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 RULES FOR TOMORROW EVENING PUBLIC HEARING ON JEFFERSON APARTMENT COMPLEX PROPOSAL
--'TWITTER INSPIRED' SPEAKING OPTION---THOSE WHO SPEAK FOR ONE MINUTE OR LESS WILL BE CALLED FIRST!
 
We expect a very large turnout at the public hearing tomorrow evening on the proposal by a developer to build 272 rental apartments across from Rivertowns Square in the unincorporated section of Ardsley. These are the rules.
 
The hearing will begin shortly after 7:30 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall (there will be a 10 minute or less swearing in ceremony at 7:30 PM).  We will hear from our consultant and the applicant. Town Board members may have questions.
 
We will then open up the hearing to the public. We want to hear from everyone and don't want to make people wait many hours to speak. To expedite the process....
 
Speakers who will speak for one minute or less will be called first.  They can express their support or opposition of the project or ask that a matter be studied during the review.  This will enable the "twitter speakers" to go on record highlighting their views and then to leave--if they don't want to stay for the entire meeting.
 
After everyone who wants to speak for one minute or less gets the opportunity to speak - we will hear comments from those who have more substantive comments or want to highlight their concerns in greater detail. They will have five minutes to comment. At the conclusion of this portion of the hearing--after everyone has spoken--we will provide residents with a chance to speak a second time for five additional minutes.
 
We are not voting for or against the application tomorrow evening. We are just beginning the study. The purpose of the hearing is to get your feedback---what should be studied. It's more helpful to us if you request a study on a specific topic rather than to tell us if you like or don't like the project.
 
The Town Board will not close the hearing tomorrow evening. So, if you cannot attend tomorrow's hearing - there will be a second hearing, probably on January 27th at 7:30 PM with the same rules applying.
 
Hope to see you tomorrow evening!   Democracy works best when citizens are involved.
PAUL FEINER