IT IS HAS BEEN MY CUSTOM EACH YEAR AT THE REORGANIZATION MEETING TO REVIEW OUR PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND SET GOALS FOR THE NEW YEAR.  I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF WHAT THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND I HAVE ACHIEVED WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TOWN EMPLOYEES OVER THE LAST YEAR.  BUT BEFORE I BEGIN MY REVIEW, I THINK IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE THAT WE CLEARLY UNDERSTAND AND SEE THE LANDSCAPE AS IT APPEARS FOR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES IN NEW YORK STATE. 

    COGNIZANT OF WHAT IS FOREMOST IN THE MINDS OF OUR RESIDENTS IS THE DRACONIAN ECONOMY THAT WE ARE LIVING IN.  SOME MAY EVEN SAY THAT WE ARE LIVING IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES.  OUR FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE FACING ENORMOUS DEFICITS THAT WILL NOT ONLY AFFECT US BUT GENERATIONS TO COME.  THEY HAVE LIVED BEYOND THEIR MEANS, AS IF THERE WERE A POT OF GOLD THAT THEY COULD ALWAYS DRAW FROM TO COVER THE EXPENSES THEY APPROVED.  THEY HAVE PASSED ON TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANDATED PROGRAMS AND EXPENSES NOT CARING HOW THE LOCAL TAXPAYER WOULD BE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE PROGRAMS.  WE HAVE SEEN LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES SUCH AS DEREGULATION DEVASTATE OUR LOCAL TAX BASE WITHOUT ACHIEVING ITS GOAL OF REDUCING THE COST OF ELECTRICITY. THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REVIEW ACT HAS CHASED BUSINESSES OUT OF NEW YORK AND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES BECAUSE OF THE TIME IT TAKES FOR A DEVELOPER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND HAVE IT APPROVED.  STATE LEGISLATION WHICH APPROVED BINDING ARBITRATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAS DRIVEN UP THE COST OF POLICING TO AN UNSUSTAINABLE LEVEL WHERE OUR RESIDENTS NOW HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM EMPLOYING POLICE TO LAYING OFF POLICE OFFICERS.  THE 1936 POLICE ACT, WHICH MANDATES THAT AFTER FIVE YEARS AN OFFICER IS AUTOMATICALLY RANKED AS A FIRST GRADE OFFICER AND THEREFORE, THEIR PAY EXCEEDS $100,000 WITHIN FIVE YEARS, IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND RECKLESS. 

    IN LISTENING AND READING GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO’S STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE WE ARE EXTREMELY HOPEFUL THAT REFORM WILL COME TO NEW YORK.   BUT REFORM MUST NOT JUST OCCUR IN STATE GOVERNMENT.  LEGISLATION IS DRASTICALLY NEEDED THAT WILL RELIEVE THE MOUNTING BURDEN ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.   THIS MUST ALSO INCLUDE THE COST OF SCHOOL PROPERTY TAXES.  WE CANNOT BE THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR COST PER STUDENT AND BE THE 34^TH STATE IN ACADEMIC RANKING.  CURRENTLY, IN THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW, SCHOOL TAXES MAKE UP APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS TAX BILL.  THIS CANNOT BE SUSTAINED AND MUST BE CHANGED.  WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE THE #1 STATE FOR THE COST OF MEDICAID AND RANK 21^ST IN RESULTS.   NEW YORK STATE SPENDING CANNOT CONTINUE TO GROW AT 6% WHILE THE AVERAGE INCOME OF RESIDENTS GROWS AT 3%.  THERE IS NO REASON WHY ROCKLAND COUNTY SHOULD BE RANKED 5^TH IN THE NATION FOR PROPERTY TAX.    THE ABILITY OF RESIDENTS TO PAY FOR TAXES MUST BE THE PARAMOUNT CONCERN OF ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS TODAY.  

AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW WE ARE URGING ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT AND ADVANCE GOVERNOR CUOMO’S VISION AND PLATFORM FOR REFORMING NEW YORK STATE. 

1.                     HEAT IN PLACEMENT AND MICROPAVING TO THE FOLLOWING ROADS:  CINDER, MADISON, ROSMAN, BRISMAN, VALLEY, VALLEY COURT, CHERRY, CHERRY CIRCLE.

2.                      ROAD RESURFACING TO THE FOLLOWING ROADS OAKRIDGE, WOODLAKE, EASTLAKE, HIGHLAKE, QUAKER, CEDAR, BIRCH, MOHAWK, PALISADES COURT AND SAGAMORE AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

3.                     THE FOLLOWING ROADS WE WERE ABLE TO INSTALL BELGIAN BLOCK CURBS:  OAK, ELM, AND SYCAMORE.  THE FOLLOWING ROADS WE HAVE COMMENCED AND WILL COMPLETE IN 2011:  TULIP TREE, HAVERVALE, WOODRIDGE AND LOCUST AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

4.                     INSTALLATION AT THE HAVERSTRAW BOWLINE PARK OF A NEW FISHING DOCK/PIER INTO THE BOWLINE POND AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

5.                     AT CHEESECOTE MOUNTAIN, WE REPAVED THE ROAD ENTRANCE TO THE SUMMIT AND INSTALLED GUIDE RAILS AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

6.                     INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT BOWLINE POINT PARK AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

7.                     UPGRADE COMPUTERS FOR THE TOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT VEHICLES AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

8.                     UPGRADE IMPROVEMENTS AT THE HAVERSTRAW TOWN HALL OF SIDEWALKS, RESURFACING, DRAINAGE AND HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE CURBS. 

9.                     PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A NEW BAR SCREEN AND GRIT COLLECTION SYSTEM AT THE TOWN’S WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT FOR PURIFICATION OF WATER FOR DISCHARGE OF WHICH 75% WAS AT NO COST TO THE LOCAL TAXPAYER.

10.                 REFINANCED OUR CURRENT BONDING DEBT BECAUSE OF THE LOW INTEREST RATE WHICH WILL SAVE THE TAXPAYERS $300,000 FOR THE REMAINING LIFE OF THE BOND.

11.                 UPGRADE SPRINKLER SYSTEM AT THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW PHILIP J. ROTELLA MEMORIAL GOLF COURSE TO ENSURE THE QUALITY OF FAIRWAYS AND GREENS. 

COMPLIMENT THE WORK OF OUR YOUTH BOARD, DIRECTOR OF THE YOUTH BOARD, LORRAINE AROCENA; CHAIRWOMAN, APRIL COBB; OUR SENIOR CITIZEN CLUB PRESIDENT, JUDY O’SULLIVAN; SENIOR LEADER, MAUREEN CORALLO; OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR MIKE COTIER; OUR MUNICIPAL GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT, CAL FOWX; GOLF PRO, MIKE LAUDIEN; DAY CAMP DIRECTOR, HOWARD TIELL; THE NORTH ROCKLAND YOUTH POLICE ACADEMY, CHIEF CHARLES MILLER AND SGT. DAVE KRYGER AND COMMUNITY CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD, HENRY GESSNER CHAIRMAN. 

           OUR YOUTH BOARD ENABLES MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS TO ATTEND CULTURAL AND SPORTING EVENTS WHICH THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT THE TOWN’S ASSISTANCE.  SOME OF THE EVENTS WERE MEDIEVAL TIMES, DISNEY ON ICE, BROADWAY THEATRE PLAYS; THE ADAMS FAMILY, IN THE HEIGHTS, LINCOLN CENTER BALLET, AND YANKEE STADIUM. 

            OUR SENIOR CITIZENS WENT TO WILDWOOD NEW JERSEY, ATLANTIC CITY, THE SANDS CASINO, AND BROADWAY PLAYS JUST TO NAME A FEW EVENTS. 

            AT BOWLINE POINT PARK WE HAD RECORD NUMBER OF RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS USING OUR FACILITIES.  OUR FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATION WAS OUTSTANDING; THE OPEN AIR CONCERTS WERE A HUGE SUCCESS.  THE OLYMPIC POOL, WATER SLIDES, KIDDIE POOL, WATER SPLASH AREA, LAWLESS PAVILION AND GRANT GAZEBO AS WELL AS THE FISHING DOCK AND PIER WERE ALL UTILIZED TO THEIR MAXIMUM EXTENT. 

            OUR DAY CAMP ATTENDANCE EXCEEDED PREVIOUS YEARS.  THE ACTIVITIES BOTH AT THE SCHOOL AND TRIPS RECEIVED RAVING REVIEWS. 

            EACH YEAR OUR HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL SEEMS TO GROW WITH GREATER ATTENDANCE.  OUR TOWN EMPLOYEES HAVE DONE AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PROVIDING A WONDERFUL AND SAFE DAY FOR OUR CHILDREN WITH A COSTUME CONTEST, HAUNTED HOUSE, GAMES AND REFRESHMENTS.

            THE 7^TH ANNUAL NORTH ROCKLAND 3-MILE FUN RUN RAISED MONEY FOR NEEDY FAMILIES WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.  A TOTAL OF $9,000 WAS DONATED TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING FAMILIES:  THE PLACE, DEPATTO, & McELORY FAMILIES.  I WOULD LIKE TO THANK NORTH ROCKLAND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, JOE CASSARELA, MIKE GRECO, JOE BOCHNIK, NOREEN SMITH, TAMMY BITTS AND SUPERVISOR SHERWOOD.

            MOST IMPORTANTLY, IS THE SAFETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS.  I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK OUR MEMBERS OF THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW POLICE DEPARTMENT BEGINNING WITH CHIEF OF POLICE, CHARLES MILLER, HIS ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND THE RANK AND FILE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  THE STATISTICAL DATA THAT WE HAVE COLLECTED DEMONSTRATES THE QUALITY OF WORK AND DEDICATION OF OUR OFFICERS.  WE CURRENTLY HAVE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE RC NARCOTICS TASK FORCE, RC INTELLIGENCE UNIT, THE RC REACT UNIT, SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (NR HIGH SCHOOL, 8^TH & 9^TH GRADE CENTER) AND DARE OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO THE THREE MIDDLE SCHOOLS.  IN ADDITION, WE HAVE A YOUTH OFFICER AS WELL AS A STREET CRIME UNIT AND DETECTIVE SQUAD THAT COMPLIMENTS OUR PATROL.  THE CONCENTRATION OF CRIME HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE LOCATED IN CERTAIN AREAS IN THE VILLAGE OF HAVERSTRAW.  HOWEVER, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE RC DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THOMAS ZUGIBE, AND THE RC SHERIFF, JIM KRALIK; AND THE RC CHIEF OF PATROL, LOU FALCO AND WITH THE CONTINUED COORDINATED EFFORT WITH THE NY STATE POLICE WE HAVE MADE SUCCESSFUL INROADS IN REDUCING MANY TYPES OF CRIME IN THE VILLAGE OF HAVERSTRAW AND WE HAVE TAKEN BACK THE STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS FROM THE UNDESIRABLE ELEMENTS.  THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS.  ALL DUE VIGILANCE MUST CONTINUE IN ORDER TO REMAIN SUCCESSFUL ESPECIALLY IN THESE SEVERE ECONOMIC TIMES. THE PROGRESSIVE INITIATIVES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY, THOMAS ZUGIBE HAVE PRODUCED IMMEDIATE RESULTS.  THE COMMUNITY PROSECUTION PARTNERS ASSISTANT DAs WITH POLICE OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITY.  THE DMI (DRUG MARKET INTERVENTION) INITIATIVE IS WHERE THE COMMUNITY BECOMES DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH THOSE WHO ARE BREAKING THE LAW WITHIN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.  THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WORKING WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BECOMES PART OF THE SOLUTION.

            I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW ASSESSOR, DAVID ADAMS FOR HIS EXPERT ANALYSIS IN HIS ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE ASSESSMENT ROLL WHICH HAS LED TO A REDUCTION OF SCHOOL TAXES FOR THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW RESIDENT PROPERTY OWNER.  WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ASSESSMENT CONSULTANT, LARRY FARBSTEIN, WHOSE ADVICE AND KNOWLEDGE HAS BEEN INDISPENSABLE.  I MUST ALSO RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF OUR BUILDING INSPECTOR, GENE BARNUM AND ASSISTANT BUILDING INSPECTOR, FRED VIOHL FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION IN ENSURING THAT OUR ZONING CODE IS ENFORCED AND COMPLIED.  IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT WE MAINTAIN OUR ZONING CODE. 

            WE HAVE RECEIVED EXCELLENT LEGAL COUNSEL FROM OUR TOWN ATTORNEY WILLIAM STEIN AND OUR PLANNING CONSULTING ATTORNEY STEVE SILVERBERG. THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL HAS PREVAILED IN COURT AND PROTECTED THE TAXPAYERS OF HAVERSTRAW. AS THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND I PROMISED WE HAVE CONTINUED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR VILLAGE MAYORS, MAYOR JOHN RAMUNDO, WEST HAVERSTRAW, MIKE KOHUT, VILLAGE OF HAVERSTRAW AND NICK SANDERSON, VILLAGE OF POMONA. WE HAVE KEPT ONE ANOTHER ABREST OF CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS OF OUR RESIDENTS SO WE CAN BETTER ADDRESS AND CORRECT THEM IN A SWIFT MANNER.

            OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF SERVING THE PUBLIC.  THE TOWN CLERK, JOSEPHINE CARELLA; RECEIVER OF TAXES, ANN McGOVERN; SUPERINTENDENT OF HIGHWAYS, FRANK BROOKS; TOWN JUSTICE PETER BRANTI AND TOWN JUSTICE JOHN GRANT.  ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE TOWN BOARD, I EXPRESS OUR SINCERE APPRECIATION.

            IN 2011, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW YORK SPORTS CLUB AT THE ROUTE 202 SHOPPING CENTER.  WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE PROPOSED SHOPPING CENTER IN POMONA WILL RECEIVE FINAL APPROVAL FOR THEIR SITE TO COMMENCE.  THIS WILL INCLUDE MAJOR RETAIL STORES.

            WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH UNITED WATER ON THEIR PROPOSED DESALINATION PLANT, WHEN APPROVED COULD MEAN OVER A $100,000,000.00 RATABLE FOR THE TOWN ASSESSMENT ROLL.  WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THE PILOT PROGRAM HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEC AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE DATA THAT WILL BE COLLECTED OVER THE YEAR TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE STATE AND REVIEWED BY THE PUBLIC.

            WE PLAN TO CONTINUE WITH OUR ROAD MAINTENANCE AND BELGIAN BLOCK IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR LOCAL ROADS.  WE HAVE SET UP A CAPITAL PROJECT THAT WILL INCLUDE INSTALLING A LIGHTING PLAN AT BOWLINE POINT PARK.  WE HAVE SECURED A  GRANT FOR THIS PROJECT.  OUR INTENT IS TO ADD LIGHTING FIXTURES TO THE PARKING LOT AND LIGHTING ALONG THE PERIMETER OF THE WALKING PATH. ANOTHER PROJECT WILL BE ADDITIONAL PAVING TO THE PATH AROUND CHEESECOTE MOUNTAIN FOR YOUR WALKING AND JOGGING PLEASURE.

            I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE NYS DOT THAT BOTH BRIDGES I.E., PALISADES BRIDGE OVER ROUTE 202 AND THE BRIDGE FROM SHORT CLOVE ROAD ON RTE. 9W WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER OF THIS YEAR.  WE WILL CONTINUE TO PETITION THE STATE FOR GREATER REPAIRS TO ROUTES 202 AND 9W.

            SINCE THE INCEPTION OF DEREGULATION WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING BATTLE WITH THE OWNERS OF THE BOWLINE POWER PLANT, MIRANT NY.  IN 2009, THEY FILED FOR A 94% REDUCTION OF THEIR ASSESSMENT AND IN 2010 THEY FILED FOR A 97% REDUCTION IN THEIR ASSESSMENT.  ALTHOUGH OUR TOWN ASSESSOR HAS REDUCED THE VALUE BY 50% THEY CONTINUE TO DISPUTE THE ASSESSED VALUATION OF THEIR PLANTS.  THE TOWN BOARD AND I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT ANY FURTHER REDUCTION UNTIL EVIDENCE CAN BE PRODUCED TO JUSTIFY ANY FURTHER REDUCTION OF THE VALUE.

       FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS WE HAVE ASKED EACH DEPARTMENT TO DO MORE WITH LESS.  WE HAVE MANAGED TO KEEP THE BUDGET AFFORDABLE.  THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW HAS THE LOWEST TOWN TAX AND THE LOWEST SEWER TAX IN ROCKLAND COUNTY.  THE NYS COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE RECENTLY PERFORMED A RISK ASSESSMENT OF EACH DEPARTMENT REVIEWING INTERNAL CONTROLS, PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES.  BASED UPON THE CHIEF EXAMINER’S FINDINGS THERE WAS NO NEED TO RECOMMEND ANY IMPROVEMENTS. IN ADDITION, THE NYS COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE PERFORMED AN AUDIT OF THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW JUSTICE COURT.  THE REVIEW OF THIS AUDIT DETERMINED THAT THE JUSTICE COURT WAS OPERATING IN ALL PROPER PROCEDURES.  I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND COMPLIMENT  OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, MICHAEL GAMBOLI; PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT CLERK, CARMELA PANTANO; ACCOUNT CLERK KARA FREEMAN AND JUSTICE COURT CLERK, CLAUDIA OSSMAN. 

        THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS AND I HAVE CONSTANTLY STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. TO THAT END, WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE REPRESENTING HAVERSTRAW TWO GENTLEMEN WHO CONSTANTLY KEEP THE TOWN INFORMED AND UP TO DATE IN COUNTY MATTERS, WHETHER IT BE LEGISLATION, CAPITAL PROJECTS OR PROGRAMS. LEGISLATOR MICHAEL GRANT AND LEGISLATOR JAY HOOD HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AS COUNTY LEGISLATORS. IN ADDITION, OUR COUNTY CLERK PAUL PIPERATO CONTINUES TO FACILITATE ANY PROBLEMS OR CONCERNS WITH THE GREATEST EXPEDIENCY THROUGH HIS OFFICE.

          THE PEOPLE OF HAVERSTRAW HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO HAVE EXEMPLARY REPRESENTATION IN THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY.  OUR ASSEMBLYMAN, KENNETH ZEBROWSKI CONTINUES TO WORK TIRELESSLY FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAVERSTRAW.  HE HAS PROVEN TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING BACK YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO OUR COMMUNITY.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO OUR NEW STATE SENATOR, DAVID CARLUCCI AND THE ENERGY THAT HE BRINGS WITH HIM TO ALBANY. SPECIAL THANKS AND OUR EVERLASTING GRATITUDE TO THE LATE SENATOR THOMAS MORAHAN AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE SUPERB JOB IN REPRESENTING EVERY RESIDENT REGARDLESS OF THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION. 

            IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS:  DEPUTY SUPERVISOR ISIDRO “PAPO” CANCEL; VINCENT GAMBOLI; JOHN GOULD AND HECTOR SOTO FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF HAVERSTRAW.  THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR CONCERNS AND TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A VOICE IN LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. 

          LASTLY, I WOULD ASK THAT ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS TO REMEMBER IN THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY TO ENSURE THE FREEDOM THAT WE ENJOY AND SO OFTEN TAKE FOR GRANTED.  MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA AND MAY HIS LIGHT SHINE UPON US.  MAY ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR.  THANK YOU.