LWVS Urges You to Vote Yes for the Bond Referendum
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The League of Women Voters of Scarsdale (the "League") supports the final proposed capital projects bond referendum (the "Bond"), in the amount of $18.12 million, recommended by the District Administration (the "Administration") and approved unanimously by the members of the Board of Education (the "Board") on October 6, 2014.
At the time of our previous consensus statement of October 3, 2014, the League was not in a position to weigh in on the final bond proposal, as the Board was still considering additional items for possible inclusion in the bond. The League expressed support for the list of publicly vetted projects recommended by the Administration and approved by the Board on September 8, 2014. Understanding that the Board would "use the opportunity of retiring debt to ensure tax neutrality," the League further supported the Board's consideration of "other District and building-level facilities priorities for possible inclusion in the bond issue."
The League commends the members of the Board for their willingness to revisit their decision of September 8, 2014 in order to maximize the use of bond funding for capital projects, while, at the same time, honoring their original borrowing parameter set in 2013-14 discussions to ensure tax neutrality. We appreciate, in particular, that the Board engaged in an open and candid public discussion, which benefitted the community by providing insight into its decision-making process.
We applaud the thorough and inclusive process the Administration and the Board used to prioritize and select additional projects at the high school, many of which, we understand, have been deferred in years past.
The League further commends the Board for utilizing a variety of opportunities and formats for outreach to the community in order to educate and engage as many voters on the Bond as possible, and we encourage the Board to continue these efforts.
We urge the public to vote "Yes" on the Bond on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 7 am to 9 pm at the Scarsdale Middle School. Information on how to register to vote and/or to obtain an absentee ballot is available by clicking either the "Bond Referendum" link on the District website or the "Voter Information" tab on the League website.
Water Rates on the Rise
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We received a water bill from the Village of Scarsdale this week that far exceeded any of our prior bills. Though we live on a third of an acre and do not have a pool, our bill went from about $100 in August to $721.50 for a reading date of June 21- September 4. A neighbor on a similarly-sized plot reported that their bill was $1,400. Was it a mistake?
Curious to find out more we called the Scarsdale Water Department and found out that the rate for water consumption above 50 units is more than triple the rate for the first 50 units. To be clear, the first 50 units were billed at a rate of $2.05 each, while the remaining 80 were billed at $7.18 per unit.
The woman at the water department reminded me that unlike the prior summer this year there were no watering restrictions– allowing residents to use their sprinklers as much as they desired. And I must admit, though our lawn looked lovely this year, we are paying for it dearly.
We also emailed Village Manager Al Gatta for an explanation of what's behind the high cost for excess water and here is what he shared:
From Village Manager Al Gatta
Our rates have been pretty steady in the past years and rank very well with the 18 utilities for which we have comparisons. For example, in the last ten years, 2004-2005 to 2014-2015, the rate increased from $1.60 per unit to $2.05, a .45 increase or about 2.8% a year. Last year the rate was not increased and remained at the 2012-2013 rate of $1.95. Scarsdale was the 14th lowest rate of the 18 utilities that were measured against.
The sole and most significant factor in rate increases is the charge by the New York City Water Board for its water. Since 1999-2000 the entitlement charge increased from$383.78 per million gallons to an approximate $1,600 per million gallons, or 417%. The excess rate increased from $1,737.97 in 1999-2000 to an approximate $5,200 in 2014-2015, an approximate 300%.
When I was in school there was a book called the Cadillac Desert and it was about controlling the water rights to the Colorado River where you had Native Americans, Colorado, Arizona and California disputing rights to the resource. The Native Americans said he who controls the water rights controls the public policy. It certainly has been the case with the City of New York in the last 25 years.
New York City Water Board has been forceful in its public policy in a number of ways which has caused the water rates to increase significantly over the past years. Some examples are support for environmental issues such as fixing its multi-billion dollar infrastructure, to full treatment of water, to increasing the treating of water for certain bacteria. This has been in the $billions. Also to protect the watershed in Westchester County, it has given out $millions in grants to up-county Towns and Villages for land preservation and infrastructure improvements. Also the city has been a leader in advancing programs that reduce the use of water by the 20 million people it serves. All of these programs have been welcomed and supported by Westchester residents and particularly the environmental groups in the County.
It looks like the only way for residents to reduce expenses for water is to reduce the amount used, i.e. conserve. The City is now involved in a multi-million dollar program to inform, educate and encourage the reduction of water use through its system.
Finally, the resident in Scarsdale that had such a large increase in the quarterly bill should call the Water Department to come out and check the meter and investigate for leaks.
Cable Commission Proposes Improvements for the Scarsdale Cable Channel
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In the wake of a proposal from the Scarsdale Village Manager's office to consolidate the operation of the Scarsdale Cable Channel with New Rochelle, the Scarsdale Cable Commission presented their own proposal to modernize the village's cable operations and maintain local control.
Representing the Cable Commission, Lorayne Fiorello explained the proposed plan to the Scarsdale Board of Trustees on Tuesday October 28, saying that the commission studied the issue, reviewed new technologies on the market and looked into how other municipalities are managing their public access channels. She stressed that this new program would cost no more than the $70,350 currently allocated in the Village Budget. These funds are provided by Verizon and Cablevision and now go into the Village's general fund.
The commission recommended hiring a new Senior Cable Commission Coordinator to work 20 hours per week and interviewed many candidates. In addition they recommended that the village continue to use part-time camera operators and an assistant Cable Television Coordinator.
The commission proposed to expand programming beyond Village Board Meetings and broadcast community events such as the Memorial Day Parade, annual fireworks, Halloween Window Painting, meetings of the Scarsdale Forum and the annual library book sale. They proposed installing fixed cameras in the Scott Room at Scarsdale Library to broadcast some of the special events that occur there.
Village organizations would be permitted to publicize their activities by making their own Public Service Announcements with the assistance of the Village's cable team. These PSA's could be aired on the channel in between programming. Residents could also sign up to produce and air their own shows on the channel. By law all residents have the right to air their own programming on the site though no one is currently doing so.
The commission also recommended upgrading the equipment using PEG funds (Public, Educational and Government). Using new technology from Tightrope Media and Swagit, all programming could be offered on the internet as well as on television. Streaming video equipment would provide residents access to live and archived programming.
Fiorello summed up by saying, "We have done research. We have experience in this field and we think we can make this one of the top flight stations in Westchester."
After some discussion, the Board then went into executive session to discuss the personnel portion of the proposal.
At the Village Board meeting that followed that same night, Bob Harrison continued to urge the Board to require the Planning Board to deliberate in public rather than behind closed doors. He mentioned that he attended a meeting of the Planning Board where they considered a subdivision at 15 Circle Road and said that none of the attendees at the meeting were able to hear the discussion on the issue.
In other business, the board granted a license agreement to Alan and Deborah Annex of 7 Park Road to construct steps from the street to their driveway in the Village right of way.
The board also voted unanimously to refer several proposed changed to the Village Zoning Code to the Planning Board for review and comment. The proposed amendments were not distributed.
Westchester Voters Go Democratic
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Though the Republicans dominated the national election, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino failed in his bid to unseat popular Governor Andrew Cuomo either in his own county or statewide. The unofficial vote tally for Westchester County shows that Cuomo got 55% of the vote to Astorino's 42%. Statewide results were similar with Cuomo at 53% to Astorino's 39%. So for now Astorino will return to White Plains and focus on county issues.
Cuomo faced criticism for disbanding the Moreland Commission, a group he had formed to investigate corruption. He angered some voters with mandating a comprehensive state testing program in local schools. However his campaign messaging stressed new gun control laws, balanced budgets and reduced tax increases due to the tax cap. Cuomo spent $30 million on the campaign to Astorino's $4.6 million. Speaking from Mt. Kisco Cuomo said, "We cut spending, we reduced taxes and jobs are coming back. Westchester County has the highest property taxes in the nation and I am tired of excuses from local government about why they can't make ends meet."
In his concession speech Astorino indicated that he would run again, saying, "We have not tilted at windmills – we have planted a flag and will be back to claim it. Better governing is what NY needs." Quoting John F. Kennedy he said, "Without debate, without criticism no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive."
Democrat incumbents for state office all fared well in Westchester County. Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli got 60% of the vote here and 57% statewide. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman got 59% of the vote in Westchester and 54% in NYS. Congressman Eliot Engel and State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin both ran unopposed. Commenting on her re-election, Paulin said, "I want to thank the voters in my district for their support. It has been my great pleasure to represent the people of the 88thAssembly District. Together we have accomplished so much and I look forward to continuing to work on legislation and constituent issues that matter to you and to all New Yorkers, said Paulin. "I am honored to have your trust."
Scarsdale's State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins had a solid victory with 73% of the vote vs.
27% for her Republican challenger Robert Lopez Foti. She hoped to become the first woman to lead the majority party in the NYS Senate but her colleagues did not fare as well and the Republicans are claiming a majority of the seats in the NYS Senate. A spokesperson from her office said, "Senator Stewart-Cousins won a resounding victory in her district and thanks voters for their support."
Scarsdale's own Acting Village Justice Arlene Katz won her bid for Family Court Judge with an impressive 137,265 votes. Commenting on the results, Katz said, "It has been a great honor to serve as Acting Village Justice in Scarsdale for almost 19 years. I am now deeply honored to have been elected to the position of Family Court Judge in Westchester County. Decisions made in Family Court can have longstanding consequences and often affect every aspect of the lives of families and children every single day. I am committed to making a difference and ensuring all those who appear before me receive the services, guidance and protection they need and deserve."
All three ballot propositions passed in both Westchester and in NYS. The Scarsdale Schools will benefit from the Smart Schools Bond Act and is slated to receive $445,000 for classroom technology, high speed internet and tech smart security features from the $2 billion bond.
Mayhem Haunted House - Final Weekend
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Tipping the fright scale for more than 1300 visitors over the last three weekends, Fright Room Productions and The Center @ 862 prepare for the final weekend of "Mayhem Haunted House" at Supply Field, 244 Heathcote Road in Scarsdale. The haunting begins Friday, October 31 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. and continues for one last scare on Saturday, November 1 from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $13 and children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit www.TheCenter862.com or Like Us on Facebook.com/FrightRoom
