The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information to and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. CGCA Treasurer Mary Tobias has received year 2004 dues from the following civic groups:

Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Babbitt Court Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Chatterton Parkway Civic Association
Fort Hill Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hartsdale Highlands Civic Assoc.
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Hilltop Farms Civic Association
Homestead Owners Corp.
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Poet’s Corner Civic Association
Rex Ridge Apartment Corp.
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Association
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Edgemont Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Woodhill Civic Association

To date, twenty-four civic groups have paid dues for the year 2004. There is $1,333.18 in the treasury.

The February 17, 2004 meeting was held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center. Minutes of the January 20, 2004 CGCA meeting were approved.

CGCA representatives extended "Happy Birthday" greetings to Thelma Washington and thanked Irene Zuck for her contribution of reams of paper for CGCA copying needs.

Madelon O’Shea informed CGCA representatives that she had received no response to her letter urging anyone interested in serving as a CGCA officer to contact her. She questioned whether anyone present at the meeting was interested in filling the positions. No one responded. Current CGCA officers – Madelon O’Shea, Chair; Cleo Oliver, Vice Chair; Ella Preiser, Secretary; and Mary Tobias, Treasurer – agreed to continue serving in those positions. CGCA representatives thanked these volunteers and unanimously passed a motion re-electing them for the year 2004.

Councilman Steve Bass asked CGCA representatives for their opinions regarding proposed changes to the town’s Alcohol Law. Mr. Bass said that he is the liaison to the Greenburgh Nature Center (GNC) which comes before the Town Board each year at budget time seeking more tax dollars and is encouraged to raise more outside funds. The GNC would like to serve wine and beer at fundraisers held at its facility. The Town owns the property and the current law prohibits the consumption of alcohol on town parkland. Mr. Bass noted the Town’s Parks and Recreation Board considered the GNC’s request to serve alcohol and has recommended the proposed amendments to the Town Board. The amendments would expire in two years and would limit the GNC to two events with alcohol per year.

Madelon O’Shea questioned why the GNC doesn’t hold fundraisers off-site as school districts do. Mr. Bass responded that the GNC has held off-site fundraisers but believes it can raise more money if donors are at the facility and can be shown what the needs are and how previous contributions have been spent. Elinore Gordon noted that people who have never been there before might become members. She also noted the GNC cannot raise as much money by holding events such as pancake breakfasts. Cleo Oliver asked how the proposed amendments would affect other groups in the Town. Mr. Bass responded that the proposed changes would apply only to the GNC since it is the only town-affiliated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is required to raise outside funds. Mr. Bass said that other museums, zoos and botanical gardens serve alcohol at fundraisers and the GNC must compete for dollars from the same group of people who support these types of organizations.

Bill Greenawalt noted that Hart’s Brook, Glenville Woods and soon Taxter Ridge would be places where people might like to hold fundraisers. He said these three places are not only Greenburgh parkland but also county parkland and state parkland. He questioned whether any consideration had been given to these places. Mr. Bass replied that they had not been looked at differently from other Greenburgh parkland. Mrs. O’Shea asked if there were any federal guidelines. Carol Wielk commented a lot of museums and other 501(c)(3) organizations do serve alcohol at fundraisers.

Francis Sheehan urged consistency. He said if there is a valid reason to serve alcohol at the GNC he wanted to hear it, but it can’t be profit. He noted that the Dad’s Club, a 501(c)(3) that does great things for the Town of Greenburgh, was told specifically by the Town Board that profit was not a valid reason to continue a circus with animal acts. The circus brought in a great deal of funds for the Dad’s Club, but Town Board members said they would not put the safety of Town residents at jeopardy for Dad’s Club profits. Mr. Sheehan noted the only way to get to the GNC is to drive. He acknowledged the consumption of alcohol at the GNC could be controlled but noted there was no way to control how much alcohol a person consumed before arriving at the fundraiser. Mr. Sheehan said that he was much more concerned about a person drinking – authorized by the Town to have that drink – and then driving than about an elephant that may stampede down Central Avenue. Deborah Bloom noted that "profit" was the wrong term since a 501(c)(3) cannot raise profits.

David Kreiness raised a question about liability if someone does drink at a fundraiser and then gets in an accident. Mr. Bass indicated the Town does not run the GNC. Mr. Kreiness felt the Town would still be liable. Ella Preiser agreed the Town would be liable since the Town Board would be authorizing the right to consume alcohol at events held at the GNC on Town-owned property.

Several CGCA representatives mentioned the mixed messages the Town would be sending to our residents, particularly our youth, about the consumption of alcohol. Ms. Wielk said that adults would attend the fundraisers and adults frequently go to restaurants to have a drink and then drive home. She urged CGCA representatives to consider the GNC’s need to help itself survive. Thelma Washington suggested that it was not necessary to serve alcohol to raise funds and urged the GNC to be more creative. Ms. Bloom noted the GNC is a family-oriented facility and urged the GNC to develop family-oriented fundraisers.

Mrs. O’Shea noted the diverse opinions in the room. She urged CGCA representatives to go back to their civic groups to seek consensus about this issue or, if they wished, to speak as individuals at the Public Hearing on the proposed amendments at the Town Board meeting on February 25, 2004.

Madelon O’Shea again urged civic leaders to take a hard look at their areas to see what kind of buildable land is left. What can be subdivided? What might be substandard? Would it be possible to create a flaglot? She noted the importance of having an inventory of information if civic groups want to recommend any code changes. At the January 2004 CGCA meeting, there was a consensus among CGCA representatives present that the current flaglot regulations in the Zoning Ordinance could have a negative impact on residential communities throughout the Town. Mrs. O’Shea reported that she conveyed the CGCA’s message about the need to revisit the current regulations in letters, dated February 4, 2004, to both the Town Board and the Planning Board.

Madelon O’Shea reported that Supervisor Feiner has been promising sidewalks in areas that want them. She noted he asked the CGCA at the February 11, 2004 Town Board meeting held in Edgemont to obtain information from all civic groups in Town about sidewalks.

Lorrin Brown mentioned that property owners are responsible for shoveling sidewalks that abut their property and are also liable if someone gets hurt on their sidewalk. Bill Greenawalt said he thinks that Mr. Feiner is promising to take a fresh look at all the issues – including shoveling and liability. Mr. Brown noted that the Town does not have equipment/personnel to do the shoveling. Deborah Bloom suggested it would create a huge safety issue for the Town to assume responsibility.

Elinore Gordon noted when a resident was struck by a car and died in her area, neighbors held at least five meetings with department heads from the Town regarding sidewalks. Homeowners learned that trees, stone walls, mail boxes and utility poles would have to be moved and the property owner must pay for, maintain, shovel, and assume liability for a sidewalk. Ms. Gordon said the neighbors decided that if people wanted sidewalks they should move to a neighborhood with sidewalks.

Madelon O’Shea stated that at the Town Board meeting on February 11, 2004, residents were informed that a two-block long sidewalk along Fort Hill Road from Jackson Avenue to Ardsley Road would cost more than $600,000. Historic trees, utility poles and walls would have to be removed, including a wall from a house built in 1860. When Councilman Steve Bass asked at the same Town Board meeting when approval was given to hire a consultant to study putting a sidewalk at this location, the Town could not provide a definitive answer. DPW Commissioner Al Regula suggested it was in the early fall of 2003. Interestingly, no one could answer a question about the cost of the consultant.

Francis Sheehan said before the community proposes any new sidewalks, the CGCA should obtain information about existing sidewalks. He noted that three years ago he was told it would cost millions of dollars to repair existing sidewalks, but only $125,000 for repair of sidewalks is included in each year’s capital budget. He mentioned that he saw a woman who was walking in the dark on the snakelike section of Secor Road near Route 9A. She was walking in the street from the bus stop because the path next to the Town-owned parkland was not cleared of the snow. He noted there is scatter-site housing in the direction she was walking and many people walk to the bus stop.

Thelma Washington said she was surprised to learn Mr. Feiner is promising sidewalks in Edgemont because Parkway Gardens and Parkway Homes have been pleading for sidewalks for 20 some years because youths have to walk in the road to school, to buses, or to visit friends. She questioned where the money was coming from to install sidewalks in Edgemont. Bill Greenawalt suggested Mr. Feiner’s latest interest in sidewalks in Edgemont appears to stem from 2003 campaign promises and the fact that Edgemont residents have become increasingly vocal and are exploring incorporation as a village. Mr. Greenawalt said he was concerned that the CGCA may not get suggestions from all areas. He said he would be reluctant to turn in a report or even a list of names that did not include the whole town.

It was agreed to send a letter to all CGCA member associations as well as to any other known civic groups in the Town. Any information the CGCA receives will be forwarded to the Town; however, the CGCA will not prioritize the needs for sidewalks. Again it was mentioned that many existing sidewalks are in disrepair. In order to understand the magnitude of the problem, the CGCA will also send a letter asking the Town to provide information on the location of existing sidewalks/footpaths, their condition, estimated cost and timetable for any repairs that may be necessary and who maintains/shovels sidewalks/footpaths along town, county and state facilities/properties.

Ella Preiser told CGCA representatives that sidewalks are not the only problem Supervisor Feiner wants to address in Edgemont. Sherwood Place is a narrow dead-end street in an R-5 neighborhood in Edgemont near the Bronx River Parkway and the railroad tracks. Mr. Feiner recently visited a home on the street. At the Town Board work session on February 10, 2004, he suggested that the Town look into condemning or buying the property at the end of the street and building a cul-de-sac for drivers to turn around. At the work session Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes reminded Mr. Feiner that narrow dead-end streets and the resulting problems they create were not unique to Edgemont. She mentioned the many narrow dead-end streets off of Payne Street in North Elmsford. Several CGCA representatives noted there were also narrow dead-end streets in other areas of the Town and again said Mr. Feiner’s focus on Edgemont appears to be because Edgemont residents are exploring incorporation as a village.

Ella Preiser reported that the Broadview CA scheduled an emergency meeting tonight with Town officials to discuss the Greenburgh Health Center’s proposal to build a new facility on the former Cooke’s Florist property on Knollwood Road. Bob Reninger has sent word that the Broadview CA continues to maintain that a licensed medical clinic is not a permitted use in the Limited Office Building (LOB) zoning district and has filed an appeal of the Building Inspector’s decision to the ZBA.

Mrs. Preiser noted that at its work session on January 21, 2004, the Planning Board was provided with information about the proposal to construct a new facility on the Knollwood Road site that the Health Center had purchased. Proposed for the 2.6 acre parcel is a 2-story, 34,343 square foot building with a basement. The $7.5 million building costs would be financed with Westchester County IDA funds. The Zoning Ordinance requires 161 parking spaces, but Health Center representatives stated about 50% of their patients use mass transit so a request will be made to land-bank some of the required parking spaces. Variances would be required to increase impervious surface and FAR. [Note: the 1/20/04 CGCA minutes incorrectly stated variances were required for steep slopes and setbacks.] Planning Board members mentioned "fast-tracking" the site plan approval process. It was noted that coordinated SEQRA review would be necessary and complete applications had not yet been filed with the Planning Board or the ZBA. Mr. Reninger advised that before any action is taken by the Planning Board, the issue must be resolved about whether a health center is a permitted use. The Deputy Town Attorney raised questions about whether the civic association’s appeal had been perfected within the time allowed by law. Mr. Reninger was told the civic group could file a new appeal when the complete application was submitted.

As reported at the January 2004 CGCA meeting, the Health Center has lost its lease at the Route 119 building that it has occupied for the past 30 years. CGCA members were told no decision had been made about the Health Center temporarily using the old Town Hall building. Since the site is zoned residential (R-10), it was noted that the Zoning Ordinance would not permit the use. Some CGCA representatives agreed that the site would be better than the Cooke’s property site for the Health Center since it would be closer to bus routes and sidewalks to the building could be easily constructed.

ECC President David Kreiness and Hastings-on-Hudson resident Mary Jane Shimsky have volunteered to co-chair a citizen’s committee to study possible means to mitigate potential problems from the huge mixed-use development – Ridge Hill Village Center – proposed in the City of Yonkers, just south of the Edgemont/Hastings border. Lorrin Brown volunteered to serve on the committee. Madelon O’Shea said there was still room for one more person on the committee. She encouraged anyone interested in serving to contact Mr. Kreiness.

It was noted that at the January 26, 2004 meeting, the Town Board approved resolutions retaining three consultants to study the DEIS for the Ridge Hill development – Zarin and Steinmetz for legal review ($50,000 cap), Cashin Associates for environmental review ($25,000 cap), and Michael Maris Associates for traffic impact review ($25,000 cap).

Madelon O’Shea reported that Alice Moroney sent a letter and the town sent Thomas Madden, the Deputy Planning Commissioner, to the Scoping Session Public Hearing on the proposed ultraviolet light disinfection facility to treat water from the Catskill and Delaware water systems. Mr. Madden told Mrs. O’Shea that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has agreed to place receptors in the Knollwood Manor CA and Mayfair-Knollwood CA areas to monitor noise. The area will be inundated by truck traffic during the three years it takes to build the plant and the plant itself is expected to be noisy. The DEP has also agreed to easements that would facilitate the installation of sewers in the Knollwood Manor CA area. When prepared, the DEIS will be placed on the Internet. Mrs. O’Shea suggested that the Town should ask for a number of hard copies for any residents who might want to take a copy home for weekend reading.

CGCA representatives mentioned the recent stories in the local media about the Town’s success in arresting the owners of a seriously overcrowded multifamily house on Route 9A in North Elmsford which contained numerous building and fire code violations. Tim Lewis noted people have complained about the house for a long time. He said since the owners were charged with the violations, they appear to be making a serious attempt to bring the building into compliance, but because of the cold weather some repairs cannot be made at this time. Mr. Lewis mentioned that the case is due back in court on April 8, 2004 and the judge has indicated there will be a fine.

Thelma Washington asked why the problem on Route 9A wasn’t addressed sooner. CGCA members cited numerous houses throughout the Town that appear to be rented out illegally. Victor Alleyne noted that a woman from Juniper Hill has expressed concerns about overcrowding in her neighborhood. Elinore Gordon said no one noticed a house in her neighborhood that was broken up into studio apartments until there was garbage strewn all over. Cleo Oliver and Mr. Alleyne mentioned a house on Indian Trail. Tim Lewis said that it is very difficult to enforce the code regarding illegal tenancy because it is necessary to get inside the building and if you don’t see anything structurally wrong, such as locks on doors, it is hard to prove in court that the person is renting. He also noted there is a limited number of building inspectors.

Tim Lewis was asked to provide updates on two cases involving the illegal cutting of trees. He noted a settlement of $18,500 has been agreed to in the 65 Westchester View Lane case, where the owner illegally removed about 40 trees in violation of Planning Board conditions. $1,000 of that amount is a fine, $4,000 is to pay for consultants hired by the Town and $13,500 will be used to replace the trees and restore the buffer. Mr. Lewis said he and the homeowner’s lawyer, Joel Sachs, are still working on the final wording of the settlement. Ella Preiser noted that the $4,000 does not cover the $11,100 that the Town expended for consultants.

Mr. Lewis also provided information on a case near the Yonkers/Edgemont border where the property owner illegally removed trees. He said the court would hear that case on February 26, 2004. He noted the owner wants to replace the six trees that were removed and pay a fine. The Town was willing to accept that arrangement but a local community leader brought pressure on Supervisor Feiner to have the Town hire an expert to determine the value of the trees. Mr. Lewis noted that it is hard to replace a 50-foot tree and the judge prefers taking money but may not be willing to assess the costs of paying consultants.

Madelon O’Shea questioned whether it would make sense for the Town to have an arborist on staff rather than hiring consultants. She noted that both the applicant and the Planning Board hired consultants for the Castle Walk subdivision. Ella Preiser commented that on the Westchester View Lane case the Town first hired an arborist to determine the value of the trees that were removed and then a landscape architect to address restoration of the buffer. Deborah Bloom noted that with all the parkland in Greenburgh there must be someone on staff. It was suggested it might not be a good idea to have someone on staff since it changes the objectivity of the person and it might be better to have an independent person with no ties to the Town.

Bill Greenawalt stated that he serves as Chair of the Westchester County Parks Board. He noted that every time trees of a certain circumference are removed, the board requires replacement with 1-1/2 to 2 times as many trees in the area. He said the County does have professionals on staff.

Tim Lewis reported that there has been some controversy about whether one of the standards for people who coach teams for the Dad’s Club should be no felony conviction. He noted there has been opposition from some people who feel a felony conviction may be okay if it is an old felony conviction that was for something that is not perceived in the same way today. Mr. Lewis said he submitted a memo questioning whether that was appropriate. He noted he was sympathetic toward the person but was concerned that if something should happen to a child by a person who had been convicted of a felony, there could be a lawsuit against the Town. Mr. Lewis said that he had spoken to Gerry Byrne who had spoken to some Edgemont residents who were very concerned.

Francis Sheehan said this issue came up at a work session and Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg was adamant that a convicted felon should not work with children. He noted there were people at the meeting who found that a little harsh and there was some discussion about maybe including on the application a question "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" Checking "yes" would not necessarily mean the applicant would be excluded. Mr. Lewis said there could be background checks (perhaps over the past ten years) on the coaches. It was noted that not all felonies are the same and perhaps the type of felony and how long ago it occurred should be taken into consideration.

Ella Preiser reported that at the Town Board work session on January 27, 2004, Alex Bacon, the architect who designed the layout for the Town Hall at 177 Hillside Avenue, presented new plans for a larger cable studio. The plans involved creating a cable studio (approximately 23 feet x 25 feet) in the existing mailroom. The mailroom would be moved to the space currently occupied by the philanthropy office and office for special projects. The philanthropy office would move to space in the second floor training room. Special projects (energy and historic) offices would be created in the children’s room and a small part of the space occupied by the assessor’s office. Supervisor Feiner said he had plans for a children’s room near the lunchroom. Mrs. Preiser noted that all of the Town Board members, including Mr. Feiner, indicated that this plan was acceptable.

Mrs. Preiser told CGCA representatives that Mr. Bacon’s name was listed on the agenda for the Town Board work session on February 10, 2004; however, he did not attend and it was apparent that Mr. Feiner was no longer willing to support the plan for a larger cable studio. Mrs. Preiser reported that she spoke to Councilman Steve Bass who told her the other Town Council members continue to support the plan. Francis Sheehan said he spoke to Mr. Bass and Councilwomen Eddie Mae Barnes and Diana Juettner following last week’s Town Board meeting and they all continue to support the plan. It was noted that the proposed studio would be considerably smaller than the former studio on East Hartsdale Avenue (1,000 sq. ft.) and the current studio on Knollwood Road (1,600 sq. ft.) but more than twice the size of the 225 sq. ft. that the Town set aside for a cable studio at the 48,000 square foot building at 177 Hillside Avenue.

Madelon O’Shea mentioned that regardless of studio size, unless the quality of transmission on Greenburgh’s cable channels improves she is not interested in producing a CGCA cable program. It was agreed that audio/video transmission problems continue even though 177 Hillside Avenue reportedly has fiber optic wiring. Mrs. Preiser noted that instead of fixing the problems, Mr. Feiner continues to push the idea of giving cable television money to two school districts – Edgemont and Greenburgh Central 7 – and ignoring the students (and cable subscribers) who live in the other eight school districts in the Town. Thelma Washington reminded that we were promised there would be an adequate cable studio and equipment in the new Town Hall that all student in the Town could use.

CGCA representatives noted that even though the Town Board has not allocated adequate space for a cable studio, the board approved (on 2/11/04) a resolution leasing space on the second floor at 177 Hillside Avenue to AT&T Federal Credit Union. Ella Preiser reported that at the Town Board work session on January 27, 2004, Tax Assessor Gerry Iagallo said the facility at 177 Hillside Avenue is a "Class A" building, but the location is "Class C." He said because the building was in a Class C location, a rent of only $20 per square foot per month was appropriate plus $2.25 per square foot per month for utilities.

Tim Lewis suggested that we should remember the poor working conditions at the former Town Hall building. Thelma Washington said that she was one of many who had lobbied for a new Town Hall to get employees out of the inadequate "cubby holes" that served as work spaces. She said in return for her lobbying, she expected the Town Board to follow up on things that were promised to the community, including a cable studio. Deborah Bloom noted that a proper cable studio might encourage more residents to produce programs. She wondered whether the administration was concerned about the type of program that might be produced. A discussion on censorship followed.

CGCA representatives noted that both audio and video transmission problems often occur on both Greenburgh channels – Channel 75 and Channel 76. It is unclear why these problems continue to persist since the new Town Hall is supposed to have fiber optic cable wiring

Lorrin Brown noted that he mentioned at the Town Board meeting in Edgemont how frustrating it is that there are no close-up shots of speakers at board meetings. Ella Preiser said the placement of the camera facing the dais makes it impossible to recognize board members sitting at the dais. She noted when all seven members of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals are present at meetings, those members sitting at either end of the dais are excluded from the camera’s view. It was noted there are no robotics on the cameras and no one to operate the zoom lenses.

It was noted that the Town Board meetings are no longer airing in a loop over the weekends as the Town Board promised.

BMW Expansion Questioned. For the second month in a row questions were raised about whether the current construction taking place at the BMW dealership on Route 119 complied with the plans that had been submitted to the ZBA and the Planning Board during the approval process. It was agreed to seek clarification from the Building Inspector.

Castle Walk Subdivision Approval Likely. The Planning Board has held discussions with an arborist on how best to protect the trees on the proposed three-lot subdivision, including a flaglot, on Castle Walk in Edgemont. The Planning Board has also received a letter from the Building Inspector stating that the flaglot complies with the Zoning Ordinance. It is expected that the Planning Board will grant preliminary approval for the subdivision at tomorrow’s (2/18/04) hearing.

Knollwood Road and West Hartsdale Avenue Development Proposed. Bob Reninger sent word that he has been advised that applications will be submitted to the Town (1) to construct 18 units of housing along Knollwood Road on the property formerly occupied by Alpine Tree, and (2) to construct a two-story, 18,000 square foot office building on West Hartsdale Avenue, near the Dobbs Ferry Road intersection, across from the Mighty Joe Young restaurant.

Town Moves Slowly in Appointing Historic Board. In June 2003, the Town Board enacted a Historic and Landmark Preservation Law by a 4-0-1 vote – Supervisor Feiner abstained. The law has no effect since the required administrative board has not been appointed. In November 2003, the Town Board appointed Milton Hoffman to the required seven member Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board. At the Town Board meeting on February 11, 2004, Madelon O’Shea became the second member appointed to the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board. The CGCA hopes the Town Board will move expeditiously to fill the remaining five positions.

Winding Farm North Subdivision Application on Agenda. It was noted that the Planning Board announced at its meeting on January 21, 2004, that an application for the Winding Farm Estates (Ardsley) subdivision had been submitted. The application has been scheduled for preliminary review at the Planning Board work session on February 18, 2004.

Millennium Pipeline Rejected Again. Ella Preiser mentioned that on January 21, 2004, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected an application for a permit submitted for the Millennium Gas Pipeline. In May 2002 New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels ruled the pipeline could not cross the Hudson River at Haverstraw Bay because of environmental issues. The developers appealed and in December 2003 the U.S. Commerce Department upheld the state ruling.

Court Finds Mount Pleasant Lacks Standing to Sue County. It was noted that on January 20, 2004, the appellate court reversed a lower court ruling and decided the Town of Mount Pleasant did not have standing to challenge the validity of the contract Westchester County gave to the Volunteers of America to construct and operate a homeless shelter on the Grasslands Reservation in the Town of Mount Pleasant. Mount Pleasant had argued that the county failed to comply with competitive bidding requirements when issuing the contract.