Read more about performer and piano teacher, Arlene Portney.
Piano Instruction with Arlene Portney
Windmill Water Rate Increase
On August 19, 2010, the Town Board approved a proposed water rate increase of 60% for Windmill Farm's Water District No. 2. At the Public Hearing on August 18, 2010, North Castle's Superintendent of the Sewer and Water Department, Tony Futia, predicted that the cost of water will no longer be cheap, and explained what is happening in the Windmill District and why the rates have to go up. The rate increase was reviewed and a public hearing allowed residents to comment. Most questions were directed toward the cost of labor and the high percentage of the rate increase.
Residents' water bills include an annual payment for capital improvements such as Windmill's new water tank and well, and for any debt incurred for the capital improvements. The annual cost of capital improvements appears in property owners' tax bills. Windmill's 2010 annual capital fee per lot was $803.70.
In addition, Windmill's Water District No. 2 is billed quarterly for metered water consumption. The increase will go into effect as of the December 2010's quarterly water bill. The district's current rate is $4.75 per thousand gallons, with a minimum charge of $40 for the first 11,000 gallons used per quarter. The proposed rate increase is $7.50 per thousand gallons, with a minimum charge of $40 for the first 5,300 gallons. In 2009, approximately 40,000,000 gallons were used by the 379 lots in the district. The average was 106,840 gallons per lot, per year. Water use can fluctuate up or down depending upon rainfall.
North Castle's water districts are independently funded by the residents within each of the town's ten water districts. Water rates are usually set to last for about five to six years.
The cost of Windmill Farm's Water District is going up, in order to meet the capital cost of the district's budget. The storage capacity of Windmill's new water tank increased from 200,000 gallons, which didn't meet the fire needs of the area, to 600,000 gallons, which is sufficient "to meet the worst case scenario of a fire in Windmill on the hottest day", says Futia.
Because pumps were working 24 hours a day but did not fill the tank, a new well has been added to increase the water supply in the new 600,000 gallon tank. The new well is not yet online, but once it pumps, the tank will fill up.
All the water districts operate 24/7, 365 days a year. Nine employees work for the town's Sewer and Water Department, and each district pays only for the services it receives. Given the labor costs of building a new well and tank, Windmill 's labor fees are higher in 2010.
Assistant Sewer and Water Superintendent Sal Misiti presented a report that predicts that even though Windmill's water rate is going up, 50 - 60% of Windmill's homeowners will actually see a reduction in their overall water charges next year because the tank is already built and the well will be completed shortly, after which labor costs will go down. Read the report, which is based on previous rates of water consumption, here.
Superintendent Futia says that the placement a cell tower in Windmill could have reduced the water district's expenses by $30,000, the flat fee that would have been paid by a cell tower supplier. The cell tower was turned down, however, because of strong opposition by a large group of residents. Earlier this summer, they expressed concerns about health issues and the effect of the tower on property values. Futia says the cell tower could be moved 500 feet east to the Middle Patent Cemetery, or north to the Daniel Grey Fishing Club. These property owners might receive the revenue, and the cell tower would be located in almost the same area without any financial benefit to the water district.
Custom homes in Windmill Farm were first built on divided lots in the 1940's. The windmills that we see today powered the flow of the drinking water from wells into a small distribution system. Over time, the wells were converted to an electrically-powered system. "As the community reached full development during the 50's and 60's, the distribution system was modified and storage was added." The windmills then became strictly ornamental, as they are today. The town officially formed North Castle's Water District No. 2, for Windmill Farm, in 1976.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
August 24, 2010 Most of us remember the incredible strength and courage of Christopher and Dana Reeve. Their commitment to improve the lives of people who have suffered spinal cord injuries and to help find a cure for spinal cord paralysis inspired them to establish the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Read more
Political Leaders Offer Hope at Fourth Annual Autism Information Fair
April 23, 2010 At last Saturday’s Autism Information Fair at the Westchester County Center, New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer offered hope and support for families struggling with the disorder. With an estimated 1 in 110 children presenting with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the event attracted hundreds of parents looking for tools for coping with issues of health, education, residential care and employment. While exhibitors disseminated information in the exhibition hall, some parents, teachers and activists met for a discussion on legislative activity concerning autism. Senator Oppenheimer’s goal was to explain bills pending in Albany that are designed to relieve the financial impact of autism. She joined panelists Louis Conte, President of Autism Westchester and a member of Autism Action Network, County Legislator Tom Abinanti, who serves on the Westchester County Autism Advisory Committee, and Dr. Grant Mitchell, Commissioner of Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health. Two of Conte’s triplets have autism, as does Tom Abinanti’s son. Senator Oppenheimer explained that she also raised a child with a little-understood syndrome, Velo-cardio-facial disorder (VCF). With empathy and compassion, the three addressed the deepest concerns of their audience.
While there have been multiple bills presented before New York State’s Congress, two bills have emerged as leading contenders for passage. Senator Oppenheimer explained that many parent groups have lobbied for the Senator Shirley Huntley’s Bill No. S6123, which would require insurance companies to cover specific health related issues of autism. Most congressional leaders, however, are backing Senator Neil Breslin’s Bill No. 7000A, co-sponsored by Autism Speaks, which Senator Oppenheimer believed would have the best chance for passage. Breslin, chairman of the insurance committee in the state senate, has been successful before in achieving compromises with the strong insurance lobby. Both bills seek to address removal of insurance caps and age limits for medical reimbursements relating to autism. The panel strongly urged the audience to create and join social networks that could demonstrate to Albany that there is a united grass roots movement supporting insurance reform. Senator Oppenheimer was optimistic that congress would move toward change, albeit carefully and methodically.
The Annual Autism Information Fair is co-sponsored by the Department of Community Mental Health and Navigating the Spectrum, a not-for-profit organization that offers information, services and support to families coping with ASD. For more information on the event, go to info@navigatingthespectrum.org or www.westchestergov.com. To find out how you can support legislative reform, contact County Legislator Tom Abinanti, email: tjaesq@aol.com, Senator Oppenheimer, email: oppenhei@senate.state.ny.us, or Assemblyman Robert Castelli, email: castelr@assembly.state.ny.us. You can also visit the NY State online autism resource at www.nyacts.com to learn more about services for ASD.
On the most recent Zero Waste Day, North Castle recycled car loads of give-aways. A steady flow of hundreds of residents, some making multiple trips, disposed of electrical E-waste, clothes, bicycles and furniture. Suburban Carting filled five 30-yard containers with old TVs, computers, air- conditioners, electronics, and scrap metal. The organized effort was coordinated by the North Castle Recycling Committee. Diane Chickering of Suburban Carting said, "Collected items here prevent them from being left curbside, which prevents them from ending up in landfills." It was expected to be a break- even operation for them, trading their time, effort, and dumping costs for collected fees for scrap-metal. Upon inspection of the containers, Supervisor Weaver said, "This turned out exactly as we wanted it to; items will be diverted from curbside pickup." The electronics are taken apart and diverted to the right place, while some are even reused.
During the day, hundreds of dollars were donated to the recycling committee, which will be used for three source cluster-waste containers of paper, plastic, and trash throughout our town. Adopt-A-Dog was busy collecting many needed items. Their wish-list includes: tick and flea products, bedding, bath towels, cleaning products, laundry detergent, a washing machine, a lawn mower, an air-conditioned van, dog and cat toys, and last but certainly not least, volunteers. Harrison Winter talked about his own experience, which began helping out at the shelter as a Bar Mitzvah project. He proudly still volunteers there, and is now old enough to work with the dogs, playing with them and giving them plenty of exercise time. When a family is considering adopting a dog, a couple of visits is required, which provides everyone an opportunity to get to know his future pet and to insure that the adoption will be a special and happy decision for the family and their pet.
Recycle-A-Bicycle is located out of central New York City. Their program is actually part of a ten-week education curriculum in eight New York City schools. The kids earn a bike after putting in an additional 24 hours of their own time. Rommel Bischop collected over 30 bikes from North Castle residents. As head mechanic, Bischop worked with the organization for 15 years, starting there as a student. The lessons include taking apart a bike, rebuilding it, making minor repairs, fixing a flat, and learning how to interact with customers. They even remove some of the wheel spokes and weld the metal into less mechanical objects, such as jewelry, earrings and even flowers! Bischop finds teaching very rewarding; he currently oversees seven interns. Some of the collected bikes are sold, and the funds are used to support the Ride Club. The club is open to 13 - 18 year-old students. Riders are given a bike and helmet, and they ride around the west side of Manhattan, accompanied by a trainer.
Temple B'nai Israel continually sponsors a coordinated effort to collect food, clothing, and bedding for the Katonah Community Center of Northern Westchester. The Temple's Caring and Social Action Committee board member Lisa Mazure said, "Its neighbors helping neighbors with a direct give." Her son Harris and a friend were loading their eighth carload of clothing for the day to deliver to the center in Katonah. The Community Center accepts donations of food, seasonal clothing, and linens, and welcomes volunteers. To learn more, contact:info@communitycenternw.org.
The furniture which is donated for the Furniture Sharehouse collection has to be in good condition. Some of the items dropped off required heavy lifting. Several cars drove in with mattresses tied to the top of their roofs. Executive Director Kate Bialo works at the Furniture Sharehouse out of a hanger in Westchester County Airport. Thirty-five local agencies work with clients who are usually families in need. The client will request a list of furniture, including about 10 to 15 pieces. Since April 2007, the Furniture Bank has served over 833 households and over 2,300 individuals, including more than 1,000 children. They have distributed more than 9,000 items of furniture, with a value exceeding $700,000. The organization is always looking for volunteers: info@furnituresharehouse.org.
Congratulations to the North Castle Recycling Committee for a successful day of continued recycling efforts. Co-Chairs April Paresi and Deborah Cerar coordinated the efforts for the entire town, and as resident Naomi Pollock said, "It was great seeing everyone. I didn't expect such a great turnout. I didn't realize that recycling was so important to Armonk residents and am happy that it is.” The next Zero Waste Day will be held in October. Based on the success of this most recent event, everyone involved is looking forward to another great day!
Armonk United Methodist Church Mother's Day Craft Fair May 1, 2010
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Community Outreach
The State Attorney General's Health Care Helpline: 1-800-428-9071 or www.oag.state.ny.us.
Helping Hands/Meals on Wheels: 273.3325, Connie or Cathy. Drivers needed.
Paratransit Buses-Westchester office of the disabled: 995.7272.
Senior Center provides Transportation to Dr. Appointments. 273.1771 or 273.2944 (leave message).
Report Electrical & gas outages, downed power lines: 1.800.752.6633.
Consider two kits: one with everything you will need to stay where you are and a second that is a lightweight smaller addition you can take with you. NC4's web site provides suggestions for items that could be included in your kits. In addition, North Castle's local Cable TV provides information on a Public Safety segment.
When Disaster Strikes, Being Prepared Counts
North Castle Citizen Corps Council (NC4)
NC4 is a group of North Castle citizens just like you who receive training by the American Red Cross to establish and operate an emergency shelter in North Castle should the need arise. They also provide community awareness programs so town residents can be prepared to protect their families in case of a large scale emergency.
