Labor relations with our three unions in the village are unsettled.  Labor contracts expired with both the police union and the Teamsters representing our public works employees.  Our library staff decided to unionize under the auspices of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the largest union in New York State, so their eventual contract will be an original agreement.

Based on New York State law, all three unions operate under very different sets of rules.

The library CSEA contract is particularly important because it will serve as the template for every agreement for years to come.  There are currently eight full time employees in the library union.  Part-timers were allowed to vote to certify a union but the CSEA has yet to require the part-time employees to pay dues.

The period between petitioning to unionize by library staffers and the actual vote which chose union affiliation by a very small margin was extremely short.  Upon reflection, I think the abbreviated timeframe proved to be a disservice to both parties, limiting the time for everyone to do the cost/benefit analysis of union, non-union affiliation.  Also, writing a contract from scratch during these very challenging economic times presents a completely altered stage for negotiation.

As example, the non-union village hall staff, based on a long standing policy, receive 17 paid holidays per year, something that would never be negotiated in the backdrop of 2012 economic realities.

The union representative and the library negotiating team met with the team approved by the library board which includes Village Administrator Harold Porr and a labor counsel.  By law, all decisions will be made by the library board.  The Village Board of Trustees has no role in these negotiations.

The parties have met 25 times since 2008.   The library team recently declared “impasse” and filed with New York State’s Public Employees Relations Board (PERB).  Per New York State law, a mediator will be assigned and three negotiating dates will be set.

If an agreement cannot be reached “fact finding” will ensue, whereby both parties draw up reports representing their positions and the fact finder will share them with the Library Board of Trustees.  If both parties continue at a standstill, “super conciliation” is imposed allowing a “super conciliator” to do additional fact finding and mediation.

If at the end of this process there is still no agreement, by law the Library Board of Trustees must legislatively impose a first contract.  Though lasting for only one year, it would serve as the template for all contracts in perpetuity.

It is important to note that all during this prescribed process, the parties can continue to meet and talk and/or the union membership have the option to decertify union affiliation.

The village’s contract with the police union expired on May 31, 2011, and the two parties began meeting early in 2012 to craft a new agreement.

The parties have met approximately eight to 10 times since.  The police union is represented by a committee of officers led by PBA President Detective Richard Anderson as well as labor counsel.  The village’s team consists of Village Administrator Porr and labor counsel.  Trustees do not sit at the bargaining table, the procedure adopted by most communities as it helps to inherently separate politics from the process.

The police union just recently declared impasse and sought arbitration per state procedure.

Municipal unions are not allowed to strike.  Police and fire unions have mandatory arbitration.  As a result, police compulsory arbitration takes the form of a three-person panel populated by the labor lawyers representing each party and an agreed upon “neutral.”

Though no date is set as of press time, what will follow is essentially a bench trial.  Evidence will be presented, including witnesses such as economists and comparable data vis-à-vis other communities.

Prior to the actual arbitration, the parties will mutually agree upon three or four main issues to debate as every provision of a contract is not tackled in compulsory arbitration.  Quite obviously, salary and health provisions usually top the list.  Whatever the arbitrators decide is automatically valid for just one year.

Again, parties can decide to negotiate right up until the arbitrators’ final decision.

Our public works employees have traditionally waited until a police contract was negotiated with the village before beginning their process.

However, if our police union ends up in arbitration, the arbitrators’ final award will not have precedential value as the decision will have been made by someone who is not a steward of our taxpayer dollars.

The current situation is not ideal for any of the parties: library staff, police officers, Department of Public Works employees and village government.

Lack of agreements cause a feeling of uncertainty and it is clearly not a recipe for high morale.  It is difficult for everyone.

From the perspective of a village trustee, we need to strike a balance between offering our hard working employees a fair wage that demonstrates the respect we have for their work while at the same time being stewards of your dollars as taxpayers and not setting in motion agreements that will detrimentally affect village finances long term.  We are in a time of crippling contributions to the New York State pension system and the $1.2 million we just sent off to Albany certainly has to be viewed as part of the overall financial package of every village employee.

I will keep you abreast of any agreements but there will be no conversation from the village while negotiations are in progress.  We believe all negotiating should take place at the bargaining table as public airing during such time is unprofessional and most importantly unproductive.

EASTCHESTER—Eight Eastchester residents in the north end of the town woke up this morning to find that their cars were broken into, town police said today.
All of the cars had been left unlocked and were looted of money, four GPS systems and a camera, Eastchester Police Chief Timothy Bonci said.
Police believe there could be other cars that were broken into but the owners have not yet discovered the thefts.
Chief Bonci said residents should not leave their vehicles unlocked. He believes that the thief or group walks around the neighborhood checking for unlocked doors.
“Not one car was damaged,” said Chief Bonci.
He said the thieves apparently keep walking if the doors are locked.
The thefts happened on Scarsdale Avenue, Lyons Road, Bronson Avenue and Bradley Road.

Mary Cain of Bronxville approaches the finish line in the 800 meter run, taking first, during the Glenn D. Loucks Memorial Track and Field Games at White Plains High School on May 11, 2012. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

See more photos from the Glenn D. Loucks Memorial Track and Field Games at White Plains High School in a photo gallery, and go to LoHud.com for the story.

Westchester County will thank veterans and service members by inviting them to be the county’s guests at Playland Amusement Park in Rye on May 27.

That will be the county’s fifth annual Veterans Appreciation Day and Memorial Day Tribute at the amusement park.

Veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), as well as any active duty members and their families, will receive a free parking pass and free ride bands or entrance bands.

All other veterans will receive a free parking pass or entrance bands and discount ride coupons.

The county-sponsored event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. The Westchester Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps will perform at the main gate at noon.

At 1:30 p.m., County Executive Robert P. Astorino will deliver a tribute in memory of those who have lost their lives in defense of the United States. The U.S. Marine Corps will provide helicopter and Osprey Flight demonstrations at 2 p.m., weather permitting.

The  barbecue is co-sponsored by Fordham University and The Generoso Pope Foundation.

The county urges Westchester veterans to pre-register for this event. A valid military and or veteran organization/ VA Health ID card is required.

For more information, contact the Westchester County Veterans Service Agency at 995-2145 or 995-2146, or www.westchestergov.com/veterans

Pre-register at one of the following locations:

May 14 – 25

9 am to 5 pm, Westchester County Veterans

9 am to 4 pm, Yonkers Veterans Service Agency

May 15:

9 am to 11 am, Maple Moor Golf Course.

1 pm to 3 pm, Saxon Woods Golf Course.

May 16:

10 am to noon, Dunwoodie Golf Course

12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, Sprain Lake Golf Course

10 am to 3 pm, Peekskill City Hall

May 21:

9 am to 3 pm, Glen Island Park

About 175 people attended The Scarsdale Teen Center’s “Adult Night of Rock” on May 5 at Vintage in White Plains.  The $8,000 raised will help fund Scarsdale Teen Center initiatives and teen programming.

The mission of the Scarsdale Teen Center is to provide a safe, drug and alcohol free space for the teens of Scarsdale. Since 1998 the center has provided an environment where teens can interact with their peers and participate in safe, recreational, social and educational programs and activities. Here teens can explore and share their interests in a supervised, substance-free environment.

Photo: Jimmy Fink from 107.1 FM The Peak, courtesy of the Scarsdale Teen Center

A New York City high school principal has been chosen as the new head of Scarsdale High School.

Kenneth Bonamo, who is principal of Townshend Harris High School, a prestigious magnet school in Flushing, Queens, was selected from more than 75 applicants and was among 27 to be interviewed.

After two initial rounds of interviews and preliminary reference checks, Bonamo was one of the semi-finalists who came to the district for day-long interviews that involved more than 70 students, parents and teachers.

My recommendation to appoint Mr. Bonamo followed further reference checks, a visiting team journey to his school and a meeting with our Board of Education,” Superintendent Michael V. McGill  said in a statement. “According to colleagues, parents and supervisors, he’s championed an education for the new century, upheld high standards for learning and behavior, and restored a sense of leadership.”

McGill said Bonamo “will bring energy, enthusiasm, a collaborative style and thoughtful intelligence to his work in Scarsdale.  He is eager to take on his new responsibilities, and I’m fully confident that he’ll provide the High School with vision and leadership that will be consistent with the best Scarsdale tradition.”

Information about his start date was not immediately available.

The Center for Discovery, New York State’s largest provider of care for children with significant disabilities, medical frailties and autism spectrum disorders, will honor Ellen Alemany, chairman and chief executive officer of RBS Citizens Financial Group, at its annual gala on Tuesday, May 15.

“The Evening of Discovery” will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at Pier Sixty in Chelsea Piers on 23^rd Street on the Hudson River in Manhattan.

Alemany, a Scarsdale resident, has been ranked one of American Banker’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking for the past seven years, and listed by Forbes as one of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

The Evening of Discovery, which pays tribute to exceptional leaders dedicated to The Center’s mission, will honor Alemany, a member of The Center’s Board of Directors, for her leadership of The Center as well as her long record of community service. The event has raised more than $1 million in her honor.

Alemany’s daughter has been a resident at The Center for Discovery for a number of years.

“Ellen is a remarkable parent who balances with grace and passion a demanding career in business with her active involvement in her daughter’s life at The Center for Discovery,” said Patrick H. Dollard, President and CEO.  “As a dedicated member of the board, she has helped to shape the future of The Center to ensure its ability to serve as a resource for families and those in need.  We are honored for this opportunity to publicly acknowledge her many contributions.”

“The Center has become part of our extended family and I am honored to be a part of its continued success and growth,” Alemany said. “The staff of The Center is incredibly special. They have created a unique approach that we believe can serve as the model for serving those with disabilities in New York and around the country.”

The Center for Discovery has been treating children and adults with significant disabilities for more than 60 years. It offers educational, clinical/health, residential, and family support in addition to other programs and services.

Located in the lower Catskills on a sprawling rural campus just 90 miles outside of New York City, it is one of the nation’s premier specialty centers for the treatment of children and adults with significant disabilities, medical frailties and autism spectrum disorders. More than 171 children and 144 adults live in its 42 residences.

To attend The Evening of Discovery, please visit http://www.thecenterfordiscovery.org/committee/. For more information, or to speak with The Center for Discovery officials, please call Bruce Bobbins, Katie Hart-Brennan, or Jacob Berkman at DKC Public Relations at 212-685-4300 or email bruce_bobbins@dkcnews.com, Katie_hart-brennan@dkcnews.com , or Jacob_berkman@dkcnews.com

Who’s running in your school district in the Tuesday, May 15, election? Find out on LoHud.com’s School Board Elections, 2012 voter guide. It’s got candidate info, news coverage and more.

Go to the school elections guide at http://LoHud.com/schoolelections.

The Preservation League of New York State has selected Christ Church Bronxville to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. They are the only organization in the Lower Hudson Valley to receive the honor this year.

“The success of this project reinforces how remarkably responsive historic buildings are to modern energy concerns, and that traditional buildings should serve as models of sustainability and energy conservation,” he said.

Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League, said the church restoration used a global environmental view on matters such as stormwater management and reducing energy use.

“The awards jury agreed that by reinstating the natural climate control features of traditional building methodologies – in other words, windows that open – the project team has set a fine example for other practitioners,” he said. “We are delighted to celebrate the restoration of Christ Church Bronxville, and to congratulate the congregation for its stewardship of this magnificent building.”

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League’s Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16th at the historic New York Yacht Club on West 44th Street.

“The first priority in making the repairs and improvements was to ensure that we respected the historical significance of the church building and its original design features,” said Arthur G. Taylor, chairman of the church facilities committee that oversaw the project . “We are confident that we have achieved that goal, and this award validates our decisions.”

The League’s awards program honors notable achievements in retaining,  promoting and reusing New York State’s irreplaceable architectural heritage.

In her weekly column, Bronxville Mayor Mary Marvin laments the outcome of the most recent village budget:

On April 30^th, the trustees and I finalized a budget that we all agreed was our most difficult to date.  We finalized a budget of $13,966,549 with $5,820,936 offset in non-property tax revenues resulting in $8,145,613 to be paid by property taxpayers in fiscal year 2012-2013.

We began the process with fewer policemen and public works staff on the payroll than we have had in years and 15 percent less administrative staff.  As illustration, we now have one secretary for all of village hall.

Our looming fixed costs include our “debt” back to the State of New York which is Bronxville’s largest ever.  Pension costs rose from $1,028,649 to $1,194,596 representing a 16% increase in one year.  Our pension obligations were just $4,566 in the 1999-2000 budget.  Health care costs rose 5.5 percent to $1,783,015 and Workmen’s Compensation costs rose in one year a whopping 18.7 percent to $227,765 despite the fact we received a rebate due to our minimal use of the fund.

At the end of the process, we will send the State of New York a check for $3,205,376 and receive $64,713 back in direct State aid.  This is clearly an unsustainable relationship. Beyond the exponential increase in state mandates, expenses at the local level also rose.  Fuel costs increased by 42 percent in just two years and our energy bill will jump 10.75 percent in the next budget.

On the revenue side, we could not prudently forecast significant increases in sales tax and mortgage tax revenue as the trends over the past year have been uneven. Additionally, any costs from the county and town that could be increased at the local level such as garbage transfer costs were filtered down to the village budget.

At the end of the process, without buying a new pencil or offering staff raises, the tax burden on our 2,300 taxpaying houses, co-ops, condos and commercial properties was untenable.  Faced with this dilemma, our only recourse was to look for additional revenue sources whose costs did not fall completely on the village taxpayer.  We reviewed all our revenue lines and reluctantly agreed to put our parking meter costs in line with those of all our neighbors and charge a quarter for fifteen minutes rather than the current quarter for twenty minutes.

We had not adjusted our meter costs for over eight years, not keeping pace with other communities.    In our estimation, this adjustment was the best way to balance the heavy burden on our taxpayers while not placing an unfair burden on any one stakeholder keeping the increase in line with neighboring shopping communities.

The additional revenue helped to lower our property tax levy to $8,145,613 from the original estimate of $8,276,957 as well as shore up our fund balance to help maintain our Triple A bond rating.  This most favorable rating has proven advantageous for our capital program as we were recently able to borrow funds at a 1.75 percent net interest rate.  As a result, you will see a very robust program of improvements to our long term assets such as road paving and curbing, tree planting, computerization of village paper records and an aggressive program to clean and rehabilitate the village sewer system.

At the end of our thoughtful and sometimes tortured process, our budget work resulted with $166 above the State promulgated tax cap. We could have come in under the cap by decreasing our budget for road repaving for example, but we believed we had analyzed every budget line and made the best possible decisions for Bronxville residents.

The Trustees and I believe the small increase above the tax cap not only demonstrates prudent control over local finances but allows us to respect and champion the concept of local sovereignty versus State control of local issues. We believe the final budget best serves the needs of the residents of Bronxville although perhaps not the political ambitions of the career politicians in Albany.

It still boggles the mind that the same folks due to their lack of courage and inaction send us a bill from Albany equating to a 4 percent tax increase and can also dictate a 2 percent tax cap on local spending. From my perspective at the local level, we are in an unprecedented stage of “big brother” control, be it through the State mandated tax cap or the recent housing settlement requiring the County to sue its own municipalities.

I wait for the days when the taxpayer becomes the most important special interest group.