Daily Archives: July 29, 2011

85 Castle Road, Chappaqua NY | Chappaqua starter home at an affordable price – Robert Paul’s blog | Bedford NY Real Estate

07/27/2011

85 Castle Road, Chappaqua NY | Chappaqua starter home at an affordable price

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Court Street, Bedford, NY | Bedford NY Homes – Robert Paul’s blog | Bedford NY Real Estate

07/28/2011

Court Street, Bedford, NY | Bedford NY Homes

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Old Bedford Hills Homes | Touring Bedford Hills NY – Robert Paul’s blog | Bedford NY Real Estate

07/29/2011

Old Bedford Hills Homes | Touring Bedford Hills NY

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Katonah NY Sidewalk Sale this July Weekend | Katonah NY Homes – Robert Paul’s blog | Bedford NY Real Estate

07/29/2011

Katonah NY Sidewalk Sale this July Weekend | Katonah NY Homes

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North Salem NY Homes | Letter to the Editor: Lisa Douglas Sounds off on Spending – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

Way back in 2010, Rob Astorino vetoed the spending plan of the Super Majority. Their accounting gimmicks were seen for what they were, gimmicks. Astorino sent a letter to the Legislators stating that ‘Never in the history of our County has a C.E. or B.O.L. used any funds, surplus or reserve from the current ongoing fiscal year in an attempt to cover the cost of additional spending in budget being adopted for the very next budget year.

Harckham and crew added $32.5 MILLION in spending back into the budget. To cover their expenses they raised our reserves and misrepresented their accounting by increasing the sales tax projection by $2.3 MILLION; added back $2.6 MILLION in nonexistent federal aid; took $5 MILLION from the general fund balance; they deleted $10 MILLION in funds that were set aside to pay for unsettled union contracts; and now they are ‘befuddled’? The Super Majority was warned about using our reserve funds as their private piggy bank to trick the voters.

The rooster has come home to roost. Time to vote them out!

Lisa Douglas
Candidate for Westchester County Board of Legislators
North Salem

Katonah NY Homes | Higher Than Expected Tax Rates Approved in Katonah-Lewisboro – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

Homeowner tax rates approved by the Katonah Lewisboro school board Thursday night are slightly higher than the amounts projected in May.
 
Though the overall tax levy, which was set in May at $99,783,239, has not changed the slight increase in projected and actual tax rates are a result of a decline in overall assessed property values, according to Michael Jumper, assistant superintendent of business, who presented the information at Thursday night’s school board meeting.  

The tax levy which is the total amount of money to be raised through property taxes to support the budget and tax rates are used to determine how much each taxpayer must contribute to the tax levy.

At the time of the 2011-12 school district budget passing in May, taxes were projected to increase by 1.71 percent in Bedford, 5.43 percent in Lewisboro, 7.87 percent in Pound Ridge and 7.33 percent in North Salem.
 
They are now set to increase by 5.79 percent in Lewisboro, 2.06 percent in Bedford, 8.23 percent in Pound Ridge and 7.69 percent in North Salem.

See the the comparison table below for a look at recent years’ tax rates.

Jumper has said that once the levy is established, the board has little control over the tax rates, which are a factor of the value a town assessor has placed on an individual’s property and the state equalization rates, said Jumper. 

One reason values may decline, for example, is when homeowners go through a property grievance process. Any value lost through grievances must be made up through the tax rate.

The board approved the return of $2,254,012 in surplus funds to be returned to voters, and the use of $500,000 from reserve funds to offset the tax levy.

Reserve funds allocated to the budget include $35,000 from the unemployment reserve; $200,000 from the  retirement contribution reserve, and $265,000 from the employee benefits accrued liability reserve.

“The total sum of the taxes is the exact same number,” Jumper said. “I want the tax levy to be as low as reasonably possible. We utilize reserves to help offset the taxpayers’ burden.”

The district’s remaining fund balance is at $4,299,230, or 3.87 percent of the 2011-12 budget, which is close to the 4 percent allowed under state law.

 

A comparison of recent tax rates in Katonah-Lewisboro

Town2009-10 2010-112011-12,  projected2011-12, actual
Bedford-1.42 7.45 1.712.06
Lewisboro2.031.225.435.79
Pound Ridge1.58-.567.878.23
North Salem2.03-2.757.337.69

* all rates are increases unless marked with a (-) sign.

Katonah NY Real Estate | Great Deals Under Gray Skies – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

By late morning Friday, the skies had cleared slightly and Katonah Avenue was filling up with shoppers eager for good finds.

Nicole Adler of Katonah was thrilled to find marked-down Alexis Bittar jewelry at Toney Toni and the Gang. “I always go to their sales,” she said.

If you didn’t make it to the sidewalk sales today, head on over tomorrow for some bargain shopping—discounts range from 10 to 70 percent off or more at many local shops.

To check out some of the merchandise, click through the photos for a sampling.

Here’s a snapshot of some of the sale items found lining Katonah’s main street:

 

The Sidewalk Sale continues through Saturday at 5 p.m.

South Salem NY Real Estate | Vincent Briccetti Takes Seat on U.S. District Court Bench – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

Vincent L. Briccetti of South Salem officially took his post yesterday as judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a ceremony at the U.S Courthouse in downtown New York City.

He was recommended for the bench by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) in June 2010 and nominated for the seat in November by President Obama. Prior to his unanimous confirmation after hearings in April, he was a partner in the law firm of Briccetti, Calhoun & Lawrence, LLP, in White Plains, and previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District.

He now sits at the federal court in White Plains. Briccetti just completed his first trial as a federal judge, which led to the jury conviction of a woman accused of stealing the identity of a Scarsdale couple she was hired to care for.

In recommending Briccetti, Schumer said, “Vincent Briccetti has had a varied and distinguished career in the law and public service on behalf of the people of New York and the nation. He is universally respected by his peers in the legal community due to his sharp mind and exemplary professionalism. His outstanding leadership, his intellect, his commitment to justice, his deep connections to New York, and his extensive experience make him an exceptional choice for as a federal judge in the Southern District.”

Briccetti told the Lewisboro Ledger that after graduating from Fordham Law School, his time serving as a law clerk to the Hon. John M. Canella, then-U.S. district judge for the Southern District of New York, helped him find his career focus.

“It was apparent to me that the best lawyers were criminal lawyers, both prosecution and defense,” he told writer Jane Dove. “I decided I wanted to become a federal prosecutor. After two years in private practice I became an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

You can read the Ledger’s full story here

Briccetti will fill the vacancy left by former Chief Judge Kimba Wood, who assumed senior status in 2009 in Manhattan.

Briccetti was born in Mt. Kisco and graduated from Fox Lane High School in Bedford, going on to earn bachelor’s degree in 1976 from Columbia University and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 1980. After working at law firms in New York and CT and completing a stint as assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan, he started his own law firm, later being joined by partners. From 2000 until 2011, he was a partner in Briccetti, Calhoun & Lawrence.

Bedford Hills Realtor | New Home Boutique Opens in Bedford Hills – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

With the price of food and fuel eating into consumer discretionary spending, this is a tough time to be a boutique owner. 

In fact, during the first six months of 2011, Bedford-Katonah residents watched the doors close at Ruthyan’s Boutique, Chic Trends, Tony’s Cigars, the Greener Cleaner, and Monroe’s Vintiques. 

But when one door closes, another opens, and in Bedford Hills, these newly opened doors belong to the Bedford House.

Lesa Vogliano said she realized the need—even in this tough economy —to have a source for those on a quest to create a comfortable, functional, and beautiful home environment. In June, Vogliano joined forces with furniture designer Dennis Anderson to launch the Bedford House.

“It occurred to me that sellers and buyers alike would benefit from a shop like Bedford House. A place where they can consign fine furnishings should something no longer suit their life or style, an advantage when upsizing or downsizing. Also we would offer our services for staging with our inventory,” Vogliano said. 

We spoke with Vogliano and Anderson to learn more about their new business, what will differentiate Bedford House from the established furniture shops in town, and what ultimately gave these entrepreneurs the courage to launch a business in a stagnant economy.

Patch: Tell us about your shop. What can a new customer expect to find inside your doors?

Lesa Vogliano:  This home boutique is filled to the brim with lovely fine quality furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, rugs and gift items – all the things that will make your house a special haven or delight friends and family with gifts that will enhance their abode. 

Patch: What did you do prior to opening Bedford House?

LV:  I am a real estate broker with Houlihan Lawrence in Bedford. Prior to that, I worked in fashion and textile design.  Dennis is a furniture designer and has worked in the furniture industry his entire career, including designing showrooms, photography styling for furniture catalogues, and product design. He has worked with all the major furniture companies, most notably for twelve years as a consultant to Baker Furniture.

I felt with our two backgrounds this venture was a perfect collaboration.

Patch: What gave you the courage to open a new business in this economy?

Dennis Anderson:  The furniture business was down even before the rest of the economy slowed. For me, the down economy made me want to do something that I was more in control of. We realized there wasn’t this type of business—a modestly priced home furnishing boutique anywhere in town.

Also, the home staging business has become more necesary in this economy. In the past (under different economic circumstances) people didn’t think about staging their homes. Now they find it necessary.

Patch: Why did you choose your location in Bedford Hills?

LV:  We chose our location for local convenience, but we love the light and loft-like space.            

Patch: Speaking of location, you are close to Country Willow.  How is Bedford House different than Country Willow and the other established furniture stores in town?

LV:  Bedford House is different. We have many unique items. We offer a trove of hand selected items with an eye towards style and value. Bedford House is a comfortable casual mix of new, vintage and antique pieces. Modern style mixes with traditional in a relaxed welcoming atmosphere.  

Patch: Describe some of your most unique, interesting items?  What should we come check out?

LV:  Most of our items are unique or interesting; however we offer several one-of-a-kind lamps.

You can find Bedford House at 17 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills NY 10507, by phone: 914-241-0415, and online: bedfordhouse.com.

Bedford Hills NY Real Estate | Bedford Hills Woman Used Fake Money to Buy Gas – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

A Bedford Hills woman was arrested on July 21 after using counterfeit bills in April to purchase $30 in gas at the Katonah Sunoco gas station.

Through interviews, Bedford police identified Christine Bueti, 41, as the individual who used the fake money. Bueti admitted that she knew the bills were not real, according to police. She was arraigned by Judge Quaranta and charged with two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument and two counts of petty larceny.

She was released without bail pending an appearance in town court.

Mohegan Lake woman charged in driving arrest

Dana DiPietro, a 21-year-old resident of Mohegan Lake, was arrested on July 22 after her car was tagged by the Bedford police license plate reader. Police officers on patrol conducted a traffic stop on Woodsbridge Road near Cross River Road and after a computer check, charged DiPietro with  operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a car. She was released without bail pending an appearance in town court.

Burglary at Abbott House

A thief removed a television, a SONY playstation and video game controllers from the Abbott House, a residential group home in Bedford, according to police. The value of the stolen property is over $500. The theft took place between 12:30 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. on July 23 and there was no sign of forced entry. The staff and some residents were away from the house at the time, police said. The investigation is ongoing.