The next CUPON of Chestnut Ridge meeting will be held on May 7, 2019 at 7 PM at the Faist Ambulance Corp Building at 7PM. Please join us and bring a friend, someone who has not attended before. We want to increase our numbers and ensure that everyone is aware of issues that impact all who reside in Chestnut Ridge.News items:
The Judge assigned to hear the Article 78 Proceeding in NYS Supreme Court has set 5/3/19 as the date for Walter Sevastien, attorney for the Village of Chestnut Ridge , to file papers with any motions he chooses to make with the court regarding the suit. Our attorney, Steven Mogel, has until May 8, 2019 to submit his rebuttal to any motions made by Walter Sevastien. No date has been set for any appearances before the Court.
On October 19, 2017, the Village of Chestnut Ridge passed a Rental Registry Law, identified as Local law #4 of 2017. The purpose of the law was to create a registry for rental dwelling units in one and two family residential buildings so as to facilitate the enforcement of NYS Building and Fire Codes as well as to protect the public health, safety and welfare of the people of the Village of Chestnut Ridge.
Thus far the village has managed to register ONLY 25 (see current registry) such units with so many others as yet either unidentified, unregistered, or possibly unwilling to participate. Why should they when there is obviously no enforcement of this law. Since this law was enacted there are possibly many more homes that are rental units. I know I have seen more this past year than the year before.
This is a very important law–it protects our property values, it protects the character and stability of the residential areas in this Village. It may even protect the health and safety of the tenants in these rental properties.
We can force the Village to enforce this law if we as residents begin to identify these properties in our neighborhoods. If you are not comfortable reporting these properties, then you can feel free to provide them to me. Bring the addresses to the next CUPON of CR meeting or email them to us. Clearly, if the law is not as specific as it should be or is simply not being enforced, let’s bring it to the attention of the Board and the Mayor at EVERY opportunity and force the Village to address this matter.
Once again, as with the no-knock law and others, the law is passed and then the Village can say we passed the law. Let’s ensure this law is upheld for the good of the entire community!!
I want to take this opportunity to remind you all that now that the weather is finally warming up, you are all urged to be aware of your neighborhoods. If you see unlicensed contractors, whether those working on homes or landscapers or tree removal trucks you can notify the Village Code Enforcement Officer at 845-425-2805. After 4PM you can contact the County Department of Consumer Protection at 845- 364-3901 . On weekends and evenings you can contact the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department at 845-638-5401. The Sheriff’s Department can respond on behalf of Consumer protection and has been so instructed.
It is important that you either take pictures, if you are able, or be as detailed as you can- license plates, names of businesses on trucks, etc. Of course, the best way to start is to look for the license sticker on the back of the trucks. Different colors for different services BUT the sticker must reflect the 2019 date!
On another note, I ask that you think seriously of donating to CUPON of Chestnut Ridge from this site’s PayPal account. NO Amount is too small. The work we are doing benefits all of our residents and we hope that you will support us as much as you are able. Our legal costs for the Article 78 are less at this point BUT we will be in Supreme Court soon and then we will face additional financial challenges.
Thanks and again,. see you all on May 7, 2019 at 7PM for our next CUPON of Chestnut Ridge meeting at the new Ambulance Corp Building.
Hilda Kogut