HASTINGS ON HUDSON CREATING SENIOR COMMITTEE- STUDYING GREENHOUSE PROJECT AND INTERESTING HOUSING OPTIONS FOR SENIORS

The Hastings Village Board has appointed a senior advisory committee to consider senior housing options that will enable seniors to stay in their homes and avoid a nursing home environment. Among the models under review is the Greenhouse project-- a model that pairs 10 to 12 elders with three or 4 staff members in traditional houses embedded in traditional communities.
The Eden Alternative introduces pets, gardening and a more mutual relationship between residents and staff into large institutions.
The Beacon Hill project facilitates staying in one's home by having a clearinghouse of services such as hiring home attendants, shopping help,etc..
Among those working on this initiative is Danielle Goodman, the only candidate for the opening on the Hastings Village Board of Trustees.
I will encourage the Greenburgh Town Board to consider a similar initiative.

GUARD RAILS ON SIDEWALKS-WHAT DO YOU THINK?

A resident of Edgemont suggested an interesting idea: that we place guard rails on Ardsley Road between the road and sidewalk. This concept, if implemented, would provide added protection for commuters. In addition, when the sidewalks are slippery pedestrians could hold on to the rails/barriers.
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts regarding this suggestion. So far-- the effort to increase pedestrian safety on Ardsley Road has been unsuccessful. But- I'll continue to try until we solve the problem.
If this approach works we could place barriers on other sidewalks around town.

NYS DEC--APPLICATION FOR GEOTHERMAL HAS NOT BEEN FILED, NO VERBAL COMMITMENTS MADE

I received an e mail from Kathleen Sanford, Chief of the Permits Section of the NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources in Albany. I was advised that the DEC has not received applications to drill geothermal wells at the Greenburgh library. Staff of the Division of Mineral Resources have not made any verbal promise whatsoever regarding any potential future application to drill wells which would require permits from us, either at the current proposed locations (which are not before us for review at this time) or some other locations around the library."
In December the Town Board approved bids for geothermal contractors --before any application was actually filed or approved. I expressed concern about this action.

more upbeat news about COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AT DOBBS FERRY

An article in today's edition of the Westchester County Business Journal (www.westchestercountybusinessjournal.com) has a headline: "CEO confident hospital can be saved". Some good news about a meeting with state health officials & the CEO of the hospital regarding the future of the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry.
If the hospital is saved, I think much of the credit should go to our new State Senator, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Senator Cousins has worked very hard arranging meetings with key state decision makers and arranged for the Minority Leader of the Senate to tour the Hospital with elected officials and hospital representatives.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-POST YOUR COMMENTS---THE WEEK AHEAD: FEBRUARY 26 PREVIEWS

The week ahead---some highlights...
1) Town Board meeting on Wednesday evening 7:15 PM, Greenburgh Town Hall.
2) 3 Developmentally disabled residents of a group home will petition the Town Board to place sidewalks on Chatterton Parkway.
3) All the members of the Town Board have decided to "dust off" the proposed sidewalk policy and to come up with a modified policy that addresses sidewalk issues.
4) The Town Board will discuss reasons for the delays in starting the construction of the library ---more than two months after bids were awarded.
5) The Town Board will discuss the status of the geothermal application for the library--when will the application be filed?
6) I intend to bring up the need for a reading room/area at our satellite library.
7) We will continue the public hearing on the proposed moratorium on development on Central Ave.
8) Continued review re: snow clearing of sidewalks on Ardsley Road.
9) An affordable housing proposal.
....and much much more!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COMMENT ABOUT ANY TOWN ISSUES! YOUR INPUT IS APPRECIATED.

SATELLITE LIBRARIES SHOULD HAVE READING AREA--MAGAZINES

Received a letter addressed to the town from a President of a local neighborhood association this afternoon - complaining about the lack of periodicals at the new satellite library locations. There is no reading room at the satellite library at Town Hall.
I will renew my request this week that the town convert the former STAR offices into a reading area or that another suitable location at town hall be found for a reading area.
The library staff is working very hard to make the satellite library location work. However, if more space is provided (or rented out) we can offer library patrons more of the services that they previously enjoyed.
The library construction, which still has not begun, is expected to take about 2 yearsw once the library construction starts.

TOWN SHOULD BE PROTECTED IF DEC DOES NOT APPROVE GEOTHERMAL AT LIBRARY

The NYS DEC still has not received applications to drill geothermal wells at the Greenburgh Public Library. In the event that aspects of the library project have to be rebid because the DEC does not sign off on geothermal - I have asked the Town Attorney to make sure that the town is protected. Additional costs should not be assumed by the town but by the architect/TRITON. We have been advised for many months that there will be no problems securing permission from the state DEC to drill geothermal wells at the library.
In December the Town Board voted to award bids to contractors. Did it make sense to award the contracts to geothermal contractors before the application was filed with the DEC? 2 of the 5 contractors still have not executed the contract -- delaying the start of the library construction. I am very concerned about the delays in construction of the library. The Town Board will discuss this at Wednesday's Town Board meeting.
The voters approved the library construction project almost two years ago. Construction has not yet started. It is the responsibility of the entire Town Board to oversee the construction project to make sure that we are getting value for our dollar. That's the main reason I have constantly called on the Town Board to hire a full time project manager for the library.

CITIZEN IDEA OF THE DAY FROM JOHN AOKI--GEO THERMMALLY HEATED SIDEWALKS

In recent weeks I have posted some comments about conditions on Ardsley Road. Many pedestrians walk on the narrow, hilly road when sidewalks are not cleared of snow/ice---creating dangerous conditions. I have tried (for a few years) to persuade the Town Board to have the town assume the responsibility of clearing sidewalks of snow/ice. No success!
John Aoki e mailed me today's citizen suggestion of the day: that the town should explore the possibilities of geo thermmally heated sidewalks. Some cities across the nation pipe hot water under roads and sidewalks to melt snow. District heating applications use networks of piped hot water to heat buildings in whole communities. I have a phot of snow melting on sidewalks in Klamath Fall, Or.
I think that the town should explore this idea, especially on Ardsley Road.

LIBRARY CLOSED PREMATURELY BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LIBRARY STILL HAS NOT BEGUN...CONTRACTS HAVE NOT BEEN SIGNED BY TWO CONTRACTORS

For over a year I have called on the Town Board to hire a full time library project manager to oversee construction of the 20 million dollar library project. The Town Board has rejected my request saying that a project manager was not needed.
In December the Town Board approved bids so that the construction of the library could start. THe library closed its building in early January. A ground breaking ceremony was held a few weeks ago.
Has construction started? NO
Has the main bidder executed the contract that was awarded to him? No
Has the bidder for geothermal executed the contract that was awarded to the company? No
Is there a reading room at the small satellite library at Town Hall? No
Have library patrons been inconvenienced with a smaller library satellite library? YES
Why has it taken over two months for the 2 bidders who were awarded the contracts to sign the contracts? Shouldn't the reasons for the delay be made public?
WHy didn't the town apply for geothermal permits before bidding out portion of the project?
Is the construction manager/architect being held responsible for additional costs?
Will the town continue to pay TRITON (our construction manager) additional monthly fees because the start of the construction and completition is taking longer than expected. This project was originally scheduled to start during the summer of 2006, not the spring of 2007. TRITON is actually being rewarded financially for the delays.
If the project will come in over the 20 million dollars what additional reductions are being considered to bring the project costs down?
Are there other problems that have not been disclosed as of yet?
Doesn't the public have the right to know?
I will ask that the library construction project be discussed at our Town Board meeting next Wednesday night at 7:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. This is not about the library (the voters voted for a library expansion and the wishes of the public must be honored)-- it's about a construction project that I feel needs a full time project manager for oversight purposes. I fear that without a full time project managaer that there will be additional delays, problems and unnecessary costs.

CITIZEN IDEA OF THE DAY: COMPUTER REMINDERS-WHAT IS BEING RECYCLED...

Bill Riccardi e mailed me with a great idea: He is suggesting that the sanitation calendar be placed in a format other than pdf. For example, a vCal, iCal or other format would be helpful and allow residents to download the calendar into their PIMS. Just imagine: your blackberry beeping at you at 7 AM Wednesday morning reminding you that it's commingle day, not paper day. I have asked our MIS Computer staff to look into this suggestion.

BLOGGERS SUGGESTION BEING FOLLOWED UP- WILL ASK COUNTY TO REIMBURSE TOWN FOR SNOW REMOVAL ON ARDSLEY ROAD SIDEWALK

I read the recent blog post by former Ardsley Trustee Mike Kolesar suggesting that the town reach out to the county and ask the county to reimburse the town to remove snow from Ardsley Road sidewalks. I have followed up on the suggestion and have written to the County Executive.
When sidewalks are not cleared of snow many commuters walk to and from the Scarsdale train station on the narrow,steep road, not the sidewalks. This is dangerous. If the county would help the town with the costs of snow removal alongside this county road - it might be easier to persuade other town board members to support my request that the town assume the responsibility of snow removal on sidewalks along Ardsley Road.

STATE OFFICIALS LOOKING TO KEEP DOBBS FERRY HOSPITAL OPEN AS AS AMBULATORY CARE OR SUB EMERGENCY URGENT CARE CENTER

An article in today's Westchester County Business Journal (www.westchestercountybusinessjournal.com) indicated that progress is being made regarding efforts to keep the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry open! State officials are looking to keep the hospital open as an ambulatory care or sub emergency urgent care center. An aggressive lobbying campaign to save the hospital has been waged. The community hospital is a profit making hospital and provides our community with important medical services. I am glad that the Spitzer administration is considering options to save this community treasure! I also want to thank Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins for providing leadership on tihs important issue.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY- WEEK OF FEB 19TH..EXPRESS YOURSELF! SPEAK OUT ABOUT TOWN ISSUES!

Feel free to express yourself about any town issue by posting a comment! Thank you for being partners with town officials in the decision making process.

COUNTY NEGOTIATING WITH ARDSLEY SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE REVENUE IN EVENT THAT COUNTY PURSUES ARDSLEY LOCATION FOR BD OF ELECTIONS SITE

An article in today's Journal News indicated that Westchester County is secretly negotiating with Ardsley officials to offset a tax hit of close to $200,000 annually that the school district will suffer if commercial property at 450 Saw Mill River Road is purchased for the new location of the Westchester County Board of Elections. I had previously expressed concern about the location and its impact on the school district. If the county acquires the property the property does not have to pay taxes. However, if the county works out an agreement with Ardsley to pay the school district each year - it would address one of the concerns. Another concern: access for the disabled.

"3 MUSKETEERS" FIGHT FOR SIDEWALKS ON CHATTERTON RECEIVES EDITORIAL SUPPORT BY JOURNAL NEWS

The NY Journal News wrote a great editorial praising the efforts of the "3 Musketeers" who are fighting for sidewalks on Chatterton Parkway.The editorial appears in Saturday's Journal News (2/17). The "3 Museketeers" are residents of a group home for the developmentally disabled. They circulated petitions calling for sidewalks and will be presenting the petitions to the Greenburgh Town Board at our next Town Board meeting - a week from this coming Wednesday night. I support their efforts.
They are a real inspiration! Not only are they making the case for sidewalks, but they also highlight the fact that residents of group homes are terrific human beings.

CON ED PROMISES 107 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS TO HELP REDUCE POTENTIAL FOR MASSIVE POWER OUTAGES

Con Ed officials attended a meeting I sponsored at the Greenville School in Edgemont with residents who experienced a number of power outages last year. Con Ed promised $107 million in infrastructure enhancements. The company promises proactive measures that could reduce the potential for massive power outages. Infra-red inspections, looking for loose connections, analyzing transformers, replacement of wires, replacing transformer stations, building a new Elmsford substation, underground feeders distribution improvements and tree trimming are just some of the changes promised. Con Ed indicated that last year they hired 1,300 new employees.
The company indicated that a major reason why there were so many power outages last year is because so many trees came down. Many trees were planted in the 1930s--they have a life of about 70 years. Some of the downed trees were rotting. Con Ed feels that its tree trimming program will reduce some of the outages.
Major outage factors in Greenburgh: 53.76% from major storms...1.50% lightning....0.29% csp tripped...1.35%blow fuse...8.47% from animals (squirrels jumping on transformers, as an example)...14.88% trees...1.07% traffic accidents...2.83% feeder...5.92 pole components....0.59% planned outage...9.20% open wire...0.15% OH transformer

Any suggestions--possible locations for additional athletic fields?

One of the biggest quality of life concerns for some people in the community is the lack of athletic fields around town. There is a shortage of field space for soccer teams, football and baseball competitions.
Your suggestions would be welcome and appreciated!

COMMUTERS WALKING ON SLIPPERY ARDSLEY ROAD, NOT SIDEWALKS WHEN ARDSLEY RD SIDEWALKS NOT CLEARED OF SNOW

I believe that the town should clear snow from sidewalks on Ardsley Road. If the town does not assume the responsibility of snow clearing on sidewalks - I think we should contract with an outsidecompany to provide the service. I have seen a number of commuters walk on this slippery, dangerous street (Ardsley Road) when sidewalks are not cleared of snow. Ardsley Road is used by pedestrians to get to and from the Scarsdale train station.
I strongly urge the Town Board to schedule a meeting to discuss this matter and to hold a public hearing on a sidewalk policy (an action the Board claimed was a high priority last year).
If a commuter walks on Ardsley Road because sidewalks have not be cleared - and a car skids because of slippery road conditions, there could be a horrible accident.
There are other sidewalks leading to schools/train stations/bus stops that should also be cleared of snow by the town.

PRESENTATION BY 3 GROUP HOME RESIDENTS FOR SIDEWALKS RESCHEDULED FOR FEB 28

There is an interesting feature article about Jason Kingsley, Ray Frost and Yaniv Gorodischer, the 3 residents of a group home on Chatterton Parkway, who are petitioning the Town Board to build sidewalks on Chatterton Parkway. The article appeared in the Journal News (www.lohud.com) today. Mr. Kingsley, Frost and Gorodischer will be presenting their petition to the Town Board at our February 28th Town Board meeting.

CUPID WINS! TOWN BOARD MEETING CANCELLED

Cupid wins! The Greenburgh Town Board meeting, scheduled for tonight, has been cancelled due to weather conditions. The National Weather service has issued an ice storm warning for our area. Sleet and freezing rain will make travel difficult. They are discouraging travel.
Happy valentine's day! All votes, hearings and public comments will take place at our next Town Board meeting in 2 weeks - Feb 28th.

JOSEPHINE MOFFETT RETIRING AS SUPERINTENDENT OF CENTRAL 7 SCHOOLS- NEW CITIZENS COMMITTEE FORMED TO PROMOTE EDUCATION

The resignation of Central 7 Schools Superintendent Josephine Moffett motivated school officials, residents and parents to form a new committee for education. The committee held its first meeting on Tuesday evening at Greenburgh Town Hall. Vic Leviatin, a retired teacher and founder of the WISE program and Harry Phillips, a Regent with the State Education Dept and Hartsdale resident, organized the committee.
Attendees discussed the quality of education at the meeting. By the end of the meeting I was convinced that the school district could become a model for the rest of the nation. If you e-mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com I will advise you when future meetings will be held.
Vic Leviatin is one of the most creative thinkers I have met. His vision for the school district is very inspiring. Special thanks to Vic and Harry Phillips for organizing this important initiative.

2 of 5 library construction contracts still not signed by contractors

The library construction has not started because 2 of the 5 contractors have not yet signed the contracts that had been awarded to them in Decembe by the Town Board. We were advised yesterday that the major general contractor, EW Howell, will sign by Thursday of this week. Once we receive all the contracts the Town Attorney will review the contracts - match the signed documents to the awarded bid documents. Once the Town Attorney completes his review the contracts will be presented to me for signature.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--WEEK OF FEBRUARY 12TH..COMMENTS WELCOME ABOUT ANY TOWN ISSUE

Please feel free to comment about any town issue.

SNOW ANGEL VOLUNTEERS WANTED TO HELP ELDERLY...

The weather reports indicate that we could have our first snow storm of the season Tuesday night and Wednesday. I am looking for additional volunteers who might be willing to help senior citizens/disabled residents out by clearing their driveways after it snows.
If you're interested in helping out please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. Please advise if you are willing to volunteer (at no pay) or if you expect the recipient to pay you for your services. If you expect to get paid, please let me know how much you charge.
I will advise residents of your offer to help when they contact me. Those under 18 should provide me with parental permission slips indicating that the under 18 year olds names can be released

HOME OF GORDON PARKS, LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHER, COULD BE DESIGNATED LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

On Wednesday evening the Greenburgh Town Board will refer the proposed designation of 15 Adams place as a local historic landmark to the Planning Board for its advice. This is the house that legendary photographer, filmmaker, writer and composer Gordon Parks had lived in. Mr. Parks wrote a memoir in 2005 -describing the bungalow in the suburbs -its large room with a skylight and huge windows. Mr. Parks spent some of his most formative and creative years in the Adams Place house, which creatively has left its mark on american history. Special thanks to the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board for their recommendation.

SUGGESTION OF THE DAY: NAPOLEON MITCHELL--INCREASE FINES FOR ILLEGAL HOUSING

Napoleon Mitchell of the Juniper Hill Civic Association has a suggestion: increase fines for illegal boarding houses. A fire last week at 66 Beech Street in Fairview fortunately did not injure anyone. However --it was determined that the property was a two family house. About 20 people lived there illegally. The house was subdivided into several smaller rooms, many of which showed evidence of electrical wiring that contributed to the overloaded circuit.
The owners had been cited for housing illegal roomers. The problem: the fines are very low--$500 a day maximum. A suggestion: the law should have a minimum fine of $1500 a day for the first offense and $5000 a day for a second offense.
Mr. Mitchell indicated that some towns in Westchester have been raising fines between $1000 and $5000 for violations of housing codes re: illegal apts and overcrowding. This would discourage unscrupulous landlords from renting illegal rooms in either an apartment or in a home.
The town recently hired an additional inspector to investigate illegal rooms. An increase in fines, as Mr. Mitchell states, would raise the stakes for those who are violating the law.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WANTED: NAMES OF STREETS THAT HAVE HAD REPEAT POWER OUTAGES LAST YEAR--MEETING WITH CON ED NEXT THURSDAY FEB 15, 2007

Next Thursday evening (Feb 15) at 7:30 PM a meeting will be held with Con Ed representatives and residents who experienced power outages last year. The meeting is being held at the Greenville school, off of Ardsley Road. Con Ed has asked me to provide them with a list of streets that have had a number of power outages last year. If you are interested in being part of this meeting and helping us take proactive measures to reduce the potential for power outages in the future - please e mail me streets that had problems last year. I will contact Con Ed --helping them prepare for the meeting.

3 GROUP HOME RESIDENTS PUSH FOR SIDEWALKS ON CHATTERTON PKWAY

3 group home residents who reside on Chatterton Parkway and call themselves the "Three Musketeers" will speak at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting on Wednesday, February 14th at 7:15 PM. Jason Kingsley, Raymond Frost, Jr and Yaniv Gorodischer have down syndrome. Over a year ago they went door to door on Chatterton Parkway pushing for sidewalks. The petition drive was very successful. All of the neighbors, except two, were enthusiastic and signed in support of constructing a sidewalk along Chatterton Parkway down to Central Ave. There were two holdouts - one who didn't want to shovel the snow (the boys offered to do it for them).
At the meeting the 3 boys will speak about what they consider to be dangerous conditions on Chatterton Parkway.
Last spring the Town Board approved a resolution directing me to come up with a proposed sidewalk policy. The Board has not approved, rejected or modified the sidewalk policy. I would like to see a sidewalk policy approved (and would support modifications in my original proposal). I'm hopeful that the presentation by Mr. Kingsley,Frost and Gorodischer will lead to a sidwalk policy being approved.

Westchester will keep homeless shelter agreement

I spoke to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano earlier today about a proposal to place a homeless drop in shelter from White Plains to Hawthorne. This would have violated an agreement the county made with Greenburgh not to build any new homeless facilities within 2 miles of the center of the Grasslands reservation. I am pleased to report that the County Executive will keep the promise that was made to the Mayfair Knollwood community at the time the WESTHELP partnership agreement was made. This shelter would have violated the agreement that had been made.
A promise was made. The promise must be kept. Otherwise no one will ever trust those who were elected to public office.

update: 3 of the 5 contracts have not been signed re: library construction (holding up start of library construction)

A number of library patrons have called for an update re: library construction. In December 5 contracts were awarded by the Town Board to contractors so that work on the library could begin. As of Monday only 2 out of the 5 contractors have signed the documents. What is holding up their signature? I am asking the Town Board to discuss this tomorrow. Hopefully, tomorrow we will have better news --and all 5 contractors will have signed the documents with attachments.

CENTRAL 7 SCHOOL COMMUNITY MEETING FEB 13TH 8 pm TOWN HALL

Are you interested in helping to make the Central 7 schools better? If the answer is yes, please join us at important community meeting---Tuesday, February 13th at 8 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall.
The meeting will be informational. You'll learn about how to get involved in the district. We welcome your suggestions and thoughts regarding to ways to enhance the quality of education offered to our children. Harry Phillips, a Regent with the State Education Department and long time Hartsdale resident, will provide residents with an update on what is happening in Albany. Vic Leviatin, co-founder of the WISE program, will chair the meeting.
We can improve our schools. We need your help and involvement. Join us on 2/13 at 8 PM. This will be an exciting and productive meeting.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND WEEK OF FEB 5th

Post any comments about town issues for the week of Feb 5th. Tell us what's on your mind!

SATELLITE LIBRARY 2 WEEKS OLD--YOUR FEEDBACK ENCOURAGED!

The satellite library locations are about 2 weeks old. We're continuing to work to enhance the satellite libraries and welcome your thoughts. Here are some impressions that I have.
* The staff working at the library is outstanding. They are trying very hard to make the best out of the smaller satellite spaces. I'm extremely impressed with their efforts. They are terrific public servants.
* I am also pleased to see so many people stop by at the satellite library location at Town Hall. There is a steady flow of traffic -- almost non stop. Residents really love the Greenburgh library. Programs for children will start soon.
* Earlier in the week we had to close down the lobby/check out area of the lobby (located at the entrance of Town Hall) a few times. It was freezing - about 57 degrees. The librarians were uncomfortable, but not complainers. We are addressing the freezing condition problems --providing the staff with portable heaters.
* In response to complaints about lack of parking near the entrance to the library (creating difficulties for seniors/disabled residents) we increased the number of disabled parking spots at Town Hall and also created short term (30 minute or less) parking at the front row parking area.
* We need a reading area for library patrons/librarians to use to relax - to read magazines, newspapers. I suggested a possible location: the former room used for STAR applications. Another possibility: Use the back area of the Town Board auditorium/meeting room.
* I believe that we need an additional satellite library location(s)--East Hartsdale Ave and/or the Greenburgh Nature Center.
* The ground breaking ceremony was held last Saturday. However, construction of the new library has not yet started because only 2 of the 5 contracts have been signed by the contractors. I feel that we should have closed down the old library a few weeks later --providing residents with full service library programs a bit longer. It's my hope that the other contractors will sign the contracts that had been awarded to them in December of last year. No construction could happen till they sign the documents. 3 of the 5 still have not signed the contracts.
* I am requesting the Town Board to discuss the status of the library construction at our work session - this Tuesday. The work session starts at 3:30 PM. I feel that the Town Board and community deserve an explanation as to why the contractors have delayed signing the contracts that had been previously awarded to them.
We want the library to continue providing residents with outstanding services during the next two years - during the construction of our new library. It's very important that you, our library users, take the time to provide me and other town officials with your thoughts and suggestions.

2 of 5 library construction contracts signed by contractors

As of this writing two of the five contracts with the contractors for the library construction project have been signed by the contractors. 3 have not been signed. The failure of the library construction contractors to sign the contracts is delaying the start of the construction. We hope that all the documents will be signed by the contractors early next week - I will promptly review the signed documents before signing the agreements. Once both parties sign the documents construction of the library can start.

COUNTY PLANNING BOARD HAS CONCERNS ABOT MORATORIUM ON RESIDENTIAL DEVLEOPMENT-CENTRAL AVE

The Westchester County Planning Board has sent the town a letter expressing concerns about the proposed moratorium on residential development - Central Ave. The county claims that the CA district is the only zoning district within the Edgemont School district which permits multi family dwellings. The county wants to promote the creation of a mix of uses along the county's developed corridors. The county claims that Central Ave is a particularly suitable place to locate multi family housing due to the fact that commercial and retail areas are often nearby. The county has stated that "while the overcrowding of local schools is an important concern, the issues of school enrollment must be weighed against the smart growth benefits that multi family developments along a major mixed use, transit oriented corridor can provide for a region in need of housing that is transit oriented and near local commercial centers.
The Westchester County Planning Board does not have the ability to overrule local decisions - they act in an advisory capacity. The Town Board will review the Planning Board's recommendations.

SHOULD MICKEY'S HOT DOG STAND ON JACKSON AVE BE ALLOWED TO STAY OPEN?

An article in today's Journal News (www.lohud.com) -"Greenburgh has beef with longtime hot-dog stand" reports that Mickey's snack bar was forced to close last month - after 78 years of selling food on Jackson Ave. The Building Department enforced a law that bars roadside vendors in residential areas. Mickey Difate, 96 years old, stopped working at the snack bar last year. The hot dog stand did not operate for a number of months. He now resides at an assisted living center. A family member was planning to take over the business and continue operating the hot dog stand.
The property is zoned for a residential purposes. The Difate's can apply for a zoning variance. Would you support giving Mickey's snack bar the variance so they can continue operating their hot dog stand? Or, should the town not make any exceptions to our law?
One resident wrote to me--suggesting that this snack bar is a local landmark in town. Another person pointed out that a snack bar is preferable to residential development at the site.
What do you think?

SHOULD MICKEY'S HOT DOG STAND ON JACKSON AVE BE ALLOWED TO STAY OPEN?

An article in today's Journal News (www.lohud.com) -"Greenburgh has beef with longtime hot-dog stand" reports that Mickey's snack bar was forced to close last month - after 78 years of selling food on Jackson Ave. The Building Department enforced a law that bars roadside vendors in residential areas. Mickey Difate, 96 years old, stopped working at the snack bar last year. The hot dog stand did not operate for a number of months. He now resides at an assisted living center. A family member was planning to take over the business and continue operating the hot dog stand.
The property is zoned for a residential purposes. The Difate's can apply for a zoning variance. Would you support giving Mickey's snack bar the variance so they can continue operating their hot dog stand? Or, should the town not make any exceptions to our law?
One resident wrote to me--suggesting that this snack bar is a local landmark in town. Another person pointed out that a snack bar is preferable to residential development at the site.
What do you think?