COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of July 20,1999 Meeting
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. Of the 34 member groups, the following have paid their 1999 dues:
Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Birchwood Civic Association
Broadview Civic Association
Downing Hill Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
Edgemont Civic Association*
Edgemont Community Council, Inc.
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Glenville Community Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hillcrest Park - Ardsley
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Longview Civic Association|
Lower Manor Woods Civic Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
North Elmsford Civic Association
Northern Greenville Civic Association
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Parkway Homes Civic Association
Poet's Comer Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Civic Association
Stone Oaks Condominium
The Colony at Hartsdale
The Cotswold Association, Inc.*
Westchester Hills Condominium
Woodhill Civic Association
*2000 dues have also been paid.
Tonight's meeting was conducted by Vice-Chairperson, Cleo Oliver.
To date, thirty-two groups have paid 1999 dues. There is $988.62 in the treasury. Minutes of the January 19, 1999 meeting were read and approved. Minutes of the June15, 1999 meeting were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to circulation.
CABLE TELEVISION
CGCA program taped in the spring not shown - yet. A CGCA program, in which Carol Wielk was interviewed, was taped this spring but has yet to be shown. A program featuring Alice Moroney and water filtration experts also has been taped but not aired. (And, Alice reported that another filtration segment must be taped to complete reportage.)
Taped Town Board meetings not available/shown; community programs not being shown; erroneous Bulletin Board information. Copies of the June 23 and July 14 Town Board meetings are not available, and CGCA members have also not seen them on public access TV. In addition, The Three Cs (with Cleo Oliver and Cora Carey) has not been shown in a month, although it was reported that the show ran tonight - after the issue was discussed at the July 14 Town Board meeting. And, Bulletin Board information - listing shows, channels, dates, and times - is often incorrect. Consistency of time slots is imperative.
CGCA to offer Monday night time slot for airing candidate debates.
Channel 16 - villagers get reception. It was noted that Town information including Town Board meetings should be aired on Channel 16 since Channel 14 programming does not reach the villages.
Cable staff needs Town support. Equipment problems, the hot downstairs cable room in Town Hall, the "blame game," and other staff issues were discussed. Equipment repairs and hook-ups are needed but overlooked, and CGCA members wonder how public access funds are being used. Information from Town Clerk Alfreda Williams and Albany will be sought.
RESIDENT-UNFRIENDLY TOWN MEETINGS
Last minute agenda changes is troubling because it often affects the "open meeting" portion.
No microphones at the last two Zoning Board meetings.
Town Board meetings often start later than listed on schedule. Residents who've attended recent meetings have had to wait 15 minutes to a half hour for the meetings to begin because not all Council members assemble on time.
LEATHER STOCKING LANE LANDFILL
Residents have talked with the District Attorney's office, State employees, Congressman Ben Gilman's office, etc. who say that the issue is a local matter. Town officials claim there is "no Town law' that could have prevented the situation. A recent truckload of debris dumped at the site was subsequently re-loaded and removed. Two truck drivers were arrested and two trucks - with debris in them - were impounded. Neighbors are concerned not only with drainage problems that will occur as a result of the 30-foot-high pile with no retaining walls, but with contaminated fill. The possibility of the property owner being paid to receive questionable debris was also discussed. The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has scheduled a boring test for July 27, although the testing time is not available. A concern was raised that the DEC might select an area that has been "cleaned up" for the test. CGCA members suggested the area may be a "mini Alfredos." Neighbors and concerned residents have taken videos and pictures of the operation.
Bulldozer left running for ten minutes. A CGCA member watched a bulldozer operator at the site get off the equipment without shutting it down, for a ten minute period (a violation of State law), during which time the operator scooped up fill in his hands and smelled it.
Sally Ballera threatened with harassment charge. Ms. Ballera's property abuts the site of the dumping and is severely, adversely affected . She recently received a visit from the police department; Supervisor Paul Feiner was threatening to charge her with harassment in the matter.
New Town landfill ordinance proposal. It was reported that the proposed ordinance amendment will make future landfill situations worse, not better. The Town Board has adjourned the public hearing until the second meeting in September.
Lot irregularities. The Town map shows five lots owned by the recipients of the dumped materials, but the middle lot has been split in half ("22" and "22A").
MASTER PLAN: BEING "LITTLED AWAY"?
Some Town Master Plan volunteers are becoming discouraged, and wonder if the Master Plan process isn't turning into "a great waste of everyone's time." Saratoga Associates may also be discouraged at the "littling away" of the process, as directed by Planning Commissioner Stephen Lopez. It was suggested that the Master Plan Committee's August meeting be videotaped for public access TV.
9A MULTIPLEX
Demolition of the Masters building began illegally on Sunday, July 18 at 6 a.m. On the following Monday (19) and Tuesday (20) the police were called again when work commenced before 7 a.m. The police arrived after 7a.m. - at which time such construction noises are legal. The developers have been trying to stretch construction hours at the site. (The theater is expected to be in operation by December.)
It was also reported that there's no "bubble" for asbestos removal.
HARTSDALE PARKING PROBLEMS
The Planning Board will meet with Stephanie Kavourias of the Hartsdale Parking Authority to discuss parking problems in Hartsdale. There is very limited parking for East Hartsdale Avenue (downtown) residents, and for Hartsdale merchants in both the downtown and 4 corners areas. Thirty-seven stores have no on-site parking for customers. Some doctors and nurses use metered parking spaces, adding coins throughout the day to avoid tickets. It was suggested - again -- that the East Hartsdale Avenue area be considered as a special zoning district so provisions for particular businesses in this unique area can be made without requiring Town-wide zoning code changes.
ADULT USE
An impersonal letter sent to the Adult Use Committee by the supervisor on June 17, said, "A number of years ago you expressed interest in serving on the Adult Use Committee," and went on to ask if the three members "are still interested in serving on this committee." In fact, the committee met several times with the supervisor and staff during the winter of 1996, but had not heard from the Town since rejecting the Town's concept of an Adult Use Zone in northern Greenburgh. The three committee members requested another meeting in March 1996 but have not heard from the Town until recently. On November 28, 1995, Supervisor Feiner wrote to civic association presidents for names of volunteers to serve on the committee. While the Edgemont group nominated Diona and Ron Koerner, they were not given dates of the meetings.
Chase A. Caro was recently asked by the supervisor to serve on the committee, and agreed to participate.
STICKLEY FURNITURE
Copies of a letter written by Irene Zuck and published in The Journal News about the supervisor's visit to the Fulton Park community accompanied by Stickley's owner and store manager on July 14 (just prior to the Town Board meeting) were distributed and discussed. Attempts to convince the community the development will be "good" failed, and community interests were not served when the Town Board voted to approve the new 70,000 square foot Stickley building (Stickley currently occupies a 40,000 square foot facility across the street). There are concerns that severe traffic impacts and flooding problems will surely result from this new development. At our June meeting, CGCA members accurately predicted the 3-2 Town Council vote for approval - with the two Council members seeking re-election voting against the project, the three-person majority voting to allow the project to move forward.
The CGCA is dismayed that the vote was taken during the summer when many residents are not available for public comment and that the Flood Prevention Law was not followed.
UNANIMOUS VOTE TO CONTINUE TO HAVE CGCA MINUTES REFLECT WHAT TAKES PLACE AT CGCA MEETINGS
The supervisor, in a June 18 letter, said he was "very disappointed that the Council has rejected my requests and keeps looking for excuses not to allow me to meet with you." Further, the supervisor said, "It is very frustrating when the minutes of the Council misrepresent my views." CGCA members who take and produce the monthly minutes are highly offended at the latter statement. The CGCA unanimously voted to continue having minutes reflect what takes place at our meetings - which is the purpose of minutes. The supervisor did not specifically point out any error in the minutes - he merely seems to expect the Council to support his views and method of management. Further, the CGCA does not need the supervisor's micromanagement.
MISCELLANEOUS
Unanimous vote to reimburse members for copying expenses. Since the Town rescinded free photocopying privileges for volunteers who make copies of Town-related materials, some CGCA members have personally incurred the expense. From now on, CGCA members will be reimbursed from the treasury.
No response - yet - from the Town regarding the appointment "process" used for Town Boards and committees.
Secor Homes & CGCA file appeal on WFAS antennas. The secretary to the ZBA indicated that Building Inspector John Lucido didn't really issue a "decision" regarding the legality of the WFAS tower and antennas. SHCA and CGCA anticipate a letter from Town Attorney Rick Turner. No date has been set for the appeal.
Secor Homes - Westchester View buffer. Copies of a July 20 letter from SHCA to Planning Commissioner Stephen Lopez were distributed and discussed.
Vilma France moves to White Plains. A letter from Vilma, who recently moved, urged CGCA members to "carry on!" The CGCA will miss Vilma's many contributions, untiring community spirit, and, especially, her friendship; we all wish her well.
Thanks to Napoleon Mitchell. The President of the Juniper Hill Civic Association copied the CGCA in his June 7 letter to the supervisor regarding Chelsea Homes construction and quality of life issues.
Dunkin Donuts - construction has begun. The store will be on the east side of 9A, at the vacant lot near the site of the former Goodyear Tire facility.
Home Depot (Mt. Pleasant). The Mt. Pleasant Planning Board is still reviewing the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Aqua Bar (in Masters' Shopping Center) issued a cabaret license - but only until the end of the year.
Police Chief John Kapica's June 17 letter regarding "Scarsdale Security Systems Franchise" was briefly discussed.
9A road improvements meeting on July 22, at 6 PM, Secor Park. Not everyone knows about the meeting, and it hasn't been announced in the newspaper.
Gas station canopy moratorium to expire this month. And, the Town Board has not extended it.
Older, historic home demolished in Scarsdale. It was noted that Scarsdale may regulate tearing down older, smaller houses then putting up larger houses on the same property. Greenburgh should do likewise.
Zoning enforcement needed at Moundroukias property on Central Avenue. The owner is in violation of each of the 23 conditions.
Articles distributed. In addition to the copies of articles and letter already noted, the following were distributed:
- June 17 letter from the Antenna Review Board's
Chairperson, Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, to Zoning Board Chairman, Steven
Balasco regarding the Onmipoint application
- July 7 "Letter to the Editor," The
Journal News: "Future bypass won't solve current problems," by
Mary Tobias
- "Taking root" (about Grassroots for
Greenburgh), a short article in The Scarsdale Inquirer, June 11
- "Town blocks plans at water tower
site," The Scarsdale Inquirer, June 18
- "Young people move to stop
violence," The Scarsdale Inquirer, June 18
- "Development: Scarsdale wisely gives APU last chance," The Journal News, June 27
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM.