November 4, 2025

Recently, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration must release emergency nutrition assistance for the more than 40 million Americans nationwide who were set to lose their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as a result of the ongoing federal government shutdown. This ruling is welcome news for the 73,000 residents of Westchester County — including many right here in Ossining — and for the 3 million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP to afford food.

Throughout the shutdown, New York State has taken decisive action to protect residents. The state announced a total of $106 million in emergency food assistance, which will provide over 56 million meals to help stock food pantries and distribution centers.

With the federal government now ordered to restore funding, New York will continue working to ensure that these benefits are delivered quickly and that food assistance remains available to all who need it.

If you are being impacted by the shutdown or continue to experience disruptions in benefits, please visit the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) website for resources, including local food pantries, social services, and information on state benefits you may be eligible to receive: https://otda.ny.gov/snap-benefits-shutdown.asp

Feeding Westchester continues to operate local food banks across the county, as well as mobile food pantries that deliver fresh food directly into neighborhoods. You can find the mobile food pantry schedule here: https://feedingwestchester.org/find-help/mobile-pantry

Select Feeding Westchester partners also provide delivery for homebound residents. Please call 914-923-1100 for details.

If you would like to support our community in this time of need, you can find a local food pantry and learn how to help here: https://feedingwestchester.org/find-help/food-pantries

Together, we can make sure that no one in our community goes hungry.

Click here for food pantries/soup kitchens in Westhchester County: https://bit.ly/LocalFoodPantriesList2025

Wow, Ossining really came out for Trunk or Treat this year!

Thank you to all the local businesses that came and handed out candy. Thank you also to our DPW staff and first responders. Everyone at the event was super scary,!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the official kickoff for Ossining 250: One Community, One Celebration! Planning is now officially underway to commemorate Ossining’s history as part of the "Neutral Ground" in the Revolutionary War. Your ideas are essential to making this celebration inclusive and successful. Stay tuned to the Village and Town’s social media and my Mayor’s Message for what's coming up next.

Today is Election Day!

Your vote is critical—be sure to cast your ballot.

To find your polling site, click here: https://vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site

Be sure to visit the Bethany Arts Community this Thursday, November 6^th through the 18^th where you can help celebrate our community through original portraits of those who live and work here. The drawings (even one of yours truly) were created by artist Jack Berkowitz. These drawings include store owners, seniors, children and their parents, teachers, community leaders, barbers, restaurant workers, politicians, librarians, artists, members of many different cultural communities, and more. The 50 original portraits depict the real people and rich culture of the very vibrant population of Ossining.  

Click here to learn more: https://bethanyarts.org/calendar/facesofossiningexhibit/

In observance of Veterans Day, Village offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. Please note that my message will go out on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

The Central Committee of Organized War Veterans of the Town of Ossining will hold its One Hundredth and Fifth consecutive community Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.⁠

There will be a mass at St. Augustine Church at 10 AM, followed by a service at Nelson Park at 11 AM.

Get your tickets today!

Join Deputy Mayor Omar Lopez on November 11th for a multi-sector panel exploring how current federal immigration policies affect legal systems, educational spaces, and the heart of our communities.

Tuesday, November 11th, 6:30 PM

SUNY Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY

Ticket pricing starts at $50. Click below or scan the QR code to purchase your ticket:

https://wl.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx...

This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place at 7:30PM at the Courthouse.

Some items of note:

• We will begin with the Manager’s Presentation of the 2026 Tentative Budget and later, calling for a Public Hearing on the 2026 Village Budget to take place at the November 19^th Legislative Meeting.
• We then have a resolution to execute a change to the DRI contract for the Community Center Renovations.
• The BOT has a resolution to sign a supplement (Supplemental Agreement 2) to the Snow and Ice agreement with NYSDOT.
• There is a resolution to accept the lowest responsible bid for the Nelson Sitting Park Playground Replacement, paid for primarily by CDBG funds.
• There is a resolution to accept payment after the redemption date for property at 22 William Street.
• The Board will then have resolutions to call for (4) Public Hearings:
• A proposed Local Law amending Chapter 247 (Towing) of the Village Code to take place at the November 19^th Legislative Meeting
• A proposed Local Law amending Chapter 92 (Building Construction and Fire Prevention) of the Village Code to take place at the November 19^th Legislative Meeting
• A proposed Local Law amending Chapter 229 (Streets and Sidewalks) of the Village Code to take place at the November 19^th Legislative Meeting
• Approval of the Cable Television Franchise Renewal Agreement to take place at the December 3^rd Legislative Meeting
• There will be a resolution to adopt Local Law #7 of 2025, amending Chapter 270 of the Village Code to adopt the T-Zone District moratorium.
• Finally, under New Business, the Board has a resolution authorizing the Village Manager to sign an agreement with RX benefits.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org

It's budget time! Here is a preliminary meeting schedule:

• Tuesday, November 11, 2025 @ 12:00 PM
• Wednesday, November 12, 2025 @ 5:30 PM
• Thursday, November 13, 2025 @ 5:30 PM
• November 14, 2025 @ 6:00 PM (if necessary)

All meetings are held in the Board Room at Village Hall and will be recorded via Zoom.