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 THE FEINER REPORT. By Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner. May 1, 2007: Al Regula, Commissioner of Public Works has presented the Town Board and me with a report analyzing the flooding problems on E Hartsdale Ave. The recent flood (April 16 & 17) resulted in nearly 8 inches of rain fall and significant damage to many drainage systems throughout the town. Extensive damage and flood related problems were experienced along E Hartsdale Ave. This was caused by the flooding of the stream located behind and under the properties on the west side of the avenue.

This stream serves to provide storm water drainage for the adjacent properties, as well as upstream areas. This stream is located almost exclusively on private properties, and does not have any easement on the part of the town. It is highly likely that floating debris, generated by stormflows, once again contributed to this most recent drainage backup.

The town has the ability of creating a drainage district. The formation of such a district has been accomplished by the town in the past. District formation would allow the cost for any engineering and analysis, as well as the cost for any improvements of the subject drainage system, to be borne by the district and funded by member property owners. The creation of such a drainage district would require legislative action by both the Town as well as approval by the state.

The Commissioner of Public Works has prepared a draft RFP for professional services for watershed analysis and engineering studies. These tasks would be initially required to determine what improvements, if any, are feasible for the drainage facilities located in the East Hartsdale Ave area.  The creation of a district is only one option. Other approaches that the town could/should take will be discussed at this meeting.

In recent days I have met with Congresswoman Nita Lowey ,State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins  & County Legislator Tom Abinanti.  They toured the avenue with me and have expressed interest in working with the town to come up with long term and short term mitigation measures.

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. May 1, 2007: There is a Native American proverb that says “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors – we borrow it from our children.” Earth Day represents an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our stewardship of the planet we’re leaving for them. The Assembly marked this year’s celebration of Earth Day Monday by addressing longstanding environmental issues in our state and country with proactive legislation to protect our planet for our children and grandchildren.

The legislative package takes positive steps toward protecting our natural resources and ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment. I’ve long been an advocate for a more comprehensive environmental policy that guarantees future generations will be able to enjoy the natural beauty of our communities.

Our Earth Day package included legislation I authored to allow individuals the power to protect our environment and challenge, through legal court proceedings, those who cause ecological harm (A.1435). Under current law, an individual can be prohibited from bringing forth a lawsuit if he or she witnesses environment abuse. That’s not the way the system is supposed to work. We need to permit these important legal challenges; everyone should have the right to question the findings of State Environmental Quality Review Act proceedings.

We also passed several measures to improve our state’s environmental regulations and promote smarter, healthier and greener standards for everyone, including business, residents and government. Specifically, the legislation tackles global warning by promoting energy efficiency, keeping our waters clean and curbing pollution. The measures would:

·        establish the Climate Change Solutions Program and Fund to direct money from the auction of emissions allowances associated with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) toward increasing energy efficiency, encouraging the development of clean, renewable sources of energy and advancing other air quality goals (A.7365 and A.7366);

·        require that all new construction and renovation of state buildings must comply with the United States Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Rating levels by using energy, water and land more efficiently and effectively (A.2005);

·        mandate the testing of drinking water from private wells when a property is sold or transferred – reducing the risk that new property owners will unknowingly drink contaminated drinking water (A.7231); and

·        require that state infrastructure funding be consistent with smart growth principles, with priority given to existing infrastructures and projects that are consistent with local governments’ plans for development – instead of new, expansive, and expensive infrastructure that harms the environment and is costly to taxpayers (A.7335).

I’m dedicated to improving our environment and ensuring its integrity for future generations. As Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Department of Environmental Conservation, I have a professional commitment to the environment.  But I also have a duty to reach out to elected officials, business leaders and New York residents to encourage decisions that contribute to improving our quality of life. That starts with protecting one of our most valuable resources – our environment.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Department of Communications. April 29, 2007: The Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened its second Disaster Recovery Center in Westchester, with the county’s Department of Social Services and Community Mental Health there to help local residents and business owners recover from the storm.

The new center is at the Eastchester Public Library, 11 Oakridge Place. A third center is  at the New Rochelle Emergency Operations Center, 90 Beaufort Place.

The first center opened earlier this week at the Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road. The hours for all centers are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.

At these centers, storm victims can get help filling out applications and work with representatives of FEMA and the Small Business Administration to get information about disaster aid. The county Department of Social Services is there to help storm victims apply for food stamps and receive any other assistance. Counselors from the Community Mental Health are also there to provide counseling referrals and help people cope with the losses they suffered during the storm.

“FEMA and SBA will provide some money that local residents and businesses desperately need to begin to recover from the storm,” said County Executive Andy Spano. “And Westchester County will help fill in the gaps, to make sure that storm victims have food, shelter and counseling, if they need it.”

On Thursday, 80 people came to the center that opened in Mamaroneck, and 1,135 people in Westchester have already registered with FEMA for aid. FEMA is expected to open other centers in Westchester within the next few days in other hard hit areas of the county.

While there are some phones at the centers for storm victims to use, FEMA is encouraging individuals and businesses to register first by phone or online before coming to the center.  

To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY- call TTY: 1-800-462-7585) between the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. or go to FEMA’s web site at www.fema.gov.  If you need additional help, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in your area, but you do not have to go to a center to apply for aid.

When you register, remember to:

1) Write down your case number. When you register, FEMA will provide you with a case number. Write that down and keep it in a safe place. An inspection of your home will probably be required. The inspector will call you and give you his name and set a time and date for the appointment. To prevent possible fraud, please check this information with anyone who comes to your door claiming to be from FEMA.   Don’t let the person in unless they are able to give you the case number.

2) Fill out the SBA application.  After registering with FEMA, you will receive a packet and a loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. To receive any aid, the loan application must be filled out, regardless of whether you are a homeowner, renter or business and even if you are want a grant and not a loan. The loan application must be filled out and sent back to be eligible for any aid.  Individuals are eligible for up to $28,200 in grants or up to $200,000 in small business loans to repair property and up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property such as belongings. Businesses are eligible for up to $1.5 million in loans.

County meetings to help small business owners

Westchester County has also organized two meetings to help small business owners who suffered storm damage. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Disaster Assistance, will provide information and instructions to help small business owners apply for low interest loans to recover from the storm.

Small business owners can expect to learn:

·        The various types of loans that may be available, including physical disaster loans, economic injury loans, military reservists’ loans and home/personal property loans

·        The type of financial information needed to submit applications

·        The difference between an “LLC” and a “Corporation” for application purposes, and

·        The variety of supporting documents needed

This is an informational and instructional meeting only as the application process for business owners is complex.  No applications will be accepted on site.  The SBA Disaster Assistance team members will be available at the end of the presentation for questions.

Seminars will be held:

Monday, April 30^th

1 to 3 p.m.

Rye City Hall

1051 Boston Post Road

Rye, NY, 10580

and

Wednesday, May 2^nd

1 to 3 p.m.

Greenburgh Town Hall

177 Hillside Avenue

White Plains, NY, 10607

For the latest updates, visit www.westchestergov.com  or visit www.fema.gov for more information about applying for aid.  For information on how to donate to charitable organizations or where to receive goods if you are a storm victim, call the United Way’s 211 information line or visit www.westchestergov.com.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. Special to WPCNR. April 26, 2007: Mayor Joseph Delfino rebuked Council President Rita Malmud’s statement appearing in the White Plains Times Thursday, in which Ms. Malmud criticized the evolving details of the new LCOR “Bank Street Deal” (that would bring 107 units of affordable housing in two 29 story apartment buildings to be built on the present municipal parking lot). The council set the public hearing on the Bank Street Project for May 7.

If you recall this project was first presented as a project to be built on the commuter parking lot sold to LCOR at a reduced price ($21 Million cut to $15.5 Million). Then LCOR asked for the Urban Renewal Agency to finance the project for the entire $260 Million project as a PILOT-less project, through revenue bonds. Then  three weeks LCOR changed its mind and said it needed a PILOT. This week a bare bones offer (to be possibly implemented if the PILOT fell through) emerged in the Urban Renewal Agency legislation designating LCOR as the developer of the commuter parking lot that allowed half the project to be condominium, and lowered affordable housing to 16 units down from 107.

Malmud was quoted in today’s White Plains Times as saying  “it is difficult to find language strong enough to express my disappointment and frustration over the lack of effective and efficient planning, the abysmal result of secret negotiations, and the isolation of the Common Council from the true state of facts until a time crunch has arrived.”

The city needs the $8 Million to balance its budget due to bungled land sales on Railside Avenue, sewer expenses at that site and the need to replace fund balance.

According to Councilman Arnold Bernstein describing the events of the evening to WPCNR, “Rita must have misunderstood the details of the project. The Mayor refuted her unfortunate comments. Let’s not try to derail this project. This is just the usual nonsense. The usual politics.”

Bernstein said it was not clear at this time whether the PILOT (the amount of which has not been stated in the Urban Renewal Legislation proposed for LCOR on the project), would be made possible through the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency or whether the home rule legislation the city is seeking from the state legislature, would be rushed through in time for the Urban Renewal Agency acting as IDA to undertake the $260 Million  funding of the project (through revenue bonds to be paid by LCOR).

In legislation approved by the Urban Renewal Agency Wednesday,  it was disclosed that LCOR has negotiated an alternative plan allowing condominiums on the site and a lower price on the land, if the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency  or the Urban Renewal Agency does not undertake the project with the proposed PILOT, providing no taxes on the residential towers for 12 years (from the date the towers open). LCOR would pay the city $250,000 annually “for the life of the project.”

The alternative is described thusly in the Urban Renewal Agency legislation:

In the event the foregoing abatement  (PILOT) cannot be obtained, the terms of the transaction  would change as follows:  The purchase price (of the commuter parking lot) would be reduced to $8 Million (from $15.5 Million); with $6 Million payable on or before June 30, 2007, and $2 Million payable on or before June 30, 2008. The physical characteristics of, and the preliminary plans for, the Developmengt would remain essentially the same, but one tower could, at the election of LCOR, contain units for sale, in which event, the other tower would be rental. (Under this alternative) Only 6% of the total units (16) (all in the rental tower) would be affordable as described in and according to the City’s Affordable Housing Program, and, while the Development , would be required to continue to provide commuter parking spaces for at least 250 stacked vehicles or 200 self-parked vehicles, the annual $250,000 fee to the City would not be required to be paid.”

LCOR would also be relieved of having to execute a number of onsite improvements, resulting in more savings to the developer.

Cappelli takes over the Ginsberg-Rotundi Corner.

Bruce Berg, Mr. Bernstein said, came in and made a brief presentation, stating that Cappelli Enterprises has decided to build the 8-story building that Martin Ginsberg was proposing to build for Cappelli Enterprises. Cappelli Enterprises would build on the Corner Nook site.  Bernstein said that the building would contain affordable units meeting Mr. Cappelli’s obligation he owes  the city as part of the Ritz-Carlton project.  Bernstein quoted Mr. Berg as saying the bulding will contain affordable and market rate units.

Asked if this was the end of The Pinnacle, Bernstein said “not at all, we will have a building there (on The Pinnacle site), either Ginsberg will build it, Rotundi will build it, or Cappelli will.”

Firemen’s Overtime

Over $90,000 in overtime charges for the fire bureau was approved by the Council Bernstein reported.

Parking.

In the presentation to the council by the Parking Department, Bernstein said the council did not come to a consensus as to whether the parking rates would rise to $1 a hour. That was still in the air, Bernstein said.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. April 25, 2007: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has arrived in Westchester and is working with Westchester County government to help local residents apply for federal aid to recover from the storm.

Thursday, the agency will open its first Disaster Recovery Center at the Senior Nutrition Community Center at the Mamaroneck Town Center, 740 W. Boston Post Road. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.

            Storm victims can get help filling out applications at the centers and work with representatives of FEMA and the Small Business Administration to get information about disaster aid. Representatives from state agencies as well as county departments – Department of Social Services, Community Mental Health, Senior Services and others – will also be at the centers to help residents apply for food stamps, fill out forms, get counseling referrals or receive any other assistance. FEMA will open other centers in Westchester within the next few days in other hard hit areas of the county.

“We are working with FEMA in a massive outreach effort to help people apply for recovery aid and get services they so desperately need to get back on their feet,’’ said County Executive Andy Spano. “We are also helping FEMA to spread the word through local governments, non-profits, faith based organizations and other community organizations.’’

Individuals and businesses that are in need of aid are being encouraged to apply for aid on-line or by phone. To register with FEMA, call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY- call TTY: 1-800-462-7585) between the hours of 8 am to 8 p.m. or go to FEMA’s web site at www.fema.gov.  If you need additional help, you can visit the Disaster Recovery Center in your area, but you do not have to go to a center to apply for aid.