City Settles with Police and Fire Unions. Council to Consider Dec. 17.

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Special to WPCNR. December 8, 2008 UPDATED 5:57 P.M. EST:  Paul Wood, City Executive Officer said this evening he would advise WPCNR “ASAP” of the terms of the  new police and fire contracts. He reported, in response to a WPCNR question, “All I can tell you right now is that both unions have ratified the contracts.”


This means all that is left is Common Council approval or denial, to come December 17.

Earlier, City Hall confirmed  today to WPCNR that Mayor Joseph Delfino has come to an agreement with the police and fire unions serving the city. Melissa Lopez, spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office confirmed this to WPCNR today, and said the Common Council would be meeting in a Special Meeting December 17, 2008 to ratify or decline the agreement.


The  wage agreement  of the settlement is reported to be 4% by union members and by those with knowledge of the terms, but was not disclosed by city hall. The length of the proposed contracts were not disclosed, even when WPCNR asked.


No other details were issued at this time from the Mayor’s Office.  Ms. Lopez  told WPCNR  the Mayor has not reached a  wage settlement with the Civil Service Employees Association.  She said the terms of the police and fire settlement were outlined to the Common Council at an executive session recently.


Subsequently, Ms. Lopez contacted WPCNR and said Paul Wood, city Executive Officer said that the increase  reported to be 4%  to WPCNR was not correct, but Mr. Wood  would not say what the raise hike was.


Four Common Council members contacted this morning to confirm the settlement and the amount of the raise have as of 3:30 P.M. have not returned WPCNR’s phone calls, though the council was informed of the settlement at a recent Executive Session.


 


 

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The $234.7 Million Hearing Tonight

WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. December 8, 2008: The County Board of Legislators Economic and Energy Committee has released the following information giving details on the hearing this evening at 7 P.M. at which the public may speak on the county decision to accept a consent order with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to install additional effluent treatment processes in the sewer treatment plants in Mamaroneck and New Rochelle at the expense of $234.7 Million that only residents and property owners of White Plains, New Rochelle, Blind Brook and Port Chester will pay. The news release:

PUBLIC HEARING ON APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS FOR STATE-MANDATED NITROGEN REDUCTION PROJECT


State DEC Requires Upgrades to Sound Shore Sewage Plants


 


 


What:     Public Hearing before the Westchester County Board of Legislators on the apportionment of costs on the mandated $235 million LI Sound clean-up project impacting Blind Brook, Mamaroneck (includes a portion the City of White Plains), New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts.


  


   Westchester County is under mandate to reduce nitrogen levels in wastewater discharging into Long Island Sound to comply with federal and state water quality requirements.


A newly negotiated consent order with the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) requires the county to upgrade two of its four Sound Shore wastewater treatment plants: New Rochelle and Mamaroneck. The total cost for the project has been reduced to an estimated $235 million. Due to the county appealing the original 2004 consent order, the county was able to reduce the original estimated cost by over $100 million.


County law requires that a public hearing be held on the apportionment of the upgrade costs among the four Sound Shore sewer districts.


The county must approve the Consent Order by the end of this month to avoid facing daily fines of up to $40,000 per plant.  If approved, the upgrades would constitute the largest capital project in county history.


“We have little choice but to approve the agreement,” said Environment & Energy Committee Chair, Tom Abinanti (D, IN, WF-Greenburgh). “Of course, we want to safeguard water quality but the big issue here is the large cost in doing so.”


 

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It’s Hearing Day in White Plains! School Board Meets, Too!

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. December 8, 2008: Monday, the public will get a chance to give their County legislators, and county guardians of the environment Committe more “input” on the county’s $1.7 Billion 2009 budget plan, how they feel about the County Executive plan for rewarding “middle management” raises.  For a perspective on the kind of money to be made in the various county departments, WPCNR suggests going to the lohud site which conveniently lists all the salaries of the county kingpins. That site is at http://www.tjnnews.com/salary/salaries_west_08.php


There is also a hearing, not so widely known taking place at 7:30 P.M. on the acceptance and subsequent bond issue dictated by a Department of Environmental Conservation consent order that will find the county spending $234,7 Million to add additional raw sewage treatment processes in New Rochelle and Mamaroneck sewer plants — that will, at this time be paid entirely by taxpayers of 4 towns.


Rounding out the trifecta, is the first meeting of the White Plains Board of Education at 7:30 this evening in White Plains at 5 Homeside Lane where residents may weight in the public comment session about the Board’s silence on the school budget situation in view of New York State financial difficulties, and the current impasse in teacher negotiations. Teachers are currently working without a contract and are at last report engaged in a mediation procedure with the New York State Public Employer Relations Board. The School Board Agenda is included in this story:


 


The County budget hearing at 10:30 this morning in the Michaelian Building on Martine and Court Street in White Plains is expected to have a contingent of anti-county government advocates speak on the county wisdom of advocating for raises for middle-managment postions, among the county’s unwillingness to cut the budget more. Residents desiring to speak should arrive early to go through security.


The Official Schedule for the busy legislators is as follows:


Monday, December 8, 2008


 


9:30 AM


Budget & Appropriations—Hon. Jose Alvarado, Chair; Coordinator: Tara Bernard (995-6297)


 


·         2009 Westchester County Budget


·         2009 Westchester County Special Revenue Districts Budgets


 


——————————————————————–


 


10:00 AM


Regular Meeting of the County Board of Legislators


 


Highlights:         


 


·         Public Hearing, Vote on Volunteer Tax Exemption


·         Public Hearing, Vote on Pay Plan Amendment


·         Vote on Westchester Medical Center Cooperation Agreement


 


 


See full agenda and agenda documents online at www.westchesterlegislators.com (click on the blue box on the right)


 


——————————————————————–


 


1:00 PM
Special Meeting of the County Board of Legislators


 


·         2009 Westchester County Budget


 


——————————————————————–


 


7:00 PM
Public Hearing on the BNR Consent Order, the mandated $235 million LI Sound clean-up project impacting Blind Brook, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts.


 



 


 


Tuesday, December 9, 2008


 


3:00 PM


Environment & Energy—Hon. Tom Abinanti, Chair; Coordinator: Christopher Crane (995-2104)


 


Joint with


Budget & Appropriations—Hon. Jose Alvarado, Chair; Coordinator: Tara Bernard (995-6297)


 


·         BNR Consent Order: Mandated $235 million LI Sound clean-up project impacting Blind Brook, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts.


 


The sewer hearing in the Michaelian Building  at 7:00 PM is the more intriguing. It involves an issue that was not discussed at all one week ago before the news media at an Environmental & Energy  Committee meeting because Legislator James Maisano of New Rochelle could not attend because of a doctor’s appointment.  


The sewer hearing  involves the  consent order that the county “has” to agree to — the state mandate that calls for spending $234.7 Million (and up?) to upgrade the Mamaroneck sewer treatment plant and the New Rochelle treatment plant by 2017. The hearing is just a formality, apparently, according to the Environmental  & Energy Committee, because the Committee has gone on record as saying “we have to do it” due to the heavy fines involved. The $234.7 Million will be paid for only, at this time, by the residents and businesses of Blind Brook, New Rochelle, Port Chester and White Plains, In White Plains alone, this could cost residents $50 to $200 or more in county sewer taxes by 2014 (not so far away), the equivalent of a 2% tax increase.


The 3 P.M. Tuesday meeting of the Environmental Committee is to report out the $234.7 Million bond bill on the sewer plant corrections.


The School Board Agenda:


Opening of Meeting:


            Pledge of Allegiance


Moment of silence in memory of Allyson Alfano, Louis DeLuca, Helen Zacconi and Larry James


Oral Announcements by the Board President and Board Members


            Recognition of Scholar-Athletes


 


 


 


II.         Communications: 


 


           


 


III.       Public Participation:  (The Board will entertain comments from the public on any issue, with a time limit of three minutes per person, and a maximum total of 25 minutes.)


 


 


 


IV.       Superintendent’s Report:


            Budget Calendar


            Update on Capital Projects


           


           


 


V.        Summary Action Items:


 


1.                  Recommended approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 3, and the Special Meeting of November 17, 2008.


 


2.                  Recommended acceptance of the following donations:


                        A new Records Board from Dr. Elliott and Kendall Storm for the High School pool


Over 2,000 comic books from Elzan Sampson for use by the Art Department as


            instructional resources


 


 


 


 


– 2 –


 


 


3.                  Recommended approval to add the following to the list of organizations permitted use of facilities:  Westchester Road Runners Club and Walkabout Clearwater Sloop.


 


4.         Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with


            disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Special Education:  65 cases, as per


            attachment.


 


            5.         Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with


            disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Preschool Special Education:  33 cases, as


            per attachment.


 


            6.         Recommended approval that all employees previously granted a conditional appointment and


who have not received conditional clearance from the State Education Department be granted another conditional appointment for 20 days. 


 


            Civil Service Staffing:


 


7.         Recommended acceptance of the resignation for the purpose of retirement of Tommy Pearson, Custodial Worker, High School, effective 12/30/08.


 


8.         Recommended approval of a request for unpaid leave of absence for Tina Manorqui, Benefits Clerk, Education House, from 1/2/09-3/1/09.


 


9.         Recommended approval of an increase in hours for Kusumlata Negi, Food Service Helper, Post Road School, from 3.75 to 5 hours per day, effective 11/5/08 (replacing T. Yorey).


 


10.       Recommended approval of the 26 week probationary appointments of the following:


                        Jeanson Dantes, Custodial Worker, Post Road School, effective 12/5/08 (replacing


                                    C. Reyes)


                        Pedro Molina, Custodial Worker, Church Street School, effective 12/5/08 (replacing


A. Vena)


 


11.       Recommended approval of the substitute appointments as per Board approved “Substitute,


            Summer School and Supplemental Rates,” as per attachment.


 


Teacher Staffing


 


12.       Recommended acceptance of the resignation of Marc Mojon, Teaching Assistant, Church Street School, effective 11/27/08.


 


13.       Recommended approval of the extension of the probationary period for Francesca Salvi, Teaching Assistant, Church Street School, from 1/30/09 to 1/30/10.


 


14.       Recommended approval of the appointment to tenure of the following Teaching Assistants: 


Samantha Caponera, Ridgeway School, effective 2/6/09


Brittney Telesco, George Washington School, effective 1/30/09


 


 


 


– 3 –


 


 


15.       Recommended approval of a request for unpaid leave of absence for the following Teaching Assistants:


Isa Bala, Middle School-Eastview, effective 11/27/08-12/16/08


John Fitzsimmons, Church Street School, effective 11/25/08-12/7/08


Brittney Telesco, George Washington School, effective 11/25/08-12/15/08


 


16.       Recommended approval of a decrease in hours for Jacklyn Snavely, Regular Substitute


Teaching Assistant, New York Presbyterian Hospital, from 6.5 to 6.0 hours per day, effective


                        11/12/08.


 


17.       Recommended approval of the appointment* of district-wide per diem substitute teachers and


            substitute teaching assistants, building substitute teachers, and a Homebound Instructor, as per


attachment.


 


18.       Recommended approval of requests for extensions of childcare leaves, effective 2/2/09-6/30/09, for:


Teresa Alfalla, English Teacher, High School


Laura Green, Elementary Education Teacher, Church Street School


 


19.       Recommended approval of a request for a childcare leave for Liza Cruz, Special Education Teacher, Middle School-Highlands, effective 11/19/08-6/30/09.


 


20.       Recommended approval of a request for a leave of absence without pay (military leave) for


            Michael Sanchez, Social Studies Teacher, Middle School-Highlands, effective 2/23/09-


            4/30/10.


 


21.       Recommended approval of the 2008-2009 appointments as per Board-approved Substitute, Summer School and Supplemental Rates of:


Les Roby, to the position of County-wide Challenge Coordinator


Anthony Anderson, to the position of YES Program Advisor


 


22.       Recommended approval of the appointment of Patricia Ricci, Adult Basic Education Teacher,


            ESOL Day Program, Rochambeau School, effective 12/9/08.


 


23.       Recommended approval of compensation for the following, as per attachments:


            a.         2008-09 Interscholastic and Co-curricular appointments


            b.         2008-09 Extended Day Program


            c.         2008-09 Professional Development Activities, Lead Teachers, Mentors, ELL Training


                        (LAZOS), Technology Activities (Nokia & Computer Lead Teachers)


 


24.       Recommended approval of the Regular Substitute appointments of:       


 


Ann Baker  (Replacing L. Green)


BA – Goucher College  (Economics)


MAT – Manhattanville College  (Elementary Education)


Certification:  Permanent, Elementary Education N-6    


Assignment:   Elementary Education Teacher, Church Street School


Dates of Service:  2/2/09-6/30/09


 


– 4 –


 


 


                        Natasha Eaton  (Replacing L. Cruz)


BA – Lehman College/CUNY  (Sociology)


MA – College of New Rochelle  (Special & Elementary Education)


Certification:  Initial, Childhood Education & Students with Disabilities 1-6


Assignment:  Special Education Teacher, Middle School-Highlands


Dates of Service:  2/2/09-6/30/09


 


*All of these appointments are conditional appointments, subject to and contingent upon, the satisfactory completion of the


finger printing process and investigatory background check required by the New York State Education Law.  The Board of


Education reserves the right to rescind these appointments without notice, upon receipt of any unsatisfactory report


resulting from the aforementioned background check.                                                                                                          


 


 


VI.       Other Action:   


 


1.                  Recommended approval of the appointment to tenure of Kristen DiPierro, Elementary Education Teacher, Ridgeway School, effective 2/1/09.


 


2.                  Recommended approval of the extension of the appointment of Francis Lahey as Interim Assistant Principal, Ridgeway School, effective 11/27/08-12/31/08. 


 


3.                  Recommended acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report for the month of October, 2008


 


4.                  Recommended acceptance of the Revenue and Expense Report for November, 2008.


 


5.                  Recommended appointment of Internal Auditor for 2008-09.


 


6.                  Recommended approval of counsel’s recommendation for a resolution pertaining to tax certiorari settlements.


 


7.                  Recommended approval of the Section 403(b) IRS Code Plan Adoption Agreement resolution.


 


8.                  Recommended approval of resolution to provide legal defense for Michael Lynch regarding Space Age Alarms, Inc.


 


9.         Recommended approval to name the White Plains High School North Gymnasium in honor of


            Harry Jefferson.


 


 


 


VII.      Board Discussion:


 


            1.         Update on Evaluation of Programs


           


2.         Board Committee Meetings


 



 


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County Association Accountants Whack County for Unrealistic Revenue Forecasts

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Association (EDITED) December 6, 2008: In a news release from the Westchester County Association issued to the media Friday night,  the Certified Public Accountant commissioned by the WCA to analyze the 2009 County Budget accused the county of not having underlying documentation for its forecast that sales taxes, hotel taxes and revenue would increase in 2009. The spokesperson accused the county of not giving the public enough time to go over the budget as school districts did.



Bill Mooney, WCA President, in September. Mr. Mooney said that the County Association accounting team pro bono will be examing school budgets of key districts in coming months.


 





The team was headed by Howard Klein, managing partner of Eisman, Zucker, Klein & Ruttenberg, LLP (EZKR) in White Plains and included a dozen CPAs from accounting firms in Westchester who are members of the Westchester Chapter of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. 


Klein said that  the CPAs are concerned that the budget lacks disclosure of the underlying assumptions upon which its numbers are based.


For example, the budget assumes that sales tax, hotel tax and other revenues will increase in 2009.  “Given the current economic realities, making assumptions that these revenues will increase is potentially unrealistic,” Klein said.


Included among the questions the CPAs raised is the current practice of basing the coming year’s budget on income and expenditures of the prior year without a comprehensive review of the worthiness and utility of existing programs.


“Our role was not to comment on where and how the money is spent but, rather, to ask questions regarding how the budget numbers are arrived at,” Klein reported.


 The CPAs volunteered their time to conduct an independent analysis of the County Budget for The Westchester County Association (WCA). Klein is a member of the WCA Board of Directors and has been an active participant in its Property Tax Reform Alliance.


 He said that the three weeks between the initial presentation of a proposed budget by County Executive Andrew Spano and its adoption by the County Board of Legislators is inadequate in terms of providing time to conduct an in-depth analysis of the budget. The CPAs were, however, able to gain some insight into the $1.77 billion package and to pose serious questions about it.  The County Board of Legislators is expected to adopt the budget this Monday.


 One question that the team members found themselves asking was why Westchester County doesn’t have an independent, publicly-elected comptroller?  He said Nassau County, and the City of New York, both have elected comptrollers.  A comptroller would provide third-party overview and that makes for a much healthier process.


 Klein said the CPAs who volunteered to review the proposed budget “tried to use our expertise to come up with observations and questions about the budget. Given the time constraint we had to work under – three weeks including the Thanksgiving holiday – we did the best we could. It’s interesting to note that typically two to three months are provided for public input on school budgets in Westchester communities while less than three weeks are allotted for discussion of the county budget.”


 William Mooney, President of The WCA, characterized the work of the CPA team as “remarkable given the short time-frame in which they had to work.  The county budget is a dense and complex document,” he said. “Even seasoned professionals can’t thoroughly dissect it that quickly. This group of volunteers has done a service not only to our membership but to all of the citizens of Westchester by beginning to provide a better understanding of this major area of public spending. Their work this year provides a platform upon which we will expand our review of the budget process and be able to assure greater public understanding of and participation in future budgets.   He concluded:  “We will also be conducting a close look at municipal and school district budgets in the coming weeks and months.”   


 

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