Shout it Out

Details: Written by Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 09 May 2011; Created: 09 May 2011; Last Updated: 09 May 2011; Hits: 6311

cranepond For those who support the incorporation of Edgemont into Greenburgh’s seventh Village, the news that real estate sales for Edgemont are down this year was the latest in a long litany of reasons why Edgemont should become independent.

Realtors report that only 10 houses in Edgemont have been sold this year as opposed to 13 at this time in 2010. In Scarsdale, home sales have gone up from 37 homes sold at this time in 2010 to 42 in 2011. With more houses on the market in Edgemont this year and fewer sales, some are looking for an explanation for the dip in home sales. A recent letter to the Scarsdale Inquirer from Robert Bernstein, past President of the Edgemont Community Council, lays the blame squarely on Edgemont real estate taxes which he shows are significantly higher than taxes in Scarsdale for homes of comparable value. Edgemont’s residential assessment ratio (RAR) is 2.81 in comparison to Scarsdale’s, RAR of 1.71.

Others disagree that Edgemont’s taxes or their association with Greenburgh are the reasons behind the dip in sales. In fact, the sample size is so small that the sales data may be a blip in the market rather than a long term trend. A local realtor who sells in both areas says that the decision to purchase a home goes beyond the tax rate. Since Edgemont does not have bus service to and from school or the quality daycare program provided by KidsBase in Scarsdale, it may be a tougher sell for couples with two working parents.

Edgemont has a population of around 8,500 people in 2,900 households, making it about half the size of Scarsdale. Residents in Edgemont pay their municipal taxes to Greenburgh though they fund their own school system. Municipal taxes make up about 18% of resident’s tax bills, with the lion’s share of property taxes going toward school financing. Edgemont’s school district has an excellent reputation and from the numbers it appears to be run efficiently. In 2010-11, spending per pupil in Edgemont was $25,546 in contrast to $28,632 in Scarsdale. Edgemont already has its own fire department but relies on Greenburgh for police and other services.

The conversation about Edgemont’s status is lively. Last week former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens was invited to be a guest speaker at a meeting of the Edgemont Community Council where she reviewed Scarsdale’s non-partisan system and Village management in a talk entitled, “Municipal Government, Controlling Your Own Destiny.” Some have even suggested that if Edgemont were to become independent they could contract with Scarsdale to handle some aspects of their municipal services.

Scarsdale Village Manager Al Gatta, believes that a consolidation would help both Scarsdale and Edgemont. He said, “I have not looked at the benefits that would be achieved, but certainly any analysis would have to show benefits for both communities. I am a bit chagrined, although grateful, that the Governor’s effort and promotion for consolidations and dissolutions has not worked its way to a policy level and into the State’s operations and funding programs. The State possesses awesome financial resources and authority to reward those local governments that come together, to the detriment of the others. The others would be burdened by having to rely solely on local revenues to remain independent and with a 2% tax levy cap it will be difficult.”

Those in Edgemont who are happy with the status quo question why Bernstein would publish an article that could potentially damage Edgemont’s reputation and hurt area home sales. Many are content with the small school system and the services they receive from Greenburgh and feel that the issue of incorporation was thoroughly explored in 2005. They fear that incorporation will lead to higher taxes and decreased services and are also afraid that a cloud of uncertainty could impact the demand for homes in Edgemont.

However Bernstein says he only wants what’s best for Edgemont. “My goal is to come up with a plan which shows that, if the people of Edgemont want to do so, we can obtain the municipal services Edgemont needs at less of a cost than we're currently paying the Town of Greenburgh for those services plus the ones we don't need, use or want. In addition to controlling our own municipal taxing and spending, incorporation will also allow us to control our own zoning and planning which is essential for our school district to continue to be first-rate and financially affordable for all Edgemont residents. The Town of Greenburgh simply doesn't share our priorities in that regard and if we don't exercise control, we'll have to live with decisions made for us by Greenburgh politicians who don't live in Edgemont and don't really know or understand what works best for us."

Details: Published: 05 May 2011; Created: 05 May 2011; Last Updated: 05 May 2011; Hits: 5140

pophamroadbridge Work on the Popham Road bridge is causing more issues than snarled traffic ... residents on both sides of the bridge are complaining about the noise. Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner has received complaints from Edgemont residents on Overton Road, Lynwood Road and Castle Walk who can’t sleep due to the work during the night. Feiner is calling for advanced notice to residents when work will be done and the offer of free hotel stays for these residents on nights when noise could affect their sleep. He has arranged to meet with Scarsdale Village management to discuss the issue.

In response to his query, Feiner received the following statement from Scarsdale Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo:

“I apologize for the inconvenience and I am sympathetic with the effected neighbors. We received a number of complaints from Scarsdale residents as well. Unfortunately the work that is being done at night is per Metro North’s direction. The Popham Road Bridge Replacement Project is a Village project but because the bridge spans Metro North Railroad tracks they dictate when certain construction activities are to take place. Any time there is a potential for a piece of equipment or building material to fall onto the tracks, Metro North requires the work to be performed at night when they can get track outages and trains are no longer running or running infrequently. Currently the bridge contractor is driving steel piles along the entire south side of the bridge from Garth Road to Scarsdale Avenue in support of the excavation work for the south abutment and the retaining wall adjacent to the Freightway Open Lot. The work is inherently noisy and commenced last night and will continue tonight and Friday evening."

"Night work for the project will be sporadic until the project is completed in the spring of next year. Some nights the noise will be greater than other nights, although this pile driving work is the loudest part of the planned construction. We have and will continue to talk with the contractor and ask him, when possible, to perform the louder work earlier in the night. The Village appreciates the level of cooperation received to date and will continue to do the best we can to minimize inconvenience during construction.”

A meeting has been scheduled with Scarsdale Managers and Metro North on Tuesday May 10 at 6:30 pm. at Scarsdale Village Hall to discuss the progress of the bridge work, the timetable, and notification of neighbors about construction related issues. Anyone with concerns about the construction is welcome to attend.

In other Village news, at an April 26 meeting, the Scarsdale Committee for Historic Preservation approved the demolition of the following homes:

21 Morris Lane -Demolition approved
60 Sheldrake Road -Demolition approved
49 Wildwood Road -Demolition approved
39 Oxford Road- Demolition approved
11 Pinecrest Road -Demolition approved

At the Planning Board Meeting on April 27, the agenda included a referral from the Village Board regarding a proposed amendment to the Village Zoning Code relative to the provision of Fair and Affordable Housing. The Board moved to schedule a separate work session to consider this complex matter.

The following items were approved:

A renewal of Hoff-Barthelson’s special use permit to operate the Music School in a residential area
The relocation of the main entrance of St. Pius Church
Modifications to the Cingular Wireless tower at 110 Secor Road

However, two items were held over:

Marti Schiff’s application for a Wetlands Permit to construct an addition and rear yard terrace and associated re-grading and drainage improvements on this wetlands controlled property at 34 Oxford Road
The application of RGF Development Corp. for approval of a two-lot subdivision at 39 Oxford Road

Details: Published: 27 April 2011; Created: 27 April 2011; Last Updated: 27 April 2011; Hits: 3721

turkey Surprised Brite Avenue and Brewster Road residents both reported seeing a wild turkey on their properties this weekend. The gobbler was spotted in the backyard of a Brite Avenue home on Saturday night and then flew up to the roof. On Sunday morning, the turkey made a racket on the roof – gobbling, rustling its feathers and shaking the entire house. When the homeowner climbed onto the roof wearing sunglasses, a hooded sweatshirt and gloves --ready to catch the bird -- it was already gone.

However at 7 am on Easter morning, a Brewster Road woman found a similar bird on her front lawn and sent in this photo.

Perhaps the turkey confused the holidays and thought it was Thanksgiving rather than Easter?

Photo courtesy of Leslie Rainer

Details: Published: 30 April 2011; Created: 30 April 2011; Last Updated: 30 April 2011; Hits: 12991

paulsolomon On Wednesday, April 27th, the Edgemont Community Council (ECC) held its annual meeting in the Greenville School cafeteria. Over 100 people attended the "standing room only" meeting which commenced with the ECC President's welcome to the community and the Treasurer's financial report, followed by the annual elections of Officers and Directors. Long time resident Geoff Loftus was elected as president of the ECC. Geoff and his wife live on the Greenville side of Edgemont and their son is a junior at the high school. Geoff recently published his book, "Lead Like Ike" on Dwight Eisenhower's strong leadership abilities before and during the D-Day invasion.

The coveted Silver Bowl Award was presented at the meeting to Paul Solomon for distinguished community service to Edgemont. Paul has been a teacher at Greenville School for over 35 years and is the executive director of Edgemont Recreation Corporation. Over the years, Edgemont Rec has donated close to two million dollars to the school district. Currently he is the fifth grade teacher at Greenville and is well liked by parents and students alike. He is also the president of the Edgemont Teachers Association (ETA). In June, he will officially retire from Edgemont; he was one of the twelve teachers who took the early retirement incentive package from the Board of Education earlier this year.

Several audience members spoke about Paul at the meeting beginning with Nancy Taddiken, Edgemont Schools superintendent. Paul and Nancy have known each other since 1981 and Nancy spoke fondly of Paul's commitment to the Edgemont school district and to his family and friends. She commended him for making a difference in the lives of all the children he taught for the past 37 years at Greenville. Last year, Paul had the honor of speaking about Nancy when she received the Silver Bowl Award. Then fellow Greenville teacher and coach, Tom Blank, spoke about how Paul cared about every single student in the school district. Paul's fifth grade colleagues, Rose Farrell and Barbara Frascella, spoke about how much Paul has done for all his Edgemont colleagues as President of the ETA. Dr. Barry Friedman, Edgemont high school principal and former ETA president, spoke humorously about Paul and reminded Paul that although he had served for 6 years as ETA president, he had himself served for 15 years as ETA president. Barry then honored Paul by calling him "a very dedicated teacher, an advocate for all teachers, and a great friend." Finally, Greenville parent David Chao, spoke about Paul teaching his children at Greenville.

Paul received a standing ovation as he was presented the Silver Bowl Award and spoke of being inspired by his own teachers growing up. He called his teachers his role models and was grateful and blessed to have been a teacher in Edgemont for so many years. He was honored to receive the Silver Bowl Award and although he looked forward to retirement, he will miss teaching and will continue to be involved in the community. He thanked all the speakers for their kind words.

Then in addition to receiving the silver bowl, Paul was honored by Westchester County Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky who presented Paul with a declaration from the Westchester County Board of Legislature declaring April 27th, 2011 as Paul Solomon Day. She called Paul "a life-changing teacher; a 24/7, 365 days a year teacher." Paul was also presented with a similar declaration from the Town of Greenburgh proclaiming April 27th, 2011 as Paul Solomon Day in the Town of Greenburgh. This is the first time that Greenburgh has presented this award.

carolynstevens The meeting continued with guest speaker, former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens, who spoke on "Municipal Government: Controlling Your Own Destiny.” She explained the structure of Scarsdale’s government which is essentially run by dedicated volunteers who have a desire to make the best possible decisions for Scarsdale. The village has an elected mayor and town board, as well as a professional manager and deputy manager. The manager and mayor have a close working relationship and consult each other on all areas including the many snow removal issues during this past winter. Mayor Stevens called the non-partisan system a collaborative approach to governing, rather than a form of government. She felt Scarsdale's system had served the village well since the 1920s because it reflects the values of the residents. She had a wonderful experience as Scarsdale's mayor and feels that the non-partisan system works well because you don't come into office with set positions; rather you come into office with an open mind on all issues.

Several audience members asked questions about last winter's severe weather which caused many Scarsdale residents to lose power for a number of days. Mayor Stevens explained how she worked hard day and night dealing with Con Edison, and found that they preferred to deal with elected officials rather than professional managers. She used internet sites such as Scarsdale10583.com to communicate with Scarsdale residents to let them know the status of the power restoration. As a result of the storm, an emergency call system to all Scarsdale residents that is now used during emergencies. She was also asked about the difference between a professional manager and a mayor. She explained that the professional manager runs the village on a daily basis, while the mayor and the village board set policies for the village. Another resident commented that she found her local Edgemont streets much better plowed this past winter than the streets she encountered when driving through Scarsdale.

The meeting ended with all the previous Silver Bowl winners gathered together with Paul Solomon for a group picture to commemorate the special occasion.

Details: Published: 27 April 2011; Created: 27 April 2011; Last Updated: 27 April 2011; Hits: 4319

delima It was business as usual at the second Scarsdale Board of Trustees meeting under the leadership of Mayor Miriam Flisser on April 26, 2011. The Mayor and Trustees addressed residents’ concerns, formally adopted the 2011-12 budget, licensed a Five Corners developer to use parking spaces at Supply Field and accepted an award for exemplary recycling from Westchester County.

Flooding: In response to complaints about continued flooding around George Field Park, Mayor Flisser gave an update on where the Village stands with the stormwater management program that is being designed to alleviate the problem. She reported that the Village has a grant from Westchester County to fund 50% of the $2.4 million project and that the Village has already approved the issuance of a bond to fund the balance of the work. Engineers are seeking to design a system to collect water on the east side of Post Road and the project may require the Village to purchase private land.

The current schedule calls for construction to start at the end of 2011 and proceed for 18 months. She called the process “lengthy and challenging” and assured residents that the “project is a priority for the village.”

Power Lines: On behalf of the Overhill Neighborhood Association, Kristen Friedman read a letter drafted by David Buchen calling for the Village to bury cable boxes and power lines. As Con Edison is trimming back trees that surround the lines, the Association says that streets are becoming “unsightly” and called for the Village, with the help of the private companies to bury the cables in sealed vaults underground. They requested that the Municipal Services Committee be asked to study the issue.

Revaluation and Potholes: Robert Berg asked for clarification on the schedule for the RFP for the Village wide revaluation. From Jon Marks report at the previous meeting Berg understood that the RFP for the revaluation would not be issued until September, 2011. However, Village Manager Al Gatta responded and said that the Village expects to have selected a company to do the work by September, 2011, and therefore the RFP would be issued in the interim. Berg also called for the Village to do more to repair potholes as residents are bearing the expense of repairing many flat tires and bent rims.

Meter Fees: Mark Walfish of Sycamore Road complained that the village had raised the fees at the long term parking meters by 40% this year. He believed it had been done inadvertently and asked the Village to take another look at the pricing. However, the Trustees advised that Walfish would be better off parking in the Freightway Garage where the annual fee would be $840 rather than $2,125 for meter parking.

In other Village business:

The Trustees formally adopted their 2011-2012 Village Budget of $47 million.
Trustees voted to have the Planning Board review changes to the Freshwater Wetlands Map and clarifications of the definitions of Freshwater Wetlands and Freshwater Wetlands Controlled Areas in the Village Code.
The Trustees granted a revocable license to the developer of 1 Palmer Avenue for the employees of the complex to use 10 parking spaces at Supply Field at a cost of $840 per spot per year. Trustees determined that this would not impact parking for recreational events and it would free up parking spaces for customers across the street.
Trustee Brodsky announced that Scarsdale was honored as one of Westchester County's top three municipalities in recycling at the April 17 Westchester County Earth Day celebration. The national recycling standard is 25%; overall, recycling in Westchester is 50%, and in Scarsdale, recycling is a very impressive 68%. According to Brodsky, “the award is an acknowledgement of a cooperative effort on the part of all residents and a tribute to the outstanding Public Works Department headed by Superintendent Benedict Salanitro.”
In an update on the potential sale of Village-owned land at 2-4 Weaver Street, Trustee Jonathan Mark said that the Committee is waiting for a new rendering of the building and the site, including the village owned land. Once the committee has the drawings, they can appraise how the additional land would affect the building design and continue discussions about the land sale.