Home
Welcome to the home of the North Salem Democratic Club. We aim to keep you up-to-date on our elected officials, what's happening at town hall, vacancies that occur so that you might consider volunteering, who represents us on our town Democratic Committee and so much more. Thanks for viewing.
The following town boards and town committees have open seats where you can serve:
Architectural Review Board - 3 year term
1 Vacancy - Term Ends 4/14/2023
Town Housing Board - 3 year term
1 Vacancy - Term Ends 4/14/2022
1 Vacancy - Term Ends 4/14/2022
If you are interested in serving please send a letter to Maria Hlushko, Town Clerk at mhlushko@northsalemny.org or call her office at 914-669-5333. You can see more about these positions on the town website, northsalemny.org. Just choose "Boards and Committees" and click on the appropriate one.
From the Desk of Katherine Daniels:
September 22, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors:
Since my last posting, I have continued to focus most of my time and energy in three areas: climate, capital planning and good governance. Here are some important highlights:
Climate Smart Community
On September 19, North Salem earned bronze certification as a Climate Smart Community. We have now joined the ranks of Bedford and 100 other towns statewide that are recognized leaders in the fight against climate change. This was no small endeavor. In order to earn bronze certification, North Salem had to complete and document multiple projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These included conducting a greenhouse gas inventory, drafting and passing a Climate Action Plan, adopting NY Stretch (an energy-saving enhancement to our building code) and conducting educational campaigns and events like our LED lightbulb exchange last spring, solar power for horse farms and the first North Salem Climate Fair last Sunday at the Baxter Preserve where the Climate Smart Community leadership team showcased ways citizens can make their businesses, homes and vehicles more energy efficient, less carbon emitting and more resilient to extreme weather. The exhibits included solar power for homes and businesses, geothermal heating and cooling opportunities, backyard composting, waste reduction and recycling with the North Salem Improvement Society and wetlands conservation with the North Salem Conservation Advisory Council. more
Capital Planning
Capital planning is so important. It ensures that towns have money in place for critical improvements (like paving the roads in front of your home) and are prepared to deal with potentially large expenditures before they happen to avoid large fluctuations in budgeting. It also serves to give residents an idea about what is important. I am working with a great team of volunteers to develop the first capital plan for North Salem. We are well on our way assembling the data and we may recommend the town invest in software specific to this important aspect of town budgeting. Most towns underfund necessary capital needs. We are working to ensure that this will not be the case in North Salem.
Good Governance
Another important aspect of municipal government is an independent ethics committee. Our committee is comprised of three individuals from the community. I serve as the committee’s liaison to the Town Board. One of the committee members recently submitted her resignation because she moved away. Anyone interested in taking her place should contact me at 914-886-8198 or via email kdaniels@northsalemny.org. To learn more about this committee (or any other Town committee), please visit the Town website at www.northsalemny.org.
The Town Board recently held a public hearing on some proposed changes to the landscaping and lighting provisions of the Zoning Code. While some members of the public raised objection to the proposed amendments as an infringement of their right to do what they want on their own property, the amendments are intended to reduce tensions between neighbors and protect vulnerable plants and animals from excessive light at night, which can be very harmful. While I respect the desire to be free from oppressive rules, I don’t see the proposed amendments as an afront to liberty. With some minor changes, the proposed rules are neither costly nor unduly burdensome. They represent responsible governance.
In closing, I want to thank the folks who came to the cocktail party for local democrats on Sunday. It was nice to speak with like-minded folks and celebrate the things that make North Salem special. I also encourage people to call me at any time (914-886-8198) or email me at kdaniels@northsalemny.org to provide input and feedback and let me know what is on your mind. It is truly an honor to serve this community.
Sincerely,
Katherine
From the Desk of Martin Aronchick:
September 13, 2022
I am grateful to the people of North Salem for having returned me to office as a Councilman this past November 2021. I continue to work hard to justify this trust, and would like to let everyone know what I’ve accomplished and what projects I will be working on in the immediate future.
My legal background has given me a wealth of experience in government service. In my current position as a Managing Director with K2 Integrity LLC, I advise our government clients on integrity and compliance issues. On our Town Board, I have scrutinized each of the many contracts that the Town enters into, looking for ways to protect the Town’s interests. Early in my tenure as a Town Councilman, I wrote a new Ethics code, to safeguard the Town’s integrity, and a new Social Media policy, to promote transparency.
Among my priorities going forward are promoting Croton Falls; protecting the Town’s environment; preserving the Town’s unique historical character; and creating new opportunities for recreation. To achieve these purposes, I am the Town Board’s liaison to the Committee drafting the master plan for the Croton Falls Hamlet; and I am the Town Board’s liaison to the Conservation Advisory Committee, the Recreation Committee and the Historic Preservation Commission. more
I was one of the leaders of the Town Task Force that reviewed the procedures and policies of the Town Police Department and made recommendations to promote transparency, community engagement, and the betterment of the Department.
I drafted a policy and procedure for the use of our Town properties for public events. Perhaps you visited the pocket park in Croton Falls last June for the arts festival that was held there in 2021. (Hopefully, you enjoyed the music that my jazz duo played at that event!) We needed a policy that encourages and regulates such events, and I took on that job.
I enjoy my service on the Town Board. We conduct the Town’s business in a civil, non-partisan and effective manner. The most important task that we are confronting is protection of North Salem’s rural character and open spaces, while keeping our taxes down and our property values up. I will continue to be a strong advocate who will protect North Salem from over development.
I feel a genuine commitment to the welfare of the North Salem Community, and have involved myself in many civic groups. I am an active member of the Croton Falls Fire Dept. (Interior Firefighter and EMT); of the North Salem Historical Society (as an officer, past Trustee and former President); of the North Salem Lion’s Club; and was an Assistant Scoutmaster with North Salem Boy Scout Troop 1.
It is of paramount importance that the Town Board fulfill the wishes and goals of the entire community – its residents, property owners and business operators – in everything we do. I draw on my knowledge of the Town’s affairs from my Town Board service and from my participation in local civic groups to accomplish these goals. But I need your help. Please contact me at 914-276-0212 (my home phone) or at maronchick@northsalemny.org<mailto:maronchick@northsalemny.org> (my Town email) or at mnrj@optonline.net<mailto:mnrj@optonline.net> (my home email) to share your ideas about what the Town should be doing or if otherwise you wish to speak to me about any aspect of Town business.
The Town needs your help as a volunteer as well. The diverse array of Town committees provides a means of getting involved in the Town’s affairs in a manner that appeals to your specific interests. Please contact me if you wish to explore being a Town volunteer.
It is a privilege to serve as a Town Councilman, and I thank the voters of North Salem for giving me the opportunity to do so!
Martin C. Aronchick