HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972_11_01 Town Board Regular Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF
MAMARONECK, HELD NOVEMBER 1st, 1972, IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE
WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET, TOWN OF MAMARONECK.
CALL TO ORDER
The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Supervisor Helwig
Councilman Faiola
Councilman Vandernoot
Councilman Bloom
Councilman White
Absent: None
Also Present: Mr. Gronberg - Town Clerk
Mrs. Brewer - Deputy Clerk
Mr. Johnston - Town Attorney
Mr. Aitchison - Highway Superintendent
Mr. Altieri - Comptroller
Mr. Doyle - Assessor
Mr. Elfreich - Engineer
THE SUPERVISOR
The Supervisor greeted and welcomed on behalf of the Town
the American Field Service exchange students and their hosts,
presenting Frank Martin and his host Glen Dabakian and Marco
Couchi and his host Buzzy Wine who were here this evening to
catch a glimpse of "democracy in action".
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of October 18th, 1972 were
presented and on motion duly made and seconded, approved as
submitted.
PUBLIC HEARING - Rent Decontrol
Unincorporated Section of
Town of Mamaroneck
On motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Councilman Bloom,
it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that the public hearing be and it hereby
is declared open.
- 1 -
The Clerk presented for the record the Affidavit of Publication
of the Notice of Hearing together with copies of registered
letters and receipts therefor as addressed to the Commissioner
and Local Rent Administrator of the State Division of Housing
and Community Renewal as required by law, all of which were
herewith ordered received and filed.
On behalf of the Board, the Supervisor recognized and welcomed
Mr. Harold Grosberg, State Local Rent Administrator - White
Plains area; Mrs. Barbara Stein, member of Congressman Reid's
staff; Cornelius Kelly, member of Assemblyman Pisani's staff;
Hon. Leo Goldsmith, Jr. , Mayor, and Mrs. Eileen Gallagher
Harrington, Trustee, Village of Larchmont; and Dr. Otty Norwood,
Superintendent of the Mamaroneck Schools.
Mrs. Helwig then outlined the procedure for the hearing, stat-
ing first those in favor would be heard -- then those in op-
position. She asked those who were to speak to come to the
mike and identify themselves to the Court Stenographer for
purposes of the record, adding that they would be called from
the cards circulated before the opening of the meeting with the
request that anyone who wished to be heard give his or her name
and address and indicate whether he or she wished to speak in
favor or in opposition. These cards, she explained, had been
distributed so that the Board would be able to hear as many of
those desiring to speak as possible in this very large gather-
ing.
The Supervisor also stated for the information of all present
that the Board would make no decision in this matter this even-
ing and thereupon called on Councilman Vandernoot who, she said,
had been working diligently on the study of this matter for
many months.
--- Councilman Vandernoot presented the following statement on
behalf of the Board which was ordered received and filed as
part of the record:
"The Town Board has invited you here tonight in
order that you may convey to us any valid facts
relating to rent control that would aid us in
making a decision on the wisdom and fairness of
either continuing our present vacancy decontrol
or removing controls entirely. Our decision of
course would affect only the Apartments in the
Unincorporated Area.
We are aware of the fact that there are some senior
citizens living on fixed incomes who would be hurt.
We also know that many tenants living in controlled
apartments can well afford to pay the market rate.
The Board will not reach a decision tonight but will
add any information received to our present file and
also welcome hearing from anyone who for one reason
or another could not attend this meeting."
Councilman Faiola then addressed the Chair suggesting that in
view of the extremely large number of residents present, that
a time limit be established so each speaker would have an
equal amount of time and so that, if possible, all who wished
to address the Board would be afforded the opportunity to do
SO. In reply to Mrs. Helwig's query as what limit he would
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SCHEDULE II
TOWN OF MAMARONECK
'COMPUTATION OF HOLIDAY COMPENSATION
1972
NAME TITLE ANNUAL UNIT BASIS AUG/DEC
SALARY PER DAY SIX DAYS TOTAL
DAYS AMOUNT AMOUNT
R. Barasch Chief $16,860. $64.85 6 $389.10 $389.10
C. Loveley Lieutenant 14,600. 56.15 6 336.90 336.90
D. McClintock Sergeant 12,185. 46.86 6 281.16 281.16
F. Silvestri Sergeant 12,185 46.86 6 281.16 281.16
W. Federice Cont. Perm Lieutenant 14,300. 55.00 6 330.00 330.00
G. Mulcahy Detective 11,600. 44.61 6 267.66 267.66
N. Giacomo Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
A. Lifrieri Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
W. O'Rorke Sergeant 12,185. 46.86 6 281.16 281.16
W. Costello Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
P. Diamond Sergeant 12,185. 46.86 6 281.16 281.16
R. Perritano Det. Sgt. 12,700. 48.84 6 293.04 293.04
A. Ambrosovitch Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
A. Leviness Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
T. Vitro Sergeant 12,185. 46.86 6 281.16 281.16
F. DeVico Detective 11,600. 44.61 6 267.66 267.66
W. Coy Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
V. Garrison Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
C. Baumblatt Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
R. Fuller Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
P. Adamo Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
T. Mahoney Detective 11,600. 44.61 1 44.61
Det. Sgt. (9/7/72) 12,700. 48.84 5 244.20 288.81
J. Greenstein Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 1 42.63
Sergeant (9/7/72) 12,185. 46.86 5 234.30 276.93
J. Anderson Patrolman 11,085. 42.63 6 255.78 255.78
R. Hutcheon Patrolman 10,782. 41.46 2 82.92
Patrolman (11/2/72) 11,085. 42.63 4 170.52 253.44
C. Catapano Patrolman 10,782. 41.46 5 207.30
Patrolman (12/14/72) 11,085 42.63 1 42.63 249.93
P. Gerardi Patrolman 10,782. 41.46 6 248.76 248.76
SCHEDULE II
(continued)
L. Mosiello Patrolman 10,479. 40.30 5 201.50
Patrolman (12/14/72) 10,782. 41.46 1 41.46 242.96
A. Gerace Patrolman 10,479. 40.30 6 241.80 241.80
R. Knox Patrolman 10,479. 40.30 6 241.80 24L80
J. Passafume Patrolman 10,176. 39.13 2 78.26
Patrolman (10/19/72) 10,479. 40.30 4 161.20 239.46
M. Nardelli. Patrolman 10,176. 39.13 2 78.26
Patrolman (10/19/72) 10,479. 40.30 4 161.20 239.46
P. Munch Patrolman 10,176. 39.13 6 234.78 234.78
J. Thompson Patrolman 10,176. 39.13 6 234.78 234.78
J. Pyrch Patrolman 9,873. 37.97 6 227.82 227.82
M. Graziano Patrolman 9,873. 37.97 6 227.82 227.82
G. Carden Patrolman 9,873. 37.97 6 227.82 227.82
$9,780.11
HOLIDAYS
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Election Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
In the Matter of the
Public Hearing
for the purpose of considering rent
decontrol in the Unincorporated
Section of the Town of Mamaroneck
only.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x
Weaver Street Firehouse
Weaver Street and Edgewood Avenue ,
Mamaroneck, New York.
November 1, 1972
8: 15 P.M.
A P P E A R A N C E S
MRS. CHRIST= K. HELWIG, .Supervisor
RAYMOND Po FAIOLA, Town Councilman
JOSEPH F . VA.NDERNOOT, Town Councilman
LEE H. BLOOM, Town Councilman
THOMAS E. WHITE, Town Councilman
CHARLES Jo GRONBERG, Town Clerk
LAVENIE BREWER, Deputy Clerk.
Allan S. Bergman
Hearing Reporter
2
MRS. HELWIG: The meeting is called
to order. The first order of business is
approval of the minutes of the October 18th
meeting. Is there a motion?
MR. VANDERNOOT: Moved.
MRS. HELWIG: Do I hear seconds?
MR. BLOOM: Seconded.
MRS. HELWIG: All those in favor?
ALL: "Aye® "
MS. HELWIG: Opposed?
(No response)
P'2 S. HELWIG: So ordered. Is there a
motion to call the public hearing to order?
MR, VANDERNOOT: So moved.
MRS. HELWIG: Do I hear a second?
MR. BLOOM: Seconded.
MRS. HELWIG: All those in favor?
ALL: "Aye® "
MRS. HELWIG: Opposed?
(No response)
MRS® HELWIG: So ordered.
The Board has unanimously voted to
open the hearing. Mr. Bromberg, would you
read the publication of the notice.
MR. GRONBERG. I think maybe I can
get this audience to hear me. The affidavit
of publication was to call this public
hearing tonight, and also two letters which
are required by law to be sent to the Divi-
sion of Housing and Community Renewal both
in White Plains and in Albany. They have
both been acknowledged by receipt of the
letters.
MRS. HEIWIG: Thank you, Mr. Gronberg.
I would like to explain the procedure that
we are going to follow so that everybody
understands . We have to ask everybody to
file cards , not to limit the discussion, but
simply to make sure that we can enable
everyone to be heard who wishes to be heard
and to give us facts and information.
We ask you, please, to come forward as
your name is called to the microphone , identify
yourself, give your address. This is because
we have a court stenographer taking the record
of the proceedings so that we will have all of
4
the information presented.
If you have a written statement or a
petition, please hand it to Mr. Gronberg,
our Town Clerk. If you do have a written
statement , it will be filed as a part of the
record and it need not be read. Although,
if you wish to summarize the information
that you are giving, we will all be appreci-
ative , because that will give more people an
opportunity to be heard, but all of the
information that you give us will be made
part of the record.
We would ask each of you to limit his
remarks. We haven' t set any time limit, but
we may have to as the evening goes along.
The Town Clerk has already filed 2 petitions
and 17 letters that have been received in the
Town Hall as a part of the hearing record.
Before we begin, I would like to
recognize the presence of Mr. Harold Grossberg
of the State Division of Housing and Community
renewal, Local Rent Administrator from White
Plains , and of iLs . Barbara Stein of Congressman
5
Reid' s office , and of Mr. Cornelius Kelly
of Assemblyman Celenese ' s office . I would
also like to recognize the presence of the
Mayor of Larchmont, and I believe of
Trustee Harrington of the Village , who are
going to be conducting a similar hearing in
another week or two. Oh, yes, I' d like to
recognize the presence of Dr. Norwood in the
rear. Making a preliminary statement for the
Town Board, I'd like to recognize Councilman
Joseph Danderman.
MR. DANDERM9N: Good evening, friends
and neighbors . The Town Board has invited
you here tonight in order that you may convey
to us any valid facts relating to rent control
that would aid us in making a decision on the
wisdom and fairness of either continuing our
present vacancy decontrol or removing controls
entirely.
Our decision, of course, would only
affect apartments in the unincorporated area.
We are aware of the fact that there are some
senior citizens living on fixed incomes who
6
would be hurt . We also know that many
tenants living in controlled apartments
can well afford to pay the market rate .
The Board will not reach a decision
tonight , but will add any information
received to our present file and also
welcome hearing from anyone who for one
reason or another could not attend this
meeting.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. Faiola wants to
move that we set a time limit on speakers at
this point. Mr. Faiola, what are you suggest-
ing?
MR, FAIOLA: Madam Supervisor, in
view of the requests that we have here and
we do have an awful lot of people that want
to be heard, I think that we can begin with
setting a time limit of two minutes , and if
they want to continue on after everyone has
been heard, then they can continue to speak.
This would be just to give everyone a chance
to be heard. Otherwise , we ' ll be here to
six o ' clock in the morning, and I just don' t
7
think it would be fair. I move that we
set a time limit at this time for two minutes .
KRS. HELWIG: Do I hear a second?
MR. VANDERNOOT: Second.
MRS. HELWIG: All those in favor?
ALL: "Aye. "
MRS. HELWIG: Opposed?
(No response)
MRS. HELWIG: So ordered. We will
begin then with a time limit of two minutes
for speakers.
Now, Mr. Montezinos has asked to
address us on a matter of procedure. We hope
that this is not going to be time consuming,
because we want to hear information on the
rent control. Would you take the microphone?
MR. MONTEZINOS: Mine is not a state-
ment, rather a question of procedure.
MRS. HELWIG: Has it not beensatisfied
and answered by the statement?
MR. MONTEZINOS: My question was, are
you going to -- you 're not going to hand down
a decision tonight, you said?
10
value. This decline has been reflected in
lowered assessed valuations . These reduced
assessed valuations have come about after
tax review (certiorari) proceedings in the
Supreme Court or because of the assessor ' s
acknowledgement of such a decline in value.
As a result of these reductions in
assessed values , the school board has been
compelled to refund taxes previously paid.
In order to compensate for the refunds and
the prospective tax losses from the properties
thus reduced, the Board must increase the
school tax rate on other properties in the
district . Such increases mean an additional
burden not only on private home owners but ,
indirectly, through their rents , on the
tenants of non-controlled apartments .
Certiorari proceedings and loss of
potential tax revenues as a result of rent
control constitute a minor part of the
district ' s budget problem. We would suggest
a vigorous campaign to increase the tax base
through commercial development of appropriate
11
properties .
The Board of Education does not have
information at this time regarding the affect
of rent control on low income families and
senior citizens living on fixed incomes . We
are planning, however, to take active measures
to press for state legislation regarding tax
relief for elderly and low income people, both
property owners and renters , and will work for
the passage of such legislation in the coming
session of the State Legislature .
We believe the Town Council should be
aware of the School Board' s concern in this
matter when it considers the pros and cons of
rent decontrol.
MRS. HELWIG. Thank you, hers . Topol.
We realize that feelings do run high on this
subject , but we would ask everybody in the
audience to listen courteously to every state-
ment, if you please .
Mrs . Snyder had asked to make a state-
ment in behalf of the League of Women Voters.
Since we do have it here as a printed statement,
12
do you still wish to present this?
MRS. SNYDER: I' d like to.
MS. HELWIG: Go ahead.
MRS. SNYDER: The League of Women
Voters has been working for some years to
insure adequate housing for all Americans.
Locally, we are concerned, as are all those
present here tonight , with the question of
rent decontrol and all of its ramifications .
We are aware that during the past
several years assessments of some apartment
dwellings have been reduced with the subsequent
substantial loss in tax revenue to both the
town and the school district, and we agree
that landlords are entitled to a fair return
on their investment .
With this as a background, we would
like to pose several questions to you: Before
filing certiorari proceedings to have their
taxes reduced, how many landlords applied to
the County Rent Control Authority for the
rent increase to which they have been entitled?
If rent controls are removed, will
13
landlords still have the right to file
certiorari proceedings?
How many units are now rent controlled,
and how are these distributed among the
apartment buildings in the town?
We are told that rent control has
lead to property deterioration, but would the
mere lifting of rent controls prevent further
deterioration? Is not an affectively admini-
stered property maintenance code of primary
importance in enduring adequate maintenance?
Have the human values been considered?
How many tenants in rent controlled apartments
would be forced to leave the community? How
many are senior citizens? How many are local
town or village employees who could no longer
live here?
Anal, finally, have you investigated
the availability of state or federal rent
subsidies as an alternative to eviction to
those eligible under the appropriate guild-
lines?
We urge the Town Council to seriously
14
evaluate all aspects of proper housing
within the framework of present laws , with
due consideration to the financial capabilities
of both tenant and landlord.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mrs. Snyder.
This is exactly what we are trying to do.
We will call, speaking in favor of decontrol,
Mr. George Mills , Jr.
MR. MILLS: I would like to say tonight
that as a property owner, I can see the increase
in my taxes up there on Fenimore Road every
year, and the school district is one that ' s
taking the beating on this rent control.
Now, I know that there ' s two sides to
the story, and Mrs. Topol covered the thing
very well. And all I'm going to say right
now, is there anything that anybody in this
audience can tell me? I pay the same for
back in 1945. Can anybody tell me something?
All right, Miss, back there .
A VOICE: I' m Gloria Shaw, S-h-a-w --
ITS. HELWIG: This is out of order.
HR. MILLS: That ' s all I have to say.
15
Thank you for listening.
NLRS, HELWIG: Mr. Walter A. Lowman
of 8 Woodie Lane.
MR. LOWMAN- Good evening. I have a
lot of empathy for the people I see here
tonight, for my mother who is elderly, for
my father who is deceased. I lived in
Stuyvesant Town, New York City, which is also
a form of controlled_ apartments in New York
City.
Currently I am a real estate property
owner and have a house here in Larchmont. I
have lived here six years . I couldn't resist
the opportunity to speak in favor of rent
decontrol here tonight , because I think that
this group here tonight is entirely unrepre-
sentative of this community. We have a hot
issue here tonight, just like everything else
in this world. When it affects our pocketbook,
we turn out.
I think the main reason I asked to
speak in favor of rent decontrol is because I
do not think there is enough people here to
16
represent that side ® Thank you®
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Lowman.
Mr. Axelrod.
MR. A=LROD: Mrs. Helwig, I'm
really speaking for a number of people in
different categories , apartment owners , home
owners , owners of commercial property and
shopkeepers .
In view of the fact that they have
relinquished their time, I wonder if I might
have more additional time , since I prepared
a statements I think all of them would be
germane .
MRS. HELWIG: Mr, Axelrod has asked
for four minutes, because he ' s representing a
number of people. Four minutes, Mr. Axelrod.
PM. A=LROD: Rent control is really
a question of either rents or taxes going to
go up, because it ' s the only way we ' re going
to maintain our budget and meet the requirements
of our budget .
Rent control, by keeping down income
from rents while operating costs were permitted
1'7
to rise unchecked, has reduced the value of
rent controlled apartment houses . As a result ,
owners are increasingly seeking relief by way
of reductions in assessed valuations to reflect
the reduced values of their properties as
prescribed by law.
Reductions in assessed valuations in
affect to far for the town alone amount to
$629, 100. There are further writs pending in
the town for reductions totaling $1, 924,000.
As to the reductions already in affect , the
current loss in tax revenues is $77, 165 each
year, and this figure will increase if and
as the tax rate goes up. If the pending writs
are fully successful, it will mean refunds in
cash of approximately $250,000 and an additional
recurring loss of over $90,000 in tax revenues
each year; this figure will also increase if
and as the tax rate goes up. It seems clear
the town can look forward to a loss in tax
revenues running into six figures each year
as a direct result of rent controls .
These losses in tax revenue each year
18
are compensated for by increasing the tax
rates. As a result , each taxpayer is paying
more in taxes and is thereby helping subsi-
dize tenants in rent controlled apartments.
As apartment house owners become
more alert to this form of relief, further
reductions in assessed valuation may be sought
resulting in still further reductions in tax
revenues and additional increases in tax
rates to offset such reductions. If controls
remain in effect, the value of the property
will decline still further and owners whose
assessed valuations have been reduced may very
likely come in for further justifiable relief.
Removal of rent control would allow these
properties to find their true values and
restore or increase tax revenues .
There are 2,260 single family dwellings
in the town. Each home owner is paying more in
taxes to make up the loss in tax revenue
occasioned by rent control. The same is true
for owners of commercial and other types of
property. It is also true for storekeepers
19
and decontrolled tenants, whether their
leases contain tax excalation clauses or
not; they all are now paying or will be
paying higher rents to help subsidize rent
controlled tenants.
The very large majority of rent
controlled tenants can afford_ to pay fair
market rentals , but are enjoying a "free ride" ;
many can actually afford to pay a good deal
more than fair market value. A very small
percentage may rot be able to. If any tenants
are to be subsidized, it should be those who
have both the need and the right to such help®
In the event of decontrol, the largest
increases would and should come from tenants
who have paid little or no voluntary increases
and are paying the lowest rents. The apartments
have been carried at substantial losses over a
period of many years ® Their occupants have
been subsidized in some cases to the amount
of $10,000 or more , per apartment, over the
Years of rent control®
The law provides that in effecting
20
decontrol, each controlled tenant must first
be offered a lease for not less than two
years, with an increase of not more than
15% the first year, and 5% the second years
During this two-year period, such tenants
could make other arrangements if they so
desired® Also, the community could decide
what further or other steps, if any, it
wished to take .
At the end of the two-year period,
the federal rent freeze with its control on
rents would automatically take effect.
Discussions with members of different
segments of the community would seem to
indicate the feeling is that it is in the
best interests of the community and of the
overwhelming majority of its residents that
rent control of apartments be ended promptly®
MRS. HELWIG: Since this is a written
statement and you've had four minutes, may we
have the statement , and thank you very much.
Mr. Howard .Schwartz, of i5 Villa Lane
MR. SCHWARTZ: Madam Supervisor and
21
Members of the Council, I am here as the
Chairman of the Committee on Tax Base
appointed by the Mamaroneck Board of
Education.
Our client was charged with the
responsibility of exploring every possible
avenue of spending the tax base available
to the school for its physical purposes,
and also for exploring every opportunity
to prevent the slippage of that tax base.
Our committee had unanimously
recommended to the Board of Education and
on the basis of the statistics available to
us and the evidence that we were able to
gather, that we recommended to the Board of
Education actually favoring the adoption of
a proposal tonight. The Board has not acted
on our recommendation, but our Committee
felt that it was necessary and appropriate
for the members of the Council to note that
the Tax Base Committee feels this way.
Our reasoning, and I will reduce it
to just one statistic -- the figures available
22
to us indicated that in the year 1967 the
apartment houses in the Town of Mamaroneck
had a gross assessed valuation of
$*15, 900,000 . In 1972, those same apartment
houses had a total gross assessed valuation
of $14, 600,000, which meant that the total
assessment of the apartments and admittedly
both rent controlled and non-rent controlled
dropped by approximately $1, 300,000. That
drop in assessment alone required the school
board to increase the school tax rate by
550 per thousand, and that , of course , had to
be spread around the entire community.
Our committee felt that so long as
rent control plays any part in creating this
decline in assessed valuation, then we had to
take the position that we favored the proposal
for the Council tonight in order that the
school taxes not only not be increased, but
that they be borne equally by all members of
the community.
Thank you.
MRS. HETMIG: Thank you.
23
firs . Joan Porrazzo of Larchmont
Acres .
MRS. PORRAZZO ; I don't want to
make any enemies with the acres. I am in
favor- of decontrol only because continually
my rent is going up . In the past five years
or six years that I've lived there, my rent
has doubled from $138 in 1966 to $262 a
month.
My sympathy goes out to the people
who have lived there for many years and who
are under rent control, but , on the other
hand, do you realize every time something is
done at the acres -- I don't know about other
apartment buildings . Your rent also goes up.
With oil expenses, maintenance expenses , and
the only way we can keep as a body is to
decontrol the apartments , because we can't
fight decontrol. We can't fight the manage-
ment and go to decontrolled people and ask
them to back us up, because we are single .
I am strongly in favor of decontrol.
MRS. HELWIG: ThaDk you, Mrs. Porrazzo®
24
Owen A. Mandeville, Jr. , 60 Ocean
Avenue .
MR. MANDEVILLE: First of all, I' d
like to thank the Town for calling the
public meeting. I think it ' s very important
that we air the problems between the rent
control units , the decontrol units and myself
representing ownership of some of the buildings .
Not to bore you with facts , and I hope
to submit a written brief to the Town Board
by the end of the week, I've prepared a little
lengthy statement which I' ll deviate from. I'd
like to end it with what I think might be a
way to solve both situations.
At Chadvrick Gardens , Unit A, one of
the buildings we happen to own, expenses since
1968 have risen from 851/o of the gross income
to approximately 112% by the end of this
year. That means that we 're operating in a
cash loss , which includes or does not exclude
depreciation. Next year that loss will
approximate 117% of the gross income
I have the facts and the figures which
25
I Will submit to the Town. There is a way
out, and I would like to shorten my talk
by reading a statement which I think some
of the landlords will go along with.
We ' ve seen in these figures these
problems arise in other municipalities, and
in those municipalities the landlords and
the tenants have decided to work together
on voluntary guidelines. I use the word
"voluntary" , unless it works, the Town or
the Municipality would put back rent control.
Ln other words, they took it off with the
understanding that under certain guidelines
rent increases would be granted. The land-
lords and the tenants formed a working
committee , and they met once a month. We
had this happen in Yonkers and in New Rochelle®
Under those systems, the rents Were allowed
to ease up , the financial burden was eased
with the tenants in totally decontrolled
spaces , and the landlord was obligated to
follow the municipal codes in keeping his
building up to date .
26
I ' m very happy to say most landlords
have exceeded the law in doing so. It is
our sincere hope and belief that the Town
must act now and that this action can be
undertaken with the cooperation of landlords
and tenants forming a committee to review the
rental increases and act upon any increases
that may arise from same . Our thoughts will
remain under the control of the Building
Inspector and that department of the Town of
Mamaroneck, with one added provision, that
the codes be strictly enforced and that the
Building Inspector would have the right to
convene this committee to en list support in
correcting any greivances.
That ' s, in essence, what I would like
to present , except that I would like to go
one step further.
I' ve talked to a number of the landlords.
I would like to propose that we act on an 8%
increase per year for a period of time , and
then reconvene a committee before a group like
this tonight.
27
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you.
I would like to make a statement at
this time that we are very willing to accept
additional information, additional statements
for a period of time after this hearing. If
anything is not said or if anybody wishes to
submit a statement in contravention of what
has been said, we ' re most willing to have
that information.
The newt speaker is Mr. Kaplan®
A VOICE: Mr. Kaplan has withdrawn.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. Sam Chudick.
P2. CHUDICK: I' d like to say that
the landlord' s position is quite obvious ,
MRS, HELWIG: Thank you.
Mr. Kim, of Larchmont Acres.
MR= KIM: Good evening, Mrs . Helwig
and ladies. My name is Yuk-Kuk Kim, I' m a
tenant at Larchmont Acres , Building 8® I
don' t know whether Building 8 is covered on
tonight ' s discussion or not.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. Kim, part of the
Building 8 in Larchmont Acres , as you know,
28
is in the Village of Mamaroneck. We have
only the power to deal in the buildings in
the unincorporated area of the town. Any
decision this Board would make would not
affect either village .
I think we would like to hear your
statement.
- HR. KIM. The statement I would like
to make tonight deals with a half an hour ' s
survey I did in my side of the building
before I came to the meeting, only because I
found out about this in the paper Monday
night, and I didn't feel like going out on
the last night among the Halloween crowd.
So, I had only a half an hour this afternoon.
The facts I surveyed among the 24 dwelling
units that are on our side of Building 8, I
knocked on every door, and I had responses
from 10 dwelling units -- I beg your pardon,
there were 14 dwelling units. Ten were out.
So, among the 14 dwelling units i surveyed
personally, I figured out how many people
lived in the apartment buildings it turns out
29
that only 5 families out of the 14 lived in
the Larchmont rcres , that part of the
building, for over one year. Therefore,
assuming that this particular building is
typical of the turnover that ' s taking place
in Larchmont Acres as a whole, and I have no
reason at this time to assume that building 8
in particular has a larger turnover- than any
other building in the complex, the contention
that the assessed value of the apartments are
decreasing because the decontrolled process
by vacancy is not taking place rapidly enough,
because an overwhelming majority of the people
are tenants.
Secondly, that I also found out that
many people are not aware whether or not their
apartments are under rent control or not. So,
therefore , there is a lack of dissemination
of information on the -oast of the landlords
to inform the tenants whether they are under
rent control or rota That among those people
who had been living for a long term period,
I found many elderly people and widows, as well
j�
as persons like myself, who has a good job
and who perhaps could afford to take it or,
if they don' t like, to move to another
community.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. Kim, it is time.
Iiay we have those figures and the information
you brought? We would appreciate it very
much.
FIR. KIM: I feel at this time that the
survey is incomplete , inasmuch as I hadn't
had a chance to cover the other buildings.
However, if you would like to take this
information at face value, I' ll be perfectly
willing to leave this copy with you.
MRS. HELWIG; It will be helpful. We
have an information that has been gathered
over the period of time that we ' ve been
studying this matter over the other apartments
that have been under rent control as 891.
This is in the unincorporated area. There are
still 898 that remains under rent control as
of today.
We have a Mrs . Can avaro of 17 North
31
Chad.sworth Avenue .
MRS. CANNAVARO: I feel that land-
lords are entitled to a rent increase, but
I feel that this increase should be definitely
limited. My apartment has been decontrolled
because I moved into a vacant apartment .
Two years later I was raised 3331® This year
I was invited to pay another 20% and I feel
that people living in a comparable apartment
should have an increase, because it isn' t fair
to have somebody living in an apartment at
$55 when somebody else is living in the same
apartment for $250,
But I don't think the increase should
be unbearable . In other i=ds, how far can
you go? You get an 8% increase this year,
and the next year and then the next year
until you' re paying $500 a month. They say
pay it or move , and where do you move to?
MRS. HELWIG; Thank you, Mrs ® Cannavarom
These are the cards that had asked to
speak in favor of decontrol" I don' t believe
there are any others , though we have some
34
construction job . I feel that by lifting
this rent control, we 're being thrown to
the wolves .
I have some friends in New York City
that came to harchmont about 8 years ago with
unlimited funds behind them. They went to 6
landlords in my immediate area, offered them
a fair market price . They each refused to
sell.
I' d like to ask these landlords, that
if this is such an unprofitable business , why
do they refuse to sell? Hoer they can mortgage
their properties , a first ; a second, a third
mortgage , take that money and let us pay off
the mortgages from our rents, and go by another
property. When the leases are signed, that
paper is like gold. They go to the bank and
start all over. Why don't they sell? If it ' s
so unprofitable, '_now can they afford to
purchase in the first place? Not the first
one. I'm talking about the second_ one, and
in some cases 25 to 30 properties in this
county.
35
I am desperately concerned that if
this Board lifts this rent control, what
will happen to the senior citizens? I" d
like to know if there are any funds from
any source available right now, should they
lift controls, to help these people pay the
rents . In many cases it would be a must , and
in many more cases, not just senior citizens.
We middle-class families are trying
to have at least $2 left over at the end of
the month. We may have to go on Welfare . I
can`t see that they can get it .
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Alton.
The Board has been investigating
whatever laws, either federal or state , are
available for assistance of this sort, and I
would say that all of our state officials ;
Mr. Grossberg and Mrs. Stein from Congressman
Reid' s office , have been doing a ,great deal
to assist us in this. Thank you.
Now, Mrs. Thomas Tanask_i of 3 Dillon
Road. Mrs . Tana.ski is speaking for a group
of residents. We ' ll also extend to her the
41
Is that condition any better now? Are
there more apartments to go? I understand
there are less, but I don' t have the facts.
Then another thing is that the
government said they should have a fair_
profit , the landlord. I think he should
have a fair profit on his investment , but
the government permits that® It was 6%.
Maybe it ought to be more . I don't think
- the older citizens object to having a rent
increase , but what ' s he going to do at the
end of two years? That ' s what scares the
wits out of him. At the end of two years,
they can charge you 100, $200 more . Why
couldn' t it be 159 8, 5 or $10? Why can 't
they give you the proper increase?
MR.S. HELWIG: Mrs. Thomas Quarino,
11 Altan Road®
MRS. QUARINO : Good evening. I'm
not in favor of decontrol for the simple
reason that I am decontrolled, and I get
nothing from the landlord, except distress.
As the lady said before me, if you want
35
I am desperately concerned that if
this Board lifts this rent control, what
will happen to the senior citizens? I' d
like to know if there are any funds from
any source available 'right now, should they
lift controls, to help these people pay the
rents . In many cases it would be a must , and
in many more cases, not just senior citizens.
We middle-class families are trying
to have at least $2 left over at the end of
the month. We may have to go on Welfare . I
can't see that they can get it .
MRS. HELWIG. Thank you, Mr. Alton.
The Board has been investigating
whatever laws, either federal or state , are
available for assistance of this sort , and I
would say that all of our state officials,
Mr. Grossberg and Mrs. Stein from Congressman
Reid' s office , have been doing a ,great deal
to assist us in this. Thank you.
New, Mrs. Thomas Tanaski of 3 Dillon
Road. Mrs . Tana.ski is speaking for a group
of residents. We ' ll also extend to her the
36
courtesy that we extended to Mr® Axelrod®
MRS. TANASKI: The first think I
would like to read is for the people that
are on control. With the possibility of the
removal of rent control, we wish to bring to
your attention a few details concerning those
rentees that would be affected by the change
in this ruling.
There are 33 families in this building,
of which 12 tenants are on control. The
majority of tenants off control are widows,
senior citizens and young couples with
children trying to keep their heads above
water.
The oldest senior citizen has resided
here since 1940, and many others came a. few
years later and have remained ever since ®
What about our present and very near future
ser_ior citizens and those of us on fixed
incomes? Are we to become wards of the state?
Present economy has provided less and less
good jobs even for the young families who are
now paying excessive rents for terrible living
37
conditions .
Has Mr. Vandernoot made a survey as
to how many tenants are on control and hour
many are off? What was the hike range of
rents from 1964 when the Council voted for
decontrol? Nobody cared then, will someone
care now?
During the 32-year period that many
of these tenants have resided here at the
Avonmore Apartments, they have been maintaining
-- their own individual apartments. This includes
paint and painting, carpentry, et cetera.
We sincerely hope the landlord fully
realizes the amount of moneys and costs of
labor saved by him through our efforts during
these past years. However, we submit the
landlord has not yet pressured the 12 tenants
on control for any increase, and the 12 tenants
have never requested reimbursement for supplies
and cost of labor in maintaining our apartments.
We hope the Board will appreciate our
situation and arrive at a favorable and consid-
erate discussion concerning our problem. We
38
would hate to think of having to move to a
lower income area which would be inevitable
with the landlord given a free hands Are
there any alternatives the Board could
initiate for our present and future protection?
The next is from the people that are
off control. When a tenant moves into these
decontrolled apartments, he must supply his
own paint and plaster to plug up holes in
walls and ceilings. They must scrape their
own floors, many of which consist of rotting
wood. The floor surfaces in the kitchen and
bathrooms are greatly distressed and many
incur the expense of materials and labor for
this.
Among the tenants living in the
apartment, many are older widows, senior
citizens and about 10 school age children.
During the coldest part of the winter, the
heating system breaks down and we have no
heat from 12 to 24 hours.
This summer the hot water was an on
and off situation® During the summer, because
41
Is that condition any better nova? Are
there more apartments to go? I understand
there are less, but I don't have the facts.
Then another thing is that the
government said they should have a fair
profit , the landlord. I think he should
have a fair profit on his investment , but
the government permits that. It was 6%.
Maybe it ought to be more. I don't think
the older citizens object to having a rent
increase , but what ' s he going to do a- the
end of two years? That ' s what scares the
wits out of him. At the end of two years,
they can charge you 100, $200 more . Why
couldn' t it be 15, 8, 5 or $10? Why can't
they give you the proper increase?
MRS. =LWIG: Mrs. Thomas Quarino,
11 Altan Road.
MRS. QUARINO : Good evening. I'm
not in favor of decontrol for the simple
- reason that I am decontrolled, and I get
nothing from the landlord, except distress.
As the lady said before me, if you want
42
anything done , you do it yourself or forget
about it .
You have leaking faucets, as the
lady said, in the Avon House , which is one
of our better apartments in town, which is
infested with mice , rats, holes . Anything
you want, they got it . They get away with
it.
This man wants this thing to be
decontrolled. Forget it. I' ll fight them
every inch of the way.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mrs . Quarino.
We have firs. Dorothy Alton. Do you
want to add something?
MRS. ALTON: Like most women, I have
a great deal to say, but may I give my two
minutes to someone . I would like to give
my two minutes to Dr. Heidi, who is a very
good spokesman.
MRS. HELWIG: Dr. Heidi, please.
Dr. Heidi requested to be recognized between
9 and 9 : 30 , so that we ' re making it.
DR. HEIDI- Good evening, everyone .
43
I prepared a statement, and I° 11 read it
very quickly. I spent a lot of time
writing this and thinking it out .
Any conclusions arrived at by this
Council must be fair to all concerned. It
must accomplish its purpose only after
detailed investigation. I have no doubt
that our Council is capable , but I caution
them to garner all the facts before decision
making.
Let us examine what happens should a
landlord raise the rents in his building
$100,000 a year. If this appears extreme ,
in a 100 unit duelling, half controlled, rent
raised $150 per month per apartment equals
$7500 monthly or $90,000 every year.
His building immediately increases in
value at least at times that or $800 ,000.
The town which assesses on a 451/o basis can
then tax an additional $360,000 . The town
tax rate is $122 a thousand, so the town
collects additional taxes of $43, 920, but the
town regains only 25% or $10, 980. The schools
49
economically trying to get by on what you
get every day. Can' t he help along for the
time being? There ' s many a way he can do it .
Actually, he doesn't take care of your
apartment . You keep it in shape all the time .
A chain is as strong as its weakest
link. So, keep fighting for this subject
that we 're talking about here tonight®
MRS. HELWIG. Thank you, Mr. Jordan.
Mr. Kaplan, I think that you wanted
to speak in opposition of the continuance of
control. I would like to continue as we 're
going with those who want to express opposition
to decontrol. I' ll call you later.
Mrs . Sadie Connelly of Larchmont Acres .
MRS, CONVELLY: I would like to tell
you what can happen_.
MRS. HELWIG: Would you please come
forward to the microphone.
MRS CONNELLY: in two jumps my rent
was increased from $145 to $210 a month.
MRS, HELWIG; You are not under
control, I take it?
43
I prepared a statement, and I' ll read it
very quickly. I spent a lot of time
writing this and thinking it out .
Any conclusions arrived at by this
Council must be fair to all concerned. it
must accomplish its purpose only after
detailed investigation. I have no doubt
that our Council is capable , but I caution
them to garner all the facts before decision
making.
Let us examine what happens should a
landlord raise the rents in his building
$100,000 a year. If this appears extreme ,
in a 100 unit dwelling, half controlled, rent
raised $150 per month per apartment equals
$7500 monthly or $90,000 every year.
His building immediately increases in
value at least at times that or $8001000.
The town which assesses on a 45% basis can
then tax an additional $360,000 . The town
tax rate is $122 a thousand, so the town
collects additional taxes of $43, 920, but the
town regains only 25% or $10, 980. The schools
44
get 55% of that or $24, 156, and the remaining
20% pis not used locally, about $8,784®
Therefore , the tenants pay $100,000
more in rents , from which the town gets a
little less than $11,000 and the school gets
$24,000.
But what happens to the remainder?
Well, without any further effort, the landlord
gets $56,080 a year in increased profits and
here ' s the ticker. His building is automati-
cally worth $800,000 more. So, who really
benefits most? Is this a sufficient means
of raising revenue for the town?
I would not like to be in the position
of this Town Council who, should they ctcontrol,
find they are benefiting the town less and the
landlords more, and this would be at the
expense of the tenants , who they represent,
who voted them into office, and who vote again
for Council next November. This is a windfall
profit for the landlord at the tenant ' s
expense.
The town derives limited benefit® Now,
45
our Council are honorable and able . Their
decision must not even imply that they
represent special interests.
I now ask the Town Council whether
they have in their possession tonight for
public view and discussion all the facts ,
not just hearsay or talk, but mainly, number
one , a current list of all expenses needed to
maintain each multiple dwelling. Two, a
current list of each apartment rental and
whether controlled or decontrolled. Three ,
the number of inhabitants in each controlled
apartment and the age of each. Four, a list
of multiple dwellings whose ownership has
changed since 1960, and how often. This is
to determine if ownership is in the hands of
speculators . Five, a list of multiple dwell-
ings which have been refinanced since 1960.
Obviously additional mortgages could
so distort the true picture, that a profitable
building could show a loss . Six, a. list of
multiple dwellings where ownership has been
transferred from the corporate name to another
46
since 1960, and who controls each of the
corporations listed.
PIRS. HEI; IG: Mrs . Alton relinquished
her time , so, you are entitled to at least
two more minutes.
DR. HEIDI: If this Council does not
have these facts , I move that when this
meeting is adjourned, it be reconvened when
we have all the facts . A decision affecting
the every-day existence of so many citizens,
many of them elderly and inform, cannot be
made brashly on the basis of hearsay.
A last minute effort has been made to
have home owners attend this meeting, to pit
their interests against those of the tenants.
Is this Town Council prepared this evening to
guaranty the home owners that his taxes will
not be increased should controls be lifted?
I am certain they cannot guaranty that.
The tenant and the home owner have identical
interests to keep their taxes down and get
the most out of their tax dollar.
I request this Council to scrutinize
4'7
this back-door method of increasing taxes ,
study in detail the net affect of this
proposal on individuals and note who
benefits most from their action, and at what
cost . It should cement better relationships
so that we can all work together towards a
just and honorable solution to this and other
perplexing problems.
I like the idea generally of Mr.
Mandeville . Thank you.
MRS ® HELWIG: Thank you.
Mrs. Wein, please.
MRS. WEIN. Members of the Council,
ladies and gentlemen, I am speaking for a
group of ladies like myself from Larchmont
Acres , and there are many like us. We are
all widows ; we are all on small incomes or
social security. Most of us work besides.
We feel that the landlords have the
problems , and sensible increases such as
mentioned in Mrs. Tanaski ' s letter would be
fine if this would be continued. If it is
for two years only, then what happens to us
48
and to everybody at the end of two years?
If some system of control could be devised
or, rather, limitations , if you don' t like
the word "control° , this would make senses
Otherwise , while we do not want special
treatment, we do want rent subsidies. We
want to be individual and pay our own way,
but if total decontrol comes, I don't see
how we can survive. Thank you.
MRS. HEL6,iIG: Thank you, Mrs® Wein.
Mr. Jordan from Larchmont Acres.
MRo JORDAN: Folks, as far as decontrol
is concerned_, a lot of people here that we
- call tenants and neighbors and friends possibly
do not understand the word, but you take the
word "decontrol" , the mob would get a hold of
that and what happens? You' re going to be
hijacked and you're going to be mugged. I
mean by landlords or whoever the hell he is
they got working for theme
There ' s only one way. What ' s the
matter with the landlord? Does he have to
get his 6% every year? You 're outside
40,
economically trying to get by on what you
get every day. Can' t he help along for the
time being? There ' s many a way he can do it.
Actually, he doesn't take care of your
apartment. You keep it in shape all the time .
A chain is as strong as its weakest
link. So, keep fighting for this subject
that we 're talking about here tonight.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Jordan.
Mr. Kaplan, I think that you wanted
to speak in opposition of the continuance of
control. I would like to continue as we 're
going with those who want to express opposition
to decontrol. I' ll call you later.
Mrs. Sadie Connelly of Larchmont Acres .
MRS. COMNELLY: I would like to tell
you what can happen.
MRS, HELWIG: Would you please come
forward to the microphone.
MRS. CONNELLY: In two jumps my rent
was increased from $145 to $210 a month.
MRS. H=WIG: You are not under
control, I take it?
50
MRS. CONNELLY: That ' s right .
MRS. HELIIG: Thank you.
Arnold Good, please.
MR. GOOD: I would like to make one
point. I have been under control for 12
years, or I' ve lived there for 12 years . Yet,
in the last 5 or 6 years my rent has increased,
I' d_ say, almost 35%, and I am under control.
I just don't quite understand why the
landlords complain that they're not getting
enough. They're supposed to earn this 6% per
year. They certainly do not earn it.
My apartment required painting because
of rain and broken walls .
I think Mr. Gross in White Plains will
know my complaints up there. There ' s an entire
list of them. In. fact, there ' s a book that
took almost one year for me to get some action
to have him replace paint. That ' s all I have
to say.
PLR.S. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Good.
I1r. Joseph Brilleman.
MR. BRILLE.MAN: 1 will surrender my
51
time.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. .Silver.
MR. SILVER: I submitted an opening
statement. In view of the opening statement,
I don't feel it ' s necessary for me to go
further.
MRS. HELWIG: Yes , we do have copies
of your statement, and we appreciate it very=
much.
Irving Scharf of 343 Ridgefield Road.
MRD SCH LRF: I would just like to say
a few things .
First of all, tonight I had a meeting
with my landlord, and we had a tenants
association meeting, which I' m the chairman
of.
We ' ve scheduled our rents up to 19750
It ' s now $185. It will only be going to $185
for the old tenants . The new tenants there ' s
not going to be any limit on.
However, I want to say something about
our senior citizens . This is also with
respect to our school finance committee. Like
52
we have a responsibility for our children,
we also have a responsibility for our senior
citizens who have contributed and worked for
our community for so many ,years .
There ' s one thing I do want to add,
and that ' s what Mr® Mandeville said, as to
have a rent review board not only for the
people who are on control, but for the people
who are off control® That should be
established, and this is what our community
really needs . We don' t need to decontrol the
rents of people who are on there now, because
these are people who have lived in our
community a long time , and we ' re not going to
gain much from it.
In a few years as the time passes , it
will be less and less. It ' s our responsibility
to assume these particular costs .
DRS. HELWIG: Mrs. Diana Ventaroca,
17 Chadsworth Lane.
MRS. VENTAROCA: My name is Diana
Ventaroca. When I moved into my apartment,
the rent there was $134 and something or other.
53
It is now y$238.
I want to know why it wasn't shown
- - - - why the rental was increased so heavily. My
husband died in Viet Nam, and it ' s been really
hard on me .
I think that ' s all I have to say.
There' s no repairs . The roof is just leaking,
and I painted myself, and the ceiling is
falling all over the place .
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. William Fuss. He ' s
unique. He says both for and against.
MR. PUSS: Mrs . Helwig, Councilmen,
friends , I believe what has been said here by
a few others that the landlords are entitled
to a fair return, a fair return because there ' s
nothing today we can buy for the goods we could_
15 or 20 years ago.
When I say a fair return, I mean a
fair return, not an unfair return, but it should
be written into any new laws that are past
to protect those who came in after rent
control, like the lady from Larchmont Acres
whse rent was doubled.
54
I' m living now almost 5 years at
16 North Chadsworth Lane. That ' s the
building that had the great big fire, so
you ' ll allknow what building it is.
When I moved in, I paid a fair rent
which Mandeville asked. I loved the apartment ,
and I still dc.
- - After the fire, it changed hands, and
then I think still we have a very nice land-
lord, but I think that people in my position
should have a fair protection.
About 5 months ago, my rent was
increased. It ' s a one bedroom apartment , a
very lovely apartment , and I like it . The
rent was increased $45. That ' s after the
presidential guidelines came in.
I don't know if that ' s what ' s permitted
or not , but I wouldn't argue the point, because
he is entitled to it. Where I lived previously,
I had four increases , and I felt they were
entitled to it even though the law didn't
allow it.
I wonder what protection I' ll have if
55
he gives me a boost of another $100. I
think the protection for those who are not
under control should be written in. The
building laws should be fixed. A new
elevator was put in, which it did not need.
A new wiring was put in, which it did need.
A few years ago they fixed the bath-
room, supposedly fixed it, which is ten times
worse than the other _ne . They tore- out
wallpaper from the den and the living room,
too, and the man in charge of the crew said
it would be fixed. It ' s two years. I've
got streaks in the ceilings . New windows
were not painted. The bathroom was not
painted. There are cracks here and there.
But to tell you the truth, I' m afraid
to complain. I don't want the landlord to
get mad at me and give me a $100 boost. So,
we 're living there, my wife and I, afraid to
complain and afraid of a big increase . Where
do we stand, and there ' s many like us.
Thank you.
12S. HEZWIG; Thank you, Mr. Russ .
58
MR. FARRO; Mrs. Helwig, members of
the Council, ladies and gentlemen, I moved
into Larchmont 8 months ago, and I moved into
16 North Chadsworth Avenue. I pay luxury
apartment rents, and I was promised, and so
were the other tenants who moved in there
recently, a number of things that have not
been performed by the landlord.
The first one that I want to register
is that he promised to build_ a covered garage ,
and instead the parking lot was tarred over.
Now, there are many old ladies, widows , living
in our building, and they' re very fearful
what ' s going to happen in the wintertime.
No one has guarantied that they will plow the
lot , that their cars will be available at all
to them.
Another thing that was promised in
February and has not been accomplished yet is
a laundry in our building. We have to truck
our laundry from one building to the next
where there are two washing machines available
for 50 families . You sometimes wait 6 hours
�o
before you find a washing machine .
The maintenance of the building is
deplorable® It ' s filthy, it ' s unheard of.
A few of the tenants in the building
spoke to me and wanted_ to go on record. They
gave me two statements which I will file
with the Board,
Now, I don't know what legal right we
have to enforce the promises that our landlord
has made . One of the promises was also
carpeting in the hallway, which was only
half carpeted. Every month I make the same
request for them to complete this work, but
nothing is done .
Now, anything I face them with, he
has told me, you haven't got this in writing,
so forget about it.
Now, I want to know vrhat recourse those
people have that pay already top rent for a
landlord that doesn't want to spend the money®
Unfortunately, we live in a building that ' s
half controlled and half decontrolled, and
here the inequities that have taken place we
60
seem to carry.
Thank you.
PMS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Farro.
Would you file the statement with Mr. Gronberg?
We have three people who did not
specify -whether they wish to speak in opposi-
tion. I guess it ' s a statement.
Mrs. Marion Hill.
MRS. HILL: I' ll pass .
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mrs . Hill.
Have you a statement to present"?
MRS. HILL: No.
MRS. HELWIG: Libby Morroff , 59
Edgewood Pvenue.
MRS. MORROFF: I just wanted to say
that as a taxpaying home owner, I oppose
decontrol on two separate arguments . One is
that I believe that the way to pay for such
things as schools is not through property
taxes and inequitable taxes.
The other thing I believe that ou_r
community does already much too little for
is moderate income families, and that there ' s
61
a housing shortage , and a decontrol would
drive the rents up completely out of the
reach of anybody of moderate income .
FIRS. HELWIG: Thank you.
Yr. Kaplan, you' ve been very patient.
I L. KAPLAN: I know there is a great
majority here which is for control, and it ' s
not easy to speak against it, but I am against
control because 30 years of control is enough.
The United States is not a welfare
state. It ' s supposed to maintain everybody
and everything else .
I think the reason here we are complain-
ing is because of the rent control. This is
the sickness, and it ' s not true what somebody
else said before, that landlords can make
$50,000 and $60,000.
There are buildings you can buy even
here in Larchmont ® You can buy a building
here for years now. It was offered to me .
You can buy it very cheap. No landlord makes
today profits here .
It is correct that some of the elderly
62
suffer because some of them, if they wanted
to fix the apartments better, and move into
nicer apartments , this would cost more money.
Where will the landlords take it?
I think if you decontrol the apartments,
landlords will be willing and grateful if you
will remodel them, build them and build more ,
as long as you' re not on their necks.
They are the only ones who can build
sufficient living quarters for everybody, if
you let them frees
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you. We have
two more cards here.
Edward Ryan, of 32 West Garden Road.
MR. RYAN: I would like to say by
way of preface that I am not an apartment
dweller. I' m a property owner. However, I
have spent a considerable amount of time in
recent years in an apartment in the city.
I have a few suggestions which I hope
would be of value. I hope that the Board
should be very dubious of the effort to
remove the control on a variety of grounds ,
63
and most of them have been stated. It ' s a
rather _round-about way of raising tar revenues
in light of the hardships that will work on a
number of people.
Secondly, on the theory that landlords
will put more money back into the property. I
think the ezperience of New York City on that
point has been clear, that despite the increase
in rents and the decontrol, there ' s been
virtually little or no improvement of the
properties , and I don't think that rationale
has any justification.
However, my actual principal suggestion
is of a technical nature ® I am afraid that
possibly after scrutinizing the facts of the
need and the balancing act that must be done ,
that some sort of decontrol might be in the
future , either now or in future years.
I have noticed that there is a nice
statute in the language we ' re operating under
here . It says that the T04,rn Board may request
or adopt a resolution decontroling all or any
apecified class of housing accommodation.
55
he gives me a boost of another $100. I
think the protection for those who are not
under control should be written in. The
building laws should be fixed. A new
elevator was put in, which it did not need.
A new wiring was put in, which it did need.
A few years ago they fixed the bath-
room, supposedly fixed it, which is ten times
worse- than the other, _ne . They tore out
wallpaper from the den and the living room,
too, and the man in charge of the crew said
it would be fixed. It ' s two years. I've
got streaks in the ceilings. New windows
were not painted. The bathroom was not
painted. There are cracks here and there.
But to tell you the truth, I' m afraid
to complain. I don't want the landlord to
get mad at me and give me a $100 boost. So,
we 're living there, my wife and I, afraid to
complain and afraid of a big increase. Where
do we stand, and there ' s many like us.
Thank you.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Russ.
56
Mr. McGahan, 17 Echo Lane .
MR. McGAHAN: My name is William
McGahan. I'm chairman of the Larchmont Fair
Housing Committee . I'd like to make a
couple of statements very generally. Maybe
they won't be too organized, but basically I
think this community as a whole has been
taking advantage of a. lot of the older people
in the community by making them live on a
fixed income and in a building of inflation
like everything else that goes on in the
country.
Generally speaking, the people who are
on fixed incomes who have retired have been
taking a great deal of beating from everybody,
from the prices, from rents, from everything.
And now we ' re faced with a question in this
community as to whether we can do anything as
a community to be responsible with respect to
the older people in the community, and I
believe this is what the Board is -'aced with.
It ' s that responsibility that it has
to deal with. Whether it wants to, in effect.
57
decontrol housing, drive the older people
out of the community who spent the greater
portion of their lives contributing to the
community and building a life that we want
to lead, or provide for some means for them
to stay within this community and to keep it
a diversified community, to keep it from
becoming a sterile bedroom community, like
some of the communities we know so well which
which are right near us . There must be other
means of doing this, aside from just removing
rent control.
The Board of Education has addressed
this question in dealing with people who live
on fixed incomes who own their own homes by
waiving the school tax requirements for those
people. People who live in apartments are the
same people who live in homes. They' re the
same contributors to our community, and they
deserve some attention by the Town Council, as
well.
I thank you.
MRS, HETWIG: Thank you, Mr® McGahan®
Mr. Farro of 16 North Chad.sworth 1?vei.ue®
6L
I would like to suggest that it might be
considered that housing accommodation units
are occupied by the elderly, by the widows
on fixed -pensions, et cetera. It can be
classified as a special class of housing and
not simply decontrolled.
I suspect that people with ample
incomes who, in fact -- I know that people
with ample incomes have given increases over
the years. I think the elderly and the
widows, these people who don' t have money,
they simply accept it from the request from
decontrol from an order.
DRS. H=WIG: Thank you.
I would_ like to state that this is one
of the things that we have been investigating
with Mr. Grossberg. I don't believe he ' s
ready at this point to give us an answer on
some of the questions that we have asked in
relation to different classes of decontrol,
but I thank Mr. Ryan for bringing this to the
attention of everyone this evening.
Mrs . Harrington wanted to make a
65
trustee of the village or as an individual„
MRS. H12RINGTON: Both.
The first part of my statement would
be made as an individual. I am extremely
dubious, along with Mr. Ryan, of any move to
_remove decontrol at this time.
As a citizen, also I would_ endorse the
request for information given by the League
of Women Voters and by Dr. Heidi.
I would like to share with you some
information I have received in my office as
a. Trustee of the Village of Larchmont. It
appears that in Larchmont, at least , landlords
have preferred to use certiorari proceedings
to gain a return on their investment. Very
few have sought the relief given them under
the law.
I would like to cite those passages
that give relief under the law, Section 33,
Paragraph 1, Rent Increases Granted for Major
Capital Improvements and Substantial increase
of Rents . The rent statute imposes no limita-
tion on the amount of increase of the rent
66
regulations .
Section 35, Paragraph 5 of the Rent
Regulations provide for rental increases if
a landlord is not earning 736% on the value
of the property. An important consideration
is that in the application of this section of
a building of significant number of decontrolled
apartments, as you would have in the Town of
Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont, the
determination is to whether at 7%z% it is
based. on -te controlled rents only.
Finally, in Section 33, Paragraph 8, it
will compensate the landlord for full costs
and increased taxes . This section, likewise,
increases rents for 15'/o in one year.
I also know for those landlords who
have sought increases, I have information on
the one who seems consistently to gain increases.
There are three increases in the period of
October of 1971 to May of 1972.
In a survey conducted last year, 170
tenants rent controlled agreed to increases ,
but pleaded for the maintenance of rent controls.
67
147 of the 220 rent controlled responded
with household containing members who were
senior citizens®
I would like to also add that it ' s
not only a question of the tenants and the
home Owner. 60 of these tenants under rent
control at one time were home owners or were
members of families who are at the present
home owners .
I vould like tc note the figures, too,
that the Supervisor mentioned of the discrepancy
of what was over 800 controlled units , and
what are now under X00 controlled units. This
suggests to me that vacancy decontrol is
operating a pace.
I would also remind you of a statement
made by the landlord who was the head_ of a
Landlord Advisory Council in the paper this
October, that he felt , at least , that vacancy
decontrol was enough. I will submit these
documents to the Council.
MRS. �T-FLWIG: Thank you.
I have a question before you leave. I
68
just want to clarify one point. These
figures that are given are for the Village
of Larchmont?
MRS. HARRINGTON: Yes . The figures
I gave were for the Village of Larchmont.
MRS. HEI,WIG: Thank you. There are
some people who have had their hands up who
have not had cards. I would like to recognize
them.
MR. KIM: I have a point of order
that I would like to correct.
MRS. HELWIG: Mr. Kim, what ' s your
point of order?
MR. KIM: The point of order is that
I believe by mistake my card was placed among
those who favored the decontrol_ procedure.
However, my statement was made against the
decontrol of controlled apartments . The fact
that I have given support to the national
process of turnover is sufficient to have the
landlords decontrol --
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you for the
clarification.
69
Mr. Carlton Dukess, 79 Iandsdown
Drive .
MR. DUKESS: Madam Supervisor,
members of the Council, and ladies and gentle-
men, I have not proposed to speak and didn't
put in a card, because I didn't think there
was anything I could say that wasn' t said.
in f act, everything I could have thought of
has be--n said.
And with due respect to Mr. Kaplan and
his position, I think I agree with almost
every speaker except Mr. Kaplan. The point
I do rise to make- , however, and it ' s mainly
because we have such an outpouring of people ,
that I think it ' s essential to make it , is
that whether you are for or against decontrol,
you are here in this room because -vie are
faced with a desperate housing shortage of
moderate and lower rents , and I would beseech
everybody in this room to take their interests
to go beyond that which brought them here
tonight and to the members of the Council,
to start facing the desperate shortage which
70
really raises the entire issue and underlines
everything that we 're talking about, and
let ' s start working together to get some
moderate income housing in this town.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you.
Will you state your name and address.
MR. DRUSS: Charles Druss . Thank
you very much for this opportunity.
Something has become apparent to me
in listening to many of the people who have
spoken this evening.
I am for rent control and the statistic
that was just recently mentioned of the over
800 rentable apartments in the community,
approximately only 300 are still under control.
MRS. HELWIG: Nearer 400. It ' s 398.
There ' s been about a 50% decrease in over
the 7-year period.
MR. DRUSS: The point I was trying to
make or the thought that occurred to me was
that there should be some point of recourse
or board that we people who are not under
rent control can turn to when our landlords
72
Mr. Druss .
Is there anyone else who wishes to be
heard?
MRS. STOKES: My name is Ruth .Stokes.
I live in the Alton House, and I went in there
in 1969. 1 don't know whether I' m controlled
or not controlled. I know that I pay the
highest rent in the apartment.
In March of this year they raised my
rent 10%. The ceiling, as somebody else
mentioned, was falling down. I asked that
they fix it for this 10% raise . Nothing
happened.
In September, 6 months later, I went
to Mr. Pinessa, the Building Inspector, and
I have gotten a new ceiling, but I had to do
that.
If the tenants do not have a feeling
of great love for the landlord, it ' s the
landlord' s fault.
Thank you.
:'IRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mrs . Stokes.
MR. VERRETT. My name is Sidney Verrett,
73
3 Dillon Road. I would like to add on-a -few
things of 3 Dillon Road.
When we moved in there , we received_
a one year lease . Out of this one -year lease
we make our own repairs , but also in the
passageway going to the basement, there are
wires and they are -low- enough -where children
can get a hold of this. - There ' s a lot of
small children We don' t have fuse boxes in
the apartments . We have to go to the basement
and hit the reset button for the apartments ,
and they are locked after 8 o ' clock. So, if
the lights go out by a faulty wiring or some-
thing, we can't go down and reset it. We
don't have lights for -the -night .
Also, we have bare wires hanging out
of the ceiling. We asked them to be recapped.
They haven't been recapped. That ' s all I can
say,
HRS. HELWIG; 2iank you, Yir. Verrett.
IKr. Ga.nts ,please .
MR. GANTS; My name is Gustave Gants .
I live at 526-A Larchmont Acres.
73
3 Dillon Road. I would like to add on a few
things of 3 Dillon Road.
When we moved in there , we received
a one year lease . Out of this one year lease
we make our own repairs, but also in the
passageway going to the basement, there are
wires and they are low enough where children
can get a hold of this . There ' s a lot of
small children. We don't have fuse boxes in
the apartments . We have to go to the basement
and hit the reset button for the apartments ,
and they are locked after 8 o ' clock. So, if
the lights go out by a faulty wiring or some-
thing, we car_'t go down and reset it. We
don't have lights for the night.
Also, we have bare wires hanging out
of the ceiling. We asked them to be recapped.
They haven 't been recapped. That ' s all I can
say.
MRS. HELWIG: T ank you, Mr. Verrett.
Mr. Gants,please .
MRa GANT.S: My name is Gustave Gants.
I live at 526-A La_rchmont Acres .
74
I just want to bring to your attention
that rent control does not mean that we ' re
still paying the price in 1945. My building
has raised my rent over $50 from the time 1
came in over approximately 15 years ago.
I want to bring to your- attention that
rent decontrol puts rent price in the supply
and demand category. Since demand is heavier
than supply, wealthy landlords can charge
huge rents, or tenants must move out of town.
Nova, quite frankly, one argument for
decontrol is that new apartment houses are
going to be built. I have a very strong
suspicion that the Town of Mamaroneck does
not want new apartment houses built and has
zoned -pretty affectively against high-rise
apartments which would make land_ rent usable
on an efficiency basis.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, I want to
bring to your attention that if these rents
go up , the middle class in. this community
is going to be destroyed. There is no way
75
that you can find equivalent rental space.
The town, quite frankly, is abandoning the
long-time residents.
I bring to your attention that
elderly and fixed incomes , middle income
people who have pride in themselves and don't
want to go on welfare , who don't want subsi-
dies , who don' t want disgraceful living
conditions, have to be protected somehow by
the community.
I strongly urge this Council to take
the necessary steps to protect the long-time
residents and keep a middle class group in
this community.
Thank you so much.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you.
Is there anyone else who wishes to be
heard?
MRa WHITE: My name is K. Preston
White, Larchmont Acres.
I want to talk about a fair return to
our landlord. $18,000 in 1943 , the sales of
a mortgage of $250,000 in Mir. Grossbergs records.
76
In less than 20 years the landlord walks
away with a straight line depreciation of
40%, in the neighborhood of $ 1,000 ,000 ,
which is roughly tax free .
Along the way, the mortgages were
fooled with, renewed, rewritten, and the
building was traded at a value of $5 ,800,000,
On $18,000 people walk away with about
$ 6,000,000 out of Larchmonte I think that ' s
a very fair return!
Let ' s take the new people who came in.
Nobody twisted their arms to come in here .
Up to this point in less than 10 years they've
walked out with somewhere , I would say, in
the neighborhood of 3%z million bucks . Not
bad! Total profit of the property, ,$5,800,000.
In ten years he needs relief. I hope
you all give it to him.
MRS. HELWITG: Thank you, P'sm White
Hr. Koch of 17 North Chadsworth Avenue.
MR. KOCH: I lived in 17 North
Chadsworth Avenue for going on 30 years. G,' en
I first moved in there , they gave two months `
77
concession, and after I was there some time ,
I paid 4 increases® Each time they had an
increase , they sent Mrs Kenny around, who
was with the Rent Board at one time , and they
said they were going to give the super a raise .
As soon as we all agreed, we paid the extra.
Then about a month or two later, they got an
official raise , which was another percentage ,
and that went on for another 4 or 5 years.
When I went into the apartment, it was
beautiful. The hedges were nice , the outside
was as nice as any apartment you could find.
Today it ' s really terrible. Inside I painted_
my apartment every three years . You ask for
a paint job. It takes them two years to get
around to it. I haven't had a shower for 5
or 6 years. You write and write and write.
I haven't had a shower in, I mean®
But since I've been in there, I have
put my own gas stove in; I have put my own
refrigerator and all these improvements that
they should do.
I remember, any time I was asked for
78
an increase, I have given it to them, but
now if we go through this new ,set-up with
the 1T/z% and -- Lord knows what they' re going
to ask® Well, that ' s about it ,
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you very much.
Is there anyone else that wishes to
address the Board or to speak?
MRS. GOSSH N: My name is Felicia
Gassman. I'm a home owner.
I' m speaking for two things. One is
the concern of demands for the citizens of
Larchmont ® The senior citizens , maybe even
young families who may not be able to pay if
their rents are increased® I also want to
point out a concern for the stories that I
have been hearing of the neglect of buildings
of landlords and of the supreme efforts which
the tenants have to make to maintain a decent
living. I should think that this is a respon-
sibility of our town and our supervisors
What kind of inspection do we have?
What kind of alertness do we have? I think
that the maintenance of property, if pro-perly
79
inspected, is a most important thins, and it
seems to me that this is very neglected.
MRS. HELWIG: VL s . Gossman, I would
like to say this, that I did appreciate the
remarks of Mrs. Stokes , who pointed out when
hr. Pinessa was alerted to this condition,
that we were able to obtain action from the
landlord.
We frequently go through the Health
Department . We do, however, have to depend
on tenants to get in touch with us about some
of these conditions before we are able to
act .
We did have many complaints in the
questionnaire that many of you were kind
enough to answer for us, and we have followed
up on many of these, and i believe that some
of the situations have been remedied.
Would you like to speak?
MRS. BARTOW: Yes. My name is Mrs . B.
Barlow, 17 North Chadsworth Avenue .
I did call the Health Department in
White Plains. I threatened them to call Goldman.
80
It made absolutely no difference ®
We have bees in our apartments , and
we have wasps in our apartment® They have
done absolutely nothing for us . We actually
killed live bees . The Health Department has
done nothing for us®
Vow, I want to know why our landlord
doesn't send us rent bills every month. Is
it because he ' s hiding something? Is he
hiding something from the Rent Control Of_°ice?
We pay our rent ourselves without
getting any notice of rental due . We don' t
know what the rent roll is in this building.
MRS. HELIP1IG: Thank you
Is there anyone else that wishes to
address the Board?
PR. BODEhLc My name is Gerald Bedell,
I happen to be a Trustee of the Mamaroneck
school systems
The problem that is before us today is
a. very important one. it involves the tax
base at the school system, and some remarks
have been made with respect to the school
81
system, and no decisions have been made in
that respect ®
In addition to that, there are very
important social problems involving our
elderly, our apartment dwellers, people with
many children in apartments, and I can only
say that I think that this is an issue that
requires a great deal of consideration. I
think it requires consideration with respect
to the number of elderly who are living in
our community; the number of people who have
children who are in our apartment houses, and
I don't think any decision could be in any way
carefully made without respect to many
statistics in this regard®
I don't think we should be in a
position where we should be in any way
decisive or antagonistic in our community
in this issue, because I think the facts
have come before us . I think we have to
consider all the people in our community
who are living in apartment houses, and see
what their needs are ®
82
As I said before , whether they' re
elderly or whether they have children, we
have to see what the statistics are, see
what the tax base is; see what the investment
is with respect to the landlords who are
interested in a reasonable return on their
investments , and put all these statistics
together and plan for our community so that
we can make an important decision in this
respect , because I' m sure that nobody here
wants to do anything that ' s going to make any
enactment that ' s not in the best interest of
our elderly people, our children and our
middle class people , but what we want to do
is to work together and make some kind of a
decision that ' s going to be important and
Permanent to all of us.
The School Board has been presented with
a proposition to make a recommendation with
respect to a continuing control of rent or
the decontrol of rent, and it ' s my sincere
belief that I can 't in good conscience, make
a decision at this time, because I feel that
83
we have to have all the statistics tonight.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Bedell.
Mrs. Quarino.
MRS. QU-A-R7NC: I just want to say to
the lady ahead of me , that our local officials
have been a great deal of help on many cases ,
but when we come down to going out of our own
township , we have to go into White Plains for
help -- I called the White Plains Board of
Health after my cone was bothered with mice
for a year, which we had complained about.
How would you like to find an infant baby with
a mouse in its crib ; your daughter-in-law
waking up at 3 o ' clock in the morning with a
mouse in her hair.
Then I called theBoard of Health.
Does the Board of Health get in touch with me?
No. They turn around and call the superintend-
ent to tell him I had complained. He , in turn,
called me to raise the devil with me.
Well, that was a mistake. Nobody- raises
the devil with me when I' m right, and in this
case I' m right, and I think maybe the Board of
84
Health should be checked into and find out
why they don't check into complaints.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you.
Are there any further statements?
Nir. Schucker, I believe you yielded
your time before.
MR, SCHUCKER: My name is Paul Schucker,
17 North Chadsworth Avenue.
I listened to all that has begin said here
tonight. All I want to say is that I endorse
very much the fact that this Board will listen
very intentively to Mr. Litisworth (phonetic) .
I think if you do have all those facts, the
decision will be self-evident.
MRS. HELWIG: Thank you, Mr. Schucker.
I would like to say at this time that
we have accomplished very much what the Board
hoped to accomplish this evening. We have a
great many suggestions from you. We have a
great deal of opinions expressed. We have
some facts . We agree with Mr. Bodell and with
other speakers who have said to us that we
must certainly have all the facts . We do know
85
that we need many more of them than we have
at the present in making a decision.
I would appeal to each and every one
of you to be willing to work with us in
getting whatever facts are _required for a
sound decision.
9 VOICE: Madam Chairman, how about
giving us a little more notice next time when
we have a meeting like this, so we can come- a
little more prepared.
XRS. HELWIG: There was three weeks
of formal notice given.
THE VOICE: Not to me .
MRS. HELWIG: It was in the papers.
THE VOICE: I just got a letter
yesterday telling me there was going to be a
meeting today. It was dated the 31st of
October. I got a. letter from you quite some
time ago the first time . The first time I
heard about the decontrol meeting was
when I read it in the newspaper on Monday
evening.
MRS. HELWIG: It was announced at the
86
Town Board meeting at least a month ago®
It appeared in the newspaper. I' m sorry
if there were those of you who did not see
this notice.
A VOICE: I knew about it a month
ago®
MRS, HELWIG: Mrs , Teresco mentions
that she heard about it a month ago®
May we have a m.otion to adjourn the
meeting?
PLR. VJAI DERNOOT: So moved.
1`2e FAIOLA: Seconded,
MRS. HELWIG: We will take a five
minute break before we reconvene for the rest
of the evening,
(Whereupon, the hearing adjourns at
10 : 20 p.m. )
87
C E R T I F I C A T I O N
I, ALLAN S. BERGMAN,, a shorthand reporter
and notary pia is of the state of New York, do hereby
certify:
That the within is a true record of the
decontrol hearing held at Weaver .Street Firehouse,
Weaver Street and Edgewood Avenue, Mamaroneck, New
York, on November 1, 1972, at 8: 15 P .M.
Allan Se Bergman.
suggest, he replied that he felt a two-minute period should
be fixed, which he thereby moved. The motion was seconded
by Councilman Bloom and thereupon adopted by unanimous vote.
The Chair then stated that the Board prior to hearing individual
speakers would now recognize Mrs. Dee Topo and Mrs. Peggy Snyder
who had requested time to present formal statements for the Board
-- of Education and the Larchmont League of Women Voters respectively
at the beginning of the hearing,which were thereupon ordered
received and marked as Exhibits #1 and #2 for the record of this
hearing.
Transcript of Proceedings
herewith appended
3 -
OLD BUSINESS
1. Report on Bids - Improvement on
Blossom Terrace
In accordance with recommendation set forth in memorandum
addressed to the Board by the Town Attorney, Comptroller,
Engineer and Highway Superintendent under date of October
30th, 1972 herewith presented and ordered received and filed,
on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman Vander-
___ noot, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that this Board hereby accepts the bid of
Joseph Mazzella Excavating Corporation in the amount
of $10,100.00 for roadway improvement on Blossom
Terrace in accordance with specifications set forth
in Notice for bids.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Salary Authorizations - Recreation
Pursuant to memoranda of the Superintendent of Recreation under
dates of October 26th and 30th, 1972 herewith presented and
ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Faiola,
seconded by Councilman White, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that as recommended by the Recreation
Commission, this Board hereby authorizes that
the following personnel be engaged and compen-
sated as set forth below:
Effective
Name Title Date Salary
Daniel DiLeonardo Sr. Rec. Leader 10-14-72 $18.00 per session
Richard Owen " " " " 36.00 " "
Thomas Auchterlonie " It " " "
Sharlene Auchterlonie " " It " "
Thomas Krawczyk Spec. Education " 20.00
2. Authorization of Emergency Overtime for:
a) Police
Pursuant to memorandum of the Police Commission under date of
October 25th, 1972 herewith presented and ordered received and
filed, on motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Council-
man Bloom, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that as approved by the Board of Police
Commissioners, this Board hereby authorizes pay-
ment of Emergency Overtime Compensation to the
following officers of the Town of Mamaroneck
Police Department for the number of hours set
forth for each covering the period from September
28th to October 25th, 1972:
4 -
Name Hours Min.
Sgt. Diamond 5
IT Greenstein 8
if McClintock 5
it O'Rorke 4
Det. DeVico 10
if Mulcahy 10
Ptl. Adamo 5
" Ambrosovitch 1
" Anderson 2
Baumblatt 4
" Coy 5
" Costello 1
" Catapano 5
Carden 5
Graziano 1 30
" Hutcheon 5
" Knox 5
Mosiello 4
Munch 4
" Nardelli 4
" Passafume 5
" Pyrch 13
" Thompson 5 30
Total 117
b) Fire
Pursuant to memorandum of the Fire Chief under date of
October 26th, 1972 herewith presented and ordered received
and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Faiola,
seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that as approved by the Fire Chief,
this Board hereby authorizes payment of Emergency
Overtime Compensation to the following Firemen
of the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department for the
number of hours set forth for each covering the
period from October 7th to October 26th, 1972:
Name Hours
Lt. Joseph Garofalo 3
Fireman Carl Mirande 10
" James Laverty 14
Kenneth Valle 14
Total 41
3. Transfer of Funds
Pursuant to memorandum of the Comptroller under date of
November lst, 1972 herewith presented and ordered received
and filed, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Council-
man Vandernoot, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes
the following transfer of funds within the
1972 budget:
5 -
GENERAL FUND TRANSFER TO TRANSFER FROM
TOWN WIDE
1220.2 Supervisor - Equipment $ 425.00 $
A/C 202
1420.4 Town Attorney - Contractual 200.00
Expenses A/C 402
1620.2 Town Offices - Equipment 40.00
A/C 201
1620.4 Town Offices - Contractual 800.00
Expenses A/C 403
1620.4 Town Offices - Contractual 700.00
Expenses A/C 405
7020.1 General Recreation - Personal 2,000.00
Services A/C 106
7620.4 Adult Recreation - Contractual
Expenses A/c 7620.4 11500.00
8510.4 Community Beautification - 600.00
Contractual Expenses A/C 401
1990.0 Miscellaneous - Contingency 6,265.00
Fund A/C 1990.0
$ 6,265.00 $ 6,265.00
GENERAL FUND
TOWN OUTSIDE VILLAGE
8160.4 Garbage District #1
Contractual Expenses A/C 403 8,663.96
503 Special District Surplus 8,663.96
Garbage District #1
A/C 503
$ 8,663.96 $ 8,663.96
504 Surplus - Water District ill
A/C 504 6,900.00
8340.4 Water District #1 Contractual
Expenses A/C 402 6,900.00
$ 61900.00 $ 6,900.00
503 Surplus - Special District
Street Lighting #1 A/C 503 1,969.79
5182.4 Street Lighting #1 Contractual
Expenses A/C 402 1,969.79
$. 1,969.79 $ 1,969.79
4. Amendment of Resolution
Changing Date for Presentation of
1973 Departmental Requests (Tentative Budget)
Following the Supervisor's explanation and pursuant to her request
that the resolution adopted at the last meeting fixing the date
for presentation of Departmental Requests (Tentative Budget for
1973) be amended so as to change that date to comply with law,
on motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Councilman Faiola,
it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that the resolution adopted on October 18th,
1972 be and it hereby is amended so as to read as
follows :
6 -
That a Special Meeting of this Board
be held on Friday evening, November 10th,
1972 at 8:15 p.m. in the Council Room or
Auditorium of the Weaver Street Firehouse,
Weaver Street, Town of Mamaroneck, for the
purpose of presenting the 1973 Departmental
Requests (Tentative Budget).
--- 5. Authorization to Advertise for Bids
Auxiliary Generator for Firehouse
Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Board by the Town
Engineer under date of October 30th, 1972 herewith presented
and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Faiola,
seconded by Councilman Vandernoot, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that in accordance with law, the Town
Clerk be and he hereby is authorized to publish
in the official newspaper of the Town of Mamaro-
neck, "The Daily Times", a Notice for Bids, to be
returnable November 15th, 1972, and opened and
read aloud at a regular meeting of this Board at
8:15 p.m. on that date for an auxiliary generator
for the Weaver Street Firehouse, in accordance with
the specifications set forth in the Notice, provided
that the said specifications have been approved by
the Town Attorney prior to the publication of the
aforesaid Notice for Bids.
REPORTS
The Councilmen --
Mr. Vandernoot --
1. Appointment to Narcotics Guidance Council
Mr. Vandernoot presented a brief resume of the background
and experience particularly qualifying Mary Meskers, a
Senior at Rye Neck High School, to be the student representative
to the Narcotics Guidance Council and with great pleasure moved
her appointment. The motion was seconded by Councilman Bloom and
the following resolution thereupon adopted by unanimous vote of
the Board:
RESOLVED, that the appointment of Mary Meskers of
1321 Harrison Avenue, Mamaroneck, a senior at Rye
Neck High School, as a student representative to
the Narcotics Guidance Council be and it hereby
is approved.
OTHER BUSINESS
(Not on Agenda)
Mrs. Robert Brown - 58 Hillcrest Avenue
Mrs. Robert Brown, upon recognition, addressed the Board advis-
ing that she was a new resident of the community and that she
- 7 -
had gone to the Court to arrange to have a summons served
on a business. She stated that at 5 o'clock on the date
she was to appear, she was notified that the summons had
not been served and she therefore should not appear. She
inquired as to the reason for this and what she should do
next.
The Town Attorney and Councilman Bloom reviewed the situation
with Mrs. Brown in some detail advising her that in many in-
stances constables experienced delays of some length in the
process of serving small claim summonses and suggested that
she call the Court Clerk again at her convenience in order to
expedite this matter.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the meeting,
on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned
at 10:45 p.m. , to reconvene on November 15th, 1972.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
The meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was convened
immediately upon the adjournment of the Town Board meeting.
1. Claims
Upon presentation for authorization of payment by Commissioner
--- Faiola and on his motion, seconded by Commissioner White, it
was unanimously
RESOLVED, that the following Fire Department
claims be and they hereby are approved and
payment thereof hereby authorized from the
Fire Department budget subject to approval by
the Town Comptroller:
R. G. Brewer, Inc. $ 65.02
Frank Claps 300.00
The New Rochelle Water Company 93.75
Con Edison 167.61
The Corner Store 17.80
Anthony Cozzolino 275.00
Dri-Chem Extinguisher Company 136.75
Dri-Chem Extinguisher Company 41.25
Eastern Mechanical Supply 207.60
Excelsior Garage & Machine 599.04
Works, Inc.
Exterminating Services Corp. 7.00
Con Edison 5.00
Humble Oil & Refining Company 41.05
Kamdor Plumbing & Heating Corp. 45.00
W. A. Kraft Corp. 622.62
The Larchmont Print, Inc. 137.00
McGuire Bros. , Inc. 10.00
Merson Uniform Company 1,538.11
New York Telephone Company 144.78
- 8 -
Poloron Products, Inc. $ 925.00
Roberts 213.60
Village Paint Supply 37.40
Westchester Joint Water Works 5,037.50
Rocco Zavaglia 152.00
Post Lodge 2,235.50
Dominick J. Forti 142.50
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,197.88
2. Reports
Commissioner Faiola stated that the report for the month of
October 1972 was not ready and would be presented at the next
regular meeting on November 15th, 1972.
3. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the meeting,
on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned
at 10:50 p.m. , to reconvene on November 15th, 1972.
own Perk
9 -
Notice of Special Meeting
Town Board
Town of Mamaroneck , N . Y .
Pursuant to Section 62 of the Town Law, I
hereby call a special meeting of the Town
Board, to be hald in the Council Room or
Auditorium of the Weaver Street Fire-
house, Weaver Street, Town of Mamaro-
neck, at 8:15 p.m, on Friday, November
10th, 1972, for the purpose of presenting
the 1973 Departmental Requests (Tentative
Budget).
a
Christine K. Helwig
Supervisor
Dated: November the 10th
1 9 7 2
b)