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Bedford Corners NY Homes

Manhattan prices drop 7.5% | Bedford Corners Homes

A report from Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel says that the average sales price for Manhattan real estate fell 7.5% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The average sales price fell to $1.8 million, while the median sales price fell below $1 million.

Sales of apartments priced at $5 million or more fell 38% in Q4, leaving behind a two-year supply of luxury apartments on the market.

Now, CNBC says there is an eight-month supply of unsold apartments. Out of the previous nine quarters, eight have seen a drop in real estate sales in Manhattan, a considerably pricey market.

Tax pressures and rising inventory are what brokers say may keep buyers at bay.

“I think we’ll see more of the same,” Jonathan Miller, CEO of Miller Samuel, said to CNBC. “The problem with saying that 2020 will mark the bottom is that it suggests it will go up after that. And I think we still have another couple of years of moving sideways.”

Last summer, a new mansion tax hit the multimillion-dollar apartment market in New York.

Buyers were rushing to close before the new state taxes kicked in on July 1.

The new taxes boost the previous 1% fee on sales of $1 million and above – known as a “mansion tax,” though it applies to all types of homes, not just townhouses – to 1.25% for sales priced above $2 million and 3.9% for a sale of $25 million or more. The transfer tax increases from 0.4% to 0.65%.

This means that the mansion tax makes already high-tax states, like New York, more expensive.

CNBC said there is an expected 2,000 new condos to come onto the market this year, but buyers are steering to the rental market, even in luxury.

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Home builder confidence at 10-year high | Bedford Corners Real Estate

Homebuilder confidence grew in December thanks to the nation’s low-interest rates and strong job market, according to this month’s Housing Market Index.

The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo, which publish the monthly report,  revealed sentiment increased by 5 points to 75, markingthe highest reading since June of 1999.

 “Builders are continuing to see the housing rebound that began in the spring, supported by a low supply of existing homes, low mortgage rates, and a strong labor market,” said NAHB Chairman Greg Ugalde.

In December, the index measuring current sales conditions rose to 84 points, while buyer traffic grew to 58 points and sales expectations over the next six months inched forward to 79 points.

The three-month moving averages for regional HMI scores show the South grew to 76 points, the West increased to 84 points and the Midwest climbed to 63 points. However, the report indicates the Northeast declined to 61 points.

Although sentiment improved in a majority of the nation’s regions, NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz warns homebuilders across the country continue to grapple with affordability concerns.

“While we are seeing near-term positive market conditions with a 50-year low for the unemployment rate and increased wage growth, we are still underbuilding due to supply-side constraints like labor and land availability,” Dietz said.  “Higher development costs are hurting affordability and dampening more robust construction growth.”

NOTE: The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index gauges builder opinions of single-family home sales and expectations, asking for a rating of good, fair or poor. Builders are also asked to rate prospective buyer traffic from very low to very high. The scores are used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index with a rating of 50 or over indicating positive sentiment.

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Single-Family Starts Growth Slows | Bedford Corners Real Estate

According to NAHB analysis of the Survey of Construction (SOC), nationally, there were 881,076 new single-family units started in 2018, 4% higher than the units started in 2017. It was the double of the units started in 2011, and still 49% less than the peak of 2007 (1,731,171 units).

Among all the nine Census divisions, new single-family units started in the South Atlantic, West South Central and Mountain Divisions exceeded 100k in 2018. These three divisions represent 21 states, while the number of new single-family housing starts in these three divisions accounted for about 62% of the total new single-family housing starts in 2018.

In addition, there were 98,760 new single-family units started in the Pacific Division and 78,858 units started in the East North Central Division in 2018. The Pacific Division accounted for 11% of the total new single-family housing starts, while the East North Central Division accounted for 9%. The other four divisions, including East South Central, West North Central, Middle Atlantic and New England, accounted for the remaining 18% of the total new single-family housing starts.

The scatter plot below compares the nine Census divisions’ annual growth rates of new single-family housing starts in 2017 and 2018. The red line represents the national level in 2018. The X-axis presents the annual growth rates in 2017; the Y-axis presents the annual growth rates in 2018. Each division grew at the different pace, while, nationally, new single-family housing starts rose by 4%. Four out of the nine divisions grew faster than the national level. The New England Division and the Mountain Division led the way with a 13% increase each, followed by the West South Central Division with an 8% increase, and the South Atlantic Division with a 4% increase. Meanwhile, the growth rates of the other five divisions were below the national level.

As shown in Figure 2, compared to last year, the New England Division and the Mountain Division had an acceleration in growth in 2018. Noticeably, the New England Division grew by 13% in 2018, after a 5% growth rate in 2017. Meanwhile, six out of the nine divisions, including South Atlantic, East North Central, Pacific, Middle Atlantic, East South Central and West North Central, experienced a deceleration in growth in 2018. Among them, the West North Central Division experienced the largest deceleration with a decline of 14% in 2018. Moreover, the West South Central Division grew by 8% in 2018, unchanged from 2017.



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Will robots construct homes? | Bedford Corners Real Estate

Construction worker on beams

“New York will be a great place, if they ever finish it.”
O. Henry, 1872 CREDIT: PXHERE.COM

It’s no secret that the world is rapidly urbanizing. People are flocking to cities around the globe that do not have enough buildings or infrastructure to support them. Builders can’t keep up. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, construction productivity has fallen by half since the 1960s. While there are many factors at play, one of the biggest threats to this labor-driven industry is the growing shortage of workers. Not just that, but the average home owner has to also worry about other stuff that a witness expert (such as Cardoe Martin) would bring up after a survey of their property.

Unlearning by doing

Source: McKinsey Global Institute CREDIT: ECONOMIST.COMToday In: Leadership

When the recession hit in 2008, 600,000 workers left construction jobs never to return. Today workers avoid construction jobs, perceiving them as dangerous, difficult, and dirty. Millennials of all income backgrounds entering the workforce would prefer to go to a four-year college or take on jobs in retail or transportation. In the US alone, there are 434,000 vacant construction jobs as of April 2019, according to the US Labor Bureau. It’s important to note that this isn’t just an existential threat. Over the past few months, I’ve interviewed several construction managers who say that the shortage is felt on site daily. Contractors have been forced to pay subcontractors higher wages, often waiting for talent to become available – ultimately slowing down jobs across the country. Many attribute the 5.86% construction cost increase in 2018, cited by the Turner Building Cost Index, to this labor shortage. Roofing is the key process which should be done by the experienced people roofers-manchester.com.

Startups are racing to fix the construction productivity problem at large. VCs poured $3.1 billion into Construction Tech in 2018. Most of this money went towards modular housing companies or software that promises to optimize current processes such as project management and communication. Yet neither of these buckets addresses the labor shortage head-on. Many startups claim that robots might.

Over the last year, I have been looking into the startups trying to plug this gap with construction robotics.

With such an acute labor shortage, felt deeply by contractors and developers, are robots really the next best thing? What tasks can they accomplish on site today? Most importantly, will the customer— real-life, historically risk-averse contractors and developers—adopt robotics with open arms? If so, when?

The Construction Robotic Landscape

The robotics companies that currently exist take on the shape of a subcontractor. They use robotics to accomplish a vertical task on site like excavation, drywall installation, painting, and roofing. Some companies are inserting their autonomous software into pre-existing construction machinery. While other start-ups are adapting manufacturing robotics and small self-driving vehicles to do construction tasks, but there are still tasks that need to be done by humans, such as roofing, and the use of services like Reliable Roofing, Windows & Siding.

Most construction robotics companies promise to reduce construction costs by 1) cutting down on labor expenses, 2) taking less time to accomplish a task by working longer shifts and into the night, and 3) performing tasks faster—not by actually working faster than a human, but by shortening downtime between sub-tasks.

It’s important to note that many of the companies I spoke to are in their pilot phase. They are testing their technologies on live construction sites for the first time and require additional engineering oversight to get the job done. If these pilots (which may take six-plus months) run successfully, these construction robotics companies will most likely be ready for commercial use in one-and-a-half to two years. The biggest technological hurdles for robotic construction technology at the moment are 1) seamlessly integrating into an already-complicated construction site, 2) working off of plans and maps that evolve as they work, 3) being able to execute the task as well as a contractor.

However, the biggest challenge of all remains whether developers and contractors will adopt the technology at large.

The Customer: Curious, Risk-averse, & Cost-aware

Even though the labor shortage is real, one can’t help but wonder: if the construction industry has been hesitant to adopt technology in the past, will they adopt robotics today?

Unlike in manufacturing, where a single owner is incentivized to operate as efficiently as possible and invests in large capital expenditure projects that pay off over time, construction managers are motivated to turn around a single project as cost-effectively as possible while delivering to the architect’s specifications. They only work on a handful of projects each year, so they have a low willingness to experiment.

From speaking to contractors, I found that they would be willing to adopt technology or hire a robotics sub-contractor if there was proof that the robotic option could drastically reduce costs on their project.

To understand the biggest opportunity for cost savings, I set out to understand what costs the most on a construction site. While this data is challenging to obtain and costs are extremely variable site-to-site, through conversations with contractors, I have seen some patterns emerge, which I plot in the accompanying graph. Costs tend to be held up in a few key verticals, and then widely distributed across most other tasks.

% of Overall Cost

% of Overall Cost CREDIT: JULIETTE CILIA

Of the verticals that tend to cost the most today (structural support [i.e., concrete and steel] and mechanical and plumbing), not many can be automated because of the complexity of the task or we have yet to uncover companies in those verticals, also to find more, read more here, get more info, see here. Some verticals that proportionally cost less but still incur significant costs and are deployed across asset types, like drywall and bricklaying, are appealing, but it is unclear how quickly a large-scale contractor would rush to adopt them.

Construction at Sunset

In the near future we will see more companies tackling the cost-consuming tasks on big development projects. CREDIT: PXHERE.COM

The space is still evolving,  but I suggest holding off on large checks until we see movers who can tackle some of the costlier verticals, like cast-in-place concrete or facade installation. Automating these jobs will save contractors major money and could be widely adopted in time. While construction robotics are still maturing, I believe that in the next two to three years, we will see more companies tackling the cost-consuming tasks on big development projects, helping us finish more of our cities, offices, hospitals, and homes on time.

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https://www.forbes.com/sites/columbiabusinessschool/2019/07/31/the-construction-labor-shortage-will-developers-deploy-robotics/#e2be91f71988

US inventory of homes for sale flat | Bedford Corners Real Estate

home tops

The U.S. inventory of homes for sale was flat in the first quarter, compared with a year earlier, the first time since 2016 there wasn’t a decline, according to a Trulia report.

Inventory increased in 50 of the nation’s 100 largest metro areas, up from just 19 areas one year ago. Starter-home supply rose 3.5% year-over-year – the fastest annual growth rate observed in more than 6 years – while the number of luxury homes on the market fell 4.5%, the report said.

The increase likely is being driven by homes lingering on the market as high prices put them beyond the reach of first-time buyers, according to the report. About 54% of homes for sale were in the starter- or trade-up-home segments – in other words, the first few rungs of the housing ladder.

“The markets with the greatest growth in inventory are also markets where prices have rapidly risen to notoriously high levels and supply has been severely constrained over the past few years,” the report said. “This rapid appreciation has caused affordability to deteriorate more quickly in these areas, and the nascent rise in inventory may actually reflect an exhaustion of demand in these communities, more than it reflects a greater number of sellers listing their homes.”

The 10 markets with the largest gains in inventory are also among the nation’s most-expensive housing markets, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego.

“Even in these markets, dramatic increases in inventory – especially among starter homes – have yet to stem the tide of declining affordability,” the report said.

Nationally, there were 273,282 newly-listed homes on the market during the first quarter, down 6.9% from the 293,481 in the year-earlier period. In other words, inventory growth was driven by homes that were listed in prior quarters.

“Inventory growth seems to be driven more by ebbing demand rather than an infusion of new supply,” the report concluded.

The first quarter data may be representing the tail-end of a housing slump caused by November’s eight-year high in mortgage rates that since then have fallen.

At the end of March, the U.S. average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage had the largest one-week decline in more than 10 years, dropping to 4.06%, according to Freddie Mac. Since then, it has bounced around in a narrow band, and this week averaged 4.1%.

In March, pending home sales increased 3.8% as the cheaper financing costs brought more buyers into the market, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Last week, an index measuring mortgage home-purchase applications rose 5% from a week earlier and was 5% higher than the year-ago week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“We saw a good week for the spring home buying season,” MBA’s Joel Kan said in the report released on Wednesday.

read more…

https://www.housingwire.com/articles/49016-home-inventory-was-flat-in-q1-as-listings-lingered-on-market?utm_campaign=Newsletter%20-%20HousingWire%20Daily&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=72568506&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-97eI9f6irq-W5MGvRfv6pGqLdxmtWsaZHZ1d3KCG5Z8W-kyLXGD9f6NZHPyQVHvikIecdIzyzC7XnPn0J3HZuHXQtV8A&_hsmi=72568506

Bedford Town news | Bedford Corners Real Estate

NEW POSTS
Work Session – Sewer Project
The Town Board met with Ken Kohlbrenner with Woodard & Curran, the engineering consultants for the Town on the sewer project, Director of Planning Jeff Osterman and Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn to discuss the sewer project.  First, I provided an update on the status of the existing project, which we’re referring to as Phase I. As you know, the launch of the project hinges on the registration of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the Town and New York City.  The IGA is the source of $13.3 million in funding for the project, so it’s essential that it be in place. The registration process began in June of last year.  if you’ve noticed standing water in your basement or you’re experiencing floor drain backups, here’s what you need to know about what’s causing them and how to sewer repair. Water problem?

It’s a long process. At one point we thought it might be completed in January, but it has taken longer and likely will not be completed until late Spring/early Summer this year. Following registration of the IGA, we would go out to bid, however the Summer is the high season for bidding projects and so doesn’t place us in an ideal competitive environment.  We also do not want to disrupt the business districts with construction in November or December. 

As such, the anticipated project schedule now is as follows:
 • Complete design, regulatory approval, and IGA – August 2019• Receive bids for Construction Work – November 2019• Start Construction – Spring 2020• Complete Construction – Fall 2021 As we’ve discussed, given the lengthy process for implementation of the sewer project, last Fall we decided we should explore the next phase (Phase II) and beyond for sewers for Bedford Hills and Katonah. That led to a Preliminary Engineering Report which Woodard & Curran prepared. Phase II centers on Bedford Lake Apartments/Lakeside at Bedford off of Haines Road, because it is the last of the DEP upgrade sites.  Our recent meeting with DEP was encouraging that DEP is quite interested in having the Town proceed with an “alternative upgrade” connecting those apartments to the sewer system and providing the Town the funds it otherwise would have spent on a new wastewater treatment plant for the apartments and discounted to present value cost of operation and maintenance of the plant. 
The Woodard & Curran report made it clear that connecting to the County sewer district through Mt. Kisco was not only logistically difficult with multiple entities’ approval required, but also much more expensive than a modest expansion of the capacity of the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant that the Departments of Corrections and Community Supervision will convey to the Town.  We discussed options that the Town might consider for sewers, recognizing that there needs to be property owner support which eventually would take the form of a vote on a referendum based on costs to the owners (both the cost of connecting as well the annual sewer rent).   
The Board asked staff to prepare a survey to property owners on certain residential streets with known septic issues or which may have septic issues arise.  Phase II District Summary
Phase II Draft Survey Questions
Conservation Board Report and Update Simon Skolnik, Chairman of the Conservation Board, provided a comprehensive report on the Board’s work in 2018 and plans for 2019. We are grateful to the Board for its leadership and dedication.  Over the years the Board has developed and proposed initiatives which have found their way into the Town’s policies, local laws and operations.  
Most recently the Board has been responsible for securing grant funding for a tree inventory, NYS rebates for electric vehicles for the Town’s operations, an EV charging station and invasive plant removal.
Renewal of Community Choice Aggregation:NYSEG Service Area – Update Presentation
Dan Welsh, director of Westchester Power, the Community Choice Aggregation program of Sustainable Westchester, presented a report on the renewal of CCA in NYSEG service area.  The Town has been a participant in the consortium of Westchester municipalities which through Sustainable Westchester are beneficiaries of bulk pricing on electricity for our residents and small businesses.  
Dan Welsh’s presentation, which the Public Service Commission requires as part of its authorization to Sustainable Westchester for the CCA program, reviewed the successful bidding for the power contract. As mentioned previously, Direct Energy, a Texas-based wholly-owned subsidiary of British multinational Centrica PLC, submitted the winning bid which satisfied our conditions both for the standard supply and the New York State origin renewable energy supply. The company has business in several states, including community aggregation programs in Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts and has been doing business in New York for 14 years.  The pricing is for a contract term of 19 months at 6.93 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the renewable hydro supply and 6.61 cents kWh for standard supply.  The new contract term begins on May 1. We are pleased with the successful results enabling the Town to continue with the Westchester Power program for the benefit of our community.  
As I mentioned last week, by the authority conferred on me by the Town Board, I signed the Electricity Service Agreement for the Green Option earlier this week thereby making Bedford the first municipality to renew.  
This has been a very successful program for electricity customers – those of you not in the program may wish to review it to see if it makes sense for you. 
Noise Law Amendments – Public Hearings Set
The Town Board reviewed revisions in proposed amendments to the Town Code which were developed with our Police Department, Code Enforcement personnel and Town attorneys, Keane & Beane, to eliminate inconsistencies in sections of the Town Code relating to noise disturbance. In addition to intending to eliminate the inconsistencies, we also want the noise law to be fair and equitable.  
Based on decisions of the Town Justice Court, we also needed to clarify provisions pertaining to dog barking.  We also would require a permit (no fee would be charged for it) through the Town Clerk for live music or DJs for any tavern or restaurant in a non-residential area. The revisions in the proposal included limitations on exemptions to the noise law.  
The Town Board set public hearings starting at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 19 for the four sections to the Town Code which are involved. The following are key provisions: To address the inconsistencies, the proposed amendments eliminate the provisions which are difficult to enforce regarding unreasonable or excessive barking and what constitutes a noise violation, and has replaced them with revised provisions to define “Noise Disturbance” and identify specific activities that are prohibited and specific activities that are exempt from the noise regulations.For enforcement purposes, it requires either sworn affidavits from two separate persons in two separate residences, direct observation by the enforcement officer or official, or that the noise level exceeds certain decibel levels as measured with a sound metering device.The revisions continue to permit the use of a sound metering device as an alternative method of enforcement and sets specific decibel levels that cannot be exceeded in residential and nonresidential zones during daytime and nighttime hours. The law identifies a number of noise making activities that are generally exempt from the noise regulations. However, there are limitations with respect to many of these exemptions. In addition, a general provision has been included that the exempt activities cannot exceed the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure levels for occupational noise exposure. A new provision would be created requiring a permit for live music (two or more performers) or DJs for any tavern or restaurant in a non-residential zone.  
The Schedule for the Public Hearings at the March 19 Town Board meeting are as follows:
7:00 PM – Public Hearing – Proposed amendment to Chapter 48 of the Town Code relating to noise disturbance
7:05 PM – Public Hearing – Proposed amendment to Chapter 83 of the Town Code relating to noise disturbance
7:10 PM – Public Hearing – Proposed amendment to Chapter 125 of the Town Code relating to noise disturbance 7:15 PM – Public Hearing – Proposed amendment to Chapter 79 of the Town Code requiring a permit for live music/DJs for restaurants and taverns innon-residential zones. 
OTHER NEW POSTS and UPDATES
Pictured above are members of the HeatSmart Team, representing Bedford 2020, Lewisboro Sustainability Committee, Pound Ridge Energy Action Committee with Bedford Town Supervisor Chris Burdick, Lewiboro Town Supervisor Peter Parsons, Pound Ridge Town Supervisor Kevin Hansan. 
HeatSmart Bedford-Lewisboro-Pound Ridge Has Arrived!
On Wednesday night at the Bedford Playhouse, local sustainability groups kicked off HeatSmart Westchester, an opportunity to significantly reduce energy consumption, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and help homeowners not only reduce their energy bills, but also increase their year-round comfort and the value of their homes.
Sign up online to get started on your path to clean heating and coolingwith HeatSmart Bedford-Lewisboro-Pound Ridge!Call (914) 302-7300 ext 1. for assistance.  
Save the date for Pound Ridge’s HeatSmart event on April 13th.
Landscaper Workshop
In advance of the Town of Bedford Leaf Blower regulations, which come into effect on May 15, the Leaf Blower Task Force is hosting a workshop for landscapers at the Bedford Hills Train Station on March 19 at 5 p.m.
This is to review the regulations, with specifics for the hamlet zones, and demonstrate some electric leaf blower models. Please ask your landscaper to attend. Green Initiatives 
Update on I-684
Earlier today I testified at a special State Senate hearing in White Plains on public transportation.  On February 8 I had also testified to present the resolutions of the Bedford Town Board urging the New York State legislature to provide funding for the repaving of the 1.5 mile portion of I-684 which runs through Katonah.  As so many are acutely aware, the Town of Bedford for over 20 years has beseeched the State to pave this short portion of roadway, the original concrete roadbed and the only portion of all of I-684 which has not been paved in fifty years when it first was constructed.  [Link to testimony].            I urge you to keep up the calls, e-mails and letters to our representatives urging them to pave this dangerously deteriorated portion of the highway.  See below under “Special November 8 Town Board Work Session on I-684” for contact information and thank you for pressing to get this done.



Update on Repaving Route 117
With Winter drawing to a close, we are pressing Con Edison to finally resurface the Route 117 chewed up from its gas main replacement work last year. As Route 117 is a New York State road, we are working through New York State Department of Transportation to get this done. NYSDOT has previously mandated, and Con Ed agreed to comply with, curb to curb restoration of the portion of 117 disturbed by Con Ed as part of two NYSDOT highway work permits. 
I am calling a meeting among representatives of NYSDOT, Con Edison and the Village of Mount Kisco to confirm the project scope and ensure that permanent curb to curb restoration occurs to NYSDOT’s satisfaction as soon as temperatures allow for paving to occur. 
Bedford Fire District – Proposed Fire House
A number of residents have contacted me regarding the proposal of the Bedford Fire District to construct a new fire house off of South Brook Road and Old Post Road (a/k/a Route 22) in Bedford Village.   At the outset I should explain that the Town’s attorneys have determined that the Town has no approval authority over the proposed firehouse project because the Bedford Fire District is a local government entity under New York law.  The Bedford Fire District has posted a substantial amount of information regarding the proposed fire house which can be accessed at www.bedfordfire.com.  The New Fire House Committee invites the public to send questions regarding the project to NFC@bedfordfire.com or call (914) 205-6341 which are both dedicated to the project.
Update on NYSEG Infrastructure Improvements
NYSEG is making progress on infrastructure improvements which NYSEG pledged to make to improve resiliency, reduce the impact of storms and resulting power outages and allow faster restoration of power. These include pole replacement, re-conductors, infrastructure hardening, voltage and topology upgrades, network automation, automated meter reading and vegetation management.  NYSEG informed me that it has completed the installation of five reclosers in Bedford. I looked up the word reclosers and got this: Reclosers are small circuit breakers located at the top of distribution poles and are typically used on very long distribution feeders. Their function is to isolate a section of the feeder in fault or overload conditions and thereby minimize the number of customers without service”   In addition, upgrade work is nearly complete on one major circuit serving Bedford and should be completed soon on another.  
The infrastructure improvements are largely invisible to us, but I am hopeful that they should help. I also should mention that one of the most effective means to reduce outages are tree removal and tree trimming.  We love our trees. In fact Bedford is devoting considerable funding in its Capital Plan for tree plantings and management.  We also are optimistic that we will receive funding from NYS to augment our own investments.   That said, in heavy winds or iced power lines, trees or tree limbs come down and with them power lines.   We strive for a balance between preserving and protecting beloved trees and reducing the frequency of power outages. 
Reminder: please contact me at supervisor@bedfordny.gov if you observe any tree limbs on power lines or diseased or dead trees or tree limbs which appear to threaten power lines, property or people (such as under a school bus stop, as recently reported and acted upon).  
Proposed Infrastructure Improvements forBedford Hills – Status Update
I have been asked the Westchester County Planning Department for an update on the status of the Town’s application last year for Community Development Block Grant infrastructure funding for Bedford Hills. The Town submitted the application last year to the County as a participant in the CDBG consortium of Westchester municipalities.  
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides CDBG grant funding to the County which in turn awards funds to participating municipalities. The County Planning Department advised me late last week that the County awaits notification from HUD of the County’s grant allocations. The notification is expected in the middle of April and the County’s determinations of grant awards will likely be made sometime in the mid or late June.  Let me provide background and context. Readers may recall that last Spring, the Town Board authorized the Town to enter into an agreement with Westchester County for the purposes of participating with the County in its Community Development Block Grant program with funding from the federal government.  A portion of Bedford Hills is designated as a low and moderate income area and eligible for CDBG funding.  The Town must provide not less than a 50% matching funds for the projects for which the CDBG application is submitted. The Town made applications for three years of CDBG funding for sidewalk and traffic improvements which Bedford Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn described as follows: The sidewalk along the length of Babbitt Road is deteriorated and in need of replacement. The material condition of the sidewalk is such that it may present safety and liability issues in the form of tripping hazards. Handicap ramps need to be upgraded to meet current ADA requirements. Moreover, the sidewalk is heavily utilized by low-moderate income families that travel with their young children to and from the elementary school located on Babbitt Road. The sidewalk is also a pathway used by low-moderate income families to access the Bee Line bus stops. These buses transport many residents to and from work, to the doctor’s office, etc. In addition, the intersection of Harris Road and Babbitt Road is in the low-moderate income area and is used frequently by area residents. Due to a vertical curve or hill, sight distance for a left turn from Babbitt to Harris Road is quite limited, well below the required 200’ sight distance for a 30 mph intersection. It is proposed to modify the intersection orientation to eliminate the center island and stop signs at two of the three approaches, creating a much safer turn condition. As part of the intersection redesign, sidewalks and drainage will be replaced. Design will include ADA compliance. Therefore, the Town of Bedford seeks Community Development Block Grant assistance in sidewalk / street-scape / intersection improvements that will address the abovementioned issues and enhance the safety and quality of life of the residents in the area. In year 1, the Harris Road and Babbitt Road intersection would be improved to create a much safer turning condition and include ADA complaint sidewalks. The project amount is estimated at $400,000, with a requested $175,000 CDBG grant and $225,000 Town match from General Fund fund balance. In year 2 the CDBG project requested by the DPW would be to replace the concrete sidewalk, curb, culverts and catch basins on Babbitt Road from Buxton Road to 1,500’ east of Buxton Road. The existing drainage culvert is under the existing sidewalk, and is in poor condition. The project amount is estimated at $400,000, with a requested $175,000 CDBG grant and $225,000 Town match from capital projects. In year 3 the CDBG project requested by the DPW would be to continue to replace the concrete sidewalk on Babbitt Road from 1,500’ east of Buxton Road to the intersection of Turin Avenue. The existing drainage culvert is under the existing sidewalk, and is in poor condition. The project amount is estimated at $400,000, with a requested $175,000 CDBG grant and $225,000 Town match from capital projects.
REMINDER: Balloon TestsRe-Scheduled for Saturday, March 9 The balloon tests for the proposed cell tower at Petre Glass site or in the alternative the Town office property at 425 Cherry Street is now scheduled for Saturday, March 9th with a weather postponement date of March 10th. 
The balloon tests will begin at 8 AM and last until 12Noon, as long as there is little wind. All balloons will be at a height of 150 feet and will be red in color.
If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Osterman, Director of Planning, at 914-666-4434 or at josterman@bedfordny.gov
REMINDER:Get Your Free Reusable BagBefore the April 1 Launchof the Reusable Bag law
Choose Reusable! Members of the Bedford community are gearing up for the April 1 launch of the Reusable Bag Initiative, aimed at cutting back on the use of paper or plastic bags when shopping.
As mentioned previously, on April 1, Bedford’s law goes into effect and from then on customers who arrive at the check-out counter without a reusable bag and request a bag will be charged a dime for each paper or plastic bag.  We don’t want you to pay a dime!  So we’ve teamed up with Shoprite, DeCicco’s and Key Foods who are now in the middle of a massive distribution to their customers without charge of reusable bags. Shoprite is giving away 6,200, but there is a limit of one per customer, and DeCicco’s and Key Foods 1,000 each. But once April 1 arrives, they won’t be giving them out for free any more.  We’ve gotten questions about the program ranging from how to obtain more reusable bags, the 10c fee itself.  Please see our FAQs.
Supervisor’s Show February Edition
Click to viewShow Topics include Reducing Plastic Bags, Verizon Agreement,Status of Sewer Project, Discussion w/ Reusable Bags Task Force
COMMUNITY NEWS & INFORMATION
PRIOR POSTS OF CONTINUED RELEVANCE 

Highlights of February 19Town Board Meeting
Work Session – Verizon FIOS Franchise Agreement
The Board met the representatives of the Communications Committee the renewal of the Town’s franchise agreement with Verizon FIOS expiring on December 31. (Last week I incorrectly stated that the Cablevision agreement also is expiring on December 31; rather, it is expiring in the middle of 2022).
The Town intends to renew the FIOS agreement to enable the services to continue for our residents and businesses.  Joining us in the work session was Whitney Singleton of the law firm of Singleton & Singleton who ten years ago served as special counsel to the Town on the franchise agreements. 
We discussed next steps as follows:
Communications Committee to meet and in consultation with Mr. Singleton develop a list of recommended priorities in the negotiations with Verizon.Evaluate whether Verizon is meeting its obligations under the present franchise agreement; including whether it is providing credit for basic service on FIOS bills.Provide a report/recommendations to the Town Board ahead of the Board’s April 2 meeting.


Public Hearings(Parking; Stop Sign)
The Board held a public hearing on a parking regulation change for Babbitt Road and Glen Road to improve the line of sight for motorists, following which the Board approved the change.
The Board held a public hearing on a proposed stop sign at South Road in Katonah, again to improve the line of sight for motorists. Here too we approved the proposal.
 In response to some comments received, we postponed until the March 5 meeting consideration of a no parking zone for a portion of Beaver Dam Road.




County Executive George LatimerDiscussion of Sales Tax Increase Proposal
Mr. Latimer appeared before the Board to explain his proposal, currently under consideration by the New York State legislature, which would increase by 1% the sales tax for towns and villages in Westchester County and raise the present rate in Bedford from 7 3/8% to 8 3/8%.  
He noted as follows:
The purpose of the increase is to repair the County’s “structural budget deficit” of $60 million which absent the adoption of his proposal would result in reduction in County services, further “one shot” measures such as sale of County assets and other cost reduction measures. The County has been dipping into its Reserve Fund to fund operations, a fiscally imprudent use of Reserve Funds. The proposal would stabilize County property tax rates. If the increase is adopted, the County would freeze County property taxes for two years (i.e., 0% increase for each of the two years).
The sales tax increase would be shared with towns and villages and school districts as follows: 70% to the County; 20% to towns and villages and 10% to the school districts.  There is no action required or requested on the part of the Town of Bedford or any other municipality to receive the additional sales tax revenue.  He noted that such additional revenue may enable a municipality to moderate property tax increases which otherwise might be required, however, he was hesitant to estimate the increase in sales tax revenue to Bedford, stating that such revenues are difficult to predict. 
The sales tax increase would “sunset” on December 31, 2021.  Mr. Latimer would need to seek re-authorization from the State legislature before the end of the 2021 legislative session should he wish to have the increase remain in place, which he stated he expects would be needed to correct the County’s structural budget deficit.
Exemptions for food, clothing and medications are set by the New York State legislature.  
If the proposal were adopted, it would become effective at some time later in 2019, the implementation of which will depend upon the date of adoption.
In response to Town Board questions regarding whether there would be a loss of sales to New Jersey or Connecticut, Mr. Latimer stated that studies have shown that except for large ticket items, such as cars, consumers tend to shop closer to home and are not likely to change their shopping patterns based on a 1% increase in the sales tax.
In response to anticipated concerns about the regressive nature of sales-taxes in general, Mr. Latimer pointed out that the revenues from the proposed increase would be used to fund essential programs and services that would benefit lower-income residents throughout Westchester. The current sales tax presently for four Westchester cities is at or higher than the 8 3/8% proposed rate proposed and would not change: Yonkers (8 7/8 %) and Mount Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains, each at 8 3/8%. In these municipalities, where the majority of Westchester’s lower-income residents reside, the sales tax would remain unchanged.



Sewer Project Update
As mentioned last week, an integral part of the sewer project is the substantial funding from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection which derives from the Town connecting three properties to the sewer system to be constructed: Bedford Park Apartments, Katonah Elementary School and St. Mary’s School.  
The connection to the sewer system is as an alternative to DEP’s obligation either to replace existing wastewater treatment at those properties.  The connection to the sewer system, referred to as an “alternative upgrade”, will result in the Town receiving over $13 million relieving the DEP of the requirement. 
Public Works Commissioner Kevin Winn who worked patiently with the site owners and their counsel on “connection agreements” with the Town which were presented to the Town Board for approval and to which the Board agreed.   
Director of Planning Jeffrey Osterman presented an update on the sewer project explaining that the project remains on schedule. We anticipate that New York City will complete late Spring/early Summer its lengthy registration of its Intergovernmental Agreement with the Town.  This will enable the Town to bid out the project and commence construction late Summer/early Fall with completion in late 2021. 
Mr. Osterman also explained that the staff and I are working with DEP on “Phase II” to bring sewers to more areas of the more densely populated areas of Bedford Hills and Katonah.   
The Board scheduled a work session for March 5 at 6 PM to discuss it. 

February 26 Planning Board MeetingBalloon Tests for Proposed Cell Tower
As I’ve mentioned previously, Homeland Towers, a cell tower developer whose customers include Verizon and AT&T, has proposed a cell tower at the Petre Glass property at 29 Haines Road or in the alternative at the Town’s nearby property at 425 Cherry Street.  
A tower at the Town’s property would eliminate the need for the one proposed at 29 Haines Road and the Police Department would be provided the highest on the tower for upgraded emergency wireless communications equipment for which it is in need. 
The Planning Board will review the application for the Petre Glass site, because it is on private property, and the Town Board will review the application for the 425 Cherry Street site. 
As those following cell tower proposals are aware, the Town has very limited authority regarding the siting of cell towers due to federal law pre-emptions (see discussion below). The first step in a municipality’s consideration of the siting of a cell tower is to set balloon tests, a standard test which the Planning Board requires to help assess the suitability of particular sites. A balloon test is conducted by floating orange or red balloons that are at the height needed for the proposed cell tower. The test will give the community a perspective of the visual impact of the proposed tower.
On February 5, the Town Board, with the concurrence of the Planning Board, set the balloon tests for all three locations (one on the Petre site and two at 425 Cherry), for Saturday, March 2, 2019 with a rain/snow date of Sunday, March 3, 2019. 
The Planning Board will set the standards for the balloon tests at its February 26 meeting.
The meeting will be held at 8:00pmThe Conference Room-2nd Floor425 Cherry Street Bedford Hills, NY 10507  
You are encouraged to attend and voice your comments regarding the balloon tests.
Please note that balloon tests regardingGuard Hill have been canceled.


Federal Law Overrides Town Law
The Town of Bedford is governed by federal law. Federal Law overrides local law. In December 2018, the Town Board amended its local law on applications for large wireless facilities and small wireless facilities in order to take into account the Federal Communication Act and new rules and regulations of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).
The FCC has ruled that it is a federal matter and not a local matter whether a particular cell tower is safe; that it does not emit radiation or that it does not pose a safety hazard.  
This is because the Federal Communications Act has determined that is a federal responsibility. Municipalities are preempted from denying a cell tower application due to health, safety and radiation reasons.
In other words, if a municipality wishes to deny an application for a cell tower, it may only due so on narrow land use concerns.  If the applicant establishes certain facts, including deficient service with no viable, less intrusive, alternative location, then the municipality has little choice in the matter. 
The new Town law also provides new tools to the Town to help protect residential areas of Town.  
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New York State Budget Impactson Town and School Districts
At the February 5 meeting of the Bedford Town Board, we adopted two resolutions regarding the Governor’s proposed budget:The first calls for restoration of Aid and Incentives to Municipalities for the Town (AIM), for increased funding the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) (NYS funds for local road projects) and to retain funding for the Local PAVE-N and Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR). In particular, the Governor’s proposed budget would result in a loss of $79,494 in AIM funds to the Town of Bedford.  At a time when our Town like so many others in New York struggle to sustain services to its residents, AIM funds are more critical than ever. We ask that the budget include such funds. New York’s roads have been deteriorating at an alarming rate. These include our local roads. We need the funds.
The second calls for funding for the concrete portion of I-684 running through Bedford.  This is the only section of I-684 which is the original road bed completed in the late 1960s.  So it’s 50 years old. And it’s in terrible shape. We’ve been asking for over two decades, yes, two decades that the State fix it. It is dangerous. 
I presented the Town Board’s resolutions on February 8 at a special budget forum in Greenburgh hosted by all of the New York State Senators representing Westchester County.  I will keep you posted whether we are successful in our efforts regarding the state budget.  




Extended Deadline for Furloughed Federal Employeesto Pay Real Property Taxes
At its February 5 meeting, the Town Board adopted a resolution, as authorized by a special emergency amendment to New York State real property tax law, to grant a temporary extension for payment of real property taxes for furloughed federal workers or the designated non-paid federal employee.  The action provides a penalty free period for a 90 days after the furlough has ended. Those Bedford property owners that have been impacted by the furlough must apply for the extension in the Tax Receiver’s Office, located at 321 Bedford Rd in Bedford Hills, no later than March 4, 2019. 
If you are affected, please provide Tax Receiver Amy Pectol a copy of your furloughed workers identification along with documentation that you were furloughed when applying. Payment of the tax must be received no later than April 26, 2019.  For more information on this extension please contact the Tax Receiver at 914-666-4475 or by emailing at apectol@bedfordny.gov 




Other Action at the Town Board’sFebruary 5 Meeting

Work Session on Amendments to Noise Lawand Live Music Permit
The Town Board met in a Work Session to review proposed amendments to the noise law and to establish a permitting process for live music performance in restaurants and taverns in non-residential areas of Town.  As I noted in last week’s newsletter, the Police Department, Building Inspector, Town Clerk, Planning Director and Town counsel all worked on developing the proposals.   The reasons for the proposals are:
The need to resolve inconsistencies between sections of the Town Code, which create confusion for our community as well as enforcement concerns.
 Response to advice from our Police Department and Code Enforcement Officer personnel that use of noise meters for residential noise complaints typically is impractical.
Creation of a clear definition of what constitutes a noise disturbance and need for a balance to ensure that valid complaints are addressed but invalid complaints are not.
 Need to address concern from both businesses and residents alike that there be a fair, clear and simple method for permitting live music (more than one performer) in restaurants and taverns in non-residential areas to provide that reasonable noise regulations are being observed. 
Need to address certain provisions of the Town Code regulating dog barking due to concerns with respect to enforcement of these provisions.         Please see the memorandum from Town counsel Eric Gordon which summarizes revisions in the law:memorandum and proposed permit application for live music in restaurants and taverns in non-residential areas
The Town Board reviewed the proposal and will further review it in an upcoming work session.  Of course, we welcome comments on the proposals. 




Presentation of Capital Markets Advisors The Town’s financial advisors Beth Ferguson of the Town’s financial advisors, Capital Markets Advisors, made a presentation to the Town Board to explain its role as financial advisor for the Town’s bond issuances. Ms. Ferguson also explained the role of bond counsel, auditor, bond insurer and other parties; the authorization process for issuance of debt; financing options (i.e., Bond Anticipation Notes and Bonds); the Town’s bonds which are outstanding at present; credit ratings and the Town’s current Standard & Poor’s Rating of AAA (highest rating) and the basis for the ratings.CMA PowerPoint presentation.
She emphasized that the Town’s highest credit rating is resulting in significantly lower interest rates than municipalities without such a rating.  Our thanks to Comptroller Zambrano and our department heads for their careful management of the Town’s finances. 



Presentation of Energize NY Lauren Brois of Energize NY (formerly known as Energy Improvement Corporation) will provided an update on the Energize program in Bedford.  
The Town is one of two Westchester municipalities (the other is New Rochelle) which has contracted with Energize to continue the residential Energize program on an annual basis.  Ms. Brois presented the results of the program for 2018 and the plans for the 2019 program.  


Update: Con Edison’sWestchester Natural Gas Moratorium
Along with other elected representatives, last week I attended a Con Edison briefing on the moratorium. First by way of background, here’s the Con Edison statement regarding the moratorium:
“We will accept applications for new gas service until March 15, 2019. Customers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis unless it becomes necessary to stop accepting new requests before the end of the enrollment period. Customers will be provided specific timelines based on their request type. New buildings will be allowed up to 24 months to complete their projects.” We are highly concerned about significant adverse impacts for both residents and businesses alike. I am particularly concerned should the moratorium be prolonged and extend to the completion of Phase I of the sewer project in the business districts of Bedford Hills and Katonah.  At the briefing, Con Edison stated that the moratorium is due to higher than anticipated demand for natural gas provided by the pipelines which serve Westchester County. Con Edison does not know when the moratorium will end.  Con Edison explained that there had been a sudden and dramatic shift in natural gas supply and demand which prompted Con Edison’s moratorium action. I now am working with our Building Department poring over active building permit applications to ascertain who might be affected. We will provide the results of our research to County Executive George Latimer who has requested such information from each municipality served by Con Edison natural gas.  His staff will compile the data in an effort to assess the magnitude of the impact and work to mitigate it. If you have submitted an application to Con Edison for natural gas service and are concerned about its status or are considering submitting an application for new service, please feel free to contact me so I may try to assist.  
A Community Solar Opportunity forBedford’s NYSEG Customers
I received an email recently regarding an invitationto qualified Bedford residents:
 Dear Chris:
Bedford 2020 has been given the opportunity to identify a small group of households to participate in a community solar project. This opportunity is only for residents who do not already have rooftop solar and who live in NYSEG territory. If you are a NYSEG customer, you may qualify.Community Solar brings the benefits of solar power to your home without your having to install solar panels on your roof or property. The panels are sited at another location in the community. In this case, the array is located on a local horse farm in North Salem and is big enough to provide power for about 15 households.
Bedford 2020 has been given the opportunity to identify a small group of households to participate in a community solar project. This opportunity is only for residents who do not already have rooftop solar and who live in NYSEG territory.
If you are a NYSEG customer, you may qualify. Community Solar brings the benefits of solar power to your home without your having to install solar panels on your roof or property. The panels are sited at another location in the community. In this case, the array is located on a local horse farm in North Salem and is big enough to provide power for about 15 households.
By participating, you will be supporting local, clean energy and seeing guaranteed savings on your electricity bill (of up to 5%) each and every month. You will also have the ability to cancel at any time with no penalty and no upfront costs. Signing up is as easy as uploading a utility bill and signing a short agreement. Click here to sign up, or call Nick directly at PowerMarket: 203.247.809, or email him at nick@thepowermarket.com. We are excited to offer Bedford 2020 supporters a chance to participate in this exciting renewable energy project. If you think you may qualify, please take action ASAP to find out more about this opportunity. Spots are limited!
-Bedford 2020 
Meatless Mondays makes the news!
Ellen Calves of Bedford2020 sent me an email this week :
“The B2020 Meatless Monday campaign was written about on the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future blog.
Read the article here: new-york-town-goes-meatless
It is a nice summary of our effort to engage people around climate action and a sustainable food choice that the town supported, along with a few photos. Perhaps other towns will read about our efforts and do the same!”

Renewal of Community Choice Aggregation:NYSEG Service Area
As reported in this space at our January 15 meeting, the Town Board authorized me to enter into the necessary documentation for the renewal of Community Choice Aggregation for the NYSEG service area through Westchester Power. Our action was on the stipulation that the renewal occur based on the same terms as the expiring contract.  We just learned that Westchester Power received a bid which satisfied our conditions both for the standard supply and the New York State origin renewable energy supply. Direct Energy, a Texas-based wholly-owned subsidiary of British multinational Centrica PLC, submitted the winning bid. The company has business in several states, serve community aggregation programs in Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts and has been doing business in New York for 14 years. The pricing is for a contract term of 19 months at 6.93 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for the renewable hydro supply and 6.61 cents kWh for standard supply.  We are pleased with the successful results enabling the Town to continue with the Westchester Power program for the benefit of our community. Link to Westchester Power announcement


Special November 8 Town BoardWork Session on I-684
The Board held a special work session to discuss the unacceptable lack of progress in getting New York Department of Transportation to repave the concrete portion of I-684 running through Katonah – the original road surface nearly 50 years old.   
We are pleased that Regional Director of the NYS DOT Lance MacMillan and members of his staff participated as well as State Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman David Buchwald, County Legislator Kitley Covill and representative of Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney joined usKatonah resident Peter Nardone presented a compelling case, as an engineer with significant experience on major highway projects (he was part of the team overseeing work on the FDR Drive and the Gowanus Expressway), on the deterioration in the surface and the significant safety risks.  Police Chief Melvin Padilla presented accident data obtained from the State Police.  
We also shared with Mr. MacMillan letter from the Katonah Fire Department and the Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps citing accidents and safety hazards.   
We expressed our continued frustration that of the approximately 30 miles of I-684, the stretch running through Katonah is the only portion of the road which is the original road surface and has not been re-paved. We have been petitioning NYS for nearly 20 years that the paving be carried out. Especially upsetting is being advised last year that funds were in place for repaving only to learn that the funds vanished for an emergency project (collapsed wall of a bridge carrying the Sprain Brook Parkway).  While we certainly understand the need to attend to emergencies, it is incumbent on DOT to work with us to find funds.
What emerged is as follows:
·      Mr. MacMillan stated that paving the project is a top priority for his Region of the DOT.·      The project should not await the years’ long corridor study and subsequent project funding for 684 from Exit 5 north to 84 and 84 east to the Connecticut line. ·      The DOT Regional Office needs to very soon identify the cost of the project·      The DOT Regional Office needs to persuade DOT Commissioner Paul Karas to put the project in his budgetary request to the Governor which is submitted this coming January. Senator Mayer and Assemblyman Buchwald were adamant in this regard to enable them to advocate for the funding during the budget negotiations.·       Mr. MacMillan stated that design work for the project was well along and that if the funding were in place for the budget, the paving could take place in 2019. Many in the community have asked me for contact information for our elected representatives and NYS officials involved in the process so that they can reach out to them to let them know the concerns: Governor Cuomo: https://www.governor.ny.gov/contact1-518-474-8390 DOT Albany office: 518-457-6195DOT Region 8 Acting Regional Director Lance MacMillan: 845-431-5750 State Assemblyman David Buchwald: buchwaldd@assembly.state.ny.us,914-244-4450 State Senator Shelley Mayer: smayer@nysenate.gov518-455-2031 If you send an e-mail, please consider copying me and our legislators.




DRIVERS: A SAFETY REMINDER Pull over for emergency vehicles

This reminder came from our Bedford Fire Chief, Shawn Carmody, who has noticed that the disregard for the rules of the road regarding emergency vehicles has gotten worse since school has started.
Please be mindful:
“We have seen many drivers lately not pull over for emergency vehicles. We’re not sure of the reason, whether they are distracted, don’t hear or see the emergency vehicle or just feel they can stay ahead of the emergency vehicle at their current speed. State laws — and common sense — dictate that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left whenever possible and safe to do so when responding in an emergency mode. When it’s safe, drivers should slow down, pull over to the right and come to a complete stop, no coast or ride the shoulder.
However, there are circumstances where that may not be possible:
If your car is already stopped, and you don’t have anywhere to pull over, simply stay put until the emergency vehicle goes around you
If you are blocking the route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your intentions and proceed at a safe speed
If you are on the crest of a hill or a bend of a curve, proceed through until oncoming traffic is visible for the emergency vehicle behind you
Other considerations:
Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus approaching
Make no sudden moves
 If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should pull over and come to a full stop
You have no idea if the emergency vehicle is proceeding down the road or are planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you
Do not tailgate, “draft,” or follow a responding apparatus closely, not only is this illegal, you run the risk of a collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by
You are not required to slow down or pull over for emergency vehicles that are responding in the opposite direction on a divided highway or interstate
When a driver pulls over and then drives on the shoulder at a slower speed, they lengthen the distance in which the emergency vehicle must navigate before fully passing the vehicle. A vehicle travelling at 20mph on the shoulder is covering 29.3 feet every second and that adds to the passing corridor. This also provides less room for the emergency vehicle to pass and navigate oncoming traffic if they haven’t fully pulled over.
When you see a personal vehicle operating a flashing blue or green light, those are volunteers responding to a call, they do not have the right of way like emergency vehicles do. These flashing lights are known as courtesy lights and we ask that people pull over if safe to do so, but you are not obligated to do so. These volunteers must stop for all traffic control devices and obey all traffic laws when responding.
Please consider this the next time you encounter an emergency vehicle on the road. Help us get to our destination safely and efficiently. You never know, we may be heading to help someone you know.”
After Hours Rules for Commuter Lots
Town of Bedford Residents that do not have a commuter parking permit are allowed to park for free in the commuter lots Monday to through Thursday from 6:00 pm to 5:00 provided that they have a resident parking decal.
Parking is free on weekends to everyone starting on Fridays at 6:00 pm and on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Single Stream Recycling Bedford 2020 has been enormously successful in promoting Single Stream recycling having advocated its establishment and helped the community embrace it. As noted below under “Further News on Recycling”, Westchester County awarded Bedford its “Eco Award” for Bedford’s having the highest recycling rate in the County. We strive to further increase recycling rates. To that end representatives of Bedford 2020 and I met earlier this week with representatives of the carters serving Bedford.  
We are pleased to enjoy a strong partnership with the carters, without whom Single Stream would not be successful.  We discussed various strategies for making further progress.  I also explained that some residents had contacted me about disturbance from very early morning collections in residential neighborhoods.  
The carters are amenable to a simple change to the Town’s law providing that there be no pick-ups on Sundays and federal holidays and that pick up in residential neighbors be limited to Monday through Saturday between the hour of 7 AM and 7 PM. I will propose this change to the Town Board.   
 Town Facilities for recycling, yard waste and E-wasteMost of the following services are free to Town residents:
The Railroad Avenue Recycling Center is located at343 Railroad Avenue, Bedford Hills, NY 10507.Hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  
Carters are obligated to collect single stream recyclablesat your property along with trash for all customers.
For those who wish to drop off recyclable materials,the Railroad Avenue Recycling Center accepts single stream recyclables(metal, plastic, glass, cardboard and paper).  
 
Ewaste, Metals, Textiles; Trash Drop Off for Seniors
Residents may bring electronic waste to the Recycling Center, but please note that for CRTs (TVs and old monitors), residents first must obtain from the coupon from the Town Clerk after paying a modest fee (to cover the costs to the Town). 
In addition, the Railroad Avenue Recycling Center accepts e-waste of all kinds (see below for details), bulk metals of all kinds, textiles, and trash for seniors (60+) who purchase Senior Refuse Coupons (book of 5 for $25) at the Town Clerk’s office. Each coupon can be used for up to a 33-gallon trash bag of household refuse (do not include recyclables in the refuse bag). Town Clerk Hours8:30 AM to 4:30 PMMonday – Friday321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills




Beaver Dam Yard Waste and Compost Facility
The Town of Bedford Beaver Dam Compost Facility processes recyclable wood waste and leaves from the Town and provides beneficial reuse of the waste as compost and mulch. The facility provides an extremely cost effective method for this recycling as well as an environmental benefit of local recycling with minimal transportation requirements. It is open for residents to dispose of recyclable wood waste (logs and branches up to 6” diameter, brush, and leaves), as well as pick up wood mulch and leaf compost. This service is free to Town of Bedford residents between 7:30 AM and 3:00 PM Monday to Friday, excluding Town holidays.



FOR THE 2017 ANNUAL REPORT click here


Looking for an emergency volunteer opportunity butFire Fighting or Medical Tech not your thing? Emergency communications might be for you.Click here for the flyer



Katonah Fire Department under-18 Recruitment Program Are you interested in a terrific community service opportunity? Would you like to receive state-of-the art lifesaving and firefighting training?Katonah Fire Department eagerly welcomes applications from 16-year-olds for its Under 18 Program. Interested candidates can fulfill their John Jay High School Community Service obligation, as well as service hours required for other organizations, such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Membership in the department as a firefighter is a great way to have your college application stand out as well! Any person who is between the ages of 16 and 18, who is physically fit, morally and mentally sound, and who, having met with the membership committee and satisfactorily passed the committee’s investigation (as established in the Katonah Fire Department, Inc. Constitution and By-Laws), may be selected for membership status. The goal of this program is to carefully instill, enforce, and monitor the practices that lead to well trained, respectful, hardworking members once they reach their 18th birthdays and/or the conclusion of their first year of membership. In addition, it creates a culture in which these members both realize their age- and experience-related limitations, but also feel as though they are learning and being prepared for taking on the duties of full-fledged, non-probationary members of the Katonah Fire Department. An oversight committee and a training coordinator act as a resource to these members – in all aspects of KFD membership: firefighting, training, rules and regulations, etc. – and set example for the types of behaviors expected from our entire membership. Applicants who join receive all training and equipment at no expense to them. They also become eligible for various scholarship opportunities. If you’re interested in finding out more, please sent an e-mail to chief2211@katonahfd.org
The Town’s Website is now available in Spanish  We have added a plug-in allowing for the website’s automatic translation to Spanish. Please note that this does not apply to linked PDF documents. http://www.bedfordny.gov/




IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Previous e-news issues
Much is repeated in each newsletter, but to reduce the length each week, here are the past few complete newsletters.
Week Ending 3.1.19
Week Ending 2.22.19
Week Ending 2.15.19
Week Ending 2.8.19
Week Ending 2.1.19
Week Ending 1.25.19
Week Ending 1.18.19
Week Ending 1.11.19
Week Ending 1.4.19




Previous MONTHLY Reports
In case you missed them, please refer to my most recent monthly reports:January Monthly Report
December Monthly Report

 A regular reader of this weekly newsletter asked why I repeat certain posts from week to week. I do so because not everyone reads my newsletter on a weekly basis, much information provided remains relevant and I wish to continue to alert the community about it. In response to the comment, however, you will see that I’ve divided the newsletter into two sections “New Posts” and “Continuing Posts”. Both sections are relevant and, I believe, worthy of review.
I wish to thank readers for making suggestions and comments; over the years, I’ve not only changed format but added content based on them (for example, why the flags are flown at half-staff.

Millennials Are About to Get Locked Out of the Real Estate Market—Again | Bedford Corners Real Estate

Over the past couple of years, rising pay and low mortgage rates finally converged to make make the dream of home ownership a reality for America’s millennials, many of whom had long been locked out of the housing market. But now, the door is on the verge of slamming on the under-35 crowd, leaving young families outside looking through the picture window—again.

That’s the scenario sketched by Mark Boud, chief economist for Metrostudy, a unit of real estate data and marketing company Hanley Wood. Metrostudy surveys housing trends in hundreds of towns and cities from the ground up, by visiting subdivisions to record how many homes are being built, going to contract, and sold—the latter evidenced by curtains on the windows and tricycles in the driveway.

During the housing-bubble frenzy from 2004 to 2006, as Boud recently recounted to Fortune, easy credit sent sales soaring, inflating prices and leading to a gigantic oversupply of new homes. In 2008 and 2009, the banks and other lenders, overwhelmed with defaults and foreclosures, throttled back so hard on credit that demand collapsed, and housing prices went into a tailspin.

The upshot: From 2009 to 2017, the housing market severely overcorrected, with prices steadily rising once again. “Housing went through a long period of undervalution,” says Boud. It wasn’t millennials, he points out, who benefited from the cheap prices and rescued the market. “The millennials had loads of college debt, and many had bad credit in general, often because their previous loans had been foreclosed on. And they were too young to be stable in their jobs,” he says. The upshot: The youthful cohort couldn’t get mortgages from lenders, who suddenly were rejecting all but class-A credits.

Instead, it was the affluent and investors that profited from low prices and soaked up the excess inventory. “The rich were the buyers without the credit problems,” says Boud. “And institutional investors bought houses cheap and rented them out.” In fact, he says, many of these new owners’ tenants were the very millennials shunned by the banks. In terms of home ownership, millennials became the lost generation.

A lost generation comes home

By 2015, the wealthy and the investors had absorbed the excess. America began generating far more new jobs than new homes, as construction was severely constrained by a shortage of ready-to-go lots. Starting around 2017, the millennials got back in the game, in a big way. The job rolls expanded, and wages jumped. The mortgage market reopened for the more well-to-do 30-somethings. So even though credit overall remained tight, sales to millennials rose, from 22% of new homes sales around 2011 to 50% in 2018—an extraordinary figure, given that millennials account for just one-third of the U.S. population.

Now says Boud, the market is once again turning against what’s now the biggest, and still hungriest, class of buyers. “Prices have risen a lot, and they’re still rising because we’re still way under-building compared to household formation,” he says. “At the same time, rates on home loans are rising, making it much harder for millennials to qualify.” The affordability problem will intensify because of the types of homes the builders are erecting. The only way to make money on expensive land is to build big houses, so “the average home size is 3,000 square feet, which is way too big most first-time buyers,” Boud says. “Ten years ago in Las Vegas, that sized house cost maybe $225,000 [thanks to the housing plunge]. Now it costs $350,000, way out of the reach of young buyers.”(

Hence, Boud sees sales shifting back to the affluent who’ve held high-paying jobs for decades, can qualify for more expensive mortgages, and want the big houses. Eventually, he says, the surge in prices will sow the seeds of a correction. But supply is so tight that the drop should be mild––unless America suffers a recession. “In that case, prices would be lower, but employment and incomes would also drop. So millennials could remain locked out.” Another problem: Millennials who secured a 3.5% fixed rate in 2016 or 2017 will stay in their existing home to keep the low monthly payment rather than trying to move up the housing ladder.

The solution, says Boud, is for builders to lower costs by shifting to factory-built homes they can offer at far lower prices. Homebuilders should also work with the banks to offer interest-only mortgages that would hold down monthly payments in the early years, and allow far more millennials to qualify for credit. He also notes that developers need to take steps to lower home owner association dues that can add $200 to a family’s monthly payments. More 2,000-square-foot houses would also be welcome, but for that to happen, municipalities would need to loosen zoning laws to allow far more lots to be subdivided, far more quickly. Today, towns are trending the wrong way, towards even tighter restrictions.

The outlook for sales is strong, Boud says, because so many Gen-Xers and baby boomers are renting, and more of them want to buy homes. Those folks can both afford to buy, and qualify for mortgages on $450,000-to-$700,000 homes. As for millennials, the generation that housing lost, then briefly found is about to be lost once more.

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http://fortune.com/2019/01/12/real-estate-market-millennials/

More Americans flee high tax states | Bedford Corners Real Estate

More and more Americans are fleeing high-tax states – from California to Hawaii to New Jersey to New York – and relocating elsewhere in the hopes of holding onto some more of their hard-earned cash.

Problem is that’s pushing up the cost of living in the states they’re fleeing to, according to the country’s largest real estate trade group.

They’re going to nearby secondary states that used to be “affordable” – states like Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona, for example, says Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of REALTORS(r).

And it isn’t just the working class looking to move to lower-tax states.

Taxes are often a top consideration particularly when someone is relocating for work or looking to retire says tax expert Bob Meighan, a former executive with Intuit. The biggest tax you’re going to face, after the IRS, is the one your state presents.

That’s why Florida is a big draw “particularly among northeast residents currently living in high property-tax states such as New York, New Jersey (the highest in the country), and Connecticut,” says Yun. “In Florida, you get both lower taxes and a warmer climate.”

Last year, these were the ten highest income tax states, according to TurboTax (*These rates do not include local taxes.):

  • California 13.3%
  • Hawaii 11%
  • Oregon 9.9%
  • Minnesota 9.85%
  • Iowa 8.98%
  • New Jersey 8.97%
  • Vermont 8.95%
  • District of Columbia 8.95%
  • New York 8.82%
  • Wisconsin 7.65%

read more…

https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/more-americans-fleeing-high-tax-states

Freddie Mac real estate predictions | Bedford Corners Real Estate

Freddie Mac November Forecast: Expect Modest Housing Market Growth in 2019


According to Freddie Mac’s  November Forecast, the biggest unknown about the housing market next year is whether current negative trends, such as lack of housing supply, will persist or the market will adjust to the shock of higher mortgage rates and resume modest growth.

Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, says, “Almost all the trends in the U.S. housing market have been negative in recent months as housing market activity continues to adjust to higher mortgage rates.”Khater added, “If new home sales are to resume growth in 2019, builders may have to shift their focus to more modestly priced homes and smaller sized homes to help offset housing affordability concerns. But with cost pressures pinching profitability, this will be a significant challenge.” 

Forecast Highlights 

Expect GDP growth to average 3 percent in 2018 before slowing to 2.4 percent in 2019 and 1.8 percent in 2020.

Expect total home sales to decrease 1.6 percent to 6.02 million in 2018 before slowly regaining momentum and increasing 1 percent to 6.08 million in 2019 and 2 percent to 6.20 million in 2020.  

Expect home prices to increase 5.1 percent in 2018 with the rate of growth moderating to 4.3 percent in 2019 and 2.9 percent in 2020.

Expect single-family mortgage originations to decline 9.9 percent year-over-year to $1.63 trillion in 2018, falling slightly to $1.62 trillion in 2019 and dropping once more to $1.60 trillion in 2020. This is the result of shrinking refinance activity.Adjusted for inflation in 2017 dollars, an estimated $14.2 billion in net home equity was cashed out during the refinance of conventional prime-credit home mortgages in the third quarter of 2018, down from $18.3 billion a year earlier and substantially less than the peak cash-out refinance volume of $102 billion during the second quarter of 2006.

Lumber prices drop 10.3% | Bedford Corners Real Estate

Softwood lumber prices fell 10.3% in October—the largest drop since May 2011—according to the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) release by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The producer price index for softwood lumber has fallen 21.2% since setting the cycle and all-time high in June (see below). Even after the decrease, however, the index currently sits just 4.7% lower than the prior-cycle high set in 2004.

The final demand price index for OSB has followed a path similar to that of softwood lumber over the last three months.

Since climbing 38.1% in the first seven months of 2018, OSB prices have fallen 16.6%. The price index for OSB is now 15.2% and 15.7% higher than it was to start 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Residential construction goods input prices increased 0.4% in October and have now risen 7.5% over the last twelve months. The index decreased only twice during that period, by 0.1% and 0.5% in December 2017 and August 2018, respectively. Year-to-date residential construction goods input price increases in 2018 (+5.6) continue to outpace the increase during the same period in 2017 (+2.9%).

Gypsum prices fell 1.6% in October, continuing what has been a relatively volatile year. The price index for gypsum products is 6.3% higher than it was to start 2018, but the year-to-date price increase masks large fluctuations within the year. Consecutive-month increases of 5.4% and 6.1% have been partially offset by two-month decreases of 3.3% and 1.8%.

The last several large increases in the gypsum price index has been foreseeable, as large wallboard producers sent out price increase announcements in the March-May and October-December periods. These announcements informed customers that wallboard prices would increase effective as of January or June/July, depending on the announcement date. Examples of such announcements may be found here and here.

Ready-mix concrete prices declined 0.5% in October. After a large price increase (relative to historical data) in early 2018, prices of ready-mix concrete dropped and have remained essentially unchanged since July.

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Softwood Lumber Price Decline Largest in Seven Years