NAPPY'S HAS BEEN SOLD, 11 UNIT, 3 STORY APT BUILDING FOR SITE

UPDATE 2017-SITE EMPTY, NO BUILDING http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/04/from-everything-croton-mailbox.html

The agenda for the 8/11 meeting is now online; you can see that agenda here

http://crotononhudson.novusagenda.com

On that agenda is a proposal for an 11 unit 'mixed use' three story apartment building for the small corner lot former Nappy site across the street from the nail salon in Harmon--379 S. Riverside; 8 units on the 2nd and 3rd floor; 3 "behind" the commercial space on the first floor. 

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS ARE APPROXIMATES.

8 of the units will be approx. 650-680 sq ft. each

3 of the units will be approx. 325 sq ft. each

It is important to note that the public was told that under the Harmon re-zoning the original projection for this site was SIX APARTMENTS AT 1,000 SQ. FT EACH

You now have 11 instead.

The total for the "commercial spaces" is very small compared to the total residential; one commercial unit will be approx. 680 sq ft.; the other three will be approx. 340 each

It is unknown at this time how much of the building(s) will be market rate (all?) or if a portion will be low income/affordable housing--or if all of the building(s) will be low income/affordable housing.  Or if there will be children or all seniors....

An elevator, formerly denied as necessary to the alleged rate of return on investment calculations under Harmon re-zoning, will be placed in the building. 

The footprint of the building is HUGE versus the old footprint of the building.

The parking will allegedly be in the back of building(s); 19 spaces are allocated.

Despite claims to the contrary, the drawing indicates that the building(s) will not be in scale to the Tsagarakis building next door or much of anything around it.

You are encouraged to see the agenda and the relevant documents at the link above.

The developer is simply noted as "c/o Lawrence Doyle"; the name of the company is not provided. The address is 16 New Broadway, Sleepy Hollow. The architect is Gemmola & Associates. 

You are encouraged to watch or attend the meeting 8 pm, 2nd floor, Channel 78. 8/11/14

JULY 2015: DEVELOPER SEEKING VARIANCE; awaiting planning board minutes

1924, CROTON POINT, MONEY HILL & CAPTAIN KIDD'S FAMOUS BURIED TREASURE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

A fascinating chapter in Croton Point history--Money Hill and Captain Kidd's Famous Buried Treasure, 1924. Click on the images below--with many thanks to Carolyn for forwarding.

You may also enjoy these other vintage Croton Point stories:
--SUMMER 1935: THE CROTON POINT BUNGALOW COLONY NEWSPAPER http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/05/1935-croton-point-bungalow-colony.html

AND AGAIN, COURTESY OF THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: THE CROTON POINT BUNGALOW COLONY:  
Part 1 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/06/part-1-croton-point-bungalow-colony.html  
Part 2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/06/part-2-croton-point-bungalow-colony.html  
Part 3 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/06/part-3-croton-point-bungalow-colony.html

8/7/14 BRIAN POWERS ON THE WEIGMAN, GALLELLI ACTIVITIES CONCERNING GOUVEIA, BARBARA SARBIN AND SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORLD

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM BRIAN POWERS ON MAYOR WEIGMAN'S AND DEPUTY MAYOR GALLELLI'S ACTIVITIES CONCERNING GOUVEIA, BARBARA SARBIN AND SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORLD 

To the editor,

While I do not expect to agree with all the policy choices that our elected officials make, I do expect that those officials would be honest, forthright and above board to village residents about what they are doing in their village-related functions.

The recent disclosure of the emails from Barbara Sarbin to Mayor Weigman and Trustee and Deputy Mayor Gallelli (http://bit.ly/1pZo1B6) makes it clear that, since at least August of 2013, these officials have been quietly plotting with Ms. Sarbin concerning the use of the Gouveia property. (I can't wait to see Mayor Weigman and Trustee and Deputy Mayor Gallelli's responsive emails once they are released.) During that time, these same officials chose not to advise the citizens of Croton of the true nature and extent of their activities and their planned use of the property which the village still has not acquired. Whether you call it malfeasance, misfeasance or nonfeasance, our officials' actions fall into at least one of those categories.

So what is the answer? The major focus, if not a major one, of the November elections should be whether our elected officials have been honest and  forthright in their official actions, not only involving the Gouveia property but all other projects the village is engaged in. Our current officials would be hard-pressed to demonstrate such.

And to that end I say it is time for a change. No longer can we sit idly by and let our elected officials be left unchecked without fear of any consequences for what they are doing. The only power that we, the electors, apparently have is the power of the ballot. And if that is all we are left with, we should seriously consider getting rid of each and every incumbent this year.

Brian Powers

EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR AUGUST '14: TESS

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

It's the YEAR OF THE CAT @ EVERYTHING CROTON! By popular demand...

EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR AUGUST 2014: TESS. Tess was the runt of an abandoned litter of three found at Black Rock three years ago. She's smaller than most cats, but quick, intelligent and eager to please. She loves everyone! Click on the photo.

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR JANUARY 2014 HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/01/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-january.html

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR FEBRUARY 2014 HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/02/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-february.html

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR MARCH 2014 HERE http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-march.html 

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR APRIL 2014 HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/04/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-april.html 

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR MAY 2014 HERE http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/05/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-may-2014.html 

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR JUNE 2014 HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/06/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-june.html 

SEE EVERYTHING CROTON'S TOP CAT FOR JULY 2014 HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/07/everything-crotons-top-cat-for-july.html 

JANUARY 1960, MORE CROTON "MARCH OF DIMES"

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools --in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

MORE FROM CROTON'S MARCH OF DIMES, ALL FROM JANUARY 1960--courtesy once again of the outstanding archives maintained by the volunteers of The Croton Historical Society. Click on the images below.

You may also have an interest in: 1955 CROTON CHILDREN TO START GETTING POLIO SHOTS http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/06/april-1955-children-2-start-getting.html

CONGRATULATIONS TOMMY "SCANNERS" KAPLAN

A very big Everything Croton Shout-out!

After several months of rigorous training, Probationary Active Firefighter (PAF) Tommy "Scanners" Kaplan graduated the New York State Firefighter I program. This training is over 100 hours long, and was completed during evenings and weekends at the Westchester County Fire Training Center in Valhalla. READ MORE HERE http://www.crotonfd.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=163

CROTON JOURNALIST PATRICK OSTER HAS A NEW BOOK OUT: THE COMMUTER

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools --in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

LOHUD - 8/4/14 - Croton journalist Patrick Oster has a new novel out this month, “The Commuter”. Thriller tells story of laid-off office-worker who tracks the lives of his fellow Metro-North riders. READ MORE HERE http://www.lohud.com/story/life/2014/08/04/patrick-oster-commuter/13582435

AN INDEX 2 THE EVERYTHING CROTON WORLD WAR ONE SERIES COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OUTBREAK OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools --in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

As many of you know, August 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, also known as THE GREAT WAR....and like so many big cities and small towns in America, Croton-on-Hudson was there--click on the photo. 

Thanks in part to the outstanding archives maintained by The Croton Historical Society, EverythingCroton started a series some months ago to commemorate this event. Here's an index to the centenary posts featuring village residents who answered the call, ephemera from private collections, interesting links, and more.

--PART 1 OF EVERYTHING CROTON'S WORLD WAR ONE CENTENARY SERIES HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/part-1-everything-croton-commemorates.html
--PART 2  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/part-2-everything-croton-commemorates.html
--PART 3  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/part-3-everything-croton-commemorates.html
--PART 4  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/04/part-4-everything-croton-commemorates.html    
--PART 5A http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/04/part-5-everything-croton-commemorates.html
--PART 5B http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/05/part-5-everything-croton-commemorates.html 

and a fascinating World War I Croton story here http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-world-war-1-croton-story-august-1918.html 

MORE ON CROTON'S "PERFUME FACTORY", A RARE FIND 1922

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

We were really excited to find this ad from the Sept. 1922 edition of The American Perfumer & Essential Oil Review about Compagnie Parento, a.k.a. the "Perfume Factory" that once existed on Brook Street---mainly because it confirmed the old stories we've heard that in the spring season, the air around Brook Street smelled like violets! Click on the photo. See more about the Perfume Factory here http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-perfume-factory.html

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

Many thanks to Lisa M for finding this wonderful public domain photo from 1937 showing Annapolis midshipmen with dolls to be distributed to the poor at Christmas.

It's followed by one of our favorite creations from Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com 

And just in time for autumn thoughts - and Halloween dreams - his red barn with silo. Click on the photos.

Look what David C. found -- illuminated lanterns for buildings http://bit.ly/1p0Ng9O

Another look with the basic cottage putz house pattern http://bit.ly/1qEPVnH

Road Grader--a great piece of 1950's vintage plastic by Manoil--with trailers! Manoil, who many collectors associate with those gorgeous sleek, streamlined die-cast cars made before WWII, did some plastic pieces post war--this is one of them.

http://www.toyconnect.blogspot.com/2014/08/manoil-road-grader-red-hp-with-trailers.html

Want more vintage? Go here http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-fabulous-vintage-websites-finds_31.html

FANS OF TEXTILE ARTIST VERA may have an interest in this article from 1970 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/08/1970-crotons-own-vera-neumann.html

1970: CROTON'S OWN VERA NEUMANN--A.K.A. SIMPLY VERA!

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools --in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

An Everything Croton reader and former resident sent us this 1970 article on Croton's own Vera Neumann yesterday. For those who don't know, Vera was a textile artist known for her bold patterns and more. Enormously popular in the 60's and 70's, her signature scarves and home goods are highly collectible today. Click on the photos below.

You may also have an interest in:
--THE EVERYTHING CROTON SERIES: CROTON AND CORTLANDT ARTISTS, THE 1970'S http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/02/croton-artists-early-1970s.html
--AND MORE CROTON & CORTLANDT ARTISTS  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/more-croton-cortlandt-artists-early.html

1960: CONCERT PIANIST SPEAKS TO CROTON ROTARY, ANDRE DE LA VARRE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools --in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 1960 - CONCERT PIANIST SPEAKS TO CROTON ROTARY, ANDRE DE LA VARRE. Click on the images below. 

You may also have an interest in A LOOK BACK @ THE CROTON ROTARY CLUB 1943 AND 1945 http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-look-back-at-croton-rotary-club-1943.html

FOR MORE ABOUT THE CROTON ROTARY, VISIT THEIR FB PAGE @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Croton-on-Hudson/130964137093077 

THE VINTAGE KNITTER 2014 #4, PRE-WWII PATTERNS

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

CONTINUING OUR POPULAR SERIES INTO 2014, THE VINTAGE KNITTER (AND CROCHET TOO) #4

To the right, courtesy of James M., the Poor Clares knitting for the poor--click on the photo

and Courtesy of BluePrairie, a set of knitting patterns, pre-World War II https://www.flickr.com/photos/14033721@N06/sets/72157603770143820

And don't forget: The Croton Library hosts a Knitting & Crocheting Circle once a month; the next event is 8/19, 7 to 9 pm.  Keep track of future events by contacting www.crotonfreelibrary.org

CROTON GAB & KNIT ALSO MEETS @ THE BLACK COW ON SUNDAYS 12:30- here's their fb page https://www.facebook.com/CrotonOnHudsonGabAndKnit

Want to see more of The Vintage Knitter: Go here http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-vintage-knitter-2014-3-some-great.html

EXCERPTS FROM THE GALLELLI WEIGMAN SOMETHING GOOD/CROTON FOIL REQUEST, COURTESY OF WINTERMEIER 7/31 GAZETTE LETTER

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

From the 7/31/14 Edition of The Gazette. EXCERPTS FROM THE GALLELLI WIEGMAN SOMETHING GOOD GOUVEIA/FOIL REQUEST, COURTESY OF BOB WINTERMEIER'S 7/31 GAZETTE LETTER 

To the editor:

Croton taxpayers were kept in the dark for the past year regarding the Gouveia acquisition despite resident concerns about possible acceptance of the property by the Village Board. Among their major worries were the loss of tax revenue if the village accepted the “gift,” the ongoing cost to maintain and repair the property, and the belief that a deal with Ms. Gouveia was a “fait accompli.” The Village Board remained quiet about these concerns or denied that a deal was done.

The scenario became more complex when Barbara Sarbin, Director of Educational Programs for a group known as Something Good in the World (SGITW), came on the scene. She hoped to lease part of the Gouveia property for an experimental “learning center” to teach kids survival skills involving chickens, waterless toilets, solar energy, etc.

While taxpayer questions about SGITW, the property and its usage were ignored at Village Board meetings under the pretext that secrecy was needed during legal talks, Mayor Wiegman, Trustee Gallelli and other village officials were meeting with Ms. Sarbin to examine the property and develop a sales presentation to convince residents that SGITW and a Gouveia deal were good for residents. To the best of my knowledge, the other trustees, taxpayers, the Croton- Harmon school board and other village organizations were kept out of the loop and denied the same information, assistance, and access to the Gouveia property that Ms. Sarbin obtained.

Using the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), a concerned citizen obtained 70 pages of emails pertaining to the Gouveia/SGITW deal that were sent by Ms. Sarbin to Mayor Weigman and Trustee Gallelli. A second FOIL request has been submitted for their responses to Ms. Sarbin to better understand their relationship. Target date is August 24th.

Despite the absence of village replies to Ms. Sarbin, a review of her emails confirms a secret village attempt to keep Croton residents from learning about SGITW’s “learning center” and to “grease the skids” for SGITW’s partial use of the Gouveia property. 

A sample of Ms. Sarbin’s email comments to Mayor Wiegman and Trustee Gallelli are included below for those unable to access the entire list and illustrate the collusion that took place:

--“I wanted to firstly say my most heartfelt congratulations to you on all the hard work that you have done towards the gift of Gouveia Park to the Village of Croton. I have been following the stories in the newspaper as well as online on the Village Board website, reading the reports and minutes. I also coincidentally spoke with Bob Elliott this evening, and he did confirm that the gift looks like it will go through now, barring any unforeseen issues. So this is great news and I am really pleased. It sounds like so far you have weathered the opposition (only a very noisy 8% in the end) and you are very well experienced in this from all the years of your positions in the village.”

-- “… when the proposal goes before the Village Board, we [need to] have all the answers in place already, ranging from parking to waste treatment. I have spoken to David and Alan [Sarbin’s friends] about some of Dan’s [O’Connor] concerns and with Bob Elliott to get recommendations for how to handle some of the concerns to do with the County Health Dept. and code. Dan was particularly worried about the grey water system, which I am working on at length this weekend, finding a back-up plan…”

-- “Please let me know anything you can about what is happening. Phone is fine if email is not the preferred way to talk about this, which I completely understand.”

--“In and around our conversation were other more personal reflections that I would be more comfortable sharing with you by phone, rather than in an email.”

--“Well, now I understand your reluctance to have me put forward this proposal. I know that the less time anyone has to research opposition to the project, the better. I wish there were a way for the Board members to know this project is in the works without it being public, but if there’s no other way, then perhaps the way I can present it is as very low key. Maybe we don’t present the Envira Pods [modular classrooms]; just the gardens with the Epods as an idea if it comes up?”

--“I agree it sure is going to look like we have been working on this for a while! I wonder what we can do to make this a safe process for SGITW and for the Board... Thank you for explaining this to me, I honestly didn’t realize that it involved the public.”

--“I just had to write to tell you how beautiful the video is that you made of the Gouveia property! I didn’t realize you had already put it up online!” 

The entire list of emails can be viewed directly by visiting this web site: tinyurl.com/mdbrdkw.

Readers are also urged to visit http://crotonunited.org for more information.

In my opinion, the mayor and Trustee Gallelli lied when they said they couldn’t disclose the Gouveia deal based on their lawyer’s advice. If Ms. Sarbin was included in their confidence, why not Croton taxpayers who will be stuck with the tab? Is this the type of ethical conduct to expect from “trusted” village officials? I wonder if other promises were made to Ms. Sarbin that will lead to more litigation if not fulfilled.

Robert Wintermeier 

SEE ALSO JOEL GINGOLD'S 7/24/14 LETTER ON THIS ISSUE HERE https://www.facebook.com/notes/croton-united/croton-united-member-joel-gingolds-letter-to-the-editor-july-24-2014/327495467407491