Minutes of Meeting - July 19, 2005

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 
Winding Road Farm Association 
Woodhill Civic Association 
Woodlands-Bradley Civic Association

To date, thirty-eight civic groups have paid dues for the year 2005. There is $1,470.55 in the treasury. A few bills are outstanding. Minutes of the CGCA meeting on June 21, 2005 were approved.

The meeting was held at the Theodore D. Young Community Center.

CGCA TO SCHEDULE/PROMOTE LWV-STYLE DEBATE FOR PRIMARY CANDIDATES

Madelon O'Shea told CGCA representatives that at 8 a.m. this morning (7/19/05) Danny Gold emailed her husband the following brief message regarding the proposed CGCA Primary Debate: "Rod, please share with Madelon and Ella. I won't be a moderator of an empty chair debate. Danny." Mr. Gold's email included previous email exchanges, which are reprinted here verbatim.

Mr. Gold wrote to Supervisor Paul Feiner on July 18 at 11:53 a.m.

Paul, I don't know if anyone contacted you yet but the Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations is planning to hold a Supervisor and Town Board debate on Aug. 29, 30 or 31. I will be the moderator. Ella is trying to contact George to ensure that the debate can be taped and rerun. Can you ask George to provide Ella with available dates? Thanks for your cooperation. Danny

Mr. Feiner responded to Mr. Gold at 12:28 p.m. on July 18.

Can you hold the debate the following week when people are home from vacation? I'm not sure if I'11 be out of Town those dates. Paul

Mr. Feiner then sent another message to Mr. Gold at 11:40 p.m. on July 18.

I welcome debating my opponents and also welcome having you as the moderator. I know that you are fair. But, I don't want to participate in a debate sponsored by the council of civic associations. During the past few years this organization has been very hostile to me -I feel that some of their public comments have been extremely unfair and partisan. Having the council as a sponsor would provide my opponents with a big unfair advantage unless another partisan from my side (Richard Garfunkel, for example) would be the co-sponsor -representing the Greenburgh Liaisons. I suggest, as an alternative to the council of civic associations being the sponsor, that the competing candidates sponsor the debate -with you as the moderator. Or, in the alternative, the League of Women Voters should be the sponsor. Before the debate all the candidates should have the opportunity to agree to guidelines. Please advise. Paul

Mrs. O'Shea said she appreciated that Mr. Gold sent her the email exchanges but she couldn't understand why he felt he had a duty to get involved and personally contact Mr. Feiner. She noted that arrangements for the debate were already well underway when Mr. Gold sent his email to Mr. Feiner. Ella Preiser advised that a week earlier she had spoken to Cable Director George Malone who indicated he was free all three days (Aug. 29, 30 & 3 1) to tape the debate. She also had reserved (tentatively) the Town Hall meeting room for the three days.

CGCA representatives discussed Mr. Feiner's illogical reasoning - that he didn't think the CGCA as a sponsor would be fair while acknowledging that the moderator chosen by the CGCA would be fair. No one understood why Mr. Feiner felt a CGCA-sponsored debate "would provide [his] opponents with a big unfair advantage." [Note: Mr. Feiner has only one opponent - Bill Greenawalt - in the Democratic primary scheduled for September 13, 2005.]

Mrs. Preiser noted that in 2001, Mr. Feiner objected to the CGCA holding a primary debate even though he was not being challenged and would not be participating. Mr. Feiner also objected to Danny Gold moderating that debate ("he might make a face" or not be able to deal with "booing or hissing" audience members). Mrs. Preiser said she invited Hastings-on-Hudson resident Claire Lee, the League of Women Voters member who chaired the cable subcommittee of the Greenburgh Campaign Finance Commission, to attend and critique the CGCA-sponsored debate held on August 30, 2001. Ms. Lee did attend and complimented the CGCA for running a fair and informative debate.

Mrs. O'Shea said since Mr. Gold has stated he does not plan to moderate if Mr. Feiner doesn't participate, the CGCA needs a backup. CGCA representatives agreed that CGCA Vice Chair Cleo Oliver should be asked to serve as moderator. Mrs. O'Shea said that she would approach Ms. Oliver.

Mrs. Preiser presented a draft of the letter that would be sent to potential candidates inviting them to participate in the debate. After some discussion it was decided only two days - August 30 and 31 - should be considered so the live telecast would not be pre-empted. She also reviewed an informational sheet that will be sent to the candidates about the debate and the rules for the debate. The rules will follow League of Women Voter Guidelines and be similar to the rules used at CGCA-sponsored debates in 1999 and 2001. A traditional, formal debate format will be used. Potentially there are two candidates for the office of Town Supervisor and five candidates for the two offices of Town Councilperson. At least two candidates will be featured for each primary race. If only one candidate agrees to participate, that candidate will be given "x" minutes to make a statement. Time limits will be allotted for opening statements, closing statements and responses to questions. Initial speaking order will be determined by lot and rotated throughout the debate. The goal is to permit audience members to ask as many questions as possible. At the suggestion of Elinore Gordon, it was agreed that the available time during the evening should be equally divided among the number of participating candidates. The rules were adopted by a unanimous vote. Letters inviting candidates to participate will be sent out immediately, including a letter to Mr. Feiner. Once it is established how many candidates will be participating, and thus how time should be allotted, a copy of the rules will be sent to the participating candidates and the CGCA will begin publicizing the event.

Concern was expressed that the debates might not be allowed to play uninterrupted on the town's government access cable Channel 76. It was noted that in 1997, Town Council candidate Nancy Delahunt, who had limited resources, sent out a mailing advising voters to watch her promotional tape on a certain evening on cable television. Without informing Ms. Delahunt, the "powers that be" directed that the tape not be shown. When residents tuned in, they saw instead a "puff piece" about the Town. In September 2001, despite a Town Board resolution and Mr. Feiner's assurance to a newspaper reporter that the debates and candidates' tapes would play in a continuous loop over the weekend before the primary, Mr. Feiner unilaterally decided that enough people had seen the tapes and ordered the Cable Director to remove them from the airwaves. To avoid a repeat of such unfair practices, CGCA representatives unanimously agreed to ask the Town Board to pass a resolution guaranteeing that the debate(s) and any candidates' promotional tapes will replay in a continuous loop over the two weekends prior to the September 13 primary.

MASSIVE "McMANSIONS" FALL THROUGH NEW "FAR" REGULATION CRACKS

Madelon O'Shea reported that recently she has heard from a number of people from different areas of Town who are concerned that some of the newer houses being built are dwarfing the well-established homes in neighborhoods. She said that the CGCA should consider sending a letter to the Planning Board and Town Board, asking that the Town re-evaluate floor area ratio (FAR) and setback regulations. Michelle McNally mentioned a house being built on Ardsley Road that is massive compared to what was there. She noted that the owners removed a large number of trees, but the work is being done legally under existing legislation. Mrs. O'Shea mentioned a very large modern house that was built on Mount Joy Avenue that is out of character among much smaller, older Tudor homes.

GREENBURGH'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS NEED TO BE PRESERVED/DOCUMENTED

Madelon O'Shea expressed concerned about two barns, circa 1890, on Old Army Road that have been recently demolished. One of the barns housed the original butcher shop in Old Edgemont. Unfortunately, Louise Clark, the Edgemont historian, was never permitted to take photographs of the inside. Ms. Clark heard from the previous owner that in addition to the original meat hangers, the prices of meat were listed on the barn walls. Mrs. O'Shea said the Historic and Landmarks Preservation Board plans to send a letter to the Town Board, the Planning Board, the Building Department, the Engineering Department and the Town Attorney's office, requesting the Building Department to change its building permit and demolition permit forms to include the dates that structures were built. Mrs. O'Shea noted that she received a phone call this afternoon that there is a farmhouse built in 1736 on the market and a builder wants to buy it and knock it down. She noted, if nothing else, it is important to obtain pictures of these old structures because otherwise the history of Greenburgh will be the victim of a wrecking ball.

GREENBURGH RESIDENTS' & BUSINESSES' FLOOD LOSSES CONTINUE TO RISE
FLOODS MAKE ROADS IMPASSABLE

Irene Zuck reported on the lengthy and troubling dealings she has had with the Town regarding flooding of Manhattan Brook. She noted that residents in buildings C and D of the Fulton Park apartments sustained massive damage from the flooding that occurred in Greenburgh on June 29, 2005. Residents complained that water coming into their basements was gushing out from the Stickley furniture store property. After the storm, residents piled mountains of storm-damaged debris outside the buildings creating a public health problem. The sanitation supervisor finally sent five trucks on July 8, 2005. Ms. Zuck said her home was not flooded but was surrounded by a horseshoe of water about four feet deep.

Lloyd Cort inquired about the flooding problem and said a solution could be achieved by consistent follow-up and asking for a time frame. Ms. Zuck noted that it has been an ongoing problem for 35 years. She said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) did a great job in the 1970s erecting a retaining wall on the left side of County Center Road but a poor job on the right side. She noted five years ago when the area flooded, the Town did not write to the USACE to dredge the brook. Instead the Town insisted any problem could be successfully handled by monitoring and removing debris from the brook. She said there has not been sufficient monitoring. Recently, someone from the Town came to clear a tree from Manhattan Brook, that should have been removed before the storm, and broke two of the stanchions. She said she has informed the Town that a retaining wall is cracked. Ms. Zuck reported that Mr. Feiner has written a letter to Westchester County Executive Andrew Spano blaming the county and saying that the Bronx River backing up causes the problem.

Elinore Gordon commented that the June 29 storm left two feet of water on her part of County Center Road where there is no brook or river. She said soil washed out and created a big ditch and one neighbor had a huge sinkhole in the lawn. Michelle McNally reported that the amount of water actually lifted manhole covers. It was noted that some roads caved in and soil washed out in many areas including at Town Hall. The Theodore D. Young Community Center indoor gym floor was flooded, causing significant damage.

Ella Preiser said that flooding along the Saw Mill River created enormous problems. She said it is unknown how much rain actually fell on June 29 during the two-plus hour storm, but a local rain gauge that can measure a five-inch rainfall overflowed. Non-elevated homes on Babbitt Court were inundated. Businesses in North Elmsford sustained multi-millions of dollars in flood damage from floodwaters more than four feet deep. Route 9A and Route 119 became impassible in some areas creating traffic nightmares. She noted that the June 29 storm was very localized and not all areas of Greenburgh were impacted. Similarly, the storm that severely flooded parts of White Plains yesterday (7/18/05) and some areas of Greenburgh, such as the Four Corners, dropped little rain in other areas of Greenburgh. However, it caused backups on Central Avenue, Route 119, Route 100A and Route 100B, creating massive regional traffic problems. Francis Sheehan said it took him 50 minutes to go from his house to an Antenna Board meeting at Town Hall - a drive that normally takes ten minutes. Mrs. Preiser said flooding problems and flood victims receive some attention immediately after a storm event but little is done to correct the problems to prevent future flooding. She noted that the USACE has studied how to fix the Saw Mill River in Greenburgh for decades but flooding continues.

EMERGENCY CLOSING POLICY NEEDED FOR TOWN HALL

Ella Preiser noted that a Planning Board meeting was scheduled for June 29, 2005 - the day of massive flooding. She said she spoke with Janet Insardi, Deputy Town Attorney to the Planning Board, during the storm and said the intersection of Route 9A and Beaver Hill Road was flooded and traffic on area roads was a nightmare. She urged that the Planning Board meeting be cancelled. Ms. Insardi was not able to reach the Planning Board chair, who worked in White Plains where the rain was not severe. Robert Reninger and Ivan Sargeant went to Town Hall for the meeting, as did the court stenographer and a few others. The meeting was not cancelled until after 8 p.m. and was only cancelled after the Planning Board chair learned that there would not be a quorum of Planning Board members. Madelon O'Shea said that she called the Police Department earlier and was advised not to go out because of the traffic and road flooding. Michelle McNally was on the road coming from New York City and had no way to learn the meeting was cancelled.

CGCA representatives expressed concern that the Town apparently has no policy in place to cancel scheduled meetings in the event of emergencies. Town Attorney Tim Lewis pointed out that the Planning Board is a volunteer board, which has authority to decide on its own when a meeting should be cancelled. It was noted that it is nearly impossible to reach anyone at Town Hall after 5 p.m. CGCA representatives felt certain there will be other emergencies and a policy should be established so that residents do not have to risk life and limb to go to Town Hall to find out if there is a meeting. Irene Zuck suggested that the police should be the focal point. Deborah Bloom agreed that if the police tell callers to stay off the roads, meetings should be cancelled. The CGCA voted unanimously to write to the various boards of the Town and encourage them to set in place a policy, based on information from the Police Department. Perhaps a phone number should be established at Town Hall that residents may call after hours to obtain information about emergency closings.

SCARSDALE GOLF CLUB MAY BE MISREPRESENTING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Madelon O'Shea reported that she has had conversations with two people who live at 180 East Hartsdale Avenue about the 52-foot high net the Scarsdale Golf Club wants to erect to protect against errant golf balls. She said the club appears to be trying to "divide and conquer" and now is offering to put up the net only in front of 140 East Hartsdale Avenue, not in front of buildings at 120 and 180. Deborah Bloom said that board members from the co-ops on East Hartsdale Avenue met last week and have put notices up in the buildings urging residents to attend the Zoning Board meeting on Thursday, July 21, 2005. She said the golf club has claimed it is trying to work with members of the community but none of the people she has had conversations with have been contacted. It appears the golf club has only talked to people who live in a rental building on East Hartsdale Avenue.

Mrs. O'Shea said she continues to have concerns that the proposed net will snag birds because there is a migratory bird path connecting the golf club, Greenburgh Nature Center and Edgemont High School. She said she has heard the golf club has already changed the angle of the driving range. She also remembers that in the late 1980s the golf course moved a hole and relocated a wetland to a new location on the property when "The Classic" residential building was constructed. She said it would be worth while to explore the history of the golf club which she was told goes back 100 years.

SPECIAL USE PERMIT ADVANCED TO TRY TO RESOLVE "CLINIC" CONTROVERSY

Robert Reninger told CGCA representatives that on July 6, 2005, a new element - the concept of granting a special permit - was introduced at the Planning Board discussion regarding how to amend the Zoning Ordinance to deal with the Greenburgh Health Center. Mr. Reninger said the Broadview Civic Association feels the idea of a special permit has merit but at present the association is much more comfortable with strict language placed in the Ordinance rather than vague generic special permit conditions. Mr. Reninger noted that the Broadview Civic Association had written a letter to that effect to the Planning Board. He distributed copies of the letter to CGCA representatives. He said the history of special permit uses in the Town had not been that good and the approving board generally has been given too much discretion in determining what conditions should be applied. Madelon O'Shea mentioned that the Planning Board will be discussing the proposed amendment tomorrow (7/20J05) at its work session. She said she heard the Planning Board is likely to re-approve its previous recommendation to the Town Board to make clinics (without restriction on the type) as-of-right uses in all non-residential zoning districts in the Town.

PLANNING BOARD HAS BUSY AGENDA

Madelon O'Shea mentioned that in addition to discussing the issue of an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding medical and dental clinics, the Planning Board will consider a number of applications at its meeting tomorrow (7/20/05)

• Hackley School Expansion. Several residents of the Village of Tarrytown have appeared at public hearings and complained that their properties are being flooded by work that was done previously on the Hackley School property. Former Town Engineer Mike McGarvey and current Town Engineer Mike Lepre are not comfortable saying that the drainage problem is coming from the school site.
  
• Winding Farms Estates Subdivision. The public hearing was closed (7/6/05) on this request to create an eight-lot subdivison in the Ardsley area. The applicant was able to bring sewer lines to some of the proposed lots but because the road is a private road and owners have not given permission to run lines under the road, some of the lots will have to be served by septic systems. The application also calls for a steep slopes permit and a wetland/watercourse permit.
  
• Old Sprain Road Subdivision. Further review will take place of this application for an 11-lot subdivision near the intersection of Underhill Road and Old Sprain Road. Ms. O'Shea noted that at the last discussion, the traffic engineer didn't appear to understand where the schools are located and proposed that everyone would take a left hand turns to head to Ardsley Middle School. She noted the property was a farm with dry walls (stones just piled on top of stones).
  
• 30 Robin Hill Road Subdivision. This proposed two-lot subdivision may be complicated by neighboring lots that were not previously legally subdivided.

APPLICATION BEFORE ANTENNA BOARD MAY VIOLATE ZONING

Robert Reninger noted the Antenna Review Board is currently reviewing an application to put three cellular antennas on the roof of the building at 297 Knollwood Road. Lorrin Brown mentioned there were already antennas on the building. Michelle McNally said that several of the antennas have been taken down. Mr. Reninger said the building itself may not comply with the approved site plan. It appears that a partial 5th floor has been erected. He said that the Broadview Civic Association has asked the Building Inspector for an explanation. There apparently is a public relations firm in the 5th floor penthouse at present. Madelon O'Shea said she remembers a film company having small offices on the 5th floor of the building years ago.

ESCROW ACCOUNT PROPOSED TO PRESERVE MORE E. IRVINGTON OPEN SPACE

Ella Preiser reported that on June 28, 2005, although the subject was not listed on the agenda, Danny Gold attended a Town Board work session and informed the board he would like to establish an escrow fund to be used to preserve additional open space in East Irvington. He mentioned that developers might want to contribute to the fund to compensate for impacts their developments had on the community. Mr. Gold said the plan would be similar to the agreement that was arranged with the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association which hoped to benefit from the extension of the WestHELP lease. Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg wanted to make sure the arrangement would not have any impact on the escrow fund set aside for recreation that developers are required to make when building residential units. Mr. Gold assured her what he was suggesting was additional contributions from developers. Ms. Weinberg said the Town could look into how to set up such a fund.

Mrs. Preiser told CGCA representatives that Mr. Gold phoned her last week and told her that his presentation to the Town Board on June 28 mentioned only one of the options his community is considering. It appears that the Robert Martin company is offering a substantial donation to the East Irvington community in exchange for community support of plans to develop the Avalon Green II (Nob Hill) project. Another option under consideration is that the donation could be made to an independent organization, like the Trust for Public Land, which could purchase the land and sell it to the Town.

Madelon O'Shea noted that in the past the Robert Martin Company had made offers of money for purchases of parkland and has also offered land it owned on Route 119 to build a new Town Hall. But the offers have always come with strings attached, and she did not feel comfortable with any civic group signing off on a development that impacts a much larger community. For example, if East Irvington agreed to a deal to get more open space in their area, would the Elmsford School District have to absorb the number of children the Nob Hill development would generate.

Deborah Bloom questioned the idea of one area of Town receiving large chunks of money when other areas of Town may need it more. Lorrin Brown agreed. Francis Sheehan suggested giving money to the Library to reduce the cost of the building bond. Town Attorney Tim Lewis said that we all have to be fair. He asked if someone came and offered to give money to preserve open space in your community, would you say, "Oh, no! We want to share it with everyone." Ms. Bloom responded that the Town Board has a responsibility to look out for the interest of the whole Town. Robert Reninger said he understood why Mr. Gold was making the request - because the Town approved the WestHELP agreement with a civic association. Michelle McNally noted that every time a piece of land went on the market in Edgemont, residents were told that the land was too valuable to preserve and it should be developed to create taxes. She said if East Irvington wants to acquire more open space, the local residents should create a park district and not expect unincorporated taxpayers to pay for maintenance.

Mr. Lewis responded that he feels the same way about sidewalks - if people want sidewalks in their area they should create a sidewalk district and pay for them. He said he disagrees with Bob Bernstein who advocates that sidewalks should be paid for with general funds. Ms. McNally said she did not think there was any analogy. She noted that Mr. Bernstein called for sidewalks on major thoroughfares where there is an issue of public safety. She said the Town is not being asked to put in or shovel sidewalks at taxpayer expense on every street, but only on roads such as Ardsley Road, which leads to a train station and connects municipalities. Ms. Bloom agreed that the Town should be doing something about major thoroughfares. Mr. Lewis said that people who scream the loudest and are best organized get results to the detriment of others. Even if it is legal, he does not think it is fair.

Francis Sheehan said that the Town does not have a history with sidewalks, but it does have a history with parklands. He recalled when escrow funds were kept in separate zones throughout the Town. He noted the Fairview community kept generating funds and felt the money should stay in Fairview. There was plenty of open space but none of it was preserved. Now Fairview is all developed and there is no land left to preserve. The escrow funds were put into one pot and used to construct the Multipurpose Center at Anthony F. Veteran Park, which is nowhere near Fairview. Now that money is gone. Mrs. Preiser reminded that the contribution Mr. Gold referred to was not recreational escrow funds, but additional funds from the developer. Mr. Sheehan said he was aware of that fact but was making the point that there is a certain unfairness in have some areas forgo or share monies generated from developers in their areas - like Fairview or Edgemont - while other areas do not.

LEGALITY OF WESTHELP RENT PAYMENTS UNDER REVIEW

Ella Preiser mentioned that at the June 28 Town Board work session, Town Attorney Tim Lewis said that he was investigating whether the arrangement to distribute funds from the WestHELP lease was legal. Mr. Lewis told CGCA representatives that rental money is supposed to be used for Town-wide purposes and it is still an open question whether giving money to a school district is a Town-wide purpose. Under the 10-year WestHELP lease arrangement, the Town agreed to give $650,000 each year to the Valhalla School District and $100,000 each year to the Fairview Fire Department and has made such payments. An additional $100,000 each year was supposed to go to benefit the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association area, but no payments have been made since it is unclear whether this arrangement is legal. Robert Reninger noted that the Broadview Civic Association has asked the Department of Audit and Control in Albany to conduct a risk assessment regarding these arrangements. He noted representatives have visited the Town Hall several times but he has received no response to his requests to the Town to share the results of the risk assessment. Mr. Lewis said that outside counsel, Paul Bergins, is handling this issue.

TOWN HALL DESIGNED FOR EMPLOYEES - NOT FOR THE PUBLIC

Ella Preiser raised questions about problems the public experiences at the Town Hall. She noted that most Town employees have been given more than adequate workspace, but the Town Board apparently did not believe that the building needed to be configured to accommodate public attendance at meetings. She said numerous people have complained that the fixed seats in the auditorium are extremely uncomfortable - even Supervisor Feiner stated this on camera at a meeting when he sat in the seats. Provisions have not been made for the boards and members of the public to see plans presented on boards. Plans that are projected on the screen behind the dais cannot be seen unless the lights are turned off, and board members sitting at the dais cannot see the plans because the screen is too close. Conference rooms were not designed large enough to hold even a small number of people other than the board members who sit in comfortable chairs around large tables. Sufficient seating is not provided at work session meetings in conference rooms and some applicants and members of the public are forced to stand if they are lucky enough to fit in the room.

Mrs. Preiser said the most troubling problems that should be corrected immediately are the audio problems that plague meetings of the Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals in the Town Hall. She noted that at the Town Board meeting on July 13, 2005, once again the microphones did not work. The room was filled with residents but most of them could hear little of what was said. Lorrin Brown said the reception over the cable access television system was okay.

Robert Reninger said similar audio problems occur at Planning Board meetings. The Planning Board has a table set up in front of the dais in the auditorium for its work sessions because there is no conference room in the building that is large enough to accommodate applicants and the public. However, since microphones are not provided, the public cannot hear the board members discussing applications. The arrangement with tables and chairs in front of the dais also creates other problems when there is a public hearing/discussion before the Planning Board. Applicants and the public wishing to speak must climb over and/or squeeze around the chairs to reach the lectern and a microphone.

CGCA residents unanimously passed a resolution requesting the Town Board to immediately purchase extra microphones and/or repair the existing audio systems so that everyone in the room can hear the proceedings as required under the Open Meetings Law.

ROUTINE PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE NEEDED AT TOWN HALL

Madelon O'Shea said that she is troubled that the Town Hall is becoming increasingly dirty. She commented that rugs are stained and -gum and stains on the floor of the auditorium have not been removed for months. She noted there is mold or something that looks like mold on some of the paneling in the lobby. The paneling has not been oiled and is very dry and looks like it will start to flake. Francis Sheehan said it would be appropriate to ask when was the last time the paneling was oiled. Lloyd Cort agreed that Mrs. O'Shea should bring these matters to the attention of the Town Board. He mentioned they could be handled by a phone call. Mrs. O'Shea said the Town should consider hiring a professional cleaning firm to come in at least once a month to clean the building. She said that she would attempt to bring the matter up at the Town Board meeting in August. She noted that members of the public were not allowed to address the board at public meetings during the past two months. Ella Preiser stated that on July 13, 2005, for the first time in two months, members of the public willing to stay until around 11 p.m. were given five minutes to address the Town Board. However, a number of residents were given unlimited time earlier in the meeting to speak about their parking problems.

PUBLIC "A NO-SHOW" AT WELL-ADVERTISED COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETING

Ella Preiser reported that once again Supervisor Paul Feiner has discovered that people are apparently not interested in attending "community outreach meetings" in the parks. Mr. Feiner sent out hundreds of letters inviting area residents to a meeting at Hartsbrook Nature Preserve at 7 p.m. on July 14, 2005. The meeting was well attended by Town Board members and Town employees. Francis Sheehan, candidate for a Town Board seat, was the only person attending who was not on the Town's payroll. Mrs. Preiser told CGCA representatives that she felt it was wrong to force people like Town Attorney Tim Lewis and Planning Commissioner Mark Stellato, who both have young children, to forgo family time to attend such futile meetings. Poor attendance at community outreach meetings has become increasingly common.

NOWAY RALLY PLANNED

Ella Preiser circulated a Neighborhood Organizations for Westchester and Youth (NOWAY) flyer. The flyer told about a rally, planned for July 8th (but cancelled due to rain), to protest the Westchester County plan to close homeless shelters in Yorktown and at the Westchester County Airport and to relocate individuals currently housed in these shelters to a new shelter at the Grasslands Reservation. Neighbors living in the area are concerned that "Level 3" sex offenders will be within walking distance of two children's hospitals and their homes. Residents of the Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association had agreed to a limitation on the number of beds for homeless at the Grasslands shelter when they agreed to extending the lease for the WestHELP homeless shelter on Knollwood.

MISCELLANEOUS

UV Plant Will Disinfect Water. CGCA representatives noted there was an article in yesterday's (7/18105) local paper about plans to start construction of an ultraviolet water treatment plant on the Mount Pleasant side of Grasslands Road in September. Construction of the large plant, which will process water from the Catskill/Delaware water systems, will take about five years. An underground connection chamber exists on the Greenburgh side of Grasslands Road.

Colony Residents' Concerns to be Addressed at Public Hearing. Madelon O'Shea mentioned that the CGCA should keep watch on what's going to happen at the Marshall's shopping center on Central Avenue. The owners want to move the chains that keep trucks from going in back of the stores at night. The Town Board has set a public hearing for August 17, 2005 to consider the amended site plan. Mrs. O'Shea said there appears to be a trailer parked illegally overnight behind the Best Buy store.

Work Stopped at Office Building Site. Robert Reninger asked if anyone knew whether a stop work order had been issued for the Losco office building being constructed on West Hartsdale Avenue across from the Mighty Joe Young restaurant. No one had an answer but all agreed that work appears to have stopped at the site.

Union Baptist Church Granted Approval to Expand. At the Town Board meeting on June 22, 2005, after a rather lengthy delay trying to get a planned PowerPoint presentation to work, the Union Baptist Church was granted Comprehensive Development Plan approval to build a new 750-seat sanctuary and a 17,000 square foot education and administration building. The church will need to seek parking variances from the ZBA.

Tree Ordinance Amendments Scheduled for September Hearing. Madelon O'Shea reported the Town Board plans on August 17, 2005, to schedule a public hearing on the Conservation Advisory Council's (CAC) proposed amendments to the Tree Ordinance. The hearing would be held on September 14, 2005. She noted she and Ella Preiser had spent hours with members of the CAC expressing their concerns with previously proposed amendments. Michelle McNally has also worked with the CAC. No one has yet seen the revisions. Town Attorney Tim Lewis said the proposed changes would be placed on the Town's Web Site and hard copies will be available in the Town Clerk's office.

Antenna Board Member Refuses to Participate in Reviews. Francis Sheehan reported that Antenna Review Board (ARB) member Murray Bodin has announced that he will not participate in reviewing applications. Mr. Sheehan said this is a serious matter since the main purpose of the ARB is to review applications. Mr. Bodin claims the process is trivial and all the ARB does is determine whether `i's are dotted and 't's' are crossed. Mr. Sheehan said Mr. Bodin claims he can't review applications unless they are on disk on his computer in GIS system format.

Yonkers Resident Seeks Edgemont Schools. Town Attorney Tim Lewis advised that a Yonkers property owner wishes to buy a tiny parcel of land from Unincorporated Greenburgh to merge with his property. Residents will be eligible to attend Edgemont schools. This will obviously increase the value of the Yonkers property. Michelle McNally, who formerly served on the Edgemont School Board, noted that the Edgemont School District would be compensated at the Yonkers school rate.