself as an expert on childrearing, but he said: "I think that extremes in any form in parenting are not good. Children need to be well-rounded. There's a place for work and a place for play."
He described Mark as "a good student" with "a special affinity for math and sciences," as well as a "very quiet guy" who "doesn't like to boast about his accomplishments." He said that when Mark was named Time magazine's person of the year, his famous son remarked that "it must have been a really slow year. He's very humble."
"I'm proud of his accomplishments and the accomplishments of all my kids," he added. Mark's sister Randi is marketing director for Facebook, his sister Donna is a Ph.D. candidate in classics at Princeton, and the youngest, Arielle, is a senior at Claremont McKenna College with a minor in computer science. Her dad said "she's doing a job search right now."
Asked for his opinion of the movie "The Social Network," Zuckerberg said, "If I sat back and looked at it as a movie and not as a story about my son, it was a tolerable experience." But he added that there were aspects of the film "which did not accurately reflect the way certain situations occurred. That was disturbing to me."
Asked by a caller whether his wife, Karen, worked when their children were young, he said, "My wife was a superwoman. She managed to work and be home. We had a unique situation because my office was in the house. I highly recommend it if it works for your occupation. It did afford the ability to work and be home with the kids at the same time."
Karen Zuckerberg is a psychiatrist but she helps out in her husband's office.
Zuckerberg said he uses Facebook to promote his dental practice and spends about an hour a day on the site. He also still does Mark's "routine dental care."
Facebook Founder's Father Says Parents Should Support Children's Passions
BETH J. HARPAZ, Associated Press
POSTED: 12:16 pm PST February 4, 2011
UPDATED: 12:30 pm PST February 4, 2011
facebookdel.icio.usbuzzdiggreddit›› Email›› Print
NEW YORK -- Mark Zuckerberg's father said in a radio interview Friday that an early exposure to computers inspired his son's interest in technology, and he encouraged parents to support their children's strengths and passions with a balance of "work and play."
"My kids all grew up around the office and were all exposed to computers," said Dr. Edward Zuckerberg, a dentist. "There are advantages to being exposed to computers early on. That certainly enriched Mark's interest in technology."
Zuckerberg said he computerized his offices in 1985. Mark was born in 1984 and was raised in the house where his father's dental offices are located in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., in suburban Westchester.
The dentist spoke for an hour on Westchester station WVOX in an interview with Paul Feiner, supervisor of Greenburgh. Dobbs Ferry is a village in the town of Greenburgh.
The dentist said his own computer science background was "limited" - he majored in biology in college - but he said he's "always been technologically oriented in the office" and "always had the latest high-tech toys," including an early Atari 800.
"It came with a disk for programming," he said. "I thought Mark might be interested and I imparted that knowledge to him. From there it took off."
He said Mark got a book on programming, but "ultimately his ability to program was self-taught."
Feiner and a number of callers to the live radio program asked Zuckerberg for advice on parenting.
"Probably the best thing I can say is something that my wife and I have always believed in," he said. "Rather than impose upon your kids or try and steer their lives in a certain direction, to recognize what their strengths are and support their strengths and support the development of the things they're passionate about."
Zuckerberg said he "didn't believe in physical discipline" but added that certain behaviors require parents to let children know "right there on the spot, this is a behavior that will not be tolerated. If you impart your dislikes about certain negative behaviors early in their lives, they will learn to understand what your feelings on certain matters are."
Zuckerberg said he was not familiar with a new best-seller called "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother," which recommends pushing children to succeed academically in part by limiting extracurricular activities.
Zuckerberg said he doesn't want to portray himself as an expert on childrearing, but he said: "I think that extremes in any form in parenting are not good. Children need to be well-rounded. There's a place for work and a place for play."
He described Mark as "a good student" with "a special affinity for math and sciences," as well as a "very quiet guy" who "doesn't like to boast about his accomplishments." He said that when Mark was named Time magazine's person of the year, his famous son remarked that "it must have been a really slow year. He's very humble."
"I'm proud of his accomplishments and the accomplishments of all my kids," he added. Mark's sister Randi is marketing director for Facebook, his sister Donna is a Ph.D. candidate in classics at Princeton, and the youngest, Arielle, is a senior at Claremont McKenna College with a minor in computer science. Her dad said "she's doing a job search right now."
Asked for his opinion of the movie "The Social Network," Zuckerberg said, "If I sat back and looked at it as a movie and not as a story about my son, it was a tolerable experience." But he added that there were aspects of the film "which did not accurately reflect the way certain situations occurred. That was disturbing to me."
Asked by a caller whether his wife, Karen, worked when their children were young, he said, "My wife was a superwoman. She managed to work and be home. We had a unique situation because my office was in the house. I highly recommend it if it works for your occupation. It did afford the ability to work and be home with the kids at the same time."
Karen Zuckerberg is a psychiatrist but she helps out in her husband's office.
Zuckerberg said he uses Facebook to promote his dental practice and spends about an hour a day on the site. He also still does Mark's "routine dental care."
Thursday, February 03, 2011
how much did we spend on snow removal...father of facebook founder to be my radio program guest...job success story
HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND ON SNOW REMOVAL SO FAR? The Town budgeted $250,000 for overtime for snow removal and $525,000 for salt purchases. Since January 1, 2011 $99,500 was spent in overtime, and the recent storms of the past week are estimated at another $100,000 bringing the total overtime costs since January 1, 2011 at close to $200,000.
With additional storms predicted for the coming weekend and next week, it is likely that the overtime budget will be spent prior to the end of the snow season and additional funding will be necessary from Town reserve funds.
FATHER OF FACEBOOK FOUNDER TO BE GUEST ON MY WVOX RADIO PROGRAM FRIDAY, FEB 4TH FROM 10-11
Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, father of TIME MAGAZINE's Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg, will be my guest on my WVOX radio interview Friday, February 4th from 10 AM to 11 AM. WVOX radio can be heard live on www.wvox.com or on 1460 AM.
A SUCCESS STORY FROM A WOMAN WHO WAS JUST OFFERED A JOB!
WSJC (Lenore Rosenbaum) and I sponsored a very successful job forum this morning. Great job tips given to participants. Received the following e mail tonight from a woman who just was offered a job. If you're interested in getting job leads - please send me your e mail and I'll send you job opening updates as I learn of them. You can also join www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs group)
Michelle sent you a message.
Subject: Hi :)
"Happy to inform you that my job hunt is going well. I was offered a job at
Yonkers ___deleted name of company) as banker. Now all there is left is the dreaded 52 page
background check- but still in good spirits. Thanks for the good job leads"
Paul Feiner
With additional storms predicted for the coming weekend and next week, it is likely that the overtime budget will be spent prior to the end of the snow season and additional funding will be necessary from Town reserve funds.
FATHER OF FACEBOOK FOUNDER TO BE GUEST ON MY WVOX RADIO PROGRAM FRIDAY, FEB 4TH FROM 10-11
Dr. Ed Zuckerberg, father of TIME MAGAZINE's Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg, will be my guest on my WVOX radio interview Friday, February 4th from 10 AM to 11 AM. WVOX radio can be heard live on www.wvox.com or on 1460 AM.
A SUCCESS STORY FROM A WOMAN WHO WAS JUST OFFERED A JOB!
WSJC (Lenore Rosenbaum) and I sponsored a very successful job forum this morning. Great job tips given to participants. Received the following e mail tonight from a woman who just was offered a job. If you're interested in getting job leads - please send me your e mail and I'll send you job opening updates as I learn of them. You can also join www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs group)
Michelle sent you a message.
Subject: Hi :)
"Happy to inform you that my job hunt is going well. I was offered a job at
Yonkers ___deleted name of company) as banker. Now all there is left is the dreaded 52 page
background check- but still in good spirits. Thanks for the good job leads"
Paul Feiner
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
RECOMMENDATION FROM TWO CIVIC LEADERS--REASSESSMENT
In recent months the Town Assessor, Edye McCarthy, Town Board members and I have met with school, village officials and civic leaders –asking for their input: should the town undertake a reassessment. We had a Town Board discussion with the public and state officials last night. The town (including school district, fire districts) loses about $10 million a year in certiorari refunds---revenue losses to the town. The town, alone, will see our revenues decline by about $5 million this coming year—due to certiorari refunds.
I have asked two highly respected members of the community to provide the Town Board with recommendations: the next steps we should take. This is their letter/suggestions. What do you think?
PAUL FEINER
January 26, 2011
Supervisor and Members of the Town Board
Town of Greenburgh
177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, New York 10607
Re: Town-wide revaluation and reassessment
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As most of you know, the Supervisor has asked the undersigned, Peter Derby and Tom Rothman, to assist the Town in evaluating whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment will prudently and fairly address both the burdensome and costly issue of property assessment valuation challenges and their tax refunds and the perceived inequity of the current system of property assessment/taxation in the Town and whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment is the most equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.
For those of you who we have not had the pleasure of personally meeting, a brief introduction is in order. We are both long-time residents and homeowners in the Town. Peter Derby has served as an internal bank auditor, a bank corporate finance director, is a founder of Troika Dialog, the first investment bank in Russia, CFO and CEO of DialogBank, the first private bank based in Russia to receive an international banking license, was Managing Executive for Operations and Management of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was a Trustee in Irvington. Tom Rothman is an attorney, has served as a senior counsel for local finance and real property taxation matters to State Comptroller Arthur Levitt, was senior partner for public finance with Willkie Farr and Gallagher LLP, and was a long time member of the Board of Governors of the New York chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association.
We have met with the Supervisor, Town Assessor and others, have reviewed reports and draft legislation prepared by or on behalf of various towns in the County, as well as by those acting on behalf of the County, and have concluded that without the benefit of certain specific information being obtained prior to a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment any request for proposals to undertake a Town-wide revaluation under the prescriptions of existing law may be counter productive and may not be the most prudent, equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.
It appears axiomatic that the passage of in excess of a half-century since the last comprehensive revaluation and reassessment in the Town has created an assessment/taxation system containing certain inequities. It also appears axiomatic that State mandates requiring that residential real property units held in non-condominium ownership be assessed at fair market value whereas residential real property held in condominium ownership must be assessed at a “restricted value”, or a value significantly below fair market value, and the State prohibition on reassessing residential real property following resale or change of ownership results in certain inequities. Before undertaking an initial expense of a Town-wide revaluation, an expense believed to be considerable, as well as the continuing expense of periodic revaluation to assure that the Town does not find itself in the same expensive litigation/tax refund predicament it currently faces again (i.e. see Nassau County) it would be helpful, if not mandatory, to know the likely effect on Town taxpayers of a Town-wide revaluation and whether a “better fix” to these issues may be crafted. Finally, it also appears axiomatic that many purchasers of residential real property have relied upon the Town’s current system and existing assessments in making their decision whether to purchase a home in the Town, and whether that home is affordable. Accordingly, the Town needs to be prudent, fair and equitable in enacting any changes to the existing system of assessment so as not to reap unfortunate and unintended deleterious consequences upon a segment of our community while at the same time attempting to remove other existing inequities that are also hurting a segment of our community.
To this end, we recommend a modest expenditure to retain a suitable professional to determine, among other items as may be added by your body, by utilizing an appropriate and professional scientific sampling methodology, the following:
1. The likely affect on all classes of residential real property taxation in different neighborhoods throughout the Town of a Town-wide revaluation as prescribed under current law.
2. The likely affect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town held in condominium ownership if real property held in condominium ownership were assessed on the same basis as real property held in non-condominium ownership; and the likely effect on real property throughout the Town held in non-condominium ownership if the law were changed to provide that all residential real property were valued, assessed and taxed on the same basis.
3. The likely effect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town if the Town did not undertake a Town-wide revaluation, but residential real properties held in all types of ownership were reassessed after a sale or change in ownership to reflect a sale price of an arms length sale, with non-arms length sales or change in ownership being revalued and reassessed as if they had been on an arms length basis, and all residential properties not sold within any recurring five year period, revalued and reassessed every five years.
4. The likely cost of an initial Town-wide revaluation.
5. The likely cost of a continuing periodic Town-wide revaluation.
6. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, and given the recent high, if not unprecedented, number of settled claims and challenges, whether it can be anticipated that assessment valuation challenges and tax refunds will significantly diminish if no action is taken.
7. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, recommendations concerning these issues and measures likely to reduce any hardships reasonably foreseeable by a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment, including hardships on those economically at the lowest levels in the Town, on retired senior citizens and on those on pension or fixed income.
8. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, will a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment predominantly affect the expensive older homes and the expensive newer homes or will such similarly affecting the middle and lower priced homes as well?
9. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, would it be efficient to restructure the property categories into four categories, residential, commercial, condominium/cooperative and utilities?
To eliminate the possible perception of the chosen expert having an economic interest in a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation, the Town may consider stipulating that the expert chosen will (may at the Board’s discretion?) be ineligible to undertake any subsequent Town-wide revaluation.
Respectively submitted,
Peter Derby Tom Rothman
I have asked two highly respected members of the community to provide the Town Board with recommendations: the next steps we should take. This is their letter/suggestions. What do you think?
PAUL FEINER
January 26, 2011
Supervisor and Members of the Town Board
Town of Greenburgh
177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, New York 10607
Re: Town-wide revaluation and reassessment
Ladies and Gentlemen:
As most of you know, the Supervisor has asked the undersigned, Peter Derby and Tom Rothman, to assist the Town in evaluating whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment will prudently and fairly address both the burdensome and costly issue of property assessment valuation challenges and their tax refunds and the perceived inequity of the current system of property assessment/taxation in the Town and whether a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment is the most equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.
For those of you who we have not had the pleasure of personally meeting, a brief introduction is in order. We are both long-time residents and homeowners in the Town. Peter Derby has served as an internal bank auditor, a bank corporate finance director, is a founder of Troika Dialog, the first investment bank in Russia, CFO and CEO of DialogBank, the first private bank based in Russia to receive an international banking license, was Managing Executive for Operations and Management of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was a Trustee in Irvington. Tom Rothman is an attorney, has served as a senior counsel for local finance and real property taxation matters to State Comptroller Arthur Levitt, was senior partner for public finance with Willkie Farr and Gallagher LLP, and was a long time member of the Board of Governors of the New York chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association.
We have met with the Supervisor, Town Assessor and others, have reviewed reports and draft legislation prepared by or on behalf of various towns in the County, as well as by those acting on behalf of the County, and have concluded that without the benefit of certain specific information being obtained prior to a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment any request for proposals to undertake a Town-wide revaluation under the prescriptions of existing law may be counter productive and may not be the most prudent, equitable and cost effective method of addressing these issues.
It appears axiomatic that the passage of in excess of a half-century since the last comprehensive revaluation and reassessment in the Town has created an assessment/taxation system containing certain inequities. It also appears axiomatic that State mandates requiring that residential real property units held in non-condominium ownership be assessed at fair market value whereas residential real property held in condominium ownership must be assessed at a “restricted value”, or a value significantly below fair market value, and the State prohibition on reassessing residential real property following resale or change of ownership results in certain inequities. Before undertaking an initial expense of a Town-wide revaluation, an expense believed to be considerable, as well as the continuing expense of periodic revaluation to assure that the Town does not find itself in the same expensive litigation/tax refund predicament it currently faces again (i.e. see Nassau County) it would be helpful, if not mandatory, to know the likely effect on Town taxpayers of a Town-wide revaluation and whether a “better fix” to these issues may be crafted. Finally, it also appears axiomatic that many purchasers of residential real property have relied upon the Town’s current system and existing assessments in making their decision whether to purchase a home in the Town, and whether that home is affordable. Accordingly, the Town needs to be prudent, fair and equitable in enacting any changes to the existing system of assessment so as not to reap unfortunate and unintended deleterious consequences upon a segment of our community while at the same time attempting to remove other existing inequities that are also hurting a segment of our community.
To this end, we recommend a modest expenditure to retain a suitable professional to determine, among other items as may be added by your body, by utilizing an appropriate and professional scientific sampling methodology, the following:
1. The likely affect on all classes of residential real property taxation in different neighborhoods throughout the Town of a Town-wide revaluation as prescribed under current law.
2. The likely affect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town held in condominium ownership if real property held in condominium ownership were assessed on the same basis as real property held in non-condominium ownership; and the likely effect on real property throughout the Town held in non-condominium ownership if the law were changed to provide that all residential real property were valued, assessed and taxed on the same basis.
3. The likely effect on residential real property taxation throughout the Town if the Town did not undertake a Town-wide revaluation, but residential real properties held in all types of ownership were reassessed after a sale or change in ownership to reflect a sale price of an arms length sale, with non-arms length sales or change in ownership being revalued and reassessed as if they had been on an arms length basis, and all residential properties not sold within any recurring five year period, revalued and reassessed every five years.
4. The likely cost of an initial Town-wide revaluation.
5. The likely cost of a continuing periodic Town-wide revaluation.
6. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, and given the recent high, if not unprecedented, number of settled claims and challenges, whether it can be anticipated that assessment valuation challenges and tax refunds will significantly diminish if no action is taken.
7. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, recommendations concerning these issues and measures likely to reduce any hardships reasonably foreseeable by a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment, including hardships on those economically at the lowest levels in the Town, on retired senior citizens and on those on pension or fixed income.
8. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, will a Town-wide revaluation and reassessment predominantly affect the expensive older homes and the expensive newer homes or will such similarly affecting the middle and lower priced homes as well?
9. Based upon the experience and/or knowledge of the expert, would it be efficient to restructure the property categories into four categories, residential, commercial, condominium/cooperative and utilities?
To eliminate the possible perception of the chosen expert having an economic interest in a determination to undertake a Town-wide revaluation, the Town may consider stipulating that the expert chosen will (may at the Board’s discretion?) be ineligible to undertake any subsequent Town-wide revaluation.
Respectively submitted,
Peter Derby Tom Rothman
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
RENEW GREENBURGH WEBSITE HELPS YOU SAVE MONEY
Greenburgh Launches “Renew Greenburgh” Website
New resource to help the Greenburgh community be more energy efficient
YOU CAN SAVE $$$ by becoming managing your energy consumption better....
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REBATES AND INCENTIVES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU!
– Supervisor Paul Feiner announced the launch of www.RenewGreenburgh.org, a one-stop resource to help Greenburgh residents and businesses lower energy use and utility bills. The website provides connections to rebates and incentives, educational resources, tips to manage energy consumption, finding local contractors, and helpful interactive tools. Renew Greenburgh also highlights Town projects and provides coverage of Town news and events related to energy conservation. Allegra Dengler, energy conservation coordinator for the town and Dobbs Ferry resident Nina Orville (who works with Blue Springs Energy) will make a formal presentation to the Town Board and the community at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting on Wednesday, February 9th at 7:30 PM. "We encourage residents to take a look at our website before the 9th and to provide us with feedback."
“The Town of Greenburgh has been active in its efforts to improve its environmental performance and energy efficiency. RenewGreenburgh.org supports this approach by giving our community easy access to a website, e-newsletter, and Ask the Expert resources to help our residents, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations save money on their utility bills.” said Supervisor Feiner.
RenewGreenburgh.org is developed through a partnership with Blue Springs Energy; a company that assists organizations, local governments and individuals to access clean and renewable energy grants, incentives and credits and find local green services and products.
“Blue Springs Energy is proud to support the Town of Greenburgh’s efforts to help its community save money on their energy bills and help the environment,” said Larry Simpson, President of Blue Springs Energy. “There are numerous clean energy grants and incentives available from Federal, State, and Utility sources, but most are difficult to find and access. The RenewGreenburgh website and newsletter provides useful information so that residents and businesses can take action.
RenewGreenburgh.org highlights Town-wide energy efficient initiatives including solar panels on Town Hall, geothermal at the library and a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to analyze energy savings from LED streetlights in the Town. Greenburgh was the first community in the region to hire a part time energy conservation coordinator. Allegra Dengler is the current coordinator.
A monthly newsletter will also be available to residents who wish to provide their email addresses on the RenewGreenburgh.org website. The newsletter will provide information relating to clean energy grants and incentives, as well as ongoing projects and tips on how to become more energy efficient.
###
New resource to help the Greenburgh community be more energy efficient
YOU CAN SAVE $$$ by becoming managing your energy consumption better....
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF REBATES AND INCENTIVES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU!
– Supervisor Paul Feiner announced the launch of www.RenewGreenburgh.org, a one-stop resource to help Greenburgh residents and businesses lower energy use and utility bills. The website provides connections to rebates and incentives, educational resources, tips to manage energy consumption, finding local contractors, and helpful interactive tools. Renew Greenburgh also highlights Town projects and provides coverage of Town news and events related to energy conservation. Allegra Dengler, energy conservation coordinator for the town and Dobbs Ferry resident Nina Orville (who works with Blue Springs Energy) will make a formal presentation to the Town Board and the community at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting on Wednesday, February 9th at 7:30 PM. "We encourage residents to take a look at our website before the 9th and to provide us with feedback."
“The Town of Greenburgh has been active in its efforts to improve its environmental performance and energy efficiency. RenewGreenburgh.org supports this approach by giving our community easy access to a website, e-newsletter, and Ask the Expert resources to help our residents, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations save money on their utility bills.” said Supervisor Feiner.
RenewGreenburgh.org is developed through a partnership with Blue Springs Energy; a company that assists organizations, local governments and individuals to access clean and renewable energy grants, incentives and credits and find local green services and products.
“Blue Springs Energy is proud to support the Town of Greenburgh’s efforts to help its community save money on their energy bills and help the environment,” said Larry Simpson, President of Blue Springs Energy. “There are numerous clean energy grants and incentives available from Federal, State, and Utility sources, but most are difficult to find and access. The RenewGreenburgh website and newsletter provides useful information so that residents and businesses can take action.
RenewGreenburgh.org highlights Town-wide energy efficient initiatives including solar panels on Town Hall, geothermal at the library and a grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to analyze energy savings from LED streetlights in the Town. Greenburgh was the first community in the region to hire a part time energy conservation coordinator. Allegra Dengler is the current coordinator.
A monthly newsletter will also be available to residents who wish to provide their email addresses on the RenewGreenburgh.org website. The newsletter will provide information relating to clean energy grants and incentives, as well as ongoing projects and tips on how to become more energy efficient.
###
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
FORUM ON REASSESSMENT RESCHEDULED FOR MONDAY...CRIME IN GREENBURGH WENT DOWN IN 2010
The forum on reassessment, originally scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) has been rescheduled to Monday, January 31st at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. Representatives are coming to the meeting from Albany and we did not want them to have to make a special trip because of the anticipated snow storm tomorrow. If it snows the Town Board meeting will be rescheduled to Monday, January 31st.
CRIME IS DOWN!
Hat’s off to the Greenburgh Police Department. Crime in the town was down in 2010.
Hope we continue to see crime go down in 2011!
PAUL FEINER
Chief DeCarlo today released statistics on Part I Criminal Offenses for the year 2010. Part I Offenses are considered serious crimes by the United States Department of Justice. Included in this category are Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Homicide, Larceny, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery and Rape.
During the year 2010, a total of 730 Part I Offenses were reported to the department as compared to the 932 reported during 2009. This represents a decrease two hundred two (202) offenses constituting a decrease of approximately 22%. Decreases were noted in six of the seven crime categories with Assaults having an increase of 7%.
The decrease experienced in 2010 was driven by a 34% decrease in robberies from 38 to 26 and a 34% decrease in burglaries, from 121 to 79.
In reporting these statistics, the Greenburgh Police Department utilizes the New York State Incident Based Reporting System (NYSIBRS) as opposed to the Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR) generally employed by police agencies in New York and throughout the nation. The difference in the two systems is that NYSBIRS, which is based on the U.S. Department of Justice’s, National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), reports multiple offenses committed during the same incident while UCR reports only the most serious offense involved in the incident. For example, utilizing the UCR system to report an incident where an individual unlawfully enters a building to commit a crime (Burglary) and while in the building forcible rapes (Rape), robs (Robbery) and murders (Homicide) a person, would result in the single Part I Offense of Homicide being reported, since Homicide is the most serious offense related to the incident. In contrast, however, use of the NIBRS format would result in four Part I Offenses being reported; the Homicide, a Rape, Robbery and a Burglary.
Since NIBRS reports all crimes associated with an incident, the number of offenses reported is quite likely to increase even though the number of criminal incidents may decline. The data collected by NIBRS does, however, provide a more comprehensive description of criminal activity thereby allowing law enforcement to utilize its resources in a more efficient and effective manner
PART 1 AND SELECTED PART 2 OFFENSES
PART 1 OFFENSE 2009
IBR 2010
IBR % +/-
HOMICIDE 2 0 -129
RAPE 9 4 -85
ROBBERY 38 26 -32
FELONY ASSAULT 27 29 7
BURGLARY 121 79 -34
MV THEFT 36 23 -44
LARCENY 699 569 -18
TOTAL PART 1 932 730 -22
Selected Part 2 Offenses
PART II TOTALS 1333 1065 -6
SIMPLE ASSAULT. 48 53 10
DWI 129 127 -2
SEX OFFENSES (EXCEPT RAPE) 5 14 180
DRUGS 115 119 3
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 243 215 -12
FRAUD/FORGERY 196 164 -16
PUBLIC ORDER 356 330 -7
THEFT OFFENSES 46 43 -7
OTHER SELECTED STATISTICS
Arrest Statistics 2009 2010 % +/-
Arrests - Total 1325 1225 -8
Felony 189 238 26
Misdemeanor 952 867 -9
Violation 76 98 29
Warrant 96 140 46
Juvenile 8 8 0
Miscellaneous Statistics 2009 2010 % +/-
CALLS FOR SERVICE 35584 42437 19
Reportable M.V.A’s 1264 1301 3
Injuries (Reportable MVA’s) 287 287 0
Impounded Vehicles 338 321 -5
Animal Control Total 1963 2124 8
Alarm Responses 4238 4248 .24
FORUM ON REASSESSMENT RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 31 AT 7:30 pm GREENBURGH TOWN HALL
In recent years, school districts, the town, fire districts, and village governments have been issuing refund checks to commercial businesses and some homeowners. The above noted taxing jurisdictions issue as much as $10 million a year on refund checks. The lost revenue means that everyone's property taxes have to go up or services have to go down. One way to stop the grievances and refund checks is to conduct a reassessment of town properties. The last time a reassessment took place in the town was in the mid 1950s . Should the town conduct a reassessment of properties? Should hardship provisions be authorized by the state to ease the transition? How would a reassessment impact your neighborhood and friends?
. This portion of the Town Board meeting will last from 7:30 PM to 9 PM. The presentation will be given by the Office of Real Property Tax Services Acting Deputy Commissioner, Victor Mallison and Southern Regional Director, John Wolham. The presentation will present the pros and cons of a town wide revaluation with regard to the following: Background of the real property tax in New York State; How the Town can attain and maintain fair and equitable assessments; and Explanation on what a reassessment is and what it does. They will discuss the impacts on the different property types and on exemptions where applicable. We have also invited the Mayor of Bronxville to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of their revaluation. Lastly, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers as well. We hope you can join us and also hope that you will encourage your neighbors to attend.
A suggestion has been made for the town to conduct an impact study to determine impacts reassessment could have on different neighborhoods. This study will help the town and state officials come up with state legislative initiatives that would address hardships if the town decides to proceed.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Hope to see you on January 26th.
Paul J. Feiner
Town Supervisor
CRIME IS DOWN!
Hat’s off to the Greenburgh Police Department. Crime in the town was down in 2010.
Hope we continue to see crime go down in 2011!
PAUL FEINER
Chief DeCarlo today released statistics on Part I Criminal Offenses for the year 2010. Part I Offenses are considered serious crimes by the United States Department of Justice. Included in this category are Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Homicide, Larceny, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery and Rape.
During the year 2010, a total of 730 Part I Offenses were reported to the department as compared to the 932 reported during 2009. This represents a decrease two hundred two (202) offenses constituting a decrease of approximately 22%. Decreases were noted in six of the seven crime categories with Assaults having an increase of 7%.
The decrease experienced in 2010 was driven by a 34% decrease in robberies from 38 to 26 and a 34% decrease in burglaries, from 121 to 79.
In reporting these statistics, the Greenburgh Police Department utilizes the New York State Incident Based Reporting System (NYSIBRS) as opposed to the Uniform Crime Reporting System (UCR) generally employed by police agencies in New York and throughout the nation. The difference in the two systems is that NYSBIRS, which is based on the U.S. Department of Justice’s, National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), reports multiple offenses committed during the same incident while UCR reports only the most serious offense involved in the incident. For example, utilizing the UCR system to report an incident where an individual unlawfully enters a building to commit a crime (Burglary) and while in the building forcible rapes (Rape), robs (Robbery) and murders (Homicide) a person, would result in the single Part I Offense of Homicide being reported, since Homicide is the most serious offense related to the incident. In contrast, however, use of the NIBRS format would result in four Part I Offenses being reported; the Homicide, a Rape, Robbery and a Burglary.
Since NIBRS reports all crimes associated with an incident, the number of offenses reported is quite likely to increase even though the number of criminal incidents may decline. The data collected by NIBRS does, however, provide a more comprehensive description of criminal activity thereby allowing law enforcement to utilize its resources in a more efficient and effective manner
PART 1 AND SELECTED PART 2 OFFENSES
PART 1 OFFENSE 2009
IBR 2010
IBR % +/-
HOMICIDE 2 0 -129
RAPE 9 4 -85
ROBBERY 38 26 -32
FELONY ASSAULT 27 29 7
BURGLARY 121 79 -34
MV THEFT 36 23 -44
LARCENY 699 569 -18
TOTAL PART 1 932 730 -22
Selected Part 2 Offenses
PART II TOTALS 1333 1065 -6
SIMPLE ASSAULT. 48 53 10
DWI 129 127 -2
SEX OFFENSES (EXCEPT RAPE) 5 14 180
DRUGS 115 119 3
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 243 215 -12
FRAUD/FORGERY 196 164 -16
PUBLIC ORDER 356 330 -7
THEFT OFFENSES 46 43 -7
OTHER SELECTED STATISTICS
Arrest Statistics 2009 2010 % +/-
Arrests - Total 1325 1225 -8
Felony 189 238 26
Misdemeanor 952 867 -9
Violation 76 98 29
Warrant 96 140 46
Juvenile 8 8 0
Miscellaneous Statistics 2009 2010 % +/-
CALLS FOR SERVICE 35584 42437 19
Reportable M.V.A’s 1264 1301 3
Injuries (Reportable MVA’s) 287 287 0
Impounded Vehicles 338 321 -5
Animal Control Total 1963 2124 8
Alarm Responses 4238 4248 .24
FORUM ON REASSESSMENT RESCHEDULED TO JANUARY 31 AT 7:30 pm GREENBURGH TOWN HALL
In recent years, school districts, the town, fire districts, and village governments have been issuing refund checks to commercial businesses and some homeowners. The above noted taxing jurisdictions issue as much as $10 million a year on refund checks. The lost revenue means that everyone's property taxes have to go up or services have to go down. One way to stop the grievances and refund checks is to conduct a reassessment of town properties. The last time a reassessment took place in the town was in the mid 1950s . Should the town conduct a reassessment of properties? Should hardship provisions be authorized by the state to ease the transition? How would a reassessment impact your neighborhood and friends?
. This portion of the Town Board meeting will last from 7:30 PM to 9 PM. The presentation will be given by the Office of Real Property Tax Services Acting Deputy Commissioner, Victor Mallison and Southern Regional Director, John Wolham. The presentation will present the pros and cons of a town wide revaluation with regard to the following: Background of the real property tax in New York State; How the Town can attain and maintain fair and equitable assessments; and Explanation on what a reassessment is and what it does. They will discuss the impacts on the different property types and on exemptions where applicable. We have also invited the Mayor of Bronxville to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of their revaluation. Lastly, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers as well. We hope you can join us and also hope that you will encourage your neighbors to attend.
A suggestion has been made for the town to conduct an impact study to determine impacts reassessment could have on different neighborhoods. This study will help the town and state officials come up with state legislative initiatives that would address hardships if the town decides to proceed.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Hope to see you on January 26th.
Paul J. Feiner
Town Supervisor
Monday, January 24, 2011
NYS SHOULD LET PEOPLE VOTE BY MAIL--WOULD SAVE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND INCREASE TURNOUT
ARE YOU AWARE THAT THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION IN GREENBURGH IN THREE WEEKS FOR COUNTY LEGISLATOR?
The town Democratic Committee designated MaryJane Shimsky to run for the 12th District seat on the Westchester County Board of Legislators against Republican Nicholas DeCicco. Although it would be nice if voter turnout is high because this is an important election, chances are good that the turnout will be light.
I have written to our Albany lawmakers and Commissioners of the Board of Elections recommending that NYS do what other states have already done--and allow voters to vote by mail (especially when there is a special election or primary --when turnout is low).
On February 15th voters in Greenburgh will have the opportunity to elect a replacement to former County Legislator Tom Abinanti (who is now an Assemblyman). Because no other election is being held on the 15th and because people are not used to voting in February, the turnout is expected to be very light. New York State should reform the election law and have elections by ballot (voting by mail) over a two week period when a special election is held for County Executive, Congress, the NYS Senate, Assembly or County Legislator. This is similar to a successful election process that currently exists in Oregon and other states. .
Voting by mail would make it easier for people to vote. Turnout would increase and taxpayers would save significant dollars because there would be no need for election day expenses. Voting by mail is easier. Voters can reflect on the ballot at home in a less stressful environment. If they have questions about referenda they have more time to ask their questions.
In Oregon voter turnout has increased significantly --by as much as 40%. Having elections by mail would result in no election inspectors & pollworkers,no extra paychecks, no rentals of voting locations, no early morning hours for election inspectors, no election day set up problems, no confusion where people have to go to vote. And, since everyone would vote by mail - no need for absentee ballots.
Voter lists are easier to maintain because ballots that are returned as undeliverable will cause the Board of Elections to check the registration and to remove the name from the ballot.
In Oregan voters have two weeks to cast their ballot. This provides the electorate with the chance to study the issues carefully and to have questions answered.
It's too late to allow voting by ballot for this years special County Legislative election. However- it's my hope that the NYS Legislature will consider this reform so we could start saving taxpayer dollars and increasing voter participation in time for the next special elecition.
PAUL FEINER
The town Democratic Committee designated MaryJane Shimsky to run for the 12th District seat on the Westchester County Board of Legislators against Republican Nicholas DeCicco. Although it would be nice if voter turnout is high because this is an important election, chances are good that the turnout will be light.
I have written to our Albany lawmakers and Commissioners of the Board of Elections recommending that NYS do what other states have already done--and allow voters to vote by mail (especially when there is a special election or primary --when turnout is low).
On February 15th voters in Greenburgh will have the opportunity to elect a replacement to former County Legislator Tom Abinanti (who is now an Assemblyman). Because no other election is being held on the 15th and because people are not used to voting in February, the turnout is expected to be very light. New York State should reform the election law and have elections by ballot (voting by mail) over a two week period when a special election is held for County Executive, Congress, the NYS Senate, Assembly or County Legislator. This is similar to a successful election process that currently exists in Oregon and other states. .
Voting by mail would make it easier for people to vote. Turnout would increase and taxpayers would save significant dollars because there would be no need for election day expenses. Voting by mail is easier. Voters can reflect on the ballot at home in a less stressful environment. If they have questions about referenda they have more time to ask their questions.
In Oregon voter turnout has increased significantly --by as much as 40%. Having elections by mail would result in no election inspectors & pollworkers,no extra paychecks, no rentals of voting locations, no early morning hours for election inspectors, no election day set up problems, no confusion where people have to go to vote. And, since everyone would vote by mail - no need for absentee ballots.
Voter lists are easier to maintain because ballots that are returned as undeliverable will cause the Board of Elections to check the registration and to remove the name from the ballot.
In Oregan voters have two weeks to cast their ballot. This provides the electorate with the chance to study the issues carefully and to have questions answered.
It's too late to allow voting by ballot for this years special County Legislative election. However- it's my hope that the NYS Legislature will consider this reform so we could start saving taxpayer dollars and increasing voter participation in time for the next special elecition.
PAUL FEINER
Sunday, January 23, 2011
FUTURE OF WESTHELP PROPERTY DISCUSSED AT VIRGINIA ROAD SCHOOL...MEETING FOR UNEMPLOYED FEB 3RD
TOWN BOARD TO HOLD COMMUNITY MEETING TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF WESTHELP PROPERTY ON FEB 3rd AT 7:30 pm (VIRGINIA ROAD SCHOOL)
Last year the Westchester County Executive announced plans to close down the WESTHELP homeless shelter located in the Mayfair Knollwood section of town. The closure of the 108 room homeless shelter, located on the grounds of Westchester Community College, will result in a loss of revenue to the town from the county of $1.2 million a year--beginning in October, 2011.
That's alot of money for a town to lose. On Thursday February 3rd the Greenburgh Town Board and I will hold a community meeting at the Virginia Road School (located near the Virginia Road exit off of the Bronx River Parkway) at 7:30 PM. A snow date is scheduled for February 7th.
The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss options for the property. The town issued an RFP to potential developers. Among options being considered: college dorm's (since the property is on Community College property)...mixed use housing (college dorm's for students, teachers and housing targetted to veterans who are attending college) or just veteran housing. There may be other possible uses (senior housing). It's important to keep the community informed of action steps we're taking and to seek neighborhood input re: future of the property.
Westhelp was built by Andrew Cuomo in the early 1990s and has provided the homeless with transitional housing services.
MEETING FOR THE UNEMPLOYED AT GREENBURGH LIBRARY ON THURSDAY FEB 3RD AT 10 AM TO 11:30
A few years ago I set up a job club for the unemployed. I post job openings on my facebook page (PAUL FEINER)...encourage others to join me in posting job opportunities on www.linkedin.com (Greenburgh Jobs group). And, send frequent e mails to residents seeking work with info on employment options. If you would like to have your named added to my e list please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. I estimate that about 60 people have found work -thanks to this service during the past three years.
On Thursday February 3rd there will be a job forum at the Greenburgh Library at 10 to 11:30 AM. Among speakers:
Mark Rothenberg is a volunteer with SCORE, “Counselors to Americas Small Business”. SCORE provides free mentoring, coaching and counseling services to existing, new and future businesses. He currently serves as Director of the Hudson Valley and Long Island District of SCORE. He has had a long involvement with business, community service and economic development in the region.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Last year the Westchester County Executive announced plans to close down the WESTHELP homeless shelter located in the Mayfair Knollwood section of town. The closure of the 108 room homeless shelter, located on the grounds of Westchester Community College, will result in a loss of revenue to the town from the county of $1.2 million a year--beginning in October, 2011.
That's alot of money for a town to lose. On Thursday February 3rd the Greenburgh Town Board and I will hold a community meeting at the Virginia Road School (located near the Virginia Road exit off of the Bronx River Parkway) at 7:30 PM. A snow date is scheduled for February 7th.
The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss options for the property. The town issued an RFP to potential developers. Among options being considered: college dorm's (since the property is on Community College property)...mixed use housing (college dorm's for students, teachers and housing targetted to veterans who are attending college) or just veteran housing. There may be other possible uses (senior housing). It's important to keep the community informed of action steps we're taking and to seek neighborhood input re: future of the property.
Westhelp was built by Andrew Cuomo in the early 1990s and has provided the homeless with transitional housing services.
MEETING FOR THE UNEMPLOYED AT GREENBURGH LIBRARY ON THURSDAY FEB 3RD AT 10 AM TO 11:30
A few years ago I set up a job club for the unemployed. I post job openings on my facebook page (PAUL FEINER)...encourage others to join me in posting job opportunities on www.linkedin.com (Greenburgh Jobs group). And, send frequent e mails to residents seeking work with info on employment options. If you would like to have your named added to my e list please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. I estimate that about 60 people have found work -thanks to this service during the past three years.
On Thursday February 3rd there will be a job forum at the Greenburgh Library at 10 to 11:30 AM. Among speakers:
Mark Rothenberg is a volunteer with SCORE, “Counselors to Americas Small Business”. SCORE provides free mentoring, coaching and counseling services to existing, new and future businesses. He currently serves as Director of the Hudson Valley and Long Island District of SCORE. He has had a long involvement with business, community service and economic development in the region.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
I HOPE THE ZONING BOARD RECONSIDERS THEIR STRAW VOTE AND GRANTS DELI DELICIOUS PERMISSION TO HAVE DRIVE THRU WINDOW
It is my hope that when the Greenburgh Zoning Board meets in February that they will reverse their straw vote to deny Deli Delicious the approval they requested to build a drive thru window. The owner of Deli Delicious, a town institution for nearly 30 years, will close its business if the straw vote is not reconsidered.
It's sad news for our town whenever a good business closes down. Deli Delicious has always been an asset to our community. The deli has bothered no one and the food is delicious. The building is also attractive looking. Whenever a local business goes under owners of the vacant buildings file certiorari actions against the town --seeking tax refunds. The result: every taxpayer pays more taxes to offset the refunds. The closure of a small deli will create more unemployment. It also sends the wrong message to other businesses that are considering opening up in our town--that the town is a difficult community to do business in.
If Deli Delicious goes under some of the neighbors of this deli will have won the battle but they may not win the war. At some point the property will be sold. The new complex (that will replace Deli Delicious) may create more traffic than a drive in window at a small neighborhood deli. This deli is also located in a commercial section of the Fulton Park neighborhood: bordering Route 119, a Staples store, abandoned Verizon office building and a closed down homeless shelter--that could become workforce housing in the future.
Finally--the straw vote taken by the Zoning Board highlights the need for the Greenburgh Town Board to amend our Ethics laws. One of my jobs as Town Supervisor is to encourage sensible economic development. I am currently prohibited by the Greenburgh Ethics Laws from appearing before either the Zoning Board or Planning Board to express my views on applications. I am also prohibited by our Ethics Code from lobbying members of the Zoning Board directly (I am permitted to write letters to the editor). Elected officials are blamed if there are substantial vacancies in our commercial districts. If we can't speak out in favor or against applications that impact the long term health of the community we can't do our job. The first amendment should also apply to the Town Supervisor and members of the Town Board.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
It's sad news for our town whenever a good business closes down. Deli Delicious has always been an asset to our community. The deli has bothered no one and the food is delicious. The building is also attractive looking. Whenever a local business goes under owners of the vacant buildings file certiorari actions against the town --seeking tax refunds. The result: every taxpayer pays more taxes to offset the refunds. The closure of a small deli will create more unemployment. It also sends the wrong message to other businesses that are considering opening up in our town--that the town is a difficult community to do business in.
If Deli Delicious goes under some of the neighbors of this deli will have won the battle but they may not win the war. At some point the property will be sold. The new complex (that will replace Deli Delicious) may create more traffic than a drive in window at a small neighborhood deli. This deli is also located in a commercial section of the Fulton Park neighborhood: bordering Route 119, a Staples store, abandoned Verizon office building and a closed down homeless shelter--that could become workforce housing in the future.
Finally--the straw vote taken by the Zoning Board highlights the need for the Greenburgh Town Board to amend our Ethics laws. One of my jobs as Town Supervisor is to encourage sensible economic development. I am currently prohibited by the Greenburgh Ethics Laws from appearing before either the Zoning Board or Planning Board to express my views on applications. I am also prohibited by our Ethics Code from lobbying members of the Zoning Board directly (I am permitted to write letters to the editor). Elected officials are blamed if there are substantial vacancies in our commercial districts. If we can't speak out in favor or against applications that impact the long term health of the community we can't do our job. The first amendment should also apply to the Town Supervisor and members of the Town Board.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Thursday, January 20, 2011
MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT TO OPEN ON E HARTSDALE AVE...TOWN TO HOLD JOINT PUBLIC HEARINGS WITH ZONING BD, PLANNING BD, TOWN BD TO CUT REVIEW PROCESS
EAST HARTSDALE AVE TO GET ANOTHER GREAT RESTAURANT-- BOSPHORUS MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
TOWN TO CUT RED TAPE FOR APPLICATIONS TO OPEN BUSINESSES BY HOLDING JOINT TOWN BOARD/PLANNING BOARD/ZONING BOARD HEARINGS ON THE SAME NIGHT
OUR GOAL-- TO CUT REVIEW TIME BY MONTHS---
Bosphorus Mediterranean Cuisine has submitted a special permit application to open a restaurant on East Hartsdale Ave --at the site of the defunct Hartsdale cheesery location. This is fantastic news. East Hartsdale Ave, which a few years ago had numerous vacancies, is now becoming restaurant row - with successful restaurants. East Hartsdale Ave is looking better than ever! And, is becoming a destination spot for those who enjoy great dining.
The application will require a special permit from Town Board with a recommendation from the Planning Board and for the ZBA to consider a parking variance for the use. This application is similar to the Frankie and Fanucci’s special permit application that was recently approved by the Town Board and parking variance from the ZBA. This process took approximately four months to complete through the different boards. Our goal: to cut the review process by more than half!
As discussed at the November 8th Central Avenue meeting with the business community, we want to be more business friendly. Vacant storefronts do not help the town and result in certiorari tax refunds to landlords. A suggestion was made to hold a joint Town, Planning and Zoning Board public hearing on the applications,if the application needs to go before two or more of the Boards for approval. The joint hearings could cut the time required to process building applications by more than half and would send a very positive message to the business community that the town is trying to cut some of the red tape that businesses have to go through to open up their businesses (without compromising the review pocess)..
Planning Commissioner Thomas Madden has proposed a joint public hearing for the Town and ZBA on this application. The date of the hearing will be announced next Wednesday. The Joint Board meetings/hearings is one way the town could help the business community create jobs and replace vacant stores with successful new businesses.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
PS: The next meeting of our business/realtor/town government meeting to discuss ways to make Greenburgh a business friendlier community will be held on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:30 PM.
TOWN TO CUT RED TAPE FOR APPLICATIONS TO OPEN BUSINESSES BY HOLDING JOINT TOWN BOARD/PLANNING BOARD/ZONING BOARD HEARINGS ON THE SAME NIGHT
OUR GOAL-- TO CUT REVIEW TIME BY MONTHS---
Bosphorus Mediterranean Cuisine has submitted a special permit application to open a restaurant on East Hartsdale Ave --at the site of the defunct Hartsdale cheesery location. This is fantastic news. East Hartsdale Ave, which a few years ago had numerous vacancies, is now becoming restaurant row - with successful restaurants. East Hartsdale Ave is looking better than ever! And, is becoming a destination spot for those who enjoy great dining.
The application will require a special permit from Town Board with a recommendation from the Planning Board and for the ZBA to consider a parking variance for the use. This application is similar to the Frankie and Fanucci’s special permit application that was recently approved by the Town Board and parking variance from the ZBA. This process took approximately four months to complete through the different boards. Our goal: to cut the review process by more than half!
As discussed at the November 8th Central Avenue meeting with the business community, we want to be more business friendly. Vacant storefronts do not help the town and result in certiorari tax refunds to landlords. A suggestion was made to hold a joint Town, Planning and Zoning Board public hearing on the applications,if the application needs to go before two or more of the Boards for approval. The joint hearings could cut the time required to process building applications by more than half and would send a very positive message to the business community that the town is trying to cut some of the red tape that businesses have to go through to open up their businesses (without compromising the review pocess)..
Planning Commissioner Thomas Madden has proposed a joint public hearing for the Town and ZBA on this application. The date of the hearing will be announced next Wednesday. The Joint Board meetings/hearings is one way the town could help the business community create jobs and replace vacant stores with successful new businesses.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
PS: The next meeting of our business/realtor/town government meeting to discuss ways to make Greenburgh a business friendlier community will be held on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:30 PM.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Reassessment forum on Jan 26 at 7:30 PM
FORUM ON REASSESSMENT JANUARY 26TH AT 7:30 pm GREENBURGH TOWN HALL
In recent years, school districts, the town, fire districts, and village governments have been issuing refund checks to commercial businesses and some homeowners. The above noted taxing jurisdictions issue as much as $10 million a year on refund checks. The lost revenue means that everyone's property taxes have to go up or services have to go down. One way to stop the grievances and refund checks is to conduct a reassessment of town properties. The last time a reassessment took place in the town was in the mid 1950s . Should the town conduct a reassessment of properties? Should hardship provisions be authorized by the state to ease the transition? How would a reassessment impact your neighborhood and friends?
There will be a reassessment forum held on January 26, 2011 at 7:30 at the Town Board meeting at Town Hall. This portion of the Town Board meeting will last from 7:30 PM to 9 PM. The presentation will be given by the Office of Real Property Tax Services Acting Deputy Commissioner, Victor Mallison and Southern Regional Director, John Wolham. The presentation will present the pros and cons of a town wide revaluation with regard to the following: Background of the real property tax in New York State; How the Town can attain and maintain fair and equitable assessments; and Explanation on what a reassessment is and what it does. They will discuss the impacts on the different property types and on exemptions where applicable. We have also invited the Mayor of Bronxville to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of their revaluation. Lastly, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers as well. We hope you can join us and also hope that you will encourage your neighbors to attend.
A suggestion has been made for the town to conduct an impact study to determine impacts reassessment could have on different neighborhoods. This study will help the town and state officials come up with state legislative initiatives that would address hardships if the town decides to proceed.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Hope to see you on January 26th.
Paul J. Feiner
Town Supervisor
In recent years, school districts, the town, fire districts, and village governments have been issuing refund checks to commercial businesses and some homeowners. The above noted taxing jurisdictions issue as much as $10 million a year on refund checks. The lost revenue means that everyone's property taxes have to go up or services have to go down. One way to stop the grievances and refund checks is to conduct a reassessment of town properties. The last time a reassessment took place in the town was in the mid 1950s . Should the town conduct a reassessment of properties? Should hardship provisions be authorized by the state to ease the transition? How would a reassessment impact your neighborhood and friends?
There will be a reassessment forum held on January 26, 2011 at 7:30 at the Town Board meeting at Town Hall. This portion of the Town Board meeting will last from 7:30 PM to 9 PM. The presentation will be given by the Office of Real Property Tax Services Acting Deputy Commissioner, Victor Mallison and Southern Regional Director, John Wolham. The presentation will present the pros and cons of a town wide revaluation with regard to the following: Background of the real property tax in New York State; How the Town can attain and maintain fair and equitable assessments; and Explanation on what a reassessment is and what it does. They will discuss the impacts on the different property types and on exemptions where applicable. We have also invited the Mayor of Bronxville to discuss the positive and negative ramifications of their revaluation. Lastly, there will be an opportunity for questions and answers as well. We hope you can join us and also hope that you will encourage your neighbors to attend.
A suggestion has been made for the town to conduct an impact study to determine impacts reassessment could have on different neighborhoods. This study will help the town and state officials come up with state legislative initiatives that would address hardships if the town decides to proceed.
Your input is greatly appreciated. Hope to see you on January 26th.
Paul J. Feiner
Town Supervisor
Saturday, January 15, 2011
CRANE POND OPEN FOR OUTDOOR ICE SKATING...STUDENT NEWS NETWORK LAUNCHES ON TUESDAY...SCHOOL TAX BILLS
CRANE POND OPEN FOR OUTDOOR ICE SKATING --- Crane Pond, located off of Pipeline Road in the Edgemont section of town, is open for outdoor ice skating this weekend. Town staff have to monitor conditions of the ice to make sure it's safe for skating. I was at the pond today and saw a group of skaters enjoying themselves. Because of the temperature - (which is COLD) we anticipate that skating will be safe Sunday & Monday.
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK-- Students (high school and middle school) who want to learn about government and gain experience learning about the media are invited to help start a news program (SNN-student news network). SNN iwll be a student run news program that will air on cable TV. Students will be provided with the opportunity to report on whatever topics they choose. They will attend government meetings, interview who they like, profile fellow students and provide commentary. If you know students interested in participating in SNN please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
FIRST PLANNING MEETING OF SNN THIS TUESDAY BETWEEN 4:15 PM and 5:15 PM AT GREENBURGH TOWN HALL. The response, so far, has been amazing. Over 30 students have expressed interest in getting involved. PATCH (affiliated with AOL) may work wtih student reporters. They already have a fantastic website. A former reporter for the NY TIMES and a former producer for NBC offered to help students make this a big success.
REMINDER--SECOND HALF OF SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES DUE BY END OF JANUARY. The town does not set the school tax rates. We act as a collector of taxes. You can pay your school tax bill on line: www.greenburghny.com and you can also pay your taxes with your credit card.
PAUL FEINER
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK-- Students (high school and middle school) who want to learn about government and gain experience learning about the media are invited to help start a news program (SNN-student news network). SNN iwll be a student run news program that will air on cable TV. Students will be provided with the opportunity to report on whatever topics they choose. They will attend government meetings, interview who they like, profile fellow students and provide commentary. If you know students interested in participating in SNN please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
FIRST PLANNING MEETING OF SNN THIS TUESDAY BETWEEN 4:15 PM and 5:15 PM AT GREENBURGH TOWN HALL. The response, so far, has been amazing. Over 30 students have expressed interest in getting involved. PATCH (affiliated with AOL) may work wtih student reporters. They already have a fantastic website. A former reporter for the NY TIMES and a former producer for NBC offered to help students make this a big success.
REMINDER--SECOND HALF OF SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES DUE BY END OF JANUARY. The town does not set the school tax rates. We act as a collector of taxes. You can pay your school tax bill on line: www.greenburghny.com and you can also pay your taxes with your credit card.
PAUL FEINER
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