Board Approves 1.77% Tax Increase for 2009

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. December 9, 2008: Monday night, by a vote of 13 to 4, the Board of Legislators approved a $1.77 billion county operating budget for 2009.  The vote came after a long final day of negotiating and number crunching that reduced spending by $1.53 million and cut the tax increase to a low 1.77%. All four Republicans on the Board voted against the plan.



“The Board took a fundamentally sound proposal from the County Executive and worked to make it better,” said Board Chairman Bill Ryan. “We made sure that essential services would continue to be available to our residents, we cut costs and we reduced the amount of the tax increase.”


 



He noted that the budget maintains health and human services and adequately funds such important operational areas as public safety, emergency services, transportation, public works and environmental facilities.


Ryan noted the difficulty of putting a budget together in rapidly weakening economy.


“We’re all affected by this economic recession. Things are likely to get worse and many people are going to have a tough time. It’s important for government to keep the safety net in place, carry out its other important functions, and save taxpayer money in the process,” said Ryan.


“The budget cuts non-essential spending and incorporates additional revenues recommended by our auditors,” said County Legislator José Alvarado (D, Yonkers), Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee.  “We will also continue to provide financial assistance to our local municipalities and school districts by sharing county sales tax revenue with them. Over the last 12 months, that has amounted to $102 million in aid. This is another way in which the county helps local governments and school districts reduce the burden on local property taxpayers.”


Westchester County is the only county in the state that shares sales tax revenue with its local governments and school districts.


“This budget is fair and reasonable and will meet the needs of county residents in 2009,” said County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D-IN-WF, Greenburgh). “That includes honoring our commitment to Westchester Medical Center, a billion dollar economic engine which, with the county’s help, has turned its business operations around and is moving toward financial autonomy.”


Abinanti noted that yesterday, prior to passing the budget, the legislature approved a Cooperation Agreement with the Medical Center that covers the next ten years and provides a steady decrease in the Medical Center’s reliance on county financial support.


Modifications Made


Alvarado said that in the course of the budget review, the committee grilled each department head on whether they had dug deep enough into their budgets to identify areas of potential savings.  


Alvarado said the County Executive’s decision to abandon a plan to give retroactive raises to non-union management, including commissioners and department heads, also contributed to the overall reduction in the spending plan.  


“It is not that the raises aren’t deserved, it is simply that the time is not right,” Alvarado said. “On a daily basis, I see firsthand the excellent work done by county employees and this action of not granting pay raises at this time is not a reflection on their overall good work on behalf of county residents. This decision is a response to the economic realties that we are all facing today.”


Board of Legislators Budget


Chairman Ryan noted that the budget for the Board of Legislators was originally submitted with an increase of 1.4% knowing that the Budget Department would post an additional 1.9% for wage increases. “During the three week period of budget review, I submitted cuts to the Board’s budget totaling $357,799 or a 4.5% decrease to contribute to the overall savings we were trying to achieve,” said Ryan.


“This budget should adequately provide for the operation of the Board in 2009,” said Ryan. “It continues our current system of seven standing committees. It continues our current staffing structure of a central staff assigned to committee support and central Board functions and a personal staff providing direct support to legislators and assigned to district matters and constituent services.”


Legislators Restore Funding for Key Programs and Services 


The legislature restored funding for key programs and services provided by non-profit agencies that legislators agreed either should have been funded or were underfunded in the County Executive’s proposed 2009 budget.  Ryan said the public had spoken clearly, both at public hearings and with individual legislators that they did not want to see cutbacks in “safety net” services for the county’s most vulnerable citizens.


“We added money to ensure the continuation of key services benefiting county residents. These services are provided by non-profit contract agencies that represent an important and very cost-effective part of the county’s service delivery system,” said Ryan. “A tough economy means more people are struggling and more are in need of safety net services that are part of the county’s core mission to provide.” 


Service areas that received additional funding in this budget include community services, such as  neighborhood health centers; child care; early childhood services; assistance to victims of domestic violence; eviction prevention assistance; immigrant outreach for health, education, housing and employment, and, legal aid for the indigent; arts and culture; economic development and environmental protection.  

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County Approves Whopper Sewer Fix Demanded by DEC. Taxpayers Pay 4 Now

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WPCNR THE SEWER REPORT. From Westchester County Board of Legislators (EDITED) with Reporting by WPCNR. December 9, 2008: At a special meeting Tuesday evening, the Westchester County Board of Legislators approved the largest capital project ever undertaken by Westchester County, after its Envionment and Energy Committee had received a detailed  county budget department report on its impact on the taxpayers about two hours before the meeting.



County Legislators Environment & Energy Committee approves $234.7 Million Sewer Project, 5:30 P.M. Tuesday, sending the bill to the floor of the County Legislature after receiving detailed financials of taxpayer impact Tuesday afternoon. Clockwise at the conference table, from bottom of picture: Legislators John Nonna, Jim Maisano, Thomas Abinanti, Kenneth Jenkins, Bill Ryan, Martic Rogowsky, Judith Myers, Peter Harckham.


The legislation approved Tuesday evening agrees to comply with  a newly negotiated Consent Order with the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Under the new agreement, the county will upgrade two of its four Sound Shore sewage treatment plants in New Rochelle and Mamaroneck to reduce nitrogen in wastewater at an estimated cost of $235 million.


To comply, the county will issue bonds in the amount of $235 Million next November, with property owners in the sewer districts of Mamaroneck Valley (includes White Plains), Blind Brook, New Rochelle and Port Chester, according to a County Attorney. The increase to the average White Plains residential homeowner will be felt next year (2010-11), and continue through 2014, plus whatever other sewer “improvements” come in over the transom.  


Legislator Tom Abinanti told WPCR the actual rates for the sewer districts  (including the City of White Plains) will not be set until next December. The preliminary tax impact charts on towns in the district just presented to Mr. Abinanti’s committee Tuesday afternoon show the  average White Plains residential owner ($15,000 Assessed Value) paying $47 additional in 2010,  $77 more in 2011, $121 more in 2012, $160 in 2013 and $157 more in 2014.



“The plan approved tonight will clean up the Sound at a cost far less than the previous plan,” said County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D-IN-WF, Greenburgh), Chair of the Environment & Energy Committee. “The new plan replaces a 2004 Consent Order under which all four of the county’s Sound Shore sewage treatment plants would have been upgraded at a cost of $355 to $573 million to achieve the same results.”


.”



Environmental groups including Save the Sound, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Federated Conservationists of Westchester and the Audubon Society, praised the project which will help shrink the “dead zone,” the oxygen depleted section of Long Island Sound. Nitrogen discharges in wastewater deplete oxygen which kills marine life.


“A clean Long Island Sound is not just an environmental issue,” said County Legislator Judy Myers (D-WF, Larchmont). “Long Island Sound is an economic engine that contributes some $6 billion a year to the economy. Ten percent of the United States population lives within 50 miles of Long Island Sound.”


Concern over Equitable Distribution of Tax Burden


Ms. Myers complained during the Environment and Energy Committee meeting late Tuesday afternoon, when the fresh, “just in” Projected Average Residential Tax for Long Island Sound Districts was presented to the committee for the first time. Myers said she was concerned the each district was not being treated equitably by the figures presented. She and Legislator Michael Kaplowitz disputed the math.


 Mystified by the complex grids.


Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz (sitting in on the meeting) said they had been prepared by the Budget Office over the last month and a half.  After two hours of discussion, the Committee voted to approve the legislation and send it to the Board of Legislators this evening, with the understanding that the budget department would report back showing how the formulas indeed do treat the four sewer districts equitably.



 


Asked when this equitability  of payment by district would be represented, Chairman Abinanti said it may not be presented again until next December. Susan Gerry, ( foreground, above) of the County Executive’s Office,  who presented the taxpayer impact data, said  under questioning by  Legislators Kenneth Jenkins, Michael Kaplowitz and John Nonna,  that the figures were subject to change each year based on each year’s assessments. To Ms. Gerry’s right are County Attorney Charlene Indelicato, and Randy White, county bond advisor.


Formula for Payment Approved, Will be Revisited for Fairness


The committee was under the impression the formula determining each district share of the $234.7 Million price tag was not being agreed to by the legislation.  County Legislator John Nonna  pointed out to them this impression was incorrect. After Nonna pointed out the section in the legislation where it spells out the formula, based on equitable distribution of assessed equalized value, the committee ruefully approved the legislation, and after extensive explanation by John Delaney of the Budget Office was convinced that the formula appeared correct.  He also pointed out the figures were subject to change on assessment value each year. 


A Moot Point Who Pays?


The project is the largest capital project in the county’s history. While the legislators approved bonding to finance the project, they’re working with the county administration to find federal and state funds to reduce the cost to Westchester taxpayers.  Mr. Schwartz said County officials have already reached out to the incoming Obama administration to secure infrastructure funding which the President-elect has indicated will be a big part of his economic stimulus package.



 


William Ryan, Chair of the Board of Legislators, from District 5 representing White Plains, told WPCNR  exclusively at the outset of the meeting that he and Legislator Martin Rogowsky had gone to Albany last week, had discussions with Senate and Assembly environmental committee leaders, and also met with the County’s congressional delegation about the need for federal aid, as part of President Obama’s stimulus package early next year. 


Schumer – Lowey to WPCNR: Help On Way


Senator Charles Schumer and Congresswoman Nita Lowey separately  told WPCNR three weeks ago that they are pushing hard for aid for such projects as the sewer nitrogen fix to be included in a stimulus package for New York.


Without the new agreement approved this evening, which had to be approved by the end of the year, the county would have been subject to DEC penalties including daily fines of $150,000, and revert to having pay double the cost of the project, reverting back to the original DEC demands placed on them in 2004.


Government Should Pay It, County Says


Martin Rogowsky asked Mr. Schwartz, the Deputy County Executive, why the county did not agree to the first order four years ago, perhaps avoiding the fines and having more leverag. Schwartz said the county took the position that the DEC demand was brought about by a Federal mandate and the Clean Water Act and that the government should pay for it, not the taxpayers of the county. The county negotiated with the Department of Environmental Conservation to lower the cost to the taxpayers from original $575 Million to the $234.7 Million in which only two sewer plants would be corrected.


“The county administration did a good job convincing DEC to modify the project,” said Abinanti. “ The new plan is good for Long Island Sound and good for our taxpayers.”

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FIREMEN Said to ACCEPT 3-1/2, 3-1/2 AND 4 % RAISES OVER THREE YEARS.

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WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. December 8, 2008: WPCNR has learned from a source familiar with fire department operations, speaking on condition of anonymity, that White Plains Professional Fire Fighters have settled and, (according to City Hall Monday afternoon already ratified) a wage increase sequence calling for 3-1/2% in the first year of the contract 2007-2008, retroactive to July 1, 2007 and  3-1/2% the second year 2008-2009  and calling for 4% in 2009-2010. Usually Fire and Police Department contracts parallel each other.


Another change in the contract, according to WPCNR’s source is that the fire fighters have agreed to a 24-hour consecutive tour of duty system, in which each firefighter is on duty for 24-hours consecutive duty tour, which the source said would go virtually do away with almost all of the overtime the department now spends due to firefighters calling in sick on a regular 8-hour shift.  As our source put it, “Each fire fighter is on 24 hours, and he’s off three days, that way he only shows up for duty for 24 hours every three days. He’s there. He has to stay on duty. It’ll virtually eliminate overtime. This is a smart contract, it is good for the city and the firefighters, the council should pass it.”


The source said the contract is simply money-based with the 24 hour duty change the only change, there are no other givebacks. The source said he did not know what the police union had agreed to, but said the 24 hour duty rule was not part of the police settlement.


The City of Hackensack Fire Department, serving a city of 42,000 persons  (White Plains has a population of 57,000, 200,000 during day) operates  a 24-hour duty system this way according to the Hackensack Fire Department website:



 


 


The departments is set at 100 members and is under the command of Acting Chief Thomas Freeman (Car 1). Deputy Chief of Operations Bruce Goldberg (Car 2) is second in command.


The department protects 42,000+ residents (U.S. Census Bureau nightime population) and that figure swells to over 100,000 during the day.

There are 4 platoons with twenty-three officers and firefighters on each, under the command of a Deputy Fire Chief/ Platoon Commander. They work a 24 hour shift and are then off duty for 72 hours.
These personnel operate four Engine Companies, one Ladder Company and one Heavy Rescue Company out of four fire stations located at strategic points in the city.


The department also has one reserve engine, one reserve 110′ ladder truck, one reserve heavy rescue unit and a 14′ boat for water rescue incidents.


All firefighters and officers are subject to call back in the event of a major incident.

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Legislators Approve $300,000 in Bonds to Study Tree Removal from Dams Impact

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Board of Legislators. (Edited) December 8, 2008: Legislators approved a Consent Order with the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) whereby the county will study site conditions at the New Rochelle Reservoir#3 Dam and the Pocantico Lake Dam, to ensure structural integrity. A $300,000 Bond Act financing the study of these two dams was also approved. The study is to examine the imapcts of removing the trees and whether this would necessitate rebuilding the dams themselves if removal of trees weakened the dams.

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Coal for Commissioners and Middle Managers. Spano Raise Plan is Scrapped.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. December 8, 2008: County Executive Andy Spano and the County Board of Legislators, today announced that there will be no raises for commissioners, directors or any non-represented management employees for 2008 and 2009. The pay plan has been completely withdrawn.


 


“I know that there are many Westchester residents who are hurting in this economy. I fear that the economy will get worse before it gets better,” said Spano. “If it weren’t for the loss of revenue and for expenses out of our control, I would have not proposed any tax increase. I know that even the small tax increase is not what the public wants. That was the reason I slashed my proposed budget by over 11 million dollars, eliminating positions, cutting overtime, equipment and supplies. That was also the reason I eliminated salary increases for 2009, cutting in half my original proposal. But after hearing from the public, we decided to eliminate the 2008 raises as well.”


 


Board Chairman Bill Ryan said, “As our residents feel the impact of the weakening economy, government must control expenses as best we can and save money wherever possible. The Democratic majority and the County Executive have decided that now is not the appropriate time to move forward with pay raises. Perhaps down the road, when we have pulled out of this recession and our economy is stronger, we can revisit the issue of increased compensation.”


 


            Spano acknowledged his commissioners and management staff who, he said, have worked very hard to reduce the cost of government, saving  taxpayers millions of dollars. 


 


“They have done an outstanding job and if times were better, they would be getting the increase they deserve. But we all have to tighten our belts in times like  this – and sometimes that hurts,” Spano said.


 


Jose Alvarado, chair of the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee said, “It is not that the raises aren’t deserved, it is simply that the time is not right. On a daily basis, I see firsthand the excellent work done by county employees and this action of not granting pay raises at this time is not a reflection on their overall good work on behalf of county residents. This decision is a response to the economic realties that we are all facing today.”        


       


Spano said, “No one likes to raise taxes. No one likes to pay taxes at all. That’s why the Board’s majority and I have been working together to find ways to reduce the tax levy even further. Eliminating the salary increase is just one step.”


 


Spano said he hopes that local governments and school districts, some of which are proposing tax increases that the public can ill afford, will look to the County as a model for holding down taxes in this troubled economy.  He offered the County’s assistance in helping them to cut and reduce expenses, where possible.


 

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Mediator Assigned in Stalled Teacher-School District Wage Dispute

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. December 8, 2008: The White Plains City School District and the teachers contract negotiations remain at an impasse, (the teachers working without a contract now for 5-1/2 months), and are definitely headed for mediation under the auspices of the New York State Public Employers Relations Board. A mediator has been assigned to the dispute by the NYSPERB, WPCNR learned today. 


 Anthony  Zimbolow, Executive Director of PERB today told WPCNR that a mediator from the New York City Office of PERB, Karen Kenney has been assigned. He could not give details as to whether mediation talks had begun.

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

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


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

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


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


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


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


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


 


 

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The $234.7 Million Hearing Tonight

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

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


State DEC Requires Upgrades to Sound Shore Sewage Plants


 


 


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


  


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


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


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


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


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


 

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

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


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


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


 


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


The Official Schedule for the busy legislators is as follows:


Monday, December 8, 2008


 


9:30 AM


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


 


·         2009 Westchester County Budget


·         2009 Westchester County Special Revenue Districts Budgets


 


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10:00 AM


Regular Meeting of the County Board of Legislators


 


Highlights:         


 


·         Public Hearing, Vote on Volunteer Tax Exemption


·         Public Hearing, Vote on Pay Plan Amendment


·         Vote on Westchester Medical Center Cooperation Agreement


 


 


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


 


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


 


·         2009 Westchester County Budget


 


——————————————————————–


 


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


 



 


 


Tuesday, December 9, 2008


 


3:00 PM


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


 


Joint with


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


 


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


 


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


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


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


The School Board Agenda:


Opening of Meeting:


            Pledge of Allegiance


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


Oral Announcements by the Board President and Board Members


            Recognition of Scholar-Athletes


 


 


 


II.         Communications: 


 


           


 


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


 


 


 


IV.       Superintendent’s Report:


            Budget Calendar


            Update on Capital Projects


           


           


 


V.        Summary Action Items:


 


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


 


2.                  Recommended acceptance of the following donations:


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


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


            instructional resources


 


 


 


 


– 2 –


 


 


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


 


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


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


            attachment.


 


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


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


            per attachment.


 


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


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


 


            Civil Service Staffing:


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


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


                                    C. Reyes)


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


A. Vena)


 


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


            Summer School and Supplemental Rates,” as per attachment.


 


Teacher Staffing


 


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


 


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


 


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


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


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


 


 


 


– 3 –


 


 


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


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


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


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


 


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


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


                        11/12/08.


 


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


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


attachment.


 


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


Teresa Alfalla, English Teacher, High School


Laura Green, Elementary Education Teacher, Church Street School


 


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


 


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


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


            4/30/10.


 


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


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


Anthony Anderson, to the position of YES Program Advisor


 


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


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


 


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


            a.         2008-09 Interscholastic and Co-curricular appointments


            b.         2008-09 Extended Day Program


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


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


 


24.       Recommended approval of the Regular Substitute appointments of:       


 


Ann Baker  (Replacing L. Green)


BA – Goucher College  (Economics)


MAT – Manhattanville College  (Elementary Education)


Certification:  Permanent, Elementary Education N-6    


Assignment:   Elementary Education Teacher, Church Street School


Dates of Service:  2/2/09-6/30/09


 


– 4 –


 


 


                        Natasha Eaton  (Replacing L. Cruz)


BA – Lehman College/CUNY  (Sociology)


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


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


Assignment:  Special Education Teacher, Middle School-Highlands


Dates of Service:  2/2/09-6/30/09


 


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


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


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


resulting from the aforementioned background check.                                                                                                          


 


 


VI.       Other Action:   


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


 


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


            Harry Jefferson.


 


 


 


VII.      Board Discussion:


 


            1.         Update on Evaluation of Programs


           


2.         Board Committee Meetings


 



 


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County Association Accountants Whack County for Unrealistic Revenue Forecasts

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



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


 





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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


 

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