MEETING HELD WITH 50 CIVIC LEADERS AND RESIDENTS TO DISCUSS STOP & SHOP PROPOSAL

About 50 civic leaders and residents from E Irvington & the Tarrytown neighborhoods attended a meeting last night to discuss a possible proposal to place a Stop & Shop on 119 (near the new Sheraton Hotel on the Tarrytown border). This was a pre-application meeting. I believe that citizens should be briefed on land use applications BEFORE applications are submitted.
We had a good exchange of ideas. The developer & Stop & Shop will be presenting an application for a re-zone to the Town Board in the coming weeks. Rezoning property is totally discretionary on the part of the Town Board.
If you are interested in being kept informed of the status of this application please e mail pfeiner@greenburghny.com.

SHOULD A TENNIS BUBBLE BE PLACED AT RUMBROOK PARK?

The Town Board has not taken any action on the proposal to award a private contract to company to place a bubble over the tennis courts at AF Veteran town park. The Board has been reviewing the proposed bubble for a few years. The town was offered substantial rental income every year. A private company had also offered to build a club house for tennis players (at no cost to the town) and to renovate our tennis courts.
The problem: A & B budget disputes--caused by the litigation (Edgemont resident vs. villages).
Another option was suggested today by a citizen: that we issue an RFP to place a bubble over the tennis courts at East Rumbrook Park (a federally funded park). This would generate much less revenue for the town since it is a smaller facility. However- it's an option with different issues. What do you think?

WARNING FROM DAN FROM HARTSDALE..ANONYMOUS POSTS MAY NOT BE ANONYMOUS

Dan from Hartsdale posted a comment on the blog commentary (Ardsley sidewalks). He mentions that anyone who has a blogspot site can install a sitemeter that records the URL and time of anyone who clicks on the site. For example, if a blogger logs on to the site from a law firm one can find that out. He mentions anonymous may not be anonymous.
I will post this warning on each week.

JAZZ ON EAST HARTSDALE AVE!

Cab Calloway used to live in Greenburgh. We're going to bring quality jazz back to Greenburgh with a new jazz concert series on East Hartsdale Ave. Mark Morganelli of Jazz Forum Arts and I met with UniStar Federal Credit Union. The Credit Union will sponsor the concerts. We're hoping to organize a summer jazz concert series this summer - possibly 8 Saturdays in July and August (during the farmer's market).
We're going to have a planning meeting on Thursday, April 24th at 6:15 at the new UniStar store front on East Hartsdale Ave.
If you are interested in getting involved in helping us organize the concert series please advise. E mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

TOWN BD SEEMS COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING ARDSLEY ROAD SIDEWALK SNOW ISSUE BEFORE NEXT WINTER

A meeting last night of residents of Edgemont and town officials produced some positive signs that the town might address the Ardsley Road sidewalk and snow removal problem. Members of the Town Board promised to address the issue before next years snow season.
I have been calling on the Town Board to have the town assume responsbility of snow removal on Ardsley Road sidewalks for a few years. It's a very dangerous situation- pedestrians walk up and down the road when the sidewalks are not cleared of snow.
I suggest that we issue an RFP to landscapers/contractors to determine what the costs will be of snow removal on the sidewalk.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY- week of March 26th--POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT TOWN ISSUES

(Please feel free to post your comments about town issues on this blog. Your input is appreciated.

LIBRARY UPDATE: GEOTHERMAL CONTRACTOR STILL HAS NOT SIGNED CONTRACT

In December the Town Board awarded a contract to 5 separate library contractors for the library construction. One of the contracts was for geothermal technology. As of today that contract has not been signed by the contractor. I have asked that the public be provided with an update at Wednesday's Town Board meeting.

EDGEMONT NEIGHBORHOOD GETS TREE CLEARING FROM CON ED - CON ED TO MEET WITH ME THIS COMING WEEK --I BELIEVE SMALLER TREES SHOULD REPLACE TREES

I received a report that Con Ed has cleared trees behind the Mount Joy transformer. About 20 trees (all of the trees looked hardy and robust) were cut.A residential neighborhood now looks like Central Ave road front property.
I feel that Con Ed should replant trees that have been cut with smaller growing trees. Con Ed is being proactive --cutting down trees to minimize the possibility of future power outages. The significant tree clearing program that is taking place in Greenburgh and around the region is changing the character of neighborhoods and may also cause other environmental concerns: drainage, erosion, etc..
I will be meeting with Con Ed representatives this coming week to discuss. I would appreciate being notified of other tree clearing that is taking place around the town.

PROPOSED BUDGET TO ADDRESS CRIME/THEFTS AT HARTSDALE PARKING GARAGE

My proposed capital budget includes $15,500 for a Thermal Imaging Camera to be used in finding victims that are in collapsed buildings or to locate a suspect or hostage in a building during a tactical operation. Also, to find victims at accident scenes in heavily wooded areas.
My proposed budget also funds a camera that will allow remote access via broadband wireless applications to install a camera for surveillance in high crime areas. The cost: $17,000. This can be used to reduce thefts and vandalism at the Hartsdale parking garage.

GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM UPGRADED IN PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET--VERY EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES

I am releasing my proposed capital budget for 2007 today.Among the highlights of the $5,548,000 budget is a $103,500 requested appropriation to upgrade the GIS system (Geographical Information System). The town wants to be on the cutting edge of technology. This new system will enable the town and village residents to have the ability to share data significantly reducing the dupliation of town and village services and enhance the functionality of digital communications between all departments within the town and villages. Example: the assessment dept currently obtains the information via hard copy. The Assessor's office inputs the information from the village permits into a spreadsheet as does the villages when issuance of a building permit. Currently, there is no connection of information between town departments: the police need information from the Public Works dept and was unable to get the information digitally. Therefore, it had to be recreated. Other advantages: As the assessor assesses property it's imperative that ownership information be consistent between the villages and the town. This will enable that to occur. Most important this will expand the connection the town and villages with regard to emergency services. Example: mutual assistance, ambulance, fire and police.

SUGGESTION: TOWN SHOULD RETAIN TRAFFIC/PARKING CONSULTANT TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EAST HARTSDALE

Residents of East Hartsdale Ave have a parking problem. A group of dedicated volunteers have formed a committee and have a great web site: www.fixhartsdaleparking.com. They're working to come up with recommendations as to how we can address this problem.
My suggestion: The town should retain the services of a professional parking/traffic consultant who can help us analyze the problem and come up with recommendations/options.
East Hartdale Ave is getting younger. More young families, with more than one car, are moving here. The parking problem will get worst, not better - unless we address this concern.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE MEETINGS SHOULD BE TELEVISED

The Town Board recently appointed members of a Comprehensive Land Use Planning Committee to review land use issues and to help oversee the comprehensive plan that is being drafted. I am urging the committee to televise their meetings and to provide residents with the opportunity to phone in (dial democracy) during portions of their meetings.
I am also asking the Town Board to stream Town Board meetings live on the internet - so that residents who are out of town during Town Board meetings can watch meetings and call in live.
It's important that our government be open.

TREE PLANTING PROGRAM DESIRED..

Every day, when I go to work, I pass tree cutters - cutting down trees along roads. Lots of trees all over Greenburgh are coming down.
I'm asking our parks dept and CAC board to help develop a tree replanting program so we can keep the green in Greenburgh. Some of the trees that are planted should be smaller -- so they won't grow to impact Con Ed wires. Your suggestions as to the kinds of trees we should plant would be appreciated.

WEEK OF MARCH 19 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--COMMENT ON TOWN ISSUES

Please comment on town issues. Your input is always appreciated - especially when it's issue oriented, not name calling!

PATHMARK TO BE ACQUIRED BY A & P SUPERMARKET-LESS COMPETITION

Pathmark supermarkets will be purchased by the A & P supermarket chain, according to the Westchester County Business Journal. The A & P supermarket chain has 3 supermarkets within unincorporated Greenburgh. The Pathmark acquisition by the A & P means less competition. Pathmark is located on Central Ave in Hartsdale. The A & P supermarkets are located on Central Ave, Route 119 (off of Dobbs Ferry Road) and on Knollwood Road. There are 2 other supermarket companies offering service to residents in our area: DeCicco's in Ardsley and Stop and Shop in Dobbs Ferry and Tarrytown.

FAIRVIEW FIRE DEPT OWED $100,000 BY TOWN BD

The Town Board was planning to vote to release $100,000 to the Fairview Fire Department two Board meetings ago. Councilman Steve Bass, acting at the request of Bob Bernstein, held over the proposed resolution. Under the rules of the Board any member of the Board has the ability to hold over any resolution until the next Town Board meeting. At the last meeting the $100,000 contractual obligation to the Fairview Fire Dept grant was not on the agenda. I am requesting that the Board vote on the $100,000 grant at our next Town Board meeting.
No taxpayer dollars are involved. The funds are from WESTHELP. The State Comptroller's office did not express any objections with this aspect of the WESTHELP partnership.

TOWN ISSUES SUMMONS TO THOSE WHO DON'T CLEAR SIDEWALKS

On February 22 the town issued 54 summonses to property owners who had neglected to clear their walkways of snow pursuant to the town code. They were required to pay a $175 fine.
Total summonses issued on 2/22: 54
Guilty pleas and $175 fine 20
Adjournments granted by court 28
Cases dismissed 6
I continue to believe that our current policy is not working. I believe that the Town Board should amend the law. The town should assume the responsibility of clearing sidewalks of snow when the sidewalks connect to train stations, schools, bus stops. This issue: safety of pedestrians. Many residents of Edgemont, for example, walk up and down the very dangerous Ardsley Road when sidewalks are not cleared of snow.
The Town Council will be presenting the community with a new sidewalk policy at our March 28th Town Board meeting. There will be a discussion of the issues at that time.

Twn Bd doesn't want to release work session agendas to public on Friday before work session- compromise suggestion offered

At the Town Board work session yesterday I suggested that the Board release the agendas of the work sessions to the public on the Friday before the Tuesday work session to give residents who want to attend meetings adequate notice as to what will be discussed at the work session - and at what time. This will enable the residents who want to attend work sessions (because of interest re: certain issues) to plan their day. The Board did not like the idea. At tonights Town Board meeting I will offer a compromise resolution: that agendas of work session be posted on the web site no later than 9AM on the day of the work session. I'd prefer more notice-- this compromise, at the minimum, is a start.
The Board asked me to temporarily table the proposal I made to put all resolutions on the web before Town Board meetings. I will bring this matter up again.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS BEING MADE

Last year I proposed the formation of a Greenburgh Affordable Housing Committee to explore additional affordable housing opportunties. The Town Board approved the creation of an affordable housing committee. At tonights Town Board meeting the Town Board will appoint members to the committee. I look forward to working with the committee on this important issue.
LAST WEEK Mayor Jay Leon of Ardsley appeared before the Greenburgh Town Board to discuss the future of the waterwheel property. The property was acquired by the town as a result of a foreclosure action. Mayor Leon suggested that the Ardsley Affordable Housing Committee and Greenburgh Affordable Housing Committee meet to consider the possibility of creating some affordable housing units at the foreclosed property. I support Mayor Leon's initiative.

CON ED CLEAR CUTTING TREES, REPLACEMENTS WANTED

Con Ed has begun to clear many trees throughout the area - a follow up to the power outages that took place last year. The tree cutting may be a necessary action to help reduce the possibility of future massive power outages.
The clear cutting of trees at different locations is creating an eyesore and possible safety concerns. For example, on Ridge Road, north of Heatherdell, virtually all of the trees have been cut down along the Sprain. The character of the community is being impacted--negatively. Greenburgh is losing the green in our name.
A section of the Bronx River Parkway, north of the county center has also seen trees clear cutted.
There are safety issues. On Ridge Road the trees provided a little protection for cars in the unfortunate event that they skidded off the road so they would not fall several stories onto the Sprain. I suggest that smaller trees/bushes be planted at this location and have been asked by constituents to look into the possibility of placing a guard rail or fence behind it so drivers and passengers won't fall off the edge onto the Sprain.
I suggest that if a tree is cut that a tree be replaced with another smaller planting so we can keep the green in our community.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY- TALK ABOUT YOUR TOWN RELATED CONCERNS! PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION--WEEK OF MARCH 12

Feel free to post your comments or concerns about town issues on this blog. Your opinion is appreciated!

NY TIMES FEATURES CHATTERTON PARKWAY GROUP HOME RESIDENTS ON PAGE ONE OF REGIONAL ISSUE- GROUP HOME LIVING, PETITION FOR SIDEWALKS HIGHLIGHTED

Today's issue of the New York Times (region) has a page one feature about the 3 group home residents of Chatterton Parkway who attended the most recent Town Board meeting and presented Board members with a petition calling for sidewalks on Chatterton Parkway. The article also can be read on the web site: www.nytimes.com (region). There is a very interesting video slide show on the web site. This slide show will provide you with more insight on the lives of the group home residents.
I am very pleased that the Town Board will hold a public discussion on sidewalk policy on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:15 PM.

SHOULD DISCUSS OF A & B BUDGET ISSUES BE HELD BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?

The Greenburgh Town Board held an executive session last Tuesday to discuss the Town Comptroller's draft report on the A & B budget allocations. The Board will also be discussing the draft report this coming Tuesday - at our next work session. I was asked not to release the draft report and am complying with the request.
The more I reflect on the matter the more troubled I am about discussing this important matter behind closed doors. This is a budget transfer issue ( a follow up to a state comptrollers letter). We are not in litigation regarding the issues contained in the letter. I do not believe that this matter can be discussed behind closed doors. I have asked for an opinion from the committee on open government.
I will urge the Board to open up our work session discussion to the public this Tuesday and also will urge the Board to release the draft report. We should also invite representatives of unincorporated Greenburgh civic associations and village officials to the meeting --and should invite their participation (questions/comments).

TOWN BD WORK SESSIONS SHOULD BE TELEVISED

I plan to renew a request to the Town Board that I made over a year ago to televise Town Board work sessions. In addition, I will ask the Town Board to extend dial democracy to Town Board work sessions so that residents who can't attend can call in - live when important issues are discussed.
Finally -- I will urge the Board to stream (live on the web) all Town Board work sessions and Town Board meetings. Residents currently have the ability to watch old meetings of the Town Board on the web. The meetings are not aired live. If Town Board work sessions would be televised live on the web and streamed live - it will enable people who work in the city or elsewhere to watch the meeting on the internet and to participate - away from home, if there is an important issue.
Open government is important. Citizens must be provided with the opportunity to become full partners in the decision making processes of their government.

6th grader named citizen of month for raising funds for K-9 bullet proof vest

Jackson Davis is a 6th grader at Bailey School. He was devastated after he read a story about a brave Police K-9 that was shot in the line of duty. The dog died. Jackson spent the entire day thinking about ways that this devastation could be prevented. He came up with an idea: protect a paw. Buy a K-9 a bulletproof vest.
Jackson spoke to his principal- Marge Jones - and they called Detective Papovitch from the Greenburgh Police K 9 unit. Jackson began a fundraising initiative which has raised hundreds of dollars for a bulletproof vest.
The Town Board will be honoring Jackson at our next Town Board meeting - this coming Wednesday at 7:15 PM at Town Hall. Jackson will also be named citizen of the month. His mom, Dana Davis, was citizen of the month in 1999. She is an advocate for the disabled and is currently a member of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. This is the first mother/son citizen of the month team in Greenburgh history!
Interested in helping Jackson?
E mail him at protectapaw@aol.com

TOWN BD WORK SESSION AGENDAS SHOULD BE RELEASED TO PUBLIC ON FRIDAY BEFORE TUESDAY WORK SESSIONS

The Greenburgh Town Board releases the agendas of the work sessions that are held on Tuesday afternoons a few hours before the work session begins. Many issues are discussed each week during the work sessions. Residents who are interested in specific issues are not provided with adequate advance information about the agendas. The lack of notice discourages public participation.
At next weeks Town Board meeting I will introduce a resolution calling on the Board to release tentative work session agendas the Friday before the Tuesday work session meeting. This will provide the public with the ability to make plans if they are interested in an agenda topic. I also hope the Board will provide the public with the chance to talk at each work session. It's the people's government!

PUBLIC PROHIBITED FROM SPEAKING AT TODAYS WORK SESSION--A STEP BACKWARDS FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT

The Greenburgh Town Board held a work session regarding the library on Tuesday afternoon. We heard from our construction lawyer, TRITON (library construction manager), our architects. HOWEVER-- the Board (to my dismay) did not provide residents with the opportunity to ask questions. I've been attending Greenburgh Town Board meetings since my student days at college. This is the first time, in my memory, that the public is being shut out of the process. Residents have always been provided the opportunity to speak at the informal work session meetings.
The Town Attorney advised me that I was required to sign the library construction contracts. I signed the contracts. Some residents, in attendance, had questions about the library construction modifications that were made after the contracts were awarded to the bidders in December. They should have had the opportunity to speak out and ask their questions.
Democracy works best when people have the opportunity to partner in the decision making processes.
Let's make Greenburgh the most open government again!

Ardsley Road sidewalks continued---# of accidents

Sgt. Maguire of the Greenburgh Police ran an accident report involving pedestrians and vehicles on Ardsley Road from 1988 to the present. There were five accidents in 19 years. Checking for injuries such as slip and fall is more difficult because of the way ambulance calls are entered. However, on 2/14/2007 there was a report of a broken leg.
I continue to believe that the current policy is not working -- and am very concerned everytime I observe a pedestrian walking up or down Ardsley Road to the Scarsdale train station --especially after a snow or ice storm.

INDIAN POINT IS NOT FINED FOR LEAKS, VIOLATIONS

I spoke at a forum sponsored by Clearwater and Pace University this weekend. Among the issues discussed was the fact that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission can fine Entergy ( Indian Point) up to $110,000 a day per violation for leaks and other violations. Since 1998 the NRC has not imposed any fines on Indian Point for leaks. Many people are concerned that Indian Point has been leaking radioactive water from multiple sources, which has created several lakes or plumes of contaminated groundwater under the plant.
The failure of the NRC to impose fines against Entergy for violations provides the company with little incentive to correct the problems at the nuclear power plant. There have been many shutdowns at Indian Point. There have also been many other violations -- impacting our safety. I am urging our congressional delegation to pressure the NRC to start imposing fines.

WEEK OF MARCH 5 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY...POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT TOWN ISSUES...

Please post your comments about town issues.

THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW...LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION COMPARISONS WANTED

The public has a right to know what is happening with the library construction. I am planning to request that a comparison be made: total construction project costs today vs. anticipated costs of the library pre-referendum. What is missing from the 5 contracts that was originally promised? The public should be able to read an itemized list of changes that have been made so far re: project. In addition, we should compare the architects and engineers fees (pre referendum estimates) to 2007 estimates. TRITON will be earning $20,000 a month for their services after November, 2007. They originally expected the library to be complete by November, 2007. However, there have been significant delays. Can we re-negotiate the $20,000 a month fee? If the town did not cause all the delays why should we be punished? TRITON and the architect are now proposing a cheaper geothermal system. Why didn't they think of this originally?
The Board is meeting at a work session this Tuesday at 3:30 PM.

Town Board to discuss outstanding library issues at 3:30 on Tuesday

The Greenburgh Town Board will meet on Tuesday at 3:30 PM to discuss outstanding library construction issues. The Town Attorney has invited our construction lawyer, architect and TRITON to attend the meeting. I would like as much of the meeting to be open to the public as possible. This is the people's library. I feel that the public should be kept informed of the reasons for the delays as well as updated on the status of the library construction efforts.
I intend to propose a resolution at the next Town Board meeting - a week from Wednesday - authorizing the library to use the auditorium at Town Hall as a reading room area, when others are not using the room. The current satellite library at Town Hall needs a comfortable reading area --where people can read magazines, newspapers, books. I would support giving the library any vacant space at Town Hall for a reading area.

MARCH 22 FLOOD MEETING

I am holding planning to hold a meeting on March 22nd at 3 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall to develop a plan of action re: flood control initiatives. I will invite federal, state, county representatives to the meeting.
We've had some successes in the past. A few years ago we obtained a federal grant to uplift some homes on Babbitt Court and place them on stilts. Early on in my career I worked with former US Congressman Ben Gilman on a flood control initiative in downtown Ardsley. The US Army Corp of Engineers funded the initiative.
If you experienced flooding during todays storm please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
Any flood control initiative will require federal, state and local cooperation. Among neighborhoods that experienced flooding today were Central Ave and neighborhoods around the Bronx River corridor.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS SHOULD BE PLACED ON WEB SITE BEFORE TOWN BD MEETINGS

Last night the Town Board received some criticism for not sharing resolutions with the public before Town Board meetings. I intend to propose a resolution at the next Town Board meeting directing that all resolutions be placed on our web site prior to the Town Board meeting. I suggest that the resolutions be placed on the agenda the Friday before a Wednesday Board meeting -when the tentative agenda is released. If modifications are made later on the modified version of the resolution could be placed on the agenda after the Town Board work session.
We need to make Greenburgh a more open government....