eastchester review 4-10-2015

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April 10, 2015 | Vol. 3, Number 14 | www.eastchesterreview.com Eastchester REVIEW T HE current year that will be rolled over, and rely more on a tax in- crease to round out the $46.45 million budget. The second option pulls an additional $115,000 from the fund balance, totaling $850,000 in use of reserves, which in turn lowers the tax levy increase from 1.39 per- cent to 1.10 percent. Both budget options take advantage of a major reduc- tion in contributions to the teacher retirement system— down from 17.3 percent of the total payroll in the current 2014-2015 school year to 13.6 percent of total payroll in the 2015-2016 budget—to ad- dress rising enrollment and bolster the district’s technol- ogy. Since the 2011-2012 school year, and including 2015- 2016 school year projections, enrollment in the Bronxville school district has increased by approximately 200 students with projections of another 100-student increase expected by 2019. Using the drop in contribu- tions to the teacher retirement system, which Dan Carlin, as- sistant superintendent for busi- ness in the Bronxville school district, said amounted to a reduction in expenses of ap- proximately $634,000 over the current school budget, gives the school district the flexibil- ity to hire additional staff to counter the steady increase in enrollment. As a result, the Bronxville school district is proposing to add a net total of 3.3 full- time equivalent positions to counter the steady increase in student enrollment. This would be done by adding 4.5 full-time equivalent positions while eliminating 1.2 full-time equivalents. Bronxville Board of Educa- tion member Jeffrey Rohr said the drastic reduction in teacher PLAYLAND continued on page 13 BUDGETS continued on page 9 Follow us on Twitter @eastchesterview Like us on facebook.com/eastchesterreview Dems ready Playland subpoenas Bronxville Board of Education weighs two budgets By CHRIS EBERHART Staff Writer Having made tweaks to its previously proposed bud- get, the Bronxville Board of Education is weighing two options for the 2015-2016 school year with the biggest contrast between the two be- ing a fund balance difference of $115,000. Both versions of the pro- posed budget are in compli- ance with the 1.39 percent state-mandated tax levy cap, but budget option one would use $735,000 of the district’s fund balance, which includes a $500,000 surplus from the By CHRIS EBERHART Staff Writer On April 8, Democratic Westchester County legisla- tors were ready to subpoena the county executive’s office for a $100,000 Playland con- sultant report. But after some discussion during a Parks, Housing, Labor and Planning Committee meet- ing, cooler heads prevailed and the administration was given one more week to provide the long-awaited document. On April 8, Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, put forth a motion to issue a sub- poena to the administration of County Executive Rob As- torino, a Republican. The mo- tion was seconded by Legisla- tor Mike Kaplowitz, a York- town Democrat who chairs the Westchester County Board of Legislators. But after some debate, the parks committee members in attendance, which were made up of entirely Democrats, agreed to table the vote until next week. “Having to subpoena the ad- ministration for information that should’ve been readily shared is a sad day in the history of West- chester County,” Parker said. The planned legal tactic comes after Ned McCormack, spokesman for the county exec- utive, backtracked on an earlier promise Deputy County Execu- tive Kevin Plunkett, a Repub- lican, made to legislators that the consultant report would be discussed during the April 15 parks committee meeting. County Legislator Peter Harckham, a North Salem Dem- ocrat and chairman of the parks committee, said last week that Plunkett told him representa- tives from the county execu- tive’s administration would attend the April 15 meeting to discuss, among other topics, the Playland consultant report completed by renowned de- veloper Dan Biederman. But McCormack told the Re- view that the report will not be released or even discussed at the parks committee meet- ing. McCormack said that the report remains incomplete and still in draft form. Instead, he said, county administration of- ficials plan to attend the meet- ing to discuss other Playland- related topics, such as mar- keting and fast approaching season opening. Biederman was hired as a consultant last July by Astorino at a cost of $20,000 per month, for five months and was tasked with reviewing Playland in its current configurations and pro- ducing a report on how to best utilize the amusement park and its surrounding space. The final report was origi- nally scheduled to be released last November, but to date, no one outside of the administra- tion has seen it. But Biederman told the Re- view in February, “most” of the written work of the report was completed and has been in the hands of the Astorino ad- ministration “for a while.” Because of McCormack’s co- mments, Parker said she was willing to vote on the sub- poena during the April 8 parks committee meeting. “My frustration is we are in the beginning of April, five HOAXED Eastchester Police Department and armed SWAT teams from Greenburgh and Westchester County responded to a call of a man who said he had stabbed his girlfriend, only to find no one was home and the call was a hoax. For story, see page 8. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

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Page 1: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

April 10, 2015 | Vol. 3, Number 14 | www.eastchesterreview.com

Eastchester REVIEWTHE

current year that will be rolled over, and rely more on a tax in-crease to round out the $46.45 million budget.

The second option pulls an additional $115,000 from the fund balance, totaling $850,000 in use of reserves, which in turn lowers the tax levy increase from 1.39 per-cent to 1.10 percent.

Both budget options take advantage of a major reduc-tion in contributions to the teacher retirement system—down from 17.3 percent of the total payroll in the current 2014-2015 school year to 13.6 percent of total payroll in the 2015-2016 budget—to ad-

dress rising enrollment and bolster the district’s technol-ogy.

Since the 2011-2012 school year, and including 2015-2016 school year projections, enrollment in the Bronxville school district has increased by approximately 200 students with projections of another 100-student increase expected by 2019.

Using the drop in contribu-tions to the teacher retirement system, which Dan Carlin, as-sistant superintendent for busi-ness in the Bronxville school district, said amounted to a reduction in expenses of ap-proximately $634,000 over the

current school budget, gives the school district the flexibil-ity to hire additional staff to counter the steady increase in enrollment.

As a result, the Bronxville school district is proposing to add a net total of 3.3 full-time equivalent positions to counter the steady increase in student enrollment. This would be done by adding 4.5 full-time equivalent positions while eliminating 1.2 full-time equivalents.

Bronxville Board of Educa-tion member Jeffrey Rohr said the drastic reduction in teacher

PLAYLAND continued on page 13

buDgets continued on page 9

Follow us on Twitter @eastchesterview

Like us on facebook.com/eastchesterreview

Dems ready Playland subpoenas

Bronxville Board of Education weighs two budgetsby CHRIs ebeRHARt

Staff Writer

Having made tweaks to its previously proposed bud-get, the Bronxville Board of Education is weighing two options for the 2015-2016 school year with the biggest contrast between the two be-ing a fund balance difference of $115,000.

Both versions of the pro-posed budget are in compli-ance with the 1.39 percent state-mandated tax levy cap, but budget option one would use $735,000 of the district’s fund balance, which includes a $500,000 surplus from the

by CHRIs ebeRHARtStaff Writer

On April 8, Democratic Westchester County legisla-tors were ready to subpoena the county executive’s office for a $100,000 Playland con-sultant report.

But after some discussion during a Parks, Housing, Labor and Planning Committee meet-ing, cooler heads prevailed and the administration was given one more week to provide the long-awaited document.

On April 8, Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, put forth a motion to issue a sub-poena to the administration of County Executive Rob As-torino, a Republican. The mo-tion was seconded by Legisla-tor Mike Kaplowitz, a York-town Democrat who chairs the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

But after some debate, the parks committee members in attendance, which were made up of entirely Democrats, agreed to table the vote until next week.

“Having to subpoena the ad-ministration for information that should’ve been readily shared is a sad day in the history of West-chester County,” Parker said.

The planned legal tactic comes after Ned McCormack, spokesman for the county exec-utive, backtracked on an earlier promise Deputy County Execu-tive Kevin Plunkett, a Repub-lican, made to legislators that the consultant report would be discussed during the April 15 parks committee meeting.

County Legislator Peter Harckham, a North Salem Dem-ocrat and chairman of the parks

committee, said last week that Plunkett told him representa-tives from the county execu-tive’s administration would attend the April 15 meeting to discuss, among other topics, the Playland consultant report completed by renowned de-veloper Dan Biederman.

But McCormack told the Re-view that the report will not be released or even discussed at the parks committee meet-ing. McCormack said that the report remains incomplete and still in draft form. Instead, he said, county administration of-ficials plan to attend the meet-ing to discuss other Playland-related topics, such as mar-keting and fast approaching season opening.

Biederman was hired as a consultant last July by Astorino at a cost of $20,000 per month, for five months and was tasked with reviewing Playland in its current configurations and pro-ducing a report on how to best utilize the amusement park and its surrounding space.

The final report was origi-nally scheduled to be released last November, but to date, no one outside of the administra-tion has seen it.

But Biederman told the Re-view in February, “most” of the written work of the report was completed and has been in the hands of the Astorino ad-ministration “for a while.”

Because of McCormack’s co- mments, Parker said she was willing to vote on the sub-poena during the April 8 parks committee meeting.

“My frustration is we are in the beginning of April, five

HoaxedEastchester Police Department and armed SWAT teams from Greenburgh and Westchester County responded to a call of a man who said he had stabbed his girlfriend, only to find no one was home and the call was a hoax. For story, see page 8. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

Page 2: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

2 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

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April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 3

State passes $200M water grant program

by JACKsON CHeNStaff Writer

As part of the 2015-2016 budget, New York State an-nounced a $200 million grant program designed to help communities fund their water quality infrastructure projects.

Once the budget was ap-proved on April 1, State As-sembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat, introduced the New York State Infrastruc-ture Improvement Act of 2015. The $200 million program was created to help municipali-ties fund any capital projects aimed at improving drinking water or better handling waste water. Communities would be awarded grants from the state that top out at $5 million, but are expected to provide their own 40 percent local match.

Heastie said the grant pro-gram, combined with other loan services, would help in-centivize local governments to make movement on much-needed water quality projects.

The program, which origi-nated in the New York State Assembly, was pushed through by state assemblymen John McDonald, a Cohoes Demo-crat, and Steve Otis, a Rye Democrat. McDonald, who served as former mayor of Co-hoes for 13 years, said most residents speak of their mayors maintaining paved roads well, but that the reality was that un-derground pipelines and sewer systems would cause taxpayers a tremendous amount of mon-ey if left unchecked.

According to Otis, many

municipalities have a long list of water infrastructure proj-ects that they’re already look-ing into or designing for the future. However, the current problem is that most com-munities can only tackle an expensive infrastructure proj-ect by either squeezing it into their capital budget or apply-ing for loans, Otis said.

McDonald added that many local governments have infra-structure projects they want to do or are under a consent order by the New York State Depart-ment of Conservation to do, but the lack of funding makes it difficult for a municipal-ity to make the first step. Mc-Donald said that local govern-ments have other challenges with their budget like pension, health insurance and person-nel costs that make it hard to fit in an expensive project.

In the recent past, there haven’t been any specifically designed programs that re-duce costs of big water infra-structure programs, accord-ing to Otis. The assemblyman added that the only other way that communities were able to lessen the financial burden was to grab loans through the Environmental Facilities Cor-poration, a state-run environ-mental assistance company.

“These are expensive proj-ects for which municipalities are struggling to find ways to afford within their budgets,” said Otis, who also served as Rye City mayor for 12 years before taking state office. “We know every municipal-ity in the state is dealing with

an aged water infrastructure that needs to be repaired or upgraded. Many communi-ties, including communities in Westchester [County], are un-der different kinds of enforce-ment orders or impending en-forcement actions.”

In a 2012 study that moni-tored the amount of water going through the county’s sewer infrastructure, five out of the 11 tested municipali-ties had surpassed their daily limit of acceptable flowing sewage water for at least half the days over a two-year pe-riod. The remaining six also exceeded the limit set by the county, but on a less frequent basis. The excessive overflow of water through the sewer pipes tend to lead to over-worked waste water treatment plants and a faster rate of pipe degradation. Overflows in both the treatment plants and pipes that lead to them end up leaking unfiltered waste water into bodies of water across the county.

However, Otis said it’s not a problem that just the county is facing. Other municipali-ties in the state also need to repair infrastructure—like underground pipes or storm drains—to keep water clean, he added.

“Both John McDonald and I tried to focus this project on a need that municipalities have been crying out for,” Otis said, adding that local governments have been asking for infra-structure help for many years.

CONtACt: [email protected]

New York State introduced a $200 million grant program that will help municipalities reduce costs of their expensive water infrastructure projects that would ultimately improve water quality throughout the state. File photo

Page 4: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

4 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

What’s going on...Eastchester Public Library

sion to Wellness, LLC, a company dedicated to helping her clients on the path to a healthier, happier, less-stressed life. She is a certified ho-listic health counselor and received her train-ing at the Institute for Integrated Nutrition in New York City, with an additional certificate in health counseling from Teachers College at Columbia University. Her specialties are weight loss, digestive issues and gluten-free living.

Electronic instructionOn Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 9 a.m. and

10:30 a.m., we are offering free instruction in internet access and Microsoft Office software. Call the reference desk at 337-7680 for more information and to register. You can also get in-struction online at learningexpresshub.com.

Tuckahoe Public LibrarySing-a-long with Ms. Elaine

Join Ms. Elaine and her guitar on Monday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. as she shares some favor-ite songs. Program open to children ages birth to 6 years. Registration is required. For more in-formation, log onto tuckahoelibrary.org.

Children’s authorOn Friday, April 17 at 11 a.m., join our story

time and meet local children’s author Joanne Roos. She will be reading her first book, “Who Visits Me From A to Z.” Books will be available for sale. Registration is required. For more in-formation, log onto tuckahoelibrary.org.

New electronic resourcesThe Tuckahoe Public Library is offering new

tools to help you lead a more productive and enjoyable life. The library has added several new apps and databases to help you attain your goals. Why not give them a try and let us know what you think?

NoveList offers reader-focused features such as reading recommendations, series informa-tion, book reviews, book jackets and more.

ComicsPlus is the new digital revolution bringing thousands of digital graphic novels and comics only a click away.

Total BooX lets Westchester Library System patrons read, share and discover books with no restrictions, no waiting lists and no tokens.

Lynda.com is a leading online learning com-pany that helps anyone learn software, tech-nology, creative and business skills to achieve personal and professional goals through a video library of engaging, top-quality courses taught by recognized industry experts.

University of Fashion brings together the best fashion industry professionals to create les-sons that inspire and educate students, teachers, home sewers and the fashion curious.

In partnership with Driving-Tests.org, the Westchester Library System is proud to offer

free New York State Driver Permit practice tests and driver handbooks. Automobile, motorcycle and commercial handbooks and practice tests are available.

Eastchester schools“Shrek the Musical”

The Eastchester Players Club is presenting “Shrek the Musical” on the Eastchester High School auditorium stage April 17 and April 18 at 7:30 p.m., and April 19 at 2 p.m. Set in a mythical “once upon a time” sort of land, “Shrek the Musical” is the story of a hulking green ogre who, after being mocked and feared his entire life, retreats to an ugly green swamp to exist in happy isolation. Suddenly, a gang of homeless fairy-tale characters raid his sanctu-ary, saying they’ve been evicted by the vertical-ly challenged Lord Farquaad. So Shrek strikes a deal: he promises that if he can get them their homes back, they will give him his swamp back. When Shrek and Farquaad meet however, the lord strikes a deal of his own. Great fun for all ages. Reservations can be made by calling 793-6130 extension 4477. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.

Tuckahoe Senior Center

The Tuckahoe senior citizens is an active vital community made up of men and women, 55 years of age and older, who gather Tuesdays and Thursdays from September through July at Father Fata Hall at the Assumption Church in Tuckahoe. Members enjoy a wide range of ac-tivities including weekly exercise, tai chi, bin-go, cards and games, as well as presentations on topics of particular interest: health, legal issues, history, music, culture, food, crafts, politics, art, literature, film, dancing and more.

All of these programs are included in the $20 annual membership fee. Seniors also enjoy monthly luncheons and day trips for an addi-tional fee.

Operating in Westchester County for almost 45 years, the senior center primarily serves those residents in the 10707, 10708 and 10709 zip codes. However, membership is open to all who consider Tuckahoe and Eastchester their community, including some who live nearby in adjacent areas of Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Scarsdale.

Referrals to important services for older adults are provided by a professional direc-tor, who has a growing list of trusted partners around Southern Westchester that who can help our member’s age in place where appropriate, as well as discussing other needs as necessary.

The Tuckahoe Senior Center’s operations are overseen by the Senior Citizens Council, a community-based organization established in 1970 to provide professionally run programs and services for elderly residents of Eastches-ter, Tuckahoe and Bronxville.

Spring craftWelcome spring by making a beautiful bird

nest. On Tuesday, April 14, from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., Ms. Patty will host this event for children ages 3 to 4. Online pre-registration is required and begins April 7 at 9 a.m. Restricted to Eastchester and Tuckahoe library card holders.

Bronxville Public LibraryMovie matinee: “Unbroken”

On Wednesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. We will be screening the feature film “Unbroken.” An-gelina Jolie directs this true life tale of Louis Zamperini, the Olympic track star who survived a plane crash in World War II, only to fight for his life against nature and eventually as a pris-oner of war. Louis (Jack O’Connell) grows up a rough-hewn kid on the verge of becoming a full-on delinquent, until his brother starts train-ing him to be a track star. Louis excels at the sport and eventually represents America at the

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at 3 p.m. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send

all items to [email protected].

1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. During his training, he learns to become resilient and dis-ciplined. Louis must endure some of the most extreme circumstances after his plane is shot down during a bombing raid. He is stranded at sea for more than a month, only to be found by the Japanese and forced to endure constant physical abuse at the hands of sadistic prison-camp guard Mutsuhiro Watanabe (Japanese pop star Miyavi), who wants to break Louis’ indom-itable spirit. Rated PG-13, 137 min.

Baby sign languageOn Friday, April 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45

a.m., the Bronxville Public Library will be host-ing an introductory sign language class for every-day activities such as mealtime, bedtime and bath time. Song and activity will be used to reinforce the signs. Open to babies ages 6 to 18 months. Register online at bronxvillelibrary.org.

Nutrition lectureA common complaint in our busy and often

over-scheduled world is a feeling of lethargy. On Monday, April 20, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Bronxville Public Library will feature a lec-ture called, “Eating for Energy.” In this lecture, Daryl Moss will talk about foods that are energy giving and how to get more of them in our daily diets. We will also discuss the merits of prod-ucts that are marketed as energy boosters, and spend a few minutes going over some lifestyle tips which can help re-energize our bodies.

Daryl Moss is the owner and founder of Mis-

Page 5: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 5

Reader: Subway not welcomedTo the Editor,You may have heard by now that the Tuckahoe Zoning Board of Appeals will be hear-

ing an application by the national chain, Subway sandwich shop, to locate at 73 Main St. They are seeking variances for parking, reducing the required four spots to two spots. They claim they will be dependent on foot traffic and not vehicle traffic and be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The zoning board meeting will be held Wednesday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall courtroom. Village Hall is located at 65 Main St., in Tuckahoe. As you may also know, in 2013, the Town of Eastchester passed an amendment to its zoning code that prohibits what they called “fast/casual” food shops. The reasoning was that such shops threat-ened the economic viability of the already-established local shops and “cheapened” the look of the business area. Tuckahoe is a village within Eastchester, however Eastchester’s zoning code doesn’t apply to Tuckahoe. The Village of Bronxville also prohibits such shops. Tuckahoe’s zoning code does not currently prohibit such shops.

My concerns are that a national chain such as Subway, which, with the proposed 6 to10 seats, fits the Eastchester definition of “fast/casual,” will begin the march toward the loss of Tuckahoe’s vil-lage character, charm and identity, as well as a resultant loss in property values.

Others have expressed concerns that the Subway location will turn into a hang-out for teens from neighboring Bronxville, etc. Subway claims they will rely primar-ily on foot traffic, so they do not envision a significant increase in vehicle traffic. Recent traf-fic studies from other projects—Springfield Suites, Glenmark/Mack-Cali—have indicat-ed that as many as 45,000 vehicles per week pass along Tuckahoe’s Main Street corridor. In addition, several of Main Street’s local shops offer sandwiches and have for many years. Each of these shops will suffer economically and frankly, the supposed increase in revenue that Subway may bring will be offset by the loss of revenue from each of local shops. Subway has even been told that its application will certainly be approved. If you don’t believe me, visit their website you will see it says that a Tuckahoe location will be “Opening Soon.”

Why are they so sure?This application is not a win-win as is often expressed by some members of the zoning board. It

will simply displace the revenue that is currently generated by local shops and transfer it to Sub-way, with an attendant loss of character for the village. Needless to say, that can only affect local

property values in a negative way. Allowing Subway into our village will allow the Springfield Suites hotel parcel that is set aside for a restaurant, north side of Phoenix Fitness, to rent/sell to another national chain. As part of that hotel complex, such a restaurant would likely serve meals from breakfast to after dinner. The chances of that tenant/owner being a national chain like Denny’s or Applebee’s is extremely likely. (The hotel has not indicated who the tenant might be, claiming they haven’t gotten that far.) The only other possibility would be a smaller business person who would take a chance and have to gear up to serve meals all day, perhaps a diner. Imagine that traffic. If you feel similarly and are as concerned as I am, offer written comment to the village’s Build-ing Department at 65 Main St. Share this information with neighbors, relatives, etc., who reside in Tuckahoe.

Once a national chain like Subway comes into Tuckahoe it will be nearly impossible to prevent other national chains from coming in. The only way to stop that from happen-ing is to ask the Village Board of Trustees for a moratorium on building such chains un-til the issue is debated in the village and hopefully, the zoning code is amended to be in ac-cord with Eastchester’s code prohibiting national fast/casual chains anywhere in the village.

Albert Stern,Tuckahoe

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About Letters to the Editor

Page 6: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

6 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

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EastchesterTHE

REVIEWSkinny House recommended for designation

by MARIssA PeNNStaff Writer

The Skinny House, which was built in 1932 and stands only 10-feet wide, on Grand Street in Mamaroneck, has been chosen to be recommended for historic designation.

On March 25, Gov. An-drew Cuomo, a Democrat, announced that the New York State Board for Historic Pres-ervation recommended the addition of 22 properties, in-cluding the Skinny House in Mamaroneck, to both the State and National Registers of His-toric Places.

“New York has a rich heri-tage and has served as the lo-cation of significant events that are important to this na-tion’s history,” Cuomo said. “By placing these properties on state and national regis-ters, we can ensure that these sites from New York’s past are preserved, maintained and en-joyed for future generations.”

Being listed in the state and national Register is a boost

for property owners to revital-ize their buildings, as it makes them eligible for various pub-lic preservation programs and services such as matching state grants and state and federal his-toric rehabilitation tax credits.

Adjacent to I-95 on a quiet, modest street in the village’s Washingtonville section, the Skinny House sits uninhabited

banisters to build the 37-foot-long house. Seely even found a chicken coop, which he at-tached to the roof of the house.

In the past, the Skinny House was rented out, but since 2013 it has been unoccupied.

Two years ago, after starting to renovate the kitchen, an ex-tensive termite infestation was discovered. The house, which was deemed too dangerous for occupation, needs costly, substantial renovations. The owners, who said they cannot afford to renovate the house, may possibly turn it over to the local historical society.

If, as expected, the fed-eral government places the

Skinny House on the national historic register, the designa-tion could help to obtain grants to fix the damage caused by the termites.

In addition to Mamaroneck’s Skinny House, one other West-chester County property was selected. The Waccabuc His-toric District, a 524-acre plot of land that includes the core of the Enoch Mead family’s landholdings, which devel-oped in the Lewisboro hamlet starting in 1780, was also rec-ommended.

The Mamaroneck His-torical Society could not be reached for comment as of press time.

on a narrow plot of land owned by Ida Santangelo and her daughter Nancy Picarello.

Santangelo, 94, a lifelong Mamaroneck resident, lives two doors down on Grand Street in the same home in which she grew up in.

“People come by every day to look at the house,” Picarello said. “My mom had an open house several years ago and people came from all over the world to tour the house.”

The Skinny House was built by Nathan T. Seely, an African-American carpenter who had a successful home-building business.

“They couldn’t build out, so they had to build up,” Picarello said.

The plot of land, which the house was built on, was donat-ed as a gift to Seely in 1931, during the Great Depression, by Picarello’s grandfather who lived next door.

With little money to pur-chase building materials, Seely repurposed everything from rail-road ties to windows and

Nancy Picarello, left, and her mother Ida Santangelo, the owners of the Skinny House. Photos/Marissa Penn

The Skinny House on Grand Street in Mamaroneck is one of 22 properties that has been recommended for historic designation.

The Skinny House in Mamaroneck is only 10 feet wide.

The Skinny House was built in 1932, on a donated plot of land, by Nathan T. Seely, an African-American carpenter who had a successful home-building business.

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April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 7

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8 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

Bronxville recruits teacher residentsAspiring Bronxville teach-

er residents were welcomed on March 24 to the Bronxville School for an open house by teachers and administrators of the school and representa-tives of LIU Hudson, Long Island University’s campus in Westchester.

Trevon Troja, a student at LIU/Hudson and 2008 gradu-ate of Bronxville School, found the event engaging and infor-mative. “It was great to learn more about the program and to hear from administrators, elementary school teachers and current interns” Troja said. The open house marked the expansion of the Teacher Resi-dency Program, which pro-vides a limited number of paid, clinically rich and full-year ex-periences for future teachers. Bridging the gap between the-ory and practice, the residen-cies facilitate the transition of

talented students from novices to full-fledged professionals. The teacher residents work and learn under the attentive eyes of Bronxville teachers and administrators, and uni-versity professionals, who prepare teaching candidates to take on the challenges of the classroom.

As Associate Dean Dr. Lea Rutmanowitz explains, “LIU Hudson and Bronxville schools are seeking the best and brightest to take part in the residency program.” Adrienne Laitman, elementary school assistant principal, outlines the many benefits of the program.

“Unlike a typical student-teaching experience, Bronx-ville Teacher Residents become an integral part of our school community for an entire year,” Laitman said. “As full-fledged members of grade level teams, residents are involved in high-

level professional development and curriculum planning. Along with learning from master teach-ers, residents spend part of their time as substitutes. This ensures that Bronxville students have knowledgeable, highly skilled instructors in the room when their teachers are absent.

Overall, this program provides new educators with exceptional field experience while also ensur-ing consistent, quality instruction for the students in the district.”Applications for the 2015-2016 Teacher Residency Cohort are still being accepted. Appoint-ments will be awarded on a competitive basis. Candidates presenting appropriate academic credentials and prepared to com-mence master’s degree course-work in summer or fall 2015 are welcome to learn more about it by contacting Dr. Rebecca Rich at [email protected] or 831-2714. (Submitted)

Concordia presents ‘Tour de Force’ concertOn Sunday, April 12 at 6

p.m., Concordia Conserva-tory presents “Tour de Force,” a concert featuring its three bands, Roof Top Rush, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb and Critical Point.

The concert will take place in the Schoenfeld Campus Center at Concordia College-New York, in Bronxville.

The three bands are com-prised of performers aged 10 to 17 from Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Eastchester, Yonkers and the Bronx. Tour de Force will fea-ture varied pop and rock reper-toire ranging from rock, British invasion and funk rock to 90’s al-ternative, punk and modern pop.

The program was born eight years ago as part of the Conser-

vatory’s Chamber Music Pro-gram. Since then, the bands’ activities have grown into a full year-round program coached by Conservatory Guitar faculty, Bob Gingery. The program is open to experienced vocalists, guitar, bass, keyboard, percus-sion and woodwind players. The program runs throughout the academic year and the Con-servatory offers a four-week “Camp Band Bash” as part of its Summer at Concordia Program from June 30 to July 25. The camp program culminates with a concert and recording session.

Tickets are $5 for the March 20 concert and can be pur-chased by calling Executive Director Kathleen Suss at 395-4507 or online at concordia-conservatory.org. (Submitted)

Ashley, a guitarist for the Bronxville Concordia Conservatory. Photo/Alissa Meyerå

Town of Eastchester

Official Newspaper

Eastchester Schools

SWAT teams respond to hoax stabbingby CHRIs ebeRHARt

Staff Writer

More than 50 police officers from Eastchester and neigh-boring communities, includ-ing SWAT teams, descended on a Joyce Road home search-ing for a man with a shotgun who reportedly stabbed his girlfriend, tied up her family and was holding them hostage.

The situation, which took place on April 4, turned out to be a hoax, and now police are searching for whoever made the 911 call.

Eastchester Police Departm- ent received a phone call from a blocked number around 5:16 p.m. on April 4. East-chester Police Chief Timo-thy Bonci said the caller was a man who claimed to have stabbed his girlfriend and tied up her family. He said he had a shotgun and he would shoot anyone that came near the door of the 1 Joyce Road residence.

The Eastchester Police De-partment has been trying to pinpoint where the anonymous call came from, but to date, has not been able to.

Bonci said police respond-ed immediately after receiving the call, setting up a perim-eter and securing the area. Re-sponding to the scene were po-lice departments from Tucka-hoe, Bronxville, Pelham and New Rochelle, as well as the Greenburgh SWAT and hos-tage negotiation teams and the Westchester County K-9 unit and special operations, SWAT and aviation teams.

For the next hour and 15 min-

utes, heavily armored vehicles, SWAT teams and armed police officers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests were posi-tioned outside the Eastchester home with a county police he-licopter hovering overhead.

Hostage negotiators used a megaphone to talk to the phantom caller, urging him to come out of the house. But that was met with silence.

Within a half hour of the phone call, Bonci said the homeowners, who were not home at the time, were locat-ed and contacted, but police determined that none of them had placed the phone call.

Around 7:30 p.m., SWAT teams swarmed the two-story house but found nothing but an empty home.

“It’s unfortunate that these incidents take place and re-ally waste the resources of all the jurisdictions that re-sponded,” Bonci said. “I can only speculate what would motivate someone to do this.”

Bonci said, the normal

motivations in false call cases known as “swatting,” is re-venge or a desire to create an atmosphere of fear. As of press time, Bonci said he’s not sure if this was a swatting case.

“It depends on what your definition of swatting is,” Bon-ci said. “Sometimes people do this because the [hom-eowners] are home and they want armed police officers to come to their door with guns drawn, but no one was home Saturday. But if your defini-tion of swatting is to disrupt the police and cause chaos, then it was [swatting].”

The chief said the East-chester Detective Division is in the process of investi-gating where the call came from and who made the call. Bonci said there are fed-eral and state swatting stat-utes that could be applied to this case, which could carry a prison sentence of up to five years.

CONtACt: [email protected]

On April 4, Eastchester Police Department cordon off Mill Road in front of Anne Hutchinson Elementary School as a means of securing a perimeter around a Joyce Road residence where a caller said he stabbed his girlfriend and was holding hostages.

Westchester County Special Operations Division was one of numerous departments that responded to the scene of what police officials say may have been a swatting incident. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

Page 9: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 9

Astorino announces county deer forum

Westchester County will host an informational forum on deer management on April 30. File photo

Westchester County Execu-tive Rob Astorino announced today that Westchester will host an informational forum on deer management for mu-nicipal officials, land manag-ers and other stakeholders. “Strategies for Deer Manage-ment in Westchester’s Sub-urban Communities” will be held on Thursday, April 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

“It is clear that there is no easy answer to the challenges that land managers face with the growing presence of deer in our area,” Astorino said. “Under the direction of the county’s parks department, we are bringing together a va-riety of experts to discuss best practices and the experience of other municipalities.”

The morning sessions will begin with an overview of the history of deer populations in New York State, presented by Rod Christie, executive direc-tor of Mianus River Gorge Preserve. Dr. Bernd Blossy, an associate professor at Cornell University, will discuss defin-ing and measuring success of deer management efforts. Kevin Clarke, a senior wildlife biologist from the New York State Department of Environ-mental Conservation, will dis-cuss management efforts in the state’s region 3-S, which includes Westchester County.

William C. Harding, execu-tive director of the Watershed Council of the New York State Department of State, will start off the afternoon sessions by introducing regional approach-es to deer management. Specif-ic methodologies will be out-lined by four speakers. Laura

Simon of the Humane Society of the United States will speak on non-lethal methods, Dr. Al-lan Rutberg of Tufts University will speak on contraception, Clarke will speak on hunting and Ken Preusser of the USDA will speak on culling.

Examples of deer manage-ment methods used in mu-nicipalities will be presented by Pound Ridge Police Chief Dave Ryan and Dan Aitchi-son, a senior curator with Westchester County Parks, as well as by Kevin Carter and Dr. Michael J. Rubbo, both of whom represent Teatown Lake Reservation.

Both the morning and af-ternoon sessions will conclude with a panel discussion and an opportunity for participants to ask questions.

The symposium is spon-sored by Westchester Coun-ty Parks. Admission is free but advance registration is required. The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Park Ave., in White Plains. Parking is $7 in the County Center lots.

For more information or to register for the symposium, call Jason Klein at the Trail-side Nature Museum at 864-7322. (Submitted)

retirement contributions is “a once in a lifetime opportu-nity.”

“Let’s just say that num-ber was even. We wouldn’t have any new teachers. No new nothing. So this is a great year for us to take advantage [of] the reduction in pension costs,” said Rohr about fund-ing the additional teacher po-sitions.

But, he said, next year there could be increases in teach-er retirement contributions, which is why Rohr said he wasn’t comfortable pulling an

buDgets from page 1 additional $115,000 from the reserves.

“$115,000 next year could be a new teacher,” he said.

Board of Education Presi-dent Denise Tormey dis-agreed, instead favoring dig-ging into the reserve funds to lower the tax bills of Bronx-ville residents.

“If there is an opportunity to reduce taxes and to contain the level of increase, I’m in fa-vor of that,” Tormey said.

Other than providing a sec-ond budget option, the pro-posed 2015-2016 school year budget is similar to the first draft of option one, which

was initially released back in February, with the exception of some minor cuts that low-ered the budget from $46.8 million to $46.45 million. The proposed $46.45 million budget would be a 0.49 per-cent increase over the current school year’s budget, which amounts to a budget-over-budget spending increase of $227,000.

The budget is expected to be adopted during the April 14 Board of Education meet-ing and ultimately put up for a public vote on May 19.

CONtACt: [email protected]

Quick Facts

Total Budget $46.45MState-mandated tax levy cap 1.39%Budget Option 1 tax levy increase: 1.39% fund balance use: $850,000Budget Option 2 tax levy increase: 1.10% fund balance use: $735,000Additional Positions (both budgets) Director of Instructional Technology 1.0 FTE* Elementary Teacher 1.0 FTE Science Teacher 1.0 FTE Math Teacher 1.0 FTE Auditorium Coordinator 0.5 FTEEliminated Positions (both budgets) Elementary Curriculum 1.0 FTE Director of Operations 0.2 FTE*Full Time Equivalent

Page 10: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

10 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

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April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 11

On Friday, Feb. 27 in New Rochelle, Pet Rescue held a gala fundraiser in order to re-furbish its new space in Har-rison. The non-profit group also honored many of its lo-cal contributors.

Broadway talent Bill Ber-loni was recognized for his outstanding work as an ani-mal trainer and for making dreams come true for many rescue pets. Also on hand were stage superstars Trixie and Chico, former rescues that are now furry idols of the Broadway production, “The Great White Way.”

Bill Berloni is a 2011 Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre, winner of the 2014 Outer Critics Circle Award for Special Achievement and author of “Broadway Tails.” Berloni has trained animals, including many rescues, for hundreds of Broadway shows, regional theatre, tours, tele-vision and movies including “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Legally Blonde” and “Annie” to name just a few.

Also committed to animal rescue, local news celebrity Lou Young of CBS News served as the master of cere-monies. An eight-time Emmy award winner, Lou has also

Pet Rescue gala raises funds, honors locals

Pet Rescue volunteer Barbara Gebala, Broadway talent Bill Berloni and Ruth Frumkin, Pet Rescue board member, with former rescue dogs Trixie and Chico. Photos/Louis Vaccaro

Diane Raines and Kristina Feighan with Trixie.

Emcee Dr. Harris Stratyner and Bill Berloni. Pet Rescue has launched its “Buy a Brick and Pave the Way” campaign.

been honored with awards from the Associated Press, United Press International, Radio-Television News Di-rectors Association and New York Academy of Television Arts Awards.

The Gala was held at The Fountainhead, located at 55 Quaker Ridge Road in New Rochelle. The glittery eve-ning included a gourmet buf-fet dinner with wine, beer and a cash bar, fantastic live and

silent auction items and raffle prizes. For more information about Pet Rescue, visit ny-pe-trescue.org/Gala.

Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue or-ganization founded in 1982,

whose mission is to aid home-less and abused cats and dogs, provide necessary medical care and find them loving, for-ever homes.

Since its beginning, the group has rescued more than

15,000 animals and has earned a Guidestar Exchange Seal listing. Pet Rescue also works to decrease the population of homeless dogs and cats through its spay/neuter programs. (Submitted)

Page 12: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

12 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

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April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 13

Applications sought for county scholarships

Westchester County gradu-ate students pursuing careers in social work or public health are invited to apply for schol-arship assistance through the Ruth Taylor Award Fund.

The fund was established in tribute to Ruth Taylor upon her retirement as the county’s commissioner of Public Wel-fare and in recognition of her nearly four decades of out-standing service. The annual awards are sponsored by Unit-ed Way of Westchester and Putnam, Westchester County government and the Urban

League of Westchester County.Applicants must be resi-

dents of Westchester County and enrolled in graduate stud-ies in social work or public health on a full-time basis. For the 2015-2016 academic year, awards will range be-tween $1,000 and $5,000 for tuition or maintenance, or both.

The submission deadline is Friday, June 19, by which time the application and all support-ing documents must be received. Financial need, public service and scholastic capacity are part of the evaluation criteria.

Recipients must maintain the minimum cumulative uni-versity GPA for the duration of the award. Awards are is-sued annually and students are eligible to apply if they have not previously received the scholarship.

Inquiries can be directed to Karen Bonaparte, vice presi-dent of strategic initiatives of United Way of Westches-ter and Putnam, via email at [email protected]. Appli-cants can also download ap-plication and cover letter at uwwp.org/rt. (Submitted)

2014 recipients Marisa Rogonese, left, of Mohegan Lake and Maryann Vernon-Kalantari of Ossining, with Westchester County Social Services employees and United Way of Westchester and Putnam volunteers. Contributed photo

Miss Molly McMittens is a young adorable girl looking for her forever home. Her hobbies are chasing mice, watching birds from her window seat and getting treats. Molly gets along with other cats and small dogs. She is looking for a quiet home where she can sit on her human’s lap, have her ears rubbed and purr the night away. Molly will make a wonderful companion for any cat lover. Will you be the lucky one who gets to take her home? Molly is spayed, up to date with all vaccinations and in excellent health. The adoption donation for this delightful tabby is $80. To meet Miss Molly, contact Pet Rescue at 740-4072 or visit us on the web at www.NY-Petrescue.org. (Submitted)

March 26Police were alerted to a 38-year-old Vail, Colo., resident selling New York Mets tickets along Pondfield Road at 12:49 p.m. Officers issued the man a verbal warning and reminded the non-resident of the village code which requires a soliciting permit for this type of activity.

March 27Police responded to a request for as-sistance from Lawrence Hospital staff at 6:59 a.m. that a 25-year-old Bronx resident and patient refused to leave the facility. The hospital claims the woman wouldn’t leave until the facility gave her money for a taxi. Authorities questioned the woman and she was then allowed to leave on her own accord.

Authorities say they witnessed a 38-year-old Jersey City, N.J., man aggressively pan-handle outside of the CVS on Pondfield Road at 5:45 p.m. Police claim the man

would verbally harass those entering the store if they refused to give him money. When questioned, the man refused medi-cal assistance and left on his own accord.

March 28 In a joint response, police along with Eastchester Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Eastchester Fire Department as-sisted a man who lost consciousness and collapsed at the corner of Pondfield Road and Tanglewylde Avenue at 7:15 a.m. The man regained consciousness and was then brought to Lawrence Hospital for further treatment.

March 31A call was placed to police at 1:08 p.m. from a couple that claimed they were unable to file their taxes as someone had already filed using their social security numbers. The matter was then transferred over to detectives in the department and the matter is under further investigation.

Collected at Village of Bronxville Police Headquarters at 7:26 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8

months past when the legisla-tors were supposed to have been given the $100,000 re-port, and we still haven’t been given the report,” Parker said. “Five months is a long time to wait, especially when we know that the administration has had it in their possession for most

of this time.” However, Kaplowitz asked

the parks committee to con-sider tabling the measure for one week.

“The administration said April 15, so acting [on the sub-poenas] would’ve been prema-ture,” Kaplowitz said referenc-

ing the date Plunkett provided to Harckham. “There are frus-trations, but it’s more impor-tant to act with reason.”

McCormack could not be reached for comment, as of press time.

CONtACt: [email protected]

Members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators gave the county executive an April 15 deadline to deliver the $100,000 Playland consultant report, otherwise they will move forward with issuing subpoenas. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

PLAYLAND from page 1

Page 14: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

14 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015

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April 10, 2015 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • 15SPORTS

ing last night. But was it worth it? Totally.

Will I be watching again on

Tuesday? Of course. After all, leftovers are al-

ways the best part.Follow Mike on Twitter @

LiveMike_Sports

This past Monday was as just about as close as a sports fan can come to Nirvana.

Wall-to-wall Opening Day baseball, an exciting NCAA championship basketball game and a thrilling overtime win for the surging New York Rangers.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Heck, any one of these things, on its own, makes for a pretty good sports day. But add them together and it’s like a holiday for the obsessive sports enthusiast.

If you talk to a sports fans of a certain age, they will un-doubtedly tell tales of sneak-ing transistor radios into school during the World Se-ries to follow along with the action while feigning inter-est in lessons about the ag-ricultural practices of the ancient Sumerians.

An Opening Day holidayOn Monday, I felt much

the same way as my fa-ther must have, sitting at my desk, pounding away at the keyboard while my earbuds pumped in play-by-play calls from Opening Day games around the country.

From 1 p.m. on, it seemed like there was no break in the action.

I’d have the Mets game on for a half-inning, switch over to my NESN feed to hear the homer-happy Red Sox take on the Phillies. I even spent some time listening to the Yankees radio broadcast, and let me tell you, on Opening Day, John Sterling might as well be Vin Scully for all I care. After a long winter, it simply doesn’t matter who is calling the game.

Even in the afternoon, when I was out in the field covering local games, I was always con-nected thanks to my iPhone and the MLB.tv package. While watching one game, up-dates from others would pop

up as alerts. The Brewers turned a dou-

ble play? Yes please! Mike Trout robbed his first

homer of the season? You bet. Bartolo Colon ate five Cro-

nuts in the dugout? Hey, it’s Opening Day, I’ll watch.

Technology has made shirk-ing your responsibilities easier than ever, it seems.

At night, I had the west coast games on the laptop, the Rangers on my phone and the Duke-Wisconsin game on the TV, turning my man cave into a situation room of sorts for a sports nut.

It was a Thanksgiving feast of athletic competition, and by midnight, I was stuffed. K-zones, curveballs and Frank Kaminsky were my turkey, gravy and squash, putting me into a veritable sports coma.

I woke up today with an impossible amount of work on my desk, too many stories to write and a lineup of pro-grams on my DVR that I just couldn’t get around to watch-

On April 6, Sports Editor Mike Smith spent most of the day glued to Opening Day action. Between baseball, hockey and the NCAA National Championship game, it was one of the best sports days in a long time. Photo courtesy MLB.com

Like us on facebookfacebook.com/eastchesterreview

Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary

Follow @eastchesterviewfor Mike’s live, in-game action updates

To CoVER loCal spoRTs, you nEEd a

LIVE MIKE!

Page 16: Eastchester Review 4-10-2015

16 • tHe eAstCHesteR RevIew • April 10, 2015 SPORTS

Eagles fall to Dutchmenby MIKe sMItHSports Editor

After a tough winter limit-ed their time on the field, the Eastchester Eagles dropped their home opener to Tappan Zee on April 6, falling to a good Dutchmen team 9-2. Ac-cording to Eastchester coach Chris Walpole, the young Eastchester squad will look to bounce back from the loss and hopes to hit its stride while getting used to playing against varsity competition.

Tappan Zee got the bats go-ing early, led by Nicole Spie-gelberg’s two-run homer, and proved a tough test for the Eagles this early in the season.

“They’re a good team, they’re always tough,” Eagles coach Chris Walpole said. “But it was one of our first times out there, and every-one’s figuring out exactly who they are right now.”

Sophomore pitcher Jessica Becchetti got tagged with the loss, but Walpole said he be-lieves that the underclassman will be an effective starter this year.

“We expect some good things from her,” Walpole said. “This was really her first out-ing taking the mound against a tough team.”

Becchetti’s development will be aided by the presence of se-nior catcher Victoria Biancav-illa, who earned an all-section honorable mention last year. According to Walpole, Bian-cavilla will provide the young team with a reliable veteran presence both offensively and behind the plate.

“She’s a smart catcher, she calls her own game and she’s got one of the best arms in the section,” Walpole said. “And she’s also going to hit fourth for us.”

The Eagles will also ben-efit from another senior up the middle as returning starter Mykaela DiNapoli will again play short for the club.

Walpole said that, given the lack of experience on the team, the Eagles will need to figure some things out in the early on in the season if they hope to be successful this year.

“In the preseason, we’ve been in the gym, a lot of

times sharing the gym so it’s tough to work on situations and things like that,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of new play-ers and we need to figure out what we have.”

Eastchester will be back on

the field on April 8 after press time, when they take on Dobbs Ferry. Next week, they will again face a tough challenge when they travel to Pearl River to square off against the peren-nial powerhouse Pirates.

“That’s just the way the schedule broke this year,” Walpole said. “We still have a lot to learn, but hopefully we can learn from this.”

CONtACt: [email protected]

Sophomore Jessica Becchetti throws a pitch against Tappan Zee on April 6. Head coach Chris Walpole expects big things from the youngster this year.

Alyssa Cermele creeps in at first base in a loss to the Dutchmen.

Eastchester’s Jessica Becchetti cuts off a throw from the outfield. Photos/Mike Smith

The Eagles convene on the mound during a game against Tappan Zee. The Dutchmen would go on to win 9-2.