Millwood Matters

June 6, 2008
by Gene Nadel

+ Plans for Downtown Millwood Area Design Plan Study,
+ Update on Millwood Fire District “Needs Assessment” Report
+ Multiple awards go to Millwood Fire Company in Katonah Fireman’s Parade

Plans for Downtown Millwood Area Design Plan Study

Plans to embark on a comprehensive “Millwood Hamlet Center Zoning Analysis & Area Design Plan Study” were a topic of discussion at Tuesday evening’s joint New Castle Town Board/Planning Board meeting. A draft of a suggested Work Program and tentative calendar for this significant undertaking was prepared by Planning Board consultant Joanne P. Meder of Frederick P.Clark Associates.

The proposed work program encompasses a series of specific tasks beginning with a thorough background analysis along with initial policy discussions. These would include a complete review of existing applicable zoning regulations along with consideration of potential alternative zoning provisions. Following a series of extensive reviews and evaluations over the following months, these efforts are scheduled to result in a summary report presenting possible revised zoning regulations together with proposed Millwood area site plans under both existing and potential alternative provisions.

The tentative calendar sets preliminary target dates extending at least through the tail end of the current year. The suggested calendar has a December target date for Planning Board submission of its recommendations to the Town Board. Before acting on a proposed adoption of an area site plan, however, public hearings are required which will undoubtedly add time. Further, depending on the nature of the ultimate recommendations, final action could be extended to a much later date. As stated in the program “If the Planning Board supports the adoption of an area site plan under the existing zoning provisions, no legislative action would be needed to do so. If, however, the Planning Board supports the adoption of an area site plan under the potential alternative zoning provisions, additional steps will need to be taken by the Town Board to enact zoning provisions in compliance with all applicable provisions of the New Castle Town Code, the Westchester County Administrative Code and SEQR. In that event, it will not be possible to identify the potential date of adoption of a new area site plan for the Study Area”.

Initial presentation of the study and work program is certainly a major move forward to be both welcomed and applauded. Residents must recognize, however, that this is only the first step and it is likely to be many months before a new design plan is finally adopted.

Update on Millwood Fire District “Needs Assessment” Report
While residents continue to look forward to issuance of the Millwood Fire District “Needs Assessment” study by JLN Associates, the independent consultants, the Board of Fire Commissioners has been carefully reviewing the preliminary draft submitted to them by JLN.
In an effort to assist in producing the most accurate and reliable product, the BOFC, along with Fire Company representatives, has been able to provide additional factual data which apparently was not previously submitted or was initially not readily available to the consultant. This supplemental information together with various identified corrections should enable the consultant to fill some previous gaps and produce a more meaningful and valuable report.
At the time of the May 19th public session, Commission Chairman Anthony Olenik had indicated that it would take approximately two to three weeks for the Board to review the draft and offer suggested changes, following which JLN would have a week for internal review and consolidation of comments. The BOFC anticipates that the report should be ready for release prior to its regularly scheduled Board meeting on Monday, June 23rd. The BOFC plans to have the final report available on line (with printed copies also to be available) for public review prior to the 23rd so that, if this schedule is successfully adhered to, the public may attend that meeting fully prepared with questions and/or comments.

Multiple awards go to Millwood Fire Company in Katonah Fireman’s Parade

Millwood Matters is most pleased to include the following report from fire volunteer Marc Kavy:

On Wednesday June 5th, the Millwood Volunteer Fire Company along with over 25 other fire departments from NY and CT gathered in Katonah for the Katonah Fireman’s Parade. The members of the Millwood Fire Company spent numerous hours cleaning its apparatus and organizing equipment on the trucks. 25 members of the fire compan marched the streets of Katonah showing off its trucks to the nearly 700+ spectators. At the conclusion of the parade, the Millwood Volunteer Fire Company took home more trophies than any other department that participated. Millwood was awarded Best Ladies Auxiliary, 2nd Best Non Regulation Uniform, Best Antique, Best Rescue and Best Tanker. The Millwood Fire Company will march in three more parades this season:

June 25th - Yorktown Parade
July 11th - Mt. Kisco Parade
September 20th - Westchester County Convention Parade in Ossining

Our thanks to Marc and congratulations to the Millwood Fire Company and its members for their accomplishments!

Millwood Task Force June Meeting
The MTF June meeting took place last night too close to the NewCastleNow.org deadline to allow a full report. In brief, much of the meeting was spent discussing the two matters referred to above.
News of the area site plan study for downtown Millwood was well received and members of the Task Force look forward to actively participating, starting, for some, with a walk through together with the Planning Board. Various pertinent questions were raised and additional discussions will most certainly take place as this project moves forward.
Issuance of the Fire District Needs Study and the related proposed new fire house remain as principal concerns of MTF. Developments will be watched with care and reported on in future weeks.
The continuing problem of the tax inequity for New Castle residents in the Ossining School District was also a subject of discussion. New Castle Supervisor Barbara Gerard and Town Administrator Jerry Faiella, who were present at the meeting, updated the situation which unfortunately provides no good news at this time. This column will attempt to recap and summarize the history and latest developments regarding this challenging issue in the very near future.
CORRECTION - June 26th is the correct date for the upcoming multi-media presentation at the Chappaqua Library by local author Joe Schiavone on The Old Put: Gone, But Not Forgotten. It should be an entertaining evening for rail fans, history buffs and any and all others. That’s 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, June 26th at the Library!