COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES

OCTOBER 28, 2002

ATTENDANCE:

B & A MEMBERS:                                       Wishnie, Bronz, Kaplowitz, Oros,

                                                                        Stewart-Cousins

OTHERS:                                                      DPW: Ralph Butler, Fran McLaughlin;

Corrections: Pasquale Miscioscia; CBAC/LWVW:: Barbara Strauss; Budget:  Arthur Vietro; CEO: Andrew Neuman, Bill Randolph; Parks:  Joe Stout, Paul Reitano, David DeLucia, W. Chip Mathews; BOL:

Sally Schecter

The meeting was called to order at 9:26 a.m. by Legislator Wishnie for Budget & Appropriation and by Legislator Ryan for Public Safety with Legislators Wishnie, Kaplowitz, Mosiello and Chair Bronz present for the Public Safety Committee.

The four IMA’s for prisoner transportation to 30 municipalities, the City of White Plains, Town of Bedford and the City of Mt. Vernon were discussed.  They’re all for 2 years and the slight increase over previous years is due to the raises in the collective bargaining contract.  On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz for Budget & Appropriation and for Public Safety, seconded by Chair Bronz for Budget & Appropriation and for Public Safety, the motion was carried by a vote of 5-0 for Budget & Appropriation and a vote of 5-0 for Public Safety.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Mosiello, the Public Safety Committee was adjourned.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart-Cousins, the minutes of October 21 were accepted.

Commissioner Butler answered questions that Legislators had on the Capital Budget concerning Parkways and Roads and Bridges.  On a number of projects, the design and construction is being split with the design being done in 2003 and construction in 2004.  The City of Yonkers would like Tuckahoe Road widened.  DPW is waiting for correspondence from Yonkers.  Upon completion of this project the road will revert to the City of Yonkers.  Long Ridge Road, RBO41, the design is being deferred by a year and there is no concern for safety.

Commissioner Stout was asked about several items that won’t be done in 2003.  This is   because of budgeting constraints.  Mt. Lakes Park was discussed.  An article recently appeared in the paper criticizing the condition of the Park.  Money has been allocated in 2003 for construction of a new water line and design for lightning protection.  The camp has been closed for 10 years.  At one time approximately 800 children used the camp but it closed when the number went down to 100.  There are 180 buildings that were built in 1965.  There have been discussions about closing the camp, but nothing has been decided.

RMUS3 is Muscoot Farm.  This is being restored as though it were a historic site.  Presently the chicken coop is off limits and people cannot use it.  Friends of Muscoot raises a lot of money for the farm.

RTB06 is for the design of Tibbetts Pool.  All pools were built in the 1920’s and this one needs the retaining wall repaired.

RWPR2 is to close the landfill in Ward Pound Ridge.  It had been used as a dump but there is nothing toxic in it. 

Many of the items in Rye Playland are being postponed due to budget constraints and others will be considered after the Master Plan is completed.

On the motion of Legislator Kaplowitz, seconded by Legislator Stewart Cousins, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.