Eastchester REVIEW THE
April 29, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 18 | www.eastchesterreview.com
Fire district to remove non-resident volunteers
State of mind
By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino gave his annual State of the County address on the evening of April 21. Astorino once again promised not to increase taxes for county residents. For story, see page 7. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
DEC proposes hotel site cleanup plan, some residents unsatisfied By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has pitched a draft for the Brownfield cleanup of the site on which an Eastchester-based developer plans to build a Marriott hotel. The Brownfield site in Tuckahoe is a portion of the former marble quarry on Marbledale Road, which was used as a dumping ground for industrial waste in the 1960s and 1970s. Only 3.5 acres of the 6.6-acre landfill site has been designated for cleanup. Following that remediation project, the developer, Bilwin Development Affiliates
LLC, plans to transform that portion of the neglected property into a Marriott hotel. The proposed five-story hotel would have 163 rooms and a 6,400-square-foot restaurant on the ground floor. But prior to moving forward with the hotel project, the DEC’s plan for site remediation focuses on removing contaminated soils. HydroEnvironmental Solutions Inc., a company employed by the developer to test the site for toxins, found soil vapors with high levels of Freon—samples were as high as 344,000 times the standard for commercially zoned land—as well as trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, compounds often found in
dry cleaning and metal-cleaning chemicals, and are considered carcinogenic under long-term exposure. The site will require a Brownfield Cleanup Project, BCP, which is a program overseen and orchestrated by the DEC to decontaminate and redevelop a toxic zone. Rather than using the DEC’s State Superfund monies, meant to remediate hazardous waste sites, a BCP is enacted by an independent developer whom the DEC refers to as a volunteer. The volunteer—in this case the Marriot developer—funds the cleanup, but is partially reimbursed with tax credits upon completion of the project. George Heitzman, director of
the state Brownfield and Superfund programs, said, “We do not see a reason not to move forward with the remedy for this portion of the site.” The remediation plan, if approved, entails excavating and disposing of contaminated soil in areas pinpointed as hotspots; backfilling the land with clean soil and grading the surface; and covering the site with either 1 foot of clean soil or 6 inches of concrete where designated. Randy Whitcher, DEC project manager for the Marbledale Road site, said once the remediation begins the cleanup will take several months. CLEANUP continued on page 9
The Eastchester Fire District Board of Commissioners held a special meeting earlier this month partially to discuss the status of the district’s volunteers. Board Chairman Dennis Winter cited a New York state law that requires all volunteer firefighters to be residents of the town in which they volunteer. The board voted 4-1 to order the Fire Chief Michael Grogan to remove all volunteers with addresses outside of greater Eastchester, except those the town has granted special permission to continue services. Winter said this clear-out is long overdue, but that the board needed to settle other issues before addressing the volunteers. A roster dated March 2015 lists 42 active members, 15 of which have addresses outside of Eastchester, Tuckahoe or Bronxville. The fire district employs about 75 professional firefighters across five stations in Eastchester. Those five stations also house seven volunteer companies, only five of which have active members. One volunteer removed from duty was David Horne of Waverly Engine Company No. 1, who now lives in Mahopac, New York. Horne has been a volunteer member of the Eastchester Fire Department for 53 years, but has lived outside of the town since 2009. He said that he was born and raised in Eastchester, but had to relocate when taxes got too high. “I’m very community
minded,” Horne said, referring to his participation in the Fire Department, along with the Boy Scouts and Eastchester Little League. Horne is also deeply involved in the volunteer organization. He is listed as the secretary and treasurer of Waverly, the volunteer engine company based in the district’s main firehouse, and holds the same title with the Volunteer Officers Association, VOA. He is also the president of the Volunteer Fireman’s Benevolent Association of the town of Eastchester, an organization which provides money for disabled or indigent volunteers and their families. Tom Visci, president of the VOA, said it is obvious that the fire board is targeting Horne. “What they’re trying to do is eliminate him from the Fire Department so he can’t be involved,” he said. Horne believes that since he is wearing the “most hats,” that if the board gets rid of him then the other volunteers with residency issues will soon follow. “Every board member we have wants the volunteers around,” Winter said, refuting claims that he wants to abolish the entire volunteer base. He added that he wants to ensure that the Fire District’s bylaws are upheld so that the volunteers and professionals can work together efficiently. But Commissioner Anthony Lore, a volunteer at Tuckahoe Hose Company, was also critical of the plan. Lore is the only one of the five commissioners who DISTRICT continued on page 8
INSIDE Bronxville crowns its Woman of the Year Story on page 5.
2 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 3
Bronxville Diner expected to open in May
Post Road Diner in Norwalk, Connecticut, which is owned by Teddy Giapoutzis, who also plans to open a diner next month at 112 Kraft Ave. in Bronxville. Bronxville Diner, which had planned to open in 2015, will offer close to 20 different salad options and more than 100 kinds of milkshakes. Photo courtesy Yelp.com
By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The aluminum-faced storefront at 112 Kraft Ave. has been generating interest among Bronxville residents since it was first announced early last year that the location would be a diner. But diner owner Teddy Giapoutzis said the wait will soon be over. “We’re estimating by the beginning of May we’ll be ready,” he told the Review. Giapoutzis said the diner has taken longer than it should have because he and his wife Olga had been busy relocating their Darien Diner in Connecticut, which opened on Jan. 30 of this year. The Giapoutzis family owns and operates three diners and one restaurant in Connecticut: Darien Diner, New Canaan Diner, Post Road Diner and Lithos Restaurant. Giapoutzis, whose businesses tend to thrive in small towns, said Bronxville is a great location for one of his diners. “That’s why we fell in love with it when we saw it: because it’s just like New Canaan,” he said. Giapoutzis had never heard of Bronxville until Jon Gordon of Admiral Reality in the vil-
lage suggested opening his next diner there. Gordon said he was interested in bringing a Giapoutzis diner to the village because of their success in small communities. The diner will take over the former long-time home of Kensington Paper, which has since relocated to 82 Kraft Ave. “After speaking with residents and people in the government and also the Chamber of Commerce, everyone agreed that there was a sort of demand gap with that style of dining in Bronxville,” Gordon said. The extensive menu appears to fulfill every demand, but Giapoutzis said the diner specializes in comfort foods such as pot pie, pot roast and meatloaf. They also offer nearly 20 different salads, which attract the healthconscious Bronxville crowd, according to Nicole Tuck, assistant director of the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce. Giapoutzis said his diners are also famous for their milkshakes. With more than 100 different recipes, including seasonal and holiday specialty flavors, the shakes have become a classic favorite over the years. The shakes may attract kids who want desert, but in order to succeed, Tuck said, the diner
will have to cater to Bronxville’s lunch tradition for students, who are permitted to leave school for lunch starting in sixth grade. Many restaurants and delis in the area prepare special menu items for students in advance in an effort to minimize traffic and save time. “Kids are going to run down there,” Tuck said. “They’re going to need to have prepared meals so they can run in and out of there.” Locals expect the new diner, which will seat about 60, to break up some of the breakfast and lunch lines in the village. Crestwood resident Chris Callahan, who frequents Bronxville, said she is looking forward to the diner’s opening. “Most of the places Bronxville has to eat get very crowded,” she said. Giapoutzis said he appreciates the town’s curiosity and excitement. “The town is a very, very cute town,” he said. “People know about [the diner] already. Every time I’ve gone there and put the key in the door to go in, people stop me to ask questions.” By next month, he hopes, those questions will be answered. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
4 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
Reading buddies book club Children in second and third grade are welcome to come to the book club meeting on Wednesday, May 4 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. “The Willoughbys” by Louis Lowry will be discussed. This book is a tounge-in-cheek take on some children’s classics. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk and refreshments will be served during the book club meeting. For more information or to register for the book club, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or email him at jheifetz@ wlsmail.org.
Learn to Code
Toddler story time
On Monday, May 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The library will offer a coding workshop for grades two to five. Coding is a simple way to introduce children to computer programming languages. It is based on a visual, user-friendly language with easy, predefined commands. All participants will receive a certificate of completion from Code.org. Online pre-registration is required for this program at the library’s website. Space is very limited; this program will fill up. Participants must bring their own laptop and headset. For more information, contact Teresa Chang at 721-8105 or tchang@wlsmail.org.
Toddlers ages 2 and 3 are welcome to attend this story time program on Thursday, May 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. All toddlers should be accompanied by a caregiver. For more information or to register for this story time program, contact Teresa Chang at 721-8105 or email her at tchang@ wlsmail.org.
Bronxville Public Library
Mother’s Day craft Children ages 3 to 5 are welcome to come make teapot shaped picture frames and a flower on Tuesday, May 3 from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public.
p.m. Come for a free Zumba demonstration presented by The Bronxville Fitness Club. The high-energy Latin music will make you forget that you’re exercising. Learn easy-to-follow moves perfect for beginners and seniors. To register, call 337-7680 ext. 24 or email bronxvillelibrary@gmail.com.
Let your child join the fun. Register now for the ESYA’s spring 2016 season. Visit sportssignup. com/ eastchester.start or eysoccer.com for additional information and for online registration.
Children’s Yoga
Eastchester Blue Devils lacrosse
On Tuesday, May 3 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Children will build focus, confidence and strength as they learn traditional yoga poses, age-appropriate breathing exercises and relaxation skills. Open to children ages 4 to 7. Advance registration is required online at the library’s website; class size is limited. Children will learn from instructors from the Budding Buddhas Yoga Studio. Include child’s name and age in the comment box when registering.
Registration for the 2016 Eastchester Blue Devils’ spring lacrosse is now open for boys and girls grades three to eight. Registrations for boys and girls grades K-2 is currently underway. For more information, contact Neill Kelly at kelly.ebdlax@ gmail.com. To register, visit bluedevilslax.com.
On Monday, May 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30
Village Lutheran Church
Oscar series film screening As part of their Oscars series, the library will be screening the movie “Trumbo” on Wednesday, May 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The film explores screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s fight against the U.S. government and studio bosses after he and other Hollywood figures were blacklisted for their political beliefs during the 1940s. The screening is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Rated R; running time: 125 minutes.
Family film screening Zumba demonstration
Eastchester Soccer Youth Association registration
The movie “Coconut the Dragon” will be screened on Friday, May 6 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Coconut the Dragon has difficulty finding his place on Dragon Island, so he takes off on an adventure. The screening is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. The film is not rated; running time: 78 minutes.
Book Donation Drop-off Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring in your gently used books for the ongoing library book sale. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Bronxville Library. Limit is 10 books per patron.
Eastchester Recreation Department Summer camps registration Visit eastchester.org/departments/recreation/index.html for more information on summer camps. These camps are also open to Tuckahoe and Bronxville residents. You can also reach the Parks and Recreation Department at 771-3311 or recreation@eastchester.org. Registration is underway at Eastchester Town Hall, located at 40 Mill Road, during the regular business hours of Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Town Hall will not be open on the weekends. If your envelope is postmarked after Friday, April 29, you will be charged the late registration rates, which will begin Saturday, April 30. Camp registration will close on Sunday, May 15. After May 15, the department will only accept registrations if there are openings in your child’s age group; otherwise they will be put on a waiting list. If you have more than one child attending one of the camps, there is a $50 discount off the original camp price for each additional child in the same family; the first child pays full price.
Monthly service Village Lutheran Church’s next monthly service of prayer for healing will be held on Saturday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Lutheran Church, located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. For more information about the service, call 3370207 or visit vlc-ny.org.
Junior League of Bronxville Trails shopping event The Junior League of Bronxville is pleased to announce that their successful shopping event, Trails, is back with even more to treasure. The signature fundraiser has been expanded to now include a new two-day format that will take place on Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6, before Mother’s Day. To purchase tickets or for more information, please visit jlbronxville.org or email trailstotreasures@jlbronxville.org. Trails @ Twilight, the newest addition, will be held on May 5 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Bronxville Field Club, located at 40 Locust Lane in Bronxville. This event will include a fashion show, featuring spring looks from Bronxville boutiques, such as J.McLaughlin, Mano A Mano and Toney Toni & the Gang. Day 2 will include a boutique event at the Bronxville Women’s Club, located at 135 Midland Ave. in Bronxville, on May 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Attendees will not only have the chance to shop from select artisans and vendors, but also will be able to board a trolley to take in an exclusive home tour where food vendors, such as James Grace Pizzelles, will be offering a tasting of their products. Both events will offer amazing raffle items. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 5
Bronxville names Woman of the Year By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer The Bronxville Women’s Club named its Woman of the Year on Sunday, April 24. The recipient was village resident Clara “Dee” Sorensen, who accepted her award surrounded by friends and fellow members of the women’s club. Dee, as she’s known by her friends, has been a member of the women’s club since 1964,
when she moved to Bronxville from Aruba. She told the Review that she joined the women’s club because she had been a member of the women’s club in Aruba, and before that, a member of the the International Women’s Club in Saudi Arabia, where she lived and worked as a nurse and teacher for an American hospital in Dhahran. Sorensen, 90, is also known in Bronxville as one of the founding members of the Bronxville
“Dee” Sorenson chats with a close friend at the Bronxville Women’s Club on April 24. Sorenson was honored as Woman of The Year.
Trading Post, a place where residents could bring items they didn’t want, or clothing items their children had outgrown, to be sold there. Although she told the Review that the original trading post, located at the public school, was created during the war years, when she came to Bronxville, she and a few other women made the trading post into “a proper little shop.” According to Sorensen, once it was turned into a shop, the trading post was only open once a week, during the school day and for two hours in the evening. Sorensen told the Review that she believes she was honored because she’s a person who likes to do things, and that she’s very easy to get along with. “I like working with women,” she said, adding that she was “very pleased” with being honored as the Woman of the Year. She joked that at almost 91 years old, being involved is a lot of work. Joyce Balint, president of the Bronxville Women’s Club, told the Review that Sorensen was
Lisa Sorenson, daughter, and Clara T. “Dee” Sorenson pose during the wine and dessert portion of the women’s club evening. Photos/Bobby Begun
chosen for the award because she has done so much for not only the club, but the community. “You never had to ask her [for help],” said Balint, who has served as club president since 2014. “She would always be the first person to say ‘Do you need help?’” Balint also served as president from 2007 to 2010. According to information pro-
vided by the Bronxville Women’s Club, Sorensen has served and continues to serve on its art, music, Christmas decorating and gardening committees. She also played a big role in helping place the club on the Westchester County Inventory of History in 1999, and on the National List of Historic Places in 2007. As she nears her 91st birth-
day, Sorensen has a small piece of advice for women growing up in today’s society: “Always to be interested, to get involved, and [to] help other women, to enjoy being together and enjoy doing things together,” she said. Sorensen turns 91 on April 30. CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com
6 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
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Larchmont beefs up with
MOOYAH Burgers
MOOYAH’s menu includes a signature burger, double burger, turkey burger and black bean burger assembled on in-store baked buns, along with salad options, fries, milkshakes and a kids’ menu. Photos/Suzy Berkowitz
By SUZY BERKOWITZ Editorial Assistant Larchmont residents will have their fill of burgers until the cows come home with the opening of the village’s newest fast food establishment, MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes. Although MOOYAH’s Larchmont location on Palmer Avenue is one of only two in New York, the chain, which opened its first shop in Plano, Texas in 2007, now has 93 operating locations around the globe, including sites in Canada, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Franchisee Anthony Grippo opened New York’s first MOOYAH location in Briarcliff Manor in November 2015, and is excited for Larchmont’s site to finally be up and running. “This has been a long process, but I’m excited that we’re finally here,” Grippo said. “Hopefully we’ll be embedded in the community as a go-to place for Larchmont families.” Grippo signed on with MOOYAH to open six locations in either Westchester or Fairfield County, and de-
MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes opened on Palmer Avenue in Larchmont on Monday, April 18. The franchise currently has 93 operating locations around the world. Photo/James Pero
cided to launch his second site in Larchmont because of the village’s family-oriented atmosphere and lack of competing franchises. He said although the location has only been open since Monday, April 18, some customers have frequented the store several times, all with positive feedback. Michael and Nancy Frugis of New Rochelle stopped into the shop for the first time on Monday, April 25 at the height of
MOOYAH’s dinner rush, and said they were excited to try their first burger. The restaurant buzzed with kids, teens and parents grabbing a bite or splitting a shake, and with each entering customer came a warm welcome from the staff behind the counter.
The store’s register and food pick-up station for guests who choose to take their meal on the go is separated from its dining area, but employees serve and interact with guests who opt to eat onsite, giving the restaurant both a fast food and dine-in feel. A large chalkboard mounted near the register labeled “Moodle Doodle” encourages kids to showcase their artistic skills, and the shop’s inviting red, black and white color scheme, paired with the exposed kitchen and burger station, offers a sense of transparency that fast food establishments are often criticized for lacking. MOOYAH’s menu includes a signature burger, double burger, turkey burger and black bean burger assembled on in-store baked buns, along with salad options, fries, milkshakes and a kids’ menu. Heather Tabachnick, manager of the Larchmont location, said MOOYAH strives to provide
an exceptional product and customer service experience, and encourages guests to fill out a satisfaction survey so employees can determine the areas they can improve upon. “We’re not just another place to eat; we’re here to be a community partner,” she said. “Our staff is a team and you can teach anyone how to learn the register and create a burger, but you can’t teach someone how to be personable and have a commitment to customer service.” Tabachnick said that within the short time MOOYAH’s Larchmont location has been open, members of the community have commended her team on their hospitality and service. She said now that the location is established, MOOYAH is excited to make itself known throughout the community. CONTACT: suzy@hometwn.com
Follow us on Twitter, @eastchesterview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/eastchesterreview The Eastchester Review (permit #106661) is published by Home Town Media Group weekly for an annual subscription of $32. Application to mail at the peridcals postage rate is approved at Port Chester, N.Y., 10573. Periodicals postage paid at Port Chester and additional mailing offices.
MOOYAH prides itself on providing an exceptional customer service and food service experience, offering guests both takeout and eat-in dining options.
MOOYAH currently has two operating locations in New York state, both owned by franchisee Anthony Grippo. The other site, which opened in November 2015, is located in Briarcliff Manor.
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 7
Astorino touts county’s financial footing in address By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino maintained his reputation for preventing tax increases during his April 21 State of the County address, pledging to submit a 2017 budget that, for the seventh consecutive year, would not raise property taxes. In his address, Astorino, a Republican, compared his administration’s taxation and expenses to those of his predecessor Andrew Spano, a Democrat. Since Spano left office in 2010, property taxes have been lowered by 2 percent, more than $12 million, and have not fluctuated in five years. Meanwhile, county spending has risen to $1.8 billion, but is still lower than it was in 2010. Astorino said that curbing taxes and expenses was a matter of fiscal responsibility. “And we’ve shown that government can work and live within its means, just like you and me and everyone else,” he told the audience at the Westchester County Courthouse. He said his administration has adopted a “save and keep” method, rather than a tax and spend one. “We have been guided by the fact that even small numbers can add up quickly when it comes to taxes,” he added. Astorino pointed to the “three P’s” which he said have been the compass for his seven years in office: protect taxpayers, preserve essential services, and promote economic growth. The county executive, in the midst of his second term in office, said that rather than creating revenue by taxing residents, the county will aim to generate revenue by developing its assets. One asset Astorino pointed to was the Westchester BioScience & Technology Center, a large-scale development project announced earlier this year. The $1.2 billion privately funded development will be partially set on the county’s North 60 property in Valhalla. The 60acre site will be supplemented by 20 acres of land provided by the developer, Fareri Associates. The North 60 lease is now awaiting review by the county Board of Legislators. Astorino compared the center to Silicon Valley and the Re-
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino delivered his seventh annual State of the County address on April 21, in which he promised to flatline taxes for the fifth consecutive year. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
search Triangle in North Carolina, estimating $16 million in annual revenue from the biotech center from real estate taxes and rent. In addition, the county executive claimed the project would create 4,000 temporary construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs, including entrylevel positions. “We already have a foothold with companies like Regeneron and Acorda Theraputics and the expansion into Westchester of leading hospitals like Sloan Kettering, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian,” said Astorino, adding that the biotech center was a step into the future. However, his annual address was also haunted by past and ongoing legal battles. Astorino accused the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, which has been overseeing the county’s compliance with a 2009 affordable housing settlement, of making false claims and outrageous demands in order to keep Westchester under its thumb. “HUD’s leverage over Westchester ends when the county fulfills its obligations under the settlement… and that’s HUD’s end game: a settlement that never ends,” he said. Astorino said he will continue to push back against the federal government when it overreaches. “Westchester will always follow the law,” he said, “and as long as I am county executive it will never give up its rights under the law.” The Democratic Caucus of the county Board of Legislators viewed the current state of Westchester under Astorino in a far different light. Democrats contested the county executive’s tax reduction
methods. They pointed to sales tax revenue, which has fallen short of estimates made in the budget by more than $20 million per year since 2014. Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, discussed the sales tax deficit in her response, adding that this year’s sales tax revenue is already falling short of the $525 million estimated in the county’s 2016 budget. Borgia said this budget gap will result in infrastructural damage and neglect, and loss of important services, especially relating to safety and welfare. County Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, said, “As a result of this year’s shortfall already on sales tax revenues, various services are already being cut and reduced, and the human and economic impacts are going to start to present themselves.” Jenkins, who condemned Astorino for using $29 million from reserve funds to make up for sales tax over projections, also slammed the county executive for continuing to fight with HUD, which has already withheld several Community Development Block grants amounting to $22 million from the county for noncompliance with various terms of the settlement. “If the county executive wants to front that cost from his campaign coffers to further his political ambitions, that is fine, but the taxpayers of Westchester cannot and should not,” said Jenkins, referencing Astorino’s failed run for governor last year and rumors that he may be planning another gubernatorial candidacy in 2018. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
8 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
Bronxville 2016–2017 operating budget update BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
Per New York state law, last week the village trustees filed an operating budget for fiscal year 2016-2017. Unlike a school district, a village budget is approved by a majority of the trustees and is not subject to a public vote. In the macro view, the proposed budget of $15,882,433 increased the tax levy by $268,901, or 2.99 percent, due primarily to the budgeted increase of $640,449 for bond principal and interest payments. This money is funding a host of unprecedented capital projects and purchases, including the FEMA flood mitigation project, repair of the Village Hall entrance, downtown street lighting upgrades, street resurfacing and curb restoration, sewer infrastructure cleaning and repair, and a new dump truck for the Department of Public Works. The levy therefore exceeds the 2016–2017 state-allowed increase of 0.12 percent, euphemistically known as the “2 percent tax cap.” As a measure, the tax cap limitation would not even cover the cost of five new streetlights, and efforts to convince Albany that at a minimum, debt service for capital expenses should be excluded from the tax cap calculation have been fruitless. As a result of our strong tax base, we are once again able to provide a slight reduction in the tax rate. The village has a taxable assessed value of $3,055,091,265, up over $92 million from last year and comparable to the value levels of the previous peak of 2006–2007. Since 2012, our full assessed value has grown 10 percent, a major positive indicator that helps maintain our AAA bond rating, the highest possible we can achieve. This has paid dividends resulting in the low interest rates we were able to negotiate on our recent bond transactions. Due to the strong housing market and attractive interest rates spurring refinancing, our mortgage tax revenue in 2015– 2016 exceeded all expectation
resulting in a budget variance of +60 percent. However, it should be noted that the assessor is seeing softening or leveling off of the increases going forward and is anticipating little additional growth from existing housing stock in 2017. The slowdown though will be offset in part by the construction of the Villa BXV units which should be 80 percent complete by January 2017, and add an additional $30 million-plus to our taxable value, positively impacting next year’s budget. However, our other major revenue generator, sales tax proceeds, was down due to the continued growth of online sales as well as a significant countywide commercial property vacancy rate. In order to keep the tax levy down, the trustees must look to constantly increase all of our non-property tax revenue possibilities. As a result of some price increases and well as increased usage and activities in certain departments, we project nonproperty tax revenues in the next budget to be $6,065,705, representing an increase of $348,800 from the previous budget. Parking is by far the largest source of revenue amounting to a $2.7 million business, $1.14 million of which comes from meter quarters. After listening to our merchants, residents and Chamber of Commerce, we have rolled back meter hours from 9 p.m. to 7 p.m. We were convinced that we could meet our objective of not providing free street parking for those heading for a night in Manhattan, rather than using the space for a dinner, movie or exercise class in the village with the 7 p.m. meter termination. Hopefully, the free parking from 7 p.m. in all lots/meters in the village will stimulate evening resident participation in local entertainment options. Budget components Debt service
To offset this revenue loss, our ticket fees will increase from $20 to $25—still nowhere near comparable to other Westchester communities, some with $45 penalties. Our final proposed budget of $15,882,433 reflects an amalgam of savings in some columns counter balanced by increases in other line items. As example, as mentioned earlier, our debt service increased due to an unprecedented $7,255,000 in bonding dedicated to infrastructure projects. The budget also reflects contract settlements with the Police Benevolent Association, PBA, and the Teamsters Union representing our sanitation staff with salary increases in the neighborhood of 2 percent. Within those contract parameters are increased health care copay agreements that will reap benefits for the village for years to come. The contract provisions are pivotal because health care premiums are projected to increase $165,000, even accounting for the increased contributions by our employees. On the positive side, our contributions to the State Pension Fund and Workman’s Compensation Insurance Fund have both decreased slightly, truly a rarity. Our utility costs are projected to decrease due to the energy saving of the aforementioned LED street lighting upgrade in the capital budget. In sum, the following chart is reflective of how the major components of the final budget were allocated: The tax levy increase of 0.76 percent translates into a $50 increase to a homeowner with a house assessed at $2.5 million. Most gratifying, the above budget was accomplished with no diminution of services in any department to our village taxpayers.
Percentage of appropriations 13%
Total amount $2,078,455
Road maintenance
11%
$1,727,420
Sanitation
5%
$799,805
Library
9%
$1,368,200
Police department
19%
$3,051,442
Utilities
2%
$328,800
have a news tip? Contact kiley stevens kiley@hometwn.com
district from page 1
The Eastchester Board of Commissioners ordered the fire chief to remove volunteer members who live outside of the town. Some have been members for more than 50 years. File photo
has been an active firefighter and voted against the motion to remove the out of district volunteers. Lore told the Review, “I’m not going to vote against my own men.” Horne recently received a letter signed by Grogan dated April 8,,the day of the vote, which informed Horne of his termination. Horne is an honorary chief and some volunteers explained that 50 years of membership earns a member honorary chiefdom, but Winter and the volunteers have disparate understandings of the provisions of this title. “I guess it’s a title you can put on your car bumper,” Winter told the Review. On the other hand, Lore considers the honorary term a waiver, ensuring the titleholder’s perpetual status as a member in good standing. This isn’t the first time the
issue over standing within the Eastchester Fire District volunteer ranks has been a bone of contention. In October 2007, Grogan issued a stand-down order to all volunteers, restricting them from responding to fires or emergencies. To date, according to Winter, the order has not been lifted. Winter added that the fire board has tried to put these volunteers on scene support duties in the past, but that there has been limited participation. But Visci argues that there has been adequate participation, regardless of the chief’s order; between one and five members respond to calls for these roles, depending on the time of day. Grogan could not be reached for comment as of press time. Horne said most of the volunteers are in their 50s or older. “I’m more of an executive [member],” he said. “I mean, nobody would want a 75-year-old
man going in to fight fires.” While the board has not added any new volunteers, they have had difficulty keeping track of those currently enrolled. As the termination process unfolds, the commissioners have also demanded that the volunteers provide updated rosters to help weed out the non-resident members. Horne added that the volunteers’ only duty to submit a roster is during annual inspections, which haven’t taken place in years. Instead, Winter has submitted a Freedom of Information Law request for the updated roster as well as a request for a list of the Benevolent Association’s bank accounts and their contents, noting that the volunteers often hold their meetings in local restaurants. Winter said many of the volunteers are treating the Fire Department like a “dinner club.” CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 9
Village of Tuckahoe adopts override budget
CLEANUP from page 1
The village of Tuckahoe has adopted its budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year in a unanimous vote on Monday, April 25. Photo/Kiley Stevens
By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer
The site of the DEC Brownfield Cleanup Project on Marbledale Road in Tuckahoe, where developer Bilwin Development Affiliates, LLC plans to remediate contaminated land to make it a viable site for a Marriott hotel. Photo courtesy maps.google.com
Now the DEC must decide if they will move forward with the plan as drafted. According to Wendy Rosenbach, regional citizens participation specialist for the DEC, there is no specific timeline for the state agency to render a decision. If the cleanup is approved by DEC, the hotel proposal would then go before the Tuckahoe Planning Board for final approval. “When the DEC comes up with a recommendation after [April 24], then we have to take the next step, which I think is the most important,” said Mayor Steve Ecklond, a Republican. He stressed the village’s responsibility in overseeing the site’s management and compliance to the cleanup plan. However, many residents voiced their concern with the scope of the DEC’s remediation plan. Rachel Zolottev, who owns Ki Martial Arts studio, which is also
located on the quarry site, said she wants a thorough examination of the site. The BCP site encompasses only the 3.5-acre land owned by Bilwin Development. The DEC has no immediate plans to address the remaining 3.1 acres of the former landfill. David Gordon, a lawyer who represents Ki Martial Arts, said the environmental hazard of the sites was likely the same, so it does not make sense to divide the projects. “The only thing that separates the Brownfield site from the other areas of those pits is a subdivision line,” Gordon said. Some area residents also voiced their concern about digging into the unknown, possibly unearthing buried hazardous materials. Don Hughes, an environmental consultant hired by the Lower Hudson Sierra Club, an environmental organization, to investigate the site, claimed the project
is potentially dangerous because there is no way of knowing what may be in the landfill. “The [DEC] seems to be assuming there’s nothing bad down there—no drums or tanks or anything like that—and yet indications are, from the history, that that’s what’s down there,” he said. Lifelong Tuckahoe residents Anthony Lore and Joseph Marinello have each attested to some of the contaminants in the landfill. Lore said he dumped truckloads of asbestos and petroleum tanks in the landfill when he worked for a contractor between 1965 and 1966. In an affidavit written to the DEC, Marinello listed materials he witnessed being dumped into the quarry, including ash, pharmaceuticals, lead, Freon and tanks between the 1950s and 1970s. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Eastchester REVIEW THE
The eastchesterreview.com is under construction Stay tuned for updates on the release of our new and improved website
The village of Tuckahoe has adopted its budget for the upcoming 2016-2017 fiscal year. The $12.2 million budget comes in at nearly a 3 percent increase from last year’s budget adopted budget of $11.8 million. The initial village budget, which was first proposed in March, exceeded the state mandated tax cap of 0.12 percent by 4.16 percent. During multiple budget workshop sessions, however, village officials managed to reduce the 4.16 percent figure to 1.88 percent, although it still overrides the state-mandated property tax cap. The tax cap is set by the state to limit the amount local governments can increase property taxes. Though the total budget has increased, the property levy tax has decreased because the village was able to find $216,500 in additional non-property tax revenues. Some of these revenue streams include increases to project parking meter revenues of $100,000, an increase of
$25,000 to building permits fees, $76,500 in additional revenue from fines and forfeitures and $15,000 in sanitation revenues. Mayor Steve Ecklond, a Republican, told the Review that not one particular area of the budget was cut severely; rather, all the departments included in the budget experienced a cut. He added that the village had built in expenditures of which they had no control over, including $74,000 in contractual salary increases for the Police Department, and a $50,000 increase in salaries within the Department of Public Works. With these increases built in to the budget, Ecklond said that it is unrealistic to come up with a “flat budget,” or a budget with no increases in spending. Trustee Greg Luisi, a Republican, said that Albany’s belief that the village could operate with a tax cap of 0.12 percent was “unsound and foolish.” Trustee Antonio Leo, a Republican and the newest member of the village board, said that he was unaware of how extensive the budget process really was. “Every
line item [within the budget] has been scrutinized and gone over in great detail,” he said. This was Leo’s first experience being part of a budget process. Members of the village board seemed to agree that the adopted budget was fair, and served the residents of the village as best as it could without cutting essential services. “It’s in the best interest of all of our residents to do the best that we can [to keep taxes low],” Ecklond said. He mentioned a softer cost on workers’ compensation insurance as added revenue, which contributed to less expenditure. Ecklond also confirmed that there will be no increase or decrease in village employee positions. Included within the tight budget are three major capital projects: the purchase of a new police vehicle, a new Ford truck for the Department of Public works, and a road resurfacing project, consisting of the general paving of village roads. The projects total $179,000. CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com
Health dept. says no health risk in child death Following the tragic April 23 death of a 7-year-old girl, the Westchester County Department of Health has released a statement calling her death an “isolated incident.” Lily Love was a second-grader at Greenvale School in Scarsdale, which is part of the Eastchester school district. The health department has determined that her death poses no public health risk to others. The health department is currently unable to disclose the cause of death, according to Eastchester Superintendent of Schools Dr. Walter Moran. In a letter written to parents,
Moran explained that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, HIPAA, an act that protects the privacy and security of health information, forbids the health department from disclosing further information regarding Love’s death. County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said, “Our privacy laws limit the details that we can share, but residents can be reassured that our county and state medical professionals have analyzed the findings and concluded there is no cause for public concern.” The determination was based on a review of all medical infor-
mation and findings regarding the death. Caren Halbfinger, director of public affairs for the health department, told the Review that the department becomes involved when there is an unexplained death in Westchester. The county’s Department of Community Mental Health provided support to family, friends, classmates and community members during the week to help them cope with the unexpected loss. Eastchester Police Chief Timothy Bonci could not be reached for comment as of press time. -Reporting by Kiley Stevens
10 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
legal notices PROBATE CITATION
legal notices
SURROGATE’S COURT – WESTCHESTER COUNTY SECOND AMENDED CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent
File No. 2015-1217
TO: IRENE DANTONA MELOCHIK a/k/a IRENE DANTONA MARKOWICZ Vladimir Rajcok, whose whereabouts are unknown, and if he is deceased, to all the unknown distributees, heirs at law and next of kin of Vladimir Rajcok and to all the unknown distributees, heirs at law and next of kin of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL, their guardians, committees, conservators or assignees, and if any of them survived FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL but have since died or become incompetent, their successors in interest, executors, administrators, legal representatives, devisees, legatees, spouses, distributees, heirs at law, next of kin, committees, conservators, guardians or any person having any claim or interest through them by purchase, inheritance or otherwise. A petition having been duly filed by FRANK MASICK who is domiciled at 9218 Dayton Pike #73, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee 37379. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Westchester County at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. , 18th Floor, White Plains, New York on May 18, 2016 at 9:30 o’clock in the fore noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the Estate of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL lately domiciled at 1 Rivervue Place, Tuckahoe, New York admitting to probate a Will dated October 9, 2002, a copy of which is attached, as the Will of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [ X ] Letters Testamentary issue to: FRANK MASICK Dated, Attested and Sealed April 8, 2016 BRANDON R. SALL Hon._____________________________ Surrogate
_____________________________ Chief Clerk Howard Garfinkel, Lauterbach Garfinkel Damast & Hollander, LLP Attorneys for Frank Masick, Petitioner
Tel: 845-368-4400
49 North Airmont Road, Suite 101, Suffern, New York 10901 Address of Attorney
Fax: 845-368-4446
[NOTE: This citation is served upon you are required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]
EASTCHESTER UFSD NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION AND VOTE The Annual District Public Election and Vote of the qualified voters of the Eastchester Union Free School District of the Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, State of New York, will be held at the Eastchester Middle School for those persons residing in the Eastchester High School/Middle School Election District and at 235 Garth Road for those persons residing in the Garth Road Election District on May 17, 2016 between the hours of six (6:00) AM and nine (9:00) PM EDT, for the purpose of electing three members of the Board of Education of said District for three (3) full terms of three (3) years, and one member of the Board of Education of said District for term commencing on May 18, 2016 and expiring on June 30, 2018. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Mary Messner Martin) and expiring June 30, 2019. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Judah Holstein) and expiring June 30, 2019. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Paul Doyle) and expiring June 30, 2019. One (1) member of the Board of Education for a term of two years (2) years, commencing May 18, 2016 (position currently filled by Dr. Cheryl Smith) and expiring on June 30, 2018. PROPOSITION NO. 1 - For the adoption of the budget for the school year 2016-17 for the schools comprising Eastchester Union Free School District of the Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, State of New York, approved by the Board of Education of said District, to be submitted to the qualified voters of the District at the Election and Public Vote to be held at the Eastchester Middle School and 235 Garth Road, of said District on May 17, 2016 between the hours of six (6:00) AM and nine (9:00) PM EDT, for the raising of the net sum required for said budget in one sum by tax upon the taxable property of said District. A copy of the budget for the school year 2016-17 to be voted on at the Annual District Public Election and Vote to be held on May 17, 2016, may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, and at each school in the District between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and three (3:00) PM, EDT, on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen days immediately preceding May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE - Nominating petitions for candidates for the office of school board member must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five (5:00) PM, EDT, by April 18, 2016, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A copy of each candidate’s statement of expense may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five (5:00) PM, EDT, on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the five days immediately preceding May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote. On May 10, 2016, the second Tuesday preceding the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote, the Board of Education will convene a Public Hearing at eight (8:00) PM on the proposed budget. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - The Board of Registration, Eastchester Union Free School District, Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, New York, will meet to prepare the register of the qualified voters of the District for the District Public Election and Vote of the School District, which will be held on May 17, 2016 at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, Eastchester, New York, on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and 12 Noon (12:00) PM EDT. Please note that new voters may register at such time and location on any business day prior to and including May 11, 2016, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Vote at the location at which you are registered. You cannot vote if your name does not appear upon the register, except as in accordance with NY Education Law Sec. 2019-a. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - Any person shall be entitled to have his name placed upon said register of the qualified voters of the District provided that at the foregoing meeting of the members of the Board of Registration, such person presents himself or herself personally for registration and is known or proved to the satisfaction of such members of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election to be held on May 17, 2016. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - The said register of the qualified voters of the District, when prepared, will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, in said District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District at the said office of said Clerk between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five(5:00) PM, EDT, during each of the five days, Saturday nine (9:00) AM to twelve (12:00) PM, Sunday excepted, prior to May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote. Applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District and must be received by the Clerk of the District prior to four (4:00) PM on May 11, 2016 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, and/ or prior to four (4:00) PM on May 16, 2016 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk not later than five (5:00) PM on May 17, 2016. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, to date, will be available in said office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of election, Saturday nine (9:00) AM to twelve (12:00) PM, Sunday excepted, and that such list will also be posted at the voting place or places. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE – a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website. Voting on BUDGET AND TRUSTEE ELECTION will be by machine ballot. Dated: April 1, 2016 Lisa Sanfilippo, District Clerk
legal notices TOWN OF EASTCHESTER ZONING BOARD APPEALS 40 MILL RD. 914-771-3317 BUILDING@EASTCHESTER.ORG EASTCHESTER , NY 10709 914-771-3322 FAX WWW.EASTCHESTER.ORG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVING: THAT THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE TOWN OF EASTCHESTER WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, MAY 10 , 2016 AT 7:00, PM AT THE TOWN OF EASTCHESTER TOWN HALL, 40 MILL ROAD, EASTCHESTER, NY ON APPLICATION OF ROBERT ESPOSITO FOR AREA VARIANCE, TO AN AREAVARIANCE FOR A NEW HOME. AFFECTING THE PREMISES KNOWN AS SECTION 72, BLOCK 3, LOT 6.E ON THE TAX MAP OF THE TOWN OF EASTCHESTER, NEW YORK AND KNOWN AS 6 D’AMBROSIO WAY.
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 11
May 2016
Planning ahead... Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Brain Tumor Awareness Month
World Asthma Day
Wednesday
3
Eastchester Town Council meeting 8 p.m., Town Hall Tuckahoe Planning Board work session 7 p.m.
4
Holocaust Remembrance Day Lake Isle Advisory Board meeting 7 p.m., Lake Isle
Thursday
Friday
5
Cinco de Mayo
Saturday
6
The Kentucky Derby
7
Tuckahoe village board Work Session 7 p.m. Bronxville Board of Education meeting 7 p.m.
SAT testing
Eastchester Environmental Committee meeting 7:30 p.m., Community Room Mother’s Day
8
15
9
10
11
Tuckahoe school board workshop 7:30 p.m., TMS/HS Library
Eastchester Zoning Board meeting 7 p.m., Town Hall
Tuckahoe Zoning Board meeting 6:30 p.m.
Tuckahoe village board meeting 8 p.m.
Eastchester Eagles meeting 7 p.m.
Bronxville Planning Board meeting 7:30 p.m.
Bronxville Board of Trustees meeting 8 p.m.
Eastchester school board work session 8 p.m.
16
Mental Health Week
Tuckahoe High School Spring Concert 7:30 p.m., TMS/THS Auditorium
17
School budget vote and election
Tuckahoe Planning Board meeting 7 p.m.
18
Eastchester school board meeting 8 p.m.
22
23
Memorial Day Tribute 9:30 a.m., THS Turf Field
Eastchester High School Scholastic Awards 7 p.m.,
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Memorial Day, schools and government offices closed
Memorial Day parade 9:30 a.m., Eastchester library
24
20
14
21
Eastchester High School Relay for Life
Tuckahoe High School Band/Strings Concert 7 p.m., WEC Auditorium
25
Eastchester Traffic and Parking Advisory meeting 7 p.m., Community Room
Tuckahoe Middle School Spring Concert 7:30 p.m., TMS/THS
Bronxville Zoning Board meeting 7:30 p.m.
Eastchester Middle School Concert 7 p.m.
31
19
Eastchester HS/MS Jazz Band Concert 7 p.m.
13
Bronxville High School Prom
Bronxville Middle School Orchestra Concert 7 p.m.
Eastchester Town Council meeting 8 p.m., Town Hall
Eastchester High School Relay for Life
12
26
Eastchester Planning Board meeting 7 p.m., Town Hall
27
Tuckahoe schools closed Bronxville High School Orchestra Concert 7 p.m.
28
12 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
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legal notices N O T I C E O F F O R M AT I O N O F FLOURISHING CULTURE CONSULTANTS, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) February 2, 2016. Office location: Westchester County. Law Office of Frederick R. Dettmer, 89 Clinton Avenue # 35, New Rochelle, New York 10801 is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Purpose: any lawful activity. N o t i c e o f Fo r m a t i o n o f We s t ch e s t e r Marriage and Family Therapy, PLLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 01/26/16. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 17 Smart Ave Yonkers, NY 10704. Purpose: any lawful activity.
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April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 13
There’s an app for (even) that RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
New apps, the world awaits! (Or maybe not.) • Footbook: Facebook for people too shy to look up. • Fibr: Allows you to find fiber instantly, anywhere. • KnitBit: Keeps track of how many inches you have knitted in a day. • FateBit: After an actuarial table determines when you will die, stopwatch counts down the time you have left. • WadsApp: Trident, Wrigley or Bazooka? Photograph the bottom of your shoe and wonder no more. • The Verizon Grrr: Sends a slightly stinging jolt through the phone of friend who hasn’t answered your text within 28 seconds. • The Verizon Yowch: Sends a surprisingly robust jolt through the phone of “friend” who hasn’t answered your text within 29 seconds. • The Verizon Singe: Sends a searing jolt that leaves a phoneshaped welt on butt of the a**hole who “couldn’t” answer your text within half a minute. • Where’s My Brain?: RFID technology locates fantasy where brain has strayed and brings it back to task at hand with a loud “Never gonna happen,” or “GET BACK TO WORK!” • Google Naps: Presents viewer with IRS-generated instructions on how to fill out tax form 1099PATR, taxable distributions re-
ceived from cooperatives. • Google Naps+: Presents viewer with IRS-generated instructions on how to file for advance payments of the premium tax credit that were not made for you, your spouse, or any individual you enrolled in coverage for whom no one else is claiming the personal exemption (Part 1). • Google Catch: Activates 3-D video of writhing worm. Simply attach phone to fishing line. • Google Glug: Allows fish to call each other and laugh about idiot in wading boots. • Google Pyke: Allows fish to see each other and laugh about idiot in wading boots. • Google Wet Smack: Allows idiot in wading boots to smack themself in the head with wet, otherwise no-longer-functioning phone. • FaceSlime: Allows others to laugh at idiot with algae on face. • InstaSpam: Signs user up for amazing time-share deals. • InstaScam: See above. • InstaBam: Get your Obama quote of the day—or download the previous 2,627! • InstaCram: Summarizes English class favorites in two or three lines. E.g., “Guy is mad that whale ate his leg. Also, there’s symbolism.” • InstaFam: Lonely? This RFG (Random Family Generator) adds a total of up to 17 people to your family cue and then deletes two because you are no longer on speaking terms. Note:”BIL” designee will stop by within the hour to borrow your drill (return not guaranteed) and take a beer from your fridge.
• SnapCat: SnapChat for old ladies. • SnapLap: SnapChat for old cats. • TempleShalomRun: Players rush to get to temple on time. Bagels of gold, red and blue provide protection and a platform for lox. • InstaGerm: Function encourages you to hand your phone to a nearby child, then take it back. • Shhhazam: Shushes people wearing headphones who don’t realize they’re singing out loud. • Spotify, Dry Cleaning Edition: Distracts user applying ketchup, mustard or mayo to sandwich while wearing nice clothes. • Google Mistranslate: Takes ordinary English and produces gaffs that may or may not result in war. • Doodley: Records each day’s doodles and lets you know if you are approaching fatal levels of boredom. • Nozee: Calculates exactly how many times you pushed your glasses up your nose today. • Enemyster: Create new enemies by finding others who snort at your opinions, hobbies or moral judgments. • Amazon’s Amazon Direct: Leeches, piranhas and intestinal parasites delivered to your door while still alive. • MineShaft: Players fall down virtual mine shaft and waste rest of their lives trying to get out. • Elfie: Allows user to take photos of self with imaginary friend, who does not show up in photo. • Pyft: New app that... never mind. It’s nothing, really.
Harrison REVIEW REVIEW THE
THE
INSIDE
THE
Eastchester CityREVIEW NewRochelle REVIEW THE
The hit musical “Happy Days,” running in the Westchester Broadway Theatre from May 5 through July 17, is based on the Paramount Pictures’ television series. The series’ original creator Garry Marshall wrote the book. “Happy Days” features 21 songs, including the series’ iconic theme song, by Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe award-winning songwriter Paul Williams, with orchestrator and arranger John McDaniel. Book by Garry Marshall, music and Lyrics by Paul Williams, direction by Jonathan Stahl and musical direction by Ryan Wise. The whole gang is back. Richie, Fonzie, Ralph, Potsie, Chachi and other crowd favorites from the smash-hit TV series are rockin’ and rollin’ all week long. The laughs never end in a celebration of poodle skirts, jukeboxes, motorcycles and malt shops. “These days are yours and mine” in this new musical for the entire family. “Happy Days” was produced at the Goodspeed Opera House, and ran from at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester, Connecticut. Productions followed at The Goodspeed Opera House, The Papermill Playhouse and successful U.S. and U.K. national tours. Jonathan Stahl will direct and
Nick Varricchio stars as Fonzie in the Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of “Happy Days,” set to take the stage beginning Thursday, May 5. Photo courtesy Pia Haas
choreograph the show. The associate director is Leisa Mather, and the musical director is Ryan Wise. The Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production stars Herb Porter as Richie, Peter Davenport as Mr. Cunningham, Lori Hammel as Mrs. Cunningham, Nick Varricchio as Fonzie, Mia Weinberger as Joanie, Mike D’Amico as Chachi, Michael Linden as Potsie, Schyler Conaway as Ralph, Maria Logan as Pinky, Peter Marinos as Arnold, and Hannah Kate Wilson as Lori Beth. Featuring the talents of Matthew Borchers, Colleen Campbell, Aubrey Mae Davis, Samantha Gardner, Leisa Mather, Michael McClure, Nicholas Park, Ian Parmenter and Kilty Reidy. Set design is by Steve Loftus,
costumes designed and executed by Janell Berte, lighting design is by Andrew Gmoser, sound design is by Jonathan Hatton and Mark Zuckerman, wig and hair design is by Gerard Kelly. The production stage manager is Victor Lukas, properties are by Grumpy Props. Lisa Tiso is the associate producer. “Happy Days” will run from May 5 through July 17. Ticket prices for a dinner and show range from $56 to $84 plus tax, depending on the performance chosen. Beverage service and gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students and senior citizens at selected performances. To learn more or to make reservations, call 5922222 or visit BroadwayTheatre. com. (Submitted)
CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
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Mamaroneck
‘Happy Days’ takes the WBT stage
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Earlie is a gorgeous 4-yearold male chow mix who is very sweet and friendly. He can be reactive to male dogs, but he walks nicely with female dogs. Earlie is totally housebroken and very anxious to find his forever home with older children or no children. Earlie is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue to make Earlie part of your home? For more information, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
14 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016
SPORTS
Fanning the flames LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
The one thing I love about my job is that you never know when you’re going to see something new. During the second half of an April 26 lacrosse game between Harrison and Mamaroneck, the two officials called a timeout to huddle with the opposing head coaches. But they weren’t trying to figure out who was closest to the ball as it was shot out of the field of play or which player had committed a foul; they were conferring on what to do about a disruptive parent in the stands. In the grand scheme of things, this guy wasn’t the worst spectator I’ve seen at a high school game this year; that title goes to the 50-year-old man with his nose pressed up against the glass who took every opportunity he could to tell Pelham’s goalie that he sucked during a particularly
important regular-season hockey game back in February. But the fact remains that during this recent lacrosse game, this guy, who had been loudly voicing his displeasure with the referee’s calls all game long—albeit without using any foul or abusive language—had been asked by one official to quiet down yet kept on jawing, regardless. Should the ref have had thicker skin and done his best to ignore the heckler? Probably. Should the fan learn how to act like a reasonable adult at a high school sporting event? Definitely. The fact that he was standing on the opposite side of the field from the rest of the fans in attendance suggests that someone—possibly his wife—has witnessed more than a few of these outbursts before. Now, I’m not a sports prude. If you want to go to Yankee Stadium, chug a couple of beers and holler at the umpires for blowing a few calls, I feel like that’s your right as a fan.
But at a high school game, where the lessons learned by our young athletes are at least as important as the final score, you should learn how to bite your tongue. I know, it’s not always easy. Earlier this week, I took in a much-anticipated baseball game between Rye and Eastchester. Two of the area’s top pitchers, Garnet hurler George Kirby and the Eagles’ Greg Satriale, took the bump with about a half-dozen pro scouts lined up around the backstop.. But it was apparent early on that a wandering strike zone was going to be more of a factor in the game than the right arms of the teams’ respective aces. And while fans from both sides howled, at least initially, at the umpire’s questionable zone, it ultimately fell upon both Kirby and Satriale—and not the fans—to keep their composure, adapt to the man calling balls and strikes and find a way to pitch effectively.
Crowley named All-American Eastchester High Senior Nunzio Crowley has capped off his highly successful high school wrestling career with the ultimate honor—being named AllAmerican for wrestling. Nunzio has repeatedly demonstrated that he has what it takes to compete at the highest levels of high school amateur wrestling. He won the sectional tournament for the second year in a row (not allowing one point against him in the sectional tournament last year); this year he was named as the tournament’s most outstanding wrestler. He was named All State two years in a row, placing fifth last year and placing third this year. He wrestled in the 170-pound weight class. He was also a Con Edison Athlete of the Week for wrestling during the 2015-16 school year. Nunzio attended the National High School Coaches Association, NHSCA, Nationals, where all 50 states where represented. To qualify for this tournament, an athlete had to place among the top three in the home state tournament. There were 59 wrestlers in Nunzio’s weight class in the
senior class division. He wrestled athletes from Connecticut, Montana, Virginia, Florida and Utah, placing in the medal round, which qualified him for the All-American honor. Eastchester Athletic Director Jay Karol said, “Nunzio Crowley is the most dedicated athlete I have seen in a long time. He is a three-sport athlete and an amazing student. On top of all of his other responsibilities and activities, Nunzio makes time to train
for wrestling nearly every day after practice and homework, even in the off season. He is one of a kind.” Nunzio, who has the most wins in Eastchester wrestling history and is the only one to be awarded both All State and All-American honors, reflected on his experience. “Wrestling is a unique sport because it is only you on the mat. I think this is the reason most wrestlers are drawn to the sport,” he said. (Submitted)
Mamaroneck coach Jeff Barnard, left, and Harrison coach Edgar Glascott confer with officials on April 26 on how to handle an unruly fan. Sports Editor Mike Smith feels that, most times, less is more when it comes to spectators getting on high school officials. Photo/Mike Smith
Neither pitcher escaped with a particularly pretty line on the day, but that experience of not being able to get the calls they were used to and learning how to adjust will ultimately help them as they hone their craft in the collegiate ranks.
On Tuesday, the fan in question escaped expulsion from the event as Harrison sent over a security guard to the far end of the field to keep an eye on him for the final quarter of play. But when the adults are the ones who need a babysitter dur-
ing a game played by 15-yearolds, maybe we’ve got our priorities a little jumbled up. Just let the kids play. They’ll be better off in the long run.
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SPORTS
April 29, 2016 • The eastchester review • 15
Kirby, Garnets best Eagles BASEBALL
non-league
rye 6 eastchester 4 disbrow park
4/21/16
Game Notes: •S tarting pitchers George Kirby and Greg Satriale combined for 17 strikeouts on the afternoon
•C hase Pratt’s fifth-inning homer put the Garnets ahead for good
• Rye’s win puts the Garnets’ record at 7-2 on the year
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Thursday, April 21, Rye and Eastchester’s aces squared off in one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2016 season, as George Kirby and the Garnets took on Greg Satriale and the Eagles at Disbrow Park in Rye. Despite the pedigree of the hurlers, it was Rye’s bats that carried the day, as the Garnets rode a late surge to a 6-4 win. With the score knotted at three and one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Rye catcher Chase Pratt launched a monstrous tworun homer to right field to put his team up 5-3. According to Pratt, who also faced Satriale in the final inning of a 13-5 Eastchester win on Wednesday, April 20, the key to breaking through against the Binghamton-bound righthander was simply not overthinking the situation. As a result, he was able to deposit a letter-high fastball into the woods beyond the right field fence. “Satriale is a great pitcher but we knew we could hit him,” Pratt said. “Before the pitch, they called time, and I went over to my coach and asked him what to look for up there and he just said, ‘Clear your head.’” Pratt’s blast chased Satriale from the game, and the Eastchester senior finished with a line of four earned runs,
George Kirby throws a pitch against Eastchester on Thursday, April 21. Kirby struck out 10 batters in 6.1 innings of work to pick up the win over the Eagles.
five hits and seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work against the Garnets. Satriale’s counterpart, Kirby, struck out 10 in 6.1 innings of work, allowing seven hits and three earned runs before giving way to Joe Zulli, who nailed down the save. Although most in attendance expected the game to turn into a pitcher’s duel, good at-bats by both teams, combined with a tight strike zone meant both starters had to work much harder than usual. “I knew it was going to be that way on the first pitch of the game,” Pratt said. “That first pitch, I didn’t even frame it, it was right down the middle and [the umpire] called it a ball.” Kirby agreed with Pratt’s assessment and said that he was forced to change his game plan early in the first inning. “I just tried to stay cool,” the 6-foot-4 righty said. “He wasn’t calling much in the zone, so I just had to get them swinging and trust my teammates out in the field.” With the win, Rye improved to
7-2 on the year, while the Eagles fell to 5-3. Eastchester will be back in action against Harrison on Saturday, April 30, after press time, while the Garnets will look to parlay their win over Eastchester into better offensive performances in the future. “We made a few too many errors today, but our biggest struggle all year has been the bats,” Pratt said. “Satriale, in my mind, is the second-best pitcher in the section behind George, so to be able to get a win off him, our confidence is through the roof.”
Rye’s Tim Hale looks to take third as Eastchester makes a play to first base.
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Greg Satriale delivers a strike. Satriale fanned seven batters in 4.1 innings, but surrendered a fifth-inning homer to Chase Pratt that put Rye on top for good. Dusty Mion smacks a bases-loaded double to left. Photos/Mike Smith
16 • The eastchester review • April 29, 2016