The Saw Mill River Coalition (free-a-tree@hotmail.com) is seeking volunteers to remove invasive vines tomorrow (Saturday) from 9 amto 2 PM. Meet at the Farragut Avetrailway parking lot. Wear long pants, long sleeves and sturdy shoes. Bring gloves and a set of hand clippers or loppers if you have one. Call 914 548-6711. I intend to start volunteering around noon. Invasive vines kill trees---many trees on the Saw Mill River Parkwayhave invasive vines.

I will be urging the Greenburgh Town Board to approve a new law re: veteran benefits. These benefits are calculated, in part, using the Equalization Rates. As a consequence of the precipitous decline of the Equalization Rate, veteran benefits have declined over the last few years. Recently, the Westchester County Board of Legislators has taken up this issue and they have adopted the increase. It merely allows veterans to receive current benefits as they were originally proposed.

The Greenburgh Parks & Recreation Advisory Board unanimously endorsed a proposal for the town to oversee a dog park at RidgeParkin Hartsdale. CountyExecutiveSpano has advised town officials that the county will designate a portion of the park for a dog park. And, State Senator Nick Spano has promised $43,000 in funding for the construction of the park (fencing). The town will be responsible for the maintenance budget (estimated at about $5500 a year). Because there is so much public support and interest in the park – it is my hope that we will be able to fund much of the maintenance costs using private dollars.  The dog park proposal now goes before the Greenburgh Town Board for consideration.

PAUL FEINER