Bramson Talks Policy at Mt. Kisco Stop

Westchester County Executive candidate Noam Bramson held a forum recently at the Mount Kisco Public Library, where he outlined what he would like to accomplish and sought to differentiate himself from incumbent Rob Astorino.

The July 25 meeting was part of a tour called Getting to Know Noam, which involved several scheduled stops across the county and with Mount Kisco representing a meeting for northern Westchester residents.

Bramson, a Democrat who is currently New Rochelle's mayor, called for better land use planning, shared services with municipalities, supporting sustainability, transportation and attracting younger people.

“There are so many things that a regional government can and should be doing, that we should expect a regional government to grasp a hold of with both hands, and the fact that those things are not happening today, I think, represents diminished opportunities for all of us," Bramson said.

Bramson, also a New Rochelle native and a father of two boys, felt that county government can be more effective on planning, arguing that it has declined in its role under Astorino, a Mount Pleasant Republican.

“We used to have a planning department that was really firing on all cylinders,” he said.

Examples Bramson suggested include having the county prepare environmental impact statements for local governments, assist them with their comprehensive plans and to promote model zoning. He also called for getting the county to be more engaged with regional planning groups.

Bramson criticized Astorino several ways. On governing style, he said that his opponent has a “pleasant, likeable manner" but added that he is “someone who campaigns like Nelson Rockefeller but governs like Newt Gingrich.”

County Board of Legislators Majority Leader Peter Harckham (D-North Salem), whose district includes Mount Kisco, Bedford and several neighboring towns, felt that Astorino is someone who is “short sighted, thinks only the bottom of a spreadsheet.” Harckham, who supports Bramson and spoke at the event, also blamed Astorino for higher a parental share of child care contributions and a drop in library hours.

The challenger took up the 2009 federal housing settlement, arguing that Astorino has not been transparent about what is required under it. The settlement has called for construction of 750 affordable housing units in any of 31 communities that more mostly white by 2016.

Bramson acknowledged high property taxes that pervade the area.

“We know that the rate of growth is just not sustainable, that something needs to be done in order to make our region more affordable.”

At the same time, Bramson argued that his record in New Rochelle has included taxes being lower in relation to other cities in Westchester and in having city employees who contribute to their health insurance. He also criticized Astorino for supporting borrowing money as part of his budgeting.

On shared services with local governments, Bramson had many examples.

“All we have to do is make it easier for these entities to work together,” adding there are opportunities.

Opportunities Bramson raised include road resurfacing contracts, planning and administrative functions, payroll and fleet maintenance. 

Other elected officials for northern Westchester were in attendance, including Mount Kisco Trustee Jean Farber, Somers Councilman Richard Clinchy and Lewisboro Councilman Daniel Welsh.

Welsh asked about county engagement on planning for northern Westchester.

“We have a lot of issues," he said.

Bramson responded by acknowledging that municipalities are the ones who have the ultimately authority on land use but felt that the county can help them. He also said there are “unique constraints in northern Westchester that don't necessarily apply to other portions of the county.” Examples given include lack of sewers in several places, New York City watershed protections and preservation of open space.

Clinchy, who expressed disappointment in Astorino, asked how the county can help town with things they cannot do on their own. Bramson, reiterating his support for shared services, gave the example of the Northern Westchester Eenergy Action Coalition (NWEAC), which serves as a regional entity to help with energy efficiency. At other points in the talk, Bramson named existing collective examples, such as the Bee-Line bus system and waste disposal.

After the talk, Bramson was asked for his thoughts on some local issues: ongoing talks about the county and Mount Kisco about possibility merging local police with county police, and about property revaluation on a regionally assisted basis.

On merger talks, which are pending and began in 2011, Bramson said, “I think service consolidation of that kind is always worth exploring.” However, he felt that Mount Kisco should make the choice.

On revaluation, which is being attempted by a collection of municipalities including Mount Kisco, Bedford and New Castle through bidding for a common contractor, Bramson found that the county can assist municipalities but felt that it should not tell them whether to go ahead.