FORUM FOCUS



December 2024


Message to Our Membership

Forum Members:

2024 has been an incredible year for the Forum! Our recent meeting with Mayor Justin Arest and Village Manager Alex Marshall in November was a wonderful success, and we are so excited to have County Executive George Latimer, U.S. Congressman elect speak with us next Tuesday at the Library (or on Zoom, see details below). I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and the happiest of New Years!

All the best,

Omer Wiczyk

Save These Dates and Reminders

SAVE THE DATE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 17, 2024

MEMBERSHIP MEETING with County Executive

GEORGE LATIMER, Congressman Elect, at 7:30PM in person

at Scarsdale Library or 8:00PM on Zoom.

IF YOU PARTICIPATE ON ZOOM:

Click HERE:

Meeting ID: 871 7867 4448

Passcode: 299264

No Registration Required


SAVE THE DATE: SCARSDALE FORUM'S MEMBERSHIP MEETING with School Superintendent Dr. Drew Patrick, February 12, 2025 at 7:30PM in person at SCARSDALE LIBRARY — OR 8:00PM on Zoom

ZOOM: Login to be provided.




SAVE THE DATE: SCARSDALE FORUM WINTERFEST GALA at the Woman's Club: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2025


Be in touch for additional information or changes in schedule or venue


Annual SCARSDALE FORUM MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL is MAY 1

Renewing or lapsed members may sign up and pay here:

https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Membership/renew

Residents who wish to join should go here: https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Join

Your support of the activities of the Forum is greatly appreciated.

Committee and Board Updates

Scarsdale Youth Advisory Council (SFYAC)


Seeking members.

The Forum created the SFYAC to help empower the youth of Scarsdale to actively participate in community dialogue, express personal views, and become involved in addressing the civic issues, choices and solutions that directly impact them. Opportunities for students may include meetings with village, county, state, and federal government officials; conversations concerning village and School District issues; and opportunities to provide feedback concerning village and district issues. SFYAC members must be Scarsdale residents who are under the age of 18. To join, please submit a brief letter explaining interest to sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com.

County Fiscal Affairs


The County Fiscal Affairs Committee released its Report

analyzing the 2024 County budget and its implications for Scarsdale property taxes. The Committee testified at the Westchester County Board of Legislators hearing on the findings in our report.

Downtown Revitalization


The Downtown Revitalization Committee, together with the Municipal Services Committee, released their August 2024 Report on the Redevelopment of the Freightway Site. Work is continuing on this project. The Report recommends that the Village revisit the work done to date on the future of the Freightway site and conduct updated research to enable the Village to make better use of this centrally located property. The two committees are also assessing traffic safety issues for their next joint report. Contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.

Education


The Committee’s Report on the School District's initiative, "Profile of a SHS Graduate,” was published in June 2024. Contact Chairs Art Rublin, art.rublin@gmail.com, Christine Weston, theweston4@gmail.com, Sarah Bell, sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com, or Liza Lee, mslizalee@gmail.com.

Municipal Services


See the most recent Joint Report published on February 22, 2024 with the Sustainability Committee on saving our tree canopy. Various non-profit civic organizations in town have supported the Report’s enforcement recommendations.

Municipal Services is continuing work on: the environmental and health hazards of artificial athletic and recreation turf fields (together with the Sustainability and Parks and Recreation groups); a study together with the Downtown Revitalization group on the range of traffic issues and safety on the Post Road and in the Village Center that includes recommendations for improvements to existing signals to help protect pedestrians and prevent gridlock along Village Center corridors; and both speeding and traffic violation enforcement on village roads. This work is consistent with recommendations made in the most recent Municipal Services Report on Village-wide traffic safety and implementation of complete streets, Zero Vision, and safe routes to schools policy and design by the Village. We look forward to community input. Other follow-up includes collaboration with the Sustainability group and input from the Conservation Advisory Council regarding the status of Scarsdale's participation in New York State's Climate Smart Communities program; further restriction relating to gas leaf blowers and fall leaf collection; and degradation of the Village tree canopy despite Code amendments meant to preserve it. Education of the public on the dangers of widespread pesticide use on private property is another issue of continuing focus together with the Sustainability Committee, in view of the recently amended Village Code's broad pesticide ban on public property. We hope you have an interest in being part of our team. Please contact Chair Madelaine Eppenstein,

meppenstein@eppenstein.com

Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation Committee group continues to evaluate current conditions and usage of our parks, fields, paths, green spaces and recreational facilities. Forum member and wider community input is welcome. Issues include the Pool Complex project, girls’ athletics participation, pickle ball courts, and the Village initiated field study proposing use of artificial turf. Contact Parks Chair Erin Rudensky, ejzerring@aol.com and/or Recreation Chair Omer Wiczyk, omer@wiczyk.com.

Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs


The Committee prepares comprehensive reports such as this Report commenting on the prior Village budget before it was passed, and recommends how the Village Board should prioritize competing financial needs and wants and how to pay for them.

Sustainability



See the most recent Joint Report with the Municipal Services Committee on saving our tree canopy. The Sustainability Committee supports initiatives for an environmentally sustainable and healthy environment and climate that provide quality of life for Village residents. The Committee is working together with the Municipal Services group on on the environmental and health hazards of artificial athletic and recreation turf fields. Related to Committee Reports in 2018 and 2019, we supported the recent Village Code amendment covering "Pesticide Use on Village Property." The new local law bans chemical pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, etc. on Village properties and allows only organic landscape practices. Recognizing the absolute inter-dependency between the health of our environment and our own health, the Committee continues to support a number of potential green initiatives including, but not limited to, those geared toward recycling, green energy, storm preparedness, and NY State's Climate Smart Community initiative. Another Report focuses on the promotion of mulch mowing, the elimination of street leaf pile vacuuming, and a total ban on the use of gas blowers. The Sustainability Committee also invites existing and new members to join local efforts in vine cutting. Vines are an important cause of damage to Scarsdale's diminishing tree canopy. Please contact Committee chair Darlene LeFrancois Haber, M.D. at dlefranc@montefiore.com if you are interested in helping our community save its trees or participate in other Sustainability projects.

Zoning and Planning


The Zoning and Planning Committee's focus is the long term growth and development of our Village to improve quality of life and sustainability by providing thoughtful analysis and recommendations for existing and proposed codes. Topics include: assessment of the recent Village moratorium; further research on the potential for establishing a Business Improvement District; elevation of structures in flood prone areas; requirements for new buildings to utilize heat pumps; installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations downtown and at other locations; and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Committee has a supporting role working closely with other Forum committees including Municipal Services, Downtown Revitalization, and Sustainability. Contact Chair Jill Spielberg, jillspielberg@gmail.com.

Community Events, News & Resources

SCARSDALE FORUM invites you to join us as we tackle the subjects described in more detail in the Committee Update section. Members may consider joining any one, several or all of the Scarsdale Forum committees listed on the website. No prior experience with the subject matter is required. The Scarsdale Forum offers programs, activities, and events to support community quality of life, social engagement, and dialogue with village government.



VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS and WORK SESSIONS Village Board meetings are regularly open to the public at Village Hall or via Zoom webinar at https://zoom.us/j/93183703358, or call in using 1-929-436-2866 and entering the Meeting ID 931 8370 3358. The Zoom login uses the same ID. Sign up for updates on the home page of the Village Website at , and Check the Village Board calendar.


BOARD OF EDUCATION

Board of Education meetings are regularly open to the public at the Scarsdale High School or via Zoom webinar. Information relating to BOE Meetings, Calendars, Documents, Policies, Events, Strategic Goals, Board Members and more can be accessed here.

www.scarsdaleforum.com

Scarsdale Forum Inc. is the 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904, Scarsdale Forum has contributed meaningfully to village affairs through written reports, prominent speaker programs, social gatherings and other public events. Membership is available to all Scarsdale residents, regardless of citizenship. The Forum Focus newsletter is distributed to Scarsdale Forum members generally during the first week of each month. Pertinent information should be sent to communications@scarsdaleforum.com one week prior to publication to be included in the coming issue.        

2024-2025 Officers

Omer Wiczyk, President

Jill Spielberg, First Vice President

Alexandra Vargo, Vice President

Elaine Weir, Treasurer

Madelaine Eppenstein - Secretary

Sarah Bell, Immediate Past President

2024-2025 Committee Chairs

Communications - Madelaine Eppenstein & David Fenigstein

County Fiscal Affairs - Tim Foley

Downtown Revitalization - Susan Douglass

Education - Sarah Bell, Liza Lee, Art Rublin & Christine Weston

Hospitality & Special Events - BK Munguia & Kristen Zakierski

Membership - Susan Douglass & Robert Mawson

Municipal Services - Madelaine Eppenstein

Program and Speaker Series - Eli Mattioli & BK Munguia

Parks - Erin Rudensky

Policy - Jonathan Mark

Recreation - Omer Wiczyk

Sustainability - Darlene LeFrancois Haber M.D.

Zoning and Planning - Jill Spielberg

Directors-At-Large

​2025 Shabina Anwar, Liza Lee, Peri Zelig

2026 Dan Kovel, Seth Ross, Lisa VanGundy

2027 Becky Bach, Matthew Martin, Robert Mawson