Around Town

Details: Published: 03 June 2013; Created: 03 June 2013; Last Updated: 03 June 2013; Hits: 3985

11autenreithold Village Trustees continue to wrestle with the complexities of preserving Scarsdale's historic homes and landmarks without impinging on the rights of property owners. At a 5-28 meeting of the Law and Land Use Committees headed by David Lee and Jon Mark respectively, the newly elected Board held a working session to define their goals and explore ways to safeguard Scarsdale's heritage while allowing the Village to change to meet the needs of residents.

The Village's current statute regarding historic preservation is reactive rather than pro-active. The Village only addresses preservation issues when an application for demolition is filed. There is nothing within the statute that allows the pre-designation of homes for protection. As a result, homes that might deserve preservation are not protected from renovations to the exterior or demolition.

Currently the Committee on Historic Preservation considers "certificates of appropriateness" from those wishing to demolish homes. Unless the committee finds that the home has historic significance, is 100+ years old, is related to an historically important individual, the work of architect or engineer of significance, a significant example of an important building style/period, or on the national/state register of historic places it can be torn down. Even when a home meets some of the above criteria, the argument is often not persuasive enough to safeguard the house.

In the wake of scores of teardowns of some of the Village's most treasured homes, the Village commissioned a Historic duckpond Resources Survey that was conducted by Li/Salzman Architects and Preservationist Andrew S. Dolkart. The team identified individual homes and buildings worthy of preservation as well as "groups of building of high quality and with architectural integrity relating to their original design, create cohesive neighborhood ensembles." The results of the work were presented in April 2012.

Trustees agree that new code is required and are working on designing a new process to govern historic preservation. However, Trustee David Lee cautioned that historic preservation law should not be a weapon to prevent further development in Scarsdale. He believes there is a need to separate the issues of preservation and development.

Current thinking is that the Village will continue to charge the Committee for Historic Preservation with considering demolition applications but will narrow the criteria for preservation.

The new criteria would be more black and white than the current list and take the subjectivity out of the decisions about what should be preserved and what can be razed.

Here are the proposed new criteria for preservation:

A building related to a historically important individual or historic event
The work of a historic architect or engineer of significance
A listing on the National Register of Historic Places

Under the new criteria, a century old home with character and charm could not be protected simply for its aesthetic appeal and would need to meet the additional criteria above.

As a second step, residents or CHP members could nominate certain properties for historic designation by filing an application with the Committee. If the property was found to warrant preservation, Trustees discussed the possibility offering tax breaks to residents who make improvements to the historic elements of the home. Rather than getting an immediate tax increase for renovations, the new assessment would be phased in over a 10-year period to give residents an incentive to preserve historic elements of their homes. Though the abatement would end after ten years the tax breaks would incentivize homeowners to take appropriate steps to maintain the historic elements of their homes. Homeowners who object to the committee's decision would have the right to challenge it.

Trustees are still considering whether or not the Village can impose landmark status on a home without the owner's consent. Though some may view this status as an encumbrance, others argue that landmark status might give the home prestige and raise its value. Experience in other communities has shown that if landmark status requires owner consent, very few will consent.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Trustees formed a small working group to revise the draft of the proposed code to reflect ideas from the session. A second meeting of the Law and Land Use Committees will be held on June 11, and the public is invited to provide ideas and feedback.

Details: Published: 26 May 2013; Created: 26 May 2013; Last Updated: 26 May 2013; Hits: 5943

budgetLizMay2013 After the first rejection of a proposed budget in 43 years, the Scarsdale School administration, the Board, the faculty and the community struggled to come to grips with the defeat. Why did it happen, what did the vote mean and how should the revised budget be fashioned to garner a favorable vote on June 18th?

We spoke to some of the key players to get their reactions, listened to statements from the Budget Forum on Thursday May 23 and reviewed the 108 comments posted on the site since Tuesday.

From these comments, here are the reasons for discontent among the "No" voters:

Budget surpassed the maximum allowable increase (3.38%) as dictated by the NYS Tax Cap
School tax increases are excessive and force empty nesters to move out of town.
Budget included funds for a new Wellness Center
Teachers are overpaid, they do not contribute to their own health insurance and their children attend the Scarsdale Schools, tuition free

Those who supported the budget cite:

The 2.47% budget to budget increase was the lowest in 30 years
The quality of the Scarsdale Schools draws new residents to the community
The excellent reputation of the schools drives demand for Scarsdale real estate
Many moved here because of the excellent reputation of the schools and want to continue to fund the educational program

Here are comments from people we spoke to as well as those who commented on Scarsdale10583. Read down to the bottom for a plea from one reader looking for a peaceful resolution to the conflict:

Trudy Moses: President of the Scarsdale Teacher's Association: "The budget has not been defeated in the 34 years that I have been here. It is disappointing that the budget went down. The teachers don't want to see programs cut or the quality of education affected. We hope this gets worked out and worry about the loss of programs that keep our schools excellent."

Michael McGill: Superintendent of Scarsdale Schools:

Tuesday's decisive school budget defeat demonstrated that the proposal did not reflect the wishes of a majority of voters at this time. The Board of Education and Administration understand it did not represent a rejection of Scarsdale's commitment to educational excellence. However, the message clearly is to exercise more financial restraint .,,, The Board is committed to developing a second proposal that will merit widespread support and seeks the help of all residents in creating a plan that will unite the community.

Comments from Bob Berg: Leader of the "Vote No" Movement

I rented a list of 3,200 names from the Board of Elections of Scarsdale residents without children in the schools and sent out a letter asking them to vote. I financed it myself and was very surprised at the response and the voluntary contributions I received. I believe the "no" vote was equally shared among people with kids in the schools and empty nesters... In my opinion, the next budget should be within the tax cap, eliminate the Wellness Center, eliminate waste, hold down expenses and minimize tax rate growth. Future budgets should be economically rational so it makes it feasible for people to stay in Scarsdale after their children graduate.

Comments from Vivienne Braun made at the BOE Forum on 5/24

Over 1,700 people voted against the budget because they believe the board can do better and can propose a budget that they can support. The people who voted no used their vote to send this message to the board.

We want the BOE to stop spending on fancy window-dressing that may make the Scarsdale "brand" internationally prominent but that we know is a charade if the board ignores the core industry of this town which is to provide our children with a superior education. We are telling the Board of Education to spend responsibly and focus on those items in the budget that directly affect the education of our students.
I ask the board to listen and incorporate the views and ideas of the voters. The hallmark of Scarsdale is educational excellence. Spending that is not directed squarely at this imperative will not fly in this economic environment. The vote has shown that if you build it, they will NOT come and if you don't spend wisely, they will not acquiesce.

Concerned Parent – Posted May 22, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

What a sad day to see that public opinion has changed in Scarsdale , It's amazing that parents with kids in the schools wouldn't vote in favor of maintaining and improving our schools. And that the empty nesters whose children enjoyed the benefits of unchallenged budgets could be so selfish.

But let's use this opportunity to work together to develop an exemplary budget that eliminates waste, maintain facilities and most importantly provides a high quality education to our students.

To the Board of Education - please don't cut funds that provide direct education - teacher to student interactions, look deep and find other costs, wherever they are, and be vigilant in the contract negotiations - returning revenue you will cut this year to the next year's budget.

Vote No in Albany: Posted May 22, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

As an empty nester, I am proud to say that both of my children received an exemplary education. This town has always put its money where its mouth is. Spreading accusations about the views of Scarsdale by the Ivy League colleges, backed up by a Dean who has demonstrated more than a little poor judgment is ridiculous at best. Waging a campaign against our school budget, that was thoughtfully prepared, explained and shared with the community, that included all residents who chose to be included, was short-sighted. But, turning down a budget whose majority of expenditures are devoted to unfunded mandates by the state of New York with little room for maintaining a superior curriculum, faculty and facility is even more ridiculous. Where are the naysayers when it comes to making their voices heard where it counts .... in Albany? When we don't invest in our schools, we will not enjoy the luxury of others wanting to invest in buying our homes. If we don't invest in our children, we are not investing in our future. It takes money to provide an exemplary education and if we don't commit to improving what we already have, then we all lose out. If you are not willing to make the investment, then you should sell your home to someone who is and enjoy your profit because of those of us who made the investment.

Gary: Posted May 22, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

Being missed in this whole discussion is that 90% of the budget is controlled by the Teachers and other Unions who have incredible benefits compared to both the private sector and other schools. One example; no cost for health insurance which includes up to $500 per person in the family (marriage not required) for designer eyeglasses. This vote should send a strong message that years of a blank check policy to attract the best teachers (no argument for that goal) needs to end. It isn't necessary as Scarsdale is one of the most desirable places for a teacher to work; money and benefits aside.

Proper T: Posted May 23, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

The budget was voted down. I am glad. I have believed for many years that our budgets are bloated. The wellness center was simply the tipping point for enough people. I think we have a good school system overall, but an administration that is tone deaf and school board members that are victims of regulatory capture. Hopefully this will be a wake up call.

There are administrative positions that can be cut. Why does the HS need the 3rd assistant principal? Start there and take a serious look at other admin and facilities positions.

End the free ride we give to teachers' kids. I'm told that this is the only town in Westchester that practices such a policy. This is not contractually mandated. Whatever the number is, 100, 80, etc., it is costing us a lot. We know of a number of teachers who live next door in White Plains and send their kids to our schools. We pay the teachers very well. They are not needy people. We are not subsidizing the education of their children; we are paying for it outright without any contribution on their part.

Jeff Blatt: Posted May 23, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

It is very grim that no one on this board will submit comments under their real name. Quite cowardly.

There really is no point in my repeating all the arguments i have made in the past, and in my listing out facts for others here to consider, because very few of you have the strength of character to change your mind when confronted with information you had not previously considered.

I do feel compelled to engage, again, on the topic of teachers' kids who are here on a "free ride." "Proper T", whoever that is, states that it is "costing us a lot." In fact, it cost almost nothing. Literally, almost nothing. Assume that we did as Proper T wished, and those kids could not attend our schools. Go ahead and list the savings. Come on, tell me. What would we save? A few pencils and books? Maybe we could take a couple of extra desks and sell them on ebay and use the money to cut your taxes by 1/100,000th of a penny? Have you ever done marginal cost analysis in your life?

I could go on and on and on regarding this and other points raised here. The bottom line is that the budget has failed. Part of that is ignorance, part of that is opinion, part of that is lack of voter turnout (yes) on the part of parents with kids in the schools, etc. Part of the reason is that a school board trustee disgracefully used the Watergate era phrase "follow the money" in essentially urging citizens to vote "no" on the budget. For many reasons, the budget failed. The question is now what. A contingency budget, if the next budget fails, will literally destroy the district, cause flight to private school, lower housing values, etc. So, the next budget must pass.

As I wrote in the Inquirer, the school board is not capable of guessing, with precision, what to do to pass a budget. So now, in my view, it must go down the most obvious path. The wellness center must be eliminated, which will raise the problem vs. the tax cap, as the Board has stated. Then, in part two, it must lower the needed taxation to get below the tax cap. This must be done in two parts. Part one, dip into reserves, perhaps by $250,000 or so, but it must be careful not to dip so much that it becomes impossible to keep rates reasonable by using reserves the following year. And then for the rest of the money, there will unfortunately need to be real cuts to the program. Vivienne Braun wanted the budget defeated, and she got it. Now she and the rest of us will share in the pain of her getting her wish. It will be a shared pain and all who value education will lose.

In the end, a two percent tax cap with the problems going on with pensions obligations etc. and no mandate relief by the state is unsustainable. Public education in NY will be destroyed over time unless things change in Albany. No matter what other districts are doing now to get under the cap, and what Scarsdale will now have to do because of this sad outcome, the formula for educational excellence cannot be met with these parameters on an ongoing basis.

Thank You Teachers: Posted May 24, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

To "SHS Teacher" and other teachers in the Scarsdale "Community"

Thank you for your service to my children and all the other children in the district. On more than several occasions I have been brought to tears by the intelligence, kindness, and generosity of spirit Scarsdale teachers. I've seen patience, compassion, and guidance going far, far beyond what is required in their duties. It's been a privilege to see your influence shaping young learners.

I'm ashamed of my neighbors being so rude to the selfless individuals who work with their children every day. Truly ashamed.

Please know that there are still many here who value your work, your work ethic, and your humanity. We will persevere.

A Brief Interlude: Posted May 24, 2013 on Scarsdale10583

A brief interlude, May 24, 2013
Life is very short, and there's no time
For fussing and fighting, my friend.
I have always thought that it's a crime,
So i will ask you once again.
Try to see it my way,
Only time will tell if I am right or I am wrong.
While you see it your way
There's a chance that we may fall apart before too long.
We can work it out,
We can work it out

Details: Published: 19 May 2013; Created: 19 May 2013; Last Updated: 19 May 2013; Hits: 4182

edgewood1 On May 3rd, Edgewood's fourth graders had a taste of life in Colonial times. Dressed in period costumes they learned to write with a quill feather and ink, stencilled, tried tin smithing, cooked, danced and played with toys from the era. Colonial far was served for lunch and the day ended with an old fashioned dance. edgewood2 edgewood3 edgewood4 edgewood5

Details: Published: 24 May 2013; Created: 24 May 2013; Last Updated: 24 May 2013; Hits: 4356

eliotengel The Scarsdale Forum will hold its General Membership meeting on Thursday, June 6 in the Scott Room of the Scarsdale Public Library at 8 p.m. Following the business portion of the membership meeting, Representative Eliot Engel will present the "State of the Nation"

Congressman Eliot Engel has served in Congress since 1988. He is the Ranking Member on the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most powerful committees in Congress, where he serves on the Health Subcommittee and the Energy and Power Subcommittee.

Rep. Engel has championed real healthcare reform and, as a former schoolteacher and guidance counselor, he strongly supported funding for education. He has called for reforming the Alternative Minimum Tax that is hurting so many middle class families.

He is a strong advocate for programs creating jobs to turn around our ailing economy and help the middle and working classes, assist our veterans returning to civilian life through job and education programs, make our country independent of oil from hostile governments, and reduce the outside influence of money in politics as a result of the recent Supreme Court Citizens United decision.

For program and membership information, visit (www.scarsdaleforum.com), email (office@scarsdaleforum.com) or call (914-723-2829).

Democrats to Meet at Taiim Cellar

The following Sunday, June 9, Engel and State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins will return to Scarsdale to attend the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee Fundraiser, which will take place on Sunday, June 9th from 2-4 PM at the Taiim Cellar, 11 Boniface Circle, Scarsdale, NY.

Meet Rep. Engel who is the ranking member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and accompanied President Obama on a recent trip to Israel. Senator Stewart-Cousins was elected by her colleagues to serve as Leader of the Senate Democratic Conference in December 2012, becoming the first female leader of a legislative conference in New York State history.

Funds raised will go directly to supporting local Democratic candidates and to generating voter interest in the upcoming elections. The entire community is invited to attend this event. The suggested donation is $75 and RSVP's may be made by contacting Sue Neale at csn10583@aol.com. Checks should be made payable to the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee and mailed to Sue Neale, 23 Barry Road, Scarsdale, 10583.

Details: Published: 16 May 2013; Created: 16 May 2013; Last Updated: 16 May 2013; Hits: 5547

This letter was submitted by Robert J. Berg of Tisdale Road in Scarsdale:
An Open Letter to Scarsdale Taxpayers – Just Vote "No" on May 21 and Defeat the Bloated Proposed $145.3 Million School Budget which Defies the New York State Tax Cap and Raises your School Taxes by 3.93%.

The proposed budget will increase your school property taxes by 3.93%, and will blow through the State tax cap by $701,267, while spending $1 million on building the empty shell of an ill-defined "Wellness" Center.
57% of households in Scarsdale have no children in the school system, but pay most of the cost of educating other people's children.
Less than 1 out of every 10 registered voters in Scarsdale ACTUALLY votes on the school budget most years. This means a small minority dictates the outcome of the vote and your tax burden.
Empty nesters have the power to limit their tax burden, BUT ONLY IF YOU COME OUT AND VOTE "NO" ON MAY 21. Don't complain about your property taxes – do something about them this time!

I have two children who currently attend the High School. I will vote "NO" on May 21 anyway. Here are some of the "facts" as I see them that lead me to my "NO" vote.

1. The $1 million taxpayers are being asked to dole out this year for the proposed High School Wellness Center is "a pig in a poke." Instead of funding a complete, fully outfitted, state of the art fitness center, filled with high tech gadgets, all the $1 million buys is the construction of the walls, ceilings, ventilation system, and electrical system in a pancake-like sprawling 4,500 square foot space with severe height constraints. So far unsaid is how this Wellness Center will be equipped, who will pay for the brand-new elliptical cross trainers, stationary bicycles, treadmills, free weights, and strength and conditioning circuit machines sufficient to allow an entire physical education class or two to work out simultaneously, and who will staff the Center. During the tour I took last week of the facilities, the gym teacher told me that preliminary cost estimates for the equipment range up to about $200,000 and that the old equipment in the current fitness center will not be used in the new Wellness Center, but will be disposed of. And don't forget, the $1 million won't cover the glass-walled central core classroom/laboratory that is supposed to be the hallmark of this facility. So don't believe the "spin" of the Administration and the Board of Education that the Wellness Center is just a $1 million line item in a $145 million budget. It's going to cost a lot more than that for Scarsdale taxpayers. Further, the taxpaying public will not be permitted to use the facility – it is only for student and staff use.

2. More fundamentally, in a time of continued economic stress, the "fact" is that Scarsdale High School already has more than ample physical fitness facilities, and they have not been put to the most effective use. There are, astonishingly, three full-size gymnasiums in the high school plus a large multi-purpose room, as well as the existing fitness center. Of course, outside, the high school has a beautiful track, an artificial turf field (that is expected to need replacement in the next few years for an estimated cost of $800,000), many tennis courts, platform tennis courts, and a baseball diamond. Even assuming that the current fitness center should be moved, why not use the existing, spacious, high-ceiling multi-purpose room immediately adjacent to the massive new gymnasium for the Wellness Center? That multi-purpose room is already very well-lit, has modern ventilation, lots of windows, and is conveniently located right above the locker rooms. That solution immediately saves taxpayers $1 million and new equipment could be moved right in this summer.

3. The Administration's contention that moving the fitness center from its current, out-of-the-way location down dimly lit, unattractive corridors will somehow then free up that "prime real estate" smacks of internal inconsistency. How can that space be considered prime real estate? More significantly, when I toured the space last week with Principal Bonamo, I noticed that the corridor walls appeared to be structural, load bearing walls that likely would not be able to be blown out to open up this "prime real estate." Principal Bonamo said that, to his knowledge, no one has yet determined whether or not these are structural walls. So no one really knows how or if this supposedly dingy, cramped, remote fitness center and adjacent no-longer-in-use bathrooms, locker rooms, and offices can miraculously be transformed into "prime real estate" and at what astronomical cost.

4. Empty nesters, in particular, should ask themselves: "How long will I be able to afford to stay in my home in Scarsdale where I have lived for 20, 30, 40 years or more if my property taxes keep soaring?" Unless we are fortunate enough to be multi-millionaires, sadly, for most of us, we will come to the only rational economic decision – we'll have to move away because of the excessive property tax burden, which is predominantly driven by the school budget. Forcing our empty nesters to leave town because of uncontrolled school spending is wrong on so many levels and is destructive to the very fabric of the community and to the many community organizations that depend heavily on the extraordinary time and talents provided by empty nesters. Scarsdale is not just a way station for people to leave after they have had their children educated in our schools – an education which empty nesters subsidize by more than half. Empty nesters – this is your community – you need to come out and vote "NO" and protect your financial ability to remain here.

5. The District is presently negotiating with the teachers' union for a new contract. The current teachers' contract expires on June 30 of this year. The School Board has, for several decades, followed an avowed policy of paying teachers at the absolute highest compensation levels in the entire State. This practice has, unsurprisingly, created a dramatic gap between teacher compensation in Scarsdale and in our peer school districts like Bronxville, Chappaqua, Edgemont, and Rye City. The School Board and Administration have publicly expressed that they will seek to reduce the salary gap. How can they convince the teachers that tough economic times warrant a contraction in the salary gap in the face of a spendthrift budget?

6. Only four school districts in the lower Hudson Valley, including Scarsdale, are proposing budgets which exceed their State-adjusted tax caps. All of our peer school districts, however, have proposed school budgets that fall within their State-adjusted tax caps and some of which are more than $1 million below their allowable tax caps. These peer districts include: Bronxville, which for the past four years had come in with no growth budgets, and whose budget this year will be $300,000 below the tax cap of 3.24%; Edgemont, with a projected tax increase of only 2%, and a budget which provides for no staffing cuts and no increase in average class size; Mamaroneck, with a projected tax increase of 2.73% and a budget that comes in $1,158,027 below the tax cap; Katonah-Lewisboro, with a projected tax increase of only 1.34% and a budget $192,257 below the tax cap; Rye Neck, with a budget $1,618,988 below the tax cap; Pelham, with a projected tax increase of 3.25% and a budget $403,402 below the tax cap; and Harrison, with a budget $749,608 below the tax cap. The Scarsdale School Board, however, slaps taxpayers in the face, crashing through the tax cap with another huge 3.93% spike in school property taxes and a $1 million expenditure on a subterranean shell.

This year, you have the chance to send a strong message to the School Board and Administration – Stop the spending madness and stop it NOW! Please come out to vote on May 21, and vote "NO." I assure you that Armageddon will not be at hand – You'll get a chance to vote "YES" a month later when the Board presents us with a budget that eliminates the $1 million down payment on the ill-planned Wellness Center and comes within the tax cap by drawing down $700,000 from our more than ample reserves. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you at the polls.

Very truly yours,

Robert J. Berg