Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: Town Bd discusses possible removal of 9-11 memorial wall on Central Ave.

Tiles on the wall have not held up and the wall, if restored, might not last. Watch link to discussion Board had with Commissioner of Parks.

Greenburgh Town Board discusses possibility of removing 9-11 memorial wall on Central Ave and replacing it with a memorial that will last (link to discussion below).

 

 In 2003 the town dedicated a 9-11memorial wall to honor the memories of the victims of 9-11. The Wall has been located at Richard Presser Park on Central Ave in Hartsdale.  Over 1800 tiles were placed on one side of the wall, painted by residents of the county. A piece of metal from the World Trade Center is attached to the wall. The other side—featured illustrations painted by an artist commissioned by Rotary. Rotary contributed to the cost of the wall.

Sadly, the wall has never held up. We had to repair the wall twice –tiles cracked from the mural. Hundreds of tiles have fallen-many unusable.

(see NY Times article from 2011:

https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/nyregion/twilight-tribute-in-westchester-will-end-a-day-of-911-remembrances.html

There were construction deficiencies making it very difficult to reattach the tiles (we tried to reattach the tiles twice). Issues of damp, drainage were involved. The painting on the Rotary side is also not holding up since the paint the artist used was not weather resistant. 

 

This is a link from a post Sarah Bracey White wrote highlighting a previous restoration effort:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perseverance-pays-off-sarah-bracey-white/

 

Earlier this year, after more tiles started falling down and cracking – we removed all the tiles from the wall. We recently retained a consultant AM Art Conservation. One suggestion:  that we remove the wall and create another memorial. If we choose to repair the existing wall the cost will be high (could be in the range of $100,000) and there is no guarantee that the wall will last.

The Town Board had a meeting this past week. The link to the discussion can be found here:

9/11 Memorial Wall:

https://youtu.be/-EjGIBfIBm8

Since the meeting I have contacted officials from the district Rotary Club, fire fighters notifying them of the meeting the Town Board had. A committee including the Rotary Club, firefighters will be asked to come up with a plan to honor the memories of the victims of 9-11 and to pay tribute to the first responders. 

 

There is another memorial for the victims of 9-11 at AF Veteran park. If we take down the wall there are a number of options: we can consider placing the World Trade Center artifact at the memorial at AF Veteran park. We can try to incorporate some of the tiles in the memorial. Other options: creating a 9-11 memorial at the library, near the Hartsdale train station or outside Town Hall.

We should also honor the firefighters and first responders who died in recent years from long term health effects due to their responses. Thousands of first responders have died from respiratory diseases and cancer since 9-11 from the toxic clouds of dangerous particles inhaled. We could add their names to the list of local residents who passed away due to 9-11.

 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: 6 year old and 4 year old cousins speak at Town Board meeting calling for more trees.

Watch link to their presentation at Town Board meeting A new tree will be planted- more bushes will also be added to park.

6 year old and her  4 year old  cousin ask for more trees at Town Board meeting—watch link to presentation.

 

Over a month ago I received two letters from 6-year-old Zoe Wong and her 4-year-old cousin Hope Cole. They were upset that the town was removing some trees from Bob Gold Parklet on East Hartsdale Ave.

I invited both to attend a Town Board meeting to highlight the importance of trees in the community. They made a presentation to the Town Board on Monday. Commissioner Joe Lucasey indicated that the trees that were removed had to come down (even an arborist who has worked for the NY Botanical Gardens agreed). He indicated that the removal of some of the trees will give the remaining trees more room to grow and mentioned that a new tree will be planted next year, and more bushes will also be planted.

When Zoe and Hope apply to college years from now – they will be able to add to their college application that they started making a positive difference in the community very early in their lives- probably earlier than any other applicant.

 

Watch our youngest political activists make their presentation (less than 5 minutes)on the link below.  Zoe and Hope are learning at a very early age the importance of engaging with their elected officials. And are role models for other young people.

Presentation by 6 year old Zoe Wong and 4 year old Hope Cole - Trees at the Bob Gold Parklet

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMV9hzlt4Ts

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: Opening day -Friday 11/29--exciting new Italian Restaurant on Central Ave.

Family has operated successful fine dining restaurants for 50 years!

OPENING DAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 -EXCITING NEW ITALIAN RESTAURANT ON CENTRAL AVE

https://www.ilsorrento.com/menu?menu=dinner-menu 

(LUNCH MENU IS ALSO ON THEIR WEBSITE)

I am pleased to announce the grand opening of a new and exciting Italian restaurant located at 706 Central Park Avenue, (opposite the Greenville Fire Department) on Friday, November 29, 2024.

“Il Sorrento,” is owned and operated by Nick Hoti, and Frank Dicola, who were brought up in the “fine dining” restaurant business and have spent the majority of their lives working with their families, who have successfully operated restaurants in the NYC Metropolitan area for 50 years. 

Frank’s family operated the well known “Patsy’s” restaurant on 54th street in NYC and is enthused to bring his skills and passions to Greenburgh. Nick has expressed his excitement in having hired noted chef Joe Fusco, who has designed a wonderful Southern Italian (“Napolitana Cuisine”) menu, and will oversee the kitchen. 

I am extremely pleased that Greenburgh residents will benefit from another quality, new business in our ever-burgeoning Town, and that Nick and Frank appreciate the quality of our Town and our wonderful residents and have decided to invest in our community. 

 

Good luck Nick and Frank on your new venture.

 

Paul Feiner

Greenburgh, Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: Reminder; no overnight parking beginning Dec 1--exemptions allowed if you meet criteria.

Link to exemption application below.

The town bans overnight street parking during the winter-beginning December 1. But, exceptions can be made if you meet the criteria. A link to the application is below.  Hardship exemptions must be approved by the police department.

https://greenburghny.com/715/Snow-Parking-Hardship-Exemption-Program

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: A bit of history- paddle tennis got it's start in Edgemont.

An interesting article posted in the scarsdaleInsider.com -how paddle tennis was invented in Edgemont

An interesting bit of Greenburgh history: Paddle tennis invented in Edgemont!   The Scarsdale Insider is a relatively new online publication with some interesting articles. Let’s continue to celebrate our history.  And, thank you to the ScarsdaleInsider for sharing this fascinating  story with our residents.

PAUL FEINER

 

In autumn 1928, two Edgemont neighbors, Fessenden (Fess) Blanchard of 4 Seely Place and James (Jimmy) Cogswell Jr. of 105 Old Army Road, came together to create a new winter sport in their own backyards. As passionate sportsmen and innovators, their collaboration gave birth to a unique game that would eventually become platform (paddle) tennis, transforming a simple idea into a national sport. 

READ ENTIRE STORY BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW

https://www.thescarsdaleinsider.com/articles/paddle-tennis

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: In memory- Harold Rose: 20 years of service as a CERT volunteer.

Harold Rose was a role model in our community--a long time volunteer in the CERT program helping families during emergencies.

One of the most dedicated and hard-working members of the Greenburgh CERT team –Harold Rose- passed away.

The CERT team helps emergency responders save lives and protect property. Harold donated thousands of hours of his time volunteering for initiatives that has helped Greenburgh prepare for emergencies. Harold was part of the CERT team for close to 20 years and led their shelter unit. He was also responsible for the CERT van. For info on the CERT team click on the link below:

https://www.greenburghny.com/257/Community-Emergency-Response-Team-CERT

 

Every time there was a flood or fire that left residents temporarily homeless Harold was at the temporary shelter – helping residents deal with a very stressful life   experience. He also helped during events- most recently Spooktoberfest- a Halloween event sponsored by the Parks department.  Harold spent the entire event on his feet, helping direct traffic and keeping residents safe. He was vibrant, caring, very passionate about the town and took his CERT volunteer responsibilities very seriously.

Harold had a stroke last Sunday and never recovered. Services will be on Monday morning at 10 am sharp in the Chapel in the Woods at:

Congregation Kol Ami

252 Soundview Ave.

White Plains, NY

Harold will be missed by his colleagues who are active in the CERT team and by many people in our town -whose lives he impacted for the better. He was a role model in our community.   The Greenburgh Town Board will have a moment of silence in honor and in memory of Harold Rose at our Town Board meeting on Monday. We will all miss Harold but will be grateful for all he did for Greenburgh residents.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Town of Greenburgh: Hearing on 2025 proposed capital budget on Monday night.

We are addressing many infrastructure needs of the town.

The Greenburgh Town Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2025 capital budget Monday, November 25th.  The Town Board meeting begins at 7:30 PM. We will also be holding a public hearing on the operating budget.  The operating budget was first proposed on October 30th and has been posted on the town website.

The proposed capital budget is $19,106,000. $18,594,000 is long term bonding.

A copy of the budget message and entire budget can be found on the link below:

https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/13359/2025-Capital-Budget?bidId=

 

 

Highlights include:

$350,000 for a new advanced life support ambulance.  It takes about three years for an ambulance to be delivered once ordered.

$4,000,000 for sewer cleaning and relining along pipes around town. Relining underground piping can extend life expectancy of pipes  from 25-50 years.

$2,500,000 for curbing around town 

$1,500,000 for drainage improvements around town

$6,500,000 for road resurfacing around town.

$1,500,00 for sidewalks, crosswalks and other safety initiatives.

$175,000 for a new playground at Secor Woods.

$175,000 for AF Veteran park pool concrete decking and stairway work.

We have a request in the 2025 capital budget to implement a system that will allow notifications for water main breaks/flushing and other related events.

The Town Board will review the proposed budget in the coming weeks and can make modifications to the budget if they wish. Much of the proposed budget was discussed months ago when department heads met with the Town Board to discuss their capital needs at televised Town Board meetings.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor