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.
Messages from our chair person
To all CUPON of Chestnut Ridge Members and Readers
Hello CUPON of Chestnut Ridge members.
I know it has been a long while since my last post. Seems that there was not much news to share since well before the winter.
The reality is that our beautiful village of Chestnut Ridge is slowly becoming an extension of the Monsey we all dislike and fear. The construction on the corner of Summit Road and Red Schoolhouse Road is frightening to say the least- there has been no traffic review that will offset the traffic problems that already exist as late afternoon commuters exit the NYS Thruway. Going forward we will all have to plan other ways to reach our destinations Monday- Friday early afternoon.
And the huge complex going up across from Dykstra's is also going to present similar problems- again this is a commercial construction project that found its approval without any changes in the traffic pattern or the road and this is on a NYS Road!
I write this to remind all that there is an election coming up here in Chestnut Ridge on Tuesday, March 18th for Mayor and 2 Trustees and Village Justice. ALL are running unopposed which is sad. BUT you voters can have your voice heard!!!
I voted already- I have heard from one member of the community- Lee March Grayson who wants to be a write in for Mayor. You may recall him- he spoke often and very eloquently about the How Of Worship proposal at the hearing and often, at the Village Board meeting about issues relating to his area of the Village which is now impacted by water runoff from the monstrous religious school complex on Red Schoolhouse Road.
You can write his name in for Mayor and any other worthy candidates for the other positions- I wrote - Lee March Grayson in for Mayor- he is an attorney but being an attorney has not helped Rosario Presti do the right thing since he rose to the thrown!
I also wrote in Anthony Shaut and Jeff Wasserman for the 2 trustee positions and then I wrote myself in for Village Justice! NYS is one of the few remaining states that allows non attorneys to be hold the position of Village Justice!
These are just my suggestions- please vote! Please ensure your thoughts are heard. Support the candidate of your choice!!!!
I remind you that just last year we in the Village of Chestnut Ridge insured that our voices were heard!!!! as we voted in masse in the Fire Commissioners election and elected one member of the fire community from Chestnut Ridge who earned the position by his volunteerism- he was not a write in with no name until the night of the election!!! We can have an impact. Remember voting is a right and we must never take this right for granted!
I promise to write more often as we do continue to work with our attorney Steven Mogel on matters relating to the Comprehensive Plan!
Best Wishes, Hilda Kogut
For Hilda's Messages Archive please click on Link
Hilda Kogut
LEGAL UPDATE
Four years ago, CUPON and three tax paying property owners filed an Article 78 against the Village’s new zoning rules for religious use which superseded the prior rules in place since the Village’s formation in 1986. As we all know, the wheels of the legal system turn very slowly and when coupled with the Covid pandemic the wheels seemed to grind to a halt. But in fact, the legal proceedings were inching forward and were focused on the Village’s strategy of denial and delay.
This strategy attempted to strip Village resident’s right to legally challenge the Board of Trustees decisions by claiming that CUPON and the resident plaintiffs have no standing. The Village claimed that CUPON and taxpaying property owners and residents have no right to request judicial review of the Village’s legislative actions. This claim that legislators should not be subject to judicial review is repugnant to all residents who believe in our government by the people through the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. Further, it ignores the fact that legislative decisions are required to follow legal procedures and standards established by New York State.
But CUPON knows that the Village must comply with law and the Article 78 states that the Village i) failed to identify issues required by NYS Environmental Quality Review Act, ii) improperly segmented environment issues by deferring them to individual use permits rather than studying the cumulative long term impacts, iii) failed to take the hard look at environmental concerns and did not explain why they did so and iv) failed to refer the new zoning to the Rockland County Planning Agency and other sundry procedural shortcuts.
Finally, after four years of attempting to avoid facing the above substantive issues and instead denying the Village residents of their right to challenge legislative decisions, CUPON is now a big step closer to judicial review of the substantive issues. The Village may attempt to further appeal the Appellate Court’s decisions which has little chance of success. Kindly recognize that this would simply be another delay tactic and repugnant denial of Village residents legitimate right to challenge Village legislative actions.
Please stay tuned and involved on these matters that involve All Residents. The Village Board of Trustees is required to comply with law and act to protect the interest of All Residents. The divisive attitude and actions of the Village’s legislative and executive decisions will continue to be challenged by any and All Village residents and CUPON.
general information
Upcoming Meetings
DUE TO COVID19 NEXT CUPON MEETING
TBD
William P. Faist Volunteer Ambulance,
Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, NY
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