Local Program of New Castle NY LWV

The local program for the League in a given year identifies the focus areas for work. This local program is adopted by the membership for the following year. There are usually both study and action items.

To participate, members can join a committee, study group, join the observer corps and observe important town and school meetings, or work on Voter Service. They can attend general information meetings and Board meetings. From time to time, there are calls for action, contacting legislators about issues the League has studied and taken a consensus position.

The League of Women Voters of New Castle is focusing on the following areas in 2008/09 as approved at the Annual Meeting held May 21, 2008:

ONGOING FUNCTIONS
A. VOTER SERVICE
Prepare, publish and distribute nonpartisan information on registration, voting, candidates, ballot issues and elections including general election, fire districts elections, and school and library board elections. Outlook for Work:
a) Produce and distribute:
1. Voters Guides
2. Directory of Officials
3. New Residents Mailing
b) Organize Candidates' Nights
c) Collaborate with LWV Westchester on Voter Service
d) Participate in Naturalization Court ceremonies

PROPOSED LOCAL PROGRAM
A. LOCAL GOVERNMENT
I. Monitor, study if needed, and take action on issues affecting government and planning in New Castle:
     a) Plans for Reader's Digest (aka Chappaqua Crossing) redevelopment.
b) Plans for the Chappaqua Hamlet.
c) Plans for the Millwood Fire House
d) Plans for pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths.
II.    Monitor, and take action as needed, on land use policy, in particular as it affects the acquisition and use of open
     space.
III.   Monitor, and take action as needed, on town budget, including special districts (fire, sewage, sidewalk, water,
     refuse, parking, etc.).

B. SCHOOLS
Monitor, study if needed, and take action on any plans affecting the Chappaqua schools. Outlook for Work:
a) Observe and report on School Board meetings.
b) Publish Voters Guides and organize Candidates' Nights for contested elections; provide voter education for
uncontested elections.
c) Monitor school budget and take action as needed.
d) Raise awareness of traffic congestion at the schools.

C. LIBRARY
Monitor, study if needed, and take action on the needs of the Library. Outlook for Work:
a) Observe and report on library board meetings.
b) Monitor library budget.

D.      ENVIRONMENT
I. Monitor and take action on local environmental issues covered by National, State, County and local LWV positions, i.e., air quality, energy, land use, water resources, waste management, and nuclear issues.
II. Take action on the position from the sewage disposal options consensus.
III.     Monitor and take action on the Town's policy on educational programs on the care and maintenance of septic
     systems. Monitor and take action on the Town's implementation of Stormwater Phase II Regulations, including
     coordination with the Northern Westchester Watershed Committee.

E.      SOCIAL ISSUES
Monitor and take action on local social issues covered by National, State, and County LWV positions, including
domestic violence; senior, workforce and other forms of affordable housing; and childcare. Outlook for Work:
      a) Gather information and engage in educational outreach on community health care centers and universal health
     care.

F. ELECTION LAW
Collaborate with LWV Westchester on HAVA Implementation

Updated July 28, 2008 by Valerie Castleman

Many thanks to Westchester Alliance for Telecommunications and Public Access (WATPA ) & the Westchester Library System (WLS) for hosting this site.