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Catskill Aqueduct Shutdown

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1. Why are we getting our water from another source?

New Castle usually gets its water from the Ashokan Reservoir via the Catskill Aqueduct. This aqueduct is also used to provide drinking water to millions of New York City residents. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has begun a multi-year project to repair the century-old Catskill Aqueduct. This project requires DEP to shut down the Catskill Aqueduct for 15 weeks. As a result of this work, New Castle’s water source will change as of October 1.  During the shutdown, we will get our water via the New Croton Aqueduct, which draws from the Croton Reservoir.

2. How long will this last?

DEP  will shut down the Catskill Aqueduct as of October 1, 2021, and it will be out of service through  mid-January 2022. As a result, New Castle’s water source will switch to the Croton Reservoir as of Friday, October 1, 2021. The Catskill Aqueduct rehabilitation project began in 2018, a similar 10 week shutdown occurred in 2020 and another is planned for 2022.

3. Will I notice a difference in my water?

Some people may detect a difference in the taste of their water because it is coming from a different source. Waters coming from the Ashokan and Croton Reservoirs are exposed to different kinds of bedrock, minerals, and other natural features, which can cause them to taste slightly different.

4. Is the water safe?

 YES! All water that is treated at the Millwood Water Treatment Plan is thoroughly tested and exceeds the stringent requirements of the New York State Department of Health.

5. Will the cost of my water increase due to this change?

No.

6. Where can I get additional information?

For further information please contact the Millwood Water Plant at 914-944-0036 or 914-944-0037 and ask for the Plant Manager John Young or the Assistant Plant Manager Paul Steirs Monday through Friday 8 am to 4 pm.

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Do Not Knock

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1. Who is prohibited from coming to my door if I join the registry?

Commercial solicitors and peddlers are prohibited from coming to your door if you join the registry. Commercial solicitors are people who go door-to-door selling products or services, such as a wireless vendor or vacuum salesperson.

2. Who is exempt from the Do Not Knock law?

Charitable organizations and religious organizations, as well as individuals who wish to conduct polling or surveying, circulate petitions, engage in political or religious speech, or other similar conduct, are not subject to the Do Not Knock law. However, residents still have the right to post "No Trespassing" signs or signs of similar import indicating that such solicitors are unwelcome as well. If these persons refuse to leave your property, or if you feel at all threatened or doubt their authenticity, you should call the police department at 238-4422.

3. How do peddlers and solicitors know they are not welcome at my home?

There are two ways in which peddlers and solicitors are provided notice. Every registrant under our Town Code will be issued a copy of the then-current "Do Not Knock" list simultaneously with the registration certificate issued by the Chief of Police. As well, residents can post a sign or decal conspicuously displayed in the front window or door of the home. The sign decal indicates "Knock it Off - No Solicitation Here".

4. How will the Do Not Knock law be enforced?

Enforcement will be primarily through complaints or calls to the Police Department by residents who have been wrongly disturbed by peddlers or solicitors in violation of the local law. The police will respond accordingly to such calls or complaints.

5. What will happen to violators?

Any person violating the terms of the Do Not Knock law may be charged under the local law. Upon conviction in the Justice Court of the Town of New Castle, violators will be subject to a fine not to exceed $250 or to imprisonment not exceeding 15 days, or both, at the discretion of the Justice Court.

6. How can I obtain the sign decal?

Sign decals will be available, during regular business hours, at Town Hall. You must be signed up on the "Do Not Knock Registry" prior to receiving a sign decal.

7. Are peddlers or solicitors required to register with the Town of New Castle?

Yes, both peddlers and solicitors are required to register with the Town. Peddlers and solicitors must come in to the Police Department to register and are subject to a background check.

8. Are there any restrictions against leaving flyers at the door?

Persons leaving commercial flyers attempting to solicit paid customers should follow the restrictions of the Do Not Knock law. Persons providing a flyer for an exempt organization are not prohibited from dropping such literature.

9. Why can’t the Town prohibit all solicitation after dark?

Federal cases interpreting the First Amendment have found that local laws prohibiting all solicitation after dark are unconstitutional.

10. Why should I display a sign after I’ve signed up?

Although it is a violation of the local law to solicit or deliver handbills to any residence on the "Do Not Knock" registry, the signs displayed at residences help counter a solicitor's argument that he or she did not have prior notice that the resident did not want to receive information.

11. Are solicitors and peddlers required to carry his/her permit on them while soliciting / peddling?

Yes, they must be licensed and are required to carry the license with them.

12. How long is a permit good for?

The permit will indicate the date of expiration, which will not exceed one year from the date of issuance.

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Food Scrap Recovery Program

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1. How does this help the environment?

The program enables organic matter to be returned to the soil instead of being burned in an incinerator and adding to air pollution and/or decomposing as methane, the worst greenhouse gas. Farmers using compost need less chemical fertilizers.

2. Where do the food scraps go?

To a commercial composting facility in upstate NY.

3. Doesn’t the trucking offset the environmental benefits?

Not by a long shot. The CO2 emitted is nothing compared to the savings of methane gas emissions.

4. Where do I get a Starter Kit?

At the New Castle Recycling Center Tuesday-Saturday 7am-2:30pm.   

 

5. What happens when I use up the compostable liners that come with the kit?

Liners are available at the Recycling Center. They cost $2 for the kitchen container and $6 for the transportation container.

6. Where do I keep these containers?

Many people keep the kitchen container under their counter. However, it’s not bad looking and can live on top of the counter too. Keep the Transportation container in the garage.

7. Do I have to use the town kits?

No. Now that the pilot program has been completed, New Castle residents can drop off food scraps as long as they are in compostable liners. Food scraps must also be transported safely so the bag does not break and contaminate the collection area. The kits are recommended.

8. Doesn’t the food smell?

If you leave it too long, yes. The kitchen container has holes in the top so air circulates. The transportation container has a solid locking lid. Most people bring their scraps in once a week with no problems.

9. When can I bring it?

The Recycling Center is open Tuesdays-Saturdays 7am-2:30pm.

10. I already compost in my yard. Why should I do this?

The Food Scrap Recovery Program supplements home composting by accepting items (like meat, fish, cheese, etc.) that can’t be composted outside as they will attract unwanted pests. The Food Scrap Recovery Program can safely handle ALL food scraps.

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Footer - 2019 FAQs

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1. Are fees and applications available online?

Most applications and fee schedules are online in their respective departments.  Many of the applications have online forms you can fill out and print on your computer.  Some can be electronically submitted if we don't need to see you in person.  You can also print a hard copy of any form on your printer to fill in by hand.  Of course, you'll have to mail it or bring it in to be processed!

2. Can I register online for Recreation and Parks programs?

ON-LINE REGISTRATION is available for almost all of the Town Recreation Programs (Town Camp is not available online).  Registration forms can be mailed in or dropped off at the Recreation Department in Town Hall.  

3. When are Town offices open?

Town Hall Hours
8:45 am – 4:30 pm M-F
Summer hours
8:45 am – 4:30 pm M-Th
Friday 8:45 am – 3:15 pm

New Castle Department of Public Works (DPW)
280 Hunts Lane
Chappaqua, NY 10514
(914) 238-3968
DPW Hours
7:00 am – 3:00 pm

New Castle Recycling Center
210 Hunts Lane
Chappaqua, NY 10514
(914) 238-8091
Wed – Fri
7 am -11:15 am
Noon – 3:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 2:30 pm

4. Can I view town and other board meetings live?

Town Board meetings are broadcast live on NCCMC's government channel on Optimum and Verizon.  We also livestream other board meetings on the internet.   Just go to our livestream website to see an what is being streamed.

5. How can I contact the Town

Telephone numbers and email addresses for each department are listed on the department's page on the website. 

6. Are meeting documents available to the public?

Yes!  All of the Town's public meetings are recorded and available to the public.  The fastest way to get meeting information is to go to NCCMC's open media site.  Each meeting is available there, along with the meeting agendas.  You can also go to our eCode repository which has the agendas, minutes and resolutions from every meeting.  Contact the Town Clerk's office if you have questions.

7. Are board meetings open for public participation?

Board meetings are open to the public.  The meeting chairperson may close a portion of a meeting for executive session to discuss personnel or other confidential matters.  Check the meeting's agenda in advance.

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Form Based Code FAQ's

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1. NEW - Will completing the SEQRA review for the FBC on the entire study area undermine the Town Board’s ability to limit the FBC to only a small area (the North Greeley corridor)...

or make it easier for other property owners to change their zoning to FBC or obtain zoning variances? 

A:         No.  

Summary

The Town Board’s legislative discretion with respect to zoning is extraordinarily broad.  As a matter of well-established law, a property owner who challenges their existing zoning classification must overcome a very strong presumption that their existing zoning is valid.  Examples of successful zoning challenges are extremely rare. Moreover, SEQRA and its implementing regulations expressly state that SEQRA does not change the jurisdiction of local boards.  This limitation has been held to include zoning, which is a matter of legislative discretion.  

Likewise, the creation of a new, separate FBC district would not help property owners in other parts of the study area obtain variance relief. The applicable standards for obtaining variance relief are rigorous and property specific; the zoning classification of other properties is not a relevant consideration.  

In sum, rezoning the North Greeley corridor would not make it easier for other property owners within the study area to obtain zoning changes or variances.  In fact, it would provide no foundation or "leg up" whatsoever. The creation of a new zoning district with FBC regulations in a distinct area of the hamlet would have no impact upon the legal analyses applicable to zoning challenges or variance requests outside the new district’s boundaries.

Legislative Discretion: Zoning

A municipality’s zoning is required to bear a substantial relationship to the “public health, safety, and general welfare” of a community.  See Village of Euclid, Ohio v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365, 383, 47 S.Ct. 114, 117 (1926).  These are extremely broad and elastic concepts under which the Town Board is free to subjectively assess and establish the parameters of any form-based zoning district in the Chappaqua hamlet.  

New York’s highest court has instructed that zoning decisions should be treated as “conclusive, [and] beyond interference from the courts unless shown to be arbitrary, and the burden of establishing such arbitrariness is imposed upon he who asserts it.” Robert E. Kurzius, Inc. v. Incorporated Village of Upper Brookville, 51 N.Y.2d 338, 344, 434 N.Y.S.2d 180 (1980) (quotation marks and citation omitted). 

A property owner outside the North Greeley zoning district who wished to have their zoning designation changed to the North Greeley district regulations would face the virtually impossible task of demonstrating that the Town Board’s legislative decision with respect to mapping the North Greeley District was arbitrary and wholly unrelated to any legitimate objective.  Fundamentally, zoning is established through the drawing of districts with geographic boundary lines and the establishment of regulations within those districts.  The Town Board has the legislative authority to draw these lines, and the task necessarily leaves some land within and other land outside a particular district.  This line drawing is a legislative function subject to all the discretionary considerations and deference discussed above. 

While zoning amendments typically require SEQRA review, the SEQRA review process and requirements do “not change the existing jurisdiction of agencies nor the jurisdiction between or among state and local agencies.”  6 NYCRR § 617.3[b].  See also ECL § 8–0103(6).    In other words, “SEQRA neither preempts nor interferes with local zoning ordinances.”  WEOK Broadcasting Corp. v. Planning Bd. of Town of Lloyd, 165 A.D.2d 578, 568 N.Y.S.2d 974, 975 (3d Dep’t 1991), aff’d, 79 N.Y.2d 373, 583 N.Y.S.2d 170 (1992).  See also Town of Poughkeepsie v. Flacke, 84 A.D.2d 1, 445 N.Y.S.2d 233 (2d Dep’t 1981).

Variances

In addition to requesting a zoning change, a property owner may also seek a modification of existing zoning requirements by applying for a variance.  A “use” variance allows the use of land for a purpose that is otherwise prohibited under existing zoning.  An “area” variance authorizes the use of land in a manner that is otherwise prohibited by the dimensional or physical requirements (known as “bulk” requirements) of the applicable zoning regulations.  Variances must generally be sought from a zoning board of appeals.

Use variances are difficult to obtain and rarely granted because they require a property owner to demonstrate: 

(1) the property cannot yield a reasonable return if used only for permitted purposes as currently zoned, (2) the hardship resulted from unique characteristics of the property, (3) the proposed use would not alter the character of the neighborhood, and (4) the alleged hardship was not self-created.

When reviewing an area variance, a zoning board of appeals must consider: 

(1) whether an undesirable change will be produced in the character of the neighborhood or a detriment to nearby properties will be created by the granting of the area variance; (2) whether the benefit sought by the applicant can be achieved by some method, feasible for the applicant to pursue, other than an area variance; (3) whether the requested area variance is substantial; (4) whether the proposed variance will have an adverse effect or impact on the physical or environmental conditions in the neighborhood or district; and (5) whether the alleged difficulty was self-created, which consideration shall be relevant to the decision of the board of appeals, but shall not necessarily preclude the granting of the area variance.

Both of these standards focus upon the physical features and characteristics of the subject property and the immediately surrounding neighborhood.  The zoning classification of other properties is not a relevant consideration, let alone one that would weigh in favor of granting variance relief.  In fact, the adoption of a FBC for only a portion of the study area would unmistakably indicate a legislative intent to preserve the existing zoning in those portions of the study area not rezoned.  

Furthermore, courts regard a hardship as self-created if the variance applicant acquired their property with knowledge of its existing zoning restrictions.  In the case of use variances, such knowledge ordinarily forecloses a property owner from obtaining relief.

We also note that the procedural changes that would be implemented under the FBC are not land “uses” or “bulk” requirements that could be modified through the issuance of variance relief.  Thus, an applicant in the study area who received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals would still be required to obtain all applicable site development approvals under the Town’s existing (non-FBC) code requirements.

Conclusion

In sum, the adoption of a SEQRA Findings Statement with respect to the 72-acre study area will not increase the likelihood that property owners outside a newly established FBC district could successfully challenge their existing zoning classification or cause the FBC regulations to be applied to their properties through variance applications.

2. NEW - Why is the Town Board considering revisions to the FBC legislation before receiving draft responses to the comments from the public and interested agencies on the Town's DGEIS? ...

When completed, those responses will be incorporated into a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (“FGEIS”).  Why isn’t the Town Board waiting until the FGEIS is completed?

The Town Board is considering several legislative changes to the Form-Based Code legislation that, in its view, do not need to await its receipt of additional environmental analysis or the completion of the FGEIS. 

For example, changes to application review procedures are not dependent upon the results of the environmental review.  Also, changes that address public comments and result in the reduction of any environmental impacts are also appropriate to discuss at this time.  Discussing those changes now provides residents with additional opportunities to review and understand the proposed legislation and provide comments and feedback to the Town Board. 

The legislative changes being considered by the Town Board arose out of its work session discussions on April 23, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. and April 27, 2021 at 6:00 p.m., as well as its conversations with staff and residents.  Residents will recall the Town Board discussed making a number of specific legislative changes during those work sessions, including –

• Limiting the height of new buildings in the Form-Based District to 4 stories, with any fourth floor being set back at least 10 feet from lower floors;
• Enhancing the public notice requirements for new projects;
• Authorizing the Planning Board, not the Development Department, to review any development that creates a new building lot exceeding 0.5 acres; and
• Allowing applicants to pursue architectural styles not otherwise permitted under the Form-Based Code, subject to review and approval by the Town’s Architectural Review Board.

The redline version of the draft Form-Based Code legislation that the Town Board reviewed during its July 30, 2021 work session incorporated these and other changes.  The entire document may be accessed here: Chappaqua Forward - FBC

The Town Board has already announced a schedule for its continued environmental review under SEQRA, and further revisions to the Form-Based Code legislation are likely before the Town Board completes this process.  Rest assured that the Town Board will consider all public comments, studies, and information garnered through its SEQRA review, and no final decisions will be made by the Town Board with respect to the proposed Form-Based Code legislation until the SEQRA process is complete.  

3. What is a form-based code?

A form-based code is a means of regulating land development to achieve a specific urban form. It is a way to regulate development that controls building form first and building use second, with the purpose of achieving a particular type of “place” or built environment based on the vision of a community.

4. What is the purpose of Chappaqua’s comprehensive plan?

The New Castle Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2017 sets forth policy statements, goals and actions that will enable New Castle to navigate shifts in the world today and continue to thrive as a desirable place to live, work and play for generations to come.  Generally, comprehensive plans should be updated every ten (10) years to account for any changes in community policies and goals over that period of time.  Under New York State Law, a comprehensive plan serves as the foundational document for zoning legislation within the municipality.  Zoning laws are required to be in accordance with the municipality’s comprehensive plan.  

5. What is the goal of rezoning the Chappaqua Hamlet?

The goal is to ensure that all ele­ments of the built envi­ron­ment, includ­ing land use, trans­porta­tion, hous­ing, ener­gy, and infra­struc­ture, work togeth­er to pro­vide sus­tain­able, green places for liv­ing, work­ing, and recre­ation, with a high qual­i­ty of life. Specifically, the Form Based Code will create the structure to diversify the town’s housing stock (both housing type and price point) and revitalize the existing business area which is and has been plagued with vacant storefronts.  

6. Will the rezoning change the history of Chappaqua?

No. All devel­op­ment should com­ple­ment and main­tain the historic char­ac­ter that exists today. The proposed legislation protects the historic buildings and landmarks that exist within the hamlet today.

7. Is the Chappaqua form-based code a construction project?

This legislation is not a construction project. This form-based code offers opportunities for property owners to reinvest and redevelop their properties in the hamlet to help meet the goals of the community as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan.

8. What is GEIS?

“GEIS” refers to a Generic Environmental Impact Statement.  Upon review of the proposed Form Based Code the Town Board determined that the adoption and implementation of the Form Based Code may result in one or more significant adverse environmental impacts.  Therefore, the Town Board adopted a “positive declaration” pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) which triggers a requirement to prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  In this instance, because the action being studied is the adoption of legislation rather than a defined development project with specific impacts the Town Board decided to use a “Generic” EIS, or GEIS. A GEIS is a useful tool for studying the impacts of multiple actions within a geographic area.  Once a Draft GEIS (DGEIS) is accepted as complete (meaning, it contains all information outlined in the Scoping Document) the Town Board will hold a public hearing on the DGEIS.  All substantive public comments received during this period, both written and verbal, will be responded to in writing through the preparation of a Final GEIS (FGEIS).  After the FGEIS is accepted by the Town Board as complete (meaning, all substantive comments have been responded to accurately and adequately) the Town Board will prepare an Environmental Findings Statement.  The Findings Statement is a document in which the Town Board will evaluate all information in the GEIS (draft and final) to determine whether the proposed Form Based Code, or one of the alternatives studied in the GEIS, avoids, minimizes or mitigates all potentially significant adverse environmental impacts to the maximum extent practicable.  Following the Findings Statement, the Town Board can make a decision on whether or not to adopt the Form Based Code.

9. Didn’t the members of the Downtown Working Group who own commercial properties in the Chappaqua hamlet have conflicts of interest that precluded their participation?

No.  The Downtown Working Group consisted of the following individuals: 

• Each member of the Town Board
• Three members of the Planning Board
• Randy Katchis and Steve Tavolacci, who own commercial properties in the Chappaqua business hamlet
• Bill Spade, a local architect

The property owners and architect who volunteered to serve on the Downtown Working Group participated in a purely advisory role. All have strong ties to our community. Randy Katchis lived in Chappaqua for 26 years and formerly served on the Chappaqua Board of Education. Steve Tavolacci is a lifelong resident and local developer. Bill Spade is a 30-year Town resident and has worked on numerous projects in our community, including as a volunteer at the Fuller Center rehabilitation underway at 300 King Street.

The volunteer members of the Downtown Working Group contributed real-world, and subject matter experience to the task of informing the Town’s independent planning consultant, Kimley Horn of New York, P.C. (“KH”), how to tailor the draft Form Based Code zoning legislation to best fit the needs of the Chappaqua business hamlet. Although the Town’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan established the community’s goals for the Chappaqua hamlet, input from these volunteer members helped inform how the Town could achieve its stated objectives through revised zoning legislation for the downtown.

The Downtown Working Group held its kick-off meeting on May 23, 2019, at which time each of its volunteer members explained their professional backgrounds, shared experiences living in the Town, and with respect to Randy Katchis and Steve Tavolacci, disclosed their property ownership in the business hamlet. Each meeting of the Downtown Working Group was videotaped and can be viewed here: Chappaqua Forward.

Residents who serve on advisory boards like the Downtown Working Group do not fall within the definition of Town “officers” or “employees” set forth in the Town’s Ethics Code. See Town Code § 9-2. The provisions of the Town Ethics Code are inapplicable to residents who volunteer their time to serve on such advisory boards.

Not only was there no conflict of interest in having these residents as members of the Downtown Working Group, the Town Attorney has confirmed that their involvement was entirely consistent with SEQRA’s objective of ensuring that interested parties are appropriately engaged in the consideration of a proposed action.

10. Does the Form Based Code allow the entire Chappaqua Hamlet to be 5 stories in height?

No. The draft of the Form Based Code included in the DGEIS allows up to 5 stories in only a few strategically selected areas of the Chappaqua Hamlet. Building height is one of the areas under review, and the proposed building heights in the Form Based Code are subject to change during the review process.

11. Why does the DGEIS study a "full build out" or "buildout scenario" of the Chappaqua Hamlet under the Form Based Code?

The “full build out” or “buildout scenario” studied in the DGEIS for the Form Based Code represents the maximum amount of development that could reasonably be expected to occur in the hamlet under the proposed legislation. In order for the “full build out” to be realized many factors must align. Some of these assumptions include the assemblage of many small parcels of land for redevelopment, the provision of adequate on-site parking and retention of some lots in their existing condition due to physical or other limitations on redevelopment such as the post office, fire house, Verizon communications building, Greeley House, school, and town recreation fields. Parking demand was also a factor in determining the buildout scenario. Pages 2-22 through 2-24 of the DGEIS provide additional information on the scope of the buildout scenario. The reason a “full build out” of the Form Based Code is studied, even though that full scope of development may never occur, is that under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) the Town Board is obligated to analyze the environmental impacts that may result from the adoption of the Form Based Code. Since the Form Based Code is legislation and not a development project, the DGEIS includes a conceptual study of what could occur if all the assumptions, some of which are listed above, were to come to fruition in order to study the environmental impacts of the proposed Code.

12. Does the FBC mean development on Town-owned land?

No. The Form Based Code proposes to rezone Town-owned land from an “industrial” zoning designation to a zoning designation that provides an opportunity for the Town Board to consider the sale or lease of Town-owned land for future development.  No development of Town-owned land is currently proposed.

13. If the Town Board determines in the future to sell or lease Town-owned land for a development project, will I have and opportunity to vote on whether that should occur? Will there be a referendum?

The current Town Board has no intention of selling or leasing Town-owned land without considering public opinion.  New York State Town Law §64 provides that the decision of a Town Board to sell or lease Town-owned land is subject to a permissive referendum.  A permissive referendum is a process by which members of the public may petition the Town Board to require the matter be submitted to a public vote.  In the event a valid petition is timely submitted, the decision of the Town Board does not take effect unless and until it is approved by a majority of the qualified voters.  New York State Town Law §94 provides that where a Town Board decision is subject to a permissive referendum, the Town Board has the authority to submit the matter to a referendum on its own motion, without waiting for a petition to be filed seeking a referendum.  Therefore, in the event the Town Board decides to sell or lease Town-owned land the public will have an opportunity to petition the Town Board to hold a referendum, or the Town Board can decide on its own motion to submit the matter for a referendum.  

14. Has the Town been in contact with other public entities on this proposal (e.g. the school board)?

Yes, the Town has been in ongoing discussions with the Chappaqua Central School District, including the Superintendent, and staff in regards to the Form Based Code – specifically in terms of projecting potential changes in the number of pupils attending Chappaqua schools. The school district was also involved with the 2017 Comprehensive Plan.

15. Once the Form Based Code is in place, what are the next steps for the Town to attract interest in potential opportunities for development?

Market conditions will dictate potential opportunities for smart development within the hamlet. The Form Based Code, however, provides a critical step to allow for the Town to create opportunities for smart development and, maximize potential use consistent with the goals of the community as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan.

16. Does the Town plan to use eminent domain to buy and consolidate privately owned, small contiguous parcels?

No.  The power of eminent domain is a seldom used tool of government.  Eminent domain refers to the right bestowed upon the government by the Fifth Amendment to take private land for a public purpose with the payment of just compensation.  The Town Board has no intention of using eminent domain in the Chappaqua Hamlet.  Instead, private market forces will dictate whether smaller contiguous parcels are assembled and consolidated to allow for redevelopment at the maximum potential permitted under the Form Based Code.

17. How does the public notification of a proposed development project change with the Form Based Code?

There is a neighbor notification provision within the Form Based Code. The Form Based Code requires notification to be given to owners of property abutting the proposed location of a development project.  All abutting property owners will be notified of the proposed project and invited to come in and speak to the Development Department about the project.  The notification must include a project description, the project’s location on the subject lot, and elevations.  The intent is for the Development Department to engage with the abutting property owners and serve as a conduit through which project changes may be discussed with the applicant to effectuate reasonable modifications to the project to address neighbor concerns.  Members of the public who are not abutting property owners may also submit comment to the Development Department for consideration.

Under today’s existing Town Code, projects which are subject to a building permit or other purely administrative review are not subject to public comment.  If notification occurs as a result of the permit process, there is no formal means by which public comment is considered in the review of the permit application.  For example, unless a property is located within a conservation subdivision or is subject to some other restriction, a residential property may be improved with a swimming pool without opportunity for neighbors – near or far – to comment on that permit application.  When the scope of the development triggers a requirement for site plan, special permit, subdivision, wetland permit, steep slopes, or variance approvals from the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, there is a formal public hearing process by which members of the public may submit written or verbal comment to the appropriate land use board for consideration. These comments inform the board’s review of the application but, by law, the board’s decision cannot rely solely on generalized community support or opposition to a project.  Instead, the board must review the information, studies, comments and professional reports submitted in favor of and in opposition to the project and apply that information to the standard of review set forth in the Town Code.  The Form Based Code maintains opportunity for public comment and maintains the purpose for which public comment is used in the application review process, but it changes the forum for providing comment. The project review and approval process is one of the areas under review, and is subject to change  

18. Why is this the appropriate time to adopt a Form Based Code for Chappaqua?

Vacant storefronts exist throughout the hamlet.  While vacancies may have increased due to the pandemic, the vacancy rate prior to the pandemic was unacceptably high in part due to the popularity of online shopping.  The 2017 Comprehensive Plan recognized this and called for a revitalization of the Chappaqua Hamlet.  That Plan also identified the need for the community to diversify its housing type from a single-family community to one that offers more options for our younger and older residents.  The Comprehensive Plan also called for protecting our single family neighborhoods and targeted new development to locations where we had the infrastructure to support it. The Chappaqua Hamlet has a commuter train station within walking distance to the entire hamlet and it contains sewer and water infrastructure.  It is the perfect place to meet the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.  Re-writing our zoning code allows us the ability to consider the form of future development- something that we can’t do in the same way under the existing zoning code.  Form is an essential component of keeping our community character.  Combining the form with a use based code enables us to embrace elements of regulation that are not currently contained in our existing zoning code along with typical controls regarding uses  we want to see in our hamlet.  The Form Based Code will allow residential uses on the first floor of buildings within certain areas of the hamlet.  This will help put more feet on the street, which will create more people living and walking around our downtown area to sustain the businesses that are shuttering today. A form-based code provides an opportunity for us to shape the future of the Chappaqua Hamlet.

19. Does Chappaqua have the water and sewer infrastructure to handle future development?

The DGEIS included an analysis of water supply and wastewater treatment.  As analyzed in the DGEIS, the existing infrastructure for both water supply and wastewater is adequate in that it could handle the demand generated under the build-out scenario.

20. What assumptions were the foundation of the Form Based Code?

The Chappaqua Hamlet is an existing built environment.  As such special considerations formed the basis of the proposed Form Based Code (FBC).  These considerations included a policy directive that all new development under the proposed FBC must provide for parking.  It is important to the Town Board that the FBC result in no net loss of existing municipal parking.  It is also important to note that the proposed FBC includes revised parking standards based on updated industry standards, which is different than what is in the existing zoning code.  Another consideration in forming the standards of the proposed FBC was consideration of the high groundwater table in the Chappaqua Hamlet.  This means that there is an understanding that new development will not be able to utilize underground parking areas.

21. Can the public vote on the Form Based Code?

No. Residents have suggested the Town of New Castle’s proposed local law to adopt the Chappaqua Hamlet Form-Based Code be subject to a referendum of the voters. As confirmed by the Town Attorney, the local law adopting the Chappaqua Hamlet Form-Based Code cannot be adopted subject to a referendum. The general rule in New York State is that there can be no referendum in the absence of constitutional or statutory authority. In this case, there is no statutory authority that would allow the Town Board to call a referendum regarding the proposed local law, nor is there any provision in the law (Municipal Home Rule Law §§ 23 and 24) that would allow a group of voters to petition that the issue be put up for a vote.

In response to certain comments received during the Town Board’s public hearing, New York State Municipal Home Rule Law § 24(2)(a) does not authorize a permissive referendum on the FBC.  That provision states that “a local law shall be subject to a referendum on petition if it…[d]ispenses with a provision of law requiring public notice or hearing as a condition precedent to official action.”  Here, the FBC does not dispense with existing requirements in the Town Code for public hearings associated with site plan or special permit applications under Sections 60-440(C) and 60-430(B) of the Town Code, respectively.  Those requirements will remain, but most applications processed under the FBC will not be subject to site plan or special permit review under Sections 60-440(C) and 60-430(B).  A separate review procedure is proposed to be established for development applications in the hamlet which allows for public comment, but does not require a public hearing.  For further detail, please find the Town Attorney’s memorandum here.

22. Can the Town conduct a "public opinion poll" or an advisory (non-binding) referendum of the electorate with respect to the proposed Form-Based Code?

No. The Town Attorney advises that, as a rule, a municipality may not conduct a referendum, advisory or otherwise, in the absence of constitutional or statutory authority. Further, according to the New York State Comptroller’s Office, use of taxpayer monies to conduct an advisory referendum is impermissible. See, NYCPTR Opn. No. 88-70.  Conducting or relying upon an informal survey or poll to gauge public support for the proposed legislation would be legally impermissible.  In addition, the SEQRA process has been implemented to gather meaningful public input through a structured process -- and this is the best way to gauge public opinion and to generate actionable feedback. For further detail, please find the Town Attorney’s memorandum here.

23. Do any members of the Town Board have a conflict of interest with respect to the Form Based Code because they own property in the Chappaqua business hamlet?

No.

In assessing whether a municipal official has an interest in some matter requiring his or her recusal, we must look to whether the interest in question can be reasonably viewed as “substantial” and “direct.” In the context of zoning legislation, courts have held that the ownership of real property in an area that will be financially affected by a board’s decision does not require disqualification if other property owners will be similarly affected. See Town of North Hempstead v. Village of North Hills, 38 N.Y.2d 334, 379 N.Y.S.2d 792 (1975); Segalla v. Planning Bd. of Town of Amenia, 204 A.D.2d 332, 611 N.Y.S.2d 287 (2d Dep’t 1994). Such interests are deemed too remote to constitute a disqualifying conflict of interest.

Courts also recognize that public policy should not discourage municipal officials from being property owners. See Clear Skies over Orangeville v. Town Bd. of Town of Orangeville, 2010 WL 7357949, at *18 (Sup. Ct. Wyoming Cty. 2010).

The opinion issued by the New York State Attorney General’s Office to Jerome J. Levenberg, Esq., the Village Attorney for the Village of Cedarhurst, 2002 N.Y. Op. Att’y Gen. 1028 (Mar. 4, 2002), further illustrates this point. In that matter, the AG opined that a trustee who owned commercial property in the Village’s Business Improvement District (“BID”) was required to recuse himself from voting on the BID budget only if he had a “substantial, personal interest in the outcome of the BID budget vote.” Such interest would exist if the trustee “owned a considerable portion of the commercial property within the BID” or a proposed improvement was to be closely situated to, or have a direct nexus with, the trustee’s property, such that the trustee’s interests were more likely to be affected than those of other BID property owners. However, the mere fact that a trustee owned property in the BID, by itself, did not set forth facts demonstrating recusal was required.

The same is true here. One Town Board member owns a residential property that lies within the 72-acre study area that was initially identified by the Town Board for possible rezoning. Based upon the authorities cited above, there is no basis to conclude that this Town Board member has a disqualifying interest with respect to consideration of form-based zoning legislation for the Chappaqua business hamlet.

This issue was originally addressed by the Town Board on October 26, 2020, at which time Town Counsel provided this same guidance to the Board. Any ongoing attempts to claim that a Town Board member has a conflict of interest are baseless.

24. Did the members of the Town’s “Downtown Working Group” write the Form Based Code?

No.  The Form Based Code was drafted by an independent consulting firm, Kimley Horn of New York, P.C. (“KH”), with support from a team of planning professionals.   An organizational chart showing the team that KH assembled for this project is shown below: 

The Town Board engaged KH through its standard public procurement process, which involved circulating a Request for Proposals and conducting a series of interviews before awarding a contract to KH. To learn more about KH, visit their website.

The Downtown Working Group was established to provide strategic guidance and input to KH so it could draft zoning legislation tailored to the needs of our downtown business hamlet. KH’s team met with the Downtown Working Group several times in 2019 and once in early 2020. Each meeting of the Downtown Working Group was videotaped and can be viewed here: Chappaqua Forward.

• Each member of the Town Board
• Three members of the Planning Board
• Randy Katchis and Steve Tavolacci, who own commercial properties in the Chappaqua business hamlet
• Bill Spade, a local architect

The property owners and architect who volunteered to serve on the Downtown Working Group participated in a purely advisory role. All have strong ties to our community. Randy Katchis lived in Chappaqua for 26 years and formerly served on the Chappaqua Board of Education. Steve Tavolacci is a lifelong resident and local developer. Bill Spade is a 30-year Town resident and has worked on numerous projects in our community, including as a volunteer at the Fuller Center rehabilitation underway at 300 King Street.

Collectively, the members of the Downtown Working Group brought over 100 years of experience living in the Town of New Castle to the task of informing KH what the Town hoped to accomplish through the adoption of amended zoning legislation for the Chappaqua business hamlet.

The Town’s goals for revitalizing the Chappaqua business hamlet are set forth in the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Town Board in 2017. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan was the culmination of a 4-year effort involving intensive study and community input, as summarized in this timeline:

The property owners and architect who volunteered to serve on the Downtown Working Group participated in a purely advisory role. All have strong ties to our community. Randy Katchis lived in Chappaqua for 26 years and formerly served on the Chappaqua Board of Education. Steve Tavolacci is a lifelong resident and local developer. Bill Spade is a 30-year Town resident and has worked on numerous projects in our community, including as a volunteer at the Fuller Center rehabilitation underway at 300 King Street.

Collectively, the members of the Downtown Working Group brought over 100 years of experience living in the Town of New Castle to the task of informing KH what the Town hoped to accomplish through the adoption of amended zoning legislation for the Chappaqua business hamlet.

The Town’s goals for revitalizing the Chappaqua business hamlet are set forth in the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Town Board in 2017. The Town’s Comprehensive Plan was the culmination of a 4-year effort involving intensive study and community input, as summarized in this timeline:

25. What is the “New Direction” announced by the Town Board for the Form Based Code? What does that mean and what happens next?

On February 23, 2021, the Town Board voted to close the public hearing on the DEGIS for the Form Based Code. At the same time, the Town Board announced that based upon community input, it planned to limit the application of the Form Based Code to a relatively small area of the Chappaqua hamlet – the North Greeley corridor, from the traffic light at the intersection with King Street to Bischoff Avenue. This area includes the former Rite Aid space that has been vacant for over 2 years.

By making this announcement, the Town Board signaled that applying the Form Based Code to the entire study area under review is no longer an alternative it will pursue. Accordingly, the Town Board will not be rezoning any public property outside the North Greeley corridor, such as the train station parking lot. Similarly, the Town Board will not be rezoning the South Greeley area of the downtown or the properties on King Street. Having taken these options off the table, the Town Board will instead target a single area of the downtown for zoning changes that are designed to facilitate redevelopment and revitalization.

The next steps in this process require the completion of the SEQRA process and the preparation of revised zoning legislation that aligns with the Town Board’s objective to rezone only the North Greeley corridor.

With respect to SEQRA, the Town Board will be working with its professional consultants to prepare a Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement, or “FGEIS.” The FGEIS will respond to comments made during our public hearing on the DGEIS and may include additional analyses and explanations. All substantive comments on the DGEIS will be listed and addressed in the FGEIS.

The last step in the SEQRA process will be the preparation of a Findings Statement. The Findings Statement will evaluate whether the proposed action (rezoning) will avoid or minimize adverse environmental impacts identified in the DGEIS/FGEIS and balance those impacts against social, economic, and other considerations.

The other step that the Town Board will pursue over the upcoming months involves revising the draft Form Based Code legislation not only to focus on the North Greeley corridor, but take into consideration the public comments and input from our public hearing on the DGEIS. With respect to the legislation, the Town Board will be addressing matters such as building heights, affordable housing criteria and leveraging the expertise of our Planning and Architectural Review

Boards for larger projects that emerge along the North Greeley corridor. Any such changes to the legislation will be subject to further public input and ultimately a public hearing.

26. If the Town Board is limiting the Form Based district to North Greeley, why will the FGEIS and SEQRA Findings Statement be completed for the entire study area?

Completion of the SEQRA process is a legally required step before any zoning changes can be enacted by the Town Board. For that reason alone, the SEQRA process that the Town Board started in January 2020 must continue and be completed. But there is another, broader reason for completing the SEQRA review on the entire study area.

The public hearing conducted on the DGEIS was hugely successful in eliciting public comments and input from residents and interested agencies such as the New Castle Planning Board and the Chappaqua Central School District. The Town Board received comments on many important issues and challenges facing our community, such as the need to create new housing opportunities and better respond to trends (post Covid-19 and otherwise) impacting the demand for retail goods and services. Those issues are relevant to the entire study area, not just the North Greeley corridor. The Town Board wants these questions answered!

It is perfectly appropriate for residents to have different opinions about changing our downtown. Some residents have advocated for building a Rec Center in the downtown, while others would like to have more housing options for empty nesters. Some residents want to see nothing changed at all. Regardless of your point of view, we all should be able to agree that objective, reliable data is essential to informed decision-making by our elected officials.

Completing the SEQRA process on the entire study area will provide the Town Board and residents with fact-based information and analyses that will be invaluable as we continue the dialogue over revitalizing our downtown. Our goal is to build a foundation for future planning and zoning decisions throughout the study area, without committing to any specific course of action at this time beyond the North Greeley corridor. By completing the SEQRA process on the entire study area, the community will have a solid understanding of the environmental, social and economic implications of encouraging redevelopment through rezoning.

We will keep the community updated on these efforts as we continue to move Chappaqua Forward.

27. Can the Town lawfully regulate the number of bedrooms that would be permitted within new apartment units?

Yes, the Town can.

The Chappaqua Board of Education has questioned whether the Town can lawfully regulate the number of bedrooms in multi-family housing that could be developed in the Chappaqua hamlet under a form-based zoning ordinance. The answer to this question must start with a brief history lesson. 

In 1972, the owners of a 50-acre parcel of property abutting Route 117 and Old Farm Road in New Castle requested a zoning change to permit the construction of a condominium development. At the time, the New Castle Zoning Code did not allow multi-family dwellings anywhere in the Town. When the Town Board declined to hold a public hearing on the application, the property owners sued, claiming the Town’s zoning was unconstitutional. 

The resulting litigation eventually reached New York’s highest court, which issued the landmark decision known as Berenson v. Town of New Castle. Decided in 1975, Berenson established a two-part test for determining the validity of any zoning ordinance. The first branch of the Berenson test asks whether a zoning ordinance has provided a “properly balanced and well-ordered plan” for the community. The second branch of the Berenson test asks whether a zoning ordinance has taken regional housing needs into consideration. 

After further litigation, an appellate court held that New Castle’s zoning ordinance flunked the Berenson test. The court explained: 

[The trial court] gave failing grades to the town on both branches of the [Berenson] test, finding first that the existing housing array does not satisfy the present needs of the town and, second, that there exists a regional need for multi-family housing which is not being met by either the Town of New Castle or its neighboring communities in Northern Westchester County.

The appellate court ordered the Town to amend its zoning ordinance to cure its Berenson violation within 6 months. Although the Town had already tried to address the problem by enacting zoning amendments for the Chappaqua busines hamlet to allow more multi-family housing, the court criticized this effort as ineffective and half-hearted. The court observed that the Town’s zoning amendments could not be realistically expected to produce more than 27 units and created the appearance of a municipality being told to “accept a leper colony into its midst.” 

In 1979, the Town enacted new zoning amendments that created several opportunities to develop multi-family housing within the Town, including a zoning district within the Chappaqua business hamlet known as the “MFR-C” district. With respect to density, the MFR-C district established minimum lot area requirements for different dwelling unit configurations:

Dwelling Unit Size	Minimum Gross Lot Area Requirement Per Dwelling Unit (square feet)
Efficiency (studio) apartment	2,200
1-bedroom apartment	3,300
2-bedroom apartment	4,400
3-bedroom apartment	5,500
4-bedroom apartment	6,600

The MFR-C also established density limitations with respect to maximum building coverage (20%) and maximum development coverage (35%). Density incentives were available if the developer provided certain additional features, such as senior citizen or low-to-moderate income housing. 

The constitutionality of the Town’s MFR-C district and other zoning amendments were challenged in a subsequent lawsuit, Blitz v. Town of New Castle. This time, however, the Town passed the Berenson test. 

The MFR-C district remains in the New Castle Town Code to this day, 37 years after Blitz v. Town of New Castle was decided, with the same basic purpose:

[T]o provide the opportunity for and encourage the development of energy efficient multifamily housing in and adjacent to the business center of Chappaqua Hamlet on sites served by public sewer and water and with the most convenient access to shopping, mass transportation, major roads and other community facilities and services. It is the Town’s further objective that the MFR-C District provide both the opportunity for and encourage the construction of housing at relatively moderate prices.

Town Code § 60-410(H)(2). 

Within the Chappaqua business hamlet, the Town Code also allows accessory apartments in the B-R and B-RP Districts – which covers the North Greeley corridor. Notably, the Town Code already restricts residential density within these zoning districts by limiting the number of bedrooms within an accessory apartment. Specifically, the Town Code states --

Individual dwelling may be of the efficiency, studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom type, but shall not contain more than two bedrooms. The Planning Board shall have the authority to determine which rooms may function as bedrooms for the purpose of determining compliance with this requirement and may include any room other than bathrooms, kitchens, entrance ways, foyers and closets under the definition of a bedroom.

Town Code § 60-410(H)(6)(a) (emphasis added).

As this history shows, the Town’s zoning ordinance has sought to encourage residential development in the Chappaqua hamlet, subject to density restrictions that have included limitations on bedroom configurations for accessory apartments, for decades. Other municipalities, such as the Village of Ardsley, the Town of Chester, and the Village of Ossining, have zoning districts where the number of bedrooms within dwelling units is regulated. In the North Greeley corridor, which is presently the focus of the Town Board’s form-based zoning initiative, the Town’s Zoning Code already establishes a 2-bedroom cap for accessory apartments. 

The Town could establish similar regulations in a form-based zoning code aimed at creating a mix of residential units that aligns with current housing demands. For example, the Town’s 2017 Comprehensive Plan states that “[f]acilitating a range of housing options in or in the hamlets or surrounding areas would provide a diverse set of residents, from young professionals and low-income families to workforce and senior populations, with access to amenities and services.” (Goal 3). In determining how to best achieve this goal, regulating bedroom configurations within residential buildings (e.g., the ratio of 1-bedroom vs. 2-bedroom units) would be a perfectly viable option. 

This should not be surprising or controversial. Zoning is a legislative act for which lawmakers are afforded extremely broad latitude to determine how best to promote public health, safety, and welfare of their constituents. To those ends, zoning ordinances may address housing characteristics such as the mix of bedroom configurations within residential buildings, so long as they do so reasonably and without regulating the familial relationship of the occupants.

28. The Chappaqua Board of Education has asserted that the Town cannot control whether future developments in the Chappaqua hamlet will be subsidized through PILOT agreements. Is this accurate?

No.

Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements are used to incentivize economic development in areas where it otherwise might not occur. Generally, under a PILOT agreement, a property owner makes fixed payments over a defined period of time rather than pay property taxes. PILOT payments are typically lower than what the property owner would pay if taxed normally.

In a letter to the Town Board dated March 16, 2021 (link), the Board of Education claimed that PILOT agreements are negotiated and controlled by Westchester County and Westchester Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs), and neither the Town nor CCSD would have much say in the matter. This is not true.

As a matter of policy, when it comes to negotiating a PILOT agreement, Westchester County does not play a role. Instead, the County allows the municipality where the project will be located to negotiate the terms of any PILOT agreements. Bridget Gibbons, the County’s Director Economic Development, has explained the County’s policy as follows:

“It is the policy of the County IDA to defer the negotiation of PILOT benefits to the municipality (City/Town/Village) where the Project is to be located. We leave it to their discretion to determine whether they wish to include the school district in their negotiations. Some communities do, others do not.”

The Town of New Castle does not have an IDA and, as previously discussed in public meetings, has no plans to offer PILOTs to developers to incentivize construction in the Chappaqua hamlet.

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New Castle Finished Drinking Water Quality

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1. Can the Flint, Michigan water situation happen here?

The very short answer is an emphatic: no!

2. Why can’t the Flint, Michigan lead situation happen here?

Read about why the Flint, Michigan lead situation cannot happen here in our community.

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

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1. Does the open culvert support a violation being issued?

The culvert was a pre-existing road surface water drainage structure that is located outside of the excavation boundaries. Plans approved by New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) called for the culvert to be capped as the excavation was backfilled, but to be isolated from the excavation using a plastic membrane prior to backfilling. All contaminated water collected in the excavation area is directed to a separate sump where it is then pumped to an on-site treatment unit. Once treated, the water is discharged to the sanitary sewer. Since no contaminated water was discharged into the culvert, there is no violation.

2. Since pipe was open when it should have been shut, can DEC require Conifer to inspect the pipes (all 3) for any sediments, and require samples at the outfall points?

As discussed, all culverts were isolated from the remedial excavation. (name redacted)'s own photograph (attached) shows that no water is entering or in contact with the bottom of the lowest culvert pipe. As such, there is no need to request inspection nor sampling of the culvert outfalls.

As well, we would request that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) take a field visit and photograph the pitfalls of all 3 pipes to look for evidence of recent discharges from pipes (wash out, sediment deposit, etc).

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC's) inspector has been present during all intrusive remedial activities at the site and has not noted any discharge of site water into the culverts. A sediment deposit would be expected at the culvert outfalls based on their prior use as drainage conveyance structures, and the presence of such deposits would not be an indication of an excavation-related impact.

3. Do we know if Conifer encountered more contamination than anticipated and if the scope of remediation (depth and linear extent) should be expanded?

The levels and limits of contamination encountered at the site so far are consistent with what was expected based on the site investigations and the Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP.)

4. Is Conifer taking endpoint samples to confirm the soils are clean at the edges where the excavation ceases?

Documentation samples will be collected consistent with the Department's approved Remedial Action Work Plan  (RAWP). New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NYSDEC) anticipates based on previous investigations that off-site migration of contamination is possible, and endpoint samples along certain boundaries of the site may not be "clean". As discussed in the Decision Document for the site, off-site migration of contamination will be addressed separately by the (NYSDEC's) Spill Response Program.

5. Lastly, will the occupants of the building will receive notification of 1. that they are living on top of a brownfield and 2, copies of testing performed at the site while they occupy it?

The site cleanup, when completed, will be protective of public health and the environment and, as identified in the Decision Document for the site, would allow the proposed development. The Final Engineering Report for the project will summarize the contamination remaining at the site, if any. Under New York State's Tenant Notification Law, the results of soil vapor intrusion and indoor air sampling must be disclosed to tenants and occupants if test results exceed applicable standards or guidelines.

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Parking

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1. What do I need to obtain a parking permit?

Print and fill out an application from our website, and include copies of the registrations for the cars you want on your permit and the driver's license of the permit-holder along with the appropriate fee. Applications can be dropped off in our parking drop-box outside the police station, or submitted to the Town Clerk's Office during our business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applications can also be mailed to:
Town Clerk's office
200 South Greeley Avenue
Chappaqua, NY 10514

2. What if I just moved to New Castle?

We require that your driver’s license and at least one of your car registrations have been updated with your New Castle address. We will also accept a receipt from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) indicating you have started the process of changing your documents to reflect your new address.

3. What do I do when I need to park a rental car at the station?

Call the Town Clerk’s Office at 914-238-4772 before 9:30 a.m. and we will issue a do-not-ticket for everyday parking permit holders. If the office has not opened yet, leave a message with your name and the make, model, color and license plate of the car you will be parking. Do not leave a note in your car, parking enforcement will not see it, only a do-not-ticket issued through the Town Clerk’s Office is acceptable.

4. What does “Clean Pass Priority Parking” mean?

If you have a car that is considered a "clean pass" car by the New York State DMV and are an everyday permit holder, you can come to the Town Clerk's Office and receive a clean pass sticker which allows you to park in the priority parking. After 9:30 a.m, Monday through Friday, any permit-holding car can park in the empty spaces.

5. When can a resident meter permit holder park in the restricted lot?

After 9 a.m, Monday through Friday, resident meter permit holders can park in the restricted lot. At the Luke Machine, choose "Lot B - Pay By Plate" and enter your license plate number to pay for the day.

6. What is “Pay By Phone”?

Pay By Phone is an online service that allows you to pay for your metered parking from your phone! Download the "PayByPhone" app from your app store (iOS, Android, BlackBerry) or enter "m.paybyphone.com" into your phone's browser, enter the four-digit location number 5002 (Lot A - Pay by stall) or 5003 (Lot B - Pay by plate) and pay for the hours you expect to be parking at the Chappaqua Train Station. You can also pay online or call 1-866-234-7275. If you have any questions, call the Town Clerk's Office at 914-238-4772.

7. Are parking permits pro-rated?

Yes, the parking permits fees follow the following schedule:

June 15	September 15	December 15	March 15
First Person - $500	First Person - $375	First Person - $250	First Person - $125
Second in Household - $750	Second in Household - $562.50	Second in Household - $375	Second in Household - $187.50

8. Are summer permits available?

Yes, summer permits are available to residents at a fee of $125 and non-residents at a fee of $325 and are effective June 15th through September 15th.

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Pay Parking by Phone

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1. Where can I park and pay by phone?

Pay by phone is available to pay by day resident metered parking permit holders. It can be used to pay for parking at the Chappaqua Train Station in lieu of the LUKE machine. Pay by Phone is also available to add time when you are delayed. View the Chappaqua Train Station Parking Lot Map (JPG) for more information.

2. How do I sign up?

Ways to Sign Up

You can sign up for a free PayByPhone account 1 of 3 ways:

• Call: 1-866-234-7275
• Mobile: Pay by Phone, iPhone/Android/Blackberry apps.
• Online at the Pay by Phone website

Information Needed

Your details are saved and automatically recognized each time you PayByPhone. You will need to provide the following information:

• Credit card number (VISA or MasterCard)
• License plate number
• Mobile phone number

3. What are the benefits?

View a Youtube video about all of the great benefits of using PaybyPhone.

• No need for cash or coins
• Text message reminders
• Extend your time from anywhere by phone
• View and print parking receipts online
• Easy to use mobile apps

4. How does the Parking Enforcement Officer know I’ve paid by phone?

When you pay for parking by phone, your space number and parking time are automatically displayed on the device used by the Parking Officer.

5. How do I add an additional vehicle to my account?

You can add/edit vehicles on the go with the mobile apps. If you're at a computer log into your profile at the PaybyPhone website. You can also always call the parking line at 1-866-234-7275 and follow the prompts.

6. Is it safe to do a credit card transaction on a mobile phone?

Yes. Your credit card number is encrypted when you sign up and is never entered, displayed, or spoken during a transaction.

7. Do I get a receipt?

You can view all your transactions by logging in to your account at the PaybyPhone website. Email receipts are available; select this optional feature on your profile.

8. Does paying by phone cost extra?

Sign up is free. Normal parking charges apply plus a convenience fee of 35 cents will be charged to your credit card.

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Police Department - Distracted Driver Diversion Course

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1. What is the Distracted Driver Diversion Course?

The Distracted Driver Diversion Course was developed to help lower crashes caused by people using cell phones and electronic devices while driving. The course is an impactful presentation that can change attitudes and cause drivers to make a decision to stop using electronic devices while driving. In fact, attendees often become advocates who encourage their family, friends, and coworkers not to use electronic devices while driving.

2. My ticket was not issued in New Castle. Can I attend anyway?

No. At this time only drivers who are ticketed in the Town of New Castle and have tickets returnable in the Town of New Castle Court can attend.

3. How can the Distracted Driver Course lower the number of crashes?

The fines and points associated with traffic tickets are an important part of keeping roads safe. Education is another and often more effective way to change driving behaviors. The Distracted Driver Diversion Program is an impactful presentation that can change attitudes and cause drivers to make a decision to stop using electronic devices while driving. In fact, attendees often become advocates who encourage their family, friends, and coworkers not to use electronic devices while driving.

4. Will my ticket be dismissed if I attend?

At the end of the course, you will be provided with a certificate of attendance. You will present this certificate to the prosecutor at your upcoming pre-trial conference. Knowing that you have taken this important step against distracted driving may be looked on favorably in reaching a plea agreement which could mean a lower fine and fewer points.

5. How do I register to attend?

The registration fee for the course is $30 when paid in advance, $40 cash at the door. In order to get this reduced fee, you must complete the registration at least one day prior to the date you want to attend.

Online

The registration fee for the course is $30 when paid in advance, $40 cash at the door. In order to get this reduced fee you must complete the registration at least one day prior to the date you want to attend. You can register online using the Towns' online payment system. When paying online you will need to create an account with Community Pass.

In-Person

You can also register in person between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the New Castle Police Department located at 200 South Greeley Avenue in Chappaqua. Cash only.

At the Door

You can register at the door with a cash payment of $40.

6. What if I cannot attend on the date I have registered for?

The course fee is not refundable. If necessary you can reschedule to take the course on another date. It is important that you know that rescheduling the course date does not change your assigned court date. You are still responsible to attend your court proceeding on the date assigned by the court.

7. Why do you allow attendees to being a friend or family member for free?

Each paid registrant will be permitted to bring one family member or friend to the presentation. These guests will not be provided with any documentation of attendance. The Distracted Driving Diversion Course is effective at changing driving behavior. Everyone can benefit from this course, and bringing a loved one with you to the course will help them be a safer driver.

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Privacy Policy

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1. What personal information do we collect from the people that visit our blog, website or app?

When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your name, email address, mailing address, phone number or other details to help you with your experience.

2. When do we collect information?

We collect information from you when you fill out a form or enter information on our site.

3. How do we use your information?

We may use the information we collect from you when you 

• Make a purchase
• Register
• Respond to a survey or marketing communication
• Sign up for our newsletter
• Surf the website
• Use certain other site features in the following ways:
  • To allow us to better service you in responding to your customer service requests.

4. How do we protect visitor information?

• We do not use vulnerability scanning and/or scanning to PCI standards
• We use regular Malware Scanning
• We do not use an SSL certificate
  • We do not need an SSL because we do not capture sensitive information

5. Do we use ‘cookies’?

We do not use cookies for tracking purposes

You can choose to have your computer warn you each time a cookie is being sent, or you can choose to turn off all cookies. You do this through your browser (like Internet Explorer) settings. Each browser is a little different, so look at your browser's Help menu to learn the correct way to modify your cookies.

If you disable cookies off, some features will be disabled that make your site experience more efficient and some of our services will not function properly. However, you can still place orders.

6. Do you participate in third party disclosure?

We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information.

7. Do you offer/ house third party links?

We do not include or offer third party products or services on our website.

8. What are Google's advertising requirements?

Google’s advertising requirements can be summed up by Google’s Advertising Principles. They are put in place to provide a positive experience for users. 

We have not enabled Google AdSense on our site but we may do so in the future.

9. What is the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA)?

CalOPPA is the first state law in the nation to require commercial websites and online services to post a privacy policy. The law’s reach stretches well beyond California to require a person or company in the United States (and conceivably the world) that operates websites collecting personally identifiable information from California consumers to post a conspicuous privacy policy on its website stating exactly the information being collected and those individuals with whom it is being shared, and to comply with this policy.

According to CalOPPA we agree to the following:

• Once this privacy policy is created, we will add a link to it on our home page, or as a minimum on the first significant page after entering our website.
• Our Privacy Policy link includes the word ‘Privacy’, and can be easily be found on the page specified.
• Users can visit our site anonymously
• Users are able to change their personal information:
  • By emailing us
• Users will be notified of any privacy policy changes:
  • On our Privacy Policy Page

10. How does our site handle do not track signals?

We honor do not track signals and do not track, plant cookies, or use advertising when a Do Not Track (DNT) browser mechanism is in place.

11. Does our site allow third party behavioral tracking?

It's also important to note that we do not allow third party behavioral tracking

12. What is the COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act)

When it comes to the collection of personal information from children under 13, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) puts parents in control. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect children's privacy and safety online.

We do not specifically market to children under 13.

13. What are the Fair Information Practices?

The Fair Information Practices Principles form the backbone of privacy law in the United States and the concepts they include have played a significant role in the development of data protection laws around the globe. Understanding the Fair Information Practice Principles and how they should be implemented is critical to comply with the various privacy laws that protect personal information.

In order to be in line with Fair Information Practices we will take the following responsive action, should a data breach occur:

• We will notify the users via email
• With 10 business days

We also agree to the individual redress principle, which requires that individuals have a right to pursue legally enforceable rights against data collectors and processors who fail to adhere to the law. This principle requires not only that individuals have enforceable rights against data users, but also that individuals have recourse to courts or a government agency to investigate and/or prosecute non-compliance by data processors.

14. What is the CAN SPAM Act?

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law that sets the rules for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, gives recipients the right to have emails stopped from being sent to them, and spells out tough penalties for violations.

We collect your email address in order to:

• To be in accordance with CANSPAM we agree to the following:
• If at any time you would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, you can email us at

Follow the instructions at the bottom of each email, and we will promptly remove you from all correspondence.

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Receiver of Taxes

Show All Answers

1. When are taxes due and when are bills sent out?

Please view the Receiver of Taxes page for more information.

2. How can I get copies of bills paid by the bank?

Copies of bills paid by the bank are sent to your home for the Town and County taxes and also for the first half of the school taxes. If you need additional copies or copies of the bills paid for the second half of the school taxes, call the Receiver of Taxes at 914-238-4773.

3. How much did I pay last year?

Call the Receiver of Taxes at 914-238-4773 for information.

4. Do you accept postdated checks?

Yes.

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Recycling

Show All Answers

1. Why should I recycle?

Recycling saves energy, conserves our resources for future generations, reduces pollution, and saves you money. Please note that some items can be recycled curbside and others can be recycled both curbside and at the Recycling Center.

Learn more by reading the Guidelines to Dual Stream Recycling (PDF).

2. What can I recycle curbside?

No Plastic Bags, place recyclables loose and unbagged.

Commingled Containers

Do Recycle:

• Glass bottles - food bottles and jars, wine bottles, beer bottles (remove caps)
• Metals - aluminum and tin cans, empty aerosol cans
• Plastic - All plastic numbered 1 through 6

Do not Recycle:

• All Styrofoam
• Ceramics
• Drinking glasses
• Lightbulbs
• Pesticide or solvent containers
• Plastic bags of any kind
• Plastic Plant Pots (even with a recycling number)
• Pyrex
• Toys, any plastic without a number
• Waxed coated containers
• Window panes

Paper

Do Recycle

• Cardboard - broken down no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet
• Newspaper and magazines - bundled and tied or in a separate paper bag
• Other paper - any color. No need to remove staples. Separate into paper bag or recycling bin

Do not Recycle

• Dirty paper plates and cups
• Paper coffee cups, lids and straws and all egg containers (paper, plastic and styrofoam)
• Paper towel cores
• Pizza boxes
• Toilet paper cores

3. What can I bring to the recycling center?

No Plastic Bags, all recyclables taken to the Recycling Center must also be loose and unbagged.

Allowed Items

Do Recycle

Everything you can recycle curbside, plus:

• Holiday Trees
• Batteries
• Cell phones
• Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs) - These bulbs are better for the environment
• E-Waste - Free collection of New York State Covered Electronics. Effective October 1, 2015 fees for CRT devices (TV’s and monitors) will be: 
  • Less than 27 inches $15 
  • Less than 28 inches $40
  • Disposal Wednesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Florescent Light Bulbs
• Freon-containing appliances (e.g, Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, and Dehumidifiers)
• Gas Grill Canisters
• Printer Cartridges
• Scrap metal
• Tires
• Yard Waste
• Other Items

Items Not Accepted at the Recycling Center

• Construction Debris such as bricks, insulation, sheet rock and car parts
• Plastic Bags
• Styrofoam
• Household Chemicals: can be taken to Westchester County Facilities (PDF)
• Furniture
• Garbage
• Paint Cans(paint must be dried and left curbside with the tops off)

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Snow Storms

Show All Answers

1. What contact numbers do I need?

• In the event of life or property threatening emergencies, call 911.
• To report loss of electric or if you smell gas, call ConEd at 800-752-6633 or go to the ConEd website.
• To report downed trees and power lines, call the New Castle Police Department at 914-238-4422.
• To report a water emergency, call the Millwood Water Treatment Plant at 914-944-0036, or call them at 914-944-0037.

2. How do I receive storm updates?

To receive storm updates, you may sign up for codeRED and New Castle Police Department Nixle alerts, and check the Town's website. 

• For Nixle text alerts, just text your zip code to 888777.
• To sign up for email and text alerts, go to the Nixle website.
• For codeRED notifications, view the codeRED website.

3. When are the snow plows sent out?

The plow operators are dispatched immediately at the beginning of a storm and stay out continually during the storm. They are responsible for clearing over 24 square miles - 101 miles of Town-owned roads!

4. Which streets are plowed first?

Snowplows first clear primary and major artery streets, school streets, and streets serving emergency response facilities and heavy traffic. After those roads are clear, secondary streets are cleared and streets with moderate traffic. Lastly, all other streets, including cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets, are plowed. After a major storm, it may take two to three days for plow crews to clear all the streets.

5. What can I do if snow is blocking access to my mail box or driveway?

During snow plowing operations, the snow from the street will end up in front of driveways and mailboxes. The property owner is responsible for access to his/her individual driveway or mailbox. The only way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait until the Public Works crews have done their final clean-up on the street.

6. What if there is a fire hydrant on my property?

Our local fire departments ask residents to clear hydrants near their homes throughout the storm (when safe to do so). It may save a life.

7. Is depositing snow upon the town roadway prohibited?

Yes. Homeowners and/or their snow plowers can be fined for pushing snow from a private driveway onto the public roadway. Depositing snow onto the road causes a hazard and can cause a “narrowing” of the plowed width of the road.

8. How can I prepare before the storm?

• Be familiar with winter storm watches and warnings.
• Have disaster supplies on hand, in case the power goes out. 
  • Extra blankets and sleeping bags
  • A first-aid kit
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • A manual can opener
  • One-week supply of essential prescription medications
  • A one-week supply of food (include items that do not require refrigeration or cooking in case the power is shut off)
  • Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school) and have a plan for getting back together.
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family contact because, after a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55ºF.

9. What should I do during the storm?

• Stay indoors and dress warmly.
• Monitor your emails and check out the Town’s website for the latest information.
• Bring pets inside during winter weather.

10. Is it safe to go outside?

• Dress warmly and wear loose-fitting, layered, light-weight clothing. Layers can be removed to prevent perspiration and chill. Outer garments should be water repellant. Mittens are warmer than gloves because fingers generate warmth when they touch each other.
• If you go out to shovel snow, do a few stretching exercises to warm up your body. Also, take frequent breaks.
• Protect your lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth when outdoors. Try not to speak unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse.
• Be aware of the symptoms of dehydration.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• Keep dry and change wet clothing frequently to prevent loss of body heat. Wet clothing loses all of its insulating value and transmits heat rapidly.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, elderly people and people with disabilities.

11. When is the Emergency Operations Center activated?

The Emergency Operations Center will be activated based on a number of factors such as:

• The number of road closures on major and secondary roads.
• Types of closures – wires down vs just trees
• An extraordinary incident that involves multiple agencies or the need for resources beyond local capabilities
• A threat to life and property that involves a large geographic area of town.

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STAR (School Tax Relief)

Show All Answers

1. How do I register for STAR?

To register, call 518-457-2036 or visit the New York Tax website. Have your school tax bill handy when you call.

For More information go to the New York State website directly.

2. When should I register?

We recommend that you register as soon as possible after you purchase and move into your home. If you register by July 1st, New York State will make every effort to mail the check to you by September 30th. If you register after July 1, New York State will mail the check to you as soon as they can. 

Registrations will be accepted for three years from the income tax filing deadline for the year that the credit covers. For example, to claim the STAR credit for 2016, you must register by April 15, 2020. However, the sooner you register, the sooner you will receive your STAR check.

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Storms

Show All Answers

1. How do I report an electric service problem?

To report an electric service problem, you can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633) or click here to report an electric service problem: Con Edison Report Outage

2. Does Con Edison know my power is out?

When you experience an electric service problem, everyone must report the outage to Con Ed. Do not assume there is no need since Con Ed may already know about the outage on your street.  Con Ed prioritizes their response by the greater number of customers affected.  Everyone should call.

3. What do I do if I see a downed wire?

If you see a hazardous condition, such as fallen electric wires or trees leaning against wires or poles, call New Castle Police 914-238-4422 and Con Ed at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).    If you see a downed line, assume it is energized and stay away.  Please keep children away from flooded areas after a storm, as the water could be hiding an energized line.

4. What do I do if I detect a gas leak?

If the odor is strong, leave immediately and take others with you. If you are outside, leave the area immediately.  Find a phone away from the area and call New Castle Police 914-238-4422 or 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633)

5. What do I do if I see a downed tree blocking a road?

To report blocked roads, call New Castle Police: 914-238-4422

6. Why is it important to report problems directly to the police instead of posting on Facebook?

hen these storms hit the New Castle Police Department gets very busy.  Their officers work under extremely dangerous conditions.  They do not monitor Facebook.

7. How can I check on the status of a previously reported electric power outage?

Click here to check the status on-line: Con Edison Outage

8. How do I receive New Castle storm updates?

For Nixle text alerts, just text your zip code to 888777.

For Nixle email (& text) alerts, visit Register for Nixle

For codeRED notifications: Register for codeRED

9. Where do I report a water emergency?

To report a water emergency call the Millwood Water Treatment Plant: 914-944-0036 / 914-944-0037

10. Are there any mobile applications available?

Yes, both Cod Ed & codeRED have mobile apps available for Android & iPhone

Con Ed: Con Ed Mobile App

CodeRED mobile app: codeRED Mobile App

11. How can I prepare before the storm?

Have supplies on hand, in case the power goes out. Include a flashlight and extra batteries; portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries; a first aid kit; a one-week supply of food (include items that do not require refrigeration or cooking in case the power is shut off); a manual can opener; one-week supply of essential prescription medications; extra blankets and sleeping bags.

Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated from one another during a winter storm (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school) and have a plan for getting back together.

Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family contact because after a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.

12. Who is responsible for trimming trees?

Con Ed has the rights to cut trees and branches on their easement. The Town of New Castle has the right to cut trees and branches on town property. Homeowners also have an obligation to maintain trees on their property. Regular pruning and trimming will keep the trees from becoming too top-heavy and prone to falling. Dead and dying trees need to be removed.

If you see a hazardous, dying tree at the edge of your property that could fall on power lines, please Email Con Edison to have the tree assessed and potentially removed – for free!  If possible, Con Edison asks residents to send photos. All residents should take advantage of this – let’s hold Con Edison accountable for cleaning up storm hardening!

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Summer Camp 2021 FAQ's

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1. What will the daily activities be like this year?

There is no doubt that this camp season will be unlike any we have seen before. While we are no longer traveling, that has not stopped us from continuing to make sure our campers are having fun. Groups will rotate between sports, water play/waterslide (age appropriate, of course), art, entertainers, and theme day activities.

2. What safety measures will be put in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

While we have not yet received specific guidelines from the CDC and Health Department, we have begun planning on how to make our camps as safe as possible. For example, we will be separating campers into groups no larger than 10. Groups will not interact during camp and will have their own designated space. In the event camp comes together, such as for an entertainers, groups will be spaced 6 feet apart.

Additionally, staff will be playing an important role in the daily cleaning and sanitizing of all equipment and spaces occupied by the camp.  Staff will also be required to wear masks.  As of 3/5, we were notified that campers 2+ years old WILL have to wear masks, except during water athletic events.

We will also be conducting general wellness check on every child and staff each day. Before a camper is dropped off each day, we will be doing temperature checks using a no-touch thermometer. Any camper or staff found with a higher than normal temperature will be sent home.

Regular hand washing and sanitizing using an alcohol based sanitizer will also be required and enforced by staff, particularly after each activity where group rotations take place. 

These guidelines will be updated as we receive them from the CDC and Health Department.

3. What will camp be like at Amsterdam Park (Grades 1-8)?

We are excited to be back at Amsterdam Park!  This is a fully outdoor facility, and we will be renting multiple large tents and restroom trailers to make this into a fully-functional camp facility.  While we will be requiring campers to bring their own water bottles, we will have water stations and fountains set up around the camp for hydration. 

In the case of rain, camp will still take place under the large tents.  We will have plenty of activities planned to make a rainy day just as fun as any other day at camp!  In the event of thunder and lightning storms, we will not hold camp.  Staff will closely monitor the weather and send out notifications as soon as possible to let parents know that there will be no camp that day. 

4. If I do not feel comfortable sending my child to camp, when is the latest I can request a refund without penalty?

Please refer to the refund policy listed on our website at www.mynewcastle.org/camps.

5. Are there CIT positions available?

Yes. We also have a limited number of CIT positions available. CITs can choose which camp they prefer to work with during the registration process. While we try our best to assign CITs to their desired camp, this is not guaranteed.

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Tots Camp "Quick Facts"

Show All Answers

1. Camp Age/Grade Eligibility:

Children 3 – 5 years old

 To be eligible, the child must be 3 years of age by June 26, 2023 and potty trained.

2. Camp Dates:

6-Week Program: Monday, June 26th – Friday, August 4th (No camp: Tuesday, July 4th)

· Session 1: June 26th – July 14th

· Session 2: July 17th – August 4th

3. Camp Location:

Grafflin Elementary

4. When do I drop off and pick up my camper?

Drop off is at 9:00am

Pick up at 12:00pm for Half Day campers & 2:45pm for Full Day campers

5. What happens during a typical camp day?

Camp days are filled with sports, games, arts & crafts, music, special events, entertainment and so much more!

6. Do campers go swimming?

No swimming at Tots Camp. We will have outdoor fun with sprinklers & water tables!!!

7. Do I have to provide lunch and snacks?

Send a snack for your child and an extra drink in case it gets hot. Send a lunch if your camper is staying for the Full Day program.

*Please make sure lunch in non-perishable; refrigerators are not available for use.

8. What do you do on rainy days?

All camps are rain or shine. Any outdoor camp activities will be moved indoors when deemed necessary.

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Water Distribution

Show All Answers

1. How is my water bill determined?

The Water Department is responsible for all water meter reading. A computerized reading is made from the box outside of your dwelling.

2. Are landlords responsible for a tenant’s bill?

Yes.

3. Is there a procedure on a final water bill if I am moving?

If you are moving, make and appointment for the final water reading. There is a $75 fee for this service.

4. How often is my water bill mailed?

Quarterly.

5. To whom should the water bill be made out?

Please make check payable to:

New Castle-Stanwood Water District

6. What is the remittance address for water bills?

The remittance address for water bills is:

New Castle Stanwood Water District
P.O. Box 27744
Newark, NJ 07101-7744

7. How can I pay my water bill?

There are three ways you can pay your water bill:

1. With a check to the remittance address using the envelope and tear off slip provided.
2. Through your bank with an online payment (remember this does not automatically pay your account, the bank basically cuts a check and mails it in for you therefore it needs to be done a week or so before the due date to avoid penalties).
3. Through a reverse debit that is set up through the Comptroller's Office using your checking account number. The amount is automatically withdrawn on the due date and there are no penalties as long as money is in the account.
4. There is a 10% penalty added to the bill if not paid within 30 days after the billing date. For new residents: The previous resident should have scheduled a final read so that you will not incur any previous charges. If you use online banking make sure you have changed the remittance address:
   New Castle Stanwood Water District
   P.O. Box 27744
   Newark, NJ 07101-7744

8. What should I do if I think there is a mistake in my water bill?

Pay the entire bill as received, and then take up the issue with the Town. If you are correct, the Town will reimburse you, or credit your account toward payment of the next bill. All water meters are read quarterly, and payment for water used is due within 30 days of receipt of that bill. Residents can make arrangements to have their water bills paid automatically from their bank accounts by calling the Comptroller's Office at 914-238-4721.