Feiner Calls for Tax Grace Period
By Dan Murphy
County Executive George Latimer continues to try and keep the people of Westchester’s spirits up and offering ways to help and serve others while the Coronavirus continues to spread around the country, state, nation and world.
“The virus has infected our psyche as much as it has infected our throats and lungs,” he said. “The most immediate anti-viral medicines? Hope. Faith. Trust. Compassion. Resolve. Intellect. Stamina. These treatments don’t come from a laboratory. They come from inside of us as people. They are the first steps to rising above this moment.
“We’re far from the end of this… in fact it will be worse first. But I feel the vibe of sacrifice and positive energy everywhere. Many questions can’t be answered, but I’m never offended by people raising ideas and issues. I have faith and confidence; as dark as it may seem, you should, too. We are a tough and resilient people, especially when the going is tough. For all our disagreements, we are still one people – of all ages, races, religions, etc., and in our unity will be our ultimate success.”
During this health crisis, the County Center is being prepared as a temporary hospital to house patients when hospitals are overloaded, county public health professionals continue their work with the state Department of Health for in-home virus testing, and the county’s Emergency Services Department continues to obtain and distribute to first responders, communities and facilities a range of necessary products from PPE to hand sanitizer.
Also, the Department of Social Services is dealing directly with poor residents and their needs as individuals lose jobs and require benefits for their families; the county’s economic development team is researching loans and grant programs for small business devastated by the shutdown of their businesses, communicating information through local Chambers of Commerce; county parks remain open for individual use and exercise (golf is allowed); and the county’s Operations Leadership Team has implemented childcare services at local elementary schools to assist during closure of all school districts
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner continues, as he always has, to make suggestions about ways to improve the quality of lives, not only in Greenburgh but all of Westchester. Feiner recently called for a grace period on taxes due at the end of next month.
“The town, county and fire district taxes are due April 30,” he said. “During the past two weeks I have written numerous emails (and have had discussions during our conference calls) to county officials and to other municipal officials from around the county suggesting that we offer a grace period for the county/town/fire district taxes for those who lost their jobs or suffered enormous business problems during the Coronavirus crisis.
“It’s easier said than done. According to NYS law, all towns in Westchester must guarantee Westchester County 100 percent of the taxes due, whether they are collected or not. If you don’t pay your full tax bill, the town is required to write a check to the county for the amount, whether we receive it or not. The only way a grace period could work would be for the county to agree to receive delayed payments on the amount not paid. We would also need cooperation from the three paid fire districts. I wrote letters to each of the paid fire districts earlier this week asking if they would support a grace period of two months or more.
“At the conference call yesterday, the county executive indicated that he will direct the county attorney to review options and to provide us with a report next week,” continued Feiner. “The county attorney will provide a memo to the county executive and Board of Legislators outlining their options on extending tax payments; what hardship provisions could be enacted.
“It should be mentioned that there are some downsides – some governments could have cash flow problems since they depend on the revenue. Westchester and local governments will lose significant revenue as a result of the Coronavirus – sales tax, hotel tax, mortgage tax revenues will be down.”
Feiner also commented on what he views as residents not taking the health crisis seriously.
“Although many residents are staying at home, there are still a lot of people (including students) who aren’t taking the Coronavirus crisis seriously enough,” he said. “I received some complaints from residents on Friday that the Edgemont H.S. field was crowded with students playing touch soccer. How irresponsible! And dangerous. I believe that all fields should be closed until the virus ends.
“Most supermarkets/big box stores still do not give customers wipes to wipe carts, masks or gloves. Somebody told me earlier today they waited for 45 minutes to pay for merchandise at Costco. People are packed like sardines at some of the stores, over-buying. They won’t run out of food but could get infected because they are so close to other customers. I believe supermarkets/big box stores should make sure people waiting on lines are not close to each other and also believe they could do a better job keeping people germ free – giving them masks, gloves, wipes, rationing supplies, and limiting the number of people who can be in the stores at any given time.
“I think there are many mixed messages and exceptions to current rules,” concluded Feiner. “We tell people to stay at home but they can golf, take public transportation, play soccer on school fields, shop in overcrowded big box stores – stand inches away from each other. We’re told the only way of winning the war against Coronavirus is if we stay away from others. I think we should go cold turkey; be inconvenienced for a few weeks if it could save lives. If someone sneezes at an overcrowded big box store, it’s just as bad as a sneeze at Broadway show.”
