Two years ago, with your support, we were able to elect candidates who restored civility and brought a professional, community-based approach to local government. Already, the regulatory process for homeowners has become more user-friendly –though no less effective. A potentially disastrous pool renovation project was completely turned around to produce an exciting, soundly rebuilt and expanded facility. Long-stalled additions to the little league field at Town Park are now complete.

The Lewisboro GOP is supports candidates who are committed to prudent fiscal management, improved recreation facilities, strong environmental policies that respect taxpayers through a “homeowner-friendly” regulatory process, and who show respect for the opinions of others. In the 2007 local races:

• Peter DeLucia, Peter Clark and Tom Herzog are each uniquely qualified and distinguished from their opponents by years of dedicated service in town government and with local community organizations.
• They are committed to enhancing recreational opportunities for our children and building a support system for our seniors.
• They will continue to improve the Town’s roads and other dilapidated infrastructure and to reach ADA compliance in a fiscally responsible way.
• Their unsurpassed commitment to protecting our environment will show in policies that are tough and effective, while respectful of homeowners’ rights.
• They have a proven record of working with State and County officials to advance the goals of the Town.

Please join us is supporting these dedicated individuals on Tuesday, November 6, 2007.

THE CARRY-OUT AMENDMENT AND STARBUCKS
The current zoning amendment being considered by the Town Board, which some people have taken to calling the “Starbucks Amendment,” will provide a more legally-defensible standard for applicants and ensure rigorous Planning Board review. The proposal came about through a request from the Town’s Zoning Board of Appeals after Starbucks applied for a variance to operate a coffee shop with 40 seats at Cross River Plaza in the space currently being operated by Bagel Boys. The ZBA felt that the ordinance’s categories were too vague for them to render a legally defensible decision for or against the application.

While the proposed Starbucks would have fewer seats than the previous La Famiglia Restaurant in the same area of the center, because Starbucks is not a restaurant, a variance was needed. However, since the use was not changing, Planning Board approval was not required.

The proposed amendment provides a new category, “Restaurant, Limited Service and Carry-out Service,” borrowed from a similar ordinance in the Village of Bronxville, which provides a clearer line between shops like delis, pizzerias and coffee shops, and fast food restaurants like Arby’s and McDonalds. It provides legally-recognized review standards. It’s not enough to say “no chains” (after-all, A&P and D’Agostinos are both chains) to be effective, there must be standards relating to the goals of zoning, like exterior appearance, square footage, parking and signage. Not only does the proposed ordinance provide such standards –because it calls for a Special Permit procedure, review will be before the Planning Board, whose consultants have the necessary technical review skills.

It is important to note that by approving the ordinance, the Town Board will not be approving Starbucks’ application. But rather, they will be creating a more vigorous, as well as more legally-defensible standard for review of the application.

BENEFITS OF THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
While some municipalities in New York State have hired professional Town or Village Managers to perform the duties of the chief executive, the Town of Newcastle (Chappaqua) has found a way to manage the added workload placed on modern governments consistent with the political system of a small, outer ring, suburban town by creating the position of Town Administrator.
In contrast to a Town Manager who is chief executive, the Town Administrator handles the day to day administrative duties of running the Town, while the Supervisor remains responsible for the budget as chief fiscal officer, for chairing meetings and for setting policy as chief executive. The Town Administrator is a lesser paying position than manager, and is created by vote of the Town Board.

The Town Administrator frees the Supervisor to concentrate on his or her more important duties, and actually makes it possible for a broader range of highly-qualified individuals to consider running for the position.
Peter Delucia, who holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, feels that by cutting his own salary, and reorganizing the Supervisor’s office, including hiring a Town Administrator, he will be able to cut costs, improve efficiency and enhance the performance of the Supervisor’s office.

THE LIBRARY AND THE ADA
Peter DeLucia, Peter Clark and Tom Herzog are each committed to supporting the Library’s move to a new facility and each has contributed to moving the process to completion after years of frustration.

As members of the Zoning Board and Architectural Review Board, respectively, Peter DeLucia and Peter Clark took part in the process that identified the problems associated with the proposal to dramatically expand the Library’s current facility located in the already congested Town Campus.

As a Councilman working with Supervisor Ed Mahoney to meet the Town’s own need to fulfill the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Peter DeLucia and the Town Board revisited an idea first considered by the Town’s Facilities Committee under Tom Herzog, of offering to buy the Library’s existing building to be converted for use as Town offices, and offering land in the Town Park for a new Library. The need for action had become critical because under the prior Administration in 2005, the U.S. Justice Department began an Investigation of the Town for ADA noncompliance.

The proposal is a win-win situation for the entire community. The Library will be able to offer its programs in a larger, state-of-the-art facility with the square footage they need, and in a more centrally located place that would complement its many child-oriented programs. At the same time, the Town will acquire an ideal space for an ADA compliant meeting room and offices, at a fraction of the cost of most of the previously recommended proposals. The Library construction also enables the Town to add an additional playing field cost-effectively in the park.

By moving, the Trustees will avoid the major costs associated with the required site work for expansion at the Town Campus. These included altering the existing driveways, eliminating the middle roadway, and constructing additional parking. Also, there will no longer be any transition costs associated with keeping the Library open and operating safely at its present location during construction. After carefully weighing the pros and cons, the Library board agreed to consider the proposal.

Since then, Peter and Ed have worked closely with Senator Leibell and Assemblyman Bradley to commit State funds to help the Library move and both legislators have promised their help in obtaining the necessary approvals for building in the park, as well as their help in securing a turning lane should one be required. Taking into account the proceeds from the sale of their building to the Town, State funding, and the reduction in site work costs, the Library will be able to build a new and larger building for the approximately the same cost as their long overdue expansion.

Peter DeLucia and the current Republican Administration came into office in January, 2006 with the Town still facing an investigation by the Justice Department for its long term failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, with weddings, art shows and other public assemblies restricted at Onatru Farm because the weight of the Town offices on the second floor is undermining the structural integrity of the building, and with the Library’s expansion plans still stalled.

By moving the Library to Town Park, not only will the Town finally be able to achieve ADA compliance in an affordable, low impact way, but the Library will also be able to serve a broader segment of the community with a new facility designed to meet the needs of generations of future library-goers.