It's the little things that our employees do for the town that make them special. Town DPW staff, while driving down Underhill and Old Army Road, started thinking -what can be done to make the traffic islands look nicer. They decide to enhance the plantings on the islands. It's a nice improvement.
Hat's off to our dedicated town staff for thinking of ways to make our town look nicer.
These little quality of life enhancements make a difference. THANK YOU!
PAUL FEINER
Learn to play Mahjong, the popular Chinese tile game, with Rhonda Greif. Rhonda is an avid player and enthusiast who has been teaching the game for over 10 years. This program takes place over a series of 4 days. This program takes place in person in the library lobby's cafe area. Registrants are required to attend all 4 sessions.
Landscape angels will volunteer their time helping seniors on November 6 and 19.
Calling all teen volunteers with a rake - our new Landscaping Angels initiative could use more assistance helping senior citizens clear their lawns for free on this season’s two scheduled yard work days: Nov 6 and Nov 19.
Please sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/gLGHq3RgRue57PRt8
In their own words, here’s the background of our expanding Angels program from its current and future student leaders:
“Hi, we’re Zach Weinhouse, Liam Mantini, and Noah Seifer, two seniors at Ardsley High School and a junior at Edgemont. We are the heads of the Snow Angels and the new Landscaping Angels programs for this fall/winter. We started our work with the Angels back in freshman year when we would go grocery shopping for senior citizens who were nervous to catch COVID. After that spring, we continued helping by shoveling driveways and walkways in the winter. Last year, Zach was the Volunteer Coordination for Snow Angels, where he recruited dozens of students from around Greenburgh to help out the community when it snowed. This year, Zach was put in charge of the Snow Angels initiative, but felt the community needed help in other seasons besides winter.
“What started out as just an idea turned to reality when Liam stepped up to lead the Landscaping program, and used his landscaping experience he attained by working over the summer to help the community. To keep the program healthy and alive after our graduation, we thought Noah would be a perfect candidate to help us out and be put in charge next year. He has been an extremely helpful member to the organization, offering his expertise and helping to widen our reach.
“Our planned days of landscaping service are now November 6th and November 19th, but we help any resident who asks.”
We are so grateful for these great students and would love more to join them. Again, the volunteer sign up form: https://forms.gle/gLGHq3RgRue57PRt8
And if you are a senior on a fixed income who could use help clearing your lawn on Nov 6 or Nov 19, please fill out this form or reach out to Liam via the contact info below: https://forms.gle/SJJUfpQSzGPEwzHT9.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to zachary.weinhouse@gmail.com or liam.mantini35@gmail.com with questions, comments, or suggestions! If you aren’t online and need assistance by phone, you can call: Program Coordinators Zach Weinhouse (snow) at 914-839-0301 and Liam Mantini (landscaping) at 914-200-8072.
The Greenburgh Town Board will honor all the volunteers at an upcoming televised Town Board meeting.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
Tell your children to be careful on Halloween. Bear is roaming around neighborhood on border of Ardsley, Ridge Road, Underhill.
THE BEAR WAS SEEN ON FRAYDUN LANE-NEAR RIDGE RD, UNDERHILL YESTERDAY (this is a post I received tonight) Make sure your children are careful tomorrow during Halloween.
PAUL FEINER
I know you’ve posted a couple times about the bear sightings and wanted to let you know that he/she has been on our street on Fraydun Lane both tonight and last night and currently is likely in the woods behind my house. This video was just recently taken by my husband. Please if there is anything you can do, it is terrifying that we are dealing with this. He/she got into multiple garbage cans last night and tonight, overturned patio furniture and have scared us (and our kids) immensely. Let us know and many thanks. We will all be leaving our garbage cans in our garages in hopes he/she will go elsewhere (though with trash pickup tomorrow, it may have some more cans to choose from tonight..). Thank you for your attention in this matter and let us know if there is anything we can do.
Tell your children who are going out for Halloween to be careful. A bear was seen in Orchard Hill two nights ago.
Last night a black bear was seen near Sprain Road/Ardsley Road. Two nights ago a bear was seen in Orchard Hill (Orchard Hill is located near Knollwood Road/Dobbs Ferry Road). Bears move around. A community leader sent me the following e mail. I deleted his address. I am also posting a video presentation from the NYS DEC two years ago - regarding state policy dealing with bears. The NYS DEC does not remove black bears unless they are deemed to be dangerous. I googled what to do if you see a black bear. These are some tips from New Jersey. https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/bear/bearfacts_safetytips.pdf
Bears move around. So the bear could move to another section of town in the coming days. Posting this info because many children will be out today and tomorrow for Halloween. PAUL FEINER
I am sure you know I live. ___Ardsley Road. (near Sprain Road)
Last night when I went out to start my grill at dust 6:10 I had a large black bear attacking my town grey garbage can that is bungee cord locked. He managed to get it loose and was taking a garbage bag.
I got a pot wooden spoon banged it a scream at him/her/it. Finally dropped bag took off around my garage and headed south toward Ardsley Road And Sprain Pkwy on the Con-Ed right of way.
There are allot of home in OUR area with above average open space between home to hide People need to be careful the next few night to make sure it moves on
Especially Monday Halloween
Could you post on GB and Next Door you have a much larger following than I do.
We're having a difficult time finding the right person for this job. Can you spread the word about the job opening.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT---We need to hire someone for this position. Not getting many responses. If you know a civil engineer who would love to work for a local government please advise him/her of the job opportunity.
Assistant Civil Engineer*
Department of Public Works
Open till filled
Job Group: CSEA Annual Salary Range: $69,263 - $95,061
*This is a tested position for which there is no active list. This is a provisional appointment, only candidates
who meet the minimum requirements as listed below may be considered. The successful candidate will be
required to sit for the Assistant Civil Engineer exam when it is next announced, pass and be within the top 3
scores in order to be appointed on a permanent basis to serve a probationary period.
If interested: Please submit a cover letter and resume to personnel@greenburghny.com and indicate Assistant
Civil Engineer in the subject line of your e-mail.
Under the general supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer/Town Engineer, this position is responsible
for performing professional engineering work involved with the design, planning, estimating and
supervision of construction of highways and their related structures, sewers, storm drains, and water
mains. It is expected the successful candidate is able to perform work on an independent basis but
refers policy decisions or highly difficult engineering problem to the processional engineer supervising
or directing the work. Supervision may be exercised over a lover level engineer and/or subprofessional technical and/or clerical employees. Does related work as required.
Examples of Work (Illustrative Only):
Prepares or assists in the preparation of designs for roads, culverts, storm sewers, retaining walls,
structures and/or public work projects.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of plans, estimates and specification for assigned projects.
Prepares written detailed specifications, including description of particular materials in order to
satisfactorily and economically perform the function desired.
Supervises construction and inspects construction materials to ensure that works is performs
correctly and projects conform to plans and specifications.
Interprets design and specifications for contractors. Computes and prepares partial and final
estimates of payments to contractors
Coordinates construction projects with other local, county and state government officials
consultants and the general public.
Prepares reports related to work assignments, including progress and inspection reports.
PAUL FEINER
This important message is to inform residents that a Black Bear has been sighted going through residential trash containers in the Orchard Hill section of town.
Black Bear Sighting. 10/28/2022 @ 9:45 PM
This important message is to inform residents that a Black Bear has been sighted going through residential trash containers in the Orchard Hill section of town. We have officers in the area and are in contact with NYS DEC Professionals. Please do not allow pets to be outside unattended.
Tax rate reductions will impact households in Greenburgh and in the villages. Town board has until Dec 20th to approve or modify the proposed budget.
the proposed budget is on the town website. Click on to the link to read the budget message and proposed budget. The Town Board has until December 20th to adopt a budget. If you have any questions about the budget please feel free to call me at 914 438 1343 or e mail me at pfeiner@greenburghny.com. The reductions posted below are a little more than what we anticipated earlier in the day yesterday before the budget was finalized.
HOW MUCH DOES A TAX RATE REDUCTION IMPACT A HOUSEHOLD WHOSE HOME IS ASSESSED AT $500,000?
2023 BUDGET SUMMARY TOWN WIDE: (A Budget) Tax rate decrease = 6.70% Total Appropriations = $21.8 million, down $7.6 million from 2022 For a resident whose home is assessed at $500,000 there would be a decrease in the taxes they pay in 2023 compared to 2022 – $211.03 in 2023 vs. $226.17 in 2022 ,with a savings of $15.15 per $500,000 of assessed value. The A budget serves both the villages and unincorporated Greenburgh. Most municipal services in villages are provided by village governments.
TOWNOUTSIDE: (B Budget) Tax rate decrease = 6.64% (A Fund and B Fund combined) Total Appropriations = $91.1 million, up $0.6 million from 2022 For a resident whose home is assessed at $500,000 there would be a decrease in the taxes they pay in 2023 compared to 2022 – $2,736.23 in 2023 vs. $2,930.97 in 2022,with a savings of $194.74 per $500,000 of assessed value. The B budget serves only unincorporated Greenburgh residents.
The town has no control over the county, paid fire districts or school district budgets which make up about 85% of the taxes you pay. This budget only impacts town municipal services.
The direct link is:
https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/9811/2023-Tentative-Budget
It can also be found at the bottom of the home page in the quick links.
PAUL FEINER
he Board of Elections no longer has an early voting site in Dobbs. The site has been relocated to the Hastings Library. Greenburgh Town Hall continues to be a site.
Need More Voting Info?For all voting information, contact the Westchester Board of Elections at914-995-5700
4th consecutive year of no tax rate/tax levy increases. 2023 budget proposed by Town Supervisor.
GREENBURGH TOWN SUPERVISOR’S 2023 BUDGET MESSAGE
SLIGHT TAX RATE DECREASE
A ZERO PERCENT INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX LEVY FOR BOTH TOWN ENTIRE AND UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH FOR THE 4TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR,
I am pleased to submit my 2023 proposed budget to the Town Board for their consideration.
This year, despite an 8.2% National Inflation Rate, the budget for Town Entire and Unincorporated Greenburgh will not include a property tax increase. This is the fourth consecutive year of ZERO increase.
With inflation so high, the price of food, gas, rent and all the essentials of life have increased dramatically, and I believe it's important that we in Town Government use whatever means are at our disposal to reduce the anxiety and stress levels which so many people are experiencing. I think this budget accomplishes that goal.
Greenburgh residents should take pride in the fact that their town government is well run. Throughout these challenging years, we have maintained a AAA bond rating, now for over a decade. Our services are extraordinary and our devoted Town staff does a great job and really cares about our residents.
1) For your information, we have been informed that a memo has been circulated through Edgemont by the Edgemont Incorporation Committee announcing that it has accumulated more than 1,000 signatures and has already met the requirement for submitting the “petition to incorporate” to the Town. If Edgemont's petition complies with NYS law and its residents vote in favor of incorporation, Edgemont will no longer be a part of Unincorporated Greenburgh and our budget will be heavily impacted. Edgemont’s incorporation, if successful, will be a “hard hit” for the Town, requiring many changes in fiscal and personnel operations.
2) Although we have had some successes in prior years with sharing of services, we should do more. I would like to encourage more sharing of services with the Villages and throughout other layers of government, an action step that could result in lower costs for all concerned.
3) The Greenburgh Police Department is requesting permission to hire four additional Emergency Medical Technicians to enhance the emergency medical service system. This request is intended to make our EMS system safer and more efficient.
The EMS system is experiencing an increase in annual call volume which has created an increase on the demand for resources within the Unincorporated Town. Hiring four additional EMT’s will help reduce that demand, facilitating better response times and improved availability to answer emergency EMS calls. This will also enhance mutual aid resources and help prevent delays in patient care. The accompanying increase in the number of patient transports should result in an increase in revenue recovery from billing insurance companies which will somewhat defray the cost of staffing.
4) As the budget I will be proposing for 2023 projects no increase in property taxes for residents of the Town. Once again, these actions will place the Town under the NYS “Tax Cap,” providing taxpayers with eligibility for a refund which would be provided by NYS.
5) As you review your tax bill, please be aware, for residents of the Unincorporated Town, between approximately 85% of your entire Property Tax bill accrues to School, Fire District and other Municipal entities not controlled by the Town. Simply put, all Town provided services which residents of the Unincorporated Town receive and enjoy, are paid for with just 15% of your total property tax dollars.
For residents of the “Villages,” 98% of your Property Taxes accrue to entities other than the Town, as the great majority of your services are provided by your Village.
WHAT FACTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY TAX WE COLLECT?
In trying to explain the main fiscal issues which the Town must consider, it is important to understand the revenue streams utilized, other than property taxes.
1- PROPERTY TAX REVENUE: We live in a great Town, with wonderful, responsible residents and property owners. As projected today, it appears that Property Tax Revenue for the Town will be nearly fully (98%) collected by year’s end. We thank our residents for their understanding of the needs of and for their support for the Town.
2- FEE REVENUE: Fee income from sources including the Building Department and others, have historically generated significant revenue for the Town. The greatest source of these funds is provided by building charges and fees generated by new construction and renovation. Our wonderful Town’s reputation as an exceptional place to live and especially “to do business,” has ensured an ever, increasing number of development projects, the largest being the major, multi-year expansion of the Regeneron Headquarters and the future development of the Elmwood Country Club property. These projects, once again, spurred by the economic viability of our Town and its wonderful residents, have and will generate millions of dollars in fee income, which has allowed us to leave your Property Taxes at the same level these past three years. We expect that the building department will generate 4.5 million in revenue in 2023.
3- MORTGAGE TAX REVENUE: Mortgage tax (approximately $4.8 million) has continued to increase, as the number of home purchase transactions over the past few years has increased dramatically, as well as the average price of sale. As the housing market “slows down,” and with increased mortgage rates, I believe we will see a decrease in this revenue stream for the next few years. I have reduced mortgage tax estimates to $3.5 million to be conservative.
We plan to move the courthouse funding from prior adopted budgets into a designated fund balance account. A resolution will be presented to the Town Board requesting that the funds allocated for courthouse expansion be placed in an assigned fund balance category. Therefore, we have removed this funding from the 2023 budget.
Please allow me to take this opportunity to acknowledge and express my appreciation to the employees of our Town, who have selflessly provided services in a qualitative and unabated manner. We have been blessed with a devoted work force, which continually does everything necessary to ensure all our families were, are and will continue to be safe.
HOW DO WE AS A TOWN GOVERNMENT ENSURE EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY GOING FORWARD:
Discussions regarding consolidations of functions although summarily rejected by interest groups, must be considered, and explored and “any and all” options identified for increasing revenues and decreasing costs, without impacting the provision of service.
Greenburgh is burgeoning and our now $113 million budget is far more complex than in prior years. To ensure fiscal security, I will be adding to the proposed budget funding for an additional fiscal/operation staff person, a Director of Finance, who will work to ensure that financial functions are at their highest level of efficiency and that our revenues are maximized, and our tax dollars are best spent.
Changes in the Assessment Role designed to equitably equalize each property owner’s share of the Property Tax Levy have been implemented. Some residents might see increases in their Tax Bill, while others will remain the same or see decreases. It is important to understand that the total amount to be collected will be similar in 2023, as it was in both 2022 and 2021.
Fiscal stability is a hallmark of the Town of Greenburgh, thanks to our informed and supportive citizens, the strength of our departmental managers and personnel, and the diverse and long-time experience of our Town Board. We believe working together; we will continue to be fine. Thank you to Comptroller Roberta Romano for her efforts preparing this budget. I wanted to make sure that we were cautious as possible, not over confident with the budget and asked our accountants, PKF O’Connor Davies to review the budget estimates and document prior to finalizing the budget. I met with them yesterday afternoon, and I appreciate their constructive suggestions.
With great appreciation and respect
PAUL FEINER
Town Supervisor
2023 BUDGET SUMMARY
TOWN WIDE: (A Budget)
Tax rate decrease = 0.41%
Total Appropriations = $21.8 million, down $7.6 million from 2022
Decrease in tax for 2023 = $0.93 per $500,000 of assessed value; $225.24 in 2023 vs. $226.17 in 2022
TOWN OUTSIDE: (B Budget)
Tax rate decrease = 0.21% (A Fund and B Fund combined)
Total Appropriations = $91.1 million, up $0.6 million from 2022
Decrease in tax for 2023 = $6.24 per $500,000 of assessed value; $2,924.73 in 2023 vs. $2,930.97 in 2022
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