Hello CUPON of  Chestnut Ridge members and interested readers.  I have some updates for you-  items that are new since our last CUPON meeting in January.

1- Our efforts to insure that Building  codes  are followed by builders/property owners is a success in my estimation-  A case  in point is the work done on the site now identified   as 3    Appledale- formerly known as 43/45 Grotke.  About 2 weeks ago I noted a  bulldozer and contractor working at the site with no posted demo permit and no          identification on the  red truck seen there daily or on the  other vehicle- I contacted Consumer Affairs.  They responded by the late  afternoon, noted the lack of permit and lack of signage and  wrote   appropriate violations.  There is now a  posted permit, fencing and the project seems to be complying with rules but we  MUST continue to watch this site and others .Consumer Affairs has  told me that are blatantly illegal they do contact our staff- whether our staff  does their job is up for discussion.

2-  Additionally I am watching the large  property at the corner of Red Schoolhouse and Summit- there is a large  fieldstone house there and other buildings.  I saw lots and lots of  cars   and  filed a complaint with the village- i am told it is "on their radar' but I still  see lots of vehicles .  If anyone else is troubled by this property  or others- report them.  And if you are able photograph the issue!!  A  picture is worth more than a 1000 words in this Village!!

3- I attended the public forum held at the  Holiday Inn Crown?  two weeks ago and was glad to see so many from CUPONs in the  town in attendance.  The Town Supervisors   hosted.  I was impressed by the new  Supervisor from the Town of Orangetown who was the most focused of all the  Supervisors in saying that her community is concerned a  about overbuilding in Ramapo, protecting  their schools and property values for their single family homes.  I found Teresa  Kenney to be the most forthright of the 5 supervisors.
Attendees were divided into groups and  then each group member who chose to speak could talk about 3 items of concern.   I talked about the East Ramapo Central School District and how it has been choked by the  Board of Education who has no interest in providing the resources and  opportunities to our students that other students receive  in the other districts in the County.  I said  that even when a monitor was present it was a battle to provide our students  with what they deserve for their education.  I also spoke about the Village of Chestnut Ridge  failing to consider all residents when it passes laws and failing to apply  building and zoning codes fairly.

4- There is no movement on either of our  lawsuits at this point.  Steve Mogel has kept us up to date.

5- The American Civil Liberties Union is  representing members of the East Ramapo community who have  filed a suit in  Federal Court charging that the voting for Board    of Education members should be based on  Ward voting to insure a fair opportunity for ALL communities to be represented  on the Board.  This would mean that the decisions    of the Board might actually be fair and  equitable for all students in the district.  This suit will start in US District  Court in White Plains within the next week.  The Judge's     decision, if found in favor of the  community at large would clearly impact the students in the public  schools.

6- Next CUPON meeting is set for February  11,2020 at the Ambulance Corp building at 7PM.

   Hope to see you next week.  Thanks, Hilda  Kogut/ CUPON of CR Chair

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January 2020 Message 

Hello  CUPON of Chestnut Ridge members and readers.  I want to take this opportunity  wish you and your families a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful 2020.  And, to take  this opportunity to thank you for your continuing support and interest in CUPON  of CR.  We are all hoping for the same result:  Fair and equal treatment by the  Village of Chestnut Ridge government, code enforcement and building inspection.   And, of course, to preserve the beautiful and diverse community of Chestnut  Ridge for everyone.

And, I want to thank those of you who came to our holiday get together.  It  was lousy weather for sure but those who attended enjoyed the opportunity to  meet neighbors.  I intend to have another get together to celebrate spring!!
Now Some important matters to bring you up to date on

1- The CEASE and DESIST Zone that was created for the Village of Chestnut  Ridge in October of 2018 continues to exist and is monitored by the NYS  Department of State.  If you have registered than ANY contact you receive from a  realtor, whether by phone, mail, email or an uninvited document in your mailbox  or at your door is a violation of the CEASE and DESIST!!!  If you receive any  uninvited contact after you have registered, this constitutes a violation of the  program!!      Since the program went into effect, I have received many cards, letters  and info about calls.  Each of these items has been separately documented by me  with a form that the state has on its web site- a complaint  
 form.  I have submitted each letter, etc on a form to the NYS Department  of State Division of Licensing complaint form.  Each form is submitted in the  very same way with the recipient of the letter, etc identified as the  witness.   Several weeks ago I received a letter from an investigator from this department  referencing a letter  and a form submitted.   This , of course, gave me some  confidence that the work we have done and the submissions are not being  dismissed by the Dept of State.  I called the Investigator last week and was  informed that the realtor who sent the letter with the 800 number ot call if you  want to sell was fined $1000.  Of course, I asked the Investigator about others  and while he would not give me specific answers his response was that EACH  complaint is followed up on.  Additionally, it is very easy to address our  complaints because we provide the evidence and all that is necessary is to  determine whether the recipient is a registered member of the CEASE and DESIST  program.

  I asked about other submissions and about one realtor in particular,  Tirtza Beer and Q Home Sales.  While he would not tell me how many fines have  been assigned, he did say that if I provided a list of each submission, he would  advise of the result.  I intend to do this.  I also want to ask if the fine has  been paid.  I would assume since this is a licensing issue, if the fine is not  paid the license renewal can become a major problem!!

  SO, CUPONERS,Register for this important program and help keep the  realtors in check!!!
 
AND, if you receive ANY contact and are registered, save the contact or  document it with phone info, etc and give it to me to submit!!!

2-  Please continue to report unlicensed contractors day or night.  And, it  is very important hey are working on a residence where there is no building  permit visible.  The Village is doing nothing with these issues but the county  continues to vigorously enforce the codes!!!!

3- Our next CUPON meeting is set for Tuesday, January 14th at 7PM in the  Ambulance Building.

4-  Lastly, I encourage everyone to come out to the Chestnut Ridge Middle  School on Wednesday evening, January 8 at 7PM

 participate in the public forum regarding the development of a  comprehensive plan for the corridor along Red Schoolhouse Road.  Why the Village  ahs chosen to develop a comp plan for a small portion of the Village when the  BEST and Most Effective way to develop a Plan would be to study the entire  Village and then develop a long range plan is certainly open to discussion and  question.  BUT this is the issue before us and WE MUST continue to stay  engaged.  So come to the meeting and offer your input.  Each resident has the  right to be heard.

Thanks for your interest.  See you the 8th and the 14th.

Hilda Kogut/ Chair of CUPON of CR

CORRECTION

Hello  CUPONERS.  

I want to offer a minor correction to the update I offered yesterday.  I  stated that the meeting on January 8, 2020 at Chestnut Ridge Middle School at  7PM will be to allow for public input in the development of a partial  Comprehensive Plan for the Village of Chestnut Ridge.    I provided incorrect  information as the meeting will actually be for the development of a  Comprehensive plan for the entire Village of Chestnut Ridge.

ALL the More reason to come out and see what is being proposed and offer  your input Now while all members of the Board are there along with other members  of the community.  THIS is your Village- come out and let your ideas and  concerns be heard.

Hope to see you at the meeting and AGAIN at the CUPON meeting on 1/14/20 at  7PM at the Ambulance Building.

Hilda Kogut

PREVIOUS MESSAGES CAN BE FOUND IN THE ARCHIVE SECTION