July12 Message
Hello Chestnut Ridge residents. Our next Village Board meeting will be Thursday, July 18 at 8PM in Village Hall. I encourage all who are able to attend. There are issues that are beginning to present themselves that require our constant attention and comment.
1-The Village Board and the mayor introduced a resolution that will probably become law if we are unable to sway the Board and mayor. It is entitled Proposed Local Law regarding the Burial of Human Remains in Residential districts.
While I cannot be sure why this matter is being brought before the Board for consideration, I can say that it concerns me greatly to think that with the approval of the Planning Board going forward someone could be buried on my neighbor's property. While this may be the extreme, we must consider this issue when it comes to the environment and water supply. many or our residents have streams on their property or use private wells as their source of water!!
I for one, believe this issue should not be left to the Planning Board to provide approval for such a request.
I have taken the time to forward the proposed law to the Rockland County Health Department and am awaiting their response.
I encourage all to attend the meeting and voice your concerns. AND, if you have any other suggestions about agencies or avenues to pursue to have this matter examined more thoroughly, please take the liberty of doing just that.
2- So many residents have voiced their concerns about their safety in reference to the private school buses that ride up and down streets, make illegal U turns, back up and simply drive the buses with disregard for the safety of the residents or the children on the buses.
The Village government offers us no support, the Town of Ramapo Police Department does not seem to have any interest in protecting our residents or has no authority to act.
The state law that governs school buses is weak. it does not penalize drivers who back up or make U. I have learned that while Chestnut ridge transportation does NOT allow drivers to travel in cul de sacs, make U turns or back up, these actions are not illegal, they are dangerous.
I believe that we should start collecting names on petitions and then present as many signed petitions as we can collect to our Assembly person, Ellen Jaffee and State Senator, David Carlucci and pressure them to author legislation to strengthen the laws and penalties for such irresponsible driving.
This will be an agenda item at our next CUPON meeting set for 8/6/19 . if any resident wants to help with this endeavor, please let us know!!!
3- AGAIN, the Village Board meeting is 7/18/19 at 8PM in Village hall. Come, listen, participate!!!
Thanks Hilda Kogut
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July 8 Message from Hilda
Hello readers. I want to wish you all a great holiday and thank you all for your support of CUPON of Chestnut Ridge. This organization exists because of you and me and for all of us. Please continue to be engaged and urge your neighbors and friends to read this site and come to our meetings I have a few items to up date for all.
1- There will be no CUPON meeting in July. The 4th of July holiday and the dates that are available going forward conflict with meetings in the Village of our Planning , Zoning and Village board. I encourage all to attend these meetings and learn about projects that are proposed in the Village that have become reality since the passing of the House of Worship Resolution. There has been no effort to stop any such development while the House of Worship law is under review through our Article 78 filing before Judge Paul Marx. The meeting schedule for the month of July is available thru a link attached to this site. PLEASE review it and attend meetings and ask questions.
2- There has been no decision about the Article 78 at this point. the matter is under consideration by Judge Paul Marx of the NYS Supreme Court. We have no date for his completion of the review or when he will render his decision.
3-The Orthodox Jewish Coalition through the efforts of Attorney Joseph Churgin has filed a letter with the US District Court and Judge Roman to attempt to join in our Federal Suit. Our attorney for the Federal Suit, Cozen O'Connor, et al filed a response which is also attached. Thus far there has been no published response by the Judge to the request made by Churgin on behalf of the OJC. This is a strange request but clearly the effort is to impact our efforts before the court and diminish the argument we have made on behalf of CUPON and the residents who spoke out against the adoption of the HOW law as it was constituted and ultimately passed by the Village Board this past spring.
4- It is summer now and I caution all residents to be alert to be alert to the summer camps that seem to pop up at homes within the Village of Chestnut Ridge without any legal authorization. If, in your neighborhood, you see a regular arrival of groups of children who stay at a home all day long- which is clearly uncharacteristic of the home or neighborhood, I urge you to call the County to report these camps. The county office to call is the health Department and the number to report such activities is 845-364-2601. if you are able to photograph these activities all the better. AND, if the children arrive in school buses, try to jot down the names on the buses and license plates. If you re concerned about reporting these matters, you can call the Village and report it to Code Enforcement as well.
5- Additionally, I urge you ALL to attend the meetings for the Zoning, Planning, and Village Board. There are a number of huge projects that are being considered- The Wellington School Complex which will occupy a huge parcel of land on the corner of Red Schoolhouse Road and Summit Rd towards the Thruway entrance. This complex will have 2 yeshivas. Additionally, a parcel of land that is on Red Schoolhouse Rd bordering the Chestnut Ridge Middle School where the entrance is proposed to run thru Ferruzza Rd is also being considered. Both of these projects are under review and consideration- no shovel in the ground yet. WE MUST KEEP OUR EYES on the projects.
6- Additionally on 5 Ann Street and 7 Ehret Rd there are proposed renovations/enlargements to homes that seem to have the feel of 3 Spring Hill Terrace type constructions. No approvals have been granted yet- if construction is being done with contractors whoa re unlicensed- REPORT them to the Village during the work week. After hours or on weekends, unlicensed contractors should be reported to the Rockland County Sheriff at 845-638-5400/5401.
7- I have been sending out requests for donations to CUPON of Chestnut Ridge. I ask that you all consider making a donation to this group- our funds are used for legal fees and thus far our representation has been terrific. We cannot do this alone and are working for everyone. Please support this effort.
Thanks, Hilda Kogut
