A summer soirée was hopping Sunday at the Center for Aligned Healing in town. It drew old and new friends from near and far who gathered to enjoy healthy food and drinks, hang out and meet the team of new healing practitioners on King Street.
New Castle News
Sparkling for Body Wise Connection
A Report from Town Hall’s June 11 Meeting
By Zarah Kavarana
- Documents regarding the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan have been published in the Environmental News Bulletin on June 12. Written public comments will be accepted through July 12, 2013. The documents can be viewed through the town website, library, and Department of Planning.
- All train station parking permits will expire on Saturday, June 15. Any resident who desires a permit is advised to submit an application immediately, before the June 14 deadline. Permits will not be issued to those with an unresolved parking ticket. All tickets should be cleared before applications are submitted.
- Camp registration for New Castle Day Camps is ongoing. For more information, contact the Recreation and parks Department at (914) 238-3909.
- The Summer Concert Series, co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce begins on July 10 at the Recreation Field. The schedule is as follows: Tramps Like Us on July 10; Chappaqua Orchestra on July 17; One Hot Night on July 24; Hollaback on July 31. All concerts begin at 7 P.M. Admission is free.
- A movie will be presented every Friday night in June in Millwood Park, weather permitting. Movies include: Here Comes the Boom, E.T., and Despicable Me. Admission is free, and start time is at 8:30 P.M.
- There will be a Farmer’s Market every Saturday between 8:30 A.M. and 1 P.M. at the train station.
- A free Bed Bug elimination event will take place on Saturday, June 15 between 11 A.M. and 12 P.M. in the Town Hall Parking lot after a bed bug was found in a discarded book after the recent library book sale. While the library states it is free of bed bugs and all necessary precautions have been taken, it is uncertain whether books containing bed bugs went home with consumers.
- The Board discussed the concerns expressed by businesses and residents in a petition signed by 826 people opposing the Chappaqua Crossing Retail proposal. The proposal consisted of a 140,000 square feet strip mall that had applications from WalMart and McDonald’s. Board members affirmed that the proposal was being closely reviewed by the town advisory board, county and state agencies, and consultants. Until the reviews are complete, no board member will vote. A similar review and approval process will apply to the Chappaqua Station proposal before each board member votes.
- The Chappaqua Fire Department inducted new volunteers last week. The department and its volunteers were thanked for providing vital services to the town, especially during last weeks’ terrible fire that destroyed a Chappaqua home.
- The Board commenced the public hearing with the Chappaqua Station apartments proposal. The issue was unanimously adjourned for June 25, 2013 because the applicant did not show up for the presentation.
- A proposal to amend the speed limit of a number of Chappaqua streets to 25 miles per hour was read. With no request to comment from the public, the board unanimously voted on the motion to close the hearing.
The board also authorized the following proposals:
- Set a public hearing to make a house on South Bedford Road a New Castle Landmark on July 9, 2013
- The position and post of Secretary to the Architectural Review Board with a salary of $45,000 per year
- Post the position of Heavy Machine Equipment Operator for the Highway Department
- Re-Appoint Assessor
- Appoint a student member of the Sustainability Advisory Board
- Set water rates for Highridge Road and Croton Avenue water district for all water bills on or after July 1, 2013 at $77 per thousand cubic feet
- Report standard work days for elected and appointed officials to New York State and the local employee’s retirement system. Officials must maintain and submit a record of activities to the Town Clerk.
- Create a capital fund and award bid for Inningwood Pump Station upgrade to increase the budget from $1 million allocated from the 2012 budget to $1.6 million for improvements
- Sign the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund contract, which provides dental and vision coverage for town employees
- Refund a $500 Street Opening Permit to Arena Contracting for satisfactory work
- Hang a banner across South Greely Avenue from October 21 – November 3, 2013, announcing the New Castle Historical Society’s Antique Show on November 2 and 3
- The economic consulting services of AKRF Inc. relating to the environmental review of the impacts of the retail development at Chappaqua Crossing
- Monthly reports, including: Town Clerk, Count Clerk, Receiver of Taxes, and Building and Engineering
- Minutes from a town board work meeting and work session from April 23, 2013
The meeting adjourned after the board accepted audited vouchers from May 2013.
Rob Greenstein Takes on a Run for New Castle Supervisor
Editor’s Note: Rob’s letter to members of the Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce.
NON‐PARTISAN TICKET PROMISES NEW CASTLE VOTERS TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND END TO STATUS QUO
The New Castle Republican Town Committee today announced its candidates for the 2013
Town Supervisor, Town Board and Town Justice races:
For Town Supervisor Robert J. Greenstein
For Town Council Adam M. Brodsky
For Town Council Lisa S. Katz
For Town Justice Stuart A. Miller
Rob Greenstein and Lisa Katz are registered Democrats. Adam Brodsky is un‐affiliated and Stuart Miller is a registered Republican.
Commenting on the slate, Jim McCauley, Vice Chairman of the GOP Committee noted, “After careful consideration, we selected candidates who have the skills, business experience, and, above all, the leadership qualities to perform a proper fiduciary role that places the interests of our residents and community above any political consideration or agenda.”
Asked why the GOP Committee is endorsing non‐Republican candidates, McCauley explained, “This election isn’t about partisan politics. The issues facing our town are neither Republican nor Democrat. That’s why, once again, our candidates will be running as TEAM NEW CASTLE.” “We need fresh perspectives, people with professional experience in business and strong records of community service, who have a passion for making New Castle a better place to live and raise our families, and who believe, as we do, that the town government has to do a better job not just of informing residents of what’s going on, but involving them as well,” McCauley added.
“Only now,” he continued, “are people becoming fully aware of some of the complex issues facing us, including the reasons behind our escalating tax burden; the affordable housing settlement; Chappaqua Crossing; what has helped and what has hindered businesses from prospering in our town; and the community Master Plan and planning process.”
Commenting on the nomination, Rob Greenstein said, “This election is about ending the status quo, where year after year our residents face increasing taxes, opaque government administration, and a lack of vision and community involvement in basic planning and oversight of our common property and natural resources. It’s time for real change in our town’s leadership. I am excited about involving everyone in these issues, taking a measured and more thoughtful approach to deciding what our community really wants and needs, and about finally exposing the decision making processes that in the past have been largely undertaken behind closed doors.” Candidates Adam Brodsky, Lisa Katz and Stuart Miller all voiced similar support and enthusiasm for the backing and endorsements they are receiving for their runs and echoed Rob Greenstein’s positions on transparency, change and the need for new leadership.
All four candidates will be cross‐endorsed by the Transparency in Government Party.
About Rob Greenstein – Candidate for Supervisor
Rob has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Cindy, and their three children for ten years. His children attend Westorchard Elementary school and Seven Bridges Middle school. Rob is an attorney at the law firm Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP in New York City. He founded this law firm in 1995, two years out of law school. Rob also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. His work on the Chappaqua Crossing demonstrates his willingness to work on behalf of the residents of New Castle and fight for what’s right. Rob ran for Town Board in 2011 on his own party line, Transparency in Government. During that election, he ran on a platform of the revitalization of New Castle’s downtown business districts and the need for a Chamber of Commerce. Rob formed the Chappaqua‐Millwood Chamber of Commerce in 2012. The Chamber is approaching its one‐year anniversary with approximately 165 members, and it has been widely acknowledged as a great success. Rob graduated from SUNY Binghamton in 1989 and from New York Law School (full scholarship) in 1993.
About Lisa Katz – Candidate for Councilwoman
Lisa has lived in Chappaqua with her husband, Steve and their two children for seven years. Her children attend Grafflin Elementary school and Bell Middle school. Lisa is an attorney at the Law Offices of Lisa S. Katz, PLLC in Mount Kisco. Lisa founded this law firm in 2011, after having worked both in private practice at Manhattan law firms and as in‐house counsel at various public companies. Lisa has spent almost 20 years advising companies in all manner of business transactions, corporate compliance and SEC matters. Much of this work requires financial understanding and inquiry, which she will bring to the Board. She firmly believes in educating the community on important issues, and will bring common sense and practicality to the Town Board. Lisa graduated from both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1991 and from Fordham Law School in 1994.
About Adam Brodsky – Candidate for Councilman
Adam has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Cathy and their four children for nine years. His children attend Westorchard Elementary school and Seven Bridges Middle school. Adam is an attorney, serving as Director of Commercial Properties and General Counsel for Buckingham Trading Partners, Inc., a family‐owned real estate company with a portfolio of shopping centers, apartment buildings and office properties, including commercial property in Chappaqua. Adam has worked as a real estate attorney with the firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobsen and was Director of Development and General Counsel for Gateway Colocation, a company offering services to telecom and internet service providers. Adam currently serves as Public Member of the Board of Directors of the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp. and is a former member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees. He has a vast knowledge of business negotiation and cost cutting. Adam has lived his entire life in Northern Westchester. He will bring his breadth of experience in the private sector to the Town at this critical time. Adam graduated from Muhlenberg College, B.A. and from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D. with honors.
About Stuart Miller – Candidate for New Castle Town Justice
Stuart has lived in Chappaqua with his wife, Beth and their three children for ten years. His children attend Roaring Brook Elementary school and Bell Middle school. Stuart is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Wilson Elser, LLP in White Plains. Stuart is a litigator and specializes in counseling his clients during catastrophic losses. Stuart was recently appointed the Co‐Chair of Wilson Elser’s National Transportation Practice Team. In 2011, Stuart was honored and named by the Business Counsel of Westchester as one of that year’s “Forty under Forty Rising Stars.” Stuart’s zeal for excellence in the practice of law was recognized in 2011 by the Appellate Division, Second Department, which unanimously appointed him to a four‐year term on the Character and Fitness Committee for the 9th Judicial District for the State of New York. In this role, Stuart screens recent bar examinees for admission to the bar and also provides recommendations to the Court as to the re‐admission of applicants who have been suspended from the practice of law. Stuart graduated from Hamilton College in 1994 and Brooklyn Law (Richardson Merit Scholarship) in 1997.
Further information will appear on the New Castle Republican Town Committee website at http://NewCastleRTC.org or can be obtained by contacting Jim McCauley at NCRTC@NewCastleRTC.org
Residents Beseech Town Hall to Address Coyote Danger
By Steven Bernstein
“In the last two weeks, we’ve had one dog carried off; at least two that were attacked. They’re not just in the wooded areas. People are afraid to be outside with their pets and their small children,” Chappaqua resident Eileen Gallagher told the town board Tuesday night.
“Are we waiting for a child to be attacked to do something about it?” asked Chappaqua resident Paula Gorkin.
The Town Board tried to reassure the residents that the coyote problem was nothing to get too worried about. “I’ve been here almost 30 years. I’ve seen fewer this year than I usually see. They’re there all the time, they’ve been around, they live in the town, they’ve always been here,” said Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter.
In other news, Councilman Robin Stout announced that he will not be running for reelection for the Town Board next year.
“For these past eight year it has been an honor for me to represent the town of New Castle. I remain convinced that more ideas create more solutions. It has been my privilege to be able to say thank you on behalf of the town to so many of you,” said Stout.
Stout’s last day on the board will be December 31st, 2013. Stout offered this advice to anyone considering serving on the Town Board: “First, it helps to have a clear head to focus on many diverse issues. Second, it helps to have a strong heart, a love of your community is very important. Third, it helps to have a thick skin, because that will help you remember the criticism is always more helpful than the praise.”
Town Administrator Penelle Paderewski announced that the period for commenting on the Summit-Greenfield builder’s retail strip mall plans for Chappaqua Crossing has been extended by one week to May 17th. “The Town Board has received letters and those are being forwarded to the applicants for formal response. “The applicant must respond to the letters, if the Town Board is not satisfied with the response it will send it back to the applicant or redrafted in a way that is satisfactory,” said Paderewski.
Christine Nicholas, owner of the 1 King Street building for 43 years, expressed her concern about the plan to put a small, affordable housing apartment complex in between the Saw Mill Parkway and the train tracks of the Chappaqua train station.
“I understand that the fire department to respond to a fire would have to go by way of the Saw Mill River Parkway, and I think this would be a dangerous and time consuming event in case of a fire. I believe that the value of my property will be decreased in the event of this construction in such a unusual area.”
The Town Board has posted information on their website, mynewcastle.org, on how to handle any coyote sightings and how to discourage coyotes from visiting your own back yard.
Anyone who still wants to register their views about Chappaqua Crossing, has until Friday May 17th to send a letter to Town Hall.
