Message to Our Membership | | |
Forum Members:
It has been such an honor and privilege to serve as this incredible organization's president. The people who are the heart of the Forum -- indeed of our Village -- are some of the kindest, most intelligent and thoughtful group you could ever hope to call your neighbors and colleagues. I appreciate all the hard work that has been done, all the help I've received, and all the fun I've had. I am beyond excited to introduce Jill Spielberg as our next Forum president. She is brilliant, funny, warm, and a consummate leader. Again, I thank you all at the Forum for everything.
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 | | |
Wednesday May 14, 2025, FORUM ANNUAL MEETING at 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 with login, agenda, proxy, AND speaker details.
Be in touch for additional information or changes in schedule or venue. More events below.
| | 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.
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Downtown Revitalization
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 Committee met on March 19, 2025 to discuss ongoing projects. A working group of the Committee has been formed to follow up on recommendations in prior reports for improving Boniface Circle. The Freightway Garage working group will present to the Village the results of a year-long study on the number of cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes parked at Freightway Garage and areas near the Scarsdale train station. Forum members interested in participating in projects concerning the Freightway Garage, Boniface Circle and/or Chase Park are invited to Contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.
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Education
The Committee’s Report on the School District's initiative, "Profile of a SHS Graduate,” was published in June 2024. For more information contact Chairs Art Rublin, art.rublin@gmail.com, Christine Weston, theweston4@gmail.com, Sarah Bell, rahbellscarsforum@gmail.com, or Liza Lee, mslizalee@gmail.com
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Municipal Services
Municipal Services will be following up with the Village on the topic of banning gas leaf blower use in the Village in light of similar action taken in other municipalities.
See the most recent collaborative Report of the Sustainability, Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees, dated January 15, 2025, updated on March 29 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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sustainability
See the most recent Report in collaboration 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.
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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 | | |
Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Services Annual Gala Honoring Rising Star recipient Rachel Krisbergh, Guiding Star Recipient Maryellen Saenger: May 15, 2025, 6:30 PM at Scarsdale Golf Club.
Visit SFCS Annual Gala 2025 for more information.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: MONDAY MAY 26, 2025
"The Village of Scarsdale invites local organizations to participate in this year’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2025. The event will begin with a ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at Chase Park, with participant assembly starting at 9:00 a.m. The parade will follow a one-mile route through the Village, concluding back at Chase Park around 11:30 a.m. Organizations interested in marching must register online by Monday, May 12, 2025. For more information visit Village website or contact the Village Manager’s office at 914-722-1110."
School Budget Vote and School Board Election: Tuesday, May 20, 2025. In-person voting from 7 am to 9 pm, Scarsdale Middle School, 134 Mamaroneck Road
Scarsdale Foundation Scholarship Program for eligible Scarsdale students: For more information click HERE [application deadline June 2, 2025]
Westchester County, Scarsdale Legislator Election: Westchester County Primary Election – June 24, 2025: Early voting for the Primary Election will be Saturday, June 14, 2025 – Sunday, June 22, 2025. Keep apprised of candidates on the ballot at Westchester County Board of Elections: https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/
or Scarsdale League of Women Voters HERE.
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.
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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 meppenstein@eppenstein.com one week prior to publication to be included in the coming issue.
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