The Greenburgh town board has unanimously decided it wants to pursue a lease with Ferncliff Manor to replace the WestHELP shelter, despite the objections of some county legislators.
Ferncliff, which provides services to the developmentally disabled, has outgrown its current facility in Yonkers. Ferncliff would pay $500,000 a year to the town, $140,000 more than the second highest bidder.
The town is waiting to find out whether Ferncliff will receive state funding before it approves its proposal. State funding is contingent on Ferncliff remaining in Westchester. Some county legislators have objected to Ferncliff, preferring to see affordable housing built on the site.
Legislators have also opposed the fact that Ferncliff”™s proposal would raise several buildings that 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.
