If a successful referendum vote occurs in September or October, when would the new Edgemont Government take over and be responsible for our services?
Village Law dictates that assuming a vote in the Fall of 2018, a new Edgemont Village would become formal on June 1, 2019, just 9 months after a successful vote.
From where and at what cost will we get our Ambulance Services?
The Edgemont Incorporation Committee did not include the provision or cost of Ambulance Service in their Feasibility Study. Future ambulance service will need to be contracted from an outside private vendor at a yet to be determined cost and service level, or built “ground up” at a cost which we believe to be approximately $1,000,000 annually.
Is my commuter parking space safe at the Hartsdale Metro-North Station?
Nobody knows the outcome of a potential negotiation or litigation with the Hartsdale Public Parking District, as they have stated they disagree with the EIC legal opinion and won’t negotiate with the EIC. As with all contracts for a potential Edgemont Village, nothing can be negotiated until after a vote and the election of an Edgemont Village government. We do know that the EIC proposal incorrectly calculated the number of parking spots needed for all 353 Edgemont pass holders and there are approximately 100 fewer spots in Site D and Site E, the area which lies within the geographic boundaries of a proposed Edgemont Village than are required for current Edgemont holders of commuter passes.
I swim at the Veteran Town Pool in the summer. Will I be able to continue?
Access to the Anthony Veteran Park with its 6 swimming pools and tennis courts is only available to residents of the un-incorporated Town of Greenburgh. Those who reside in the Greenburgh Villages, including a proposed Edgemont Village would not have access to AFV Park. Tennis players would also be restricted from use.
At what point will we know the exact level of services we will be provided, who will be providing them and their cost?
Regrettably, no contract can be negotiated or let until after a successful vote and the election of a new Village government. Neither the Town, the Hartsdale Public Parking District or outside contractors will negotiate with the EIC or any other incorporation group, as they have no standing, nor the rights or power to negotiate or sign any agreement.
What percentage of my property tax goes to the un-incorporated town for my services?
Approximately 16% of your property tax accrues to the un-incorporated Town of Greenburgh. For example, if your property taxes are $25,000/year, only $4,000/year or $333/month pays for all of your police, ambulance, public works, sanitation, parks services etc. Approximately 60% is paid to the school district and 11% for the fire district.
The EIC compares the possible Village of Edgemont to Rye Brook. Is that a valid comparison?
Rye Brook was the last village to incorporate in Westchester County. While the size of the community and school are somewhat similar to Edgemont, there are two MAJOR differences that make the communities different. First, Rye Brook’s services were continued as the employees of the Town of Rye became employees of the Village of Rye Brook. Hence there was no question as to who would be providing the services for the new village. Second, Rye Brook was the last remaining area in the Unincorporated Town of Rye. Their becoming independent was supported by the surrounding communities as they were essentially already a separate community.
The question of control of zoning and planning seems to be a big issue. How much more control will a new Village actually have?
New York State law gives property owners the right to develop their property in a manner consistent with the zoning and planning codes. Planning boards, for example, cannot reject a project because they don’t like it or because they think the property can be put to better use. A planning board’s discretion is limited to revisions to the plan that take into account the interests of neighboring properties and overarching priorities of the jurisdiction (e.g. landscaping, preservation of wetlands, etc.).
The discretion of land use boards is further limited since they must evaluate a project based on the facts outlined in SEQRA (the State Environmental and Quality Review Act). These evaluations must be conducted based on facts and expert opinion. Public comment is taken to help uncover the issues and facts and best evaluate the impact on the surrounding community. However, public opinion not backed with factual evidence (like a petition for instance) cannot be used to make a decision.