New Castle Supervisor’s Report – 3/27/2015
By Rob Greenstein
Train Crossing Safety
Chappaqua Central School District Board of Education wrote a letter to Congresswoman Nita Lowey applauding the Town Board of New Castle for identifying a project that concerns the safety of our students. Their letter stated that they support any safety mitigation measures as well as join them in requesting that the federal government fund the construction of a railway and roadway overpass at the junction of the Metro-North Harlem Line’s Roaring Brook Road grade crossing and the Saw Mill River Parkway. Click here for PDF
Although there are efforts at the federal level to provide funding for a bridge, we are also working on short-term solutions. Even if the bridge was approved tomorrow, it’s not being built tomorrow. New Castle Police Department has been issuing tickets to drivers waiting too close to the tracks. Local officials also are looking into adding road signs and pavement markings as soon as the weather warms, and plans are in motion to educate residents about reducing risky behavior at highway-rail intersections. We are also looking into traffic cameras. Our efforts have been noticed. Click here for Journal News article “New Castle fighting for a safer rail crossing”. And I was thrilled to receive a letter from Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Operation Lifesaver made a presentation to the Town Board on Tuesday night. Operation Lifesaver is a National Organization dedicated to raising the public’s awareness of the need to be careful around railroad/highway crossings and that it is illegal and dangerous to trespass on railroad property. New York Operation Lifesaver in cooperation with the Town of New Castle is very excited to help residents and non-residents alike stay safe around the railroads in their community. This is all part of the joint safety partnership with Metro North Railroad. Operation Lifesaver also works to change people’s behavior around railroad tracks and crossings with the national public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train”. We just ordered 2,000 “See Tracks? Think Train” car magnets. We are hoping to receive some safety brochures as well. Thank you to Metro-North Railroad Chief Safety Officer Anne Kirsch and Director of Government & Community Relations Mark Mannix for attending this presentation and answering questions.
2015 Downtown Beautification Projects for Chappaqua and Millwood – BAB Update
I would like to provide a summary of the Town Board’s commitment of additional funding to support town-wide beautification projects.
Hanging Flower Basket Program: A total of 96 hanging flower baskets will be installed in the hamlets of Chappaqua and Millwood. This represents an increase of 46 baskets from 2014. An additional 20 baskets will be added in Millwood along Station Road. Millwood previously had 5 baskets. A total of 44 new brackets have been ordered to be installed on the light poles on the bridge and in Millwood.
Planters/Containers Program: A total of 54 planters/containers of variable sizes are spread throughout the hamlets of Chappaqua and Millwood and will be planted with annual flowers, and then the flowers replaced in late fall with winter greens.
Holiday Lighting Projects: A total of 20 new snowflakes were ordered to expand the coverage of snowflakes on the bridge and also coverage in Millwood. A total of 12 snowflakes will be added to the bridge, and 8 new snowflakes added to Millwood. An additional 150 sets of mini LED lights were ordered to supplement lighting of poles, trees and other areas throughout the hamlets. New LED lights have been purchased to decorate the Train Station. The lights selected are the same as previously selected for the Gazebo. Click here for PDF
Millwood Pedestrian and Safety Improvements
Senator Terrence Murphy wrote a letter to Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos requesting $500,000 in funding be provided to the Town of New Castle to provide pedestrian and safety improvements in the Hamlet of Millwood. You can read the letter here.
Diversion & Clean Water
On the water and sewer funding front, in the State Assembly, Assemblyman David Buchwald sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie requesting a $10 million appropriation in the state budget to go to the Town of New Castle for the purpose of installing a sewer line to connect to the Saw Mill Valley trunk line. As well, in the State Assembly’s one-house budget bill is a $250 million proposal for the water and sewer infrastructure program. Assemblyman Buchwald, as well as the Town of New Castle, has been in touch with the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation to see if they may be able to help fund the project. Click here to read the letter.
Potholes
NYS Senator Murphy Co-Signed letter asking for increased funding for our roads. The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) was established to help local governments repair highways, bridges, and roads that they operate and maintain. Therefore, we are again proudly joining with our local leaders urge you to support a multi-year strategy to address local infrastructure needs in order to help provide our citizens, local property taxpayers, tourists and motorists with the kind of local transportation system they need and deserve. As their letter indicated “local roads matter”. Remember, report potholes to potholes@MyNewCastle.org. You can also read the letter here.
Gerard C. Moerschell, Commissioner of Public Works, made a presentation to the Town Board on “Potholes & Other Forms of Pavement Distress”
Train Station Restaurant
On Tuesday night the Town Board voted to approve the train station restaurant lease with the Chases. This restaurant will offer commuters and Town residents a new dining option. We believe this new venture will add excitement and vibrancy to our downtown. We understand they intend to be fully operational at the beginning of the summer. I’d like to acknowledge and thank our Town Attorneys, Keane & Beane, for their work on putting this lease together. This is the first time that the train station has been leased by the Town, and there were many, many issues that had to be worked out concerning the use of the space as a restaurant. I don’t practice real estate law, but the thoroughness and quality of the lease was readily apparent to me. And one of the best parts for the Town, aside from getting an exciting new restaurant, is that Keane & Beane agreed not to charge the Town for all the extra legal work that was needed.
Town Supervisor's Report 3/24/15 from New Castle Media Center on Vimeo.
New Castle Administrator’s Report – 3/27/2015
By Jill Shapiro
Congratulations to our Police Department on their latest accreditation.
On March 19th the NY State Law Enforcement Accreditation Council awarded the New Castle Police Department a Certificate of Accreditation. The Department was first accredited in 2005. This is the second successful re-accreditation. The Certificate of Accreditation acknowledges the New Castle Police Department’s implementation of policies that are conceptually sound and operationally effective. During the reaccreditation process a team of independent professionals conducted an on-site assessment to verify that the departments policies meet 133 professional standards and that the policies have been successfully implemented over the five year period. This process culminates with the NYS Law Enforcement Accreditation Council’s decision that the New Castle Police Department is worthy of accreditation.
As tax time is upon us, we are happy to introduce the tax search program on our website. It enables residents to access their tax payment history since 2002 but more importantly provides you with 24/7 access to your property tax numbers that you need to prepare your tax returns.
To access this program: go to the Receiver of Taxes page of the website found under the “Departments” tab. On the upper left hand column you will find the icon for the tax search. Search by either address of owner’s last name and tax payment records since 2002 are available to search and print.
We know this will be a great help to residents, and we thank Mary Deems, our Receiver of Taxes, and Patty Antonucci, our Deputy Receiver, for identifying this terrific program and implementing it.
Spring is almost here and that means pot holes! Beginning yesterday and continuing as long as the weather permits- that means temperatures above 45 degrees and no rain- our DPW crews have begun an aggressive campaign to tame the tremendous number of pot holes that have appeared after this most brutal winter.
This pothole repair program is in addition to the paving program that we have scheduled to begin in May. We are assessing the conditions of the roads at this time in order to determine which roads most need to be paved after this past winter. The Board’s decision to raise the paving budget from $400,000 to $600,000 could not have been more timely.
Just a reminder to the public that in order to report potholes, please send an email to potholes@mynewcastle.org.
Chappaqua Farmers Market – Opening May 16
Summer 2015: New Castle Day Camps – Your “Community Camp”
Looking for a quality, affordable and convenient day camp to send your kids to this summer?
Why not choose one of the New Castle Recreation & Parks Day Camp programs!
We offer an affordable day camp program filled with opportunities for campers to be active, be creative and be themselves! Our goal is to host a safe, fun and affordable day camp for the residents of New Castle. Our staff are courteous, professional and always looking out for the well being of the campers. The camp administrative staff members have years of experience not only in a camp setting but as educators, counselors, nurses, coaches and parents. Depending on what camp your child attends, campers will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as: swimming, arts and crafts, music, sports, trips, special events, camp carnival and much more!
To access more detailed camp information and a camp registration form, please see our “Summer Day Camp” page by visiting www.ncdaycamps.com
Registration information can be found here.
The Day Camp Registration Form is required to enroll your child in camp. The form must be completed in full…no partial paperwork will be accepted!
Youth Tackle Football Program
The New Castle Recreation and Parks Department is pleased to announce that the youth tackle football program for kids in 5th and 6th grades has been revamped for 2015. Starting this year, our teams will be part of a multi-town league and will play games against teams from other towns in Westchester County. The program will now be administered by the Recreation and Parks Department. The season will run from late August through the first week of November. As in prior seasons, all practices will be in the evenings at Recreation Field. The game schedules will include home games at Recreation Field, and away games in other towns.
The Recreation and Parks Department will also continue to offer its Flag Football program for all boys and girls in grades 3 through 5. As in the past, Flag Football will be held on weekday afternoons in the fall. And for 4th graders interested in learning to play at the next level, plans are currently underway to develop a bi-weekly clinic in which the proper techniques of tackle football are taught.
Watch for sign-up information coming soon.
Chappaqua Church Erects Living Cross, Stages Community Easter Egg Hunt
Grace Baptist Church invites you to celebrate Easter and spring by “flowering” it’s eight-foot cross at the corner of King St. and 12 Orchard Ridge Road in Chappaqua, NY, anytime between Sunday, March 29 through Easter Sunday April 5. Complimentary flowers are at the foot of the cross or bring your own spring bloomers. The goal is to fill the entire cross with vibrant flowers by dusk Easter Sunday in symbolic remembrance of loved ones, if troubled by a burden, if praying for someone or simply if you are just happy spring has finally sprung.
Additionally, the church invites the community to join in a special Easter Sunday worship service at 11 a.m. full of contemporary Christian songs. Parents with children ages 0-12 are invited to arrive at 10:30 a.m. for a complimentary Easter Egg Hunt on the church grounds.
“Spring is a beautiful time in Chappaqua, throughout the Hudson Valley and it’s a chance to reflect upon the blood shed by God’s Son for our sins and to rejoice in the power of spiritual renewal through the resurrection of Christ,” said Pastor Larry Holland, Grace Baptist Church. “Adorning this cross with vibrant floral life is symbol that, through belief in Christ, we all can receive a rebirth.”
Advocate for Chappaqua Schools
Advocate for Chappaqua Schools – Make Public Education Whole
The Chappaqua Central School District, the Chappaqua PTA’s Advocacy Committee, and the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association are joining forces on a letter-writing campaign to raise the voices of concerned students and parents. There are sample letters posted on the District’s Advocacy webpage related to three issues: eliminating the GEA; reforming the Governor’s 2015 education agenda; and revising NY’s APPR teacher evaluation system.
These issues are believed to be of immediate concern to the Chappaqua Central School District and likely to gain traction with New York State government at this time. When it comes to public education, elected representatives are better informed about local concerns and their magnitude, and are most likely to respond when they hear directly from their constituents. Please click here to read these letters and to voice your concerns on behalf of the 4,000+ students of the Chappaqua Central School District.
Neighbors Link Gala Honors Gabby Rosenfeld
Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce News
Announcement for all and any categories of businesses that have New Castle clients and customers!
Joining the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce is critically important to your business — even if you don’t reside or work here — but, simply if you’re looking to or currently do business in Chappaqua-Millwood. Our many services and benefits include promotion of your business, social media publicity and managing consumer feedback. And, even more…
We’re excited to announce a great new Chamber benefit/service. We’re revamping our website — and adding a comprehensive listing of Chamber members including your company logo, contact info and a full description of your business!! It’s like getting a FREE AD!
In addition, every Chamber member is invited to create a discount for Chamber members so that fellow businesses and other community influencers can use and offer feedback on your services at a discounted rate!!
Therefore, current (dues paid) Chamber members, please send us as soon as possible:
Name, address, phone, email, Facebook/Twitter info
Type of business (we’ll be setting up listings according to specific type of business — restaurant, plumber, attorney, realtor, etc.)
Logo
Description of business
Chamber member discount
If you’re unsure about your dues status or you’d like to join the Chamber, please contact Dawn Greenberg at dgreenx@yahoo.com.
Steve Berry: The Patriot Threat
The Patriot Threat
Author Steve Berry is the #1 NY Times and #1 internationally bestselling author of The Lincoln Myth, The King’s Deception, The Columbus Affair, The Jefferson Key, The Emperor’s Tomb, The Paris Vendetta, The Charlemagne Pursuit, The Venetian Betrayal, The Alexandria Link, The Templar Legacy, The Third Secret, The Romanov Prophecy and the Amber Room.
His books have been translated into 40 languages with 19,000,000 copies in 51 countries.
Click here for free tickets.
Monday, March 30 @ 7pm
Chappaqua Library Theater
Chappaqua Cares Trunk Show
Chappaqua School Foundation Spring Benefit
Please join the Chappaqua School Foundation (“CSF”) for its Spring Benefit on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 7:00 pm at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor. Proceeds fund educational innovation and excellence in Chappaqua schools. Join your friends and neighbors for a casual evening (Yes, you can wear jeans!) featuring an informative showcase of recently funded grants presented by students and faculty, an extensive silent auction, great food and company. As an added bonus, your ticket purchase also provides you with an all-access pass to Spring Madness – more than a month of discounts and special offers from participating local merchants and restaurants.
CSF promotes educational excellence by driving innovation in our schools. Thanks to the generosity of our community, funding is possible for necessary and important school investments that otherwise are beyond the scope of the school budget. Since 1993, CSF has raised over $2.5 million and funded over 250 innovative educational grants investing in every subject area, classroom, grade and school in our District.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with the community in support of educational innovation and excellence in our schools.
For more information about CSF and to purchase tickets to the benefit please visit our website at www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org
Kindergarten Registration for September 2015 – Chappaqua Central School District
Registration for children (5 yrs. old by 12/31/15) planning to attend kindergarten this September within the Chappaqua Central School District is coming soon.
If you are new to the District, or if you did not receive a registration packet, please print out a Student Registration Form to get the process started. Submit your completed form and all required documentation to:
Liisa Elsner, Registrar
Business Office/Chappaqua Central School District
P.O. Box 21
Chappaqua, NY 10514
Fax: (914) 238-7231
Email: lielsner@ccsd.ws
If you have any questions or need more information, please call Liisa Elsner at 914-238-7200 x1007 or send her an email.
And please spread the word to your neighbors and friends who might not know about this year’s Kindergarten registration.