County Executive Robert P. Astorino’s “Ask Astorino” town hall meeting at the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library on Wednesday drew over one hundred residents from North Salem and the neighboring towns of Lewisboro and Bedford. As part of an ongoing outreach effort, Astorino invited area residents to come with any questions or concerns that were on their minds.       

 A key concern among residents was the impact on the town of the 2009 affordable housing settlement with the federal government. Astorino said the county was working closely with town officials to meet the requirements of the settlement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice.

But he added that the federal government was also obligated to abide by the terms of the agreement. “The settlement is a contract,” Astorino said. “Even though I opposed the agreement reached by my predecessor and the board of legislators, as county executive it’s my job to make sure the county meets its obligations. But the federal government also has a responsibility to meet the terms of the agreement and not go beyond them. The county will not be bullied to do things that are not in the settlement.”

The county’s dispute with HUD is currently before a federal appeals court.

Another topic that residents raised was the danger of speeding on June Road (or county road Rt. 310). Astorino said the county was working with the state, which sets speed limits on all roads no matter who owns them, to facilitate the town’s request to lower the speed limit to 30 miles per hour.  Just this week, the county placed automatic traffic recorders on the road to provide the state with the data it needs to make the determination.

Astorino also reported that the repaving of June Road is expected to be completed by early August. He shared residents’ frustration over delays in critical infrastructure repairs, noting that more than $80 million in similar capital projects around the county are awaiting action by the county Board of Legislators.

Astorino began the meeting by giving an update on the progress his administration is making in delivering on his three major goals: providing tax relief, preserving essential services and promoting economic development. He noted that county spending and taxes have both been reduced since he took office.

North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas, who moderated the meeting, said residents appreciated the chance to talk directly with the county executive. “People asked a lot of good questions and Astorino gave them frank answers,” Lucas said. “Astorino and his team are great partners with North Salem. They are always responsive and genuinely interested in doing what they can to help with county issues that affect our town.”

North Salem Town Council members Stephen Bobolia, Bruce Buchholtz , Peter Kamenstein and Amy Rosmarin as well as Bedford Town Supervisor Lee Roberts were in attendance as well.

The town hall was part of Astorino’s continued effort to reach out to Westchester residents and make sure that county government is responding to their concerns. Two weeks ago, the county executive hosted his fourth town hall by telephone. The “tele” town hall attracted almost 21,000 listeners as well as participants via social media.