WELCOME TO CUPON CHESTNUT RIDGE NEW YORK

HEADLINES FOR THIS EDITION

Last update: July 22 , 2020

CITIZENS UNITED TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS

Our Mission

C.U.P.O.N. of Chestnut Ridge is an inclusive group of concerned residents allied in our shared commitment to keep our community safe and preserve the character of our neighborhood by stopping overdevelopment and illegal building activity in the Village of Chestnut Ridge.

Key Objectives:

1) Hold Chestnut Ridge elected officials and Village Administrators accountable for the consistent enforcement of all building codes, zoning laws and permit approval processes

2) Inform and educate Village Residents about issues that affect our neighborhood.

3) Keep Residents engaged and mobilized for positive change and action when decisions are made

4) Ensure all Residents have a seat at the table and that our voices are heard before the Village.

CUPON NEWS

CUPON v. Chestnut Ridge Briefing Schedule

Judge Roman has finally responded to the letter requests of the Village seeking permission to file a motion to dismiss the complaint and the OJC, the Congregations, and Agudath Israel to file a motion to intervene in our case. There will not be a pre-motion conference. Instead, Judge Roman is allowing the motions to go forward and has set the following briefing schedule:

1. The Village and the OJC will give us their motions to dismiss and to intervene, respectively, on July 10, 2020.

2. Our opposition to the motions to dismiss and to intervene must be served on the other parties on August 28, 2020.

3. The Village and the OJC must give us their replies on September 11, 2020. All of the motions and supporting papers must be filed on the same date.

Our case is finally moving forward. I am attaching Judge Roman’s memorandum for your review.

Messages from our chair person

Message to all Chestnut Ridge Residents June 22

Hello CUPONers for Chestnut Ridge:

Hope this note finds you all safe and well. The last several months have been stressful and challenging for all of us.

I want to let you know that the Village has resumed the FOIL process and is open for business- However all who enter must be wearing a mask and gloves at this point.

Additionally the Village has published a review of the Comprehensive Plan Survey that was forwarded to all. I want to thank all of you for your hard work and response. We must keep the Village apprised of how we feel about the many suggested changes that were found in the Plan.

While the Plan survey shows that the vast majority of responders were not in favor of high density housing and other suggested building changes to this beautiful village, the Village Board and the Mayor are now in the process of discussing high density housing. The claim is that he survey does not reflect responses from residents of the Village but from outsiders since it was available to anyone who chose to submit.

As an example the vast majority of respondents were not in favor of the proposed changes and construction plans for the Red Schoolhouse corridor but the Village continues to discuss the propose changes and disregard the comments of residents who challenge the plans are express their disapproval.

This is nonsense. Stay involved and attend the Zoom Board meetings to express your opinions.

Lastly, we are hoping to put together a long over due CUPON of CR meeting via Zoom soon. I had thought of a public meeting but for the sake our our safety decided against it.

AND, now that construction has resumed , please report illegal work. Rockland County Consumer Protection is 845-364-6901.

Thanks, Hilda

Message June 3 , 2020

Hello CUPON of Chestnut Ridge members. I hope this note finds everyone safe and healthy. It has been a very challenging few months for all of us. I urge everyone to continue to take precautions and wear your masks when out in public or wherever you feel necessary. Remember , you are protecting each of us by doing so.

I want to update you on a few important matters.

1- Russell Glyniecki, the Building Inspector is no longer working for the Village of Chestnut Ridge- he resigned a few weeks back. In his place, Martin Spence, the Village Engineer will work as the acting Building Inspector. I am not sure what to think of this- I am glad the Village has not contracted with the Town of Ramapo as it had a while back before Russell was hired in 2017.

I urge all to report any issues that you observe as you have done in the past. As an example I will be reporting the home under construction at 35 Haller Crescent. It is nearing completion after facing many violations. My complaint will focus on 2 issues that were not part of the plans as I reviewed them last fall. A 6 foot fence has been erected around the property AND after the driveway was blacktopped a walking path in blacktop about 18 inches wide was put in the front lawn that leads to the back patio. The Fence leaves a cut for the path. Looks to me that an apartment might be in the future but I cannot be sure. In any event- I challenge both of these adds to the construction

2- We have finally had some movement on the Federal Law Suit. On May 29, 2020, US District Court Judge Nelson S Roman issued a memorandum setting down a schedule for actions to be taken by Village of Chestnut Ridge and Orthodox Jewish Coalition . The Court has set dates for motions and documents to be submitted and has set September 11,2020 as the date certain for all documents to be submitted to his Chambers. It seems we are beginning to move forward after about 16 months of waiting.

3- By the time you read this you may have received your absentee ballot for the East Ramapo School Board elections and Budget vote. As you should know by now the NAACP lawsuit filed in US District Court asking for the development of a Ward System to be set up for the election of School Board members was decided in favor of the NAACP and the mainstream community in the district. The School Board was given 30 days to develop a Ward system for the vote. The School Board has voted to appeal the decision and asked the Judge for a stay so that the Election/vote can take place. The Judge denied the request and at this time we are not certain of the Board's next action. Therefore, we should all proceed as if the Election of Board member is moving forward and send the ballots back as directed. I cannot tell you how to vote but i can insure that you see the recommendations of those of us who support the Ward system and want the best for the mainstream students in the district. I urge you all to review the POWER of TEN recommendations for Steve White that will be posted here on the site.

4- Lastly, i am hoping that we might be able to schedule a meeting in the near future- it has been too long since we met. The Village holds its meeting and we can all view and comment- don;'t forget that!!

Best Wishes, to you all- Hilda

Message April 29

Hello CUPON members. Hope this communication finds everyone healthy and safe! I thought I would take a moment to up date you on a few Chestnut Ridge matters.

!- By now you are all aware of the fact that the mayor appointed a new member to the Village Board to replace Howard Cohen, Chaim Rose. Mr Rose has resided in the Village of Chestnut Ridge for ONLY 3 years and has already been moved to the Board seat from his prior seat on the Architectural review Board. While Mr Rose may be eminently qualified for this position I just can't help but wonder if there might have been someone with a bit longer tenure in the Village who was just as qualified! I wish him well as i am sure we all do.The Comprehensive plan.

I recommend that any of you who might be interested in a position on any of the Board should submit your resume to the Mayor for his records. You never know what seats may open up. And, I also suggest that you attend the training programs offered by the Rockland County Department of Planning to add to your understanding of the issues around zoning and the like.

2- The Comprehensive Plan survey is history at this point. I do know that the extended time resulted in a good many more submissions but nearly as many as should have been done. We are in the range of 425.
We can only hope that the comments and suggestions made by all residents will be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the finished product.

3- A note of information about the Articile 78 proceeding that is now entering its 2nd year in the Supreme Court. On April 72020, Walter Sevastian , Village of Chestnut Ridge attorney submitted a request to Judge Paul Marx for an extension of 60 days for him to make his submission because of the COVID-19 Emergency. This extension would give Walter another 2 months since his appeal was due on April 11, 2020.
My assumption is that the extension was granted.

By the way, the Village Budget reflected a fee or $10,000 for work Walter has been doing on this Article 78 proceeding.

I have no update on the Federal proceeding at this point.

4-I want to remind all that Chestnut Ridge is still a CEASE and DESIST ZONE pursuant to the NYS Department of State. We entered this program in October, 2018. If you are not registered you have no recourse if a realtor send you a mailing, calls you or emails you. I have the registration cards and am glad to get any of you one to register. If you are registered and you receive a mailing please put your name on it and date it. If you receive and email, the same applies and if you get a phone call and have caller ID, please make note of the phone number. I am glad to accept these forms or info and send the complaints to Albany as I have been doing all along. We will post a card/mailer that one of our residents recently received from none other than Q realty- Tirtza Beer's firm!!

5- I also want to remind you that this CUPON will be engaged in a tough legal battle sooner or alter regarding the Article 78 proceeding and while i ahve not been able to put out a new newsletter via the mail, we will still need your financial support. CUPON of CR is always glad to accept your donations. You can mail them to CUPON of Chestnut Ridge, PO Box 394, Nanuet,NY 10954.

6-- Of course, please continue to report any illegal construction. Right now there is No construction allowed. So if someone is doing their deck, or clearly doing construction call the Consumer Affairs office at 845-364-3901 and report it.

7-IF you see groups of people congregating call the Town of Ramapo PD and report this activity. Keep us all safe, please.

8- If you see realtors showing homes the realtor is in violation of the rules as set forth by NYS. If you see this happening call the Town of Ramapo Police Department at 845-357-2400.

9- And, most importantly, take care of yourselves. Be Safe and Stay Healthy!!

Hilda Kogut/ CUPON of CR chair

PREVIOUS MESSAGES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ARCHIVE SECTION

general information

Upcoming Meetings

DUE TO COVID19 NEXT CUPON MEETING

TBD

William P. Faist Volunteer Ambulance,

Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY

Village Meeting Schedule

Comprehensive Plan Review

The Village has published a review of the Comprehensive plan survey that was forwarded to all. While the Plan survey shows that the vast majority of responders were not in favor of high density housing and other suggested building changes to this beautiful village, the Village Board and the Mayor are now in the process of discussing high density housing. The claim is that he survey does not reflect responses from residents of the Village but from outsiders since it was available to anyone who chose to submit. This is nonsense. Stay involved and attend the Zoom Board meetings to express your opinions.

Comp. Plan Survey

Message from CDC about COVID-19

Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.

Wash Your Hands Often to Stay Healthy

You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs......

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