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Town Offices are closed on Monday, January 17, 2022
to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Dear Bedford residents,
January 15 will have been the 93rd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Town Board and I join all Bedford residents in honoring and remembering Dr. King for his contributions to civil rights, nonviolence, and racial justice. His leadership, courage, hope, humility, and determination continue to inspire us to continue his work. See below for volunteer and other activities organized to honor Dr. King.
Prepare for possible outages and extreme cold
The forecast predicts extreme cold overnight tonight through Saturday, wind gusts up to 45mph, and the development of a winter storm is likely to impact our area with snow turning to rain overnight Sunday into Monday. Our town road crews and police are prepared for emergencies and road clearing. Please take precautions to stay safe, use indoor heating devices properly, dress warmly, and check on elderly neighbors. If the power goes out: Call your local utility company to inform it of the power outage.
- Con Edison’s 24-hour hotline is 1-800-75-CONED (752-6633)
- NYSEG's hotline service is 1-800-572-1131.
Also included below are town news, announcements, and upcoming events.
Stay warm, stay safe, and wear a mask.
Ellen
Town Supervisor
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“Life’s most urgent and persistent question,”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remarked, “is ‘what are you doing for others?’”
Observed annually on the third Monday in January, MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer in their communities. Even during these challenging times, there are ways to honor the legacy and teachings of the civil rights leader.
Volunteer New York! has organized an MLK Day of Service, with multiple volunteer and educational opportunities between now and January 20. Help set up a winter “shopping boutique” in New Rochelle geared towards teens in need. Attend a virtual youth-led event inspired by the words of Dr. King: “Anyone can be great. Because anyone can serve.” Or help outfit the many Westchester children for whom winter-appropriate clothing is financially out of reach.
The Fuller Center, located in New Rochelle, will be holding its annual Martin Luther King Build-A-Thon from January 15 to 23. The campaign is focused on helping to create homes for veterans and for those in need. To volunteer, text 914.406.3357.
Starting at 3 p.m., the Alliance for Safe Kids will host its 1st Annual Yorktown Keeping the Dream event at the Jefferson Valley Mall (and virtually on Facebook and Instagram.) The event will include community art, creative writing, a showcase of one-of-a-kind “kindness” t-shirts, and local organizations and resources.
MLK Day is also a free entrance holiday at all national parks, which include local gems like the Old Croton Aqueduct, Sleepy Hollow’s Old Dutch Church, Lyndhurst, Kykuit/the John D. Rockefeller Estate, Philipse Manor Hall, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, the Elephant Hotel of Somers, and more. Be aware that some locations are still observing limited visitation hours/capacity due to COVID-19, so make sure to check with the indoor venues before planning a family outing.
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Town Board Vacancy:
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
1.18.22 from 6-6:30PM
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If you are interested in being appointed by the Town Board to serve alongside us as one of the five leaders of our town government.
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Town Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
7:00PM
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Capital Improvements Considered
At this week’s capital plan work session the Town Board met with the Department heads to review capital projects for the upcoming year and reviewed some that were approved previously but not yet started.
The Town Board will borrow up to $5,272,400 and use grant funding to cover the projects at the Town Board meeting on 1/18.
Some of the projects include:
- Clean water supply projects
- Bedford Hills sidewalk and street tree replacement
- Paving, road and sidewalk repairs
- Traffic safety equipment
- Replacement hybrid vehicles
- Software and IT upgrades in the Building and other departments
- Installation of pickle ball courts in Bedford HIlls
- Resurfacing of basketball courts and tennis court
- Improvements to baseball and softball fields
- Improvements in Town cemeteries
- Tree removal and planting
- Crosswalk in Bedford Village between Historical Hall and St. Patrick’s
- Bedford Village parking lot construction
- Beautification of roadside areas and parking lots including addressing area at Route 35 and Cherry St.
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Sidewalk Study
The Town Board has asked the Planning Department to review sidewalk use and safety, work engage local stakeholders, and present a report to the Town Board about sidewalks that may need attention to improve safety or access.
This will help guide both the DPW and the Town Board with both short term and long term budgeting around sidewalk improvements.
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Green Choices
The Town Board will consider passing a resolution on Tuesday to commit our municipality to promoting the use of low carbon embodied concrete products in building and infrastructure projects within the town. Traditional concrete is responsible for up to 7% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions and there are ways to make concrete that are much less polluting.
Last year DPW Commissioner Kevin Winn began requiring use of green concrete in sidewalk projects and has found it to work well and not cost more than traditional concrete. By committing to promoting and using this product whenever possible, Bedford will continue to show leadership in the face of climate change by reducing emissions when we can.
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Wastewater Treatment options in Bedford Village
At our next Town Board meeting on January 18th, DPW Commissioner Kevin Winn will discuss the study the Town Board authorized to consider wastewater treatment options in Bedford Village.
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Leaf Blowers
Put on hold due to the holidays after the last public hearing, the amended leaf blower law will be back on the Town Board agenda at the next Town Board meeting on 2/1. This will be a work session for the Town Board to consider any additional changes to the proposed law before a public hearing at a future date.
The proposed law expands the existing off-season restrictions on gas powered leaf blowers in the hamlet zones to the entire town, providing for the use of gas powered leaf blowers during the leaf season (Oct. 15 - Dec. 15) and in April, but otherwise prohibiting them for the rest of the year.
There are some additional restrictions on days and times of use and the law ultimately bans gas powered leaf blowers entirely by 2024. The law is designed to enable a transition to electric equipment and balances the burden of noise, pollution, and environmental harm vs. the need to landscape with a gas powered blower.
Please let us know if you have a specific change or exemption you want to see in the law.
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School Taxes Due - 1/31
Please consider paying online, by mail, or using the drop box outside 321 Bedford Road.
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Having trouble paying your mortgage?
New York has started accepting applications for a new $539 million fund intended to help homeowners who fell behind on their mortgage payments and risk losing their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more info.
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Serve the Town on a Committee
If you are interested in serving on a committee, board, or commission, please let us know! Submit a letter of interest and resume to supervisor@bedfordny.gov.
Currently, there openings on the following committees:
● Recreation and Parks Committee (3 year term)
● Senior Committee (3 year term)
● Building Health and Performance Advisory Committee (new)
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Community Energy is Back in Bedford
Bedford’s 100% renewable electricity program, Westchester Power, will be back online for NYSEG customers starting this March. This program is an important part of achieving our climate action goals.
Westchester customers have reduced 888,000 tons of polluting carbon emissions through the Westchester Power Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program over the past 5 years.
Now we can continue this trend. If you have opted out in the past, now is the time to re-instate. Every person plays a vital role in reaching our community’s clean energy target!
What to expect:
NYSEG utility customers get a letter from the Westchester Power Community Energy Program and the Town of Bedford in January with the new contract terms and info about the new energy supply company, rates, and timing.
If you were enrolled in the program when the green energy supply was paused in the fall, you will be automatically re-enrolled. No action is necessary on your part.
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Knowledge is power!
COVID-19 Tests
Knowing if you test positive for COVID-19 is important to manage the spread.
For more information and other testing locations throughout the county click here.
We do not know when we might get another batch of masks or self-tests from the County to distribute to residents, but when we do we will alert you via newsletter, social media and Nixle Alert
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Mobile Shredder - 1/22
The mobile shredder is coming to the Town Recycling Center in Bedford Hills at
343 Railroad Avenue, Bedford Hills 10507
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
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- Typical Teen Moodiness or an Emerging Mental Health Challenge? A Primer for Parents and Caregivers on 1/24 7-8:30pm (click above for more info)
- Anxiety & Adolescence: Learning to Listen More to Your Teen, 1/27 7PM (click above for more info)
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