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of issues plaguing New York: failing roadways, flooding, failing railways, crumbling bridges, ruptured water mains, outdated airports, traffic congestion and more.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.

We Review Mr Feiner’s Review of 2017

Each year Mr Feiner enjoys bombarding the electorate with his accomplishments, taking liberties with that information at every chance he can. We like to set the record straight. So, each year ABG staffers do the same thing, combing through his misinformation(in black) and setting the record straight(in blue)*. It's one way to get A Better Greenburgh. 

 * We closed on the Frank's nursery property. The new owners will build an attractive looking Assisted Living Facility on Dobbs Ferry Road. New assisted living facility should open in 2019.

The Frank’s Nursery fiasco was caused mostly by Mr Feiner as he made secret backroom deals with GameOn 365. Once exposed, the GameOn 365 representative insisted that they only discuss the proposal by phone and not emails as emails could be FOILed. While Mr Feiner bandied about all kinds of figures, few if any, were ever substantiated. While this sale is being touted as a $3.5 million dollar one, the Town is obligated to spend $1,899,283 for remediation. So what Mr Feiner doesn’t say is equally important. What are the back taxes that must be paid, what are the costs for Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies by Woodard & Curran, the cost for the auction, advertising, broker’s fees and their commission? Finally, Town Attorney Tim Lewis repeatedly said the Town’s remediation costs would only be $100,000. So, what will the net income be to the Town when it’s all said and done?

* Greenburgh approves site plan for Regeneron's potential 1,000,000 Sq Ft Expansion- the largest commercial expansion in recent town history. The town anticipates millions of dollars in additional revenue and great new jobs. We have become the bio tech capitol of the Hudson Region. The reality is that Mt Pleasant, adjacent to Greenburgh has had more of the development while Greenburgh gets more of the parking spaces for land use. Regeneron was close to going out of business several years ago and remarkably has bounced back. While the developers have developed that area with Regeneron and other companies and a bio-tech flavor, the Town has had a somewhat laissez-faire attitude towards them. 

* I organized a successful lobbying effort that resulted in the Governor issuing an executive order authorizing residents to pre-pay parts of their 2018 taxes in 2017 so participating taxpayers could receive property tax deductions (which will be cut next year due to the newly enacted Tax Code legislation approved by Congress). Hundreds of residents pre-paid  parts of the Greenburgh town/fire district taxes before the end of the year.
This is part and parcel of Mr Feiner’s modus operandi: to wait and see until the last possible minute before taking action. He and the Town Board had plenty of time to reach out to the governor, the County tax office and the state to find out before it was too late if people could pre-pay. He also created the onslaught of residents at Town Hall that they were completely unprepared for, creating lines out the door with two-hour waiting periods to be helped. Hardly a successful effort – and then they closed early on Friday! Kudos, however, to Anne Povella, Edye McCarthy and their staffs for remaining upbeat and helpful during this time. In fact, while we have been critical of Edye McCarthy in the past, we learned that she came in on her day off to help out. Thank you.

 * Our town received a $250,000 grant to redesign Route 119 and to make the road more bicycle/pedestrian friendly.

This grant is for several communities so the reality is that not much will be done with the amount of money once it is doled out.

* The town and Greenburgh school district finalized grant applications for a town/school technology initiatives to prepare students for technology focused jobs: a technology scholars initiative.

Grants are good to help start a program. But what long-range planning has the Town and the Greenburgh school district done to perpetuate the program?

* The Xposure after school program --student produced radio program - was nominated for two EMMY awards. How many other 10 and 11 year olds--anywhere- receive EMMY award nominations?

This is great for the kids and congratulations to them, but as we’ve mentioned previously, the program at the Theodore Young Community Center is not run by or affiliated with the Town. Plus, there is no guarantee that these kids will continue on in radio in their future. Plus, with the ever-changing technologies, it’s possible that radio itself will change into something different all together.

* The South County bike trail now connects to the North County bike trail - an initiative cyclists from around the region have been seeking for years!

While Mr Feiner is an avid bicyclist, the Town did little to make this happen. Several area biking clubs/groups pushed for this.

* The town received almost $5,000,000 from NYS for water infrastructure enhancements - the 2nd largest grant in the Hudson Valley from NYS!

Sadly, Greenburgh’s infrastructure has been ignored for far too long. Had regular maintenance been performed as required, we would not be in need of large grants to fix everything. And, will any of these monies be used to improve the water drainage infrastructure to help those resident and business taxpayers who flood because the infrastructure was ignored for so long?

* Our budgets and taxes come under the NYS tax cap. Unlike some school, fire and villages, towns in the region we have never approved a budget that exceeds the tax cap.

While the budget may come in under the tax cap, it does not negate a tax increase, as too many portions of the budget(s) are exempt from it. The Town Board, if instructed to do so by Mr Feiner, could certainly override the tax cap if deemed necessary. 

* The town maintained our Aaa bond rating from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's - an accomplishment most town, school, village state, and federal governments have not achieved. The triple A bond rating enables the town to save hundreds of thousands of dollars when we borrow for infrastructure enhancements each year.

This is like a magician’s slight-of-hand routine. The Aaa bond rating is really just verifying that the Town has enough taxpayers who can cover most of the Town’s expenses through taxation. Plus, since we never really utilize the advantages of the bond rating, and Mr Feiner reduces Town services by fiat and increased fees, it’s like kissing your sister: it just doesn’t mean anything.

     
* New 24 Hour Fitness Center opened on Central Ave. An indoor pool, managed by the privately run center, will open in March, 2018 at the center.

Edgemont residents will finally have a pool they can use in the Town – albeit with a membership to a private fitness center.

* A new roof at the Theodore Young Community Center was completed--with more natural light for our indoor pool patrons.

The new roof, an obvious infrastructure improvement that had been delayed, will help the pool users have more daylight during the day. You see, if the Edgemont incorporation goes forward, the Town claims it will lose tax money, and cut the hours (or at least the lights) at the Theodore Young Community Center. If the incorporation of Edgemont does go through, the Town could contract services with the new Village and lose virtually little if any money. But Mr Feiner and Mr Jones have publicly said under no circumstances would the Town contract services with the new Village.

* Our proactive measures dealing with anticipated storms seem to be paying off. A major storm in Westchester this fall resulted in 6,000 people out of power in Westchester -only 22 people out of power in Greenburgh. Con Ed & the town have an active tree trimming program--we trim branches hanging over wires and remove trees that are dead that could impact power lines.

Again, while Con Ed is more responsible than the Town for tree trimming, the Town does have an arborist and the Town does trim trees. The proactive measures need to include more than just trimming some trees near a power line. While tree trimming is a good first effort, all drains, especially in flood prone areas need to be cleaned out; new drainage installed; debris near and in the rivers need to be removed; the Bronx and Saw Mill rivers need to be dredged and that debris needs to be removed, not left nearby where it can float back into the river.

* We have been successful collecting back taxes owed and reduced the number of properties facing foreclosure from almost 500 a few years back to less than 55.

As we’ve said before, the Town was delinquent in performing their legally required fiduciary responsibilities by procrastinating on the foreclosed and zombie houses in the Town for too long. So out of all of these 500 properties, how many are still owned by the delinquent owners, how much was collected in back taxes?

* The town, police department and Phelps hospital partnered on a pedestrian safety initiative. Thousands of free reflectors being distributed to pedestrians. Don't wear dark clothing.

Having the Town give away Phelps-donated reflective armbands is a good idea since so many unsafe areas exist without sidewalks to ensure pedestrian safety. But in this day and age of Big Brother seeming to control our every move(s), is telling us not to wear dark clothes the best Mr Feiner can offer?

* The Greenburgh police created an Internet Exchange location at the Police headquarters for residents to safely exchange purchases.

We’re not sure how much this was needed in the Town but it seems reasonable. 

* New sidewalks were built: on Benedict on the Tarrytown border, Secor Road.  We received a very large grant from NYS -$792,000 to build a new sidewalk on Central Ave from Marion to W Hartsdale Ave.  Hopefully, that sidewalk will be built next year. New sidewalks being planned on Columbia Ave in Hartsdale, Juniper Hill in Fairview. We plan to replace an asphalt playground on Glendale Road with an asphalt sidewalk leading to the Greenville School.

Plan more sidewalks? Really? The only planning really going on with sidewalks is the requirement for developers to put sidewalks in front of their projects. That’s the only reason we are getting as many as we are. Please explain why the sidewalk to the school will be asphalt instead of concrete like everywhere else? Again, 25 years of a lack of planning and ignoring infrastructure is being turned around as a good thing.

* We created a curb making the library more accessible for the disabled. And redesigned the circle near the library to make it easier for cars to pick up and drop of library patrons.  We plan to increase parking at the library.

Poor planning and inferior design by the lead agency, which was actually the Town Board, is what was and still is wrong with the library’s design. From the inadequate public/community meeting rooms, the inadequate and oft-failing HVAC system, the unusable heat pump system and of course the parking remains atrocious. They removed a few islands and made the center circle smaller to allow cars to pass parked cars in the circle. They should have left the original parking behind the building as it was and not planted grass, installed a curb and parking would be somewhat better. 

* We replaced and upgraded water mains in Mayfair Acres--an important water infrastructure project and repainted more water tanks. Juniper Hill water tank was completed.

Again, lack of infrastructure maintenance is not something to brag about.

* We approved a lease with a private company to place a bubble at our tennis court at E Rumbrook park--providing residents with indoor tennis opportunities.

Yes, it’s open and now residents have to pay this for-profit company to allow them limited access/times to the Town tennis courts.

* We are making the town more efficient - 6200 new properties now receive garbage collection services from our new sanitation trucks (which use one employee, not three). Fewer worker compensation claims. We hope to expand recycling services in 2018--one day a week pickup for both paper and commingles.

First, we were told there would be a study for the change’s viability. There wasn’t. Second, we were told this would only be used on flat properties. It’s not. Third, we were told it was only a pilot program. Not only was it not, they bought another truck!

* New affordable housing at the waterwheel property (foreclosed property which the town turned over to Ardsley) opens. 22 housing units.

How many times must we hear the same drumbeat? The Ardsley Fire Department had sought to purchase this property after the Waterwheel Restaurant fire to develop workforce housing specifically for Ardsley volunteer firefighters, ambulance personnel and municipal workers. Their approach was similar to the successful Livingston Manor project the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department created, although several residents are not volunteers or municipal workers but workforce residents. The Ardsley Fire Department was turned down.

* New parking lot at Taxter Ridge built at expense of developer --making it easier for hikers to take advantage of this spectacular hiking trail.

This small strip of undeveloped land provides spaces for a few cars. What was the developer’s actual expense? This should have been done upon the completion of the park. Why wasn’t it?

* Our intern program had a very successful year. Student interns interviewed many well known and not so well known leaders -including the writer of the best play on Broadway: TONY AWARD winner JT Rogers and Joe Queenan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Students host their own cable TV program.

The Town, specifically Mr Feiner, always utilizes interns for any real impact. While we maintain the Town’s best asset is our employees, it doesn’t seem so with Mr Feiner. The idea of internship is to prepare these young adults to get mentoring in various disciplines. Do the other department’s not have interns and if they do, is their work not worth mentioning too? Regardless, kudos to these kids.

* A new Town Judge was appointed - former Edgemont School Board member Bonnie Orden. Town Justices Walter Rivera and Arlene Gordon Oliver were appointed or elected to higher Judicial positions.
Basically, more of the same. Is this so Mr Feiner can have decisions levied in his favor?

* The US Coast Guard listened to citizens and killed (at least temporarily) plans to park barges along the Hudson River.

While we did not favor the Coast Guard’s decision to create a river parking lot, this had very little, if anything to do with the Town.

* Woodlands High School students received $5.3 million in scholarships upon graduation. The town is working with the school district on an exciting technology initiative.

What specifically is the Town’s part of this, beyond Mr Feiner taking credit for it? How is this money going to be used and who will be the recipients and what are the qualifiers for them to receive it?

* The building department demolished unsafe buildings on Teramar Way and they took steps to demolish an unsafe home on McLean.
Again, long overdue after waiting almost 10 years for the Town to act on zombie, foreclosed upon and abandoned homes.

 
* Thanks to the hard work of the Hartsdale Beautification Committee headed by Barbara Brennan, a fantastic Hartsdale day celebration took place on E Hartsdale Ave.

While it may be difficult to quantify whether or not Hartsdale Day was a success, we applaud those who worked tirelessly to promote and execute it. We look forward to seeing it again next year and maybe other communities can do the same.

* We are working with civic leaders, architects and residents --considering a rezone of the 4 corners in Hartsdale to allow mixed usage. Additional parking could be created - enabling stores at this location to have a better chance of success.

The Town should stay out of this. It is Town zoning laws, restrictions, fees, penalties and licenses that make developing the area so difficult. The HNA is trying to figure out what would or would not work in that area. The “nodes” proposal favored by a very few “Feinerites” would have the four corners (and more) developed into first floor retail – because we don’t have enough vacant retail stores – and three additional floors of low income residential apartments with no parking, because millennials don’t own cars. Everyone already recognizes the parking struggles for the area and now Mr Feiner wants to add to them. 

* The Greenburgh police department did a great job organizing terrific community outreach efforts: at Town Hall, at the scene of a crime and on Halloween.

They always do a great job. We’re still trying to find out which “scene of the crime” Mr Feiner is talking about.

* Fewer burglaries in the entire town of Greenburgh than in the village of Scarsdale (which is much smaller). Our burglaries are down, thanks to the excellent proactive work of our police department.

Interestingly, while crime trends are somewhat random, it was only about a year or so ago that Edgemont had a spike in crime. The police department put more officers in the area and lo and behold crime went down. Similarly, traffic enforcement has been practically eliminated on many streets known for speeding and now safety for those walking taxpayers has been compromised.

Crime is probably down because the Town has taken a fresh approach to crime fighting which Scarsdale has yet to catch onto. The Town has put out lawn signs that say: Lock Your Car, Take Your Keys, Hide Your Belongings. Who knew that’s all it would take?

* NYS rebuilding the Payne Street bridge overlooking the Sprain Parkway.

This is a NYS Department of Transportation repair and the Town is not involved in it, except that Payne Street is a Town road and often closed during the construction.

* We recognized the Atlantic Starr musicians from Fairview and renamed a street in their honor. At one point their music was number one world-wide!

Kudos to these musicians.

* We are implementing additional safety features -more blinking crosswalk lights near schools.  A safety crosswalk off of Ravensdale, Jackson Ave and Route 9.

Again, long overdue and something that should have been recognized and done years ago.

* Thanks to the generosity of many, the Lois Bronz Children's Center received donations of backpacks for children whose families can't afford them. The community has been supportive of our partnership with the Dobbs Ferry food pantry--and frequently drops off food at the bin at Town Hall.

When our taxpayers have any money left in their wallets between tax increases, Town Board guilty verdicts and fines, they are most generous.

 * Councilman Francis Sheehan, while he recovered from surgery, took advantage of modern technology by participating and voting at Town Board meetings using Skype.  Think that when members of Congress or the State Legislature can't attend a meeting of their legislatures that they should also participate by Skype.

When congress doesn’t meet, our government becomes more affordable and efficient. While we’re glad Mr Sheehan recovered, his not being there would not have changed any decisions or votes made.

* A very successful motorcycle safety event across from Greenburgh Town Hall sponsored by the Greenburgh police department and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Kudos to these participants.

* Over 400 residents of Greenburgh now have installed solar panels to power their homes. We sponsored with Solarize Westchester an initiative to promote solar power. The town participated in Solarize Westchester, an initiative to promote solar panels. We worked with the Greenburgh Nature Center to educate the community about the opportunity to install solar panels and the benefits to homeowners.

While supporting this private company, the Town gave an unfair advantage to one private company. Had the Town held a forum and invited different companies to participate, it would have been more ethically sound.

* We have been closing down massage facilities in town involved in prostitution and illegal activities. A new law requires the licensing of massage establishments. 

If they are breaking the law, they should be pursued. Otherwise, if there is no evidence of wrongdoing, they should be left to operate by the newly enacted laws put in place.

*Established a Technology Advisory Committee to work with our MIS department to enhance our use of technology.

Funny, we always thought the MIS department was there for the technology and experts in the field. Is this new committee comprised of interns?

* Followed up on recommendations of a study on public works department by approving a directive that employees must comply with health and safety initiatives. A focus on the major contributors to worker injuries can have a greater impact on claims and reducing injuries.

If employees are not following the employment directives, it should be addressed by their managers. If the managers are not doing this, the department leaders should address it. If this is not happening, perhaps a review of standard practices and new managers should be discussed.

* The new hotel tax was implemented -enabling the town to shift some of our costs of operating government to hotel guests, not taxpayers.

Here’s another example of a tax pushed by Assemblyman Abinanti, who has never heard of a tax he didn’t like along with his buddy Mr Feiner, all while helping to make Westchester and in particular Greenburgh less and less attractive to travelers, whether for business or pleasure.

* Greenburgh and the villages have eliminated duplication--separate assessors and now use one assessor.

And yet we haven’t seen any reduction in our taxes, Village taxes or any appreciable savings. 

* The sufficiency of a petition submitted by some Edgemont residents who would like to vote on incorporating Edgemont as a village is before the courts.  The Courts will determine whether the petition that was filed complied with NYS law.

Ironically, all Mr Feiner had to do was acknowledge the petitions were sufficient and let the referendum proceed. Rather, he chose to fight the incorporation attempts and gather the ire of people who were unaware of an incorporation proceeding. And, let’s not forget that Mr Feiner hired a retired judge to take the “hit” for his hiring private investigators to go throughout Edgemont to invalidate petition signatures favoring incorporation, providing him plausible deniability.

*The Greenburgh  Nature Center, with town funding, underwent a complete roof restoration project that has enhanced the Manor House's presence and complements the integrity and character of the near 100 year old building.

As the buildings in our Town are ignored, infrastructure becomes more and more decrepit, requiring even more money for repairs.

 *The Greenburgh Nature Center  updated and refreshed interior portions of the Manor House, including new floors in the Live Animal Museum, with town support.

See above.

  *The Nature Center,in partnership with the town,  introduced a town wide food scrap recycling program and educational outreach campaign. The drop-off operation of the program will commence mid-January 2018 and the Nature Center will provide guidance and hands on support. Turning food scraps into compost is good for the environment and could save the town significant dollars.

Residents are seeing more and more scraps from the Town and specifically Mr Feiner. Is it worth it to drive your table scraps to the Nature Center?

   *With consultation from the Greenburgh Nature Center, the town proposed an amendment and change to a long standing law prohibiting beekeeping in Greenburgh.  This reflects a growing interest and awareness of our natural environment by our local residents

Beekeeping can and should be allowed within certain confines of the Town. There should be minimum acreage within a property; independent training should be required from a local bon-a-fide educational source such as the Cornell Extension, and not an Internet course. Before bees can be bred, the applicants should be mandated to demonstrate their bee-keeping skills by handling and displaying their skills, similar to a driving test or swimming test.

* Some of these answers were already published in an article we called “The Other Side of A One-sided Story”, based on his media blitz on Thanksgiving. 

The Other Side of A One-sided Story

Each year Mr Feiner sends an email blast and snail-mail mailing highlighting his “accomplishments” during the year. He sent this list out for Thanksgiving. As always, we found it necessary to set his record straight and present the other side of his story. We’re sure there will be another list sent around the New Year’s holiday time. We’ll be back for that one as well. Mr Feiner's comments are in black, ours in blue.

There are lots of initiatives that have taken place since last Thanksgiving to be thankful for. Here are some!

* Greenburgh approves site plan for Regeneron's potential 1,000,000 Sq Ft Expansion- the largest commercial expansion in recent town history. The town anticipates millions of dollars in additional revenue and great new jobs. We have become the bio tech capitol of the Hudson Region!

The reality is that Mt Pleasant, adjacent to Greenburgh has had more of the development while Greenburgh gets more of the parking space land use. Regeneron was close to going out of business several years ago and remarkably has bounced back. 

* Our town received a $250,000 grant to redesign Route 119 and to make the road more bicycle/pedestrian friendly.

This grant is for several communities so the reality is that not much will be done with the amount of money once it is doled out.

* The Xposure after school program --student produced radio program - was nominated for two EMMY awards. How many other 10 and 11 year olds--anywhere- receive EMMY award nominations?

This is great for the kids but as we’ve mentioned previously, the program at the Theodore Young Community Center is not run by or affiliated with the Town.

* The South County bike trail now connects to the North County bike trail - an initiative cyclists from around the region have been seeking for years! We lobbied the county to implement this initiative for years.

While Mr Feiner is an avid bicyclist, the Town did little to make this happen. Several area biking groups pushed for this.

* The town received almost $5,000,000 from NYS for water infrastructure enhancements - the 2nd largest grant in the Hudson Valley from NYS!

Sadly, Greenburgh’s infrastructure has been ignored for far too long. Had regular maintenance been performed as required, we would not be in need of large grants to fix everything.

* Our budgets and taxes come under the NYS tax cap. Unlike some other governments in the region we have never approved a budget that exceeds the tax cap.

While the budget may come in under the tax cap, it does not negate a tax increase as too many portions of the budget(s) are exempt from it.

* The town maintained our Aaa bond rating from both Standard & Poor's and Moody's - an accomplishment most town, school, village  state, and federal governments have not achieved. The triple A bond rating enables the town to save hundreds of thousands of dollars when we borrow for infrastructure enhancements each year.

This is like a magician’s slight-of-hand routine. The AAA bond rating is really just verifying that the Town has enough taxpayers who can cover most of the Town’s expenses. Plus, since we never really use it, it’s like kissing your sister: it just doesn’t mean anything.

* Our proactive measures dealing with anticipated storms seem to be paying off. A major storm in Westchester this fall resulted in 6,000 people out of power in Westchester -only 22 people out of power in Greenburgh. Con Ed & the town have an active tree trimming program--we trim branches hanging over wires and remove trees that are dead that could impact power lines.

Again, while Con Ed is more responsible than the Town for tree trimming, the Town does have an arborist and the Town does trim trees. The proactive measures need to include more than just trimming some trees near a power line. While tree trimming is a good first effort, all drains, especially in flood prone areas need to be cleaned out; debris near and in the rivers need to be removed; the Bronx and Saw Mill rivers need to be dredged and that debris needs to be removed, not left nearby where it can float back into the river.

* We are following the lead of the village of Scarsdale and will be establishing a food recycling location at AF Veteran park. Turning food scraps into compost is good for the planet and could save the town significant dollars.

This seems to be more of the “feel good” press releases that Mr Feiner will utilize whenever he has nothing significant to report.

* We have been successful collecting back taxes owed and reduced the number of properties facing foreclosure from almost 500 a few years back to less than 55.

As we’ve said before, the Town was delinquent in performing their legally required job by procrastinating on the foreclosed and zombie houses in the Town for so long.

* The town, police department and Phelps hospital partnered on a pedestrian safety initiative. Thousands of free reflectors being distributed to pedestrians. Don't wear dark clothing.

Having the Town give away Phelps donated reflective armbands is a good idea. But in this day and age of Big Brother seeming to control our every move(s), is telling us not to wear dark clothes the best Mr Feiner can offer?

* New sidewalks were built: on Benedict on the Tarrytown border and on Secor Road.  We received a very large grant from NYS -$792,000 to build a new sidewalk on Central Ave from Marion to W Hartsdale Ave.  Hopefully, that sidewalk will be built next year. New sidewalks being planned on Columbia Ave in Hartsdale, Juniper Hill in Fairview. We plan to replace an asphalt playground on Glendale Road with an asphalt sidewalk leading to the Greenville School. And -plan more sidewalks around the town.

Plan more sidewalks? Really? The only planning really going on with sidewalks is the requirement for developers to put sidewalks in front of their projects. That’s the only reason we are getting as many as we are. Again, 25 years of a lack of planning is being turned around as a good thing.

* We created a curb making the library more accessible for the disabled. And redesigned the circle near the library to make it easier for cars to pick up and drop of library patrons.  We plan to increase parking at the library and appropriated funds to make this happen.

Poor planning and inferior design by the lead agency, actually the Town Board, is what was and still is wrong with the library’s design. From the inadequate public/community meeting rooms, the inadequate and oft-failing HVAC system, the unusable heat pump system, the parking is atrocious. They removed a few islands and made the center circle smaller to allow cars to pass parked cars. They should have left the original parking behind the building as it was and not planted grass and install a curb.

* We replaced and upgraded water mains in Mayfair Acres--an important water infrastructure project and repainted more water tanks. Juniper Hill water tank was completed.

Again, lack of infrastructure maintenance is not something to brag about.

* We approved a lease with a private company to place a bubble at our tennis court at E Rumbrook park--providing residents with indoor tennis opportunities. The bubble opened today!

Yes, it’s open and now residents have to pay this for-profit company to allow them limited access/times to the Town tennis courts.

* We are making the town more efficient - 6200 new properties now receive garbage collection services from our new sanitation trucks (which use one employee, not three). Fewer worker compensation claims. We hope to expand recycling services in 2018--one day a week pickup for both paper and commingles[sic].

First, we were told there would be a study. There wasn’t. Second, we were told this would only be used on flat properties. It’s not. Third, we were told it was only a pilot program. Not only was it not, they bought another truck.

* New affordable housing at the waterwheel property (foreclosed property which the town turned over to Ardsley) opens. 22 housing units.

The Ardsley Fire Department had sought to purchase this property after the fire to develop workforce housing specifically for Ardsley volunteer firefighters, ambulance personnel and municipal workers. Their approach was similar to the successful Livingston Manor project the Dobbs Ferry Fire Department created. Several residents are not volunteers or municipal workers but workforce residents. The Ardsley Fire Department was turned down.

* New parking lot at Taxter Ridge built at expense of developer --making it easier for hikers to take advantage of this spectacular hiking trail.

This should have been done upon completion of the park.

* Our intern program had a very successful year. Student interns interviewed many well known and not so well known leaders -including the writer of the best play on Broadway: TONY AWARD winner JT Rogers and Joe Queenan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal. Students host their own cable TV program. 

Kudos to these kids.

* A new Town Judge was appointed - former Edgemont School Board member Bonnie Orden. Town Justices  Walter Rivera and Arlene Gordon Oliver were appointed or elected to higher Judicial positions.

Basically, more of the same. Is this so Mr Feiner can have favorable decisions levied in his favor?

* The US Coast Guard listened to citizens and killed (at least temporarily) plans to park barges along the Hudson River.

While we did not favor the Coast Gurds decision to create a river parking lot, this had very little, if anything to do with the Town.

* Woodlands High School students received $5.3 million in scholarships upon graduation. The town is working with the school district on an exciting technology initiative.

Kudos to these kids.

* The building department demolished unsafe buildings on Teramar Way and they took steps to demolish an unsafe home on McLean.

Long overdue after waiting almost 10 years for the Town to act on zombie, foreclosed upon and abandoned homes.

* The Greenburgh police department did a great job organizing terrific community outreach efforts: at Town Hall, at the scene of a crime and on Halloween.

They always do.

* Fewer burglaries in the entire town of Greenburgh than in the village of Scarsdale (which is much smaller). Our burglaries are down, thanks to the excellent proactive work of our police department.

Interestingly, while crime trends are somewhat random, it was only about a year or so ago that Edgemont had a spike in crime. The police department put more officers in the area and lo and behold crime went down. Similarly, traffic enforcement has been practically eliminated on many streets known for speeding and now safety for those taxpayers walking has been compromised.

* NYS rebuilding the Payne Street bridge overlooking the Sprain Parkway

This is a NYS Department of Transportation repair and the Town is not involved in it.

* We recognized the Atlantic Starr musicians from Fairview and renamed a street in their honor. At one point their music was number one world wide!

Kudos to these musicians.

* We are implementing additional safety features -more blinking crosswalk lights near schools.  A safety crosswalk off of Ravensdale, Jackson Ave and Route 9

Again, long overdue and something that should have been recognized and done years ago.

* Thanks to the generosity of many, the Lois Bronz Children's Center received donations of backpacks for children whose families can't afford them.  The community has been supportive of our partnership with the Dobbs Ferry food pantry--and frequently drops off food at the bin at Town Hall.

When our taxpayers have any money left in their wallets between tax increases, Town Board guilty verdicts and fines, they are most generous.

* Councilman Francis Sheehan, while he recovered from surgery, took advantage of modern technology by participating and voting at Town Board meetings from the comforts of his home---using Skype.  I think that when members of Congress or the State Legislature can't attend a meeting of their legislatures that they should also participate by Skype.

When congress doesn’t meet, our government becomes more affordable. While we’re glad Mr Sheehan recovered, his not being there would not have changed any decisions made.

* We replaced the roof at the Theodore Young Community Center. Patrons using our indoor pool now will benefit from more natural light!

This was a necessary infrastructure repair.

* We're replacing the roof at the Manor House, Greenburgh Nature Center.

This was a necessary infrastructure repair.

* A very successful motorcycle safety event across from Greenburgh Town Hall sponsored by the Greenburgh police department and motorcycle enthusiasts.

Kudos to these participants.

* Over 400 residents of Greenburgh now have installed solar panels to power their homes. We sponsored with Solarize Westchester an initiative to promote solar power.

While supporting this private company, the Town gave an unfair advantage to one private company. Had the Town held a forum and invited different companies to participate, it would have been more ethically sound.

* We have been closing down massage facilities in town involved in prostitution and illegal activities. A new law requires the licensing of massage establishments.

If they are breaking the law, they should be pursued. Otherwise, if there is no evidence of wrong-doing, they should be left to operate by the newly enacted laws put in place.

* The new hotel tax was implemented -enabling the town to shift some of our costs of operating government to hotel guests, not taxpayers.

Here’s another example of a tax pushed by Assemblyman Abinanti, who never heard of a tax he didn’t like along with his buddy Mr Feiner, all while helping to make Westchester and in particular Greenburgh less and less attractive to travel, (to) whether for business or pleasure.

* Greenburgh and the villages have eliminated duplication--separate assessors and now use one assessor.

And yet we haven’t seen any reduction in our taxes, Village taxes or any appreciable savings. 

Thank you for re-electing me as Greenburgh Town Supervisor. I begin my 27th year as Town Supervisor in January. Proof of why there should be term limits. Congratulations to Councilman Francis Sheehan and Councilwoman Diana Juettner for winning re-election and for working very hard during the year on all of the above initiatives. And, either going along with my mandates or risk being “Sonya’d” and covering his butt when he opens his mouth and sticks his foot in it. And, thank you to Town Council membersKen Jones and Kevin Morgan for their dedication and great ideas. We’re still waiting for a great idea. Town Clerk Judith Beville also won re-election and coordinates with Town Attorney Tim Lewis our terrific internship program. Without interns, who by the way receive a skewed view of public service at Hillside Avenue, we would never see much get accomplished under this administration. And, Receiver of Taxes Anne Povella also was re-elected this November. One of the reasons why our bond rating is so high is because people pay their taxes! Let’s not forget this is in addition to all the penalties, fines and judgments that Mr Feiner wrought upon us. Also- thank you to all the department heads and town employees who make our town such a great place to live. We’ve been saying for years that our employees are our greatest asset. And to residents of the community who speak out and tell us what is needed to make Greenburgh a better place to live and work. Mostly the G10 who attend the numerous meetings of the commissions, boards, etc., put in place so Mr Feiner can have plausible deniability by saying it was, “Their decision, not mine.” We encourage volunteering - many residents are involved in citizen boards that meet monthly or more frequently. There [sic] work is also greatly appreciated. We applaud everyone who volunteers in our Town.