GREENBURGH – The Greenburgh Town Board is planning on challenging an amendment to the state’s new village incorporation law that would exempt the community of Edgemont, located in the town, from a new law until 2040. The dispute is the latest chapter in a years-long conflict in Greenburgh that involves the formation of a new municipal government in Edgemont.
In December, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that updated the state’s village incorporation rules. The new provisions require more signatures on a petition to create a new village and mandate that fiscal and service provision information be shared with voters before any referendum to consider a new village is voted upon.
The amendment to last year’s law is controversial in that it specifically excludes petitions relating to the community of Edgemont for the next 16 years, essentially meaning that unlike other communities in the state, efforts to create a new municipality in Edgemont would remain under the old rules for years to come.
This exemption didn’t sit well with town board members, who questioned the move.
State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D, Yoners), who represents Greenburgh, is the sponsor of the amendment in the Senate. She attended the town’s board meeting on January 12th, just days after the amendment passed in the Senate to share her rationale with the board and public.
“This incorporation battle between Edgemont and Greenburgh has been going on for years,” said Stewart-Cousins. “I never like to pull the rug out from under anyone or any entity that is following the law and just change the rules in the middle of the game. As a woman, as a black woman, who has reached places and things get changed, it makes me uncomfortable. So I have always said, always said, that if I were to do anything I would do it in a way that allows Edgemont to do what Edgemont does, but I will try to create a system that will be a little more comprehensive based…
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