2012 was a very active year for town officials. There were many major
and minor accomplishments and issues that were addressed. The following are some
of the highlights:
FINANCIAL: for the 2nd consecutive year the Greenburgh
Town Board complied with the tax cap which limits tax
increases. About 25% of local governments around the state overrode the cap and
increased taxes by more than the 2% tax cap levy. We did not! Am proud of the
fact that the town received, in 2012 the prestigious AAA bond
rating from Moodys and Standard & Poors, a distinction earned by less than
3% of localities in the United States. A triple A bond rating is the
highest rating any government can receive!
In 2012 we took some long term steps that will help the town be
managed in a fiscally prudent manner in the years ahead. The just ratified
teamsters contract requires employees to start contributing towards
their health care costs, something that was not required previously.
Health care contributions will be required as part of all salary hike
negotiations. We reached out to other communities in Westchester and invited
them to join Greenburgh and Yonkers and reassess all
properties. Reassessment will significantly reduce the certiorari's
(successful tax grievances that reduce the revenues the town receives each
year). In addition, we will be able to create two separate classes: commercial
and residential. If a commercial entity files a certiorari and wins a big tax
reduction, only the businesses (not the homeowners) will absorb the loss. The
town, joined by other communities, will start the reassessment in 2013. We
expect that over half of all parcels in the county will be reassessed and will
save significant dollars by partnering with other communities on this
initiative
In 2013 we will authorize the purchase of a "one arm bandit"
sanitation truck. The truck will need one employee -not three. We will
gradually reduce our workforce, via attrition (not layoffs) and become more
efficient. The one arm bandit trucks are used around the nation. Another saving:
We have retrofitted two trucks (brine trucks). We put the
brine on roads before storms, helping the town save overtime
during small snow storms. The pre-treated roads do not require plowing
and as much attention during small storms. We need to think out of the box to
save you dollars.
SPORTS FACILITY ON DOBBS FERRY ROAD
- In 2011 the town posted signs at Frank's and invited businesses to
submit proposals to the town for the use of the old Frank's nursery. We also
publicized the RFP process via the web, newspapers, radio station. We showed the
property to a number of people. We received three bids: Game On
expressed a desire to lease the property for an indoor sports facility (playing
fields). Two others offered to buy the property -the maximum sale price offer
received was $1.5 million. The Town Board decided that we liked the
sports facility option the best. Revenue for the town. Will help the Golf Range
stay in business. We desperately need more playing field space in Westchester.
We scheduled a referendum this past November (something not
required).. Voters approved a referendum to allow an indoor sports
facility (Game on) to be built at the obandoned Frank's nursery by a margin of
close to 70%. . Although voters approved the referendum, a competitor
to Game On has filed some lawsuits against the town trying to prevent or delay
the construction. They indicated that they could tie up the sports facility in
court for up to eight years. As a result, we are proceeding with plans to sell
the property to Game On instead of leasing the property to them. We will
sell for more than $1.5 million. Game On will be responsible for all taxes and
will also be responsible for the cleanup. The sale will make the lawsuits
moot.
FERNCLIFF MANOR IS TOWN BOARDS WISH FOR WESTHELP
SITE--The Town Board has rights to the former WESTHELP property on
Knollwood Road for almost twenty more years. Earlier this year we issued an RFP
for the use of the WESTHELP FACILITY. Ferncliff Manor, an organization
that serves the developmentally disabled community, proposed giving the town
$500,000 a year in rent. The 2nd closest bid was $360,000 from an
affordable housing developer. The Town Board and I prefer Ferncliff Manor over
the other options. The County Executive, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, State
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, a majority of the County Legislators agree. We need 12
of the 17 Legislators to support our request since Ferncliff wants a long term
contract. If The Legislature rejects the application (we need a super majority
of Legislators on our side) we will lease the property to an affordable housing
developer. Ferncliff has many benefits for the town: a good use (helping the
developmentally disabled). Most revenue to the town each year . Ferncliff will
require the least amount of services from the town or school district.
LOIS BRONZ CHILDREN'S CENTER OPERATING AT A
SURPLUS--Two years ago the Lois Bronz Children's Center was in danger
of closing. Now, thanks to excellent management and a hard working and smart
board, the center is running at a profit.
HURRICANE RESPONSE During & after Hurricane Sandy
our employees worked long and hard trying to help you get your quality of life
back. About 40 secondary roads were closed after the storm and had to be
re-opened, debris and obstructions removed, streets patrolled to make sure your
property was safe, questions responded to and complaints followed up.
9,500 homes were out of power right after the
storm.
Town staff responded quickly to requests for help. We provided
residents with shelter. The CERT team of volunteers helped staff the
emergency shelter at the Theodore Young Community Center. The
Greenburgh Library expanded hours -offering residents a chance to relax in a
warm environment after the storm. We started a House Angels program
(which received national attention). House angels offered their homes to the
"powerless". We matched those with power with those
without.
NO FLOODING AFTER HURRICANE SANDY - The town did not
experience any significant flooding after Hurricane Sandy. Prior to the
hurricane (during the past year) the town (working with Elmsford) cleared
obstructions from the Saw Mill River and checked drains and removed
obstructions. We hope that our proactive initiatives were
helpful.
MORE THAN HOUSE ANGELS: OUR TV ANGELS volunteer their time
during the year picking up old TV's and dropping them off at the Highway garage.
The TV's are heavy--difficult for seniors to do on their own. And, our SNOW
ANGELS volunteer their time clearing driveways and walkways of seniors
and disabled residents. This is what community is about -- neighbors helping
neighbors.
JOB REFERRALS- About 4 years ago I set up a job club,
helping the unemployed find employment. A special thank you to the many
residents who have advised me of job openings where they work --so I can help
your out of work neighbors find employment. Job postings are sent to residents
who subscribe to a jobs e list and are posted on www.linkedin.com (greenburgh jobs
group) as I learn of the openings
GREENBURGH HEALTH CENTER ALMOST OPEN- The new
Greenburgh health center, which will open its new building in the winter, will
provide residents with excellent health care. I'm thankful that the center kept
their promise to build a sidewalk from their new building to
Route 119.
NEW WATER DISTRICT ADVISORY BOARD APPOINTED--The Town
Board created a new Board-- the water district advisory board to review water
rates, short and long term infrastructure needs. We appreciate the oversight!
The water district no longer is running at a
deficit.
WESTHAB WORKFORCE HOUSING - A new affordable housing
apartment complex is being built near the Westchester County Center. The need is
great -- during the year many residents have contacted me requesting
applications. When they open in the spring of 2013 the families that move in
will experience a great quality of life improvement.
STATE REPAVES 119-- Route 119 was repaved from the
Tarrytown/Greenburgh line to the White Plains line.
We formed a new disabled advisory committee- headed by
Angela Raso. the committee is making recommendations to the town - advising us
how to be a more disabled friendly community.
WATERWHEEL AFFORDABLE HOUSING--Thankful that the town,
Ardsley and county all worked together so that additional affordable housing
could be built in Ardsley on town foreclosed land (the former
waterwheel property). Some of the units will be designated for volunteer
firefighters, ambulance corp members. Construction should take place in
2013.
BERKELEY STUDENT INTERNS-- Am grateful to the students
at Berkeley College who have been devoting their time to the town, helping
departments manage their workload at no cost to the taxpayers. Mona Fraitag,
co-chair of the Poet's Corner Civic Association, has donated hundreds of hours
overseeing this program. She worked with Alan Hochberg, chair of the citizens
commission reviewing the budget --looking for ways to help the town save money.
We estimate that the student interns have saved taxpayers a million
dollars+.
STUDENT NEWS NETWORK--A group of hard working and
intelligent students (working with Town Clerk Judith Beville) have started their
own student news network, producing news stories and airing them on public
access TV. One of our summer student interns, David Schuman, appeared on
Jeopardy this year and won a game!
MEMBERS OF THE CITIZEN BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS - We have
hundreds of citizen volunteers. Many serve as appointed members of Boards and
Commissions. They work long hours and meet frequently. A citizens commission has
been meeting throughout the year (day, night, weekends)- helping me review the
town budget, offering great ideas. The goal: predictability, stability and good
planning.
OUR NEW DISCOVERY ZONE PLAYGROUND AT THE GREENBURGH NATURE
CENTER -- The town, working with our dedicated employees and board at
the Greenburgh Nature Center, opened up a spectacular new playground. Funding
for the playground came from non taxpayer developer escrow funds. The centers
new executive director, Margaret Goldberg, has some great ideas --that will take
the center to the next level! A new nature center opened in Irvington -- the
O'Hara Nature Center (some spectacular trails).
TOWN CORRECTS OUTDATED ZONING MAPS There were some
outdated zoning maps around town that needed corrections. We corrected
them.
MORE THAN 90 VETERANS HAVE ALREADY
TAPED THEIR STORIES FOR LIVING HISTORY INITIATIVE-- A few years ago
Steve Wittenberg of Ardsley and Alan Hochberg of Hartsdale started a new
initiative: the living history initiative. They have been interviewing veterans
of World War II and the Korean conflict. The goal: to make sure that the stories
of our veterans (local heroes) are never forgotten). Over 90 living
history interviews have been filmed. The United States Library of Congress will
be archiving the stories. New interviews have been conducted weekly
during 2012.
NEW BUSINESSES--Am thankful everytime a vacant
storefront is replaced with a vibrant new business. Captain Lawrence
Brewery, H Mart, Acorda and some new restaurants are among the new businesses.
Stop & Shop opened their supermarket on 119. Ben's deli is coming soon to
Central Ave.
Town loses Fortress Bible appeal--The town had fought
the placement of a church on Dobbs Ferry Road because of safety concerns. We
lost our appeal of our federal court decision ruling that the town must allow
the church to build.
GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING TOWN TO LEASE TENNIS
COURTS - In 2012 the town was able to successfully push for state
legislation authorizing the town to lease tennis courts to private vendors. More
recreation. No cost to the taxpayers. This will be helpful to the town in the
years ahead and enable the town to enter into public/private partnerships. We
are currently meeting with some possible vendors.
POPHAM ROAD BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION IS ALMOST FINISHED -
The Popham Road bridge links Scarsdale to Edgemont. The construction took a few
years (this wasn't a town project) and created lots of inconveniences. Am glad
that the bridge construction is almost completed! It's a beautiful new bridge
that will reduce traffic congestion for motorists driving to Scarsdale from
Ardsley Road.
TARRYTOWN NAMED BY FORBES AS ONE OF PRETTIEST TOWNS IN
AMERICA! Proud that this village is located within the
town.
NYS moved forward with plans to build a new Tappan Zee
bridge. I spent some time this year opposing possible toll hikes that
could be as high as $14. Seems as if the hikes won't be as high as they were
originally projected.
NEW LED LIGHTS - During the past year we tested some
LED lights around town. These light poles will save energy and money. We hope to
expand the program.
OBJECTED TO HARTSDALE
TRAIN STATION HATE AD'S--Objected to ethnic/religious hate ad's being
placed at the Hartsdale train station. The MTA agreed to my suggestion to post
disclaimers.
SPRAINBROOK NURSERY GOING
OUT OF BUSINESS--Sprainbrook Nursery is going out of business. Have
been meeting with residents and the owners of the property trying to help them
come up with a plan to keep the property special.
Town gets land for
$1--We purchased parcel Q from the county (Old Sprain Road) for $1.
Land will be kept as open space.
Town Board authorizes settlement of lawsuit with Valhalla School
district for $1.1 million to the town.. The Town Board authorized me
to executive a stipulation of settlement with the Valhalla School district for
$1.1 million dollars (town to receive the money which had been given to the
school district as part of the WESTHELP partnership, which courts and the state
comptroller found were invalid).
CUMBERLAND FARMS CAN OPEN CONVENIENCE STORE- A 3 year
application was approved when the Town Board passed legislation authorizing
Cumberland farms to open up a convenience store off of Old Army Road and Central
Ave. There was an abandoned gas station at the location for a number of
years.
NEW ASSISTED LIVING PROPOSED IN GLENVILLE- An assisted
living facility is being proposed in the Glenville woods section of town. Some
of their units will be priced at more affordable rents. The Board is currently
reviewing the application.
The above are just some of the highlights of 2012. Now you know why I'm
never bored with the job. It's always interesting. And there is a variety of
issues that are addressed each year. Have a happy new year. Looking forward to
hearing from you next year!
PAUL FEINER
