March 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
When Board of Ed and Town Board officials met on Wednesday to talk about issues common to both, BoE President Jeffrey Mester brought up the recurring “Sell Bell” mantra and asked Superintendent Lyn McKay to explain why it’s not in the cards. They also discussed development at Chappaqua Crossing and Summit Greenfield’s tax certiorari claims totaling $6.5 million.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
by Supervisor Rob Greenstein
As a result of some of the discussions that we’ve had in recent meetings, I think it’s appropriate to make a public statement on certain aspects of how our town board operates. My goal is be transparent with the public, our most important audience, and I acknowledge that sometimes my enthusiasm to accomplish that goal has resulted in a lack of full communication with other board members.
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March 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
The Town Board opened its work session last Tuesday with a presentation by Peter and Erin Chase, a New Castle couple who are hired “by hotel and restaurant groups to conceptualize spaces, develop and operate them.” The two have consulted for many of the large hotel companies in Las Vegas and Detroit and have been working most recently on “curating $70 million food component for the renovation of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.”
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March 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
Carla Gambescia, a 14-year resident of New Castle and proprietor of Via Vanti restaurant at the Mt. Kisco train station, told Board members that her restaurant “was born of my love for Italy. Via Vanti! is an ‘anytime gourmet’ celebration of italian food, wine, culture and community.” Just as “every Italian town has is ‘bar centrale,’” Gambescia said, she envisions Via Vanti and the Chappaqua train station as that central gathering place.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
After a presentation of her vision for a restaurant at the Chappaqua train station, Carla Gambescia addressed Town Board members and described what a difficult position she found herself in, basically re-applying for the concession she believed she had obtained from the previous Town Board last year. Her attorney, P. Dan Hollis, also spoke to Board members, telling them, “We shouldn’t be here.”
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
by Carla Gambescia
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
Much has been written in the local press in recent days. So let me state that, first and foremost, Via Vanti! remains steadfast in its desire to transform our beautiful landmark train station building from a spacethat peoplejust pass through or pass by, to a vibrant “place of community” – a compelling destination in its own right.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
~ from the Town of New Castle
The Town of New Castle would like to thank Douglas Schuerman for his three years of service on the Planning Board and his three years of service to the Environmental Review Board.
Read MoreSupervisor declines to provide written responses to NCNOW that will be subject to anonymous comment
March 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
Early Thursday morning I sent nine questions to all Town Board members, Jill Shapiro and the Board’s counsel, Ed Phillips (thinking that only he might be able to answer the question—number 9—of the validity of the Legionaries property tax exemption, which NCNOW requested be investigated by the town assessor now that the property is subject to an option to be purchased by Soder Realty). I received only one response, from Jason Chapin, to one question, Number 7. Greenstein explains below, in part, by email, “As an elected official now, I don’t feel comfortable contributing to something that is breeding mistrust among the community and mistrust among fellow board members.”
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
by Supervisor Rob Greenstein
On Tuesday night the New Castle Town Board scheduled a public hearing to consider amendments to the New Castle Code of Ethics. This hearing is scheduled for March 25, 2014.
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Monday, March 10, 2014
by Rob Greenstein
We continue our Community Conversation with another question, this one on housing.
Would you like to see a mixed-use residential and commercial area near our train station in downtown Chappaqua, (that is, “transit-oriented” development)?
March 7, 2014
by Christine Yeres
Last November, the previous Town Board had it in mind to have comprehensive infrastructure and “streetscape” work done in 2015, but there is some question of whether the ancient water mains need attention sooner. In last Tuesday’s work session, Town Board members heard a repeat presentation by one of the firms, WSP, that pitched its services in November for the $6.5 million project. NCNOW submitted questions to all five Town Board members following the meeting; Supervisor Rob Greenstein responded to them.
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March 7, 2014
by Sheila Bernson and Jennifer Mebes Flagg
Co-Presidents of the League of Women Voters® of New Castle
The League of Women Voters® of New Castle invites the community to join in a conversation with Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at the Chappaqua Library Theater from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Read MoreFree seminars and workshops on Saturday, March 15
March 7, 2014
Westchester County’s 2014 Fair and Affordable Housing Expo will take place on Saturday, March 15 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Read MoreThe town has reported no new transactions for the week ending March 14, 2014
March 14, 2014
Editor’s Note: Since October, 2007, NewCastleNOW.org has published every week in its real estate section information about houses sold in New Castle as that information has been released by Westchester County.
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Rob Greenstein’s volunteer subcommittee on “Commercial Development and Hamlets” met Thursday in the kitchen at town hall. The group is identifying core issues for Pace Land Use Center consultants Tiffany Zezula and John Nolan, who come to Town Hall Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to talk Master Plan
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• Tue. Mar. 18: Planning Board meeting 7:30 pm: Informal Hearing on Ritterman property Lawrence Farms Crossways; hearing on Rodrigues Hoags Cross property for cell tower; work session discussion of Chappaqua Crossing Preliminary Development Concept Plan
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• Tue. Mar. 18: League of Women Voters Conversation with Supervisor Rob Greenstein 10am-noon @ Chappaqua Library
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• Tue. Mar. 18: Town Board Work Session: At 8:00 pm—Two more presentations for train station space: Gerry Petraglia, Leslie Lampert; at 9:00 pm “Issuance of RFP for Train Station”
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• Wed. Mar. 19: Board of Ed budget meeting on Operations Maintenance/Non-instructional 7:30 pm HGHS
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To view NCNOW’s calendar page, click HERE.
Read MoreMarch 14, 2014
by Jeffrey Kay
I am happy to hear the Town Board has put into motion the update of the 1989 Town Development Plan, and that on March 18 the Steering Committee will meet with the Town Board and Pace consultants to discuss details of the community outreach. Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein stated “the overall purpose of the Master Plan is to provide a “roadmap” for development in the Town of New Castle over the next twenty years.” However, given how contrary the proposal for “The Spa at New Castle” is to the Master Plan, it is unfair both to the residents of our town and even to the developer to proceed with the application, the environmental (SEQR) review and the consideration of rezoning a residential neighborhood into a new commercial district concurrently with the update of the Master Plan.
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March 14, 2014
by Christine Yeres
Frank Nestro and Ken Martin—both longtime residents of New Castle—were invited to last Tuesday’s Town Board meeting to receive special civilian commendations for rendering assistance to Office Sean McNeill when an agitated 30-year-old fought to wrest McNeill’s gun from him.
“Tonight we have the distinct pleasure,” announced Supervisor Rob Greenstein, “to recognize—along with New Castle Chief of Police Charles Ferry—and to award two civilian commendations to two heroes, two individuals who, when presented with an extraordinary and dangerous situation did not just mind their own business or walk away, but instead jumped into action. And because they did, New Castle Police Office Sean McNeil is safe.”
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March 14, 2014
by Eliot Melis
On March 9, the top-seeded New Castle 6th Grade Boys team defeated the Greenwich Flame Red 44 – 27 to win the Fairfield County Basketball League Tournament Championship (FCBL). With a swarming team defense and balanced offensive attack, New Castle advanced to the title game in bracket play by defeating the Greenwich Stars Blue, Norwalk Youth and Wilton White.
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The ZBA questions whether Alfredo LDC has gone beyond the “nursery” of its special permit
Monday, March 10, 2014
by Christine Yeres
In its meeting last week the Planning Board set Wednesday, April 16, as a public hearing date for Homeland Towers’ application to plant a 150-foot cell tower at 620 Armonk Road, on the 22-acre Alfredo Landscape & Development Corp. operating as a nursery by special permit in the 2-acre residential area.
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L to R: Standing are Town Planner Sabrina Charney, Maud Bailey, Rob Greenstein; sitting are Hala Makowska, Dick Brownell and Bob Kirkwood.
March 7, 2014
by Christine Yeres
On Tuesday, members of the Master Plan Steering Committee met with Town Planner Sabrina Charney to talk logistics on the roll-out of the Master Plan review. Each of the them will re-activate the groups of volunteers who were put on hold during the committee’s sluggish start up period, comb through the 1989 “Town Development Plan” to see where it now falls short and needs updating, and meet with the Town Board and Pace Land Use Center consultants to discuss their results.
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March 14, 2014
Maybe you have been thinking about what you can do beyond attic insulation to make your house really energy efficient. Perhaps you are considering solar panels, but are intimidated about the process and concerned about the costs. Or maybe you would like to know how to make your home “greener,” but have not had the time to look into it.
If so, come to “Building Blocks for an Energy Efficient Home ™ at the Spring Home Show on March 15th at the Westchester County Home Show, Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY. The event, sponsored by County Executive Robert P. Astorino and the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (NYLCVEF), will feature two panel presentations on home energy efficiency, at 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
March 14, 2014
by Solveig McShea
Quaker Hill Tavern: The St. Patrick’s celebration begins this week! On Saturday night come get your green on with DJ Catch22 Hopeton Lemon. On Monday March 17th traditional Irish music with Chris Kelly. 61 N. Bedford Road, Chappaqua. 914-238-6416. See more below:
Read MoreGirls 4-6 times more likely than male counterparts in same sports to tear ACLs
March 7, 2014
by Sue Resnick
This fall, when my daughter, a senior at Greeley, sustained an ACL tear at the first game of the varsity soccer season, I chalked it up to the risks of participating in sports. The following week, another teammate tore her ACL. And then, over the course of the next three months, several more of Greeley’s female athletes tore their ACL’s – all requiring surgery and a recovery of at least six months.
Read MoreAt Seven Bridges Auditorium Fr-Sa-Su, March 21-22-23
March 7, 2014
by Kavita Jhaveri
Fiddler on The Roof, a quintessential of nostalgia and ‘tradition’ filled family musical will be performed by 84 students of Robert E. Bell Middle School as cast and 15 as crew on March 21, March 22 and March 23 at Seven Bridges Auditorium.
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March 7, 2014
~ from Chappaqua Continuing Education
Know all these? Guitar, the Manhattan real estate market, Apple TV, drawing, Excel spreadsheets, fly-fishing, the use of herbs, growing mushrooms, “knife skills,” LinkedIn, meditation, Pilates, Spanish, Zumba. Here’s your chance—for these and more! See our list of spring offerings below. Courses fill on a first-come, first-served basis.
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