Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee, February 14, 2008, Minutes. Attendees: Laurel Levine, Jane Morgenstern, Paul Sterne, Randy Klipstein, Joy Haber, Donna Cassell, Bradley Bolke, Charlotte Frankenthaler, David Koenigsberg, Gregg Ury, Rob Baron, Fred Broda
Guests: Jim McCue.
A quorum being present, Chairman Randy Klipstein called the meeting to order at 8:00PM.
Reading of the minutes from January 10, 2008. – Motion to adopt the corrected minutes was made by David Koenigsberg and seconded by Jane Morgenstern. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report – Paul Sterne – there had not been any changes in the account since the last report.
Announcements: Randy reported that, due in great part to the efforts of Richard and Linda Borkow, the Official Washington-Rochambeau trail map now lists Dobbs Ferry. However, the typeface is extremely small. Randy asked for permission to write to Representatives Eliot Engel and Nita Lowey on behalf of the Dobbs Ferry Democratic Committee requesting them to use their influence to increase the typeface. It was also suggested that they be asked to change the position of the Dobbs Ferry label to the east side of the river rather than the west side as it appears now.
Randy also announced that the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division overruled a lower court decision and dismissed the lawsuit brought by Robert Bernstein that sought to force the Villages to share in the cost of acquiring and paying for the maintenance of the Town of Greenburgh’s Taxter Ridge Park. This is particularly important because Mr. Bernstein was pursuing a second lawsuit, based on the original ruling that would require the incorporated villages to help pay operating and maintenance costs for all the parks in unincorporated Greenburgh. This would have resulted in increased taxes for the village. Randy also commented that we owe thanks to Herb Rosenberg for all his work on behalf of the village in this matter.
Unfinished Business
A Open Discussion: Fred Broda reported that during the last BOT meeting it appears that the 2 Ashford Ave. developers would resubmit plans for a 3 story building instead of a 4 stories. There was a discussion regarding some of the various waivers needed for the property and the possibly of affordable housing. It was suggested by Paul Sterne that maybe the future zoning code should take into consideration an assessment of tax income vs. expense of services and impact on property values.
Randy asked about the progress on the budget. David Koenigsberg reported that requests have gone out to department heads.
Fred Broda also reported on the situation at the DPW site. They are trying to get a copy of the construction contracts before any decisions are made on financing the necessary repairs. There was much discussion about how and why this problem came about.
Rob Barron brought up concerns about the new plans for Dobbs Ferry Community Hospital and the potential traffic impact on the neighborhood surrounding it. He also mentioned that the hospital has already changed its agreement to bus employees to work. Rob also suggested that some sort of virtual plan (like Sim City) be done on the vision plan to access impact of traffic and quality of life.
David Koenigsbeg reported that the open hearing on Water’s Edge would be on Feb. 26th. He also reported that the village was considering the creation of an amnesty program for people fined for having aged temporary certificates of occupancy. There was a discussion about the need for a better notification system.
B NYS Presidential Primary Wrap-Up – Hillary Clinton won 57% of the state to Barack Obama’s 40%; Obama only won 1 county: Ithaca; Hillary won Greenburgh 52% to 45%; Obama won Eliot Engel’s district (within Westchester) and Hillary won Nita Lowey’s district (within Westchester).
C District Leader Openings – motion to switch Donna Cassell from the17th to the 12th district where she lives and to appoint Gregg Ury to the 65th district was made by Rob Baron and seconded by Joy Haber. The motion carried unanimously. The appointment of Bettina Speyer was postponed since she was not present.
D Bylaws Revision – postponed
E Sub-committee Assignments – postponed
F Committee Internet Presence – Randy said that because of the expense we would abandon our plans for our own website for now. Paul Sterne has set up a group for us on The Ground Report website
G Discussion on non-Democrats on our ticket – Deferred
H Update on Town & County Items – deferred
New Business – Charlotte Frankenthaler said that an ad hoc committee was working on the allocation of the gift from Marie McKellar and was looking into a walkway along the Waterfront.
Randy announced that the next Democratic Committee meeting would be March 20th.
Joy announced a coffee get-together for women only with Andrea Stewart-Cousins sometime in March to discuss women’s issues.
Motion to adjourn was made by Bradley Bolke, seconded by Rob Baron was carried unanimously.
Adjournment at 9:17PM.
Respectfully submitted by Donna Cassell, Recording Secretary