125th Committee Dedicates Table Made from Merwin Oak | |
From left: 125th Anniversary Committee Chair Carolyn Whiting, Artist & Woodworker AnnMarie Sasso, Mayor Brian Pugh, Trustee Len Simon, and Village Manager Bryan Healy. | |
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The legacy of the historic Merwin Oak will now live on at the Village's Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building in the form of an elegant table constructed from its repurposed wood.
The Merwin Oak, a Swamp white oak (Quercis bicolor) which once stood at the entrance of Vassallo Park, was at least 235 years old and had been officially recognized by the National Arborist Association and International Society of Arboriculture in 1987. The Village worked to preserve the tree across the decades until it was felled following an intense storm at the end of May 2022. Shortly after, the Village invited residents to share their thoughts and ideas to honor the history of the Merwin Oak. Residents and professional woodworkers were happy to share their input, and the Department of Public Works salvaged several pieces of the trunk for reuse.
In partnership with the Village's 125th Anniversary Committee, Croton artist, homesteader, and woodworker AnnMarie Sasso worked to create a two-tiered table to complement the Municipal Art Collection and memorialize the tree's significance to the Croton community. The table was presented on January 12th, 2024, and is now on display at the west end of the second floor hallway of the Municipal Building. The building is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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As we finish the first month of 2024, it is gearing up to be a very busy time for the Village Board and Village Government. As you will read about in this newsletter, the tentative assessment roll will be filed with the Village Clerk on February 1, 2024, and the Village Board will be sitting as the Board of Assessment Review on February 20, 2024, for Grievance Day. Work on the 2024-2025 budget also continues; meetings with department heads to review their budget requests will take place in the first two weeks of February. As a reminder, the public hearing on the 2024-2025 budget will be held on March 27, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Building.
Local Law 1 of 2024 was adopted by the Village Board on January 10, 2024; this local law updated regulations related to accessory apartments as well as permitted accessory cottages in residential districts. More information on these dwelling units, known together as accessory dwelling units or ADUs, is contained in this newsletter. If you have questions regarding your existing ADU or are interested in learning more about ADUs, please contact the Engineering Department at 914-271-4783 or [email protected].
The Gouveia Park Working Group has finalized their conversations and presented a memorandum to the Village Board at the January 31, 2024, work session. The working group has recommended that the Recreation Department offices be relocated from the Municipal Building to the Gouveia House. This relocation will allow the Recreation Department staff to supervise the building and its programming, as well as develop and implement a host of new outdoor programming in the spacious, 16-acre park. Certain programming, such as the senior club meetings, will remain at the Municipal Building. The relocation of the offices will also free up much-needed space in the Municipal Building for community organizations (such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Croton Caring, Village boards and committees) to use for meetings, events, displays and activities. I look forward to continuing these discussions with the Village Board, Recreation Department staff and members of the public.
The Telecommunications Advisory Committee has finished their review of a local law which will revamp the existing Village Code chapter that addresses Telecommunications Towers. A committee of residents, two board liaisons and myself have been meeting almost weekly to review the work done by our consultant, Televate, and our Village Attorney. The Village Board is scheduled to review this local law at their February 20, 2024, work session. Members of the public will have ample opportunity to review the local law and provide public comment during this process.
The Village Board has scheduled two public hearings for the February 7, 2024, board meeting. Local Law Introductory 22 of 2023 is the topic of the first public hearing; this local law will update the existing zoning provisions related to solar energy systems and also establish new regulations for battery energy storage systems. As the technology evolves with these environmentally-friendly power sources, it is important for the Village to update its own laws to better protect the Village, its residents and our natural resources. The second public hearing is to receive input on Local Law Introductory 23 of 2023, which is to update the property maintenance chapter of the Village Code (which has not been updated since 1935!); this law will amend the existing provisions on brush and weeds to better reflect current state law, and will also add provisions to address vacant non-residential properties in the Village.
Finally, please remember to check the Projects and Initiatives page of the Village website for updates on various other work being done. These pages are updated regularly as more information becomes available. If you have a question or comment regarding anything in this report, please contact me at [email protected] or 914-271-4848.
Sincerely,
Bryan T. Healy
Village Manager
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Tax Grievance Day Information
On Tuesday, February 20th, the Board of Trustees will be meeting in their role as the Board of Assessment Review. In this role, they meet annually to consider the applications of property owners who feel their Village property assessment is not correct. This process is known as Grievance Day. The Board will be meeting from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room.
Tax grievance applications must be completed and filed with the Village Assessor, Roger Miller, prior to 4 p.m. on February 19th. The Board of Assessment Review will consider all applications during the Grievance Day meeting. To help you understand whether you should file a tax grievance to reduce your residential property assessment, perform the following calculation: Divide your property’s current assessed valuation by the 2023 Residential Assessment Ratio (RAR) which is .0262. The result will provide the estimated market value of the property.
Commercial properties follow a different procedure. Information is available on the Assessor's page of the Village website, in the Village Engineering Office, or you may call 914-271-4783.
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The Village of Croton-on-Hudson recently updated its regulations related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). An ADU is a self-contained portion of a single-family dwelling, or an accessory structure, used as a secondary housing unit independent of the primary dwelling unit. The Village Board has temporarily waived penalties for existing construction undertaken without an Accessory Apartment Permit for the period of January 11, 2024, through April 12, 2024, to ensure compliance with the new law. After this amnesty period, noncompliant accessory dwelling units will be subject to enforcement action, and a penalty fee will be applied if a property owner seeks to legalize the construction of a noncompliant ADU. To learn more about the new regulations, go to crotononhudson-ny.gov/ADU or click the button below. | | |
American Legion to Host Merchant Marine Flag Ceremony at Veterans Corners | |
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The Village's Veterans Corners monument is dedicated to Croton residents who lost their lives while fighting an American War, and features flags of the United States Armed Forces. Recently, the Village received permission from the Maritime Administration to display the Merchant Marine Flag at Veterans Corners. The United States Merchant Marine is a civilian maritime service made up of professional mariners and the vessels they operate.
American Legion Fox-Eklof Post 505 will host a Merchant Marine Flag Ceremony at Veterans Corners on February 12, 2024, at 11:00 AM to honor the service and sacrifice of the United States Merchant Marines, including Croton native Richard Pusatere, who served as the Chief Engineer of the SS El Faro, which was lost at sea on October 1, 2015 after encountering Hurricane Joaquin en route to San Juan. Following the ceremony, lunch and refreshments will be served at Post 505, located at 6 Terrace Place.
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The Croton-on-Hudson Police Advisory Committee is tasked with advising the Chief of Police on issues and concerns of interest to local residents, making recommendations regarding recruitment and training policies and practices, and organizing educational outreach initiatives to Village residents. Residents expressed a desire for more communication from the Police Department as part of the annual Community Survey on Public Safety and Law Enforcement. In response, members of the Police Advisory Committee gathered suggested topics of interest to residents, interviewed Croton Police Officers on those topics, and wrote articles to share the information with fellow residents. The articles, which cover 31 different topics, are available on the Village Website at crotononhudson-ny.gov/PAC or by clicking the button below. | |
Sustainability Committee Secures EV Grant
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson recently added a Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck to its municipal fleet. A portion of its cost was covered by a $20,000 State grant secured by the Sustainability Committee. The truck will be used for the transportation of police equipment, patrol, and traffic enforcement.
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Conservation Corner
A Monthly Column written by the Croton Conservation Advisory Council
Have you noticed how bright Croton’s night skies have become? Light pollution is the wasteful use of artificial light, which artificially brightens nighttime skies. Research suggests that light pollution has negative impacts on wildlife, the environment, and human health.
Studies show that light pollution can harm wildlife by disrupting their migration, reproduction, hunting and feeding patterns. Light pollution contributes to global climate change as we use more energy – and spend more money – to power unnecessary lights. Exposure to excessive light at night has implications for human health, too. Light pollution has been shown to disrupt circadian rhythms and is suspected of increasing risks for certain types of cancer. Astronomers have even coined a new term to describe the grief associated with excessive light pollution in the night sky, drowning out the stars. The word, “noctalgia,” roughly translates to “sky grief.”
Here are some easy actions we can all take to combat light pollution:
- Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights.
- Shield outdoor lights and direct their light downward at specific areas, not upward toward the sky.
- Use amber lights and put them on motion sensors and timers so they’re only on when necessary.
- Use blinds and curtains to reduce the light leaving your house and shut the lights off when you leave rooms.
- Raise awareness of light pollution by talking to your friends and neighbors.
Together, we can reduce light pollution – it's as easy as flipping a switch!
The Croton Conservation Advisory Council meets the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the small meeting room in the Municipal Building. All meetings are open to the public.
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Teatown Hudson River EagleFest 2024
Saturday, February 3rd (Snow date is Sunday, February 4th)
Croton Point Park
Teatown’s 20th Annual Hudson River EagleFest will take place on Saturday, February 3rd at Croton Point Park. EagleFest is an all day celebration of Bald Eagles as they descend upon the Hudson River during their annual winter migration. The program includes thrilling live bird shows spotlighting birds of prey, bird walks where you can view eagles through spotting scopes, heated tents filled with educational displays and exhibits, crafts and games for children, food trucks, and more. For tickets and more information, visit teatown.org/eaglefest
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Documentary Film Screening - Lorraine Hansberry in the 1960s: An Introspective
Saturday, February 3rd, 2:00 PM
Croton Free Library
171 Cleveland Drive
All are welcome to attend the official screening of a short documentary film made by Croton-Harmon High School students and members of the Lorraine Hansberry Coalition (LHC) at the Croton Free Library on Saturday, February 3 from 2:00-4:00PM. This film was created to help the LHC commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Rally to Support the Southern Freedom Movement, which was chaired by Lorraine Hansberry in 1963 at Temple Israel. After the screening, there will be a Q&A session with the student filmmakers as moderated by John Williams, CEO of ReelWorks.
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Croton 125: An Oral History Film Screening
Thursday, February 8, 6:30pm
Croton Free Library
171 Cleveland Drive
The Croton 125 Committee will present a film on February 8th at 6:30 pm at the Croton Library. The film celebrates Croton’s 125th Anniversary with storytelling from over 30 residents who have spent decades in our Village and watched it grow and thrive. Highlights from these oral histories will be featured in a one-hour film to be shown in the Library’s Ottinger Room on Thursday, February 8th at 6:30 pm. Refreshments will be served, and no tickets are required. Full oral histories will be posted on the Village website later in 2024.
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Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg Open-Topic Town Hall
Saturday, February 10th, 2024 - 1:00pm
Croton Free Library
171 Cleveland Drive
Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg will host an Open-Topic Town Hall on Saturday, February 10th at the Croton Free Library. Hear from your local Assemblywoman and share your thoughts on the State budget and legislative session.
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Start Your Own Democracy Circle - Virtual Presentation
Tuesday, February 13th, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
via Zoom
All are invited to join the Lorraine Hansberry Coalition and the Workers Circle for an online presentation on how to start a Democracy Circle. A Democracy Circle is a small group of people, who meet regularly to explore any number of issues facing our community and to demand the democracy we need. Anyone—from high school students to senior citizens—can start a circle. Representatives from the Workers Circle will show you how, and will provide guidance every step of the way. Register online at bit.ly/DemocracyCircles
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Vendors Wanted for Upcoming Events!
The Conservation Advisory Council will host their annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Senasqua Park (Rain Date: May 4th). Featuring live music, hands-on activities, educational and environmental exhibits, and more. Interested vendors may apply to participate at https://croton.seamlessdocs.com/f/CrotonEarthDay
The Village's annual Summerfest street festival is scheduled for Sunday, June 2nd, 2024. Vendors can register to be notified when applications open at crotonsummerfest.org.
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