Town can generate significant revenue if New York State Amends Finneran Law...Sporttime is again interested in putting tennis bubble at town tennis courts. Public discussion on amendment to Finneran Law - Wednesday evening, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Greenburgh Town Hall.
In 2005 Sporttime proposed to lease the tennis courts at AF Veteran park during the off season months when the park is not used by the public. The town would have received significant revenue from Sporttime. A minimum of $125,000 the first year. By the 15th year the revenue to the town would have exceeded $271,645 dollars. In addition, Sporttime offered to pay for the reconstruction and resurfacing of five existing hard tennis courts…construct 2 tennis courts to replace the existing hard tennis courts…install outdoor lighting for the two newly constructed tennis courts, new drainage around the tennis courts and a sidewalk form the parking area to the clubhouse with connecting paths to the tennis courts. They also had offered, at their expense, to resurface one outdoor basketball court and two handball courts and re-tile the existing tennis court restrooms.
They offered to construct a clubhouse building at their expense of about 3,600 square feet on two levels, to provide an indoor viewing patio, a lounge, locker rooms, a pro shop and reception and office facilities.
Sportime offered free programs for junior and adult residents---a pre scheduled tennis camp for junior residents featuring free introductory tennis instructions during December and winter breaks…free racquets for junior residents - a minimum of 500 free tennis racquets valued at $15,000 to be given away per year…one free introductory group tennis lesson to interested junior and adult residents (based on availability). And---membership in Sportime at $0 per month with a valid unicard. Residents of Greenburgh will have access to Sportime tennis facilities in Mamaroneck, Westchesterand in Manhattan.
Why DID THIS LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE TOWN NEVER HAPPEN?
A resident complained that the agreement would have violated the Finneran law, a law adopted decades ago by the NYS Legislature that made it difficult for the town to allow non residents to use the AF Veteran park.
WHAT COULD BE DONE IN 2012?
The Town Board will have a public discussion on amending the Finneran Law at our Wednesday evening, April 11th Town Board meeting at 7:30 PM. We think our best chance of getting the legislation approved is to propose a narrow amendment that would only apply to the tennis courts. The wording of the proposed legislation follows...
Proposed Finneran Law amendment addressing only the proposed use of tennis facilities at Anthony Veteran Park. The proposed legislation will have to be approved by the Greenburgh Town Board, New York State Senate, New York State Senate and signed into law by the Governor. The Board has had some preliminary discussions with our State Legislators about the proposal.
PROPOSED WORDING
§ 2. Notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, but subject to the provisions of section three hereof, all costs of acquisition by the Town of Greenburgh, Westchester County, of any public park, playground or recreational facility heretofore or hereafter made, all costs of construction or acquisition of any improvement at any such town public park, playground or recreational facility heretofore or hereafter made, and all costs of operation and maintenance of any such facility, shall be raised by the levy of a tax upon the lots and parcels of land within said town located in the area outside of incorporated villages and such public park, playground and recreational facilities of said town shall, subject to any agreements contained in any grant contract between said Town and the United States government, New York State or Westchester County and, except as may be otherwise determined by the Town Board of the Town of Greenburgh after a public hearing with respect to tennis facilities at Anthony F. Veteran Park located in the area outside of incorporated villages, be restricted in use to residents of said town residing in the area of said town outside of incorporated villages. Taxes heretofore raised through the levy upon the lots and parcels of land within said town located in the area of said town outside of incorporated villages to pay said costs are hereby legalized, ratified, validated and confirmed.
Paul Feiner
