Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner will ask the Town Board to authorize the town to create a program that exists around the nation to let seniors work off their property tax increases by doing volunteer work for the town. Feiner will propose that in 2008 the town offer the program to up to 25 seniors, “If the program works we will expand it in future years.”
“Tax increases are forcing seniors to move out of their homes. This is very sad. The work off property tax program will enable seniors to stay in our community. In most communities around the nation seniors receive about $7- an hour and are able to work off up to $500-$700 of their taxes by performing a variety of programs: helping the library, coaching, bookkeeping, receptionists, tutoring. I am asking department heads to help identify possible opportunities.
Feiner said that he will lobby the NYS Legislature and US Congress to change existing law so that work for taxes programs can be income tax free. Feiner said that he hopes that Westchester County will also adopt the program.
A COPY OF THE BOULDER COUNTY WORK OFF PROGRAM FOLLOWS
A COPY OF A NEWS ARTICLE THAT APPEARED IN THE BOSTON GLOBE ALSO FOLLOWS
SENIOR TAX WORK-OFF PROGRAM
The Boulder County Commissioners have authorized the continuation of the Senior Tax Work-Off Program which began in 1986. This program is for people 60 years or older who own property in Boulder County and live at the location where the taxes are due.
Through this program, homeowners can be reimbursed for the County portion of their taxes, by working up to the number of hours that equals the amount of the County portion of taxes. The limit of reimbursement is now $700.00, at the wage of $7.00 an hour, as a temporary County employee. The Commissioners’ office pays half of the salary and the department the other half. The Senior receives a payroll check for the hours worked. The Social Security Tax (FICA)and PERA (Public Employee Retirement Association) are deducted. You can download an application or for an application and more information, please contact:
Carrie Haverfield, Coordinator
Phone 303-441-1688
chaverfield@co.boulder.co.us
PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306
Will work for tax break
In barter, seniors and towns swap labor for lower property tab
By Jenn Abelson, Globe Staff | January 9, 2005
Frank Bocchino retired years ago, but the 72-year-old now earns minimum wage as an assistant at a Braintree elementary school.
Bocchino never sees a paycheck because the money -- $6.75 an hour to check in library books, help students with math problems, and other jobs -- is deducted from his property tax bill.
For Bocchino, known as ''Mr. B." to his fourth-grade students, the deal is just right. It helps shave off about $750 from his annual $3,500 tax bill.
''I try to take advantage of every place I can get even $10," Bocchino said. ''Living on a fixed income, my money stays stable but my taxes and other expenses go up. It's ridiculous."
Bocchino is one of a growing number of senior citizens in communities south of Boston who are reducing their tax burden by working for their towns.
As real estate taxes soar along with other living expenses, senior citizens -- even those with healthy pensions -- say it is increasingly difficult to afford life in the suburbs. But many elders, for reasons both emotional and practical, refuse to sell their homes, some of which have skyrocketed in value over the past several years.
At least 20 communities south of Boston have adopted programs that allow senior citizens to swap service to the town for tax abatements. Town officials say they get help they could not otherwise afford, and seniors get a tax break that makes living a little easier. It is also cheaper for the town in the long run, in many cases, to keep senior citizens as residents because they require fewer services -- such as schools -- than a new family with young children, town officials say.
''These programs are getting more popular and catching on across the state," said Emmett H. Schmarsow, program manager for the Massachusetts Council on Aging, which operates under the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. ''The town receives valuable services and the elder gets financial help, which allows them to remain in their homes. It's good for seniors. It's good for the community."
The programs vary in each town, though most offer senior citizens the opportunity to work off between $500 and $750 of their annual property tax bills. Many municipalities, including Canton and Quincy, limit the number of participants and have lengthy waiting lists.
In Milton, which launched a similar program this year, 31 people applied for the 15 available spots. Some of the jobs include town greeters who sit at the entrance of Town Hall and help guide visitors to their destination.
''This year is the first time I've seen people who I previously thought were pretty comfortable coming forward saying it's harder and harder to make ends meet," said Mary Ann Sullivan, director of Milton's Council on Aging. ''If you're a poor elder, there are many programs, such as fuel assistance, to help out. But if you're caught in the middle, like many in Milton, it's very difficult."
So elders -- some who retired a decade ago -- are reentering the work force as custodians, teacher's aides, and bookkeepers. They may not be experts in their new field, but the senior citizens are eager to learn, town officials say.
Hedy Michelson has lived for 50 years in the Walpole home she and her husband built, and, like many senior citizens, has thought more than once about selling the house.
The 75-year-old lives alone and has a huge garden to tend on her 1-acre property, for which the couple paid ''a pittance" five decades ago, she said. But Michelson still thinks keeping the house is cheaper than renting, and defrays her taxes by working for Walpole's Board of Health, entering cesspool pumping records into the department's database.
''You think about downsizing and selling your house. Everyone thinks about it," said Bocchino, who has lived with his wife in the same Braintree home for 35 years. ''But with condos and monthly fees, I'm not sure I'd be gaining anything."
Many senior citizens do not understand the true value of their homes, according to Daniel Sullivan, an information services manager at South Shore Elder Services.
Although more elders are turning to reverse mortgages to tap into the equity in their homes, many are still apprehensive about the process.
''They fear they might lose their home and wind up in a nursing facility," Sullivan said.
This can result in situations where senior citizens are living in homes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the mortgage paid off, but are working as a town custodian to help pay the taxes, he said.
Aside from tax work-off programs, more senior citizens are tapping into the state's ''circuit breaker" program, which provides income tax credits to seniors who meet certain income, age, and property value eligibility limits. In some towns south of Boston, the number of seniors filing for these tax credits more than tripled between 2002 and 2003.
Officials in several area communities said they hope to expand their tax work-off programs by allowing more seniors to participate and a larger reduction on their tax bills.
In some municipalities with long waiting lists, officials said they have let more elders join the program because it was too hard to turn them away.
''The need is there," said Thomas F. Clasby, director of Quincy's Council on Aging. ''It's just not realistic to say that senior citizens are financially secure simply because they bought houses a long time ago and they are now worth astronomical amounts of money. It's a difficult time for seniors especially."
Monday, December 10, 2007
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--WEEK OF DEC 10...POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please post your comments about town issues.
Town Board work session Tuesday 3:45 PM
GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY
BUDGET DISCUSSION-- AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSED BUDGET
WEDNESDAY: TOWN BOARD MEETING 7:15 PM
Town Board work session Tuesday 3:45 PM
GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY
BUDGET DISCUSSION-- AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSED BUDGET
WEDNESDAY: TOWN BOARD MEETING 7:15 PM
Sunday, December 09, 2007
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TARGETTED ON FORECLOSED PROPERTY IN ARDSLEY, DOBBS FERRY
The Town Board is planning to vote on a resolution this Wednesday that will move the town forward re: a proposal to turn foreclosed properties at the waterwheel (Ardsley) and 27 Main Street (Dobbs Ferry) into affordable housing opportunities. The town will be receiving back taxes on the waterwheel & 27 Main Street properties. In addition, a developer has offered the town one million for the waterwheel property. It's possible that additional revenue can be obtained before we finalize the transfer of property. A formal RFP will be issued to potential developers.
Friday, December 07, 2007
JOIN US AT AN IMPORTANT EVENT SATURDAY FOR THE MENINGITIS FOUNDATION
Hastings on Hudson, NY – After the loss of his wonderful daughter Toyami Clark Paynter to Meningitis, Tom Clark has been on a mission. On Saturday, December 8th, 2007, Clark will host a Kick-Off event for the Meningitis Foundation of America at Blu Restaurant, located at 100 River Street in Hastings-On-Hudson from 3pm to 5pm.
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, great company and a beautiful sunset while supporting a worthy cause. The event is $50.00 per person and will include a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle. All proceeds will be donated to The Meningitis Foundation of America.
“As a father, it is my obligation to host this event in honor of Toyami, who was taken at such an early age. She will continue to touch and help others through events such as this. I urge people to join us on December 8th to celebrate Toyami’s legacy and save lives,” said Clark.
Meningococcal disease (including meningitis) is a rare but potentially fatal illness that can strike at any time. About 3000 people in the United States get this disease each year, and 1 in 10 of them die from it. Research has shown that teens and young adults are at increased risk.
Visit the websites: www.meningitisfoundationofamerica.org and www.fightmeningitis.com
The Meningitis Foundation of America is a 501c (3); Your donations are 100% tax deductible. Pre-paid RSVP’s must reach us by Wednesday, December 5, 2007; or pay at the event. For more information please call Symra Brandon at (914) 423-9075.
Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, great company and a beautiful sunset while supporting a worthy cause. The event is $50.00 per person and will include a Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle. All proceeds will be donated to The Meningitis Foundation of America.
“As a father, it is my obligation to host this event in honor of Toyami, who was taken at such an early age. She will continue to touch and help others through events such as this. I urge people to join us on December 8th to celebrate Toyami’s legacy and save lives,” said Clark.
Meningococcal disease (including meningitis) is a rare but potentially fatal illness that can strike at any time. About 3000 people in the United States get this disease each year, and 1 in 10 of them die from it. Research has shown that teens and young adults are at increased risk.
Visit the websites: www.meningitisfoundationofamerica.org and www.fightmeningitis.com
The Meningitis Foundation of America is a 501c (3); Your donations are 100% tax deductible. Pre-paid RSVP’s must reach us by Wednesday, December 5, 2007; or pay at the event. For more information please call Symra Brandon at (914) 423-9075.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
WFAS RADIO NEWS--FROM NORTHEAST RADIO WATCH
Phil Chonigman, a member of the CAC, shared this information about WFAS radio. The question: What do they mean: WFAS completes its move closer to NYC with a sale likely to follow?
NorthEast Radio Watch (http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html) is reporting -
"There were holiday-time layoffs downstate, as well, at Cumulus' WFAS-FM (103.9 Bronxville) and WFAS (1230 White Plains), as budget cuts claimed the jobs of news director Pam Pusso, afternoon news anchor Jim Cleefield and AM 1230 morning host Chris Clarke. Bob Barnum will move from afternoons to mornings on the AM side of the building, with automation taking care of afternoons. (How long, we wonder, until WFAS-FM completes its move closer to New York City, with a sale likely to follow?)"
NorthEast Radio Watch (http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html) is reporting -
"There were holiday-time layoffs downstate, as well, at Cumulus' WFAS-FM (103.9 Bronxville) and WFAS (1230 White Plains), as budget cuts claimed the jobs of news director Pam Pusso, afternoon news anchor Jim Cleefield and AM 1230 morning host Chris Clarke. Bob Barnum will move from afternoons to mornings on the AM side of the building, with automation taking care of afternoons. (How long, we wonder, until WFAS-FM completes its move closer to New York City, with a sale likely to follow?)"
NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS IN GREENBURGH
Greenburgh schools tap Southern Westchester BOCES chief as new superintendent
By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: December 6, 2007)
WHITE PLAINS - Ron Smalls has a lot of work ahead of him when he becomes superintendent of Greenburgh Central 7 schools next month.
The Spring Valley resident will grapple with the district's racial and ethnic achievement gap, an exodus of middle-class students after elementary school, and an erosion of public confidence that led to back-to-back budget failures this year.
But Smalls, the schools chief at the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services, welcomes the challenge.
"I see challenges as opportunity - opportunities to make a difference in the lives of a lot of children," he said. "This is a place where I saw there was a need."
The Board of Education hired the 61-year-old veteran school administrator on Tuesday night, approving a contract with a $225,000 annual salary and an additional $50,000 in benefits starting Jan. 2.
Smalls will meet the public at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Woodlands High School cafeteria.
Sidney Freund, a retired Dobbs Ferry superintendent now serving as interim superintendent, will stay until Jan. 18 to help Smalls make the transition.
By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: December 6, 2007)
WHITE PLAINS - Ron Smalls has a lot of work ahead of him when he becomes superintendent of Greenburgh Central 7 schools next month.
The Spring Valley resident will grapple with the district's racial and ethnic achievement gap, an exodus of middle-class students after elementary school, and an erosion of public confidence that led to back-to-back budget failures this year.
But Smalls, the schools chief at the Southern Westchester Board of Cooperative Educational Services, welcomes the challenge.
"I see challenges as opportunity - opportunities to make a difference in the lives of a lot of children," he said. "This is a place where I saw there was a need."
The Board of Education hired the 61-year-old veteran school administrator on Tuesday night, approving a contract with a $225,000 annual salary and an additional $50,000 in benefits starting Jan. 2.
Smalls will meet the public at 8 p.m. Dec. 17 in the Woodlands High School cafeteria.
Sidney Freund, a retired Dobbs Ferry superintendent now serving as interim superintendent, will stay until Jan. 18 to help Smalls make the transition.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY SITE VISITS THIS SUNDAY AT 3 PM
entire Town Board and I will be conducting site visits of the Greenburgh housing authority apartments this Sunday from 3-5:30 PM. A bus will leave Greenburgh Town Hall on Sunday, December 9th at 3 PM. Members of the Town Board (Eddie Mae Barnes, Steve Bass, Diana Juettner, Francis Sheehan, Councilwoman-elect Sonja Brown, Councilman-elect Kevin Morgan, Paul Feiner) will meet with tenants, listen to their concerns. Members of the Greenburgh Housing Authority will be joining members of the Town Board on this tour. County officials and representatives of HUD have also been invited.
If you would like to take the bus tour please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
Greenburgh has 3 developments with 176 apartments. Tarrytown has 1 development with 15 apartments. Elmsford has 1 development with 25 apartments. Hartsdale has 1 development with 15 apartments. 3 developments are for seniors only: 2 seniors-only buildings exist within mixed-population developments. GHA has more than 50 apartments designated for seniors only. There also are 6 retrofitted apartments for families of persons who are mobility impaired.
PAUL FEINER
If you would like to take the bus tour please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
Greenburgh has 3 developments with 176 apartments. Tarrytown has 1 development with 15 apartments. Elmsford has 1 development with 25 apartments. Hartsdale has 1 development with 15 apartments. 3 developments are for seniors only: 2 seniors-only buildings exist within mixed-population developments. GHA has more than 50 apartments designated for seniors only. There also are 6 retrofitted apartments for families of persons who are mobility impaired.
PAUL FEINER
Sunday, December 02, 2007
THIS IS THE KIND OF BUDGET SPENDING TRANSPARENCY I'D LIKE TO SEE IN GREENBURGH...
EYEING A STATE'S SPENDING ONLINE If a resident, reporter, vendor, government watchdog or even a state employee wants to know how Texas spent $74.5 billion last year, it's as easy as looking it up online. The state comptroller's office launched a new database, Where the Money Goes, that details spending by all state agencies and institutions of higher education. The new tool lets users search state expenditures by agency, payee, spending category and purchasing classification, and gives transaction details that include amounts and dates, name of the agency making the payment and name of the payee. The database is automatically updated at the end of every day, and also features best practices for government purchases, a glossary of terms and a spotlight on government savings. The site encourages visitors to submit best practices, and hopes the transparency will lead to new efforts to curb spending and improve government efficiency. Texas' site joins similar efforts in Kansas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Hawaii and Missouri.
from GOVERNING MAGAZINE
E-mail this
from GOVERNING MAGAZINE
E-mail this
TOXIC WASTE UNDER TZ BRIDGE IN TARRYTOWN
Thruway facing $75,000 in daily fines for illegal toxic storage UNDER TZ BRIDGE
By GREG CLARY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(ALBANY - More than 80 barrels of hazardous waste improperly stored under the Tappan Zee Bridge could cost the New York State Thruway $75,000 a day in fines.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Thruway met Tuesday to discuss the illegal storage, discovered in the fall of 2006, according to documents obtained by The Journal News.
Some of the 81 barrels, standing yards from the Hudson River, had been stored for years, one more than four years, despite state regulations that required that they not remain there more than 90 days, the DEC documents allege.
The environmental policing agency was alerted to the cache by an anonymous tipster, and sent a hazardous-waste inspector to the site Oct. 12 of last year.
The 55-gallon drums containing paint thinner, paint, asphalt and other hazardous materials were in "poor condition" and improperly stacked near the northbound side of the three-mile span on the Westchester side, the DEC said when the barrels were discovered.
By GREG CLARY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(ALBANY - More than 80 barrels of hazardous waste improperly stored under the Tappan Zee Bridge could cost the New York State Thruway $75,000 a day in fines.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Thruway met Tuesday to discuss the illegal storage, discovered in the fall of 2006, according to documents obtained by The Journal News.
Some of the 81 barrels, standing yards from the Hudson River, had been stored for years, one more than four years, despite state regulations that required that they not remain there more than 90 days, the DEC documents allege.
The environmental policing agency was alerted to the cache by an anonymous tipster, and sent a hazardous-waste inspector to the site Oct. 12 of last year.
The 55-gallon drums containing paint thinner, paint, asphalt and other hazardous materials were in "poor condition" and improperly stacked near the northbound side of the three-mile span on the Westchester side, the DEC said when the barrels were discovered.
Saturday, December 01, 2007
SHOULD THE DARE PROGRAM BE DISCONTINUED?
Yesterday, Police Chief Kapica suggested that one of the cuts that could be made would be to eliminate the DARE program. Some studies have found that DARE is not very effective. What do you think? Should this be one of the cuts the Town Board makes?
Police boss says no to DARE in Long Island's Suffolk County
The Associated Press
November 30, 2007
Suffolk County's police department is dropping DARE, the widespread school
anti-drug program that has faced questions about its effectiveness, the
police commissioner said.
Commissioner Richard Dormer said Thursday he aimed to replace DARE with
another drug-prevention program, but some local lawmakers objected to the
idea.
With the change, set to take effect in January, the large Long Island
county's police force will join a series of school districts and law
enforcement agencies that have abandoned the program, formally known as Drug
Abuse Resistance Education. Schools and police forces work together to offer
it.
After nearly 20 years in Suffolk County, DARE isn't working, Dormer told
local lawmakers Thursday. The program's 26 police officers teach fifth- and
seventh-graders about the dangers of drugs, spending an hour a week in a
given classroom for 10 weeks.
Students 'are tuning us out, and that's why we haven't reduced drug use in
our society,' Dormer told the County Legislature's Public Safety Committee.
Instead of DARE, Dormer wants to add police participation to HealthSmart, a
general health and safety program now taught in various school districts. He
plans to assign 10 of the current DARE officers to the new program.
Three Republican lawmakers said students would be shortchanged by Dormer's
plan.
'Please tell me how less is better,' said Legislator Lynne Nowick, of St.
James.
Launched in Los Angeles in 1983, DARE is offered in 75 percent of the
nation's school districts, according to the organization.
But a 2003 U.S. Government Accountability Office analysis of several studies
concluded DARE had 'no statistically significant long-term effect on
preventing illicit drug use.'
The national DARE organization disputes the studies and says the program has
changed to become more effective. DARE representatives did not immediately
return a telephone message left early Friday at their Inglewood, Calif.,
headquarters.
Suffolk County, on eastern Long Island, has a population estimated at more
than 1.4 million.
Police boss says no to DARE in Long Island's Suffolk County
The Associated Press
November 30, 2007
Suffolk County's police department is dropping DARE, the widespread school
anti-drug program that has faced questions about its effectiveness, the
police commissioner said.
Commissioner Richard Dormer said Thursday he aimed to replace DARE with
another drug-prevention program, but some local lawmakers objected to the
idea.
With the change, set to take effect in January, the large Long Island
county's police force will join a series of school districts and law
enforcement agencies that have abandoned the program, formally known as Drug
Abuse Resistance Education. Schools and police forces work together to offer
it.
After nearly 20 years in Suffolk County, DARE isn't working, Dormer told
local lawmakers Thursday. The program's 26 police officers teach fifth- and
seventh-graders about the dangers of drugs, spending an hour a week in a
given classroom for 10 weeks.
Students 'are tuning us out, and that's why we haven't reduced drug use in
our society,' Dormer told the County Legislature's Public Safety Committee.
Instead of DARE, Dormer wants to add police participation to HealthSmart, a
general health and safety program now taught in various school districts. He
plans to assign 10 of the current DARE officers to the new program.
Three Republican lawmakers said students would be shortchanged by Dormer's
plan.
'Please tell me how less is better,' said Legislator Lynne Nowick, of St.
James.
Launched in Los Angeles in 1983, DARE is offered in 75 percent of the
nation's school districts, according to the organization.
But a 2003 U.S. Government Accountability Office analysis of several studies
concluded DARE had 'no statistically significant long-term effect on
preventing illicit drug use.'
The national DARE organization disputes the studies and says the program has
changed to become more effective. DARE representatives did not immediately
return a telephone message left early Friday at their Inglewood, Calif.,
headquarters.
Suffolk County, on eastern Long Island, has a population estimated at more
than 1.4 million.
Friday, November 30, 2007
HOW A 5% CUT IN THE POLICE BUDGET WOULD IMPACT YOU..
During the budget hearings I asked department heads to provide members of the Town Board with a list of possible cuts. Chief Kapica followed up on the request and submitted the following statement. If his department is cut by 5% there will be a savings of $750,000. The tax increase would go from 23% to 21% if all of the following cuts are made.
PAUL FEINER
As per your request, I have re-examined the Police Department's budget in an attempt to find other non-essential areas where cuts can be made. Even though you previously informed me that you would prefer not to cut programs, I am assuming that your new posture on this makes everything fair game and obviously, I would prefer to eliminate programs rather than diminish our ability to respond to calls from the public or investigate crimes. The elimination of our Drug Abuse, Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) would result in a savings of $10,090. If you intend to do this, you will need to advise me very soon as the schools will need to find an alternative curriculum to address the drug and alcohol issue in next year's school year and we will need to advise Ardsley that we cannot assist them with their DARE program. The elimination of the Summer Youth Camp will save about $32,050 and elimination of all other Community Affairs Programs ( 3 on 3 basketball; our Police Explorer Post and the Youth Court) will realize $7,430 more in savings for a total of $49,570. I think we would need to refund a contribution made by Pat Lanza that was specifically for the Youth Camp in the amount of $5,000, which would reduce these savings to $44,570. All these programs continue to be well attended and have been enormously successful. I have also done some preliminary calculations as to the impact of a 5% budget cut on the Police Department. Essentially, such a reduction, which would approximately result in a savings of $750,000, would require laying off 14 police officers. In order to somewhat mitigate the devastating effect this would have on the department would require the following action; 1) Reduction of the number of patrol sectors in town from 7 to 6. This would increase response times but help offset the loss of 6 positions; 2) Eliminate all community policing and housing posts. This would offset the loss of 7 positions but obviously have an adverse impact in Fairview and Hartsdale; 3) Eliminate one position in the department's training unit, which would affect our ability to train personnel. While this reorganization would help offset the loss to the Patrol function, it would provide no backup resources to address filling the positions of officers lost to long-term disabilities (presently there are four), child birth, attendance at school, etc. Realistically, to further mitigate this would result in the loss of one traffic officer and several detectives who would need to be returned to the status of police officer and assigned to patrol. This would obviously affect our ability to investigate crimes. Under this scenario, our ability to provide services would be seriously reduced. I have not projected 10% or 15% cuts because it would be impossible for us to function with any effectiveness under either of these scenarios. IN CLOSING, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY STRONG OBJECTION TO ANY CUTS IN POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. WE ARE BARELY ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE. TO REDUCE PERSONNEL LEVELS WILL ENDANGER THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE THEM WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING RESPONSE TIMES AND RESULT IN CUTS IN OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICES THAT PEOPLE IN GREENBURGH HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO AND DESERVE. Chief Kapica
PAUL FEINER
As per your request, I have re-examined the Police Department's budget in an attempt to find other non-essential areas where cuts can be made. Even though you previously informed me that you would prefer not to cut programs, I am assuming that your new posture on this makes everything fair game and obviously, I would prefer to eliminate programs rather than diminish our ability to respond to calls from the public or investigate crimes. The elimination of our Drug Abuse, Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) would result in a savings of $10,090. If you intend to do this, you will need to advise me very soon as the schools will need to find an alternative curriculum to address the drug and alcohol issue in next year's school year and we will need to advise Ardsley that we cannot assist them with their DARE program. The elimination of the Summer Youth Camp will save about $32,050 and elimination of all other Community Affairs Programs ( 3 on 3 basketball; our Police Explorer Post and the Youth Court) will realize $7,430 more in savings for a total of $49,570. I think we would need to refund a contribution made by Pat Lanza that was specifically for the Youth Camp in the amount of $5,000, which would reduce these savings to $44,570. All these programs continue to be well attended and have been enormously successful. I have also done some preliminary calculations as to the impact of a 5% budget cut on the Police Department. Essentially, such a reduction, which would approximately result in a savings of $750,000, would require laying off 14 police officers. In order to somewhat mitigate the devastating effect this would have on the department would require the following action; 1) Reduction of the number of patrol sectors in town from 7 to 6. This would increase response times but help offset the loss of 6 positions; 2) Eliminate all community policing and housing posts. This would offset the loss of 7 positions but obviously have an adverse impact in Fairview and Hartsdale; 3) Eliminate one position in the department's training unit, which would affect our ability to train personnel. While this reorganization would help offset the loss to the Patrol function, it would provide no backup resources to address filling the positions of officers lost to long-term disabilities (presently there are four), child birth, attendance at school, etc. Realistically, to further mitigate this would result in the loss of one traffic officer and several detectives who would need to be returned to the status of police officer and assigned to patrol. This would obviously affect our ability to investigate crimes. Under this scenario, our ability to provide services would be seriously reduced. I have not projected 10% or 15% cuts because it would be impossible for us to function with any effectiveness under either of these scenarios. IN CLOSING, I WISH TO EXPRESS MY STRONG OBJECTION TO ANY CUTS IN POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. WE ARE BARELY ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE DEMAND FOR SERVICES WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE. TO REDUCE PERSONNEL LEVELS WILL ENDANGER THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO SERVE THEM WHILE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING RESPONSE TIMES AND RESULT IN CUTS IN OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVICES THAT PEOPLE IN GREENBURGH HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO AND DESERVE. Chief Kapica
2 SCHOOLS IN GREENBURGH ARE TOP 100
U.S. News & World Report has entered the world of high school rankings, releasing its first list of "America's Best High Schools."
Two School districts in Greenburgh made US NEWS top 100 schools...
#28: Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School, Greenburgh
#91: Irvington High School, Irvington
Congratulations!
Two School districts in Greenburgh made US NEWS top 100 schools...
#28: Edgemont Jr./Sr. High School, Greenburgh
#91: Irvington High School, Irvington
Congratulations!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
MANAGEMENT BUDGET REVIEW COMMITTEE
We have received a shock this year with the 2008 budget. It is also a wake-up call. We all, myself, the Town Council, and members of the staff and also the public, had become a bit spoiled, and now we learned that revenues and ratables are falling while expenses keep going up at a faster rate than we realized. It will require tight controls in all areas of the town government. It will also require a fresh look at our operations to see how we can be more efficient and to see what fundamental changes can be made to improve the town’s financial position now and in the future.
As soon as the new Town Board takes office next month, I will ask the Board to create a management committee to review all aspects of our operations. That committee wil be totally non-political. We have in town many executives and company managers and I hope that we will enlist them on this committee. I would expect this committee to do an up and down examination of each department to review systems, work practices, personnel, benefit programs, and the like. We need to know what various programs cost and whether they should be eliminated or scaled back. It will help all of us -- your government and also the public -- to be much smarter about what we do and how we do it. I would expect this committee to report back to the Town Board before the next budget season so that the Town Board has the time to study the recommendations and implement them, if appropriate.
I know that there will be some upset among our staff. However, as I said we have received a wake-up call, and we need to respond. If we do not, the large tax hike next year will be a preview of coming attractions, and we cannot allow that. Taxes can be controlled in several ways, but the principal one is to reduce spending by modernizing our operations and making them more efficient and realistic. If we do not act immediately the town will suffer greatly. This is a major step to prevent this from happening.
Interested in joining the committee? E mail me your bio at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
As soon as the new Town Board takes office next month, I will ask the Board to create a management committee to review all aspects of our operations. That committee wil be totally non-political. We have in town many executives and company managers and I hope that we will enlist them on this committee. I would expect this committee to do an up and down examination of each department to review systems, work practices, personnel, benefit programs, and the like. We need to know what various programs cost and whether they should be eliminated or scaled back. It will help all of us -- your government and also the public -- to be much smarter about what we do and how we do it. I would expect this committee to report back to the Town Board before the next budget season so that the Town Board has the time to study the recommendations and implement them, if appropriate.
I know that there will be some upset among our staff. However, as I said we have received a wake-up call, and we need to respond. If we do not, the large tax hike next year will be a preview of coming attractions, and we cannot allow that. Taxes can be controlled in several ways, but the principal one is to reduce spending by modernizing our operations and making them more efficient and realistic. If we do not act immediately the town will suffer greatly. This is a major step to prevent this from happening.
Interested in joining the committee? E mail me your bio at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
TOWN BD AGREES TO COMPROMISE: BUBBLE/COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
The Greenburgh Town Board and I worked out a compromise. The Town Board unanimously approved a resolution authoriziing an agreement with Sportime to rent the tennis facilities at AF Veteran Park during the off season months. The Board also agreed to use $405,000 from the tennis bubble lease to fund a comprehensive plan for the town. Members of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Advisory Council have been pushing for a plan to study long term infrastructure, land use, flooding, parking and economic needs facing the town. In addition to infrastructure enhancements and the construction of a clubhouse (at Sporttime's expense) the town will receive the following payments from Sportime.
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00.
The good news: All the members of the Town Board worked cooperatively to work out a compromise plan. I announced that I will sign the comprehensive plan agreement and the bubble agreement on the same day. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a great working relationship between Town Board members.
ON ANOTHER MATTER-- We held a very long meeting (that ended around 1 AM) and heard from the public about the proposed town budget. Almost everyone who spoke expressed opposition to the proposed 23% town budget tax hike. On the other hand, Police Chief John Kapica warned the Town Board that people move to Greenburgh for town services. The Town Board will hold a public meeting on the budget this coming Monday evening at 7:15 PM.
PAUL FEINER
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00.
The good news: All the members of the Town Board worked cooperatively to work out a compromise plan. I announced that I will sign the comprehensive plan agreement and the bubble agreement on the same day. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a great working relationship between Town Board members.
ON ANOTHER MATTER-- We held a very long meeting (that ended around 1 AM) and heard from the public about the proposed town budget. Almost everyone who spoke expressed opposition to the proposed 23% town budget tax hike. On the other hand, Police Chief John Kapica warned the Town Board that people move to Greenburgh for town services. The Town Board will hold a public meeting on the budget this coming Monday evening at 7:15 PM.
PAUL FEINER
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
9/11 MEMORIAL WALL GETTING LANDSCAPING ENHANCEMENTS-SIDEWALKS
The area around the 9/11 Memorial Wall at Richard Presser Park (Webb Field) on Central Ave is getting an attractive enhancement, thanks to a $97,000 federal grant obtained from US Congresswoman Nita Lowey. Construction work has started on a new sidewalk along Central Ave (bordering the wall). There will be benches, planters, seasonal plantings, ornamental trees, evergreen trees and beautiful flowers. The sidewalk will be completed (weather permitting) in about 3-4 weeks.
The 9/11 wall was organized by the Westchester Arts Council. The Rotary Clubs donated funds for the construction of the wall. There are 2,000 tiles. Westchester residents have attended workshops expressing what 9/ll meant to them on 6 by 6 colorful tiles. Images range from the patriotic, such as people saluting flags, to the pastoral, including scenes of grassy fields and other lovely places far removed from the destruction of that day.
The 9/11 wall was organized by the Westchester Arts Council. The Rotary Clubs donated funds for the construction of the wall. There are 2,000 tiles. Westchester residents have attended workshops expressing what 9/ll meant to them on 6 by 6 colorful tiles. Images range from the patriotic, such as people saluting flags, to the pastoral, including scenes of grassy fields and other lovely places far removed from the destruction of that day.
FROM A POTENTIAL SPORTS FACILITY DEVELOPER WHO WANTS YOUR INPUT...
Nice speaking with you again. As I stated in our conversation, I would be interested in using the Westchester Golf Range on Dobbs Ferry Rd.as a place to build this sports and recreation facility. Included in this would be an indoor basketball and soccer/lacrosse facility, health club (relatively small in size) and outdoor fields along with a scaled down golf range. The traffic would not be excessive, fields would be offered to the Town rec dept., health club memberships for local residents would be heavily discounted and hours of operation would be reasonable. We could run clinics, a sports camp during the summer months. The plan would include buffers so as not to make the facility stand out and enough parking offered so cars would not line the streets.
As you know, there is a major shortage in the town and county and this would help offer relief to both as well as to offer a teaching and practice facility to our kids, senior citizen, classes on issues that are relevant to society (i.e. obesity) etc. We could hold local tournaments that would be limited in size.
I hope the residents around the property site can appreciate what I am trying to do and will accept a proposal such as this one.
Thanks for your help.. If you could keep my name off I would appreciate it.
As you know, there is a major shortage in the town and county and this would help offer relief to both as well as to offer a teaching and practice facility to our kids, senior citizen, classes on issues that are relevant to society (i.e. obesity) etc. We could hold local tournaments that would be limited in size.
I hope the residents around the property site can appreciate what I am trying to do and will accept a proposal such as this one.
Thanks for your help.. If you could keep my name off I would appreciate it.
Monday, November 26, 2007
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY WEEK OF NOV 26--POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please feel free to post your comments about town issues.
On Wednesday night the Town Board will hold our 2008 BUDGET HEARING. TELL US WHAT SERVICES, IF ANY, YOU'D LIKE TO SEE CUT FROM THE BUDGET.
The alternative: paying an average of about $400 a year more in taxes for town services.
THE TOWN PORTION OF YOUR ENTIRE TAX BILL IS UNDER 20%.
On Wednesday night the Town Board will hold our 2008 BUDGET HEARING. TELL US WHAT SERVICES, IF ANY, YOU'D LIKE TO SEE CUT FROM THE BUDGET.
The alternative: paying an average of about $400 a year more in taxes for town services.
THE TOWN PORTION OF YOUR ENTIRE TAX BILL IS UNDER 20%.
HEARING NOV 28: E HARTSDALE AVE PARKING
NOTICE
Proposed Change to
Snow Parking Rules on
East Hartsdale Avenue
Deliberations on the proposed changes to the Snow Parking Rules for East Hartsdale Avenue will continue during the Town Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. You are invited to attend the meeting and make your feelings known to the Town Board. The proposed change would allow overnight parking at the metered spots on East Hartsdale Avenue during the winter months unless a Snow Emergency is declared. No parking would be allowed on the avenue throughout the entire period a Snow Emergency remains in effect. This, of course, could occur anytime during the day or night and will apply outside of the December 1 through March 15 period during which the existing Snow parking rules are in effect. Since this change WILL affect all residents and retailers on East Hartsdale Avenue, you are encouraged to attend the November 28 meeting of the Board and express your opinion on the proposal.
For additional information, contact the office of the Greenburgh Town Clerk at 993-1500.
Proposed Change to
Snow Parking Rules on
East Hartsdale Avenue
Deliberations on the proposed changes to the Snow Parking Rules for East Hartsdale Avenue will continue during the Town Board Meeting on Wednesday, November 28, 2007, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. You are invited to attend the meeting and make your feelings known to the Town Board. The proposed change would allow overnight parking at the metered spots on East Hartsdale Avenue during the winter months unless a Snow Emergency is declared. No parking would be allowed on the avenue throughout the entire period a Snow Emergency remains in effect. This, of course, could occur anytime during the day or night and will apply outside of the December 1 through March 15 period during which the existing Snow parking rules are in effect. Since this change WILL affect all residents and retailers on East Hartsdale Avenue, you are encouraged to attend the November 28 meeting of the Board and express your opinion on the proposal.
For additional information, contact the office of the Greenburgh Town Clerk at 993-1500.
TENNIS COURT BUBBLE TO BE VOTED ON WED--TO GENERATE $192,500 IN YEAR ONE...2 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT NO COST TO TAXPAYERS
I am pleased that the Greenburgh Town Board will be voting on the following resolution at the meeting of the Town Board on Wednesday night. The town will receive $192,500 IN THE FIRST YEAR (RENT)...AND 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS to enhance the tennis courts. The following resolution will be voted on Wednesday night.
PAUL FEINER
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. D/B/A SPORTIME TO LICENSE TENNIS FACILITIES LOCATED AT ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK
WHEREAS, the Town of Greenburgh is the owner of a certain parcel of land in Town known as Anthony F. Veteran Park; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to license a portion of Anthony F. Veteran Park for the construction and operation of additional tennis facilities to serve residents of the Town of Greenburgh and others; and
WHEREAS, Island Tennis, L.P. d/b/a Sportime has responded to the Town’s requests for proposals to construct and operate such additional tennis facilities at Anthony F. Veteran Park, which the Town Board finds to be a proposal which will best serve the needs of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Town seeks to enter into a License Agreement with Sportime which shall become effective upon full execution by the parties and shall commence on the first day Licensee opens for business which shall be after the issuance of certificates of completion for construction of the facilities and shall terminate on August 31st of the fifteenth year (15 years) after the Commencement Date; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, Licensee shall be required to pay to the Town of Greenburgh a “Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee” for each License Year of the Agreement until Cumulative Gross Sales of Sportime, as defined in the License Agreement, equal $35,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee beginning in Year One of the License Agreement and subsequent years is as follows:
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, the Licensee shall pay the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees in twelve (12) equal monthly installments, payable on the first day of each month of the License Year however, if during the Term of this Agreement, the Cumulative Gross Sales of License exceed $35,000,000, then the License Fees for that License Year shall be equal to ten (10%) percent of Annual Gross Sales, but in no event less than the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees; and
WHEREAS, any revenues or expenses generated as a result of the License Agreement between the Town and the Licensee shall be credited to the town outside the villages or “B” fund unless the Town is directed otherwise by Court Order; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the License Agreement, the Licensee shall initially make a capital investment provide of no less than two million ($2,000,000) dollars and maintain after construction, at its sole cost and expense, the following minimum improvements:
(A) Construct, renovate and/or expand a total of nine (9) tennis courts as follows: reconstruct four (4) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 9,10,12, and 13) and finish surface with a Deco-Turf product; reconstruct and enlarge a fifth (5th) existing hard tennis court (presently known as court 11) and finish to match above courts; replace two (2) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 7 and 8) with newly constructed soft “har-tru” surface courts; construct two (2) new soft “har-tru” surface courts to match above for bank of four (4) “har-tru” courts. Above court improvements will include all necessary infrastructure, foundations, utilities, drainage, irrigation, fencing, and indoor and outdoor lighting. Two (2) new air structure enclosures (commonly known as “tennis bubbles”) will be custom manufactured and will be installed annually by Licensee to enclose the nine (9) courts specified above. The above Improvements, in their entirety, shall provide, when air enclosures are installed and inflated, a complete and usable indoor facility as depicted on the site plan in Schedule “A”, which facility will also be fully usable during the outdoor season, with air structures removed.
(B) Construct a 2,400 square foot clubhouse which will consist of a Lobby, Public Space, Nursery, Men’s & Women’s locker room facilities, Pro Shop, Offices, and Vestibule; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the above, the Town may terminate this License
Agreement if the proposed additional tennis facilities have not been completed and/or are not in operation within twelve (12) months from the issuance of building permits for construction of the tennis facilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Supervisor to enter into a license agreement with ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. d/b/a SPORTIME to construct and operate additional tennis facilities at ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK for the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees outlined below:
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00
Submitted: November 25, 2007
PAUL FEINER
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH TO ENTER INTO
AN AGREEMENT WITH ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. D/B/A SPORTIME TO LICENSE TENNIS FACILITIES LOCATED AT ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK
WHEREAS, the Town of Greenburgh is the owner of a certain parcel of land in Town known as Anthony F. Veteran Park; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to license a portion of Anthony F. Veteran Park for the construction and operation of additional tennis facilities to serve residents of the Town of Greenburgh and others; and
WHEREAS, Island Tennis, L.P. d/b/a Sportime has responded to the Town’s requests for proposals to construct and operate such additional tennis facilities at Anthony F. Veteran Park, which the Town Board finds to be a proposal which will best serve the needs of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Town seeks to enter into a License Agreement with Sportime which shall become effective upon full execution by the parties and shall commence on the first day Licensee opens for business which shall be after the issuance of certificates of completion for construction of the facilities and shall terminate on August 31st of the fifteenth year (15 years) after the Commencement Date; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, Licensee shall be required to pay to the Town of Greenburgh a “Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee” for each License Year of the Agreement until Cumulative Gross Sales of Sportime, as defined in the License Agreement, equal $35,000,000; and
WHEREAS, the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fee beginning in Year One of the License Agreement and subsequent years is as follows:
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to this License Agreement, the Licensee shall pay the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees in twelve (12) equal monthly installments, payable on the first day of each month of the License Year however, if during the Term of this Agreement, the Cumulative Gross Sales of License exceed $35,000,000, then the License Fees for that License Year shall be equal to ten (10%) percent of Annual Gross Sales, but in no event less than the above Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees; and
WHEREAS, any revenues or expenses generated as a result of the License Agreement between the Town and the Licensee shall be credited to the town outside the villages or “B” fund unless the Town is directed otherwise by Court Order; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the License Agreement, the Licensee shall initially make a capital investment provide of no less than two million ($2,000,000) dollars and maintain after construction, at its sole cost and expense, the following minimum improvements:
(A) Construct, renovate and/or expand a total of nine (9) tennis courts as follows: reconstruct four (4) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 9,10,12, and 13) and finish surface with a Deco-Turf product; reconstruct and enlarge a fifth (5th) existing hard tennis court (presently known as court 11) and finish to match above courts; replace two (2) existing hard tennis courts (presently known as courts 7 and 8) with newly constructed soft “har-tru” surface courts; construct two (2) new soft “har-tru” surface courts to match above for bank of four (4) “har-tru” courts. Above court improvements will include all necessary infrastructure, foundations, utilities, drainage, irrigation, fencing, and indoor and outdoor lighting. Two (2) new air structure enclosures (commonly known as “tennis bubbles”) will be custom manufactured and will be installed annually by Licensee to enclose the nine (9) courts specified above. The above Improvements, in their entirety, shall provide, when air enclosures are installed and inflated, a complete and usable indoor facility as depicted on the site plan in Schedule “A”, which facility will also be fully usable during the outdoor season, with air structures removed.
(B) Construct a 2,400 square foot clubhouse which will consist of a Lobby, Public Space, Nursery, Men’s & Women’s locker room facilities, Pro Shop, Offices, and Vestibule; and
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the above, the Town may terminate this License
Agreement if the proposed additional tennis facilities have not been completed and/or are not in operation within twelve (12) months from the issuance of building permits for construction of the tennis facilities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Supervisor to enter into a license agreement with ISLAND TENNIS, L.P. d/b/a SPORTIME to construct and operate additional tennis facilities at ANTHONY F. VETERAN PARK for the Minimum Guaranteed Annual License Fees outlined below:
Year 1-$192,500.00; Year 2-$195,000.00; Year 3-$197,500.00; Year 4-$200,000.00;
Year5-$205,000.00; Year 6-$207,500.00; Year 7-$210,000.00; Year 8-$212,500.00;
Year 9-$215,000.00; Year 10 $217,500.00; Year 11-$220,000.00; Year 12-
$222,500.00; Year 13-$225,000.00; Year 14-$227,500.00 and Year 15-$230,000.00
Submitted: November 25, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
BUDGET HEARING WEDNESDAY NIGHT--$325,000 NEEDED TO CUT TAXES BY 1%
The Greenburgh Town Board will be holding the first of two budget hearings on the 2008 budget this Wednesday night at 7:15 PM. To cut the tax hike by 1% we have to find $325,000 to cut from the budget. Your suggestions are welcome.
Friday, November 23, 2007
IS THE COMMUNITY READY TO SUPPORT REMOVAL OF HEALTH SPA ON CENTRAL AVE AND THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY?
The health spa on Central Ave (near the Dilmaghani rug store) has been vacant for years. It's an eyesore. A number of years ago the owner of the property wanted to tear down the property and build a small shopping center at the location. There was community opposition to the plan and the developer never pursued the proposal.
Tearing down the eyesore and developing the property could bring needed revenue to the town and Edgemont school district. What actions, if any, should the town take to encourage the property owner to demolish the spa and develop the property. Would a pre-development proposal meeting with community, school and town leaders be a good starting point to discuss options?
Tearing down the eyesore and developing the property could bring needed revenue to the town and Edgemont school district. What actions, if any, should the town take to encourage the property owner to demolish the spa and develop the property. Would a pre-development proposal meeting with community, school and town leaders be a good starting point to discuss options?
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
UNUSED OFFICE PARK LAND FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING..WATERWHEEL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING...HOUSING AUTHORITY BUS TOUR DEC 9
Westchester County has contacted me advising that they are looking into a new opportunity for the creation of affordable housing: studying the feasibility of developing affordable housing on unused office park land. I believe that this idea is a creative initiative-- worthy of follow up. I support the study and will ask the Planning Dept, Town Board to cooperate with the study. Greenburgh is one of the municipalities in Westchester with office parks. I agree that the development of new housing on office park sites has some benefits, including better land utilization, reduced environmental impacts over construction on greenfields, enhanced 24/7 security, possible housing for office buildings workers within walking distance and improved landscaping to enhance the area. I will also ask that this suggestion be forwarded to the Greenburgh Affordable Housing Committee.
At last nights Town Board meeting the Town Board members agreed to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for developers to turn the waterwheel property in Ardsley into affordable housing.
Members of the Town Board and Greenburgh Housing Authority will be taking a bus tour of the Greenburgh Housing Authority sites on Sunday, December 9th from 3 PM to 9 PM. We will meet with housing authority tenants, discuss concerns and work hard in the coming months to address quality of life matters. If you’d like to join us on the tour, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING
At last nights Town Board meeting the Town Board members agreed to issue an RFP (Request for Proposal) for developers to turn the waterwheel property in Ardsley into affordable housing.
Members of the Town Board and Greenburgh Housing Authority will be taking a bus tour of the Greenburgh Housing Authority sites on Sunday, December 9th from 3 PM to 9 PM. We will meet with housing authority tenants, discuss concerns and work hard in the coming months to address quality of life matters. If you’d like to join us on the tour, please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com
HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
KAPICA: MARINE UNIT TO BE STAFFED BY VILLAGE POLICE
Greenburgh Police Chief Kapica met with the Town Board in work session today and advised the Board that in 2008 the village police departments will be responsible for patrolling the Hudson. The town worked with the villages in setting up the marine unit and was able to help the river villages secure donated police boats. The chief indicated that he needs the resources of his police dept to patrol unincorporated Greenburgh streets.
SHOULD USER FEES GO UP IF TAX HIKE COULD GO DOWN?
The Commissioner of parks has discussed with the Town Board the possibility of increasing fees by over $60,000. If the Board approves the fee hikes the town will generate additional revenue, enabling the tax hike to be reduced slightly. He has submitted a draft of possible fee increases to the Town Board. What do you think?
Tentative Budget Proposed for Preliminary Budget Difference
B.15.2001.00 Recreation Fees $425,000 $440,000 increase by $15,000
B.15.2025.00 A.F.V. Park Fees $360,000 $409,000 increase by $49,000
Total Increase $64,000
Tentative Budget Proposed for Preliminary Budget Difference
B.15.2001.00 Recreation Fees $425,000 $440,000 increase by $15,000
B.15.2025.00 A.F.V. Park Fees $360,000 $409,000 increase by $49,000
Total Increase $64,000
Monday, November 19, 2007
MEDIAN HOME PRICES HAVE GONE UP IN GREENBURGH
The October, 2007 issue of Westchester Magazine reports that median home prices have gone up 74% in Greenburgh since 2000. The median price is $620,000.
WEEK OF NOV 19 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please feel free to post your comments about town issues. Have a happy thanksgiving!
THIS WEEK...
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE ---any suggestions that can reduce tax hikes?
DISCUSSION: GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY (follow up: complaints from Westchester County)
THIS WEEK...
BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE ---any suggestions that can reduce tax hikes?
DISCUSSION: GREENBURGH HOUSING AUTHORITY (follow up: complaints from Westchester County)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
2 MILLION IN CUTS PROPOSED..BUDGET HEARING NOV 28
The Greenburgh Town Board will hold our budget hearing on November 28th at 7:15 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall. Prior to submitting the proposed 2008 budget to the Town Board for consideration, I CUT over $2 MILLION DOLLARS from department budget requests. Some of the department heads have already started lobbying to have the funds restored. If you would like a copy of the list of budget cuts that I submitted to the Town Board, please e mail me and I'll forward the list to you. Many of the initiatives that were deleted from the proposed budget were worthwhile expenditures. We need to prioritize spending and have to do a better job of saying no, instead of yes to requests. Otherwise, tax hikes will be much higher.
Your suggestions re: additional cuts are welcome and will be considered.
Your suggestions re: additional cuts are welcome and will be considered.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
A SUGGESTION TO HELP SENIORS AVOID IMPACT OF TAX HIKES--WORK OFF TAXES
During the past year taxes at every level of government has gone up. The County Executive just announced a tax hike. Town taxes are going up alot this year, village school & fire districts have also been increasing taxes annually. These tax hikes are forcing people to vote with their feet --they are moving out of Westchester.
I suggest that the NYS Legislature authorize local governments, school districts to provide residents with the opportunity to work off part of their property taxes.
In Boston there is a program called the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work Off program. Seniors are able to reduce their taxes by up to $750 in property tax relief in exchange for volunteer service to the community. This is helpful to seniors who are house rich and cash poor. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said. Seniors benefit by a reduction in their annual tax payment. The city benefits by the help of experienced volunteers.
Property taxes are a major problem for senior citizens. This concept also helps seniors who don't meet requirements for existing elder property tax exemptions. Departments (such as the library) with a need for additional volunteers would be able to benefit from program. Retirees could teach classes at schools.
Boston is not the only Massachusetts community that has this program. Townsend lets its qualifying seniors earn $500, while Newton seniors can erase up to $750.
Other major cities have sponsored similar programs in the past.
In 1976, Hartford enacted a property tax work-off measure that extended beyond senior citizens. In Connecticut's capital, any resident who was unemployed or with a property tax bill greater than 10 percent of their annual income could work off up to the entire property tax burden, according to a 1981 report in The New York Times.
While the Hartford program did not set age requirements, within five years, 70 percent of participants were age 50 or older. When I was a student in the late 1970s I urged the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees to adopt such a program. The Scarsdale Village Board approved the plan but the NY State Legislature never authorized such a program.
I will be organizing a county-wide lobbying effort so that this program can be offered to residents at the county, municipal and school levels. If you are interested in being part of a lobbying initiative, please contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
I suggest that the NYS Legislature authorize local governments, school districts to provide residents with the opportunity to work off part of their property taxes.
In Boston there is a program called the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work Off program. Seniors are able to reduce their taxes by up to $750 in property tax relief in exchange for volunteer service to the community. This is helpful to seniors who are house rich and cash poor. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said. Seniors benefit by a reduction in their annual tax payment. The city benefits by the help of experienced volunteers.
Property taxes are a major problem for senior citizens. This concept also helps seniors who don't meet requirements for existing elder property tax exemptions. Departments (such as the library) with a need for additional volunteers would be able to benefit from program. Retirees could teach classes at schools.
Boston is not the only Massachusetts community that has this program. Townsend lets its qualifying seniors earn $500, while Newton seniors can erase up to $750.
Other major cities have sponsored similar programs in the past.
In 1976, Hartford enacted a property tax work-off measure that extended beyond senior citizens. In Connecticut's capital, any resident who was unemployed or with a property tax bill greater than 10 percent of their annual income could work off up to the entire property tax burden, according to a 1981 report in The New York Times.
While the Hartford program did not set age requirements, within five years, 70 percent of participants were age 50 or older. When I was a student in the late 1970s I urged the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees to adopt such a program. The Scarsdale Village Board approved the plan but the NY State Legislature never authorized such a program.
I will be organizing a county-wide lobbying effort so that this program can be offered to residents at the county, municipal and school levels. If you are interested in being part of a lobbying initiative, please contact me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
Friday, November 16, 2007
FEINER ELECTED PRESIDENT WESTCHESTER PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner was elected the new President of the Westchester-Putnam Town Supervisors Association.
FEINER ELECTED PRESIDENT WESTCHESTER PUTNAM MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner was elected the new President of the Westchester-Putnam Town Supervisors Association.
DEPUTY SUPERVISORS FOR 2008--MORGAN, BROWN
I have decided to appoint Kevin Morgan and Sonja Brown as Deputy Supervisors for 2008-Morgan for the first six months and Brown for the second six months.
WILL A HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL DIE THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF NEW COUNTY POLICY? RALLY TUESDAY
Paul: Contrary to initial press reports, the county has not yet
restored the safety net it dismantled on August 6th.
1) The county still has not openly acknowledged that warming centers
should offer beds and not just chairs,
(unless each city's administration formally requests that its
homeless residents be allowed to lie down,
which has in most if not all cities not yet happened,
leaving warming center operators in a "the emperor has no clothes"
situation where they risk being defunded if they openly offer beds.
2) The county has still not reopened any safety net shelter in White
Plains, leaving 30-50 people living on the streets.
3) The county still has not rescinded its August decree that 24-hour
shelters with empty beds cannot make those beds available for safety
net referrals.
4) The county still has not restored its centralized night-time
emergency shelter placement and transportation system.
Please circulate this flyer announcing the protest being organized by
the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless,
which will be held from noon to 1:30 next Tuesday, November 20th
outside the County Executive's office at 148 Martine Avenue (across
from the Galleria).
Thank you!
-Karl Bertrand
restored the safety net it dismantled on August 6th.
1) The county still has not openly acknowledged that warming centers
should offer beds and not just chairs,
(unless each city's administration formally requests that its
homeless residents be allowed to lie down,
which has in most if not all cities not yet happened,
leaving warming center operators in a "the emperor has no clothes"
situation where they risk being defunded if they openly offer beds.
2) The county has still not reopened any safety net shelter in White
Plains, leaving 30-50 people living on the streets.
3) The county still has not rescinded its August decree that 24-hour
shelters with empty beds cannot make those beds available for safety
net referrals.
4) The county still has not restored its centralized night-time
emergency shelter placement and transportation system.
Please circulate this flyer announcing the protest being organized by
the Westchester Coalition for the Hungry and Homeless,
which will be held from noon to 1:30 next Tuesday, November 20th
outside the County Executive's office at 148 Martine Avenue (across
from the Galleria).
Thank you!
-Karl Bertrand
Thursday, November 15, 2007
ATTY GENERAL's meeting tonight...
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo will be holding a community meeting tonight at the Westchester County Center at 7 PM. If you are interested in learning more about the services the Attorney General’s office provides and if you would like to meet the Attorney General in person – you will find this meeting to be informative and helpful. Hear about issues such as health care, consumer protection, environmental protection and workers rights. Questions will be answered. For more information please call 422-8755
NEW HYDROGEN FACILITY OPENS IN GREENBURGH IN NON RESIDENTIAL AREA
Earlier this week there were news reports of the opening of a hydrogren station in White Plains. Greenburgh is also in the forefront of hydrogen technology. A new tenant of the premises across from the former Ciba facility on 9A (not in a residential area) is the General Motors Training Center that relocated from Route 9 in Tarrytown. The facility provides training on the engines to mechanics and technicians on GM vehicles powered on both gasoline and hydrogen. There is a small tank on the property for hydrogen storage that is protected by concrete bollards. Unlike the proposal on Cental Ave where hydrogen was to be produced onsite, the hydrogen at this facility will be brought in by truck. The Greenburgh Fire Inspector Larry Desimone had meetings with the Hastings Fire Chief. Together they visited the site.
PAUL FEINER
PAUL FEINER
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
GUEST COMMENTARY: MAYOR JAY LEON ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING
To the Greenburgh Town Board:
It is my understanding that the SHORE PILOT proposal is on the agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board for this evening, Wednesday November 14th. Unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting. Please permit me to express my personal support for the PILOT in writing.
The Village of Ardsley's sole relationship with SHORE has been to approve its building permits and variances. The Board has not expressed any position on the foreclosure or the PILOT. Our financial interest in the project is very limited - all the village hopes to gain is $14,000 in back taxes (which does not include penalties and fines, which we would have received had the property been bought by a non-tax exempt purchaser) and 28% of the PILOT payments.
My support for the SHORE project and the PILOT is therefore based on my belief that it is the right thing to do. The building will contribute two affordable units to Ardsley's allotment, as assigned by the County. It will be a small step toward achieving the worthwhile goal of increasing the number of affordable housing units in the county. Since the tenants of the property will be paying rent each month, I see this as an opportunity to assist lower income workers in making a better life for their children.
SHORE has shown Ardsley its budget and they have assured us that the only way they can make the project financially viable is to limit their property taxes. To date, they have demonstrated that they are a reputable organization that operates with integrity to support their laudable goals. They have adhered to all of our zone code requirements without complaint or request for special treatment.
The $5,000 SHORE has offered to pay as part of the PILOT is actually more than what the previous owner would have been paying had they not been delinquent on their property taxes. Furthermore, it is debatable whether SHORE is obligated to pay any taxes at all, in light of their tax exempt status. It is therefore to their credit that they are offering to make payments rather than to pursue a fully tax-exempt strategy.
Based on the merits of the project, I therefore highly support the proposed PILOT program and I encourage the Town Board to approve it this evening.
Sincerely,
Jay Leon
Mayor of Ardsley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is my understanding that the SHORE PILOT proposal is on the agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board for this evening, Wednesday November 14th. Unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting. Please permit me to express my personal support for the PILOT in writing.
The Village of Ardsley's sole relationship with SHORE has been to approve its building permits and variances. The Board has not expressed any position on the foreclosure or the PILOT. Our financial interest in the project is very limited - all the village hopes to gain is $14,000 in back taxes (which does not include penalties and fines, which we would have received had the property been bought by a non-tax exempt purchaser) and 28% of the PILOT payments.
My support for the SHORE project and the PILOT is therefore based on my belief that it is the right thing to do. The building will contribute two affordable units to Ardsley's allotment, as assigned by the County. It will be a small step toward achieving the worthwhile goal of increasing the number of affordable housing units in the county. Since the tenants of the property will be paying rent each month, I see this as an opportunity to assist lower income workers in making a better life for their children.
SHORE has shown Ardsley its budget and they have assured us that the only way they can make the project financially viable is to limit their property taxes. To date, they have demonstrated that they are a reputable organization that operates with integrity to support their laudable goals. They have adhered to all of our zone code requirements without complaint or request for special treatment.
The $5,000 SHORE has offered to pay as part of the PILOT is actually more than what the previous owner would have been paying had they not been delinquent on their property taxes. Furthermore, it is debatable whether SHORE is obligated to pay any taxes at all, in light of their tax exempt status. It is therefore to their credit that they are offering to make payments rather than to pursue a fully tax-exempt strategy.
Based on the merits of the project, I therefore highly support the proposed PILOT program and I encourage the Town Board to approve it this evening.
Sincerely,
Jay Leon
Mayor of Ardsley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
HUNDREDS OF CAMPAIGN SIGNS REMOVED THIS WEEKEND...
My campaign team removed hundreds of campaign signs posted around town this weekend. If we missed some signs please e mail me at feiner98@aol.com and we'll have volunteers remove our signs.
POLICE CLOSING IN ON EDGEMONT BURLARS--FROM TODAYS JOURNAL NEWS
Greenburgh police: We're closing in on Edgemont burglars
By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
GREENBURGH - Detectives think they have a break in a rash of burglaries that has plagued the Edgemont community this year, Police Chief John Kapica said yesterday.
Since interviewing one suspect and others found acting suspiciously in the area, stepping up patrols and raising awareness among homeowners, Kapica said, the number of Edgemont burglaries has dropped to zero. The last was at a home on Thomas Street a month ago today.
"They know we know who they are," Kapica said.
Greenburgh is working with New York City police to charge the suspect, a 28-year-old Port Chester man, with pawning a golf-themed tie pin and cufflinks in the Bronx that were reported stolen from a home on Edgemont Road.
"The possession of stolen property happened in New York City," Kapica said. "We can't charge him up here."
Kapica said the suspect is facing attempted burglary charges in Yonkers as well as federal charges in an unrelated crime.
Two other men were found on Clayton Road last month sitting in a parked car. Both men are on parole for burglary, Kapica said.
When approached by police, the passenger showed a false driver's license and was arrested. Kapica is pursuing charges against the driver for associating with a known felon - a parole violation.
The progress on the investigation was welcome news to Robert Bernstein, president of the Edgemont Community Council.
"We're relieved that the police have done such an excellent job in pursuing this," he said. "The crime wave unnerved so many of our residents."
Since April, burglars hit 20 homes and two businesses in the Edgemont section of town. The thieves stole cash, jewelry and other items from 17 homes; burglar alarms scared off would-be thieves at the other three homes.
The burglars entered some of the homes by smashing the glass of a window, patio door or sliding kitchen door, police said. All the break-ins happened at night.
In eight of the homes, the thieves entered through unlocked doors or windows, Kapica said. At one home, the thief walked in through a sliding door left ajar. Several burglarized homes had alarm systems that were never turned on.
Kapica met with more than 100 residents last month to discuss the rash of break-ins. The meeting followed a robo-call to more than 1,400 Edgemont residents telling them about the problem and to urge them to keep indoor lights, radios or televisions on a timer.
Kapica said residents have listened to his advice.
"Now, when you drive through Edgemont at night, it's really lit up," he said. "Burglars don't like to be illuminated."
By REBECCA BAKER
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
GREENBURGH - Detectives think they have a break in a rash of burglaries that has plagued the Edgemont community this year, Police Chief John Kapica said yesterday.
Since interviewing one suspect and others found acting suspiciously in the area, stepping up patrols and raising awareness among homeowners, Kapica said, the number of Edgemont burglaries has dropped to zero. The last was at a home on Thomas Street a month ago today.
"They know we know who they are," Kapica said.
Greenburgh is working with New York City police to charge the suspect, a 28-year-old Port Chester man, with pawning a golf-themed tie pin and cufflinks in the Bronx that were reported stolen from a home on Edgemont Road.
"The possession of stolen property happened in New York City," Kapica said. "We can't charge him up here."
Kapica said the suspect is facing attempted burglary charges in Yonkers as well as federal charges in an unrelated crime.
Two other men were found on Clayton Road last month sitting in a parked car. Both men are on parole for burglary, Kapica said.
When approached by police, the passenger showed a false driver's license and was arrested. Kapica is pursuing charges against the driver for associating with a known felon - a parole violation.
The progress on the investigation was welcome news to Robert Bernstein, president of the Edgemont Community Council.
"We're relieved that the police have done such an excellent job in pursuing this," he said. "The crime wave unnerved so many of our residents."
Since April, burglars hit 20 homes and two businesses in the Edgemont section of town. The thieves stole cash, jewelry and other items from 17 homes; burglar alarms scared off would-be thieves at the other three homes.
The burglars entered some of the homes by smashing the glass of a window, patio door or sliding kitchen door, police said. All the break-ins happened at night.
In eight of the homes, the thieves entered through unlocked doors or windows, Kapica said. At one home, the thief walked in through a sliding door left ajar. Several burglarized homes had alarm systems that were never turned on.
Kapica met with more than 100 residents last month to discuss the rash of break-ins. The meeting followed a robo-call to more than 1,400 Edgemont residents telling them about the problem and to urge them to keep indoor lights, radios or televisions on a timer.
Kapica said residents have listened to his advice.
"Now, when you drive through Edgemont at night, it's really lit up," he said. "Burglars don't like to be illuminated."
FROM TODAYS JOURNAL NEWS...GREENBURGH/DOBBS FERRY LOOK TO SHARE
Greenburgh, Dobbs Ferry look to share some police services
By GERALD MCKINSTRY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
In a move that could one day save taxpayers money and change how governments work together, Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry are considering sharing some police services.
The town and village are applying for a $100,000 state grant to study the feasibility of sharing manpower within the two police departments.
"It's the start of the end of municipal border wars," Supervisor Paul Feiner said. "Within the next couple of years, you're more likely to see things shared."
Dobbs Ferry is expected to approve the application tonight, and Greenburgh is expected to do so tomorrow. If approved, the project will cost the town and village $10,000, which will be divided equally.
Greenburgh is made up of six villages, each with its own government, emergency protection and other services.
The grant application is not about consolidating any of those, Feiner said, but rather a way to look for savings and reducing some redundancies within the two police departments.
Feiner said Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry could apportion dispatchers at night or some police units. He said the study would help determine exactly what could be shared and how much it would save.
Dobbs Ferry Mayor-elect Scott Seskin said there were duplicate services within the village and town and he believed that identifying them and implementing possible changes was a way to stabilize rising property taxes. It was certainly worth consideration, he said.
"We need to go ahead and save money where we can," Seskin said yesterday. "We have to look at the numbers. We need to show how it's going to affect us."
A study was the first step, he added.
"It's something everybody has got to be on board with," Seskin said. "This is very, very initial. This is how it begins."
The shared-service movement gained momentum throughout the state in recent years, and Gov. Eliot Spitzer in April established a commission to look for ways to create partnerships among local governments.
The Department of State administers a grant program - with $25 million this year - that is supposed to find tax savings and efficiencies through shared programs, cooperatives, mergers, consolidations and eliminations.
To date, grants have been awarded to communities to investigate matters like shared sewers, building and highway maintenance, police and other services.
Dobbs Ferry is no stranger to such talk, either. Earlier this year, it worked with its neighbor to the north, Irvington, on a similar study. That report, completed in July, looked at different scenarios including sharing police, contracting out and merging the two departments.
Under the different scenarios, it was estimated that each village could save from $50,000 to more than $600,000.
Mayor Erin Malloy said Irvington recently decided against merging and sharing services because there were serious concerns that the village would lose coverage. She said the village would look for other ways to save money.
"The biggest concerns was that the gains we might achieve would be offset by the distractions of a larger area to be policed," Malloy said. "There were some concerns of losing community policing."
Dobbs Ferry has 10,600 residents and 28 police officers while Irvington has 6,600 residents and 23 officers.
Feiner said applying for the grant was the "easy step" because "nobody objects to studies."
He said the tougher road might be ahead and he hoped this served as a "wake-up call" to leaders that taxes might be driving people out of Westchester County.
"There's a point when people are going to say we can't afford it anymore," he said.
By GERALD MCKINSTRY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: November 13, 2007)
In a move that could one day save taxpayers money and change how governments work together, Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry are considering sharing some police services.
The town and village are applying for a $100,000 state grant to study the feasibility of sharing manpower within the two police departments.
"It's the start of the end of municipal border wars," Supervisor Paul Feiner said. "Within the next couple of years, you're more likely to see things shared."
Dobbs Ferry is expected to approve the application tonight, and Greenburgh is expected to do so tomorrow. If approved, the project will cost the town and village $10,000, which will be divided equally.
Greenburgh is made up of six villages, each with its own government, emergency protection and other services.
The grant application is not about consolidating any of those, Feiner said, but rather a way to look for savings and reducing some redundancies within the two police departments.
Feiner said Greenburgh and Dobbs Ferry could apportion dispatchers at night or some police units. He said the study would help determine exactly what could be shared and how much it would save.
Dobbs Ferry Mayor-elect Scott Seskin said there were duplicate services within the village and town and he believed that identifying them and implementing possible changes was a way to stabilize rising property taxes. It was certainly worth consideration, he said.
"We need to go ahead and save money where we can," Seskin said yesterday. "We have to look at the numbers. We need to show how it's going to affect us."
A study was the first step, he added.
"It's something everybody has got to be on board with," Seskin said. "This is very, very initial. This is how it begins."
The shared-service movement gained momentum throughout the state in recent years, and Gov. Eliot Spitzer in April established a commission to look for ways to create partnerships among local governments.
The Department of State administers a grant program - with $25 million this year - that is supposed to find tax savings and efficiencies through shared programs, cooperatives, mergers, consolidations and eliminations.
To date, grants have been awarded to communities to investigate matters like shared sewers, building and highway maintenance, police and other services.
Dobbs Ferry is no stranger to such talk, either. Earlier this year, it worked with its neighbor to the north, Irvington, on a similar study. That report, completed in July, looked at different scenarios including sharing police, contracting out and merging the two departments.
Under the different scenarios, it was estimated that each village could save from $50,000 to more than $600,000.
Mayor Erin Malloy said Irvington recently decided against merging and sharing services because there were serious concerns that the village would lose coverage. She said the village would look for other ways to save money.
"The biggest concerns was that the gains we might achieve would be offset by the distractions of a larger area to be policed," Malloy said. "There were some concerns of losing community policing."
Dobbs Ferry has 10,600 residents and 28 police officers while Irvington has 6,600 residents and 23 officers.
Feiner said applying for the grant was the "easy step" because "nobody objects to studies."
He said the tougher road might be ahead and he hoped this served as a "wake-up call" to leaders that taxes might be driving people out of Westchester County.
"There's a point when people are going to say we can't afford it anymore," he said.
Monday, November 12, 2007
WEEK OF NOV 12 GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-- POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please feel free to post your comments about issues of concern.
VETERANS DAY TODAY
TOWN BOARD BUDGET REVIEW STARTS TOMORROW AFTERNOON 3:45 PM
HOW CAN WE CUT THE SIZE OF THE TAX HIKE?
WEDNESDAY EVENING, TOWN BOARD MEETING
VETERANS DAY TODAY
TOWN BOARD BUDGET REVIEW STARTS TOMORROW AFTERNOON 3:45 PM
HOW CAN WE CUT THE SIZE OF THE TAX HIKE?
WEDNESDAY EVENING, TOWN BOARD MEETING
Saturday, November 10, 2007
GUEST COMMENTARY ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BY ROBERT RENINGER
Paul,
I have read and carefully reviewed your memo to Mark Stellato about doing part of the Comprehensive Plan Study in house.
Before any substantial work is done on an updated Comprehensive Plan, the Town must first update the 1980 Zoning Ordinance.
On December 11, 2006 the Town entered into a contract with BFJ Planning to assist the Greenburgh Planning Department in proposing updates to the 1980 Zoning Ordinance at an already budgeted cost of $105,000.
On March 28, 2007, the Town Board established an in house Zoning Code Revision Committee. Greenburgh taxpayers were told that this project would be completed before a new Comprehensive Plan was proposed. I understand that NYS Town Law actually requires that the existing Zoning Ordinance be completely updated before a Town can adopt a revised or updated Comprehensive Plan.
Councilperson Sheehan was appointed Chairman of the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Has the Committee submitted any reports ? If not, the Town Board should place a high priority on getting recommendation from the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Proposed revisions to the existing Zoning Ordinance would very likely be the nucleus for an updated Comprehensive Plan.
I recommend that, before the Town burdens Greenburgh taxpayers with any additional costs for outside consultants, the Town Board should evaluate and adopt, as appropriate, the recommendations of the Zoning Code Revision Committee.
I have not yet completed my review of the 2008 proposed tentative budget. However, it is readily apparent that, if the Town needs any consulting services during 2008, priority should be given to implementing better financial and accounting controls. There are many unanswered questions concerning the decision by the four members of the Town Council to override the previous conservative spending policy of the Town Supervisor.
I believe that Greenburgh taxpayers would support expenditures for this type of consulting services. A Town Financial Plan is needed much more urgently than a Comprehensive Plan. I understands that Ferrandino Associates does not specialize in financial and accounting consulting.
Please consider the financial needs of Greenburgh residents. As noted repeatedly in the local press, many Senior Citizen taxpayers can no longer afford to live in the Westchester Towns which they financially supported for many, many years. This fact is especially true in the Town of Greenburgh.
Robert F. Reninger
I have read and carefully reviewed your memo to Mark Stellato about doing part of the Comprehensive Plan Study in house.
Before any substantial work is done on an updated Comprehensive Plan, the Town must first update the 1980 Zoning Ordinance.
On December 11, 2006 the Town entered into a contract with BFJ Planning to assist the Greenburgh Planning Department in proposing updates to the 1980 Zoning Ordinance at an already budgeted cost of $105,000.
On March 28, 2007, the Town Board established an in house Zoning Code Revision Committee. Greenburgh taxpayers were told that this project would be completed before a new Comprehensive Plan was proposed. I understand that NYS Town Law actually requires that the existing Zoning Ordinance be completely updated before a Town can adopt a revised or updated Comprehensive Plan.
Councilperson Sheehan was appointed Chairman of the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Has the Committee submitted any reports ? If not, the Town Board should place a high priority on getting recommendation from the Zoning Code Revision Committee. Proposed revisions to the existing Zoning Ordinance would very likely be the nucleus for an updated Comprehensive Plan.
I recommend that, before the Town burdens Greenburgh taxpayers with any additional costs for outside consultants, the Town Board should evaluate and adopt, as appropriate, the recommendations of the Zoning Code Revision Committee.
I have not yet completed my review of the 2008 proposed tentative budget. However, it is readily apparent that, if the Town needs any consulting services during 2008, priority should be given to implementing better financial and accounting controls. There are many unanswered questions concerning the decision by the four members of the Town Council to override the previous conservative spending policy of the Town Supervisor.
I believe that Greenburgh taxpayers would support expenditures for this type of consulting services. A Town Financial Plan is needed much more urgently than a Comprehensive Plan. I understands that Ferrandino Associates does not specialize in financial and accounting consulting.
Please consider the financial needs of Greenburgh residents. As noted repeatedly in the local press, many Senior Citizen taxpayers can no longer afford to live in the Westchester Towns which they financially supported for many, many years. This fact is especially true in the Town of Greenburgh.
Robert F. Reninger
Friday, November 09, 2007
The Town of Greenburgh Police Department will hold a press conference / equipment demonstration to unveil the Departments new Segway i2 on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 11:00am at the Hartsdale Train Station.
The Segway personal transporter, equipped with a police package, will be deployed for patrol use on community policing posts within the Town of Greenburgh and will be the first of its kind in Westchester County.
This is a donation!
Event: Greenburgh Police Department unveils new patrol equipment
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Time: 11:00am
Place: Hartsdale Train Station located on E. Hartsdale Avenue.
The Segway personal transporter, equipped with a police package, will be deployed for patrol use on community policing posts within the Town of Greenburgh and will be the first of its kind in Westchester County.
This is a donation!
Event: Greenburgh Police Department unveils new patrol equipment
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Time: 11:00am
Place: Hartsdale Train Station located on E. Hartsdale Avenue.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEMO--CAN WE AFFORD $400,000?
This is a copy of a memo I sent to Mark Stellato, Commissioner of Planning earlier today re: comprehensive plan. The question is this: Can we afford to spend $400,000 on a comprehensive plan.
Another point: We are projecting that it will be difficult to keep tax hikes in unincorporated Greenburgh BELOW a 10% tax hike in 2009. The library construction borrowing costs will be increasing--we're borrowing an additional $7 million in 2008 for the library ($600-$700,000 extra in debt service that we will be paying for).
If we keep adding expenses to the costs of government in 2008 - we will definitely have a double digit tax hike in 2009. If we don't watch ourselves we're going to force people out of Greenburgh.
We need to prioritize spending.
Mark:
During the budget discussions I am sure that the proposed comprehensive plan will be discussed. As I indicated, the $405,000 cost is too expensive and needs to be modified or postponed.
When you meet with the Town Board I will ask you to provide Board members with an analysis as to what aspects of the plan you can do in house. My preliminary analysis indicates that we could save substantial dollars by doing the community outreach in house --instead of paying high consultant fees. There is probably additional work that can also be done in house, at a savings to the taxpayers.
Please review each aspect of the proposed plan and advise if your dept (or other depts) can do the work in house.
Also--can you restructure the proposed plan into segments--and advise the board --what studies do we need immediately, what parts of the plan are not as essential.
I am writing you this note in advance so you have time to prepare...
PAUL FEINER
EXAMPLES OF SPENDING IN THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT COULD BE DONE IN HOUSE -NOT BY EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS:
CPSC MEETINGS $19,500
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, ISSUE FORMULATION AND COMMUNICATION $35,000
DATA COLLECTION: $34,410
(SURVEY ANALYSIS PLAN; MAILING LIST, SURVEY TABULATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION, OUTREACH LOG, WEB SITE AND VISIONING DOCUMENTATION
DATA ANALYSIS: $61,440
Another point: We are projecting that it will be difficult to keep tax hikes in unincorporated Greenburgh BELOW a 10% tax hike in 2009. The library construction borrowing costs will be increasing--we're borrowing an additional $7 million in 2008 for the library ($600-$700,000 extra in debt service that we will be paying for).
If we keep adding expenses to the costs of government in 2008 - we will definitely have a double digit tax hike in 2009. If we don't watch ourselves we're going to force people out of Greenburgh.
We need to prioritize spending.
Mark:
During the budget discussions I am sure that the proposed comprehensive plan will be discussed. As I indicated, the $405,000 cost is too expensive and needs to be modified or postponed.
When you meet with the Town Board I will ask you to provide Board members with an analysis as to what aspects of the plan you can do in house. My preliminary analysis indicates that we could save substantial dollars by doing the community outreach in house --instead of paying high consultant fees. There is probably additional work that can also be done in house, at a savings to the taxpayers.
Please review each aspect of the proposed plan and advise if your dept (or other depts) can do the work in house.
Also--can you restructure the proposed plan into segments--and advise the board --what studies do we need immediately, what parts of the plan are not as essential.
I am writing you this note in advance so you have time to prepare...
PAUL FEINER
EXAMPLES OF SPENDING IN THE PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT COULD BE DONE IN HOUSE -NOT BY EXPENSIVE CONSULTANTS:
CPSC MEETINGS $19,500
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, ISSUE FORMULATION AND COMMUNICATION $35,000
DATA COLLECTION: $34,410
(SURVEY ANALYSIS PLAN; MAILING LIST, SURVEY TABULATION, ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION, OUTREACH LOG, WEB SITE AND VISIONING DOCUMENTATION
DATA ANALYSIS: $61,440
Thursday, November 08, 2007
STATE GRANT TO STUDY POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF SHARING POLICE SERVICE WITH DOBBS FERRY
Greenburgh Police Chief John Kapica has been working with Dobbs Ferry officials. The village has approached the town and asked if the town would be interested in joining with the village to apply for state grant funds to explore the potential benefits of sharing police services. The initiative was taken by the village of Dobbs Ferry. The Dobbs Ferry Village Board will be voting on the resolution at their November 13th Board meeting. The Greenburgh Town Board will be voting on the resolution Wednesday night. We need to look for additional ways to cut costs, save taxpayers money and make government more efficient. I support this initiative.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
TAX CUTTING IDEA--RESURRECT TENNIS BUBBLE PROPOSAL
One of the big disappointments of 2006/2007 was the failure of the Town Board to approve an agreement that would have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the town in rent. The proposal would also have enabled the town to have our tennis courts reconstructed and resurfaced.
We're facing a big tax hike. Shouldn't this proposal be resurrected? It's a REVENUE PRODUCER. The following is from the town's web site: May 7,2005 (Supervisors Report):
BUBBLE OVER TENNIS COURTS...SIGNIFICANT REVENUE
Release Date: May 07, 2005
Sportimeis proposing that they be able to build, at their cost, a bubble over our tennis facility at AnthonyVeteranParkthat would be privatized during off peak seasons. The benefits to the town: guaranteed revenue---a March 2nd proposal (which is being revised) provides a guaranteed minimum fee of $125,000 to the town the first year to $271,645 the 15th year). During the term of the license the fee payable to the town will be 10% of gross receipts.
Sportime, at their expense, will pay for the bubble…RECONSTRUCT AND RESURFACE five existing hard tennis courts…construct 2 har tru tennis courts to replace the existing hard tennis courts…install outdoor lighting for the two newly constructed tennis courts, new drainage around the tennis courts and a sidewalk form the parking area to the clubhouse with connecting paths to the tennis courts. They will also, at their expense, resurface one outdoor basketball court and two handball courts and re-tile the existing tennis court restrooms.
THERE IS MORE…They will construct a clubhouse building at their expense of about 3600 square feet on two levels, to provide an indoor viewing patio, a lounge, locker rooms, a pro shop and reception and office facilities.
AND…THERE IS MORE………..Sportime will offer free programs for junior and adult residents---a pre scheduled tennis camp for junior residents featuring free introductory tennis instructions during December and winter breaks…free racquets for junior residents- a minimum of 500 free tennis racquets valued at $15,000 to be given away per year…one free introductory group tennis lesson to interested junior and adult residents (based on availability). And---membership in Sportime at $0 per month with a valid unicard. Residents of Greenburgh will have access to Sportime tennis facilities in Mamaroneck, Westchesterand in Manhattan.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JANET LEFKOWITZ, Greenburgh’s outstanding Tennis Director for her hard work and dedication to the Town of Greenburgh. She deserves our appreciation for her commitment to making our tennis programs the best in America. This is the kind of initiative that makes financial sense. It’s prudent, responsible, enhances services without over-taxing residents.
PAUL FEINER
GreenburghTownSupervisor
We're facing a big tax hike. Shouldn't this proposal be resurrected? It's a REVENUE PRODUCER. The following is from the town's web site: May 7,2005 (Supervisors Report):
BUBBLE OVER TENNIS COURTS...SIGNIFICANT REVENUE
Release Date: May 07, 2005
Sportimeis proposing that they be able to build, at their cost, a bubble over our tennis facility at AnthonyVeteranParkthat would be privatized during off peak seasons. The benefits to the town: guaranteed revenue---a March 2nd proposal (which is being revised) provides a guaranteed minimum fee of $125,000 to the town the first year to $271,645 the 15th year). During the term of the license the fee payable to the town will be 10% of gross receipts.
Sportime, at their expense, will pay for the bubble…RECONSTRUCT AND RESURFACE five existing hard tennis courts…construct 2 har tru tennis courts to replace the existing hard tennis courts…install outdoor lighting for the two newly constructed tennis courts, new drainage around the tennis courts and a sidewalk form the parking area to the clubhouse with connecting paths to the tennis courts. They will also, at their expense, resurface one outdoor basketball court and two handball courts and re-tile the existing tennis court restrooms.
THERE IS MORE…They will construct a clubhouse building at their expense of about 3600 square feet on two levels, to provide an indoor viewing patio, a lounge, locker rooms, a pro shop and reception and office facilities.
AND…THERE IS MORE………..Sportime will offer free programs for junior and adult residents---a pre scheduled tennis camp for junior residents featuring free introductory tennis instructions during December and winter breaks…free racquets for junior residents- a minimum of 500 free tennis racquets valued at $15,000 to be given away per year…one free introductory group tennis lesson to interested junior and adult residents (based on availability). And---membership in Sportime at $0 per month with a valid unicard. Residents of Greenburgh will have access to Sportime tennis facilities in Mamaroneck, Westchesterand in Manhattan.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO JANET LEFKOWITZ, Greenburgh’s outstanding Tennis Director for her hard work and dedication to the Town of Greenburgh. She deserves our appreciation for her commitment to making our tennis programs the best in America. This is the kind of initiative that makes financial sense. It’s prudent, responsible, enhances services without over-taxing residents.
PAUL FEINER
GreenburghTownSupervisor
OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP- SIGNS TO BE REMOVED NEXT WEEK
The Greenburgh public works department will conduct our annual “Operation Clean Sweep” to remove all signs on poles, right of ways next week. Candidates who want to reuse their signs for future campaigns should remove them within the next few days. In addition to removing the campaign signs –garage sale signs, carnival signs, etc.. will also be removed during “Operation Clean Sweep”.
GREENBURGH VOTERS ELECT NEW TOWN CLERK, TWO NEW TOWN BD MEMBERS
Judith Beville was elected Greenburgh Town Clerk. Sonja Brown and Kevin Morgan will be the two new members of the Greenburgh Town Board --effective January 1, 2008. The following are the partial vote counts for all the elected positions in Greenburgh:
Office SUPERVISOR-GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
90% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAUL J FEINER 7,537 75%
NON PAUL J FEINER 458 5%
PAUL J FEINER Totals 7,995 79%
IND SUZANNE BERGER 1,832 18%
WOR SUZANNE BERGER 248 2%
SUZANNE BERGER Totals 2,080 21%
Office Totals 10,075 100%
TURN-OUT 18%
Office TOWN CLERK - GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
86% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JUDITH A BEVILLE 6,858 73%
NON JUDITH A BEVILLE 295 3%
JUDITH A BEVILLE Totals 7,153 76%
IND ALFREDA WILLIAMS 2,206 24%
Office Totals 9,359 100%
TURN-OUT 17%
Office TOWN JUSTICE-GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
81% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM DORIS T FRIEDMAN 7,132 29%
IND DORIS T FRIEDMAN 1,194 5%
WOR DORIS T FRIEDMAN 293 1%
DORIS T FRIEDMAN Totals 8,619 35%
DEM SANDRA FORSTER 7,046 29%
IND SANDRA FORSTER 1,225 5%
WOR SANDRA FORSTER 289 1%
SANDRA FORSTER Totals 8,560 35%
DEM A GORDON-OLIVER 7,281 30%
Office Totals 24,460 100%
TURN-OUT 15%
Office MAYOR-VILL OF ARDSLEY
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JAY LEON 466 81%
NON JONATHAN B LEVINE 110 19%
Office Totals 576 100%
TURN-OUT 18%
Office MAYOR-VILL OF DOBBS FERRY
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
89% of Absentee Ballots Counted
NON SCOTT SESKIN 746 52%
NON ALLEGRA F DENGLER 680 48%
Office Totals 1,426 100%
TURN-OUT 22%
Office COUNCILMAN - GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
85% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM KEVIN P MORGAN 7,037 39%
NON KEVIN P MORGAN 346 2%
KEVIN P MORGAN Totals 7,383 41%
DEM SONJA M BROWN 7,177 40%
WOR SONJA M BROWN 385 2%
SONJA M BROWN Totals 7,562 42%
IND EDDIE MAE BARNES 2,244 13%
WOR STEVE BASS 692 4%
Office Totals 17,881 100%
TURN-OUT 16%
Office TRUSTEE- VIL OF ARDSLEY
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM LARRY NARDECCHIA 483 51%
DEM PETER R PORCINO 473 49%
Office Totals 956 100%
TURN-OUT 15%
Office TRUSTEE-VIL OF DOBBSFERRY
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
72% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAULA K DAMBROFF 786 29%
NON PAULA K DAMBROFF 581 22%
PAULA K DAMBROFF Totals 1,367 51%
DEM TERESA M WALSH 428 16%
NON TERESA M WALSH 380 14%
TERESA M WALSH Totals 808 30%
NON FREDERICK C BRODA 527 20%
Office Totals 2,702 100%
TURN-OUT 14%
Office SUPERVISOR-GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
90% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAUL J FEINER 7,537 75%
NON PAUL J FEINER 458 5%
PAUL J FEINER Totals 7,995 79%
IND SUZANNE BERGER 1,832 18%
WOR SUZANNE BERGER 248 2%
SUZANNE BERGER Totals 2,080 21%
Office Totals 10,075 100%
TURN-OUT 18%
Office TOWN CLERK - GREENBURGH
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
86% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JUDITH A BEVILLE 6,858 73%
NON JUDITH A BEVILLE 295 3%
JUDITH A BEVILLE Totals 7,153 76%
IND ALFREDA WILLIAMS 2,206 24%
Office Totals 9,359 100%
TURN-OUT 17%
Office TOWN JUSTICE-GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
81% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM DORIS T FRIEDMAN 7,132 29%
IND DORIS T FRIEDMAN 1,194 5%
WOR DORIS T FRIEDMAN 293 1%
DORIS T FRIEDMAN Totals 8,619 35%
DEM SANDRA FORSTER 7,046 29%
IND SANDRA FORSTER 1,225 5%
WOR SANDRA FORSTER 289 1%
SANDRA FORSTER Totals 8,560 35%
DEM A GORDON-OLIVER 7,281 30%
Office Totals 24,460 100%
TURN-OUT 15%
Office MAYOR-VILL OF ARDSLEY
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM JAY LEON 466 81%
NON JONATHAN B LEVINE 110 19%
Office Totals 576 100%
TURN-OUT 18%
Office MAYOR-VILL OF DOBBS FERRY
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
89% of Absentee Ballots Counted
NON SCOTT SESKIN 746 52%
NON ALLEGRA F DENGLER 680 48%
Office Totals 1,426 100%
TURN-OUT 22%
Office COUNCILMAN - GREENBURGH
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 70 Districts out of 83 Reporting (84)% Votes Percent
85% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM KEVIN P MORGAN 7,037 39%
NON KEVIN P MORGAN 346 2%
KEVIN P MORGAN Totals 7,383 41%
DEM SONJA M BROWN 7,177 40%
WOR SONJA M BROWN 385 2%
SONJA M BROWN Totals 7,562 42%
IND EDDIE MAE BARNES 2,244 13%
WOR STEVE BASS 692 4%
Office Totals 17,881 100%
TURN-OUT 16%
Office TRUSTEE- VIL OF ARDSLEY
VOTE-FOR-TWO
PARTY 3 Districts out of 4 Reporting (75)% Votes Percent
88% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM LARRY NARDECCHIA 483 51%
DEM PETER R PORCINO 473 49%
Office Totals 956 100%
TURN-OUT 15%
Office TRUSTEE-VIL OF DOBBSFERRY
VOTE-FOR-THREE
PARTY 9 Districts out of 9 Reporting (100)% Votes Percent
72% of Absentee Ballots Counted
DEM PAULA K DAMBROFF 786 29%
NON PAULA K DAMBROFF 581 22%
PAULA K DAMBROFF Totals 1,367 51%
DEM TERESA M WALSH 428 16%
NON TERESA M WALSH 380 14%
TERESA M WALSH Totals 808 30%
NON FREDERICK C BRODA 527 20%
Office Totals 2,702 100%
TURN-OUT 14%
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
TODAY IS ELECTION DAY!
Today is election day.
Vote for the candidate of your choice for
TOWN SUPERVISOR
TOWN BOARD
TOWN JUDGE
State & County Judges
Vote for the candidate of your choice for
TOWN SUPERVISOR
TOWN BOARD
TOWN JUDGE
State & County Judges
Monday, November 05, 2007
ACTUAL QUOTES FROM THE TOWN COUNCIL RE: FUND BALANCE
Earlier today the other members of the Town Council sent out an e mail objecting to the 2008 proposed budget. I would like to encourage readers of these e mails to read the transcripts of the 2007 budget vote (posted on the town web site: www.greenburghny.com ---look on the left side: category—forms (miscellaneous).
Readers of the transcripts will read that I opposed depleting the fund balance. I preferred a gradual reduction of the use of fund balance.
I have also had spending differences with the other members of the Town Board.
* I wanted the town to sell the old Town Hall and use the proceeds to offset the costs of an expanded library. I also felt that the building, if sold, could have generated taxes every year for the town –keeping your taxes down. I WAS VOTED DOWN.
* I have objected to the use of outside consultants. Over a week ago the Town Board (over my objections) voted to spend $405,000 on an outside consultant. I asked that the consultant hiring be deferred until after the budget process is complete. The Board approved the contract.
* There are many other spending disagreements I have had with the Board members. I would be happy to speak to residents personally: call me at 993 1545 (office), 438-1343 (cell) 478-1219 (home).
PAUL FEINER
QUOTES FROM LAST YEARS BUDGET VOTE
December 19, 2006 Greenburgh 2007 Budget decision
BASS p5: there is plenty of fund balance
BASS p5: we are careful not to use too much of it
Sheehan p7: I'm quite proud of this budget And to get a budget that cuts taxes and also is much more transparent than the one handed to us is quite an accomplishment.
SHEEHAN p9: the supervisor has suggested not spending as much of the fund balance than what he wants to spend.
- We choose to give back a good part of it last year. And we are choosing to give a good part of it this year.
- And so here we are able to prove additional police protection. We're able to increase social service programs. We're able to increase leaf pro-leaf allocation money. And at the same time give the taxpayers a desperately needed break I'm proud of this budget.
FEINER p 10: Obviously the Board is able to reduce taxes by cutting into the fund balance. Š The question is do we use our fund balance now to provide residents with a very slight tax cut, or would it be more fiscally prudent to have a very small tax increase this year and hopefully be able to keep tax increases very low during the next few years rather than have fluctuations and taxes rates as we have seen at the county level and other levels of government. Š you are relying on a lot of luck [but] sooner or later there will be Š a bigger tax increase. And I think people want predictability and stability.
FEINER p10: I want the record to show [my] concerns, to highlight [my] concerns in terms of the unfunded liability increase.
FEINER p14: Šthe fact that we are eating into the fund balance by more than I had hoped, I predict there could be a bigger tax increase than people would want. It's going to be harder for people to predict. I would have preferred being a little bit more fiscally conservative. And I also would like to avoid the fluctuations.
SHEEHAN p17: I, along with Eddie Mae Barnes, Steve Bass and Diana Juettner, my fellow council members, do not believe in collecting or keeping more of the taxpayers' money than is necessary to meet the needs and reasonably protected needs of the Town.
FEINER p19: Nobody wants taxes to increase. But I think that most people in the Town would prefer very small, incrementalŠtax increases. They want predictability. I think they want stability.
FEINER p20: The bottom line is that in the future there are going to be tax increasesŠin the future. Šit's pay now or pay later. Would people preferŠa one or two percent increase every year or would they prefer a small dipŠnow and then a substantial increase next year?
12-01-05 Public Hearing
FEINER p 30: The former comptroller Norah McAvoy and Gisela Knight both warned the Town repeatedly that if we play politics with the fund balance, it will have a negative impact on our bond rating, on the financial stability of the Town.
=
Readers of the transcripts will read that I opposed depleting the fund balance. I preferred a gradual reduction of the use of fund balance.
I have also had spending differences with the other members of the Town Board.
* I wanted the town to sell the old Town Hall and use the proceeds to offset the costs of an expanded library. I also felt that the building, if sold, could have generated taxes every year for the town –keeping your taxes down. I WAS VOTED DOWN.
* I have objected to the use of outside consultants. Over a week ago the Town Board (over my objections) voted to spend $405,000 on an outside consultant. I asked that the consultant hiring be deferred until after the budget process is complete. The Board approved the contract.
* There are many other spending disagreements I have had with the Board members. I would be happy to speak to residents personally: call me at 993 1545 (office), 438-1343 (cell) 478-1219 (home).
PAUL FEINER
QUOTES FROM LAST YEARS BUDGET VOTE
December 19, 2006 Greenburgh 2007 Budget decision
BASS p5: there is plenty of fund balance
BASS p5: we are careful not to use too much of it
Sheehan p7: I'm quite proud of this budget And to get a budget that cuts taxes and also is much more transparent than the one handed to us is quite an accomplishment.
SHEEHAN p9: the supervisor has suggested not spending as much of the fund balance than what he wants to spend.
- We choose to give back a good part of it last year. And we are choosing to give a good part of it this year.
- And so here we are able to prove additional police protection. We're able to increase social service programs. We're able to increase leaf pro-leaf allocation money. And at the same time give the taxpayers a desperately needed break I'm proud of this budget.
FEINER p 10: Obviously the Board is able to reduce taxes by cutting into the fund balance. Š The question is do we use our fund balance now to provide residents with a very slight tax cut, or would it be more fiscally prudent to have a very small tax increase this year and hopefully be able to keep tax increases very low during the next few years rather than have fluctuations and taxes rates as we have seen at the county level and other levels of government. Š you are relying on a lot of luck [but] sooner or later there will be Š a bigger tax increase. And I think people want predictability and stability.
FEINER p10: I want the record to show [my] concerns, to highlight [my] concerns in terms of the unfunded liability increase.
FEINER p14: Šthe fact that we are eating into the fund balance by more than I had hoped, I predict there could be a bigger tax increase than people would want. It's going to be harder for people to predict. I would have preferred being a little bit more fiscally conservative. And I also would like to avoid the fluctuations.
SHEEHAN p17: I, along with Eddie Mae Barnes, Steve Bass and Diana Juettner, my fellow council members, do not believe in collecting or keeping more of the taxpayers' money than is necessary to meet the needs and reasonably protected needs of the Town.
FEINER p19: Nobody wants taxes to increase. But I think that most people in the Town would prefer very small, incrementalŠtax increases. They want predictability. I think they want stability.
FEINER p20: The bottom line is that in the future there are going to be tax increasesŠin the future. Šit's pay now or pay later. Would people preferŠa one or two percent increase every year or would they prefer a small dipŠnow and then a substantial increase next year?
12-01-05 Public Hearing
FEINER p 30: The former comptroller Norah McAvoy and Gisela Knight both warned the Town repeatedly that if we play politics with the fund balance, it will have a negative impact on our bond rating, on the financial stability of the Town.
=
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY WEEK OF NOV 5 POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please post your comments about town issues/concerns
Sunday, November 04, 2007
THINK GLOBALLY...ACT LOCALLY ON THE ENVIRONMENT...ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
We had a great time yesterday at the StepItUp2007 National Day of Climate Action rally at the Dobbs Ferry Historical Society. We thank all who attended, despite the challenging weather. And special thanks to all those who filled out postcards – they will be in the mail tomorrow. Here is a gallery full of pictures from the day:
http://gallery.mac.com/emzazzera#100074
Check out our Event Report at StepItUp:
http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports/2140
And events throughout the rest of the Country (pick a state or zip code):
http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports
There is one more action related to StepItUp2007 we are asking you to take, if you are willing: Call your Congressional Representatives on Monday, November 5. Here is a link to StepItUp2007’s website that goes over the details, including telephone numbers:
http://stepitup2007.org/article.php?id=683
For most of the folks on our mailing list, this will mean making up to 3 phone calls, contacting the offices of Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representative Eliot Engle (if you live west of Broadway) OR Representative Nita Lowey (if you live East of Broadway). If your time is limited, we suggest contacting Senator Schumer, and/or your Representative, because Senator Clinton has already responded to this event, whereas the others have not. Please call even if you did not attend our Dobbs Ferry event, because the main idea of the call is to express concern about Global Climate Change, and to inform our elected officials about the 1 Sky initiative, with these 3 priorities:
1) Create 5 million green jobs that will conserve 20% of our energy by 2015.
2) Cut carbon 80% by 2050, 30% by 2020.
3) A moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.
http://gallery.mac.com/emzazzera#100074
Check out our Event Report at StepItUp:
http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports/2140
And events throughout the rest of the Country (pick a state or zip code):
http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports
There is one more action related to StepItUp2007 we are asking you to take, if you are willing: Call your Congressional Representatives on Monday, November 5. Here is a link to StepItUp2007’s website that goes over the details, including telephone numbers:
http://stepitup2007.org/article.php?id=683
For most of the folks on our mailing list, this will mean making up to 3 phone calls, contacting the offices of Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Representative Eliot Engle (if you live west of Broadway) OR Representative Nita Lowey (if you live East of Broadway). If your time is limited, we suggest contacting Senator Schumer, and/or your Representative, because Senator Clinton has already responded to this event, whereas the others have not. Please call even if you did not attend our Dobbs Ferry event, because the main idea of the call is to express concern about Global Climate Change, and to inform our elected officials about the 1 Sky initiative, with these 3 priorities:
1) Create 5 million green jobs that will conserve 20% of our energy by 2015.
2) Cut carbon 80% by 2050, 30% by 2020.
3) A moratorium on new coal-fired power plants.
FREE CONCERT TOMORROW--US MARINE BAND
The United States Marine Band (The Presidents Own Band) will perform a free concert tomorrow evening, Monday, November 5th at 7:30 PM at the Westchester County Center. Doors open to the general public at 7:15 PM. The event is being sponsored by the Westchester County Parks Dept. They are a terrific band. Enjoy!
PAUL FEINER
PAUL FEINER
Thursday, November 01, 2007
HOUSECALLS TO DISCUSS 2008 BUDGET ...YOUR INPUT WANTED
The 2008 proposed budget has been released. We should look at the budget as a first draft. I welcome the opportunity to meet with residents to discuss budget issues and budget options during the next two months. The budget must be approved by the Town Board by December 20th.
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER
HOUSECALLS TO DISCUSS 2008 BUDGET ...YOUR INPUT WANTED
The 2008 proposed budget has been released. We should look at the budget as a first draft. I welcome the opportunity to meet with residents to discuss budget issues and budget options during the next two months. The budget must be approved by the Town Board by December 20th.
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER
If you would like to organize a meeting of your neighbors and want me or any other town officials to attend the meeting and provide you with a personalized briefing--- please contact me at 993-1540, 438-1343 (cell) or 478-1219 (h). I'm available weekdays, evenings and weekends. Other town officials may not be available on weekends. Meetings can be held at your home or at Town Hall.
Government must be a partnership with the citizens and elected officials. We need to have a community discussion: what services we need, what services we want, what services we can afford. We also should focus attention on looking for additional ways to save money, to stretch our dollars so we get the maximum value for our tax dollars.
Thanks for partnering in the decision making process of government.
PAUL FEINER
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
ENTIRE PROPOSED BUDGET ON WEB
The entire proposed 2008 budget is on the web site: www.greenburghny.com
PATROLLING THE STREETS OF GREENBURGH WITH POLICE CHIEF ON HALLOWEEN, 2007
This halloween evening I spent some of my time driving around town with Police Chief Kapica. We've been patrolling the streets of Greenburgh for 16 years on Halloween night-- monitoring the police calls (there were over 60 calls to the police department) and checking up on problem areas.
The town assigned 31 police, 6 auxiliary officers to patrol unincorporated Greenburgh on Halloween. 11 officers were on overtime. The approximate overtime cost: $4,000.
It was a busy evening. The good news: no significant reports of property damage as of 11:30 PM. We did experience some incidents of halloween pranks/mischief. I stopped by and spoke to a couple who experienced the typical shaving cream/egg problems some people expect on Halloween. The police caught some students who were involved in the incident and required them to clean up the mess they caused. Good, solomon like punishment! There were some fights among students. The police put a stop to the fighting. A few students were taken into police headquarters.
Although it was a busy night, Halloween, 2007 was mild compared to 16 or 17 years ago when cars were vandalized and when there was significant property damage. I feel that providing the police with the funding they require to adequately patrol the town is money well spent.
The town assigned 31 police, 6 auxiliary officers to patrol unincorporated Greenburgh on Halloween. 11 officers were on overtime. The approximate overtime cost: $4,000.
It was a busy evening. The good news: no significant reports of property damage as of 11:30 PM. We did experience some incidents of halloween pranks/mischief. I stopped by and spoke to a couple who experienced the typical shaving cream/egg problems some people expect on Halloween. The police caught some students who were involved in the incident and required them to clean up the mess they caused. Good, solomon like punishment! There were some fights among students. The police put a stop to the fighting. A few students were taken into police headquarters.
Although it was a busy night, Halloween, 2007 was mild compared to 16 or 17 years ago when cars were vandalized and when there was significant property damage. I feel that providing the police with the funding they require to adequately patrol the town is money well spent.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
BOARDS DECISION IN 2005 AND 2006 TO DRAMATICALLY CUT FUND BALANCE LEADS TO BIG TAX HIKE...I DIFFERED WITH LAST YEARS POLICY
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CUT THE FUND BALANCE BY 7 MILLION DOLLARS IN TWO YEARS…HAVE TWO CONSECUTIVE ZERO PERCENT TAX INCREASES (IN 2006 & IN 2007)…INCREASE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES…ARE INVOLVED IN THE LARGEST CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN TOWN HISTORY?
THE 2008 PROPOSED BUDGET WAS RELEASED TODAY. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A TAX HIKE. THE AVERAGE RESIDENT OF UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH WILL SEE THEIR 2008 TAXES GO UP BY $413.02 IN 2009.
THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE BIG JUMP IN TAXES IN 2008 IS BECAUSE THE TOWN BOARD REDUCED THE FUND BALANCE (SURPLUS) BY OVER 7 MILLION IN TWO YEARS. During my tenure as Town Supervisor we built up a very healthy fund balance. All the members of the Board have been tapping into the fund balance to reduce the impact on taxes over the years. During the past two years there was a dramatic change in the use of fund balance. The other Board members wanted to give people back the bulk of the fund balance over a two year period. There were two zero percent tax hikes. At the same time, the Board members increased spending. I differed with the Board members. I favored gradual tax hikes and proposed that the Board not dip into the fund balance by the extent they did. I feel that people want predictability and stability, not dramatic swings in the tax rate. The entire transcripts of the 2007 budget vote and discussion are posted on the town web site: www.greenburghny.com. (look under forms—miscelleneous). You can read the exchange of opinions between the Board members and me re: fund balance policy in its entirety.
THE 2008 BUDGET WAS FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK TODAY. THE BUDGET MESSAGE WILL BE POSTED IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN WEB SITE TOMORROW AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEB SITE (WWW.GREENBURGHNY.COM) LATER THIS WEEK. I am willing to meet with any resident to discuss the budget with you and to solicit your feedback. I cut $2 million from the department budget requests. Could I have cut more? Should the Board cut more funds from the budget? If we do, it will impact services. What services/programs should be cut, if any?
The following are excerpts from my comments of December 19, 2006 objecting to the drastic sudden fund balance cuts…
STATE OF NEW YORK
TOWN OF GREENBURGH
x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
Decision Before The Town Board
Of Greenburgh, New York, in Connection
With the Adoption of the 2007 Budget
x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
December 19, 2006 Greenburgh Town Hall
4:40 p.m. 177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, New York
BOARD MEMBERS:
Supervisor Paul Feiner
Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes
Councilman Steven Bass
Councilwoman Diana Juettner
Councilman Francis X. Sheehan
STAFF MEMBERS:
Town Attorney Timothy W. Lewis
Town Clerk Alfreda Williams
REPORTED BY: Lori Ann Schirripa
Official Court Reporter
QUOTES FROM 12-19-06 BUDGET HEARING BY SUPERVISOR FEINER
ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT ON TOWN WEB SITE: www.greenburghny.com (see forms—miscelleneous)
PAGE 10
Obviously the Board is able to reduce taxes by cutting into the fund balance. And in the B budget you cut into the fund balance by about $750,000. Cutting into the fund balance surplus is not really a right answer and a wrong answer. It’s a policy decision. The question is, do we use up our fund balance now and provide residents with a very slight tax cut or would it be more fiscally prudent to have a very small tax increase this year and hopefully be able to keep tax increases very low during the next few years rather than have fluctuations and tax rates as we have seen at the county level and other levels of government.
I remember a couple years ago the County Executive and the County Board of Legislatures for three or four years, consecutive years, they had zero percent tax increases one after another. And then it was followed by a whopping whopper. I think it was over a 20 percent, you know, tax hike. And people were unprepared and it caused a lot of aggravation. And my concern is that if we would eat up into our fund balance and we have a faith based budget, as Elliot Spitzer says, he uses a term space base, where you’re relying on a lot to luck that sooner or later there will be a tax, you know, bigger tax increase.
PAGE 11
And I think people want predictability and stability. But again right now we do have the surplus. And by voting for a tax - - very small tax cut now, you know we have to let people know that there is a good chance that in the next few years there will be a tax increase. And, you know, the question is when are people going to pay for it.
SUPERVISOR FEINER: There is no public comments, but I have the right to say anything I want. So, I am going to be reading a statement, which I said - - I don’t tell you what you could say. You can’t tell me what I can say. This is part of my comments because, you know, I want it on the record, because I want the record to show the concerns, to highlight the concern in terms of the unfunded liability issues.
He indicates first Mayor Bloomberg recently announced, and he said last two or three months if my memory is correct, that rather than expand new or existing programs and reduce taxes, he as recommending that three billion of the city’s recently discovered surpluses be earmarked to begin to address the City of New York’s problem.
PAGE 13
There is other expenses. We haven’t paid yet the bulk of the library. There are other expenses. As I indicated, the borrowing for the bulk - - for a good chunk of the library construction, that’s a $20,000,000, you know, bond that was approved by the voters. It’s going to come due with the 2008 budget. So that’s, you know, before you even start, there is an additional expense that people are paying for the library. And then that’s 2008. And then the following year we’re going to have to start paying not only for the library, which we’re doing, but also the unfunded liability issues. And that’s assuming, that means we have additional, you know, expenses that we don’t have, you know, right now.
PAGE 14
So, my feeling is that it’s going to be very, very difficult in the future to avoid a zero percent tax increase or tax reductions. In fact, the fact that we’re eating into the fund balance by more than I had hoped, I predict, you know, there could be, you know, bigger tax increases than people would want. It’s going to be harder for people to predict. But again when you look at this budget right now, if you take this budget and you say, is this budget fine for 2007, you know, I can vote for it. It’s acceptable. It’s just, I would have preferred being a little bit more fiscally conservative. And I also would like to avoid the fluctuations.
PAGE 19
SUPERVISOR FEINER: Well, all I could say is that time will tell. You know, if we do have fluctuations in future tax increases, as I think we will, because, you know, I do not believe we’ll be able to maintain the zero percent tax increases, then, you know, remember what I warned and suggested. I believe that most people - - nobody wants to pay taxes. Nobody wants taxes to increase. But I think that most people in the Town would prefer very small incremental, you know, tax increases. They want predictability. I think they want stability. And although my fund balance policy is a proposal, I do feel that it’s only a proposal. It was ever adopted by the Town Board. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, the Town Board, you know, has
PAGE 20
As I said before, we do have the unfunded liabilities. We know that’s an additional cost that we’re going to have to pay for beginning in 2009. We have the library. You know, that’s additional costs we’re going to have to pay for next year. You know, we know that costs keep going up, salaries keep getting increased. We have some additional union negotiations that will have to be, you know, finalized. And I’m sure there will be increases in union, you know, wages.
So, the bottom line is, there are going to be tax increases, you know, in the future. Again, it’s pay now or pay later. And again, how much do you pay later. Would people prefer, you know, a one or two percent increase every year of would they prefer a small dip in the taxes now and then a substantial increase next year or two or three years from now.
THE 2008 PROPOSED BUDGET WAS RELEASED TODAY. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS A TAX HIKE. THE AVERAGE RESIDENT OF UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH WILL SEE THEIR 2008 TAXES GO UP BY $413.02 IN 2009.
THE MAJOR REASON FOR THE BIG JUMP IN TAXES IN 2008 IS BECAUSE THE TOWN BOARD REDUCED THE FUND BALANCE (SURPLUS) BY OVER 7 MILLION IN TWO YEARS. During my tenure as Town Supervisor we built up a very healthy fund balance. All the members of the Board have been tapping into the fund balance to reduce the impact on taxes over the years. During the past two years there was a dramatic change in the use of fund balance. The other Board members wanted to give people back the bulk of the fund balance over a two year period. There were two zero percent tax hikes. At the same time, the Board members increased spending. I differed with the Board members. I favored gradual tax hikes and proposed that the Board not dip into the fund balance by the extent they did. I feel that people want predictability and stability, not dramatic swings in the tax rate. The entire transcripts of the 2007 budget vote and discussion are posted on the town web site: www.greenburghny.com. (look under forms—miscelleneous). You can read the exchange of opinions between the Board members and me re: fund balance policy in its entirety.
THE 2008 BUDGET WAS FILED WITH THE TOWN CLERK TODAY. THE BUDGET MESSAGE WILL BE POSTED IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN WEB SITE TOMORROW AND THE ENTIRE BUDGET WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEB SITE (WWW.GREENBURGHNY.COM) LATER THIS WEEK. I am willing to meet with any resident to discuss the budget with you and to solicit your feedback. I cut $2 million from the department budget requests. Could I have cut more? Should the Board cut more funds from the budget? If we do, it will impact services. What services/programs should be cut, if any?
The following are excerpts from my comments of December 19, 2006 objecting to the drastic sudden fund balance cuts…
STATE OF NEW YORK
TOWN OF GREENBURGH
x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
Decision Before The Town Board
Of Greenburgh, New York, in Connection
With the Adoption of the 2007 Budget
x-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
December 19, 2006 Greenburgh Town Hall
4:40 p.m. 177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, New York
BOARD MEMBERS:
Supervisor Paul Feiner
Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes
Councilman Steven Bass
Councilwoman Diana Juettner
Councilman Francis X. Sheehan
STAFF MEMBERS:
Town Attorney Timothy W. Lewis
Town Clerk Alfreda Williams
REPORTED BY: Lori Ann Schirripa
Official Court Reporter
QUOTES FROM 12-19-06 BUDGET HEARING BY SUPERVISOR FEINER
ENTIRE TRANSCRIPT ON TOWN WEB SITE: www.greenburghny.com (see forms—miscelleneous)
PAGE 10
Obviously the Board is able to reduce taxes by cutting into the fund balance. And in the B budget you cut into the fund balance by about $750,000. Cutting into the fund balance surplus is not really a right answer and a wrong answer. It’s a policy decision. The question is, do we use up our fund balance now and provide residents with a very slight tax cut or would it be more fiscally prudent to have a very small tax increase this year and hopefully be able to keep tax increases very low during the next few years rather than have fluctuations and tax rates as we have seen at the county level and other levels of government.
I remember a couple years ago the County Executive and the County Board of Legislatures for three or four years, consecutive years, they had zero percent tax increases one after another. And then it was followed by a whopping whopper. I think it was over a 20 percent, you know, tax hike. And people were unprepared and it caused a lot of aggravation. And my concern is that if we would eat up into our fund balance and we have a faith based budget, as Elliot Spitzer says, he uses a term space base, where you’re relying on a lot to luck that sooner or later there will be a tax, you know, bigger tax increase.
PAGE 11
And I think people want predictability and stability. But again right now we do have the surplus. And by voting for a tax - - very small tax cut now, you know we have to let people know that there is a good chance that in the next few years there will be a tax increase. And, you know, the question is when are people going to pay for it.
SUPERVISOR FEINER: There is no public comments, but I have the right to say anything I want. So, I am going to be reading a statement, which I said - - I don’t tell you what you could say. You can’t tell me what I can say. This is part of my comments because, you know, I want it on the record, because I want the record to show the concerns, to highlight the concern in terms of the unfunded liability issues.
He indicates first Mayor Bloomberg recently announced, and he said last two or three months if my memory is correct, that rather than expand new or existing programs and reduce taxes, he as recommending that three billion of the city’s recently discovered surpluses be earmarked to begin to address the City of New York’s problem.
PAGE 13
There is other expenses. We haven’t paid yet the bulk of the library. There are other expenses. As I indicated, the borrowing for the bulk - - for a good chunk of the library construction, that’s a $20,000,000, you know, bond that was approved by the voters. It’s going to come due with the 2008 budget. So that’s, you know, before you even start, there is an additional expense that people are paying for the library. And then that’s 2008. And then the following year we’re going to have to start paying not only for the library, which we’re doing, but also the unfunded liability issues. And that’s assuming, that means we have additional, you know, expenses that we don’t have, you know, right now.
PAGE 14
So, my feeling is that it’s going to be very, very difficult in the future to avoid a zero percent tax increase or tax reductions. In fact, the fact that we’re eating into the fund balance by more than I had hoped, I predict, you know, there could be, you know, bigger tax increases than people would want. It’s going to be harder for people to predict. But again when you look at this budget right now, if you take this budget and you say, is this budget fine for 2007, you know, I can vote for it. It’s acceptable. It’s just, I would have preferred being a little bit more fiscally conservative. And I also would like to avoid the fluctuations.
PAGE 19
SUPERVISOR FEINER: Well, all I could say is that time will tell. You know, if we do have fluctuations in future tax increases, as I think we will, because, you know, I do not believe we’ll be able to maintain the zero percent tax increases, then, you know, remember what I warned and suggested. I believe that most people - - nobody wants to pay taxes. Nobody wants taxes to increase. But I think that most people in the Town would prefer very small incremental, you know, tax increases. They want predictability. I think they want stability. And although my fund balance policy is a proposal, I do feel that it’s only a proposal. It was ever adopted by the Town Board. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, the Town Board, you know, has
PAGE 20
As I said before, we do have the unfunded liabilities. We know that’s an additional cost that we’re going to have to pay for beginning in 2009. We have the library. You know, that’s additional costs we’re going to have to pay for next year. You know, we know that costs keep going up, salaries keep getting increased. We have some additional union negotiations that will have to be, you know, finalized. And I’m sure there will be increases in union, you know, wages.
So, the bottom line is, there are going to be tax increases, you know, in the future. Again, it’s pay now or pay later. And again, how much do you pay later. Would people prefer, you know, a one or two percent increase every year of would they prefer a small dip in the taxes now and then a substantial increase next year or two or three years from now.
Monday, October 29, 2007
$405,000 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTAINS WORK THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN HOUSE, AT SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS TO TAXPAYERS
I spent some time reviewing the $405,000 comprehensive plan contract that the Town Board wants me to sign. I am currently reviewing the terms of the contract and have some initial concerns. The big concern: wasting taxpayer dollars unnecessarily.
The contract includes initial costs that could be done in house – not by expensive, outside consultants. In the coming months taxpayers will be asked to pay for a survey, survey analysis plan, mailing lists, survey tabulations, analysis and presentation, outreach. These costs are expensive: $19,500 for community meetings, public participation, issue formulation and communication: $35,000; data collection: $34,410; data analysis: $61,440.
I am convinced that each of the above outreach initiatives could be done by our capable town staff, at significant savings to the taxpayers. We don’t need to hire a consultant to help us determine what people are thinking. If we are going to hire a consultant we should use the consultant to help us with technical matters—work town staff cannot do in house.
We have a difficult budget coming up – with a significant tax hike. This is the time to prioritize spending. I hope that the Town Board will reconsider their decision to hire a consultant to complete a comprehensive plan and suggest that the contract be reviewed, modified and that the costs of the proposed plan be decreased.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
The contract includes initial costs that could be done in house – not by expensive, outside consultants. In the coming months taxpayers will be asked to pay for a survey, survey analysis plan, mailing lists, survey tabulations, analysis and presentation, outreach. These costs are expensive: $19,500 for community meetings, public participation, issue formulation and communication: $35,000; data collection: $34,410; data analysis: $61,440.
I am convinced that each of the above outreach initiatives could be done by our capable town staff, at significant savings to the taxpayers. We don’t need to hire a consultant to help us determine what people are thinking. If we are going to hire a consultant we should use the consultant to help us with technical matters—work town staff cannot do in house.
We have a difficult budget coming up – with a significant tax hike. This is the time to prioritize spending. I hope that the Town Board will reconsider their decision to hire a consultant to complete a comprehensive plan and suggest that the contract be reviewed, modified and that the costs of the proposed plan be decreased.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
WEEK OF OCT 29 POST YOUR COMMENTS GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY
Post your comments
Greenburgh Democracy
MEETING TONIGHT EDGEMONT HIGH WITH POLICE CHIEF 8 PM
PROPOSED 2008 BUDGET RELEASED TOMORROW
HALLOWEEN this week-- police will be patrolling streets
Greenburgh Democracy
MEETING TONIGHT EDGEMONT HIGH WITH POLICE CHIEF 8 PM
PROPOSED 2008 BUDGET RELEASED TOMORROW
HALLOWEEN this week-- police will be patrolling streets
Sunday, October 28, 2007
SHOULD CAMERAS BE INSTALLED AT INTERSECTIONS TO GENERATE REVENUE? AND, INCREASE SAFETY?
IDEAS: I will start posting initiatives that are taking place around the country on this blog. The purpose: to encourage people to discuss new ideas...
Red-light cameras installed at 50 intersections throughout the city have generated more than $6 million for the city since the program was launched last fall, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said. Almost $1 million will go toward police equipment upgrades and safety programs aimed at troubled youth, and another $635,000 will be spent on replacing aging video cameras in patrol cars.
MORE: Houston Chronicle
Predicting increased road safety and as much as $10 million per year in revenue from violators, Miami city commissioners tentatively endorse the idea of installing red-light cameras at traffic intersections.
MORE: Miami Herald
Red-light cameras installed at 50 intersections throughout the city have generated more than $6 million for the city since the program was launched last fall, Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt said. Almost $1 million will go toward police equipment upgrades and safety programs aimed at troubled youth, and another $635,000 will be spent on replacing aging video cameras in patrol cars.
MORE: Houston Chronicle
Predicting increased road safety and as much as $10 million per year in revenue from violators, Miami city commissioners tentatively endorse the idea of installing red-light cameras at traffic intersections.
MORE: Miami Herald
Saturday, October 27, 2007
FROM LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS--NRC: SLEEPING SECURITY GUARD AT INDIAN POINT NOT SECURITY LAPSE
A Nuclear Regulatory Commission report released this week concludes that a security guard found sleeping on the job at Indian Point over the summer was not a significant security lapse.
According to the Journal News, the NRC concluded that the Aug. 26 incident, in which an on-site inspector needed nearly two minutes to awaken the guard, merited a green rating, the NRC's grade for "very low safety significance." The agency will, however, include the incident in the NRC's upcoming performance assessment for the nuclear power plan.
Entergy spokesman Jim Steets said the guard resigned after initially being put on administrative leave. But a spokesman for Riverkeeper, Phillip Musegaas, said after the incident that he "would reiterate our concern that Indian Point is a poorly run facility. We have continuing concerns about security and about guards being overworked at the plant."
According to the Journal News, the NRC concluded that the Aug. 26 incident, in which an on-site inspector needed nearly two minutes to awaken the guard, merited a green rating, the NRC's grade for "very low safety significance." The agency will, however, include the incident in the NRC's upcoming performance assessment for the nuclear power plan.
Entergy spokesman Jim Steets said the guard resigned after initially being put on administrative leave. But a spokesman for Riverkeeper, Phillip Musegaas, said after the incident that he "would reiterate our concern that Indian Point is a poorly run facility. We have continuing concerns about security and about guards being overworked at the plant."
Thursday, October 25, 2007
I VOTED NO ON THE $405,000 STUDY, BD VOTED YES DAYS BEFORE BUDGET PROCESS BEGINS
When the 2008 proposed budget is released on Tuesday there will be a tax hike. The Town Board will have some options: Cut services to reduce the tax hike or maintain services. They have another option: increase the costs of government by adding more programs/initiatives to the budget.
On Wednesday the Greenburgh Town Board (over my objections) voted to approve a $405,000 comprehensive plan study. I tried to make a point: the decision whether the study takes place in 2008 should be deferred until the 2008 budget process is completed (by law a budget must be approved by December 20th). The issue is simple: PRIORITIES. What are our priorities in 2008? A comprehensive plan? Police, sanitation, leaf collection, recreation? What do we have funds for in 2008? What can't we afford to pay for?
By locking the town into a contract days before the 2008 budget process begins - the Board reduced our options. $200,000 of the comprehensive plan was funded in 2007 but never spent. If the money is not spent in 2007 the funds could be used to reduce the size of any tax hike or the dollars could be used to enhance services.
I also objected to the fact that the Board approved the $405,000 study without first reviewing the contract with the consultant. I was first shown the contract with the consultant ON THURSDAY, after the vote took place. How can the Board approve a contract before reading it? Before I sign any document I will review the terms and conditions of the contract to make sure that your interests are being protected.
Another concern: there is an election for town offices in less than 2 weeks. This years elections are contested. I feel that those who are elected in November should be making the decision re: terms, costs, benchmarks, hiring re: comprehensive plan. No harm to have had a short delay - until after the new Board is elected. Another reason to have delayed the vote...
I believe that $405,000 is alot of money to pay for a study.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
On Wednesday the Greenburgh Town Board (over my objections) voted to approve a $405,000 comprehensive plan study. I tried to make a point: the decision whether the study takes place in 2008 should be deferred until the 2008 budget process is completed (by law a budget must be approved by December 20th). The issue is simple: PRIORITIES. What are our priorities in 2008? A comprehensive plan? Police, sanitation, leaf collection, recreation? What do we have funds for in 2008? What can't we afford to pay for?
By locking the town into a contract days before the 2008 budget process begins - the Board reduced our options. $200,000 of the comprehensive plan was funded in 2007 but never spent. If the money is not spent in 2007 the funds could be used to reduce the size of any tax hike or the dollars could be used to enhance services.
I also objected to the fact that the Board approved the $405,000 study without first reviewing the contract with the consultant. I was first shown the contract with the consultant ON THURSDAY, after the vote took place. How can the Board approve a contract before reading it? Before I sign any document I will review the terms and conditions of the contract to make sure that your interests are being protected.
Another concern: there is an election for town offices in less than 2 weeks. This years elections are contested. I feel that those who are elected in November should be making the decision re: terms, costs, benchmarks, hiring re: comprehensive plan. No harm to have had a short delay - until after the new Board is elected. Another reason to have delayed the vote...
I believe that $405,000 is alot of money to pay for a study.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
TOWN TO TURN FORECLOSED PROPERTY INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SALE OF TOWN-OWNED
PROPERTY AT 770 SAW MILL RIVER ROAD
TO SHELTERING THE HOMELESS IS OUR
RESPONSIBILITY (SHORE)
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes the importance of providing adequate and affordable housing for residents and employees of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board finds that Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility (SHORE), an all-volunteer, interfaith organization, helps increase housing opportunities for families and individuals in need; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has created the Ardsley Housing Development Fund Company, a not-for-profit corporation pursuant to Article 11 of the Private Housing Finance Law and Section 402 of the Not-For-Profit-Corporation Law and presented a proposal to develop Town-owned property located at 770 Saw Mill River Road by demolishing an existing derelict structure and erecting two affordable residential units thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has previously authorized SHORE to make application to the Village of Ardsley for any land use approvals it may require in connection with the proposed development; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has received the necessary approvals from the Village of Ardsley to erect such units; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has now made an offer to purchase the property for the sum of $39,331.85, payable to the Town of Greenburgh, and $14,155.51, payable to the Village of Ardsley, said sums representing the amount of outstanding taxes owed to said municipalities, less penalties and interest thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board seeks to ensure that the subject property is always used to provide affordable housing by filing a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants with the Westchester County Division of Land Records; permitting the Town to terminate the conveyance and to re-enter and re-take possession and title of the property should the Town determine, after a public hearing, that the property is being occupied by households in violation of the affordable housing guidelines of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
WHEREAS, in view of the salutary purpose of the project and in consideration of the amounts already advanced by SHORE to obtain the necessary land use approvals for this project, the Town Board has decided, after conducting a public hearing, to accept said offer;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a Contract of Sale of 770 Saw Mill River Road to SHORE for the sum of $53,487.36, and to execute any documents necessary to effectuate such transfer.
Draft Submitted: October 23, 2007 (1:28 p.m.)
PROPERTY AT 770 SAW MILL RIVER ROAD
TO SHELTERING THE HOMELESS IS OUR
RESPONSIBILITY (SHORE)
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognizes the importance of providing adequate and affordable housing for residents and employees of the Town; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board finds that Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility (SHORE), an all-volunteer, interfaith organization, helps increase housing opportunities for families and individuals in need; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has created the Ardsley Housing Development Fund Company, a not-for-profit corporation pursuant to Article 11 of the Private Housing Finance Law and Section 402 of the Not-For-Profit-Corporation Law and presented a proposal to develop Town-owned property located at 770 Saw Mill River Road by demolishing an existing derelict structure and erecting two affordable residential units thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has previously authorized SHORE to make application to the Village of Ardsley for any land use approvals it may require in connection with the proposed development; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has received the necessary approvals from the Village of Ardsley to erect such units; and
WHEREAS, SHORE has now made an offer to purchase the property for the sum of $39,331.85, payable to the Town of Greenburgh, and $14,155.51, payable to the Village of Ardsley, said sums representing the amount of outstanding taxes owed to said municipalities, less penalties and interest thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board seeks to ensure that the subject property is always used to provide affordable housing by filing a Declaration of Restrictive Covenants with the Westchester County Division of Land Records; permitting the Town to terminate the conveyance and to re-enter and re-take possession and title of the property should the Town determine, after a public hearing, that the property is being occupied by households in violation of the affordable housing guidelines of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
WHEREAS, in view of the salutary purpose of the project and in consideration of the amounts already advanced by SHORE to obtain the necessary land use approvals for this project, the Town Board has decided, after conducting a public hearing, to accept said offer;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby authorizes the Town Supervisor to execute a Contract of Sale of 770 Saw Mill River Road to SHORE for the sum of $53,487.36, and to execute any documents necessary to effectuate such transfer.
Draft Submitted: October 23, 2007 (1:28 p.m.)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
GUEST COMMENTARY: KARL BERTRAND--COALITION FOR HOMELESS TO PROTEST ON OCT 25 FROM 12-2 MAIN STREET FOUNTAINS
Karl Bertrand of Greenburgh asked me to post the following commentary on this blog about a new county policy that could result in tragedies. A rally is being held this Thursday from 12-2 at the Main Street Fountains in White Plains.
In August Westchester closed White Plains’ only drop-in shelter. It stopped transferring the overflow from that shelter to other shelters. It forbid shelters from accepting people unless they met all the county’s strict shelter eligibility requirements: i.e. keeping all appointments, having all documents, attending all required treatment, regularly meeting shelter curfews, turning over all but $45/month of their income from work or SSI to reimburse the county for its shelter costs, etc. Literally overnight the county’s safety net system of drop-in shelters went from serving 130+ people nightly in multiple sites across Westchester to having just 40 drop-in beds, with those located only in Yonkers. The county’s plan was simple: follow all our rules or wander the streets, urinate on our buildings, and sleep wherever you can hide.
The county proposes to replace the shelters with a series of “warming centers”. These centers, more accurately described as “folding chair centers”, will offer only folding chairs instead of cots. The county has told providers that they should not replace the folding chairs with cots or beds, even if there were stacks of empty beds lying unused in the next room. It seems the county wants to punish the homeless for not complying with all requirements by in effect ensuring they can never sleep.
Have you ever had a good night’s sleep in a folding chair? Can you imagine trying to sleep in a chair for a week, a month, or an entire winter? Picture how you would feel and act if you were forced to go for weeks without sleep. Now imagine that condition forced on someone who is old, confused, brain damaged, senile, or off their meds. Westchester’s new homeless sleep deprivation policy is bad social policy and it is morally wrong.
There are other problems with the folding chair centers. They will be open only at night, and only from November to May. The idea is that these hours of operation will keep people from freezing on the streets. That is simple-minded. People obviously don’t just freeze when it’s dark. Again, this decision is inhumane, immoral, and wrong-headed social policy.
Winter is coming. These decisions make it more likely that people will die of exposure this winter as they wander looking for places to hide and sleep. That is not hyperbole. In 1989 three homeless people died of exposure in Westchester, prompting residents to carry three empty coffins to a candlelight vigil at the county office building. We can’t let that happen again, not by dismantling the effective safety net we’ve painstakingly constructed over the last 18 years, not here in Westchester, one of America’s richest counties, and not here in our home.
For more information, email the Westchester Homeless Advocacy Response Network (WHARN) at wharn@optonline.net.
In August Westchester closed White Plains’ only drop-in shelter. It stopped transferring the overflow from that shelter to other shelters. It forbid shelters from accepting people unless they met all the county’s strict shelter eligibility requirements: i.e. keeping all appointments, having all documents, attending all required treatment, regularly meeting shelter curfews, turning over all but $45/month of their income from work or SSI to reimburse the county for its shelter costs, etc. Literally overnight the county’s safety net system of drop-in shelters went from serving 130+ people nightly in multiple sites across Westchester to having just 40 drop-in beds, with those located only in Yonkers. The county’s plan was simple: follow all our rules or wander the streets, urinate on our buildings, and sleep wherever you can hide.
The county proposes to replace the shelters with a series of “warming centers”. These centers, more accurately described as “folding chair centers”, will offer only folding chairs instead of cots. The county has told providers that they should not replace the folding chairs with cots or beds, even if there were stacks of empty beds lying unused in the next room. It seems the county wants to punish the homeless for not complying with all requirements by in effect ensuring they can never sleep.
Have you ever had a good night’s sleep in a folding chair? Can you imagine trying to sleep in a chair for a week, a month, or an entire winter? Picture how you would feel and act if you were forced to go for weeks without sleep. Now imagine that condition forced on someone who is old, confused, brain damaged, senile, or off their meds. Westchester’s new homeless sleep deprivation policy is bad social policy and it is morally wrong.
There are other problems with the folding chair centers. They will be open only at night, and only from November to May. The idea is that these hours of operation will keep people from freezing on the streets. That is simple-minded. People obviously don’t just freeze when it’s dark. Again, this decision is inhumane, immoral, and wrong-headed social policy.
Winter is coming. These decisions make it more likely that people will die of exposure this winter as they wander looking for places to hide and sleep. That is not hyperbole. In 1989 three homeless people died of exposure in Westchester, prompting residents to carry three empty coffins to a candlelight vigil at the county office building. We can’t let that happen again, not by dismantling the effective safety net we’ve painstakingly constructed over the last 18 years, not here in Westchester, one of America’s richest counties, and not here in our home.
For more information, email the Westchester Homeless Advocacy Response Network (WHARN) at wharn@optonline.net.
Monday, October 22, 2007
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY week of October 22 Please post comments
Feel free to post comments about any issues of concern on this blog.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTOBER FEST A BIG SUCCESS
Congratulations to the Parks & Recreation Dept for doing a terrific job. The halloween spooktober fest at HartsBrook was a great success. Hundreds of adults, children enjoyed the day time event and the evening haunted house and hay ride. This was one of the best programs I have seen the dept organize. Hat's off to the entire dept.
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