County Association Calls for more Cuts in County Budget. Reject Commishs’ Raises

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the Westchester County Association. December 1, 2008: The Westchester County Association (WCA), the county’s leading business advocacy group, today called for changes to the proposed 2009 County Operating Budget including the elimination of proposed salary and benefit increases for department heads and commissioners.


 


In response to the severity of the economic meltdown impacting the private and public sectors across New York State, the WCA said that it is incumbent that Westchester’s county government further reduce expenditures in its proposed $1,773,479,195 budget for 2009.  Under the proposed budget, the county tax levy would increase 2.97 percent, although the specific tax impact will vary from community to community.


 



 


William Mooney Jr., president of the WCA, noted that in the proposed budget “the loss of projected revenue, primarily mortgage tax and state aid, is not offset by an appropriate decrease in expenditures.  County businesses and residential taxpayers should not be expected to pick up the tab when their own revenues and incomes are shrinking dramatically.” 


 


He added:  “Given today’s economic realities, the proposed raises for the 23 commissioners and department heads (plus concurrent benefit increases) should not be implemented.”  


 


The WCA and supporters plan to present their observations at the public hearing on the budget this Wednesday, December 3rd at the Board of Legislators chambers.  These will include specific questions on proposed 2009 budget expenditures based on input from leading CPAs firms.


 


 The overall observations set forth by the WCA include the following:


 



  1. The proposed 2009 County Budget does not adequately address today’s economic realities.  Most businesses and consumers are deeply worried about their financial futures and are making the tough adjustments needed.  Taxpayers expect their elected officials to ‘feel their pain” and respond accordingly.  It is difficult for people facing unemployment or a cut in compensation to approve of salary and benefits increases for county department heads and commissioners.

 



  1. The rationale for the raises — that the money was included in the 2008 budget but not yet expended – is not acceptable. The proposed budget consistently makes comparisons to prior budgets as opposed to actual expenditures.  Just because funding is included and justified in a prior operating budget does not mean the budgeted funds must be spent if circumstances change. If the $1 million in proposed salary raises and accompanying benefits were eliminated from the 2008 budget, it would result in a savings in the 2009 budget.  This is the right message to send to a beleaguered constituency.

 


3.   We’re all in this together.  In light of the dire financial realities of today, the WCA proposes that it take a 10% reduction in the annual subsidy it receives from the county for its work in international economic development in Westchester.  Where feasible, we would urge a similar approach from other contract agencies.


 



  1. The timeframe for public comment and scrutiny of the budget is not long enough.  By the time the budget is released to the public on November 15th, there is barely two weeks for review (including the Thanksgiving holiday.)  This does not provide adequate time for the public to understand what is included in the budget.  By law, the County budget does not need to be approved until December 27th yet this year the Budget vote will take place on December 8th.  We question the reason for that.

 


Mr. Mooney noted that “Our members have been calling and emailing us more than ever before to register their disappointment with the perceived lack of fiscal responsibility at all levels of government.  We are confident that our county leaders will carefully reconsider the budget and make the changes that adjust spending in the current environment,” Mooney said.  “Our goal is to work in a spirit of genuine cooperation with the county’s elected officials to see this accomplished.” 


 


 


 

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Legislators Environment Committee Postpones Discussion on $234.7 M Sewer Upgrade

WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. By John F. Bailey. December 1, 2008 A meeting of the County Board of Legislators Environment Committee scheduled to discuss the $234.7 Million Department of Environmental Conservation mandated corrections to the Mamaroneck and New Rochelle sewage treatment plants  (first reported by WPCNR one week ago) — estimated to be paid for exclusively by the White Plains (Mamaroneck Valley), Blind Brook, New Rochelle and Port Chester sewer districts was held Monday.


 



County Legislators Martin Rogowsky, left, Environment Committee Chair Tom Abinanti (center) and Michael Kaplowitz, right, at the moment  Monday afternoon, when they declared the committee would not discuss the $234.7 M Sewer plant upgrade legislation until Legislator James Maisano (from New Rochelle) could be present.


However, the committee, (with media present  which had been invited by Mr. Abinanti, expectantly waiting for the discussion of the largest capital project ever undertaken by the county), postponed discussion of the issue until after the public hearing on the legislation December 8.  The exact time of discussion was not set.



Chairman Thomas Abinanti said that County Legislator Jim Maisano of New Rochelle wanted to be at the discussion but had a doctor’s appointment, Abinanti said, that Maisano had “scheduled for months,” and chose to keep, so out of respect for Mr. Maisano’s conflict, they postponed the meeting.  County Attorney Charlene Indelicato said she had some information that discussed legal issues involving whether a public hearing could be held before the committee reported out the bill.


Abinanti  told WPCNR, “we’re going to approve this.” The county has signed an agreement with the DEC to execute $234.7 Million of repairs to the Mamaroneck and New Rochelle treatment plants  that consist of adding a third treatment system to remove enough nitrogen from sewer water to comply with DEC standards when the treated water enters Long Island Sound.


There has been no public discussion of the bill which commits the county to the $234.7 Million of repairs. The repairs add an additional treatment of county effluent to the two plants, leaving Port Chester and Blind Brook plants as they are, but reportedly lowering the nitrogen levels to the DEC-mandated levels.


The committee did however discuss for 55 minutes, a $300,000 expenditure to conduct a study of removing trees from spillways and banks of two earthern dams the county owns, to comply with  another DEC directive. That expenditure has to be added to the County 2009 budget, while the $234.7 Million does not — that is planned to come directly out of the pockets of taxpayers in the Mamaroneck Valley, Blind Brook, New Rochelle and Port Chester Sewer Districts. WPCNR is checking on the figures in the legislation as to whether they are the latest estimates.


Senator Charles Schumer, as exclusively reported by WPCNR one week ago, has divulged that the county is seeking to have the project funded as part of stimulus package (dubbed “rescue package” by the Obama transition team) of the Obama administration. Schumer described the sewer mandate as a project that the stimulus program could be used for.

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Star of Bethlehem? Venus and Jupiter Combine with Moon as they did in 2 B.C.

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE NIGHT. By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. December 1, 2008: White Plains skies cleared Monday, enabling residents viewing the southwest sky at twilight to see the planet Venus (lower object), the crescent moon, and the King of the Planets, Jupiter,  in conjunction (their closest point). Astronomers believe that this event which occurred in June, 2 B.C. was the celestial event described as the Star of Bethlehem. White Plainsians got this beautiful view:



Star of Bethlehem? Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter observed in the White Plains skyline Monday at twilight. Venus is the lower brighter object, the crescent moon is at the left and Jupiter, the object in upper right. Ample evidence why Venus is known as “The Evening Star” at this time of year. Photo by the WPCNR Roving Photographer

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Roach: I’m OK Now. Ritz Rock Referred. Kens $ Breaks Approved. HUD Approves.

 


WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. December 1, 2008 UPDATED 2:00 A.M. E.S.T. December 2: Councilman Tom Roach Monday evening addressed the Common Council and a citywide live television audience, reporting he has undergone radiation treatment at White Plains Hospital Center Dickstein Center for a rare disease, Nasal Pharynx cancer the last three months. 



Councilman Tom Roach sharing good news with the city on television Monday night, (taken from the Council Chamber television monitor)


He said the treatment (completed in mid-October)  has been announced a success by his medical team and he has no more signs of the disease at this time. He thanked White Plains citizens for their understanding, his wife for her understanding and support, and had effusive praise for the doctors at White Plains Hospital who treated him. He said he first became aware of the problem due to hearing problems and swallowing difficulties. The  presence of  the disease was detected by MRI in August.  He said he would continue to serve on the Common Council as long as the city wished him to serve. 


In scheduled action, the Council surprised observers by untabling the controversial Ritz Carlton “rock” on the traffic island on Renaissance Square, and referring the LC Main request for licensing and lease of the space out to Commissioners. They also approved completing a financial package for the White Plains Kensington developer granting $1 Million in tax relief, at a cost of $287,000 to the city.



In the White Plains Kensington matter, the council, approved a financial package for the assisted living developer, granting that developer a net  estimated $287,650 relief from sales taxes and mortgage recording taxes owed the City of White Plains on the project. The total tax relief from sales taxes and mortgage recording taxes the county and state would be giving up, (excluding the money the city would not receive) was stated in a Financial Analysis of the Kensington project to be $784,850. The total tax relief, including the city relief is $1,072,500.


Susan Habel, Commissioner of Planning, said that White Plains Kensington had received verbal approval from the Housing and Urban Development in Washington, on HUD’s willingness to back any construction loan on the $32 Million project.  The effect is that HUD has agreed to insure the loan and guarantee repayment should the project for some unforeseen reason, White Plains Kensington default on the financing.


$2,225,554 revenue prior to construction.


In her remarks Ms. Habel noted that the Urban Renewal Agency will receive $2.4 million for the land from Kensington, of which $2 million will be used for to pay off 1/2 of the bond for purchasing the land on which the Longview Garage was built. White Plains, according to the Financial Analysis will receive $68,600 in property taxes, the city school district, $233,450 and the county $47,950. The annual estimated revenue to the city of White Plains is $102,323 and the School District, $233,450.


The statement also notes Kensington will pay $225,000 in Building Permits and other City Charges, esitmating total net revenue to the city prior to construction of $2,225,554.


The revised financil analysis was prepared at the request of Councilperson Rita Malmud.


Financing to come.


Harley Cook of White Plains Kensington, in the Council Chamber audience, told WPCNR that his financing was not in place yet and that Capmark, the firm that is going to offer the project to the finance market had not offered it yet. Cook said it could be offered as soon as written approval is received from HUD. Asked by WPCNR if the approval would be issued by the HUD office now operating in the Bush Administration, or if it had to wait until the President-Elect Obama Administration assumes office, Cook said that was a good question, and said he expected it sometime in January.


Ritz Rock is Off the Island into Commissioners’ laps


In a surprise, Council President Benjamin Boykin introduced a motion to untable the request from LC Main LLC, to consider either a license or lease with the City of White Plains on the traffic island at the intersection of Main Street and Renaissance Square. The request for referral has been “tabled” for about eight months, the length of time Judge Susan Cacace in the New York Supreme Count has been considering the city legal action asking the stone Ritz-Carlton sign be removed from the island.  LC Main LLC challenged the city effort to remove the Ritz Rock (a granite slab with the words “Ritz-Carlton” on it, situation on the traffic island in the middle of Renaissance Square), in its suit, claiming the city showed “abuse of discretion.”



The Ritz Rock, May 2008 — Seen in middle of Renaissance Square


Paul Wood,City Executive Officer, asked to speculate on why the council suddenly untabled the motion, said I’d have to ask the Council. Glen Hockley, a Councilman, said the council feels that the city was not likely to prevail in the court, and had moved to consider the matter. WPCNR asked Mr. Wood if this was the start of revised legal strategy on the part of the council or the city. Wood said, “could be, you’d have to ask them.”


Council Goes Greyhound


The council as part of the Consent Agenda approved a four year contract leasing the Transcenter long distance bus station to Greyhound Lines for a total fee of $12,283.56 a year ($1,023.63 a month), in the first year $12,774.90 the second year, $13,285 in year three and $13.816.40 in year four.


Mamroneck Avenue (South of Maple)Opens to Professionals.


The council approved professional offices of professional persons in the BR-1 and BR-2 district on both sides of Mamaroneck Avenue from Maple Avenue to the junction with Bloomindale Road. Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel assured the council that there would be no increase in the amount of parking spaces required by the city on the properties along both sides of the avenue on that stretch of road. Ms. Habel said that the change would enable greater flexibility in the tenants and owners of those properties to rent their space, and that one of the reasons the legislation was proposed was the availability of lot parking behind the properties on both sides of the street.


  She also said that increase in rental fees in the Central Business District had driven architects, accountants, and similar professionals out of the downtown and this legislation was an attempt to reverse this trend by giving these professional persons other options.

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