Very exciting news from the Town and Village of Ossining...
We have added to the extensive list of shared services between the Town of Ossining and the Village of Ossining.
We continue to enjoy shared service with Briarcliff Manor for Fire Service for some of area of the Unincorporated portion of the Town of Ossining.
We will save $250 per month for engineering administration as well as benefit from Paul's knowledge concerning reports that must be submitted, his expertise in getting projects completed in a cost effective, quality and timely manner.
Another advantage to using Paul Fraioli compared to an outside consultant is the institutional knowledge of Ossining that he can provide.
We believe we will save money during this 2012 year by being pro-active as we go through the list of issues that exist in the Town's infrastructure. We cannot predict what monies will be saved until we review the infrastructure projects and see what the engineering costs will be to develop the projects as well as the implementation and successful completion.
We have interviewed some outstanding engineering firm and will be contacting one to use for Planning Board items and will continue our relationship with F.P. Clark for planning needs.
Looking forward to an exciting 8 months... and beyond if everything works out as predicted.
Contact:
Susanne Donnelly, Town Supervisor 914-762-6001
Richard A. Leins, Village Manager 914-941-3554
Town & Village of Ossining Announce New Intermunicipal Agreement for Engineering Services
(May 7, 2012) The Town and Village of Ossining announced today that they will enter into a new Intermunicipal Agreement under which the Village of Ossining would provide engineering and related services to the Town, initially for calendar year 2012.
The Town of Ossining has traditionally hired a private-sector engineering firm to supply planning and design services and oversight for major infrastructure projects, as well as consulting on day-to-day work within the Town. Under the proposed IMA, Village Engineer Paul Fraioli will administer these services for the Town, and all solicitation for projects will be coordinated through the Village Engineer’s Office.
The Agreement will also make provision for the Village to provide basic contractual oversight and implementation similar to that currently provided the Village. The Town is also considering an engineering consultant to provide consulting services to the Planning Board, as needed.
This agreement represents an additional example of intermunicipal cooperation and resource sharing which will result in improved services while reducing costs for all residents.
Residents of the Unincorporated Area of the Town, Village of Briarcliff Manor and Village of Ossining
I want to thank so many of you for attending our first "Town Hall Meeting" - it was a wonderful opportunity for the Town Board to get the temperature of the community, and get a clearer sense of the issues with which our residents are struggling. We plan to hold one of these meetings every 6 weeks in lieu of a Town Board Work Session, and many will focus on a specific topic that has been seen as a trending interest among our residents.
For the May meeting, we would like to bring you some information about one of the most complex issues facing taxpayers and municipalities in Westchester County and New York State as a whole: property taxes. “Assessment” covers a wide range of topics of interest to constituents, including but not limited to: determining property values, SCARS (Small Claims Assessment Reviews), activism towards a county-wide re-assessment, and the ever-nebulous concept of "equalization rates."
For something so complicated, we decided to call in the experts.
Along with our new Town Assessor Fernando Gonzalez, who is in his own right an expert in local assessment issues, we will also be speaking with Regional Manager John Wolham from the Newburgh Office of Real Property Tax Services (ORPTS), a division of the New York State Department of Tax and Finance. Together, they will present a more user-friendly version of the wide world of how assessments come to be, what actually happens when a resident grieves their taxes, and how you can get more directly involved with changing these practices and policies going forward on the State level.
7:30 -8:00 PM: Resident Questions and Comments
8:00- 9:30 PM: Discussion of Assessment Concepts: Town of Ossining Assessor Fernando Gonzalez; Guest Speaker John Wolham, Regional Manager, Newburgh Office of Real Property Tax Services
Assessments Vs. Taxes: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the Equalization Rate
Fair Assessments
Pros and Cons of Grieving your Taxes With Assessment Reduction Firms
Assessment Office’s “Open Door” Policy
9:30- 10:00PM- Closing Statements
We look forward to sharing this information with you, as well as hearing your feedback on these issues and taking your questions on May 1st.
Susanne Donnelly Supervisor - Town of Ossining 16 Croton Ave Ossining NY 10562 914-762-6000 sdonnelly@townofossining.com
Public Meeting on Town and Village of Ossining
Evaluation of Potential Government Structures to be Held April 26
Opportunity to Get Updated on Project and Provide Feedback
A public meeting will be held on Thursday, April 26, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, Ossining, NY, for residents and taxpayers to hear an update about – and provide feedback on – a study initiated last fall by the Town and Village of Ossining to determine how services can be delivered to their respective constituencies in the most efficient and cost effective manner.
The meeting will include a presentation on the recently-issued first report, Municipal Services and Financial Overview for the Town and Village of Ossining, which documents current services, costs, revenues and assets in both municipalities as a basis for further analysis. The report is available on the study website at www.cgr.org/ossining. Copies can also be accessed in the following locations:
–Village / Town Hall, 16 Croton Avenue;
–Ossining Public Library, 53 Croton Avenue; and
–Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, 95 Broadway.
The participating municipalities embarked upon an effort in 2011 to carefully examine their governmental structures. The study aims to analyze additional municipal cooperation and consolidation of services in order for the Town and Village of Ossining to operate even more efficiently and effectively and to analyze the feasibility of alternative government structures for the Town and Village of Ossining permissible by law.
The communities have established a joint municipal committee, comprising each municipality’s Board members, to oversee the study. The Steering Committee issued the following statement: “We encourage residents to attend this public forum and share their thoughts and ideas on service delivery and government structure in the Ossining community. Public input is an extremely important part of this study process, and we are
committed to engaging the community through this project. This meeting offers an excellent opportunity for residents and any other interested parties to learn more about the study and offer feedback on items of interest to them.”
The meeting is the second public forum held in conjunction with this project. The Agenda will include a brief presentation of the Baseline Report by the study consultant, the Center for Governmental Research (CGR). CGR will then moderate a public input session, inviting residents to address the Steering Committee and study team.
Residents are also reminded that they can monitor the study’s progress at the project website, www.cgr.org/ossining. The website offers access to Steering Committee meeting schedules and reports as they become available. By going to the website, community members can also email comments to the Steering Committee. In addition, residents can sign up to receive email “alerts” regarding the project and key meeting dates.
Tentative Meeting Agenda:
–Introduction – Mayor and Supervisor
–Project Update – CGR
–Review of Baseline Report – CGR
–Comments from the Public – Moderated by CGR
Steering Committee Members:
Town of Ossining:
Susanne Donnelly, Supervisor
Eric Blaha, Board Member
Geoffrey Harter, Board Member
Peter Tripodi, Board Member
Northern Wilcher, Board Member
Village of Ossining: William Hanauer, Mayor
Marlene Cheatham, Trustee
John Codman III, Trustee
Robert Daraio, Trustee
Manuel Quezada, Trustee
About the Center for Governmental Research (CGR)
CGR is a 97-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan, independent consulting organization with significant expertise conducting local government consolidation and shared service studies and developing implementation plans. CGR is headquartered in Rochester, NY, and in October 2011 was engaged by the Town and Village of Ossining to serve as study consultant. Dr. Joseph Stefko, CGR’s Vice President and Director of Public Finance, is serving as project director for this study.
The Issue of District 17 & 20 and Briarcliff Manor
It has come to our attention that a meeting has been called for March 29, 2012 by P.E. Zegarelli on behalf of the Mayor and Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff, meant "to share VBM’s position as well as topical issues pertaining to the current dialogue with the TOS (Town of Ossining Supervisor)."
Let me make it clear to everyone I have met with Mr. Zegarelli once to:
Discuss the purchase of the police station with NO strings attached.
The possibility of moving their justice court into a regional court along with the Village and Town of Ossining.
The opinion of the Village of Briarcliff at that point was they would not discuss buying the building on North State Road (a complete police facility) at a fraction of the price it would cost to renovate their outdated building on Pleasantville Rd unless the Town were to include District 17 & 20 in the deal.
I explained to the Village Manager that I had received no petitions from the residents (the only people who could initiate the process), and that I would do nothing that would negatively affect the rest of the residents in the Unincorporated area of the Town, including the many residents in District 17 & 20 who do not want to become part of Briarcliff Manor.
There have been no further discussions on the issue. We welcome Briarcliff to come to the table and discuss items that are in the best interest of all of the residents of Ossining.
I have enclosed a link for you to re-read the Town’s Facts and Figures that was mailed to you last August. It was followed by a meeting on September 15, 2011.
Again, I believe it is important that you read the pamphlet and understand that, by law, the residents must initiate this action. In the event that the Village of Briarcliff and the Town of Ossining were to receive a petition signed by more than 5% of 17 and 20 residents, the process detailed in the aforementioned pamphlet would begin.
You, the residents of the Town of Ossining, are the stakeholders in this government. It is truly about what is beneficial for the whole Town, including the Unincorporated area of the Town, the Village of Briarcliff and the Village of Ossining that is important. Please feel free to write and tell me how you feel about this situation.
Susanne Donnelly, Supervisor - Town of Ossining
16 Croton Ave, Ossining NY 10562
914-762-6001 sdonnelly@townofossining.com
The Town of Ossining seeks to give all impacted residents, including the residents of the two Election Districts in question, the other residents of the Unincorporated area of the Town, and the residents of the Villages of Briarcliff Manor and Ossining, accurate and up-to-date facts to help understand the Annexation Proposal and its short- and long-term implications.
If Election Districts 17 & 20 are annexed into Briarcliff Manor, and Briarcliff Manor subsequently becomes a Coterminous Town/Village, the following will also apply:
All Briarcliff Manor residents who attend the Ossining School District run the risk of having an equalization rate that adversely impacts their proportionate share of Ossining School District taxes. Residents of the Town of New Castle who are part of the Ossining schools have been unsuccessful in fighting this situation with the New York State Real Property Tax Office for over 10 years. (Contact the West End Neighborhood Taxpayers “WENT” Group for further details and history.)
Special Districts will be preserved, such as Mid Hudson EMS Special District, Town-wide Water, Refuse
and Recycling Special District, Lighting Special District, and Sewer Special District, including the outstanding debt on North State Road Sewer construction.
Residents who are in the Ossining School District will continue to pay for both the Briarcliff Manor and the Ossining public libraries.
Briarcliff Manor will need to assume the costs of providing Town-wide services, including Assessment, Assessment review; legal defense costs; Tax Receiver; establishment of a Town Court in accordance with NYS Town law and Office of Court Administration standards; and the cost of paying up front the uncollected taxes to both the County and the School Districts within its boundaries (Briarcliff Manor and part of Ossining).
The proposed redistricting plan puts the entire Town of Ossining in District 38 which consists of communities on the west side of the Hudson River while Ossining is on the east side.
We are asking that Ossining be put into a New York State Senate district which is entirely in Westchester County.
That's why I created a petition to The New York State House, The New York State Senate, and Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Thanks!
As many of you are aware, the next month or so will bring a redistricting of the New York State Senate. The State Assembly will be following suit in this process.
It appears that the elected officials responsible for dividing New York into districts are putting their own best interests above their concern for residents and tax-payers of this great State. The officials making this decision have allowed their desire to see incumbents remain in office eclipse the need for a non-partisan evaluation of the situation.
Many areas will be negatively affected, from New York City to Rochester and beyond. The residents of Ossining are now caught in this gerrymandering, and on the preliminary maps are slated to go into the 38th Senatorial District. The aforementioned District is currently comprised of Ramapo, Clarkstown, and Orange in Rockland County on the West side of the Hudson River; with the addition of the Town of Ossining, it would add a community that is on the East side of the Hudson River. Despite the strong and capable leadership of District 38’s current Senator, we strongly believe that our distinctive needs could be more effectively represented by leadership in Westchester County.
If you agree with us that the Town of Ossining should stay in a Senate District that is in Westchester, please write to the NYS Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment committee at : info@latfor.state.ny.us
Payment can be made by mail, on the internet (Municipal-Payments.com), or in person at the
Office of the Receiver of Taxes,
16 Croton Avenue, Ossining,
NY 10562
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Call (914) 762-8790 if you are a new homeowner and/or need a copy of your bill.
Application for License Plates or Parking Permits for Persons with Severe Disabilities
New York residents to apply for plates or a parking permit for people with severe disabilities. Requires a medical doctor's signature and certification. Plates are issued at state and county DMV offices, but permits are issued by local governments, not DMV. *NOTE: Completed applications must be submitted to: Ossining Town Clerk, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562
Town Seeking Volunteers to Serve on Business Incentive Board
The Ossining Town Board is seeking resumes of interested volunteers to serve on a citizen advisory board known as the “Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board” of the Town of Ossining.”
The this advisory board will seek out ideas and make recommendations to the Town of Ossining Town Board about legal options available to the Town to give partial real property tax exemption for certain commercial business or industrial improvements as per NYS Real Property Tax Law, and to work in collaboration with local merchants and the Ossining and Briarcliff Chambers of Commerce to support and attract business to Ossining.
The Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board will consist of five members, with one of the members serving as a Chairperson. Ideal candidates will have professional or educational expertise in the financial, marketing, or general business sector.
The committee will meet once a month and will interact with the Supervisor, Town Board, local merchants, and local business organizations.
Interested residents should send resumes to: Town Supervisor, Town of Ossining, 16 Croton Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562, or via fax: 914-762-0833, or via email: sdonnelly@townofossining.com.
For more information, contact Town Supervisor's Office at: 914-762-6001.
Tax Savings for All Town Taxpayers,
Including Villages of Ossining & Briarcliff
For the second year in a row, the Supervisor’s Tentative 2012 Budget, filed with the Town Clerk on Friday, October 28, shows tax cuts for all taxpayers in the Town of Ossining, including residents in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff. This budget has a tax rate decrease for all taxpayers despite the fact that the Town of Ossining is taking on additional costs of operating a consolidated Ossining Justice Court, effective January 1, 2012.
These rate decreases are well below the recently-imposed New York State Tax Cap of a 2% tax levy increase. Borgia stated: “In these hard times, we are all struggling to do more with less. For my tentative 2012 budget, I was committed to creating another opportunity to save taxpayers money while increasing government efficiencies through consolidation of services, careful spending, and innovative new ways of providing necessary government services. I am very pleased to offer a budget that does not raise taxes and offers some taxpayer relief despite the increased costs of mandatory NYS Retirement System contributions, the rising cost of health insurance, and additional expenses due to fuel costs.”
This budget has tax decreases in both the Town General (-0.07%) and the Town Unincorporated (-0.02%) budgets. All residents of the Town of Ossining, including those in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff, pay the Town General tax. Residents in the Unincorporated area (the “town-outside” of both villages) pay the Town Unincorporated tax.
A total of $152,752 of revenues from Dale Cemetery operations in 2011 will be restored to all town taxpayers as part of the 2012 Town Budget. This is a first step towards Dale Cemetery restoring taxpayer monies that had been used for operations from 2006-2009.
In addition, the consolidation of the Village of Ossining and Town of Ossining Justice Courts will provide additional tax relief to Village of Ossining residents not reflected in this budget. Cost containment in other areas mean that residents of the Unincorporated area will not see taxes rise due to the cost of the court consolidation, which is estimated by the NYS Comptroller’s office to be $460,571. If the Village of Briarcliff decides to join the consolidated court, Briarcliff taxpayers will also see a savings in their village tax bills.
The Supervisor’s Tentative 2012 Budget is available in the Town Clerk’s office at 16 Croton Avenue, the Ossining Public Library, and online below.
Budget Implications of NYS Tax Cap Legislation – Town of Ossining
Four Year Projected Financial Impacts, 2012 to 2014
(Projected Years prepared by Town Comptroller, August 2011)
Earlier this year, New York State passed a law stating that municipalities and school districts in New York State cannot have a tax levy increase of greater that 2% from the previous year. The law includes some exemptions, including municipalities who consolidate by taking over a service that was formerly the responsibility of another government.
Municipalities have certain ongoing financial obligations such as contributions to the NYS Retirement System, health care costs (to the Empire Plan in the case of the Town of Ossining), and energy costs, the cost of which is outside of the control of the municipality.
In order to do good long term financial planning as we begin the 2012 budget process, the Town did an analysis of how much of an increase we anticipate the fixed costs will be for our budget for the next years, in order determine how much money must be cut out of other area of the budgets. Some assumptions about infationalry and personnel costs are included and are in the notations on the side of the charts.
The charts are divided into Town General fund, (which is paid for by all of the Town of Ossining, including the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff,) and the Unincorporated Area funds, which are paid only by those in the unincorporated area.
This is a planning tool for information purposes only to help the Town to develop responsible budgets and spending cut decisions.
For more information, contact the Supervisor's Office at 914-762-6001
COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND OSSINING SUPERVISOR
SIGN POLICE SERVICES CONTRACT
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Ossining Supervisor Catherine Borgia today formally signed the historic Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Department of Public Safety to provide contractual police services to the Town.
At a ceremony held at the former Town of Ossining Police Department, Astorino and Borgia signed the IMA, which went into effect on Jan. 1. Under the agreement, the Westchester County Police is providing Patrol and Investigative services to the Town of Ossining.
Fact Sheet on Comprehensive Plan and Proposed Zoning Law Process
Date of Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning changed to Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:30 pm Police/Court facility on Spring Street
Two significant changes made:
Allowing automotive uses to rebuild to existing footprint in case of disaster
Change from “Non-Conforming” Use to “Grandfathered” Use to clarify protection of existing automotive use businesses
Comprehensive Plan Process:
NYS recommends each municipality have a Comprehensive or Master Plan. Zoning should follow from the plan and must be consistent with adopted plans
In 2002, after a multi-year process involving public surveys, hearing and other forms of public input, the Town Board adopted the Comprehensive plan, working with a citizen committee and consultant planners
Plan recommends changes to North State Road
In 2009, the zoning component was begun
Zoning Changes Process:
Working with the Planning Department, Town Board and Planning Board (both made up of appointed or elected citizen members), FP Clarke, our consultant planners, make recommendations to the Town Board.
Town Board discusses the recommendations at several meetings over 2009, 2010, and early 2010
Recommendation to make auto related uses non-conforming
Does not have sunset clause, so businesses can continue to operate
Does not hamper businesses from growing within current footprint – for example adding customers or other automotive services, re-use of existing space
Most businesses are already physically maxed out on space for expansion
Does not prevent sale of business or other change of ownership
Adds time to non-conforming use from 3 mo to 1 year
Prevents other competitive businesses from moving to North State Road
Town Board to discuss a change allowing non-conforming uses to rebuild to existing footprint if catastrophe or natural disaster occur.
Call for public hearing on March 22, 2011, 7:30 pm, 86/88 Spring Street
Time for Town Board to hear public comments
Opportunity to discuss possible changes at work sessions
Town Board votes on Zoning Changes – date TBD, after public comment period
You live in the community ranked the #2 best community to live in Westchester by Westchester Magazine, based on criteria such as Diversity, Housing Costs, Parks & Recreation, Property Tax, Proximity to NYC, Safety, Schools, Proximity to Water, Nightlife, Shopping, and Downtown.
John Chervokas, Former Ossining Town Supervisor,
Ad-man Who Created Famous Charmin Campaign, Dies at 74
BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY - John V. Chervokas, a former advertising executive who created the famous "Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin" ad campaign and later served for a decade as supervisor of the town of Ossining, NY, died on Saturday at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. He was 74.
Chervokas spent nearly 40 years on Madison Avenue, starting as copywriter and eventually rising to Vice Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Warwick Advertising. In the 1980s, he also served as editor in chief of Madison Avenue Magazine, an industry trade publication. But Chervokas was best known for the ad campaign he created while working as a junior copywriter at Benton & Bowles in 1964 for Procter & Gamble's Charmin toilet paper. He recounted to Ad Age in 1972 how his search for something to demonstrate softness led him to the image of women squeezing fruit in a supermarket, and the supermarket manager who had a duty to stop them. "Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin" was named #51 on Ad Age's top 100 ad campaigns of the 20th century.
After retiring from the advertising business, Chervokas turned to public service, winning election as Town Supervisor in Ossining in 1998. Chervokas' previous experience in public office had come in the mid-1970s when he served as president of the Ossining School Board, presiding over the racial re-districting of the town's schools. Chervokas spent ten years as town supervisor from 1998-2008. He also served as executive director of the Ossining Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1997 and chairman of Historic River Towns from 1999-2003.
John Vincent Chervokas was born on November 14, 1936 in Norwood, MA. He graduated from Fordham University in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree in English. He was the author of four books of prayers and religious commentary. His death, from stroke, came after a five year battle with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Roseanna; his sons, Jason of Hastings-on-Hudson and Josh of Manhattan; his daughter, Jessica Hoyer of Briarcliff Manor; and three grandchildren, Emily Chervokas and Julia and Zachary Hoyer.
A wake will be held at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 14 Emwilton Place, Ossining, NY, on Thursday, July 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a funeral to follow Friday, July 29, at St. Theresa church in Briarcliff Manor. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to the National Parkinson Foundation.
Residents Plan Memorial Bench in Honor of Supervisor Martha Dodge
A local group of residents have teamed up with the Town of Ossining to honor Town Supervisor Martha Dodge, who passed away in December 2009 after a fight with cancer, by erecting a bench and memorial in her honor at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.
Several of Dodge’s friends approached her husband, John Codman, about how best to memorialize Martha’s enthusiasm for protecting the environment and the Hudson River, and to commemorate her service to the Ossining community. A public bench honoring Dodge at the Ossining waterfront seemed the perfect solution.
A dedicated fund has been established to help fund the bench and memorial and to landscape the site. Those wishing to donate to Martha’s bench and memorial should mail the donation to: Town of Ossining, Supervisor’s office, Attn: Martha’s Bench, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining NY 10562. Please make sure to include the words “Martha’s Bench” in the “re:” line of the check. This is a dedicated fund. All donations received will go towards the purchase of the bench and memorial, landscaping, and upkeep of the site.
The Town will have a dedication ceremony with the Codman-Dodge family once the bench and memorial have been installed.
The Hon Martha L. Dodge, Town Council member and Town Supervisor, passed away on December 27, 2009 after a brief and courageous fight with cancer.
For more information, contact the Town of Ossining at 914-762-6001.
For information on Memorial Gifts or Donations,
please write or call OVAC at (914) 941-3941.
OSSINING VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS INC.
P.O. Box 523, Ossining, New York 10562 http://www.ossiningvac.org
Photo: Martha Dodge and Sam Luben, Chief of OVAC, signing of agreements to create an Ambulance District for Ossining & part of New Castle.
If you need the latest final 2011 assessment and you already have the Parcel ID number, simply click on "Town Assessment Roll" below and scroll numerically to the Parcel ID of your choice.
For the past several years, the Town has prioritized the renovation of Engel Park, and requested several years of Community Development Block Grant funding for various projects in the park, including the renovation of the comfort station.
The Town of Ossining has been complying with the NYS DEC requirements for an MS4 community. This requires completion of several tasks over a period of years.One of those tasks is entitled, “Illicit Storm Water Discharge Detection Elimination.” Another task is entitled, “Public Participation.” A third is entitled, “Public Education.”
The Partnership is comprised of human services agencies, civic organizations and community advocates who live and work in the Town of Ossining, Village of Briarcliff Manor, and Village of Ossining. Our mission is to combat domestic violence through community outreach, education, prevention and awareness.
A local group of residents have teamed up with the Town of Ossining to honor Town Supervisor Martha Dodge, who passed away in December 2009 after a fight with cancer, by erecting a bench and memorial in her honor at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.
For information on Memorial Gifts or Donations,
please write or call OVAC at (914) 941-3941.
Stormwater Management Program - incl Illicit Discharge Survey
Stormwater Management
For the past several years, the Town has prioritized the renovation of Engel Park, and requested several years of Community Development Block Grant funding for various projects in the park, including the renovation of the comfort station.