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 SNOW REPORT. By Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner. March 1, 10 P.M. E.S.T.:

I spent a few  hours with our highway crew tonight observing the snow removal operation. Larry MacDonald, a hard working and dedicated foreman with our highway department took me on a tour of snow removal operations around town.

Later in the evening I rode the larger highway truck that is used to keep our roads passable. Larry rose up the ranks to become foreman –has been working for the town for 25 years.  And, will be retiring in August. He’s a terrific employee who really cares about the town.

I learned a lot from Larry and have a greater appreciation for the work that our public works team does, thanks to our dialogue tonight.

The roads were slippery when I started out -around 6 PM.  Mr. MacDonald indicated that he thought this was the 7th weekend of snow storms.

“Roads get slippery when the weather keeps changing–melting and freezing conditions.” He mentioned that it’s important to salt the roads immediately after plowing the roads.

“We salted the roads beginning in the early afternoon today.  And, the plowing started in the early evening.  If we salt  the roads and immediately plow after the salting  we waste money since the plowing gets rid of the salt. About 30 trucks/vehicles were assigned to the snow clearing operation —32 square miles or 130 miles of roads.  We clear the major roads first and than clear the secondary roads–takes about 5-6 hours to clear the entire town of snow. The major roads will be cleared more frequently.”

The big problem we experienced: obstructions. We drove down Ridge Road in Hartsdale. ‘There was a Con Ed obstruction that our vehicle had to go around. A plate on the road. If we did not go around the plate the plate would have  moved and there would be a hole in the ground from the gas leak.

Another problem: We saw people push snow back on the road immediately after we cleared the road of snow. Not only does this create slippery road conditions quickly but drivers have to be on the lookout for residents who are in the middle of the road -throwing the snow back in the road. Slows down the operation.  We stopped the vehicle on Rockledge to allow an elderly woman, with a cane, to cross the street.  Our drivers have to be careful- obstructions and people.

During the evening we observed a car stuck on Secor Road. The foreman I drove with  blocked the road with his car and encouraged the motorist to back up. By blocking the road the driver did not have to worry about hitting someone. We don’t push cars that are stuck.

We were in a neighborhood in town with lots of cars parked on both sides of the road–a big highway plow truck was not able to get through the bend in the road.

The highway truck driver was very angry –the road obstructions not only make it difficult to clear streets but it slows down the entire snow clearing operation.  We need to do a better job of enforcing our no parking on roads ordinance -especially during snow storms.  Sections of the town where cars are parked on both sides of the street: Fieldstone, Rockledge, Fairview.

If cars are parked on the road while our plows are passing by – there is a risk that if the truck goes over some ice and skids – the cars on the road could be damaged.  After most snow storms we receive complaints from residents of broken mailboxes. The mailboxes are usually on town right of ways –we repair the broken mailboxes.

A highlight of the evening was my visit to the Theodore Young Community Center –which was being used as a warming center. The gym was in use –with lots of people enjoying the recreational activities. It’s nice to see that the community center is used by so many people –even during  snow storm.

Towards the end of the evening I experienced riding in a 1979 Mack truck (a much bigger vehicle). The plow truck ride was very bumpy and uncomfortable. We have 4 trucks still in operation from 1979.  Tonight some of our newer trucks experienced some problems. 2 flat tires…one of our trucks had to be towed back to the highway garage.  Our repair shop will repair each of the vehicles.  It costs $262,000 to replace a truck. And, we try keeping our vehicles in use as long as possible to save you money.

A special thank you to Public Works Commissioner Victor Carosi and his deputy, Richard Fon, for arranging for tonights tour. And, a special thanks to Pat Richards for also meeting up us. Pat is one of the most dedicated employees of the town–she will be retiring later this month.

We anticipate that garbage collection WILL be ON for tomorrow Monday. We’re basing this on weather forecasts. If circumstances change we will issue an advisory.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

914 438 1343

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti (92ND District,Greenburgh) March 1, 2015:

“The Governor’s budget is a disaster for people with special needs,” said Assemblyman Tom Abinanti  following a Joint Budget Hearing on Mental Hygiene.

“The proposed $31 million cut in the OPWDD budget comes at a time when today’s needs are not being met and there will soon be even more people needing help.”

(Last year, WPCNR reported the Governor wanted to cut over $300 Million from the OPWDD, but was forced to restore it due to concentrated opposition by the legislature after concentrated protest by parents, advocates and service organizations who care for the disabled..)

Abinanti expressed concern that OPWDD had to be represented by a Deputy Commissioner because for quite some time OPWDD hasn’t had a commissioner to advocate for the department.

Abinanti noted that there is no new money proposed for residential services even though the Deputy Commissioner admitted that there are about 11,000 people who now need or will soon need housing. The Deputy Commissioner stated that there were about 6,500 people on a housing waiting list with some 5,000 more registered for future housing. She explained that the department was concentrating on providing housing in emergency situations.

“We are properly closing down large institutions – saving some $60 million – but the money should be reinvested in community residences, not used to subsidize other parts of the state budget,” said Abinanti.

“The executive budget is a further cutback of already insufficient help for people who need it,” said the Westchester Assemblyman.

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WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From the Press Office of the Governor . February 26, 2015 UPDATED WITH CON EDISON STATEMENT, 2:55 P.M. EST:

201Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced new reforms to the energy and utility industry, requiring the integration of energy efficiency, solar, wind, and other clean energy technologies onto the grid in order to reduce energy bills and give customers more control over their energy use.

These innovative developments are part of the Governor’s Reforming the Energy Vision plan, a comprehensive strategy to provide cleaner, more affordable and reliable energy for all New Yorkers.

Con Edison, leading utility in the metropolitan area issued this statement to WPCNR AT 2:45 p.m.:

“We look forward to working with the governor and the commission on the implementation of their REV vision and goals to benefit customers, improve overall resiliency, and encourage the development of new technologies and customer-based grid connections. The commission staff has developed a strong framework to begin this process, and we welcome the input and participation of industry and policy leaders”

“A 21st century economy needs a 21st century power grid, and these reforms will ensure New Yorkers get the best possible service from their utilities while improving the statewide economy,” said Governor Cuomo. “This state is in need of a modern and efficient energy system, and we are proud to take the steps to build a sustainable way to deliver energy to every home in New York.”

The nation’s electric system has remained largely unchanged since Thomas Edison developed the country’s first power grid in Lower Manhattan in 1884. The changes announced today will require utilities to coordinate and partner with other companies and entrepreneurs to provide clean, local, energy services and solutions to customers. This will improve and enable:
· Competition: By restricting utilities from owning local power generation and other energy resources, customers will benefit from a more competitive market, with utilities working and partnering with other companies and service providers.

· Consumer Protection: Establishing expanded outreach and consumer protections will benefit low- and moderate-income customers and promote greater transparency and community engagement

· Energy Efficiency: Requiring utilities to improve their ongoing energy efficiency programs will reduce customer energy bills and curb statewide greenhouse gas emissions
A number of critical issues drive the need to reform New York’s electricity market, including the fact that approximately $30 billion — paid for entirely by New York’s electric customers — will need to be spent over the next decade to maintain the electric grid as it currently exists, compared with $17 billion over the past 10 years.

Further, as extreme weather events continue to affect communities across our state, it is becoming increasingly clear that meaningful action to mitigate and adapt to climate change is a necessary policy for any responsible state government.

Richard Kauffman, who as Chairman of Energy & Finance for New York leads the Reforming the Energy Vision strategy on behalf of the Governor, said, “Today we’ve made it possible for New York State to capture the tremendous economic and environmental benefits new clean energy innovation and investments can provide. By requiring utilities to modernize their business models and meet evolving customer demands, New York is committed to forging a new path to develop a dynamic, customer-oriented power grid able to drive clean energy markets to scale.”

Audrey Zibelman, State Public Service Commission Chair, said, “The landmark steps New York State is taking today will reorient both the electric industry and the ratemaking process toward a consumer-centered approach that harnesses new technologies and markets. Just as the Internet revolutionized the communication, retail and media industries, so too will a modernized regulatory and delivery system for electricity give consumers maximum value for their energy dollar. With our action, we set the framework of unleashing innovation throughout the industry that will support a consumer-driven power system that meets the economic and environmental needs of New York.”

There are hundreds of technology innovators and third-party companies in New York, such as energy services, retail suppliers and demand-management, which are all poised to help reduce energy bills by giving customers greater control of how much power they consume and where the power comes from. With today’s decision, these companies will develop products and services that enable full customer engagement.

To meet customer needs, utilities will work with clean energy providers to bring new clean technology innovation onto the power grid, ensuring all customers receive secure, reliable and cost-effective power.

The fundamental regulatory reforms taking place were shaped in large part by direct participation and comments of more than 1,000 New Yorkers, including numerous State and local lawmakers, community and advocacy organizations. The steps taken today are consistent with the draft State Energy Plan, which calls for the use of markets and reformed regulatory techniques in order to achieve increased system efficiency, carbon reductions, and customer empowerment.

Under Governor Cuomo’s strategic Reforming the Energy Vision initiative, New York State is actively spurring clean energy innovation, bringing in new investments, improving consumer choice while protecting the environment and energizing New York’s economy at the state and local levels. By unleashing innovation, New York is pioneering a new statewide approach, giving customers new opportunities for energy savings, local power generation, and enhanced reliability to provide safe, clean, and affordable electric service for all customers.

By unleashing markets, through statewide initiatives such as the Clean Energy Fund and $1 billion NY Green Bank, New York is moving to diversify its support of the clean energy industry to address market barriers and attract private capital necessary to achieve the State’s economic development and environmental objectives.

By empowering communities and creating jobs through programs like Community Solar NY and K-Solar for schools, the $40 million NY-Prize competition for community microgrids and the $1 billion NY-Sun Initiative, New York is leveraging the power of its state institutions and government agencies to integrate local energy resources and meet the needs of New York’s communities. 

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To arrange a personal tour or to receive an information package, contact the school office at (914) 761-4423 or goodcounsel@gcaelem.net.  More information about Good Counsel Academy Elementary can be found at www.goodcounselelementary.net

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. Special to WPCNR from the White Plains Department of Public Safety. February 24, 2015 9:30 P.M. E.S.T.:

White Plains police tonight issued newly enhanced video  snaps of the Saturday afternoon robbery in progress at the Tourneau store in The Westchester Mall. Police request persons who recognize this individual or know of his whereabouts to contact White Plains Police confidentially at 914-422-6256 , 24 hours a day.