A Cautionary Tale: Don't Steal From Sears

Hi Mohegan Lakers,

It's been a great summer.  So summery.  Back to work though.  There are a lot of issues we have to discuss this fall.  Don't you want to know when oral arguments are calendared for the legal appeal in the 2nd Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department? So nervous [both hands wafting air towards face].

Back to the subject: do not steal from Sears at the Jefferson Valley Mall.  While we prefer you don't steal at all, because it is wrong, don't steal from Sears.  They will press charges against you and put your name in the paper--for any amount of merchandise.  It's not worth it.  So in summary, don't steal from Sears.  Just look at this link to a Daily Voice search for "Sears." Several a month. 

Be good,

SaveMoheganLake.com

Let's Go Lakeland!

How about that?  We're getting a good chunk of change for the Lakeland School District.  Well deserved!

The Bad Man Continues To Be Bad

This is the true story... of a bad man... who sells kittens and puppies...and tortures them... to find out what happens... when people stop being polite... and start getting real...The Real World. 

Wait, that's not the right copy. 

Hat tip to the Daily Voice, a fine local Yorktown newspaper.

Yorktown Men Win 25 Cent Legends Suite Tickets From John Oliver

Whaaaaaat?

Basically John Oliver is making a point about Yankee elitism by purchasing, and then reselling for 25 cents, tickets behind home plate, which is the Legends Suite.  Yours truly actually has his facebook profile photo set to a shot of himself sitting alone (the guy under the towel is the radar gun guy, so he doesn't count since he's working in the Legends Suite

Read it, it's a funny story.  And to think the Salt Lake Tribune scooped all local media on this story (less SaveMoheganLake.com, of course). 

They even get a shout out in the Raleigh, NC Observer.  

Deadspin even has a piece about our masked heroes.

Man Charged With Abandoning A Disabled Animal

Sounds heavy.

Maybe he hit a deer and only wounded it and drove away.  Unlikely.  Sounds more devious.  Considering our community's commitment to animal welfare and safety, it's appropriate to highlight this newsworthy item from the North Country (not North County) because it's Yorktown related since the kid that is accused is from Yorktown.

Got no real good reason to leave you with this, other than a unicorn chaser, so--two snaps up anyway!  Ain't that the truth, Ruth!

Yorktown Really Does Treat Mohegan Lake As the "Red headed step-child."

You should be aware that Yorktown wants to rezone about 5 acres to allow 220 units of housing on Route 6 across from the "Winery."  It's such a large site it has frontage on Strawberry Road.  The biggest problem seems to be that grandma won't be able to make a left on Route 6 to make it to the JV Mall for morning coffee.  She'll just have to take a right and turn around at the Winery, or Mobil, or CVS.  Great Town Planning.  What's important to note here is that the owner could build about 10 single family homes as-of-right, meaning no rezoning required.  That's not enough ROI though.  Need a big return to "Move Yorktown Forward," I guess.

Effed in the A.  Have you ever driven around here during a holiday weekend?  Even a normal weekend with normal traffic  = shit.  Wait until we have "220 units" meaning like 400 people--really old people that don't know how to drive--AND that can't make a left on to route 6 to get to the JV Mall for coffee at Subway. 

Yorktown really does seem do just want to "eff" Mohegan Lake, in a bad way.  Re-zone an acre (1) to allow 36 bedrooms over 2 buildings of of over 16,000sf.  That's totally normal, apparently.  Re-zone 5 acres for 220 units?  Totally normal.  You live in the northwesterly part of Yorktown?  Be afraid; be very afraid. 

The Yorktown Town Board appoints volunteer appointees to the the Planning and Zoning boards, and all the advisory boards.  They serve at the the pleasure of the Town Board.  The Town Board sets the the tone and the boards follow suit.

Let's be a little more careful in the future about who we elect to head up the Town Board which sets the tone of our town planning policies.  

How Does The Re-Zoning of Lexington Ave. Affect You?

The Town of Yorktown Town Board is considering  re-zoning a one acre parcel to allow 36 bedrooms in 12 three bedroom units at 1,344 square feet per.  That equals SIXTEEN THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT square feet (excuse me, my caps lock got stuck there).  That's 36 bedrooms.  ON ONE ACRE.
What's really upsetting is that this proposal requires major zoning variances.  Eliminating 50% of the required side yard to build a multi-family building of this scale is notable.  I'd say objectionable.  The fact that the building separation is not correct,* yeah, that shakes may faith in the competency of the planning director. 

Does the rezoning consider anything other than this random one acre lot?

No.

Does Yorktown have a master plan of the areas they propose to re-zone to R-2 and R-3 multi-family zoning districts?

No.

Should the Town consider re-zoning all of the parcels adjacent to this one acre hemmed in by Lexington Avenue, West Road,  Ellis Street, and the Access Road at the Nursing Home?

Yes.

At least let that block cash out and move to a town of more reasonable planning goals.  Heck, we could probably fit at least 344 units on that block.  It's right next to the elementary school too.  Perhaps we could make it a dormitory for the school which would be an as-of-right use in an R-3 Zone.  I would so love it if GWES was a boarding school.  I have four daughters.  We'd be so close. It wouldn't be that bad, right?

Oh, hey, and did I mention that the applicant and Yorktown incorrectly calculated the front yard required.  Yes, another variance is required (the Town doesn't really like to look closely at planning and zoning applications, in my opinion).**

*The Planning Director incorrectly notes the building separation between the buildings as 90 feet, where the code is clear that the separation between two main buildings is 100 feet, if it's based on table 300a.  Would also note that the buildings--as designed--would exist completely within land requiring variances for them to be there.  That's not normal.

**What's funny is that I literally got the applicant/town to agree to recalculate the front yard of FBC .  Short memory.

We Live In God's Country

From Saturday's sunset. 

MHPOA Sunset.

So, Who's The Wiseguy?

Roundabout 6 months ago someone, someone left us a little present on the Shrub Oak Lake Estates (SOLE) beach.  And by present, I mean a giant spool of useless cable.  Originally I thought: "Yay, a good old fashioned hobo fire to reclaim the copper wire.  All we need is a little gasoline."  But when I inspected further, it's fiber optic cable.  Boo.  No hobo fire. 

That said, if anyone wants to pick up their giant spool of cable, or help identify who owns it (there is a bar code; anyone know anything about such things?).  If anything, I have plans to re-purpose it into a giant see-saw with a telephone pole.  Trust me on this one.  You just notch the pole out a bit in the center of a telephone pole.  The hard part is finding the telephone pole. 

Yorktown: Do You Want Random One Acre Parcels Rezoned To Multi-Family?

Maybe you do.  There is a need for such housing and some Zoning Districts allow for it.  Not the single family zones (the R-1 districts), but the multi family zones (R2, and R3).  Also, the Commercial Zoning Districts.

The Yorktown Planning Board Director and the Town Board seem poised to rezone a one acre parcel in the center of a single family zoning district, right next to George Washington Elementary School.  It would set a dangerous, dangerous precedent and you should be concerned about the value of your home.  Live on a busy road in a residential zone?  Near a school, or church, or daycare, or doctor's office, etc...?  Those seem to be the two criteria they are using to justify this rezoning.

It's very close to Cortlandt (across the street, literally).  You might think that is R-2 or R-3, but you'd be wrong.  It's all single family zoning there.

There will be a public hearing on this re-zoning application very soon.  It's important to pay attention to the Town's business.  Here's what we know so far (video excerpt of the last public hearing below):

• The Planning Director is terribly confused.  He said that the "parcels immediately adjacent [the subject 1 acre parcel] underwent significant "up-zoning'" and he references GWES and the Islamic Center "and all the way east to route 6."  Nope, no up-zoning there.  See the marked up zoning map below.  He also said there was up-zoning on the Hunterbrook.  Pfffft. 
• We, to date, have not seen an "as of right" plan, meaning a plan that does not require any variances. The developer presented something that fit within the setbacks, but didn't comply with building code so it was not a feasible design--as noted by the Planning Director in the video; somehow he arrives at the conclusion that the plan requiring elimination of over 50% of the side yards to build the building was "the best plan."  Whoa there.  What we should be presented with is a scheme that complies with code and zoning as of right because--as Councilman Bernard reminds us--the board is not considering the site plan or parking plan or building code--they are only considering the rezoning.  Soooooooo, if that's true, show us what would be allowed without requiring any variances whatsoever.  Isn't that a reasonable request?

That's enough for today, but--please--do pay attention to this application.  Maybe re-zoning random one acre parcels is the way to "move Yorktown forward."

If you live in the light yellow zone, be afraid. Be very afraid.  Or, in the alternative, petition the Yorktown Town Board for a re-zone of your single family house to R-3, cash out, and buy a house in a normal town. 

Today Is The Day

I'm done with legal papers; adversaries will be served and my Reply Brief filed with the court, and if all goes well, I end up in oral arguments this summer after they rule on the motion to enlarge the scope of the record because the town conveniently curated a lot of the meat and potatoes out of the certified record.  A decision on a motion normally takes at least 3 months.  Not sure how quickly they calendar arguments, should the court see merit in my arguments.  They don't have to hear it and could decide on papers alone.

This was so hard and I'm so scared.  There's a lot on the line.  I've hung in there though.  Scrappy to say the least.  Glad to have the full support and backing of The Ohio State Marching Band in this matter.  Still not sure how they got involved the Save Mohegan Lake cause, but we take all comers here.

Take it away:

Update On Zoning Board/Faith Bible Lawsuit

So, as it were, I'm in the highest court in the land (of New York State).  Thankfully it's located in Brooklyn Heights, about 15 minutes from my office.  It's official title is:

The courthouse is such a stately building on a movie-set block of brownstones.  So I'm hanging out in the attorney's lounge, pictured below.  That's really about it.  I don't have much more to this story.

How cool are all those pictures of judges?  The clock being off center bothers me.  Or does it? Actually, I'm pretty cool with all the asymmetry in this photo.

Why am I telling you this?  Because it's after midnight and I just got through another day of busting my ass to prove to the Court that what's right is right, and that I'm right.  Will share my reply brief with you after it's complete.  Here's my brief, in the meantime. 

Oh, and for all you pro se petitioner's out there.  If you ever make it this far, and your adversaries reply to your brief by mail at the last minute--the normal 10 day period for you to serve a reply brief is extended to 15 days.  Thank the lord, because I really needed the additional time.  Since it lands on a Saturday I actually get 2 extra days and can serve and file on the 21st.  And that, Mohegan Lake, is today's lesson.

Senator Murphy Throws Mother and Brother Under A Bus; Both Presumed Dead.

Just kidding, but he did throw both of them under the bus. Man, that's character.  Surely you've heard the news. 

Murphy immediately changes his facebook page to show you that he doesn't "own or operate" "Murphy's" restaurant and make it say he's merely an "investor." He scrubs it from his senate page, omitting any relation to Murphy's.  He denies any knowledge and absolves all of his family, including himself, except his brother and mother?   Read this quote from a local Yorktown paper in the picture below.  If you read it carefully, you'll see the moment he throws--nay, rather--pushes his mom and bro under the bus. So Machiavellian.

Brother Pat and Mom, I have your back here at SaveMoheganLake.com.  We support small business and want to help you climb out of you serious, and mounting, tax debt. We hope you disavow Terrence with his duplicitous ways and support my candidacy for Senator of the 40th! 

That's not cool.  It's not cool to be associated with a 117K in back-taxes (about to go up by about 50K).  Let's report him to the NYS Assembly's Ethic's Board!  Oh right, he sits on it.  Hmmmm...

The word on the street is that to relieve the stress of so much bad press, Senator Murphy has been making late night trips to Assemblyman Steve Katz's house to "chill." His press secretary, Matt Slater, clarified that "they've only been watching Netflix, not chilling."

This just in: I, SaveMoheganLake.com, am announcing my candidacy for the 40th NYS Senate District!  I'm 110 acres of spring-fed watery goodness, especially with the copper sulfate treatments I've been receiving, not much algae.  I get along with Republicans and Democrats and can forge a common path forward while paying my taxes--the whole time.

SaveMoheganLake.com: Make Yorktown Fun Again

Yorktown Town Board Approves Water Rate Increase Of 25%

Wow. That's substantial.  As a resident of Yorktown, make sure you pay attention to the budget.  It's really boring and hard to follow, but you very well may spend around a thousand dollars a month in property taxes, if not more.  You want to know where that is going. I've been paying attention for about 5 years, was duly elected to serve in a department of Yorktown as Vice President of a Park District, and I still have questions.

That said, your water bill just went up 25%.  There was a long Town Board meeting last night and there were a lot of good comments.  I dare you to watch the whole 2 hour and 52 minute meeting held on 3/1/2016 ; I know you won't, but at least the 15 minutes below:

Take it away, Ed Ciffone and Susan Siegel; both long time residents and studious citizens monitoring the complicated ~55 million dollar budget, and continually growing (about 5 million in the last 4 years?)  budget. Please note that Ed's questions will not be answered at the end as promised by the supervisor in this clip--if you whatch the whole thing--which we've established you won't. The gist of the rate increase is that the supervisor lowered the water department budget and drew off its fund balance so he could campaign as having delivered a tax decrease.  Those chickens are now coming home to roost and we're likely to see a lot more of this.  Yorktown expenditures exceed revenue and the budget keeps growing under Grace. 



Oh, and before I sign off, WE STILL DON'T HAVE FLUORIDE IN OUR WATER.  I grew up in a small Colorado town with no fluoride 'cause--whatever--and my teeth are shit.  Please, I have four daughters.  If you watch the whole meeting, you can see Supervisor Grace declare the fluoride system to be in the "engineering phase."   My God, it's been about two years without.  Fire the engineer and get this done.  Question: has the fluoride system been deducted out of the general water district fund? It's about a 1 million dollar line item, right?

Mohegan Lake Update: 2/22/16

First, it must be noted that the appeal we have pending in the 2nd Appellate Division (highest court in NYS) has a return date of March 4, 2016; Yorktown and The Church owe a reply to my brief about a week before.  That's exciting and incredibly scary.  I requested 15 minutes of oral arguments (you can request up to 30 mins.).  I pray, in the legal sense--and spiritual, that the court grants me my 15 minutes.  It's pretty straight-forward. And it's right; and what's right is right, am I right?

Second, you should go to tonight's Town Board meeting tonight where they will discuss our treatment plan for the lake this summer.  They were very supportive last time around.  Here's a note from Ken:

The Yorktown Town Board has to vote to authorize the contract for copper sulfate treatments to Mohegan Lake in 2016.  They have placed the matter on their work session agenda for Tuesday February 26th.  We will know the time once they post the agenda tomorrow morning on the Town website.  I plan on attending, but would appreciate any moral support.  Not to mention that it would be good for the new Town Board members to see that there is support for the lake in the community.  The agenda item should take no more than five minutes, once they get to us.  Ken

Third, what a strange winter.  While we initially speculated it would be an abbreviated skating season, it's proved to be about 6 weeks strong with potential for more; all without nearly as much child labor, relative to last year!

Fourth, the Yorktown Town Board is considering a radical rezoning proposal and there is a public, working session being held on March 8.  This is an issue we all need to pay attention to.  Live in a residential zone? Next to someone with an acre parcel?  If so, you could easily be living next to 12 apartments, if the Board keeps moving in their current direction.  Very scary to the residential integrity of Yorktown, so pay attention. 

Lastly, Think Cold.   Looks like this week holds yet another natural Zamboni for us.  The question is, will the cold be cold enough to allow us any more skating on this sweet, sweet Mohegan Lake ice?

 

 

Surprise: We've Still Got 6" Of Clean, Clear Ice!

Um, guys, I was surprised this morning when I went out in my suit and fancy shoes to auger a hole only to find we still have a solid six inches. 

Yes, those are Allen Edmonds

And, ooooh boy, did that rain ever Zamboni the crap out of the surface.  Again, know where you are going and what you are doing.  That said, won't you join me for a quickie this evening?  Or perhaps tomorrow morning?  You want to go in late to work on Friday anyway, right?

First Annual Mohegan Lake President's Day Rockin' Cornhole Tournament

Brought to you by 8" of clean clear ice at the top of the lake.

Please do join us at 2pm for a tournament to close out the 5th annual Mohegan Lake Ice Skating (and Fishing--and now cornhole) Extravaganza.

Cornhole is fun.  So is playing on the ice.  The probability of you being unable to feel your face is high, and I'm not talking about windchill factors or anything.  It's more metaphorical than that.  Marinate on that and see you around 2pm.

Hemlock Hill Farm Is The Best

They really are.  You can't beat a nearly 100 year old family owned farm 10 minutes from your house--if you live in Mohegan Lake.  I don't post a lot about the farm, because I don't want to ruin it. Their meat is so fresh and so good, and you know where it came from. Know where your protein is coming from.  Hemlock Hill is a real treasure and locals should enjoy it, to the fullest.  That said, here's their Valentine weekend special.  Tell me a pot roast wouldn't be perfect for this cold, cold weekend. 

Laura and Farmer John and Trish and the whole crew is amazeballs--and I only use that semi-vulgar term because they supply produce to the Peekskill Brewery (who's owner lives in Mohegan Lake) which has a very nice, hoppy brew called "Amazeballs."

Public Hearing Tuesday 2/16/2016 For Lexington Ave. Major Up-Zoning

Update 2/16/2016:  The Town Board has not released and agenda for tonight's meeting, but the word on the street is that there will be a work session on March 8th, 2016 regarding the Lexington Avenue re-zoning proposal.  Please adjust your calendars accordingly and--remember--work sessions are NOT televised.  

So this is what we know:

The Town Board is considering a major re-zoning of a single acre lot.  It goes from R1-20 (Yortown's smallest relative to lot area, single family zone) to R-3 (the densest, most multi family you could imagine). 

The Town Board appears to have been lulled by the developer of unknown origins (certainly not from Yorktown) looking to FIT TWELVE (12) APARTMENTS ON A SINGLE ACRE (1) ON A SINGLE BLOCK OF SEVEN (7) SINGLE FAMILY HOMES (SOON TO BE 6).  Excuse me.  I think my caps lock got stuck there.  You can watch the February 2 video here.  

The red square is an island of 12 apartments amongst a sea of single family homes.  Please remember, our Town Board are elected officials and remember how they vote on this application.

My inclination is to layout my entire argument against such a radical re-zoning here, in this space, because it's such a crazy, crazy proposal, but that's not the proper way to convey such sentiment to the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  You can do that yourself by showing up on Tuesday night and educating the Town Board on  the finer points of how this rezoning is basically a handout to a developer to create a dozen section 8 apartments next to George Washington Elementary School (I have 4 girls in the district, so I'm a bit biased).  Or you could just email the Town Board your comments; this link has their email addresses. 

It's bad for the homeowners on the block.  It's bad for GWES. It's bad for Yorktown as a whole.  There are a lot of R1-20 zones around town.  You may live in one.  Imagine if some random lot on your block, say it's an acre--give or take, and then all the sudden you HAVE TWELVE APARTMENTS LOOKING INTO YOUR BACK, SIDE, OR FRONT YARD.  Sorry, caps lock is malfunctioning tonight.  Imagine if the proposed 9+ acre subdivision on Hunterbrook, instead of going from a single family home to 9 single family homes, was going to a nine acre lot with 108 apartments.  Never gonna happen.  Shouldn't happen here--if our elected officials do their jobs.

In summary, pay attention to the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  Especially up here in Mohegan Lake. It's frustrating that we even have fight something like this.  You would expect the Town Board to have our back, not some faceless developer looking to allow blight to bleed into Yorktown. 

Game On!

Still waiting for the edge to firm up, but the lake looks good.  This cold snap ought to get it just right for Saturday.  The National Weather Service has the graphic correct: it will be cold, so bundle up and come play hockey with us.

Icewatch: 2/4/2016

After getting off to a slow start, we finally secured a fine rink and trails on the lake.  This week nature has graciously Zamboni'ed the whole thing for us.  And now it appears we'll have a solid 10 days of cold, with a downward trend.  Que bueno!  The only question is will we get to skate this weekend.  Stay tuned, Mohegan Lake. 

Lexington Avenue Rezoning Will Crush The Very Soul of The Mohegan Lake Community

Have you heard about the proposed Lexington Avenue Rezoning from single family (R1-20)?  Probably not because it was only recently brought up at the Town of Yorktown Town Board.  Neighbors on the entire block are united in opposition (please see petition below; I can email you a pdf if you have trouble reading it).  Basically, it allows the lot the single family is on today to fit 12 apartment units.  That's nuts.  Imagine that literally in your back yard where a single family home once stood.  Of the seven single family homes on the block, a single lot would suddenly have 12 families; almost twice as many that have existed in the area since about the 1930's.  Yikes!

It's right next to  George Washington Elementary.  There's nothing but R1-20 around.  The closest R-3 are the condos on Mohegan Lake and they are a disaster, from a density perspective.   It's obvious that there's a buck to be made and what better place in Yorktown to "spot zone" than the northwest corner.  I wish the neighbors luck, but the forces on the Town Board are likely not in their favor, but let's hold off judgement just yet; hopefully they do the right thing and shoot this proposal down right out of the gate.  

It's interesting to note that in considering the "rezoning" the Town Board referred it to many Boards, but not the "Zoning Board of Appeals."  I think that's because the don't want to have to consider the myriad variances that would be required to make 12 units on that acre lot; such information would certainly not support a rezoning. 

Before we look at the petition, let's consult our trusty zoning map, below.  As you can see, the lot is in a sea of yellow R1-20 single family homes.  Nary a R-3 multi-family zone allowing dense apartment buildings around.   

This issue was touched on in courtesy of the floor at the last Town Board, remember? There's likely a Town Board meeting on it tomorrow night, 2/2 at 730pm.  Won't know until they release agenda.

The red arrow shows the lot in question. 

 

It's shocking that these 6 single family homes and the proposed rezone parcel, which comprises the whole block, could suddenly have a dozen units plunked down.  Certainly not in keeping with the character of our lovely lake community.

Hilltop Service Station

You guys know it.  It's the old-school gas and auto service station at East Main where Sagamore Dead Ends into it.  The new owner started selling used cars there and I really can't tell the difference from the old one; certainly doesn't look much different than from how the old owner kept it.

Anyhow, we've previously noted how the Yorktown Supervisor seems hellbent on twisting one property owner's nuts while turning a blind eye to another doing nearly the exact same thing (from a zoning perspective) a couple blocks down Route 6 at the intersection of Mohegan Ave/Lakeland St. where Mohegan Lake Motors set up shop at a legal eating and drinking establishment (formerly Anthony's Pizzeria).

Susan Seigel has studious notes from the last Town Board working session.  I'd bring you video of the discussion, but apparently such work sessions do not merit public scrutiny, unless you can make it to the meeting and lean in on their table.  If you don't already follow Ms. Seigel's Citizens for and Informed Yorktown email list--it's informative; did you know there will be a public hearing about our water bills going up 25% very soon (it doesn't matter what you say, it's happening)?  Here are her notes from the 1/26/16 Town Board work session on Hilltop Service Station:

Chris Sciarra showed the board photos of what he said was the “look” the owner wanted to achieve as part of his efforts to “beautify” the site.   He said the owner planned to apply for a rezoning to allow the sales of used cars but before he did, he wanted a sense of the board as to exactly what it wanted.  (Based on a passing comment, the applicant may be applying for a new transitional zone for the two parcels that currently comprise the site; one parcel is used residential, the other already is a transitional zone.)

Supervisor Grace repeated his issues:  he is concerned with the aesthetics along the Route 6 greenbelt; he sees  no difference between cars parked for sale and cars packed to be repaired, a point challenged by a resident in the audience who was allowed to speak.  The supervisor suggested he would not be happy seeing a “ditch” along Route 6 and he also wanted to “soften” the site’s  look from Route 6.  Councilman Bernard asked the owner to touch base with the state to see what plantings might be possible along Route 6; otherwise, he said, the invasives will just grow back.

The major aesthetic issue was differences of opinion on whether a canopy should be permitted, and if so, what size and shape. Councilman Diana said he was opposed to one and wanted to keep the “old style” look of the station. He added, however, that he would be open minded if the owner came back with something smaller.

Mr. Sciarra said that the station was one of only two in Yorktown did not have self service and that it was important to help a local business. The owner explained that if the pumps are not protected by a canopy, they will deteriorate.

John Tegeder suggested that one solution to retaining the 1940s look might be to see if the roof line of the building could be extended over the pumps.

There was also a discussion of signs and it was unclear whether the owner was planning on keeping the existing signs or planning new ones.

The applicant will have to prepare a formal site plan (not, as the supervisor said, a drawing on a napkin) when he submits the rezoning application.

I leave you with this clip from "Chinatown," because water is important and this is one of the most important movies in the American movie lexicon that addresses it; if you have never seen it, put it in your queue (plus, it has Jack Nicholson):

Where'd The Cheese Go?

Someone was caught cutting stealing the cheese at DeCicco's Marketplace on Lee Blvd.

 

Do You Live In Mohegan Lake?

There are seven beach associations around the lake; we are the people that pay taxes that fund lake improvements.  If you like the lake and want to be involved with the communities that help maintain it, you should attend the Mohegan Lake Improvement District (MLID) meeting this Wednesday, 1/26/16 at 7:30pm.  Here's a message from MLID president Ken Belfer:

Our January Mohegan Lake Improvement District meeting is this Wednesday at 7:30 PM at the Calvary Chapel at 99 Baron De Hirsch Road in Crompond.  We begin work on the 2016 season, which we hope will be even better than 2015.  Hope to see you at the meeting.

Last year we applied copper sulfate every Tuesday during the swimming season and--lo and behold--the lake didn't get closed by the Department of Health for algae blooms. They were still present, but much, much clearer than the last 5 years since Save Mohegan Lake has been around, and beyond.  We hope to improve upon that with an aluminum sulfate permit which should not need to be applied nearly as often; I've heard up to 3 years.

Oh, hey, did you see the skating rink and trails I made at the top of the lake?  Please don't stand on the surfaces when it's above 32 degrees.  It has to reset to be skatable and if one walks on it, it's going to not freeze flat.  Let nature Zamboni our baby--naturally:)

And...We're Off

Hi Mohegan Lake,

So the Lake is now sufficiently frozen across about 75% of its 110 acres to skate.  I took depth readings of about 2-7/8" on the edge to nearly  4" in the middle (the ice extends above the water line in the pic below).  New York State DEC used to say 2" of clean clear ice is good for adults; but they changed that to 4".    The extreme edge is dicey.  Oh, and there are a few death traps like the giant hole between SOLE and FBC.  Know what you're doing if you go out there.

Mmm...so thick.

 How Pretty is that?

 Awwww, freshies!

And the obligatory first skate video.  Please come join us, but again, do so at your own risk.

The Big Chill

Not only is it a movie old people like, but it's also a way to describe the weather for the next week.  Think cold, Mohegan Lake.  We don't want this years Mohegan Lake Ice Fishing and Skating Extravaganza to be too abbreviated.  Consulting the ice growth chart, we're estimating new ice at about 3/4" to one inch per day, based on the average temperature forecast by the National Weather Service.  With highs topping out at 34 degrees, we may be skating very soon.  New York State says 2" of clean clear  ice is safe for people to walk on; we start skating at 4".  Hope to see you out there soon. 

 

 

 

Welcome forecast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End Times Are Near In Yorktown

That's a bit dramatic, but my five year legal battle with Yorktown will be ending soon--one way or another.  Motion to dismiss thwarted.  Supplemental Appendix (Volumes I and II, 415 pages) being served tomorrow by the Westchester County Sheriff.  Adversaries' briefs due by February 18.

Since it seems like I'll be heard on the merits of my brief (arguments), I thought I'd share it with the Mohegan Lake community--as if you are not at least vaguely familiar with it; this is the most refined it's been.  I had intended to share every paper and reply and whatnot, but it's exhausting and not a great legal strategy--or so I've concluded, as a pro se petitioner.

That said,  here it is!:

To be argued by: Evan Bray, Pro Se

Time Requested: 15 Minutes

APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET No. 2015-02066

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

APPELLATE DIVISION: SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

45 MONROE PLACE

BROOKLYN, NY 11201

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IN THE MATTER OF

EVAN DANIEL BRAY                                            

--PETITIONER/APPELLANT-   

v.

TOWN OF YORKTOWN ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, TOWN OF YORKTOWN PLANNING BOARD, TOWN OF YORKTOWN TOWN BOARD, FAITH BIBLE CHURCH, AND HUDSON RIVER TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

--RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS

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EVAN BRAY

APPELLANT PRO SE

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WESTCHESTER

INDEX #1049/14

New York Times Review of Savannah's Southern House

This is likely the closest the NYT's will get to reviewing a restaurant in Mohegan Lake.  Have you been?

Big News

Guess who passed the "bat-shit crazy" pro se petitioner test?  This guy! [two thumbs pointed at chest]  Much more to come shortly, but I have some work to do.

What Is Camp Nabby Up To?

Good question.  I'm glad you asked.

Camp Nabby has been an institution in the neighborhood for a long time.  Most of the people in the immediate neighborhood don't utilize it because it's like 4 or 5 thousand dollars (if I'm not mistaken) for an 8 week camp; thankfully Mohegan Lakers can camp out at one of our 7 private beach associations 5 months of the year. 

There is a bit of a traffic issue when dropping off, and picking up, kids during Camp Nabby season.  And by a bit, I mean it gets crazy.  Cars queuing for blocks along the street.  If an expansion of the existing buildings would increase the occupant load, it would be reasonable to request the owner to provide more on-site parking and queuing so the adjacent property owners don't get the shaft.

The signs you see on their property mean they have a pending zoning variance application.  They are pretty substantial--on paper.  A rear yard setback (meaning the houses on Holly Wood Street) of 20 feet where ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY FEET are required in an R1-10 zone (our town's smallest residential zone).

In summary, this may not be a big deal and it could be harmless, but this is why we need to pay attention to the tiny black and white Zoning, Planning, and Town Board applications along the side of the road. They are important. [Note: it's hard to stay current with Yorktown's business.  Of the last 57 public meetings going back to October 19, 2015, there are five published meeting minutes online.

I implore the Town Board to move Yorktown Forward and keep minutes of the town business current, but I digress.

So what is Camp Nabby up to? Anyone know? 

Mohegan Lake Puppy Mill

"Only one protester, animal rights activist Karen Conlon, who lives in New York, attended a planned rally outside state Superior Court in Danbury. She said she hoped that drawing attention to Doyle’s case would force the closure of the Danbury shop, as well as his two other stores in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Mohegan Lake, N.Y."

Apparently this "American Breeders" puppy mill has been next to Subway for years.  Just noticed it after Mr. Doyle started making the news.

Puppies!

  

The Ice Man Cometh (Hopefully)

Mohegan Lakers,

Did the record setting temperatures in December give you the SAD's?  Me too.  Good news though.  Temps seem to be getting back to normal, with normal being colder than a witches tit.  Since I leave when it's dark and come home when it's dark, I can't supply a picture, but the lake is now partially frozen.  Yay.  Oooooh, and look at this forecast from the National Weather Service (don't trust any other):

Hope to see you on the ice soon!