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Boring, efficient and without airs
That’s the early word on the Woodbury Village Board’s initial work,
By Tony Houston
Woodbury - Sometimes meeting in the Town Hall and sometimes in the Fire House, the Village of Woodbury is operational.
“We are moving slowly and carefully to do what is right for the community,” said Woodbury Village Mayor Stephanie Berean-Weeks in an interview this week.
Village Trustee Joann Stabile has been appointed deputy mayor, Rick Golden is the village attorney and Berean-Weeks is the budget officer. Woodbury Town Clerk Desiree Potvin has been appointed as clerk, treasurer and registrar for the new village. James Booth is deputy clerk and deputy treasurer.
“I think we will have settled on a permanent meeting place by the end of this week,” said Mayor Berean-Weeks.
Village meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month, with an additional meeting or workshop on the fourth Tuesday if needed. Meeting attendance has averaged nearly 30 people.
“The village will issue a tax anticipation note in the amount of $300,000 this week — hopefully,” said Berean-Weeks. This must be done because the village is unlikely to receive any tax revenue until next June.
The Village Board, as a committee, will speak to the Town of Woodbury regarding intermunicipal agreements. “We are not planning to change any services or jobs; we want to maintain services and employees,” said Berean-Weeks.
The village has until June 1 of next year to take over planning and zoning from the Town of Woodbury. “We will be done on or before that date,” said the mayor.
Its citizens seem pleased with the new village government.
“I have full confidence in their ability to do the right thing,” said former Woodbury Town Councilwoman Colleen Campbell. “I’m pleased with what has been done so far — including the appointments.”
Woodbury Town Councilman Michael Aronowitz is complimentary toward members of the new village board as well.
“They are doing a really good job and there is a great line of communication between the two boards.” He said. “The mayor attends the meetings of the Town Board and is good at strategizing; she’s up to the task and will do a great job.”
Jonathan Swiller is the chairman of Orange County: Equity Among Neighbors (OCEAN). His organization had opposed the creation of the huge new village, but changed to a neutral position prior to the vote on village incorporation. He has attended two of the meetings of the Village Board.
“The meetings are boring due to their efficiency,” said Swiller. “They want to get things right and they are doing the job well; the board is keeping everything in the budget as low as possible.”
Swiller appreciates the new Village Board’s close working relationship with the Woodbury Town Board. “This Village Board is a group of citizens that took on a difficult job because it had to be done — they don’t put on airs.”
OK, so he didn't actually denounce them, but he did say the meetings were boring.
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14 comments:
I consider boring to be a good thing in a government.
If I want excitement, I'll go white-water rafting.
While the Swiller dubs it as boring,
And indeed he can be seen snoring,
The meetings are good,
And go as they should,
And no boardmember is seen as abhoring!!!!
I don't snore!
I nap quietly.
Woodbury Town Councilman Michael Aronowitz is complimentary toward members of the new village board as well.
“They are doing a really good job and there is a great line of communication between the two boards.” He said. “The mayor attends the meetings of the Town Board and is good at strategizing; she’s up to the task and will do a great job.” When did Mike A start backing the Mayor?
THR-12/26/06
...The election of Woodbury's first board has drained it of controversy, its dominant mode for the past two years.
The atmosphere has suddenly shifted from that of a professional wrestling match to a dry seminar in municipal law....
THANK GOD!!!!!
An exerpt from a letter written by the Dog Park people to the paper- "The presentation of that research by board member Michael Aronowitz was very detailed and professionally done."
Ah- remember when Mike A hammered John Kelemen relentlessly over the hockey rink, its use and costs??? Now look what "pet" projects he's guiding through at the taxpayers' expense! Funny how things change when you're on the other side of that dais, ah Mike??
As I recall it was not the creation of the rink but the fact no one ever figured out what the total cost to build the rink actually was. I heard it cost something like 75000 dollars. In addition, they never went out to bid. Instead they paid the builders in increments of 10,000 dollars as that got around the bidding process. I am not a fan of Mike A but I dont think he opposed the rink just the odd way that town board conducted busisness with reguards to its price and payment method for the rink. If the price I quoted is right it seems a little steep for blacktop and a fence.
So why didn't the dog park even rise to the level of a public hearing? Seems when the shoe is on the other foot, Mr. A will do as he pleases.
This question was posed by a couple of members of the public at a Town Board Meeting. According to Rich Liberth, Attorney for the Town, the dog park doesn't warrant a public hearing. It was further discussed that parkland fees would be used as it is considered an expansion of the park. Stay tuned.
Ok let’s get the story right, the rink cost over 150k and may have been more. Last time I checked it was a 5-0 vote for the Dog Park which may cost $1000.00 all coming from park land fees! Mike was not against the rink being built but he wanted to know why so much money was spent on friends of the Woodbury to do the work. The problem with this town is someone on the board steps up and does something good for its residents and you complain. I will tell you this is the best Town Board we have had in years! They all get along and have done great things for our town. I only hope Mike runs again next year because I didn’t vote for him last time but this time I will help him win his election because I know the whole Republican committee will be against him.
Doesn't take much to convince you! Mike A, like most, has many skeletons that he will have to address when and if he runs again, now that he has supposedly broken ranks with Ralph and his committee. Only time will tell if he will truly do the right thing, but then again, who am I to define what is "right"?? If nothing else, I am sure it will be interesting.
Mike has done a lot for the town and if he does not run it would be a great lose for all of us. This is what Don, Bob and Ralph always do just throw mud at anyone who runs with lies, lies and more lies. I heard Mike is some judo expert so why would he be worried about three old men?
Yeah, now where talking. Kill 'em Mike. Kill 'em all.
dog shit for a dog shit site!
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