Save The Date: June 13th, 2013

I can't find a link on the official Yorktown or Historical Society websites--but below you can see a picture of a flyer I found at town hall last week: Former 20 year resident and Mohegan Lake folk hero David Wright--not to mention, prominent Yorktown attorney--will be giving a presentation on the 300 year history of Mohegan Lake. He is encouraging any memorabilia or good stories to be contributed by us.

7:30pm.  June 13th, 2013.  Ground floor nutrition center at the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center @ 1974 Commerce Street.  Be there, or be square. 

Bad News

Hemlock Hill had a fire in April.  They lost structures that accommodated chickens, hay and livestock equipment.  Bad news for sure.  Thankfully the Captain Lawrence Brewery has stepped in to do a week long fundraiser, June 17-22,  to raise funds for a barn raising [editor's note: have you ever seen "Witness"? I love Harrison Ford]; there's a Kickstarter Campaign going as well. 

It should be noted that Hemlock Hill actually feeds its pigs and cows used hops from the brewery.  Talk about symbiosis!  Beer and and meet, truly united.

If you can give do.  If you don't already frequent the farm, it's highly recommended.  Oh, and Captain Lawrence is a great local brewery.  How can you not support them.  Have you tried their Sun Block beer. It's a hoppy wheat beer, good with some lemon.  Perfect for these 85 degree days in May.

2 Things of Note

I finally lawyered up and actually had dinner with my attorney tonight.  We went to Thyme down on Route 202.   It was a pleasant dinner with good service at a reasonable price for the quality.  I was pleasantly surprised by a good live music act throughout dinner.  Two thumbs up from the Bray house.

Said attorney was kind enough to lend me these New York Zoning Law and Practice books, all 4 volumes.  Everybody has to have a hobby, right? 

Seems like Faith Bible is not on the Planning Board agenda for Monday (they could still sneak it in though unadvertised--not unheard of in these parts).  Don't bother showing up to the zoning board working session on Thursday; I'll provide a detailed report.

 

The Mohegan Lake Recap: 5/15/2013

Our Mohegan Lake Improvement District lake manager fired up all of the aeration stations on the lake, less the one on Horton Road that was damaged during Hurricane Sanday.  Nice work, Wayne.

We should expect to further our discussion about the Faith Bible Church Proposal at their public meeting on May 20th.  And don't forget the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thurday, May 23rd.  Word on the street is they are excited to meet with us again.

Beavers!  Did you see the Yorktown News Article about "public enemy #1," the beavers that have taken up residence in the lake?  Unfortuanately that publication does not have a web presence and I can't link to the article.

The Mohegan Highlands Beach is opening up Memorial Day weekend.  We need volunteers to help float our swimming docks and ropes.  If you can help scrup Canada goose poop off the docks, maneuver them into position and tie ropes and buoys this weekend, please email me at YorktownCode@gmail.com. This Sunday.  1pm.  MHPOA beach.  Be there, or be square. 

Protect Our Turtles Mohegan Lake

Mrs. Johnson was the guest speaker at Mohegan Lake day last year. I'd like to share her message, below. Mohegan Lake is probably one of the top 3 turtle sanctuaries in Westchester.  We should be proud of that.

Dear Turtle Supporter, 

If you have a few moments, could you give these assemblymen a call. Also, please forward this to any list or individuals you think would be interested. 

Thanks! - Patricia

A  destructive bill legalizing the capture and killing of snapping turtles by trapping is speeding through the  NYS Legislature  Snapping turtles are already permitted to be killed by gun and longbow and therefore recreational and commercial trapping will dramatically increase the number of  these turtles deaths. A devastating blow to these  vulnerable animals.   The bill has passed the Senate is and  is currently in the Assembly Codes Committee. This proposed legislation is cruel and scientifically wrong.  It is not based on any proven science regarding snapping turtles, or any turtle species.  

Would you please make a 30 second call ( simply leave a message with the receptionist)   and/or   email  to the following legislators.  

May 6th, 2013 Planning Board Meeting Video

The internet is a wonderous place.  For those who were unable to attend or watch on the Municipal channel, you can watch it clicking on this link.  You can scroll ahead to the 1 hour, 36 minute mark to watch just the Faith Bible portion.  It's 2 hours long, so grab some popcorn.

I'm absolutely exhausted, but excited about our prospects.  Next public hearings:

May 20th Planning Board

May 23rd Zoning Board.  We'll have to wait and see if the Zoning application will be opened to public comment, but you should assume so.  See you there.  

And It Was Epic

Hi there all you bloggers and bloggerettes reading this here blog. The Faith Bible part actually only lasted about 2 hours and was left open to public comment. Thank goodness because I got off track and was distracted [note to self: don't bring 4 kids to a public hearing].  I promise you some choice video clips very soon. The takeaways from the meeting:

1.  Thank you Mohegan Lake. It's a lot to ask a neighbor to physically appear before the board from 730-11 at night, but you did it.
2. The Yorktown Planning board is very deliberative and doing good work.
3. We'll likely get some quality time with the Zoning Board in the near future. [editor's note: I love you guys.  xoxoxoxo.]
4.  If you haven't written an opposition letter or signed the petition, now is the time. Get in contact with me at YorktownCode@gmail.com. 
5. We need to have a community meeting to go everything--again. There's a lot of details to discuss. Hold 2-4pm on Saturday May 20th in your calendar. Likely at the MHPOA beach. 
6. Will Faith Bible sue their design team for misleading them into a proposal that may be un-approvable?  As a trained architect and building code and zoning consultant, I'd be all over that.  Church is a residential use yet it requires a "special use permit" in a residential zone. Mwwwahahahah.  Naked in Times Square.  I've been there.  Not pleasant. 

 Stay tuned, kids.

Reminder: Faith Bible Church Planning Board Hearing Tonight 5/6/2013 at 7:30pm at Town Hall

Don't forget about this public hearing tonight.  It's only THE most important facing Mohegan Lake today (now that we quashed that crazy Holland Club ball field proposal).  I guarantee it will be epic. Make sure you've been fed and have a snack; it will probably take a while.