Bedford Town Hall news | Bedford Hills Real Estate

The Town’s financial operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. Click here for the audited financial statements that have been prepared by PKF O’Connor Davies LLC.  In addition to the Town’s audited financials, click here for the results of the review of the Town’s Justice Court.   Among the highlights are that the Town spent less than the adopted 2016 budget and revenues in most areas were higher than budgeted, resulting in a substantial increase in General Fund balances (over $1.1 million) and in Highway Fund balances (over $400,000).   The Town Board adopted a policy last year which states in part “The Town of Bedford finances will be managed so as to maintain balances of the various funds at levels sufficient to mitigate current and future risks, such as revenue shortfalls, unanticipated expenditures, stabilization of tax rates and user fees, protection of the Town’s creditworthiness, and to provide for adequate cash flow needs.”    The General Fund balance now is at approximately 35% of 2017 budgeted expenditures and the Highway Fund balance at approximately 20% of 2017 budgeted expenditures.   The Town Board believes that such levels are responsible, prudent and not excessive.

The Town Board discussed a new proposed procurement policy which would be adopted at the same time as a local law allowing “Best Value Procurement”.  The proposed procurement policy would clarify sections of the current policy that may be unclear or outdated.  As written, the proposed procurement policy would also streamline the internal process for purchasing in preparation for the implementation of the Town’s new financial software.  The proposed procurement policy includes a new section for “Best Value Procurement”.  New York General Municipal Law allows Towns to authorize, by local law, the award of certain purchase contracts, including contracts for services, subject to competitive bidding on the basis of “best value” as defined in New York Finance Law.   The proposed “Best Value Procurement” local law will provide flexibility in obtaining good and services at favorable prices and will reduce the time to procure such goods and services.   The Town Board set a public hearing on the proposed law for May 16 at 8:10 PM.

The LLRL requires owners of two-family and multi-family residential rental buildings to register with the Town Building Department, pay a fee for each unit that is covered by the LLRL and requires the units to be inspected by the Building Department.  The primary changes to the LLRL we are proposing are as follows:

The Town Board set a public hearing on the proposed amendments for May 16 at 8:00 PM.

a local affordable housing organization, has received funding for a Septic Repair/Replacement Program.  ACE is led by Joan Arnold and has as its board members Katonah residents Don Scott and Betsy Weir.  This Grant is administered by ACE and funded by New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) to provide eligible homeowners with funding for septic repair/replacement. Grants are for systems that are in failure or failing, not for expansion.

Click here for Supervisor Chris Burdick’s letter explaining the program
Click here for the link to the repair/replacement program

Click here for the press release and photos

In answer to questions raised by those opposed to the proposal, I wish to assure you that we have received many valid and legitimate comments and concerns, and as detailed below from Recreation and Parks Superintendent Bill Heidepriem, they all will be considered and addressed.   In answer to questions raised by those supporting the proposal, even if the Board were to approve the proposal, the actual creation of the park would need to await the fall after the conclusion of the summer park season.

Come cheer on veterans from the greatest generation as they depart on Hudson Valley Honor Flight’s Mission 16 to Washington D.C. on May 20, 2017. All are welcome to honor our heroes and give them the sendoff and welcome home that many of them never received but they so rightfully deserve. Click here for the flyer.

2.    Support for Installation of Replacement Fire Tower at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation   The Board adopted a resolution urging Westchester County to proceed with the largely community-funded effort to install a replacement fire tower a short distance for Pell Hill in Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.  The tower would provide a magnificent view of the tristate area, draw visitors and be a boon financially for the park and local businesses. Click here for the resolution.

3.    Proposed amendments to Landlord Registry Law   The Board discussed further changes being recommended by Town Counsel and the Building Inspector providing the following: changing inspection period from every two years to every three years; adding mixed used commercial/residential properties (about 15 to 20); exempting owner-occupied units from the inspection fee (but they would be subject to inspection; and clarifying certain language.

APRIL 20 UPDATE FROM THE TRAFFIC SAFETY WORKING GROUP COMMITTEE
1.  Update from DPW:
a.  Bedford Village Traffic Calming Measures Along Village Green – Kevin Winn gave an update. The design for the traffic calming measures has been approved. The existing crosswalk will be changed to a raised concrete block crosswalk that looks like brick. A speed hump is also set to be added near the church on the Route 172 side. Hahn Engineering drafted the design and presented it to the Bedford Village Historic District Review Commission. After some minor modifications, the plan was presented again to the commission and was approved. These measures are set to be implemented in summer 2017 and coincide with the paving in the Village Green area.
b. Haines Road/Bedford Road Crosswalk – Kevin Winn gave an update. NYS DOT has given its permission to place a rapid-flash beacon at the crosswalk. The beacon goes below the sign indicating the crosswalk. They are currently trying to secure funding.
c. Parkway/Katonah Avenue – Kevin Winn gave an update. The island on the east side of Parkway is slated to be extended out to create a “refuge island” in summer 2017. The northeast corner of the intersection has been changed to a parking spot. The parking spot idea has seemed to work better than the previous idea of placing flower baskets in the area. Don Scott reports that the spot is used frequently during the late morning and afternoon hours.

2.  Update from Police Department:
a.  Vehicle Weight Scales – Mel Padilla gave an update. A second set of scales has been acquired. There was a delay in the state certifying the scales; however, both sets are now ready to be deployed. One commercial vehicle detail has been scheduled each month between May and September. The officers will be checking for gross vehicle weight, in addition to other items such as uncovered loads and missing placards. The goal of these inspections is to reduce truck traffic in the hamlets and throughout the town. Don Scott brought up the local delivery only signs which are placed in certain locations in the town. Chief Padilla stated that the law, as written, is too ambiguous to enforce properly. Chris Burdick and Jeff Osterman will look at the previous research done on the signs and law and see if there are any improvements that can be made.
b. Speed Limit Enforcement on Route 172 – Mel Padilla gave an update. The last speed study was done in October 2016. This study found that the 85% of drivers were doing an average speed of 47 MPH on this stretch of road. Chief Padilla brought up that officers have mentioned that one side of the roadway is 35 MPH and the other side is 30 MPH. The same situation exists on Route 35. Kevin Winn said he would look into the signage and bring any inconsistencies to the attention of NYS DOT. A traffic study is currently being conducted now to see if there has been any abatement in speed in this area. Once the study is completed next week, the speed board will be deployed to this area as a short-term fix. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the feasibility of installing speed camera signs or actual speed cameras to deter speeding in the area. There were questions regarding the legality of doing so and Chris Burdick stated he would be able to gather more information on the topic. Don Scott mentioned that other municipalities such as Yonkers and New York City have successfully implemented cameras. He also mentioned that he would be including a question on the speed cameras on a survey he is planning to send to Katonah residents and would share the results.

The Town of Bedford is looking to fill a vacancy (open only to a resident of the Katonah park district) on the Recreation and Parks Advisory (RPAC) Committee – for more information on the Committee click here.  The Town is also looking to fill a vacancy on the Tree Advisory Board (TAB) with preferably a certified arborist. for more information on the Board click here.  If you are interested in serving, please e-mail your resume with a cover letter to supervisor@bedfordny.gov.

You also may mail it to me at Supervisor, 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, New York 10507.   We also have two vacancies on the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, click here for more information on the committee or email the committee at veterans@bedfordny.gov .

I am delighted to share with you some great news.  In a follow up call with NYS Department of Transportation Regional Director Todd Westhuis, he reported that DOT in 2018 will proceed with the paving of I-684 from Harris Road to the Exit 5/6 interchange (at Route 35).   This is in addition to the funding which Assemblyman Buchwald helped secure for the portion from the Route 172 interchange to Harris Road which will be carried out in 2017.

My thanks goes to the community for making your voices heard.  The petition drive, the letter writing, the phone calls, the lobbying, the work of our elected representatives collectively paid off.

Click here for the press release

On Thursday evening, April 6, 2017, we celebrated the grand re-opening of the Bedford Hills train station following its restoration to its former glory from the early 20^th century. The event, which the Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association co-sponsored with and the Town, was well attended.  Folks who had seen the before station marveled at the restoration of the high ceilings, ceiling lighting, ceiling fans, wall sconces and wainscoting. The event was hosted by Chris Burdick Town Supervisor; Lee V.A. Roberts Deputy Supervisor; Maryann Carr Councilwoman; and Don Scott Councilman. Our Superintendent of Recreation and Parks did his usual fabulous job as MC and arranging the reception. Many who contributed so heavily to this project were thanked and acknowledged.  We also thank the Bedford Hills merchants who supported this event.  Pizza, deserts, wine, sparkling water, flowers were all in abundance.

We are delighted that the newly renovated station now is available for Town activities, community events and use by community organizations and even for private parties (imagine a birthday party in the beautiful venue).  Superintendent of Recreation & Parks Bill Heidepriem has posted to the Town’s website a facility use forms and fee schedule should you be interested, click here.

Property owners in the central business districts of Bedford Hills and Katonah voted yesterday on whether to create a sewer district and approve the issuance of $1.2 million in bonds toward the estimated $20.5 million to build the sewer system.

I am pleased to report that the referendum was approved by 94% of the vote with 97 voting yes and 6 voting no. Most gratifying is that 86% of the eligible votes were cast.

I wish to thank those who have made this possible, especially the strong support of my colleagues on the Town Board.  I also wish to thank our tireless staff with Planning Director Jeff Osterman and Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn doing a superb job in developing an affordable and intelligent plan, with the able assistance of our consulting engineers, Arcadis.  Thanks, too, to Town Clerk Boo Fumagalli and Deputy Town Clerk Nina Kellogg and the Election Inspectors who did an excellent job running the election and handling all the procedures, mailings, ballots and election rules.  Our counsel, Joel Sachs, and bond counsel, Doug Goodfriend, ably navigated us through the intricacies of New York State sewer law, election law and SEQRA.  Most of all, thanks to the voters who approved our moving ahead with this plan so crucial to protecting water quality and ensuring the vitality of our business districts.   Please see my March 31, 2017 Supervisor’s Report on next steps.

The Town Board met on March 27 with Comptroller Abe Zambrano, who heads the Town’s Parking Bureau, to consider recommendations for the Town’s commuter lots, including strategies for reducing waiting lists at certain lots, a modest rate increase (there has been no increase since 2011) and a modest increase in the parking spaces.   There is a more detailed discussion in my March 31, 2017 report.

Applications are now being accepted for more than 30 new, fair and affordable homes in Westchester. These homes are single-family properties and condominiums, ranging in size, from one to five bedrooms. All of the homes are in good condition and located in the following communities: Bedford, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, North Castle, Pelham Manor, Peekskill, Pound Ridge, Somers, and Yorktown. “The county is pleased to offer these homes at discounted prices to families that want to live in Westchester County, but may not have been able to afford it in the past,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “I urge anyone who is interested to apply to purchase these homes.”

Westchester County purchased these homes at market value and is selling them at affordable prices to qualified individuals and families. The price for fair and affordable homes range $125,000 to $300,000.

Qualifications for buyers to purchase an affordable home include:

These 30-plus homes are among the 790 units that the county is developing in accordance with the 2009 housing settlement.  The settlement permitted the county to satisfy up to 25% of the required 750 units with existing housing.  The properties will remain affordable for 50 years.

Information on each unit is available on the county’s Homeseeker website at www.westchestergov.com/homeseeker, where interested families can view the information, download the application and sign up to receive information on additional properties and open houses.

The county’s housing marketing consultant, the Housing Action Council (HAC), is handling the marketing of each unit. Rose Noonan, executive director of the HAC, said the available homes have a number of options for potential buyers, such as proximity to public transportation, amount of yard space, and communities with a pool or near a lake.

“There are also the condominiums with amenities and common areas cared for by management companies,” said Noonan. “Each home has its own style ranging from townhomes and flats to raised ranches to Cape Cod style and colonials.”

The HAC is a not-for-profit organization that helps the county identify and qualify prospective purchasers.  As a member of the New York Mortgage Coalition, the HAC also provides homeownership counseling and assists buyers through the mortgage approval process.

The buyers will be selected through a lottery process. Applications will be accepted through April 24, after which public lotteries will be held for each property. Buyers can expect to be in their homes by the end of the year.

For additional information about the homes and their communities, contact the HAC at (914) 332-4144 or hac@affordablehomes.org or go to http://homes.westchestergov.com/homeownership/homeseeker-opportunities.

S&P GLOBAL RATINGS – REAFFIRMS BEDFORD’S AAA BOND RATING

I’m pleased to inform you that S&P Global Ratings has assigned a AAA Bond Rating to the Town. Fewer than 3% of municipalities are awarded this coveted rating which has a direct impact on taxpayers by providing a lower rate of interest than those municipalities whose ratings are not as high.  We are delighted that we received on our $10 million bond issue to finance 2016 and 2017 Capital Projects a 3.078% interest rate, well below the 3.5% which Comptroller Abe Zambrano used for budgeting purposes.

The resolution referred to below has now also been posted in Spanish, for both the English and Spanish Versions – The Town Board adopted the resolution which I proposed setting forth the Town’s Moral Stance on Recent Events and Related Town Policies.  I am grateful to my colleagues on the Board for their unanimous support and for the community for their involvement in the discussion which led to the development of the resolution and its adoption.  I do wish to emphasize the need for understanding, tolerance and civility for all members of the community regardless of their background and viewpoints, as the resolution recognizes.  While the great majority of those in attendance at the Town Board meeting on March 4 at which the resolution was adopted, there were some opposed.  To paraphrase Voltaire, I may disagree with your viewpoint, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

VACANCY ON BLUE MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND BEDFORD HOUSING AGENCY

This Board and the Agency was created by the Bedford Town Board over thirty years ago to promote the creation of affordable housing stock.  The Board has worked tirelessly with not for profits (such as A Home, Habitat for Humanity and ACE), religious institutions (such as Antioch Baptist Church), New York State and Westchester County.  Most recently Blue Mountain has been partnering with Antioch Baptist Church for the creation of 12 affordable housing units at the Church’s property on Railroad Avenue which the Church will be conveying to a separate not-for-profit corporation.   It has been a long standing practice for the Town Board to consult with its boards and commissions when vacancies arise, particularly for suggestions as to skill sets and experience desired.   In the case of Blue Mountain, the individual leaving the Board is an attorney, and it would be helpful to replace him as well with an attorney.  For those interested in the vacancy, kindly e-mail your resume and cover letter (or e-mail) to supervisor@bedfordny.gov.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS AND CARING LANDLORDS
“A safe and peaceful home is the dream of every domestic violence victim.

Hope’s Door has a wonderful opportunity to make their dream come true.

We received a 3-year grant award to provide rental subsidies for victims fleeing abuse.

During their subsidy period, we will work with victims to become economically self-sufficient. We have all the victims we need and all the funding we need. What we do need are reasonably-priced apartments with landlords who want to make a difference in the lives of victims and their children. Please help us. If you know any landlords that would be interested in partnering with us, please have them contact: Debbie Lauro Conn

Director of Community Services DLauroConn@HopesDoorNY.org

(914) 747-0828 x 1017.”

ALLIED COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES’ (ACE) SEPTIC REPAIR/REPLACEMENT PROGRAM We are delighted to be partnering with ACE on its exciting new Septic Repair /Replacement Program.  Under this program, homeowners who are income qualified in Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge are eligible to have their septic systems repaired or replaced under a program funded by New York State’s Affordable Housing Corporation.  Homeowners under the enhanced star program and other homeowners who may be lower income may be eligible.  Click here for the steps.  Click here for the application. More information can be found by going to the ACE website.

The Town of Bedford is pleased to announce that in response to requests from members of the community, the Town is providing four mobile paper shredder events in 2017:

At the event, a Mobile Shredding Trucks will securely destroy documents. The company’s customer service professionals never physically touch your documents so the entire process is “touch-free”. The company can shred paper, paper clips, rubber bands, staples and even the black clips. They cannot shred 3-ring binders, or anything that is non paper (CDs, tapes, DVDs, hard drives, etc…).  There will be no charge to residents for the service.

The Town will be alive with activity in this time honored tradition as we work to clean out our attics and garages, buy treasures at rummage sales and tag sales (for next year’s Clean Up weekend), buy and plant flowers and generally beautify our wonderful Town.  We applaud Chowder & Marching Club, Katonah Village Improvement Society, the Katonah Presbyterian Church, to name only a few who make it such a great event.  The Town’s highway facility off of Crusher Road in Bedford Village will be open. Click here for more information

New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) will be trimming the vegetation around our facilities on the Cantitoe 282 circuit during March 2017 to May 2017.  The contractor that has been awarded the contract is Nelson Tree Service.  Attached is the list of roads that we will be working on in your town.   NYSEG does this routine maintenance to insure the safe and reliable distribution of power.  If you have any questions about the schedule work or vegetation related concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

1.   Bayberry Ln;

2.    Baylis Ln;

3.    Bedford Center Rd;

4.    Brett Ln;

5.    Brundage Ridge Rd;

6.    Cantitoe St;

7.    Captain Theale Rd;

8.    Crusher Rd;

9.    David Lapsley Rd;

10.  East Way;

11.  Ferris Ln;

12.  Gordon Ave;

13.  Greenwich Rd;

14.  Grove Rd;

15.  Guard Hill Rd;

16.  Hollyhock Ln; Homestead Ln;

17.  Jefferson Ln;

18.  Lake Ave;

19.  Lincoln Ave;

20.  Locust Dr;

21.  Marys Ln;

22.  Millbrook Pl;

23.  Millbrook Rd;

24.  Old Post Rd;

25.  Oliver Rd;

26.  Pleasant St

27.  Pound Ridge Rd;

28.  Route 172;

29.  Route 22;

30.  S Bedford Rd;

31.  S Brook Rd;

32.  Spruce Pond Ln;

33.  Stone Paddock Pl;

34.  Tarleton Rd;

35.  The Farms Rd;

36.  Train Band Rd;

40.  Virginia Ave;

41.  W Circle Rd;

42.  Washington Ave;

43.  West Cir

FIVE YEAR UNAUDITED FINANCIAL PROJECTION 2017-2021
Click here for our projections prepared by our Town Comptroller Abe Zambrano.

Please take a few minutes to review our 2016 Annual Report, which summarizes what your Town government did to serve the community in 2016.  You’ll find a department by department summary of continuing to provide a high level of service and highlights of improvements made. Click here .

              In a market where the median sale price of homes in Westchester County are at $600,000 – and even higher in Bedford — there are affordable homeownership opportunities in Bedford.  The Housing Action Council, a nonprofit organization, is accepting applications for single family properties and condos throughout Westchester including six  in Bedford.    These include one bedroom condos at Bedford Terrace, a one and two bedroom condo at Bedford Mews, a two bedroom single family property on Ridge St. and a 3 bedroom single family home on Church St.

          The affordable sale prices were made possible with financial help from Westchester County.  Maximum household incomes, minimum occupancy, primary residency and resale requirements apply.  For more information, applications and requirements, go to www.housingactioncouncil.org or email hac@affordablehomes.org or call (914) 332-4144.

               Three of the Bedford properties have an application deadline of

April 24;  others are on a first come first serve basis.

Con Ed is pruning branches around power lines on the Mt. Kisco electrical loop, this week and next weather permitting.  Con Ed has notified the abutting residents. At present they are only pruning branches and there are no actual tree removals to be done. They have a wood chipper crew with them and they are removing debris as they go. However, Con Ed will be assessing the health of the trees as they proceed and there could be a request for actual tree take-downs.   The roads are: Bedford Rd; Valeria Ct; S. Beechwood Rd, Green La, Edna St,  Center St,  Norm Ave,  Mclain St, Springhurst Rd,  W. Patent Rd, Broad Brook Rd, Guard Hill Rd,  Darlington Rd Christopher Rd, Rock Gate Farm Rd, Letitia  La, Charles Rd,

S. Bedford Rd,  Old Wagon Rd,  Chestnut Ridge Rd, Linden La, Sarles St, Deer Knoll Rd

A new program offered by the NY AG’s Office. The program will provide up to $40k to homeowners facing foreclosure due to delinquent mortgage payments, property taxes or Gmaintenance fees.  If they qualify, they do not need to pay it back monthly.  It is paid back if the homeowner refinances or sells the house over the life of the loan.   Westchester Residential Opportunities Inc. (WRO) is designated to process the application from their office.  Homeowners can call Veronica Raphael,
Director of Foreclosure Prevention to see if they qualify for this program.  914-428-4507 x334 or vraphael@wroinc.org.

Please be advised that during the renovation work at the Police Station, parking at both 425 Cherry Street and 321 Bedford Road will be limited.  Please note that starting on Monday, February 6, there will be “Resident Parking Only” for certain spaces in the parking lots.   We would also strongly recommend that if you need to visit the Town Offices, you consider doing so on a day other than when the Justice Court is in session.  For the Justice Court schedule and other information regarding parking, please click here.

I have been working with Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn and Police Chief Mel Padilla to address the danger posed with power outages knocking out the traffic lights at the three major intersections in Katonah: Routes 35 and 22, Route 35 and the I-684 overpass and Route 25 and Woodbridge Road.

As was recognized in the discussion of the outage, posting officers either to direct traffic or place flares in a multi lane highway with additional turning lanes in dark rainy/icing conditions is extremely dangerous (especially with some careless, heedless drivers disregarding the intersections and basic traffic law).

We are exploring other means of addressing the problem. Because there have been previous incidences of power outages at these locations, I have contacted NYSEG to ask what measures NYSEG is taking to “harden” the circuit which power the traffic lights. I have also asked whether there might be a “dual feed” whereby if one circuit goes down, another circuit might pick up the load. It’s not a likelihood, but I still felt I should ask. I also placed a call to the regional office of the NYS Department of Transportation to discuss our concerns, given that the traffic lights are owned by and the responsibility of DOT.

Most important is getting the traffic lights back into operation as quickly as possible. Given that FEMA did not grant our post-Sandy request for funding generators, we purchased them ourselves. The generators are portable and may be used in emergency situations throughout town. As such, the generators are not fixed in a given location but are transported from safe storage to where most needed. Commissioner Winn and Chief Padilla are instituting new procedures for mobilizing the generators more quickly. They are confident that doing so should significantly reduce the time that the traffic lights are out.

This is the second installment of the explanation of the project to renovate the station building to which there hasn’t been any significant work in over 30 years.  The $7 million project is comprised of the renovation of the lower level of the Town Offices at 321 Bedford Road to house the police department while the one-year renovation project is being carried out; the gut renovation of the station building; the removal of a portion of the adjacent building (known as the “Milk Building”) to allow room for an addition to the station building; and a second addition to the station building.   The following describes the improvements/renovations to the interior of the station building and the facilities to be housed in it with the additions:

          Also the Better Business Bureau offers other Scam Alerts at https://www.bbb.org/council/news-events/lists/bbb-scam-alerts/

NYSEG ~ EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS UPDATE

To report an outage or an electrical emergency, please call us at 1.800.572.1131 or go to our Emergency Preparedness web page, “Outage Central,” at

You can sign up for Outage Alerts to receive notifications regarding power outages and the estimated restoration time at http://www.nyseg.com/YourAccount/AboutAlerts.html

NYSEG urges customers to stay away from downed power lines – even lines that appear dead can be deadly. NYSEG customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous conditions.

DAILY PARKING RATE CHANGE

Effective 1/2/17 the daily parking rate is $8 per calendar day

For more information on Parking Permits click here

.

TEXT MESSAGES FROM NYSEG AND CON EDISON -outages and emergencies

You can sign up for text alerts from NYSEG by going to http://www.nyseg.com/youraccount/aboutalerts.html and from Con Edison by going to

http://www.coned.com/mobileapp/. In addition, here is some useful information if you need to contact either NYSEG or Con Edison. Both NYSEG and Con Edison encourage customers with special needs to enroll in special services for them.  “NYSEG is committed to providing their customers with safe, reliable energy delivery. They also offer many services for special need customers, including: Special Identification for households where everyone is elderly, blind or disabled. Large print, sight-saver Bills for visually-impaired customers.  Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grants  NYSEG’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Project SHARE emergency energy assistance program. If you or someone in your household relies on life-sustaining equipment, you should contact NYSEG immediately! How to call NYSEG: Electricity interruptions or emergencies: 1.800.572.1131 (24 hours a day, every day) Customer relations center: 1.800.572.1111 Payment arrangements: 1.888.315.1755 Hearing and speech-impaired: Dial 711 (New York Relay Service)” Message from Con Edison: Customer Central Special Services Safety for Special Customers: It is important that we have a record of everyone who uses electrically operated life-support equipment or has medical hardships so we can contact them in an emergency. To learn more and complete the survey, please visit the link below. You can also let us know by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). Con Edison customers can enroll for this service by visiting www.conEd.com, clicking on Customer Central, and then the “special services” link. You will need your account number. To keep our records current, each year we send a letter asking you to recertify. http://www.coned.com/customercentral/specialservices.asp

Customers with Special Needs: We recognize that senior citizens and people with disabilities need special attention. That’s why we offer a variety of services and billing and payment options that make life a little bit easier for the elderly, visually or hearing-impaired, or customers with permanent disabilities. Please visit the link below to view the Customers With Special Needs brochure. http://www.coned.com/customercentral/specialservices.asp

I would like to take this opportunity to urge residents to check their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

          A regular reader of this weekly newsletter asked why I repeat certain posts from week to week.   I do so because not everyone reads my newsletter on a weekly basis, much information provided remains relevant and I wish to continue to alert the community about it.    In response to the comment, however, you will see that I’ve divided the newsletter into two sections “New Posts” and “Continuing Posts”.   Both sections are relevant and, I believe, worthy of review.    I wish to thank readers for making suggestions and comments; over the years, I’ve not only changed format but added content based on them (for example, why the flags are flow at half-mast).

Warns Customers Not To Fall for Scam Callers
Refer Suspicious Calls to Police or 1-800-75CONED

NEW YORK – Con Edison is warning customers not to fall for scams in which a caller threatens a service turnoff unless the customer purchases a pre-paid card or arranges for a transfer via MoneyGram to pay a bill.

These callers are not from Con Edison and Con Edison does not accept payments of electric or gas bills by pre-paid debit cards, or by MoneyGram or similar transfers.

The company has recently seen a spike in reports from customers who were contacted by the scammers. Con Edison believes the scammers are calling customers randomly, not targeting just those who owe back payments. The company has received complaints from residential and business customers.

The scammers sometimes even tell the customer about a store near the customer’s home that sells pre-paid cards. The scammer instructs the customer to pay cash to put money on the card and to then provide the number on the card to the person who called.

Once the customer provides the scammer with the card number, the scammer steals the money on the card.

There have even been reports of these scammers making a Con Edison phone number show up on the customer’s caller ID.

With MoneyGram, scammers may ask a customer to provide money from a bank account, credit card or debit card by going online or to a specified location. The money goes into someone else’s bank account or is available for the receiver to pick up in cash.

Be alert if anyone asks you by telephone to arrange for pre-paid debit cards or a MoneyGram transfer as payment for your bill, or to send money to an out-of-state address. Never arrange payment or divulge account or personal information, including debit or credit card information, over the telephone, unless you are certain you are speaking to a Con Edison representative.

Anyone who feels they may have been a target of an impostor or a payment scam should call their local police department. They may also call Con Edison at 1-800-75CONED.

Con Edison’s website, http://www.coned.com/customercentral/managemybill.asp, offers a variety of approved and convenient options for bill payment.

Over the last couple of years, I have brought together about quarterly the chiefs of our fire departments and the president of the Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps to discuss matters of mutual concern. Results of some of the last couple of meetings was the Town agreeing to assume the expense of a larger monitor and certain other improvements to the OEM center housed on the second floor of the Bedford Hills Fire House. In addition, we have discussed ways to reduce false alarms which result in unnecessary deployment of emergency forces and unnecessary charges to property owners.

TO SIGN-UP FOR NIXLE ALERTS click here