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Supervisor Reports 1999 & 2000
Release Date: September 23, 2002

 

SNOW ANGEL HOTLINE ANNOUNCED 693 8985 x 134 Information on snow
angels, shoveling programs updated as we get more volunteers


WRITING TO STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ASKING TO GIVE TOWN RIGHT OF
FIRST REFUSAL before county and state auctions off land. Suggestion was
made at Town Board meeting--I think this is a good idea. We might be
able to obtain inexpensive parcels of land that can be preserved as open
space.


Town Board to approve employee benefit package: health insurance for
domestic partners, modelled after Eastchester resolution on November
20th.

July l8: I wrote letters to all the Superintendents of Schools in Greenburgh 
asking them to include a sign language course as a second language as part of 
their curriculum. It would be great if more people could communicate with 
the deaf/hearing impaired.

July 5th: CYBERMOBILE COMING TO GREENBURGH! Thanks to a $l75,000 grant
that the town has received from State Senator Nick Spano, the town will
be purchasing a cybermobile that will enable us to bridge the divide
between those who enjoy access to computers and library services and
those who do not have access to a library or computers. The cybermobile
combines all the benefits of a traditional bookmobile with the
advantages of electronic resources and internet connections. The
cybermobile, which will be run by the Greenburgh Library, will make
stops at the town pool, Hartsdale train station, E Hartsdale Ave, senior
complexes, etc... We will sponsor job training workshops, teach seniors
and young people how to use computers. The cybermobile will also be used
to help us revitalize E Hartsdale Ave--the cybermobile will attract
additional traffic. And....stores will benefit from the customers coming
to the cybermobile.

Town Board approves local law providing for regulation and enforcement of 
shopping carts. Proliferation of shopping carts are unsightly and dangerous. 
Abandoned carts act as sidewalk and highway obstructions. They clog the 
streams and water ways--causing flooding. Children use the carts as toys to 
ride. Removal of carts from property of owner will be prohibited and identity 
of carts required.

Approved resolution supporting halt in expansion of the county airport and no 
construction of the watershed area. Resolution that the Town Board approved 
calls for zero tolerance to further environmental damage to Kensico and zero 
tolerance to further environmental damage to Blind Brook.

June 23: Town establishes programs for autistic children! The town will
begin a swim program for children with autism on June 26-June 30th for 2
hours at Town Park. There will also be a program in August for l0
autistic children. An integrated playgroup and Saturday trip program
has been identified for the fall/winter season.

Interested??Call Ron Stolfi at 693-8985.

Work to start soon for the new Irvington/Greenburgh Joint Water Pumping
Station. Irvington, as a result of this contract, will be able to tap in
the Catskill Delaware Water Supply System as its primary source of
water. Irvington to have a better and more reliable water supply.
Greenburgh will be able to increase our water capacity. Pumping station
will cost about $3.5 million.

Town Board approves resolution asking New York State to notify town when
they are auctioning off land. This would provide town with first option
to purchase land that could otherwise be sold to developers. This
resolution was approved after constituents complained about Kathwood
Road development project---NY State sold land to developer without
telling town beforehand.


Requesting county to put emergency phone boxes on Putnam Right of Way
bike/pedestrian walkways.

Requesting county to establish an UNDER THE WEATHER PROGRAM FOR children
who have day care needs but who have minor illnesses. In Rockland the
Under the Weather Program--headed by Debrann Gianella--offers moms and
dads a safe, comfortable and reassuring environment. The children are
separated by their illnesses.

3/l3: TOWN TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH UP TO 4 HOURS A YEAR OF TIME OFF TO
GET CANCER SCREENINGS...Healthy employees are important to the town.
This new policy could save lives and cut down on our medical bills!

CALLING ON COUNTY TO CONTRACT WITH INDEPENDENT MEDIATORS TO HELP RESOLVE DEVELOPER, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, MUNICIPAL DISPUTES RE: LAND USE CONTROVERSIES..

January 5,2000

URGING THRUWAY AUTHORITY AND GOVERNOR TO TURN DECISION MAKING RE: NEED
FOR A NEW BRIDGE TO REPLACE TZ BRIDGE OVER TO ROCKLAND & WESTCHESTER
COUNTY LEGISLATURES....elected officials, not unaccountable appointees,
should make decision of this magnitude.

Proposing that county contract with an independent organization (such as
Pace University School of Law--Environmental Clinic) to provide
mediation services localities, neighborhood groups, developers to see if
possible compromises could be made and controversies avoided.

Town of Greenburgh is l999 Award winner: Employment Development Award
for hiring people with special abilities (Westchester ARC)

September 27
County Legislator Tom Abinanti and I sponsored a meeting with Coast Guard
Auxiliary officials to discuss boat patrol safety on the Hudson. We believe
that the county should fund a joint Hudson River boat patrol with
Rockland...suggest a state course to require safety boat courses.

TOWN BOARD REJECTS ARDSLEY ROAD DEVELOPMENT: The Greenburgh Town Board has
rejected a rumored proposal to build 60+ units of housing off of Ardsley
Road. A developer is "harassing" senior citizens--trying to persuade them to
sell their home to make the development more suitable.

August l7,l999: BIKE RACKS SHOULD BE PLACED ON COUNTY BUSES: I
have asked the
county to place bike racks on county buses.

Establishing Disabled Advisory Committee, headed up by Dana Davis. WIll be
making many recommendations as to ways the town can be more responsive to the
disabled population

May 27th: Town Board unanimously approves resolution banning pesticides on
town property within 3 years.

We approved resolution calling on State Department of Transportation, when
rehabilitating bridges, to include sidewalks and bikeways on all 5 bridges in
Greenburgh.

Town Board approves resolution urging county-wide reassessment

April ll,l999 Greenburgh has a new CHILD SAFETY CAR SEAT INSPECTION STATION
the first and third Saturday of each month. We are the first municipality in
New York State to inspect, at no cost to residents, child car seats. The
concept, developed by Police Officer Janson Caravaglia, will reduce
fatalities and injuries. The inspections take place at CGU Insurance Co, l77
Hillside Ave

The Town retained the services of Westchester Association for Retarded
Citizens about a year ago to provide some janitorial services to the
town. The work they do is so good that we are expanding their contract:
temporary janitorial services at the Highway Garage during the
construction of the facility.

March 3l----HASTINGS HAS A NEW PARK, THANKS TO TOWN! The Town of
Greenburgh has turned over to the village of Hastings the former ATI Gas
station property located on Farragut Ave. The town and village agreed to
a deed restriction limiting the use of the land to park, recreational
purposes. The town commenced in rem proceedings against this property
because so much back taxes were owed. If we had sold the property to a
developer we could have collected $8l,454.29 in back taxes. The village
of Hastings paid only $l4,000! A special thanks to village
officials...neighbors and others who provided us with excellent input.
This is a DREAM COME TRUE!

I have suggested a comprehensive corridor study: West Hartsdale Ave, Dobbs Ferry Road and Secor Roads

HAVE YOU BEEN TAXED IMPROPERLY WHEN YOU SHOP OUTSIDE OF GREENBURGH because many merchants believe that Greenburgh residents reside in White Plains. I wrote to the State Department of Taxation and Finance to complain and to ask for an investigation. Michelle Cummings, Deputy Commissioner advised me that the state made a mistake and forgot to list Greenburgh "in publication 7l7." The town will be included in a new designation in their next publication. Hopefully, this will solve the problem!

FOLLOWING ARE A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT as a result of the meeting we had with John Mahoney, Regional Representative to the United States Secretary of Education:

l) Provide the community with additional opportunities to take advantage of the school complex: l) Encourage adults to use computer labs in the schools. 2) Encourage Rotary/Kiwanis/service organizations to meet in school cafeteria. Meals should be served by students 3) Establish magnet school programs (specialized programs that could train students for great jobs). Build a car...start a business... 4) Encourage more parent volunteerism. 5) Encourage more business and educational partnerships 6) Provide community with opportunity to take advantage of library programs in schools --library could establish programs at the schools

I spoke to the Regional Representative to the Secretary about my idea that parents grade the school district. If the school system gets better grades everyone should get a bonus.

PAUL FEINER

CALL BOXES ON CROTON AQUEDUCT RECOMMENDED: I have called on the State Parks Department to place telephone emergency call boxes on the Old Croton Acqueduct. There were six assaults on the aqueduct. These emergency phones would improve safety on the Aqueduct. A few years ago I called on the county to do the same on the Bronx River Parkway bike and walking trail. This was a big success.

SHOULD THERE BE A SLIDE AT THE POOL? During this summer I visited some pools around our region. To my disappointment, some pools are better than ours. For example, the Clarkstown pool has a slide for children. It's extremely popular. I am writing the Parks Department & requesting that they look into this ---a future goal.

TAI CHI at East Hartsdale Ave park. Outdoor exercise classes are taking place this summer at our relatively new park on East Hartsdale Ave (across from l00 East Hartsdale Ave).

The Town Board unanimously approved a contract with Westchester Association for Retarded Citizens to hire a crew of five individuals with developmental disabilities to perform cleaning services at Union Child Day Care Center. The crew will be supervised by a staff job coach. Each individual will receive $6 an hour.

The State Department of Transportation should remove the vines killing the trees on the Saw Mill River Parkway. I have written to the State DOT requesting that they take action to control the infestation of vines--to preserve the trees.

THERE's a need for tax incentives to landlords/apartment owns who retrofit units, common areas with sprinklers. A Yonkers fire resulted in the tragic death of a 2 year old who was trapped inside an older apartment building. A horrible fire at 269 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry last year resulted in 60 families+ becoming homeless.

I will be appointing a committee to work with WESTHELP/GREENBURGH on transition. The l0 year contract will be ending in 2 years. The Town of Greenburgh will then own the building that is currently being used for a homeless shelter. The committee being formed will consist of representatives of the Mayfair/Knollwood Civic Association.

Continuing to request Ardsley, Elmsford & other neighboring communities to establish a Joint Planning Board---so that neighboring communities can share planning decisions.

SMOKE FREE POLICY AT VETERAN PARK & TENNIS COMPLEX The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has recommended a smoke free policy for Veteran Town Park and tennis complex. The Town Parks department conducted a survey which indicated that smoking should be banned. The Town Board will consider the recommendation.

The Town Board has unanimously d a resolution in support of legislation urging the NY State Thruway to discontinue the Yonkers Toll Plaza.

The Town Board has approved a contract with the Anti Defamation League of B'nai Brith to provide cultural diversity training for members of the Greenburgh police Department

The village of Elmsford, to my disappointment, has rejected Greenburgh's invitation to participate in a Joint Planning Board to review the Nob Hill project. Greenburgh invited the village to participate in the review of this proposal. It's a big mistake on the part of Elmsford since they were being given the chance to have a legal voice in the decision making process. I'm hopeful that the Village will reconsider their decision.

FCC PREEMPTION OF LOCAL LAND USE CONTROLS OPPOSED: The FCC recently issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would preempt local land use authority over certain broadcast transmission towers. The Greenburgh Town Board unanimously approved a resolution calling on the FCC to continue to allow local governments to have the ability to regulate the control of transmission towers. Some towers could be nearly one half mile high, according to the National Association of Counties. Please write to our members of Congress and ask them to oppose this law.

REFERRING TO THE PLANNING BOARD A RECOMMENDATION TO CREATE A RECREATION ZONE TO COVER GOLF COURSES--THIS PROPOSAL WILL ENABLE US TO PRESERVE, AS OPEN SPACE, GOLF COURSES.

In June l996 I proposed that the State Thruway Authority become more bicycle friendly. Among the suggestions: A bike across the Tappan Zee bridge. I'm pleased to report that the September 28th "TZ Bike Event" was a big success--with almost l600 cyclists. For the first time in history the TZ bridge was opened to cyclists. Hopefully, this will be an annual event. Ride benefited Mothers Against Drunk Driving

CONSULTANTS CAN'T WORK FOR OTHER SIDE...The Town Board approved a resolution prohibiting consultants retained b the town for Environmental Review purposes from representing the applicant on other cases for one year after the work concludes.

If you are interested in getting involved in a lobbying campaign to press the State Legislature to adopt a law that will prevent the insurance companies from controlling the fate of patients for the sake of profits please call me at 993-l540 or at home: 478-l2l9.

NEW: WAITER SERVICE AT THE TOWN POOL!

PROPOSING JOINT PLANNING BOARD TO REVIEW NOB HILL PROPOSAL: A developer has proposed constructing almost 800 units of housing on Nob Hill (border of Greenburgh/Elmsford). I have contacted the Village of Elmsford and suggested that Greenburgh/Elmsford establish a joint Planning Board to review this proposal. Although l00% of the land that could be developed is in the unincorporated section of Greenburgh, a large percentage of the traffic would impact Elmsford. If a joint Planning Board is established it will be the first Joint Planning Board in Westchester. The Board will consist of a majority of unincorporated Greenburgh residents and a minority of Elmsford residents. This Board will have the legal power to make decisions. So much development in Westchester impacts property that is on the border of communities.

MORE PUBLIC ACCESS TO SAW MILL RIVER. I have suggested that there be more public access to the Saw Mill River. People should be encouraged to walk, fish, picnic along various portions of the Saw Mill River. This would encourage people to have a better appreciation of this great county asset. Unfortunately, there are currently no walkways that we are aware of along the river (other than the Putnam Right Away portions) as there are along the Bronx River.

Should developers of large scale housing developments be required to provide rush hour transportation to train stations or bus stops? Let me know what you think. Paul Feiner--993-l540 or 478-l2l9

90 YEAR+ CLUB: The Town will be establishing a club exclusively for 90 year olds. For further information please contact the office of Aging at 693-8997.

ENCOURAGING STATE BOARD OF REGENTS TO MANDATE LIFE SAVINGS SKILLS TRAINING IN NYS FOR STUDENTS ANNUALLY. Last year I attended a CPR 2000 Westchester training program. CPR training was provided. It took only a few hours and provided individuals with important life savings training skills. It's important that people recognize emergencies and know what to do and who to call. If New York would require every school in the state to provide students with CPR training as part of their curriculum it would save lives and provide students with important life savings skills

LIST OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

The Honorable Nicholas A. Spano Senator,

35th District 817 Legislative Office Building

Albany, NY 12247

District Office: Executive Boulevard 100 Corporate Park Drive

Yonkers, NY 10701

The Honorable Richard Brodksy Member of Assembly,

86th District Legislative Office Building, Room 538

Albany, NY 12248

District Office: 1088 Central Avenue Scarsdale, NY 10583

The Honorable Andrew Spano Westchester County Executive

Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue - 9th Floor

White Plains, NY 10601

The Honorable Thomas J. Abinanti Westchester County Legislator

12th District Westchester County, Board of Legislators 148 Martine Avenue - 8th Floor

White Plains, NY 10601

The Honorable Lois T. Bronz Westchester County Legislator

8th District Westchester County, Board of Legislators 148 Martine Avenue - 8th Floor

White Plains, NY 10601

The Honorable Suzanne Swanson Westchester County Legislator

3rd District Westchester County, Board of Legislators 148 Martine Avenue - 8th Floor

White Plains, NY 10601

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