WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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WPCNR TRAFFIC ADVISORY. February 26, 2010: White Plains  Chief of Police James Bradley advised WPCNR as of8:30 A.M., White Plains is experiencing some localized power outages due to down wires.

He reports White Plains Roads are very slippery and people should stay home so DPW can do their job. No other major incidents.

New York State Thruway reports I-84 CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS EXIT 6-EXIT 21

Motorists should plan for extended delays on I-84. Motorists familiar with the area may wish to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

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WPCNR THE REALTY RECORDER. February 24, 2010: Rand Realty citing White Plains Multiple Listing Service statistics on White Plains sales in the October, November December 2009 quarter showed that 104 White Plains homes were on the market, and that the average sale price for the 48 homes sold  in that period continued to drop, off 24%.2 from the identical final quarter of 2008.

There were 13 more home sales in the final quarter of 2009 than there were in the final quarter of 2008. The Median Selling Price (meaning exactly half of the 48 homes sold sold for above the median price, and half below it), continued to fall…off 22.5%. That median price is $542,000, down from $700,000 in 2008.

The average selling price was $583,832 for the 48 homes sold in the last quarter, down from the $770,003 average sale price for the 35 homes sold in 2008.

The average time it takes to sell a home continues to be about five months  and 3 weeks. There were 104 homes on the market as of January 1.

In contrast, when all of Westchester County home sales in the fourth quarter are taken into account, across the county the Average Selling Price only declined 1.2% as opposed to the  24.2% decline in White Plains average selling price. This could be taken to mean high end homes are not coming on the market, and that those that are on the market are selling for less than they used to, a lot less. But at least half the homes sold above the $542,500 level.

In the fourth quarter, White Plains homeowners who sold their homes averaged selling their homes for 5.6% less than they originally listed them for. For example if you put your home on the market for $600,000, you could expect to have to take it down $33,000 more before selling.  Across the county homeowners were settling for 7.4% less than their asking price in the final quarter.

There were 54 homes put on the market in White Plains last quarter, and the inventory was 104 as of December 31, 2009.

Rand notes that “median prices fell 25% (in White Plains), however that does not necessarily mean your home lost 25% of its value.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. February 21, 2010: The Bradley Administration is putting the finishing touches on a new “Sewer Usage Charge” on city water use, Mayor Adam Bradley’s Chief of Staff, John Callahan confirmed to WPCNR Sunday.

John Callahan, City Chief of Staff.

The legislation now in process, WPCNR estimates, could conceivably generate a $1Million windfall to the city, by channeling the surcharge into a new Sewer Fund, similar to the City Water Fund, while spreading the cost of maintaining the city sewers proportionately to the largest users. Presently the cost of maintaining the sewers is charged in the city general fund.

The legislation, not yet presented to the Common Council, Callahan said, would transfer part of the cost of maintaining the city sanitation sewer system to properties now tax-exempt from the city property tax, including county-owned buildings, federally-owned buildings, hospitals, churches and the city school district, all of which are now city property tax-exempt.

Callahan said the legislation would establish a surcharge to each user’s water bill based on the amount of water the property used. The current figure being considered is 10%, he said. He said the average annual water bill in White Plains is $200, and if the 10% tax is passed by the Common Council this means the average additional charge to the water bill would be $20, for homeowners.

A large office building, a hotel, a school, an apartment building owner with considerably higher water usage would pay more of a surcharge proportionately.

 Proceeds of the new “sewer tax” would be dedicated into a special fund (the Sewer Fund to be created) which WPCNR has been told by City will be dedicated to paying the $777,802 budgeted for sewer charges in the general fund. The costs of maintaining the city sewers would be transferred out of the general fund and into the new proposed Sewer Fund.

Callahan said the city did not have numbers yet on exactly how much “surplus” over the annual $777, 802 budgeted in 2009-10 would be generated.

In 2009-10, the water fund is budgeted to generate $10,688,811, approximately 90% of which is based on “services,” supply of water. WPCNR reasons that, if a 10% surcharge (“sewer tax”) is enacted  eventually this would mean the new sewer charge could conceivably generate $1.6 Million and with expenses pegged at $778,000, the city would generate a $922,000 surplus

This might contribute to replenishing fund balance, or other uses, and at the very least, make the city balance sheet look a million dollars better. The surplus possibly would be greater if city water rates go up as expected due to New York  City increasing the rates to White Plains.

Callahan said that communities are allowed to legislate such a surcharge without approval by the state legislature.

News of the plan comes just two days after Mayor Adam Bradley told WPCNR he was considering no further cuts in the current 2009-10 city budget to cut back on the expected deficit  at the close of June, 2010 when the current fiscal year ends.

The Budget & Management Committee meets this Thursday to consider the first look at what city departments are looking at in expenses being budget for 2010-11.

Callahan told WPNCR the program could conceivably begin July 1, the start of the new fiscal year, if approved by the Council.

Asked if the city was considering a commuter tax, Callahan that was not being considered (at this time).

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman Robert Castelli’s Office. February 16,2010: Bob Castelli was sworn in Tuesday to the office of Assemblyman, New York Assembly District 89, at the Mt. Kisco American Legion Hall, with friends, family members and supporters in attendance, one week after being elected to complete the 11 months remaining in the term of Adam Bradley. Bradley resigned the seat after running and winning the Mayor’s Office in White Plains.

Bob Castelli Being Sworn In by former Justice Charles Banks in Mount Kisco today.

“New Yorkers are hurting,” Castelli said.  “State, county and local governments are running short on funding and taxpayers are continually squeezed for more and more of their hard-earned dollars. Together, we overcame tough odds to win this election.  With your continued support, we can change the way things are done in Albany and work to make the state a more affordable place to live while laying the foundation for a stronger New York”
 
After taking his Oath of Office, Assemblyman Castelli remarked that he is looking forward to getting to work at the state capitol reiterated his campaign pledges to reform Albany’s corruption and dysfunction, and cut state spending and property taxes to reverse New York’s hostile business climate and foster an environment that creates private sector jobs.

“We need to move away from the tax and spend politics of the past and move the state in a new direction, one of fiscal responsibility and reduced burdens. That’s why I was elected to represent the 89th Assembly District and that’s what I will be fighting for in Albany and at home,” Castelli said.   

Castelli noted that he looks forward to shaking up the status quo in Albany and restoring the publics confidence to what is widely regarded as the most dysfunctional state government in the nation. 

“There is no greater threat to the hard-working honest taxpaying citizens than government corruption,” Castelli said. “With every ounce of my being, I will fight to enact the toughest ethics legislation in the nation to put an end to the corruption in Albany and restore public confidence in state government more affordable place to live for hardworking families.”

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