The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations (CGCA) seeks to provide information and to advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. CGCA Treasurer Mary Tobias has reported receiving dues for the year 2005 from the following civic groups:

Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Ardsley - Hillcrest Park Civic Association
Babbitt Court Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Chatterton Parkway Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
Fairground Civic Association
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Greenridge Association
Hartsdale Highlands Civic Assoc.
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Hilltop Farms Civic Association
Homestead Owners Corp.
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Knollwood Neighborhood Civic Association
Longview Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Northern Greenville Association
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Rex Ridge Apartment Corp.
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Colony at Hartsdale
The Edgemont Association
The Sprain Road Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Woodhill Civic Association
Woodlands-Bradley Civic Association

To date, thirty-seven civic groups have paid dues for the year 2005. There is $1,490.51 in the treasury.

The meeting was held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center. Ivan Sargeant was welcomed to his first CGCA meeting. "Happy Birthday" greetings were extended to Elinore Gordon.

A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR EILEEN WOODHULL

CGCA representatives opened the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Eileen Woodhull who died on March 31, 2005. Mrs. Woodhull was a Greenburgh employee for 38 years, serving 19 of those years as Deputy Town Clerk. She was a wonderful friend to CGCA, always helpful and willing to share her vast knowledge of the Town. Her passing leaves an enormous void.

Madelon O'Shea noted that the family hopes to fund a scholarship for an oncology nursing position and donations in Mrs. Woodhull's name are being accepted at White Plains Hospital. Contributions may be sent in memory of Eileen M. Woodhull to the attention of Alicia Horton at the following address: White Plains Medical Center Development Department, Davis Avenue & Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601. Acknowledgement will be made to Mrs. Woodhull's brother, Fred Crane, 240 S. Broadway, Apt. 18C, Tarrytown, NY, 10591. CGCA representatives voted unanimously to make a contribution to the hospital in Mrs. Woodhull's name.

CGCA OFFICERS THANKED & RE-ELECTED

The annual election of CGCA officers was held. Madelon O'Shea asked for nominations from the floor. Several CGCA representatives recommended the re-election of the existing slate of officers. Current CGCA officers - Madelon O'Shea, Chair; Cleo Oliver, Vice Chair; Ella Preiser, Secretary; and Mary Tobias, Treasurer - agreed to serve for another year. CGCA representatives thanked these volunteers and unanimously passed a motion re-electing them for the 2005-2006 term.

A/B BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR REFUSES MEMBERSHIP TO CA PRESIDENT
CGCA CONDEMNS CHAIR'S ACTIONS

Carol Wielk raised concerns about the budget committee Supervisor Paul Feiner has set up to discuss "imbalances" that may exist in the allocation of revenues and expenses between the "A" budget (applies to both unincorporated and village taxpayers) and the "B" budget (applies to only unincorporated taxpayers). Ms. Wielk noted that she asked Mr. Feiner to appoint her to the committee. At her request, Mr. Feiner forwarded the request to Herbert Rosenberg, who Mr. Feiner appointed to chair the committee. Ms. Wielk provided information on her email exchanges with Mr. Rosenberg.

Mr. Rosenberg responded via email that the committee was already large and diverse but added that as the president of a civic association Ms. Wielk would be an "advocate" and inferred she would not be open-minded and fair. Ms. Wielk said she took issue with Mr. Rosenberg's comments and pointed out that civic leaders work tirelessly on many issues outside their immediate jurisdiction. She also noted that Mr. Rosenberg might be perceived as less than impartial since he had intervened in the Bernstein v. Feiner lawsuit on behalf of the Town's villages and subsequently provided an affidavit to the NYS Supreme Court advocating village interests. Mr. Rosenberg replied that Ms. Wielk was "not only not impartial but armed with an agenda ...would destroy the ability of the committee to do anything useful. You do not sound even a tiny bit open minded." He continued: "you are not only partisan but aggressively so. I am aware that some people and groups in Greenburgh are quite determined to undermine efforts at a fair analysis of the problems involving the allocation of revenues and expenses and it seems that you are part of that group." He followed that with another email accusing her of working with Bob Bernstein and ending the message with the words: "Res ipsa loquitor (Bob can translate that for you.)" Ms. Wielk indicated that she was surprised by the venom of the personal attacks leveled at her.

Ms. Wielk told CGCA representatives that she questioned the objectivity of Mr. Rosenberg because he intervened twice in the lawsuit on behalf of the villages. She also expressed concern because the 16-member committee (7 members from the villages and 9 members from the unincorporated area) would not be subject to the state's Open Meetings Law (OML) or Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Ms. Wielk also noted that the Town was preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire an independent consultant to look at the "A" and "B" budgets. She objected to taxpayer dollars being used to provide support staff to the Supervisor's Committee.

Madelon O'Shea said that she attended today's Town Board work session and Councilman Steve Bass made it very clear that the committee was not created by the Town Board but by Supervisor Feiner. Mrs. O'Shea said she was assured that the independent consultant would not be working for the committee. Town Attorney Tim Lewis told CGCA representatives that the Town Board did not want to give the committee unfettered access to the consultant and the board inserted a paragraph in the RFP regarding such access.

Deborah Bloom questioned why the committee should be exempt from OML or FOIL if it uses Town resources or is used as a source for recommendation to the Town Board. She also wondered why the Town Board doesn't form its own committee that would be subject to state laws. Robert Bernstein informed that Town Board appointed committees are subject to OML and FOIL but Supervisor-appointed committees are not.

Danny Gold noted that he sent the name of a volunteer, Jack McLaughlin from East Irvington, in response to Supervisor Feiner's request for volunteers for the committee. Mr. Gold noted that Mr. McLaughlin has a financial background and is very sincere about helping on the committee and is upset at the way the committee is being characterized. Mr. Gold said he sees nothing wrong with the committee using Town resources but he would like the process to be more open.

Mr. Bernstein agreed that some members of the committee are truly sincere but said it is offensive that the committee chair has determined civic leaders cannot be impartial. Mr. Bernstein said that it is fine for Town employees to answer questions for the committee as they should answer questions for all constituents. However, he said the Town should not appropriate funds to hire a consultant to work for the committee. He noted that the Town already knows that some budget allocations are at the discretion of the board and others are mandated by law, but the Town is violating the law. Mr. Lewis said he has been attending the committee's meetings, and it is his job to identify statutes that mandate allocations.

Mr. Bernstein identified some examples of what appear to be "unfair" budget allocations. He noted more than a million dollars of the mortgage tax the Town received last year was used to subsidize the villages. While it might be considered unfair, he said it is required by state law. He noted the Town Board also used money from fines in the Hartsdale Parking District to subsidize the villages. Because the fines are not invested in the parking district, users of the district must pay higher fees. When this unfairness was questioned at a Town Board meeting last summer, the board promised to look into the issue and provide a response within 60 days. No response has been provided. Mr. Bernstein also noted the Union Child Day Care Center, the Community Center and a number of other parks are paid for by unincorporated taxpayers but they are open to everyone.

Cleo Oliver said she was not in favor of paying any money for a consultant for Mr. Feiner's committee and asked why a consultant was necessary. Mr. Bernstein responded that a Town Board member did not want the matter politicized and wanted to get answers from someone who was independent and not beholden to the Supervisor for his/her job. Mrs. Preiser noted that the RFP was going out without a dollar figure and it is possible it will be cost prohibitive to hire a consultant.

Mrs. Preiser said that she had received a letter from Mr. Rosenberg seeking the address of GrassrootsforGreenburgh. She noted the same letter was being sent to Village Mayors/Administrators, Town Board members and other officials and residents seeking input on whether they believe the budget allocates revenues and expenses between "A" and "B" budgets fairly.

After a lengthy discussion, and by an overwhelming majority vote, CGCA representatives endorsed a resolution opposing any use of Town funds/resources to support the Town Supervisor-appointed committee and condemning the Committee Chair, who himself is partial, for suggesting that civic leaders are incapable of being impartial. The resolution will be sent to members of the Town Board.

ROD O'SHEA NAMED RIDGE HILL COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
TRAFFIC IMPACT DEMO PLANNED AS SEQRA PROCESS PROCEEDS

Ella Preiser reported that the Town Board voted on April 13, 2005, to appoint Rod O'Shea as co-chair of the bipartisan Ridge Hill Committee. Supervisor Paul Feiner first tried unsuccessfully to again delay the vote and subsequently voted against Mr. O' Shea's appointment. For the past eight months, unincorporated Greenburgh has not been represented on this committee because the board did not fill the vacancy created by the untimely death of David Kreiness in August 2004. Hastings-on-Hudson resident MaryJane Shimsky serves as the other co-chair of the committee.

Greenburgh residents have concerns about traffic. The enormous size of the proposed Ridge Hill Development in the City of Yonkers would generate thousands of additional vehicles on area streets. Mrs. O'Shea mentioned that on April 30 a car rally is planned to show the impact of even a small number of additional vehicles on Greenburgh streets during prime shopping hours.

Robert Bernstein noted that last July the Town correctly assumed its role as an interested agency under SEQRA regarding the proposed development. The Town hired an attorney and a traffic consultant to participate in the review of the project. The Final Environmental Impact Statement currently is being discussed in Yonkers but has not yet been made public, so it is unknown whether Greenburgh's concerns have been adequately addressed. Also unknown is whether Greenburgh will follow through with a lawsuit if its concerns are not properly mitigated.

WEST GATE FARMS PROPOSAL - ANOTHER GATED COMMUNITY?

Ella Preiser reported that at its work session on March 30, 2005, the Planning Board heard from representatives for the 32-acre parcel on Dobbs Ferry Road currently occupied by the Westchester Golf Range. The applicant is proposing a "cluster" development of 36 single-family houses to be marketed to residents who are age 55 or older. Houses would be built closer together than currently permitted in a conventional subdivision. New York State Town Law does provide for cluster development. However, the Greenburgh Zoning Ordinance does not permit cluster developments of fewer than 50 housing units. The applicant claims the Town Board needs only to pass a resolution to permit the cluster development.

Mrs. Preiser told CGCA representatives that she believes the Town Board must amend the Zoning Ordinance to permit the Planning Board to consider a cluster development of fewer than 50 units. She noted the Planning Board has already declared its intent to be Lead Agency under SEQRA although it currently lacks the authority to even consider the cluster development. The Planning Board will discuss the application again at its work session tomorrow (4/20/05)

Mrs. Preiser said a cluster development on this property might be a good idea as 15 acres of the property would be preserved as open space, but it could create another gated community. She noted infrastructure (roads and utilities) is far less expensive to build in a cluster development so the applicant's motives are not entirely altruistic. Madelon O'Shea suggested that the public should not be fooled by the developer's plan to market to age 55 and older. She reminded that the applicants for Valimar also claimed that site would be marketed to empty-nesters. She urged research on the legality of marketing only to seniors.

Robert Bernstein questioned whether the property has actually been sold. It was noted that the owners, who currently live on the property, announced plans to move into newly built houses on the property and demolish their existing homes. Mr. Bernstein suggested that Supervisor Paul Feiner should recuse himself from voting on any necessary code changes or other approvals for the proposed development because the owners made substantial campaign contributions ($2,000) last year to Mr. Feiner.

Carol Wielk commented that the proposal as initially presented calls for one curb cut onto Dobbs Ferry Road. She said the property backs up to Jennifer Lane, a cul-de-sac in the Secor Homes neighborhood, and the community wants assurance there will be no access - primary, secondary or emergency - through Jennifer Lane to Secor Road. Town Attorney Tim Lewis said the Town was sensitive to the Secor Homes neighbors' concerns. He mentioned that the legal department would be meeting with the developers on Thursday, April 21, 2005, and that the developers plan to make a presentation to the Town Board at its work session on Tuesday, April 26.

GREENBURGH HEALTH CENTER NEG DEC GRANTED WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE

Ivan Sargeant from the Broadview Civic Association reported on the status of the proposal to build a 34,434 square foot neighborhood health clinic and associated parking on the 2.6-acre parcel at 295 Knollwood Road formerly occupied by Cooke's Flowers. Variances are necessary. On April 13, 2005, the Town Board voted to affirm its intention to serve as Lead Agency under SEQRA and issued a Negative Declaration of environmental significance regarding the proposed action. The board also scheduled a public hearing for May 25 on a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance that would permit Dental and Health Clinics at the site as well as in a number of zoning districts in the Town. Mr. Sargeant noted that the Broadview CA is very concerned by the Town Board's actions.

Robert Bernstein mentioned that Broadview had raised a number of legitimate concerns at the Town Board meeting. He noted the board's decision to "neg dec" this application could result in negative impacts to many areas. He questioned whether the Town had studied the environmental impact on all possible locations in the Town where health clinics could be located, especially in regards to traffic. Ella Preiser noted that the "neg dec" precludes the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals from considering environmental factors during the site plan approval and variance process.

Cleo Oliver asked Town Attorney Tim Lewis to explain the connection between the Greenburgh Health Center and the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center. Mr. Lewis replied that the two facilities merged in 2004 and the Mount Vernon Center is now the applicant in the current application before the Town. Deborah Bloom inquired about the political contributions the health centers made to Supervisor Paul Feiner's campaign, noting that it is illegal under federal law for non-profit 501(c)(3) groups to make political contributions. It was noted that the health centers requested politicians to return the contributions the centers have made over the years. Ms. Bloom mentioned there is still the appearance of impropriety of an organization that has engaged in illegal activity (making political contributions) asking for variances and approvals from the Town.

REDUCED GARBAGE/RECYCLING PICKUPS BURDENSOME

Ella Preiser reported that she asked DPW Commissioner Al Regula why he rejected the CGCA recommendation that would have allowed a second garbage pick-up during alternate holiday weeks. Mr. Regula told her that he does not approve of offering a service to only one part of the Town. He emphasized that the revised sanitation schedule does include the CGCA suggestion to use different colors for recycling materials - blue for paper material and green for commingled material. The recommendation of using two colors was originally suggested by CGCA representative Elinore Gordon. Bill Greenawalt mentioned that he also spoke with Mr. Regula who expressed concern about the reversing of days for pickups as the CGCA had suggested. Mr. Greenawalt said he thought any problems could be overcome. Danny Gold said he was happy with the revised schedule.

Francis Sheehan noted that since the revised schedule was released, the amount of recycling has not increased over last year. Robert Bernstein commented that he has received a considerable amount of feedback from residents about the overall decrease in sanitation services. He noted that people are complaining about the large quantities of material they must store with once-a-week garbage pickup during holiday weeks and alternate week pickups of recycling material. Several CGCA representatives mentioned the burden of carrying two-week's worth of recycling to the curb and the additional problems of storing/carrying four weeks of recycling material if one misses a collection. Mr. Bernstein reminded that the community wanted twice-a-week garbage pickup during holiday weeks and has received no response to the question of how much twice-a-week garbage pickup and weekly recycling would cost. Several CGCA representatives agreed with Mr. Bernstein that this matter is a quality of life issue. Mr. Bernstein suggested that perhaps the Town needs a "Garbage Angel" program.

It was noted that funding was placed in the budget for 2005 to hire three additional sanitation workers. It was not known whether the additional workers have been hired.

SUPERVISOR FEINER'S CHILDCARE ROOM DEEMED UNSAFE FOR CHILDREN

SUPERVISOR FEINER VOTES AGAINST ADA DOOR, SAFETY & POLICE EQUIPMENT

It was noted that the Town Board, by a 4-1 vote, adopted the Capital Budget for 2005 on April 13, 2005. Supervisor Paul Feiner voted against the budget because he was unhappy that Town Council members would not include $24,000 for establishing a dog park at Ridge Road Park (a Westchester County park). At work session discussions (3/22/05, 4/5/05 & 4/12/05) with department heads, the Town Board discussed deleting and adding items to the proposed budget. Items added which Mr. Feiner voted against included funds for making the front door at Town Hall ADA compliant, installing fire and smoke detectors at the Court, and purchasing a crime scene fingerprinting system for the police. Francis Sheehan explained to CGCA representatives that purchasing the crime scene fingerprinting system was important because the police currently must use very toxic chemicals to lift fingerprints. Deborah Bloom noted she had signed a petition for a dog park. She told CGCA representatives that Mr. Feiner had said he would not support a dog park unless there was a lot of public support. Ella Preiser commented that Mr. Feiner had encouraged a number of dog lovers to attend two Town Board meetings about this issue. She said that at a Town Board work session (4/5/05), Councilman Steve Bass said Westchester County wanted nothing to do with a dog park, mainly because of liability.

UNINCORPORATED TAXPAYERS PAY FOR APPEAL OF THEIR VICTORY

A discussion took place about the lawsuit won by Greenridge Civic Association President Robert Bernstein on February 14, 2005, and the Town Board's decision to amend the 2005 operating budget in response to that court decision so that tax bills would reflect the court ruling. Following the public hearing at a special Town Board meeting on March 17, 2005, Councilwomen Diana Juettner and Timmy Weinberg voted to amend the budget to shift the costs of maintaining Taxter Ridge parkland from the `B" budget (unincorporated taxpayers) to the "A" budget (both unincorporated and village taxpayers). The resolution did not pass because Councilman Steve Bass abstained from the vote and Supervisor Paul Feiner, who initially advocated charging the villages for Harts Brook and Glenville Woods as well as Taxter Ridge, voted against the resolution. Mr. Feiner announced that he wanted to appeal the court decision although earlier he had stated several times that there would not be an appeal. The issue was revisited the following week at the Town Board meeting (3/23/05) Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes joined Councilwomen Juettner and Weinberg in voting to shift the costs ($284,121) of maintaining Taxter Ridge from the "B" budget to the "A" budget. Tax bills arriving on April 1 included the changes.

Lorrin Brown asked on what grounds the motions would be filed. Town Attorney Tim Lewis told CGCA representatives that filing a notice of appeal reserves the Town's right to appeal. The Town then has nine months to decide whether to "perfect" the appeal. Mr. Lewis said the Town filed a motion to reargue to put some additional items on the record that can be used as the basis for an appeal. He said there is concern regarding other facilities (e.g., the Community Center and other parks besides Taxter Ridge) that may involve a substantial shift of money from the "B" budget to the "A" budget. He noted it is a sensitive issue in an election year.

Deborah Bloom questioned whether the courts might be sufficiently annoyed with the Town filing so many appeals to order the payment of costs. Robert Bernstein indicated that costs are relatively modest - less than $1,000 - though printing costs may be higher. Mr. Bernstein informed CGCA representatives that the legal standard to reargue is very tough - one must show the court overlooked relevant facts or misapplied a controlling issue of law when the court reached its decision. He said the arguments the Town presented in its motion to reargue were raised and dealt with previously. New arguments may not be raised. He noted that the Town's papers dealt solely with Taxter Ridge, not with other parks or facilities.

POLICE CHIEF DISCUSSES STAFFING CONCERNS

Ella Preiser reported that Police Chief John Kapica attended the Town Board work session on April 12, 2005, to inform the board of staffing problems. Department strength is down because of resignations/retirements, officers on sick leave/light duty and officers attending police academy. The Town Board agreed to transfer $50,000 from the contingency line to the police overtime budget. Although it was not listed separately on the Town Board agenda, the budget transfer was approved on April 13, 2005.

Mrs. Preiser told CGCA representatives that the Town continues to grow and police call volumes continue to rise so the Town will need to hire additional police officers in the future to prevent a deterioration of services. She mentioned that the current ratio of police officers to population is lower in Greenburgh than in other surrounding communities and Greenburgh is the only local municipal police department that provides emergency medical response and ambulance service. Victor Alleyne noted that the Fairview Fire Department also responds to calls for emergency medical service.

TOWN COUNCIL CONSIDERS MAKING TOWN'S WEB SITE ABOUT THE TOWN

Ella Preiser reported that at the Town Board work session on March 29, 2005, Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes expressed concern that the Town's Web site contains no factual information about Greenburgh but instead is a Web site about Supervisor Paul Feiner. Other Council members agreed to look into updating the Web site with information about the Town and all the Town Board members. Robert Bernstein told CGCA representatives that the Town Board should also look into the press releases that the Supervisor sends out, particularly those that deal with private individuals. Mr. Bernstein said that he was the subject of one press release that contained false information and was never provided an opportunity to correct the information.

MISCELLANEOUS

Landmark at Eastview Granted Subdivision Approval. On March 30, 2005, the Planning Board granted approval to the owners of the Landmark at Eastview to subdivide the 182-acre property into three lots. The lot containing the sports training facility will be sold to Madison Square Garden. A second lot will contain the existing and proposed research/office buildings. The third lot contains the nursery school but is primarily undeveloped.

Golf Club ZBA Hearing Postponed Again. Madelon O'Shea noted that the Public Hearing on Scarsdale Golf Club's application to the ZBA has been postponed again. The request for a variance to erect a 52-foot high net to protect against errant golf balls is now scheduled for the ZBA meeting on June 16, 2005. The Zoning Ordinance limits accessory structures to 12 feet in height.

Taxter Road Subdivision Granted. On March 30, 2005, the Planning Board held a public hearing on the Unification Church's application to subdivide a 20.13-acre parcel on Taxter Road into two lots. The hearing was closed and on April 6, the Planning Board granted both preliminary and final subdivision approvals. The 15-acre parcel will be conveyed to the Town for open space in consideration of one dollar as specified in the July 2003 tax certiorari settlement with the church. Further subdivision of the 5-acre lot will be sought at a later date to develop four houses.

Union Baptist Church Expansion Discussed. On March 30 and April 6 the Planning Board discussed in work session the Union Baptist Church proposal to build a new 750-seat sanctuary and 17,000-square foot education/administration building. A parking variance is required. The Zoning Ordinance calls for 287 spaces, but there is space to park only 57 vehicles on the site. The Church has made arrangements with Crossroads Shopping Center, Theodore D. Young Community Center, and the owners of the Nova Lighting parcel to use parking spaces during Sunday morning services. The Planning Board has scheduled a public discussion on the application for tomorrow (4/20/05)

Hackley School Seeks Amended Site Plan Approval. At today's (4/19/05) Town Board work session, representatives from Hackley School announced a change in the approved plans for the existing lower school (K-4) building. Instead of a small addition, Hackley now seeks approval to demolish the existing building and erect a slightly larger building. A steep slopes permit will be required from the Planning Board. At next week's Town Board meeting, it is expected that the board will declare its intent to be Lead Agency under SEQRA and refer the matter to the Planning Board.

Midway Objects to Parking Regulations. On March 30, 2005, the Planning Board approved a recommendation to the Town Board that the Midway Shopping Center on Central Avenue be granted amended site plan approval to reconfigure the parking lot. At today's (4/19/05) Town Board work session, representatives from the shopping center announced they have drafted a letter objecting to the Planning Board recommendation that would require the shopping center to seek a parking variance from the ZBA if any existing storage space at the center was leased for retail use. The shopping center argues that it is not subject to parking regulations.

CAC's Trees Legislation Now Has Town Board Hear Appeals. At today's (4/19/05) Town Board work session, Councilman Steve Bass announced that the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) has asked to be placed on the May 3 work session agenda to discuss the latest recommendations regarding the Tree ordinance. Mr. Bass noted that the CAC no longer suggests that it will be the appeals board regarding tree permits because such a transfer of power from the Town Board would require a public referendum.

Drainage Problems to be Addressed. At the meeting on April 13, 2005, the Town Board adopted a resolution to seek a grant of $125,000 from the State Emergency Management Office to correct storm drainage conditions in Troublesome Brook at Central Avenue/Ardsley Road.

Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board Seeks Input. Madelon O'Shea announced that the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board is planning to inventory houses, walls, trees, barns, etc. that are of historic interest in Greenburgh. A letter seeking input from civic leaders and others is currently being prepared.

Ridge Historical Society Awarded $10,000 Grant. Lorrin Brown noted that the Ridge Historical Society, founded by Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, was recently awarded a $10,000 grant by The History Channel. The funds are being used to help educate students about Westchester's history, especially African-American history dating back to slavery.

Colony Unresolved Issues Again Scheduled for Discussion. At today's (4/19/05) Town Board work session it was announced that the Town Board will hold a work session next Tuesday, April 26, to discuss the outstanding issues residents of The Colony have regarding the expansion of the Westchester Square Shopping Mall to include a Trader Joe's store.

Advice Sought Regarding Sidewalks. Ella Preiser reported that Town Attorney Tim Lewis sent a letter on April 11, 2005, to the State Comptroller seeking an opinion on whether the Town can construct and maintain sidewalks without taxing the abutting property owners, especially if the Town has received notice of a potentially dangerous condition.

Date of Last of 30+ Library Referendum Presentations Set. Madelon O'Shea reminded CGCA representatives that the final information meeting on the proposed Library expansion/renovation is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall on Thursday, May 5, 2005. The referendum vote will take place at regular polling places on May 10 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

CGCA to Participate at Newcomers Reception. The Town will hold its annual reception for new residents on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at the Multipurpose Building at Anthony F. Veteran Town Park. The Town Board meeting will follow the reception. The CGCA will once again have a table to welcome new residents and encourage them to get involved with their local civic group.

CGCA Fifty Years Old. According to records, the CGCA was founded in 1955 and is now 50 years old. CGCA stationery will be revised to note this important anniversary. CGCA representatives expressed gratitude to two representatives present at the meeting who previously served as Chairs of the CGCA - Alice Moroney in the 1970s and Danny Gold in the 1990s.

Meeting Date Change. Madelon O'Shea reminded CGCA representatives that the next meeting of the CGCA would be held on the fourth Tuesday (5/24/05) instead of the third Tuesday (5/17/05) of the month to avoid conflict with school budget votes and elections.