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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 21 August 2015

Created: 21 August 2015

Last Updated: 25 August 2015

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(This notice was posted by the Village of Scarsdale)
PRESS RELEASE – THE 2016 PROPERTY REASSESSMENT COMMENCEMENT

In accordance with a January 27, 2015 resolution of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees, please be advised that the 2016 reassessment has recently commenced. This effort is intended to update property values on a parcel specific basis.

The 2016 reassessment will consist primarily of a statistical analysis of all sales that will support the development of market models for estimating the value of all properties. Valuation processes and procedures are in the early stages and will result in new assessments that will be implemented on the June 1, 2016 tentative assessment roll for all property valued as of the July 1, 2015 valuation date.

Except those properties that are, or have recently been under construction, a full on-site data collection of each property will NOT occur, which means that data collectors will not be asking to enter residents' premises. The reassessment consulting firm of J.F. Ryan Associates, Inc., an experienced and respected industry leader, will work in conjunction with the Assessor to perform the valuation analyses used to value and reassess ALL Scarsdale properties.

Building on the foundation of the 2014 Village-wide reassessment and in order to maintain assessments as close to 100% as possible, periodic reassessments, which are considered to be an industry "best practice," will be performed at intervals determined in the future based on changing market conditions.

Attached is a list of important information regarding the 2016 reassessment. As the project progresses, additional information will be available through local newspaper articles and on-line news media, village webpage postings and a public information meeting (s). Additional questions should be directed to the Town/Village Assessor's Office @ #722-1133. Thank you.

Nanette J. Albanese, SRA, IAO
Scarsdale Town/Village Assessor
NYS Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

John F. Ryan, CAE
Revaluation Consultant
J.F. Ryan Associates, Inc.

Important things to know about the 2016 reassessment:

• J.F. Ryan Associates, Inc. will complete the 2016 reassessment in conjunction with the Assessor, utilizing the property characteristics collected during the 2014 reassessment, as continually updated;

• A full on-site data collection of each property will NOT occur, as this major effort was completed as part of the 2014 reassessment; however, the data collection of all new construction, renovations of existing homes and the correction of existing inventory is on-going;

• The sales used to value all properties for the June 1, 2016 tentative assessment roll will include valid transactions that transpired over the prior 2 year period, July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2015; if necessary the sales base will be expanded to include valid sales occurring before and after this period;

• Recent sales prices of properties, while typically very strong indicators of value, WILL NOT automatically become the 2016 assessment;

• Properties will be valued using market models that consider all valid sales occurring during the sales base period;

• To ensure the greatest degree of accuracy and equity of the final valuation estimates, appraisers from J.F. Ryan Associates, Inc. will perform curb-side valuation reviews of all properties. The Assessor and her staff will participate in these reviews;

• Once the 2016 assessments have been calculated and finalized, on or about June 1, 2016, all taxpayers will be mailed a notice of the 2016 tentative assessment;

• ALL valuations resulting from the 2016 reassessment are subject to the normal appeal process by the submission of a completed grievance application form to the Board of Assessment Review filed during the statutory grievance period, June 1, 2016 – June 21, 2016 (Grievance Day);

• However, there will be no informal review process in conjunction with the 2016 reassessment. An informal valuation review process prior to setting a tentative assessment roll is typically only undertaken when many years have passed since the last full-scale reassessment.

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Written by: Felicia Block

Published: 10 August 2015

Created: 10 August 2015

Last Updated: 13 August 2015

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A large branch of a massive tree next to the playground in Davis Park fell sometime overnight on August 5 -6. Fortunately no one was in the playground at the time. Edgewood resident Felicia Block last saw the tree intact on Wednesday the fifth – but by the time she woke up on the morning of the sixth, two large branches had fallen from the upper section of the tree. She left a message on a Village answering machine and shortly thereafter, the public works department raced to the scene to remove the debris and to take down the remains of the tree. The park was cordoned off for the two-day operation. According to Block the workers took many precautions to ensure safety in the park and did a great job cleaning up.

The tree was well-loved in Edgewood and the playground was designed around it. While watching the tree come down, Block's little boy said, "It was the giving tree."

Thanks to Felicia for sending in these photos: If you see something of interest, send reports and photos to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.

(Photos by Felicia Block)

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 06 August 2015

Created: 06 August 2015

Last Updated: 06 August 2015

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A lucky doctor from Scarsdale won a two-year lease to a new car in the 2015 Pepe Auto Group Lease Giveaway Contest on July 22 at Glen Island Harbour in New Rochelle. Dr. Louis D Cohen's name was chosen at random during the 5th annual Best of Westchester Party.

Though Dr. Cohen was not there when actor Chazz Palminteri announced his name, he was shocked to receive a voicemail from Gary Turco, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of White Plains, telling him he was the winner of a two year lease to a 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, 2015 Infiniti Q50, or a 2015 Cadillac ATS Sedan. Accompanied by his wife on Wednesday, July 29th 2015 Dr. Cohen took delivery of his new 2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA250, wrapped in a big red bow and shining in the bright summer sun. There were pictures, smiles, handshakes and even hugs.

Upon delivery of the vehicle Dr. Cohen said, "When I first entered the contest it never even crossed my mind that I could win. I didn't have any dreams of getting behind the wheel of a new car. Once I received the call, I loved that I had a choice of which vehicle I would get to drive for the next two years. I love the Mercedes-Benz brand and love their vehicles so my decision was an easy one!"

Gary Turco, General Manager of Mercedes-Benz of White Plains said, "Every year we look forward to this event and most of all finding out the lease giveaway winner. Nothing makes the Pepe Auto Group family happier then awarding a two year lease to a truly deserving person, hearing their story and watching them drive away happy."

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Written by: Midori Im

Published: 23 June 2015

Created: 23 June 2015

Last Updated: 23 June 2015

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(This article was written by Greenacres fifth graders Will Reed, Elizabeth Fine, and Luke Peltz) Last month fifth grade students from Greenacres Elementary went on a tour of the Food Bank of Westchester in Elmsford. The Food Bank helps people who don't have enough money to buy food for their families. Here are some facts you probably didn't know about the food bank and about what is happening in Westchester County.

• 33% of the people the Food Bank helps are children under 18.
• 22% of the people the Food Bank helps are senior citizens.
• There are 25,000 children in grade school that get donated lunch in Westchester County.
• In Westchester County, approximately 200,000 are at risk of hunger.
• The Food Bank is the only food bank in the county that serves all of Westchesterand is located on 200 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford.

The children were broken up into two groups; some toured the Food Bank and others helped pack food. Kira Ratan took a tour and she learned that, "Some kids at schools that are within walking distance of Greenacres need these lunches." Jack Byers learned that, "all the kids that get the food are treated fairly." This was a good chance for these children to learn more.

The trip changed students' ideas about donating food. Moa Kulle said, "I realized how lucky I am and how many families depend on the food." Talia Levenson learned, "how much of a difference it makes and how much families need it."

A few children who helped pack the food for communities in need said that, "We learned plenty about the Food Bank." Brandon D'Agostino said, "The number of boxes increases very quickly." Joshua Im said, "I was astounded that the Food Bank trusted children to pack food and was concerned if they made a mistake." Sophie Cohen said that, "I (sic) surprised how much food they actually packed and how many people they need to help get the job done."

We also interviewed student, Brandon D'Agostino about his experience:

What was your favorite part about the Food Bank?

I liked the packing. It was really fun.

Did you learn any new things about the Food Bank or hunger that you could share with us?

I didn't really know how the food got anywhere, or where it was going. I didn't know that some went to soup kitchens.

What types of food did you pack?

We really only packed rice, but there were also beans.

Is there any way to improve the program?

There was really nothing. Everything was really organized and it wasn't that hard to pack.

Did this project make you want to get more involved in charity work?

The Food Bank was really fun. I might think about doing Midnight Run.

Overall, these children were happy that they went. They also thought it was a fun and interesting experience. David Gilin said "It was a good way to see where the food goes each year." Ethan Weismer thought it was interesting, and he liked seeing the process the food goes through.

As we prepare to go to Middle School, it was really great to work on a project together that is so helpful to people who really need it.

Some kids also helped sell gift cards after school. 10% percent of the gift card sales went to the Food Bank. Dining fundraisers were also held at Frankie & Fanucci and California Pizza Kitchen, and a percentage of those sales was donated to the Food Bank as well.

Field Day at Greenacres:

On Thursday, June 18th, Greenacres held a special field day for our graduating students. Here are a few pictures taken by Amy Nadasdi.