Friends of Crawford Park’s Blog

Meeting Minutes August 19, 2009 – submitted by Sandy Marshall

Members Present: Laura Klein, Carol Selinske, Kay Schafer, Danny Pennella, Sandy Marshall, Eleanor Herman

REVIEW OF PURPOSE:
Our mission is to preserve and beautify the Park.

REVIEW OF MEETING MINUTES:
The July minutes were accepted as written.

FINANCIAL REPORT given by Laura:
CD value $5,040.21
(as of June 30th)
Checking Account balance $4,879.11
Total Assets $9,919.32

Laura stated that the boulder was rolled into place near the entrance to the Park. The plaque to honor Mr. and Mrs. Crawford should arrive next week and be attached to the boulder shortly after. A dedication ceremony will be held in the Fall.

The Entrance Gate was discussed and suggested that it be moved closer to the road.

Rye Town has not paid County Taxes for this year as yet. However, an email between Laura and Bishop stated that FCP should not worry, our projects will not be affected.

Articles for our Fall News Letter is being collected by Carol.

RACE NEWS:

Our sponsors this year include USA Bank, Vinny’s Luncheonette, Port Chester News/Rye Brook News, Toughman Half Iron man, Davy Byrnes Restaurant, Doral Arrowwood, Garden Catering, Custom Pins, and Westy’s Storage.

The cost of the Race is estimated at $2,610.00. The Race is scheduled for October 18th and we desperately need volunteers. An Email will be sent to members requesting your help. Please keep the date available.

The large mailing for the Race will take place on Wednesday, September 9th, 1:00 p.m., at the Mansion. Those that can help will be very welcomed.

The Westmore News will add 3,500 of our membership flyers to their distribution on Friday August 28th. Many thanks to Carol Selinski for pulling that together.

A deposit of $400.00 will be put into the Post Office Account for the Newsletter and for the Race mailings.

HORTICULTURE REPORT:

Eleanor stated that bulbs should be bought for the Sunken Garden and also for around the new Crawford Monument. She mentioned that there was a special offer in the van Bourgondien Magazine where we can get $50.00 off an order of $100.00 or more.

Plaques for the new benches were found and installed.

The Dogwoods along the wall need mulching and watering.

Laura suggested that at the first parking lot ‘forget me nots’, Ornamental Grass called Flame Greens, Coreopsis and Lobellja would look nice. She also stated that the tree stump chair needed sanding and staining. Danny and Laura will get together to discuss.

Eleanor stated that the Sunken Garden needs redesigning and that the Day Lilies, Flax and firs need dividing.

Eleanor and Laura will get together to decide where to place the 22 trees previously ordered thru Town of Rye. They will be delivered late September early October. Crawford Park will receive: 2 Sugar Maples, 2 Honey Locus, 2 Lindens, 4 Hemlocks, 4 Colorado Spruce, and 8 Norwegian Spruce.

One of the new Benches has graffiti on it. We will sand it out and hopefully that will work.

NEXT MEETING DATE: September 16, 2009 – 8:00 p.m. – Crawford Mansion

Meeting Minutes July 15, 2009 – submitted by Sandy Marshall

Members Present: Laura Klein, Carol Selinske, Richard Jacoby, Danny Pennella, Bishop Nowotnik, Sandy Marshall, Sue Yockelson, Eleanor Herman

REVIEW OF PURPOSE:
Our mission is to preserve and beautify the Park.

REVIEW OF MEETING MINUTES:
The June minutes were accepted as written.

FINANCIAL REPORT given by Sue Yockelson:
CD value $5,032.15
(as of June 30th)
Checking Account balance $5,996.02
Total Assets $11,028.17

Sue Yockelson stated that she would like to put our financial records on Excel and cancel our present software package which costs FCP $39.00 per month. She will further look into the feasibility of this.

TOWN MATTERS (Bishop Nowotnik)

Bishop ordered 36 trees for the price of 18 trees. They will be for both Parks.
14 for Rye Town Park
22 for Crawford Park (our cost $707.50)

They will be delivered late October early September. The choice was limited. Crawford Park will receive:
2 Sugar Maples, 2 Honey Locus, 2 Lindens, 4 Hemlocks, 4 Colorado Spruce, and 8 Norwegian Spruce.

The Town is buying a 100 gallon water tank to be shared by both Parks and will be moved according to need. Hopefully, this tank will be used to water the trees and save them from dying.

An Arial map from 4/2007 was handed out by Bishop.

The Fire Hydrant was replaced and is now in working order. Our thanks to the Water Company, Con Ed and the testing done by the local Fire Department.

There is a buried oil tank at the Gateway house area that has to be removed. If there is no contamination this can be done in a single day at the cost of $2,500. However, the cost and time will increase if contamination is found. After the tank is successful removed, the clearing and leveling of the Gateway area will be completed.

Town of Rye is collecting large stones in the Park to complete the stone wall near Lincoln Avenue.

Bishop stated that at the next Town of Rye Board meeting he will propose to retain a Traffic Engineer to study the issues of traffic control and parking. These two issues are very important to the safety and beauty of the Park.

Renovation of the main house will begin after the camps are completed. Sometime in the August/September time frame.

Poison Ivy is now under control thanks to Danny.

The Board will vote on a plaque to honor the Crawfords at its next meeting. This plaque will be mounted on a very large stone at the entrance to the Park.

The maintenance people will continue with the wood chipping program throughout the Park.

Danny asked Bishop if the ice cream vender should be allowed in the Park around 3:15 in the afternoon. Bishop stated that he will look into the rules of the Rye Brook Police Department.

HORTICULTURE REPORT:

FCP planting of Impatience Plants on the side of the Mansion with over 100 Rye Brook Recreation Campers went extremely good. All had fun. We look forward to next year and hope there will be more FCP helpers.

Eleanor brought and planted 5 Cone Flowers for the Sunken Garden.

Eleanor brought in pictures of plaques to put/hang on donated trees. Hopefully, it will entice people to donate more trees.

Eleanor bought 10 tree gators that hold 15 gallons of water to be placed around the base of trees for irrigation. However, a point was made that they might be run over by the lawn mowers. She stated that she would try out a few and talk to the maintenance people.

The FCP garden sign was redone by Artemios Signs at the cost of $100.00. They did a great job and we were very pleased.
Eleanor will consider a sign for the shade garden as well, since a lot of people walk by there.

Vandals destroyed a bird house and broke a branch off a Cherry Tree.

NEXT MEETING DATE: August 19th – 8:00 p.m. – Crawford Mansion

Friends of Crawford Park Minutes for June 10, 2009

Present:
Laura Klein, Eleanor Herman, Susan Yockelson, Kay Schafer, Vicky VanWert

Minutes were reviewed and approved.

Town of Rye Report:
There was no representative from the Town of Rye present – Laura will call Bishop and see if another day of the

month works for him to avoid future conflicts.

The group discussed the Town’s tentative plans of putting 24 parking spaces on the left side of Crawford Drive

near the ballfield and there was much concern over how that would look in the park. We hope to attend the next

Town of Rye meeting to air our concerns and hope to be included in the planning process. We are also waiting for

approval from the town to purchase a plaque that honors the Crawfords generous donation.

Financial Report:
We have a new treasurer: Susan Yockelson has volunteered to be an active part of our organization. She has AR/AP

experience and some time to donate in a useful way and we are lucky enough to have her choose to spend it with

us.

New Bal as of current:
CD = 5030.89
Checking = 6495.16
New total = 11526.05

Membership and Fundraising:
Rye Brook Birthday Party is Saturday June 20th. We would like to have a table at the event as usual. Laura,

Eleanor and Vicky (Sue?) volunteered and Laura will send an email out to the group to see if more people will

attend. Laura will also drop off a membership brochure to the Village of Rye Brook Parks and Rec. Dept with the

hopes of letting us distribute them at their food ticket booth.

5K Race:
Race Sponsors are not coming in as we would have liked. Laura said she would make a point to call every past

sponsor to see if she could sure up commitments this year. (There I’ve said it, it’s in the minutes, I MUST do

it!)

Other Fundraising Ideas:
Family portraits in the park in the fall, possibly late October, early Nov. Perfect time for Holiday Cards –

Laura will investigate how to pull this off and how much work is involved vs. how much money can be made.

Horticultural Report:

Annual Planting Day -
Planting Day at the Sunken Garden on May 23rd was a great success. Please visit the garden if you haven’t yet to

enjoy the new plantings of annuals and a few perennials. Eleanor want to put a few more zinnias and delphinums in

the garden and will try to coordinate with Anthony for his help.

Rye Brook Rec. Summer Camp Planting – We approved planting annuals with the Summer Camp Kids again this year. The

date we need volunteers would be July 7th starting at 10am – please come if you can.

Stump Artist Wanted -
We are searching for someone to put the finishing touches on the stump at the front of the park. This is the

stump we are turning into a bench. Laura has contacted two area woodworkers and has also discussed this with

Danny Pinnella – who could do the job if he has enough time approved from the park.

Bulbs to purchase for the fall -
Laura and Eleanor are starting to think about fall bulb planting. Laura wants bulbs planted by the “giving tree”

stump at the entrance of the park and Eleanor wants more Allium in the sunset site.

New Business -
We are considering changing the meeting times each month from the 2nd Wed of the month to the third. Carol

Selinski, a valued member, now has a conflict and Bishop seemed to have a conflict this month. Laura will check

with both of them to see if the proposed alternative date works for the group and will send out a notice if the

date changes. If we agree to meet upstairs in the mansion we will have a much easier time getting time from the

Town.

New Sign for the Garden:
Eleanor has met with an area sign artist about reviving the sign that we once had in the sunken garden. She was

quoted
$100 to make the sign and the group approved.

Tree Plaques:
Eleanor visited the Town of Rye Park and looked at plaques they have on their donated trees and wants to do

something
similar to our trees. She will investigate more.

Rye Brook High Green Club
Eleanor was contacted by a highschool student from Blind Brook’s Green Club. They want to raise their on money

for a
park project and would like to kick things off next fall. Eleanor will give them Laura’s contact information.

ATTENDEES: Eleanor Herman (Presiding), Vicky VanWert, Danny Pinnella, Mike Iantorno, Sandy Marshall

Eleanor called the meeting to order as Laura was on vacation. Minutes of previous meeting were approved.

Financial Report given by Eleanor Herman.
CD value $8,426.71 @ 3.34%
April Checking Account Started @ 5,881.13
Deposits 1,318.55
Payments -2,746.01 (mostly Anthony)
Total $12,880.38

On April 24th the 1st graders from Ridge Street School joined the FCP in celebrating Arbor Day and Earth Day. They planted 7 trees (3 Cherries, 1 Dogwood, 1 White and 2 Pines) in the Park. Everyone had fun.

On Saturday, May 23rd, at 10:00 a.m. the FCP will meet at the Sunken Garden to start their Spring planting of annuals and perennials. This annual tradition revives the garden next to the mansion where many pictures are taken and people enjoy the relaxing atmosphere amongst the flowers. We hope to see many of our friends there to learn and participate in this planting. Raindate will be Wednesday, May 27th, at 10:00 a.m.

Mike was able to locate many missing sprinkler heads enhancing the watering of the plants throughout the Park. We have 28 zones. Also, a map of the sprinkler system will be made.

A Copper Beach Tree was planted today in memory of Peter Herman.

Mike was told to take all signs off the trees. Eleanor was planning to put plaque on donated trees, she will look into it.

There has been many sighting of wide life in the Park, including a red fox, turkeys, deer and cats.

The Dog Bag Dispenser was installed.

The next FCP meeting will be on June 10th, 8:00 p.m. at the Mansion.

The Friends of Crawford Park Minutes- Meeting-April 14, 2009

Attended: Laura Klein, Alison Thresher, Carol Selinske, Hilda Liegl, Danny Pinnella, Eleanor Herman, Bishop Nowotnik

Minutes of previous meeting were approved.

Financial Report : Hilda Liegl
Our CD value $8,426.71 int. .3.34%
Checking Account balance: $ 5,712.85
Total Assets: 14,139.56

Our new membership brochure has been printed and mailed. Cost $1,410
per piece cost: $.17. The mailing dropped one week ago and we have received 5 responses so far. Renewals are still coming in. Laura suggested getting Lucite holders for our brochures and putting in various places.

Bishop Nowotnik reported on the Town’s new Management/Operational Change.
Foreman Frank DeLeo will be handling Town of Rye Beach matters. Mike Iantorno will be foreman at Crawford Park assisted by Louis Miller and Santos Arroyo. Ronny Calavito will be on duty for mansion occasions. Danny Pinnella’s duties not clearly defined as yet. He will close the gate and he has been active in policing dog walkers.

The staff will spend most of the summer with cleanup of the park. Additional help will be brought in for this if necessary. Bishop suggested we walk with Mike through the park to view trees that need pruning or removal. Eleanor suggested we include in our survey, trees that need attention re: mulching, fertilizing, watering.
Bishop promised we would all SEE THE DIFFERENCE BY SEPT. 15.

The Town will seek help of Traffic Engineer to help solve parking problems in park. Parking at point of sport fields can block passage way for emergency and fire vehicles. Softball field has been moved closer to road. No reason given. Town considering moving new Elms away from sports field.

Danny Pinnella stated that 50% of dumpster use is illegal.

The Town is collecting laws and ordinances re: dogs in parks.They will collate them and use the data to help further determine what policy should be followed in the park regarding dogs on/off leash. Alison and Eleanor stated the case for allowing dogs off leash in one area of the park which had been determined previously but is now a part of present policy of keeping dogs on leash at all times in all parts of park. Bishop hoped to come up with a solution that would accommodate everyone. Laura asked what was being done with the dog bag dispenser FCP had paid for and which Town was to install. It will be placed close to path near field previously allocated for dog run area.

The Crawford Staff is willing to replant the 2 wildflower areas this year. FCP has offered to supply seeds. Laura has priced some at Shemins- NorthEast blend- 6 lb/$180. Bishop will check on a better price.
A compost site to collect leaves for mulch was being further considered but no site was convenient for reasons of access and being to close to residences. Chips collected at park and chipped here are used for mulching around trees. All trees will be mulched which will be helpful in protecting them from dryness.

Vicky VanWert and Eleanor found some additional wall paper patterns for the library to show at the meeting. Everyone liked one which had beige background with green design. Eleanor offered to choose paint sample to correlate with color in wallpaper.

Hilda Liegl, our treasurer, has resigned as she will be moving this month to North Carolina. Roger Herman will keep the books until someone can be found to take over as treasurer. Hilda turned over our Laptop and all records to Eleanor Herman.

Laura has found a company that will produce a bronze plaque to place in Gateway Greens to commemorate the Crawfords. Cost: $625.

Our next meeting will be on May13. Eleanor will preside as Laura will be out of town.

Meeting Minutes March 11, 2009 – submitted by Sandy Marshall

Members Present: Laura Klein (President), Carol Selinske, Jeffrey Allen, Alison Thresher, Michael Abrams, Amy Abrams,
Richard Jacoby, Frank DeLeo, Danny Pennella, Bishop Nowotnik, Hilda Liegl, Robin Guagliardi, Vicky VanWert, Sandy Marshall, Jody Brackman

REVIEW OF PURPOSE:
Our mission is to preserve and beautify the Park.

REVIEW OF MEETING MINUTES:
The February’s minutes were accepted as written.

FINANCIAL REPORT given by Hilda Liegl:
Our present CD value is $8,357.62
(renewal in June of 2009)
Checking Account balance is $7,753.10
Deposits not reflected in the account balance are: $2,407.50 (this was mainly from the renewal letter)
Total Assets are $18,518.22

Hilda announced that in May she will be moving and will not be able to continue her expertise in keeping our accounting
records. We will miss her and wish her well in her new endeavors. Roger Herman volunteered to pay the bills till
someone comes forward.

Hilda suggested that Anthony create a monthly or quarterly bill with purchased flowers included. Anthony recent bill
has to be paid by Hilda.

Hilda got Quickbook freeware and installed it. The Laptop and software costs came to $750.00. She will probably give
everything to FCP at the next month’s meeting and the Friends should reimburse her. We voted to purchase this computer last year when Hilda became treasurer, but Hilda had never charged us for it.

Laura is working on a new membership brochure. We are printing 5000 copies at $888 = $.17 per copy to print. We are mailing 2300 to the closest residences of the park. Our goal of 500 members is still our goal for this year. The total
job will cost about $1400.00

A renewal mailing costing $137.00 was sent out. We received 32 responses, including 1 new member. So far, we have received $2,282.50 in donations.

1- MANSION IMPROVEMENTS

Library: Robin brought in several books of wall paper, from which she chose 4 samples for our review. Bishop needs us
to chose two selections for Supervisor Carvin approval. Vicky VanWert wants to look for additional wallpaper suggestions
and she will bring to the next meeting.

Bishop is planning to redo the wood floors on the 1st floor with 4 coats of polyurethane every 6 mos. Bishop eventually
wants to renovate the entire first floor. The front door will be fixed or replaced shortly.

2 – TREE MAINTENANCE

Evergreen started trimming the trees near Ridge Street. Danny and Frank are marking trees to prune or cut down.

A suggestion was made to make a bench out of the trees cut down along the road.

3 – OTHER TOWN MATTERS

Bishop brought and passed out copies of :
Listing of Crawford Park Stakeholders,
Budget Listing from 2005 thru 2009,
Minutes of Town of Rye Meetings held at Crawford Park on March 4th and March 7th
An Inventory and Analysis Map done in 1999 of Crawford Park
Master Plan from 1999

A listing of signins of people attending the meetings of March 4th and 7th will be given to Laura.

-Starting March 12th, Danny will be locking the Gate on Ridge Street at 9:00 p.m. and will open it at 6:00 a.m. (There was a suggestion that the gate be moved closer to Ridge Street so that people do not drive in and then have to turn around.)
-Three new seasonal employees will start March 23rd. They will clean the under brush and the Park in general.
-Before April 30th speed bumps will be installed.
-On April 1st the bathrooms will open between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and will be locked at sundown. (The bathrooms are
closed in the winter due to no heat and freezing of the pipes.)

Bishop is working on a new version of the Maintenance Plan which will be a working document and will be shown to FCP.

Twelve new signs have been made stating: ALL PETS MUST BE KEPT ON LEASH | PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR PET
At present these signs will be put up at the entrance and exit only. Bishop will develop a flyer to be handed out to

Dog Owners. Village of Rye Brook and Westchester laws state that dog have to be leashed. However, the Crawfords’ stated that Dogs were allowed access to the Park. A Dog Park Area will be looked into by Bishop, who states a compromise will be found.

DOG BAG DISPENSERS:

The ‘Dog Group’ of Crawford Park has donated the monies for the Doggie Bag Dispenser and it is now ready for placement
near the benches in the “preferred dog area” pass the soccer fields.

Laura stated that she will look into the plaques for the dog benches.

HORTICULTURE REPORT:

The brush and debris at the gateway was cleared. The woodchips will be used throughout the park.

Top soil is needed in the wild flower area and the gateway house. Frank will obtain the soil.

A compose pile, in a remote area, will be look into.

Arbor Day celebration will take place on April 24th, 1:15 p.m., in Crawford Park at the Gateway area. So far, a class
from Blind Brook Elementary School will plant several trees. We hope to see the FCP there.

NEXT MEETING DATE: April 8th – 8:00 p.m. – Crawford Mansion

Meeting Minutes February 11, 2009 – submitted by Sandy Marshall

Members Present: Laura Klein(President), Frank Deleo, Danny Pennella, Bishop Nowotnik,Chris Cohan, Michael J. Borrelli, Alison Thresher(New Membership Chairman), Chris Wolff, Sandy Marshall, Hilda Liegl, Vicky VanWert, Dean Stanton, Robin Guagliardi, William Villanova

REVIEW OF PURPOSE:
Our mission is to preserve and beautify the Park.

REVIEW OF MEETING MINUTES:
The January’s minutes were accepted as written.

FINANCIAL REPORT given by Hilda Liegl:

Our present CD value is $8,357,62
(renewal in June of 2009)
Checking Account balance is $4,462.10
Total Assets are $12,819.72

Hilda is still considering donating the new computer. She also decided on the software product QuickBooks. We took a vote and it was passed to purchase this software product if the cost is between $100.00 – $300.00.

TOWN OF RYE REPORT given by Bishop Nowotonik:

1 – MANSION’S IMPROVEMENTS

Library: Two books of wall paper were brought in by Frank Deleo. Robin Guagliardi, Rye Brook resident and Interior

Designer/Decorator, volunteered to help us choose wall paper and accent colors to go with the age and decor of the Mansion. Some of the electrical outlets will be recessed and others replaced. The floor will be refinished. Bishop estimates that about $10,000 will be spent on the project.

Eventually, ceramic tiles will be done in the Kitchen and part of the Hallway.

Laura asked that the rule of ‘no tape’ on Mansion walls be enforced. The old wall paper was torn from putting party
decorations up with scotch tape. Maybe a new molding and tack board could be added for decorations.

2 – TREE MAINTENANCE

Four Arborists were asked for bids and their quotes were between $9,000 and $16,000. The Board has not voted on the bidding as yet (The next Rye Town Board Meeting will be held February 24th). Chris Cohan suggested that this is a good time to do the pruning.

In 2008, 21 trees were pruned or cut down in Rye Town Park. No pruning or tree removal was done in Crawford Park. (Thursday, Feb 12, the day after our meeting a large tree fell onto the property of 6 Jennifer Lane – luckily there was
little property damage and no one was hurt.)

3 – GATEWAY HOUSE

Joseph Carvin has not ruled out selling the GATEWAY property.

FCP need to get a firm commitment or a clarification of this matter. We cannot go ahead with our beautification plans if this matter is not settled. The money we put into this project would just be wasted. We know Rye Brook has no plans for the property at this time but who knows who might come along. There has to be a firm commitment to continue with our plans.The old Board wanted to improve the playgound, the new officials have not addressed it as yet. However, they have laid 170 yards of mulch and checked and fixed the playground equipment as needed. Bishop said it would cost between $25,000 and $75,000 to improve the playground.

4 – OTHER TOWN MATTERS

Danny Pennella has moved into the Caretaker’s Cottage. He patrols the Parks in the morning and at night with his dog (a mixed Lab). He said he would prune the Cherry trees along the road near Lincoln Avenue.

The speed bumps will be put in this spring.

Bishop will look into the Purple Heart area for the Spring planting time frame.

Chris’s Plan for 98-99 Maintenance Plan is being reviewed and pieces are going to be used in the future. Chris said that 13 Liberty Trees were planned for the original colonies. If we buy more Liberty Trees, Bishop said he might be able to bypass the delivery expense as he knows someone that lives up that way.

MEMBERSHIP:

Alison Thresher was nominated and approved as Membership Chairman. We all wish her good luck and our new goal is 500 members.

Renewal notice: Laura sent a renewal letter to the 228 members. The letter should have been received on Fri 2/13. The total cost of the mailing was $139.19.

New Membership: We have a list of 2,300 people that live 1 mile around Crawford Park. Laura is looking into different businesses in the area that would print, put postage on and mail out this ‘fund raiser’. She receive a couple of bids thus far. The lowest is one for $1,414.70 – which will print 5000 brochure and mail/label the 2300 for us – the per unit brochure price works out to be $0.18/piece. She will be getting another bid from a Port Chester business to see if they can match that price. Hopefully, we will get a 4% or more rate of return. The motion was passed for her to proceed sending the ‘fund raiser’ out this way.

DOG BAG DISPENSERS:

Laura brought in 2 pictures of Doggie Bag Dispensers. They were given to Bishop Nowotonik to approve. The “dog group” of Crawford Park has volunteered to pay for this dispenser which will be placed in the “preferred dog area” past the
soccer fields. Bishop okayed the aluminum dispenser for $89 which holds 400 biodegradeable bags. A case of bag refills
are $74.00 for 2000 bags. Laura will communicate this decision to the dog park group.

FUNDRAISING:
Laura asked for Volunteers to help send out flyer and call for sponsor participation of the 2009 5K race to take place October 18th. Laura,Vicky and Sandy volunteered. Both USA Bank and NOKIA expressed interest in major sponsorship. Wouldn’t that be great.

NEW BUSINESS:
No new business was discussed.

NEXT MEETING DATE:

March 11 – 8pm – Crawford Mansion

Multiple tracks in the snow at Crawford Park reveal a heavy vehicle joy riding all over our fields. This has got to stop. If anyone spots someone doing this PLEASE try to get a license plate number and call the police. It has been going on for quite a while. When the weather gets warmer and the ground is softer it will ruin the lawns. And he could hit someone or a dog.

The following is an email sent by Rye Brook Trustee Dean Stanton to members of the Village of Rye Brook Board as well as the Town of Rye Board. Dean found documentation that says the Town of Rye condemned the land by eminent domain – which will hopefully keep that plot of land “forever green”. Laura

Sent: 1/20/2009 5:59:06 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Subj: Considered sale of 120 N. Ridge Street property

Dear Paul:

In your capacity as Rye Town Attorney, I am forwarding the following documents that are on file with the Westchester County Clerk’s Office for your review in connection with the eminent domain matter that was adjudicated in New York State Supreme Court (Index No. 15914/04) on 12-14-04 by Thomas A. Dickerson, J.S.C.:

(A) “Order and Judgment In Condemnation” dated December 13, 2004 as filed with the County Clerk’s Office on December 14, 2004;

(B) “Notice of Petition” filed on October 5, 2004 with attached June 17, 2003 “Findings” resolution of the Rye Town Council;

(C) “Lis Pendens” filed on October 5, 2004, which includes a “Boundary Survey” dated April 3, 2003 that shows the layout of the former Allen property structures that the Town of Rye demolished;

In light of the stated purpose of the Eminent Domain petition set forth in the above “Notice of Petition” with the attached “Determination and Findings” statements and the various other SEQRA filings that declare the intent of expanding Crawford Park and its open space and recreation facilities, I would think that the Court would take a dim view of the Town of Rye turning around 4 years later to contemplate selling the land it condemned by Eminent Domain.

Eminent Domain is a power that many municipalities are loathe to exercise against private property. In this instance, it was wielded by the Town of Rye against a religious organization to reunite the original circa 1906-07 Crawford estate … the 1.04-acre gatehouse parcel with the 35.7-acre balance.

I would imagine that any attempt by the Town of Rye to sell of the 1.04-acre parcel to any third party and thereby separate it from the 35.7-acre balance of Crawford Park (that the Rye Town Assessor has merged as one large exempt tract following the 12-14-04 Court Order) would be publicly opposed and would raise issues about a disingenuous use of eminent domain on the part of the Town of Rye government who back in 2003-2004 promised that this parcel was intended to be “forever green.” More importantly, the stated purpose of the eminent domain action was to incorporate the 1.04-acre parcel into the surrounding Crawford Park and to use it for a “park purpose,” as even the December 20, 2004 cover letter from the Town of Rye Special Counsel, John E. Watkins, Jr. Esq., to Mitchell Markowitz indicates.

I trust that before Supervisor Carvin and the Rye Town Council considers the notion of selling the 1.04-acre parcel to anyone in an effort to “recoup the $750,000″ of acquisition costs covered by a BAN, that the documentation I obtained today from the Westchester County Clerk’s Office (see attached) and from within the Town of Rye records on file with the Town Clerk, is fully evaluated by you as Town Attorney and by them.

I await the balance of the documentation regarding the reported $750,000 of acquisition costs that I filed a FOIL request for today.

Kindly forward this email to Rye Town Council members Nioras and Mendicino who are not copied in this email distribution.

Regards,

Dean

Dean P. Santon
Trustee, Village of Rye Brook

This blog post was written by Eleanor Herman –

Today Laura and I met with Joe Carvin, Bishop Nowotnik and Frank De Leo to go over areas that particularly need attention this spring. Laura had provided 9 Google maps of all sections of the park. It was impressive and a great help, especially for Carvin who is unfamiliar with the park. He was very appreciative of being provided with a plan.

We began with the Gateway area at Ridge Street entrance and which we had expected would be FCP #1 project this year. Carvin shocked us by saying that we should put that aside. He was considering selling it. spoke of the revenue. it was bought for $750,000
if I remember right. And that maybe Rye Brook would be interested as they need buildings for the community,[ if I remember right]

I suggest that the FCP draw up a proposal that enumerates why this property should remain Town of Rye property to become park land and an addition to Crawford Park with stipulations that it remain green no buildings, etc. I think we should present it the next meeting of TOR and suggest they adopt it as a permanent resolution.

I’m going to start my list of reasons and I hope all of you and our other members will be in accord on this. {Lets do it before RB makes him an offer he can’t refuse!!]