Edgemont Association

Neighborhood Watch Orientation Meeting

The Edgemont Association will be hosting its first Neighborhood Watch meeting on Wednesday March 24th at 8pm in the EHS Faculty Lounge. We invite you and your neighbors to attend. The ideal scenario is to have at least one participant from each Old Edgemont block in attendance. At this meeting, we'll identify 'block captains' and learn how to be good 'watchers.' The meeting will be run by Officer Dandreano from the GPD Crime Prevention Unit.

Greenburgh Nature Center Summer Camps

The Greenburgh Nature Center is offering two five-day camps in July and one five-day camp in August for children entering grades 4 - 8. Each camp will run Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. You may sign your child up for more than one camp.
 
The Center is also offering Monday –Thursday "End-Of-Summer," half-day camps the weeks of August 16-19 and August 23-26. These half-day camps are for children entering grades K-3. You may sign your child up for one or two weeks.
 
Enrollment is limited. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required to hold your place. Specific Camp Program information is as follows:
 
Eco-Travel Camp
Each day we will visit a different aquatic site, such as Long Island Sound and the Hudson River along with places like Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Children will have the opportunity to get their hands wet and dirty as they hike and explore our local watersheds. Snack is included.

• July 12-16 for children entering grades 4-5
• August 9-13 for children entering grades 6-8
• Camp runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, for five days.
• Cost: Members $350, Non-members $400.
• Maximum enrollment: 10 campers.

 
Adventure Camp
Activities will include survival techniques, fire building, map and compass skills, hiking, and more. Program includes visits to other nature preserves. Snack is included.

• July 19-23 for children entering grades 4-6
• Camp runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for five days.
• Cost: Members $350, Non-members $400.
• Maximum enrollment: 10 campers.

 
End-Of-Summer Half-Day Camp
Our naturalists provide an informative and fun environment for your children. Each day includes different activities, including live animal interaction, nature crafts, outdoor nature exploration, indoor and outdoor nature games, and more. Snack is included. 

• August 16-19 for children entering grades K-3
• August 23-26 for children entering grades K-3
• Camp runs 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m., four half days.
• Cost: Members $140, Non-members $180.

For further information, call (914) 723-3470 or go to: greenburghnaturecenter.org

The Greenburgh Nature Center is a 33-acre woodland preserve with trails, pond, gardens, and outdoor animal exhibits, including a birds of prey aviary. Our indoor exhibits include a live animal museum with over 100 specimens, exhibit areas focusing on nature and the environment, a greenhouse with botanical exhibits, and a gift shop. The Center is located at 99 Dromore Road, off Central Park Avenue, in Scarsdale, NY. Parking is free, and handicapped parking is available. The center’s grounds are open daily dawn to dusk throughout the year. The Center’s indoor exhibits are open daily except Fridays and a few holidays, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on weekends.

Board of Education Vacancies

At yesterday’s Board of Education meeting, one of the board members tendered his resignation, effective immediately. As a result, four vacancies on the Board of Education, rather than three, will be filled at the general election on May 18.
 
The nominating process to fill three vacancies was closed on January 20; but in light of this new vacancy, SBNC By-Laws require the nominating process be reopened to allow residents can submit additional nominations. A replacement for the resigning board member will be elected to complete the second and third years of his term, which expires in 2012.
 
The nominating process will be reopened for a two week period beginning Thursday, January 28. A second nominating meeting will be held on Thursday February 11. To submit a nomination, please see the details in this this letter, which will be distributed as widely as possible in the community over the coming days.

Haiti Benefit Concert at Town Hall /// January 29

The Town of Greenburgh is organizing a day of music at Town Hall to benefit the Hatian Relief Effort.
 
The event will feature musicians such as:

• Jazz Legend Mark Morganelli
• Solar Punch, Jollanna Gilham
• The Blues Mothers
• Sachi Patitucci
• Kat Spina
• Lou Patrick
• J.A.M. H.C.
• Lucas Brode
• And More…

Friday, January 29, 2010 - 11AM to 6PM
 
All donations will go to the AFYA Foundation, a local foundation that raises funds for medical and humanitarian supplies for Haiti. For more information, contact The Town Clerk’s Office at 914-993-1659 or Townclerk@greenburghny.com

Westchester County Amateur Photo Contest

The Greenburgh Public Library Foundation announces the inaugural Westchester County Amateur Photo Contest. The contest is juried and offers a $500 first prize, a $200 second prize and a $100 third prize as well as a $100 prize for the winning high school entry. The contest is open to amateur photographers only who are also residents of Westchester County. There is a $5 contest fee for photos selected for the competition. No entry fee is charged for high school students. Photographs accepted into the competition will be on exhibit in the Howard and Ruth Jacobs Family Gallery at the Greenburgh Public Library from May 3, 2010 through June 17, 2010. Prizes will be awarded at a reception at the Library on Saturday, May 16, 2010. Photographs must be submitted digitally between April 1 & April 12, 2010 and should be sent as jpeg attachments to: photocontest@greenburghlibrary.org. Submissions must be made in accordance with the contest rules as certain restrictions do apply. Complete contest rules and guidelines for submissions are available at www.greenburghlibrary.org/photocontest and at the Greenburgh Public Library.

2009 Caroling /// Photo Recap

This year's Christmas Eve caroling at Crane Pond was picturesque. Thank you to all who organized and participated. We've posted several photos of the event to our Edgemont Association Flickr page. Thanks to Ryan W. for submitting these pictures (they are gorgeous).

Crime Prevention Tips from Greenville Police Department

These tips were provided by the Town of Greenville Police Department. Have a great, safe holiday!

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HOLIDAY SAFETY
Tis the season to be giving, not to be taken. This holiday season, don’t let the spirit of giving lull you into giving burglars, muggers and pickpockets a better chance to do their work. It’s an opportune time for crime.

Homes packed with extraordinary gifts. Stores, malls and downtown streets gleaming with unsuspecting shoppers. People rushing around, stressed out and careless, looking for last-minute gifts, trying to get everything done.  It’s enough to make a crook’s holiday a special one.

There are many things you can do to reduce the risk of becoming a holiday victim.

SHOPPING

• Stay alert and be aware of what’s going on around you.
• Park in a well-lit space, and be sure to lock the car, close the windows, and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash; pay with a check or credit card whenever possible.
• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don’t overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
• Shopping with kids? Teach them to go to a store clerk, security guard or police officer if you get separated.

HOME SECURITY

• Turn on lights and a radio or TV so it looks like someone’s home. Use automatic timers if necessary.
• Avoid leaving Holiday Decorations, Christmas Candles, Christmas Tree Lights and Menorahs on unattended.
• Make sure all the windows and doors are locked.
• Don’t display gifts where they can be seen from outside.
• Pick up the mail and newspapers.
• Have a trusted neighbor watch your home, shovel the snow, and park in the driveway from time to time.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM TELEPHONE FRAUD
It’s not always easy to spot con-artists. They invade your home through telephone calls, mailers, newspapers and magazines. They use persuasive and aggressive tactics to get you to donate to their cause, purchase their items and invest into their scams.

Con artists steal billions of dollars each year from all types of unsuspecting people. Remember if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Never give a caller your credit card, phone card, Social Security number, or bank account over the phone. It’s illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.
• Listen carefully to the name of a charity requesting money. Fraudulent charities often use names that sound like a reputable, well-known organization such as the American Cancer Association (instead of the American Cancer Society). Ask for a financial report before you donate; a reputable charity will always send you one. Ask for a phone number and contact person.
• Beware of 900 numbers. People who call 900 numbers to request instant credit often end up with a booklet on how to establish credit cards. Such calls can end up costing $ 50 or more, but consumers rarely end up obtaining credit.
• Investigate before you invest. Never make an investment with a stranger over the phone. Beware of promises that include the terms “get rich quick”, or once in a lifetime opportunity.”
• Instruct the telemarketers to remove your name and telephone from their list.
• For further information call the National Fraud Information Center at 800-876-7060, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. or send an (e-mail) to the Fraud Watch home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.fraud.org.

Happy Holidays from the Greenburgh Police Department Crime Prevention Unit!

914-682-5334
P.O. Peter Dandreano
pdandreano@greenburghny.com

Fort Hill Burglary

A home robbery took place yesterday at a home on Fort Hill Lane (off Fort Hill Road) near Ardsley Road. Based on information from police, three men ransacked the house; removing a 51 inch TV, computers, and jewelry. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. The Police are currently following-up on leads.

Weekend Snow Removal

A snow-day message sent today by Supervisor Feiner. Drive safely.

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God must be a Teamster! When it snows on a Saturday the town pays members of the Highway Division of the Public Works Department time and a half in overtime. When it snows on a Sunday we pay double time. Today's snow --which is expected to end on Sunday, will cost the town lots of money.  Although these are difficult budget times for all municipalities - I want to reassure residents that we ARE NOT CUTTING BACK ON SNOW REMOVAL EFFORTS.  Our entire highway dept will be on the roads -- working hard to keep our roads safe for your use. 

Carol Singing /// December 24, 5pm

Please join us for our annual holiday carol sing-along on Thursday December 24th at 5pm. This is a wonderful community event — truly magical. As in many years past, the Gerspach family will be bringing the song sheets and candles.  The Association thanks them for their kindness and generosity. We are also pleased that Bill Darger will once again lead the crowd in song. Come, light a candle, and sing with your neighbors. You will be glad that you did!

Tree Lighting Thank Yous

The 'first annual' Holiday Tree Lighting was a great success. Thanks to all who came out to help debut our new LED lights. Special mention to the gracious Kelly family who allowed all to watch from their yard—a perfect vantage point! All accounts are that the tree looks "SPECTACULAR."  Again, many thanks to Emerald Tree Care which did a fabulous job of stringing up the lights. Look for tree-lighting photos in the next issue of the Scarsdale Inquirer.

Town Information on Overpayment of Taxes

Supervisor Feiner has issued the below statement with regards to available funds for tax overpayments.

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The Town of Greenburgh and other large municipalities in the state have an overpayment and duplicate payment accounts. At times, overpayments of taxes occur. The town is posting a 256 page long listing of people who may be owed money on our website from 1996 to the present: www.greenburghny.com. As you will note from the message below from the Receiver of Taxes, documentation is required before a refund check will be issued. It is possible that the name on the account will not be entitled to the refund.

PAUL FEINER

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HOW DO OVERPAYMENTS HAPPEN?
There are several ways in which an overpayment can occur, ranging from the simple inversion of a number to a bank paying on a wrong account. For example, the bank believes it is paying on property located at 12 Main Street in Hastings when in fact it is paying on 12 Main Street in Tarrytown . Often at a closing or a refinance, both the title company and the bank pay the same tax. Also, if you sell your property the new deed is not placed on our records for several months and the new homeowner may be the party entitled to the refund. Even though the seller’s name still appears on the account, they may not be the party entitled to the refund. If you believe you are entitled to the refund, then I will need the following documentation to satisfy our auditors and meet the requirements of the law.

IF YOU PAID YOUR TAXES DIRECTLY TO US AT THE TIME OF THE PAYMENT IN QUESTION
If a duplicate payment was made, please submit a copy of either of the cancelled checks. If a simple overpayment was made, please submit a copy of that particular check. Please be sure to indicate in your request, that you are the person entitled to the refund.

IF YOUR BANK PAID YOUR TAXES AT THE TIME OF THE PAYMENT IN QUESTION
Please ask your bank to submit to my office a copy of the cancelled check, or provide documentation that they paid the tax either in error, or more than once on your account.They should also specify whether the funds are to be returned to your escrow account, or mailed to you directly.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office at 914-993-1512.

Respectfully,

David C. Dwinell
Receiver of Taxes

All aboard!

The Greenburgh Nature Center Presents:

TRAINS – YOUR TICKET TO THE GREAT OUTDOORS –
Saturday, December 12 – Sunday, December 20

This special exhibit includes the display of model trains, presented by the Westchester Model Railroad Club. All aboard! Fee: Members-$1, Non-members-$2 per person. (Exhibit admission is in addition to admission to Nature Center indoor exhibits.)  Sponsored in part by Ambac, Whole Foods Market, and Westchester County Parks.  Open Mondays to Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The Lights!

The lights are literally being installed right now! Kudos to Emerald Tree Care, which has generously donated its services to remove the old lights and install the new LED lights. Please join us this coming Sunday (12/6) at 6.30 pm for the official tree-lighting ceremony.
 

Overnight Parking on Town Roads

According to an email sent by outgoing Chief Kapica; beginning December 1, the overnight parking of vehicles on Town roads (including Old Edgemont) is prohibited between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. through March 15, 2010. This Town requirement is in place to ensure snow removal operations can be accomplished.

Holiday Tree Lighting /// Sunday, 12/6, 6:30pm

Please join us at Crane Pond on Sunday, December 6th at 6:30 pm as we debut the new LED lights on our neighborhood holiday tree! We hope to have live music at the event to help get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Many thanks to Janice Gates Kelly who has (once again) led the charge on this project to beautify our neighborhood. Emerald Tree Care has generously donated its services to cut-off the old lights and string the new lights onto the tree. They do tree work of all kinds. If you're in need of tree services, give them a call at 914-725-0441 or check them out on the web at emeraldtreecare.com.

The new lights will be enjoyed for years to come as LED lights are bright, energy efficient, and can burn for more than 200,000 hours!  We hope you're able to join your neighbors on Sunday the 6th for this special occasion.

As always, our annual Carol Sing will take place at the pond on Thursday December 24th at 5pm. Come light a candle, sing and enjoy this lovely community event.

Community Leaders Celebrate Cemetery Installation

On November 22, community leaders gathered to celebrate the installation of a box containing histories for several of the people buried in the Greenville Church Cemetery, located between Edgemont High’s Football Field and Central Park Avenue.

Left to Right: Ben Darger of Edgemont who organized the project for his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project; Mark Newman, Bishop of the Westchester 1st Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sponsor of Ben’s troop; Edward Schruer, Pastor of the Greenville Community Reformed Church; Louise Clark, Edgemont Historian, and Lauren Ricci-Warren, President of the Edgemont Association. 

Earlier in the fall, Ben organized a clean-up of the cemetery.

Shoprite at Midway Shopping Center

Get ready for the "Can-Can" sale... The Town of Greenburgh Zoning Board approved the application of Shoprite to open a supermarket at the Midway shopping center on Ardsley Road and Central Avenue. It will take over the space previously occupied by Linens-and-Things. It is expected that the new supermarket will open up in the summer of 2010.

Thank You Chief Kapica

The Edgemont Association salutes John Kapica on his retirement as Chief of Police. Throughout his tenure, public safety was always his first concern. He was responsive to our association and handled matters with an exceptionally good nature and a sense of humor. We appreciate all of his efforts on our behalf.

Community Meeting /// Board of Education Service

Edgemont residents interested in serving on the Edgemont Board of Education are invited to a special meeting of the Edgemont Community Council and the ECC 's School Board Nominating Committee on Wednesday, November 18, at 8 p.m. in the LGI of the Edgemont Junior Senior High School. Current and former members of the school board, including Maggi Landau, school-board president, will be on hand to discuss:

• What serving on the board is like.
• How much time is required.
• Types of issues the school board typically addresses each year.
• The skills good board members should have.

If you have ever thought about serving, this would be a good meeting to attend. Questions and answers will follow the main presentation.