By: Nili Kriegel ’27
If I asked most TLS students where our school is located, many would probably answer “Hartsdale.” Others might say “Greenburgh.” So which one is right? When I really thought about this question, I struggled with an answer. It seemed that it should be answered without hesitation, and yet, I found myself hesitating. I know our school’s address is in Hartsdale, but the police department near our school is the Greenburgh Police Department.
To answer everyone’s burning question about the true name of the place where our school resides, here it is: Greenburgh is a town, and Hartsdale is a part of the Town of Greenburgh. Hartsdale is officially referred to as a hamlet, meaning it has no separate municipal government and is governed by the Town of Greenburgh. Very confusing, I know. But both answers are correct!
Once I figured out where our school really is, another question came to mind: who keeps this community running? The Town of Greenburgh government operates through several key administrative departments, boards, and other specialized public services. Under the executive, legislative, and financial departments, the town board handles the policymaking for the town, the Controller’s Department focuses on town finances, and the Tax Department collects taxes. Other groups under the Town of Greenburgh include the Greenburgh Police Department, the Greenburgh Town Court, and the Greenburgh Parks and Recreation Department.
Now that you are familiar with the various segments of the Town of Greenburgh government, it’s important to understand the many essential positions that allow the town to run smoothly. There are both elected officials and appointed administrative professionals. The Town Supervisor, currently Paul Feiner, is elected to a 2-year term. Their primary role is to lead town board meetings, direct the daily administration of town departments, and draft the budget. Other elected positions include town council members (comprise the town board), the town clerk, the Receiver of Taxes, and the town court judges. These elected officials have different term lengths and typically work together to ensure the seamlessness of the government. Some appointed positions include Town Comptroller & Deputy Comptroller, Town Assessor, and Personnel Director. These positions differ from elected positions because they are either appointed by a majority vote of the Greenburgh Town Board or filled through local New York civil service procedures.
While these positions are essential to running the Greenburgh government, another important part of keeping the community running smoothly is ensuring public safety. The Greenburgh Police Department serves the Town of Greenburgh and, therefore, serves as the primary law enforcement agency for TLS. They also provide services such as regular security and educational seminars regarding school safety protocols. The Hartsdale Fire District has a similar relationship with the school, serving as the primary municipal agency responsible for fire protection.
Before researching for this article, I knew little about the difference between Hartsdale and Greenburgh. Now, I understand some of the key parts of Greenburgh’s government and how it allows our school to run smoothly. I can now see the large network of groups and people that enable our school community to thrive.
