Meeting Overview

TOWN OF ORANGETOWN

SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, JULY 17, 2006

 

This Special Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:00 p.m.  Supervisor Kleiner presided.  The Town Clerk called the Roll.  Present were:

 

Councilman Denis O’Donnell

Councilman Denis Troy

Councilwoman Marie Manning

Councilman Thomas A. Morr

 

Also present:            Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk

Eliot Tozer, Deputy Supervisor

Teresa Kenny, Town Attorney

John S. Edwards, First Deputy Town Attorney

Suzanne Barclay, Exec Asst. to Supervisor

Charles Richardson, Director of Finance

Kevin Nulty, Chief of Police

Robert Simon, Receiver of Taxes

John Giardello, Director, OBZPAE

 

The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  542                                         OPEN PH/ARC OF ROCKLAND APPLICATION/NOTIFICATION COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL FACILITY/COLONIAL CT

 

Councilman Morr offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the public hearing to consider an application/notification of the interest and intent of ARC of Rockland to establish a specific community residential facility for developmentally disabled person in the Town of Orangetown is hereby opened.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Morr, Troy

Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

Absent:            Councilpersons O’Donnell, Manning

 

The Town Clerk presented proof of publication and posting, copies are labeled Exhibit 7-A-06, and made a part of these minutes.

 

Public portion

Esta Baitler, Sparkill, Kathy Lukens Independent Living, is in favor and asked the Town Board to support this project.

Stanley Hishler, is in favor.

Charles and Felicia Geraldi, Palisades, are in favor.

Arthur Steele, Pearl River, has a daughter in a Pearl River group home and is in favor.

Gisela D. Schmidt, Nyack, has a daughter in a group home and is in favor.

Audrey McCue, Pearl River, is in favor and has a daughter in a group home.

Joan Bertussi, Pearl River, said this is an excellent opportunity for ARC and her family is committed to this project.

Martha Attebury, Pearl River, is in favor and she is proud to be in a town with facilities for the disabled.

Stephen Gilmartin, Pearl River, said additional items, regarding the State, need to be addressed.

Charlie Chase, Pearl River, is not in favor.

William Garrison, Pearl River, would like to see the driveway toward Blauvelt Road.

Debbie and Peter Donohue, Pearl River, said they are in favor of group home but it will change the flavor of the present area and requested the home be on Lot 1 and 2.

Teresa Doyle, Pearl River, is against a group home because this is not an appropriate lot.  She asked why the developer picked this lot, why the residents are being ignored and do they screen employees?

Rev. Susan Fortunato, St. Stephens Church, said five members of the church, who are very active in the church, are disabled and is in favor of a group home.

Arthur Mastrishani, Pearl River, asked to meet with Ms. Caplan of ARC?  He has been active with paraplegic organizations and individuals.  He believes the County questions should be answered before the Town Board commits to a zone change.

Ms. Caplan, ARC, said she called a meeting in February and 30 people attended.

Jeffrey Keahon, Pearl River, is the chairman for Jawonio and is in favor.

Chris Zaccaro, Pearl River, has worked with the disabled and is in favor.

Sr. Joseph Mary Mahoney, St. Dominic’s, is in favor and feels this will be a blessing.

Roberta Wheeler, Tappan, whole-heartedly supports ARC.

Don Hephurn, Tappan, is in favor of having this home as neighbors.

Katrina Smith, Tappan, is a mother of a disabled son and is in favor of a group home.

Kenneth Wheeler, Tappan, said he is in favor.

Margaret Kelly, Pearl River, is in favor.

Mary Fitzgerald, Pearl River, has a beautiful Down Syndrome daughter and would hope that some day she can live in a home close to her parents.

Ralph Fasano, Pearl River, supports the ARC home.

Theresa Gilmartin, Pearl River, who has the responsibility of two disabled brothers, supports this project but said Ms. Caplan of ARC has never returned phone calls.

Brian Coleman, Board of Member of ARC, is in favor.

Eileen Larkin, Palisades, is in favor but believes concerns are legitimate and Mr. Bertussi should sit down with the residents and ARC.

Steve Reddon, Pearl River, is not appeased but would appreciate dialogue.  He would rather see this home moved to site 1 and 2.

Joe Conclon, Pearl River, has a son living in a group home and is in favor of this project.

Geraldine Cullins, Pearl River, said this group home should be moved to lot 1 and 2.

Sonya Cronage has a daughter with disabilities and is in favor of small group homes.

Andrew Wiley, Pearl River, asked if original request from Mr. Bertussi was for senior citizens and not a group home?

Tony Doyle, Pearl River, asked for Lot 1 and Lot 2 be considered for this group home?

John Murphy, Orangeburg, is in favor of group homes.  He arranged in 1980 for the first group home in Pearl River.

Heidi Spitzer, Orangetown, supports this group home project.

Michael Mandell, Pearl River, also supports this group home.

 

RESOLUTION NO.  543                                         CLOSE PH/ARC OF ROCKLAND APPLICATION/NOTIFICATION COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL FACILITY/COLONIAL CT

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the public portion of this public hearing is hereby closed.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Morr, Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

Absent:            Councilpersons O’Donnell, Manning

 

* * *

 

Councilman Troy said it’s important to have a public hearing because it’s a good exchange of information.  Independent agencies will decide where the parking lot will sit.

Councilman Morr said society, as a whole, needs to support this important group.  He supports going forward with this group home for these citizens.

Supervisor Kleiner thanked all for participating in this public hearing.  The Town Board is voting whether this location is suitable allowing the builder to proceed before the other boards.  He asked that more dialogue take place between residents and ARC and that the most suitable lots be used for this group home.

 

 

RESOLUTION NO.  544                                         TB DECISION/APPROVED/ARC OF ROCKLAND APPLICATION NOTIFICATION/COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL FACILITY/COLONIAL CT

 

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves the application/notification of the interest and intent of ARC of Rockland to establish a specific community residential facility for developmentally disabled person in the Town of Orangetown.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Morr, Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

Absent:            Councilpersons O’Donnell, Manning

 

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 545                                          ENTERED EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:

 

RESOLVED, that the Town Board entered the Executive Session at 9:06 p.m.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Morr, Supervisor Kleiner

Noes:               None

Absent:            Councilpersons O’Donnell, Manning

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________

Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk