The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle News

A Portrait of the Town Supervisor: Susan Carpenter

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Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter, right, and Confidential Secretary to Town Supervisor, Daisy Hernandez

By Sarah Ellen Berman

On January 5, Susan Carpenter commenced her first full official day as town supervisor.  The path that led her to this office, full of extensive civic involvement, insured a swift and efficient integration into the town government.

Carpenter traces the origin of her community activism back to the time when her son was a student at Grafflin.  While serving on the Grafflin PTA’s environmental committee, she effectively lobbied the district to cease using harmful pesticides inside the schools.

Subsequently, Carpenter has served in a multitude of organizations including the town’s open space advisory committee, conservation board and as chair of the town’s planning board.  She is continuing as legal counsel and director of land preservation for the Westchester Land Trust.  Carpenter is also an avid participant in the advisory group of My Second Home, an adult day care facility for seniors.

When Carpenter was on the open space committee, the property that is now Burden Park was acquired.  She enjoys hiking there and pitched in to help maintain the trails after Hurricane Irene.  “We had to move a couple of trails because there were erosion problems,” Carpenter mentioned.  During her introduction of Carpenter at the inauguration, Congresswoman Nita Lowey noted, “She’s keenly aware of the environmental issues facing the town of New Castle.”

One of the projects Carpenter is most eager to embark on is the continuation of the effort to revitalize the town’s business districts in the hamlets of Millwood and Chappaqua.  She looks forward to pursuing the discussion to, “get people in the community involved to focus on what services and businesses would work in our community.”

An avid reader of the New Yorker and “anything by Michael Lewis,” Carpenter added, “It would be great to have a bookstore.”

Inaugation Festivities in the Town of New Castle

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An excellent turnout for the town's inauguration ceremony

By Sarah Ellen Berman

On Wednesday, January 4, a convivial atmosphere prevailed during the inauguration ceremony at town hall.  Colleagues, residents, well-wishers, and family members gathered to congratulate the newly elected officials.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey

The inauguration came at the end of a very busy day for Congresswoman Nita Lowey.  In order to officiate, she travelled directly from Albany to Chappaqua after attending town resident Governor Cuomo’s second State of the State address.  Lowey was completely at home at the event.  She addressed Elise Mottel’s children by name and chatted with many colleagues and friends.  The opportunity to conduct the swearing in was one that she greeted with the utmost enthusiasm.  “I am thrilled to be here,” she noted.  After presenting a brief biography and list of accomplishments for each official, Lowey administered the oath of office individually to:  County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, Town Justices Douglas Kraus and David S. Zuckerman, Town Board Members Jason Chapin and Elise Kessler Mottel, and Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter.

The many compliments showered on the officials included mention of the fact that Justice Kraus’s recent decision in the case of People v. Alexander – which included a fatality – was affirmed by the appellate court.  Justice Zuckerman was lauded for his record of not having any of his decisions reversed by an appellate court.  Mottel was commended for her leadership in the revitalization of Millwood and Chappaqua.

The newly elected officials uttered words of praise in turn for Congresswoman Lowey.  “You’ve come to embody for me what it means to be a public servant,” Justice Kraus related.  Board Member Elise Kessler Mottel mentioned that when she called Lowey’s office to ask her to officiate, an affirmative response was immediately forthcoming.

County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz

In Lowey’s concluding remarks, the spotlight shone on the attendees.  “What makes New Castle a special place is all of you,” she said.  “I’m honored to be asked to swear you in and I’m honored to serve.”

Sustainability & the Town of New Castle – From Concept to Reality

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By Sarah Ellen Berman

Sustainability efforts are spreading in the town of New Castle. Terms including solar panels and bike lanes are becoming part of the local parlance. The penchant to make the environment in town more sustainable has taken hold.

Town Planner David Brito pointed to the recent summit held by the Sustainability Advisory Board. This meeting was conceived “to get community feedback, generate ideas and use it as a way to bring more people into the fold,” Brito related.

This forum provided an ideal way to introduce Energize – an energy efficiency program for single family residences. Energize is being rolled out in 14 communities in Northern Westchester and is slated to begin in town in the first half of 2012. Homeowners will benefit from a free energy assessment, funded by NYSERDA. The findings and recommendations will enable residents to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of implementing the proposed changes.

The next step according to Brito is the sustainability action plan. This plan “is broader in scope than the climate action plan which focuses on reducing greenhouse gases,” he noted. Ideas in this plan include “higher density development near transit” and “developing site plans that minimize impact.” The goal of the town’s climate action plan, adopted on April 26, 2011, is to decrease its carbon footprint by 20% by 2015.

Marion place, located next to Citibank, is a good example of sustainability. In this brick plaza and raised bed; named in memory of Marion Sinek, rain is channeled from the roof via gutters and then fed into the bed. “It’s irrigating plants, filtering by going through beds, a natural filtration process,” Brito explained.

Click here to read about more sustainable methods for a multitude of activities including lawn maintenance and car washing.

 

BILL CLINTON TO SIGN BOOKS @ THE CHAPPAQUA LIBRARY

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President Bill Clinton will be signing his new book, “Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy” on Friday, December 9, 2011 between 3:15-5:15 pm at the Chappaqua Library Theater.  Books can be purchased by cash, check or charge at the library with a limit of 2 books per person.  Checks can be made out to the Pleasantville Village Bookstore. Please enter through the main entrance.