Greenburgh Insider: Free distribution of KN95 masks this weekend.

 

https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/8731/Mask-Poster-1

Greenburgh Insider: Westchester Power rates compared to Con Ed rates.

 

Last year we promised to provide residents with monthly updates comparing Westchester Power rates with Con Ed rates. Please review the December comparisons.

https://www.greenburghny.com/DocumentCenter/View/8732/December-2021---Greenburgh-Monthly-WP-Rate_Impact-Report

Greenburgh Insider: It's a wonderful town--residents and a new business help family with 2 disabled children.

 

Residents donate almost $6000 to family in need.

Sterling Optical, a new business on Central Ave, arranged for a motorized scooter to be donated
Rob Bernstein, a specialist in Autism, donated his time to family

 

                                         “IT’S A WONDERFUL TOWN”

 

 

Every year at this time, I have the pleasure of watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” a film released in 1946 which speaks to the ability of an entire Town to come together to support a family in need.

 

Prescient to the message in this great old film, this past Friday our community became aware of the plight of a struggling local family that was in severe crisis. The family had been struggling for quite some time to make “financial ends meet,” attempting to arrange critically required services for their two disabled children, ages 5 and 6. Their 6-year-old son had been diagnosed with severe developmental delays, autism, seizure disorder, medical, psychological, and behavioral issues and their 5-year-old daughter was also diagnosed as on the autism spectrum. 

 

To make their situation even more difficult, this past Thursday evening their only vehicle had the catalytic converter stolen, generating repairs costs of $3000.00, which were far in-excess of the family’s resources. At the same time, the family had been struggling to arrange adaptive transport equipment such as wheelchairs, adaptive strollers, and other ambulation equipment needed for the everyday life of their children. The family had clearly reached their breaking point! 

 

At the urging of their caring neighbors, and with the assistance of Krista Madsen of our Town Supervisor’s Office, the family was able to set up a “GoFundMe” page. Paul Feiner published the story and the “GoFundme” link (noted below) on the Town GList, and immediately the community began reacting by donating funds to this family, in dire need. To this point, nearly $6,000.00 has been donated in support, by caring Greenburgh residents and businesspeople, who have never even met the family. 

 

Further, generous members of our Town’s business community, specifically Christina Lyon, the wonderful new owner of the Sterling Optical store, located at 421 Central Park Avenue in Hartsdale, working with the Millwood Fire Department, arranged within 48 hours for a motorized wheelchair to be delivered to this family, without cost. In addition, Rob Bernstein, an Educational and Behavioral Therapist who resides in Greenburgh and specializes in the field of autism, donated his services, providing individual support for these special children. This outpouring of aid is just another example of the character of those who have chosen to make their lives and raise their families in Greenburgh. 

 

On, a daily basis we are subjected to stories of how hate and intolerance have become the new normal. We are told how community members everywhere no longer trust, care, or love one another. This most recent outpouring of caring and support for a family in crisis, by our neighbors, and the myriad of events just like it which we have seen over these past, most difficult years, continue to be the norm for OUR Town. The actions of our residents and business community reinforce, that our respect for each other, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, age, financial status, or physical ability, is what makes “OUR” Community EXTRAORDINARY. 

 

In Greenburgh, Love Will Always Triumph Over Hate! We are a community woven and held together in a tapestry of mutual respect and caring: “We always were and always will be.”

 

Proud to be a member of this community, it’s a really Wonderful Town!

 

Hugh McAuley

Veterans Advisory Committee 

 

“GoFundMe” Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportgreenburghfamily?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Greenburgh Insider: Updated Covid test info.

Covid testing opportunities exist.

As you know COVID cases are skyrocketing in Westchester and around the country. The Town Board, working with the Housing Authority and Theodore Young Community Center, exhausted the supply of testing kits that were supplied to us by the county last week. Board members and town staff worked hard to make sure that the 720 kits given to the town were efficiently given out to residents. When we get more kits we will hold additional distribution events.  We have not yet received new supplies. If you need to be tested the following info may be helpful (this info provided by the county):

·         Free PCR testing is available at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Testing is only available for symptomatic persons or those with known exposure – this testing is not for travel. Testing is by appointment only.

o   Residents can sign up for testing here: https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24841628&calendarID=6348560

o   An error on the vendor’s website currently indicates that no tests are available from January 3rd to February 2nd. New tests will be available for scheduling every day on this website. The county is working with the vendor to update the website.

o   Testing is available at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon at 52 S 6th Avenue. This site will be open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. The site will provide rapid tests and may provide PCR tests at a later date and time.

o   Those in need of a test can additionally use the New York State COVID-19 Test Site Finder to find test sites near them: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you

o   Those in need of a test can also call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 888-364-3065

o   Those in need of a test can also make appointments at Westchester Medical Center’s COVID-19 Testing Site in Valhalla by calling 914-202-4530

o   Governor Hochul today announced that testing would be available at SUNY Purchase in the near future. This testing site is not yet online, but we will be sure to update you when testing at SUNY Purchase is available.

An interesting article in Sunday's NY Times in case you missed it about Covid Risk Calculators:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/style/covid-risk-calculator.html

Be safe. Stay healthy. Be careful. Wear masks. Get vaccinated. Get boosted. 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: LAWN SIGNS TO GO UP AROUND TOWN REMINDING RESIDENTS TO PAY 2ND HALF OF SCHOOL TAX BILL.

 

Every year some residents of Greenburgh forget to pay the 2nd half of their school tax bill. And, they are forced to pay very significant penalties ---even if they are one day late.

LAWN SIGNS TO GO UP AROUND TOWN REMINDING RESIDENTS TO PAY 2ND HALF OF SCHOOL TAX BILL.

Every year some residents of Greenburgh forget to pay the 2nd half of their school tax bill. And, they are forced to pay very significant penalties ---even if they are one day late. The taxes are due the last day of January. The bill is sent out in September and a second bill is not sent out in January.

We want you to avoid paying one cent more than you owe the town, can't forgive penalties so we're going to place the following reminder sign around town in the coming days and weeks.  Please remind your neighbors and friends to pay the 2nd half of their school tax bill by the end of the month. 

In addition to posting reminders on the town website  I have asked that all e mails from town employees include a reminder at the bottom of each e mail. 

We are going to try hard to remind everyone.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Need for housing for high functioning adults with developmental disabilities suggested.

 

Rochelle Stolzenberg and Loren Bohlen are parents with high functioning children with developmental disabilities. They are pushing the town to increase % of affordable housing requirements and suggest that assisted living facilities create housing.

Rochelle Stolzenberg and Loren Bohlen are parents of high functioning children with developmental disabilities who have been employed and are well liked. Rochelle and Loren worry about their children's future once they are unable to take care of them. There is a critical lack of affordable housing for adults with developmental disabilities. Rochelle and Loren appeared on my WVOX radio program and discussed their worries and some suggestions which include having the town of Greenburgh and other communities increase the percentage of affordable housing (we currently require 10% of new developments to be affordable; Yonkers has a 12% requirement). Should the town increase the percentage to 12% and allocate some of the new units to this population?  

Another suggestion would be to require new assisted living facilities that have not yet received approvals to set aside an apartment and a job for the developmentally disabled population.  We could and should ask existing facilities to do this on a voluntary basis. Rochelle and Loren's children are both very social. They have wonderful personalities and love to work.  They deserve a good quality of life. 

And, if they were given room and board in an assisted living facility would make great companions for the elderly population who often are alone.   It's also important that those with developmental disabilities have the ability to stay near or in the community where they currently live and work because they have roots in our community.

Let's make 2022 the year when families with developmentally disabled older children have some hope for their children's future. I am looking forward to working with Rochelle and Loren on this important initiative.

 

Here is the interview on YouTube - https://youtu.be/QGsuqQynrpI

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: What to do with Christmas trees...your suggestions for 2022 wanted.

 

We welcome your suggestions --what should the town do to make your life better in 2022?

Now that the holidays are over some residents of unincorporated Greenburgh have asked what to do with  Christmas trees. Just leave it at the curb. Don't put in a  bag. Nothing on it.  Our Greenburgh public works department will gradually pick up the trees.  Please be patient.  If you reside in one of the villages please contact the village you reside in.  

Have a great year. And---a favor:

Please provide the Town Board with the benefit of your thoughts. We are beginning a new year. Would like to request your ideas for 2022. What can the town do better? How can we make living in Greenburgh more desirable. E mail townboard@greenburghny.com with your suggestions. We will reflect on all suggestions and have implemented many good ideas in the past thanks to our residents.

There are now less than 525,600 minutes till 2023.  And, less than 31,536,000 seconds left of 2022. Wishing you and your family good health, only  happiness, great success every second of the year. 

Hopefully, the town of Greenburgh will contribute to your smiles.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor