The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle

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

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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.”

Streetscape Project: Well Underway

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Community Center

Triangle 3

Per Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein:

The Chappaqua Infrastructure and Streetscape Project Downtown Infrastructure and Streetscape Project is well under way. Our Streetscape Committee has been working hard for months to come up with specific recommendations for the Town Board to consider. Their recommendations have been incorporated into picture boards which are currently displayed throughout Town. Residents can provide feedback by emailing Feedback@MyNewCastle.org

Team New Castle: Proudest Accomplishments

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

 

Compelling Reasons Trader Joe’s Should Choose Millwood as its Next Location

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By Grace Bennett

10) A Fitter Customer Profile. Trader Joe’s Management could one day boast the greatest influx of fit citizens in its corporate history. Each day, hundreds of trim and toned men and women will pour into the market after cycling along our popular North County Trail, walking their dogs at gorgeous Gedney Park (check out the beautiful fall scene here), or pumping iron at nearby Club Fit for an energy boost—and for generous replenishments of your discounted nuts and produce.

Gedney Park Pond Photo by Marianne Campolongo
Gedney Park Pond
Photo by Marianne Campolongo

9) A Spike in Healthy Item Sales. Following a flu shot at Drug Mart, it will be a natural response to stock up on Vitamin C packed juices, not to mention pounds upon pounds of organic chicken and root veggies for homemade soup.
8) The “Chappaqua Moms” Facebook Factor Busy commuter Chappaqua Moms are addicted to many of your frozen entrees and desserts already and have been loyally commuting to White Plains for them. BUT (and especially after a successful petition spearheaded by Chappaqua Moms), bring Trader Joe’s to Millwood and Chappaqua Moms will soon be comparing notes about their favorite buys of the week ALL THE TIME in must read threads on Westchester County’s most populated and chattiest “Moms” page, now 5,500 people strong.
7) Cover Story Possibility The publisher of Inside Chappaqua is always open to cover story ideas. Joe, if he’s handsome and generous, could be a contender. Millwood plantings-001
6) Specialty Food Shoppers Galore. After stocking up on wine for Passover at Dodd’s next door, for example, a stop at Trader Joe’s for quality gefilte fish and gluten-free matzah will be a matz.
5) Noshers Galore. Of course we already love the treats at Tazza’s when we stop in for our morning java, but who can resist the free noshes at Trader Joe’s? Those yummy mini samples of chili this and quiche that! I know it would take care of those lunch hunger pangs that begin at 10 a.m. for me! Plus: After burning so many calories on the trail, our inclination to nosh–and then shop, of course–is limitless.
4) Cool Celebrity Customers Vanessa Williams, Helen Williams, Ben Stiller, Etc. Just keep cool when Millwood and Trader Joe’s are tapped to be a set for a future movie.
3) Free Enhanced Security. Trader Joe’s will have free additional security when any of our Secret Service residents stop in to shop.
2) Hillary. She was recently spotted shopping at a local supermarket and quipped to someone eyeing her oddly that she needs to eat too. My hunch is she will be a regular.
1) Bill. I apologize in advance for any slowdown at the checkout counter when he engages your staff on national and world policy matters.

Come on, guys! — Grace

More reasons via Facebook from savvy New Castle readers:

11. “It would be fabulous for the many vegetarians in the area as well as those who keep Kosher.” Andrea Dresner Weinreb

12. “It’s easy to get to from Route 100 and the Taconic. I shopped at the Eastchester store yesterday and their parking lot is much smaller than Millwood’s and they have only one way in and one way out. The Millwood shopping center already has two entryways and could easily add more.” Michelle Hecht

13. “The traffic on the northbound Taconic from 5-7pm is significant. Lots of potential shoppers passing by!” Michelle Hecht

14. “I was just in the Hartsdale store, second time this week and again they’re sold out of the Chocolate Croissants! The very nice customer service person told me they would have more this afternoon.. well that would have been great news if they were in Millwood. So instead of shopping there once a month, it would be once a day for this Chappaqua Mom!!! Ann Styles Brachstein

Introducing: Inside my New Castle

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NC Front Cover

We are proud to introduce “Inside my New Castle,” an all encompassing guide about the joy of living in New Castle, produced in collaboration with the Town of New Castle.

Each of the articles are available on our web site at:
http://theinsidepress.com/category/inside-my-new-castle/

The entire guide is also available as a PDF download.