We know people make the difference !!
Cortlandt W.A.T.C.H. Inc.
We Are the Cortlandt Homeowners Since 1985
CURRENT TOPICS
***************************************************************************************************
In addition to chemicals and other special wastes found in a typical household, residents can continue to bring their personal papers for shredding, plastic bags for recycling and unused medications for disposal.* (Do NOT flush your unused medicines. Among other problems, fish are now on birth control and heart meds !!)
For information on when and what to bring and what not to bring, visit www.westchestergov.com/recycling or call 813-5425.
RAILROAD POND
Congratulations: With the help of a group of committed citizens, Railroad Pond and the dam that impounds the water (Furnace Brook Lake) is one step closer to being saved from destruction. Con Edison, which owns the dam and ten acres of land has a spoken agreement with the Town of Cortlandt to investigate transferring the ownership to the Town. For much more information use the following link:
*********************************************************************************************
WESTCHESTER COUNTY RECYCLING EVENTS
If you haven't participated in a recent Recycling Event, you need to know that the process is simple and much less time consuming that in the past. You will be asked what you are bringing and then you will be directed to the parts of the site where you can deposit your materials. If you have more than one type of material you will be directed again. VERY EASY and WORTHWHILE!!!
In addition to chemicals and other special wastes found in a typical household, residents can continue to bring their personal papers for shredding, plastic bags for recycling and unused medications for disposal.* (Do NOT flush your unused medicines. Among other problems, fish are now on birth control and heart meds !!)
You can also bring empty barbecue tanks and Freon-containing appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and dehumidifiers.
Pesticides, cleaning products, tires, computers, TVs and old cell phones may be brought in for safe disposal. However, waste from businesses or schools will not be accepted. Paint – whether from residents, businesses or schools – will also not be accepted.
Pesticides, cleaning products, tires, computers, TVs and old cell phones may be brought in for safe disposal. However, waste from businesses or schools will not be accepted. Paint – whether from residents, businesses or schools – will also not be accepted.
For information on when and what to bring and what not to bring, visit www.westchestergov.com/recycling or call 813-5425.
As a guide, here’s a list of the household wastes that are accepted for safe disposal and recycling at the event:
Properly labeled household chemicals such as:
o Most automotive fluids – i.e. antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
o Flammable liquids – i.e. kerosene, butane, charcoal fluid, turpentine
o Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes and waxes; wood preservatives
o Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides
o Photographic & swimming pool chemicals
Cell phones
Car tires – maximum 10 tires accepted per household
Fluorescent light bulbs
Fire extinguishers
BBQ propane tanks (up to 20 pounds)
Mercury containing items – such as thermometers and thermostats
Electronic goods – such as TVs, computer monitors, towers, printers and accessories
Household appliances – air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves
Personal papers for shredding – limit four file-size boxes per household
Items that are not accepted and should not be delivered to a Household Recycling Day include paint (both oil and latex), motor oil, smoke detectors, and hypodermic needles.
These items and many other special wastes can be disposed of without having to wait for a recycling event.
For instance, residents can add kitty litter to oil or latex paint and air-dry the mixture for a day or two. Once hardened, the paint can be disposed of with regular garbage, except in Rye Brook, White Plains and Yorktown where residents must dispose of them on bulk pick-up days.
Also, waste from a business, school or institution will not be accepted and any delivery will be turned away.
For directions or more information, call the county’s Recycling HelpLine at 813-5425 or log onto www.westchestergov.com/recycling.
Properly labeled household chemicals such as:
o Most automotive fluids – i.e. antifreeze, brake fluid, gasoline
o Flammable liquids – i.e. kerosene, butane, charcoal fluid, turpentine
o Metal, jewelry and furniture polishes and waxes; wood preservatives
o Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides
o Photographic & swimming pool chemicals
Cell phones
Car tires – maximum 10 tires accepted per household
Fluorescent light bulbs
Fire extinguishers
BBQ propane tanks (up to 20 pounds)
Mercury containing items – such as thermometers and thermostats
Electronic goods – such as TVs, computer monitors, towers, printers and accessories
Household appliances – air conditioners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves
Personal papers for shredding – limit four file-size boxes per household
Items that are not accepted and should not be delivered to a Household Recycling Day include paint (both oil and latex), motor oil, smoke detectors, and hypodermic needles.
These items and many other special wastes can be disposed of without having to wait for a recycling event.
For instance, residents can add kitty litter to oil or latex paint and air-dry the mixture for a day or two. Once hardened, the paint can be disposed of with regular garbage, except in Rye Brook, White Plains and Yorktown where residents must dispose of them on bulk pick-up days.
Also, waste from a business, school or institution will not be accepted and any delivery will be turned away.
For directions or more information, call the county’s Recycling HelpLine at 813-5425 or log onto www.westchestergov.com/recycling.
CORTLANDT W.A.T.C.H., INC. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS
Susan McDonnell Karen Jescavage Bernard
Susan McDonnell Karen Jescavage Bernard
Sara Cook Andrew Fisher
Roger Grossman Dick Nelson
Karen Jescavage Bernard Shirley Lashinsky
Roger Grossman Dick Nelson
Karen Jescavage Bernard Shirley Lashinsky
*************************************************************************************************
Invasive plants are of great concern because they overtake native plants, need more water and deprive some species of food. For a view of the most prevalent invasives in our area go to www.westchestergov.com and click on Soil and Water District then look for the invasive plant PDF (8-08-08).
WETLANDS AND TREE ORDINANCES:
If you are planning to build, expand or more barriers on your property we recommend you consult the town codes. The town of Cortlandt has recently adopted new ordinances for trees and wetlands.
The following letter was sent to the Supervisor and the Town Board.
Supervisor Puglisi and the members of the Town Board
Town of Cortlandt
Six Heady Street
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
January 21, 2010
Dear Supervisor Puglisi,
Cortlandt W.A.T.C.H. is deeply distressed to learn that the Town Board has eliminated the position of Environmental Analyst. As you know, WATCH worked for years to secure an environmental officer for Cortlandt equal to the position created by neighboring Yorktown. When this position was created in 2001, it was a huge achievement for Cortlandt.
Many Town Board members have featured their environmental achievements in their campaigns and have been elected and re-elected based on a solid record.
We understand that tough economic times require tough choices, but hope that the Town Board can find alternate means to achieve savings. For instance, reducing staff hours, delaying salary increases, furloughs and other strategies being deployed by businesses as well as other governments.
The current deep economic crisis will pass, but the damage that can be done
absent highly qualified environmental staff will be permanent.
Can the Town afford NOT to have an environmentalist on staff?
If even a few of the Environmental Analyst’s duties will be replaced by hiring consultants, how much in savings will be realized? They will need to be paid and they are not inexpensive.
Environmental staff is critical to continuing the progress Cortlandt has
made in protecting its environment. The Environmental Analyst’s duties include:
∑ Reviewing environmental plans for proposed developments with the
Town’s best interest in view and writing the reports that become part of
the permanent record of the project. This function alone, if outsourced
to consultants would cost the town dearly.
∑ A staff person in this position is a stable and continuing resource for
town departments and all three of our municipal boards.
∑ No other staff position requires the depth and breadth of environmental
knowledge needed to protect our parks, woodlands, wetlands and
designated bio-diverse areas.
∑ In our Town the Environmental Analyst oversees the parks, trails and
Open Spaces and is available for consultation with other departments
about environmental matters
During the eight years since the Town of Cortlandt created the position, the record speaks for itself:
∑ Gateway Park and other Open Spaces in Town have been developed for use as hiking and walking parks
∑ The town won an award from the County for the Bio-Diversity Plan that is a model for other towns
∑ We have an outstanding Tree Ordinance and a Landscape Design Manual for to aid in protecting out environment
∑ “Trees for Tribs” a DEC program that supplied hundreds of trees for several locations was established in town
∑ Recruited enthusiastic volunteers from local businesses and civic organizations to clear weeds and brush to allow planting of these trees
∑ Many opportunities for our Boy Scouts seeking Eagle Designation were developed and these projects have have been completed
∑ The new Youth Center has demonstration Rain gardens and sustainable plantings
∑ A program for sustainable ball fields that are also healthier for the youngsters who use as instituted.
∑ The entrance to Town Hall, the walkways and the gardens were redesigned as part of a beautification plan developed by the EA. The plan us designed to maintain the vegetation in an environmentally sustainable manner using only natural materials.
∑ Three members of town staff have been certified as arborists, a major need for the town.
∑ Our town is now GIS capable.
We respectfully request that the Town Board reinstate this position of Environmental Analyst for the protection of our town and its environment.
Sincerely,
Susan McDonnell, President
Cortlandt W.A.T.C.H. for the members of the board.
Copy: Councilwoman Ann Lindau
Councilman Frank Farrell
Councilman John Sloan
Councilman Richard Becker
Town of Cortlandt
Six Heady Street
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
January 21, 2010
Dear Supervisor Puglisi,
Cortlandt W.A.T.C.H. is deeply distressed to learn that the Town Board has eliminated the position of Environmental Analyst. As you know, WATCH worked for years to secure an environmental officer for Cortlandt equal to the position created by neighboring Yorktown. When this position was created in 2001, it was a huge achievement for Cortlandt.
Many Town Board members have featured their environmental achievements in their campaigns and have been elected and re-elected based on a solid record.
We understand that tough economic times require tough choices, but hope that the Town Board can find alternate means to achieve savings. For instance, reducing staff hours, delaying salary increases, furloughs and other strategies being deployed by businesses as well as other governments.
The current deep economic crisis will pass, but the damage that can be done
absent highly qualified environmental staff will be permanent.
Can the Town afford NOT to have an environmentalist on staff?
If even a few of the Environmental Analyst’s duties will be replaced by hiring consultants, how much in savings will be realized? They will need to be paid and they are not inexpensive.
Environmental staff is critical to continuing the progress Cortlandt has
made in protecting its environment. The Environmental Analyst’s duties include:
∑ Reviewing environmental plans for proposed developments with the
Town’s best interest in view and writing the reports that become part of
the permanent record of the project. This function alone, if outsourced
to consultants would cost the town dearly.
∑ A staff person in this position is a stable and continuing resource for
town departments and all three of our municipal boards.
∑ No other staff position requires the depth and breadth of environmental
knowledge needed to protect our parks, woodlands, wetlands and
designated bio-diverse areas.
∑ In our Town the Environmental Analyst oversees the parks, trails and
Open Spaces and is available for consultation with other departments
about environmental matters
During the eight years since the Town of Cortlandt created the position, the record speaks for itself:
∑ Gateway Park and other Open Spaces in Town have been developed for use as hiking and walking parks
∑ The town won an award from the County for the Bio-Diversity Plan that is a model for other towns
∑ We have an outstanding Tree Ordinance and a Landscape Design Manual for to aid in protecting out environment
∑ “Trees for Tribs” a DEC program that supplied hundreds of trees for several locations was established in town
∑ Recruited enthusiastic volunteers from local businesses and civic organizations to clear weeds and brush to allow planting of these trees
∑ Many opportunities for our Boy Scouts seeking Eagle Designation were developed and these projects have have been completed
∑ The new Youth Center has demonstration Rain gardens and sustainable plantings
∑ A program for sustainable ball fields that are also healthier for the youngsters who use as instituted.
∑ The entrance to Town Hall, the walkways and the gardens were redesigned as part of a beautification plan developed by the EA. The plan us designed to maintain the vegetation in an environmentally sustainable manner using only natural materials.
∑ Three members of town staff have been certified as arborists, a major need for the town.
∑ Our town is now GIS capable.
We respectfully request that the Town Board reinstate this position of Environmental Analyst for the protection of our town and its environment.
Sincerely,
Susan McDonnell, President
Cortlandt W.A.T.C.H. for the members of the board.
Copy: Councilwoman Ann Lindau
Councilman Frank Farrell
Councilman John Sloan
Councilman Richard Becker
Response
Dear Susan,
In very good national, state and regional economic times the Town Board and I upon the recommendations of Cortlandt WATCH and others and after an interview process created a full-time environmental coordinator/open space monitor position. This title on Civil Service lists is environmental analyst.
At the time other communities had part-time environmental analysts or used consultants, as Cortlandt did prior to the full-time staff position. Upon checking with Civil Service in Westchester County, Cortlandt was the only Town to have a full-time environmental analyst position and their list was actually developed upon our position. This is still the case today.
As you know, this is the worse economic period in our nation, state and region since the Great Depression and unfortunately it affects local government. Our Town and all others receive less revenues even though our projections have been reduced and are very conservative.
Therefore, we needed to make difficult decisions on layoffs of positions, not filling vacancies of retirees and by curtailing overtime, etc. None of the elected and managerial officials will take a salary increase (the 2nd year in a row for elected officials) in 2010.
I assure you that all of your environmental duties and tasks listed in your e-mail will continue. Also, Richard DiSanza can apply to be on our environmental consultant lists for various responsibilities. The Town will save approximately $ 160,000. over the next two years by this decision and will save other needed monies from other decisions. Revenues are down due to the economic recession.
I thank you and Cortlandt WATCH for your comments and once again assure you that we will continue our services and assistance on all environmental issues. Perhaps in better economic times this position can be reconsidered.
Thank you,
Linda Puglisi
In very good national, state and regional economic times the Town Board and I upon the recommendations of Cortlandt WATCH and others and after an interview process created a full-time environmental coordinator/open space monitor position. This title on Civil Service lists is environmental analyst.
At the time other communities had part-time environmental analysts or used consultants, as Cortlandt did prior to the full-time staff position. Upon checking with Civil Service in Westchester County, Cortlandt was the only Town to have a full-time environmental analyst position and their list was actually developed upon our position. This is still the case today.
As you know, this is the worse economic period in our nation, state and region since the Great Depression and unfortunately it affects local government. Our Town and all others receive less revenues even though our projections have been reduced and are very conservative.
Therefore, we needed to make difficult decisions on layoffs of positions, not filling vacancies of retirees and by curtailing overtime, etc. None of the elected and managerial officials will take a salary increase (the 2nd year in a row for elected officials) in 2010.
I assure you that all of your environmental duties and tasks listed in your e-mail will continue. Also, Richard DiSanza can apply to be on our environmental consultant lists for various responsibilities. The Town will save approximately $ 160,000. over the next two years by this decision and will save other needed monies from other decisions. Revenues are down due to the economic recession.
I thank you and Cortlandt WATCH for your comments and once again assure you that we will continue our services and assistance on all environmental issues. Perhaps in better economic times this position can be reconsidered.
Thank you,
Linda Puglisi
