The Committee will be working on the development of a strategic plan, with goals, objectives, and actions designed to ensure that the Forum continues to carry out its mission and purposes well into the future. Forum members interested in participating are welcome to join us, and should contact at their earliest convenience Committee Co-Chairs Ed Morgan at eamlaw@optonline.net, and Barry Meiselman at barwest2@aol.com.

The Downtown Revitalization Committee has taken the lead in studying the possibility of creating a Business Improvement District (often referred to as a "BID") in the Village Center. A draft proposal will come up for discussion at our next committee meeting on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 8pm via Zoom. If you would like to participate or join the Downtown Revitalization Committee, please contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.

The Education Committee, following its seminal Report on collaborative communications among school stakeholders, plans to explore: student mental health challenges, civics curriculum as it relates to elections, the process for the search for a new superintendent, and a variety of other issues having an impact on students, teachers, and the Board of Education. Please Contact Chair Barry Meiselman, barwest2@aol.com.

The Recreation Committee agenda includes the condition of the playing fields, the Pool Complex, and bicyclist safety, among other recreation issues of importance to the community. More information about the Village Pool Complex project is included in the Municipal Pool Complex Market Study and Existing Conditions Survey here. Any member interested in chairing the committee should contact President Eli Mattioli, elimattioli@gmail.com.

The Fiscal Affairs group is studying the Village's First Pass budget and preparing for budget meetings scheduled for February 8, 15, and a public briefing on February 24.  There is still time to join the Committee to identify and study important budget issues and develop recommendations for the Committee's annual report. Village budget meetings continue in February and March and the Committee expects to submit a report commenting on the Tentative Budget before the scheduled hearing on April 12 2022.  The Committee may be collaborating with the Municipal Services and Downtown Revitalization committees to study a possible Business Improvement District in the Village. Please contact Chair Anne Hintermeister, ahintermeister@gmail.com.

Municipal Services members look forward to participation in Village Board work sessions and hearings on Scarsdale's Complete Streets plan, also known as the Village Center Strategic Mobility and Placemaking RFP. The Committee is following up on recommendations made in its Report on "Gas Leaf Blowers, Leaf Vacuuming, and Leaf Mulching" and in the most recent Municipal Services Report on traffic safety and implementation of complete streets and safe routes to schools policy and design. The Committee also plans on follow up with the Sustainability group regarding the status of Scarsdale's participation in New York State's Climate Smart Communities program. Please contact Chair Madelaine Eppenstein, meppenstein@eppenstein.com.

The Sustainability Committee supports initiatives for an environmentally sustainable and healthy environment that provides quality of life for village residents. Recognizing the absolute inter-dependency between the health of our environment and our own health, the Committee continues to support recycling, green energy, storm preparedness, and Scarsdale's Climate Smart Community initiatives. Recent work focuses on: landscape management including the promotion of mulch mowing and grass recycling over leaf blowing and vacuuming; a ban on the use of gas blowers and the elimination of non-organic and environmentally harmful pesticide use; and year-round containerized pick-up of yard waste and excess leaves instead of the environmentally counterproductive practice of leaf vacuuming. The collaboration with other Forum committees produced the Report on banning smoking in outdoor village spaces and opting out of retail cannabis dispensaries until state regulations can be assessed. Both initiatives were adopted by the Village Board on December 14, 2021, and the no-smoking local law took effect on January 1, 2022. Please contact Chair Darlene Le Francois Haber, dlefranc@montefiore.com.