Area residents and public officials filled the New Castle Town Hall last week to discuss a variety of issues with County Executive Rob Astorino. The event was part of the popular "Ask Astorino" town hall series, where people are invited to bring any questions or ideas they would like to discuss face-to-face with the county executive.
Supervisor Susan Carpenter kicked off the evening by introducing the county executive and thanking him for the attention he gave the town in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Carpenter also expressed appreciation to the county executive's administration for working cooperatively with the town on exploring the extension of the county's sewer line and rebuilding the historic Millwood train station.
Astorino opened up the dialogue with the goals of his administration – providing tax relief, preserving essential services and promoting economic growth - and the challenges that face county government.
"Westchester is still the highest taxed county in America, but on the county level we have held the line on taxes and that's important," said Astorino. Since he took office, the county tax levy has been brought down by 2 percent and spending has been cut by 5.2 percent. In addition, the county workforce has been streamlined by 16 percent and Astorino has trimmed his own staff by 19 percent.
"With revenues flat and unfunded mandates from Albany skyrocketing, we have had to make some tough decisions, but that's part of the job," said Astorino. "A lot of Westchester residents are barely hanging on. They can't take any more cuts to their paycheck."
The $1.7 billion 2013 county budget includes no tax increase and no use of the reserve fund to pay for day-to-day operating expenses, which would threaten the county's AAA credit ratings.
The budget was approved by a bipartisan group of legislators, seven Republicans and two Democrats, including County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (District 4). Astorino commended Kaplowitz, who was at the town hall, for working with Republicans to reach a compromise and pass a responsible budget. Astorino admonished the other eight Democratic legislators who walked out of the budget debate, turned off the lights and microphones and repeatedly rang a loud bell to disrupt the proceedings that continued in the legislative chamber. "That's a decision that they will have to defend to the voters," said Astorino.
The 2009 housing settlement with the federal government was also on the minds of residents, particularly since one of the affordable housing projects has been proposed for New Castle (Conifer Realty's Chappaqua Station).
The county is a year ahead of schedule in satisfying a key benchmark of the agreement thanks to the cooperation of local governments. However, Astorino warned of the potential infringements on local control of zoning and on the rights of property owners, if the federal government succeeds in going "beyond the four corners of the settlement." He urged residents to read the letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development dated May 13, 2011, that he says, "attempts to dictate new terms for the agreement and force the county to do things that are not in the settlement."
Other topics of discussion were Con Edison's proposal to raise rates, pension costs, concerns over pollution from generators and plans for the future of Playland Park in Rye.
View the "Ask Astorino" Powerpoint presentation in pdf format.
Reaching out to Westchester residents and listening to them about their concerns is a major priority for Astorino. His popular "Ask Astorino" town hall series has drawn crowds in North Salem, Pelham, White Plains, Scarsdale, Cortlandt and Eastchester and will continue to be held regularly throughout the county. In addition, Astorino hosts "tele" town halls, which invite residents by randomly calling them moments before the start of the event. The latest, held in November, attracted approximately 31,000 listeners as well as participants via social media.
Photo: Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino(center) was joined by Westchester County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (left) and New Castle Town Supervisor Susan Carpenter (right) at the county executive's recent "Ask Astorino" town hall held at New Castle Town Hall.