Feiner aims to meet with legislators over WestHELP

The back and forth over the future of the WestHELP property continues.

Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner (D-Greenburgh) is requesting a meeting with county legislators to go over the proposals for the WestHELP property. The town is leaning toward Ferncliff, a facility that would service developmentally disabled children.

Ferncliff would pay the town $500,000 a year through 2013 for the property, the highest bid the town has received. County legislators have expressed opposition, wanting to see affordable housing on the site. The town will make a decision on the property Dec. 20.

“We appreciate the services Ferncliff provides to the developmentally disabled population. They do an incredible job,” Feiner said.

Feiner has criticized legislators for not meeting with him, though Michael Smith, who supports the Ferncliff project, has attended several work sessions.

Legislators have also opposed the fact that Ferncliff”™s proposal would raise several buildings, which are only 20 years old.

The town has the rights to the property, though the county owns the land. The county operated the WestHELP shelter for 20 years, earning the town $1.2 million a year in revenue.  The shelter was closed last year.