COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of Meeting – August 21, 2001
The Council of Greenburgh Civic Associations seeks to provide information to and advance the common interests of member civic groups in important Town affairs. The following civic groups have paid dues for the year 2001:
Ardsley Estates Civic Association
Beaver Hill Association
Broadview Civic Association
East Hartsdale Avenue Civic Association
East Irvington Civic Association
Edgebrook Cooperative, Inc.
Edgemont Community Council, Inc.
Fort Hill Association
Fulton Park Civic Association
Granada Condominium III Association
Hartsdale Highlands Civic Assoc.
Hillcrest Park-Ardsley Civic Association
Hillside Wyndover Civic Association
Homestead Owners Corp.
Juniper Hill Civic Association
Knollwood Manor Civic Association
Knollwood Neighborhood Association
Lower Manor Woods Neighborhood Association
Mayfair-Knollwood Civic Association
Parkway Gardens Civic Association
Secor Homes Civic Association, Inc.
Southern Greenville Civic Association
The Cotswold Association, Inc.
The Sprain Road Association
Washington Avenue Civic Association
Westchester Hills Condominium
Winding Road Farm Association
Woodhill Civic Association
To date, twenty-eight civic groups have paid dues for the year 2001. There is $803.70 in the treasury.
Minutes of the July 17, 2001, meeting were read and approved with minor corrections that will be made prior to distribution.
Attendance was at an all time high for an August meeting, with the Conference Room filled to capacity to the door. CGCA members welcomed for the first time: Timothy Lewis, President of the North Elmsford CA, Richard White, a new resident of Poets Corner, and two guests from the Town of Mount Pleasant who are interested in establishing an umbrella civic association in their town.
Those present wished "A Happy Birthday" to CGCA Chairman Danny Gold.
UPDATE - UNIFICATION CHURCH PROPERTY
Danny Gold reported that efforts to save 200 acres of the Unification Church are moving forward. Area residents are working with the Westchester Land Trust and have formed the "Committee to Preserve Taxter Ridge" to raise awareness and get legislative support from state, county and local officials. A contract has been signed to purchase the property but there are still aspects that need to be finalized. Thousands of notices have been mailed regarding the September 10 fundraiser to be held at the Westchester Broadway Theater. The Cabaret Benefit Concert will feature East Irvington resident Carole Demas ("The Magic Garden") and her co-host, Paula Janis, as well as other performers.
CGCA ADOPTS RULES FOR PRE-PRIMARY DEBATES
CGCA members discussed and formally adopted rules for the CGCA-sponsored debates to be held on August 30, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Greenburgh Town Hall. Copies of the rules will be sent to all candidates running in the September 11 primary. Democratic Party candidates seeking the two four-year seats on the Town Board - Diana Juettner, Francis Sheehan and Timmy Weinberg - have agreed to participate in the debate. Invitations have also been extended to the three candidates running for the two four-year seats on the Town Board in the Conservative Party primary - Michael Collins, Margaret Mahoney and Frances Pulle. To date, Frances Pulle has agreed to debate. FCC rules do not permit empty chair debates. The CGCA rules provide that if only one of the candidates agrees to participate in a debate, that candidate will be given the opportunity to make a three-minute statement.
The debate(s) will be cablecast live on Channel 71. A request has been made to have two people operate the cameras for the debate and Stephanie Bellino and Ella Preiser have volunteered to do so if George Malone is unable to secure the help of others. The debate(s) also will be re-aired during the continuous loops along with candidate tapes during the two weekends before the primary. The weekend 24-hour loops will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday and continue until Monday at 8 a.m.
SECOND PRE-PRIMARY DEBATE SCHEDULED
Town Councilman Steve Bass informed CGCA members that a second debate has been planned. The Democratic Committees of Dobbs Ferry and Hastings-on-Hudson are jointly sponsoring a debate for Democratic candidates (Diana Juettner, Francis Sheehan and Timmy Weinberg) involved in the primary election for the two seats on the Town Board. This debate will take place on Thursday, September 6, at 8:00 p.m. at the Embassy Club in Dobbs Ferry.
SUPERVISOR FEINER ADVOCATES CENSORSHIP
Ella Preiser reported on two meetings that she attended regarding candidates' access to cable television during the primary and general election seasons. Supervisor Feiner invited candidates running for office to a meeting on July 24. He made no mention of the recommendations made by the Greenburgh Campaign Finance Commission (GCFC) regarding candidates' access to cable TV. Instead, he noted that the Town Board had discussed the issue and "voluntarily... wanted to improve our system... and open it up so nobody feels they're being treated unfairly." He repeatedly stated that he wanted "fair and equal" access to cable television for all candidates, but he also demanded that all "issue-oriented" cable programs be removed from the air during the campaign season to not give any candidate an unfair advantage. He specifically singled out two cable shows - the "Three Cs" and the CGCA's program. He commented that Cora Carey had been involved in Francis Sheehan's campaign carrying a petition and "its not fair for her to have a program on where she could be bad-mouthing the Town government." [Note: Cora Carey is a Democratic district leader and carried the petition for all six candidates endorsed by the Democratic Party. In addition to Francis Sheehan, the petition contained the names of Paul Feiner, Diana Juettner, Steven Bass, Alfreda Williams and David Dwinell.] Mr. Feiner also stated the CGCA is political and he did not want the CGCA "to basically get involved, have a program where they're bad-mouthing the town ...." He was repeatedly informed that the current CGCA program involved Chairman Danny Gold interviewing Stephen Belasco, Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, about area variances and use variances. Francis Sheehan repeatedly stated that he did not want any program censored.
Mrs. Preiser noted that when she requested time for the August 30 CGCA debate to be re-aired, Mr. Feiner stated that he wanted the CGCA to hold a meeting and allow the candidates to decide on rules for the debate. When she objected and informed him that the rules complied with LWV guidelines and FCC regulations, he relented. However, he then launched into an attack on CGCA Chairman Danny Gold serving as moderator for the debate. Mr. Feiner stated: "I'm not saying Danny Gold is unfair, but he's active. He's involved :n the community. if somebody says what are you doing about the Unification Church property or Avalon Green, and let's say he makes a face or facial expression. Or let's say somebody makes a comment and the audience boos or hisses or whatever and then he [interrupted]." A number of people attending the July 24 meeting requested that another meeting be scheduled and that someone other than the supervisor chair the meeting.
A second candidates' meeting was scheduled for August 6. Claire Lee, from the League of Women Voters who had chaired the cable subcommittee of the GCFC, attended but refused to chair the meeting or lend the name of the LWV. Supervisor Feiner did not participate. Agreement was reached that candidates would be entitled to make a promotional tape not exceeding 15 minutes in length. At the suggestion of Francis Sheehan, it was agreed that the tapes would air from 10 to 11 p.m. on Channel 71 during weekdays (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) and in a continuous loop over the three weekends prior to the primary. The CGCA debate will also be part of the weekend loop for the two weekends prior to the primary. Candidates not involved in a primary will be entitled to make 15-minute tapes to be aired the three weeks and weekends following the primary. Similar arrangements will be made for candidates before the November general election.
TOWN PROMISES TO ADDRESS FLOODING PROBLEMS
The Town Board held a special meeting on Babbitt Court on August 8 to address the flooding issues that have plagued Babbitt Court residents and other property owners in the Village of Elmsford and north of the village line in Unincorporated Greenburgh. Residents and property owners were not pleased with the Town's response to the long-standing flooding problems along the Saw Mill River. It appears that the Town has not timely filed papers with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and thus residents who have flood insurance cannot obtain funding to which they are entitled to make improvements to their property. Representatives from federal, state and county offices attended the meeting and promised to work together to address the problem. The Town Board passed several resolutions regarding the issue and promised to file the required FEMA studies and reports in time for the next funding cycle. The Town also voted to study and identify all areas subject to flooding, not just those in the Saw Mill River basin.
CGCA members were informed that in January 1999 the Town was informed that the Town's Flood Damage Prevention Law did not comply with FEMA standards. Blanche Alter (Planning Board Member), Francis Sheehan (Zoning Board of Appeals member) and volunteers Madelon O'Shea and Ella Preiser met numerous times with former Deputy Town Attorney Mindy Hartstein in 1999 and 2000 to rewrite the law. The Town schedulled a public hearing on the law in April 2000 but has taken no steps to pass the legislation and it now appears that the file with the final changes has been lost.
Richard White, who moved to Poets Corners on June 16, attended the CGCA meeting and reported that flooding is not unique to those owning property along the Saw Mill River. Twelve hours after he moved into his home, the "Father's Day Flood" occurred. Three feet of water flooded his garage and home, causing about $10,000 worth of damage. Mr. White noted that Francis Sheehan and Paul Feiner visited his home, as well as Al Regula, DPW Commissioner, and Michael McGarvey, Town Engineer. After yesterday's heavy rain, the Town was out videotaping the brook, which remained just below the flooding level. It was noted that yesterday's rain did flood a number of streets in the North Elmsford area.
Mr. White noted that in response to his initial letter regarding the Father's Day flooding, the town sent a letter to local residents living along Rumbrook that they were in violation of a Town law that required property owners to clean debris from the brook running through their property. Residents were notified July 18 that they would be subject to a $500 a day fine if the brook was not cleaned within one month.
Copies of letters Mr. White had written to state and federal officials asking for their help were distributed. The letter notes that the Town prepared a "Drainage Plan for Rumbrook" study in 1994 that identified improperly installed drainpipes and storm sewers. Mr. White noted that Al Regula and Michael McGarvey have been supportive in attempts to correct the problems.
COUNTY PLANS NEW HOMELESS SHELTER
Alice Moroney reported on County Executive Andrew Spano's proposal to put a homeless shelter for 233 adults on the Grasslands Reservation. The proposal calls for closing three to four other shelters - a motel in Yorktown, 2 shelters at the County airport and one at Grasslands (housing people in the hospital). The County Board of Acquistions and Contracts voted 3 to 2 in favor of the proposal with Lois Bronz casting a "no" vote. Mr. Spano's office claims that the nearest residential neighborhood is over two miles away and there would be no effect on the environment. The County does not wish to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Town of Mount Pleasant is demanding that an EIS be prepared.
Although the proposed shelter would be located in the Town of Mount Pleasant, the closest residential neighborhoods are in Greenburgh. The Mayfair/Knollwood Civic Association was willing to support a renewal of the 10-year lease for WestHELP, a homeless shelter located on county property adjacent to Westchester Community College since there have been few problems with the families living in the shelter. [The original lease required the property to revert to the Town after ten years and be used for housing for senior citizens and/or town employees.] However, Mayfair/Knollwood residents are now reconsidering their decision based on the county's proposal to place another homeless shelter in this area.
CGCA members voted to request that our local County Legislators - Tom Abinanti, Lois Bronz and Suzanne Swanson -voice opposition to this proposal because of the heavy concentration of shelters located within this area. Copies of an August 10 article in the Journal News about this issue were distributed.
POORLY WORDED EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE REZONING RUSHED
A lengthy discussion took place about the proposed rezoning of East Hartsdale Avenue. The Planning Board was under pressure from the Town Board to make a recommendation by August 15 and closed the August 1 public discussion without hearing from all those present. On August 15, Planning Board members were presented with yet another version of the proposed legislation. Three members of the Planning Board voted to make a recommendation to the Town Board, but two members (Robert Nadel and Kevin Morgan) abstained from voting because they had just received the revised legislation and did not have time to digest it and reach an informed decision. Since the law requires a majority of the Planning Board (at least four members) to vote either in favor of or against any proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, there is no official recommendation from the Planning Board. [The Scarsdale Inquirer erroneously reported a positive recommendation had been made. The reporter who was not in attendance, obviously was provided the erroneous information by Town officials.]
Stephanie Bellino told CGCA members that today she received a letter of intent for a use that is not permitted under either the current zoning or the proposed new zoning for East Hartsdale Avenue. She was not at liberty to reveal the proposed use but noted it was upscale, would generate less traffic than other permitted uses and involved a professional who was licensed by the state and attended medical school. CGCA members voted to support adding language to the proposed legislation for a special permit for another type of business if they find this additional proposed use acceptable.
At today's work session (August 21), the Town Board received copies of yet another version of the proposed rezoning legislation. Supervisor Feiner insists East Hartsdale Avenue is a "ghost town" but there will be 90% occupancy if a fitness club is permitted. He is intent upon rushing through this proposed, poorly worded, amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to permit a fitness club to open. Both Mr. Feiner and Councilwoman Timmy Weinberg insisted they have been advised that Planning Board members want the Town Board to be the approving agency for any special permits on East Hartsdale Avenue. This directly conflicts with statements that Planning Board members have made to community residents. At today's work session, a straw vote was taken. The board voted 3 to 1 in favor of supporting the latest version of the proposed law (Councilman Steve Bass voted against). However, a question remains since the ordinance provides that a super majority (four votes) is necessary to approve any amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that have not been recommended by the Planning Board.
Tomorrow night (August 22) the Town Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed rezoning. The Town Board plans to close the hearing and vote on this legislation at next Tuesday's work session at 4 p.m. No additional input will be permitted from the public after tonight's hearing. COCA members continue to have questions about this poorly worded legislation - e.g., why does a fitness club need a 3,000 square foot restaurant that serves alcohol? CGCA members also agree that the Planning Board should be the approving agency (not the Town Board) for any special permit uses and conditions must be spelled out for any uses requiring a special permit. CGCA members were urged to attend the meeting to voice their concerns.
LIGHTING, MORE SURVEILLANCE REQUESTED AT TRAVIS HILL PARK
At the Town Board meeting held at Travis Hill Park on June 27, residents requested that lights and more security be provided in the park to prevent vandalism. It was noted that the park is too dark for guards to patrol the area. The Town Board indicated it would try to find $6,000 in the budget to install lights. The idea of installing surveillance cameras also was raised. Lloyd Newland, President of the HillsideWyndover Civic Association, told CGCA members that the community is in favor of installing lights and increasing surveillance. Questions and concerns remain about installing cameras. Cleo Oliver noted that the issue would be discussed at a joint meeting of the Police Advisory Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. The meeting is scheduled for next Monday at Anthony Veteran Town Park. It is unclear whether the neighbors in the Travis Hill area have been notified of the meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS
Millennium Gas Pipeline. Alice Moroney reported that federal regulators have agreed to hold another meting to hear the concerns of residents regarding the proposed routing of the Millennium Gas Pipeline. The meeting has been scheduled for September 4 at 7 p.m. at the Thornton Elementary School, 121 South Sixth Avenue, Mount Vernon.
Police Respond to North Elmsford Concerns. Tim Lewis noted that the major problems in the Payne 3Street area include traffic and a 'oral store where people congregate. Police have responded promptly when complaints have been filed.