News Flash

LINK TO MAY 20, 2020 TOWN BD WORK SESSION--DEPARTMENT UPDATES

report from police chief re: Dobbs Ferry barricade hoax; summer camps cancelled;  Memorial Day Motorcade;  Assessment-how to grieve...Economic Development Coordinator, library curbside pickups  and much more

REPORT FROM GREENBURGH POLICE CHIEF BRIAN RYAN -DOBBS FERRY BARRICADE--- WE SENT OUR SWAT TEAM TO HOME--COUNTY AND DOBBS FERRY ALSO WERE INVOLVED--IT WAS A HOAX  

  During last night’s Town Board work session I received some e mails asking why there were helicopters over homes in Dobbs Ferry. Lots of police activity.  The Greenburgh Police department sent the Greenburgh SWAT team (12 officers), a Lt, 3 negotiators to the scene - the county police and Dobbs Ferry police were also involved. We had initially heard that someone could have been shot so the police had to treat this very seriously. During our meeting the Police Chief (who was participating in our weekly updates) gave residents the most up to date information possible as it was happening. We learned that at least two people were barricaded in the house, then was told that the residents were safe.  Later in the evening (after our meeting was over) the Dobbs Ferry police department issued a press release --it was a hoax.

    This is not the first time something like this happened. A few years ago the police responded to a bomb threat incident in Tarrytown.  It’s our hope that those involved in this incident will be prosecuted criminally and will also have to reimburse the town, county and village of Dobbs Ferry for the overtime and other costs associated with this incident. At least 15 Greenburgh police officers were involved.

REPORT FROM RAY MASEDA, HARTSDALE FIRE CHIEF  -MEMORIAL DAY MOTORCADE

Memorial day motorcade will leave from Pipeline Road on Monday at 10:30 AM with brief stops at Memorials in Hartsdale and Fairview. Only a limited number of vehicles will be be allowed to participate. We encourage people to watch parade from their vehicles. During brief stops only a few will get out of their vehicles to pay tribute to those who fought for our country. The traditional Memorial day parades have been cancelled this year because of COVID-19.  Some communities are cancelling Memorial day ceremonies because of COVID-19.  We will have police on the portion of the route where there could be spectators - to make sure that social distancing is complied with.

REPORT FROM PARKS COMMISSIONER GERRY BYRNE AND ANDRE EARLY, COMMISSIONER OF DEPT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

NO CAMP THIS SUMMER--GREENBURGH AND MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES IN WESTCHESTER NOT OFFERING SUMMER CAMP DUE TO COVID 19

The Town of Greenburgh summer day camps offered by the Department of Community Resources (TDYCC) and the Greenburgh Parks and Recreation Department will be cancelled this summer.  After a thorough review of the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for operating youth programs, along with day camps during the COVID-19 pandemic, the complexities of us moving forward will not yield the positive outcomes we are all accustomed to achieving.  In addition, the four phases of the reopening guidelines outline by New York State’s governor, we have determined that we could not ensure the safety, health, and well-being of our staff and participants. 

The Town recognizes the physical, mental, and social service benefits our summer day camps provide for the community and hope to provide other recreational activities this summer.

ASSESSOR EDYE McCARTHY ON GRIEVANCES - APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED JUNE 1 TO JUNE 16

We are not permitted by law, to accept Grievance Applications until on, or after June 1 to June 16th. and we are only accepting them via regular mail, ups, fed ex, and email.  if a property owner is sending email, we are only accepting email Grievances at the following address:

Grievance@greenburghny.com

If you have a grievance application only send to the above e mail address. Wait till June 1

We are meeting with our taxpayers, all they have to do is call the office and make an appointment,  it’s easy.  989-1520

Also, we are only meeting with people once.  if they do not like the answer they are getting, they have to file a Grievance.  I am not going to override what my staff tells people.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT--COMMISSIONER OF PLANNING PREPARING RFP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR TO HELP REBUILD OUR DOWNTOWNS/BUSINESS COMMUNITY

  Commissioner of Planning Garrettt Duquesne discussed the RFP that he is preparing (should be posted soon) for an Economic Development Coordinator who will work with his office  on the economic recovery - post COVID-19. The coordinator will work with his office -trying to find incentives for small businesses, asking for federal, state, county assistance.

LIBRARY -JOHN SEXTON TALKS ABOUT CURBSIDE PICKUPS

  John Sexton, director of the Greenburgh Library discussed a possible early phase of a library opening: it’s possible that within the next few weeks the library will accept curbside pickup. You’ll contact the library for a book they have and be able to pick up the book at curbside. The building may not be open in the summer.  Another phase: one stop, no seating.

TOWN CLERK JUDITH BEVILLE: ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND MARRIAGE LICENSES

  Town Clerk Judith Beville mentioned that the Board of Elections will be mailing out absentee ballots for the June 23rd primary for Congress, DA, President, Assembly later this week. Her office is helping residents with marriage licenses. And, Judith Beville is preparing for the Virtual summer internship program.  We received a grant of $5000 from Apple Bank this week.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSIONER VICTOR CAROSI  DISCUSSES ROADS- OPENING OF TOWN HALL
  The 2019 capital budget included funds for road repaving. Last year the contractor did not complete the work. They are finishing work contracted for last year now. Today, for example, they are in the process of repaving Old Army Road.  Because of revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19 we are not funding the 2020 capital budget this year.   We discussed the  need for guidance from the state re: air conditioning, ventilation when buildings open up. We want to make sure that our employees are healthy and safe.

BUILDING INSPECTOR STEVE FRAIETTA -INSPECTIONS

  The Building department continues to follow up on complaints re: compliance with the Governor’s directives re: COVID-19. They have the ability to shut down construction sites and have shut down sites when there has been illegal activity.  

https://greenburghny.swagit.com/play/05192020-2137

PAUL FEINER