Greenburgh Flooding: Our Residents Are Drowning

There are numerous areas in the Town that flood. Two neighborhoods that are heavily populated residential areas are the Fulton Park and Parkway Homes areas in Fairview. On the opposite side of Town is the Rt. 9A corridor, primarily an industrial area that seems to flood when it gets cloudy. On his way to the Town Hall during any heavy storm, Councilman Morgan, exiting via Beaver Hill Road, would probably make it through the high waters with his SUV. One could certainly head north on Rt. 9A, and by-pass the flooded area completely. In the Hartsdale area, flooding is a serious issue as well. Wait a second, Ardsley has flooding from the thruway area all the way north, regularly ravaging the homes of the Babbitt Court neighborhood and vicinity. They're all part of the 9A corridor as well.


The County had flood monies available for all communities to apply for about a year or so ago. Supervisor Feiner chose to only apply for the monies for use in Hartsdale. When ABG asked then County Legislator Tom Abinanti why it only went to Hartsdale, he said that was the only community Supervisor Feiner applied for. Why apply to only help one community in town when they could have applied to help many? He claimed to not know. We at ABG believe it's because Supervisor Feiner doesn't want to solve a problem, but be available to fake concern and gain publicity.


A former colleague had an expression that was befitting the organization we worked for until they succumbed to  cheaper labor, lesser benefits and a general lowering of our quality of life. Any time there was problem, someone would suggest a meeting to discuss the issue. Our colleague would always say, "Why fix it when we can talk about it?" How appropriate this is to the Town. Once the mainstream media began discussing consolidations in government, the supervisor decided to have his deputy supervisor hold fire department consolidation meetings for the Town. This consolidation issue requires three fire protection districts to be abolished (not easy), a new all-inclusive fire district to be created (not easy or inexpensive), personnel positions to be changed (not easy or inexpensive) and equipment standardized (not easy or inexpensive). Plus, since the supervisor has no control over the fire districts, this was a futile ploy for the publicity bandwagon that the supervisor has mastered in his twenty years  on this job. And, the lamestream media sucks it right up. 


Another faux-concern post on behalf of the supervisor on his blog is a letter from Aaron Schmidt, our Town Environmental Planner. 


This letter was recently posted on the Supervisors Blog. We've italicized the text of the letter for clarity & highlighted portions we take issue with:


Supervisor Feiner:
   As part of the requirements under the MS4 - Phase II Stormwater Education and Outreach Program, I will be asking that you send out an email to all persons on the g-list 4 times per year.   Below is a link to an erosion and sediment control factsheet which provides information pertaining to vegetated buffers:
http://www.greenburghny.com/FCpdf/Stormwatercenter.net%20-%20Erosion%20%26%20Sediment%20Control%20Factsheet%20-%20Vegetated%20Buffer.pdf
   In summary, Vegetated buffers are areas of either natural or established vegetation that are maintained to protect the water quality of neighboring areas. Buffers slow storm water runoff, thereby helping to prevent soil erosion; provide an area for the runoff to permeate the soil; contribute to ground water recharge; and filter sediment and nutrients. They also have long-term environmental and social values, such as: reserving space for trails and greenways; reducing impervious area; preserving wildlife habitat and corridors for wildlife migration; and preventing warming of water resources by shading such areas. Vegetated buffers can be used in any area able to support vegetation. They are most effective and beneficial on floodplains, near wetlands, along streambanks, and on unstable slopes.   Please consult the attached factsheet for more information (note: not available through the supervisor's blog). Any questions or comments may be directed to Aaron Schmidt, Environmental Planner, Town of Greenburgh, at aschmidt@greenburghny.com.
Thank you,
Aaron Schmidt


With regards to the parts we take issue with:
send out an email to all persons on the g-list 4 times per year: Why is the Town Supervisor the one doing the communications for our Environmental Planner? Could it be because Aaron Schmidt isn't running for anything and not in need of a campaign, oops!, we meant informational, mailing? Enough with the self-posturing promotions.


Buffers slow storm water runoff: The areas that flood in Greenburgh are not worried about slow storm water runoff. The areas that flood are heavily flooded and in need of real flood control, not these types of measures that address the water pooling near a homeowners downspout.


social values: Please stop insulting our intelligence by claiming flooding is a social issue. It's a quality of life issue and the quality of life in Greenburgh is on the decline.


reducing impervious area: The only way to reduce impervious space is to stop paving and developing our green areas. Our supervisor is on a development kick, giving away our green space at a rediculous pace. It has to stop.


(Vegetative buffers) effective and beneficial on floodplains, near wetlands, along streambanks, and on unstable slopes: This would only apply to a miniscule percentage of the flood zones areas and not offer significant positive impact for those mentioned earlier.


There are many Town areas that flood - heavily. The supervisor should address flooding throughout the Town as a Town-wide issue and stop pandering to areas where he specifically seeks their vote. Help all the residents and you'll get the votes.