response from state RE: TZ BRIDGE WINDMILLS

Dear Supervisor Feiner,

Thank you for your suggestion. This is an important issue and we appreciate your comment. The Department is committed to sustainability, and Commissioner Glynn recently announced a series of environmental initiatives to enhance the environment while reducing our carbon footprint and conserving natural resources. We also have created a Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Team to develop transportation policy strategies. We will be looking at a range of ways to integrate these considerations into the Tappan Zee Bridge project and look forward to continuing to work with you as the study progresses.

Sincerely,


Michael P. Anderson, P.E.
Project Director
Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review

SHOULD A WINDMILL BE PLACED ON THE TZ BRIDGE?

I am contacting the TZ Bridge Environmental Review Team, Governor Paterson, members of the NYS Legislature and will be encouraging them to follow up on Mayor Bloomberg's suggestion that windmills be placed on NYC bridges and skyscrapers. This is a perfect time to study the feasibility of placing a windmill on the TZ bridge. NYS is currently studying vvarious options for the bridge--either major rehabilition or a new bridge. If construction of the windmill takes place at the same time as construction or rehabilitation of the TZ bridge there will be little inconvenience to motorists. Placing a windmill on top of the bridge will send a constant message to the public--how important it is for our nation to become more energy efficient.
The following is an e mail I sent to the project team of the Tappan Zee bridge study group. I will be writing similar letters to other state leaders and environmental activists.
-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Feiner
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 9:11 AM
To: 'tzbsite@dot.state.ny.us'
Subject: NYS DOT SHOULD EXPLORE FEASIBILITY OF PLACING WINDMILLS ON NEW TZ BRIDGE


To: Project Team, Tappan Zee Bridge Environmental Review
Michael Anderson, Project Director

Dear Mr. Anderson:
Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to place windmills on the city's bridges and skyscapers as part of a major effort to develop renewable energy motivated me to write this letter to you --to encourage the NYS Tappan Zee Bridge team to study the feasibility of placing a windmill on the Tappan Zee bridge. Your team is currently reviewing a number of options. These options include major bridge rehabilitation and the replacement of the existing Tappan Zee bridge with a new bridge.
This is a perfect time to study the feasibility of placing a windmill on the Tappan Zee bridge. If construction of the windmill takes place at the same time as construction or rehabilitation of the TZ bridge there will be little inconvenience to motorists. If a new bridge is built - putting a windmill on top of the bridge will send a constant message to the public -- how important it is for our nation to become more energy efficient. The new TZ bridge will be a bridge of the 21st century!
Mayor Bloomberg's proposal is a bold initiative that can help generate significant electricity for our region. Wind power is clean. You are currently study the TZ Bridge options. Please explore this option as part of your study.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

BUILDING INSPECTOR ROBERT DAM SAVES LIFE...CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS ARE LIFE SAVERS!

.Robert Dam, one of the Building Inspectors for the town, might have saved a life recently. The following is a thank you e mail we received from a grateful resident. The town is proud of the fact that we have outstanding employees like Robert Dam working for us. We encourage everyone to get a carbon monoxide detector
PAUL FEINER

Dear Mr. Dam,

Please let me take the time today to personally thank you for saving my life. When you came to my home last July, you told me I needed to get a carbon monoxide detector. To be honest, I only did so just to go through the motions. Last night, I did something very foolish, I left car running in my garage. For six hours my car was running. The carbon monoxide alarm sounded, I called 911 and was told to get out the house. The Fire Department came and it was then I realized what I had done. The guys from fire house were wonderful. They opened all the windows, shut the off the gas and hooked up a fan to clean the air. They were very concerned if I was okay and stayed until it was safe to go back in. They turned the gas back on, checked the furnace and my range, making sure everything was the way they left. One fireman in particular, I should have gotten his name, explained to me what was happening in a way I could understand. But it all comes back to you, you saved my life last night.

Yours very truly,

Dolores A. Tilford

SOLAR POWERED MUSIC CONCERT ON YOU TUBE--CHECK IT OUT!

Summer on E Hartsdale Ave has been a musical delight! We've been promoting local musical talent at our farmer's market. A number of outstanding musicians have performed at Desanti Plaza on E Hartsdale Ave on Saturday mornings. Town Clerk Judith Beville has organized the concert series --at no cost to the taxpayers.
We just posted on You Tube (WWW.YOUTUBE/GREENBURGHNY.COM) excerpts of an interesting concert---featuring the band SOLAR PUNCH. SOLAR PUNCH uses solar energy to power its music. Solar technology is used to power small powerful portable amps. The music is great. I hope you'll take a look at the video and enjoy our upcoming concerts.
We have a number of upcoming concerts planned on Saturday mornings in August and September:
August 30th---DAVID SPANO
September 6th--Westchester Harp Ensemble September 13th--Jonathan Flaks, classical rock
September 20--Tara Pavone, Music of the Beatles, Carole King and Broadway
The Blues Mothers
The concert series will continue during the month of October. If your band is interested in highlighting your musical talent, please contact Judith Beville, Town Clerk at 993-1504 or e mail jbeville@greenburghny.com. All the musicians are donating their services to the town.

ANNUAL DOG SWIM ON 9/7..DOG PARK TO OPEN IN FALL, CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

Dear Dog lover!

Some good news.

DOG SWIM-- Our annual dog swim will take place on Sunday, September 7th from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Anthony F. Veteran Park day camp pools. This is one of the most popular events the town sponsors each year --hundreds of dogs, dog owners attend the event and enjoy each other's company. This event is free but this year (to help offset costs of the new dog park) we're going to be asking for voluntary donations.



DOG PARK GRAND OPENING-- Our new dog park is almost ready to be opened. The park will be located at East Rumbrook Park at the end of the parking lot. This one acre dog run will have a fenced in area for small dogs and a fenced in area for all dogs. In addition to the dog run, dog owners will be allowed to walk their dogs on a leash on a wood trail. The grand opening will take place on Sunday, October 5th at 2 PM. Please join us and bring your dog.



DOG PARADE--the 2nd annual Hartsdale Rotary dog parade will be held on Sunday, October 12th at 1 PM . It's a fundraiser for Student Advocacy. Dress your dog in an appropriate outfit. Have your dog win prizes.



WANT TO HELP MAKE OUR DOG PARK BETTER -- We need to raise funds for amenities in our dog park, to make it better and better. Want to help out? Want to be part of the fundraising committee? Let us know.

PAUL FEINER

200,000 VISITS TO THIS BLOG

This blog has now had over 200,000 visits. The blog was established almost two years ago and provides residents with the opportunity to express their views on town issues. This blog is democracy at its best -- you have the chance to comment anonymously about town concerns. And--to exchange comments about town matters with your neighbors.
Although some of the comments have been critical -- I appreciate the fact that so many people take time to express your views on town issues. I have learned alot, reflected on your comments and modified some of my policies as a result of your feedback.
Keep on blogging. Democracy should be a partnership between the people and their elected officials.

WORK SESSION AGENDA TOMORROW

Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday – August 12, 2008

(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cablevision Channel 76, Verizon 32 and are streamed live. Work Sessions and Town Board Meetings will be aired each Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 7:02am and 4:45pm. Each segment will run for approximately 6 to 7 hours, depending upon the length of the two meetings.)

2:00p.m. Special Meeting of the Town Board
2:30p.m. Court Issues
3:00p.m. Work Session will recess until 4:45p.m.
4:45p.m. Executive Session
5:30p.m. Mike Kolesar – Budget Process
6:00p.m. Chief Kapica – Budget Presentation
6:30p.m. FA-4 Sewer District
7:00p.m. Board Members to work with the Library Project Team
7:10p.m. Schedule Interviews for TDYCC Commissioner Position
7:20p.m. Top 100 Places to Live Banner
7:30p.m. Meeting Adjourned



East Hartsdale Farmers Market Live Outdoor Music Series – Performances to Date
August 9th – Solar Punch: Solar Powered Environmentally Inspired Music with a Rock Flair
August 16th – Anthony Tino – 12:00noon – 2:00pm
also Al Frankel and The Blues Dogs – 12:30pm to 2:00pm
August 23rd – Julie Corbalis – 12:00noon
August 30th – Dave Spano
September 6th – Westchester Harp Ensemble: 10:00am – 11:00am
September 20th – Tara Pavone – Music of the Beatles, Carole King and Broadway
and The Blues Mothers
October 11th – Ceasar Cantori

We are looking for more jazz artists! Please contact Judith Beville, Town Clerk at: 993-1500

WESTHAB MODIFIES PROPOSED AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN FULTON PARK-- 3 STORIES, FEWER UNITS

Thomas Madden, Commissioner of Public Works, has advised the Town Board that WESTHAB has submited a modified affordable housing proposal to the Town Board. The proposed affordable housing apartments would be located in the Fulton Park section of Greenburgh - near the Westchester County Center. There have been a number of public hearings, public meetings, give and take sessions about the proposal in recent months. The modifications are being made as a result of community input.
1. The height of the building has been reduced from four (4) stories to three (3) stories.
2. As a result of the reduction in the height of the building, the number of proposed units in the building, and the unit mix has now changed; the number of units in the proposed building has been reduced from 34 to 28 with a unit mix of 3 two-bedroom units, 13 one bedroom units and 12 studios. Accordingly, the number of proposed parking spaces has been reduced to 33, 10 of which will be located in a structure beneath the building, and 23 of which will be located at grade. The number of parking spaces provided remains consistent with the parking regulations of the M-174 District.
3. The size of the building has been further reduced from 28,494 square feet (FAR of 0.93) to 21,573 (FAR of 0.70). The reduction in FAR is a significant reduction in the overall size of the building compared to the June Submission, and from the original proposal in January, 2008 which was 34,465 square feet (FAR of 1.13).
4. Suitable open space for the project is now provided at grade level in accordance with the requirements of the M-174 District, and is no longer proposed on the roof of the building. The Applicant still intends to construct the green roof for purposes of LEEDS Certification, the roof level will not be accessible to residents of the building.
5. The main stairwell has been relocated from the west side of the building to the east side of the building.
6. The proposed playground has been shifted to the north in order to accommodate the additional open space at grade level.
7. The loading space has been relocated to be closer to the rear entrance of the building.
Additional Submissions
The applicant has also submitted the following, as part of the revised submission:
1. A revised long Environmental Assessment Form, together with parts 2 and 3, prepared by Saccardi & Schiff, and revised August 8, 2008; and
2. A "Third Updated Traffic Impact and Access Analysis" for the Project, prepared by Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc. dated July 25, 2008.
I have put the revised Westhab submission on the Town’s website.
The submission can be found under the Community Development and Conservation section on the Documents and Form’s page of the Town’s website.
http://www.greenburghny.com/cit-e-access/FormCenter/?TID=10&TPID=1432
PAUL FEINER

GREAT VIDEO ON YOU TUBE--TDYCC PARENTS DAY--I KNOW I CAN BE WHAT I WANNA BE

Fantastic video's of the Theodore Young Community Center have been posted on You Tube (check: Greenburgh, NY).
Today's segment: Parent's day at the TDYCC---with great music: I know I can be What I wanna Be.
Sign up for some of the programs at the TDYCC. The programs, open to everyone in the town, are well run and first rate.
My daughter learned how to swim at the indoor pool about six years ago. She still talks about coach Ted!

$167,500 DONATION FROM LANZA FAMILY FOUNDATION FOR STATE OF ART AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM!

I am very pleased to announce that the town of Greenburgh has received a $167,500 grant from the Lanza Family Foundation for a state of the art after school program to be run out of the Theodore Young Community Center. George Gumina, our philanthropy coordinator, worked very hard on securing the grant.

The after school program will be run by the Xposure Foundation. The grant has very strict guidelines and mandatory compliance. In the coming weeks Raymond Thomas, Founder/ Executive Director of the Xposure Foundation, Inc. will do a presentation to the Town Board that will highlight the benefits of the Xposure Greenburgh Program – a state of the art program that will expand the existing Theodore D. Young Community Center After School Program.

The program's successes have been summarized in a news clip that can be viewed on the Xposurefoundation website: www.xposurefoundationinc.org.

Students learn the basics about savings and investments, deposits and withdrawals, checks and interest and lending as they deposit earnings into savings accounts on a regular basis. Students also learn fundamentals about the stock market, including ownership, stocks, research and investing. Parents are encouraged to open their own savings accounts, as well as to open online custodial investment accounts for their children. Here students can invest money they have earned through Xposure in stocks they have researched and chosen. Carver Federal Savings Bank has allowed the children to transfer money from their savings accounts into their online account to purchase stocks.

This program will take the community center (Valerie Whitehead is interim commissioner) to the next level. It's a very exciting initiative. The program will start in September. The Town of Greenburgh is very fortunate to be able to take advantage of such an exciting program. We are very grateful to the Lanza Family Foundation for this enormous donation. PAUL FEINER Greenburgh Town Supervisor

EDGEMONT RESIDENT NEEDS KIDNEY TRANSPLANT--PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD AND HELP

A 33 year old Edgemont resident with a husband, 4 year old and new born, has kidney disease. The disease has progressed to the point -she needs a kidney transplant. If you would like to help and have type 0 blood (0+ or 0-) please e mail beth@kidney4beth.com. You are also invited to visit her web site: kidney4beth.com.
Let's work hard to find Beth a suitable donor so she can have a long, healthy life. Your help is appreciated. Spread the word!

COMMUNITY MEETING WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NY STATE COMMITTEE ON OPEN GOV SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 10TH FROM 4 TO 6 PM

Robert J. Freeman, Executive Director of the NY State Committee on Open Government will speak at a special town meeting arranged by Town Clerk Judith Beville to answer questions from town officials and the public re: freedom of information law. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 10th from 4 PM to 6 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. This special meeting (which will be televised – residents can also phone in at 993-1540) is being held because we want Greenburgh to be the most open government around. If there are disagreements between some residents and town officials re: the law – this will be a great opportunity to have an exchange of comments at a public meeting and to hear from the expert – Robert Freeman. We invite your participation and welcome your continued feedback regarding town issues. PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh Town Supervisor


The Committee on Open Government is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, sections 84-90) and the Open Meetings Law (Public Officers Law, sections 100-111). The Freedom of Information Law governs rights of access to government records, while the Open Meetings Law concerns the conduct of meetings of public bodies and the right to attend those meetings. The committee also administers the Personal Privacy Protection Law.
The committee is composed of 11 members, 5 from government and 6 from the public. The five government members are the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, whose office acts as secretariat for the committee, the Commissioner of General Services, the Director of the Budget, and one elected local government official appointed by the Governor. Of the six public members, at least two must be or have been representatives of the news media.
The Freedom of Information Law directs the committee to furnish advice to agencies, the public and the news media, issue regulations and report its observations and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature annually. Similarly, under the Open Meetings Law, the committee issues advisory opinions, reviews the operation of the law and reports its findings and recommendations annually to the Legislature.
When questions arise under either the Freedom of Information Law or the Open Meetings Law, the committee can provide written or oral advice and attempt to resolve controversies in which rights may be unclear. Since its creation in 1974, nearly 20,000 written advisory opinions have been prepared by the committee at the request of government, the public and the news media. In addition, several thousand oral opinions have been provided by telephone.