The Greenburgh Town Board started our "house calls" to different neighborhoods on Wednesday night, June 18th. We met at the home of Ben & Ruth Armato of Hartsdale and exchanged ideas with the Armato's and their neighbors. What an interesting meeting!
Numerous issues were discussed between 7:15 PM and 9:30 PM. Neighbors advised us of some road obstructions (bush/tree overgrowth that may impact traffic safety-blind spots). We will follow up on those complaints. Some residents worried about aging trees that need to be checked for safety and debris in a creek.
We talked about an abandoned house on Joyce Road that will soon be demolished. Among other ideas that were discussed:
**Should the town sell non park land the town owns (9A & Secor--in back of the Greenburgh Housing Authority apartments on Secor) to a developer? If the property is sold some residents think that the property should be turned into affordable housing for seniors. Others suggested a medical office building.
**A suggestion was made: We need 'feeder' bus transportation that could take people from back roads (different neighborhoods) to major developments. Should developers of commercial properties be required, as part of their approvals, to provide shuttle service from their commercial property to different locations around town? The proposed Super Stop & Shop in Tarrytown was suggested as a possibility...
**One resident suggested that the town (to save money) change our curb rehabilitation policy-- the town would replace existing curbs with concrete curbs (less expensive). If people want the more expensive Belgium curbs that have been used --there would be a cost for the resident.
**A neighbor proposed that we look into using power concrete--less expensive.
**Suggestion: post a police officer at the Hartsdale train station during commuter rush hours.
**Revenue generator idea: Place a box at Town Hall --collect cell phones (some businesses will pay for old cell phones).
**Place electronic bulletin boards at key locations --many residents don't use internet, read newspapers to get local news. Last week I met with a philanthropist who offered to donate the electronic boards to the town--saving the town tens of thousands of dollars.
**We discussed streets that need repaving.
**Should the town require garbage to be picked up at the curb? Currently, residents can request non curb-side pickup which requires more employees and is more costly.
**We chatted about budget options. Most people seem to appreciate the level of services they receive and want more info about the impact proposed cuts will have on their taxes. In the coming weeks/months we will detail the impact every proposed cut will have on one's total tax bill.
The members of the Town Board and I (Sonja Brown, Diana Juettner, Kevin Morgan, Francis Sheehan, Town Clerk Judith Beville and I ) will be knocking on doors, meeting with residents at least once a week (sometimes more frequently) until the 2009 budget is approved. We want your input.
If you would like the Town Board to stop by at your house please e mail townboard@greenburghny.com. We will meet with residents individually or in a group setting. Some house call meetings will last a few minutes. Other house calls will last a few hours.
One of the benefits of these house call meetings is that it provides the Town Board with input from people who normally do not attend meetings or participate in town government.
PAUL FEINER
on June 23rd the Town Board will have a neighborhood conversation with residents of Juniper HIll...
On June 30th we will meet with residents of Fulton Park...
on July 7th we will knock on doors at Stoneoaks/Poets Corner in Hartsdale.
In mid-July we will exchange ideas with residents of N Elmsford...
