Town of Greenburgh
Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cablevision Channel 76, Verizon 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00p.m. Proposed Real Property Tax Committee
2:15p.m. Richard Greenspan Property Bridge Review – Gerry Byrne
2:30p.m. Tappan Zee Bridge – Murray Bodin
3:00p.m. Boards & Commissions – Review of Expired Terms:
Councilwoman Sonja Brown
. May Visit, Bar Out List – Councilwoman Sonja Brown
3:30p.m. Capital Budget
4:00p.m. Agenda Review
4:30p.m. 1st Quarter Financial Review and Internal Controls, Tax Certs Analysis: Period 2000 to date; 2009 Financial Model – Michael J. Kolesar
5:00p.m. Executive Session – Michael Kolesar
5:30p.m. Adjourn
May 6, 2008 Work Session Summary
Paper Street Purchase Requests and An Unsettled Property Tax Claim
Steve Xydas, an Ardsley resident, requested that the Town approve his request to purchase a paper street on Chestnut Street from the town. The property is currently open space. Mr. Xydas’ wants to clearthe area of rotting and termite infested wood and maintain it. He explicitly stated that he is not interested in developing the land.
Debra Jaldane, a resident of unincorporated Greenburgh, requested to purchase a paper street located on Dobbs Ferry Road near Downing Drive. The property is not developed and has attracted wild animals and rodents. She indicated that she is not interested in developing the land.
The Board intends to revisit these two items at the May 27th work session.
David Doynow, also a resident of unincorporated Greenburgh, has appeared before the Town Board on several previous occasions in an attempt to purchase property from the town that had been foreclosed on previously This matter is being investigated by the Board which plans to revisit the issue at the July 15th work session.
Philanthropy Department
Winsome Gordon, presented the following Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) proposals to the Board for their approval and agreement to support with the required matching funds, if approved by the County. Copies of the CDBG proposals are available at the Town Clerks office.
Solar Hot Water for TDYCC, Nutrition Kitchen Oven (for seniors nutrition program at TDYCC, Travis Hill Park Crime Suppression Video System, Police Department Youth and Senior Seminar, After School Program Expansion at TDYCC, Manhattan Avenue Revitalization (approved for a Town match substantially less than requested), Greenburgh Library Young Adult Engagement (computers) and the Town of Greenburgh Mentoring and Leadership Development Program.
A public hearing will be held during the May 14th Town Board meeting.
Hevelyn Road
For many years (decades) the town has plowed, sanded and fixed potholes on Hevelyn Road. This road is not a town road. The Village of Elmsford is encouraging the town to repave the road even though the road is not owned by the town. There are many large potholes on Hevelyn, creating hazardous conditions for emergency vehicles (police, ambulance, fire) that make calls . The Knollwood Country Club objects to the town taking over of the road.
The Board will reconvene this discussion at the May 27th work session.
Greenburgh Housing Authority (GHA) Accounts Receivable
The Town of Greenburgh maintains that the GHA owes the Town four hundred and thirty-three thousand dollars for police services rendered. This payment, according to the GHA, was waived due to the fact that their income potential was drastically reduced when they were, reportedly, “…mandated by the State of New York to take 40 units off line for renovations…” Board members Feiner, Sheehan and Juettner maintain that the GHA was only given a “postponement of payment, not a waiver.” Unless the GHA pays the dollars owed, the dedicated community police presence agreement for police at the Housing Authority sites will not be renewed.
The Board will further investigate this discrepancy and the matter will be revisited at the May 20th work session.
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90 comments:
The money from the housing authority is owed to the town.
They cannot continue to have all the services that they usually demand without payment.
If they checked out the residents that live in these buildings they could very well pay the monies and much more.
The residents of Greenburgh are tired in paying taxes for those that abuse the system.
They were not promised a free ride they received a waiver but come on now it's five years since they came in front of the board.
Let them pay with interest,since we already paid that amount when Kapica submitted his budgets throughout the years.
iSN'T IT GREAT TO RECEIVE POLICE PROTECTION WITHOUT PAYING A DIME.
COUGH UP THE MONEY WE CARRIED YOU A LITTLE TOO LONG.
TELL ME WHO WAS SLEEPING DURING THIS TIME.
WHY WAS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY GRANTED SO MUCH TIME FOR PAYMENT.
THANKS KOLESAR FOR FOLLOWING THIS MATTER WHICH HAS BEEN DORMANT TOO LONG.
We can not afford this gift anymore. raise the rents of the people making $80,000 or more (police officers, firefighters etc.)
how many officers or firefighters live there and how much are they paying? I bet it's not what they should be paying.
I would like to understand if these units are supposed to be subject to income limitations and whether any one checks. White Plains Housing checks.
The housing Authority will not do anything to upset the apple cart.
They know who should be living there and does not belong.
Friendship in these complexes has and still goes along way.
The heck with the rules.
Some residents make more than I do but they want to know all about my tax return.
They owe the town this money they should pay asap.
Taxpayers have paid for the private police service for too long.
The funny part of the whole situation was the lying that they had receive a waiver and to my surprise Cora chimed in with the group to enforce the lie.
Yes they received the waiver for just one time which had to be made up the following year,but they still wanted to go on without paying for God knows how long.
The nerve of even approaching the town for this waiver.
May I ask who do they think they are and why should the taxpayers be obligated to pay for their private protection.
Kapica should have been on top of this situation from the onset since he has included this expense every year in his budjet.
What else has the chief included in his budget that should be checked out????????.
The Greenburgh Housing Authority has never checked since many residents have paid hush money in the begining to get apartments.
This has been the most lucrative business in history.
If it were run the right way the town board would not have to oversee the violations that are present.
The government does give these places money to be used to take care of the apartments,But someone had to be pocketing the money.
They have no pride in their surroundings.
The town board has now become an investigating group that has to take on the position of janitors isn't that great .
What happened to their maintenance people.
I guess money got tight so they slacked off.
They owe the money they should pay up with interest and also remove the two policeman and let the regular sector men or lady oversee the area.
I think it is clear we need the state or feds or someone to investigate.
I watched the meeting on TV. The Council members never said that the funds are being waived. The Housing Authority just doesn't plan to pay their bills. Cora needs to go.
Why arent the transcripts available to the public? What happened to open govt? The videos are much harder to search.
As for the housing Authority goes one lies the other swears.
I was very surprised with the reverend that was present at the work session.
Does having him there make the lies go away and furthermore he went along with the lie.
Could be that he is uttering what was reported to him I realy don't know.
I'm thinking that he too wants his parishioners to receive everything free.
Well those days of getting free this and free that are over SORRY.
Reverend do the right thing tell your people that they owe this money and it should be paid up as soon as possible. The residents have carried this debt a little too long since the chief of police included the amount of protection in his budget year after year.
He should not have carried this amount for all these years because they never had any intentions to pay.
What happens now will this still be an item in his budget or will there be a change made.
No money no private police protection.
What else should be looked at in the police budget??????
If this was done for so many years without someone bring it to light,what else can we find since this budget is too too high.
One cover up covers another.
What a bunch of BS!
It is a well known fact that police details are stationed in these developments and that there is a lack of police detail everyplace else in Greenburgh because of this.
If you need an officer, you'll most likely get one that will have to leave their post at a GHA site. Too bad if they have to come all across town to help you. You'll wait and if the reason you called the police, isn't grandiose enough, you might hear the officer complain about having to leave a GHA post for your "nonsense".
I have heard & witnessed this on more than one occasion.
As if this practice isn't bad enough, now they don't want to pay for this top of the line service? Total BS.
A full audit needs to be done here. Current financials need to be reviewed of all tenants. The GHA claims that 99.9% of they current tenants are working families.
One of the biggest jokes ,repeated often by Greenburgh police, is that no one gets out of bed before noon in these housing units except the kids leaving for school.
Not working is encouraged. Hiding income is acceptable.
BOOOOOOOOO!
GHA! Pay up!
The chief of police should shoulder most of the blame for letting this crooked business continue.
He knew right along and yet he insisted in putting the expense in his budget to let the residents pay.
THANKS CHIEF.
Thank you, Paul, for keeping us informed. Don't get intimidated by Cora Carey.
How long was Cora Affilliated with the Housing Authority???
She knew that the polce were not getting paid and yet she had to put her two cents in when Sheehan and Juettner said that they did not give the housing authority a waiver not to pay for this special protection.
She said that there are too many problems that the police are needed.WELL pay up the money or close the buildings down .There are more working people in the complex than those that really need the apartments.
You all used the services up to now pay up and stop complaining it's great to have your own police on duty at all times.
It's a great life if you can get it. When it's free it's even better.
Watching the rerun of the work session I'd like to ask who do the people that were representing the housing authority think they are.
Cora,the rev.Preston and two other gentlemen seem to have an idea that the residents of Greenburgh have to cover their expenses for police protection.
Since when does a town forget about monies that are owed.
These people must think the rest of
the public are fools.
You used these services you must pay.
You make demands as though you are the only people living in this town.
There were no waivers made to you or any other person concerning payment for the police.
What gives you the idea that this too is free as all other things given to you.
We paid for this service in our yearly taxes is that fair??But you used the services not us.
We are getting tired of your demands always stating the poor people. Where are these people.
When I moved to Greenburgh I was told that this town is great there are no free poor people living here.
How come The rev, speaks of the poor in Fairview.
Drive through this area and check out the cars. POOR PEOPLE>
Go to the churches on Sunday POOR PEOPLE check the cars there.
WHo are they trying to kid.
From the meeting one can see that
Paul is siding with this group.
Have these people no shame.
I do hope someone comes up with the tapes of the previous meeting where they were give some time to pay the bill but it was not for free.
The error was made by the chief of police in putting this expense in his budget.
I could see this done the first year but it was done for four or five consecutive years.
They used the service they have to pay.
No money no polizia
Does Cora Carey still ride around with a license plate " BLKANGL" or some other letter combination of such?
What nerve.
What makes her think that she is an angel after the show that she put on at the work session concerning the money owed to the town for police protection.
Angels don't lie she did,we never gave the housing authority a waiver not to pay for their own Greenburgh police person to stand guard at the complexes.
She insisted that it was for free.
Shame on you cora you have gotten away with a lot but this time I think you got caught.
Maybe the devil made you do it.
The services were used so you have to come up with the money big time.
One half a million dollars would help somewhat in lowering our taxes for next year.
If we do not pay our taxes we receive a penalty the housing authority should not be treated any different.
Paul we are watching what the outcome will be and if they are treated differently we as taxpayers want the the same treatment if and when we are delinquent with any bills owed to Greenburgh.
The taxpayers carried this expense for many years now it's pay up time
with no if ands' or buts.
talking about money owed to the town, the appeals court ordered that bernstein pay the costs of the appeal to the town. has that money ever been collected? has the town tried to collect it? has the town told bernstein that he can forget about it?
answers please.
the town won't ever recover from the expenses bernstein cost us, but let us get back the money that the court ordered him to pay to the town.
If you are pushing for Bernstein to pay up, what about pushing for Paul to restrict Veterans park useage to TOV? That is of much much more value.
a--hole at 4:39. one thing has nothing to with the other.
the court ordered bernstein to pay the costs of the appeal. we have a right to have that money paid into the budget.
don't change the subject.
The court also ordered that the Town restrict the use of Veterans to only TOVers. The same court. Whey do you only want to listen to part of what the court said? And why the need to swear? By your response I guess I can assume you are associated with Paul or someone in the villages and the Town has no intent to restrict useage as the court ordered.
Bernstein has no choice. He has to pay as the court ordered.
for your information, the town is limiting veteran park to the TOV as a result of the decision. if they are not, they should.
and that has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that bernstein must reimburse the town for its costs, which is what the court ordered. it isn't for the benefit of the villages. it is for the benefit of the entire town.
and you are what i said you were. there are a bunch of residents who always find a way to try to protect bernstein, and change the subject when his misdoings are mentioned. you are one of them. it is because of people like you that bernstein cost the town so much.
" ... wants to clear the area of rotting and termite infested wood and maintain it ... has attracted wild animals and rodents ..."
Whether or not purchase of the papers streets is allowed, the town should handle both of these matters right away. So much necessary maintenance work is neglected by town management.
It's kinda funny how Stephanie Bellino, school board trustee, was recently attacked on this blog for being in violation by hanging a sign too large on her property yet Cora Carey, liar, stealer of tax payers money, among other unmentionables, gets no jab for being on the school board.
Interesting.
Anon at 8:23
"for your information, the town is limiting veteran park to the TOV as a result of the decision. if they are not, they should."
That is an absurd statement -- you say that the town IS doing something, but if not, they should. Last I looked, the Town website had applications for Village residents for Veterans.
$433,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:04 Is that the money owed by the Housing Authority.
Well they may think that it is chicken feed but to us the residents it's not.
Pay back with plenty of interest added on.
That's the problem they get too much for free while we break our rump to keep above water.
Paul you had better collect every penny if you don't you will be opening a can of worms.
The response from the housing authority should be very interesting.
The comptroller asked two questions I do hope that they have the answers.
Could I get a waiver if I cannot pay my taxes?
They were carried for six years too much using our money for police protection.
The chief should have cut this from happening after the first year of nonpayment.
Why did he let it go for so long?
This is called poor management.
He should take a cut in pay for this so called oversight.
Friendship will always get you in trouble.
Running a good department with no flaws is what is expected in this town .BUT we seem to have too many problems in the PD that is costing the tax payers too much in taxes.
Paul what are you doing about it.
Will your attitude be forgetaboutit.
Have you released the summary of this coming work session.
I would like to know at what time the housing debt will be listen to this way I will leave work in time to hear The BS coming from the housing authorities mouths.
Program? Program? What program?Drug Prevention Program?
They stole money from the state by saying this was a "program" when in fact this was nothing more than money to get added police presence. They stole from the tax payers. I'm freakin sick this this crap. They even wanted a second officer present! Why not? We don't ever say no or question.
Listening to this whole meeting makes my stomach turn. ONE community expects us to open up our wallets & pay for every LUXERY. "We need more bus' for our kiddies to go to after school. The kids can't get to TTYCC." Have we all gone mad? FRACK!
COUNT THE NUMBERS! How many in the town benefit from all of these LUXERY services???? How much does it cost the tax payers that do not benefit?
What are we? A charity Town? I feel like I pay a spidend to fund all of this self-serving bologna. Enough!!!
GHA! Hire your own security with grant money you steal from the state and leave the local police out of it.
"This is called poor management."
I wish we didn't have so much croneyism in this town. The way that Unincorporated Greenburgh is run reminds me of Yonkers back in the 1970s.
Starting at the top, Unincorporated Greenburgh needs professional managers. This is a major muncipality with taxpayers who expect professional quality services. While the Highway Department is the most glaring example of poor quality, there are many other situations, as well, that need to be addressed.
Paul I have to say that the taxpayers are getting tired of you robbing from Peter to give to Paul.
Why is it that the residents of Fairview think that they should be with their hands out at our expense.
You have given them too much so that they are spoiled.
We work hard for our money so why must you constantly give to that area.
You have a center that does not bring in a dime,but they want it opened to babysit for the working parents that live in the housing complexes.
How could you run such a failing business and let it continue year after year?
We must be crazy in allowing you to sqander our money in this manner.
The housing authority owes almost one half million dollars for the previous six years for police protection .yes they did ask for a second cop what nerve.
They had the gall to say that it was for free.
And.....What's with the Union Child Daycare Center? Why does the town only charge then $1 per year rent? Why did we give them $150K to fix their air conditioning?
Why are we paying for all of these redundant services serving a fraction of the town?
Paul answer the question .How much do they pay for day care.?????
What's the story behind this center?
Why did you give them this kind of money?
Is this another freebee for this end of town that we the taxpayers HAVE to pay for?
April 2008:
Scarsdale Teen Center (STC) Three years ago an Edgemont student became involved with the Scarsdale Teen Center, which hosted band performances and other activities. As the STC’s first Edgemont teen liaison, he worked on gettingmore Edgemont kids involved. Events were advertised atthe high school, and in 2006 STC’s activities were brought to the attention of the Edgemont Committee on Community Health (ECCH). ECCH and members of the community visited STC and after a series of meetings began to consider ways for the Edgemont community to contribute to the STC so that Edgemont kids could par-ticipate in a neighborhood social and recreation center.ECCH spoke with ECC about this, and our group was enthusiastic about finding a way to support it. In July,2007, as a result of efforts by ECC president, Bob Bernstein, Bill Ryan, Chairman of the Westchester CountyBoard of Legislators, announced that the county would award STC a $35,000 grant to launch the participation of Edgemont kids in the center. The county intends to renew the grant for the coming year. Meanwhile, Edgemont Recreation Corp. also contributed $30,000 last year and will do so again this year.STC is an example of how communities working together can achieve good things. In addition to funding from the Village of Scarsdale and the above mentioned sources,funding also comes from private donors. We hope Edgemont families will give this important resource for our kids its support.
I want to understand how Greenburgh Parks & Rec gives money to Edgemont Rec. Corp & they donate it to enhance their schools, donate money to Scarsdale Teen Center and then manage to get grant money used for STC that prohibits other Greenburgh teens to become members.
Can anyone out there please explain how this is legal?
can anyone explain how the greenburgh library was able to steal the land where the old town hall sat? this parcel is owned by the town including the villages. now its a parking lot for the library! another parcel removed from the tax rolls!!
memo to tax dept - send a bill to the library
That's a great question how did the library pick up that parcel.
How much did they pay for it?
Was the entire board in on this
latest swindle.?
How can the town give away this parcel?
Paul these questions have to be answered as soon as possible .
I will be requesting some investigation as to how this was allowed to take place without some sort of a notice to the taxpayers .
Please answer this asap since I will be leaving for Albany next week and I wiould like to have some knowledge as to what ,when and how this took place.
The entire town owned the whole town hall did you take it upon yourselves to give it away.
It seems that with certain irregularities the residents are the last to know the goings on.
The s--t hits the fan after the fact.
If you have time at this work session for today to address this latest news it would appreciated if you could just give us the satisfaction of clearing the matter.
I do hope that you will say something toward the end of the session since I will be a little late in getting there.
By the way I do hope that I will not hear that the library paid $1.00 for it if so I want to see the signed contract.
Memo to 9:59
This has already been asked and answered. There is no such entity as the TOV or Town Entire. Certain expenses get charged to one budget or the other. Call Mike for clarification. Oh wait, you dont want clarification.
To: Pat
I will ask the Town Atty to review and get back to you. I am also forwarding your blog to the parks dept. PAUL FEINER
Paul,
Thank you for responding.
I really would like an answer to my question. I have asked about this here before. I have also inquired about the money "paid" to EDGMT Rec last year when I met with Jerry B & Dianna J. on another matter. They confirmed the "payment".
Also, the letter that my husband & I sent to Al R on 4/28 has gone unanswered. You told me that you forwarded it to R. Cairns. No answer from him either.
So....I'm still hoping that someone here has the answer as, unfortunately, I'm unsure I will get an answer from those you forward emails to for response.
To answer P. Leavy's two questions:
1. Regarding the Library. The old Town Hall was paid for by the entire town -- that is, through the A budget. The Library is required by statute to be charged to the B budget. Moreover. because of the referendum the cost of the new library is not allowed to exceed $19.9 million (I may be slightly off on that figure).
The Town is not allowed to give the old Town Hall property to the Library -- the Library must pay for it (I believe the property was appraised at about $3 million). The Library cannot pay for it. It is already over budget in terms of what it was supposed to do. So very quietly the Town is effectively giving the property to the Library in the hope that nobody notices.
But of course people are noticing. The Town is not allowed to contribute a $3 million property to the Library, especially a property that was paid for through the A budget. And this screw-up will now cause more of a furor than would have been the case if the Library Board and the Town Board had been up front about it.
By the way, the esoteric question of whether the TOV or the entire town owns something is irrelevant. It is how costs and revenues are required to be allocated that counts. And in the case of the Library, a state statute says what has to be done.
2. The Scarsdale Teen Center. The Town's contribution to the STC is illegal. Remember the contribution to Valhalla School District? That was illegal because the Town is not allowed to make conributions to a non-town entity (governmental or non-governmental). The contribution to the STC is no different. There is some wiggle room when the contribution serves a town-wide purpose. From what I read the STC is not a town-wide facility, so it follows that the town is constitutionally prohibited from spending town funds on it.
In the past nobody used to pay much attention to these things and everybody was happy. Now, thanks to the agitation from some, everybody is paying attention and the rules have to be followed.
The Town of Greenburgh makes no contributions to the Scarsdale Teen Center.
The Town of Greenburgh helps to fund Edgemont Rec because Greenburgh Rec only serves Fairview and Elmsford (and some residents in the northern section of Hartsdale) - basically Greenburgh and Elmsford school districts. Outside of Edgemont, other residents of Unincorporated Greenburgh use the village rec programs associated with their school districts. Maybe some day we'll have a unified rec system, but the town has chosen to only serve the northern neighborhoods.
Anon 4:44 makes some very interesting comments.
First, so Greenburgh Rec serves only Fairview and Elmsford? Ella Preiser and Bob Bernstein have been arguing that the TDYCC serves the whole town. We knew that this wasn't true, that the TDYCC is strictly for Fairview and North Elmsford.
Second, does Greenburgh Rec only serve Fairview and Elmsford? That will be news to Jerry Byrne and the residents who use Greenburgh's parks and facilities, especially Veteran Park.
Third, most interesting. So now we are told that outside of Edgemont residents of unincorporated use the village rec programs. Yes, some of us knew that. So will the loud complainers of unincorporated stop carrying on about the measly few village residents who use unincotporated area recreation facilities and programs?
Anon 4:44 has given the best reasons yet to stop the divisive attacks by some unincorporated residents against the villages. The villages do much more for unincorporated than the other way around.
If it is just a few measly village residents, then stop letting them have access. Whats so tough about that?
Kolesar you sounded quite bitter in finding so much discrpency in our past method of book keeping.
I said that you were the only one that had the B---s to speak up as to why our money is going out the window.Keep up the good work.
In the past everyone we thought was honest with their figures but deep down many of us knew that someting was not right.
I do hope that the ones that are involved will have to pay back with interest.
I noticed that Paul did not want to persue the matter in public but that was totaly wrong .The public has a right to know where the money has been going. Too much cover ups.
Kolesar knew about it all -- he was a consultant before he took the job
Dear Herb and others,
I had to go back & read what I wrote. Yep. My question(s) did not include the library questions I believe asked by "memo to tax dept" All the same, thanks for the answer.
Regarding the STC. I am not aware of the town giving monies directly to the STC. If that is so, it's news to me. I am questioning a) money the town gives to Edgemonmt Rec to run its camp program & b) grant money and money donated to STC and the Edgemont SD by Edgemont Rec.
From what I know, as it was explained to me by Gerry (no J) Byrne, the money "paid" to Edgemont Rec for camp was derived by an assumption that if all of the kids from Edgemont, wanted to enroll in Greenburgh Rec camps, Greenburgh Rec would have to rent extra space from GC to accommodate them and there may not even be enough space available. So, we gave them money to "rent" space at their SD facilities thus making a Town of Greenburgh Camp Program a school district camp program, if you will. I haven't seen or heard of payments to EDGMT SD from EDGMT Rec Corp for camp facility use. Only donations. My crystal tells me that someone will be substituting all words "donation" to "payment" soon at Edgmt Rec. My crystal ball could be wrong.
Now, I assure you that at no time was there ever an attempt by Edgemont parents to mass enroll their kids into the Greenburgh Town camp programs. Hardly. They wanted to have an exclusive camp program AND they were able to convince someone that they are entitled to be "paid" a certain amount to help run it and use Veterans Park too.
Being ever so cleaver,(fool them once, fool them twice?) Edgemont took the ball and ran with it and said it felt that the Town Teen services don't really serve the Edgemont teens so they knocked on Scarsdale Teen Centers door and asked them to take pity on them & promised a great deal of money for membership. Money, some of which, is paid to them by the Town to "rent" space for their duplicated camp programs. Some in grants.
I want to point out at this time, to my knowledge, Edgemont kids can enroll in Greenburgh programs including the camps, they have full use of all facilities including the TDYCC, Veterans pool, and can play on any Greenburgh Dad Club team.
Many argue that TDYCC only serves its own surrounding community, Fairview. (TDYCC has its own Camp programs too!)
Wrong.
Edgemont argues that Greenburgh Parks & Rec only serves "Fairview, Elmsford & Northern Hartsdale" Not true.
It would be more honest for everyone to say, " Program X at X facility offered by Greenburgh Parks & Rec doesn't appeal to me. I want my Mary & Johnny to be participating with my kind in our own programs that better suit our needs."
Out of all of this, interestingly, it appears as if Edgemont & Fairview have fractured and duplicated town "members only" or "for only those that know the Secret Squirrel handshake" services without being a nothing more than geographical lines on a map. We pay them to do this.
I'm sure to hear all about school districts, yada, yada.
Save it. I'm talking about Town, not school, services. Somewhere in unincorporated Greenburgh is whole mix of about 1000 kids that don't attend schools in either SD. They have no secret decoder rings.
Whew! I digress. Forgive me.
I want to know if this changing hands of Town or State money, for exclusive, neighborhood programs, is legal. If so, why?
Francis you asked Kolesar a question if the police persons knew that there was an over payment to them what do you think.
The personel that we have now in this department are here just to see what they can get.
They sure knew what was happening no if and or buts.
Have you seen the way these guys keep tracked of their hours.You would think that they were all accountants.
If they say that they did not know they are lying.
I understand one in particular made more than the supervisors salary .
This calls for a super duper investigation not only by the state but the fereral government.
It is outright thievery.
They should be punished to the fullest.
This was brought out several times at town meetings but no one gave an answer not even the chief.
Many of us got an answer from Kolesar and it looked like the police person were ready to retire with plenty of overtime to their credit and retirement pension.
Good if you can get it.
How can one say that our police persons are honest.
This the reason why many people have no respect for them .
How many report the work that they have outside the Pd.
Well I have to say to the Comptroller and his assistant ,maybe you are the only
ones ro help the taxpayers .THANKS
According to Brown there are people working at the center that are provisional for a long time and have not taken a civil service test.
MMMMMM this should be checked out.
What else is going on at this center that is against state laws.
Kolesar is a gift from Heaven .
This town needed someone like him to straighten out the errors that have been committed throughout the years by incompetent comptrollers who's attitude was don't rock the boat if no one says anything let sleeping dogs sleep.
What has Kolesar done? Give dirty looks.
I work for the town. Former payroll clerk in comptrollers office quit, but still is getting paid handsomely to work after hours in comptrollers office. Big consultant fee. Making more as an ex employee than as an employee. Fellow worker getting more overtime.
Rip off. Hire a full time employee.
So much for Kolesar keeping control of things. And why do I think this is the tip of the iceberg.
Rec departments correspond to school district boundaries - perhaps not officially, but that's the reality.
check out names of recent p/t hires in comptrollers office. Surprise!
What the town needs to do is give up some office space to the State comptrollers and attorney generals officers to investigate this town fully.
None of the previous comptrollers gave a dam as to what was happening.
If they had weeded out the bad apples we would not have a garbage container full of rotten apples.
And we thought yonkers was bad.
What is the police chiefs job
description.
Does it include checking overtime lists?
Does it include that he watches his men so they do the right thing.
WHAT HAPPENED CHIEF?
Disgracfull your men should be punished to the maximum because they had to know what was happening.
It is time to get rid of the department heads that turned their heads when it came to irregularities in paychecks.
They resumed the responsiblities to run a department the should get fired first.
Many have passed the time in to retire.
Give them mandatory retirement now without benefits pay back has got to be sweeter than sweet.
Just give them their pension and that's it.
The money paid in overtime way and above should be returned with intrest and they should be punished.
Paul will any of the comptrollers findings be discussed at tonights meeting.
Just remember the budgets submitted throughout the years included this fraud in their amount.
Did any one look at the resolutions on the Town Website?
1. Numerous police officers being promoted. Do we need another captin?
2. Expenses for Drug and Alchohol task Force. Do we need the Task force?
3. Appt of Dengler as environmental chief. Was this position open. Another political hack we're paying for.
4. NO ONE HAS CONTROL OVER PAYROLL.
These type of expenses would never be approved in a village, but because no one cares about the B budget they go through.
It seems that all the money demands of the town were made for the Fairview area.
What the hell is going on.
Why must my money go for all these projects in Fairview.
This for the center ,this for housing,this for the child care center.
Why can't the people using these places pay their way.
Your sucking the blood out of our veins using the excuses that these centers will make better citizens.
Why must these children depend on the centers to be good citizens. Where are their parents.
I know that they can receive a lot of grants for many programs.
Why must we pay for sex education again where are their parents.
I do hope that all of these things are shelved.
It's a disgrace that our money is used in this manner.
Does the town of Greenburgh consist only of Fairview.
Lets talk about the so called "BIG consultant fees" the former payroll clerk is getting. Just because the previous blogger works for the town doesn't mean they know the facts. The former payroll clerk that is working part time at night is being paid at her overtime rate. This woman is fair and believes in honesty and integrity. She didn't ask for a ridiculous consultant amount as it was her intent to come back to help, not to "rip" the Town off. She knows there is a budget problem. She doesn't do things for people to get votes, she does what she does because its the right thing to do. I know this because I am that person and proud to leave my name...
Debra Lawrance
We have enough troubles in this department and many others.
This person qualified to do the job why not.
Instead of looking at who is working trying to set this town straight,why not use all your energy on the supervisor and town board that are leading us in chapter eleven.
This person deserves every penny she receives.
At least she is not stealing like the rest who demand more and more money and then poof it's gone where to, God knows.
If the person was not a great worker she would not be asked to help out partime.
This person deserves every penny she gets.
.
The supervisor and his board are sweeping too much under the rug.
They are hiding too many discrepencies from the residents.
We were supposed to have a better open government can someone tell me where.
We need answers and we need them now.
Listening to the comptroller we have had bad controlls over all the money that has been paid out.
It seems that there has been a lot of underhanded things going on.
Do we need another audit?
I'm sure that there will be one real soon when all the s--t hits the fan.
love living in Greenburgh. Let's be positive. People should appreciate the good things our town does for us.
Could you name one thing that this town does for the public TOWNWIDE.
I could steal our money to give to Fairview.
She is not overpaid. She is worth every penny and this is a tax payer saying this. She had a big responsiblity while working at the Town of Greenburgh. Her and her co-worker have made many sacrifices so that people can get paid on time. For instance coming to work sick, working 12-15 days, Sundays, and also coming in on holidays. Who else in the Town would do that very few...................
Not many were given the opportunity to milk the Town out of thousands of dollars in overtime. What a sacrifice.....
Dear8:00 You should have signed your comment JEALOUS!!!!!
Should payroll get a pat on the back for getting everyone paid on time?
If I am not mistaken that is the primary responsibility of that dept.
The fact that they have to work so hard to accomplish that "difficult" task further proves the inefficiency of that dept.
Signed Jealous
It was said that the payroll dept. is short handed and cannot put anyone to work who has not passed a civil service test.
Blame the system for this .
Those that are getting the payroll done should be thanked and not critisized.
Jealous have you received your paycheck today.
Maybe your the one that applied for the job but did not have the qualities needed to be a good clerk.Grow up!!!!!!!
Greenburgh is in debt, just like the rest of us. It is rumored they are about to let go 30-40 full time workers to save on the salaries and benefits. I ask that the Town Board take a long hard look at each department and let go of some of the higher ups. Is there any reason why the
Rec. Dept. has three, yes that's right, three commissioners. One commissioner, one deputy and assistant commissioner. who came from TDY because God knows Paul owes him. How is this allowed to happen. If Gerry Byrne can't run his Dept. then let him go and find someone who can. Is there any reason why the Buidling Dept. has all those inspectors and Commissioners. What about the Community Center, besides getting all the freebies, they do not need all those workers, especially the ones, who have yet to pass a civil service test. What about all the porograms, half of them are uncalled for. It was brought to my attention that the seniors get serenaded on Fridays while they eat their lunch. Do they not know how to put a fork to their mouth without getting sung to. Talk about wasting money, I can go on and on. What about the camps program. Why does the Town have to pay for T-Shirts for all of the campers. The residents who sign up their children for camp should have to pay for the T-Shirts. This costs thousands of dollars. If you sent your child to a provate school, would the school pay for their uniform? I think not. Why just last week, the Town had someone come in and give a seminar on record retention. I think that each Dept. knows how long to keep records and if they didn't, they could have googled it instead of paying thousands for someone to come in and tell them. I would think the Purchasing Dept. or Town Clerk's office should have known all of this. If the Board & Comptroller put their minds to it, I know they can come up with plenty of ways to save the Town money. It doesn't sound like much but if you dig deep and let each Dept. cut back to bare minimum, the Town could save a lot of money. They are in a crunch but that didn't stop the Town from giving all management a 3% cost of living raise. The CSEA workers are still waiting for a fair contract to be signed. They didn't get their raise and they make far less than management. Come on Greenburgh, wake up and smell the roses.
As far as giving the payroll dept. a pat on the back and saying that they are doing a great job in getting everyone paid is absurd.
That is their job and that's what they were hired for. Not everyone graduated at the top of their class. If you can't get the payroll ready every two weeks then maybe you shouldn't be in that job position. The comptroller's office should look for other competent workers who have passed the test.
I has been brought to my attention from someone who works at Town Hall that the old Purchasing Director has been hired as a consultant making more money than he did when he worked there full time. What is he a consultant for? They hired a new Purchasing Director making over 92k a year. If you ask my opinion, they don't need a Purchasing Director. The Purchasing Dept. should be under the Comptroller's control.
If the former payroll clerk was doing such a great job, then why did she leave. Could it be there were too many mistakes and she was on the brink of being terminated as was the clerk before her. As far as them calling her back to help out, it's easier to get her instead of training someone new until they hire a full-timer. If the job was being done the right way no overtime would be needed at all.
It is easy for people to pass judgement when you don't know the facts. Payroll dept works very hard and from
the nature of the previous comments their efforts are not appreciated. Maybe that's why the previous clerk left!!!!
No, the previous clerk did not leave on her own, she was teminated. As far as appreciating what the payroll dept. does, like I said previously, that's their job and that's what they get paid for. They are not giving anyone anthing that they don't deserve. They earned a paycheck. I do my job and I expect to get paid for it. Do you think everyone who works goes and thanks the payroll dept. everytime they get a paycheck? Do you!?!!! Think not.
And the noble peace prize award for humanitarian efforts to "employee paystubs" goes to...........
The Greenburgh payroll dept.
This is not a voluntary position or community service. If they are looking for anything more than a paycheck, too bad.
As far as the facts are concerned:
Fact 1- Greenburgh added an additional payroll clerk position, so they now have 2 clerk positions.
Fact 2 - Even with the additonial clerk, overtime was still necessary.(Did Michael Kolesor approve this, eventhough there are budget concerns?)
Fact 3 - A fellow employee called the payroll dept regarding an issue, and was told they had to wait for the former clerk (who now works parttime at a overtime rate)
to come in to address the issue.
Fact 4 - Using the term "consultant" justifies the rate of pay.
Fact 5 - Payroll has not been the same since our friend left. (You know who)
What nerve.
It was my understanding that there was a hiring freeze in the Town. Where did the new full-time position come from in the Engineering Dept. Was that job ever posted? Anywhere! That was definitely an inside job, since she is the sister of the secretary to the Commissioner of Public Works.
TO THE PERSON WHO SAID THE FORMER PAYROLL CLERK WAS NOT OVERPAID IS JUST A LITTLE OUT OF SORTS. APPARENTLY SHE COULDNT HANDLE THE JOB AND HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COME IN ON SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS. SHE WORKED 12-15 HOURS OF WHAT? OVERTIME! SHE DID GET PAID HANDSOMELY FOR THAT, DONT LET ANYONE KID YOU. MAYBE THATS WHY SHE TOOK HER TIME GETTING THE PAYROLL READY SO SHE COULD GET ALL THE OVERTIME. LETS TALK ABOUT HOW FAIR THAT IS AND THAT SHE IS NOT MILKING THE TOWN. HAHA
MAYBE I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING SOMETHING HERE. THE FORMER PAYROLL CLERK DOES NOT WORK FOR THE TOWN ANYMORE. SHE COMES IN TO HELP OUT WITH PAYROLL. WHY ISNT SHE PAID PER HOUR. WHY IS IT OVERTIME. SHE IS NOT GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND HER NORMAL HOURS OF WORK. WHAT IS THE TOWN DOING, GIVING TAXPAYERS MONEY AWAY. WHAT THE HECK, LETS ALL GO AND WORK FOR THE PAYROLL DEPT. AND GET OVERTIME JUST FOR SHOWING UP TO WORK. TELL ME THATS NOT THE SAME AS CONSULTANTS PAY. WHO'S TAKING WHO OVER A BARREL HERE, THE TOWN OR THE PAYROLL CLERK OR BOTH. THATS WHY TAXES KEEP GOING UP THE WAY THEY DO. I WONDER IF PAUL FEINER ACTUALLY READS THIS BLOG OR IS HE JUST TRYING TO LOOK LIKE HE IS REALLY INTERESTED. MAYBE THE TOWN BOARD SHOULD START READING IT ALSO. BUNCH OF HOOPLES!
I WORK FOR THE TOWN AND I REMEMBER A FEW YEARS BACK THAT THE PURCHASING DEPT. OR THE COMPTROLLERS OFFICE HANDED OUT A MEMO AND TOWN MANAUAL TELLING EACH DEPT. HOW LONG TO HOLD ON TO RECORDS. WAS THAT ALL FORGOTTEN ABOUT THAT THEY HAD TO BRING SOMEONE IN TO TELL THEM. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY. ANTHONY VETERAN MUST BE ROLLING OVER!!
HOW CAN KOLESAR ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN IN HIS OFFICE. IS HE JUST GIVING MONEY AWAY OR WHAT. HE WAS TO COME IN AND HELP THE TOWN OR IS HE JUST MAKING ANOTHER NOTCH IN HIS BELT TO HOLD AGAINST FEINER FOR WHEN KOLESAR RUNS FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR. SHAM, SHAM, AND SHAME ON YOU MICHAEL KOLESAR. I GUESS THE TOWN BOARD REALLY KNOWS HOW TO PICK DEPT. HEADS. I WOULD LOVE TO BE A FLY ON THE WALL DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS TO HIRE THESE PEOPLE. VERY POOR JUDGEMENT ON THEIR PART. GOT A CLOWN FOR A COMPTROLLER, JUST GIVING MONEY AWAY AND ANOTHER CLOWN IN THE PURCHASING DEPT. GIVING THE TOWN AWAY. GOOD JOB TOWN BOARD. KEEP UP THE GOD WORK.
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