Hello Hartsdale Community,
We hope this email finds you well and wish all a Happy and Joyful Holiday Season. We are sending out this special issue focused on the Hartsdale Fire District (HFD) Election and Town of Greenburgh (TOG) Budget.
HARTSDALE FIRE DISTRICT NEWS
HFD Commissioner Election
Don’t forget to Vote, on Tuesday December 12th, in elections for one Fire Commissioner for a term of five years, and one Fire Commissioner for the term of two years at the Fire Station at 25 S. Central Park Avenue from 3:00pm to 9:00pm. You must vote in person; no absentee ballots are available.
There are two candidates for the two open seats on HFD Board of Commissioners. Incumbents Jason Muldoon (Chair, 5year term) and John Vallarelli (2 year term) will be on the ballot for the open seats and will be uncontested. HNA President Eric Zinger will meet with the candidates for a Q&A session on Tuesday, December 5th at 8pm via Zoom. We will take live questions from attendees during the session, but also please submit any questions you have in advance to info@hartsdaleneighbors.org, so we include those most frequently asked as part of the agenda. Additional information on the candidates can be found below.
To attend the Zoom meeting:
Topic: HARTSDALE FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES NIGHT BY HNA
Time: Dec 5, 2023 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84515186019?pwd=CM3XoAf3xkUPOx1lDm5RlKjotUvja7.1
Meeting ID: 845 1518 6019
Passcode: HNA
The Zoom session with the candidates will be posted on the HNA YouTube channel on or after December 6th.
HFD 2024 Budget
The Hartsdale Fire District (HFD) presented the 2024 Budget on Tuesday October 17th in a public hearing. The 2024 total appropriation of $15,200,522 represents a 3.6% YOY increase of $533,000. The 2024 total to be raised by real property taxes $14,041,654 represents a 4.4% YOY increase of $595,2400. The Fire Tax represents approximately 6% of your total bill. The detailed 2024 budget and meeting minutes can be found on the HFD website.
TOWN OF GREENBURGH 2024 BUDGET
The Town Board released the 2024 Tentative Budget on October 31st. Total Appropriations for the TOB (unincorporated area) = $103.9 million, up $10.2 million from 2023, a 9.8% increase in total appropriations. The proposed increases include a 41% increase to Public Works Administration, a 135% increase in funding to the Building Department ($4.7mill in 2024 from $2million in 2023) and a 106% increase to the Contingent account. It should be also noted that town wide taxes, paid by the village residents, in these categories did not raise in the same proportions. The amount raised from real property taxes = $62,920,318 up $3,718,625 from 2023, a 5.9% increase in property taxes raised.
Property taxes are based on the value of your home and any increase or decrease you will receive is based on your most recent assessment, and any increase or decrease you received in the assessment from the previous year. While the Town Board has positioned this as a minor increase based on a YOY sustained value of a home worth $500k. Our research has shown that most homes in Hartsdale have increased in value and 98% of Hartsdale will likely receive closer to a 6% increase in their town taxes. The Town Board held a public forum on November 20th and discussions on November 21st and November 28th. On November 20th the public hearing starts at 21:33 into the meeting including comments by HNA President Eric Zinger.
The HNA Executive Committee calls on The Town Board to do a better job at being fiscally responsible and at communicating timely and accurate information. We suggest if you have concerns with our town budget and spending, that you write to Paul Feiner and the Town Board to make appropriate changes before the budget is finalized early in December.
OTHER NEWS
Snow Ordinance Parking Regulations & Permit Information
From December 1st thru March 15th overnight public street parking is prohibited in most areas in Hartsdale to allow for street sanding and snow removal. Hartsdale Avenue and metered parking spaces on Columbia Avenue have separate parking requirements.Hardship exemption parking permits, reviewed on an individual basis, are available from the Greenburgh Police Department. The permit must be displayed on your vehicle and cars need to be moved during snow emergencies.
Operation Candy Cane
The Hartsdale Fire Department will hold its annual Operation Candy Cane, rain or shine on Saturday, December 9th, 2023 from 9am – 1pm. Off-Duty Hartsdale Firefighters will spread Holiday Cheer by escorting Santa Claus around the community in a Fire Engine Sleigh handing out Candy Canes to all attending children & adults. A list of locations and times can be found on the HFD website.
Toys For Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots is asking for any help you can give this year. Toys you donate will be used to make over 31,000 children, who signed up right here in Westchester, happy. Toys can be dropped off at many locations in and around Hartsdale. Donations are much appreciated and can be deductible for tax purposes.
IMPORTANT DATES
Winter Street Parking Rules – Dec. 1st to March 15th
Breakfast With Santa – December 2nd
Operation Candy Cane – December 9th
Hartsdale Fire District Elections – December 12th
Town Board Meeting – Dec. 13th
