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 want to first say thank you to all who voted last Tuesday and to all who dragged a neighbor along to vote as well!! The power of the vote was evident in the results- Joseph Raiti won by a margin of 14 votes 110- 96!!
Please take a moment and pat your self on the back for voting- it is our tool to accomplish what we believe is best for the community and so many other levels of government!
Please remember this event and how great it was to see many friends who we have not seen for a good long time! Remember CUPON of CR was formed to promote fairness in zoning and to insure that building codes are followed during construction. We still have that power to impact results of elections and budge votes- As I have said in the recent past in my messages , the EAST RAMAPO SCHOOL BUDGET lost by a mere 50 votes- Keep that ibn mind going forward- vote and bring your neighbor or neighbors!
I promise to find a place to have a get together going forward in the new year! In the meantime, again, HAPPY HEALTHY to everyone and THANKS AGAIN.
Best Wishes, Hilda
Message dated December 11, 2023________
First , Happy Healthy Holidays to all and a wish for a great year to come filled with Good health and happiness to all!!!
I want to take this opportunity to ask you all to get out and vote for Joseph Raiti for Fire Commissioner. We have posted his announcement and I am glad to endorse him for this position. He has lived in Chestnut Ridge for his entire life and has been a volunteer firefighter for a good long time.
This is an easy voting event- please go to the firehouse on Schoolhouse Road on 12/12/23 between 6PM and 9PM and cast your ballot for this young man who has demonstrated his commitment to Chestnut Ridge and its residents on countless occasions!
Thanks, Hilda
For Hilda 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
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......