The villages are a part of the town because of NYS law. The average resident of each of the villages pays less than 2% of their entire tax bill for town services. The bulk of your taxes (over 60%) goes to the schools. Westchester County, the village, the county refuse district make up the balance.  Residents think they are paying more to the town because we act as a tax collector for the school district and the county.  If you don't pay your taxes to the school district or county the town is required by law to pay both the county and schools 100% of the taxes  owed whether it was collected or not.  That's why we are able to acquire properties in the villages --if there is a foreclosure the town takes possession of the property. We have worked with the villages in recent years turning foreclosed properties in Hastings and Ardsley into affordable housing.

 

What does the town do for the 2% of your entire tax bill?

 

1.        We offer advance life support (ALS) and paramedic services which has a proven record of repeatedly saving the lives of village residents.   Hopefully, you won't need them, but if you do these services are ready to respond to your call 24 hours a day.

 

2.        The town's town wide senior program serves or delivers over 30,000 meals to village seniors each year. The program provides a hot meal five days a week to eligible seniors.  We have three nutrition sites - in Dobbs Ferry, Tarrytown and unincorporated Greenburgh.  Our home delivery program provides delivery services to seniors who cannot come to one of these sites.

 

3.        The town has a recreation program for developmentally disabled residents. 

 

4.        The town's animal control department responds to calls for service within the

villages.  If there is a stray or injured animal the animal control unit will respond. We transport the animals to an appropriate medical facility for care.

 

5.        The town's civil defense unit provides civil defense services during natural  disasters and other major events, such as post 9/11 and during blackouts. These services include coordination of communications for police, fire, paramedics and refilling of air packs and fresh air for specialized rescues.  The unit also responds to refill the air tanks of village volunteer firefighters during fires.

 

 

6.        The town's highly trained and specially equipped special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team is available 24/7 to respond to emergencies.  Officers from throughout the town who meet very rigorous standards are readily available to respond to emergencies in the villages.

 

7.        The town's road striping unit is responsible for striping roads, including the center and side lines and crosswalks on roads in all six villages.

 

8.        The town acts as a collection agent for the schools and county.  The town guarantees 100% of the taxes to both entities.  If you do not pay your school or county tax bill the town pays it for you.  The town then has to use its offices to pursue collection of all unpaid taxes.

 

9.         The Town Clerk

•         Responds to FOIL requests from residents town-wide; and provides…

•         dog licenses to residents, town-wide;

•         marriage licenses to residents, town-wide; New York State Licenses:  Fishing, Hunting, Handicap Parking Permits;

•         Town of Greenburgh Licenses:  Cabaret, Canvassing/Peddlers & Solicitors, Filming, Sanitation (private), Taxicab and Taxi Driver;

•         Senior Citizen Rent Abatement Program (ETPA) for qualified town residents;

•         Management of  all vital records (marriages and deaths) that occur in the Town of Greenburgh;

•         Sales Tax Letters to residents and businesses for correct Sales Tax amount for the town; and several other miscellaneous services. 

 

10.    The Town's Sewer Department  responds to calls for service from the villages for sewer emergencies  24/7,

which require the use of The Town’s jet/vac truck and operator.

 

Because the Theodore Young Community Center was paid for with federal and state tax dollars, residents of the villages have the ability to use the indoor pool at the Theodore Young Community center and to participate in their programs.

 

The above are some highlights representing the services offered to village residents. I hope this information answers some questions. Feel free to contact me with any further questions.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor