During the public hearings on the Town's budget, in discussions with many residents, and in postings on this blog, people have raised their concerns about the issue of overtime spending by many of the Town's departments. I would like to take this opportunity to tell our taxpayers about some of the actions and initiatives that have recently begun.
First, as many of you may know, The Town appointed a new Comptroller on March 12th. .
1. The Payroll function which is part of the Town Comptroller's department has issued a report on overtime spending which reports the overtime dollars by department and individual for the respective payroll period which is two weeks. This report has been provided to Town Board members and others within the Town.
2. Our new Comptroller undertook an analysis of the first report that he received and immediately identified actions that should be undertaken to improve the Town's understanding of these costs. Mr. Kolesar designed a new reporting format that will greatly enhance the Town's ability to analyze both the amount of time and hours expended. In addition to increased information, the Payroll department will save time and further minimize the chance of an incorrect payment of overtime as a result of this new report.
The first department that was introduced to this report was the Police Department last Thursday, March 20th and Mr. Kolesar has reported to me that both the Police Chief and the staff member in that department responsible for this activity were very pleased with the initial presentation. In fact later that day, the information provided to me from Mr. Kolesar, indicated that the Police department requested additional features. The Comptroller then refined the report Thursday and Friday and provided this back to the Police department for further evaluation. By noon on Friday, the Police have agreed to implement this new reporting format immediately and the Comptroller expects this new data on either Monday, March 24th or Tuesday, March 25th. This new format will facilitate the analysis of overtime by individual, by rank, by date, by reason code just to cite some of the new possibilities. Once all of the issues, if any, are addressed, the Comptroller has indicated that he will roll this out across the various Town departments.
The Town is listening and being proactive. We can provide examples of real results. The Comptroller has indicated to me that he will incorporate a review of this item is his recurring oversight activities. Department heads will gain new insight into this aspect of their department's operations. It's a win for all.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
MAJOR OPEN GOVERNMENT INITIATIAVE: RESOLUTIONS POSTED ON WEB SITE
Sunshine Week (a national effort by the American Society of Newspaper Editors to educate the public and make government more open) comes to a close at midnight yesterday (3/22/2008). In the Town of Greenburgh, however, Open Government initiatives continue to be advanced 52 weeks per year. The most recent initiative of the Town Board is the posting on the town’s Web site of resolutions that will be voted upon at the next Town Board meeting. Town Clerk Judith Beville, Councilman Francis Sheehan and I discussed this initiative at a department head meeting earlier last week and we developed a plan of action to move this initiative forward. After the meeting Councilman Sheehan took some draft resolutions, standardized them, and began working with Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Joe Lucasey, who doubles as our Webmaster, to work out the logistics of posting the nine resolutions for the March 26 Town Board meeting. Seven resolutions have already been posted, as have the agendas for Tuesday’s Town Board Work Session and Wednesday’s Town Board Regular Meeting.
Although it is a work in progress, the foundation is now in place for posting resolutions at least 24 hours before the meeting and we hope to expand that to 48 hours or more, even when we have our typical number of 20+ resolutions on the agenda.
Judith Beville and her staff, Francis Sheehan, and Joe Lucasey have taken the lead on getting resolutions posted, supported by the enthusiastic encouragement of the entire Town Board (Sonja Brown, Diana Juettner, Kevin Morgan, Francis and myself), and the full cooperation of staff in all our departments responsible for drafting resolutions. We welcome your comments regarding the availability and usefulness of resolutions posted on the Town’s Web site at the following link: TOG Documents & Forms.
Councilman Sheehan is working to expand this initiative. In the future we hope that if the Board retains the services of a company they will be able to click on the resolution, and then visit a hyperlink to the company's web site. This will enable visitors to our web site to confirm, for themselves, how reputable the company is and could generate additional questions from the public prior to a Town Board meeting.
Under Documents & Forms we have also posted a picture of all the documents we had to throw out after the last Town Board meeting. We made the copies because the public at the prior meeting insisted we have an ample amount of hardcopies available. It is hoped that this open government initiative will also help to reduce such waste.
Email responses sent to TownBoard@GreenburghNY.com will be received by all five board members. We welcome your comments.
Although it is a work in progress, the foundation is now in place for posting resolutions at least 24 hours before the meeting and we hope to expand that to 48 hours or more, even when we have our typical number of 20+ resolutions on the agenda.
Judith Beville and her staff, Francis Sheehan, and Joe Lucasey have taken the lead on getting resolutions posted, supported by the enthusiastic encouragement of the entire Town Board (Sonja Brown, Diana Juettner, Kevin Morgan, Francis and myself), and the full cooperation of staff in all our departments responsible for drafting resolutions. We welcome your comments regarding the availability and usefulness of resolutions posted on the Town’s Web site at the following link: TOG Documents & Forms.
Councilman Sheehan is working to expand this initiative. In the future we hope that if the Board retains the services of a company they will be able to click on the resolution, and then visit a hyperlink to the company's web site. This will enable visitors to our web site to confirm, for themselves, how reputable the company is and could generate additional questions from the public prior to a Town Board meeting.
Under Documents & Forms we have also posted a picture of all the documents we had to throw out after the last Town Board meeting. We made the copies because the public at the prior meeting insisted we have an ample amount of hardcopies available. It is hoped that this open government initiative will also help to reduce such waste.
Email responses sent to TownBoard@GreenburghNY.com will be received by all five board members. We welcome your comments.
Friday, March 21, 2008
REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF JOHN KAPICA RE: EDGEMONT BURGLARIES
EDGEMONT BURGLARIES
There have been eight residential burglaries in Edgemont since December 27th of last year. All were on the west side of Central Avenue. One of the burglaries was closed through an arrest. In every burglary, entry was made through the rear of the residence usually by breaking a rear sliding glass door. We believe all occurred after dark. Jewelry was taken in each of the incidents except the most recent, which occurred on March 20th and in which a set of silverware was taken.
Police Response – The Police Department has assigned additional resources to the area. These include marked and unmarked police units, some utilizing specialized technology such as License Plate Readers that automatically read and capture the license plate numbers of all vehicles in the area. Notwithstanding what people may have heard about the Town’s financial problems, the department is devoting the full amount of resources it believes are necessary to address this matter including the allocation of on-duty personnel and the use of overtime resources.
What the Public Can Do – The Police Department needs your assistance to help apprehend the person or persons responsible for these crimes. To this end we ask that you report “anything” that might appear to be in the least bit suspicious to us. All of these crimes were effected through the rear of the residence. Because police patrol is generally confined to public roads, residents are in a much better position to observe any suspicious activity occurring in a neighbor’s yard. Several of the homes that suffered burglaries had alarms that were triggered. There is a delay between the time a monitoring station gets an alarm signal, telephones the residence and then notifies the police. This necessarily prolongs our response. Since most alarms have outdoor enunciators that may be heard by neighbors, this delay can be reduced or eliminated if we are immediately called when someone hears what appears to be an alarm sounding.
Also, to help protect your property we recommend that you lock all your doors and windows and set your alarm when you are away from your home, even if you only plan to be away for a few minutes. Purchase a timer or timers and connect lights, and a radio or television to it to give the impression your home is occupied in the evening hours. A motion triggered flood or spot light for your backyard is also recommended. Also, have a neighbor pick up your mail and check your home when you are away. A number of these burglaries were of homes where residents were away and the crime was not discovered until they returned.
We understand the anxiety generated by these offenses and want to assure the public that the police are taking the steps necessary to bring the people responsible for these crimes to justice.
There have been eight residential burglaries in Edgemont since December 27th of last year. All were on the west side of Central Avenue. One of the burglaries was closed through an arrest. In every burglary, entry was made through the rear of the residence usually by breaking a rear sliding glass door. We believe all occurred after dark. Jewelry was taken in each of the incidents except the most recent, which occurred on March 20th and in which a set of silverware was taken.
Police Response – The Police Department has assigned additional resources to the area. These include marked and unmarked police units, some utilizing specialized technology such as License Plate Readers that automatically read and capture the license plate numbers of all vehicles in the area. Notwithstanding what people may have heard about the Town’s financial problems, the department is devoting the full amount of resources it believes are necessary to address this matter including the allocation of on-duty personnel and the use of overtime resources.
What the Public Can Do – The Police Department needs your assistance to help apprehend the person or persons responsible for these crimes. To this end we ask that you report “anything” that might appear to be in the least bit suspicious to us. All of these crimes were effected through the rear of the residence. Because police patrol is generally confined to public roads, residents are in a much better position to observe any suspicious activity occurring in a neighbor’s yard. Several of the homes that suffered burglaries had alarms that were triggered. There is a delay between the time a monitoring station gets an alarm signal, telephones the residence and then notifies the police. This necessarily prolongs our response. Since most alarms have outdoor enunciators that may be heard by neighbors, this delay can be reduced or eliminated if we are immediately called when someone hears what appears to be an alarm sounding.
Also, to help protect your property we recommend that you lock all your doors and windows and set your alarm when you are away from your home, even if you only plan to be away for a few minutes. Purchase a timer or timers and connect lights, and a radio or television to it to give the impression your home is occupied in the evening hours. A motion triggered flood or spot light for your backyard is also recommended. Also, have a neighbor pick up your mail and check your home when you are away. A number of these burglaries were of homes where residents were away and the crime was not discovered until they returned.
We understand the anxiety generated by these offenses and want to assure the public that the police are taking the steps necessary to bring the people responsible for these crimes to justice.
$1,339,000 IN REQUESTED PROJECTS DEFERRED...MORE CUTS TO BE MADE
The Greenburgh Town Board met this past Tuesday to review all the capital budget requests that were submitted by department heads. We decided to defer $1,339,000 in projects. A list of projects being deferred to another year is posted in the summary below. Members of the Board are going to work hard in the coming months to keep future tax hikes to single digit. Some aspects of the budget are out of our control. The town must issue additional bonds to pay for the library construction (which was approved by the voters). The cost of gas, insurance keeps going up. Interest rates are going down, impacting the revenue we’re getting. The economy is also impacting sales tax/mortgage tax revenue. Certiorari’s are also impacting our budget. I recognize that many residents cannot afford double digit tax hikes and am prepared to support cuts in some programs in 2009. Your suggestions, feedback on budget issues is always appreciated. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE TOWN PORTION OF YOUR TOTAL TAX BILL IS UNDER 19%. WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SCHOOL TAXES, FIRE DISTRICT TAXES, COUNTY TAXES.
PAUL FEINER
Town of Greenburgh
Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00p.m. Agenda Review
2:15p.m. Busing Associates – Parks and Recreation
2:25p.m. TDYCC – Capital Budget
2:45p.m. TDYCC – RFP (to develop Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis) and Affordable Housing
3:00p.m. Work for Taxes– Pauline Kirkland
3:15p.m. Chauncey Estates – Thomas Madden
3:30p.m. Town Assessor – Executive Session
3:45p.m. PBA – Executive Session
4:45p.m. Energy Conservation Coordinator Interviews – Executive Session
6:00pm. Adjourn
April 1, 2008 Work Session
Ø Sunrise Assisted Living – Follow up
Ø Janet Giris - WestHab
Ø Energy Conservation Interviews
Ø Waterwheel – Village of Ardsley
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Community Outreach
Community Outreach meetings have been tentatively scheduled for Tarrytown, Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry. These meetings will take place during April and May, 2008.
Capital Budget Reviews
The Board conducted a preliminary review of capital budget requests submitted by department heads. The Town Supervisor has not yet submitted his proposed capital budget. Initial revisions have been made in the departmental budgets, however, all revisions are subject to further modifications. The review continues to be a work in progress. The Board recommended that the following items be deferred or tentatively reduced:
Planning Department – Hybrid vehicle - $ 25,000
Police Department – FATS training system - $29,500
Public Works – Reduction in sidewalk rehabilitation - $150,000
Public Works - Curbing Rehabilitation – Reduction - $250,000
Public Works - E-85 Fueling depot - $120,000
Public Works - Greenburgh Nature Center – cleaning station - $10,000
Parks & Rec – AFV - Tennis court lights replacement - $38,500
Parks & Rec – East Rumbrook Park modernization - $476,000
Parks & Rec – Massaro Park – Replace retaining wall - $120,000
Parks & Rec – Richard Presser/ Webb Park Playground Replacement - $120,000
Total tentative reductions / deferments - $1,339,000
PAUL FEINER
Town of Greenburgh
Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00p.m. Agenda Review
2:15p.m. Busing Associates – Parks and Recreation
2:25p.m. TDYCC – Capital Budget
2:45p.m. TDYCC – RFP (to develop Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis) and Affordable Housing
3:00p.m. Work for Taxes– Pauline Kirkland
3:15p.m. Chauncey Estates – Thomas Madden
3:30p.m. Town Assessor – Executive Session
3:45p.m. PBA – Executive Session
4:45p.m. Energy Conservation Coordinator Interviews – Executive Session
6:00pm. Adjourn
April 1, 2008 Work Session
Ø Sunrise Assisted Living – Follow up
Ø Janet Giris - WestHab
Ø Energy Conservation Interviews
Ø Waterwheel – Village of Ardsley
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Community Outreach
Community Outreach meetings have been tentatively scheduled for Tarrytown, Ardsley and Dobbs Ferry. These meetings will take place during April and May, 2008.
Capital Budget Reviews
The Board conducted a preliminary review of capital budget requests submitted by department heads. The Town Supervisor has not yet submitted his proposed capital budget. Initial revisions have been made in the departmental budgets, however, all revisions are subject to further modifications. The review continues to be a work in progress. The Board recommended that the following items be deferred or tentatively reduced:
Planning Department – Hybrid vehicle - $ 25,000
Police Department – FATS training system - $29,500
Public Works – Reduction in sidewalk rehabilitation - $150,000
Public Works - Curbing Rehabilitation – Reduction - $250,000
Public Works - E-85 Fueling depot - $120,000
Public Works - Greenburgh Nature Center – cleaning station - $10,000
Parks & Rec – AFV - Tennis court lights replacement - $38,500
Parks & Rec – East Rumbrook Park modernization - $476,000
Parks & Rec – Massaro Park – Replace retaining wall - $120,000
Parks & Rec – Richard Presser/ Webb Park Playground Replacement - $120,000
Total tentative reductions / deferments - $1,339,000
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
SPECIAL TOWN BD MEETING APPROVES $100,000 TO FAIRVIEW FIRE DISTRICT (westhelp funds)...TOWN TO GET SIX WELCOME TO Greenburgh signs
The Town Board held a special Town Board meeting this afternoon. We unanimously approved a local law authorizing the disbursement of funds to the Fairview Fire district, using WESTHELP money ($100,000 was given to the district). We also approved an agreement authorizing the Westchester Federal Credit Union to permit the placement of an external sign bearing the credit union's name on the grounds of Town Hall. In consideration, the credit union will pay for the replacement of the existing Town Hall sign and will also donate six attractive "Welcome to Greenburgh" signs at various locations in Greenburgh.
The Board met with a number of department heads and discussed the proposed capital buget - making cuts in department budget requests.
The Board met with a number of department heads and discussed the proposed capital buget - making cuts in department budget requests.
Monday, March 17, 2008
COUNTY SHOULD LEASE UNUSED PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE FOR COMMUTERS WHO WANT TO TAKE BUS INTO NYC
A SUGGESTION TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: LEASE UNUSED PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE FROM SHOPPING CENTERS, CO-OPS, CONDO’S AND TURN THE SPOTS INTO COMMUTER PARKING FOR COMMUTERS INTERESTED IN TAKING BUS TO MANHATTAN
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO LEGAL PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE FOR COMMUTERS
The Westchester County Department of Transportation should use their influence to persuade commercial property owners, co-ops and condo’s on Central Avenue to lease unused parking spots on the avenue to commuters who take the Westchester-Manhattan express bus to New York City.
At the present time there are no allocated parking spots for commuters. Although many residents park at the stores, there have been instances where they have been ticketed or towed. If the property owners would lease some parking spaces to the county the property owners would benefit because they would generate more revenue. The county bus system would benefit because it would be much easier for commuters to use the Westchester-Manhattan bus system, and the environment would benefit because less people would drive to New York City and more people would use public ransportation.
I have received an e mail from a co-op Board that is interested in leasing to the county between 8-10 parking spots. There may be other co-ops, condo’s, businesses that would be interested in negotiating a lease agreement with the county Department of Transportation.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO LEGAL PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE FOR COMMUTERS
The Westchester County Department of Transportation should use their influence to persuade commercial property owners, co-ops and condo’s on Central Avenue to lease unused parking spots on the avenue to commuters who take the Westchester-Manhattan express bus to New York City.
At the present time there are no allocated parking spots for commuters. Although many residents park at the stores, there have been instances where they have been ticketed or towed. If the property owners would lease some parking spaces to the county the property owners would benefit because they would generate more revenue. The county bus system would benefit because it would be much easier for commuters to use the Westchester-Manhattan bus system, and the environment would benefit because less people would drive to New York City and more people would use public ransportation.
I have received an e mail from a co-op Board that is interested in leasing to the county between 8-10 parking spots. There may be other co-ops, condo’s, businesses that would be interested in negotiating a lease agreement with the county Department of Transportation.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSIONS ON TUESDAY
Most of this Tuesday's work session will feature discussions regarding the upcoming capital budget. Department heads will be invited to discuss their proposed capital budget requests with the Town Board. The meeting is streamed live on the internet.
The issue: should we reduce capital expenditures to reduce the impact on tax hikes...
OR
should we address infrastructure needs now.
The issue: should we reduce capital expenditures to reduce the impact on tax hikes...
OR
should we address infrastructure needs now.
Friday, March 14, 2008
WORK SESSION AGENDA FOR TUESDAY AND SUMMARY FOR NEXT TUESDAYS WORK SESSION
Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00p.m. Community Outreach
2:15p.m. Capital Budget – Central Services
2:45p.m. Police – Fund A
3:15p.m. Capital Budget – Assessor
4:00p.m. Special Meeting:
4:15p.m. Capital Budget – TDYCC
4:45p.m. Public Works
5:15p.m. Parks and Recreation
5:45p.m. Adjourn
March 25, 2008 Work Session – Sunrise Assisted Living, Follow Up
Planning/Zoning: Chauncey Estates
Work for Taxes Program
Energy Conservation Interviews
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 18, 2008
NYS Unified Court System – Deborah Bart
Deborah Bart, assigned by Judge Apothekar to review recommendations for needed improvements within the Town Court, presented a request for office space expansion with the temporary use of trailers. Al Regula is preparing a bid for the trailers. The estimated cost for renovations to expand the court office space is $500,000. It was agreed that an outside accountant will be hired to review court records in order to remedy the defects identified in the court audit.
TDYCC Update
Acting Commissioner, Valerie Whitehead, announced several new initiatives that have been implemented. Valerie, Pat Richardson and Patricia Roper – also administrators at TDYCC – shared an immediate need for the ceiling to be painted and for the pool to be repaired due to the observable fact that paint has been falling from the ceiling and caulking is needed in the pool.
Greenburgh Housing
The Town Board requested that the owners of 90 Manhattan Avenue, 100 Manhattan Avenue and 33 Oak Street – Fairview – reconsider the rent hikes since they appear to be exorbitant and out of reach for many of the residents – forcing some to leave their homes. The owners stated that they are not in violation of their agreement and that tenants would not pay more than 30% of the household income. The owner’s representative stated that rents reflect the affordable housing guidelines as defined by the county.
Village of Irvington
Village Administrator, Larry Schopfer, requested that the Board provide funding to provide appropriate equipment needed to address brush fires. A hearing date will be set in April.
Emergency Sewer Repair – Lawrence Drive
Al Regula informed the Board that, due to a sewer emergency on Lawrence Drive, a resolution for fifty to sixty thousand dollars, part of the sewer fund balance, would be submitted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 to address the matter.
Westchester Credit Union
The Board agreed to the posting of two separate signs (Greenburgh Town Hall and Westchester Credit Union) on the grounds of Town Hall that comply with code regulations.
Finneran Law Committee
A committee comprised of Town residents (incorporated and unincorporated) has been recommended by Gerry Byrne, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. These individuals, once confirmed, will meet to develop recommendations that reflect the interests and concerns of a broad spectrum of residents.
Library Board Interviews
The Board interviewed three candidates for the vacant Library Board position. They will make a recommendation to the Library Board.
Please be advised that the Town Clerk’s office evening hours are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s of the month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm (to coincide with Town Board meetings) except for July and August when the Board only meets on one Wednesday. The primary purpose is for marriage licenses.
Revised Work Session Agenda of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00p.m. Community Outreach
2:15p.m. Capital Budget – Central Services
2:45p.m. Police – Fund A
3:15p.m. Capital Budget – Assessor
4:00p.m. Special Meeting:
4:15p.m. Capital Budget – TDYCC
4:45p.m. Public Works
5:15p.m. Parks and Recreation
5:45p.m. Adjourn
March 25, 2008 Work Session – Sunrise Assisted Living, Follow Up
Planning/Zoning: Chauncey Estates
Work for Taxes Program
Energy Conservation Interviews
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 18, 2008
NYS Unified Court System – Deborah Bart
Deborah Bart, assigned by Judge Apothekar to review recommendations for needed improvements within the Town Court, presented a request for office space expansion with the temporary use of trailers. Al Regula is preparing a bid for the trailers. The estimated cost for renovations to expand the court office space is $500,000. It was agreed that an outside accountant will be hired to review court records in order to remedy the defects identified in the court audit.
TDYCC Update
Acting Commissioner, Valerie Whitehead, announced several new initiatives that have been implemented. Valerie, Pat Richardson and Patricia Roper – also administrators at TDYCC – shared an immediate need for the ceiling to be painted and for the pool to be repaired due to the observable fact that paint has been falling from the ceiling and caulking is needed in the pool.
Greenburgh Housing
The Town Board requested that the owners of 90 Manhattan Avenue, 100 Manhattan Avenue and 33 Oak Street – Fairview – reconsider the rent hikes since they appear to be exorbitant and out of reach for many of the residents – forcing some to leave their homes. The owners stated that they are not in violation of their agreement and that tenants would not pay more than 30% of the household income. The owner’s representative stated that rents reflect the affordable housing guidelines as defined by the county.
Village of Irvington
Village Administrator, Larry Schopfer, requested that the Board provide funding to provide appropriate equipment needed to address brush fires. A hearing date will be set in April.
Emergency Sewer Repair – Lawrence Drive
Al Regula informed the Board that, due to a sewer emergency on Lawrence Drive, a resolution for fifty to sixty thousand dollars, part of the sewer fund balance, would be submitted on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 to address the matter.
Westchester Credit Union
The Board agreed to the posting of two separate signs (Greenburgh Town Hall and Westchester Credit Union) on the grounds of Town Hall that comply with code regulations.
Finneran Law Committee
A committee comprised of Town residents (incorporated and unincorporated) has been recommended by Gerry Byrne, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. These individuals, once confirmed, will meet to develop recommendations that reflect the interests and concerns of a broad spectrum of residents.
Library Board Interviews
The Board interviewed three candidates for the vacant Library Board position. They will make a recommendation to the Library Board.
Please be advised that the Town Clerk’s office evening hours are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday’s of the month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm (to coincide with Town Board meetings) except for July and August when the Board only meets on one Wednesday. The primary purpose is for marriage licenses.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
WVOX TALK SHOW TOMORROW-FRIDAY-ON REASSESSMENT..DOES IT MAKE SENSE FOR GREENBURGH?
Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner will discuss reassessment on his weekly WVOX radio program (1460 AM) this Friday, March 14th from 10 AM to 11 AM. Feiner will interview former Greenburgh Town Assessor Gerry Iagallo who is assisting the village of Bronxville conduct a reassessment. The program is streamed live on the WVOX web site: www.wvox.com. People can call in during the program: 636-0110.
The last time reassessment was done in Greenburgh was in 1956. The last time reassessment was done in most other localities around Westchester was decades ago. Should the town join Bronxville and reassess on its own? Should reassessment be done at the county level? What experiences (positive and negative) have communities that conducted reassessment on their own had? How expensive is it for a community to reassess? How long does it take? Some of Greenburgh’s school districts are located in two separate towns? If Greenburgh reassesses but a neighboring community does not – would that be a negative? Is there any movement on the county or state level to push for reassessment? Is it cheaper for reassessment to take place at the county level? Whose taxes go up, down or remain the same after a reassessment is complete? Will reassessment result in fewer certiorari’s? In recent years residential property owners in Greenburgh have been paying a larger percentage of the tax bill (residential vs commercial) because of the commercial certiorari’s.
The issue: If one property or one neighborhood is significantly underassessed, not only are they paying too little in taxes, but other property owners are subsidizing that taxpayer’s or neighborhood’s share of the bill. Reassessment is not created to raise taxes; it is intended to distribute the taxes collected more fairly among all property owners.
The purpose of this program is to inform residents about reassessment. Feiner believes that the town should conduct a comprehensive analysis of the positives and negatives of reassessment and then have a community dialogue to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to keep residential taxes as low as possible.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT REASSESSMENT PLEASE CALL WVOX RADIO HOTLINE TOMORROW –FRIDAY- BETWEEN 10 AM AND 11 AM------------------------------------636-0110.
The last time reassessment was done in Greenburgh was in 1956. The last time reassessment was done in most other localities around Westchester was decades ago. Should the town join Bronxville and reassess on its own? Should reassessment be done at the county level? What experiences (positive and negative) have communities that conducted reassessment on their own had? How expensive is it for a community to reassess? How long does it take? Some of Greenburgh’s school districts are located in two separate towns? If Greenburgh reassesses but a neighboring community does not – would that be a negative? Is there any movement on the county or state level to push for reassessment? Is it cheaper for reassessment to take place at the county level? Whose taxes go up, down or remain the same after a reassessment is complete? Will reassessment result in fewer certiorari’s? In recent years residential property owners in Greenburgh have been paying a larger percentage of the tax bill (residential vs commercial) because of the commercial certiorari’s.
The issue: If one property or one neighborhood is significantly underassessed, not only are they paying too little in taxes, but other property owners are subsidizing that taxpayer’s or neighborhood’s share of the bill. Reassessment is not created to raise taxes; it is intended to distribute the taxes collected more fairly among all property owners.
The purpose of this program is to inform residents about reassessment. Feiner believes that the town should conduct a comprehensive analysis of the positives and negatives of reassessment and then have a community dialogue to determine what actions, if any, should be taken to keep residential taxes as low as possible.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT REASSESSMENT PLEASE CALL WVOX RADIO HOTLINE TOMORROW –FRIDAY- BETWEEN 10 AM AND 11 AM------------------------------------636-0110.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
part time opening-energy conservation coordinator
Nikki Coddington, Greenburgh’s first energy conservation coordinator, has submitted her resignation effective the end of the month. Nikki will be heading up a non profit organization that deals with energy conservation issues. The town was extremely fortunate to have her as our first energy conservation coordinator. She was Greenburgh’s first energy conservation coordinator and the first energy conservation coordinator in the region.
The Town Board will conduct interviews with candidates who are interested in applying for the position of energy conservation coordinator beginning Tuesday, March 25th. If you are interested in applying for the position please send a cover letter and bio to townboard@greenburghny.com and to Townclerk@greenburghny.com. The budget for the office: $28,093 for the part time stipend (minimum of 16 hours a week). $1700 for office expenses. No benefits since this position is contractual. The following is a summary of the responsibilities of the office.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
ENERGY CONSERVATION COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Prepared by Nicola Coddington, March 2008
Note: This documents the types of activities that have been conducted over the past five years, as of March 2008. Not all activities were done at the same time. The role has evolved, and there has been a periodic reprioritization as to what can realistically be accomplished in an average of 16 hours per week
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
Community outreach and education to promote energy conservation/efficiency, renewable energy, global warming action.
Areas covered: buildings, transportation, products, purchasing
Target audiences: Residential/individual, business/commercial, school
Methods of outreach/education:
Regularly maintain literature displays in public (usually Town) buildings: e.g. Town Hall lobby and Building Dept area; library (when they move back into the completed building); other potential sites include TDYCC, Greenburgh Nature Center, Multipurpose Center at Anthony Veteran Park.
Set up targeted literature displays for particular time-limited events. Example: during the last week of months when property taxes are due at Greenburgh Town Hall, set up display on Tax counter featuring energy programs for homes and multifamily buildings.
Table at public locations and events, with literature, CFL bulb display, giveaways, etc., either invited or self-initiated. Examples: library, street fairs, farmer’s markets, Earth Day events at school or TDY community center, etc. Participation is expected at annual Celebrate Greenburgh Day.
Make presentations to community groups, either on request or self-initiated. Examples: Rotary Club, Lions Club, homeowners associations, Garden Club, employees of an organization (including Town departments), Greenburgh Housing Authority tenants, library, etc. May include presentations at Town Board meetings since they are televised.
Organize, publicize, and execute (alone or partnering with other organizations such as NYSERDA, DOE, Building & Realty Institute, MetroPool, Sierra Club, Westchester County departments, etc.) events for targeted audiences or the general public. Examples:
Green Living Fair
Seminar for multifamily building owners/managers
Seminar for business owners
Seminar on solar energy for homeowners, architects, etc.
Recruitment seminar for Home Performance contractors
Transportation day (promoting ridesharing and public transportation)
Energy film festival
Maintain web page on Town website, providing information resources. Send updated web pages to Joe Lucasey for posting. Periodically check links for accuracy (can ask a student intern to do this). Events should be posted on web page.
Produce “The Energy Show,” a half-hour show on Greenburgh public access cable TV (one segment runs for a month on channels 75 and 76). Plan, select/research topics, invite guests or select videos, schedule taping, prepare guest questions, tape, review rough tape for editing, send copy of completed tape or DVD to guest if appropriate (George Malone and/or Kevin Ridley do the actual camera work and editing).
Send out emails to particular target audiences (own lists), such as architects, teachers, builders/contractors, etc., regarding items or events of interest (typically training events).
Send out emails to the general Greenburgh audience (Town e-list).
Plan and promote specific campaigns/initiatives, such as “Change a Light” or “Green Your Miles.”
Respond to individual inquiries, either by email, phone, or in person (in office).
Respond to inquiries from new Town residents. Energy Conservation Coordinator services have been promoted in the letter that every new homeowner in the Town receives from the Supervisor, and names of new homeowners forwarded. (This was done in the past but not recently.)
Review and update the Energy Conservation Coordinator listing that is published in the semiannual Greenburgh Guide.
Maintain adequate supply of literature by periodically ordering from sources (NYSERDA, Con Edison, MetroPool, NYS Consumer Protection Board, etc.), making sure each brochure or flier is the latest version available; keep an eye out for new literature or particular promotions; create own literature for custom purposes.
Work with the Greenburgh library to update and promote their selection of books, videos, and other resources on these topics. Recommend new titles for purchase. Produce and regularly update a flier that lists these resources. Publicize new acquisitions. (This is on hiatus until the library moves into its new building and its collection come out of storage.) These things could be done with the village libraries too, as time and their staff interest permit.
Work with the media to obtain publicity for initiatives, events, and achievements. Example: story on local solar homes in conjunction with the Green Living Fair.
Organize ways to recognize individuals or organizations that have “gone green.” Example: certificate and ceremony to recognize the first group of builders to complete Energy Star homes under the Town law.
Research social marketing techniques to improve effectiveness of outreach.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Research, develop, and present recommendations to Town Board on possible policy initiatives. May be done in response to suggestions from members of public or Town administration. Research includes conducting discussions with stakeholders and other involved parties or departments; Internet or phone research on resources and examples/case studies from other municipalities or organizations. Past examples: Energy Star purchasing; green building standards for commercial new construction.
Respond to inquiries from other municipalities, organizations, and the media regarding Town policies or initiatives. Example: other municipalities seeking to pass an Energy Star law.
When appropriate, recommend policy advocacy or support for higher level (e.g. County or State) initiatives. Example: Town signing on to letter supporting net metering legislation.
ICLEI
Serve as Town “staff” liaison to ICLEI/Local Governments for Sustainability (our membership requires one staff and one elected official liaison—Diana Jeuttner has been serving as the latter), maintaining communications with ICLEI. Manage ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection process, which includes five Milestones. We are still on Milestone 1, which is to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory; this involves collecting data and entering it in the CCP software program (or finding an intern to do it). Understand ICLEI tools and resources and be able to use them in implementing the process and communicate them to Town staff as needed. Monitor and process annual ICLEI membership bill. Network with other ICLEI members to research best practices.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN TOWN FACILITIES
Existing Town Buildings and Facilities
Work with Town staff to improve energy performance and greenhouse gas impact of Town-owned facilities and operations, including buildings, street lights, vehicles, etc. Ideally will result in cost savings. May involve searching for grants or other funding opportunities.
Coordinate energy audits and retrofit projects as appropriate. So far we have had the New York Power Authority (NYPA) conduct “walk-through” energy audits on all our buildings, and a detailed energy audit on Town Hall which resulted in the 2006 retrofit with energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors. Working with the Commissioner of Public Works, future energy audits should be scheduled either with NYPA or with an energy performance contracting company. When retrofit project is completed, help create educational signage and publicity to communicate the energy efficiency measures and benefits to the public.
Make use of EPA tools and online training seminars on energy-efficient operations, and promote training opportunities, whether web-based or events, to relevant staff, for example in energy-efficient building operation. Example: www.energystar.gov, Building Portfolio Manager.
In addition to facilities directly owned and operated with the Town, work with the management and staff of associated entities such as the Housing Authority and the Greenburgh Nature Center to connect them with the resources and information to improve the energy performance of their buildings.
Monitor Town’s participation in Energy Curtailment Specialists’ demand response/energy curtailment program; if appropriate, publicize as a model.
New Construction of Town Buildings
For new construction of buildings owned by the Town or associated entities, advocate for energy efficiency and green construction methods, and connect decision-makers with the information and resources available. When building construction is completed, help create educational signage and publicity to communicate the green building features and benefits to the public. Example: Greenburgh Library.
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN TOWN FACILITIES
Monitor photovoltaic (PV) system at Town Hall. Submit quarterly reports to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of fulfilling the requirements of their grant. Monitor PV system performance and conduct maintenance or troubleshooting (with building staff) as necessary. Refresh screen of monitor in lobby on a daily basis if possible (otherwise it remains on screensaver), and make sure data acquisition system (DAS) and computer are functioning properly. Maintain and improve solar information display in lobby, in order to educate the public on solar energy.
POLICIES/CAMPAIGNS WITH TOWN EMPLOYEES
Promote Town’s “Green Your Miles” campaign with employees, encouraging them to carpool. Explore ways to reward or recognize them, including establishment of dedicated parking spaces for carpoolers.
NEW PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
Residential New Construction
As needed, coordinate with the Building Department to make sure information on the Town’s Energy Star homes law is up to date and available to building permit applicants; work with Building Department and the HERS energy rater community to resolve any issues in application of the law. When needed, respond to inquiries from builders or homeowners about the law and information resources. In Building Department lobby area, maintain display of relevant brochures, e.g. Energy Star Homes.
Commercial New Construction
As (informally) required as part of the Town’s Planning Board application process, meet with applicants for new commercial construction to discuss opportunities for energy conservation (and other green building measures) in their projects. Offer them information regarding NYSERDA’s programs and resources for technical assistance and funding for new construction and green building, as well as USGBC’s resources on LEED construction. Review their memo detailing what measures they propose, and forward it to the Acting Commissioner of Planning. (This procedure may well change when new Town green building standards are implemented.)
The Town Board will conduct interviews with candidates who are interested in applying for the position of energy conservation coordinator beginning Tuesday, March 25th. If you are interested in applying for the position please send a cover letter and bio to townboard@greenburghny.com and to Townclerk@greenburghny.com. The budget for the office: $28,093 for the part time stipend (minimum of 16 hours a week). $1700 for office expenses. No benefits since this position is contractual. The following is a summary of the responsibilities of the office.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
ENERGY CONSERVATION COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Prepared by Nicola Coddington, March 2008
Note: This documents the types of activities that have been conducted over the past five years, as of March 2008. Not all activities were done at the same time. The role has evolved, and there has been a periodic reprioritization as to what can realistically be accomplished in an average of 16 hours per week
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
Community outreach and education to promote energy conservation/efficiency, renewable energy, global warming action.
Areas covered: buildings, transportation, products, purchasing
Target audiences: Residential/individual, business/commercial, school
Methods of outreach/education:
Regularly maintain literature displays in public (usually Town) buildings: e.g. Town Hall lobby and Building Dept area; library (when they move back into the completed building); other potential sites include TDYCC, Greenburgh Nature Center, Multipurpose Center at Anthony Veteran Park.
Set up targeted literature displays for particular time-limited events. Example: during the last week of months when property taxes are due at Greenburgh Town Hall, set up display on Tax counter featuring energy programs for homes and multifamily buildings.
Table at public locations and events, with literature, CFL bulb display, giveaways, etc., either invited or self-initiated. Examples: library, street fairs, farmer’s markets, Earth Day events at school or TDY community center, etc. Participation is expected at annual Celebrate Greenburgh Day.
Make presentations to community groups, either on request or self-initiated. Examples: Rotary Club, Lions Club, homeowners associations, Garden Club, employees of an organization (including Town departments), Greenburgh Housing Authority tenants, library, etc. May include presentations at Town Board meetings since they are televised.
Organize, publicize, and execute (alone or partnering with other organizations such as NYSERDA, DOE, Building & Realty Institute, MetroPool, Sierra Club, Westchester County departments, etc.) events for targeted audiences or the general public. Examples:
Green Living Fair
Seminar for multifamily building owners/managers
Seminar for business owners
Seminar on solar energy for homeowners, architects, etc.
Recruitment seminar for Home Performance contractors
Transportation day (promoting ridesharing and public transportation)
Energy film festival
Maintain web page on Town website, providing information resources. Send updated web pages to Joe Lucasey for posting. Periodically check links for accuracy (can ask a student intern to do this). Events should be posted on web page.
Produce “The Energy Show,” a half-hour show on Greenburgh public access cable TV (one segment runs for a month on channels 75 and 76). Plan, select/research topics, invite guests or select videos, schedule taping, prepare guest questions, tape, review rough tape for editing, send copy of completed tape or DVD to guest if appropriate (George Malone and/or Kevin Ridley do the actual camera work and editing).
Send out emails to particular target audiences (own lists), such as architects, teachers, builders/contractors, etc., regarding items or events of interest (typically training events).
Send out emails to the general Greenburgh audience (Town e-list).
Plan and promote specific campaigns/initiatives, such as “Change a Light” or “Green Your Miles.”
Respond to individual inquiries, either by email, phone, or in person (in office).
Respond to inquiries from new Town residents. Energy Conservation Coordinator services have been promoted in the letter that every new homeowner in the Town receives from the Supervisor, and names of new homeowners forwarded. (This was done in the past but not recently.)
Review and update the Energy Conservation Coordinator listing that is published in the semiannual Greenburgh Guide.
Maintain adequate supply of literature by periodically ordering from sources (NYSERDA, Con Edison, MetroPool, NYS Consumer Protection Board, etc.), making sure each brochure or flier is the latest version available; keep an eye out for new literature or particular promotions; create own literature for custom purposes.
Work with the Greenburgh library to update and promote their selection of books, videos, and other resources on these topics. Recommend new titles for purchase. Produce and regularly update a flier that lists these resources. Publicize new acquisitions. (This is on hiatus until the library moves into its new building and its collection come out of storage.) These things could be done with the village libraries too, as time and their staff interest permit.
Work with the media to obtain publicity for initiatives, events, and achievements. Example: story on local solar homes in conjunction with the Green Living Fair.
Organize ways to recognize individuals or organizations that have “gone green.” Example: certificate and ceremony to recognize the first group of builders to complete Energy Star homes under the Town law.
Research social marketing techniques to improve effectiveness of outreach.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Research, develop, and present recommendations to Town Board on possible policy initiatives. May be done in response to suggestions from members of public or Town administration. Research includes conducting discussions with stakeholders and other involved parties or departments; Internet or phone research on resources and examples/case studies from other municipalities or organizations. Past examples: Energy Star purchasing; green building standards for commercial new construction.
Respond to inquiries from other municipalities, organizations, and the media regarding Town policies or initiatives. Example: other municipalities seeking to pass an Energy Star law.
When appropriate, recommend policy advocacy or support for higher level (e.g. County or State) initiatives. Example: Town signing on to letter supporting net metering legislation.
ICLEI
Serve as Town “staff” liaison to ICLEI/Local Governments for Sustainability (our membership requires one staff and one elected official liaison—Diana Jeuttner has been serving as the latter), maintaining communications with ICLEI. Manage ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection process, which includes five Milestones. We are still on Milestone 1, which is to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions baseline inventory; this involves collecting data and entering it in the CCP software program (or finding an intern to do it). Understand ICLEI tools and resources and be able to use them in implementing the process and communicate them to Town staff as needed. Monitor and process annual ICLEI membership bill. Network with other ICLEI members to research best practices.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN TOWN FACILITIES
Existing Town Buildings and Facilities
Work with Town staff to improve energy performance and greenhouse gas impact of Town-owned facilities and operations, including buildings, street lights, vehicles, etc. Ideally will result in cost savings. May involve searching for grants or other funding opportunities.
Coordinate energy audits and retrofit projects as appropriate. So far we have had the New York Power Authority (NYPA) conduct “walk-through” energy audits on all our buildings, and a detailed energy audit on Town Hall which resulted in the 2006 retrofit with energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors. Working with the Commissioner of Public Works, future energy audits should be scheduled either with NYPA or with an energy performance contracting company. When retrofit project is completed, help create educational signage and publicity to communicate the energy efficiency measures and benefits to the public.
Make use of EPA tools and online training seminars on energy-efficient operations, and promote training opportunities, whether web-based or events, to relevant staff, for example in energy-efficient building operation. Example: www.energystar.gov, Building Portfolio Manager.
In addition to facilities directly owned and operated with the Town, work with the management and staff of associated entities such as the Housing Authority and the Greenburgh Nature Center to connect them with the resources and information to improve the energy performance of their buildings.
Monitor Town’s participation in Energy Curtailment Specialists’ demand response/energy curtailment program; if appropriate, publicize as a model.
New Construction of Town Buildings
For new construction of buildings owned by the Town or associated entities, advocate for energy efficiency and green construction methods, and connect decision-makers with the information and resources available. When building construction is completed, help create educational signage and publicity to communicate the green building features and benefits to the public. Example: Greenburgh Library.
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN TOWN FACILITIES
Monitor photovoltaic (PV) system at Town Hall. Submit quarterly reports to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of fulfilling the requirements of their grant. Monitor PV system performance and conduct maintenance or troubleshooting (with building staff) as necessary. Refresh screen of monitor in lobby on a daily basis if possible (otherwise it remains on screensaver), and make sure data acquisition system (DAS) and computer are functioning properly. Maintain and improve solar information display in lobby, in order to educate the public on solar energy.
POLICIES/CAMPAIGNS WITH TOWN EMPLOYEES
Promote Town’s “Green Your Miles” campaign with employees, encouraging them to carpool. Explore ways to reward or recognize them, including establishment of dedicated parking spaces for carpoolers.
NEW PRIVATE CONSTRUCTION: RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
Residential New Construction
As needed, coordinate with the Building Department to make sure information on the Town’s Energy Star homes law is up to date and available to building permit applicants; work with Building Department and the HERS energy rater community to resolve any issues in application of the law. When needed, respond to inquiries from builders or homeowners about the law and information resources. In Building Department lobby area, maintain display of relevant brochures, e.g. Energy Star Homes.
Commercial New Construction
As (informally) required as part of the Town’s Planning Board application process, meet with applicants for new commercial construction to discuss opportunities for energy conservation (and other green building measures) in their projects. Offer them information regarding NYSERDA’s programs and resources for technical assistance and funding for new construction and green building, as well as USGBC’s resources on LEED construction. Review their memo detailing what measures they propose, and forward it to the Acting Commissioner of Planning. (This procedure may well change when new Town green building standards are implemented.)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
AUTISM INFO FAIR APRIL 6 FROM 11 TO 4 PM
Families who have children with austism disorders are invited to a fair on Sunday, April 6th from 11 AM to 4 PM at the Westchester County Center. There will be over 40 information stations included programs dealing with applied behavior analysis, relationship development, speech & language pathology, medical intervention, nutritional and biomedical interventions, auditory therapy, vision therapy, self injurious behavior management and much more. FOR INFORMATION contact: 826-5300
Monday, March 10, 2008
EMPLOYEES CAN RETIRE, COLLECT PENSIONS AND THEN BE REHIRED AT SAME PAY--THIS SHOULD BE STOPPED BY NYS
An article in Newsday indicated that in Long Island some government employees are retiring, collecting their pensions. They are then able to return to the same jobs and can collect full time salaries. Some employees do this the next day! I believe that the county of Westchester & local governments within Westchester should ban this kind of practice from taking place. It’s a misuse of taxpayer dollars. I would like to request that the county personnel office conduct an inventory to determine if this is happening in Westchester County . If this is currently happening in Westchester (it’s happening in other parts of the state) it should be stopped. In addition, the County Board of Legislators should approve a resolution supporting Assemblyman Sweeney’s proposed law. A copy of the article that appeared in NEWSDAY is attached.
Top Garden City cop gets sweet deal
BY CHAU LAM | chau.lam@newsday.com
March 9, 2008
Mayor Peter A. Bee and village board members voted unanimously to rehire Cipullo after he quit working because Bee said Cipullo was "the best person" to manage the department that consists of 54 sworn police officers, 13 civilian employees and half a dozen school crossing guards.
"He's doing a great job and there is no reason to let him go," Bee said in an interview last week.
There is nothing illegal about the arrangement. Government workers 65 and older who retire with full pensions are permitted by state law to return to the same jobs and collect full-time salaries.
But Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) said he has drafted legislation that would stop the payment of pensions of more than $70,000 a year to civil servants who then return to the same jobs or substantially similar jobs.
The legislation, Sweeney said, is being reviewed by State Comptroller Thomas .DiNapoli.
Sweeney said Cipullo's case illustrates the kind of waste and abuse in government that is criticized by Long Islanders.
"Why is he worth so much more from one day to the next?" Sweeney said. "That's a little tough to justify."
Cipullo did not return repeated calls left at his office.
In Suffolk, three civil servants retired recently and went back to the same job the same or next day. Two of them are on the county payroll, collecting full salaries and full pensions. The third was let go in January.
Jim Fuchs, a spokesman for DiNapoli, said last year there were 791 retired civil servants working in municipal jobs statewide. Of the 791, 16 were between the ages of 65 and 69 and collected more than $100,000 each in pensions, he said.
Cipullo is not the only retired civil servant on Garden City's payroll who is collecting a full pension and a full salary.
Kevin E. Ocker, 56, a former Nassau County deputy parks commissioner, was hired in 2003 by Bee and the village board as chairman of the cultural and recreational affairs board.
Ocker, who currently receives $112,918 a year, oversees a department of 24 full-time employees and a group of seasonal workers. He retired from his Nassau job on Dec. 31, 2002, and has been collecting an annual pension of $52,808.24, bringing his income to a total of $165,726.24 this year.
Ocker did not return repeated calls for comments.
Village administrator Robert L. Schoelle Jr. said the village conducted a search last July for the position but could not find qualified nonretirees despite receiving 33 resumes.
Schoelle said he interviewed one candidate from Florida who he said had "limited" experience. "She lacked the qualification we were looking for," Schoelle said.
The other 32 candidates who applied were deemed by Schoelle not to have the educational background or experience in horticulture the village was seeking.
So, the village applied to New York State for a two-year renewable waiver, commonly referred to as a 211 waiver, for permission to hire Ocker because he was less than 65 years old and there were no qualified nonretirees for the position.
Top Garden City cop gets sweet deal
BY CHAU LAM | chau.lam@newsday.com
March 9, 2008
Mayor Peter A. Bee and village board members voted unanimously to rehire Cipullo after he quit working because Bee said Cipullo was "the best person" to manage the department that consists of 54 sworn police officers, 13 civilian employees and half a dozen school crossing guards.
"He's doing a great job and there is no reason to let him go," Bee said in an interview last week.
There is nothing illegal about the arrangement. Government workers 65 and older who retire with full pensions are permitted by state law to return to the same jobs and collect full-time salaries.
But Assemb. Robert Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) said he has drafted legislation that would stop the payment of pensions of more than $70,000 a year to civil servants who then return to the same jobs or substantially similar jobs.
The legislation, Sweeney said, is being reviewed by State Comptroller Thomas .DiNapoli.
Sweeney said Cipullo's case illustrates the kind of waste and abuse in government that is criticized by Long Islanders.
"Why is he worth so much more from one day to the next?" Sweeney said. "That's a little tough to justify."
Cipullo did not return repeated calls left at his office.
In Suffolk, three civil servants retired recently and went back to the same job the same or next day. Two of them are on the county payroll, collecting full salaries and full pensions. The third was let go in January.
Jim Fuchs, a spokesman for DiNapoli, said last year there were 791 retired civil servants working in municipal jobs statewide. Of the 791, 16 were between the ages of 65 and 69 and collected more than $100,000 each in pensions, he said.
Cipullo is not the only retired civil servant on Garden City's payroll who is collecting a full pension and a full salary.
Kevin E. Ocker, 56, a former Nassau County deputy parks commissioner, was hired in 2003 by Bee and the village board as chairman of the cultural and recreational affairs board.
Ocker, who currently receives $112,918 a year, oversees a department of 24 full-time employees and a group of seasonal workers. He retired from his Nassau job on Dec. 31, 2002, and has been collecting an annual pension of $52,808.24, bringing his income to a total of $165,726.24 this year.
Ocker did not return repeated calls for comments.
Village administrator Robert L. Schoelle Jr. said the village conducted a search last July for the position but could not find qualified nonretirees despite receiving 33 resumes.
Schoelle said he interviewed one candidate from Florida who he said had "limited" experience. "She lacked the qualification we were looking for," Schoelle said.
The other 32 candidates who applied were deemed by Schoelle not to have the educational background or experience in horticulture the village was seeking.
So, the village applied to New York State for a two-year renewable waiver, commonly referred to as a 211 waiver, for permission to hire Ocker because he was less than 65 years old and there were no qualified nonretirees for the position.
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY--WEEK OF MARCH 10 POST YOUR COMMENTS
Please post your comments about upcoming town issues.
TUESDAY WORK SESSION 2 PM to 5:30 PM
WEDNESDAY TOWN BD MEETING 7:30 PM
TUESDAY WORK SESSION 2 PM to 5:30 PM
WEDNESDAY TOWN BD MEETING 7:30 PM
Saturday, March 08, 2008
NEW WEBSITE: GREENBURGHCOMPREHENSIVEPLAN.COM
On Saturday morning the Town sponsored a kickoff meeting for our comprehensive plan. Over 50 people attended and participated in very interesting breakout discussions dealing with economic development, transportation, quality of life, land use and other issues. The comprehensive plan consultants/committee have created a new web site: greenburghcomprehensiveplan.com. Summaries of the meetings will be posted on the website.
The next meeting will be held this Tuesday at 7:30 PM at the Irvington Recreation Center and will focus on E Irvington/Glenville concerns.
I learned alot from the exchange of ideas and look forward to attending all the upcoming meetings.
The next meeting will be held this Tuesday at 7:30 PM at the Irvington Recreation Center and will focus on E Irvington/Glenville concerns.
I learned alot from the exchange of ideas and look forward to attending all the upcoming meetings.
THEODORE YOUNG COMMUNITY CENTER SPONSORS A TERRIFIC AFTERNOON EVENT--ROLLER SKATING INDOORS, SWIMMING AND A LOUD GATHERING
Horton Hears You Hometown Challenge- WHO will win?
Loudest Gatherings to Qualify for Special Hometown Screenings
Greenburgh's Thedore Young Community Center was the site of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! and 20th Century Fox Hometown Challenge today. Over a hundred and fifty students, adults, members of the Town Board proclaimed As Loudly as we could “WE ARE HERE!” Communities across the nation are participating in the challenge--to see who has the loudest gathering. We screamed, yelled and will find out if Greenburgh won the national competition on Monday when USA TODAY announces the winner. Hats off to Valerie Whitehead, Acting Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center and her staff for putting together a very successful event --with less than a weeks notice. Among the afternoon activities: a very successful roller skate event in the gym and afternoon swimming. This was one of the best programs at the center I've seen during my tenure as Town supervisor. My daughter-Julia-agrees!
Loudest Gatherings to Qualify for Special Hometown Screenings
Greenburgh's Thedore Young Community Center was the site of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! and 20th Century Fox Hometown Challenge today. Over a hundred and fifty students, adults, members of the Town Board proclaimed As Loudly as we could “WE ARE HERE!” Communities across the nation are participating in the challenge--to see who has the loudest gathering. We screamed, yelled and will find out if Greenburgh won the national competition on Monday when USA TODAY announces the winner. Hats off to Valerie Whitehead, Acting Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center and her staff for putting together a very successful event --with less than a weeks notice. Among the afternoon activities: a very successful roller skate event in the gym and afternoon swimming. This was one of the best programs at the center I've seen during my tenure as Town supervisor. My daughter-Julia-agrees!
Friday, March 07, 2008
COMPROMISE-LEAF BLOWER LAW...GREENBURGH SHOULD CONSIDER HASTINGS MODEL
Hastings just approved a leaf blower law. The law allows the blowers to be used between Oct 15 and May 15 and then only from 9 AM to 5 PM. The law provides the village manager the power to approve usage from May 16 to October 14 if there is an emergency. The village spent months working out a compromise. I would like to suggest that the town consider adopting a similar ban. If our law complements Hastings – it will make it easier for landscapers who serve both communities to understand the restrictions
WORK SESSION AGENDA FOR TUESDAY...SUMMARY OF LAST WORK SESSION AGENDA...REMINDER: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN...KOLESAR TO BE NAMED COMPTROLLER...TRAILERS/CT
REMINDER: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN KICKOFF MEETING THIS SATURDAY (TOMORROW) at AF VETERAN PARK MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING (FREE BREAKFAST –DONATED—WILL BE SERVED). PLEASE HELP THE TOWN PLAN OUR FUTURE BY ATTENDING THIS MEETING. YOUR INPUT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00 p.m. NYS Unified Court System – Deborah Bart
(RFP’s for trailers at Town Court / Accounting)
2:15 p.m. TDYCC – Update
2:25 p.m. Dave Dwinell: Request to Town Board to Support Resolution re: Part T of Governor’s Proposed Budget
2:30 p.m. Greenburgh Housing Authority – Follow Up
Montrose Management - Rent Hikes (Mark Soja)
3:00 p.m. Village of Irvington – Larry Schopfer, Village Administrator
Re: Proposed East Irvington Fire District Agreement/Contract
3:30 p.m. Agenda Review (Incl.: Finneran Committee, New Residents Reception)
3:55 p.m. Membership: Budget Committee and Hartsdale Parking Committee
4:00 p.m. Westchester Credit Union – Update: Ray Wolff, Jim Nottingham, Sandra Miller
4:15 p.m. Library Board Interview – Tim Hayes
4:30 p.m. Library Board Interview – Calvin Thomas
4:45 p.m. Town Board and Legislator Tom Abinanti - Monthly Outreach Comments: Alyssa Jacobs
5:00 p.m. Executive Session - Personnel and Legal
5:25 p.m. Adjourn
7:30 p.m. East Irvington – Comprehensive Plan Meeting—Irvington Recreation Center
(Will be attended by some Board Members)
March 18, 2008 Work Session – Capital Budget Preparation
March 25, 2008 Work Session – Sunrise Assisted Living, Follow Up
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Budget Amendments
The following budget amendments were agreed upon: 1. amend the 2008 budget to make changes consistent with the Bernstein decision; 2. appropriate $100,000 for the Fairview Fire District and; 3. reduce interest income in the 2008 budget A fund and B fund.
North Folk Bank
North Folk Bank is requesting a drive-thru that would come off the back of their building on Central Avenue. A referral to the Planning Board for a recommendation to the Town Board was granted.
Vehicle Procurement Policy and Green Building Standards
The Town Board has expressed a desire to implement some “green” measures in its fleet of vehicles. A plan presented by Nikki Coddington reviews types of considerations such as cost of the vehicles, type of fuel and life-cycle costs. A number of new police vehicles are “flex-fueled.” (E85 vehicles are fueled with a combination of ethanol and gasoline.) Nikki recommended that the Board make a decision regarding the kind of incentives that the Town wishes to adopt in order to encourage greater adherence to “green” priorities with respect to standards for commercial new construction .
Westchester County Department of Planning
A request was made to the Town Board to support a plan to develop affordable (work force) housing within former office space along the Route 119 corridor. The Board presented raised questions re: increasing the number of “affordable” units within the proposed “mixed-use” development (to include office and retail space as well as housing) and the possibility of a clause that would allow the Town to review the policy after a determined period of time. Next steps include developing a proposal review committee comprised of residents from Tarrytown, Irvington and Elmsford.
Distribution of Resolutions in Advance of Board Meetings to the Public and Possible Postings of Resolutions on the Website in Advance of Meetings
Consistent with new “Open Government” initiatives, the Town Clerk and the Town Board have agreed to develop a procedure that will make resolutions available to the public prior to the Board meetings.
Courts – Expanding the Audit of the Courts to Include 2006 and 2007
The costs of expanding the audit was discussed and it was decided that the Board will review the findings of the current audit before deciding to expand it to include years, 2006 and 2007.
TDYCC Search Committee
The Search Committee has met and is in the process of refining the job description for the Commissioner’s position and reviewing applications.
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (Correction)
Please note, as a correction to the Work Session Summary for February 12, 2008, Town Court Justices, Sandra Foster, Arlene Gordon-Oliver and Doris Friedman were present at this Work Session to discuss the court audit. A unanimous decision was reached between the Board and the Justices for the Justices to meet with the auditors prior to reconvening with the Town Board.
AT WEDNESDAY’S TOWN BOARD MEETING THE BOARD WILL APPOINT A NEW COMPTROLLER, MIKE KOLESAR OF ARDSLEY.
We will also appoint members of a committee to review the Finneran Law, recent Appellate Court decision & to make recommendations re: amendments to Finneran Law. Amendment would require State Legislative approval.
To address overcrowding conditions at the court—we will be authorizing permission to solicit request for proposals for trailers to be used as additional space for the Greenburgh Town Court.
REMINDER: The kickoff meeting for the comprehensive plan will be held TOMORROW at 9:45 AM at Veteran Town Park. Help the town plan for the future by attending this important meeting. FREE BREAKFAST (DONATED) will be served to those who attend.
PAUL FEINER
(this agenda and summary was prepared by Town Clerk Judith Beville)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
All Work Sessions are now streamed live.
2:00 p.m. NYS Unified Court System – Deborah Bart
(RFP’s for trailers at Town Court / Accounting)
2:15 p.m. TDYCC – Update
2:25 p.m. Dave Dwinell: Request to Town Board to Support Resolution re: Part T of Governor’s Proposed Budget
2:30 p.m. Greenburgh Housing Authority – Follow Up
Montrose Management - Rent Hikes (Mark Soja)
3:00 p.m. Village of Irvington – Larry Schopfer, Village Administrator
Re: Proposed East Irvington Fire District Agreement/Contract
3:30 p.m. Agenda Review (Incl.: Finneran Committee, New Residents Reception)
3:55 p.m. Membership: Budget Committee and Hartsdale Parking Committee
4:00 p.m. Westchester Credit Union – Update: Ray Wolff, Jim Nottingham, Sandra Miller
4:15 p.m. Library Board Interview – Tim Hayes
4:30 p.m. Library Board Interview – Calvin Thomas
4:45 p.m. Town Board and Legislator Tom Abinanti - Monthly Outreach Comments: Alyssa Jacobs
5:00 p.m. Executive Session - Personnel and Legal
5:25 p.m. Adjourn
7:30 p.m. East Irvington – Comprehensive Plan Meeting—Irvington Recreation Center
(Will be attended by some Board Members)
March 18, 2008 Work Session – Capital Budget Preparation
March 25, 2008 Work Session – Sunrise Assisted Living, Follow Up
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Budget Amendments
The following budget amendments were agreed upon: 1. amend the 2008 budget to make changes consistent with the Bernstein decision; 2. appropriate $100,000 for the Fairview Fire District and; 3. reduce interest income in the 2008 budget A fund and B fund.
North Folk Bank
North Folk Bank is requesting a drive-thru that would come off the back of their building on Central Avenue. A referral to the Planning Board for a recommendation to the Town Board was granted.
Vehicle Procurement Policy and Green Building Standards
The Town Board has expressed a desire to implement some “green” measures in its fleet of vehicles. A plan presented by Nikki Coddington reviews types of considerations such as cost of the vehicles, type of fuel and life-cycle costs. A number of new police vehicles are “flex-fueled.” (E85 vehicles are fueled with a combination of ethanol and gasoline.) Nikki recommended that the Board make a decision regarding the kind of incentives that the Town wishes to adopt in order to encourage greater adherence to “green” priorities with respect to standards for commercial new construction .
Westchester County Department of Planning
A request was made to the Town Board to support a plan to develop affordable (work force) housing within former office space along the Route 119 corridor. The Board presented raised questions re: increasing the number of “affordable” units within the proposed “mixed-use” development (to include office and retail space as well as housing) and the possibility of a clause that would allow the Town to review the policy after a determined period of time. Next steps include developing a proposal review committee comprised of residents from Tarrytown, Irvington and Elmsford.
Distribution of Resolutions in Advance of Board Meetings to the Public and Possible Postings of Resolutions on the Website in Advance of Meetings
Consistent with new “Open Government” initiatives, the Town Clerk and the Town Board have agreed to develop a procedure that will make resolutions available to the public prior to the Board meetings.
Courts – Expanding the Audit of the Courts to Include 2006 and 2007
The costs of expanding the audit was discussed and it was decided that the Board will review the findings of the current audit before deciding to expand it to include years, 2006 and 2007.
TDYCC Search Committee
The Search Committee has met and is in the process of refining the job description for the Commissioner’s position and reviewing applications.
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 12, 2008 (Correction)
Please note, as a correction to the Work Session Summary for February 12, 2008, Town Court Justices, Sandra Foster, Arlene Gordon-Oliver and Doris Friedman were present at this Work Session to discuss the court audit. A unanimous decision was reached between the Board and the Justices for the Justices to meet with the auditors prior to reconvening with the Town Board.
AT WEDNESDAY’S TOWN BOARD MEETING THE BOARD WILL APPOINT A NEW COMPTROLLER, MIKE KOLESAR OF ARDSLEY.
We will also appoint members of a committee to review the Finneran Law, recent Appellate Court decision & to make recommendations re: amendments to Finneran Law. Amendment would require State Legislative approval.
To address overcrowding conditions at the court—we will be authorizing permission to solicit request for proposals for trailers to be used as additional space for the Greenburgh Town Court.
REMINDER: The kickoff meeting for the comprehensive plan will be held TOMORROW at 9:45 AM at Veteran Town Park. Help the town plan for the future by attending this important meeting. FREE BREAKFAST (DONATED) will be served to those who attend.
PAUL FEINER
(this agenda and summary was prepared by Town Clerk Judith Beville)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
FREE BREAKFAST SATURDAY DURING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN KICKOFF
Met with seniors today to discuss the proposed work for taxes initiative. We invited them to the comprehensive plan kickoff meeting this Saturday at 9:45 AM at the Multipurpose Center.
One senior suggested that we'd get more people to attend if we offered food. Francis Sheehan indicated that breakfast is being offered to attendees. He indicated that the breakfast is being donated.
So --if you want to discuss the town's future, you can also enjoy a free breakfast. Hope to see you this Saturday.
WE ALSO DISCUSSED ACCEPTING ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE TOWN BROCHURE TO OFFSET TOWN PRINTING/MAILING COSTS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
One senior suggested that we'd get more people to attend if we offered food. Francis Sheehan indicated that breakfast is being offered to attendees. He indicated that the breakfast is being donated.
So --if you want to discuss the town's future, you can also enjoy a free breakfast. Hope to see you this Saturday.
WE ALSO DISCUSSED ACCEPTING ADVERTISEMENTS IN THE TOWN BROCHURE TO OFFSET TOWN PRINTING/MAILING COSTS. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
YELL LOUDLY! --help the town get a free movie screening:HORTON HEARS A WHO
The Town of Greenburgh will be participating in a national competition—the HORTON HEARS YOU HOMETOWN CHALLENGE. This Saturday, March 8th at 3:30 PM at the Theodore Young Community Center, 32 Manhattan Ave. Residents and their kids are encouraged to PROCLAIM –in the loudest voice possible: WE ARE HEAR, just as “who-ville’s Whos do in the film: Dr. Seuss’ HORTON HEARS A WHO”. Twentieth Century Fox and Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who will measure the decibel levels with special sound meters. The loudest Who-ville will win a special hometown screening of the movie DR.SEUSS’ HORTON HEARS A WHO on March 13th. USA Today will announce the winner on March 12th.
Greenburgh residents are known to speak loudly at Town Board meetings. “The decibel levels at Town Board meetings are louder than they should be. This is an opportunity to be loud for a cause – a competition that could win Greenburgh some bragging rights and a special, free hometown screening of a movie.
Prior to the event the Theodore Young Community Center will host a community day: swimming, roller skating -----and then the Horton Hometown Shoot Out.
All are welcome. Raise your voice.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Greenburgh residents are known to speak loudly at Town Board meetings. “The decibel levels at Town Board meetings are louder than they should be. This is an opportunity to be loud for a cause – a competition that could win Greenburgh some bragging rights and a special, free hometown screening of a movie.
Prior to the event the Theodore Young Community Center will host a community day: swimming, roller skating -----and then the Horton Hometown Shoot Out.
All are welcome. Raise your voice.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEETING SATURDAY MORNING
The Greenburgh Town Board announced today that the Town of Greenburgh has moved to the next step in embarking in the preparation of a full-featured Comprehensive Plan for the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh. The Town is holding its Comprehensive Plan ‘Kick-off meeting’ this Saturday, March 8, 2008, from 9:45 AM to noon, at the Multipurpose Center at Anthony Veteran Park, on Heatherdell Road. Broad-based public participation throughout the planning process is essential for the town to get the maximum benefit from the Plan.
The proposed Comprehensive Plan is designed to improve Greenburgh’s quality of life, promote the community character the Town’s residents envision and provide needed support services, while finding ways to reduce the tax burden. The Comprehensive Plan will look at important issues for the future of Greenburgh, including economic development, open space, affordable housing, roads and traffic, flooding, Tappan Zee Bridge replacement impacts, and others that will affect residents’ lives in the future.
As with all community-based planning, the Town is initiating a public process to encourage public involvement, build consensus and develop a comprehensive plan which will define the character of the Town; identify the defining character and current development patterns of individual neighborhoods; and will evaluate current, future and potential development patterns and pressures that will impact the Town.
In addition to the Kick-off meeting on Saturday, there will be a series of public input meetings (8–10) throughout the Town to gather opinions on community, neighborhood and Town wide issues. The first such meeting will take place on March 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM at the Irvington Recreation Center.
The proposed Comprehensive Plan is designed to improve Greenburgh’s quality of life, promote the community character the Town’s residents envision and provide needed support services, while finding ways to reduce the tax burden. The Comprehensive Plan will look at important issues for the future of Greenburgh, including economic development, open space, affordable housing, roads and traffic, flooding, Tappan Zee Bridge replacement impacts, and others that will affect residents’ lives in the future.
As with all community-based planning, the Town is initiating a public process to encourage public involvement, build consensus and develop a comprehensive plan which will define the character of the Town; identify the defining character and current development patterns of individual neighborhoods; and will evaluate current, future and potential development patterns and pressures that will impact the Town.
In addition to the Kick-off meeting on Saturday, there will be a series of public input meetings (8–10) throughout the Town to gather opinions on community, neighborhood and Town wide issues. The first such meeting will take place on March 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM at the Irvington Recreation Center.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
COMMUTERS: DID METRO NORTH/WESTCHESTER REACT APPROPRIATELY TO TRAIN SERVICE SHUTDOWN ON march 4th?
WAS THE COUNTY/METRO NORTH PREPARED AFTER METRO NORTH ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS NO SERVICE IN AND OUT OF GRAND CENTRAL STATION ON Tuesday, March 4th? SHOULD THE COUNTY HAVE HAD A PLAN TO SEND MORE BUSES? SHOULD BUSES HAVE HONORED METRO NORTH TICKETS? SHOULD MORE E MAIL INFORMATION ALERTS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT? WAS THE EMERGENCY PHONE SYSTEM ADEQUATE? WHAT DO YOU THINK? IF YOU WERE A COMMUTER ON TUESDAY AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES...PLEASE POST THEM ON MY BLOG: WWW.PFEINER.BLOGSPOT.COM OR E MAIL ME AT PFEINER@GREENBURGHNY.COM. I WILL SHARE YOUR COMMENTS WITH METRO NORTH, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN EMERGENCY PREPARATION. Paul Feiner
THE FOLLOWING E MAIL WAS SENT TO ME BY LINDA GARFUNKEL, A COMMUTER FROM TARRYTOWN Paul, it is 8 PM, and I am lucky enough to be home. I have just heard on WCBS radio that Grand Central Staition is chaotic, and that trains are still running late.
I am on the e-mail list for Westchester County government and for Metro North. Mid afternoon today, I recieved an e-mail from Metro North saying that there was no service in and out of GCS. I figured that I should find another way to get home. Since the BeeLine bus runs near my office, I decided to look at their website. In doing so, I noticed that one can only use coins or their commuter card to pay for the trip. I figured that in an emergency situation like this, there would be exception to the rule. So I tried callin the BeeLine bus service. It took 15 minutes to get through. When I finally got through to a "customer" service representative, she was quite nasty and told me that I needed exact change and that I should go to a bank to get the change. I went though my wallet, our petty cash plus all the people in my office to try and come up with $5.00 worth of change. She told me that I could not use my Metro North commuter pass, becasuse there was no cross acceptance of those cards on the buses. Seems to me that when something like this happens on LI, there are emergency buses set up to get people from one place to another. No such thing exists in Westchester. I called the County Executive's office, because I was unsatisfied with the response by the customer service person at Bee Line. I left a message, because nobody answered the phone in the County Executive's office. I might add that there was no emergency number set up for people to call to find out what the county was doing to help its residents who were stuck in the city. At about 4:45 PM, I received a message from Metro North alerting its riders that they could take NY transit trains for free from Grand Central Station to various northern stops on three subway lines that would bring us close to Metro North stops north of 125th Street (in the Bronx). Knowing how crowded those subway trains would be and finally scraping up $5.00 worth of change, I was going to take the Bee Line bus home. At about 4:50 or so, a friend of mine called to tell me that the trains were running again. In all this time, not one word via e-mail from Westchester County to offer assistance or provide guidance. So I went to Grand Central Station. On my way, I passed huge lines for the BeeLine bus at 54th Street and Madison. Maybe, they did not get the word that the trains were running again! When I got to the board at the northern entrance, there were only 3 platforms for 3 trains listed on that board. Everybody stood around praying that there train would be on a platform soon! There was no Metro North person there to advise people as to what was happening. Finally, my train platform was posted, and I, like others ran to the train, not knowing when it would leave. When we got to the train, we waited a good 5 or 6 minutes for the doors to open. Then we waited another 10 minutes for the train to leave. Since I had a nice comfy seat, I was ok. The conductor announced that once we passed 125th Street, the train would be speeding to Tarrytown. I knew something was wrong with that, because of all the people who had been directed to take subways! So at some point, the conductor announced that we had to stop at Marble Hill to pick up the people who had taken the subway. It did not take a rocket scientist to understand that. When the train stopped at Marble Hill, and plenty of people got on the train, I asked one person what happened on the platform there. He told me that 4 trains passed Marble Hill w/o even stopping. Apparently, somebody forgot to tell the conductors that they should stop for those people!! At Tarrytown, there should have been police directing the overload of traffic.
I lived through 9/11 and getting out of the city. I comandeered an empty school bus on 101st Street and Madison Avenue during the power outage a few years ago to take scores of us to Westchester. At that time, I complained to the county that they had no plan for a disaster. You would think that after all these years, that the county would be prepared to send more buses, honor Metro North commuter tickets, add police to spots where they should be needed, send out an e-mail informing people what is being done, set up an emergency phone number for people to call to dispense information. Unfortunately, none of this was done, and there should be some accounting and some explanation.
Thanks.
Linda R. Garfunkel
Tarrytown, NY 10591
THE FOLLOWING E MAIL WAS SENT TO ME BY LINDA GARFUNKEL, A COMMUTER FROM TARRYTOWN Paul, it is 8 PM, and I am lucky enough to be home. I have just heard on WCBS radio that Grand Central Staition is chaotic, and that trains are still running late.
I am on the e-mail list for Westchester County government and for Metro North. Mid afternoon today, I recieved an e-mail from Metro North saying that there was no service in and out of GCS. I figured that I should find another way to get home. Since the BeeLine bus runs near my office, I decided to look at their website. In doing so, I noticed that one can only use coins or their commuter card to pay for the trip. I figured that in an emergency situation like this, there would be exception to the rule. So I tried callin the BeeLine bus service. It took 15 minutes to get through. When I finally got through to a "customer" service representative, she was quite nasty and told me that I needed exact change and that I should go to a bank to get the change. I went though my wallet, our petty cash plus all the people in my office to try and come up with $5.00 worth of change. She told me that I could not use my Metro North commuter pass, becasuse there was no cross acceptance of those cards on the buses. Seems to me that when something like this happens on LI, there are emergency buses set up to get people from one place to another. No such thing exists in Westchester. I called the County Executive's office, because I was unsatisfied with the response by the customer service person at Bee Line. I left a message, because nobody answered the phone in the County Executive's office. I might add that there was no emergency number set up for people to call to find out what the county was doing to help its residents who were stuck in the city. At about 4:45 PM, I received a message from Metro North alerting its riders that they could take NY transit trains for free from Grand Central Station to various northern stops on three subway lines that would bring us close to Metro North stops north of 125th Street (in the Bronx). Knowing how crowded those subway trains would be and finally scraping up $5.00 worth of change, I was going to take the Bee Line bus home. At about 4:50 or so, a friend of mine called to tell me that the trains were running again. In all this time, not one word via e-mail from Westchester County to offer assistance or provide guidance. So I went to Grand Central Station. On my way, I passed huge lines for the BeeLine bus at 54th Street and Madison. Maybe, they did not get the word that the trains were running again! When I got to the board at the northern entrance, there were only 3 platforms for 3 trains listed on that board. Everybody stood around praying that there train would be on a platform soon! There was no Metro North person there to advise people as to what was happening. Finally, my train platform was posted, and I, like others ran to the train, not knowing when it would leave. When we got to the train, we waited a good 5 or 6 minutes for the doors to open. Then we waited another 10 minutes for the train to leave. Since I had a nice comfy seat, I was ok. The conductor announced that once we passed 125th Street, the train would be speeding to Tarrytown. I knew something was wrong with that, because of all the people who had been directed to take subways! So at some point, the conductor announced that we had to stop at Marble Hill to pick up the people who had taken the subway. It did not take a rocket scientist to understand that. When the train stopped at Marble Hill, and plenty of people got on the train, I asked one person what happened on the platform there. He told me that 4 trains passed Marble Hill w/o even stopping. Apparently, somebody forgot to tell the conductors that they should stop for those people!! At Tarrytown, there should have been police directing the overload of traffic.
I lived through 9/11 and getting out of the city. I comandeered an empty school bus on 101st Street and Madison Avenue during the power outage a few years ago to take scores of us to Westchester. At that time, I complained to the county that they had no plan for a disaster. You would think that after all these years, that the county would be prepared to send more buses, honor Metro North commuter tickets, add police to spots where they should be needed, send out an e-mail informing people what is being done, set up an emergency phone number for people to call to dispense information. Unfortunately, none of this was done, and there should be some accounting and some explanation.
Thanks.
Linda R. Garfunkel
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Sunday, March 02, 2008
SIDEWALKS NEEDED ON STATE ROAD 9A
Last week I wrote to the State DOT urging sidewalks on 9A. Weeks ago there was a pedestrian fatality on 9A. Today, the Journal News published the following article indicating that there was another hit and run fatality. I am planning to urge the State Department of Transportation to take another look at the need for sidewalks on 9A. I will also be asking the Greenburgh police dept to make recommendations as to ways we can increase pedestrian safety on this street. 2 fatalities is unacceptable.
PAUL FEINER
FROM JOURNAL NEWS...
The son of a 51-year-old man killed in a suspected hit-and-run along Route 9A in Greenburgh said today his father was a hardworking immigrant who left his native Ecuador to seek a better future for his family.
“He was good father and he worked very hard to help his family,” said Peter Saca of Elmsford of his father, Manuel Guaman Saca. He said his father came to the U.S. two years ago, leaving behind a wife and four other children. “He had no vices. I hope the police are able to catch the person responsible for his death.”
His father's body was found in the snow along Route 9A about 8:40 yesterday morning, though it is unclear when his death occurred.
A truck driver heading north saw Saca about 10 feet from the road near Hunter Lane, Greenburgh Lt. Desmond Martin said.
He suffered blunt trauma, but the county medical examiner had not yet determined a cause of death.
Peter Saca said his father, who lived in an apartment nearby, was walking to work at a production facility off Hunter Lane when he was killed.
The stretch of road near where Saca was found has no sidewalks.
Nonetheless, people still walk along the busy state route, said Bob Yapchanyk, an employee of nearby Safe Haven Self Storage.
"I see a lot of people walking up and down here," Yapchanyk said. "It isn't a good place for walking."
Route 9A is also known as Saw Mill River Road. Its intersection with Hunter Lane has a bus stop.
There's also a Westy self storage business across the street.
Just to the south of Hunter Lane is a shopping center that houses a Goodwill store and a Princeton Ski Shop.
A manager at the Goodwill store, who didn't want to give his name, said after coming to work yesterday morning, he saw police arrive and investigate a wooded area just north of his business.
Police said a blue vehicle might have been involved, based on evidence found at the scene.
The vehicle might have sustained front end damage as a result of hitting the victim, police said.
Police ask that anyone with information call 914-682-5331. All calls will be kept confidential.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy contributed to this report.
Reach Sean Gorman at sgorman@lohud.com or 914-666-6481.
PAUL FEINER
FROM JOURNAL NEWS...
The son of a 51-year-old man killed in a suspected hit-and-run along Route 9A in Greenburgh said today his father was a hardworking immigrant who left his native Ecuador to seek a better future for his family.
“He was good father and he worked very hard to help his family,” said Peter Saca of Elmsford of his father, Manuel Guaman Saca. He said his father came to the U.S. two years ago, leaving behind a wife and four other children. “He had no vices. I hope the police are able to catch the person responsible for his death.”
His father's body was found in the snow along Route 9A about 8:40 yesterday morning, though it is unclear when his death occurred.
A truck driver heading north saw Saca about 10 feet from the road near Hunter Lane, Greenburgh Lt. Desmond Martin said.
He suffered blunt trauma, but the county medical examiner had not yet determined a cause of death.
Peter Saca said his father, who lived in an apartment nearby, was walking to work at a production facility off Hunter Lane when he was killed.
The stretch of road near where Saca was found has no sidewalks.
Nonetheless, people still walk along the busy state route, said Bob Yapchanyk, an employee of nearby Safe Haven Self Storage.
"I see a lot of people walking up and down here," Yapchanyk said. "It isn't a good place for walking."
Route 9A is also known as Saw Mill River Road. Its intersection with Hunter Lane has a bus stop.
There's also a Westy self storage business across the street.
Just to the south of Hunter Lane is a shopping center that houses a Goodwill store and a Princeton Ski Shop.
A manager at the Goodwill store, who didn't want to give his name, said after coming to work yesterday morning, he saw police arrive and investigate a wooded area just north of his business.
Police said a blue vehicle might have been involved, based on evidence found at the scene.
The vehicle might have sustained front end damage as a result of hitting the victim, police said.
Police ask that anyone with information call 914-682-5331. All calls will be kept confidential.
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy contributed to this report.
Reach Sean Gorman at sgorman@lohud.com or 914-666-6481.
Friday, February 29, 2008
AN OPEN LETTER TO UNINCORPORATED RESIDENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE OFFICIALS PETER SWIDERSKI...
I am writing to address the good citizens of Greenburgh, following on and reiterating my comments at the Town Board meeting last Wednesday. We would like to see the Town Board and the Villages work cooperatively together. The Villages have no interest in conflict, and no interest in unnecessarily dividing this town. Greenburgh is a wonderful community. As I said on Wednesday, the entire Town boasts of so many advantages, so many resources, and so many good and decent people that the precise fact of where an individual lives in the Town matters less than the fact that we enjoy it together, today and in the future. We are certainly seeking to work towards the pursuit of those goals, hand in hand with the Town Board.
There is apparently some concern regarding recent moves to modify Finneran. After the recent court decision, a re-examination of Town programs has led to the realization that if the Town is to maintain its range of choices and programs, some changes to Finneran would be necessary. The Villages’ interest in a modification to Finneran is to give the Town Board the flexibility to allow non-unincorporated residents access to facilities, parks and/or programs as needed. We have absolutely no problem with the imposition of fees on Village residents, cost plus or otherwise, for that access: it would only be fair. Any resolution asking for such modification to the law should certainly state that. Somehow, there is a perception that we want to allow all village residents to enjoy access to Finneran facilities solely at the unincorporated’s expense. Nobody ever suggested that, and if that is what is being read into what we are proposing, then we want to dispel that notion immediately. It is not what at all what we seek.
This Finneran modification is not intended to benefit the Villages unfairly, and we are open to an approach that makes sense and displays a “good government” sensibility. We believe the modification, in fact, provides greater benefits to Unincorporated Greenburgh than to the Villages, and is very much intended as a “win win” for both sides. It is extended as such, and intended as such. Our first assumption, in dealing with friends and neighbors, is that they operate in good will. It is certainly what is intended on our part, and we hope to be treated as such accordingly.
I will read the responses to this posting and I will try my best to respond to those who extend that courtesy of assuming my good will. Thank you for your time.
Peter Swiderski
Village Officials Committee
Hastings Village Trustee
There is apparently some concern regarding recent moves to modify Finneran. After the recent court decision, a re-examination of Town programs has led to the realization that if the Town is to maintain its range of choices and programs, some changes to Finneran would be necessary. The Villages’ interest in a modification to Finneran is to give the Town Board the flexibility to allow non-unincorporated residents access to facilities, parks and/or programs as needed. We have absolutely no problem with the imposition of fees on Village residents, cost plus or otherwise, for that access: it would only be fair. Any resolution asking for such modification to the law should certainly state that. Somehow, there is a perception that we want to allow all village residents to enjoy access to Finneran facilities solely at the unincorporated’s expense. Nobody ever suggested that, and if that is what is being read into what we are proposing, then we want to dispel that notion immediately. It is not what at all what we seek.
This Finneran modification is not intended to benefit the Villages unfairly, and we are open to an approach that makes sense and displays a “good government” sensibility. We believe the modification, in fact, provides greater benefits to Unincorporated Greenburgh than to the Villages, and is very much intended as a “win win” for both sides. It is extended as such, and intended as such. Our first assumption, in dealing with friends and neighbors, is that they operate in good will. It is certainly what is intended on our part, and we hope to be treated as such accordingly.
I will read the responses to this posting and I will try my best to respond to those who extend that courtesy of assuming my good will. Thank you for your time.
Peter Swiderski
Village Officials Committee
Hastings Village Trustee
MARCH 4 WORK SESSION AGENDA--SUMMARY OF LAST TWO WORK SESSIONS
ANOTHER OPEN GOVERNMENT GOAL---PROVIDING THE PUBLIC WITH ACCESS TO ALL RESOLUTIONS BEFORE EACH BOARD MEETING. In recent years residents have complained about the lack of advance access to resolutions that are being considered by the Town Board for adoption. At our work session this Tuesday we will discuss the possibility of posting all resolutions on our web site in advance of Town Board meetings and requiring department heads to submit final resolutions to the clerk’s office by a specific date/time in advance of each meeting.
Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
2:00 p.m. Special Meeting and Vote re: Fairview Fire District and WestHELP,
Bond Resolution – CO 1 from 2/27/08 (Ray Hart, Public Finance
Associates, Inc. financial advisor will be attending.)
2:30 p.m. Budget Amendments – Bart Talamini
3:00 p.m. Vehicle Procurement Policy and Energy Conservation - Nikki Coddington
3:15 p.m. Westchester County Department of Planning—mixed use study
3:45 p.m. Membership: Budget Committee and Hartsdale Parking Committee (follow up to resolution authorization committee)
4:00 p.m. Courts – Expanding the Audit of the Courts to Include 2006 and 2007 (audit did not include 2006/2007)
4:20 p.m. Board Review: Process re: Resolutions
Distribution of Resolutions in Advance of Meetings to the Public
and Possible Postings of Resolutions on the Website in Advance of Meetings – Joe Lucassey
4:50 p.m. Executive Session – Personnel
5:00 p.m. TDYCC Search Committee Update
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed Fire District Contract
The Village of Hastings requested that the Town of Greenburgh consider an agreement between the two to provide fire protection services to the Donald Park Fire Protection District. The contract was approved on Wednesday, Feb 13
Theodore D. Young Community Center - Reorganization
An update was provided to the Board regarding the Theodore D. Young Community Center reorganization. It was confirmed that Valerie Whitehead would be appointed as the Acting Commissioner of TDYCC. Councilwoman Sonja Brown also reported that a Search Committee will be formed.
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit – Proposed Amendments to “The Finneran Law”
Discussions on this issue raised several questions regarding the opportunity for sufficient input from residents who live in the unincorporated sections of the Town. A special meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 7:00 p.m. to continue public comment and decide on the proposed amendments re: this decision.
Appointment of Two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee (VOC)
Councilmen Kevin Morgan and Francis Sheehan agreed to serve as Board representatives to meet with the VOC.
Sunrise Assisted Living
Sunrise Assisted Living and John Meyer Consulting presented their proposal to the Town Board to develop a senior living housing facility on a parcel of land near Benedict Avenue in Tarrytown. The Town Board requested that the presenters conduct a traffic impact and economic impact analysis for each permitted principle use allowed on the site.
Westchester Federal Credit Union
The credit union has agreed to provide six “Welcome to the Town of Greenburgh” signs at designated locations at entry points to the Town. In addition, the credit union will install a sign on the grounds of Town Hall indicating their presence within the building.
NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority representative will be sharing space with Nikki Coddington at Town Hall for a fee and at no cost to the Town of Greenburgh. Board members support this request.
Library Board Interviews
Five candidates have been invited to interview with the Town Board for the vacant Library Board position. Interviews are being scheduled for March 11th during the Work Session.
Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption
The County is expected to pass legislation on March 11th re: an exemption for changing the taxable status date from June 1st of the year to Mary 1st of the year. There are no financial implications.
Streaming Live of Work Sessions and Board Meetings
As a result of a new contract with Globix and the Town of Greenburgh, all meetings will be
streamed live as of February 27, 2008.
TDYCC Search Committee Update
Two Search Committee Chairs have been nominated (Mr. Sam Wilkins and Mr. Mel
Burrows) to coordinate meetings and help identify Search Committee members. To
Date, at least twenty applicants have expressed interest in the position of Commissioner.
Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
2:00 p.m. Special Meeting and Vote re: Fairview Fire District and WestHELP,
Bond Resolution – CO 1 from 2/27/08 (Ray Hart, Public Finance
Associates, Inc. financial advisor will be attending.)
2:30 p.m. Budget Amendments – Bart Talamini
3:00 p.m. Vehicle Procurement Policy and Energy Conservation - Nikki Coddington
3:15 p.m. Westchester County Department of Planning—mixed use study
3:45 p.m. Membership: Budget Committee and Hartsdale Parking Committee (follow up to resolution authorization committee)
4:00 p.m. Courts – Expanding the Audit of the Courts to Include 2006 and 2007 (audit did not include 2006/2007)
4:20 p.m. Board Review: Process re: Resolutions
Distribution of Resolutions in Advance of Meetings to the Public
and Possible Postings of Resolutions on the Website in Advance of Meetings – Joe Lucassey
4:50 p.m. Executive Session – Personnel
5:00 p.m. TDYCC Search Committee Update
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed Fire District Contract
The Village of Hastings requested that the Town of Greenburgh consider an agreement between the two to provide fire protection services to the Donald Park Fire Protection District. The contract was approved on Wednesday, Feb 13
Theodore D. Young Community Center - Reorganization
An update was provided to the Board regarding the Theodore D. Young Community Center reorganization. It was confirmed that Valerie Whitehead would be appointed as the Acting Commissioner of TDYCC. Councilwoman Sonja Brown also reported that a Search Committee will be formed.
Work Session Summary – Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit – Proposed Amendments to “The Finneran Law”
Discussions on this issue raised several questions regarding the opportunity for sufficient input from residents who live in the unincorporated sections of the Town. A special meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 7:00 p.m. to continue public comment and decide on the proposed amendments re: this decision.
Appointment of Two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee (VOC)
Councilmen Kevin Morgan and Francis Sheehan agreed to serve as Board representatives to meet with the VOC.
Sunrise Assisted Living
Sunrise Assisted Living and John Meyer Consulting presented their proposal to the Town Board to develop a senior living housing facility on a parcel of land near Benedict Avenue in Tarrytown. The Town Board requested that the presenters conduct a traffic impact and economic impact analysis for each permitted principle use allowed on the site.
Westchester Federal Credit Union
The credit union has agreed to provide six “Welcome to the Town of Greenburgh” signs at designated locations at entry points to the Town. In addition, the credit union will install a sign on the grounds of Town Hall indicating their presence within the building.
NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority representative will be sharing space with Nikki Coddington at Town Hall for a fee and at no cost to the Town of Greenburgh. Board members support this request.
Library Board Interviews
Five candidates have been invited to interview with the Town Board for the vacant Library Board position. Interviews are being scheduled for March 11th during the Work Session.
Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption
The County is expected to pass legislation on March 11th re: an exemption for changing the taxable status date from June 1st of the year to Mary 1st of the year. There are no financial implications.
Streaming Live of Work Sessions and Board Meetings
As a result of a new contract with Globix and the Town of Greenburgh, all meetings will be
streamed live as of February 27, 2008.
TDYCC Search Committee Update
Two Search Committee Chairs have been nominated (Mr. Sam Wilkins and Mr. Mel
Burrows) to coordinate meetings and help identify Search Committee members. To
Date, at least twenty applicants have expressed interest in the position of Commissioner.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
HASTINGS FIRE CONTRACT APPROVED--HAD EXPIRED IN 2005
The Town Board finally approved the contract with Hastings for fire protection--serving the Donald Park fire district at last nights Town Board meeting. Hastings had been providing the town with fire protection services, without reimbursement or a contract, since the end of December, 2005.
We now have to work on approving a contract with Irvington. They have also been serving parts of unincorporated Greenburgh without a contract since the end of December, 2005.
We now have to work on approving a contract with Irvington. They have also been serving parts of unincorporated Greenburgh without a contract since the end of December, 2005.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
looking for work?
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Freedman [mailto:RFreedman@mkirealtors.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:27 AM
Subject: looking to hire Assistant Controller for R/E firm
I am looking to hire someone with an accounting background looking for a f/t position who can do bank reconciliations, budget preparations, general ledger, journal entries, experienced in excel etc. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
Please let me know if you have someone in mind who may be qualified and interested in working for a mid-to-large size property management firm in mid-town Manhattan. Thanks, Bob Freedman
From: Robert Freedman [mailto:RFreedman@mkirealtors.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 9:27 AM
Subject: looking to hire Assistant Controller for R/E firm
I am looking to hire someone with an accounting background looking for a f/t position who can do bank reconciliations, budget preparations, general ledger, journal entries, experienced in excel etc. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
Please let me know if you have someone in mind who may be qualified and interested in working for a mid-to-large size property management firm in mid-town Manhattan. Thanks, Bob Freedman
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
NEW WELCOME TO GREENBURGH SIGNS TO BE PAID FOR BY WESTCHESTER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Westchester Federal Credit Union (which rents space at Town Hall) will pay for six attractive new WELCOME TO GREENBURGH SIGNS to be placed at the entrance of Greenburgh. In return the town will let the credit union place an attractive sign at Town Hall announcing that they have offices at Town Hall.
Special meeting NEXT TUESDAY at 7 PM requesting that the NYS Legislature amend chapter 891 of the laws of 1982 re: Finneran Law. Amendment will permit tennis bubble to be built.
CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSION MARCH 18
WE WILL POSTPONE TOWN BD WORK SESSION ON COURTS--ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY. Meeting will be held at end of March.
TODAY, for first time, we streamed our Board work session live on the internet.
Special meeting NEXT TUESDAY at 7 PM requesting that the NYS Legislature amend chapter 891 of the laws of 1982 re: Finneran Law. Amendment will permit tennis bubble to be built.
CAPITAL BUDGET DISCUSSION MARCH 18
WE WILL POSTPONE TOWN BD WORK SESSION ON COURTS--ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY. Meeting will be held at end of March.
TODAY, for first time, we streamed our Board work session live on the internet.
BURGLAR CAUGHT IN EDGEMONT!
The Greenburgh police department does an excellent job. Some residents in Edgemont were concerned about burglaries. Today, the police made an arrest. The following is a statement from the police. Congratulations to the department on doing a great job—as usual.!
PAUL FEINER
At approximately 11:15am this date, this agency received a call of a residential burglary that had just occurred in the Edgemont section of Town. The homeowner confronted the suspect inside the home and chased the suspect out. A description of the suspect and his vehicle was broadcast to responding units and subsequently found and stopped by Greenburgh Police. The occupants were positively identified and placed under arrest.
Lt Chris McNerney
PAUL FEINER
At approximately 11:15am this date, this agency received a call of a residential burglary that had just occurred in the Edgemont section of Town. The homeowner confronted the suspect inside the home and chased the suspect out. A description of the suspect and his vehicle was broadcast to responding units and subsequently found and stopped by Greenburgh Police. The occupants were positively identified and placed under arrest.
Lt Chris McNerney
URGING STATE DOT TO CONSTRUCT SIDEWALK ON 9A WHERE HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT OCCURRED
Last month a pedestrian lost his life on a curve on 9A where a hit and run occurred. Over the years the curve has been the scene of a number of accidents. Beyond the curve heading north is an entrance to the rails to trails running path. Inasmuch as this is a state road, would it be possible for the state DOT to fund a walking path at this location so we can prevent fatalities when people are walking or running?
Monday, February 25, 2008
revised work session agenda--tomorrow
Town of Greenburgh
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
2:00 p.m. Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit—discussion: possible state legislation
2:25 p.m. Agenda Review
2:55 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond
3:25 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (request to put sign at town hall—they rent space from us)
3:45 p.m. NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space (they will pay rent and share space with Energy Conservation Coordinator)
4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews
4:05 p.m. Request to Postpone Meeting Re: Courts—the state is assigning a clerk to work at the courts. A postponement will provide the town with the benefit of hearing from the clerk.
4:10 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal
4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:00 p.m. Streaming Update - George Malone—we may need to increase capacity so more people can access Bd meetings via internet
5:15: p.m. TDYCC Search Committee - Update
Revised Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
2:00 p.m. Ramifications of Bernstein’s Law Suit—discussion: possible state legislation
2:25 p.m. Agenda Review
2:55 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to meet with the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond
3:25 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (request to put sign at town hall—they rent space from us)
3:45 p.m. NYSERDA Request to Share Office Space (they will pay rent and share space with Energy Conservation Coordinator)
4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews
4:05 p.m. Request to Postpone Meeting Re: Courts—the state is assigning a clerk to work at the courts. A postponement will provide the town with the benefit of hearing from the clerk.
4:10 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal
4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:00 p.m. Streaming Update - George Malone—we may need to increase capacity so more people can access Bd meetings via internet
5:15: p.m. TDYCC Search Committee - Update
FROM: yonkerstribune.typepad.com--centro properties that owns hartsdale properties having financial problems
The Credit Market Loss Drama to Impact Greenburgh/Westchester County By Hezi Aris
YONKERS, NY -- The Melbourne, Australian based retail property empire known as Centro Properties Group has been hard hit by an inability to pay off short-term debt that has been the catalyst to bring Austalian Stock Exchange authorities to impose trading halts on its stock being traded as early as mid-December 2007 and thereafter. At the last moment Centro Properties Group, the owner of more than 700 U.S. malls, eight of whom are situated in Westchester County announced that they had been granted a three months reprieve to repay USD $3.5 billion of short-term debt as it proceeded to sell assets to remain financially solvent.
Centro will deliver its half-year result on February 28, 2008. It would not provide a per share earnings forecast for fiscal 2008 until the outcome of the recapitalization is determined.
Creditors including National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Australia’s biggest, extended the deadline on A(ustralian) $2.3 billion to April 30, 2008. The deadline on loans of about $1.3 billion associated with its U.S. venture has been moved to September 30, 2008. A syndicate of about a dozen banks, including CBA, Australia-New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ), NAB, and St George, have lent the USD $3.5 billion to Centro. Foreign participants to the lending syndicate included Bank of America (BoA), Wachovia and JPMorgan Chase & Co, Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS), and BNP Paribas .
GREENBURGH PROPERTIES
Dalewood I, II & III Shopping Center 353-371 North Central Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530-1811
North Central Avenue 1-15 North Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Under former company CEO Andrew Scott, A$9 billion of malls were purchased of two years, transforming the owner of Australian regional retail centers into an international mall operator. Scott quit January 15 and was replaced by Rufrano, the head of the company's U.S. business.
The Centro America Fund has A$1.1 billion in assets and investments in 32 U.S. shopping centers. Centro owns 41 percent of that.
Rufrano is seeking to persuade investors and creditors to let Centro retain a A$26.6 billion collection of malls that stretches from Perth, Western Australia to Yonkers, New York.
About 65 percent of the company's assets are in the U.S., including malls gained when Centro paid $5.2 billion in cash and assumed debt for New Plan Excel Realty Trust, the biggest U.S. acquisition by an Australian-based real estate investment trust. Rufrano was CEO of New Plan at the time of the sale.
Scott's expansion into the U.S., based on a strategy of using short-term borrowing to fund long-term investments, collapsed last year as the fallout from the U.S. subprime mortgage market drove up borrowing costs.
The credit crunch also shut off Centro from the commercial mortgage-backed securities market, which the company had relied on for much of its financing.
YONKERS, NY -- The Melbourne, Australian based retail property empire known as Centro Properties Group has been hard hit by an inability to pay off short-term debt that has been the catalyst to bring Austalian Stock Exchange authorities to impose trading halts on its stock being traded as early as mid-December 2007 and thereafter. At the last moment Centro Properties Group, the owner of more than 700 U.S. malls, eight of whom are situated in Westchester County announced that they had been granted a three months reprieve to repay USD $3.5 billion of short-term debt as it proceeded to sell assets to remain financially solvent.
Centro will deliver its half-year result on February 28, 2008. It would not provide a per share earnings forecast for fiscal 2008 until the outcome of the recapitalization is determined.
Creditors including National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), Australia’s biggest, extended the deadline on A(ustralian) $2.3 billion to April 30, 2008. The deadline on loans of about $1.3 billion associated with its U.S. venture has been moved to September 30, 2008. A syndicate of about a dozen banks, including CBA, Australia-New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. (ANZ), NAB, and St George, have lent the USD $3.5 billion to Centro. Foreign participants to the lending syndicate included Bank of America (BoA), Wachovia and JPMorgan Chase & Co, Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (RBS), and BNP Paribas .
GREENBURGH PROPERTIES
Dalewood I, II & III Shopping Center 353-371 North Central Avenue, Hartsdale, NY 10530-1811
North Central Avenue 1-15 North Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY 10530
Under former company CEO Andrew Scott, A$9 billion of malls were purchased of two years, transforming the owner of Australian regional retail centers into an international mall operator. Scott quit January 15 and was replaced by Rufrano, the head of the company's U.S. business.
The Centro America Fund has A$1.1 billion in assets and investments in 32 U.S. shopping centers. Centro owns 41 percent of that.
Rufrano is seeking to persuade investors and creditors to let Centro retain a A$26.6 billion collection of malls that stretches from Perth, Western Australia to Yonkers, New York.
About 65 percent of the company's assets are in the U.S., including malls gained when Centro paid $5.2 billion in cash and assumed debt for New Plan Excel Realty Trust, the biggest U.S. acquisition by an Australian-based real estate investment trust. Rufrano was CEO of New Plan at the time of the sale.
Scott's expansion into the U.S., based on a strategy of using short-term borrowing to fund long-term investments, collapsed last year as the fallout from the U.S. subprime mortgage market drove up borrowing costs.
The credit crunch also shut off Centro from the commercial mortgage-backed securities market, which the company had relied on for much of its financing.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
TENNIS COURT BUBBLE MAY NEED STATE LEGISLATION
The recent decision in the Taxter Ridge case raises questions about how we can authorize the tennis bubble and other programs that benefit the town. It is possible that we may have to ask the State Legislature to amend the Finneran Law to give the town flexibility to permit programs that allow non-residents to participate, on terms that the Town Board will set. We will discuss this at the work session on Tuesday, February 26.The Board work session begins at 2 PM and is televised live on public access. This meeting will also be streamed on the internet.
Friday, February 22, 2008
IF TOWN BD AND ARDSLEY BD MEET THE SAME NIGHT BOTH MEETINGS CAN BE AIRED ON CABLEVISION
Judith Beville, Town Clerk, reports that Cablevision has corrected a problem: She said "that a final resolve has been reached and that the Village of Ardsley is now able to control its access to the Village, only, and not the entire Town of Greenburgh." As a result, Town Board meetings will be aired on cablevision and won't be pre-empted by Ardsley Board meetings when both meetings are held the same evening. Ardsley residents will be watching Ardsley meetings- the rest of the town will watch Greenburgh meetings.
OOPS--NO APPOINTMENT TO VILLAGE COMMITTEE, APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH VILLAGE COMMITTEE!
Oops...made a mistake with the agenda. This Tuesday the Board will not be appointing two Board members to the village committee. We will be appointing two members to meet with the village officials committee. Sorry about the blunder!
TOWN BOARD WORK SESSIONS AND BOARD MEETINGS TO BE STREAMED LIVE ON THE INTERNET BEGINNING TUESDAY!
Town of Greenburgh
Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
We are very pleased that the Town Board meetings will now be more open than ever. Our work sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons when most people work. This year we started televising our Board work sessions live. However, residents who work outside of Greenburgh were not able to watch the meetings. This Tuesday we will stream the work session live on the internet. You'll be able to watch our meeting from anywhere in the world- live! Our Town Board meetings will also be streamed live on the internet --starting on Wednesday. If you are unable to access our meeting from the internet this Tuesday or Wednesday or if you have observations after you watch the streamed Town Board meetings, please contact townboard@greenburghny.com or townclerk@greenburghny.com. We will keep working to make improvements!
2:00 p.m. Agenda Review
2:45 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond-- (proposed development near Glenville Woods)
3:45 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (they would like to put up a small sign at Town Hall advising people that they have an office at Town Hall)
4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews (there is one vacancy)
4:05 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal
4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:15: p.m. Adjourn
Work Session Summary – No work session was held on February 19, 2008
March 4th Work Session (tentative)
· Westchester County Department of Planning
· Nikki Coddington, Al Regula--energy conservation initiatives
· Library Board Interviews
Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
We are test streaming this work session live on the internet.
We are very pleased that the Town Board meetings will now be more open than ever. Our work sessions are held on Tuesday afternoons when most people work. This year we started televising our Board work sessions live. However, residents who work outside of Greenburgh were not able to watch the meetings. This Tuesday we will stream the work session live on the internet. You'll be able to watch our meeting from anywhere in the world- live! Our Town Board meetings will also be streamed live on the internet --starting on Wednesday. If you are unable to access our meeting from the internet this Tuesday or Wednesday or if you have observations after you watch the streamed Town Board meetings, please contact townboard@greenburghny.com or townclerk@greenburghny.com. We will keep working to make improvements!
2:00 p.m. Agenda Review
2:45 p.m. Appointment of two Town Board Members to the Village Officials Committee
3:00 p.m. Sunrise Assisted Living – Daniel Richmond-- (proposed development near Glenville Woods)
3:45 p.m. Westchester Federal Credit Union – Ray Wolf, Sandra Miller (they would like to put up a small sign at Town Hall advising people that they have an office at Town Hall)
4:00 p.m. Library Board Scheduling of Interviews (there is one vacancy)
4:05 p.m. Motion for Executive Session – Personnel and Legal
4:40 p.m. Amendment of Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veteran’s Exemption – Edye McCarthy
5:15: p.m. Adjourn
Work Session Summary – No work session was held on February 19, 2008
March 4th Work Session (tentative)
· Westchester County Department of Planning
· Nikki Coddington, Al Regula--energy conservation initiatives
· Library Board Interviews
Thursday, February 21, 2008
SHOULD COUNTY LEASE EMPTY PARKING SPOTS ON CENTRAL AVE AND TURN THEM INTO PARK/RIDE FOR COMMUTER BUSES?
Should the town ask the county to temporarily lease vacant parking lots on Central Ave and turn them into parking areas for commuters who would like to take the bus into Manhattan?
Currently, there are no parking spots available north of White Plains for commuter parking. Some people park their cars on Central Ave illegally-- they do so at their own risk since some of the landlords on Central Ave tow or ticket cars.
Currently, there are no parking spots available north of White Plains for commuter parking. Some people park their cars on Central Ave illegally-- they do so at their own risk since some of the landlords on Central Ave tow or ticket cars.
Monday, February 18, 2008
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY-- WEEK OF FEB 18...POST YOUR COMMENTS
GREENBURGH DEMOCRACY...WEEK OF FEB 18TH...POST YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT TOWN ISSUES.
NO WORK SESSION TOMORROW --TUESDAY.
NO WORK SESSION TOMORROW --TUESDAY.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
DEPUTY PLANNING COMMISSIONER POSITION WON'T BE FILLED...
The Greenburgh Town Board appointed Thomas Madden as Commissioner of Planning. Mr. Madden previously served as Deputy Commissioner. To save taxpayers money -- the town will be leaving the deputy position vacant.
Under NYS law the town can hire professional planning consultants and bill the applicant for the cost of the planning review.
Valerie Whitehead has been named as Acting Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center. The deputy commissioner slot will not be filled until a permanent commissioner is appointed. Among options: eliminate the deputy commissioner slot and replace with another program coordinator.
Under NYS law the town can hire professional planning consultants and bill the applicant for the cost of the planning review.
Valerie Whitehead has been named as Acting Commissioner of the Theodore Young Community Center. The deputy commissioner slot will not be filled until a permanent commissioner is appointed. Among options: eliminate the deputy commissioner slot and replace with another program coordinator.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
CLICK ON COMMENTS TO READ ENTIRE DECISION BERNSTEIN VS.FEINER (Taxter Ridge lawsuit)
THE ENTIRE DECISION CAN BE FOUND IN THE COMMENTS
Decided on February 13, 2008
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE DIVISION : SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
ROBERT A. SPOLZINO, J.P.
STEVEN W. FISHER
HOWARD MILLER
MARK C. DILLON, JJ.
2005-03677 OPINION, ORDER & JUDGMENT
2005-06091
(Index No. 10944/03)
[*1]In the Matter of Robert B. Bernstein, respondent,
v
Paul J. Feiner, etc., et al., appellants.
APPEALS by Paul J. Feiner, as Town Supervisor, Town of Greenburgh, New York, and the Town of Greenburgh, in a hybrid proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, alleging, inter alia, that they failed to perform a duty enjoined upon them by law, and action to enjoin them from acquiring any portion of the property known as Taxter Ridge, from (1) so much of an amended order and judgment (one paper) of the Supreme Court (Richard A. Molea, J.), entered February 17, 2005, in Westchester County, as granted that branch of the petition which was for a judgment declaring that Town Law § 232 prohibits the Town of Greenburgh from financing the cost of acquiring property known as Taxter Ridge for parkland by imposing a tax solely upon property owners residing in the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh, and (2) so much of an order of the same court entered May 6, 2005, as, upon reargument, adhered to its original determination.
Timothy W. Lewis, Town Attorney, Greenburgh, N.Y. (David R. Fried and
Richard L. Marasse of counsel), for appellants.
Robert B. Bernstein, Hartsdale, N.Y., respondent pro se.
Keane & Beane, P.C., White Plains, N.Y. (Richard L. O'Rourke of
counsel), for Joseph Bova, amicus curiae.
ORDERED that the appeal from the order entered May 6, 2005, is dismissed as academic in light of our determination of the appeal from the amended order and judgment; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the appellants.
ENTER:
James Edward Pelzer
Clerk of the Court
Decided on February 13, 2008
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
APPELLATE DIVISION : SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
ROBERT A. SPOLZINO, J.P.
STEVEN W. FISHER
HOWARD MILLER
MARK C. DILLON, JJ.
2005-03677 OPINION, ORDER & JUDGMENT
2005-06091
(Index No. 10944/03)
[*1]In the Matter of Robert B. Bernstein, respondent,
v
Paul J. Feiner, etc., et al., appellants.
APPEALS by Paul J. Feiner, as Town Supervisor, Town of Greenburgh, New York, and the Town of Greenburgh, in a hybrid proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78, alleging, inter alia, that they failed to perform a duty enjoined upon them by law, and action to enjoin them from acquiring any portion of the property known as Taxter Ridge, from (1) so much of an amended order and judgment (one paper) of the Supreme Court (Richard A. Molea, J.), entered February 17, 2005, in Westchester County, as granted that branch of the petition which was for a judgment declaring that Town Law § 232 prohibits the Town of Greenburgh from financing the cost of acquiring property known as Taxter Ridge for parkland by imposing a tax solely upon property owners residing in the unincorporated area of the Town of Greenburgh, and (2) so much of an order of the same court entered May 6, 2005, as, upon reargument, adhered to its original determination.
Timothy W. Lewis, Town Attorney, Greenburgh, N.Y. (David R. Fried and
Richard L. Marasse of counsel), for appellants.
Robert B. Bernstein, Hartsdale, N.Y., respondent pro se.
Keane & Beane, P.C., White Plains, N.Y. (Richard L. O'Rourke of
counsel), for Joseph Bova, amicus curiae.
ORDERED that the appeal from the order entered May 6, 2005, is dismissed as academic in light of our determination of the appeal from the amended order and judgment; and it is further,
ORDERED that one bill of costs is awarded to the appellants.
ENTER:
James Edward Pelzer
Clerk of the Court
APPELLATE DIVISION REVERSES TAXTER RIDGE CASE
Yesterday the Appellate Division reversed the Taxter Ridge case which Bob Bernstein brought. The court upheld the Finneran Law and made it very clear that parks and recreation facilities are the obligations of the unincorporated area. We are bound by the decision.
I would have been satisfied with any decision that the court made. I thought that it was important and fair that everyone have their day in court, and since the villages weren’t included in the complaint I thought that they had the right to have an appeal in which they could take part.
We now have some work to do to repair some of the problems that the case has brought about, and we will have better communications between the town and the villages to make that happen. With the new spirit on the Town Board, and the goodwill of our residents, I know that we can do this.
I would have been satisfied with any decision that the court made. I thought that it was important and fair that everyone have their day in court, and since the villages weren’t included in the complaint I thought that they had the right to have an appeal in which they could take part.
We now have some work to do to repair some of the problems that the case has brought about, and we will have better communications between the town and the villages to make that happen. With the new spirit on the Town Board, and the goodwill of our residents, I know that we can do this.
COURT RULES ON KATHWOOD HOMES
a decision dated February 13, 2008, Judge Mary H. Smith of the Westchester County Supreme Court has ordered the Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board to grant a variance to the WBRC Corporation develop a sixth lot on the proposed Kathwood Road subdivision near the Sprain Brook Parkway. WBRC has sufficient lot size to develop five of the six lots on which it has partially built homes on Kathwood Road but needs an additional 86 square feet to develop the sixth lot. The Court concluded that the granting of a variance would not cause a significant impact to the neighborhood or change its character. The property is located in the R-7.5 Zoning District.
In any event, the existing partially built homes on Kathwood Road cannot be completed until a related legal action by WBRC, regarding a different issue, is resolved by the court.
In any event, the existing partially built homes on Kathwood Road cannot be completed until a related legal action by WBRC, regarding a different issue, is resolved by the court.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
WORK FOR TAXES MEETING FRIDAY AT 10--SHOULD SENIORS BE ABLE TO DEFER PAYING TAXES UNTIL THEY SELL THEIR HOME OR PASS?
I am planning to hold a meeting with department heads and senior citizens to discuss the proposed work for taxes initiative. The meeting will be held this Friday, February 15 at 10 AM at the Lee Jackson Room, Town Hall. About 125 communities around the nation (including Boston, Boulder)provide senior citizens with the option of working off their property taxes. Seniors receive a tax credit (state income tax free) and are given stipends (in most communities less than $8 an hour) for community service.
NY State has not authorized tax credits for seniors. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss lobbying efforts to persuade the NY State Legislature to approve this option for seniors. Until the state law is approved the town may want to provide a limited number of seniors with various part time jobs –model the program on the successful work for taxes initiative that exists around the nation.
IN ADDITION—THE Hastings on Hudson Senior Council is recommending that the town review a program that exists in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Seniors, on fixed incomes, are able to defer paying property taxes until they sell their home or pass away. This is another program that might help senior citizens continue to reside in their home. A copy of the Massachusetts law authorizing Sudbury to implement this initiative follows. The NY State Legislature would have to approve a similar authorization.
THIS IS THE LAW THAT MASSACHUSETTS APPROVED FOR SUDBURY, MASS.
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding clause Forty-first A of Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, and subject to Sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act, the board of assessors of the town of Sudbury shall defer the real estate property tax payment for property of a person 60 years of age or older and occupied by him as his domicile, or a person who owns the same jointly with his spouse, either of whom is 60 years or older and occupied as their domicile, or of a person who owns the same jointly or is a tenant in common with a person not his spouse and occupied by him as his domicile, if the person claiming the exemption either alone or together with his spouse had combined income of $60,000 or less during the preceding year. No restrictions shall be imposed based upon the number of years the property owner (a) has been domiciled in the commonwealth; or (b) owns and occupies as his domicile such real property.
SECTION 2. Any such person may, on or before December 15 of each year to which the tax relates or within 3 months after the date on which the bill or notice is first sent, whichever is later, apply to the board of assessors for an exemption of all or part of such real property from taxation during such year; provided, however, that in the case of real estate owned by a person jointly or as a tenant in common with a person not his spouse, the exemption shall not exceed that proportion of total valuation which the amount of his interest in such property bears to the whole tax due. The board of assessors shall grant such exemption provided that the owner or owners of such real property have entered into a tax deferral and recovery agreement with the board of assessors on behalf of the city or town. The said agreement shall provide:-
(1) that no sale or transfer of such real property may be consummated unless the taxes which would otherwise have been assessed on such portion of the real property as is so exempt have been paid, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum for the first year and at an annual rate set thereafter by the board of selectmen provided that the rate set by the selectmen shall never exceed 8 per cent per annum;
(2) that the total amount of such taxes due, plus interest, for the current and prior years does not exceed 50 per cent of the owner's proportional share of the full and fair cash value of such real property;
(3) that upon the demise of the owner of such real property, the heirs-at-law, assignees or devisees shall have first priority to the real property by paying in full the total taxes which would otherwise have been due, plus interest; provided, however, that if such heir-at-law, assignee or devisee is a surviving spouse who enters into a tax deferral and recovery agreement under this clause, payment of the taxes and interest due shall not be required during the life of such surviving spouse. Any additional taxes deferred, plus interest, on said real property under a tax deferral and recovery agreement signed by a surviving spouse shall be added to the taxes and interest which would otherwise have been due, and the payment of which has been postponed during the life of such surviving spouse, in determining the 50 per cent requirement of subparagraph (2);
(4) that if the taxes due, plus interest, are not paid by the heir-at-law, assignee or devisee or if payment is not postponed during the life of a surviving spouse, such taxes and interest shall be recovered from the estate of the owner; and
(5) that any joint owner or mortgagee holding a mortgage on such property has given written prior approval for such agreement, which written approval shall be made a part of such agreement.
SECTION 3. In the case of each tax deferral and recovery agreement entered into between the board of assessors and the owner or owners of such real property, the board of assessors shall forthwith cause to be recorded in the registry of deeds of the county or district in which the city or town is situated a statement of their action which shall constitute a lien upon the land covered by such agreement for such taxes as have been assessed under this act, plus interest as hereinafter provided. A lien filed pursuant to this act shall be subsequent to any liens securing a reverse mortgage, excepting shared appreciation instruments. The statement shall name the owner or owners and shall include a description of the land adequate for identification. Unless such a statement is recorded the lien shall not be effective with respect to a bona fide purchaser or other transferee without actual knowledge of such lien. The filing fee for such statement shall be paid by the city or town and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes due.
SECTION 4. In addition to the remedies provided by this act, the recorded statement of the assessors provided for in this act shall have the same force and effect as a valid taking for nonpayment of taxes under section 53 of chapter 60 of the General Laws, except that: (1) interest shall accrue at the rate provided in this act until the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred, after which time interest shall accrue at the rate provided in section 62 of said chapter 60; (2) no assignment of the municipality's interest under this act may be made pursuant to section 52 of said chapter 60; (3) no petition under section 65 of said chapter 60 to foreclose the lien may be filed before the expiration of 6 months from the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved September 12, 2002.
NY State has not authorized tax credits for seniors. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss lobbying efforts to persuade the NY State Legislature to approve this option for seniors. Until the state law is approved the town may want to provide a limited number of seniors with various part time jobs –model the program on the successful work for taxes initiative that exists around the nation.
IN ADDITION—THE Hastings on Hudson Senior Council is recommending that the town review a program that exists in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Seniors, on fixed incomes, are able to defer paying property taxes until they sell their home or pass away. This is another program that might help senior citizens continue to reside in their home. A copy of the Massachusetts law authorizing Sudbury to implement this initiative follows. The NY State Legislature would have to approve a similar authorization.
THIS IS THE LAW THAT MASSACHUSETTS APPROVED FOR SUDBURY, MASS.
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding clause Forty-first A of Section 5 of chapter 59 of the General Laws, or any other general or special law to the contrary, and subject to Sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act, the board of assessors of the town of Sudbury shall defer the real estate property tax payment for property of a person 60 years of age or older and occupied by him as his domicile, or a person who owns the same jointly with his spouse, either of whom is 60 years or older and occupied as their domicile, or of a person who owns the same jointly or is a tenant in common with a person not his spouse and occupied by him as his domicile, if the person claiming the exemption either alone or together with his spouse had combined income of $60,000 or less during the preceding year. No restrictions shall be imposed based upon the number of years the property owner (a) has been domiciled in the commonwealth; or (b) owns and occupies as his domicile such real property.
SECTION 2. Any such person may, on or before December 15 of each year to which the tax relates or within 3 months after the date on which the bill or notice is first sent, whichever is later, apply to the board of assessors for an exemption of all or part of such real property from taxation during such year; provided, however, that in the case of real estate owned by a person jointly or as a tenant in common with a person not his spouse, the exemption shall not exceed that proportion of total valuation which the amount of his interest in such property bears to the whole tax due. The board of assessors shall grant such exemption provided that the owner or owners of such real property have entered into a tax deferral and recovery agreement with the board of assessors on behalf of the city or town. The said agreement shall provide:-
(1) that no sale or transfer of such real property may be consummated unless the taxes which would otherwise have been assessed on such portion of the real property as is so exempt have been paid, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum for the first year and at an annual rate set thereafter by the board of selectmen provided that the rate set by the selectmen shall never exceed 8 per cent per annum;
(2) that the total amount of such taxes due, plus interest, for the current and prior years does not exceed 50 per cent of the owner's proportional share of the full and fair cash value of such real property;
(3) that upon the demise of the owner of such real property, the heirs-at-law, assignees or devisees shall have first priority to the real property by paying in full the total taxes which would otherwise have been due, plus interest; provided, however, that if such heir-at-law, assignee or devisee is a surviving spouse who enters into a tax deferral and recovery agreement under this clause, payment of the taxes and interest due shall not be required during the life of such surviving spouse. Any additional taxes deferred, plus interest, on said real property under a tax deferral and recovery agreement signed by a surviving spouse shall be added to the taxes and interest which would otherwise have been due, and the payment of which has been postponed during the life of such surviving spouse, in determining the 50 per cent requirement of subparagraph (2);
(4) that if the taxes due, plus interest, are not paid by the heir-at-law, assignee or devisee or if payment is not postponed during the life of a surviving spouse, such taxes and interest shall be recovered from the estate of the owner; and
(5) that any joint owner or mortgagee holding a mortgage on such property has given written prior approval for such agreement, which written approval shall be made a part of such agreement.
SECTION 3. In the case of each tax deferral and recovery agreement entered into between the board of assessors and the owner or owners of such real property, the board of assessors shall forthwith cause to be recorded in the registry of deeds of the county or district in which the city or town is situated a statement of their action which shall constitute a lien upon the land covered by such agreement for such taxes as have been assessed under this act, plus interest as hereinafter provided. A lien filed pursuant to this act shall be subsequent to any liens securing a reverse mortgage, excepting shared appreciation instruments. The statement shall name the owner or owners and shall include a description of the land adequate for identification. Unless such a statement is recorded the lien shall not be effective with respect to a bona fide purchaser or other transferee without actual knowledge of such lien. The filing fee for such statement shall be paid by the city or town and shall be added to and become a part of the taxes due.
SECTION 4. In addition to the remedies provided by this act, the recorded statement of the assessors provided for in this act shall have the same force and effect as a valid taking for nonpayment of taxes under section 53 of chapter 60 of the General Laws, except that: (1) interest shall accrue at the rate provided in this act until the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred, after which time interest shall accrue at the rate provided in section 62 of said chapter 60; (2) no assignment of the municipality's interest under this act may be made pursuant to section 52 of said chapter 60; (3) no petition under section 65 of said chapter 60 to foreclose the lien may be filed before the expiration of 6 months from the conveyance of the property or the death of the person whose taxes have been deferred.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved September 12, 2002.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
WORK SESSION ON COURTS FEB 29 AT 4 PM
The Town Board met with the three Town Judges during our work session this afternoon. We are scheduling a work session (to be televised on public access and streamed live on the internet) on Friday, Feb 29th at 4 PM to discuss the courts and the audit we commissioned. The 3 Judges, court clerk and former Town Judge James Hubert will be invited to attend.
Over the decades there have been a number of problems at the court. Should the Town Board play a more active role in the courts or should we respect the fact that the Judiciary is considered a separate branch of government?
Over the decades there have been a number of problems at the court. Should the Town Board play a more active role in the courts or should we respect the fact that the Judiciary is considered a separate branch of government?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Town Bd to vote to create parking committee for E Hartsdale Ave
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN BOARD
AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE HARTSDALE PARKING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND ADDRESS CONCERNS
RELATING TO PARKING ON EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE
AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD
WHEREAS, the Town Board acknowledges that there is a lack of adequate parking along East Hartsdale Avenue and the surrounding vicinity which adversely affects residents, businesses and patrons; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes this development requires a study of the different alternatives that exist to address the parking problem;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board will create a committee, to be named the Hartsdale Parking Advisory Committee, to study and address concerns and alternatives relating to parking on East Hartsdale Avenue and make recommendations to the Town Board.
Submitted: February 11, 2008
AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE HARTSDALE PARKING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY AND ADDRESS CONCERNS
RELATING TO PARKING ON EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE
AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE TOWN BOARD
WHEREAS, the Town Board acknowledges that there is a lack of adequate parking along East Hartsdale Avenue and the surrounding vicinity which adversely affects residents, businesses and patrons; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes this development requires a study of the different alternatives that exist to address the parking problem;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board will create a committee, to be named the Hartsdale Parking Advisory Committee, to study and address concerns and alternatives relating to parking on East Hartsdale Avenue and make recommendations to the Town Board.
Submitted: February 11, 2008
UPDATE; East Hartsdale Flood study
Mr. Regula:
Following is an update on the Hartsdale Brook Flood Study.
Our surveyor has completed his work and is processing his data.
He has advised that we will receive it by Friday 2/8.
Once we receive the survey data we will finally be in a position to proceed with our hydraulic analyses.
I will contact Mr. Cioce once we have received the data so that we can set up meeting date to review our work.
Thank you very much,
Dennis
Dennis Rocks, P.E.
Leonard Jackson Associates
Following is an update on the Hartsdale Brook Flood Study.
Our surveyor has completed his work and is processing his data.
He has advised that we will receive it by Friday 2/8.
Once we receive the survey data we will finally be in a position to proceed with our hydraulic analyses.
I will contact Mr. Cioce once we have received the data so that we can set up meeting date to review our work.
Thank you very much,
Dennis
Dennis Rocks, P.E.
Leonard Jackson Associates
Sunday, February 10, 2008
LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION UPDATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
There will be a library construction update this Wednesday night at our Town Board meeting. Questions will be answered. If you have a question(s) please e mail townboard@greenburghny.com with your questions in advance of the meeting.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
MORE TRAFFIC IN ARDSLEY...NO TAXES FOR THE TOWN...IT'S UNFAIR!
I am contacting our county lawmakers and will ask that the town get some tax revenue from the county in the event that the Board of Elections moves to Saw Mill River Road. I am of the opinion that this is a bad location for the Bd of Elections - it is not centrally located (the Bd of Elections should be located in White Plains)...it's not easily acccessible to people around the county. Traffic in Ardsley is horrible - this will generate additional traffic in and around Ardsley. I would prefer that the county locate the Bd of Elections elsewhere. Non profits and county governments do not pay taxes to local governments.
Glenn Blain writes in the Journal News:
WHITE PLAINS – In what may be the first test of the Democrats’ super majority on the Westchester legislature, County Executive Andrew Spano is reviving a once-defeated plan to move the Board of Elections to Greenburgh.
The Spano administration re-submitted to the Board of Legislators a $13.3 million proposal to purchase and renovate a vacant industrial building at 450 Saw Mill River Road for use by the Board of Elections.
“A decision was made to resubmit because we need a (new) facility,” said Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz.
Since the plan fell one vote short of approval in the legislature last spring, the administration has investigated several other properties but found none that were as affordable or as convenient as the building on Saw Mill River Road, Schwartz said.
Glenn Blain writes in the Journal News:
WHITE PLAINS – In what may be the first test of the Democrats’ super majority on the Westchester legislature, County Executive Andrew Spano is reviving a once-defeated plan to move the Board of Elections to Greenburgh.
The Spano administration re-submitted to the Board of Legislators a $13.3 million proposal to purchase and renovate a vacant industrial building at 450 Saw Mill River Road for use by the Board of Elections.
“A decision was made to resubmit because we need a (new) facility,” said Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz.
Since the plan fell one vote short of approval in the legislature last spring, the administration has investigated several other properties but found none that were as affordable or as convenient as the building on Saw Mill River Road, Schwartz said.
Friday, February 08, 2008
work session agenda 2/12...summary from this past Tuesday's work session
Work Session of the Greenburgh Town Board
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed fire contract
1:45 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Agenda Review
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Theodore D. Young Com. Ctr. – Reorganization
Motion for Executive Session - Personnel
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Courts – Executive Session
` 5:15: p.m. Adjourn
Work Session Summary – February 5, 2008
The Town Board met in Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing candidates for
the position of Comptroller.
Live Streaming Update
We expect meetings to be streamed live shortly. We are awaiting the arrival of a essential
piece of equipment. The equipment is expected to arrive on Monday, February 11th. We hope to begin streaming at this meeting, provided the equipment does arrive. We apologize for this delay.
February 26th Work Session (tentative)
· Westchester County Department of Planning
· Amendment fo Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veterans’ Exemption – Edye McCarthy
· Sunrise Assisted Living
· Tax Certiorari
Please Note: There will be no Work Session on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
(All Work Sessions are Televised Live on Cable Vision Channel 76, Verizon Channel 32)
1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Village Manager of Hastings – re: Proposed fire contract
1:45 p.m.– 3:00 p.m. Agenda Review
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Theodore D. Young Com. Ctr. – Reorganization
Motion for Executive Session - Personnel
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Courts – Executive Session
` 5:15: p.m. Adjourn
Work Session Summary – February 5, 2008
The Town Board met in Executive Session for the purpose of interviewing candidates for
the position of Comptroller.
Live Streaming Update
We expect meetings to be streamed live shortly. We are awaiting the arrival of a essential
piece of equipment. The equipment is expected to arrive on Monday, February 11th. We hope to begin streaming at this meeting, provided the equipment does arrive. We apologize for this delay.
February 26th Work Session (tentative)
· Westchester County Department of Planning
· Amendment fo Taxable Status Date and Cold War Veterans’ Exemption – Edye McCarthy
· Sunrise Assisted Living
· Tax Certiorari
Please Note: There will be no Work Session on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
STORAGE FACILITY ON CENTRAL AVE? what do you think?
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? EARLY FEEDBACK WANTED ON STORAGE DELUXE FACILITY ON CENTRAL AVE…
Benefits: significant taxes.
No additional costs for school district
Low traffic
Negatives: Current zoning does not allow for self storage
Feel free to contact snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com.
Dear Supervisor Feiner:
My name is Steve Novenstein and I am the President of Storage Deluxe Realty. We currently own 27 Self-Storage Properties in the New York area, including 4 facilities in Westchester (White Plains, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle and Yorktown).
As a resident of Scarsdale and with my office located in White Plains, I am constantly driving and shopping on Central Avenue. There are many vacant and underutilized sites along Central Avenue that would make great self storage facilities. Self Storage developments offer tremendous benefits for towns in that it generates very low traffic and offers a nice real estate tax rate.
We have developed many first class storage facilities and we would be thrilled to work with members of the community on a design that reflects the charm of the community. We envision utilizing brick and stucco with a great landscaping plan.
Currently, the zoning for Central Avenue does not allow for self-storage. We are working on a couple of sites on Central Avenue and before we get too far into the process, we would like to hear from the community and address any comments or questions they may have. snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com
Sincerely,
Steve Novenstein
www.storagedeluxe.com
Benefits: significant taxes.
No additional costs for school district
Low traffic
Negatives: Current zoning does not allow for self storage
Feel free to contact snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com.
Dear Supervisor Feiner:
My name is Steve Novenstein and I am the President of Storage Deluxe Realty. We currently own 27 Self-Storage Properties in the New York area, including 4 facilities in Westchester (White Plains, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle and Yorktown).
As a resident of Scarsdale and with my office located in White Plains, I am constantly driving and shopping on Central Avenue. There are many vacant and underutilized sites along Central Avenue that would make great self storage facilities. Self Storage developments offer tremendous benefits for towns in that it generates very low traffic and offers a nice real estate tax rate.
We have developed many first class storage facilities and we would be thrilled to work with members of the community on a design that reflects the charm of the community. We envision utilizing brick and stucco with a great landscaping plan.
Currently, the zoning for Central Avenue does not allow for self-storage. We are working on a couple of sites on Central Avenue and before we get too far into the process, we would like to hear from the community and address any comments or questions they may have. snovenstein@storagedeluxe.com
Sincerely,
Steve Novenstein
www.storagedeluxe.com
LANZA FAMILY FOUNDATION TO FUND SUNDAY LIBRARY HOURS/CYBERMOBILE
I am pleased to report that the Lanza Family Foundation will make a generous donation of $12,284 to the town- enabling the Greenburgh Library to resume Sunday library hours beginning March 16 (excluding summer Sundays). In addition, the Lanza Family Foundation is donating $25,000 which will be used to reactivate the cybermobile.
The Lanza Family Foundation will require the Library to provide the Foundation with detailed weekly usage reports regarding the cybermobile/Sunday hours (cost analysis, number of people who use the cybermobile/Sunday hours, etc..) The $25,000 being allocated to the cybermobile will enable the library to provide cybermobile service to the community for at least a few months.
The Sunday hours and cybermobile service was discontinued in January, 2008 by the Greenburgh Library Board. I am very grateful to the Lanza Family Foundation for their very generous donation. Many residents, especially senior citizens, have been hurt because of the cuts. Representatives of the Lanza Family Foundation met with Supervisor Paul Feiner, Town Clerk Judith Beville, Philanthropic Coordinator George Gumina and Winsome Gordon of the Philanthropic Office to discuss the terms of their generous donation.
The Lanza Family Foundation will require the Library to provide the Foundation with detailed weekly usage reports regarding the cybermobile/Sunday hours (cost analysis, number of people who use the cybermobile/Sunday hours, etc..) The $25,000 being allocated to the cybermobile will enable the library to provide cybermobile service to the community for at least a few months.
The Sunday hours and cybermobile service was discontinued in January, 2008 by the Greenburgh Library Board. I am very grateful to the Lanza Family Foundation for their very generous donation. Many residents, especially senior citizens, have been hurt because of the cuts. Representatives of the Lanza Family Foundation met with Supervisor Paul Feiner, Town Clerk Judith Beville, Philanthropic Coordinator George Gumina and Winsome Gordon of the Philanthropic Office to discuss the terms of their generous donation.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
COMPARISONS RE: GREENBURGH LIBRARY VS. OTHER LIBRARIES FROM WLS
A letter from the Director of the Westchester Library System: data/comparisons:
My statistics are as of the State Annual Report for 2006 and, therefore, the data is reflective of the budget for Greenburgh Public Library in the old building. Having said that I’m happy to forward the comparative data you request.
The short version is that as far as grand total circulation transactions Greenburgh ranked third in 2006 (565,494) behind Yonkers (899,488) and White Plains (575,863) and ahead of large libraries such as New Rochelle (545,238), Yorktown (493,429), Scarsdale (441,901), Mount Pleasant (424,020) and Ossining (402,607) and so on.
In Circulations per capita Greenburgh ranks 16th at 13.52 circs/capita behind Ardsley (30.68); Bronxville (29.43); Scarsdale (24.79); Chappaqua (22.53); Larchmont (20.83); Hastings (19.67); Pound Ridge (19.56); Croton (19.30); Katonah (19.14); Armonk (18.15); Irvington (16.24); Rye (16.17); Briarcliff (14.31); Bedford (14.11) and Yorktown (13.59).
Population Chartered to Serve Greenburgh is 5th (41,828) behind Yonkers (196,086); New Rochelle (72,182); Mount Vernon (68,381) and White Plains (53,077). Immediately following Greenburgh are Port Chester (36,469); Yorktown (36,318), Mount Pleasant (33,323), Ossining (33,047) and Harrison (24,154).
In Circs per hour opened Greenburgh ranked third (145.40) behind White Plains (186.12) and Yorktown (159.07) followed by Scarsdale (131.83) and Chappaqua (116.15).
In total library materials collection Greenburgh has the 4th largest collection in the county behind Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and White Plains and ranks 33rd in the county on the total library materials per capita followed by Yonkers, Somers, Yorktown, Pelham and Port Chester.
On Library Materials purchases Greenburgh ranked third in spending ($402,000) behind White Plains ($576,501) and Mount Vernon ($429,584) followed by Scarsdale ($279,125); New Rochelle ($252,767), Harrison ($232,351), Yonkers ($230,086); Yorktown ($204,996); Rye ($203,789) and Mount Pleasant ($200,231).
On Library Materials spending per capita Greenburgh ranked 8th and 6th in Library Materials expense as a percent of total operating budget.
I’ll forward the charts asap.
Siobhan A Reardon
Director
Westchester Library System
540 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, New York 10591-
My statistics are as of the State Annual Report for 2006 and, therefore, the data is reflective of the budget for Greenburgh Public Library in the old building. Having said that I’m happy to forward the comparative data you request.
The short version is that as far as grand total circulation transactions Greenburgh ranked third in 2006 (565,494) behind Yonkers (899,488) and White Plains (575,863) and ahead of large libraries such as New Rochelle (545,238), Yorktown (493,429), Scarsdale (441,901), Mount Pleasant (424,020) and Ossining (402,607) and so on.
In Circulations per capita Greenburgh ranks 16th at 13.52 circs/capita behind Ardsley (30.68); Bronxville (29.43); Scarsdale (24.79); Chappaqua (22.53); Larchmont (20.83); Hastings (19.67); Pound Ridge (19.56); Croton (19.30); Katonah (19.14); Armonk (18.15); Irvington (16.24); Rye (16.17); Briarcliff (14.31); Bedford (14.11) and Yorktown (13.59).
Population Chartered to Serve Greenburgh is 5th (41,828) behind Yonkers (196,086); New Rochelle (72,182); Mount Vernon (68,381) and White Plains (53,077). Immediately following Greenburgh are Port Chester (36,469); Yorktown (36,318), Mount Pleasant (33,323), Ossining (33,047) and Harrison (24,154).
In Circs per hour opened Greenburgh ranked third (145.40) behind White Plains (186.12) and Yorktown (159.07) followed by Scarsdale (131.83) and Chappaqua (116.15).
In total library materials collection Greenburgh has the 4th largest collection in the county behind Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle and White Plains and ranks 33rd in the county on the total library materials per capita followed by Yonkers, Somers, Yorktown, Pelham and Port Chester.
On Library Materials purchases Greenburgh ranked third in spending ($402,000) behind White Plains ($576,501) and Mount Vernon ($429,584) followed by Scarsdale ($279,125); New Rochelle ($252,767), Harrison ($232,351), Yonkers ($230,086); Yorktown ($204,996); Rye ($203,789) and Mount Pleasant ($200,231).
On Library Materials spending per capita Greenburgh ranked 8th and 6th in Library Materials expense as a percent of total operating budget.
I’ll forward the charts asap.
Siobhan A Reardon
Director
Westchester Library System
540 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, New York 10591-
WHO WON GREENBURGH? work session to discuss comptroller candidates Friday at 2 followed by reorganization
The Town Board will be holding a work session this Friday at 2 PM. We interviewed 3 candidates for the position of Comptroller in executive session yesterday and will meet a 4th candidate on Friday. The Board will review the candidates in executive session. At 3:30 PM we will discuss reorganization issues till 5:30 PM. That portion of the meeting will be open and will also be televised.
HOW DID GREENBURGH VOTE YESTERDAY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?
Barack Obama: 5,803 (45.3%)….Bill Richardson 168 (1.3%)…Dennis Kucinich 88 (.7%)…Hillary Clinton 6,650 (51.9%) Joe Biden 22 (.2%)…John Edwards 86 (.7%)
John McCain: 1,634 (57.9%)…Mike Huckabee 177 (6.3%)…Mitt Romney 772 (27.3%)…Ron Paul 101 (3.6%)…Rudy Guiliani 139 (4.9%)
HOW DID GREENBURGH VOTE YESTERDAY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY?
Barack Obama: 5,803 (45.3%)….Bill Richardson 168 (1.3%)…Dennis Kucinich 88 (.7%)…Hillary Clinton 6,650 (51.9%) Joe Biden 22 (.2%)…John Edwards 86 (.7%)
John McCain: 1,634 (57.9%)…Mike Huckabee 177 (6.3%)…Mitt Romney 772 (27.3%)…Ron Paul 101 (3.6%)…Rudy Guiliani 139 (4.9%)
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