Greenburgh Insider: Town Hall to be open till 7 PM -last day to pay your town/county taxes without penalty is May 1.

 

You can also pay your taxes on line today or tomorrow!

The Greenburgh Town Hall will be open tomorrow (Monday) till 7 PM. If you want to pay your county/town/fire district taxes in person you can pay tomorrow without penalty. Last day to day your town/county and fire district taxes is tomorrow- May 1st.

You also can pay your taxes online by clicking onto the link below.

Online payment are also available for the following services:

water bills can be paid online;

Parking tickets can be paid online;

registration for recreation and TDYCC programs can be done online

Link below:

https://ny-greenburgh.civicplus.com/481/Make-Online-Payments

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Dobbs Ferry Dirt Fest is on today (rain or shine) Free compost.

 

Link to radio interview with organizers below

FREE COMPOST

Dirt Fest-- IS ON TODAY IN DOBBS FERRY  (RAIN OR SHINE) April 29th Dobbs Ferry Waterfront Park near the playground-

Free compost

Link to radio interview with leaders of Dobbs Ferry zero waste initiative: Holly Malekian and Jennifer Murphy

If you are concerned about global warming the 2nd annual Dirt Fest in Dobbs Ferry today  April 29th from 3 to 5 PM is a must. The event will be held at the Dobbs Ferry waterfront park near the playground. Bring your own bucket for 5 gallons of free compost from Hudson Compost.  Chickens and worms are back. Free organic fruit to munch. Sunflower seeds for kids to plant and take home. Compost lessons for all ages with the Greenburgh Nature Center. Recycling Roulette games. Electric lawn care showcase. And more.  You can enter to win gift cards from area shops and restaurants by taking the pledge anytime until the end of the Dirt Fest.

No rain date for the  Dobbs DirtFest - 3-5 at Waterfront Park. They have oodles of tents, so we are covered -- literally!

Link to radio interview with two leader of effort: Holly Malekian and Jennifer Murphy of Dobbs Ferry Sustainable Dobbs/Zero Waste

 

Youtube link - https://youtu.be/MpHgkGUG750

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Water Rate Hikes Proposed for Consolidated Water District #1.

 

Moderate increases will help fund needed infrastructure repairs & rising operational costs.

 

Water Rate Hikes Proposed for Consolidated Water District #1

Moderate increases will help fund needed infrastructure repairs & rising operational costs

 

At a recent Town Board meeting, the Department of Public Works in collaboration with consultant Raftelis presented a five-year proposal on rate hikes for the water district serving 40,000 people, with an increase of 5% for the second half of 2023, and 6% projected for subsequent years effective on each Jan. 1 through 2027. 

 

See the presentation video here: https://youtu.be/U-p9PbTRF0w

 

An effort was made to keep the increases “smooth,” with consistent and predictable increases each year, rather than leap up a more significant amount all at once. 

 

How the increase might play out in your quarterly water bill is as follows:

For the last six months of 2023, a user on the lower scale (9,000 gallons) would see an increase of $3.34 in each bill. A mid-level user (15,000 g) by $5.85. While a larger user (26,000 g) might see a $10.96 higher bill. In 2024, the same level users would see increases in their bills of $4.21, $7.37, and $13.81 respectively. 

Greenburgh Insider: Edgemont Community Council statement praising Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force.

 

On April 24, 2023, members of the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force along with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), White Plains Police Department Intel Unit, and the Town of Greenburgh Building Department conducted multiple inspections of smoke shops, including a premise at 455 S. Central Ave (Scarsdale Convenience). Approximately 676 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products, which the store was not licensed to sell, along with approximately 395 packs of untaxed cigarettes and approximately 11 packages of psilocybin infused candy were seized. Additionally, the Town of Greenburgh Building Department issued approximately 84 building code violations resulting in the store being temporarily closed until further notice. Due to the serious nature of the Building Department code violations, Con Edison was contacted and all power to the business was shut off.

Previously, building code violations resulted in the temporary closure of other smoke/vape shop locations, including 205 East Hartsdale Avenue (Hartsdale Tobacco), 760 S. Central Avenue (Cloud House Convenience), and 1088 S. Central Avenue (#1 Convenience and Tobacco). Additional summonses were also issued at three other locations (74 S. Central Avenue, 610 S. Central Avenue, and 1000 S. Central Avenue) for tobacco-related violations.

The Edgemont Community Council continues to partner with the Greenburgh Town Board, the Greenburgh Police Department and the Office of Assemblyperson Amy Paulin to combat the rise of illegal marijuana sales by Smoke Shops and Convenience Stores, most significantly in close proximity to our schools.

Greenburgh Insider: 11 A.M. WEDNESDAY - WOODLANDS HS--STREET NAMING IN HONOR OF WISE PROGRAM.

11 AM WEDNESDAY - WOODLANDS HS--STREET NAMING IN HONOR OF WISE PROGRAM.

 

The WISE program has been in existence at Woodlands High School since 1972.  The program, which  has received national attention, addresses senior slump and to aid the transition of graduating seniors to life after High School.   The WISE program has been spreading nation-wide beyond Woodlands.  Approximately 60  public and private high schools nationwide participate in the program.  There are more than 35,000 WISE graduates.

 

Tomorrow we will have a street naming dedication and tree ceremony in honor of the WISE program, Vic Leviatin and Constantine Andreadis at 11 AM at Woodlands. Let' pay tribute to the Greenburgh school district, WISE leadership, the founders of WISE and participants.  The WISE program is one of Greenburgh's greatest achievements.

PAUL FEINER
 Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: The Hartsdale Parking district is looking to hire a parking enforcement officer.

 

If interested please contact the parking district. 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: You have one extra day to pay town/county taxes--till May 1.

 

Extra day because April 30th falls on a Sunday.

You have an extra day to pay your county/town/fire district taxes.

Usually, county, town and fire district taxes are due on April 30th. But, this year April 30th falls on a Sunday so you have till Monday night. The Receiver of Taxes office, according to Receiver Venita Howard, will be open till 7 PM. The office is located at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, White Plains. You can also pay on line. 

Click onto the link below:

https://greenburghny.com/190/Tax-Department

Please pay on time---if you pay on May 2nd there is a penalty.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Pedestrian activated light at Sacred Heart Church, Central Ave to be operational very soon.

 

link to Councilman Sheehan's tutorial- how light works below.

In October, 2019 a pedestrian was hit crossing Central Ave near the Sacred Heart Church. Fortunately, he survived. But the pedestrian accident highlighted the need for a pedestrian activated light on Central Ave at the corner of Lawton.

The Greenburgh Town Board lobbied the NYS Department of Transportation to authorize a hawk light to be placed at the location. Although Central Ave is a NYS owned road, the town agreed to absorb the costs of the light.

This light will soon be operational. Councilman Francis Sheehan, who is a member of Sacred Heart Church, had organized a petition effort in 2019 encouraging the state to authorize the light. He presented the Town Board with an explanation how the Hawk Eye works when it is activated soon.

The hawk eye light is just one of many initiatives the town has been taking in recent years to make Greenburgh a pedestrian friendly community. We are adding new sidewalks around town annually (a new sidewalk was recently completed on N Washington Ave, Hartsdale. A major new sidewalk will be built on Hillside Ave from Greenburgh Town Hall to Parkway Gardens/Homes -construction starting next month  Other sidewalks have been built recently or are planned for the future). We have been giving out reflectors to pedestrians and enhancing crosswalks. 

This hawk eye is part of a continuing effort to keep your children and all pedestrians safe.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

 

Councilman Sheehan's tutorial - how the pedestrian activated light works (link below)

 

https://youtu.be/IkuF0bQYaIU

Greenburgh Insider: Leaf Blower law update - hearing on amending noise ordinance scheduled for Wed evening.

 

Limiting simultaneous operation of multiple leafblowers on properties.

Over the years the Greenburgh Town Board has struggled over what to do to address leaf blower complaints. Almost every time that we propose an ordinance half the people like the proposal and half of our residents hate it. Our new Greenburgh Town Attorney, Joe Danko, drafted a  more simplified version, which solely amends the noise ordinance, as opposed to creating a new chapter which specifically applies to gas powered leaf blowers.  A public hearing on the proposed law will be held this coming Wednesday night, April 26th after 7:30 PM.   Feel free to email townboard@greenburghny.com with your thoughts, comments or suggestions.  

This proposed law would satisfy a large percentage of residents who complain about the noise from leaf blowers, while also not being overly complicated and difficult to enforce.  

This law would:

• apply to commercial properties as well (current version only applies to residential)
• 
  
• Add the following two provisions:
  • 
    
  • The simultaneous operation of more than one leaf blower on property of ten thousand (10,000) square feet or less in area is prohibited.
  • 
    
  • The simultaneous operation of four or more leaf blowers on any size parcel is prohibited.  

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Two great events this Sunday.

 

An Indian festival- Holi in Ardsley 10-2.

Street fair in Hastings 12-4.

Two great events this Sunday.

The colorful Hindu fetival of Holi will be celebrated on April 23 at Pascone Park. It's a festival of colors. Those who attend douse one another with colored powders. It's free and is sponsored by the Indian American Cultural Association.

The event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM.  There will also be Bollywood dancing.

to register visit iacaw.org/events.

A fantastic street fair in Hastings this Sunday 12-4 

The annual spring thing on Warburton Ave 

It's so much fun.  And - Hastings is a very charming community with great restaurants, shops and views

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Mamajuana Cafe Prime - a new restaurant on E Hartsdale Ave.

 

Experience delicious flavors of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba among other delicious foods.

EAST HARTSDALE AVENUE'S NEWEST  RESTAURANT--MAMAJUANA CAFE PRIME HARTSDALE  (SECONDS FROM HARTSDALE TRAIN STATION).

Genesis and Carlos Malagon are a young couple of 24 and 26 years old. They want to grow as a couple, start their families and decided to open up a restaurant on East Hartsdale Ave. Mamajuana Cafe will provide you with a taste of the flavors of  Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba among other foods.They  fell in love with the Hartsdale location because of the people and the Beauty of the community. The new restaurant is  receiving great support from the local community.  And the food is delicious!

Mamajuana Cafe was founded in t 2006 in New York City with the intention of bringing architecture from the colonial city of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and creating a menu combining together the spices of the old world infused with the modern Asian Culinary Cuisine. Since its inception, Mamajuana Cafe has expanded to over 10 locations around the United States.

 

In 2021, Mamajuana Cafe Prime was the first in Riverdale, NY with the idea to be more elegant and elevated, keeping the cultures and innovating the Latino Cuisine.

 

Visit East Hartsdale Avenues newest addition  and try their extensive menu and highly creative cocktails, a superb wine list and personalized prideful service. Cap off the whole experience, making Mamajuana Cafe Prime a one-stop world-class cuisine and entertainment all in one. 

Feeling the heat of Mamajana is a vacation close to your home.

For more information about our itinerary you can follow us on instagram @mamajuanacafeprime_hartsdale

A big thank you to Carlos and Genesis Malagon for choosing Hartsdale and Greenburgh as the location of their new restaurant. Wishing them great successes. 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh Town Board approves new condo/coop law....update Hartsdale 4 corners construction.

 

There have been traffic delays at the 4 corners in recent weeks due to sidewalk, traffic light work by NYS.

TOWN BOARD APPROVES LAW CONCERNING NEW CONDO AND COOP DEVELOPMENTS.

UPDATE ON FOUR CORNERS IN HARTSDALE.

Yesterday, the Greenburgh Town Board held a special meeting to vote on a new law that will tax NEWLY CONSTRUCTED  condo's and coops at residential rates - not commercial rates. Last year the Governor signed a law approved by the NYS Legislature that authorized the Town of Greenburgh to adopt this legislation.  The new law does not impact existing condo's and coops.  Developers who wish to build affordable condos and coops could still apply  to the town for tax abatements. 

Councilmembers Ken Jones, Francis Sheehan and Gina Jackson voted for the legislation. 

Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx and I recused ourselves because a recent Board of Ethics opinion recommended that condominium owners within Greenburgh recuse themselves, even though no conflict of interest was found.  

RESOLUTION  OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH AMENDING CHAPTER 440 OF THE CODE OF THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH BY CREATING A NEW ARTICLE XVII ENTITLED, “TAX ASSESSMENT OF CONDOMINIUMS AND COOPERATIVES.”

WHEREAS, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the Town Board conducted a Public Hearing to consider a Local Law amending Chapter 440 of the Code of the Town of Greenburgh by creating a new Article XVII entitled, “Tax Assessment of Condominiums and Cooperatives;” and 

WHEREAS, after considering comments at the public hearing, and subsequent written comments during the written comment period, the Town Board concludes and finds that the recently adopted State Senate and Assembly bill, which allows the Town to adopt this local law, permitting the Town to consider the sum of the assessments of individual cooperative or condominium units to exceed the value of the entire cooperative or condominium complex if valued as a single entity is necessary and desirable; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh hereby adopts the attached local law amending Chapter 440 of the Code of the Town of Greenburgh by creating a new Article XVII entitled, “Tax Assessment of Condominiums and Cooperatives.”

Many people have been calling me expressing concern about the recent traffic problems at the intersection of West & East Hartsdale Ave and Central Ave. Some motorists have been stuck in traffic for as long as a half hour while NYS is working to improve curbing and the light. I received the following update from the NYS DOT. 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh Community Meeting - Impact of Edgemont Incorporation.

 

The Saving Greenburgh Coalition is having a Community Meeting to discuss the issues related to the possible incorporation of Edgemont.

You are invited to attend the meeting in person or via Zoom:  

Saving Greenburgh Coalition is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Saving Greenburgh Coalition Community Meeting

 

Time: Apr 27, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6272578776

Greenburgh Insider: Remember the Holocaust - ceremony Tuesday, April 18 in White Plains at noon.

Yom Hashoah Holocaust commemoration on April 18 at 148 Martine Ave.

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center and the Westchester Jewish Council are proud to present the Annual Westchester Countywide Yom Hashoah Holocaust Commemoration on Tuesday, April 18th from 12noon-1pm at the Garden of Remembrance in White Plains, 148 Martine Avenue.  The  commemoration will again begin with  a procession of Westchester’s rescued Holocaust Torahs. 

 

The event is free and open to the public and is rain or shine. 

A number of years ago the town produced some cable TV interviews with Holocaust survivors. These videos can be seen by clicking onto the link below:

http://www.greenburghpublicaccess.com/holocaust-living-history/04102018-1690

We must never forget. I hope to see you Tuesday in White Plains.

PAUL FEINER 

Greenburgh Insider: Earth month events---solar carports in parking lots: Town Board discussion.

 

Solar carports in parking lots would create renewable energy. If town owned parking lots are used the cost to the town would be zero. Commercial property owners in Greenburgh should consider for their parking areas.

SOLAR CARPORT PARKING LOTS----LINK TO TOWN BOARD DISCUSSION.

EARTH MONTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2023.

 

Global warming is happening and we all need to do more to make our planet more sustainable for future generations.

To help spread awareness and encourage others to join in on all the amazing events happening in Westchester County this Earth Month (and beyond!) Sustainable Westchester has created a list of all the Earth Day happenings in Westchester. 

 

Check out the Westchester Earth Month Calendar of Events 2023

Explore the list of Westchester Earth Day Events, including festivals, nature walks, repair cafes and neighborhood cleanups. 

The  Greenburgh Town Board recently discussed with Sustainable Westchester's Leo Wiegman and Roger Burkhardt of E Irvington  doing more to make our planet sustainable. Among suggestions: construct solar parking canopies in parking lots --possibly Greenburgh Town Hall.  We have discussed creating solar parking at AF Veteran park and reaching out to commercial property owners -asking if solar carports can be placed around town.  Solar carports are overhead canopies built to cover parking spots. They provide an opportunity to use wasted parking lot space to create renewable energy. 

Manhattanville College has had a solar parking lot for a number of years in their campus.  This could be done at no cost to the town.  They also provide shading.  the link - https://youtu.be/9FgfX6lnqgU

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Ukraine still needs our help--concert to raise funds for victims on April 23rd.

 

Classical pianist Irena Portenko will be performing on April 23rd at 5 PM, Grace Church
Irena discusses her family experiences.

UKRAINE STILL NEEDS OUR HELP ---PIANO CONCERT ON APRIL 23RD TO RAISE FUNDS 5 pm, Grace Church.

IN HER OWN WORDS- IRENA PORTENKO DISCUSSES HER EXPERIENCES.

“You never walk alone” is not a cliché. Living in Westchester gave me a sense of community and an understanding about a feeling of “having a shoulder”. By accepting help and by being embraced by compassion, I gladly share it as well.

The immediate reaction of shock and helplessness has constantly been in dissonance with unexpectedly beautiful and embracing community’s response since the very start of the war in Ukraine. This is where a word “unexpectedly” comes from: Ukraine is overseas, and we are here. However, with profound kindness and support, that has reached from here to Ukraine so many times, the notion of distance has seemed to lose its importance. Immediate contacts and finding solutions have been created in something resembling a networking matrix, available 24/7. Being able to connect to people with conceptual ideas and vision has been a true blessings to me. My family, whom I have brought from Ukraine last year are especially grateful for the attention and support from Greenburgh community, the Health Center on Knollwood road, the White Plains Hospital, the government organizations who have made their transition, so thorny in the beginning, but much smoother now. I can’t thank enough to Paul Feiner for his leadership and dedication to the community. For Paul there are no small or postponed problems, his incredible responsiveness and a talent of recognizing the immediate needs along with finding solutions reflects the community feeling that I discovered for myself.

My communication with Tara Framer of Greenburg, Holly Rosen Fink of Mamaroneck, Patricia Gaffney of Scarsdale-Yorktown, Jennifer Kahan of Scarsdale and many more “good samaritans” has planted an eternal seed of gratitude in my heart. Thanking and admiring them for taking so many problems close to their heart and for their ability to visualize and build a potential outcome from the idea to the successful ending point.

Yes, I personally was scared of the war, when it started. Hearing shelling through the phone during conversations with the family and friends felt apocalyptic, when I kept finding myself to be searching for a button to end this horrible video game.

Two simple things picked me up and navigated toward decision making and action: a reality and a reminiscence. First, the reality, which was an enormous ongoing support of so many people around me. Secondly and lastly, it was a story of my Polish grandma, who, in the occupied Ukraine during the World War 2, while risking her own life and the lives of her family was hiding Jewish kids in the basement of their house in Southeastern Ukraine. In the village swarming with Nazi, she, who spoke perfect German, for several years was able to navigate those kids from their basement to the partisans, who’d take them further to safety. From my grandma Irena, who left, but a trace of her still lives in gratitude of those saved by her and their families, in her nine medals on a little pillow for partisan’s honor from the World War 2 and, in her stories of vision and courage engraved in my memory.

While still helping people who are losing their homes and loves ones, I would like to take my time to thank our beautiful community for such a generous support of the people, who fled the war and those who are at war now. 

I am a musician, and my mission is to gather people, to spread the beauty and healing through the sounds of music. With my wonderfully talented and loyal friends Stefan Szkafarowsky, Svetlana Gorokhovich, Korliss Uecker, Jeffrey Palmer, Joey Mannino and Cuarto Punros Ensemble I am proud to present a concert “In the Company of Friends” on April 23rd, 2023 at 5:00pm in a beautiful and historic Grace Church in White Plains. The proceeds of the concert will benefit the United Help Ukraine organization, “Save a Child” NGO, and my GoFundMe for displaced Ukrainian musicians.

ARTICLE ABOUT IRENA'S CONCERT IN THE HUDSON INDEPENDENT

https://thehudsonindependent.com/irena-portenko-plays-piano-to-save-lives/

Paul Feiner