COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of Meeting - December 18, 2001
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information to and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. The following civic groups have paid dues for the year 2001:
Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
East Hartsdale Avenue Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hartsdale Highlands Civic Assoc.
Hillcrest Park-Ardsley Civic Association
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Hilltop Farms Civic Association
Homestead Owners Corp.
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Knollwood Neighborhood Association
Longview Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Northern Greenville Association
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Poet's Corner Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Association
The Cotswold Association, Inc.
The Edgemont Association
The Sprain Road Association
Washington Avenue Civic Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Winding Road Farm Association
Woodhill Civic Association
To date, thirty-six civic groups have paid dues for the year 2001. There is $575.62 in the treasury.
Minutes of the November 13, 2001, meeting were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to distribution.
The December 18, 2001 CGCA meeting was held at the Multipurpose Center at Anthony F. Veteran Park because Supervisor Feiner barred the CGCA from meeting at Town Hall.
CGCA members wished a "Happy Birthday" to Cleo Oliver, Vice Chairperson of the CGCA and resident of Hillside Wyndover.
CGCA members introduced themselves and welcomed Blase Spinozzi to his first CGCA meeting. Mr. Spinozzi was recently elected President of the Hilltop Farms Civic Association.
FORTRESS BIBLE CHURCH & SCHOOL
On December 12, 2001, the Town Board held a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) regarding the application by Fortress Bible Church and School, presently located in Mount Vernon. A number of residents from the Hilltop Farms, Poet's Corner and Orchard Hill areas attended the meeting and expressed concerns about the proposed development. The public hearing will be continued at the January 9, 2002, Town Board meeting.
Blase Spinozzi explained to CGCA members where the proposed church/school would be located. The Hilltop Farms Civic Association (founded in 1955) is a neighborhood of 80 homes on the north side of Dobbs Ferry Road that overlooks the Sprain Brook Parkway to the west. To the north is the Orchard Hill CA and across Dobbs Ferry Road to the south is the Poet's Corner CA. Hilltop Farms currently is separated from the parkway by a steeply sloped forested piece of property, which is where Fortress Bible Church wants to erect a 2-story, 30,000+ square foot building, including a church for 500 members and a K-12 school for 150 students. 125 parking spaces would be provided. Entrance to the church/school would be from Dobbs Ferry Road, across the road from Spencer Court. The church owns the property, which is zoned R-10, and a church/school is a permitted use. The church is seeking a variance to place the building close to the parkway where the slopes are 35%. If the variance is not granted, the church plans to move the building closer to the Hilltop Farms homes where the slopes are 25%. There is an existing house on the properly that could be removed if alternate access were sought to Pomander Drive.
Mr. Spinozzi reported that both the Fire Chief and Police Chief have voiced concerns about safety issues. Currently 40% of the assessables in the Fairview Fire District are tax-exempt which means that the other 60% must pay 100°/a of the fire district taxes. The Police Department has expressed concern that it does not have adequate staff to address all the new development. A main concern of Hilltop Farms residents is the proposed additional traffic on Dobbs Ferry Road,-which already is overburdened and inadequate for existing traffic. Other concerns include the potential loss of trees used by migratory birds, the loss of the natural visual and sound barrier that separates Hilltop Farms homes from the Sprain Brook Parkway, and the impact the night-time security lighting would create. Residents feel that developing the parcel with private homes would be less offensive.
CGCA members noted that Fortress Bible does not appear to be a local church and members and students will arrive from throughout the region. This additional traffic, added to the traffic generated by the numerous other churches and schools in the area, has the potential to create severe traffic and safety problems. CGCA members also discussed the legislation signed into law more than a year ago that appears to severely limit a municipality's powers to impose/implement land use regulations regarding places of worship or religious assembly.
TOWN BOARD TO CONSIDER PURCHASING TAXTER RIDGE FOR OPEN SPACE
Danny Gold reported on efforts to preserve Taxter Ridge - 200 acres of woodlands off of Taxter Road. The land is part of 375 acres owned by the Unification Church and is the largest parcel of undeveloped land south of the New York State Thruway. The Trust for Public Land currently has an option to purchase the property from the church for $12 million. On January 9, 2002, the Town Board will consider a resolution to apply $3 million of town funds towards the purchase price and also to provide maintenance of the property. County Executive Andrew Spano has committed to providing funds as long as the state participates. Additional funding is being sought from the state. Mr. Gold noted that a number of officials have been invited to attend the January 9 meeting.
EAST IRVINGTON COMMUNITY REJECTS REZONING FOR BIG-BOX STORE
Danny Gold reported that the East Irvington community has discussed an informal inquiry the Robert Martin Company (RMC) made to the town to build a big-box store (100,000 to 150,000 square feet) at 600 White Plains Road (Route 119) at the site of the former Westchester Premier Theater. The property is currently zoned for office buildings, but because of the existing surplus of office space, RMC has suggested a rezoning to permit retail use. RMC has offered to make a substantial contribution toward the purchase of Taxter Ridge but the community has turned down the offer. Mr. Gold noted that a retail use would bring a high volume of trafc and the Taxter Road/Route 119 intersection already operates at an "F" (failing) level of service. The East Irvington community is willing to meet with RMC to discuss other possible alternatives, such as an assisted living facility.
CGCA members noted that the Town Board previously approved a 150-room hotel for this site. Mr. Gold mentioned that his community was not opposed to this hotel or the second hotel on Route 119 that the town approved. He indicated that pre-September 11 the business community saw a need for additional hotel rooms in the area. CGCA members also noted that RMC offered to donate free space on this property for a new Town Hall building if the Town rezoned the property to permit the big-box store.
NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE RE HOMELESS SHELTERS
Alice Moroney provided an update on two homeless shelters in her area - one existing in Greenburgh (WestHelp) and one proposed on the Grasslands Reservation in the town of Mount Pleasant. In September, the ten-year lease on the WestHelp shelter (located on county-owned land at Westchester Community College) expired and the property was supposed to be turned over to the Town of Greenburgh for housing for senior citizens. Because homelessness still exists, WestHelp requested that the lease be extended for another 10 years. Mayfair-Knollwood residents originally favored extending the lease because the shelter had caused few problems other than adding children to the Valhalla School District. Payments totalling $1.6 million per year would be made to WestHelp, the Town, the Valhalla School District and the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association for the ten years. Negotiations changed in August when County Executive Andrew Spano announced plans to create another homeless shelter for 233 adults on the Grasslands Reservation, just north of the Mayfair-Knollwood area. This additional shelter would mean that over 50% of the county's homeless population would be located within a one mile radius. The civic association felt this was too great a concentration of homeless people in one area and agreed to granting only a limited 90-day extension for WestHelp to continue operating.
All parties continue to negotiate. Westchester County appears willing to cap the number of homeless shelter residents at Grasslands at 170 and permanently ban any future homeless shelters in the area.
Financial penalties would be assessed if the county failed to live up to the agreement. If initial agreement can be reached, WestHelp would be granted a one-year lease extension while final agreements are negotiated. If initial agreement is not reached, WestHelp will shut down and relocate its residents by the end of 2002.
Ms. Moroney reported that the Town of Mount Pleasant has filed a lawsuit against Westchester County and the Volunteers of America (VOA). The county entered into a lease arrangement with VOA (for $1 a year) to rent the proposed shelter building and land. VOA would pay to renovate an existing building on the Grasslands Reservation and then receive $6,500,000 per year from the county to operate the shelter for five years (with an option to renew for another five years.) The Mount Pleasant lawsuit claims that the agreements between the county and VOA contravene state and local laws requiring competitive bidding when contracting for public work that involves the expenditure of more than $20,000.
Ms. Moroney reported that the proposed shelter at Grasslands also is of concern to the Pocantico Hills School District since the school would be responsible for providing educational opportunities for any of the homeless adults between the ages of 18 and 21 sheltered at the Grasslands site. Pocantico Hills does not have a high school and pays tuition to send students to three local high schools. The school board discussed this proposed shelter and passed a resolution opposing the creation of the shelter at Grasslands.
CGCA members expressed concern about a number of issues concerning the proposed shelter at the Grasslands site. There was no environmental review or legislative oversight - two of the three members of the County Board of Acquisitions and Contracts approved this questionable lease-back agreement. (The non-elected member who voted for this agreement has since resigned.) It appears that VOA was chosen without submitting a Request for Proposal or participating in a competitive bidding process. The County Board is supposed to approve contracts longer than five years. Questions were raised whether the decision to grant a 5-year lease with the option to renew the lease for an additional 5-year period was to avoid the legislative review process. For all of these reasons, the CGCA voted to write a letter seeking advice from County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
CGCA TO SCHEDULE MEETING WITH SUPERVISOR FEINER
At the October CGCA meeting, members discussed the request from Supervisor Feiner to meet with him to discuss issues. Given the many issues that the CGCA would like to discuss, it was decided to schedule a special meeting as early as possible in the new year. The date Tuesday, January 8, 2002, was chosen if that is convenient for Mr. Feiner. It was requested that the meeting be held at Town Hall to maximize attendance. A number of CGCA members have stated that they will not attend meetings at the Multipurpose Center.
ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AT TRAVIS HILL PARK
Thelma Washington and Cleo Oliver expressed concerns about conditions at Travis f11 Park. They noted that a meeting was held there last Saturday (December 15) with a number of people crowded into the tiny room that serves as office/storage space. Residents thought they would be getting something decent with the use of escrow.money but that didn't happen, just some paint and a couple of toilets. It was noted that the bathrooms are still unacceptable, lighting has not been installed in the park and the community wants a room where they can meet. Both Ms. Washington and ,Ms. Oliver have spoken with Parks Commissioner Gerry Byme and he claims more will be done.
SUPERVISOR FEINER TAKES CREDIT FOR UNCOMPLETED GOALS
At the Town Board work session today (December 18), Supervisor Feiner asked his colleagues to review his goals for the year 2001 and determine how much of the $5,000 he had put in escrow should be awarded. It was noted that Mr. Feiner obviously sent out a press release about the work session as CBS radio today provided a story that the supervisor takes his job seriously and expects to give back about $1,000. The Journal News also sent reporter Robert Marchant to cover the work session.
Ella Preiser and Francis Sheehan, who attended the work session, reported that according to the Town Board, goals are not something that you achieve or don't achieve. The Town Board believes that verbs can have many meanings. Some examples follow. A goal stated "Build a skateboard area" - The Town Board gave 50% credit because all equipment is on the site even though the skateboard area has not been built. A goal stated "Obtain cybermobile" - The Town Board gave 95% credit because it was ordered. A goal stated "Conduct interview and sign contract with architect [after making a decision on a new Town Hall/Library]" - The Town Board gave 25% credit even though a contract has not been signed for a new Town Hall because a firm was hired to review various options. A goal stated "Finalize the WestHelp transition and develop plan for use of property." - The Town Board gave 80% credit because it wasn't Mr. Feiner's fault that the county decided to create another homeless shelter at Grasslands that interfered with the negotiations.
DELAYS CAUSE TOWN BOARD TO EXTEND MORATORIUM AGAIN
At its December 12 meeting, the Town Board held a public hearing and then voted to extend the moratorium on certain development until June 30, 2002. The board had originally contemplated extending the moratorium for only 60 days, until February 28, 2002. However, the Planning Board indicated that it was unlikely it could complete review of proposed steep slopes and wetlands legislation during that time. To date, the Planning Board has not received revisions to the original steep slopes law. At its December 5 meeting, the Planning Board adjourned discussion on the steep slopes law to an unspecified date.
This was the P time that the moratorium, originally effective April 1, 2001, for a 120-day period, was extended. In July, the moratorium was extended for an additional 60-day period. In September, a 2nd extension was granted for 90-days. During the past nine months, the board has scheduled public hearings and granted numerous waivers from the provisions of the moratorium law.
CGCA members questioned whether the latest six-month extension will provide sufficient time to complete a GDEIS for the Open Space Comprehensive Plan and review and adopt the revised steep slopes and wetlands laws. It is rumored that Allee King Rosen & Fleming is no longer serving as planners for the Town and the Town Board has yet to hire someone to serve in that capacity.
TOWN BOARD CONTROL OF PUBLIC ACCESS
CABLE TELEVISION CONTINUES
PUBLIC PROHIBITED FROM USING EQUIPMENT
It was noted that according to Supervisor Feiner's directive, Saturday, December 15, was the deadline to submit requests for those wishing to have a public access cable television program in 2002. CGCA Chairman Danny Gold reported that he not only submitted a request to Cable Director George Malone for a CGCA program, but also sent a copy of the request to Mr. Feiner. A number of other CGCA members stated that they had requested public access cable television programs. Mr. Feiner has not indicated when the requests for programs will be honored, when training classes will be offered for those seeking to produce their own programs, or even where cable programs will be taped. (The budget indicates the lease for the cable studio on East Hartsdale Avenue will not be renewed.)
Francis Sheehan reported that he was advised that the policy in Greenburgh is that residents cannot borrow cable equipment purchased for public access. Mr. Sheehan stated that he had e-mailed Supervisor Feiner asking that they work together to help improve the reputation of Central 7 school. He sought to borrow a camera so he could use two cameras (his own and another) to film a concert at the school featuring 12-year olds in gowns and tuxedos and performing a dance. Mr. Feiner never responded to Mr. Sheehan's request. Instead, Mr. Sheehan received a call from the school stating a camera had been found. It appears that Alfreda Williams had called the school. She also called Mr. Sheehan and told him that Westchester Community College (WCC) had a camera he could borrow. Mr. Sheehan went to WCC and was informed a regular VHS (poor quality) camera was all the college could loan to the public.
The Town of Greenburgh has given control to WCC of Channel 72, the local educational channel that is provided for in the Cable Franchise Agreement. Channel 72 is supposed to be used to highlight educational programs in the Town. WCC personnel told Mr. Sheehan the Town gives them no equipment and no money to operate the channel. They assumed the local school districts received funds and were surprised when Mr. Sheehan informed them that the Town of Greenburgh receives over $462,000 a year from Cablevision but puts the money into the town's general fund and spends only a fraction of that sum on public access cable television.
CGCA members questioned whether Cablevision has been absolved from its responsibility to provide public access merely by signing a contract with the Town of Greenburgh and providing X amount of money. Mr. Feiner has made it very clear that he controls who has access to a cable program and how much of the money received will be spent on cable equipment or programming. In other communities an independent board controls cable access. In many communities, such as Yorktown, Cablevision allows the public to film public access programs at the Cablevision studio. It was suggested that the CGCA invite someone from Cablevision to attend a meeting to provide answers to our questions.
Deborah Bloom questioned whether there are statistics regarding how many programs are produced at Greenburgh's studio. It was noted that many of the programs on Greenburgh's cable channels are produced elsewhere. It appears that few programs are taped at the studio on East Hartsdale Avenue, and many programs currently airing were taped years ago. It was noted that the program "Solving Problems With Paul Feiner" that aired on December 14, 2001 was taped in 1999.
SHOULD THERE BE A TAXPAYER FINANCED TOWN OMBUDSMAN?
Alan Hochberg (President, Poet's Corner CA) attended the November 20 Town Board work session and suggested that the Town pay a mediator to intervene in disputes between civic groups and town officials and to represent the "silent majority." He noted that Mr. Feiner had approached him a few months ago about the fact that some groups and individuals are not familiar with the process, don't have the opportunity to express concerns and go away feeling they've not been heard. Mr. Hochberg presented to Mr. Feiner the written idea for a "Town Ombudsman." This person would be a part-time paid employee who would attend Town Board and other meetings and who would be sensitive to all sides and bring people together. The person would "speak softly with a powerful message." Mr. Hochberg noted that he watches Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings on television and finds it heartbreaking
to observe the disrespectful behavior displayed at some meetings. He wants to bring civility to government. He indicated that if the Town Board shows interest in the idea., he would be happy to flesh out his proposal with dollar figures and concrete parameters.
CGCA members discussed this idea and questioned whether it was any different from the suggestion Mr. Feiner made in March 2000 to hire a professional mediator to deal with border-wars and disputes between developers and civic groups. At that time, CGCA members agreed that elected officials should learn to understand the needs and perspectives of everyone involved rather than turning to an outside person at taxpayer expense.
COUNCILWOMAN BARNES INSULTED BY
SUPERVISOR
VILLAGE RESIDENTS GIVEN ACCESS TO TOWN RECREATION FACILITIES
At the November 14, 2001, meeting, the Town Board approved a resolution allowing village residents with disabled children access to town pools. Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes had requested that the vote be tabled so the issue could be discussed first at a work session. Supervisor Feiner would not entertain her request and Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg called for a vote. Supervisor Feiner added insult to injury as he polled the board. He addressed council members Weinberg, Juettner and Bass by their title; however, he addressed Councilwoman Barnes as "Eddie Mae." Ms. Barnes did not let this insult go unnoticed. She also raised the issue at a subsequent work session.
Also on the November 14 agenda was a resolution to permit a limited number of village residents to purchase seasonal tennis permits. Councilman Steve Bass requested that this issue be tabled for discussion. Mr. Feiner acceded to this request. The resolution was subsequently approved at the November 28 board meeting. Mr. Bass voted against the resolution. CGCA members acknowledged that fewer Town residents may be using the tennis courts but questioned whether opening the courts to village residents should have been the first reaction. CGCA members suggested that other measures should have been taken first, such as reducing permit fees, working with the schools, or providing shuttle buses to and from the Theodore D. Young Community Center.
SUPERVISOR CONTINUALLY CHANGES POLICIES AT TOWN BOARD MEETINGS
CGCA members discussed the recent rules that apply to speakers at Town Board meetings. Each meeting Supervisor Feiner imposes a new policy. Although there is case law that says the board may not place a time limit on speakers at public hearings, Mr. Feiner has ruled that speakers are entitled to only five minutes and one additional five-minute period after all others have spoken. However, the rules are not applied uniformly to speakers. During open discussion portions of the meeting, Mr. Feiner's latest policy limits speakers to one five-minute period. Although the agenda states that meetings will end at 11 p.m., Mr. Feiner has wielded the gavel and closed the meeting before 11 p.m. while speakers were still waiting their turn at the microphone.
CGCA members understand that time limits may be necessary when there is a room full of speakers who wish to be heard. In that case, most likely one of the other persons speaking is likely to make the same point a speaker wishes to make. However, when fewer than a handful of persons wish to be heard at a public hearing, the imposition of time limits may deprive the board of valuable input in making decisions. Time limits also blatantly convey the message that the board does not wish to hear from the public. Deborah Bloom suggested that the board provide time at the beginning of meetings for residents to raise questions and get answers to issues.
ACCESS TO TOWN HALL LIMITED
SUPERVISOR CONSIDERS CIVIC GROUPS A SECURITY RISK
The CGCA meeting was held at the Multipurpose Center at Anthony F. Veteran Park because Supervisor Feiner has determined that evening meetings at Town Hall constitute a security risk. Mr. Feiner claims that he established this policy based on recommendations of Police Chief John Kapica. However, Cleo Oliver, who chairs the Police/Community Advisory Commission (P/CAC), noted that when this issue was raised at the November P/CAC meeting, Chief Kapica said that any meetings scheduled would be allowed to continue meeting at Town Hall through the end of the year while arrangements were worked out.
It appears that Mr. Feiner has sole control and can dictate policy. The Town Board has never (publicly) discussed the issue. Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes and Councilman Steve Bass appear to support measures that would allow community groups and official boards/committees appointed by the Town Board to use Town Hall as a meeting place in the evening. Two weeks ago Councilwoman Diana Juettner also mentioned that the issue should be revisited. The issue was supposed to be addressed at today's Town Board work session. However, Chief Kapica was out-of-town today and the issue has been postponed until Thursday.
The rules imposed by Mr. Feiner permit only the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to hold evening meetings at Town Hall and require a security guard to be present. In fact, numerous groups have met in the evening with no guard present. Last week both the ZBA and the Flood Mitigation Plan Committee met without a guard. The Planning Board has also met without a guard, and Supervisor Feiner convened a meeting regarding closing Indian Point with no guard. In addition Town Board afternoon work sessions frequently continue after S p.m. when the guard leaves. Mr. Feiner also scheduled a meeting in the Law Library to discuss Town Hall/Library options. This was a direct violation of Chief Kapica's recommendation that a locked gate prevent anyone from using downstairs at Town Hall for evening meetings. When asked about these inconsistencies at a work session, Mr. Feiner replied: "I'm the Supervisor."
It was noted that the Antenna Review Board (ARB), an official board of the town that has approval authority, has been denied access to Town Hall in the evening. The ARB held an evening meeting earlier this month outside on the sidewalk in front of Town Hall with lawyers and representatives from AT&T. The ARB has another meeting scheduled for December 27, 2001, with representatives from Sprint. If not given access to Town Hall, this meeting too will be held outside. It was noted that the cost for providing a security guard would be insignificant.
Ella Preiser noted that Chief Kapica told her the CGCA was welcome to use the muster room at Police Headquarters for meetings. Deborah Bloom suggested that this was not a viable option because members would be forced to climb up the steep hill in the dark.
UPDATES - EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE
Zoning Map Still Needs Amending. To date the Town Board has taken no steps to amend the error it made on September 25 when rezoning East Hartsdale Avenue. Two residential buildings - 180 and 170 remain in a commercial zoning district (CB).
Synergy Fitness Club. The application for a Special Permit is moving forward. The Hartsdale Contextual Review Committee (HCRC) will meet tomorrow (December 19) at 7 p.m., before the Planning Board meets. The Planning Board will then hold a public discussion to consider a recommendation to the Town Board on the application. Deborah Bloom reported that she stopped by the site on Saturday to inquire about membership. She learned (1) there will be no "walk through" as the community requested, (2) the rear exit will be closed to even club members because of security concerns regarding the on-site child care, and (3) the open plate glass windows that the community did not want will remain. The Synergy spokesperson told Ms. Bloom that the town had already issued permits for renovations.
Small Animal Hospital. The application process for the veterinarian is also moving forward. A public hearing on a waiver from the moratorium law was held on December 12 and today, at the work session, the Town Board approved the waiver. The application for a Special Permit will now be forwarded to the Planning Board and HCRC for their review and recommendations.
HCRC Member Resigns. At the November 20 Planning Board meeting, board member James Hubert resigned as a member of the HCRC. Mr. Hubert had volunteered to serve as the Planning Board representative on the HCRC and was officially appointed at the October 10, 2001, Town Board meeting. Planning Board member Tom McNamara was to serve as an alternate. For some unexplained reason, Mr. Hubert was not invited to the first two meetings of the HCRC. He was informed about the date and time of the third meeting, but not where the meeting would take place.
MISCELLANEOUS
CGCA Dues. It was agreed that CGCA membership dues would remain at $15.00 for the year 2002.
Avalon Green II - DEIS Hearing. Danny Gold reported that the Town Board will be scheduling a public hearing in January 2002 on the DEIS for the proposal to build 800 apartments on Nob Hill (off of Taxter Road).
Scarsdale Golf Club. Deborah Bloom mentioned that members of her community are concerned about work that is taking place on the Scarsdale Golf Club property. Trees have been removed and digging is occurring around the stream/pond. Residents have been told that no permits or variances are required.
Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The committee continues to meet to identify flooding problems townwide and to review possible actions to minimize/eliminate the damage caused by flooding. The mitigation plan will be in draft form next month prior to the public hearing scheduled for January 28, 2002. It was noted that no one from Parkway Homes had attended the meetings. Thelma Washington indicated that flooding that previously occurred in this area appears to have been eliminated by the developers who built Valimar. Alice Moroney urged that the plan address the water, dirt and boulders flowing down Hillside Avenue and into Lawrence Drive during rainstorms.
Gelsprain Scoping Session. The Planning Board convened a special meeting on Tuesday, November 27, to hold a scoping session on the revised application for the Gelsprain property. Instead of the PUD rezoning previously sought, the applicant is now applying for a standard single-family home subdivision of 55 lots on this 41-acre parcel. It was noted that no security guard was present during the meeting, as required by Supervisor Feiner's post 9-11 security measures.
Court Rules on "Kathwood" Lawsuits. The appellate court has handed down a decision affirming the lower court's ruling on the lawsuits. The court agreed that "parkway" land is not the same as "parkland" and the state DOT was permitted to sell excess land along the Sprain Brook Parkway. The court also agreed that the Building Inspector lacked authority to issue five building permits on Kathwood Road and that the applicant must seek subdivision approval from the Planning Board. It is unclear whether the cases will be appealed.
Contaminated Fill - Leatherstocking Lane. Questions were raised as to whether the contaminated fill dumped on property on Leatherstocking Lane more than two years ago has been removed. It was noted the Town has provided no information on this issue.
Sanitation Workers Still Without a Bathroom Door. Cleo Oliver reported that the Town has not installed a door on the bathroom in the new Sanitation Garage (dedicated last May). It was noted that the bathroom is at the end of the main corridor and not far from the room where employees eat lunch. The installation of a door is a minor expense and CGCA members do not understand why the Town has failed to install one.
Term Limits? Hal Samis questioned the possibility of establishing term limits for local political offices. Deborah Bloom and a number of other CGCA members opposed the idea and suggested term limits are established at the voting booth. CGCA members acknowledged the "power of incumbency" but decided the real problem is finding a way to deal with voter apathy since only a tiny minority of eligible voters bothers to vote in primaries. It was also noted that getting involved in the political process is beyond the purpose of the CGCA.
Nothing Changes. Cleo Oliver expressed a sentiment shared by many in the room - civic leaders meet monthly and discuss the same issues, but nothing changes.