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.
