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FORUM FOCUS
November 2024
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Message to Our Membership | |
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Forum Members:
I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween and is enjoying the fall! I am excited about our upcoming events in the next few months, including our conversation with the Mayor and Village Manager next week at our November 13 evening membership meeting, and with the announcement of the return of WINTERFEST in February. Our committees have been hard at work, and I strongly encourage everyone to review the recent Freightway Report and Tree-Canopy Report. I look forward to seeing you all on November 13th.
All the best,
Omer Wiczyk
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Save These Dates and Reminders | |
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NOVEMBER 13, NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY: SAVE THE DATE SCARSDALE FORUM'S MEMBERSHIP MEETING WITH Mayor Justin Arest and Village Manager Alexandra Marshall—November 13, 2024 at 7:30PM in person at SCARSDALE LIBRARY — OR 8:00PM on Zoom.
IF YOU PARTICIPATE ON ZOOM:
Click Here
Meeting ID: 838 7569 3459
Passcode: 857579
SAVE THE DATE: SCARSDALE FORUM WINTERFEST GALA SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Be in touch for additional information or changes in schedule or venue
ANNUAL SCARSDALE FORUM MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL was 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.
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Committee and Board Updates | |
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Scarsdale Youth Advisory Council (SFYAC)
Seeking members.
The Forum has created the SFYAC to empower the youth of the Village of Scarsdale to actively participate in community dialogue, to express personal views, and to 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; and will include conversations concerning Village and Scarsdale School District (the “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 short letter explaining interest to sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com.
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County Fiscal Affairs
The County Fiscal Affairs Committee released its Report
analyzing the 2024 County budget and its implications for our property taxes. The Committee was represented at the Westchester County Board of Legislators hearing on December 6, 2023 to testify on the findings in our report. If you are interested in being part of our Committee and helping to fine tune our Committee's reports, please contact Chair Tim Foley at timothy.d.foley@gmail.com.
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Downtown Revitalization
The Downtown Revitalization Committee, together with the Municipal Services 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. 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. Contact Chairs Art Rublin, art.rublin@gmail.com, Christine Weston, theweston4@gmail.com, Sarah Bell, sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com, or Liza Lee, mslizalee@gmail.com.
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Municipal Services
See the most recent Joint Report published on February 22, 2024 with the Sustainability Committee on saving our tree canopy. Various civic organization have supported the Report’s enforcement recommendations.
Municipal Services is continuing work on the health hazards of artificial recreation turf fields (together with the Sustainability and Parks & Recreation groups); on a study of the range of traffic issues on the Post Road that includes recommendations for improvements to existing signals to help protect pedestrians and prevent logjams along Village Center corridors; and on speeding 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
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Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation Committee 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 a Village initiated field study. 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.
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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. 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 old 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 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.
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Community Events, News & Resources | |
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2024 ELECTION FOR SCARSDALE’S NON-PARTISAN CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON NOVEMBER 12, 2024: In-person voting at the Scarsdale Public Library 7AM-10AM, 2PM-9PM, or by mail-in ballot. See the mailer sent to all Scarsdale residents by The Procedure Committee for information on mail-in voting and on the slate of residents running for a seat to represent each neighborhood Election Unit. On November 12 you will have the opportunity to vote for your neighbors who wish to participate in Scarsdale’s non-partisan election system that selects candidates for village office.
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. 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 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
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