COUNCIL OF GREENBURGH CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Minutes of September 21, 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 14 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 Corner 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.
To date, thirty-two groups have paid 1999 dues. There is $988.62 in the treasury.
Minutes for the August 17 meeting were not available.
HURRICANE FLOYD HITS GREENBURGH
Last week's Hurricane Floyd wreaked havoc in Northern Greenburgh's industrial and commercial areas adjacent to the Saw Mill River, and in residences on and near Babbitt Court. Supervisor Paul Feiner eventually went to Babbitt Court - which was almost entirely under water - after being prompted to do so. Damages were estimated in the millions as businesses and homes were flooded, and a wall fell at Nob Hill in the Village of Elmsford. Sections of 9A and 119 became impassable rivers, and lengthy traffic snarls ensued. CGCA members noted that problems were compounded by blacktopped flood plains surrounding the Saw Mill River.
PUBLIC ACCESS TV: THE PROBLEMS CONTINUE
There was a lengthy discussion about problems that continue to plague the Town's community cable access programming:
- The CGCA's primary debate (for Town Council
and Judge candidates) on August 31 was to be replayed on Friday, September
I0 (Rosh Hashanah) according to Town Clerk, Alfreda Williams. It was
not shown as promised, denying residents an opportunity to see and hear
primary candidates discuss the issues as a group.
- Although the Town Board passed a resolution,
Cablecasting Time for Public Access Television Programs Relating to
Candidates for Elected Office (April), subsequent programming has not
provided "a fair and even playing field" for candidates. Public
access programming featuring the supervisor, for example, played repeatedly,
while some candidates got limited coverage at unscheduled times because the
Bulletin Board/printed calendar schedule isn't followed. In short, the Town
Board's resolution is being ignored by Town officials.
- When a primary candidate asked if the
September 8 Town Council meeting at the Gaisman property would be aired or
telecast before the primary, he was told it would not. The candidate
commented, "Oh, the power of the incumbency!" - to which one Town
Board member responded, "You betcha!"
- Some taped shows have been "lost" or
are inaudible.
- Some residents requested a time slot but were told, "others are ahead of you," yet shows from Briarcliff Manor, Port Chester, and even Texas are run.
The CGCA agrees that an independent citizens' committee, not Town Clerk Williams should oversee public access TV. The names of Del Hillgartner and Lloyd Newland were mentioned as possible committee members. Danny Gold will write a letter of recommendation. A suggestion was also made that the CGCA develop a white paper listing all public access TV violations of FCC regulations.
WETLANDS SWAP TABLED
The Westchester County Board of Legislators tabled a September 7 proposal for possible development on eleven acres of state-owned wetlands near Antun's in Greenburgh in exchange for preservation of a 3 1/2 acre wetlands parcel in New Rochelle. Legislator Tom Abinanti said the county should work to save the New Rochelle wetlands without giving up wetlands elsewhere. Abinanti, quoted in The Journal News, said, "This looks like a scheme to put developable land in the hands of developers" (September 8, p. 3B) State Assemblyman Richard Brodsky also opposed the transaction, but Town Supervisor Paul Feiner now says he will "keep an open mind" on the swap.
The Syracuse Brothers, involved in the wetlands swap proposal, have been recent Feiner campaign contributors, making a $1,000 contribution on April 3, and another $500 on May 31.
LEATHER STOCKING LANE
The landfill situation was discussed at today's Town Board work session. Town Engineer Brett Auerhan and Commissioner Al Regula both say there's "no problem." Auerhan said there was only a tiny bit of asphalt in the soil and it would be removed. Neighbors videotaped black goo and orange foam at the site. A tree was also removed. Town police took more than an hour to respond to a call yesterday. Witnesses say trucks come in pairs; the first truck dumps contaminated soil, the second truck deposits clean soil on top. The possibility of the land owner being paid to accept contaminated materials is also a concern. There was a recent fine in excess of $25,000 for hauling contaminated soil in two trucks, but the DA is working very slowly.
Timothy Hiltz, a neighbor, is trying to get the Board of Health to check black goo and orange foam in his yard; he's also concerned about erosion on his property.
Proposed dumping/landfill legislation is on the Town Board agenda tomorrow night (September 22). Under the current Code, only soil and rock may be dumped. There's a concern that the new legislation will allow dumping of other materials.
SHOPPING CART LEGISLATION?
While residents living near Route 119's Crossroads Plaza mall want legislation making it illegal to remove shopping carts from the premises, Supervisor Feiner recently commented that he didn't want to "throw an 85 year old" in jail for using a cart to get groceries home. Neighborhoods near the mall, however, are littered with carts, which affect the quality of life, and residents say senior citizens are not responsible.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PROBLEMS
Early this month, Ella Preiser wrote a letter to The Journal News that was within the newspaper's 250-word limit. However, her letter was edited and twenty words were cut, including a May 1997 citation from TJN quoting Town Board member Les Adler in his original opposition to the Open Space referendum. One day after the Preiser letter appeared, a fast-turnaround response from Adler was published touting his support of the referendum. TJN's critical deletion together with Adler's denial of his referendum opposition resulted in an attack on Ms. Preiser's integrity. Although several residents subsequently wrote to TJN's about their handling of the matter, no other letters were published.
In addition, Sally Schaadt wrote a letter to TJN that was not published -- because, Schaadt was told, she's a "public official" and cannot have a letter published. (Schaadt is a member of Greenburgh Central 7's School Board). Another resident, not a public official, wrote to the newspaper on the same topic (fraud committed by Supervisor Feiner in his primary petition effort), but that letter was not published either.
COMPANY WANTS TO DEVELOP IN ARDSLEY
A company wants to develop 26 acres to be accessed by a very narrow piece of land on Ardsley Road near the Sprain Parkway. The company needs property owners to sell land and has used intimidation tactics (including the possibilities of future noise and becoming landlocked). Supervisor Feiner is against the development. There may also be water problems if the development takes place.
CLOSING HEARINGS PREMATURELY
There's been a recent tendency to quickly close public hearings before the Planning Board, and leave the record open. An example: Fairview and Hartsdale fire commissioners have been against incidental dining, but Planning Board Chairperson Fran McLaughlin, closed the hearing quickly. Once a hearing is closed, the public can no longer have input other than in writing.
CGCA SUPPORTS FUNDING FOR DISASTER PROCEDURE EDUCATION
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously passed to support funding that would provide all Town superintendents with education about necessary procedures in the event of a disaster (such as that at Columbine High School). A two-day conference is a possibility.
ARB TO REQUEST RECUSAL
Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, Antenna Review Board chairperson, reported that the ARB plans to request that ZBA member Mal Baumgarten recuse himself from the ZBA's decision on Omnipoint's proposal for 177 East Hartsdale Avenue because of comments Baumgarten made publicaly during the case. The CGCA agreed that ZBA members should not prejudge a case and will make a statement at the next ZBA meeting.
Planning Commissioner Steve Lopez is handling the process of selecting a consultant on the Omnipoint matter; three consultants have been interviewed. The ARB - who requested a consultant - wanted to be part of the selection process.
MISCELLANEOUS
CGCA debate prior to November 2 election? The question was raised, but it was noted that the League of Women Voters scheduled their debate for October 14.
No response - yet - from the Town regarding the appointment "process" used for Town Boards and committees.
Veneziano campaign contributions. The law firm working with National Amusements made a campaign contribution to Supervisor Feiner shortly after the Town Board approved the new 9A multiplex movie theater.
Sunoco convenience store. Consideration of site plan and special permit approval to convert a gas station garage to a convenience store won't be on the Town Board's September 22 agenda although it's listed on the tentative agenda. The application has been withdrawn.
Sprain Road: it will open.
Bed and Breakfast issue must be addressed. B & Bs aren't allowed in Greenburgh, but there are some already in operation.
CD City to close.
Big K to open October 1. They're seeking variances to erect a 10-foot high wall sign; the Code allows 2 feet. The CGCA will support a larger sign - but not 10 feet -- at the September 23 ZBA meeting
The Supervisor wants to end the Prospero's case, requesting zoning changes for the nurseries.
Large projects: the Spring Hill hotel and Ameri-Suites, both on Route 119.
Brief discussion: mosquito spraying and the encephalitis scare.
Saratoga Associates to be in Greenburgh on October 5.
Home Depot (Mt. Pleasant) likely to go through. Mt. Pleasant is requiring 200 more parking spaces than the developer wanted, for a total of 600.
The meeting adjourned at 10 PM.