ABOUT THE LWV
How You Can Help
VOTING INFO
Voter Guide 2007 (English) for
Northern Westch.
ENVIRONMENT
LOCAL
OBSERVER NOTES
Are you Registered to Vote?
Need an Absentee Ballot?
THERE'S STILL TIME!
You have until October 10th to mail in your voter registration form for the November 4th general election, and up to October 28th to mail in a request for an absentee ballot.
You can download both forms from the Westchester County Board of Elections'
website.
Call (914) 995-5700 with questions.
The BoE is located at 25 Quarropas Street,
White Plains, NY 10601.
The New Castle League also has voter registration forms available. Contact us at lwvnewcastle@optonline.net, or call Sheila at 238-8994.
Visit the United Nations with
LWV of New Castle
Thursday, November 6,
10:30am-1:15pm
$30pp for LWV members;
$35pp for nonmembers
A Local Goes Global
Go global with the League of Women Voters of New Castle when we visit the United Nations on Thursday, November 6.
We will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a briefing on a topic of the day. After the briefing, we will continue on to lunch in the Delegates Dining Room. This is a very special opportunity -- briefings are not open to the general public, and the Delegates Dining Room is a real treat, with delicious food and sweeping views of the East River. Mail in your registration today!
Download registration form (pdf).
The New Selling of the President 2008:
Hosted by LWVW and
Jacob Burns Film Center
The League of Women Voters of Westchester and the Jacob Burns Film Center hosted a wildly popular (and sold-out!) look at the impact of the internet on the presidential campaign this year entitled The New "Selling of the President" 2008. Westchester Guardian blogger Catherine Wilson has written a re-cap of the evening. She is Bureau Chief for the Westchester Guardian (scroll down to read about the event).
A Q&A panel included David Schwartz (chief curator, Museum of the Moving Image where he curated the exhibit The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952-2004 www.livingroomcandidate.org), Allison Fine (author of Rebooting America and CEO of E-Volve Foundation), Micah Sifry (author, activist, teacher, and the co-founder and executive editor of Personal Democracy Forum, which explores the way the new networked world intersects with politics) and Steve Apkon (executive director, Jacob Burns Film Center), will discuss the impact of blogging, YouTube, email and internet viral campaigns which now have joined TV commercials as essential influences in the process of electing an American president. The evening will include a look at commercials and internet clips from both the Obama and McCain campaigns interspersed with conversation, speculations and interpretations as thought-provoking questions are posed such as; "Does the proliferation of unfettered media represent an expansion of the democratic process - a boon for "everyman" participation - or has it created a new Wild West where anything goes - or both? As voters, are we more educated...or more manipulated?"
The League of Women Voters(r) of Westchester and the Jacob Burns Film Center encourage the public to attend what promises to be an entertaining, provocative guide to this moment in American political history. For additional information on the event or to purchase tickets online, visit www.burnsfilmcenter.org. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the JBFC box office which opens 4:00 pm on weekdays and 11:00 am on weekends. Tickets are $9 (JBFC members), $13 (nonmembers). The Film Center is located at 364 Manville Road in Pleasantville (Saw Mill Parkway N. Exit 30/S. Exit 29).
The League of Women Voters(r), a nonpartisan grassroots organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all citizens of voting age. To learn more visit www.LWVWestchester.org and www.lwv.org.
The Jacob Burns Film Center is a not-for-profit cultural arts organization in Pleasantville, New York dedicated to: presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema; promoting visual literacy and making film a vibrant part of the community. The programs are inspired by the power of film to challenge, educated and inspire; to transport us to worlds beyond our own; and to create community through shared dialogue and cultural experience. To learn more about the Jacob Burns Film Center, visit www.burnsfilmcenter.org.
Reader's Digest Update
Hospital Parking Approved and Other News
The Town Board voted at its July 8th meeting to approve a temporary zoning amendment for the Reader’s Digest property, allowing Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) the use of 140 parking spaces on the campus for up to three years.
NWH is embarking on an expansion that will add 30,000 square feet to the hospital, designated in part to house a new emergency room facility. The project will also add a parking garage with 430 spots. During construction, which is expected to take up to three years, the hospital needs 250 off-site parking spaces for employees. It approached Summit/Greenfield for 140 of those spots. Summit/Greenfield petitioned the town on behalf of the hospital for the temporary change.
A central issue during discussions leading up to the vote was ensuring that the additional traffic did not interfere with peak periods at Horace Greeley High School. Accordingly, a blackout period has been established when hospital employees may not enter the Reader’s Digest parking lot. The jitney service that will shuttle employees between Reader’s Digest and the hospital is also subject to restrictions.
In addition to the spaces at Reader’s Digest, the hospital has secured 50 parking spots at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Mount Kisco, directly across the street from the hospital on Route 117. Negotia-tions are in process for another 60 spots at the Universalist Fellowship of Northern West-chester, on Route 172 in the Town of Bedford.
Summit/Greenfield Grieves Tax Assessment
Grievance Day, the annual day to grieve your taxes, was held at Town Hall on June 17th. Representatives of Summit/ Greenfield appeared before the Board of Assessment Review to ask for a substantial reduction in the assessed value of the Reader’s Digest property.
Currently, the property is assessed at $11.1328 million. Using New Castle’s tentative 2008 equalization rate, established by the New York State Office of Real Property Services (www.orps.state.ny.us), this assessment results in a full market value of approximately $65.5 million. Summit/ Greenfield has requested a reduction in the assessed value of the property to $4.839 million, which, when using the same equalization rate, would result in a full market value of approximately $28.5 million. In 2007, at the current assessment, taxes on the property totaled $1.424 million.
Decisions of the Board of Assessment Review are expected in mid-September. This year, approximately 131 grievances were brought before the Board.
Town to Examine
Possible Municipal Uses
At its June 24th meeting, the Town Board adopted a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant to analyze a number of possible municipal uses of the Reader's Digest property.
The RFP is the result of several months’ work, as the Town Board sought input from the Planning Board, the Recreation and Parks Commission, and the CCSD School Board on ideas for the property. The purpose of this collective “brainstorming” was to come up with a menu of options for further examination. These are outlined in the RFP as: playing fields; ownership of the Wallace Auditorium as a community facility; relocation of the Recreation Department offices or other municipal use; open space preservation; an indoor recreation center with pool, basketball courts and teen facility; studio space for NCCTV; and adaptive reuse of the northernmost buildings of the Reader’s Digest complex.
Working with the Town, the consultant will produce a feasibility study that will prioritize these uses and examine the impacts of each, both alone and in combination with other uses, including those proposed by Summit/Greenfield. A short list of scenarios will become the subject of a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) and design study.
Candidates Night May 2008 Sponsored by LWV
Library and School Board candidates meeting moderated by Leaguer Polly Kuhn
League Comments on
Reader’s Digest Scoping
The window for public comment on the proposed redevelopment of Reader’s Digest closed on Friday, January 25, 2008. The purpose of public scoping was to solicit input from the community on issues to be addressed in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that is required under New York’s SEQR law.
As lead agency for the review, the Town Board now has until February 25th to adopt a final scope document, which will outline all the issues Summit/Greenfield must address in the DEIS. The Town Board will be considering speakers’ comments from the three public scoping sessions held on January 9th and January 22nd, as well as written comments that were received by the January 25th deadline. The League’s Local Planning Committee reviewed the redevelopment proposal and draft scope document prepared by Summit/Greenfield, and submitted comments that raised questions about a number of major issues, including density, traffic, age restrictions, taxes and town services, and zoning, among others. Download Word Document to read LWV's full comments
Where to Find Important Documents
Related to Reader’s Digest
The draft scoping document prepared by Summit/Greenfield, the redevelopment proposal for Reader’s Digest/Chappaqua Crossing, and other important documents are available on the town website at www.town.new-castle.ny.us/ReadersDigestProperty.html.
Coffee and Conversation with State Legislators
Held Friday,
December 14, 2007
LWV of Westchester Responds
to
Draft "Croton Plan"
The Croton Watershed is a series of interconnected reservoirs and lakes that provides approximately 10% of New York City’s drinking water during normal times and up to 30% during times of drought. It also provides drinking water to parts of the towns of Somers, Yorktown and Cortlandt. Protection of the watershed is critical to ensure safe drinking water to these communities.
In January 1998, the ten Croton Watershed towns, Westchester County and he NYC Department of Environmental Protection agreed to participate in the development of the Croton Plan. The purposes of the Plan were: to identify significant sources of pollution in the Croton watershed system; to recommend measures that can be taken by NYC, the counties and the municipalities to improve water quality and to prevent degradation; and to recommend measures to protect the character and special needs of the Croton Watershed communities.
After waiting for almost 10 years, a draft of the Croton Plan was finally released in July (read the draft of the Plan). The County held meetings to present the plan and to ask for public comment. The Environment Committees of the New Castle League and the County League were very interested in the draft, particularly how it addressed septic management issues. Download the LWV's comment on the Plan which was read at the public hearing and submitted in writing to the County Planning Department.
New Voting Systems
Counting Every Vote
and Making Every Vote Count
If you didn't make it to the March 21, 2007, meeting on this topic, you can read here summary of what has led up to the current situation on voting machines as provided by speakers Marion S. Sinek, at right above, HAVA advisor to Senator Hillary Clinton, and Laura Porter, Electronic voting technology specialist, LWV-Westchester. See our page Election Laws for this summary and some more recent info.
Calendar
Oct. 10 Voting Registration deadline
Oct. 28 Absentee ballot request deadline
Nov. 6 Visit United Nations with LWVNC
(see left column)
NEW!! SmartVoter Website for Info about Candidates, your Polling Place, and a Personalized Ballot!
Click on www.smartvoter.org to get the latest information on candidates for U.S., State, and local elections!
See LWV's Presidential Voter Guide
Route 120 Bridge Update
Bid Awarded --
Construction to Begin
The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $17.9 million contract to Conti of New York, LLC, for the reconstruction of the Route 120 Bridge in Chappaqua. Work is now scheduled to begin by September 2008, with an anticipated completion date of June 2010.
DOT Presentation on Project
At the June 24th Town Board meeting, representatives of the DOT were on hand to give an overview of the project, in what unfolded as a rocky presentation that created confusion about lane closures during construction. Read more...
May 2008 Annual Luncheon Report
"The Death Penalty --
A View from an Insider"
David Kaczynski, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against the Death Penalty, was guest speaker at the spring luncheon, on May 21, 2008. David shared the story of his personal involvement with a death penalty case. In 1996, his brother Theodore Kaczynski, the so-called Unabomber, was arrested after David and his wife Linda approached the FBI with their suspicions that Theodore was involved in a series of bombings that caused three deaths and numerous injuries over 17 years.
In his talk and in his work, David uses these experiences as a starting point to explore the many issues surrounding the realities of a death penalty policy. He pointed out, for example, that New York State is one of the leaders nationwide in the incidence of wrongful convictions. Further, the "ultimate justice" of the death penalty is one that is hard to apply fairly. Often, where the crime is committed can determine whether the death penalty is imposed. Mental illness, the adequacy of defense services, and race are other factors. David also discussed some of the broader costs of death penalty justice: In the nine and a half years when New York State had the death penalty, the state spent $200 million on the seven people who were on death row – much more costly than life without parole. He suggested that instead of spending on costly and lengthy appeals, funds could be diverted to programs such as crime prevention, counseling and rehabilitation for families of victims, and programs for troubled youth. A question-and-answer discussion followed the talk, revealing strongly divergent opinions and equally strong emotions about the death penalty.
ARE YOU DRINKING YOUR NEIGHBOR’S SEWAGE?
Most people have no idea how a septic system works. In fact, when new homeowners discover that they have a septic system their response is something like, “You mean our sewage eventually ends up in our yard?” Well, not exactly.
The League of Women Voters (the League) has spent the past ten years investigating water quality issues and has completed one study on Stormwater and two in-depth studies on sewage disposal, which identified improperly maintained and failing septic systems as a very real threat to our drinking water - our reservoirs, and groundwater wells. This is a public health issue. Since completing our studies we have been advocating for a county-wide and county run septic management plan. However, before we look at a management plan, let us first understand how a functioning septic system should look. Onsite systems (or septic systems) are actually efficient and cost-effective means of treating sewage if they are properly sited, constructed, maintained, and managed.
How a Septic System Works
Currently, Westchester County Department of Health (DOH) issues permits for the siting and construction of septic systems. When a septic system is suitably located, properly designed and installed, and adequately maintained, it is an effective and economical waste disposal system.
A septic system has four basic parts: a pipe from your house, a septic tank, a drainfield and the soil. All of the wastewater from your house exits via the pipe to the septic tank. The septic tank is a buried, watertight tank where the wastewater stays long enough for the heavy solids to settle and be partially decomposed by bacteria to form sludge. Lighter solids and grease float to the top forming a scum layer.
The remaining wastewater exits the tank and is discharged into the drainfield where it is further treated by the soil. The water percolates in the soil removing harmful bacteria, viruses and nutrients.
Once installed, the maintenance part is up to the system owner, and today there is no countywide requirement or education program on how to properly maintain a septic system.
How Do I Maintain My Septic System?
Proper maintenance involves two main activities: regular pumpouts and inspections.
Pumpouts
The sludge and scum that remain in your tank need to be pumped out on a periodic but regular basis. The frequency of these pumpouts depends upon four major factors: the number of people in the household, the amount of wastewater used, the volume of solids in the wastewater (for example, using a garbage disposal increases the amount of solids), and the size of the septic tank. Taking all of these things into consideration, a tank generally needs to be pumped out every three to five years.
Inspections
The second task involved in maintaining a septic system is regular inspections. Experts in the field generally recommend an inspection every three years. A thorough inspection includes locating the system, uncovering access holes, flushing toilets, checking for signs of back up, measuring scum and sludge layers, identifying leaks, and inspecting mechanical components.
It should be noted that the company that inspects your system should be different from the company that pumps out your system. Inspectors should be licensed and certified.
The Problems of Not Maintaining A Septic System
First, if you do not properly maintain your septic system, it is very expensive to repair or replace the system.
Second, failing septic systems are a public health issue because they can contaminate the ground water that eventually becomes the drinking water for 9 million residents of NYC and Westchester County. This is because poorly treated sewage can transport toxins and carcinogens through groundwater to wells and reservoirs. In fact, according to the EPA, septic systems that are not properly maintained are the second major cause of water pollution in the U.S.
In Westchester County, we have 40,000 septic systems, most of which are located in your watershed. The League believes that the County needs to protect our water supply by implementing a septic management plan across the county.
Components of a Good Management Plan
To quote the EPA’s national report on septic systems, “it is the absence of a comprehensive management program that prevents onsite systems from being effective and reliable wastewater treatments”. Since completing our Sewage Disposal Studies, the League has been advocating for a county-wide septic management plan. Although some progress has been made, we have more work to do.
As was already pointed out, maintaining a septic system is ultimately the responsibility of the homeowner. Therefore, the first component of a management plan is education. Currently there is no countywide education program on how to properly care for your system. However, the Board of Legislators has allocated $60,000 in 2008 for septic education – part of what the League has been advocating for the past three years.
The County is also working on a database listing the 40,000-plus septic systems by address. This database is being created at the DOH as a consequence of a 2007 law requiring septage haulers to report each pumpout to DOH. In addition, the members of the Northern Westchester Watershed Committee have committed to collecting and reporting to DOH information on all septic systems in their towns, which will greatly enhance the database.
The next piece of the plan is to mandate regular pumpouts and inspections. First, the County must train and certify inspectors. Septic owners could select from a list of certified inspectors and contract, at their own expense, for an inspection every 3-4 years. Every septic owner would be required to pumpout their system on a regular basis, depending on size of house, number or residents, etc. With the aforementioned database, it will be easy for the DOH to send a notice to a septic owner reminding them it is time for their inspection and/or inspections.
The new septage hauler law only requires a cursory “look” into the tank but is not a full blown inspection – AND, the haulers are not trained to do inspections – this is what the League was trying to get Board of Legislators (BOL) to add to the law – trained inspectors and proper inspections.
The League has suggested that the owner of a system which wasn’t pumped, or didn’t pass the inspection, would be warned to rectify the situation. If the problem is not addressed after a reasonable time, the County would send a truck to do it. A fine levied on the homeowner would pay for the pumpout. Generally, there would be no change in the homeowner’s responsibility for his property. Homeowners would pay for their pumpout, and would receive a sticker showing the date completed, and the next time a pumpout should be done-just as one does with a car inspection. The information would be entered into the database; if no record of a pumpout and/or inspection is submitted, the County would send a reminder.
Why Doesn’t Westchester County Have a Septic Management Plan?
You may be asking yourselves why a management plan has not been put in place already. After advocating for a management plan for the past few years, the hurdles, as we understand them from our meetings with the BOL, are: home rule issues, cost to the County and a concern about systems that appear to be irreparable.
In our opinion the issue of home rule, or the County not wanting to legislate how people take care of their property, is without merit. The county recently passed legislation requiring regular testing of drinking wells to protect those homeowners. However, if a septic system fails, it enters the groundwater affecting more than the immediate property and can become a public health issue. A potential risk to the public is EXACTLY what the County should be managing.
The County legislators have also cited ‘cost’ as a stumbling block but they have been unresponsive when the League has asked them to detail what they THINK the costs will be for a county-wide management plan. The costs will include setting up a database and sending out reminders about inspections. The costs of pumpouts and inspections are now and should remain an expense of the homeowner. Therefore, the total cost to the County should be minimal.
Finally, we have heard some County staff use the argument that some systems may not be able to be repaired; therefore, there is a risk that people would be forced out of their homes. Our research indicates that few, very few, systems are irreparable. For those systems that appear to be “unfixable” there are new technologies e.g. anerobic systems and systems engineered for poor soil, limited acreage, and rocky terrain. The State Dept. of Health has been slow to approve these new technologies, despite the recommendations of a committee convened years ago to review new technologies. There are many alternatives to condemnation. Failing septic systems, affect not just the single homeowner but the wider community. Building codes keep people from living in substandard houses; septic regulations will keep people from polluting the groundwater, which knows no boundaries.
Once a failing system is identified and remediation found, how can the repairs be made in hardship cases?
Homeowners can get low interest loans to repair failing systems from the NY State Clean Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The County can also set up its own low interest loan program. Just how many public versus private funds are used to clean up a source of pollution is a work in progress. One approach used successfully in Connecticut involves the County doing the repairs and placing an assessment against the property. The County would be repaid upon sale. Another option is a grant program. Possibilities exist and need to be explored.
Summary
The issue of a Septic Management Plan has never been more timely. In 2006, the Department of Environmental Conservation issued Modifications for MS4’s (municipal separate stormwater sewer system) in the East of Hudson Watershed for the Required Stormwater Management Program. The modifications call for:
Public education and outreach on stormwater impacts, including septic systems;
A requirement to develop, implement and enforce a program to ensure that onsite wastewater treatment (septic) systems are inspected and, where necessary, maintained or rehabilitated at a minimum frequency of once every three years. Program development includes the establishment of the necessary legal authority to implement the program.
This means that every town must have a septic management plan in place by 2009 for most of its septic systems - neither insignificant nor inexpensive undertaking.
Based upon the above information the League strongly advocates for the County rather than each of the 45 municipalities to implement an education and management plan that will have uniform standards, a central database, and enforcement ability. To repeat – this is a public health issue.
Maintaining Your Septic
DO
Conserve Water – excess water overloads your system
Direct downspouts away from the absorption field
Use grass and shallow-rooted plants to cover the fields; roots clog the field
Avoid the use of biological additives
Use household cleaners in moderation.
PUMP OUT YOUR TANK EVERY 2 -3 YEARS.
DO NOT
Use garbage disposals; this adds too much “stuff” which clogs your fields
Pour gasoline, paint thinners, pesticides, grease, or harmful chemicals down the drain.
Dispose of diapers, sanitary products, coffee grounds, paper towels or other large items down the drain; these clog your system.
Drive heavy equipment over the fields.
Plant trees or shrubs in the absorption field; roots invade the pipes and clog the field.
County League Tappan Zee Bridge Study
If you are interested in joining the Study Committee of the Westchester County LWV please contact Chairman Kristina McCarthy c/o the Westchester County League.
The League of Women Voters of New Castle is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages citizens to play an informed and active role in government. At the local, county, state and national levels, the League works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. We do not endorse candidates. Membership is open to women and men who wish to participate in these efforts.
The League is part of a county, state and national organization, the League of Women Voters of Westchester, the League of Women Voters of New York and the League of Women Voters of the United States. More info about this league below
LWV Meetings: Board meetings are held on the second Wednesday morning of each month to conduct the business and planning of the League. All members are welcome to attend. Other meetings, to receive a report from a study group, or to inform the public about an election, or local issue, are usually held in the evening in a public building. Study groups meet at times agreed to by the participants, usually in the home of a member.
NCCTV: Many of the programs we host are available for viewing on NCCTV. LWVNC shows can be seen on channel 75 (community access station) and on channel 78 (government station). See www.ncctv.org for current schedules.
For more information, or if you are interested in attending events, please e-mail us at lwvnewcastle@optonline.net
Read pdfs of our newsletter, The Voter
Westchester County Needs Septic Management!
The League of Women Voters of Westchester and LWV New Castle have been collaborating to advocate for a Septic Management Plan for the county. Based on findings and consensus from one county study and two New Castle studies, oversight of these systems is essential to ensure proper functioning and long-term efficacy. See complete article on our Septic Management page
"A Drinking Problem
Nine million people drink water from the New York City reservoirs, including the Croton Reservoir; approximately 800,000 of these are Westchester County residents. Twenty thousand homes in Northern Westchester get their water from wells.
While these water supplies have been considered safe, they are threatened by malfunctioning septic systems, which are placed on the property of individual houses, housing developments and businesses; these systems treat the wastewater on the premises instead of sending it to a central treatment plant. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, failing septic systems are the second largest cause of water pollution - and this includes drinking water. The agency estimates that 168,000 viral illnesses and 34,000 bacterial illnesses result every year from contaminated drinking water. See complete article on our Septic Management page
Updated Oct.7, 2008
by Valerie Castleman
Many thanks to Westchester Alliance for Telecommunications and Public Access (WATPA ) & the Westchester Library System (WLS) for hosting this site.
