Councilman Weaver and I served on the Approvals Review Task Force and recommended streamlining the review and permitting process for residential construction and renovations by bringing smaller and simpler projects to the newly created Residential Project Review Committee (RPRC). The Town Board adopted our recommendations in 2008, thus eliminating the need for many applicants to appear before the Planning and Architectural Review Boards. In 2009, we further improved the review and approval process by increasing the projects to be reviewed by the RPRC.

In early 2007 I initiated review with labor counsel of the Town’s haphazard time keeping practices for elected officials. Councilman Geist and I then met with attorneys and other representatives of the New York Association of Towns and the New York Comptrollers Office to review applicable requirements. I followed up these meetings by instituting record keeping practices in conformity to the Comptroller’s guidelines, including discontinuance of the former administration’s crediting of “on call time” for pension accruals.

Administratively, I initiated monthly meetings with all department heads and monthly joint meetings with Town Board and Byram Hills School Board representatives. I instituted a Volunteer Service Application form to establish a pool of qualified volunteers for Town service. I initiated development of a first employee handbook to clarify the job duties and rules of conduct for Town employees and joined other contributors in its drafting.

In the area of Emergency Preparedness, North Castle is considered to be far ahead of most other communities in large part because of our North Castle Citizens Corps Council (NC4)’s close coordination with the Police and the Red Cross. During my first month as Supervisor, we opened our Emergency Center for the first time, and we know that it functions so that our community will be ready in case of a disaster. In 2009 we implemented our Reverse 911 telephone system which enables us to contact residents for emergencies and to communicate important information.

There are several community projects that have been completed in my tenure as Supervisor. The Town and County have been coordinating plans for the future preservation of Washington’s Headquarters in North White Plains, which had fallen into disrepair. The new water tank and well for the Windmill Farm Water District have been built. Using CDBG and New York State multi-modal funds, we have improved sidewalks and intersections in North White Plains.

But, if I had to state what my most satisfying accomplishment has been, it would be the successful completion of the Quarry Heights sewer connections for the residents of Quarry Heights, who have been waiting for sewers for the past 60 years. This took persistence and close collaboration for funding between all levels of government – New York City, Westchester County, New York State, and the U.S. government. I am very proud to have initiated, organized and completed the myriad complex and demanding tasks required to keep Jack Lombardi’s promise to the Quarry Heights community.

Though this last year has been difficult and frustrating because of the difficult economy, I am proud of what I have accomplished as your Councilman and Supervisor in the past eight years. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.