Greenburgh Town Board discusses with school officials new state law authorizing charitable donations to town/school. Concerns raised.
STUDENTS TO ORGANIZE LOBBYING EFFORT TO PERSUADE NYS TO REPAVE SAW MILL RIVER ROAD AND OTHER STATE ROADS THAT ARE FILL OF POTHOLES, RUTS. SEE LINK BELOW
The Greenburgh Town Board met this morning and discussed with area School Board and administration officials the possibility of approving resolutions and a local law that would enable taxpayers to make charitable donations (in lieu of taxes) to the town and school districts. The Receiver of Taxes and a number of school districts expressed some concerns which we have to review before any action is taken. For example, the Receiver, Anne Povella, believes that her office is not authorized to collect charitable contributions. The IRS has not ruled on whether the charitable contribution will be deductible. If a resident contributes to the town or school district and if it is not deductible will they get a refund? If they do get a refund on the charitable donation will they be charged penalties and interest because the taxes are being paid late? Another question: who is required to sign the statement accepting the charitable contribution for which a donor does not get a benefit? Are municipal service and school services no benefit?
These and many other questions were discussed. I encourage you to watch the video discussion –link below. I am planning to forward this link to other municipal, state and county officials. Members of the Town Board are encouraging either Westchester County or New York State to provide every local government and school district with a draft local law/resolution that would be similar. We also would like the state or county to provide communities with the same software so we can all implement the charitable deduction options in a similar matter.
All the members of the Greenburgh Town Board and I applaud the Governor and members of the NYS Legislature for trying to help our taxpayers save money. The legislation they adopted was approved with the best intentions. And, if it works taxpayers will save thousands of dollars. NYS did not create the problem (loss of property tax deductions). Members of the Town Board have to act prudently and carefully and these and other questions have to be answered. We will keep you informed of the progress of this initiative and plan follow up meetings. We will invite our State Legislators and state officials to the follow up meeting.
ANNOUNCING AN EXCITING STUDENT INTERNSHIP INITIATIVE---ORGANIZING A LOBBYING EFFORT TO REPAVE SAW MILL RIVER ROAD NEAR ARDSLEY AND OTHER STATE ROADS LOCATED IN GREENBURGH
When you drive on Saw Mill River Road in Ardsley (which is a road owned by NYS) do you feel that you are on the moon---driving from pothole to pothole? Have you lost tires and several rims? NYS Assemblyman Tom Abinanti told me that he lost 7 tires in the last 8 years. That’s because NYS has not repaved roads they own in Greenburgh and in our area. The last time they repaved a road in Greenburgh was about three years ago.
The stretch of Saw Mill River Road (9A) just north of the town between Apple Motor Inn and Revolutionary Road is a DISASTER—FULL OF POTHOLES, RUTS. It’s a driving hazard.
I have asked NYS to repave the road. I have written, re-written, re-re-written to the state, spoken to officials, etc… And –so far nothing has worked.
This summer we have a group of very intelligent students (college and high school students) working at Greenburgh Town Hall. One of their assignments: organize a lobbying effort to repave the Saw Mill River Road and other NYS roads located within the town. They will learn lobbying skills during the internships---will prepare on line petitions, meet with state officials, meet with the media, perhaps even organize a rally. So, if during the summer you see some students with signs on the road saying honk if you hate potholes – smile and honk! The students will prepare video’s, take photo’s of the potholes.
Some of the student interns met with the Greenburgh Town Board this morning (first few minutes of the link above) and introduced themselves. During the summer we will keep you informed of the many lobbying initiatives the students will be organizing.
GREENBURGH Town Supervisor