January 8, 2010
by Susie Pender
Editor’s Note: On Tuesday, January 5, Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard and town board members Robin Stout and John Buckley were sworn into office for their new terms on the New Castle Town Board. County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz and Representative Nita Lowey attended and offered their congratulations to their fellow Democrats. Supervisor Gerrard and Councilman Stout delivered acceptance speeches on this occasion, which are reprinted in “Read more.” Visit our Photo Gallery for slide shows of the event.
Inauguration speech by Supervisor Barbara Gerrard
I would like to thank all of you for coming this evening, and also express my appreciation to the residents for re-electing our Team for another term… and to Mike Kaplowitz for his talents and good nature ... and to my husband, Michael Gerrard, the most supportive spouse there could be. And of course a special thanks to Congresswoman Nita Lowey for graciously taking time from her very busy schedule to administer the Oath of Office to John, Robin and me.
The past two years have been unexpectedly challenging. The passing this year of our previous Supervisor, Marion Sinek, came as a particularly hard blow. Her guidance and friendship are sorely missed.
And I don’t believe anyone attending the 2008 inauguration could have predicted the economic turmoil and deepest recession since the 1930’s we have experienced over the past 16 months. Many residents have lost their positions, or have had to make do with lower incomes. Just about everyone has seen their savings—whether for retirement or college education or just security—decrease dramatically. Although our economy appears to be improving, it is doing so in a protracted and uneven way, especially with respect to job recovery and many parts of the national real estate market. And of course with a more local perspective, the bankruptcy of Reader’s Digest, coupled with its decision to leave New Castle, constitute the end of an era for many of its past and present employees, as well as a sad commentary on the loss of an icon in our community.
On a brighter note, we here in New Castle are most fortunate to have our Town be very well managed fiscally, thanks in no small part to the amazingly talented and dedicated staff. Town Administrator Gennaro Faiella and Deputy Town Administrator Pennelle Paderewski, as well as all department heads, have worked almost non-stop for all these months cutting where possible, trying new and innovative ways to get more done with increased efficiency and decreasing staff levels.
Throughout this devastating downturn, we’re very proud of maintaining our triple A bond rating for 11 consecutive years—no small accomplishment in these times, I assure you.
New Castle’s tax increase of 2.37 % was one of the lowest in the County, and that despite over $1 million in reduced revenue and another $800,000 in increased expenses for pension, health benefits, longevity and other contractual expenditures.
Despite the challenges, the position of Supervisor has been very rewarding. There has been some impressive progress made in this relatively short time. The Town Board has worked diligently to increase our on-line presence—we put together a new web site with the amazing skills of a treasured volunteer, Mr. Lyle Anderson—- it’s chock full of information and descriptions of everything New Castle, including forms for filing Department of Public Works requests, renewing train station parking passes, and forms for volunteering for one of our wonderful Boards and Commissions. And that is one of the best parts of my position—welcoming new volunteers on a near constant basis who want to share their many talents with the community they’ve just moved to or the one that’s been their home for decades.
We were proud to dedicate the Town memorial to the victims of 9/11 and to recognize the brave first responders who answered the call on that day and the horrific days that followed.
Last fall we opened our first new Recreation field in 9 years—the absolutely beautiful Amsterdam ball field—which if you haven’t seen it you should drive over to the west side of Town and be awed by the splendid vista and the breathtaking scenery. We have authorized the construction of a second field there, to maximize the investment made by a very wise previous Town Board which included our previous Supervisor, Ms. Janet Wells, and our counsel, Mr. Clinton Smith.
We closed the dangerous entrance to the Citibank lot—and re-directed the traffic movement to be safer and more efficient—- plus we added a new “pocket park” that has enhanced the hamlet’s beauty while providing a welcoming gathering place. This fall we further brightened the area with new lighting—replacing ugly cobra head lighting around the train station with charming lampposts, similar to those that appeared on the bridge as it was originally constructed—the same design will be used on the bridge at the end of construction. And we also had the new “slip lane” created on the northbound route over the bridge to allow cars and the school buses to make a right turn onto Hunts Lane—saving the Chappaqua Bus Company thousands of dollars in fuel, and enabling their employees to save about 15 minutes a day off their work schedule. This small but meaningful change relieved some of the southbound traffic delays at that intersection which were caused by left turns the buses had had to make to enter Hunts Lane.
And we are particularly proud of our environmental initiatives—we were the 1st jurisdiction in New York State to sign on as a “Climate Smart Community”—which gives us priority in certain funding for energy saving projects, as well as first-hand assistance from staff at the Department of Environmental Conservation. We established the Sustainability Advisory Board to advise on environmental issues, including incorporating their recommendations in legislation passed just last month—Energy Star requirements for new construction—and our innovative program for New York State Department of Motor Vehicles’ “Clean Cars” which receive preferential parking right near the steps to the train station. And the Sustainability Advisory Board continues to oversee the extraordinary recycling program that New Castle has had for over almost two decades—winning awards and admiration throughout Westchester and beyond.
Our Board and Town staff are dedicated to keeping New Castle the wonderful place it is—to live, to raise a family, to share community events and activities—
We will continue to face the issues determined to maintain the high level of service and quality of life we all enjoy here. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to another two years of public service.
Inauguration speech by Councilman Robin Stout
Thank you. Ordinarily, I like to listen more than I like to talk. But tonight, under the circumstances, I hope you’ll indulge me for a few moments.
The first thing I would like to do is thank my wife, Elise Wagner. Without a first vote of confidence from you, sitting around the dining room table, just one-on-one, none of this is possible. So, thank you, darling.
Second, I would like to thank the voters of New Castle. You have heard it many times before, but it truly is an honor and a privilege to be asked to be a voice for the citizens of this community, to listen to your ideas, and to try to translate those ideas into action.
All of us on the Town Board take that responsibility very seriously. So I very much appreciate your support, your guidance, and, yes, your criticisms.
And I would like to thank Congresswoman Lowey for being with us tonight. Nita, what you do for all of us, everyday, is extraordinary, and we really appreciate it. Your presence makes tonight a very special occasion.
When I was first elected four years ago, I stood up here and told you that I was exhausted from the campaign, but that I had received a tremendous education, and that I was excited to be serving.
Tonight, four years later, I can tell you, confidentially, that an unopposed election is not quite so exhausting. Although, for the record, just putting yourself out there to be judged requires a certain kind of energy and stamina, going door-to-door, discussing issues with folks all across the community, trying to fashion some understanding of a better future.
And my education continues, in the issues that pass through the Town Board, and in continuing dialogue with the community. I still have a long way to go, but I feel that I have a bit of the learning curve behind me, which is why I wanted to run for re-election.
And believe it or not (because sometimes I find it hard to believe myself), I’m still excited to serve. I still eagerly look forward to Tuesday nights at Town Hall, ready for the next challenge.
And the challenges are many, even in a small town like ours. These are difficult economic times. Like you, I know many people who have lost their jobs. We’ve got to construct effective but economical government.
The Town Board, the Town Administration, and all Town employees worked diligently to control the 2010 budget, and we will continue to bring the same laser-like focus to all Town fiscal matters. Not to be callous, or flip, what concerns me is not any one particular budget, but instead creating a sustainable framework from which efficient budgets can be delivered for many successive years. Fortunately, we have a person here in New Castle who could teach a course in municipal finance, and that would be our Town Administrator, Mr. Faiella. I am just a poor student sitting in the back of the class,
but, Professor, I remain very interested in the subject matter!
The Chappaqua and Millwood hamlets need attention, and we will be focusing on both functional and aesthetic improvements to create a better business, traffic, and pedestrian environment.
Change has come to the Reader’s Digest site, and collectively, as a community, we must figure out what is best and what is possible for our community there.
We will be working on sustainable, cost-saving, green initiatives, and on preserving open space. We will be working on promoting re-cycling. We will be advocating for sewers.
And I want to work with our county leaders on affordable housing, which already does, and can continue to have, an appropriate role in our community.
These are just a few of the issues. There’s much to be done. Our standard for achievement must be excellence. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to work hard. I’m ready!
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