Supervisor Says Death May Be Murder

Town police are investigating what Supervisor Paul Feiner called "a possible homicide" after a man's body was found late Dec. 28 behind a deli on Russell Street. See the official Greenburgh Police Department press release below.

Happy Kwanzaa

Merry Christmas

Happy Chanukah

Second Times A Charm: The Scam Continues

We wrote on July 6, 2015 that Mr Feiner and his Town Board were opting-in all residents and businesses in the Town to automatically be enrolled in an unproven, unverified and unvetted startup energy company. This was done by a group of attorneys looking to develop a model they could use throughout the country to sell utility transmission of their existing ConEd power. They came up with a catchy politically correct name and the scheme was hatched as, naturally, a not-for-profit company called Sustainable Westchester and they named numerous political leaders to their Board of Directors. What could go wrong?

First, when we first posed this disaster waiting to be approved after getting a tip from inside 177 Hillside Avenue, we did some digging. We came to find out that many area politicians we in an enviable position to further the Sustainable Westchester agenda which simply was to enlist as many unwitting and unknowing participants as possible from their communities. We had maintained then, as we do now, that if it were truly worthwhile and on the up-and-up, the Town Board would have advertised this and had residents opt-IN. But it wasn't a good deal for residents no matter how much lipstick they smeared on this pig!

Here are the Board of Directors as of the initial offering as we reported back in 2015:
- Noam Bramson (Mayor, New Rochelle)
- Chris Burdick (Supervisor, Bedford)
- Joe Carvin (President, One World United & Virtuous): a hedge fund lawyer, was the former Rye Town Supervisor who recently ran against Kristin Gillibrand for her Senate seat and lost.
- Dan Chorost (Environmental Attorney): He is a law partner who regularly litigates complex Superfund matters. Dan blocked construction of a natural gas pipeline through critical environmental areas of Westchester County on behalf of Cortlandt. ABG wonders if he does this to foster more returns for Sustainable Westchester?
- Sara Goddard (Founder, Rye Sustainability Committee): She authored the report on sustainability for Rye.
- Mike Gordon (CEO, Joule Assets): He is responsible for conceptualizing and developing products and services for Joule Assets. He specializes in serving end users in deregulated wholesale electricity markets.
- Peter McCartt (Media and Marketing, Business Development): Peter sits on the environmental committee for the Town of Eastchester.
- Herb Oringel; Is the Treasurer and one of the founders of the Northern Westchester Energy Action Consortium as well as Sustainable Westchester.
- Camilo Patrignani is the CEO of Greenwood Energy. Greenwood is in the U.S. and seven countries in Latin America. They are part of the privately owned international Libra Group which controls over 30 subsidiaries operating across six continents. Libra has substantial renewable energy interests as a prime operator in Europe. Greenwood has a strategic relationship with EuroEnergy which undertook the Libra Group’s first solar investment in 2005 through the acquisition of a local developer. Other Libra subsidiaries are involved in shipping, aviation, hospitality and real estate as well as a range of diversified investments.- Tom Roach (Mayor, White Plains)
-Laura Rossi: is the Executive Director of the Westchester Community Foundation. Prior to her career in philanthropy she practiced law in New York City and Westchester, and worked for local and statewide nonprofits on behalf of women’s rights and farmworker rights.
- Nancy Seligson (Supervisor, Town of Mamaroneck)
- Mike Spano (Mayor, Yonkers)

Sure we know that people come and go. Politicians get elected or ousted from office all the time - except in Greenburgh, so we reached out to what was then Sustainable Westchester and is now known as Westchester Power, A Program of Sustainable Westchester and wondered why the name change? We couldn't find out. We did get a response to an email inquiry we sent Westchester Power (below). The two questions we asked Westchester Power were simple: What is the difference between purchasing the transmission of ConEd's energy supply from ConEd or Westchester Power and who are the Board of Directors for Westchester Power? Going to the website link they provided (below), not much has changed regarding their Board from two years ago. 

"Sustainable Westchester is a member-based non-profit corporation.
Our members are the municipalities
of Westchester (all but 3 at this point) and the board is made up of
representatives of those municipalities
and some private individuals. The board make is shown
at https://sustainablewestchester.org/board-of-directors/.

As for comparing with Con Ed, we are insignificant in comparison.
They are a  huge public utility and we are
a community non profit. The Westchester Power electricity
purchasing program that we administer has a
significant number of customers (around 100,000, or
approx 1/3 of the residential and small business accounts
in Westchester), but we have 5 full time and 4 part-time
staff working out of our Mount Kisco officce to cover
that and all of the other Sustainable Westchester activity
(electric vehicle, energy efficiency, waste and
recycling programs). Con Ed covers Westchester and
NYC and has over 15,000 employees. 

Hope that's helpful. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Wishing you and yours a great Thanksgiving,

Dan Welsh

Program Director

Westchester Power

A Program of Sustainable Westchester

914-242-4725"

As an aside, we find it interesting that City of Rye,with Sara Goddard as their sustainability leader and Westchester Power Board of Director, has now implemented a plastic bag ban and a 10-cent fee for paper bags from merchants. And a separate law was also passed in November requiring food establishments to hide plastic straws and not offer them to patrons unless requested. I wonder if they realize that chipping away at their tax base can have more negative consequences to their business community and ultimately their Village than a couple of biodegradable plastic straws in a landfill? 

After two years and constant monitoring by the Sprain Brook Civic Association President Ken Stahn, he has repeatedly reached out to Mr Feiner and his Board seeking clarification as to the savings, or in this case the lack thereof, that Mr Feiner promised of $400-$600 per homeowner should they enroll in the ESCO. Not only have no homeowners reaped any substantial savings if they switched from ConEd to Sustainable Westchester, rather there were months that saw ConEd being less costly for the transmission of their own energy than Sustainable Westchester. Whenever Mr Stahn would push Mr Feiner even more for answers, Mr Feiner would forward the questions to Sustainable Westchester, Now Westchester Power to either be ignored or answered with non-conclusive jargon.

Below are the rest of the documents that came out in this mailer that has the Westchester Power logo as well as the Town logo. While we believe it is an illegal use of the Town's logo, gimmicks, con-games and questionable actions out of the corner office never cease to amaze. The hope is that you, the overwrought junk-mail recipient, looked at this mailing, thought it was junk and put it in your recycle bin. This is exactly what Westchester Power and Mr Feiner want you to do. If you respond as they hope, you are automatically enrolled. Why is Mr Feiner so keen on this shady method of operation? It's the same as locks, which are said to be designed to keep honest people out. Don't fall for this scheme. Opt-OUT by going to the Westchester Power website (www.westchesterpower.org) or calling them (914-242-4725) and tell them you want out! It's the only way we'll get A Better Greenburgh.

Scarsdale Synagogue's Brotherhood Launches New Series Of Dinner Discussions For 2018-19

All of these dinner discussions are open to the community.  We request an RSVP sent to programs@sstte.org.  For more information on any of these events, please contact Dan Alpert by sending an email to brotherhood@sstte.org or visit www.sstte.org/upcoming-events.html.

Extra Biblical evidence of Jewish life at the time of Genesis and Exodus featuring Ed Bleiberg

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2019

6:15 p.m. - Dinner; Pricing TBD

7:00 p.m. - Speaker and Discussion.  Ed Bleiberg, senior curator at the Brooklyn Museum will discuss extra Biblical evidence of Jewish life at the time of Genesis and Exodus

8:00 p.m. - Chavurah Service

Letters written to the New York Times featuring Tom Feyer, Editor at the NYT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

6:15 p.m. - Ma'ariv Service featuring Chai Notes

7:00 p.m. - Dinner; Pricing TBD

7:45 p.m. Speaker and Discussion: Our own Tom Feyer, editor of the NYT Editorial Department will discuss letters written to the New York Times

Influence of a Jewish Background on Activism and Parallels between Jewish and gay activism featuring Avram Finkelstein

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019

6:15 p.m. - Dinner; Pricing TBD

7:00 p.m. - Speaker and Discussion; Activist, artist, writer Avram Finklestein, creator of famous Silence = Death AIDS  campaign will discuss influence of his Jewish background on activism and parallels between Jewish and gay activism

8:00 p.m. - Chavurah Service

Technion by Tova Kantrowitz

FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019

6:15 p.m. - Speaker and Discussion:  Talk given by Tova Kantrowitz on Technion , the MIT of Israel and their incredible influence on Israel’s development in science, medicine, agriculture, military.

7:00 p.m. - Dinner; Pricing TBD

8:00 p.m. - Shabbat of Simcha Service

About Scarsdale Synagogue

Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation committed to creating, with and for its 400 member families, a covenant community of shared lives and real relationships. Founded in 1961, the Synagogue was joined by the memberships of Tremont Temple of the Bronx in 1976 and Temple Emanu-El of Southern Westchester in 2008. For further information, please contact:

Fawn Mendel, Temple Administrator

Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El

Tel: (914) 725-5175

Email: fawn@sstte.org

Happy Thanksgiving

Only $166 MILLION To Consolidate With No Guarantees

In the summer of 2018, the Hartsdale Neighborhood Association (HNA) had a regular meeting at the Highview school on Central Avenue next to the Empire College and behind Webb Field. That’s the field on Central Avenue with the 9-1-1 Memorial that keeps falling apart. The Highview school is a grammar school with mostly younger students in attendance at the rear of the property.

During this particular meeting, Greenburgh School Superintendent Tahira Dupree Chase was a guest speaker and there to talk about a few things school-centric. One of them was related to recent school shootings and the safety of the kids at our schools. Everyone agrees that these horrible shootings should stop but for every one idea that can be implemented there’s an argument made against it. It seems to be a vicious cycle that will likely continue. Regardless, we learned that Safety Officers were being hired amongst other things that were being done to protect the students. Of course, this is good. But with the increased security presence becoming more well-known and pronounced, it tarnishes the reputation of an already tarnished school system. As a parent, many wonder if sending their child to Greenburgh schools is a good idea or if private school is the better way to go? Obviously, there are many families who cannot afford the private school route regardless of any safety concerns they have. But many residents have chosen the private school route.

Superintendent Chase indicated, as do so many who want the public to buy-in to their consolidation proposals, that the cost wouldn’t be much, about $97 per family per month. Broken down even farther, she equated it to $3.50 a day for a premium cup of coffee (for the next 30 years)! While the coffee analogy may make her plan more palatable (pun intended), the reality is our taxpayers are already hurting as we continue to pay off (and anticipate) guilty verdicts against Mr Feiner and his administration. We’re into year two of the Fortress Bible Church guilty discrimination verdict for $6.5 million with pending law suits in connection with the Shelbourne, Dromore Road and Ferncliff projects. And while a daily cup of premium coffee is not a problem for the extremely well-paid Dr Chase, many residents don’t make that kind of money and struggle to merely get by, glad when they can afford a deli coffee.

But consolidation for what purpose is the nagging question? To simply say we would have all grades on one campus is not enough. To also say that we would sell two current schools that are either in disrepair or needed repair begs the question why weren’t they maintained to begin with? Or is this a page from Mr Feiner’s playbook with WestHelp. Let the buildings intentionally deteriorate so such a dismal picture can be painted showing the need to jettison them? Possibly. And by bringing the younger grades to this campus, what of security and threats to them in our ever-burgeoning active shooter world. Somehow the separation seems like a viable alternative.

The Greenburgh Central schools have a more surmountable problem of education. They are now teaching the Mandarin language from kindergarten through the high school senior class because studies show it’s an up-and-coming language. It used to be that French or Spanish were the two more popular foreign languages to learn. Frankly, after hearing some of these students speak, the school probably needs to be working on speaking better English. And, with all of the special programs and remedial classes that are maintained, the lack of a fundamental education seems to be absent. Our suggestion to Dr Chase is instead of trying to apply lipstick to make it look pretty, fix the glaring problems before undertaking such a major expense and cost to the taxpayers.

Since we never see the school budget get lowered – as we are always told to vote for it “for the kids” – raising our taxes and moving all of the kids to one location solves little. Let’s not forget that 49% of the Fairview district is tax exempt so the other 51% are carrying them – in effect paying twice the amount they should have to pay. So now, instead of $3.50 per day or $97 per month, it’s more like $7 per day and $194 per month. That’s significant to seniors on a fixed income, low income families, out-of-work taxpayers and others just struggling to get by. Even more significant is the lack of proof of savings by executing this multi-year change should voters elect to approve it. Dr Chase needs to get her house in order before she looks to build a new one and then move in. While this seems like a great exercise for a resume update, we need more tangibles before we decide to go along with this. While the budget increases are touted as “for the children,” the reality is it’s for the teachers and other personnel costs. We don’t need to speak Mandarin to know that this system needs attention before we start raising taxes for this expensive game of chess. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.

Open Letter To The Supervisor and Town Board

Dear Mr. Feiner and Town Board members,

I would like to share my concern about the development issue that is before you this Wednesday November 14th, namely the proposed development of the Elmwood Country Club.

The developer is granted an as of right for 119 homes on the property, but is seeking a zoning change (downzoning) so they can build a 175 unit Townhouse development.

My neighborhood (Hilltop Farms) is the first neighborhood east of the development, after the Sprain Parkway. I have several issues of importance about this, but my primary concern is the increase in density and the impacts of traffic on our neighborhood.

As I’m sure you are well aware, there is already significant rush hour congestion around the Dobbs Ferry Road / Hartsdale Ave intersection, as well as on E Hartsdale Avenue, all the way down to the 4 corners area. Adding the anticipated number of commuter cars to our already busy roadways will decrease the quality of life in our town. The traffic jams on these roads have already added to the commute times for residents. There will also be consequences for the traffic on Dobbs Ferry Road heading to both the Sprain, and into Ardsley.

The developer is claiming that an over-55 community will not have as many people heading out to work in the morning, but I think that might only be true when the residents reach full retirement age, and at that point, they might even seek to relocate and be replaced by a younger household. I am also concerned that a developer faced with slow sales of their $1,000,000 townhouses might move to create rental property on part of the parcel, and I don’t know if they would be prohibited from doing that. Speaking of the demographics, Senior communities are less likely to support bond issues such like the one currently proposed by our district.

The proposal by the Greenburgh Central School District to consolidate onto a campus that would have E Hartsdale Avenue as its primary egress/entrance, and that will also create traffic nightmares for people traveling our roads at least for 2 periods in the morning and
afternoon. Add into that a new Assisted Lving at Metropolis, and a proposed Assisted Living at Maplewood Swim Club and you can see where there can be serious problems.

There is also the problem of creating a zoning precedent if you were to down-zone Elmwood, and you would leave the door open for anyone else to demand equal treatment. We have several other large country club parcels that are ripe for development.  I don’t want to see our town so packed with housing, that we will see people looking to move away, rather than come here.

Now, passing over the myriad other issues brought to light with this proposal, taxes, cost to the town for upkeep of parkland with dubious suitability, loss of tax revenue due to townhouse vs. single-family homes and loss of revenue to both the school district and fire
district.

I am quite disappointed with the attitude and stance taken on behalf of the developer in this matter. They are trying to pressure the surrounding homes with scare tactics by threatening to remove any buffer between the neighboring homes. Indeed, if you look at their 119
home proposal, they have purposely not only placed a swimming pool behind every home, but they have drawn the bordering homes to the north in a disproportionate manner, making the backyard tiny and the front yard huge so as to place the homes as close to the setback as possible. I don't think this type of tactic escapes notice, and furthermore, this developer has no future interests in the town, seeking only to pave the way for another company to come in and build, and that builder might have no interest in any kind of “vision
statement” proffered during the permit process. The object here seems to be to generate the maximum profit possible with little regard for the effects on the surrounding community.

On the practical side, I think that the 119-home proposal that cost a million dollars on this parcel would be a potential great benefit to the town. It will attract business to the Route 119 corridor and hopefully we will see an increase in quality shopping and dining. Those 119 homes will pay full freight to our tax rolls, and hopefully not add as much traffic to our roads.

Thanks for taking the time to hear my thoughts. I urge you to disallow a proposal that would lead to a request to downzone the Elmwood property.

Sincerely,

Paul C.
(Full name and address of writer intentionally withheld.)

Veteran's Day

Dying A Slow Death Until They Die In Office

The governor has sent “tax relief” checks to property owners in the guise of helping the beleaguered NY taxpayer. The Town has not. What may have helped the governor would have been to announce that instead of trying to buy your vote, he’s announcing an infrastructure overhaul that has been needed for the last hundred years or so to address the cacophony of issues plaguing New York: failing roadways, flooding, failing railways, crumbling bridges, ruptured water mains, outdated airports, traffic congestion and more. Instead, this move highlights the kick-the-issues-down-the-road practice all politicians subscribe to because it’s not sexy stuff. They profess these issues will be addressed but later become someone else’s problem if they ever leave office. But in New York, as in Greenburgh, you have to die in office to officially leave. It’s killing us.

The twin “Honda” bridges (aka New Tappan Zee) across the Hudson River exacerbates the ineffectiveness of what is transpiring with our government’s stale and feeble thinking. We recently saw two tractor-trailers jackknifed on the bridge, stalling traffic for over an hour. No one was surprised. Let’s face it, with the volume of traffic travelling that roadway, we know we can expect more. So, when the planning stages produced two bridges with a new rubberized surface much slicker in the wet weather than the previous concrete, no rail, no real HOV lanes, a bike path, viewing areas, eagles’ nests, and other millennial contrivances, traffic volume and flow appeared to have been a glaringly absent topic.

We experience daily this thinking at local, state and federal levels as project after project transform into boondoggle after boondoggle. The difference locally and in our Town is the failure to “play the game” and think outside the box is destroying what was once a dynamic Town! And, at the same time, every NY politician – mostly all democrats – have remained in office for far too long. Regardless of New York’s issues and us specifically, we have the same archaic, stale and ineffective thinking bombarding us daily. An example would be any project will have 10% low-income, ground floor retail (which over and over again stay vacant) and apartments above the retail for Millennials and of course with no parking as we’re continually told Millennials don’t drive or own cars. Yet, when you look at Hartsdale Avenue going into the center of Hartsdale, there is not nearly enough parking for those people living in those apartment buildings! When it rains and there is flooding, they must (re)move their cars to higher ground. Some thought a recently passed weak Comprehensive Plan would help the residents. It was so watered down it became a laughingly simple political document that won’t protect the integrity or longevity of the Town.

Project after project gets approved by a reticent Town Board incapable of breaking free of the servitude that grips them to their master. As long as they are instructed to vote in favor of a project, pass a code change or waive the craftily enacted standards that favor developers, they will remain on his Board. Falter from that narrative and be jettisoned in the blink of an eye, commonly referred to as being “Sonya’d.” After Town Board member Sonya Brown publicly exposed Mr Feiner’s racial bias against the minority community in the Fairview section of town, she was shunned by the Town Board, ignored by many in Town Hall (also fearful for their jobs) and dropped from the re-election ticket for now-Councilman Ken Jones. Mr Jones learned quickly that to get along he must go along. Sadly, we had been hopeful that he would exhibit a modicum of independence only to have the electorate be disappointed yet again as he tows the Feiner -line.

The Elmwood Country Club was sold to a developer who has an arsenal of attorneys at their beck and call who know how to play the approval game in Greenburgh. We’re told they met secretly with Mr Feiner and probably his Town Board as Mr Feiner laid out the groundwork they needed to follow to ensure successful completion of their yet to be proposed project. First, meet with his arch-enemy, the President of the Worthington Woodlands Civic Association and get a buy-in from their President and ultimately their members. You’ll recall that they were the ones who successfully stopped Mr Feiner’s GameOn 365 from erecting (really inflating) an 83 ft tall “sports bubble” at 715 Dobbs Ferry Road where the former Frank’s Nursery had been. Stung by this embarrassing defeat after several residents exposed Mr Feiner and GameOn 365’s collusion, Mr Feiner has worked tirelessly to find any way possible to get the flawed and failing GameOn 365 project to reach fruition. Why follow this same path of failing ideas? Do as I say, not as I do.

The Hartsdale Neighbors Association sparked a debate about their 4-Corners (4C) and it’s need of renovation and uplifting, citing that it’s been a revolving door of failed businesses and desolate retail spaces due to the Town’s permit process, zoning, lack of parking and bereft planning processes. In light of the Edgemont Incorporation effort, word got back to the Town Board about new talks of a Hartsdale Incorporation based on what happens to the Unincorporated Town (which includes Hartsdale) should the Edgemont incorporation succeed. Concerns festered over what would happen to the Hartsdale community and the town budget, town services and staff. Mr Feiner and his Board were rapt as Inspired Spaces made a presentation of solutions for the failed and ignored area. They certainly embody their motto, “We seem to care.” But since the only real beneficiaries of remodeling of the 4C area is the landlords, we doubt these plans will get much traction.

But now that the Edgemont incorporation has been successfully stalled, Town politicians needed a new crisis to divert attention from what is really going on with finances, personnel, insider developer approvals and more. Thankfully, whenever in need and there is no apparent cause to latch onto, play the race card. This time it was espoused by Town Clerk Judith Beville, an African-American woman who charged in a series of emails that she, as an African-American woman, was being targeted by all of the members of the Town Board, but not her meal ticket Mr Feiner, that had racial overtones. She made sure to not bite the hand that feeds her so to speak.

Racism is no stranger at our Town Hall, at least during the Feiner Administration(s). And while these episodes have always been craftily ignored, swept under the rug or simply ignored, racism is alive and well at 177 Hillside Avenue. Regardless of previous events, Ms Beville sent a series of emails alluding to racism and then actually charging that this was done to her specifically because she was an African-American woman in a high-profile position in the Town. Whether or not it was true almost seemed inconsequential as she began to play to her base who showed up to the Town Board meeting on her behalf. There were other statements made about the Deputy Town Clerk that appeared to cross the line regarding HIPAA requirements, legal requirements and of course common courtesy. In fact, toward the end of the Town Clerk discussion portion of the last Town Board meeting, all of the Council members as well as Town Attorney Tim Lewis were repeatedly asking her to stop talking as she was probably violating HIPAA laws by discussing the medical problems of the former Deputy Town Clerk! Punishment for these transgressions? Not in Greenburgh.

While Ms Beville was unwilling to remain silent after the Board pleaded with her, Councilman Sheehan stated that the entire episode was not a racial matter and that the Deputy said she was going to quit because she had to keep training new people as well as continuing to do her own job as well. Because of the seemingly endless stream of trainings and her workload, she said she had had enough. Apparently, it was either Mr Feiner or the Town Board (or both) who decided to create and fill a new position at roughly $70+k per year with benefits without approval, a budget item or candidate search. THIS sounds like our Town Board. They also stated that the Town Clerk’s office would still have the same number of staffers working there, but training could now be done by Ms Beville. And yet Mr Feiner seems compelled to complain about the Fire Districts personnel issues. Those who live in glass houses should not cast any stones.

Word in the Town Hall hallways is that the Town Board doesn’t have faith that Ms Beville can adequately train those new people and that’s why they wanted to keep the former Deputy, even if it was in a different position. Maybe so. This isn’t the way to run a Town. It’s also proof of why we need term limits, even though those in office will never agree to relinquish their power until they've padded their coffers enough and are ready themselves to step down. When the Democratic electorate finally wises up, maybe we will see a change and get some new blood, new ideas and better thinking. Complacency is also alive and well in Greenburgh. It needs to change. Only then will we get A Better Greenburgh.

Edgemont Incorporation On Hold Due To Ruling

This story has been updated.

The Decision:

MATTER OF BERNSTEIN v FEINER

In a hybrid proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 to review a determination of Paul Feiner, Supervisor of the Town of Greenburgh, dated May 5, 2017, which, after a hearing, determined that a petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont does not comply with the requirements of Village Law article 2, and action, inter alia, for a judgment declaring that the petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont complies with the requirements of Village Law article 2, Paul Feiner appeals, Nancy Blank, Thomas Blank, Robert P. Cerrato, Lloyd Cort, Mona Fraitag, Joan Gardner, Glenroy Gordon, Tracy C. Mairs, John M. Martin, Edward Massena, Martin Payson, Helene M. Orce, Sylvia Simon, Donald Siegel, Joanne F. Siegel, William Stanton, Alice Strauss, and Steven J. Willard separately appeal, and Janet Linn and Hugh Schwartz separately appeal, from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Westchester County (Susan Cacace, J.), dated February 1, 2018. The judgment granted the petition, annulled the determination, declared that the petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont complies with the requirements of Village Law article 2, and directed the Town Clerk of the Town of Greenburgh to take all necessary actions to schedule an election to determine the matter of incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont.

ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, on the law, with one bill of costs payable to the appellants appearing separately and filing separate briefs, the petition is denied, the proceeding is dismissed, and the matter is remitted to the Supreme Court, Westchester County, for the entry of an appropriate amended judgment, inter alia, declaring that the petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont does not comply with the requirements of Village Law article 2.

In this hybrid proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 and action for declaratory relief, the Supreme Court granted the petition pursuant to CPLR article 78 to annul a determination of the Supervisor of the Town of Greenburgh, which determined that a petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont does not comply with the requirements of Village Law article 2, and declared that the petition for incorporation complies with the requirements of Village Law article 2. The Town Supervisor found that the petition for incorporation failed to include a description of the territory to be incorporated that was “sufficient to identify the location and extent of such territory with common certainty,” as is required by Village Law § 2-202(1)(c)(1). That finding was not illegal, based on insufficient evidence, or contrary to the weight of the evidence (see Matter of Barnard v St. Lawrence, 44 AD3d 1037, 1038; Matter of Incorporation of Vil. of Viola Hills, 129 AD2d 579, 580).

The Town Supervisor also found that the petition for incorporation did not include an accurate list of the regular inhabitants of the proposed village, as is required by Village Law § 202-2(1)(c)(2). That finding also was not illegal, based on insufficient evidence, or contrary to the weight of the evidence (see Matter of Bernard v St. Lawrence, 44 AD3d at 1038; Matter of Baker v Heaney, 15 AD3d 577, 578; Matter of Elevitch v Colello, 168 AD2d 681, 682; Matter of Luria v Conklin, 139 AD2d 650; Matter of Incorporation of Vil. of Viola Hills, 129 AD2d at 580).

Accordingly, the Supreme Court should have denied the petition pursuant to CPLR article 78, dismissed the proceeding, and declared that the petition for incorporation does not comply with the requirements of Village Law article 2 (see Village Law § 2-210[1]; Matter of Bernard v St. Lawrence, 44 AD3d at 1038; Matter of Baker v Heaney, 15 AD3d at 578; Matter of Elevitch v Colello, 168 AD2d at 682; Matter of Luria v Conklin, 139 AD2d at 650; Matter of Incorporation of Vil. of Viola Hills, 129 AD2d at 580). Since this is, in part, a declaratory judgment action, we remit the matter to the Supreme Court, Westchester County, for the entry of an appropriate amended judgment, inter alia, declaring that the petition for the incorporation of the proposed Village of Edgemont does not comply with the requirements of Village Law article 2 (see Lanza v Wagner, 11 NY2d 317, 334).

RIVERA, J.P., CHAMBERS, BARROS and BRATHWAITE NELSON, JJ., concur. ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino Clerk of the Court

Clerk of the Court

Hartsdale Neighbors Association Update

Hello Hartsdale Neighbors,

We are excited to inform you about our next meeting.

Please join us at our next meeting of the Hartsdale Neighbors Association on Wed 10/17 at 7:30pm at Highview Elementary, 200 N. Central Avenue Hartsdale NY.

We will be featuring a Q&A Round table discussion with local real estate agents from Westchester Choice Realty, MJ Pastor Realty, and Grand Lux Realty. Please join us for a conversation about the local real estate market, industry trends and get the opportunity to ask questions.

We will also be giving updates on a bunch of important topics including 4 Corners, Edgemont Incorporation and Others.

Questions on any of the above? Something in the neighborhood you think we should be aware of? We can be reached info@hartsdaleneighbors.org. Or send us a message on Facebook. Check out our web page www.hartsdaleneighbors.org

Hartsdale Neighbors Association


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Tyler Rush Memorial Scholarship Fund Car & Truck Show

Spooktoberfest 2018

The Town of Greenburgh Department of Parks and Recreation would like to announce their annual Spooktoberfest event will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 12 noon- 4:30pm, (rain or shine) at the Hart’s Brook Park on Preserve, 156 Ridge Road in Hartsdale.

Spooktoberfest is the ideal family event where children can climb on  inflatable rides, get their face painted, take a hay ride through  the woods, visit with the animals from the Greenburgh Nature Center, and be entertained by musicians, clowns, jugglers and the Bubble Bus!

New for 2018 is David Engel’s “Wizard Academy” show, and live music by “Push for Heat”.

Feast on food from several of Westchester’s favorite food vendors including, The Grub Truck, Salsa Fresca, and the Gyro Uno Truck.

Tickets are only $6.00 per person and children under 2 years old are free!

Listed below is the entertainment schedule:

         “Larger than Life”:  DJ:  12 noon – 4:30pm

           Confetti Clowns:  12:45   - 1:15pm

          “Push for Heat” Band:  1:00 -3:00pm

           The “Captain Charlini” Magician: 1:45-2:30 pm

           Bubble Bus: 1:00-3:00pm

           David Engel: “The Wizard Academy”: 2:45 – 3:30pm

           Ned Gelfars, Comedy Juggler: 3:45 - 4:30 pm

           Greenburgh Nature Center Petting Zoo and Cider Press

   

 All parking and ticket sales for this event will be at Ridge Road Park, which is directly across from the Hart’s Brook Park and Preserve. Shuttle buses will be available from Ridge Road Park to the event. Directions and further information is available on the town’s website: CLICK HERE

For further information, please call 989-1822, or email pmurphy@greenburghny.com.

County Center Meeting About Flooding

This announcement from the Westchester County Representatives was just posted. While it's short notice, it may be helpful for Fulton Park and other Bronx River corridor residents and business owners to attend. Fulton Park Civic Association's Vice President Tom Bock plans to attend the 5pm meeting. If this goes through, it will provide increased flooding for us all! Please attend.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
     As you may know, the Army Corps of Engineers is considering six different plans for coastal storm protection, many of which call for construction of massive, in-water barriers (giant sea-gates) in New York Harbor that would choke off the Long Island Sound and the Hudson River from where it meets the ocean. These barriers would restrict tidal flow, block the migration of fish and trap sediment, sewage, and contaminants, while also failing to address increased flooding and other exacerbating impacts of sea level rise.

     After the intercession of County Executive George Latimer and appeals from the public, environmental, and grassroots organizations, the Army Corps has scheduled two public scoping meetings for the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study at the Westchester County Center in White Plains on Wednesday, October 3, 3-5 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.

     So far, the Corps’ outreach for this project and related meetings have been limited.  Before the public comment period ends on November 5, we must show the Corps that communities take the human and environmental impacts of this project seriously and that they must prioritize public engagement. We don’t want them to think that a lack of turnout for this meeting indicates a lack of interest; we all know otherwise.

Will you join us at either of these two meetings on October 3?

New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study Scoping Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 2018, at 3 PM – 5 PM OR 6 PM-8 PM

WHERE: Westchester County Center, 98 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606

Additional information on the NY-NJ Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study is available at

http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Projects-in-New-York/New-York-New-Jersey-Harbor-Tributaries-Focus-Area-Feasibility-Study/

Please consider attending and inviting your neighbors, as well – this is a critical time to speak out before the comment period closes on November 5 to prevent a short-sighted decision.

Elmsford Day

Girl Scout Movie in the Park Rescheduled To Tonight Saturday September 29, 2018

Join Westchester County Executive George Latimer at Town Hall

In response to a request earlier this year from Westchester County Legislator Alfreda Williams, the CGCA agreed to sponsor a meeting with Westchester County Executive George Latimer regarding the County budget. 

 You can ask the County Executive:

WHAT SERVICES ARE PROVIDED?

WHAT SPECIAL CONCERNS DO TAXPAYERS FACE?

LEARN THE ISSUES. 

ASK QUESTIONS.  EXPECT ANSWERS.

ATTEND THIS SPECIAL MEETING

WITH

WESTCHESTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE

GEORGE LATIMER

Monday, September 24, 2018

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Greenburgh Town Hall
(177 Hillside Avenue)

sponsored by

The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations

THE COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS IS A NONPARTISAN, UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION.

OUR PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ADVANCE THE COMMON INTERESTS OF MEMBER CIVIC GROUPS IN IMPORTANT

TOWN AFFAIRS.

Tax Information:

Many complain that a significant portion of your annual tax bill is for monies that go toward funding County operations. The county government portion of the property tax is about 15-18% of a property owner's total bill. The remaining property tax is collected by local governments, school districts and special districts (such as fire, water, sewers). The total sales tax varies in Westchester, as the county's largest four cities (White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle and Mount Vernon) collect a sales tax of their own. In addition, the state levies a sales tax as well as many unfunded mandates. Westchester County, as well as the Town of Greenburgh, also collects a tax on hotel occupancies. This tax was recently proposed and pushed by Democrats Tom Abinanti and Paul Feiner, helping to make this area and the Town in particular more expensive for travelers. It as passed unanimously by his Town Board.

Business taxes Westchester County offers the following tax advantages to businesses: 

• no local corporate income tax • no local personal income tax (except in Yonkers) 

• no personal property tax 

• no commercial rent tax 

• no unincorporated business tax Although a number of factors will ultimately determine an organization's tax liabilities, some generalizations can be made regarding taxes. New York State's maximum corporate income tax rate is 7.1%. In addition, tax savings may result from investment income treatment. 

The following sales tax rates apply in Westchester County: 

• State sales tax (4%) 

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority tax (0.375%) 

• County sales tax (except in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers) (3%) 

• County sales tax (in Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers) (1.5%) 

• Municipal sales tax (in White Plains) (2.25%). 

• Municipal sales tax (in Yonkers, Mount Vernon and New Rochelle) (2.5%).\ 

*an additional 2.5% in the cities of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, and Yonkers. An additional 2% in the City of White Plains. Tax information is courtesy of New York State Empire Development Corporation, a division of New York State Department of Economic Development. 102 WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING DATABOOK Taxes Resident Taxes The County of Westchester does not collect a personal income tax, a factor which helps companies attract skilled, highly-paid employees. The personal income tax is assessed by New York State. New York City and the City of Yonkers assess an additional graduated income tax on residents. Connecticut also has a state income tax. 

Four Corners - Next Steps

Eric Zinger, President of the Hartsdale Neighbors Association has announced this information related to the 4 Corners revitalization efforts.

We wanted to give everyone who signed the 4 Corners Petition an update on the efforts to revitalize the Four Corners in Hartsdale.

The Town and Supervisor Feiner have given indication that they are supportive of the proposal but that hasn't translated into action. It is critical that the Town Board continues to see the overwhelming community support that has been shown for reinvigorating the Four Corners intersection.  We thank everyone who has emailed and attended meetings so far and we humbly ask that you continue to show your support.  We need the Town Board to see the support from the community for this and there are multiple upcoming opportunities to do so:

Tuesday, 9/25 at 9:30am at Town Hall, there will be a Town Board Work Session to discuss 4 Corners.  We are hoping that this will lead to the next steps in the process.  Join HNA representatives at the work session to show your support.

Wednesday 9/26 at 7:30pm at Town Hall, is the next Town Board meeting.  During these meetings, the public has an opportunity to address the Town Board directly on any issue they wish to raise.  We encourage you to come and show your support for 4 Corners revitalization.  We want as many people as possible to put on display the support that exists. 

If you can’t make one of the two above, and even if you can, please email TownBoard@greenburghny.com and tell them you want to see the 4 Corners addressed.  Interested in attending either of these events?  Let us know at info@hartsdaleneighbors.org so we can coordinate.

Westchester County Volunteer Firemen Association Convention Parade on Saturday

Parade Date: 
Saturday, September 15, 2018 - 3:00pm

Dobbs Ferry FD and Ardsley FD will be co-hosting the 112th annual Westchester County Volunteer Fireman's Association Convention. 

The dress parade for the event will take place on Saturday, September 15th beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Ashford Avenue at Price Street.  The Parade will proceed down Ashford Avenue, to Cedar Street, to Main Street and conclude at Waterfront Park.

Please note the following street closures during the time of the parade:
The Gateway will be shut down for probably 1.5 hours to allow all of the apparatus/trucks/etc to go by. This is at Broadway/Ashford/Cedar, causing very little to no traffic to get through from Hastings to Irvington

Ashford will be closed from Broadway to Price Street most of the afternoon, so people coming off the Saw Mill will all need to reroute through side streets or turn around

Parking along Main and Cedar will be restricted from noon-6pm (possibly earlier if the parade finishes earlier)

Parking along Livingstone will be restricted as well (for residents, who the WCVFA apparently is notifying ahead of time)