local government

Highlights from the 2016 New Castle Town Hall Inauguration

March 8, 2016 by Inside Press

Article and photos by Grace Bennett

At a sometimes light-hearted and sometimes poignant inauguration ceremony at Town Hall on Monday: Hala Makowska and Jeremy Saland were sworn in to serve first terms on the Town Board, Justice Douglas Kraus was sworn in again (after running uncontested and following 22 years of service to New Castle), and Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein was sworn in for a second term. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino swore in Greenstein and Kraus, and former state Senator Steven Saland swore in Makowska and his son, Jeremy Saland.

Sworn in to serve (l-r): Jeremy Saland, Hala Makowska, Douglas Kraus, and Robert Greenstein

• Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Town Board member Lisa Katz offered a welcoming statement. Of public servants, Katz stated: “We all aspire to stay united as a community…and all take pride in calling New Castle our home. Public officials in attendance, included the Clintons’ Director of Operations Oscar Flores; a district director for Congresswoman Nita Lowey; County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz; and former town supervisor Jan Wells.
• Former Town Supervisor Mark Tulis was introduced with a summary of his many accomplishments by Town Board Member Adam Brodsky. Tulis, in turn, introduced Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino.
• Astorino immediately quipped, “It’s great to be here in the heart of Trump country…Oscar, I’m joking!” He reminded everyone that “the hardest thing to run for is local office, “ and how fortunate we are to live in a society that engages in “a peaceful transition to power…the people of New Castle have decided in which direction they wanted to go.”
• New Town Board Members Hala Makowska and Jeremy Saland were both sworn in by Jeremy’s father Steven Saland, who served the 41st district as member of the New York State Senate, from 1990-2012. Stated Steven Saland: “There’s no more challenging spot than to be a member of the town board.” The proximity of a town board member’s constituents is what makes it so challenging and rewarding. “You don’t get the face to face time with state and national reps, but you can always get face to face time with your local reps…Labels don’t mean as much at a local level.” On Jeremy and Hala’s election to the town board, Steven Saland said: “Jeremy has always been a source of great pride to me and his mother.” He described Hala as “totally dedicated to the town,” citing her work as a fire commissioner, in particular.
• Post her swearing in, and following a thank you to New Castle first responders for all they do, Hala Makowska stated that “it’s local government that has the greatest impact on the quality of our lives and value of our properties.” She said that she “hopes to offer an independent voice” and is always “willing to listen to anyone who has something to say.
• Jeremy Saland choked back tears recounting his father’s accomplishments as state Senator including, he said, redrafting domestic violence laws, and more, laws that protected children, describing these undertakinigs as “the foundation of who he is.” A lesson from his dad, he noted, is “that the end result is equally as important as how you get there.” He emphasized the need for transparency in government and how important it is to consider the opinions of opposing views.
• Justice Kraus, before being sworn in, added lightly: “I know..this was a real cliffhanger,” referring to his uncontested candidacy. Nonetheless, he added, that he does not take New Castle’s support for granted.
• County Executive Rob Astorino swore in Robert Greenstein to serve a second term as Town Supervisor.
• Greenstein noted that he didn’t know what to expect when he was first sworn in, but does now! He said he was warned his position “might be viewed by some as a ‘thankless job,’ but it has been anything but.” He took the opportunity to thank Town Administrator Jill Shapiro stating, “much of what we do can’t be done without her,” Town Hall staff and all the volunteers for the town’s many advisory boards. “I’m looking forward to two more years of progress.”

County Executive Rob Astorino swearing in Robert Greenstein for a second term.

Former state Senator Steven Saland swearing in Hala Makowska as a town board member

Steven Saland, swearing in his son, Jeremy, as a member of the town board. Behind them (l-r), Robert Greenstein, Rob Astorino and Mark Tulis — Steven Saland, swearing in his son, Jeremy, as a member of the town board. Behind them (l-r), Douglas Kraus, Robert Greenstein, Rob Astorino, Mark Tulis, Adam Brodsky and Lisa Katz

County Executive Signs off On Funds toward Costs of Sewer Expansion in New Castle Neighborhoods

November 24, 2015 by Inside Press

Town of New Castle News release:

On November 23, 2015, the Westchester County Board of Legislators voted to authorize an inter-municipal agreement with the Town of New Castle and the City of New York to distribute $16 million from the East of Hudson Water Quality Investment Program Fund to help fund the costs of a sewer expansion/diversion project for the Town’s Riverwoods, Random Farms and Yeshiva neighborhoods.

The Legislation was promptly signed by the County Executive’s office this morning. mike kap passing a bill

This is a major step forward for a project that would solve longstanding problems with the sewer treatment plants serving the Riverwoods, Random Farms and Yeshiva communities, while helping protect New York City’s and Westchester County’s drinking water supply — an invaluable resource that serves 9 million New Yorkers. The work would involve extending a Westchester County sewer trunk line, which currently stops near Route 100 in the Briarcliff Manor area, to the Riverwoods Wastewater Treatment Plant and through Random Farms. Doing this will require the construction of 38,074 linear feet of pipeline and four new pump stations.

The Town of New Castle has been working on this project since 1997. For the past several years, the Town’s efforts have focused on reaching funding agreements with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Westchester County.

Unfortunately, after years of delay, what began as a $16 million project with very little local tax impact has now grown to a $24-$26 million project. The Town is seeking additional funding from the 2015 New York State Water Quality Improvement Program through the 2015 Consolidated Funding Application to bridge this gap.

New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein stated, “This was a critical step forward. So many people have worked to secure these funds, there are too many to name. But on behalf of the Town of New Castle, and especially the residents of Riverwoods, Yeshiva Farm & Random Farms, I would however like to thank Westchester County Board Chairman Michael B. Kaplowitz for his leadership. Chairman Kaplowitz has been working on this project from Day 1. I would also like to thank former Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard and former Town Attorney Clinton.”

Greenstein added, “This project is critically important. We need to solve the problem of failing waste water treatment plants that are impacting the Croton Reservoir, as it affects the water supply for Westchester County and New York City. We will continue to work hard to secure the additional funding that is needed to support this project and offset the costs to the local taxpayers.”

Westchester County Board Chairman Michael B. Kaplowitz stated “the 18 year effort to protect the environment & New York City drinking water as well as well the quality of life & home ownership values for the many New Castle residents in Riverwood, Yeshiva & Random Farms has reached a successful conclusion. The Westchester County Board voted overwhelmingly to allocate 16 million dollars to facilitate the sewer hook-up of these communities to the County’s Saw Mill River Sanitary District. Thanks to my legislative colleagues, New Castle Supervisor Rob Greenstein, former Town Attorney Clinton Smith, Town Council members Elise Mottel & Jason Chapin & the many community and past New Castle government leaders who helped make this happen.”

Don’t forget to Vote on November 3

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

By Marianne A. Campolongo

On November 3, New Castle voters will choose their Town Supervisor, two town board members and other local officials and judges.

“Not all people live in a country where they have the right to vote. The right to vote in some parts of the world is exercised at great personal risk. It always helps me to keep that in mind when voting is really inconvenient, ” said Mary Kirsch, Voter Service Director of the League of Women Voters of New Castle.

According to a report by Nonprofit Vote, nationwide, in 2014, just under 37% of eligible voters turned out to vote, the lowest level of voter turnout seen in a midterm since World War II.” In New York State, that number was even lower. At 29%, New York ranked 49th in voter turnout, with only Texas and Indiana having lower participation.

The report notes that low turnout leads to more polarized politics. “At a local level, the act of voting grows from and helps foster healthier and more engaged communities. Voters are more likely to…contribute to their neighborhood’s ‘social capital’ and live in communities where neighbors are in contact with one another.” When local offices are at stake, as they are this year, each vote is more important, and should spur participation rather than discourage it.

In addition to town offices outlined in the accompanying articles, incumbent Westchester County Court Judge Susan Cacace (D, R, C, IN, REF) is running against Helen M. Blackwood (D, WF) currently Mount Vernon City Court Judge, incumbent Surrogate’s Court Justice Frank W. Streng (D, GRE) is running against Brendon R. Sall (D, WF, WE) and incumbents Michael B. Kaplowitz (D, REF) is running for County Legislator and Douglas M. Kraus (D, R) for Town Justice, both unopposed.

You can learn more about the candidates at www.Vote411.org and by attending Candidates’ Night on Oct. 29, 7 p.m., at the Chappaqua Library.

Team New Castle: Proudest Accomplishments

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

Team New Castle candidates (L-R): Eileen Gallagher, Seth Chodosh and Robert Greenstein

By Marianne A. Campolongo

Incumbent town Supervisor Rob Greenstein (R, IN, REF) is running with new town board candidates Eileen A. Gallagher (R, IN, REF) and Seth Chodosh (R, REF) on the “Team New Castle” ticket.

Greenstein said his proudest accomplishment since taking office in January 2014 is “how much I’ve been able to accomplish in such a short time.”

“We’ve saved over $3.3 million on our garbage contract, Worker’s Comp renewal saved half a million,” Greenstein said, enabling the town to “increase our paving budget by $600,000 from $400,000 to $1 million [and increase the] downtown beautification budget from $500 (I’d put in parenthesis–that’s not a typo) to $25,000. We’re providing the funding that should have been provided forever,” he said. According to figures from Greenstein, the garbage contract savings will be realized over seven years, the Workers Compensation Insurance savings with be realized in two years.

Greenstein is also proud of the Distracted Driving Campaign which has increased distracted driving tickets from 50 in the period October 1, 2013 through September 28, 2014, before the program began, to 681 tickets issued October 1, 2014 to September 28, 2015 for an estimated revenue of $68,100 versus $5,000 in the year before the program began, he said. To put that in perspective, total estimated revenue from fines was $184,490 for that same 12-month period, versus $94,300 in the previous 12 months.

He is also proud of progress made at Chappaqua Crossing. “We saved the Wallace Auditorium. It’s being donated to the town. As part of the approval process, the owner of Chappaqua Crossing has donated funds to develop a greenway path running parallel to the Saw Mill Parkway from downtown Chappaqua to the high school (the ‘ChapLine’).” He said he is also pleased that of the 120,000 square feet of retail space proposed for Chappaqua Crossing, roughly 40,000 square feet will be a Whole Foods and 40,000, Lifetime Fitness. “When I posted that there was going to be a Lifetime Fitness, I got 130 likes on Chappaqua Moms,” he said.

Under his leadership, Greenstein said, “We revamped the town website and started an eNewsletter that people love. You can sign up at www.mynewcastle.org. He is also proud of the new town welcome brochure. Greenstein also points out that they have simplified the email addresses for town government, making it easier for people to contact town officials, as well as the website set up to share up- to-date information about New Castle’s Downtown Revitalization project, www.downtownstrong.org.

Greenstein also stressed that he has been instrumental in the effort to finish up the Master Plan for the town “that languished forever.”

He likens the beginning of his term as town Supervisor to “walking into an empty house,” since, he said, there was so much to be done.

In addition to his position as Supervisor, Greenstein is an attorney in private practice. Gallagher, a freelance writer who has lived in town for 12 years, has been an active volunteer at her church, a parent manager of her son’s travel soccer team, and has served in various capacities in the PTA including Chair of Westorchard Elementary School PTA. She is active in CFRAH (Chappaqua for Responsible Affordable Housing) to advocate for safe, welcoming housing, chairing the New Castle Coyote Management Task Force, a Rotary Club member, volunteering in organizations in the larger area community.

Chodosh is an entrepreneur and adjunct professor at the Metropolitan College of NY who moved back to town in November 2014.

About the other members of his team, Greenstein says, “Eileen has been attending Town Board meetings for years. She’s been working with charities her whole life and as part of our campaigning we’ve been doing give-back projects–events where people come and donate stuff. She cares and she gets involved. Win or lose, with these projects we’ve done some good at least during the campaign. Seth and his wife grew up here and recently moved back with their young family. He brings a fresh set of eyes and a fresh perspective.”

“We’re trying to keep a positive campaign. I think most people are happy with what we’ve done,” he said. You can learn more at www.teamnewcastle2015.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/TeamNewCastle2013/

One New Castle: Platform Highlights

October 21, 2015 by The Inside Press

At a fundraiser inside the Quaker Hill Tavern: One New Castle candidates (from left) Hala Makowska, Victoria Alzapiedi and Jeremy M. Saland

By Marianne A. Campolongo

Town Supervisor candidate Victoria Alzapiedi (D, WE) is running on a ticket together with town board candidates Hala Makowska (D, WE) and Jeremy M. Saland (D, IN) as team
“One New Castle.”

Why One New Castle?

“Hala, Jeremy and I are committed to bringing the community together,” said Alzapiedi, who is challenging incumbent Robert J. Greenstein (R, IN, REF) for Supervisor. “Our hope is that we will approach things in a way that hears all voices and perspectives of all residents in hopes of finding common ground –even when we disagree–and find effective solutions in the best interests of our entire community. We don’t want to shut down those who have different perspectives. We want to take an inclusive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities faced
by our community.”

One New Castle has presented a four-pronged platform: responsible hamlet development, spending and investing wisely to save tax dollars, planning intelligently to preserve the environment and quality of life, and creating ethical, inclusive, responsible, and transparent government.

If elected, according to Alzapiedi, she and her team intend to “finish and implement a true Master Plan.” She said they are “very concerned that the current Master Plan doesn’t include Chappaqua Crossing. That will be a third hamlet.” As such, it “can have a huge impact on the hamlets of Chappaqua and Millwood.” Her team wants to determine “how they can function in a complementary way that will serve to boost all businesses.”

In order to develop a “robust dynamic downtown,” Alzapiedi noted that the “future needs of retail are different. We need innovative ways to bring people into businesses and create a sense of community. We need spaces for the community to come together.”

One of those spaces she would like to see is “a destination style playground… [which will] provide families both in and outside of New Castle a reason to come to downtown Chappaqua or Millwood. Utilizing soft touch products in conjunction with natural, manmade and recycled materials, a themed playground integrating stand alone and interactive water features, slides, climbing structures, tunnels and swings would not only give families who don’t have access to pools or other easily accessible sources of recreation an opportunity to get together and and grow memories, but bring much needed foot traffic and business to shops and stores that may otherwise be adversely impacted by Chappaqua Crossing,” she said.

Another way to encourage downtown business and community spirit Alzapiedi envisions is “Saturday under the Stars” at the train station plaza with food trucks and dancing. She believes this “could complement the new restaurant going into the train station to enhance that.”

An attorney and management consultant who started and ran a non-profit youth development program for eight years, Alzapiedi said, “We want to create a youth advisory board of middle school and high school kids who can advise the town on issues that affect them. Here we have these great schools but if you go downtown, kids are hanging out at Starbucks and nail salons.” She envisions the board giving the town’s youth a greater voice in recreational programing at the library and elsewhere.

If elected, Alzapiedi and her team plan to continue and expand on the current e-newsletters to “to keep people posted on developments and proactively keep them informed by sharing meeting agendas in advance so they can participate and weigh in,” she said.

Alzapiedi has held several public service positions both in New York and in Washington D.C. Since moving to town in 2008, she has been Co-Chair of the New Castle Conservation Board, Chair of the New Castle Coyote Awareness and Safety Advisory Committee, and a member of the League of Women Voters. Makowska, a 16-year town resident, former volunteer firefighter, and Chair, Millwood Board of Fire Commissioners, has also served on the Master Planning Steering Committee, the Millwood West End Advisory Committee, and on the board of WENT (West End Neighborhood Taxpayers). Attorney Jeremy Saland, a town resident for nine years, has served as New Castle Town Prosecutor since 2010. He has also coached T-ball, baseball and soccer in New Castle.

“I’m proud to be running with Hala and Jeremy. They are both smart, thoughtful people with great ideas, a love for our Town, and solid track records of serving the needs of our community,” said Alzapiedi.

You can learn more about One New Castle on their campaign page www.onenewcastle.org and their Facebook page www.facebook.com/onenewcastle

Marianne A. Campolongo is a photojournalist living in Chappaqua. Check out her blog at www.travelstockblog.com.