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Town of Pound Ridge NY Has to Raise Taxes Again | Pound Ridge NY Real Estate

POUND RIDGE — Residents would see a 3.4 percent tax increase under the town’s preliminary budget.

The proposal would spend roughly $7.1 million for the general and highway funds, a $146,003 decrease from 2010, according to a town budget synopsis.

While spending is going down, the town is also decreasing the amount of surplus it has set aside in 2011 to help pay for town operations.
The 2010 budget appropriated $850,000 in surplus, while in the proposed 2011 budget, the amount of surplus used would drop to $500,000, said Steve Conti, the Pound Ridge finance director. The town’s goal in the coming years is to lower its reliance on surplus to fund expenditures, Conti said.

“At $850,000 a year, the fund balance would be zero in three to four years,” Conti said.

There are number of areas where the town will save money next year. The departure of a retiring highway department employee, for example, will save the town about $90,000, Conti said. The budget plan also calls for a wage freeze for town employees.

But the town faces rising expenses in other areas. The cost of providing health care to employees is expected to go up by $32,000 in 2011 and town contributions to workers’ pensions will increase $51,000, Conti said.

Deputy Supervisor Jonathan Powers said that amid a challenging budget environment, town officials have been scouring the budget lines looking for savings.

“It’s a modest tax increase,” Powers said. “Because we haven’t laid off any employees, there’s no reduction in services to the town.”
The tax rate for the general and highway funds is $11.81 per $1,000 of assessed value. For the owner of a home assessed at $179,629, the town average, the annual tax bill would be $2,121.44, or $69.86 more than 2010.

While the tax rate to pay for the general and highway funds is on the rise, the amount residents will pay for the land reserve tax will go down in 2011.

That’s because the land reserve tax temporarily declines for the next two years under a ballot initiative , passed this month, that renews the open-space levy for an additional 10 years.

The open-space tax is typically $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, but in 2011 it will be 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
The public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Town House, 179 Westchester Ave.

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Pound Ridge NY Town Board has to Decide on New Cell Tower | Pound Ridge NY Real Estate

A group of Pound Ridge residents want the town board to defer making decision on a plans by T-Mobile’s for building a cell tower in Scotts Corners until a task force can be established to develop a new strategy for the town’s cell tower placements.

The 29-Acre Preservation Association is leading a group of residents who are expected to make their case for the task force during tonight’s public hearing on T-Mobile’s tower construction.

Association member Melinda Avellino said Pound Ridge needs a committee that can create a town-wide cell service “overlay” and evaluate all “new and existing equipment sites or plans, and ensuring that all application and zoning requirements are met by the applicant.”

“We believe that taking a proactive approach is necessary to ensure the responsible placement of cell service equipment that best protects its citizens,” she said.

Tonight’s hearing, scheduled for 7 p.m. at the town house, gives the board, as well as the public, the opportunity to review and comment on T-Mobile’s application for the special use permit it needs to construct a 130′ tower at the Pound Ridge Lions Club Ambulance headquarters on Westchester Avenue in Scotts Corners.

Aside from engineering and construction details, T-Mobile’s presentation will include an overview of the criteria used to select the ambulance corps location from among the 20-plus sites it considered for the tower — a process that began in 2007.

“We’ve invested three years and a lot of money working with town planners, engineering and building consultants to get this project in front of the public,” said Jane Builder, Senior Manager of External Affairs for T-Mobile’s northeast engineering division. “We’ve been sensitive to the various concerns throughout the entire process, and approval from the board will mean cell service for this part of town is finally close to becoming a reality.”

Tower Location Lacking Consensus

But all time and money spent did not keep the board from voicing concerns over the ambulance corps site at its regular meeting last month. According to Deputy Supervisor Jonathan Powers, those concerns center around the topographical features of the location.

“On the one hand it limits the height of the tower and consequently the amount of service coverage,” Mr. Powers said. “On the other, the location and height of the tower will have a definite visual impact.”

Mr. Powers said the board was concerned enough to request that T-Mobile further explore the possibility of building a tower on an alternative site, on a tract of land owned by Oceanus Navigation, located on the opposite side of Westchester Avenue, near the top of Hemlock Hill Road.

He said the Oceanus Navigation location had been on T-Mobile’s list of possible sites and because the property’s elevation was much higher, it could accommodate a 170′ tower and significantly greater service coverage. The site had been eliminated from consideration because after a year trying, T-Mobile had not been able to secure an agreement to lease the land from its owner.

At the board’s insistence, however, T-Mobile agreed to conduct a balloon visualization test on the property.

The 29-Acre association members present at the meeting reacted by openly challenging the board’s ability to act in the best interests of its constituents.

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Pound Ridge NY Real Estate Report | November 2010 | Rob Report Blog

Eighty-five (85) Pound Ridge NY Homes are currently available. The Median Price for Pound Ridge NY Homes is currently $989,800. The low Pound Ridge NY Home for sale is $317,000 and the high is $10,000,000. The average home takes 132 days to sell. The average size for a Pound Ridge NY Home is 4090 square feet and is asking $344 per foot.

Over the last three (3) months the Pound Ridge NY Real Estate Market is up 27% compared to the same period in 2009. The current sold Median Price in Pound Ridge NY is $796,675. In 2009 the Median Price was $825,000. The average Pound Ridge NY Home selling is 3353 square feet, takes 165 days to sell and averages $271 per square foot. The average selling price to asking price in Pound Ridge is 92.55%.

In 2009 the average Pound Ridge NY Home was 3498 square feet, took 230 days to sell, and averages $267 per foot. The average Pound Ridge NY Home sold at 92.81% of asking price in 2009. (source: EAMLS.)

History of Pound Ridge NY | Pound Ridge NY Real Estate

Originally home to the Siwanoy and Kitchawong Indians (Mohican tribes, a subgroup of the Algonquians), the town takes its name from a tribal “pound” or enclosure for game that was on one of the area’s many “ridges”. The Indians led a relatively peaceful life of planting, hunting, and fishing.

Pound Ridge was originally settled in 1640’s as part of a tract of land purchased from local Indians by Captain Nathanial Turner, and it was officially incorporated in 1788. For the last 250 years there has been much controversy over the spelling of “Pound Ridge” or “Poundridge”, but finally in 1948 the Town Board declared the name to be the two-worded version.

During the Revolution in 1779, Pound Ridge was the scene of the dramatic raid led by the British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton (his portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds shown at right). He overwhelmed the local militia commanded by Major Ebenezer Lockwood and the regiment of Continental Light Dragoons (mounted infantry) led by Lt. Col. Elisha Shelton stationed in the Hamlet area. Fortunately, Tarleton got a bit lost finding Pound Ridge, which enabled the Americans more time to prepare. However, with better than a 2 to 1 advantage, Tarleton (a.k.a. “The Butcher”) conquered, plundered, and burned much of the town.

By 1920, the population dwindled to 515. Then, during the 1930’s things changed. Hiram Halle, an inventor and businessman, came to Pound Ridge from New York City and began renovating and reconstructing houses.

He hoped to enhance the community, and it did attract actors, writers, artists, and musicians. They discovered that Pound Ridge was a charming and convenient getaway and began purchasing homes. Benny Goodman was one of the first of these residents, and he even composed a melody entitled “Pound Ridge”. Many creative people and celebrities continue to move to Pound Ridge (sometimes referred to as the 2nd Hollywood).

By the 1940’s, Pound Ridge’s population rose to almost 800, and it continued to grow slowly and steadily to 4,000 in 1980 and 4,550 in 1990 to 4,700 in 2000.

Interest in the preservation of Pound Ridge’s architectural heritage has also been maintained throughout the years. These older landmarks and homes (with wells and barnegats for crushing seashells) are an integral part of the character of the town and provide the community a shared “pride of place”.

The current population of the residents of the Town of Pound Ridge, NY includes 4,918 people (2004 US Census) living mostly in single-family dwellings on 2 or 3-acre minimum zoning districts.

In addition there are deer galore, emus, swans, ducks and geese, foxes and coyotes, raccoons, otters, squirrels, chipmunks, frogs, crickets, etc..

And last but not least is the official Town of Pound Ridge Cemetery originally known as “Burial Hill”.

Town of Pound Ridge

8 Ways to Improve Your Credit in Pound Ridge NY | Pound Ridge NY Real Estate

Credit scores, along with your overall income and debt, are a big factor in
determining if you’ll qualify for a loan and what loan terms you’ll
be able to qualify for.

Check for and correct errors in your credit report. Mistakes happen, and
you could be paying for someone else’s poor financial management.
Pay down credit card bills. If possible, pay off the entire balance every
month. However, transferring credit card debt from one card to another could
lower your score.
Don’t charge your credit cards to the maximum limit.
Wait 12 months after credit difficulties to apply for a mortgage. You’re
penalized less for problems after a year.
Don’t purchase big-ticket items for your new home on credit cards
until after the loan is approved. The amounts will add to your debt.
Don’t open new credit card accounts before applying for a mortgage.
Having too much available credit can lower your score.
Shop for mortgage rates all at once. Too many credit applications can lower
your score, but multiple inquiries from the same type of lender are counted
as one inquiry if submitted over a short period of time.
Avoid finance companies. Even if you pay the loan on time, the interest
is high and it will probably be considered a sign of poor credit management.
This information is copyrighted by the Fannie Mae Foundation and is used with
permission of the Fannie Mae Foundation. To obtain a complete copy of the publication,
“Knowing and Understanding Your Credit,” visit Home Buying Guide.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine Online by permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Banks Raise Credit Scores to Qualify for a Mortgage | Pound Ridge NY Real Estate

Credit Score Requirements Stifling Borrowers

Despite record-low interest rates, an increasing number of Americans can’t afford to buy a house.

The nation’s two largest mortgage lenders, Wells Fargo & Co. and Bank of America Corp., have raised the minimum required credit score on FHA-insured loans to 640 from 620.

Requiring a 640 credit score excludes about 15 percent of FHA borrowers, FHA commissioner David Stevens said.

Such a high limit will further delay a recovery in the real estate market, says Ron Phipps, president of the National Association of REALTORS®.

NAR

Costs of Owning A Home with air conditioning In Pound Ridge NY | Pound Ridge Real Estate

Hidden Costs Of Owning A Home in Pound Ridge, NY

Owning a home in Pound Ridge, NY is no different than anywhere else. The reality is, home ownership is not just about budgeting to cover your monthly mortgage payments and property tax, you also have a responsibility to care for your property- which means maintaining the foundation, structure and inner workings of your house, but also being prepared to pay for UNEXPECTED REPAIRS! Obviously this is easier said than done when money is tight, and you’re not a contractor or have your own live in handyman. Needless to say, whether you’ve owned your home for twenty years, or you’re considering becoming a homeowner for the first time, there are some absolutes that you should know how to fix yourself, budget for, and pay forward, to avoid catastrophic repairs & major surprise expenses!

Repairs to Fix IMMEDIATELY!

1. Don’t Ignore Electrical Inconveniences

Any electrical problem should be taken care of immediately to avoid potential blowouts or worse, A FIRE!

a) Dead Outlets: A sudden non functioning outlet (that does not go out from a blown fuse) could indicate a more serious problem such as a loose wire that could spark and cause serious damage. Get these problems checked out and repaired by a qualified electrician as soon as possible!
b) Dead Light Switch: A non functioning light switch (that does not go out from a blown fuse), could also mean something is shorting out inside the walls.
c) Excessive Static on TV or Radio: These malfunctions could indicate the house is not properly grounded (not safe)- which can cause even more serious problems down the line.
d) Strange Noise from a Major Appliance: Any electrical appliance (oven, stove, refrigerator) that starts humming should be repaired immediately!
e) Frayed Wires: Any frayed wires (exposed or not) should not be used and replaced immediately!

2. Deal with ALL Leaks

a) Ceiling Leaks & Water Damage: If you see water dripping from your ceiling, or if you see any discoloration due to water damage, you may have a small problem that is about to get much worse! Water takes the path of least least resistance, so just because you see discoloration in one spot, it does not mean that that is where the leak has originated. If there is a spot on your ceiling that gets wet more than once, or you see actual water dripping down, find the leak & get it repaired at once!
b) Pipes & Plumbing: A continually running toilet, a dripping sink, a leaky pipe under the sink, or any drips you hear in the wall, all should be repaired to avoid further damage, flooding and MOLD!

3. Maintain Your Heating & Cooling System (HVAC):

a) If you have central heating and air conditioning, have your system professionally maintained at least once a year to prolong the life and efficiency of your system. Have your filters & coils cleaned or replaced, and have your duct work swept. Heating and air conditioning repair and optimization is one solution that can benefit both the tenants and your wallet by improving the efficiency of the system and also decreasing energy consumption. You can check right here on JC’s Heating and Air systems provide ventilation as well as warming and cooling assistance. They are the best solution for dealing with the need for circulation and removal of contaminants and foul odors. This is just as important in an office where many people are sharing the same environment, as it is in large warehouses where the fumes and chemicals can be an unpleasant experience. When properly maintained, these systems offer comfortable environments in any sort of structure. Typically, a professional heating and air contractor will install a complete central system to service the entire building. This is great because with professional installation there is a far greater reliability and efficiency. The drawback is that when they are very large and complex they are difficult to maintain on one’s own. Instead they require a professional to come in and flush the ductwork and service the heat pump and cooling system. Fortunately, many contractors are available to provide continued maintenance after they have installed their products and so it is easy to set up a scheduled maintenance plan. For your commercial enterprise you are saving yourself and your tenants money by retaining this type of work. You will be able to reduce the energy bills that are paid every month because the heating and air unit does not have to work as hard to go through clogged ducts or overcome dirty coils. It is also saving money by eliminating the need for constant repair. It is a simple fact that a clean unit is an efficient unit and that means less calls to the service technicians and more trouble free operation.

b) If you have radiator heat, have the system flushed at least every other year to remove excess build up and air pockets that can decrease the efficiency of the system (not to mention causing that haunting banging sound).

c) Clean the filters of your window unit air conditioner once a month in the summer, and hose the coils at the beginning of each summer. Calling a company for air conditioning repair will save time and get you the professional help you need to make sure you get the best air conditioning service.

4. Mind Your Roof: Replace any missing shingles on your roof, and have any cracks or areas where water is pooling repaired before damage spreads or weakens that spot further. Roofing calculator helps to measure correctly and determine how much roofing material you need for your project.

5. Cracks in Your Foundation:You know what they say about relationships, well it holds true in your house as well! Make sure that any cracks in your foundation are sealed immediately to avoid water damage, mold or potential pest problems.

6. Seal Your Windows: Keep heat or cool air from escaping, avoid leaks and unwanted pests by keeping your windows properly sealed. Replace any old dried out caulking around the inside and outside of each window!

7. Keep Your Gutters Clean: Have your gutters completely cleaned 1-2 times each year to prevent clogs and avoid improper drainage. If the water backs up, it can seep under roof shingles, or the siding of your house and cause it to pull away. Visit GutterAdvantage-PA.com for professional service to clean and repair your gutters.

8. Seal Your Deck: Sealing your wood deck every two to three years is essential not only for looks, but it will prolong the life of the wood as well. If you do not reseal often enough, the wood will rot and the deck will need to be replaced- ouch!

9. Sweep Your Chimney: If you have a working fireplace, and use it often, it is important to have your chimney cap checked and your chimney swept once a year by a schoorsteenvegen. If an animal, debris or build up from use accumulates, it contribute to cracking the inside of the chimney- not to mention causing a major FIRE!

We’ve all heard the phrase little things mean a lot and nowhere is that more true than in the roller-coaster world of home ownership. While owning your own home is of course the proverbial American Dream, letting seemingly small things go can turn it into a nightmare. Spending money on small repairs now, can mean HUGE savings down the line. So the next time that roof starts to leak, know that it could turn into much more than just a drop in the bucket if you don’t fix it now!

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Owning a home in Pound Ridge, NY is no different than anywhere else

Robert Paul is a real estate agent with Prudential Holmes and Kennedy in Bedford, New York. I specialize in new homes, luxury homes, and first time home buyers, in Bedford, Armonk, Chappaqua, Pound Ridge, Lewisboro and North Salem. Give me call at 914-325-5758 for all your real estate needs.