The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

A Proposed Recreation Path, dubbed “The ChapLine,” in Discussion at Town Hall, plus other news

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By Eileen Gallagher
At Town Hall Tuesday, New Castle resident Dan Googel presented his concept for a recreation path leading from Horace Greeley High School to the downtown, calling it the “ChapLine.” As a member of the Master Planning Commercial Work Group, he considers himself not to be a land-use person, but “just someone who wants to do something good for the town.” Per Googel, residents indicated through the community work sessions run by Pace that they wanted the town to be more walkable, as well as have a place for children to ride their bicycles. According to Googel, the path is already in great shape and would need minimal upgrading. Paving, a pedestrian bridge, and a painted bike lane would complete the ChapLine. Costs are roughly estimated to be between $850 to $1.4 million.
 
In other news… the New Castle Board of Ethics received a complete overhaul this year, from the number of members to the code they are required to follow. Previously, three members served on this board, with the stipulation that there be a registered republican, a registered democrat, and a town hall employee. 
 
Under the direction of Supervisor Rob Greenstein, town board members, and town counsel Keane and Beane, the ethics code was updated and the ethics board reappointed with five members, namely David Browde, Kyle-Beth Hilfer, James A. Shanman, Evan Glassman, and Ken Schonberg.
 
As this week’s meeting began, town board member Elise Mottel read a brief statement as to the conclusion of the ethics board regarding her participation in matters of Chappaqua Crossing. Per Mottel. she remains completely impartial on the matter, and  the ethics board did not find it necessary for her to again recuse herself. 
 
Additionally, the public hearing on Chappaqua Crossing has been adjourned to October 28. 
Finally, Westchester County Sewer Inclusion Project costs have skyrocketed, according to Greenstein. From the time the project was first proposed the cost has increased from an estimated $16 million to over $24 million. Greenstein attributed the increased costs to the delay in approval of the project by the county under the leadership of former chairman Ken Jenkins. Per Greenstein, New Castle has several grant applications outstanding. 
 

New Castle Budget Talk Underway; a “Wish List” for 2015

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By Eileen Gallagher

Preliminary budget talks are underway at Town Hall.

The first part of the budget process involves hearing department summaries as well as plans and “Wish Lists” for the coming year.  Recreation and Parks, Police, Town Clerk, New Castle Community Media Center, Department of Public Works, and Town Development were among the reports presented thus far.

Noteworthy for 2014:

-Substantial savings due to renegotiated refuse contract and worker’s compensation plan -Approximately 5,500 tax receipts processed, 3,060 parking permits paid for and 800 dog licenses renewed -Videotaped town board work sessions, zoning, and planning board meetings as well as town board meetings

Planned and/or proposed for 2015:

-BAS FOIL Tracker, a software package designed to streamline Freedom of Information Law requests -Online access for taxpayer information, camp registration, payment of program fees, and renewal of parking permits -Video Agenda Integration (VAI) to enable tabbing and time stamping to quickly reach a specific part of a meeting or attached document

– Additional equipment installation for town-wide wifi, and kiosks displaying town events, weather, and news

– Recycling “toters” which are larger, wheeled containers with lids to be sold to households

– Hosted voice system, or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to allow for town hall to operate from virtually any location -Basketball court at town hall, recreation field renovation, safety netting for sledding hill at Gedney Park, and playground replacements for compliance with safety regulations -Two police department vehicle/body cameras for trial basis

 

Millwood Visit Planned in Buchwald’s “Assemblyman On Your Corner” Series

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Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that his “Assemblyman on Your Corner” series will return this fall across his district in Westchester County, bringing the Assemblyman’s office to the people he represents. Assemblyman Buchwald invites community residents to attend any of the sessions to ask a question or relay a problem they hope can be solved.

The City of White Plains recently received a $1 million grant from NYSERDA and the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council to plan a revitalized area in and around the train station. The Senators and Assembly members point out in their letter that “Essential to this endeavor is creating a 21st Century train station to serve as a vibrant gateway to one of New York State’s fastest growing cities.”
The City of White Plains recently received a $1 million grant from NYSERDA and the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council to plan a revitalized area in and around the train station. The Senators and Assembly members, including David Buchwald, pictured here, point out in their letter that “Essential to this endeavor is creating a 21st Century train station to serve as a vibrant gateway to one of the state’s fastest growing cities.”

The following stops are scheduled:

  • Tuesday September 30th, 9-11am at DeCicco’s – 35 New York Route 121 (1 Cross River Plaza), Cross River, NY 10518
  • Wednesday October 1st, 5:30-7:30pm at Atlanta Bread Company – 220 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10601 *With State Senator George Latimer
  • Sunday Wedneday October 8th, 11am-1pm at A&P – 230 Saw Mill River Rd, Millwood, NY 10546
  • Sunday October 12th , 10am-12pm at Cozy Cafe – 273 Halstead Ave, Harrison, NY 10528 *With State Senator George Latimer 

“‘Assemblyman on Your Corner’ is an opportunity for me to bring my office out to you,” said Assemblyman Buchwald.  “I have the privilege of representing nine great municipalities in Westchester County, and I want to make sure it’s as easy as possible for folks to discuss their concerns, ask questions and work with me to solve problems related to State government. One of the great joys of my job is working hand in hand with my constituents, and I look forward to hearing your voices.”

Assemblyman Buchwald’s district includes the towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and the city of White Plains. Any resident who cannot attend the sessions is encouraged to call Assemblyman Buchwald’s district office at 914-244-4450 or visit his District Office in Mount Kisco.

 

 

 

 

Free “Citizen Preparedness” Training in New Castle

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Monday, October 6, 2014, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., New Castle is hosting a free Citizen Preparedness Corps training session called Prepare, Respond, Recover: What To Do When Disaster Strikes.  snow scene

A trained representative from the American Red Cross will conduct a session of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Citizen Preparedness Corps Training Program. The program lasts about two hours and provides a comprehensive overview on how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters, and how to respond to and recover from them.

This program will take place in the Assembly Room, New Castle Town Hall, 200 South Greeley, Avenue, Chappaqua, NY 10514.redcross-logo

 

 

 

Charlotte’s Basket

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By Grace Bennett

In the midst of all the excitement gearing up for the Chappaqua Children’s basket for ChelseaBook Festival (CCBF), little Charlotte Clinton Mezvinsky arrived in the world of course.   The day after, and on the day of the festival itself, the CCBF’s Sophie Mendelson decorated a basket with pink ribbons, and filled it to overflowing with 25 books as a gift for new parents Chelsea and Marc–and for the proud grandparents as well.

The festival’s founder and director Dawn Evans Greenberg was cleared to deliver the basket at the Chappaqua home of the Clintons, and did so.

The basket included autographed titles from popular Baby and Childrens’ book authors including Chappaqua’s Mara and Matt Van Fleet, Jerry Pinkney, Fran Manushkin, Diane DeGroat, Melissa Guion, Carin Berger, Alyssa Capucilli, Pat Schories, Irene O’Garden, Allison Formento, Carol Weston, Mary Ann Hoberman and Peter Sis.