Greenacres Town Hall Meeting Draws Record Crowd

A large and lively crowd turned out to greet Scarsdale's leadership at the Greenacres Town Hall Meeting on Thursday night March 13 at the Greenacres School. Concerns about potential renovations to the Greenacres School and the Village-wide tax revaluation were among the chief concerns of over 60 residents who came out to get answers .

The meeting drew a cross section of young parents, retirees and everyone in between. The panel of speakers included:

• Mayor Robert Steves
• Ken Mazer from the Volunteer Firefighters
• David Raizen from the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps
• Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo
• Greenacres School Principal Gerry Young
• School Board Vice President Sunil Subbakrishna
• Dana Matsushita – President of the Greenacres PTA
• Chief John Brogan of the Scarsdale Police
• Jason Marra, Supervisor of the Scarsdale Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department

Each had just three minutes to update the audience on key issues, closely monitored by Laura Fratt of the GNA who sounded a loud cowbell when the allotted time was passed.

Among the facts that emerged from these brief speeches were the following:

Tax Revaluation: The long awaited letters to homeowners that will advise them of their new assessments – and offer a comparison of what they paid in 2013 vs. what they would have paid with their new reassessment – will be in the mail on March 28. Watch for it! The new assessments will not be in force until 2015. Anyone who wishes to discuss their assessment with Tyler Technologies, the company that did the revaluation, can do so between March 31 – April 26 when you can make an appointment to meet with them, see comparable assessments and question any assumption made about your home.

Greenacres School: Principal Gerry Young will retire in June along with six more members of the staff of Greenacres including STA President Trudy Moses, long-time teachers Jack Dean and Oksana Slywka and School Psychologist Nancy Karagis. When discussing the school building, Young said it will celebrate it's centennial in 2015 and is now up to 100% capacity. Since space is tight and the building cannot be expanded beyond its current footprint, the options are to build a second story above the kindergarten wing, build a new school across the street on the field, close Huntington Avenue and use that space for the school or to redistrict to reduce the school's population.

In his remarks, School Board VP Sunil Subbakrishna explained that the Board is aware that something needs to be done at Greenacres but that the school was not a part of the facilities master plan now being done by the district. According to Subbkrishna, a full analysis needs to be done to review the options and decide on next steps. During the question and answer period one woman, who lives next to the field, expressed her opposition to moving the school across the street. She said, "I am mortified that you would take this beautiful field and build the school there – everyone uses the field!" She then suggested that those opposed sign a petition.

Amy Nadasdi, an architect and Greenacres parent who has attended the meetings of the facilities committee told the group that she was "Encouraged by what we heard from the district architect." She continued,, "They are a professional firm, doing a great job with the district. They will conduct a fair and professional feasibility project and there will be time for the community to get involved."

In his remarks, Subbakrishna also updated the group on the superintendent search, the school budget and the strategic planning process. The district had 48 applicants for the position of Scarsdale Schools Superintendent, interviewed 6 candidates, narrowed the filed to three and plans to make an announcement shortly about who has been selected. About the school budget, he said that they have proposed a modest increase over last year, just under the tax cap, and will add 8 teachers. According to Subbakrishna, the Board has "maintained a balance between the tax increase and safeguarding the educational program." The district also began to formulate a five-year strategic plan this fall. Focus groups were conducted and a survey of the community will be done. Using this input the Board will do a 5-year financial projection.

The proposed $56mm Village budget will mean a tax rate increase of 3.3%. Deputy Village Manager Steve Pappalardo explained that on average, homeowners would pay $258 more per year. The budget maintains services at the current level.

Both Ken Mazer and David Raizen called for volunteers to join the volunteer firefighters and the ambulance corps. In both organizations, volunteers can take on as little or as much personal risk as they like. Raizen also encouraged residents to take the CPR course offered by SVAC.

The Greenacres PTA held their most successful fundraiser ever, according to Dana Matsushita, PTA President. They will continue to fund all programs and add a science fair. The school directory has now gone online and is updated regularly. The school is also searching for a new principal.

Police Chief Brogan shared the good news that burglaries have dropped in Scarsdale and in Greenacres. Though there were 12 burglaries in Greenacres alone in 2012, in 2014 there has been only one in the village – and it was not in Greenacres. However he warned that identity theft is rampant and suggested that residents check their accounts regularly to search for signs of theft.

Red flags have been placed next to 900 fire hydrants in the Village this winter, as part of a joint effort between the water and fire departments to allow hydrants to be located quickly in the snow. These flags will be collected in the spring.

The Village's summer camp program is going strong and you can expect to receive the spring brochure from the Scarsdale Parks and Recreation Department shortly. Jason Marra said that new tennis programs for kids 10 and under will be offered in conjunction with the USTA and the Youth Tennis League will be re-implemented. The Rec Department is also planning "Parties in the Park" this summer where there will be entertainment and picnics. Watch for notifications.

Greenacres Neighborhood Association President Barry Meiselman thanked former Neighborhood Association President Kathy Steves for her service to the neighborhood and presented her with a bouquet. Trustee Liaison Jon Mark, who is completing four years of service on the BOT was recognized for his responsiveness to the GNA. Meiselman also mentioned a newcomer's reception for Greenacres residents that will be held on Sunday March 23 from 2-5.

In the Q and A period, questions were posed about what could be done about commuters who park their cars on streets in Greenacres and walk to the train. Chief Brogan promised to step up enforcement of the three-hour parking rule. Others were concerned with sagging utility lines and temporary power lines dating back to Hurricane Sandy. Parents asked about improving the Greenacres Playground and representatives from the Village said they could work with the neighborhood association and school to look into this.

One mom took up more than her fair share of time to complain about a perennial issue, parking during school pick up. She said that she left her car parked on Huntington Avenue during pick up, went inside for a short meeting with the school psychologist and came out to find a parking ticket. Though others explained she had blocked the bus lane, she continued to protest. Some things never change.