UPDATE: March 15, 2010

Sani-Pro was to have begun curbside pickup of tree and brush debris on March 31, but has added a pickup this Wednesday, March 17. If you’re eager to dispense with the sad remains of your damaged trees, get it together in time for this pickup. The town tidies up its right-of-way, but owners are responsible for private property.

March 12, 2010
by Christine Yeres

The Bedford Central School District took time last weekend, in the middle of its budget process, to gauge public opinion on whether residents were likely to approve a budget increase of approximately 2% on the district’s $114.5 million school budget. The district—with about the same number of students as Chappaqua CSD—includes Mt. Kisco, Pound Ridge, parts of Bedford, North Castle and New Castle.

March 12, 2010

Tax Assessor John McGrory will meet with residents who believe their assessed values are too high. Before you decide to darken his door, though, McGrory says be prepared to answer Assessment Clerk Jackie MacMahon’s questions. “She’ll say, ‘OK, take your assessed value and divide it by .1841—because we believe that 18.41% will be the residential assessment ratio—and that will be your market value on the first of June, 2010.  It is this market value figure that you would consult to determine whether your assessment is correct.

Chief Joe Rod, Commissioner Hala Makowska, Captain Jorge Rodrigues and Commissioner Alan Schapiro
March 12, 2010
by Christine Yeres

Word went out six months ago that monies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, were available for the asking—some arduous, persistent asking. Millwood Fire Captain Jorge Rodrigues offered to take up the task, and Chief Joe Rod told him, “Go for it.” “Rodriguez took this on and he worked with Alan Schapiro, one of the fire department’s commissioners,” said Rod, and after months of consulting records and checking every piece of personal protection equipment, with a little help from grantsareus.com the fire company landed the funds.

March 12, 2010
by Susie Pender

Give parents piece of mind while making yourself more knowledgeable and employable this spring break by attending the Red Cross Babysitting Training Camp.

March 12, 2010
by Georgia Schwartz

Last March, when the New Castle Youth Basketball Association’s 6th grade girls’ basketball team, the Blizzard, won the Tri Country Basketball League 6th grade girls division championship, it was deemed a “Cinderella season.”  They had been seeded fifth going into the playoffs, winning only six games in their regular season. No one saw it coming, not even their coach.

March 8, 2010 REPRINTED March 12
by New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard

I wish to let residents know that the Town Board [did] not [vote] on the Proposed Tree Preservation Law this [past] Tuesday, March 9.  Many comments have been received and we are continuing to receive more.  In order to give due consideration to the issues raised, we will close the Public Hearing and have the proposed statute revised to address various concerns.

Officer Anthony Rotolo
March 12, 2010
by Christine Yeres

On Tuesday, March 2 around 5:30 p.m. a female driver heading out of town across the Route 120 bridge in a white SUV noticed a dark Subaru wagon in front of her at the intersection of Douglas and Quaker.  As the two cars continued north on Quaker, she saw that the driver of the wagon in front of her was driving erratically. At Seven Bridges Road, he bore right onto Seven Bridges.  Since it was her route also, she made the turn as well. 

Sign up for free Nixle.com alerts from NCPD
March 12, 2010

Editor’s Note: Each week NCNOW.org provides highlights from the New Castle police blotter as well as a list of emergency calls to the Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corps and to the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Millwood Fire Department for the prior week.