STARBUCKS WANTS TO OPEN UP ON 9A NEAR MOVIE THEATER/SAM'S

Ever hear of Starbucks? I'm joking, of course --because Starbucks sells coffee almost everywhere. Lawyers for Starbucks were spotted at Town Hall today - the company plans to submit an application to open up a Starbucks on 9A in N Elmsford, near the movie theater and Sam's. The application is expected to be submitted within the next few weeks.

Police presence might happen in Mayfair Knollwood

The members of the Greenburgh Town Council announced steps that could result in providing residents of Mayfair/Knollwood with the police protection they want. Community leaders want the same police protection in 2007 as they had in 2006. The additional police presence is requested as a result of a county shelter that opened late last year at Grasslands. This shelter provides housing for sexual offenders. Some of these sexual offenders were found to have sexually abused, raped, or were involved in the attempted kidnapping of small children.
During the past year the Town Board has funded police overtime for this neighborhood - providing the neighborhood with the protection that had been sought. Today the council is suggesting that the Board hire a new officer --that the police dept expand to 3 new officers in 2007. A new officer might be less expensive than overtime.
If this is done the officer would enable the police dept to expand the commuity policing post to Grasslands Road, which would incorporate the Mayfair area of town. Currently, it ends at Old Tarrytown road.
I spoke to Chief Kapica today and he indicated that for 34 weeks policing may not be at the same level it has been this year --because the officer will be receiving training. After the 34 weeks the police will have more resources to provide residents of Mayfair/Knollwood with police protection.
I continue to believe that the town should continue to keep the promises we made to the community - that we should provide the same level of police protection in 2007 as we did in 2006.

WANTED: GOALS 2007

Every year I announce goals at the beginning of the year. I am starting to compile a list of goals for 2007. I would appreciate your suggestions. The goals will be announced in January.

F.A.C.T. SPONSORED A TERRIFIC BREAKFAST THIS MORNING- COATS DONATED TO THE NEEDY

I attended a terrific community event this morning- the 6th annual benefit pancake breakfast and coat drive at the Bailey School sponsored by F.A.C.T. (Fathers and Children Together). The pancake breakfast was a real community happening --hundreds of residents (most were from Fairview) attended - and donated pre-owned coats. The coats are being given to patients who use the services of the Greenburgh Neighborhood Health Center. The funds raised at the event are going to the 6th grade class.
This event was one of the best events I have attended over the years --many people from the community (including people who are typically not active in the community)--attended,and donated coats to a worthy cause.
F.A.C.T. is planning to get involved in our snow angel program --fathers and kids will assist the elderly clear their driveways and walkways of snow.
This is the kind of excellent program that makes people proud to live in Greenburgh. It's what a community should be about. Hat's off to the organizers of F.A.C.T. for a terrific job!

SHOULD THE TOWN MANDATE ENERGY CONSERVATION IN NEW COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION?

A few years ago Greenburgh became the 2nd municipality in the nation and first in NY to mandate energy conservation in new residential construction. Nikki Coddington, our energy conservation coordinator, proposed today that the town consider promoting energy conservation in new commercial construction over 5,000 sq feet. The suggested options: the town should require or incentivize applicants to build commercial buildings that meet ENERGY STAR standards. Development incentives could be offered if we do not require builders to build green buildings.
What do you think? Mandate...or provide incentives? If every local government promoted energy conservation we will not have to rely on foreign oil as much as we currently do. It's my hope that the Town Board will give serious consideration to this important issue.

Chase Bank to replace gas station on Central Ave

Chase Bank is proposing to demolish the existing Mobil gas station building at 353 N Central Ave and construct a one story 4,056 sq ft, one story Chase Bank building with two drive thru lanes, parking stalls and drive aisles, landscaping, improved drainage and storm water collection, a landscaped buffer between the adjacent lot and improved site lighting.The site plan proposes to improve the ingress and egress of southerly shopping center driveway entrance by closing the current opening curb cuts and providing for a new one curb cut. The applicant also proposes to make improvements to internal site circulation, handicap access, and safety as part of the application.

Westchester May purchase 450 Saw Mill River Rd for Bd of Elections--impact to schools major

Westchester County is considering purchasing the property located at 450 Saw Mill River Road for use by the Board of Elections. The property is located in the Ardsley School district and the unincorporated Town of Greenburgh. If the county purchases the property the property will be taken off the tax rolls. The Ardsley school district will lose $192,170.86 in taxes. This would be a significant loss of revenue to the school district and could result in substantial increases in school taxes. The town/county/fire district will lose $99,411.62.
I am urging the county to consider a pilot - providing the town/fire district/school district with the taxes that we would receive if the building is not acquired by the county. I have contacted the County Executive Andrew Spano.

SHOULD PROPERTY OWNERS BE REQUIRED TO FINISH THEIR BUILDINGS?

I am asking the Town Board to consider adopt abandoned properties legislation - requiring property owners that start construction to complete construction within a reasonable period of time. There are some properties in the town that are eyesores -construction started but never was completed. Neighbors feel this has a negative impact on property values. What are your thoughts? What suggestions do you have for legislation?

library update

The Greenburgh Town Board held a work session on the library construction meeting today. The meeting was open to the public. The architect, working with Triton, has presented the Town Board with a proposed master budget. The scope of the work bid has been reduced to meet the budget constraints of the project. Our construction attorney, Thomas Tripodianos of Welby, Brady & Greenblatt, has provided the town with a memo of law detailing the law on post bid negotiations and rejection of apparent low bids. The question is this: has the scope of the work that has been bid been reduced by a significant amount to require re-bidding? If the amount is significant than all bidders should have a chance to revise their bids in accordance with the reduced work. There have been court rulings that indicate that a municipality may not "engage in post-bid negotiations through which a contractor other than the low bidder may become the low bidder, or coerce a low bidder to make unfair and unwarranted concessions through the threat of rejecting all bids." (Matter of Fischback & Moore V NYC Trataros.Auth -1981). In another case (Acme Bus Corp v Bd of Education of Roosevelt Union Free School District) the court stated that "favoritism or irregularity in the bidding process may ostensibly produce monetary savings, but the use of such means to meet that singular end is still unsustainable because the complete public interest is ultimately promoted by fostering honest competition."
Re-bidding will delay the library project and could result in additional architectural costs.
I want to make sure that we are extra careful and that we comply with the competitive bidding laws. I suggested that we reach out to the Attorney General's office or some other state office and seek their advice. A copy of Mr. Tripodianos's memo was distributed to the public at the Board work session.

SUMMER POLICE CAMP GRAD HIRED AS POLICE OFFICER-- RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT FOR SAT PREP CAMP

The Greenburgh Town Board appointed Herman Killebrew as an entry level police officer at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting on Monday evening. Officer Killebrew is the first graduate of the Police Summer Youth Camp to be appointed a police officer. The camp has provided young people with an opportunity to learn about policing and law enforcement during the summer mnths. At the our budget hearing that the Town Board held on Monday evening many residents of Greenburgh supported the proposed SAT/college prep summer camp. Who knows? One of the SAT summer camp graduates may one day win a Nobel Prize or become a corporate leader!
The Town Board will vote on a budget on December 13th.

The Town Board also approved a resolution urging the State Legislature not to close the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. The vote was unanimous!

The Greenburgh Town Board will meet at work session on Tuesday at 4 PM to discuss library construction bids.

DAILY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS GREENBURGH VILLAGE OF HASTINGS AS "SMARTY TOWN" FOR RECORD NUMBER OF NOBEL LAUREATES

The December 3rd issue of the NY Daily News (www.nydailynews.com) has a great story about one of Greenburgh's six villages- Hastings on Hudson. The story "Smarty Town" suggests that Hastings on Hudson has something in its water -- something that flows into the town's small public schools. There are a record number of Nobel Laureates per capita. Six former Hastings on Hudson residents/students have received the Nobel Prize. This year Edmund Ned Phelps (Hastings High School Class of 1951) will win the prize. The first Hastings on Hudson Nobel Laureate was Max Theiler. His daughter Elizabeth Martin resides in Dobbs Ferry. Robert C. Merton (brother of Hastings activist Vanessa Merton) received the Nobel Prize in the 1990s.
Hastings on Hudson is a very special and unique community. We're lucky to have this village in our town of Greenburgh.

Hastings educators/parents/public officials have always worked hard to motivate young people to reach for the stars. One of the reasons why so many students succeed at reaching the top is because of the impressive programs and support offered to students.

Next week the Greenburgh Town Board will be voting on the 2007 proposed town budget. The proposed budget that I submitted includes funding for an SAT summer preparation camp and a summer BizCamp. Some of the students who enroll in the camps would receive scholarships (if they are income eligible). It's my hope to provide students with the tools so that they, too, can reach for the stars. The camps are designed to provide students with a stronger foundation that will help them succeed in life. Perhaps, enrollees in these camps might be inspired to study harder, to learn new skills. Who knows -- we may motivate a student to become a future Bill Gates or Nobel Laureate.

IDEA: USE LIBRARIES IN SCHOOLS AS SATELLITE LIBRARIES

I continue to have concerns about the temporary satellite library locations proposed when the library closes for construction. I do not feel that the proposed locations are adequate. The proposed plan calls for 70% of the library books to be placed in storage for 2 years. The satellite library locations that have been proposed so far at Town Hall, the Multipurpose Building/Veteran park and at the Community Center are very small spaces.
A few weeks ago a good suggestion was made to place a trailer at the Greenburgh Nature Center. The town needs a temporary location on E Hartsdale Ave.
Another suggestion that I discussed with some residents today was to ask the schools if the library could use existing school libraries for temporary satellite library locations after school hours. The town would staff the school library (which could become a children's library) with a town paid librarian. If the school library has extra space some of the books that we were going to place in storage could be offered to the schools while construction is happening.
What are your thoughts? The purpose of this blog is to exchange ideas and to try to think of constructive ways to make our town a better place. Having a functional library during the 2 year construction is of great importance.

GREAT NEWS: POLICE ARREST SUSPECT WHO TOLD VICTIMS HE WAS WIRED WITH DYNAMITE

Great news! Police Chief John Kapica has advised me that the members of the patrol division of the Police Department arrested a suspect who has been responsible for 5 robberies around Westchester. He told victims he was wired with dynamite and would blow himself up. He was arrested at Duan Reade drugstore on Central Ave.
Hat's off to the police department for their excellent work. Serious crime in Greenburgh continues to be at its lowest level in recorded history!

WANTED: SNOW ANGELS

Now that the warm weather is about to break - it's time for our annual snow angel appeal. I'm looking for volunteers who will help senior citizens and disabled residents clear their driveways and walkways of snow during the winter months. I started this program 15 years ago. We have helped many individuals each year. Some of the beneficiaries of the program are individuals who are frail elderly --who depend on a clear walkway for food/medical services.
If you are interested in volunteering your time to this program - please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com.
If you are a student and are willing to have your name posted on a web site - please provide me with a letter from your parents authorizing your name to be released on a public web site.

November: Miscellaneous

The purpose of this Miscellaneous topic is to discuss any town related issues you feel are important. Please post any issues you wish to discuss in the comments section of this post. Thanks!

CEO OF DOBBS FERRY HOSPITAL ON MY RADIO PROGRAM THIS MONDAY--PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO SAVE HOSPITAL ON TOWN BD AGENDA MONDAY NIGHT

James Foy, President & CEO of Riverside Health Care (which oversees the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry) will be my guest on my WVOX AM Radio program (1460AM) this Monday, December 4th at 11 AM to noon. A committee established by NY State has recommended the closure of this hospital. Listeners can call in live at 636-0110 to chat with
I have introduced a resolution before the Greenburgh Town Board urging the state to save the hospital --which has served Greenburgh residents and residents of the river villages for over 100 years. The hospital is a short term non profit health care facility that has 50 beds -- the average length of stay is seven days or less. It provides general acute in patient, out patient and emergency medical and surgical care to patients. The Town Board meeting will take place at Greenburgh Town Hall at 7:15 PM on Monday night, December 4th. This hospital is a very special place. Many people appreciate the personalized care given to everyone who goes to the hospital.
If you are interested in joining the citizens campaign to save the hospital please e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com

library update

I have been advised that the library construction, which had been scheduled to start this fall, has been delayed. I have been told that the bids are over budget in excess of a million dollars. I will be working with the Library Board and the Town Board to bring the library construction costs within the approved bond dollar approval ($20 million referendum). I have asked that this be discussed at the Town Board meeting on Monday, December 4th at 7:15 PM.

Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry may close

Sad, bad news for Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry. A state panel has recommended that the hospital (which has served many Greenburgh residents for years)be closed down. The panel that made the recommendation was charged with reorganizing NY's health care system. The Hospital is affiliated with St.John's in Yonkers.
The hospital plans to wage a campaign to keep the Community Hospital open. Interested in getting involved? Let me know.
This is not the first time that the hospital has been threatened with closure.

Why commuters are standing on the train this week...

Metro North has taken 124 trains (one third) out of service to repair flat wheels. This has caused many commuters some inconvenience - there are fewer seats and overcrowding on the trains. The wet weather, falling leaves, caused slippery conditions on tracks causing train wheels to slip. Wheels flattten out. The wheels have to be made round again. Hopefully, commuters taking the train from Hartsdale and other train stations in Greenburgh will see some improvement next week.

4 Ardsley Volunteer Firefighters Save Lives-ANOTHER REASON FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER HOUSING AT WATERWHEEL

Ardsley Mayor Jay Leon has advised me that on Thanksgiving day, in a driving rainstorm, four Ardsley firefighers returning home on the Saw Mill River Parkway saved a family that was stuck in a submerged car within the overflowing rapids of the Saw Mill River. The 4 firefighers saved the family which included a 3 and 1 year old. They did not seek or expect any credit.
A special thanks to firefighters Don Black, PJ Murray, Lenny Breindel and Michael Carson for their valor and their spirit of community service. I would like to honor each of the volunteers at an upcoming meeting of the Greenburgh Town Board.
During the past year Ardsley Mayor Leon has pushed the town to turn foreclosed property at the waterwheel into affordable housing for volunteer firefighters. Our volunteer firefighters are always ready and willing to be of assistance to the community. They give to us. We should give back to them. If we lose our volunteers because of the lack of affordable housing - Ardsley and Greenburgh will lose a great volunteer department made up of very dedicated, brave individuals who always put your safety first.