County Passes Budget. Crosses fingers on Fund balance. Bets on a 5% Increase in Sales Tax Revenues in 2016. No County PropertyTax Increase for 6th Straight Year

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Westchester County Legislature passing 2016 $1.8 Billion budget. It does not increase county property taxes, but does not cut spending either, and restores proposed cuts by County Executive Robert P. Astorino. Photo, Westchester County Board of Legislators

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. (Edited by WPCNR,edits in italics). December 14, 2015:

On Monday evening, the bipartisan coalition that controls the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) passed a budget for 2016 that does not raise taxes and restores cuts to non-profits, parks and public safety.  This is the sixth consecutive year with no tax increase to the County tax levy.

Your editor notes the new budget anticipates approximately a $25 Million increase in the sales tax revenue in 2016. This is about $22 Million less than the county will make this year $500 million, should it match last year’s Nov-Dec. sales tax revenue figures ($128 million) As of the end of October The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reports the county has received $371,570,608.  The Budget is only balanced if the sales taxes revenue in 2016 increases 5%

Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz (D) Somers, praised the bipartisan coalition for their hard work and cooperation while offering the warning that the budget offered no margin for error.  “My colleagues and I have worked very hard to produce a sound budget that protects those who rely on county services while delivering no tax increase for the sixth consecutive year.  The budget we passed was a vast improvement over the budget that the County Executive proposed however there are some elements of the budget that will require close supervision throughout the year.

“We saw diminished sales tax revenue this year because of plummeting fuels costs which will leave us short of what we anticipated.  As a result we will likely have to use dollars from our fund balance to make up that shortfall.  I am afraid that we may find ourselves in a similar position next year.”  Kaplowitz added, “A continued draw down of our reserve fund will lead to the loss of Westchester’s AAA bond rating.  My colleagues and I are going to be watching revenues and spending very closely throughout this fiscal year.”

Minority Leader, Legislator John Testa (R) Peekskill, said that a tax increase should be the last option in developing a budget.  “My colleagues and I approached these negotiations with the attitude that collaboration and compromise were needed to make this the best budget possible.  We added back as many of the jobs and service programs that we could but our colleagues in the Democratic Caucus ultimately voted against the budget which restored funding for the social safety net but did not offer any realistic alternatives.” Testa said. “While collaborating on the budget with County Executive Rob Astorino he assured us that he can manage Westchester County on the budget that we passed today and I believe him.  Westchester families can be sure that we remain committed to holding the line on taxes while maintaining the quality of life we all enjoy in Westchester County.”

Legislator Sheila Marcotte (R) Tuckahoe, Eastchester, New Rochelle, is Chair of the BOL’s Budget and Appropriations Committee.  “I’d like to thank the many Commissioners and Department heads throughout Westchester County who participated in the Budget Committee review process.  Between committee meetings and public hearings we spent many hours and days listening to hundreds of people about county operations and the needs of our non-profit partners.  I am happy that to a large extent we were able to restore many programs and positions.  I am most happy that for the sixth straight year, we stood with taxpayers with a no tax increase budget.  An accomplishment that is, frankly, unheard of in these economic times.”

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Battle Hill Association Protests construction noise, violations in its neighborhood to Common Council

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WPCNR BATTLE HILL BULLETIN. From the Battle Hill Association. December 13, 2015:

Patty Cantu, as Co-President of the Battle Hill Association delivered this presentation during Citizens to Be Heard (the traditionally non-televised segment of monthly Common Council meeting) last Monday, highlighting the neighborhood concern that construction rules and regulations are not being enforced and coordinated by the city Building Department and the Department of Public Safety, and calling for elimination or at least, curtailment of construction on Sundays. Here is what she said.

Good Evening Mr. Mayor and Common Council members:
 
First, we are here tonight to thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your quick response and assistance this weekend with a Building Department issue (builders adding an illegal 3rd floor and ignoring a stop-work order).
 
Next, the Battle Hill Association has identified several issues and is providing possible solutions to benefit all residents and neighborhoods in the City of White Plains.
 
Construction Noise: A Quality-of-Life Issue:Currently, City of WP ordinances allow for construction and tree work to be performed in residential neighborhoods seven days a week. On Sunday, contractors can start at 9am and work until 7pm. The resulting noise has seriously affected our quality of life and quiet time in our homes on weekends. Noise from construction and tree work include large trucks, sawing, hammering, drilling, removal of debris, chainsaws, trees coming down, tree chippers, workers’ yelling, etc.
 
We are requesting that our council revisit this ordinance to NO LONGER ALLOW CONSTRUCTION ON SUNDAYS. 
 
The City currently has in place an ordinance to limit the use of leaf blowers to control noise in residential neighborhoods. There is also a decibel limit for noise radiating from establishments on Mamaroneck Ave. that may affect residents in surrounding streets.
 
Neighborhoods that are dense in terms of property size, as in Battle Hill, are more likely to experience noise as an issue. Just as the City limits leaf blower use by property size – ie., no more than one blower per 5000 sq. ft. property size – construction activity could also be limited in the same manner.
 
Possible solutions:
 
First: Eliminate the current ordinance entirely that allows construction on Sundays from 9am to 7pm in residential neighborhoods.
 
Second: An amendment to the ordinance that, if construction must be performed on Sundays, the contractor must file an application and pay a fee, and permission for the activity must be granted by the Building Commissioner, with time and date to be regulated, such as 11am to 5pm. This process will allow the City of WP to notify neighbors in advance of construction projects just as is the case with a variance.
 
Several related issues:
 
First: We understand that there are no communications or status updates sent from the Building Department to Public Safety on sites that have Stop-Work orders and yet are working illegally and especially on weekends when the Building Department is closed.
 
Next: The public, including neighborhood leadership, has no contact information for the Building Department on weekends. So if a problem occurs on a weekend, there is no immediate recourse for residents. 
 
For example, this past weekend, there was an issue in Battle Hill involving illegal construction at a home with a Stop-Work order that was issued. On Sunday, December 6, the contractor or workers removed the Stop-Work order notice from the premises and began working illegally at 9am. The  police were notified but, unfortunately, our Public Safety Dept had received no communication from the Building Department regarding Stop-Work orders in our neighborhood. The Public Safety Community Coordinator, Lt. Spencer, has said this was a Building Department issue and he could not act.

The Battle Hill Association and I personally wish to thank you (Mayor) for caring and acting immediately to shut down this illegal activity and serious quality-of-life concern.
 
In summary, there is a need to revisit and update several of our Building Department ordinances and practices and enhance interdepartmental communications necessary for improving the quiet time and overall quality-of-life issues that affect our neighborhoods every day.
 
We look forward to these revisions and changes in the upcoming year. BHA is willing to assist in any way to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods.
 
Again, thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your quick response and action this weekend. 
 
 
Patty Craft-Cantu and the Battle Hill Association 

 

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SEE DR. PICA LIPOVAC, CEO OF WESTCHESTER’S RICHMOND COMMUNITY SERVICES ON THE PLIGHT OF WESTCHESTER’S DISABLED ADULTS ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD NOW ON YOUTUBE

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GO TO THIS YOUTUBE LINK NOW

AT

TO HEAR DR LIPOVAC
ON
THE ESCALATING NUMBER OF DISABLED ADULTS NEEDING HOUSING
THE MONEY CRISIS
THE SEARCH FOR WORKERS WITH THE DISABLED–THE NEED NOW
HOW WILL DECISIONS BE MADE ABOUT WHAT CARE A DISABLED PERSON AND ADULT GETS IN THE FUTURE — THE UNCERTAINTY
AND
MORE ISSUES THE STATE CANNOT IGNORE.
ON PEOPLE TO BE HEARD
WESTCHESTER COUNTY’S MOST RELEVANT INTERVIEW PROGRAM
FROM
WHITE PLAINS TV

 

 

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ON YOUTUBE NOW WHITE PLAINS WEEK ON COMMON CORE OVERHAUL; THE MAYOR’S PLANS FOR THE CITY ON YOUTUBE AND THE INTERNET NOW

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PETER KATZ, JOHN BAILEY, JIM BENEROFE TELLING IT LIKE IT IS FOR 15 YEARS SEEING IT ALL, SAYING WHAT MUST BE SAID NOW

SEE  THE WHITE PLAINS WEEK TEAM ON

YOUTUBE RIGHT NOW

 

WHITE PLAINS WEEK THE FRIDAY DEC. 11 PROGRAM

ON

EDUCATION REVOLUTION WHAT IT MEANS TO YOUR CHILD

NY STATE JUNKS COMMON CORE — NEW ASSESSMENTS WON’T COUNT UNTIL 2020–EDUCATORS WILL DESIGN NEW CURRICULUM

PRESIDENT ENDS NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND–TURNS EDUCATION BACK TO THE STATES

MAYOR ROACH OUTLINES STATUS OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, AND SURPRISE INITIATIVES TO THE COUNCIL OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS — AYANA MEADE REPORTS

OBSERVATIONS ON THE TERRORIST THREAT-

PRESIDENT OBAMA OUTLINES HIS 4 POINT PROGRAM

ACTWHITE PLAINS CHALLENGES COMMON COUNCIL TO RECONSIDER ITS FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEW YORK DECISION

THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TARANTELLA — DANCING AROUND THE BUDGET DEFICIT

AND MORE

SEE IT NOW ON www.whiteplainsweek.com or

www.wpcommunitymedia.org 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Days Here Again! Westchester County Exec-Legislature Eliminate 64 Budgeted,Unfilled But Funded Positions to Balance 2016 Budget Before the Holidays–6th Year of No County Property Tax Increase

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) December 12, 2015:

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino Friday thanked the bi-partisan coalition of 10 legislators that has come together to ensure passage of a compromise version of his $1.8 billion budget for 2016 that maintains the two goals he established at the start of the negotiations: no increase in the tax levy and no raiding of the “rainy day” fund to pay for operational expenses.

The coalition budget has the support of two Democrats and eight Republicans, giving it one more vote than the necessary nine to pass.  It was negotiated by the Administration, County Board of Legislators’ Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, Vice Chairman James Maisano, Republican Majority Leader John Testa and Budget Chairperson Sheila Marcotte.

“Nobody has a monopoly of wisdom when it comes to knowing exactly how every dollar of the budget should be spent,” said Astorino. “I had priorities and the Republicans and Democrats on the board had their priorities as well. We worked out our differences and came to an agreement that protects taxpayers and preserves essential services in a way that has majority support. That’s how the process should work. I want to thank all the members of the coalition for their support and Chairman Kaplowtiz, Vice Chairman Maisano, Republican Leader Testa and Budget Chair Marcotte for their leadership.”

Austin Ave Property Sale a Key Factor

Kaplowitz said the flexibility of the administration was key to building a coalition, particularly the willingness to address funding for not-for-profit agencies and the assurance that if county property on Austin Avenue in Yonkers is sold next year proceeds are intended to be used to build up the county’s reserves and minimize or eliminate the need to borrow for tax certioraris, the money refunded to property owners who successfully prove their tax bills were too high.

“Through bipartisan cooperation we have reached an agreement for a sixth consecutive no tax increase budget,” said Kaplowitz.  “This budget is not perfect but it is sound.  I remain concerned about the level of our reserve funds but I am confident that through cooperation and smart financial management we will maintain Westchester County’s fiscal health.”

Maisano added: “I’m pleased our legislature was able to work with the County Executive in a bipartisan manner to reach a compromise budget that holds the line on taxes and protects essential services.”

The formal vote is scheduled for Monday and passage will be Astorino’s sixth consecutive budget without an increase in the tax levy.  Areas of compromise in the coalition budget include headcount restorations  and not-for-profit funding adjustments.

“Once again a bipartisan majority of legislators came together, left politics behind, and compromised to create a responsible budget for 2016 that keeps our critical social safety net in place while also looking out for the taxpayers of Westchester,” said Testa. “I urge all my colleagues to support this effort and vote yes on this budget.”

In addition to Kaplowitz, Maisano, Testa and Marcotte, the legislators supporting the coalition budget are:  Francis Corcoran, Michael Smith, David Gelfarb, Bernice Spreckman, Gordon Burrows and Virginia Perez.

“The budget belongs to everyone,” said Marcotte. “Over the last few weeks, the Budget Committee made an effort to ensure all voices were heard. I want to thank the public and my colleagues for their input. By doing a lot of listening, I think we’ve come up with a budget that serves the county well.”

Highlights from the coalition budget include:

  • Tax Levy: $548 million – no increase from 2015
  • Spending: $1.8 billion – flat to 2015
  • Safety Net: $595 million – no decrease from 2015
  • Unrestricted Reserves (Rainy Day Fund): $140 million – no decrease from 2015
  • Headcount:   4,160 total general fund position count – four layoffs and 64 vacancy eliminations.

(Editor’s Note: It is unclear from this news release whether or not the county has revised downward its optimistic sales tax figures projection for 2016, which was very optimistically calculated in 2015 which has partially caused the $25 Million deficit the 2015 budget faced. The release also does not indicate how that shortfall is being erased.)

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Governor’s Common Core Task Force Says “Overhaul Common Core,” Cut Down Number of Tests. Set Standards by Extensive Local Input.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the Governor’s Office. December 10, 2015:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the final report and recommendations of the Common Core Task Force.

The Task Force recommends overhauling the current Common Core system and adopting new, locally-driven New York State standards in a transparent and open process to make sure all students are prepared to succeed in an increasingly competitive 21st century economy.

The new standards, curriculum and tests and must uniquely developed for New York students with sufficient local input. The Task Force also recommends that current Common Core aligned tests should not count for students or teachers until the start of 2019-2020 school year to ensure the system is implemented completely and properly to avoid the errors caused by the prior flawed implementation.

Governor Cuomo said: “After listening to thousands of parents, educators and students, the Task Force has made important recommendations that include overhauling the Common Core, adopting new locally-designed high quality New York standards, and greatly reducing testing and testing anxiety for our students. The Common Core was supposed to ensure all of our children had the education they needed to be college and career-ready – but it actually caused confusion and anxiety. That ends now. Today, we will begin to transform our system into one that empowers parents, teachers and local districts and ensures high standards for all students. I thank the Task Force members for their thorough work. Together we will ensure that New York’s schools provide the world-class education that our children deserve.”

The Task Force was chaired by Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity Partners, LLC and former Chairman of Citigroup.

Richard Parsons said: “While adoption of the Common Core was extremely well intentioned, its implementation has caused confusion and upheaval in classrooms across New York State. We believe that these recommendations, once acted on, provide a means to put things back on the right track and ensure high quality standards that meet the needs of New York’s kids. The recommendations will provide the foundation to restore public trust in the education system in New York and build on the long history of excellence that preceded this period. On behalf of all the Task Force members, I thank everyone who submitted feedback during our review, as well as the Governor for providing us with this opportunity to improve the education system for students across New York State.”

The Task Force affirmed the importance of maintaining the highest quality standards and performance measures in education. However, the Task Force found that over the past decade there has been rapid change in education, including the 2009 federal Race to the Top and Common Core which has created confusion and disruption in states across the nation, including New York. Moreover, the original process to adopt and implement the Common Core standards, curriculum and tests in New York had implementation issues and failed to include sufficient input from educators, parents and local districts and was not open and transparent.

To ensure that the State moves forward with high quality education standards the Task Force made 21 recommendations including:
· Overhauling the Common Core and adopting locally-driven high quality New York education standards with input from local districts, educators, and parents through a transparent and open process that are age-appropriate and allow educators flexibility for Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners.

· Establishing a transparent and open process by which New York standards are periodically reviewed by educators and content area experts, since educators know their schools and students best.

· Providing educators and local school districts with the flexibility to develop and tailor curriculum to meet the needs of their individual students and requiring the State to create and release new and improved curriculum resources that educators can then adapt to meet the needs of their individual students.

· Engaging New York educators, not a private corporation, to drive the review and creation of State standards-aligned tests in an open and transparent manner.

· Minimizing student testing anxiety by reducing the number of test days and test questions and providing ongoing test transparency to parents, teachers and districts on test questions and student test scores.

· Ensuring that State tests account for different types of learners, including Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners.

The Task Force found that to implement the new system would require significant work including a comprehensive review of the current Common Core Standards in order to adopt new New York State Standards and create new curriculum and assessments in an open and transparent manner for the nearly 700 school districts, 5,000 schools, 200,000 plus teachers and 2.65 million students.

Therefore, the Task Force believes that in order to finally get the system right there must be adequate time to implement the system. Given all of the work and time required to review and adopt new standards, improve and adapt curriculum, and create new assessments, any current Common Core aligned tests should not count for students or teachers until the start of 2019-2020 school year when the new statewide standards developed through this process will be put into place.

New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch said: “The Task Force has adopted many if not most of the Board of Regents’ recommendations for improving the implementation of the higher standards we’ve set for our students. The most important message in the Task Force report is the renewed commitment to adopting and maintaining higher standards. We cannot turn our backs on our students at a time when the world is demanding more from them – more skills, more knowledge, more problem-solving.”

New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said: “In my first few months as commissioner, I’ve traveled across the state and heard a large cross section of New Yorkers — our teachers, parents and educators –share their deep concern for improving the education of our children. And as a member of the Common Core Task Force, I’ve heard those same stakeholders express those same concerns. Likewise, the Department’s AimHighNY survey unfolded the same passionate call for clear learning standards to serve as guideposts to future success for our children. Now it’s time to move forward and deliver on the promise we’ve made to our students and give them the best schools possible.”

The comprehensive report provides the history and context of learning standards and specifically, a review of the Common Core Standards in New York; a summary of testimony and stakeholder feedback across several categories and specific Task Force responses; and a full description of Task Force Recommendations.

The Education Transformation Act of 2015 will remain in place, and no new legislation is required to implement the recommendations of the report, including recommendations regarding the transition period for consequences for students and teachers. During the transition, the 18 percent of teachers whose performance is measured, in part, by Common Core tests will use different local measures approved by the state, similar to the measures already being used by the majority of teachers.

The report builds on the Governor’s longstanding commitment to education reform, including the recent laws together with the Legislature banning standardized testing for students in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade, capping test preparation to two percent of learning time, not counting the Common Core scores against students and requiring the State Education Department to help districts eliminate unnecessary standardized tests for all other students.

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Taxi Meter System, Tight Tax Cap Handicap,Comp. Plan Tied to TransCenter Survey, Heineken Expands– Mayor Discusses Plans for the City at WPCNA’s Annual “Pizza with the Mayor Meeting” By Ayana Meade

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Mayor Tom Roach holds court at the Council of Neighborhood Associations Monday evening.  (All Photos for WPCNR by Ayana Meade)

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. Special to WPCNR by Correspondent Ayana Meade. December 10, 2015:

Tuesday night, Mayor Thomas Roach discussed future plans for White Plains in front of a full crowd at the Education House during the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations’ annual “Pizza with the Mayor Meeting.”

The mayor talked for about a half-hour followed by another half-hour of questions from attendees. Topics discussed spanned multiple subjects with the majority of the discussion centering around the numerous development projects springing up in and around downtown White Plains—the main goal being to create a more vibrant downtown with increased pedestrian access.

The Mayor revealed Heineken’s announcement to move its creative departments from Manhattan to White Plains, and new plans to improve regulations on the city’s taxis,including switching to a metered system, (replacing the city wide zone fee structure now in effect).

The Mayor said the city tax cap they would be working under in preparing the 2016-17 budget would be .16  (point 1/6)  of a percent instead of the 2% the city had complied with  the previous two years, but said he thought the property tax impact would be helped by the increased development in the city.

The Mayor announced increased security for the New Year’s Ball Drop this year, and talked about what’s ahead for the developments now underway.

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White Plains Mayor Tom Roach discussing city development Tuesday evening.

Development projects discussed included the following:  55 Bank street—plans for two 16-story apartment buildings near train station; the Pavilion Mall on South Broadway—multi-use site with high-end apartment towers; the parking lots across from Nordstrom—small hotel and residential units; the City Center Mall—  return of a dedicated valet lane and higher-end restaurant tenants; The Westchester Mall—outdoor seating, and more pedestrian access; the “Boulevard”/old Scholz Dealership property—mixed use residential and “fitness mall”; Good Counsel school property—property sold, potential for student residence with Pace University; The Greenway—plans still on hold, meetings scheduled.

The largest project discussed was the TransCenter which the mayor noted will play a key and pivotal role in all other development projects throughout the city.

CITY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

When asked by an attendee whether it would be necessary to rewrite the city’s comprehensive plan, considering all the development projects currently underway, the mayor responded that the analysis and data gathered during the redevelopment of the TransCenter will be applied as feedback on the city’s other development projects. The TransCenter Task Force is charged with hiring individuals who will set up public participation forums through virtual meetings, that will provide all citizens with an opportunity to weigh in. (The firm Parsons-Brinkerhoff has already been selected by the city to faciliate the citizen involvement process.)

Effects on the City

In response to concerns over whether the projects will be pushing out lower income residents and whether they will provide sufficient affordable housing units, the mayor said the majority of the projects will not be pushing out lower income residents because they’re being built on sites that had no residents to begin with—i.e., parking lots, old car dealership, etc. [with the exception of the Esplanade Properties –being converted to rental apartments, pushing out seniors now housed there—not mentioned]

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Mayor Roach delivered a virtual “State of the City” to the Council of Neighborhood Associations.

Easing zoning and parking requirements

Alternatively, the mayor suggested, instead of just having requirements, the city should be looking at building properties with smaller units and re-evaluating zoning and parking requirements that can make housing in the city cost prohibitive, especially for lower income residents and young people.

Mayor’s Vision

The mayor’s overarching vision in terms of redevelopment is to create a more walkable city with more “life”—a city that provides places and opportunities for people to interact. “Human beings don’t like to go everywhere in their car,” said Mayor Roach. In passing the Complete Streets Legislation his goal is to send the message that the streets are for “everybody.”

When asked whether the projects will be union based, the mayor said that right now it looks like two major projects will be union—55 Bank Street and the Pavilion, saying that It’s something we can’t require but it’s something we encourage. “When you bring in union contractors you get a better and quicker outcome.” The mayor used the White Plains Hospital project as an example.

HEINEKEN Expresses Confidence in the City, 55 Jobs

Crediting the city’s changing landscape and redevelopment projects as being supportive of “creatives,” the mayor announced that Heineken USA will be moving their marketing and creative departments from Manhattan to White Plains, adding 55 jobs to the area.  The mayor noted that Heineken’s move will help to persuade other companies to do the same, saying “it’s the back office that you normally get out in the suburbs and to get the creative up here is really great.”

WINTERFEST in heated tent–safe from the elements

In keeping with the city’s plan to add more “life” to the downtown the WinterFest artisanal craft market will be held Dec 12th through Dec 20th in a heated tent at the site of the farmer’s market on Court Street. The mayor also discussed how film crews are taking an increased interest in the area, improving the local economy and providing opportunities for residents to get paid for having their homes featured in films.

New Year’s Eve Celebration of City Birthday

At this year’s New Year’s Eve (NYE) celebration the mayor’s main concern is security. This year security will be noticeably different—there will be a gated entry and multi-levels of law enforcement will be involved to keep everyone safe.

Notably, this year’s NYE celebration marks the 100th anniversary of the City of White Plains. Happy birthday will be sung before the ball drop and there will be celebrations throughout the year.  While the city’s authorization came from Albany in 1915 the charter became effective Jan 1st 1916, marking 100 years.

THE NEW LOWERED CITY TAX CAP 

The mayor also discussed the city’s finances, saying that since taking office the city has been within the tax cap every year and has done it without borrowing money for pensions or tax certificates, unlike other municipalities. He explained that the cap is referred to as the 2% tax cap but in actuality its not a 2% cap—this year White Plains’ tax cap is .16%, while the state has a 2% tax cap.  Part of what will help the city stay afloat is all the redevelopment taking place, but he admits dealing with the city’s finances is challenging under the current cap requirements.

 FASNY Process “A good process.”

During the meeting the French-American School of New York project (FASNY) continued to be a point of contention raised by a couple of attendees. The mayor responded by saying that he believes he ran a good process—saying that he ran civil meetings where people were allowed to speak and be heard. In the end he voted to close the street that would allow access to the school—a decision currently under litigation.

The Red Light Cameras Not to be Used for revenue.

Regarding red light cameras, the mayor says they’ve been authorized but the city is still deciding which intersections they will be used in.  The city’s program will be different than other municipalities—it will not be revenue driven, although it will produce revenue.  Red light camera placement will be focused on intersections that have a high propensity for accidents and the biggest threat to public safety.

 Taxi to go to a standardized metered system

The mayor is also working on new legislation for the city’s taxis.  One of the initiatives already completed is the hiring of two uniformed “taxi starters” at the White Plains train station—to help people with taxis at rush hour. The mayor is revising  the taxi ordinance.  The new ordinance will require a metered system instead of the current zone system, in an effort to standardize fare prices.  The new ordinance will also place a limit on how old a taxi in operation can be, with the mayor saying,

“it’s an opportunity to improve things.”

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Town of Greenburgh to Sell former Frank’s Nursery on 9A to an Assisted Living Company

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WPCNR THE FEINER REPORT By Paul Feiner. Town of Greenburgh Supervisor. December 9, 2015:

The Town Board is close to an agreement to  sell Frank’s nursery to an assisted living facility for $3,525,000. We anticipate that the facility will be between 90-100 units. In recent years residents have encouraged the town to sell the property, which we took over by foreclosure, for residential purposes or for an assisted living facility. Our current code authorizes assisted living facilities to be built at this location so no zoning changes will be required. We hired a broker over a year ago to help us market the property and worked hard to market the property. This was the best offer we received.

(1) Valterra (Capital Senior Housing) will now assume responsibility for the environmental remediation of the property but will do so at the Town’s expense;

(2) upon execution of the contract, Valterra (Capital Senior Housing) will deposit $100,000 in escrow and then assist the Town in working with the DEC during the (90) day feasibility period to quantify the cost of remediation and determine necessary remediation measures;

(3) once the cost of remediation is quantified, both parties will agree upon an amount of money to be placed in escrow that Valterra can draw down from to complete remediation;

(4) remediation will take place after closing and money placed in escrow for remediation will be deducted from the Town’s $3.5 purchase price;

 

 

 

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Public Relations ploy by FASNY, Anti-FASNY Writer Feels.

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. DECEMBER 8, 2015:

This (ACT White Plains movement )  is just another example of FASNY’s heavily financed PR in action.

I have not seen this letter yet but I am certain it contains the same names that we have seen over and over again; most whom have some personal ties with FASNY and/or live nowhere near the project.  It is silly for anyone to actually believe this is a group separate from FASNY.

 A super majority (5-2)  is needed on an Environmentally sensitive site for a good reason; to protect the environment. To suggest the council who voted “NO” to closing a public street and giving the property to FASNY so they could build their mega development, should change their vote because this small group is launching a website is silly.

 The only thing that FASNY has demonstrated is they want what they want and they will do anything to get it. The new President of the Board of Trustees of FASNY  waited just two days before the council voted to write a very strong letter to the City threatening to bring legal action if they did not get what they want.

Make no mistake about it, this latest publicity stunt is nothing more then trying to influence the judge by using the media.  They even go as far as to claim they deliberately did not file a damages suit because why???????  Could it have something to do with the fact they have already received handsome offers to buy the property?  Even an offer from a golf course developer who has offered almost DOUBLE what they paid for the property.  We are not going to stand by while they try to bully their way into destroying a neighborhood.  

Ellen Lee

White Plains

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