TWN BD MOVES FORWARD ON 7 DAY A WEEK COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAMS

THe Town Board approved a modified version of a resolution I introduced about 2 weeks ago requesting the Commissioner of the Dept of Community Resources to work with the Community Center's Advisory Board to consider as part of its recommended budget submittal, a budget to expand its programs, including Sunday operating hours at the Theodore Young Community Center.
This would include the pool. I favor a 7 day a week program.

TOWN BD AUTHORIZES E HARTSDALE AVE FLOOD STUDY

The Town Board authorized a contract for Hartsdale book watershed and flood study in the amount of $60,880 at the Town Board meeting on Wednesday night. It's my hope that the study will identify ways to reduce the possibility of another major flood on the Ave. Many businesses were out for months. The town, Hartsdale parking district, Scarsdale golf club, apartments, businesses must work cooperatively on this problem. The study will identify causes of the spring flood and come up with recommendations. It is expected that the study will take about 20 weeks to complete.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY- POST YOUR COMMENTS = WEEK OF AUG 27

Plesae post your comments about Greenburgh issues.

REQUESTING BD TO APPROVE RESOLUTION WED - 7 DAY A WEEK POOL AT THEODORE YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER

At the last meeting of the Town Board the members of the Board promised to approve a resolution at the meeting this Wednesday night to ask the Theodore Young Community Center Board and administration to consider 7 day a week programs at the center. The pool would also be open 7 days a week. I hope the Board will keep their commitments and approve the resolution this Wednesday.

library construction update wednesday night

There will be a library construction update this Wednesday night at the Town Board meeting. Among concerns: the status of the geothermal contract.

MARRIOTT TO CLOSE HEALTH CLUB TO COMMUNITY

I plan to urge the Marriott to reconsider plans to close their health club to the community. The owners of the Marriott have advised residents who use their facility that the club memberships won't be renewed when they expire. This is unfortunate. Many senior citizens have taken advantage of the center and enjoy the health club.

WEEK OF AUGUST 20-- GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--POST YOUR COMMENTS

Feel free to post your comments about town issues.

150 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN ROAD TO FREEDOM WALK

About 150 Greenburgh/Dobbs Ferry village residents participated in the Road to Freedom Walk commemorating the 226 anniversary of the departure on Sunday August 19, 1781 of the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington from Dobbs Ferry to Virginia and to victory at the Battle of Yorktown.
The walk started at Scaramella's Restaurant and ended at the historic Mead house. The event highlights the important role Dobbs Ferry had in the revolution.

17 units of housing to be built on knollwood road

17 units of housing are being built on Knollwood Road (near the library). 2 of the units will be affordable. The application to build the homes was submitted in 2000 (zoning changes requested). The Planning Board granted approval for Princewood development to build the homes on October 4, 2006.

LOTS OF INTEREST IN SEVEN DAY A WEEK POOL/COMMUNITY CENTER PROGRAMS

A number of people expressed interest in having the indoor pool at the Theodore Young Community Center open 7 days a week. Residents also want the community center open 7 days a week.
A number of people spoke out at the Town Board meeting on Wednesday night in favor of both proposals. The Town Board will vote on a resolution asking the Community Center (and Advisory Board) to prepare a proposed budget.
We need more programs at the center and more hours...

ONE DROMORE LEGAL DEFENSE--USING OUTSIDE LAWYERS AGAINST MY RECOMMENDATION

The Greenburgh Town Board interviewed a lawyer from an outside firm who might be asked to defend the town in the One Dromore Road claim.
I believe that the Town Board should not hire an outside law firm and should do the legal work in house.
The developer of a proposed housing complex near the Greenburgh Nature Center alleges that 4 members of the Town Board met with him to discuss the property (I was excluded from the meeting) and that discussions took place that could have led to the land being used as an Edgemont Village Hall.
I do not think it is appropriate for the Town Board members to discuss a significant land use matter without advising me of the meeting. One member of the Town Board had advised the Developer (if the affidavit is correct) that no deal would be made if I was informed of the meeting. This is an outrage.

Outside legal fees could exceed $60,000 if the matter goes to trial. Most of the funds (except $25,000) would be paid for by insurance companies.
We have the ability to do the work ourselves, using existing town personnel.

PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF 7 DAY A WEEK PROGRAMS AT THEODORE YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER

I will be proposing a resolution at Wednesday nights Town Board meeting (Aug 15) directing the Commissioner of the Dept of Community Resources to prepare a budget for a 7 day a week operation at the Theodore Young Community Center.
The center, which also has a great indoor pool, is currently open six days a week. I want the center to expand programs for our youth and to open its pool to residents seven days a week.
Many lower income residents and young people with single parents live off of Manhattan Ave, where the center is located. There is a need to address the needs of our community - with a seven day a week center.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY week of August 13 Please post comments

Please post your comments.

NEED TO BEAUTIFY E HARTSDALE AVE

We're making some progress on E Hartsdale Ave. The Town Board should be selecting an engineer soon to conduct a study re: flooding on E Hartsdale Ave and to make recommendations. Stores are re-opening. The jazz concerts have been a big success. Night life is returning.
Now--we have to work hard to beautify the avenue. Give it a nicer look.
Want to be part of a beautification effort? Contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

GREENBURGH GOOD HUMOR MAN CAN'T COMPETE AT COUNTY EVENTS

Joe Villardi is a legend in Greenburgh. For over 61 years he has been selling ice cream to Greenburgh residents. He's friendly--his ice cream sell for less than competitors. I chatted with Joe during FAMILY DAY at Yosemite Park today (in back of the Theodore YOung Community Center). Joe told me that he is upset that Westchester County won't let him compete for the right to have his good humor truck sell ice cream at county events. He can't compete even though his prices are lower than other Good Humor trucks that are allowed to enter county parks.
In addition, he complained to me about the lack of competitive bidding when it comes to selling ice cream at the county level. I will contact the county. At the minimum there should be competitive bidding.

SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 9th DOG SWIM

Save the date: Sunday, September 9th--dog swim.
The dog park at Rumbrook Park is expected to open in the spring.

THANK YOU, BLOGGER

I'd like to thank the blogger who shared with readers an interesting blog site:
www.nationalbridges.com (which highlights bridges across the nation that are obsolete, structurally deficient.
I searched for Greenburgh -- and will share the info with the Police Chief and Commissioner of Public Works.

POLICE CHIEF: STATE BRIDGES ARE SAFE

Received an e mail from the police chief in response to bloggers concerns about bridge/ramp safety. The chief contacted the NYS DOT, office of structures and spoke to the head of the office.The chief reports that the terms used by the state ("intolerable") sound scary but state officials do check the bridges/ramps to make sure they are safe.George Christian, PE assured the chief that the bridges under his control were safe and frequently inspected although maintenance was an ongoing problem. Joan Depont, PE was also contacted. She reassured the chief and emphasized the rigid state inspection schedule. Bridge standards change quickly which could be responsible for the Railing discrepancies. If NYS believes a bridge is unsafe it would be closed until a repair or replacement could be undertaken.

ROAD TO FREEDOM WALK...AUGUST 19

Save the date: Participate in the Road to Freedom Walk through Dobbs Ferry on Sunday, August 19th. Meet and march with George Washington. The walk will begin at 1 PM at the corner of Southfield Ave and Ashford Ave (near Scaramella's). Follow George Washington and his horse en route of the Continental Army Soldiers on August 19, 1781 and trace the first steps of Washington's march of more than 400 miles to Yorktown, Virginia. Washington's march from Dobbs Ferry to Virginia led to victory two months later at Yorktown and to the end of the Revolutionary War. Rain date: August 26. Sponsored by the Dobbs Ferry Historical Society and Village of Dobbs Ferry with contributions from Patriot's Park Committee.

OLD TOWN HALL ALMOST ALL DOWN..

I was driving past the Old Town Hall today. It's almost entirely down. The old Town Hall property will be used for parking for the new library. Estimated construction completion date: June, 08.

PROCRASTINATION ALERT: PLANNING BD AND ZONING BD VACANCIES SINCE OCTOBER, 06 AND JAN 07

PROCRASTINATION ALERT: I am urging the Town Board to appoint residents to the Planning Board and Zoning Board. There has been a vacancy on the Planning Board since January, 07. There has been a vacancy on the Zoning Board since October, 06. There is no reason why these positions should not be filled. Both boards are very important.

REQUEST MEETING WITH STATE/COUNTY OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS BRIDGE SAFETY

I am requesting that the Greenburgh Town Board schedule a meeting with state/county officials to discuss bridge safety -and to review with the Town Board and public what action steps are being taken to make sure that all the bridges in Greenburgh are safe for the public to use.

GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--WEEK OF AUG 6. Please post your comments about town issues

Please post your comments about town issues.

27 MAIN STREET, DOBBS FERRY-- WHAT SHOULD BE DONE WITH PROPERTY?

The town owns property in Dobbs Ferry -- 27 Main Street. It used to be an apartment building. The property was foreclosed by the town. Tenants moved out because the building was structurally unsafe. For many months I have been encouraging the Town Board to work with villages of Dobbs Ferry officials so the town can rid itself of the property. It's an eyesore, the property could be put to better use. In my opinion, the building should be demolished.
So far, nothing has been done. On August 14th I will appear before the Dobbs Ferry Village Board of Trustees to discuss this matter. I have invited the entire Town Board to join me. The village had expressed interest in turning the property into a parking lot that could be used by Dobbs Ferry library patrons.

STUMP THE YARD OUTDOOR MOVIE AT MASSARO NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT

We will be showing our third outdoor movie in the park next Friday night at Massaro Park in N Elmsford. The movie: STUMP THE YARD. Last night we showed the movie ARE WE THERE YET at Travis.
We hope to expand our movies in the parks next year to other parks around town.