New Castle News

By Beth Besen

More than 25 New Castle merchants take gifting and giving to a new level of local this holiday season.

“Light Up Your Town,” launching on Small Business Saturday (November 29th), and continuing through the holiday season, is the perfect way to shop, socialize, dine, give, give back and enjoy all that New Castle has to offer. The Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, led largely by community volunteers, has generated close to $5k in sponsorship contributions to create a deal- and activity-packed calendar of holiday events, designed to encourage residents to shop, stroll, and give locally.

Each participating local merchant contributed a special offer for the holiday season. Desires by Mikolay and Breezemont Day Camp are sponsors of a Holiday Stroll with an ice sculpture “reveal” on December 6th (Town residents vote on what type of sculpture they’d like in their downtown). Local resident Dawn Greenberg created a program called “Chappaqua Cares … Chappaqua Shares,” involving a central hub at Houlihan Lawrence for collecting donations for those in need. Additionally, three stores are participating in a first-ever Gingerbread House Contest on December 13th.

Chamber President Nancy A. Shenker, assisted by a team of merchants and innovative business owners created a program designed to offer the Chappaqua-Millwood community something unique and exciting every Saturday during this upcoming holiday season. “Why trek to the mall, when you can get personal service, save money, and contribute to your local economy?” asks Shenker. The campaign will be supported by an over sized colorful “deal card” and calendar so residents can stay on top of what’s happening, as well as a special section of the Chamber website, where last-minute deals will be promoted. The campaign was made possible by:

Presenting Sponsors: Breezemont Day Camp and Desires by Mikolay

Premier Sponsors: Breeze Gifts and Camp Nabby

General Sponsors: Auburn Jewelry, Cathy’s Hair Room, Center for Aligned Healing, Chappaqua Paint & Hardware, Emmary Day Spa, Esposito’s Sausage, Eye Gallery of Chappaqua, Hall of Scoops, Holuihan Lawrence, ICD Contemporary Jewelry, Jodi’s Gym, Korth & Shannahan Painting, Le Jardin du Roi, Petticoat Lane, Quaker Hill Tavern, Salon 228, Shuppee, theONswitch marketing, Ventown, and WeeZee – The Science of Play.

Beth Besen is the Executive Editor of Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk magazines.

“Okay, confession time. I love parties and dinners out, getting all glammed up. (Okay, that’s obviously not the confession part). But my favorite event of the year in Chappaqua has nothing to do with frivolous festivity. Actually, it’s quite inclusive and very down to earth. It’s the Chappaqua Interfaith Thanksgiving Service and Community Meal. Each of the eight member congregations — Christians and Jews, Muslims and Baha’is — give thanks in their own words (and languages). The joyful kids’ choirs especially move me to reflect on how fortunate we are, how very blessed each of us is to be living in this wonderful community.” — Elinor Griffith

Please consider attending: Sunday, November 23rd, at 4 p.m. — Temple Beth El (220 South Bedford Road). It’s even free!

Downtown Aesthetics/Revitalization Discussed Further too

By Eileen Gallagher

At what was purported to be the penultimate public hearing in the matter of Chappaqua Crossing, there were no shortage of speakers offering suggestions and comments to the town board.

Before residents were given the microphone, however, town counsel Nick Ward-Willis made a statement addressing issues brought up by Summit Greenfield attorney Howard Stahl at the close of the Oct 28 board meeting. Ward-Willis clarified that no outcome was ever promised to Summit Greenfield, and contrary to Stahl’s assertions, there have not been 10 years of petitioning for the current project. “The town board has proceeded with due diligence,” he concluded.

Resident Joseph Devaney asked the board to require a performance bond from Summit Greenfield, such as a 100% plus bond, and carry it forward should the developer sell the property mid-construction. He asked that the board “understand this issue and resolve it, not just for the neighborhood, but for the whole town.”

Councilman Adam Brodsky agreed, stating, “We’ve never had a project of this scale.”

Jeff Blockinger, a commercial building owner in town and one of the newly appointed members of the Business Development Advisory Committee, reminded the board that the town can’t decide which particular retail establishments ultimately end up at Chappaqua Crossing once retail is approved. He also questioned the practicality of the budgeted $6.5 million for infrastructure and aesthetic downtown work, feeling that any substantial work above ground would cost much more once water and sewer work was completed, keeping any further improvements at bay. Councilman Jason Chapin assured him that was not the case. “We are committed to do that work, and the work will be done.”

Supervisor Rob Greenstein interjected, stating that the intended infrastructure and aesthetic work alone is not going to make the downtown more vibrant. “The answer to the [downtown] problem is right there at the train station.” He continued, “We have a six or seven acre parking lot.” Reminding the audience that he ran on a platform that would, in part, revitalize downtown Chappaqua, he continued, “We need to look at the downtown as a canvas.”

No stranger to the board, resident Bob Lewis expressed his concern about the potential retail entrance on Roaring Brook Road, which he felt would “threaten the existing homes on that street.” As a resident of that block, he said, “We feel threatened. WE are the existing development.” He continued, “There has been nothing concrete about how you are protecting us.”

Board member Lisa Katz assured Lewis that this issue is “on the top of my list.” Speaking of the possibility of closing the entrance to Chappaqua Crossing across from the high school, as well as screening and other enhancements, she said, “We are doing everything we can to protect your homes.” Having met with residents to hear concerns and ideas, Katz reported that “people moved here because it was a country setting. There are no huge developments.”

Rob Fleischer referred to the mandate of the board as being to protect the people of the town. “This is not an easy project. The community is crying out for you to give us protection.” Pointing out that the makeup of the town board will likely change before the project is completed, he asked that the town maintain the ability to “shift course” if the project is not working out.

Greenstein replied “There is definitely talk of memorializing everything. There are not going to be things left for chance.” He continued, “We are trying to finalize this and live happily ever after.”

John Erlich was concerned that the project is “based on hope, a wish, and a prayer.” Questioning how Whole Foods is any different than Mrs. Green’s, he wondered what would entice people to shop at the former.

In a discussion with Christine Yeres, Chapin summarized the tax revenue situation post-Reader’s Digest. Per Chapin, the current property taxes on Chappaqua Crossing are $1.6 million, and it is possible that this amount will decrease as a result of the filing of a tax certiorari by Summit Greenfield. “Right now we are only collecting $1.6 million. When the office space was fully occupied we collected much more.” He continued, “In my opinion, Chappaqua Crossing was extremely successful for many decades with Reader’s Digest. In reality, it was a different scenario when [Reader’s Digest] went bankrupt and left.”

Finally, Chuck Napoli stressed his belief that the plan “doesn’t match the county request for a Traditional Neighborhood Design.”

Hoping to have the matter decided before the end of the year, the board voted to adjourn the public hearing to Dec 2 at the next work session.

Mrs. Wellington T. Mara of the NY Giants-owning family dedicated a new building and outdoor space for San Miguel Academy of Newburgh, NY on Friday, Nov. 14. San Miguel is an independent, faith based middle school for at-risk boys. Paid for with a grant from the NFL 2014 Super Bowl Snowflake Foundation, the space includes rowing machines, climbing wall, volleyball court, a robotics course – and gives students and teachers the opportunity to simply walk outside in what is known as one of the most distressed neighborhoods in New York. The Theresa and Edward O’Toole Foundation supplemented updating the indoor facilities with a generous grant.

Left to Right. Back row: ​Rev. Mark Connell, President of San Miguel Academy; William Kaplan, chair of the Board of Directors of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center; Mrs. Patricia Larkin; Mayor Judy Kennedy, City of Newburgh; Mrs. Wellington T. Mara of the NY GIANTS; Greg Kiernan, San Miguel Academy Board of Trustees ​of Chappaqua, NY; NY State Senator William J. Larkin; Greg Draddy, San Miguel Academy Board of Trustees of Rye, NY; Rev Dennis Dinan of St. Francis of Assisi, Newburgh,NY; Lauren Steers, San Miguel Academy Board of Trustees of Rye, NY; Maureen Mirabile, San Miguel Academy Board of Trustees of Chappaqua, NY and Tom Crispi, Chair of ​San Miguel Academy Board of Trustees of Armonk, NY; L- R Front Row: San Miguel Academy students Brandon Miller, Nasah Dabbs, and Daniel Ruiz. Photo Credit: Simon Feldman

By Eileen Gallagher

In order to strengthen, attract, and revitalize business in downtown Chappaqua, the town board approved the formation of the Business Development Advisory Committee. Headed by town board member Adam Brodsky, this committee will draw upon the talents of residents with commercial and real estate experience: Phil Luria, Joan Simon, Corey Shanus, Erik Nicolaysen, David Perlmutter, Barry Mishkin, Jeffrey Blockinger, Phil Altman, Solveig McShea, Randy Katchis, and Lee Anchin. Brodsky read from the resolution creating the BDAC, which will help the town to “identify and recommend policies and initiatives that will strengthen our existing business, attract new and desirable businesses to New Castle, and help our community revitalize our existing business hamlets.” The committee will be tasked with considering strategic redevelopment uses for town owned property, while maintaining the small town values and community spirit of New Castle.

Chappaqua Crossing: Restaurant Considerations
According to Ed Phillips, town counsel, carry-out restaurants are currently permitted under local law for Chappaqua Crossing. A discussion considering restrictions on fast-food and chain restaurants followed. Per Phillips, there is a “relatively new phenomena” in which some municipalities have legislated the existence of chain restaurants. Supervisor Rob Greenstein commented, “Not all chains are created equal.” Resident John Erlich contributed the idea of using the number of tables, length of stay, and “linen table service” as guides rather than restricting “chain” restaurants.

In other News…

The West End/Millwood Advisory Board met with the New York State Department of Transportation on October 31 to discuss the screening of fuel tanks from the public view. Beginning in 2015, the DOT will plant 38 trees as well as install a guardrail with fencing around the area.

“Small Business Saturday” will take place on Nov. 29 (and always occurs the Saturday after Thanksgiving). As Greenstein stated, “They support us, we must support them.”

Councilman Jason Chapin announced budget savings of $600k refuse collection, $400k workers’ comp, and $200k health insurance, and thanked the respective department heads for their work in achieving these savings.

Slow Down
The speed limit in downtown Chappaqua will be reduced to 25 mph on South Greeley Avenue from its intersection with Washington Avenue to the intersection of Quaker Road, as the town board unanimously requested.

Sidewalk repaving in front of Bank of America will take place the week of Nov. 17 (Monday to Friday).

Take It or Leave It closes on Nov. 22 after a successful season, attributed to its new location near Allen Place in the train station parking lot.