News & Info … Yonkers Councilman John Murtagh

Sanitation Workers institute a City-wide Slowdown on Garbage Pick-up

As I am sure you have seen this week, it appears that the union representing our sanitation workers has decided to respond to necessary budget cuts with a work slow down and job action. It is unfortunate that, as Yonkers struggles with a 90 million dollar budget shortfall, our municipal unions have consistently resisted helping the taxpayers and residents get through this difficult period. Instead they have only called for more taxes.

In order to restore services and stop layoffs their way it would have been necessary to raise property taxes over 30 per cent. Since such a tax hike would be an unfair and outrageous burden, Councilmen Larkin, Shepherd and I had called for all City workers (including elected officials) to take a 5 per cent pay cut. This simple sacrifice, along with coming state aid would have avoided the need for one day a week garbage pick up and virtually all other service cuts.

Unfortunately, because the Unions would not step up to the plate, cuts became necessary in every City department including police, fire and sanitation. Now with the results of their refusal at hand, it appears the unions are now compounding the problems with a slow down. Unfortunately, I can only beg your patience as the Mayor, Councilmen Larkin and I fight to instill some fiscal restraint during this difficult economy.

Thank you for your understanding and do not hesitate to contact me with you questions and suggestions.

Sincerely,

John

John M. Murtagh
Yonkers City Council, Dist. 5
Minority Leader

John M. Murtagh | City Council, City of Yonkers | City Hall | 40 South Broadway, Suite 407 | Yonkers | NY | 10701

The following are portions of the press relaease and links to the consents.

NEW YORK, NY (April 5, 2010) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced agreements with six large real estate developers of rental apartment complexes to ensure equal access to housing for people with disabilities.

…must make or offer to make retrofits to apartments and common areas to ensure that people with disabilities have the full use and enjoyment of the facilities. The developers must also collectively pay $145,000 (for 6 developers) to compensate individuals who were harmed by the inaccessible housing. They will also work with an independent expert to certify that future construction of apartment complexes is in compliance with New York State and federal accessibility laws.

“Equal access to housing is a right guaranteed by law and no one should have problems living in their own home because they are disabled,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “My office is committed to enforcing fair housing and removing barriers for all New Yorkers.”

…developers, who all cooperated with the Attorney General’s investigation, must complete retrofits for units and the common areas, including making sidewalks accessible by eliminating excess slopes and level changes. They must also provide accessible parking and routes to amenities such as pools, social rooms, mailboxes, and trash facilities. Furthermore, the agreements require retrofitting of bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, thermostats, and outlets in designated apartments.

Tenants living in the buildings will receive a notice advising them of the law and the structural changes to be made to the exterior and interior of their units. Tenants will be able to request additional modifications to increase accessibility. The modification will be free of charge to the tenants. Additionally, tenants who were harmed as a result the developers’ failure to construct the property as legally required will be eligible to receive restitution by submitting a claim to the Attorney General. The Attorney General will then evaluate the claims for compensation and disburse restitution from a $145,000 fund that will be paid by the developers.

MAIN STREET LOFTS YONKERS, LLC 1.pdf Agreement

HUDSON PARK INVESTORS, LLC &; COLLINS YONKERS II, LLC 1.pdf Agreement

The even BETTER news is that if you are looking for your first apartment, there is no better time to buy than right now! Prices are down to levels not seen in years, rates are still low, and you have $8k as a bonus. Did you know that in the Bronxville PO/Yonkers market (10708 zip code) prices have declined roughly 25% from the highs? That is a big savings for you!. Right now if you need an affordable apartment, there are over 60 available priced between $100k and $200k, which includes about 20 two bedrooms!

Over the next two weeks Realtors are anticipating a “bubble” as buyers finally realize that their time is up if they want to take advantage of the tax credit. While there is talk of extending it, so far nothing concrete has happened in Washington, and frankly I do not think anything will come of it. I think Congress has tired of bailouts in general.

The key to taking advantage of the credit in this short term window is focus, and frankly, good financials. You have to have at least a good sense of what you want, and you need to have good credit. If you do, a Corespondent Lender can get you the financing you need at a competitive rate and get you closed in time. Ask me about this.

If you are ready to go, please email me or give me a call.

pharris@houlihanlawrence.com

914-588-5004

I have been appointed by Mayor Amicone to the Yonkers Census Board for 2010, and it my job to help coax the form out of your hands, and into the mail box. I am not an “enumerator;” the people who ill knock on your door up to six times this summer to follow up if you do not send your form in. The Census Board was formed to help get the word out, and to help YOU in making sure you return your form.

Perhaps the biggest concern people have is privacy. Did you know your information is kept confidential for 72 years? That mean in 2012 the data from the census taken in 1940 will be released! Title 13, Sections 9 and 214 of the United States Code keep your information confidential; the information cannot be obtained by law enforcement, the courts, the IRS, and cannot be obtained by a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.

If you have questions on how to fill out your form, or if you did NOT receive a form, please go to http://www.census2010.gov

Bicycle Sundays

May 2, 9, 16 & 23
June 6, 13, 20 & 27
September 12, 19, & 26

10 AM - 2 PM

Bronx River Parkway from the Westchester County Center, White Plains to Scarsdale Rd., Yonkers (13.1-mile round-trip)

Open to all bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers!

  In the event of rain, program will be cancelled.
 Information (914) 995-4050

For more information, call the county parks department at
(914) 864-PARK.

Bicycle Sundays - Rules and Regulations

1. Bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooters, walkers and joggers ONLY; no motorized vehicles allowed.

2. Walkers, joggers and slower wheeled traffic must use right lane; faster wheeled traffic must use left lane.

3. Helmets are required by New York State law for children under 14 years of age, including those riding in bike trailers, and are recommended for all wheeled participants.

4. New York State law prohibits children under age one from riding on bicycles or in a separate seat.

5. All headsets are prohibited; this includes but is not limited to music devices and hands free cell phones.

6. No skateboarding allowed.

7. No dogs allowed.

8. Bicyclists must obey posted parkway speed limit of 40 m.p.h.

9. Children riding in strollers must be strapped in at all times.

10. Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

11. All participants must be off the parkway by 1:50 p.m.

12. Stay alert and be considerate of others.

  Actually somewhat of a classic, but would I purchase the property because of it? Nope.

This stove seems kind of shy…

I suppose this picture is really about bad frig pictures, as it is dominated by the slab side of the appliance, but i felt sorry for the poor stove tucked away in the corner. At least is has a nice view. If the photographer had moved to the left a couple of feet you would have had a much better view of the overall space.

The early February storm was particularly beautiful, and I managed to take a few pictures which set off our wonderful building nicely. And did I mention that we have several great apartments available for sale?? Junior one bedrooms start at $129,000, and all the one bedrooms, including our largest line with a new kitchen, are affordably priced under $200k! Only 10% down, and walk to train and shops. Contact me for more information.  http://www.bronxvilleterrace.com

Ok, advertisement is done. Enjoy the pictures!

The law already requires that upon sale of a home that a CM detector be in place, but that really is insufficient; in existing homes that have not sold too many people do have not have them, and many do not even have smoke detectors. Hard to believe but I know its true.

If this law saves one life it is worth it.

Thanks to the New York State Association of Realtors http://www.NYSAR.org  who made me aware of the new law.

Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as “Amanda’s Law”.
§  2.  Subdivision 5-a of section 378 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 202 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
5-a. Standards for installation of carbon monoxide detectors requiring that every one or two-family dwelling, or any dwelling accommodation located in a building owned as a condominium or cooperative in the state  or  any multiple dwellings shall have installed an operable carbon monoxide detector of such manufacture, design and installation standards as are established by the council. Carbon monoxide detectors required by this section are required only where the dwelling unit has appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or has an attached garage. For purposes of this  subdivision,  multiple  dwelling  means  a dwelling  which  is either rented, leased, let or hired out, to be occupied, or is occupied as the temporary or permanent residence or home  of three or more families living independently of each other, including but not  limited to the following: a tenement, flat house, maisonette apartment, apartment house, apartment hotel, tourist house,  bachelor  apartment,  studio apartment, duplex apartment, kitchenette apartment, hotel, lodging house, rooming  house,  boarding  house,  boarding  and  nursery school,  furnished  room  house, club, sorority house, fraternity house, college and school dormitory, convalescent, old age or nursing homes  or residences.  It shall also include a dwelling, two or more stories in height and with five or more boarders, roomers or lodgers residing with any one family.  New construction shall mean a new facility or a separate building added to an existing facility.
     § 3. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law.

Headline got your attention? It should! How does up to $555 in free money from cash strapped New York State sound? Well its true! From February 12th until the 21st, or until the money runs out, NYSERDA is offering rebates for qualifying refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers. Enhanced rebates are available for people who recycle their old machines and the best benefits are for those who purchase a package of all three appliances and recycle all the old clunkers. (Did I just say “Cash for Clunkers!”)

Since this is a government program there are RULES, so to make sure you get the accurate information, I am going to direct you to the NYSERDA page where you can get the full details and all the links for everything you need to know.

In these difficult times, why turn down the opportunity to save on your electric bill, and get FREE MONEY$$$$ from the State!! So Click below for the full details:

CLICK HERE FOR THE NYSERDA APPLIANCE SWAP OUT PROGRAM PAGE