should tax exempt properties pay for sanitation?

Not for profit properties are exempt from property taxes. Some communities in the region have created a separate enterprise fund and charge everyone a fee for sanitation services. The comptroller, Bart Talamani, has been looking into this concept for some time. If we collect a fee for sanitation services (instead of a tax), tax exempt properties would be charged for sanitation services--revenue that would keep taxes down. the town of Greenburgh is currently researching the number of tax exempts in town and are trying to determine the additional revenue that we would receive if this initiative is approved. An enterprise fund would also provide residents and businesses with choices: possible competition down the road. Residents and businesses would be able to easily compare the cost of our sanitation services to the private sector. What do you think? The property tax cap, which the NYS Legislature and Governor approved earlier this year, should motivate all officials to think out of the box --to look for new ways to manage government. The six villages in the town have their own sanitation services and would not be impacted by the decision of the town. However- they may be interested in this concept as well.

Associate Judge of NYS Court of Appeals to officiate at swearing in ceremony Thursday

Theodore Jones, an Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals (New York’s highest court—the equivalent of the US Supreme Court for New York State) will officiate at the swearing in ceremonies of the three new Town Judges—Arlene Gordon-Oliver, Walter Rivera and Delores Scott Brathwaite this Thursday at 5 PM at Greenburgh Town Hall.
Our goal: to make Greenburgh the best local court in New York State. Hope to see you at the ceremony.
PAUL FEINER

town may require leaves to be bagged

The Greenburgh Town Board is seriously considering a change in our leaf collection process for 2012. We are considering a requirement that leaves be bagged instead of picked up at the curb. There are a number of reasons for this. Our leaf collection process has never been efficient. It’s also extremely expensive. Most years we don’t complete the leaf pick up season until early January (although most of the leaves are picked up by December. This year, because of the October storm, we are backlogged—with leaves and tree branches. As of today we probably completed half the town. Our crews are working on Saturday’s (this Saturday will be the third overtime Saturday for leaf pickup). We have sanitation and highway crews working until it gets dark every day –expanding their hours (also an overtime expense). We eliminated a recycling week to also expedite the pickup. Despite our efforts we don’t anticipate completing all the leaf/debris pickup until mid-late January (IF IT DOESN”T SNOW). If it does snow the leaves/debris will be on the ground till the spring.

I was speaking to a sanitation crew in the Mayfair/Knollwood section of town yesterday. One of the members of the crew told me that it takes 15 minutes to pick up one pile of debris.

PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED YOU TUBE SEGMENT—THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES. CHILDREN ACROSS THE NATION HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES PLAYING IN LEAVES.

The Villages of Ardsley & Elmsford (among other neighboring communities) have required bagging of leaves for a number of years. I spoke with Mayor Robert Williams of Elmsford last night. They were able to reduce overtime expenses (only one Saturday) and their leaf/debris season is finished.








The equipment we use damages curbs, roads and shortens the lifespan of our roadways—costing you more money because we have to repave roads and fix more curbs sooner.

The leaves that pile up for months cause drainage problems. The drains become covered—increasing the chances of flooding and becoming a dangerous condition to vehicles and pedestrians. Residents also put twigs, limbs, bricks and garbage in the loose leaf pile making it necessary for employees to take additional time to separate the leaves from other debris before taking the leaves to the local nursery.
Residents complain—neighbors leaves blow onto their property.
The leaves on the roads create safety obstructions, and limit parking.
If residents are required to bag their leaves more people would mulch their leaves. Mulching leaves is VERY INEXPENSIVE and is good for the lawns. There is absolutely no reason why landscapers should not mulch leaves. We are throwing away your tax dollars on a service that could be cut back with little impact to you and your family. I have received many e mails (which I would be happy to share with you) from residents who have had very positive experiences with mulching over the years.
I attended a meeting of the Town Supervisors Association on Monday. Many of the Supervisors complain that landscapers are illegally dumping piles of leaves/debris on the streets when no one is looking –because it saves them money. If leaves are bagged fewer leaves from other localities will be illegally dumped in our town. Your tax dollars are going to pick up some leaves and debris from other localities—in all probability.
What do you think? Our final budget hearing is tonight.
PAUL FEINER
• Fall Driving Safety Tips
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A pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place to a child. Children enjoy jumping into the leaf piles or burrowing down into them and hiding. ...
• Kid Dying In Leaf Pile - YouTube



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www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b9GintPlxAOct 31, 2010 - 34 sec - Uploaded by ross44444444
Kid Dying In Leaf Pile ... Kid Dyingby khoop2k6184373 views • Thumbnail 1:06. Add to ... kid dying!!!by ...
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• Mother Warns Parents After Daughter Killed In Leaf Pile - Boston ...
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Nov 5, 2004 – Natalie Gravel Died After Father Accidentally Ran Her Over ... message for parents Friday -- always know where your children are playing. ... The little girl was playing in a pile of leaves with a friend Wednesday evening, when ...