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 2003 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
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
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 Association
Longview Civic Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Northern Greenville Association
Orchard Hill 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 Colony at Hartsdale
The Cotswold Association, Inc.
The Edgemont Association
The Sprain Road Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Winding Road Farm Association
Woodhill Civic Association

To date, thirty-nine civic groups have paid dues for the year 2003. A number of civic groups have prepaid dues for the year 2004. There is $1,282.85 in the treasury.

The June 17, 2003 meeting was held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center.

Minutes of the May 20, 2003 CGCA meeting were approved subject to one correction. It was noted that the web site address given for GrassrootsforGreenburgh (GfG) was inaccurate. The correct address – http://grassrootsforgreenburgh.home.att.net – will be listed when the minutes are posted on the web site.

CGCA members welcomed Bob Bernstein, the new President of the Greenridge Association, to his first CGCA meeting and extended "Happy Birthday" greetings to Lorrin Brown and Mary Tobias.

Madelon O’Shea read aloud from a letter she received from James Lasser who resigned as President of the Edgemont Community Council (ECC) to run for Town Supervisor. In the letter, Mr. Lasser stated:

The CGCA and ECC serve the community effectively because of their non-partisan, apolitical nature. Having a candidate present, other than as an invited guest on a specific evening, could compromise that nature. Too many people long before my time at either organization worked too hard to achieve the respect of the community. I will not risk injuring that hard-won standing by my continued presence.

CGCA members discussed the letter. It was noted that the CGCA does not endorse political candidates and will not permit CGCA meetings to become a forum for candidates. CGCA meetings are currently and have historically been open to all, including politicians and political candidates. It was pointed out that candidates might find it useful to hear first-hand at CGCA meetings the issues that are important to civic groups. CGCA members asked Ella Preiser to write to Mr. Lasser, thank him for his letter and inform him that the door to CGCA meetings will remain open to all.

Madelon O’Shea reported that at today’s Town Board work session, James Gold and Parks Commissioner Gerry Byrne presented the idea of creating a memorial to honor Mr. Gold’s father, Bob, who died in 1996. Bob Gold was a generous contributor to the community, especially to Greenburgh school children. He owned and operated the bookstore on East Hartsdale Avenue for 40 years. For many years Mr. Gold served as the unofficial "mayor of the village" and President of the Hartsdale Chamber of Commerce. At the work session, it was suggested that the Town honor Mr. Gold by naming a grove of trees at the East Hartsdale Avenue (Robison) Park in his honor. Supervisor Paul Feiner suggested naming the entire park after Mr. Gold. Mrs. O’Shea agreed with Mr. Feiner. Commissioner Byrne expressed some hesitancy and noted that over the last four years he has been collecting information about creating memorials to honor people/events, but no protocols are yet in place.

CGCA members discussed the issue and agreed that Mr. Gold should be honored in some way. Bill Greenawalt suggested it would be more appropriate if the memorial were located in the hamlet center. Others agreed and suggested perhaps a sculpture in DeSanti Plaza or breaking the park into two pieces. CGCA members recommended that a formal process for creating memorials should be adopted. The CGCA will write to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and request that it bring a conclusion to the many years of study and formalize the necessary protocols.

CGCA members noted that on June 19, 2003, the ZBA will continue the hearing on the Fuzzy Garcia request to reduce the number of parking spaces from 24 to 17. Supervisor Paul Feiner continues to lobby on behalf of the applicant. Francis Sheehan told CGCA members that he has received mail from residents about this case, forwarded to him not by the ZBA secretary, but by Supervisor Feiner. Mr. Sheehan also noted that for the first time in his eight years on the ZBA he has received phone calls lobbying him at his home (to an unlisted number which he had provided to Town officials) regarding an application before the ZBA – the Fuzzy Garcia application.

Madelon O’Shea reported that at today’s Town Board work session, Councilwoman Eddie Mae Barnes mentioned that several people approached her about the Fuzzy Garcia application. Ms. Barnes stated that those speaking to her obviously had not been told that tables and chairs were illegally placed at the site (both inside and outside) by the two previous renters. Mrs. O’Shea told CGCA members that a land use attorney was approached at a philanthropic luncheon today about the case and he promised to look for any case law that might help the applicant.

Mrs. O’Shea mentioned that she would not object to a parking variance if it could be limited to the existing management. She noted that at least once in the past the ZBA granted a variance that was limited to a particular business and the variance expired when the business ended. Tim Lewis and Mr. Sheehan expressed doubt that such a variance would be legal since variances run with the land. David Kreiness mentioned the applicant has stated that sit-down diners could stay an average of only 25 minutes a night to make the restaurant profitable. Richard Sperandeo noted that the restaurant industry standard is three turn-arounds per night between 6 and 11 p.m.

Brief discussions were held on three other cases scheduled on the agenda for the June 19 ZBA meeting:

Linens-N-Things, Midway Shopping Center, Central Avenue. CGCA members continue to oppose the applicant’s request for a variance for an illuminated wall sign with 42-inch high letters. The ordinance permits 24-inch high letters (plus 10%). Several CGCA members commented that the 24-inch high letters on the wall sign on the north end of the building were clearly visible/legible when driving east on Ardsley Road or south on Central Avenue. It was also noted that the sign on the Vision World store (next to Linens-n-Things) is clearly visible/legible to motorists along Central Avenue.

Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins, Greenburgh Shopping Center, Knollwood Road. CGCA members continue to support the applicant’s request for a Special Permit to convert the vacant bank building into a quick service food establishment. The applicant has agreed to limit retail hours to fewer than 24 hours a day and to ask the shopping center owner to improve the overall appearance of the center.

Prospero’s Nursery, Knollwood Road. CGCA members continue to be concerned about improper drainage from the nursery’s irrigation system that floods neighboring residential properties. The nursery is challenging the Building Inspector’s determination that a use variance is necessary to enlarge a non-conforming nursery use. The nursery tore down a 400 square foot "shed" containing a lunchroom and bathrooms and replaced it with a 750 square foot building without obtaining a building permit. The applicant’s attorney seeks to overturn the Building Inspector’s decision and has presented the ZBA with case law on non-conforming uses.

Attention was called to three applications that are listed on the Tentative Agenda for the ZBA meeting on July 17, 2003:

Union Baptist Church, Manhattan Avenue. The church is requesting more than a dozen area variances to construct a new sanctuary and an addition to the administration building as well as a Special Permit to allow off-site parking in the Crossroads Shopping Center.

Footaction, Crossroads Shopping Center, Route 119. The store is appealing the Building Inspector’s decision to deny a sign permit, or alternately requesting a variance for an illuminated wall sign. Francis Sheehan told CGCA members the store apparently ordered a sign with the wrong dimensions – the lettering is shorter in height than permitted but the sign extends farther in length than the law permits.

215 Endicott Avenue, off of Payne Street, Elmsford. The owner of a one-family house is requesting a Special Permit to house one or two roomers or boarders. CGCA members noted that in April 2003 the ZBA denied a Special Permit for roomers and boarders that was requested by the owner of another house on Endicott Avenue because of insufficient parking and other reasons. Tim Lewis reported that overcrowding is a big problem in the area and the neighbors plan to oppose the application. Several CGCA members mentioned that illegal roomers and boarders are problems in many other areas of Town. Lorrin Brown noted that the Building Inspector sent letters to North Elmsford residents in April regarding provisions in Town Code about roomers and boarders. Mr. Brown urged that the same letter be sent Town-wide.

At its meeting on June 11, 2003, the Town Board held a public hearing on amendments to the Sign and Illumination Law that would have permitted "tent" sales. Supervisor Paul Feiner directed the Town Attorney to draft the amendments after one Central Avenue merchant expressed a desire to hold a carpet sale in a 4,000 square foot (40 ft. x 100 ft.) tent during a three-week period. Numerous civic leaders and residents spoke at the hearing and pointed out that the amendments Supervisor Feiner wanted were poorly written, meant to benefit one merchant and not in the best interest of the community. Unable to defend the proposal against the criticism and losing the support of the Town Council, Mr. Feiner made a motion to withdraw the proposed amendments. The motion passed unanimously.

CGCA members expressed concern about the time limits that the Town Board tried to impose on speakers during the public hearings on the June 11, 2003 Town Board agenda. When asked by Supervisor Feiner, the Town Attorney claimed the board had the right to impose a five-minutes-per-speaker time limit. Ella Preiser challenged the Town Attorney’s position. Mrs. Preiser read from a booklet prepared by the Westchester Municipal Planning Federation (WMPF) that stated: "At a public hearing, everyone who wishes to be heard must be allowed to speak…. Everyone means everyone…. There is also case law that says the board may not place a time limit on anyone’s remarks or presentations."

At the June 11 meeting, Francis Sheehan pointed out that the Town urges staff and volunteer board members (Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals) to attend WMPF training sessions. Mr. Sheehan also noted that Mr. Feiner was a member of WMPF. Councilman Steve Bass informed his fellow board members that the Westchester County Board of Legislators does impose an initial time limit on speakers at public hearings; however, those who have additional comments may speak a second time once everyone else has had an opportunity to speak.

Ella Preiser reported that on June 11, 2003, the Town Board adopted

1. SEQRA findings regarding the "Comprehensive" Plan,
2. the "Comprehensive" Plan and an Addendum to the Plan,
3. a Zoning Ordinance amendment requiring Floor Area Ratio (FAR) (McMansions) limitations for one-family homes and new side yard setbacks for some residential districts, and
4. a Zoning Ordinance amendment requiring density deductions for areas containing steep slopes and/or wetlands/watercourses.

At the meeting, the Town Board also voted 3-2 to close the public hearing on proposed legislation regarding steep slopes and wetlands/watercourses. Council members Eddie Mae Barnes and Steve Bass voted against closing the hearing because of questions about the process and the final wording of these laws. Mrs. Preiser noted that at the work session today (6/17/03), the Town Board accepted the final wording for the proposed steep slopes and wetlands/watercourses laws. Adoption of these two laws and the Historic Landmark Preservation law will be considered at the June 25, 2003 Town Board meeting.

Mrs. Preiser noted that Madelon O’Shea, Bob Reninger and she worked quietly behind the scenes for weeks with the Planning Commissioner to improve the proposed legislation. Many suggestions they made were not even considered in the final versions. The Town Board provided no explanations why the suggestions were rejected. For example, the newly adopted FAR law will permit a 11,500 square foot home (McMansion) to be erected only 8 feet to 25 feet from the side property line (depending on the zoning district). This is not what the community or the Planning Board Chair recommended.

Mrs. O’Shea told CGCA members that on May 27, 2003, the Town Board discussed the proposed laws and process in work session. Members of the public did not attend because they were told earlier in the day the work session would be closed. Mrs. Preiser said she also was troubled by the fact that Town staff members misled (lied to?) the public about the process. At the May 28 meeting, Bob Reninger urged the Town Board to extend the moratorium (set to expire July 1) to September 30 so there would be adequate time to continue working on the proposed laws. The Town Board spent an hour debating whether to extend the Moratorium and when to close the hearings on the proposed laws. Supervisor Feiner supported an extension of the Moratorium Law, but the Town Attorney insisted with only a month before the expiration date, there was no time to process an extension. A review of Town records indicated there was time. The previous Moratorium Law extension was processed in April within a two-week period. The Town Attorney also insisted that amendments to the Zoning Ordinance do not become effective until 10 days after post-adoption publication. In fact, New York State Town Law states that amendments to the Zoning Ordinance become effective upon filing with the Town Clerk. It is unclear whether the Town Attorney had been instructed to give out false/misleading information.

CGCA members discussed the news article by Robert Marchant appearing in today’s (6/17/03) Journal News – "Church sues town, claims violation of its First Amendment rights." Fortress Bible Church, which proposed building a church and a school on six acres of land it owns off Dobbs Ferry Road near the Sprain Brook Parkway, has filed a lawsuit against the Town, seeking approvals to build and $750,000 in damages and legal fees. The lawsuit cites a violation of First Amendment rights to free exercise of religion, unreasonable delays, excessive fees and a suggestion by Supervisor Paul Feiner that the church buy a fire truck or arrange regular contributions to the fire district to advance the approval process. It was noted that in a February 2003 work session, the Town Board opened a special meeting and passed a resolution by a 3-2 vote to assume preparation and completion of the Fortress Bible Final Environmental Impact Study at a cost of $25,000 – more or less. Councilpersons Eddie Mae Barnes and Steve Bass voted against the resolution.

CGCA members agreed that there are legitimate environmental concerns regarding this site, including traffic and steep slopes. Francis Sheehan mentioned that the side yard setback variance requested by Fortress Bible would permit construction closer to the Parkway and away from the adjacent residential neighborhood. CGCA members noted that a few years ago Hebrew Hospital Home donated a fire truck to the Fairview Fire District. It was noted it was fundamentally wrong for Mr. Feiner even to suggest that the process in this case could be influenced if a donation were made by the applicant.

Bob Bernstein drafted a resolution that was adopted by a majority of the CGCA members present at the meeting. The resolution condemns the action taken by Supervisor Feiner in suggesting that an applicant make a donation in exchange for a favorable disposition of the application, asks the Town Board to publicly censure Mr. Feiner for his action and notes the CGCA will publicize the resolution. The resolution will be read into the record at the Town Board meeting on June 25, 2003. Copies of the resolution also will be sent to the media.

During the public comment period at the Town Board meeting on May 28, 2003, Hal Samis questioned whether Supervisor Paul Feiner had given written instructions to Town staff to stay enforcement of violations along East Hartsdale Avenue. Mr. Feiner insisted he had instructed all department heads to enforce the laws but refused to answer the question about the letter. Mrinal Jhangiani from Southern Greenville told Mr. Feiner that the community deserved an answer. Mr. Feiner again refused to respond. Francis Sheehan continued the questioning about the rumored letter asking staff to ignore Town laws and got Mr. Feiner finally to acknowledge that he had sent a letter to Building Inspector John Lucido, telling him not to enforce provisions of Town laws while he (Mr. Feiner) proposed amendments to the laws. Mr. Feiner told the audience that Mr. Lucido said he could not comply with the request. Mr. Feiner then said that he had sent copies of his letter to the Town Board and "publicized" it.

Ella Preiser told CGCA members that on June 2, 2003, she filed a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request on behalf of the CGCA to obtain a copy of Mr. Feiner’s letter. She reported that as of today (6/17/03), two weeks have elapsed since she filed the FOIL request and she has received no acknowledgement regarding the FOIL request.

Danny Gold told CGCA members that he was concerned that the Article 78 lawsuit filed against the Town by Bob Bernstein on behalf of the Edgemont Community Council (ECC) could have a negative impact on the efforts to preserve Taxter Ridge as open space. Mr. Gold also mentioned that he had heard Edgemont residents were lobbying state and county officials not to purchase the property. David Kreiness, the acting President of the ECC (since Jim Lasser’s resignation), stated that he knew of no person lobbying anyone and noted this issue never came up at the recent ECC meeting. Mr. Bernstein said he couldn’t imagine how disclosing information about tax consequences could affect the project and that he understood Westchester County officials supported purchasing the property. Bill Greenawalt mentioned that he is Vice Chair of the Westchester County Parks Board and this board recently approved a resolution recommending that the county help purchase the Taxter Ridge property.

Mr. Bernstein stated that Edgemont residents had questions about the inconsistency of information released regarding the tax consequences for the settlement of the negligence lawsuit and the proposed purchase of Taxter Ridge. For example, the Town has projected the $6 million lawsuit settlement would cost the owner of property assessed at $15,000 approximately $10 per year for a ten-year bond at market rate. However, the Town projected the $3.7 million purchase price for Taxter Ridge would cost the same property owner about $15 per year for a 30-year bond at market rate (or $8 per year for a bond at a lower interest rate). A subsequent email stated the reason for this inconsistency was because the Town entire (including the villages) would pay for the lawsuit settlement, but only unincorporated Greenburgh property owners would pay for the purchase of Taxter Ridge. This response raised more questions.

Mr. Bernstein told CGCA members that Supervisor Feiner did not respond to residents’ questions. Mr. Bernstein said he asked Mr. Feiner to put over the vote regarding Taxter Ridge until questions were answered. Mr. Bernstein filed a FOIL request for documents used in estimating tax consequences. The documents were not released and this further raised suspicions about the legitimacy of the process. After waiting more than the required amount of time for the Town to produce the documents, Mr. Bernstein filed the lawsuit. He noted that he received a phone call today from a Deputy Town Attorney. She told him he would receive the requested documents and asked him to sign a stipulation of dismissal of his lawsuit. Three hours later the Deputy Town Attorney called again and told him he would not receive the projected cost analysis spreadsheet since it could jeopardize contract awards or collective bargaining negotiations.

Danny Gold noted that he was shocked to learn that the Town had not provided the requested information. He commented that Supervisor Feiner said he wanted to make the process about the acquisition of Taxter Ridge as "open" as possible and agreed to sending postcards to notify everybody about the meeting to discuss the purchase. Mr. Gold said that he fully supported releasing the requested information and would call Mr. Feiner the next day (6/18/03).

Ella Preiser reported that 12 people were crammed into a very small office for the meeting of the Cable Board on June 3, 2003. Residents Bill Greenawalt, Hal Samis, Francis Sheehan and Mrs. Preiser attended. A camera was positioned in the hallway outside the room and the meeting was televised. Cable Board members discussed the fact that the Town Board had voted on May 14 and again more formally on May 28 to overturn the Cable Board’s previous votes that directed Cable Coordinator George Malone to remove all programming from Channel 76 that was not official government programming. At the meeting Mr. Malone was questioned about what equipment he needs/wants. A resolution was passed requesting that a person be hired to assist Mr. Malone. The Cable Board also discussed training for residents, a proposal for an "independent" governing board, and arranging a meeting with Cablevision and the Villages regarding renewal of the franchise agreement.

Francis Sheehan reported that Cable Board member Antonio Correia expressed concern at the meeting that the Town Board could override anything the Cable Board proposed. Mr. Correia, who developed a training program for GATV, would not discuss it publicly at the meeting because there was no mechanism in place to ensure that trained residents would be allowed to use the studio or equipment (even a $300 camcorder). Insurance and liability issues were raised and the Town Clerk again said that she would look into these issues. Some Cable Board members expressed shock when the Cable Coordinator mentioned that the production staff for one public access program was permitted to use the cable studio and equipment even though they were not Greenburgh residents. Some CGCA members suggested non-residents are more likely to be approved for a cable access program because they are unlikely to comment on Greenburgh policies and practices. Cable Board Chair Del Hillgartner noted that the Cable Coordinator’s actions were incomprehensible since there was a history of denying residents like Francis Sheehan, Ella Preiser and others use of the equipment because they had not been trained.

Cable Board member Alan Hochberg presented suggested new rules governing GATV and justification for the new rules. His recommendations included a future "independent, not-for-profit governing board" for GATV that would receive all negotiated revenues and would be responsible for hiring/supervising employees. Mr. Hochberg’s recommendations stated that he "intended to remove from politics, decisions affecting the operation of Cable television." However, the recommendations stated that the Town Board would have sole authority to appoint the cable governing board to two-year terms and that one of the seven members on the board should be a Town Board member. Mr. Correia noted that to have all people on a board appointed by the Town Board is not a good beginning for an "independent" board, is illegal, and can turn the organization into a fascist organization. Residents Bill Greenawalt, Hal Samis, and Francis Sheehan also outlined their concerns with Mr. Hochberg’s proposal. Mr. Hillgartner stated he would have to vote against the proposal and asked that it be tabled. Mr. Hochberg agreed to further refine the recommendations. The next meeting of the Cable Board was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2003.

Hal Samis informed CGCA members about events that followed the Cable Board meeting on June 3, 2003. He said he was frustrated by Alan Hochberg’s suggested rules that would leave the Town Board in total control of cable access TV even after a supposedly "independent" cable board had been created. Mr. Samis said his frustration was fueled by Mr. Hochberg reneging on his promise to create a truly independent cable board. The promise, Mr. Samis said, was made to him, Ella Preiser, Francis Sheehan, and Francis Sheehan, Jr. during an afternoon luncheon weeks earlier. Following the June 3^rd Cable Board meeting, Mr. Samis met Mr. Hochberg as he was leaving Town Hall and said: "I’m Jewish and you’re a fascist." [A Cable Board member had used the word "fascist" during the Cable Board meeting, but not in reference to Mr. Hochberg.] The two departed from Town Hall without incident.

Prior to the Planning Board meeting the next night, June 4, 2003, Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg approached Mr. Samis outside Town Hall and stated if she ever heard him say the things he said to Alan. Hochberg, she’d have him thrown out of Town Hall. [Ms. Weinberg was not at the Cable Board meeting the evening before.] He challenged her to go ahead and try and entered the building, taking a seat in the auditorium to attend the Planning Board meeting. Mr. Samis told CGCA members that within a few minutes of Councilwoman Weinberg’s threat, two police officers arrived in separate vehicles. They spoke briefly with Ms. Weinberg and then asked Mr. Samis to leave his seat and accompany them to the rear of the room. Mr. Samis explained to the police what happened as he entered the building and that he and Ms. Weinberg don’t get along. The officers said they would be very upset if they had to come back. Mr. Samis said that he told the officers he hoped they would be upset with the right person should they needlessly be called back.

Mr. Samis said he then spoke to the security guard and asked her who had called the police. She replied she was asked to call the police by Councilwoman Weinberg and Stephanie Kavorias, who was with Ms. Weinberg outside Town Hall. Mr. Samis said that after the meeting he reported what he considered a misuse of the police force and an abuse of power to Chief Kapica and Supervisor Feiner. Mr. Feiner responded by email that he did not believe the police should be called in this type of a situation because people who want to get noticed get more pleasure being kicked out by the police. Mr. Feiner also wrote that he would not want to give the satisfaction for creating something that could become a topic at a meeting of the CGCA.

Ella Preiser reported that although this issue did not appear on the agenda, it was discussed the following week at the June 10, 2003, Town Board work session. Mr. Hochberg attended the work session and informed Town Board members that he was going to resign from the Cable Board as a point of protest because four or five "good people" were at the Town Hall following the Cable Board meeting on June 3, 2003, but they said nothing when Mr. Samis addressed him.

At the Town Board work session, Councilwoman Weinberg gave a very different version of events. She said that at the Planning Board meeting on June 3, 2003, Mr. Samis was yelling and screaming at her and the security guard decided to call the police and report a "disorderly person." [Ella Preiser noted that the security firm has since been replaced and this particular security guard no longer works at Town Hall.] According to Ms. Weinberg, when the police arrived they asked her if she wanted Mr. Samis removed from the building. She said she told them, "no." The police then asked if she would like them to talk to Mr. Samis and she said, "that’s up to you." Mrs. Preiser told CGCA members that Town Board members persuaded Mr. Hochberg to withdraw his resignation. Mr. Feiner promised to run tighter meetings.

CGCA members discussed these events. Ella Preiser and Bill Greenawalt said they witnessed the exchange between Mr. Samis and Mr. Hochberg following the Cable Board meeting and saw no threat of violence. Mrs. Preiser noted that Mr. Samis was not screaming when she arrived at the Planning Board meeting the following evening, but Ms. Weinberg was speaking loudly and appeared very agitated.

Several CGCA members expressed concern that the decision by an elected official to call the police was meant to intimidate and could have a "chilling effect" on public attendance and participation at Town meetings. Some CGCA members also expressed dismay that Mr. Hochberg would threaten to resign over being called a name by someone exercising First Amendment rights but would not resign in protest of the Town Board’s stonewalling of residents’ ability to exercise their First Amendment rights on the town’s Public Access Television station.

MISCELLANEOUS

Separate Mailings to Town Board Members Needed. Madelon O’Shea recommended that a copy of any letter or email be sent/delivered to individual board members since sending it just to the attention of the Town Board does not ensure that all board members will receive a copy.

Feiner Promises Short Lived. At the Town Board meeting on May 28, 2003, Bill Greenawalt questioned Supervisor Feiner’s practice of placing resolutions to be voted on under the "Supervisor’s Announcements" on the agenda, thereby precluding any comments/questions from the public until after the vote has been taken. Mr. Feiner thanked Mr. Greenawalt for bringing this to the board’s attention and promised that in the future, measures to be voted on would not be listed under the Announcements. The Supervisor’s promise was short-lived. On the agenda for the next Town Board meeting (6/11/03), a resolution requiring a vote was listed under "Supervisor’s Announcements."

Planning Board to Review WVL Remediation Plan. It was noted that a landscape architect has visited the buffer area at 65 Westchester View Lane. A plan has been prepared to remediate the damage caused when the owner removed numerous trees and other vegetation in November 2002 in violation of Planning Board resolutions requiring that the buffer remain in its natural state. The Planning Board is scheduled to discuss the remediation plan in Executive Session at tomorrow’s (6/18/03) meeting. The next court appearance is scheduled for June 26 at 11 a.m.

As-of-Right Hartsdale Hamlet Concerns Noted. Deborah Bloom asked CGCA members about the process to modify "as-of-right" uses in the Hartsdale Hamlet Center. She noted that residents are very concerned that a major drugstore chain will occupy the space vacated by the IGA and endanger three other stores in the hamlet. CGCA members responded that it would be necessary to amend the Zoning Ordinance to eliminate objectionable as-of-right uses, but the Town Board has not indicated a willingness to do so.

Energy Agreement Proposed. Listed on the agenda for the June 11 Town Board meeting was a "resolution authorizing the Supervisor to enter into a Letter Agreement for Energy Efficiency Projects with NYPA." The Town’s Energy Coordinator had recommended passage of the resolution. Councilman Steve Bass wanted additional information and asked that the issue be adjourned until the June 24 Town Board meeting. Ella Preiser told CGCA members that the subject appeared on today’s (6/17/03) Town Board work session agenda. Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg said she read the material but couldn’t understand it. Supervisor Feiner said the Town’s Energy Coordinator was at home on her day off and would answer any questions. He called her home and discovered she was not home. The issue was put over to the next Town Board meeting.