Message to Our Membership | |
|
Forum Members:
As we put winter behind us and look forward to what is sure to be a welcome spring, I want to encourage everyone to attend our upcoming Speaker Series on Thursday, March 27 at the Scarsdale Library (details below), and get involved in one or more of our committees that are doing such important work for the community. I look forward to our next membership meeting in April.
Best wishes,
Omer Wiczyk, President
Annual SCARSDALE FORUM MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL is MAY 1
Residents who wish to join should visit here: https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Join
Renewing or lapsed members may sign up and pay here:
https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Membership/renew
Your support of the activities of the Forum is greatly appreciated.
| |
Save These Dates and Reminders | |
|
SAVE THE DATE: Thursday March 27, 2025, Forum Speaker Series with Todd Forrest, New York Botanical Garden's head of Horticulture who will discuss the ongoing transformation of the NYBG and provide insight into how great gardening practices can help sustain nature while satisfying our creative impulses.
Scarsdale Library Scott Room, 54 Olmsted Road
Refreshments in person at 7:00 PM, program in person and on Zoom at 7:30 PM - watch for separate notice login details
Be in touch for additional information or changes in schedule or venue
| |
Committee and Board Updates | |
|
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 will meet on March 19 to discuss current project topics: Boniface Circle, Freightway, and Parking. Together with the Municipal Services Committee, the Committee released their August 2024 Report on the Redevelopment of the Freightway Site. 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 Freightway Working Group held a meeting with County officials on January 24, 2025 to coordinate on next steps. The Committe and Municipal Services will be assessing traffic safety issues for their next joint report. For more information 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
Municipal Services will be following up on the topic of banning gas leaf blower use in the Village in light of similar action taken in White Plains and other municipalities. See the most recent collaborative Report of the Sustainability, Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees, dated January 15, 2025, on the health, safety and environmental impact of artificial turf, and the joint Report with the Sustainability Committee on saving our tree canopy. Various non-profit civic organizations in town have supported that Report’s enforcement recommendations. Municipal Services is in the process of collaborating with the Downtown Revitalization Committee on the range of traffic and safety issues on the Post Road and in the Village Center, which includes recommendations for improvements to existing signals to help protect pedestrians and prevent gridlock along Village Center corridors, and recommendations on the need for the Village to address speeding and traffic violation enforcement on Village roads. This work is consistent with recommendations made to the Village in the most recent Municipal Services Report on village-wide traffic safety and implementation of complete streets, Vision Zero innovative traffic safety policies, and "safe routes to schools" policy and design. We look forward to committee member and community input. Other follow-up may include 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 restrictions relating to fall leaf collection; and continuing 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 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 for more information.
| |
|
Parks and Recreation Committees
The Parks and Recreation Committees, whose study encompasses matters relating to Village parks, other green spaces and recreational playing fields and courts, continue to evaluate current conditions and usage of our parks, fields and courts, green spaces and recreational facilities, and to participate in work concerning these issues, such as the joint committee Report of the Sustainability, Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees, dated January 15, 2025, on the health, safety and environmental impact of artificial turf. Forum member and wider community input is welcome. Issues include the Pool Complex project, girls’ athletics participation, pickle ball courts, and the Village and school district-initiated field study proposing wider 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. The Forum seeks members to participate in this important work.
| |
Scarsdale Youth Advisory Council (SFYAC)
New members are welcome to join. 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 your interest to sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com.
| |
Sustainability
See the most recent, just released Report with the Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees on the health, safety and environmental problems with using artificial turf for playing fields and courts, and the prior Joint Report of the Sustainability Committee 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. Joint Committee Reports in 2018 and 2019 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 of interest include: assessment of the 2024 Village Land Use Moratorium; further research on the potential for establishing a Business Improvement District; elevation of structures in flood prone areas; potential 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 | |
|
Village Board Election: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
In-person voting from 6 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Public Library Scott Room
54 Olmsted Road. See Scarsdale League of Women Voters website for more information.
Scarsdale Foundation Annual Bowl Award Dinner, Honoring community volunteer Andrew Sereysky, Bowl Award Winner, and the Scarsdale Adult School, Spotlight Award Winner: Thursday, April 24, 2025, 6:30 PM at the Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club. “For almost 100 years, the Scarsdale Foundation has quietly but effectively helped individuals and local community organizations in need through scholarships and grants. The Scarsdale Foundation also supports a strong community by celebrating volunteerism through its annual awarding of the Scarsdale Bowl,” Scarsdale Foundation.
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 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 and Mamaroneck Strip 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.
| | | | |
