Millwood Matters
Monday, June 6, 2011
by Christine Yeres
• Bye-bye three-way stop signs, hello traffic signal
• Station house a dangerous eyesore
• Tax inequity and revaluation
• Suggestion to increase town board from five to seven members
Millwood Task Force members brought up several perennial problems at their meeting last Thursday.
Bye-bye three-way stop signs, hello traffic signal
The long-awaited traffic light has finally been installed at the intersection of Routes 120 and 133. Task force members noted that for eastbound traffic headed toward Mt. Kisco along Route 133, no right-turn-on-red is allowed onto Route 120 toward Chappaqua. Most likely, one member noted, this is because the driveway to a residence is immediately around that corner. “If there were a right-on-red, whoever lives there would never have the chance to get out.”
On Route 120, facing the intersection with Route 133; the driveway is at left, right at the corner.
Station house a dangerous eyesore
Task force members expressed impatience that Millwood Lumber, after procuring permission from the planning board for changes to its landscaping and paving, has done little to improve its appearance and eliminate hazardous parking in front of its store. When a task force member suggested that parking enforcement by the town might cure the parking problem, the discussion shifted to the red stationhouse that sits in the middle of the half-acre, part of which is used by Millwood Lumber for parking at the corner of Millwood Road and Station Place.
“You raise the issue of safety,” said task force member Jordan Schiffman. “When are we going to condemn the train station house? It should be torn down. It’s now a public hazard, clearly a public nuisance. We’ve raised this issue for six or eight months.”
Susan Carpenter, chairperson of the New Castle Planning Board and Democratic nominee for town supervisor in this November’s election, suggested that task force members write to the town board and ask that the town building inspector take a look at the stationhouse. “Put in a written complaint to the building department,” said Carpenter.
Task force members voted to approve the drafting of an email to Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard. The following day, Friday, June 3, task force member Louis M. Russo wrote to Supervisor Gerrard asking for contact numbers for the building department, the town engineer, the code enforcement officer and building inspector. In his letter, he stated that
the task force would like to have the “Dangerous” former “Briarcliff Train Station Building” removed from the Station Road and Millwood Road corner property.
The property was only supposed to have limited parking but it is being used by people using the “North Trailway” and the old building on the property is a danger to the community and serves no “Historical” purpose for New Castle nor for Millwood. The building is beyond repair and is “an accident waiting to happen” and a potential lawsuit for the Town of New Castle. The building is not maintained and is an “unattractive topic of discussion” for Millwood.
The station house and the half-acre on which it sits at 14 Station Place are classified as “non-homestead” and are assessed by the town at $60,000, with a market value of $299,251. The owner, Leo Rota, also owns Millwood Lumber, which uses a portion of the station house land for parking.
Revaluation of New Castle
Task Force Member Mike Stern reported to the task force that the take away from Thomas Frey’s report on revaluation in New Castle was that, according to Frey, revaluation of New Castle properties will not alleviate the tax inequity problems suffered by residents of New Castle who fall within the Ossining school district. The only solution, said Stern, “is a revaluation for Ossining too, in a county-wide reassessment.” Frey will appear in town to answer questions about revaluation again in the fall.
To view the Frey [pronounced “Fry”] report, click Frey Report on Revaluation—Impact Study.
To view the video of Frey’s May 23 presentation on revaluation at Westorchard click HERE.
Suggestion made that town board be increased from five to seven members
As he did at last month’s task force meeting, Manny Areces again encouraged task force members to support the concept of enlarging the town board by two members – to seven rather than the current five. He suggested also that representation be connected to geographic location or wards, so that residents would elect town board members from their own neighborhoods who would more directly represent their geographic interests.
I am really disappointed to read that a resolution has been adopted declaring the Millwood Station building to be of “no historic value” and an “eyesore,” and to ask that it be torn down. This station is a historic building that deserves to be restored and preserved. As the article mentions, the Millwood Station was originally built by the New York & Putnam RR as its Briarcliff station. When Briarclff Lodge was built in the early 1900’s the developer built a new Tudor style depot for that town that matched the architecture of his resort. The railroad was by then a part of the New York Central and it moved the building to Millwood, where it has stood for over 100 years, serving passengers until 1958 when passenger train service on the Putnam came to an end.
The station in Yorktown was preserved and restored under the leadership of that town’s government and historical society, working in partnership, with a mix of federal and state money under the ISTEA law, which specifically recognizes the merit of preserving and restoring historic transportation related structures.
Within the past 2 years, Scarsdale’s landmark’s preservation law ensured the restoration and preservation of the historic integrity of that railroad’s Heathcote station.
Given that the Putnam’s right of way has been remade into the popular North County Trailway, there has to be some way that a public-private re-use, such as a coffee shop, bicycle related or similar adaptive reuse could succeed in saving this gem in the rough.
It would be a shame if the loss of this piece of history had to take place as the catalyst for a meaningful landmark preservation law in New Castle.
We should move the railroad station to Gedney Park, and then have volunteers (or even Eagle Scout candidates) restore it. Have the town
pay for the move and supplies, with all labor free. Once it starts,
the good families of Millwood and Chappaqua will produce the volunteers.
The Rail Road Station should be moved to Gedney Park and situated in such a way as to enjoy the lake, and reflect on the 9/11 memorial. A Web Site should be designed that solicits the trades to offer their services for free. The Industrial Arts Teacher at Horace Greeley High School should some how hold classes to restore the building, and have Chappaqua Bus Company donate shuttle services for the Students. We can turn this eyesore into a beauty mark.
The R.R. Station stands as a symbol representing the failure of Town Hall. The MTF should use the R.R. Station as a case study to find out what lead to its deterioration and its inability to produce income. If the Hamlet of Millwood was represented throughout all the Town Boards, as a Community we would not be faced with this type of situation. Millwood is the victim of Governmental abuse on both a local & County level that has resulted in bad Planning, or failure to plan. The “The Millwood Commission Report” should identify if property taxes are too high to be supported by rents, the approval process for new busineees coming into the area should be looked at, and previous denials of possible tenants seeking to lease the RR Station should be reviewed, and those applicants should be welcomed back. If as a Community, we are not interested in some of these ideas, then we should be honest with the owner, and tell him to give The Town Of New Castle his property. I and my husband know that an Ice cream shop wanted it, a Coffee Shop wanted it, a big brand name donut shop was interested, an Insurance Company wanted it, a Lawyer wanted it, a bicycle rental shop wanted it, a group of artist wanted it, a hot dog business desired the location, a catering compnay wanted it, a Real Estate company wanted it, a famous desert company from the Bronx wanted it, a yogurt parlor wanted it, a fortune teller wanted it, a mental health Doctor wanted it. Everyone under the Sun has wanted to be located in the RR Station, so why has it gone the way it has? Do we all think its the owners fault? Because if you do, herein lies one of the first identified problems affecting the RR Station that has to be corrected! Please place this first finding in the “The Millwood Commission Report.” If as a Community we do not solve these problems, then perhaps Millwood will only be able to attract additional massage parlors; is this what we want to see take place little by little in Millwood?
A restoration of the building where it is now would not be worthwhile, because there would never be anyone to see it up close. A move to Gedney park would be an excellent idea, with volunteer workers and possibly a placard or two with a brief history and explanation of the station’s origin.
While Mr. Leo Rotta (the owner of the land the train station sits on)enjoyed having the public’s support against eminent domain, he could care less about giving anything back to the public. He just wants this thing to fall down on its’ own. He will not spend one nickel trying to make the train station presentable. his whole property is an eyesore. Millwood would have been better off with a firehouse on the site.
That light is a disaster. You can wait 10-15 mins in the a.m. waiting to make the left from 133 to 120. It either needs a left turn signal, or a lane for for cars going straight on 133 so they don’t have to wait for those trying to make a left or probably both.
I don’t remember this being a particularly dangerous intersection nor do I remember waiting an extraordinarily long time in order to make a left from 120 to 133 or a left from 133 to 120.
Other than providing new landscaping for the empty house at the corner of 120 and 133, what was accomplished by putting this light in place? BTW, what’s with that house?
Let’s all sit back and reflect on the past 15 - 20 years of the firehouse seeking to secure a new place of operation. Let’s all reflect back 10 yrs ago to 2001, 2002, 2003. Let’s all reflect back to the past 60 months, the past 48 months, the past 36 months. Now let’s all think about Voting in November. While we are all reflecting and thinking about this whole issue, let’s all of us think really hard and strong…. ARE YOU READY?....Here we go! Can you ever recall the The Town of New Castle stepping forward to share with the general Public its own Planning Designs, designed for the future layout of Millwood ? The owner of the rail road station is a casualty of poor Muncipal Planning and Guidance. Perhaps, he is in a better position as the owner of the property, or perhaps not! Unless Town Hall develops an overall independently Municipal Planning Design showing what the Hamlet of Millwood can become based on x,y, z factors, we are all just going to end up being frustrated, and it appears that the Rail Road Station is the epicenter and source of such! Move the Rail Road Station to the Bus Stop on Rt. 100 and Shingle House Road.
I remember Mr. Rotta being in my mail box, on my TV, and on my computer. I looked forward to seeing him participate in all and every meeting held; he became our friend. Boy, did he go to the four corners of the world fighting and informing everyone. Jeez wheez, I have not seen him, and he has not stopped me all over Town to talk about his problems. Good for him! He fooled us all, and we have some pretty sharp minds living in our Community. I oppose any attempt to have the existing site be impacted by the restoration and leasing out of this building. Demolish it, I oppose the Taxpayer of the area having to suffer additional cost and expense over issues involving Mr. Rotta. Just look at what we did for him, and look at what we have to look at on a daily basis! Did we do right or wrong?
I am a long time resident of the area. After reading all the posted remarks and suggestions; I believe the following should be performed by the Town of New Castle. First, the Town should be restricted from spending taxpayers money on private property as is not the case with the South Greeley Parking Lot Redesign. Second, serve Mr. Rotta with all notices of violation that are present on the RR Station. Third, invite Mr. Rotta into Town Hall to discuss the future plans that the Municipality has planned for Millwood, and that he has planned; compare notes. Fourth, have Mr. Rotta state for the record, the issues and problems he has had in managing his property. Fifth, establish a mutual understanding of expectations. Sixth, review all rules and regulations that affect this matter and modify them so that they favor the Community and its vitality to succeed. Seventh, make an effort not to get bogged down in litigation or red tape tactics.
The idea of moving the station house to Gedney is brilliant. The lumber yard does not maintain that area and it always looks filthy. In fact, I was the one who requested that a trash can be put there. Don’t blame the filth on walkers or bikers, Mr. Rotta should give back to the community and beautify that corner and keep his property clean.
Also, what is with that empty house on 120 and 133? We’ve been wondering for 18 years.
This beautiful little station is one of only 2 such structures left on the former Putnam Division of the NY Central RR. It is in horrendous condition. It needs to be saved for its historic value, if nothing else. The Yorktown Station has been preserved so should this structure. It would serve well as a rest stop on the North County Rail-Trail. Some vendor such as an ice cream parlor, doughnut shop, coffee shop would do very well in the building. There are many photos of what the station looked like when it was still used as a train station. These could be used to restore the building. Perhaps the powers to be don’t want to save it. It’s an “eyesore” so they say. How did it get that way? No one wanted to do anything about it. I’m sure there are funds to restore it, in spite of the poor economy. After all, New Castle is home to many wealthy people who pay very high property taxes. I’m sure this town is filled with many historic preservationists.
All of the above:
I can see both sides of this matter, and it is a very difficult matter to address. The question is, what needs to happen to make this a better place?
As for the traffic light, the people in charge of designing the functionality of this intersection should be fired. I have witnessed more possible accidents with the lights, and none while there were no lights. REMOVE THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!
The Town of New Castle has no right to go after Mr. Rotta. The building is secure, boarded up and sitting vacant. It is not in use, and has not been in use for quite sometime. We can not force Mr. Rotta to do anything. The only thing Government can do is provide a set of circumstances that promotes the use, upkeep, and occupancy of this building. This involves many different levels of examination and findings. Let’s all be careful before the Town gets sued for a second time.
Here comes the Train:
If 10 years ago the A & P submitted an application to install gasoline pumps in their parking lot along Rt.100; would the Planning Board have allowed it? If the A & P wanted to build a separate building on their premises to repair cars or sell tires; would the Planning Board have approved it?
The Planning Board allowed the only Autobody Shop, and car repair shop aside from Mobile, to be demolished. What was built in its place was Millwood Market. An approval that competes with the A & P, and several other businesses. Due to a lack of coordinated Planning affecting the Hamlet of Millwood, and the West End; are we subject to the A & P filing an application to bring American Gasoline Gas Station to the parking lot of the A & P? After all, what’s fair is fair, the Planning Board allowed a Market to be placed at a gas station, why not place a gas station at a Market place called the A & P. Lets go to the A & P and fill up our tanks! An application can be submitted for review.
The Rail Road Station focuses a light on the Hamlet of Millwood that demonstrates the true Leadership qualities originating out of Town Hall. Leadership when combined with vision and advanced planning can be very powerful. What else can the Planning Board do that they have not been responsible for doing?
Now, what do we have in mind for the Rail Road Station, and when does this piece meal approach end? Let’s all raise our glasses of grape juice and thank those that have improved our Town. They accomplished it through pure luck and not knowing when to quit like Mr. Rotta did with his Rail Road Station!
There is a online Community of 74 interested individuals that are actively pursuing a solution to the Rail Road Station. They have reached out to the Historical Society, and are lobbying Westchester County to rescue the RR Station.
Folks, we will never see the Train pull into Millwood again!
So please don’t lobby the taxpayer to foot a bill, or pay for its ongoing maintenance cost. Allow the owner to do what is in his best interest based on a menu of choices as provide to him by Town Hall. If one of those choices is to demolish the structure, that’s just fine with me. I only ask that he cart the refuse away so we don’t have to look at it and cry! Out of sight, out of mind, move on!
Perhaps Mr.Rotta will donate the proper materials and we can get community volunteers to do the restoration. It would truly be a shame to see a part of our history disappear.
Still can’t figure out that light! ...and now No Turn On Red, what’s with that?
Now traffic can sit on Rt.133, making those going straight wait and wait and wait?
Where did this $$ come from? Extra funds? should have put them to work at the bridge over the tracks downtown…this new light waste of time and money.
Editor’s Note: Both the 120/133 intersection and the Route 120 bridge are state department of transportation projects.
To answer Stop GO No Stop; Check the records..there have been many accidents at 133/120 intersection.
To Call my Lawyer; When was the last time you actually saw the Train Station closeup? It is not secure, ready to fall down of a foundation that is completely gone….Will Mr. Rota donate to and Help the Town to move the Station to Gedney? Can only find out if he is asked!
I agree with others, that there are many skilled Crafts Men and women, Legal minds, landscapers and Preservationist, that would be happy to give there time and advise to Preserve a historical building.
It does not matter where it originated from, but it has been a part of New Castle for 100 years, isn’t long enough!
