MINUTES

COMMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

AND THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

 

APRIL 2, 2001

 

PRESENT:          B. Ryan (Chair), S. Swanson R. Wishnie, G. Oros, L. Mosiello.

 

BOARD STAFF:Secretary: S. Vanderberg.

                              

OTHER:              Al Mignone, Chief, Purchase FD.

 

With quorums present, the Committee on Public Safety & Criminal Justice and the Education Committee were called to order for a joint meeting at 9:30 a.m. 

 

Graduated Drivers Licensing Program

 

Mr. Ryan and Mrs. Swanson presented the members with a proposed resolution calling on the State Legislature to pass legislation that would create a graduated drivers licensing system in New York.

 

Last year, the Board of Legislators asked our State delegation to sponsor a bill that would authorize a graduated licensing system for WestchesterCounty residents only.  The proposed new licensing requirements contained in the bill ran into opposition in both the Assembly and Senate.  Moreover, the State Department of Motor Vehicles said a separate licensing system for Westchester would be too hard to administer.

 

This year, the Byram Hills HS PTSA Safe Driving Committee, the group that a year ago launched the effort to put a “model” graduated licensing system in place in Westchester, is asking State Legislators to approve a state-wide graduated drivers licensing program.  The State PTA supports the proposal.

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PUBLIC SAFETY & CRIMINAL JUSTICE

APRIL 2, 2001

 

Mr. Ryan said that WestchesterCounty should lead local governments around the State in a show of support for a graduated drivers licensing system.  This will help direct the attention of the State Legislature to the need for changing the current drivers licensing system.

 

A motion to move the Resolution was passed unanimously by both Committees.

 

Committee Meeting Minutes

 

Mr. Ryan asked the members to consider the “draft” minutes for the meetings of January 8, 16, 22, and for March 12, 2001.

 

Mr. Mosiello asked that the minutes for January 8 be held over pending clarification of Mr. Kaplowitz’ concern with the version of the cell phone legislation that was before the Committee on that date.

 

Mr. Mosiello asked that the March 12 minutes also be held to allow for additional information relative to the amendments proposed to the new cell phone law.

 

Minutes for January 16, and 22 were approved, 5-0.

 

Incentives for Volunteer Firefighters

 

Chief Mignone said the Westchester County Fire Council had information that bills passed by the State Legislature in 1999 and 2000 provided for the reduction of property taxes for volunteers by about 10 percent.

 

He asked the Committee to research the law to see if local volunteers qualify for the tax relief, and asked if legislation needed to be passed

                                                             

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inWestchesterCounty in order for volunteers to get the benefit.

 

Mr. Ryan said the Committee would look into the State law and get answers to these questions.

 

Restrictions on use of cell phones

 

Mr. Mosiello referred to an Associated Press report from last week which stated that in a recent poll, 85 percent of cell phone owners were in support of a ban on cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle.

 

With no further business to discuss, both Committees were adjourned at 9:50 a.m.