May 8th Newsletter

Hello Hartsdale Community, We hope this email finds you well. We are sending out this newsletter because there are some important issues you should be aware of that will impact our Hartsdale community.

GREENBURGH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION AND BUDGET VOTE UPDATE Don’t forget to come out and vote on Tuesday May 16th from 7am – 9pm at the Woodlands Middle/High School Gymnasium | 475 West Hartsdale Avenue, Hartsdale N.Y. 10530.  GCSD Budget The 2023-2024 GCSD Budget hearing was held on May 2nd.  The presentation can be viewed on the GCSD YouTube channel.The budget newsletter can be viewed on the GCSD website. Budget hi-lights: • Proposed tax levy increase of 3.00% (within Tax Cap) and overall 4.67% increase •​ Total Proposed Budget of $78,032,174 • An anticipated increase of 12.02% in state aid • Capital Fund transfers: $1,300,000 for the Richard J. Bailey auditorium roof, replace 3rd grade window walls at Highview ES, and other minor renovations (e.g. bathrooms) • Enhanced professional development and additional staff and faculty positions, including two or three special education teachers, and a college and career readiness teacher.The GCSD BOE will not be adding a bond to the vote on May 16th, but will schedule a separate public vote later in the year. The bond would be used to replace the roofs on all school district school buildings.  School Board Election Incumbent Tracy Mairs and newcomer Erin Jacobson are running unopposed in the May 16th election for the two open seats on GCSD school board. Samantha Ives on behalf of HNA met with the candidates in a taped Q&A. The sessions are posted on HNA YouTube channel.

UPCOMING HNA EVENT  Please mark your calendars and join Eric Zinger and the HNA on May 18th at 8pm for a moderated discussion with NYState Assembly Representative for the 92nd district MaryJane Shimskey. Assemblywoman Shimskey was elected in November and represents most of Greenburgh, including Hartsdale. Previously she was on the Westchester County Board of Legislators for over 10 years. This is a live event and we will allow time at the end for public Q&A, but we request that If you have questions or topics of interest you would like to have addressed, please email them to info@hartsdaleneighbors.org by May 15th to help tailor the content for the event.   To attend the online event:   Topic: Mary Jane Shimksy joins HNA Time: May 18, 2023 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89746434844?pwd=dW83SWpDUXlsRkRsV1hCejg0NDZzdz09 Meeting ID: 897 4643 4844 Passcode: HNA

OTHER NEWS Leaf Blower Law There is another newly Proposed Ban on ALL Leaf Blowers initiated by the Greenburgh Conservation Advisory Council. A Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday May 10th after 7:30pm, on a proposal for a one year (test) to ban ALL ( e.g. electric, battery and gas) leaf blowers from June 15-August 14. Proposed fines would range from a warning for a first time offense to $500 for the operator and property owner/renter.  More information on the legislation can be found on TOG website. You can attend the meeting in person or on Zoom and provide comments live or via email.   2023 Capitol Budget Hearing There will be a public hearing at the Greenburgh Town Board Meeting on May 10 after 7:30 PM on the 2023 Proposed Capitol Budget of $19,907,944. The agenda and how to attend the meeting can be found on the TOG website.  Contracted Power Supplier Con Ed delivers and bills you for your power, but if you have not intentionally opted-out of using Westchester Power as your supplier, you have been paying significantly more for your electric power.  The Town of Greenburgh has been publishing a monthly comparison of rates and the April comparison shows ESCO customers are still paying more.   Odell House Family Friendly Event On May 20th, you and your family can visit three historic Revolutionary War sites in Westchester, where French troops camped during the Revolutionary War. The sites, Smith’s Tavern in Armonk, Odell House Rochambeau Headquarters in Hartsdale, and Yorktown Grange Fair Grounds will have family activities. More information can be found on the Odell House Website. ​

HNA MEMBER INFORMATION The Hartsdale Neighbors Association (HNA) is a group of passionate volunteers who are driven to improve our community.  We foster neighborhood engagement and community-based problem solving, enhance civic awareness and provide a vehicle for community-based efforts.  If you’d like to be more involved with HNA and join the Executive Board, one of our committees or other efforts, please contact us at info@hartsdaleneighbors.org.

IMPORTANT DATES Hartsdale Fire District Monthly – May 9 Town Board Meeting – May 10 School Board Elections and Budget Vote – May 16 HNA Event – May 18 Odell House Event – May 20 NYS Primaries – June 27