Moroni: Resigning for Health Reasons.

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WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. October 26, 2011:


Gannet Reporter Richard Liebson wrote tonight in an interview with Albert Moroni, former Commissioner of Parking and Recreation and Parks  (until yesterday afternoon when he abruptly resigned from the city of White Plains,as first reported by WPCNR), told  him that  Moroni resigned his position Wednesday for health reasons because he has prostate cancer.


In Liebson’s conversation with Moroni, Liebson wrote that Moroni comfirmed that he had a traffic accident with a city car 15 Days ago on Wednesday October 12 in Valley Cottage, but that the accident had nothing to do with his decision to resign after 30 years with the City of White Plains.


To date the city has not issued a detailed statement on the abrupt departure of the man running the most profitable department in the city,  other than confirmation of Moroni’s resignation,and naming his successors for the time being at Parking (John Larson) and Recreation and Parks (Frances Croughan) nor issued a statement  commenting on Mr. Moroni’s service to the city.


Previously the city would not confirm to WPCNR that Mr. Moroni had had an accident with a city car, and would only confirm to WPCNR that he had resigned and did not state a reason for the resignation, nor issue a statement on Mr. Moroni’s distinguished 30 year career with the city.


Perhaps it will be forthcoming, but a commentary on the Moroni legacy  has not been issued.  WPCNR believes Mr. Moroni is the longest serving commissioner next to Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti. 

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2 Bridges:Long,Tall,Leggy Replace TZ Dowager. Agency In Charge Not Chosen Yet.

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Where’s Mass Transit? Scopers Ask.


 


WPCNR BRIDGE NEWS. By John F. Bailey. October 26, 2011 UPDATED WITH EXHIBIT CHARTS 10 P.M. E.D.T.:  


 


The Department of Transporation unveiled its new Tappan Zee Bridge Reconstruction option at the Tarrytown Doubletree Hotel Tuesday afternoon in a scoping presentation that kicked off an accelerated environmental review of the Tappan Zee Bridge Replacement Project. 


 


The agency and chain of command responsible for funding, engineering and building the bridges has not been determined at this time.


 


The environmental review that began yesterday is scheduled to be completed in December 2012, with work beginning in 2013 and the project completed by 2018.


 



Choice of Two Designs, Cable Suspension Above, or  Arch Bridge below:


 


 


The new “bridge” is really two bridges, higher off the Hudson River and straighter than the present 1959-built Tappan Zee Bridge. The proposed spannings  allow more speed because they are level and add permanent lanes to the East West corridors, raising the total of lanes to 4 in each direction. The design met with widespread complaints in the scoping session because it has no mass transit component according to observers in the audience who spoke with WPCNR.


 



 


The New Bridge Profile (In yellow will be higher than the existing Tappan Zee Bridge, allowing for straighter, more level crossing rather than the alleged slowing of traffic on grade experienced now with the present bridge (profile and grade is colored in blue


 


Officials making explanations of the exhibit of the design in the reception area toured by WPCNR as well as officials making the official scoping presentation went to great lengths to assure the public that the dual bridge would be engineered to add mass transit of rapid bus transit or rail transit sometime in the future to be determined. A second scoping session is scheduled to be held in the Palisades Mall from 4 to 9 P.M. Thursday afternoon, when officials will again make the presentation they made Tuesday evening.



Mass Transit Could be Added in the future to this structure in the cantilevered space underneath the roadways or in the space between the bridges — bus or rail according to engineers.


 



 


The Chart immediately below shows how the Project engineers would add mass transit (rail, bus,or both in the future)


 



 


 


 


Who’s the Czar?


 


Browsing the bridge exhibits, WPCNR  asked William Reynolds, Communications Director of the Department of Transportation what agency is ultimately going to  be responsible to build and have ultimate control of the project: funding, engineering, choosing contractors, building the bridge.


 


“That (decision) is well down the road” according to William Reynolds, Communications Director, of the Department of Transportation the Federal Highway Administration  that stepped in last week to “fast track” the project environmental review to speed replacement of the bridge, or the New York Department of Transporation that has spent 10 years tinkering with the design of a replacement. Reynolds said the present stage beginning yesterday is the environmental review and designation of responsibility for the project has not been determined at this time. He said he would get back to WPCNR with more details on when and how the assignment of responsibility for building the bridges will be made.


 


Here is what WPCNR learned in discussing the design with DOT personnel at the reception area displaying key charts showing the new bridges (Press read-on instruction):


 


 


 



Overview of the new position of the new Tappan Zee Double Bridge, presented Tuesday. The Double Bridge will position slightly north of the present bridge (represented by blue line in the overhead view above. It will connect with the present Nyack and Tarrytown approaches (using the present Tappan Zee Toll Plaza).



Closeup view of the Nyack Side Connection to the new bridge.There appears to be no eminent domain land-taking. (Blue at right of overhead is the present Tappan Zee bridge.)



The Tarrytown Connection: Double Bridge connecting to prsent toll-plaza. No eminent domain appears needed.



The North Structure of the Double Bridge will be built first and when it is completed in an estimated 2-1/2 years, it appears the old Tappan Zee Bridge will be closed approximately 2016. The completed northern structure will carry 8 lanes of traffic, 4 east and 4 west bound, while the south side of the double bridge is built.



Upon Completion of the South ramp, the new North Bridge will revert to a 4 lane West bound only direction with a bicycle and pedestrian lane at far left,a 10-foot buffer/breakdown lane and 4 12-foot westbound lanes, an 8 foot buffer/breakdown lane, and a 12 foot Emergency Access lane.



The South Bridge will carry 4 lanes of eastbound traffic, and have a 10 foot breakdown/shoulder lane on the right andf Emergency Access on the left. It is scheduled to be completed by 2018.


 



The Tuesday Scoping Session kicked off the “fastrack” environmental review scheduled to be completed by December, 2012. The Bridge is expected to begin construction 2013 with completion of both structures by 2018.


 


 

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Council to consider a Phalanx of Grant Applications for Environmental Projects

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. From the City Clerk. October 26, 2011:


The Common Council will meet in a Special Meeting this afternoon at 5:30 P.M. to consider and presumably approve a series of new grant applications involving the Kittrell Pool, construction of the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Route 119, and stormwater drains in municipal parking lots. The council will also hear and update on the North Street Community senior condominium project on North Street (dormant for five years), and at the conclusion there is an Executive Session to consider litigation involving the public officers’ law, no further details mentioned.


 


The Agenda:



COMMON COUNCIL


SPECIAL MEETING


October 26, 2011


5:30 P.M.


DISCUSSION:


1. North Street Community LLC – former St. Agnes Hospital Building – Presentation.RESOLUTIONS:


2. Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Planning in relation to the authorization


of a grant proposal by the Common Council for a project entitled, “City of White Plains


Veteran’s Memorial Park Construction.”


3. Communication from Environmental Officer


4. Environmental Findings Resolution


5. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing and


directing the filing of an application for funds from the New York State Office of


Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of


Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993, in an amount not to exceed


$400,000, and upon approval of said grant application request to enter into and


execute a project agreement with the State for such financial assistance to the


City of White Plains for the project, “Veteran’s Memorial Park Construction,” to be


located in the City of White Plains, and, if appropriate, a conservation


easement/preservation covenant to the deed of the assisted property.


6. Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Planning in relation to the authorization


of a grant proposal by the Common Council for a project entitled, “City of White Plains


Kittrell Pool Renovation and Reconstruction.”


7. Communication from Environmental Officer


8. Environmental Findings Resolution


9. Resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains authorizing and


directing the filing of an application for funds from the New York State Office of


Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of


Title 9 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1993, in an amount not to exceed


$400,000, and upon approval of said grant application request to enter into and


execute a project agreement with the State for such financial assistance to the


City of White Plains for the project, “Kittrell Pool Renovation and Reconstruction,”


to be located in the City of White Plains, and, if appropriate, a conservation


easement/preservation covenant to the deed of the assisted property.


10. Communication from Deputy Commissioner of Planning in relation to two grant


proposals through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application and the Green


Innovation Grant Program administered by the NYS Environmental Facilities


Corporation through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the U.S. Environmental


Protection Agency, for two projects: Municipal Parking Lot Stormwater Treatment; and


the Public Right-of-Way Street Tree Planters.


11. Communication from Environmental Officer


12. Environmental Findings Resolution


13. Communication from Environmental Officer


14. Environmental Findings ResolutionDISCUSSION:


15. Entertainment of a motion to enter into an executive session pursuant to Section


105(I)(d) of the Public Officers Law for the purpose of discussing pending litigation

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8 NYPD OFFICERS, SOME RETIRED & 4 OTHERS CHARGED WITH SALE OF FIREARMS, STOLEN G

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WPCNR FBI WIRE. From the Federal Bureau of Investigation. October 25, 2011:


PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, JANICE K. FEDARCYK, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and RAYMOND W. KELLY, the Police Commissioner of the City of New York (“NYPD”), today announced charges against 12 defendants, including eight active-duty and retired NYPD Officers, for participating in a variety of schemes involving the illegal interstate transportation of stolen goods.


According to the Complaint filed today in Manhattan federal court, from September 2010 to the present, some or all of the defendants conspired to transport across state lines: stolen slot machines; firearms, including three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, and 16 handguns, the majority of which had been defaced to remove or alter the serial number; and stolen cigarettes and counterfeit goods. In total, the goods that the defendants allegedly illegally transported carried a street value of over $1 million.


The active-duty NYPD Officers charged are: WILLIAM MASSO, EDDIE GORIS, and JOHN MAHONEY, who work in Brooklyn’s 68th precinct; ALI OKLU, who works as a member of the Brooklyn South Task Force; and GARY ORTIZ, who works in Brooklyn’s 71st precinct. The retired NYPD Officers charged are JOSEPH TRISCHITTA, MARCO VENEZIA, and RICHARD MELNIK, who worked in Brooklyn’s 68th precinct. TRISCHITTA and VENEZIA were active-duty officers for part of the time that they allegedly committed the charged offenses.


Also charged are, former NYC Department of Sanitation Police Officer ANTHONY SANTIAGO, active-duty New Jersey Corrections Officer DAVID KANWISHER, and associates MICHAEL GEE and ERIC GOMER. The defendants were arrested this morning and are expected to be presented in Manhattan federal court later today.


Manhattan U.S. Attorney PREET BHARARA said:


“The Complaint describes how a group of crime fighters took to moonlighting as criminals; how a gang of police officers who should have been keeping guns off the street instead smuggled 20 firearms into the City; and how a number of men once charged with enforcing the law are now charged with breaking it. An officer who betrays his badge betrays every honorable officer, as well as every member of the public. The NYPD is the finest police force in the world, and has done more to protect our city and keep us safe than any comparable force in any city, anywhere. I am proud to work with a police department that has the courage to police itself, as is it has shown today. ”


FBI Assistant Director in Charge JANICE K. FEDARCYK said:


“This morning’s arrests are the culmination of a long-term undercover investigation that began in 2009. These crimes are without question, reprehensible—particularly conspiring to import untraceable guns and assault rifles into New York. The public trusts the police not only to enforce the law, but to obey it. These crimes, as alleged in the Complaint, do nothing but undermine public trust and confidence in law enforcement. We are committed to continuing to work with the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD to root out corruption, wherever it may be.”


Commissioner RAYMOND W. KELLY said:


“I want to commend the U.S. Attorney and the FBI who, together with the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau, today arrested a dozen individuals, five of them police officers, who believed they were helping to transport stolen goods, as well as firearms. The fact that the goods really weren’t stolen and the guns didn’t work doesn’t lessen culpability, especially for those who had sworn an oath to uphold the law. The most disturbing aspect of this sting was that, according to the Complaint, William Masso actually saw what he must have certainly believed were functioning guns. He had no way of knowing that the guns to be transported had been rendered inoperable. It was a betrayal of the highest order of an officer’s oath.”


According to the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:


In late 2009, MASSO met a confidential informant (“CI”) who was working for the FBI. During conversations over the next several months, MASSO allegedly expressed an interest in obtaining and selling cigarettes and other contraband. At the direction of law enforcement, the CI began to supply MASSO with cigarettes that the CI described as having been stolen from out of state, and MASSO sold these cigarettes. In the Spring of 2010, the CI and MASSO discussed whether MASSO could assist the CI and the CI’s purported boss, who was really an undercover law enforcement agent, (“UC-1”). MASSO agreed, saying he could get a “retired cop, active cop, ex-cop, bad guy…You want a guy who beat the s—t out of somebody who bothers him, we got that. We got cops with vests and guns.”


The Stolen Slot Machine Scheme


Between October 2010 and March 2011, the defendants conspired to transport what they believed to be stolen slot machines across state lines. Specifically, on October 5, 2010, MASSO, SANTIAGO, GORIS, GOMER, and OKLU transported a number of purportedly stolen slot machines via U-Haul trucks from New Jersey to New York. Subsequently, on March 25, 2011, MASSO, SANTIAGO, GORIS, and OKLU along with VENEZIA, MAHONEY, MELNIK, TRISCHITTA, and KANWISHER transported a number of purportedly stolen slot machines from New Jersey to New York.


In preparing for, and carrying out this scheme, the defendants specifically discussed using their credentials and knowledge as law enforcement officers. For example, in a meeting on March 24, 2011, MASSO explained that the men should carry their law enforcement badges during the operation and, if stopped, should say they were police officers working off-duty to deliver items another person had purchased at an auction. MAHONEY described a route they could take in order to avoid detection by law enforcement, and OKLU advised that the vans should not travel together on the highway.


For their participation in the March 2011 transport, MASSO was paid $10,000 in cash; SANTIAGO was paid $7,000 in cash; GORIS and TRISCHITTA were each paid $5,000 in cash; MELNIK and OKLU were each paid $4,000 in cash; KANWISHER was paid $3,000 in cash; and MAHONEY and VENEZIA were each paid $2,000 in cash.


The Stolen Cigarettes and Stolen Merchandise Scheme


On a number of occasions between Fall 2010 and September 2011, the defendants conspired to transport what they believed to be stolen cigarettes and stolen merchandise, such as handbags and clothing, across state lines. On one occasion in May 2011, GORIS, OKLU, SANTIAGO, ORTIZ, KANWISHER and GOMER traveled from the New York City area to Virginia to take part in a purported theft of more than $500,000 worth of cigarettes from two trucks.


On the way to Virginia, SANTIAGO, along with the CI and UC-1, stopped to buy a bolt cutter and duct tape to prepare for the theft. The men then transported approximately 270 cases of cigarettes back to New York and, along with MASSO and GEE, they sold the cigarettes to various buyers. For their participation in the May 2011 cigarette transport, SANTIAGO received $23,000 in cash; GORIS received $20,000 in cash; OKLU received $15,000 in cash; KANWISHER and ORTIZ received $10,000 in cash each; GOMER received $5,000 in cash; and MASSO received $9,000 in cash plus cases of the purportedly stolen cigarettes.


The Firearms Schemes


As alleged in the Complaint, in July 2011, MASSO, SANTIAGO and GEE conspired to sell a shotgun to UC-1 for $2,000. After providing the shotgun, MASSO told UC-1 that the gun was just a “sample” and that they could get anything “from A to Z.” GEE promised UC-1 six to eight guns a month. MASSO, SANTIAGO and GEE had subsequent discussions with UC-1 about the possibility of obtaining handguns and transporting them interstate.


Ultimately, UC-1 informed MASSO that he could obtain firearms but needed them transported to New York. Subsequently, on September 22, 2011, MASSO, GORIS, OKLU, ORTIZ, SANTIAGO, KANWISHER, TRISCHITTA, and VENEZIA transported numerous firearms and purportedly stolen cigarettes from New Jersey to New York. The firearms—all of which had been rendered inoperable by the FBI—included three M-16 rifles, one shotgun, and 16 handguns—the majority of which had been defaced to remove or alter their serial numbers. The defendants transported the firearms, as well as cigarettes they believed to have been stolen from New Jersey to Long Island.


The firearms were delivered to another undercover agent, and the cigarettes were sold to various buyers, including individuals who were not undercover law enforcement agents, prearranged by MASSO and SANTIAGO. For participating in this scheme, MASSO was paid $6,000 in cash; GORIS, ORTIZ, TRISCHITTA, OKLU, KANWISHER and VENEZIA were each paid $5,000 in cash; and SANTIAGO was paid $2,000 in cash. On October 5, 2011, MASSO met with UC-1 at a hotel in Manhattan and paid UC-1 $147,600 in cash, representing UC-1’s share of the proceeds from selling the purportedly stolen cigarettes.


* * *


A chart identifying each defendant, the charges, and the maximum penalties, is below.


Mr. BHARARA praised the investigative work of the FBI and the Internal Affairs Bureau of the NYPD.


This prosecution is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit and the Complex Frauds Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys CARRIE H. COHEN, BRENT S. WIBLE, and AMANDA KRAMER are in charge of the prosecution.


The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


U.S. v. Masso, et al.























































DEFENDANT AGE RESIDENCE
WILLIAM MASSO 47 Brooklyn, NY
EDDIE GORIS 31 Queens, NY
ALI OKLU 35 Queens, NY
GARY ORTIZ 27 Brooklyn, NY
JOHN MAHONEY 26 Staten Island, NY
JOSPEH TRISCHITTA 42 Staten Island, NY
MARCO VENEZIA 46 Brooklyn, NY
RICHARD MELNIK 42 Staten Island, NY
ANTHONY SANTIAGO 45 Tuckerton, NJ
DAVID KANWISHER 38 Tuckerton, NJ
MICHAEL GEE 40 Staten Island, NY
ERIC GOMER 28 Staten Island, NY



























COUNT CHARGE DEFENDANTS MAXIMUM PENALTIES
1 Conspiracy to Transport Firearms Interstate WILLIAM MASSO
EDDIE GORIS
ALI OKLU
GARY ORTIZ
JOSEPH TRISCHITTA
MARCO VENEZIA
ANTHONY SANTIAGO
DAVID KANWISHER		 Five years in prison
2 Conspiracy to Transport Defaced Firearms Interstate WILLIAM MASSO
EDDIE GORIS
ALI OKLU		 Five years in prison
3 Conspiracy to Sell a Firearm to an Out of State Resident WILLIAM MASSO
ANTHONY SANTIAGO
MICHAEL GEE		 Five years in prison
4 Conspiracy to Transport and Receive Stolen Merchandise WILLIAM MASSO
EDDIE GORIS
ALI OKLU
GARY ORTIZ
JOHN MAHONEY
JOSPEH TRISCHITTA
MARCO VENEZIA
RICHARD MELNIK
ANTHONY SANTIAGO
DAVID KANWISHER
MICHAEL GEE
ERIC GOMER		 Ten years in prison

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Questions to Ask at the NEXT Forum. Fasten Your Seatbelts

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2011. News & Comment by John F. Bailey. October 24, 2011:


 


 The League of Women Voters sponsored its traditional Candidates Forum Monday evening at the library. The forum did go according to form and did not raise the substantial questions of Common Council Candidates that should have been asked.


 


The first Forum held at the Women’s Club produced the usual decorum among candidates, their professed love for White Plains, its “diversity,” the need for affordable housing, (which is odd, since White Plains already has plenty of affordable housing, it’s just illegal, just ask civic leaders living in Battle Hill, Fisher Hill, Eastview and DeKalb neighborhoods); the need to protect neighborhoods (code words for denying French American School of New York from building its campus on the former Ridgeway Country Club); the need for fiscal vigilance, the need for more economic development, (without recognizing that half the west side of town is locked in as an urban renewal project with the city having to take the lead).


 


 There were no attacks on the incumbent councilpersons for letting city finances get into the present crisis. There were no attacks on the incumbents’ voting for site plan renewal after site plan renewal that now has the effect of stalling any development until the landowners take their sweet time funding their projects.


 


There was a noticeable lack of preparation on the part of Republican council challengers, one of whom totally misstated the sales tax trend. With the exception of Terrence Gueriere, they exhibited no preparation for the forum, no knowledge of how things got this way in the city today,let alone the condition the city is in today, and no stomach for even suggesting that the present councilpersons were perhaps just a wee inattentive the last four years, and perhaps made questionable decisions?


 


It appears that the always cooperative Republican City Committee is handing the electon to the Democratic Foursome by not spending much on a campaign, not attacking Democrats’ past performance, and not coming up with even a platform other than “Stop FASNY.”


 


WPCNR prepared a list of issues and questions that if asked at the final debate sponsored by Concerned Citizens for Open Space coming up might be revealing. The questions (only questions 18 and 21 were asked by citizenry):


 


For starters, if I was preparing questions for tonight’s debate, or even making statements as a candidate, I’d explore the following:


 



  1. Pension costs for the city are going to be up about 20%, will you cut the budget to meet that demand, or raise taxes (since the 2% state cap exempts pensions from being subject to capping?

 


2. Do you advocate keeping White Plains property taxes at only  a 2% increase? Or will you vote to override the cap?


 


3. Will you hire more police for the city to get the police department up to their authorized compliment of officers?


 


4. Do you advocate reorganization of the police department by outsourcing clerical and record-keeping duties to save pension, salary and benefits costs?


 


5. Do you advocate cutting the Department of Public Works staff in favor of outsourcing, cutting benefits, salaries.


 


6. Do you advocate another increase in the White Plains Sales Tax to cover union costs over the next few years.


 


7. Would you advocate a blanket surcharge on all commercial property tax owners to replenish losses in revenue caused by successful commercial certioraris?


 


8. Do you advocate a “revalulation” of all White Plains Commericial and Residential Property (as advocated by Westchester County and New York State officials) to stabilize property taxes?


 



  1. What is your solution for coping with the property tax refund crisis that is the main cause of increased property taxes?

 



  1. Would you cut city services to keep property taxes at zero and what services should we cut?

 



  1. How will you get the site plans currently stalled around the city such as North Street Community, 55 Bank Street, the Bloomingdale Road mall at the Department of Labor building, Maple Avenue condo-approved sites, going again?

 



  1.  Will you insist on financing commitments from developers prior to site plan approvals, and penalties if the project is not commenced when scheduled?

 



  1.  Will you crack down on illegal housing by announcing “safety” inspections of all single and multi-family homes in the city? Or inviting landlords in violation to participate in an amnesty program?

 



  1.  Will you work with the Mayor’s Office to advocate televising all work sessions and Special Meetings?

 



  1. Will you work for the city and the school district to hold parallel and cooperative budget development to mitigate tax increases?

 



  1. Do you advocate the city purchasing the Ridgeway Property back from the French American School of New York to avert development of that property?

 



  1. Do you advocate beefing up the city legal department with specific expertise, as well as  planning, and building departments  to avoid the millions of dollars in legal fees assigned annually to outside law firms for such ongoing activities as  certiorari fights, planning activities, zoning and labor negotiations?

 



  1. Will you work for equal public works services in all neighborhoods?

 



  1.  Will you work with the Corporation Counsel and the Mayor to reveal lawsuits the city is newly faced with? (Currently such information is suppressed.)

 



  1. What do you believe are the new challenges confronting the updating of the City Comprehensive Plan?

 



  1. What is your plan for positioning White Plains to potential businesses?

 


Feel free League of Women Voters to pick and chose your queries.

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Troubling $$ Picture Presented to Budgeteers: Pension $$s up 20% to spur Cuts

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. Interview with Councilperson Beth Smayda,  City Budget & Management Committee. October 24, 2011:


Councilwoman Beth Smayda is Chair of the Mayor’s Budget & Management Committee. Two weeks ago the committee met and was given a snapshot of financial issues facing the city. Ms. Smayda responded Friday to these WPCNR questions over the weekend and highlights the issues coming up that the city has to face in preparing the 2012-2013 budget and current fiscal 2011-12 trends:


WPCNR:  What were the salient facts of financial life facing the city? mortgage tax, hotel tax trends? Health cost trends?

 

Ms. Smayda: The City should be done closing the books for FY2010/11 shortly, after which the audit for that fiscal year will be released.  Once that’s done we’ll have a good idea of year-end balances and can then calculate first-quarter FY2011/12 financial results with an updated balance sheet.  

 

While we did receive an update on sales tax collections, which I know you’re already following (Editor’s Note: up 10%) , it was still too early to have received reporting on some of the other larger revenue items, such as mortgage tax, hotel tax, state aid, etc…  

 

Eileen Bradley did report that property tax collections delinquencies have increased somewhat, however, overall are still fairly strong.  We did discuss extensively the mechanics of the property tax cap and implications for the next budget, although the State has still not finalized the cap calculation.  

 

We did receive information on the new pension contribution rates released by the State Comptroller in August 2011.  Police & Fire Retirement System contributions will be increasing 16 – 20%, varying by employee tier, while Employee Retirement System (non-uniformed) contributions are increasing in a range of 17-19% over last year’s contribution rates.  

 

Although the property tax cap calculation is not yet finalized, a “back of the envelope” calculation would indicate that half of the pension cost increase will need to be offset by non-property tax revenue growth or expenditure decreases in next year’s budget.

 

Additionally, given continued declines in assessments, expected growth in health care benefit costs, negotiated salary increases and the need to restore fund balances, the City will once again face a challenging budget scenario for the fiscal 2012-13 budget.

 

WPCNR:  Did the B & M committee recommend any more cost saving initiatives on the current 2011-12 budget now being spent down?

 

Ms. Smayda: The Committee and two Subcommittees, in particular, are looking at potential cost-savings in fleet management and commercial garbage pick-up.  The subcommittees have each met once and are still investigating potential areas of savings.  

 

Any recommendations that come out of the subcommittees’ work would be for the 2012-13 budget.

 

Eileen  (Bradley) did report that the pilot project on sharing maintenance staff between the Traffic and Parking Departments is going well.  The combined/shared staffing arrangement is allowing the departments to get through backlogged striping projects.  They expect to begin LED light installations upon completion of the current projects.  Both the pilot project and LED installations were previously recommended by the Budget & Management Advisory Committee.

 

WPCNR:  What is the city labor situation with the unions…binding arbitration looming? (means at least a 3% increase in my opinion)



As you know, the Mayor’s Office is responsible for labor negotiations so I have no information to report on the labor situation, other than what has already been publicly reported.

 

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Jobs added y-2-y first since 2007, Analyst Projects. WP Employment Down in Sept.

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WPCNR Labor & Neighbor. From Johny Nelson, Analyst,  New York State Department of Labor, October 20, 2011 UPDATED October 26, 2011:

 

The Hudson Valley’s labor market continues to exhibit signs of life, as it rebounds from the worst economic downturn since the 1930’s. In September, the region’s private sector job count rose over the year by 9,100, or 1.3 percent, and is on track for its first annual increase since 2007.

 

In White Plains, unemployment went up by 100 persons in September according to NYS Labor Statistics. Through September in White Plains, 28,400 were reported as employed and 1,900 (6.2%) were unemployed. White Plains has beeb at about 2,000 unemployed on average through the first 9 months of 2011.

 

Educational and Health Services, the area’s largest employment sector added 4,100 jobs over the period, accounting for nearly half the private sector job gains. On the downside, the continued downward spiral of jobs in the public sector (-2,200) remains a concern.


 

Private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region increased 9,100 or 1.3 percent, to 732,400 for the 12-month period ending September 2011. 

 

Employment gains were recorded in educational and health services (+4,100), trade, transportation and utilities (+2,400), leisure and hospitality (+2,400), professional and business services (+1,500), and financial activities (+500).  Job losses were centered in the following industries: natural resources, mining and construction (-1,700), and manufacturing (-300). The Government sector shed 2,200 jobs over the year.

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High School Touts 21 for National Merit Honors

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From Michele Schoenfeld, White Plains Schools. October 20, 2011:


Eight White Plains High School seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Competition.  The students are:  Matthew Africano, Aneesh Bhattacharya, Emmett Caruso,Isabelle Daly, Adam Jaffe, Jens Sannerud, Eric Smiley and Benjamin Van Doren.


Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were named nationally — less than one percent of U. S. high school seniors – who will continue in the competition to advance to Finalist level and compete for about 8,300 scholarships worth more than $34 million.  The program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.


 


Commended students in this competition program are Shaina Brady, Rong-Si Deng, Rachel Eddy, Jordan Grobe, Alyssa Habermann, Michael Lau, Khalilah Lushiku and William Tunney.


 


            In the National Achievement Scholarship Program, which provides recognition for outstanding Black American high school students, Khalilah Lushiku and Cheyenne Vlymen-Williams are Semi- finalists and Ty Matsushita was named Outstanding Participant.


 


            Three students were named National Hispanic Recognition Scholars:  Matthew Africano, Selina Thompson and Anna Velasquez.  John Medelius received Honorable Mention.


 


The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Program, to honor the nation’s scholastic champions and encourage the pursuit of academic excellence. 


 


 

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WP 3Q Home Sales Off 25% from 2010. Realtor: Few Homes 4 Sale=Strong Spring

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WPCNR HOUSING TIMES. By John F. Bailey. October 19, 2011:


 


White Plains realtor and President of the Westchester Putnam Association of Realtors, Mike Graessle of Better Homes/Rand Realty reports City of White Plains housing sales down 25% in the months of July, August and September,with prices continuing to soften, but he feels, stablizing.


 



 


Mike Graessle on a recent appearance on the city news roundup show, White Plains Week (Fridays, 7:30 PM, Channels 45 and 76, or www.WPcommunitymedia.org) updates his appearance with the latest White Plains realty sales numbers.


 


 He noted to WPCNR that the decline in  homes on the market (125 as of October 15)may bring a robust spring selling season with competition for starter homes. The city sales decline contrasted with home sales in the rest of Westchester County which went up 8% (See last week’s story on county realty sales.)


 


The average selling price of a White Plains home continued declining in the third quarter drifting down to $619,732, 7.7% below the third quarter of last year, ($671,501). The time a White Plains homeowner can expect to sell their home remained at 155 days ( 5 months). Fewer White Plains  homes were put on the market the last three months (70) than the third quarter of last year (82) 


 





Graessle said  Co-op sales, however, were up an “astounding 74%” from 21 in the third quarter of last year to 37 in the last three months, well ahead of the county increase of 18%. The average price up 16% to  $185,360. The median price (half sold above, half selling below) was $182,250, with the time it takes to move a co-op declining to 215 (5 months), and inventory of co-ops up to 105. Graessle attributed this to a younger market seeking their first home and seeking deductibility of housing costs from their taxes.


 


There were 39 Condominium sales, up by 3 units over the third quarter of 2010. The average sale price was up 26.7% to $592,844, compared to $467,858 last year. The median sale price was also up, $408,000 contrasted with $385,000 a year ago.


 


Mr.Graessle remarked that it took longer to sell a condo this year, 201 days (almost 7 months). The number of condominiums on the market are down by 14%,, 79 compared to 92 in the same quarter last year. Condominiums are being priced more realistically, he said, with the sellers eventually selling their units for 4.2% less than what they had first offered. In 2010, sellers were on average selling eventually at 5.7% less than their offering price. Presently 133 condominiums are on the market in the city.


 


Graessle observed that the decline in selling prices of  family homes, was stabilizing as sellers priced their homes realistically going on the market.,  He noted that nventory was being cleared out. He said high-end homes were no longer driving up the average selling price. As the inventory declines, Graessle predicted a strong spring selling season that could bring more competitive bidding for  desirable homesl


 


In the last three months, 12 homes in White Plains sold in the $400,000 range; 10 homes sold in the $500,000 to $600,000 price plateau; 6 in the $600,000 to $700,000 grouping and 10 in the $700,000 to $800,000 range; 2 in the $800K-$900K price bracket; 2 in the 900K-1M range, and 3 in the 1M to 1.5M range.


 


Graessle pointed out that these sales figures represented closings from the spring and that quarterly sales results are lagging three months behind current contracting activity.


 


In conclusion, he said that the home sales are now reflecting a younger demographic entering the White Plains market.


 


Graessle said the real estate market is not usually strong after Thanksgiving until spring.

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Saccardi, Schiff Link to Planning Giant, VHB: Eye TZ Bridge Work; Open Posh HQ

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WPCNR BUZZLINE. By John F. Bailey. October 19,  2011:


 


A dynamic new team of planning and environmental expertise debuted Tuesday evening when long time planner-consultants to Westchester County and the City of White Plains, John Saccardi & David Schiff, opened their new headquarters officially joining Northeast planning giant, VHB, (Vanasse Hangen Brustling, Inc). of Watertown,Massachusetts, which has 21 Offices along the east coast.


 



Acquired by VHB in October of 2010, Saccardi & Schiff and VHB officially elected to keep their offices in White Plains (for which they were praised by White Plains Mayor Tom Roachand) opened their high style offices at 50 Main Street, reminiscent of Grey Advertising of the 1960s, right out of Mad Men in aura and understated power. (Left to right, above, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach,David Schiff, John Saccardi, VHB President Robert Brustlin, and Westchester County Deputy County Executive, Kevin Plunkett.


 


 



Robert Brustlin (left,above), Principal and President of VHB, told WPCNR Mr. Saccardi and Mr.Schiff give VHB an experienced presence in the Westchester market and he looked forward to integrating their expertise into VHB projects up and down the coast.


 


Brustlin said their strength in environmental issues, transportation and green development options would bolster the VHB strong east coast presence as a source for planning on development, environmental and transportation projects, including the new Tappan Zee Bridge. (Saccardi & Schiff is currently devising the Recreation District Plan for the City of White Plains privately-owned  recreation areas, a plan that  Michael Junghans of Saccardi & Schiff told WPCNR would be ready for the city in two months.)


 


He said the company, with  Saccardi & Schiff on board, hoped to bring the company transportation expertise to the area. Asked if that meant VHB would be hoping to work on the new Tappan Zee Bridge plan to be unveiled by the federal government next week, Brustling, said “we hope to be active in this market.”


 


Robert Eschbacher (right, above), a transportation specialist with VHB told WPCNR that the $5.2 Billion Tappan Zee Bridge replacement plan (partially to be funded by the Federal Government) was a good compromise to get a replacement for the aged-out Tappan Zee Bridge underway, since federal funds for projects are “drying up.” He said building an economical bridge with the structural design to support mass transit options in the future was reasonable.


 


Asked if banks through the area were now becoming forthcoming with loans, Brustlin said it was a lack of appealing projects that are behind the so-called loan slow down. 


 


“Banks have been unfairly criticized (for not making business loans), but that is because there have not been appealing projects for bankers to lend on.” He said in VHB experiencelately, that banks when presented with what he called “a great proposal” are very willing to provide financing.


 



 


About 200 hundred businesspersons and politicians attended the headquarters opening.


 


Mayor Tom Roach (second from left) expressed appreciation for VHB continuing Saccardi & Schiff presence in White Plains at a “transportation-friendly” location and took the opportunity to mention that bicycle lanes would be opened in the spring of 2012 North bound on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Southbound on Lexington Avenue leading to and from the railroad station. Tom Soyk, the Commissioner of Traffic in attendance, told WPCNR, not construction was needed to establish the bicycle lanes on the city’s two wide boulevards, that only painting lines was involved.


 


Kevin Plunkett, Deputy County Executive, said the county is willing do whatever it takes to help Westchester County “turnaround,” saying that the VHB decision to keep Saccardi & Schiff in White Plains was a step in that direction.


 



 



Posh Interior of the new 9,000 square foot space at 50 Main Street with its gray openspace, airy cubicles gave off an aura of expertise, efficiency and dynamic energy suspendended briefly for the celebration. The interior is reminiscent of the timeless impressive advertising agency-chic of the 1960s, right out of Mad Men. VHB local clients include the County of Westchester, City of Yonkers, PepsiCo, and Brownfield projects in Farmingdale, Binghamton and Glen Cove.


 


 


 


 


 

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