July 22, 2025

Dear Ossining residents and businesses,

I am writing to address recent reports of activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within our community. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm that the Village of Ossining remains committed to safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity of all residents, regardless of their immigration status. Every individual who calls Ossining home is valued and deserves to feel secure and respected.

Our Police Department does not engage in civil immigration enforcement activities carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Our local officers do not question individuals about their immigration status, nor do they share information or detain people at ICE's request without a valid judicial warrant. This policy has been in place for years and will continue to be upheld.

We also want to ensure that families are aware of the resources available to help protect children if a parent or guardian is detained. “Red cards,” which outline your rights when interacting with immigration officials, and parental authorization forms, allowing you to name a trusted adult to care for your children if you cannot, are available at various locations across the Village. Additionally, we are fortunate to have the extensive skills of Neighbors Link working with our village residents directly and advising our municipality. They are located next to Market Square.

Please know that Ossining takes great pride in its diversity and deeply values the contributions of all members of our community. If you know of anyone that needs assistance, please contact the Village offices or me.

Congratulations to Ritual Yoga on your Grand Opening this weekend! Welcome to Downtown Ossining.

May the studio thrive and become a haven for those seeking balance and connection!

Congratulations to another new business opening in Downtown! Tutto Cream is Ossining’s newest ice cream and gelato shop that recently opened on Broad Avenue. I loved the mint chocolate gelato; my daughter thought the caramel gelato was the best! Stop by and try it out – they’re open every night until 10 pm.

The Village of Ossining is participating in a community energy program called Westchester Power, which makes clean and renewable electricity easily accessible for residents and small businesses. The program is administered by local non-profit Sustainable Westchester on behalf of participating communities. We invite all residents and business owners to attend an information session to learn more about how the program works and about future rate changes this Winter.

Don't miss this chance to get informed and ask questions!

Click here to learn more: www.sustainablewestchester.org/wp

Please join us tonight for the Ossining Recreation FREE Family Summer Entertainment Series at Nelson Park with Family Fun Day from 6:00 - 8:00 PM: Bubble Bus, Larger than Life, Foam Machine, Mini Golf, and George's Brick Oven Pizza Food Truck.

Please join us on Wednesday night @ 7:00 PM for the Ossining Recreation FREE Summer Acoustic Series at Market Square, featuring Will Hutchinson! Don't forget to pick up dinner from one of Ossining's local eateries to bring to the show!

Join us on Friday evening for Sancocho Latin Fusion Band at Ossining Riverjam! The Sancocho Latin Fusion Band is an ensemble of seasoned, professional musicians, featuring classical guitars, bass, and percussion has graced the finest venues, festivals and stages of the Hudson Valley!

Do you have family ties to Ossining's Hollow? We invite you to help us preserve the rich history of Ossining’s early Italian community through a new project led by Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole.

We invite you to share family photos, stories, or memories to contribute to our project. Your input will help us honor the families, festivals, businesses, and traditions that built The Hollow.

Click here to submit online: https://bit.ly/OssiningHollow

Or email Joyce directly at historian@villageofossiningny.gov

The mission of the Ossining Youth Bureau (OYB) is to connect youth to positive services and programs that promote education, physical and emotional health, civic engagement, economic security, healthy choices, and a sense of community belonging.

The OYB has two councils that represent the Ossining Community: the Ossining Youth Council (OYC) and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

The OYC is comprised of young people who gather to discuss issues important to them and, in turn, work to create programs they would like to see supported by the OYB.

Click here to view the Village of Ossining’s Youth Council (OYC)

The YAB is made up of community members as well as Ossining youth. They promote cooperation and collaboration among employers, recreation and/or youth commissions, and service to encourage local community participation in the planning of youth development programs.

Click here to view the Village of Ossining’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

Did you see the OYB’s Grandpa United Program on ABC’s Good Morning America last week?

Click here: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/video/123830246

Ossining was featured in the News12 Project Mover piece from yesterday.

Click here: https://westchester.news12.com/project-mover-hopes-to-bring-cleaner-transportation-to-westchester-county

This week’s meeting will be held at 16 Croton and will begin at 7:30PM on Wednesday, July 23^rd, 2025.

The Work Session agenda will be as follows:

• Valerie Monastra, AICP- Principal Planner- Nelson Pope Voorhis will join us for the first (3) agenda items:
• The team from Wilder Balter Partners (WBP) will join us to discuss their proposed development for 34 State Street.
• At this coming Tuesday’s Planning Board meeting, Valerie will be sharing the BOT’s recommendations regarding zoning changes in the RDD district. She will report these to the BOT, at which time the Board can decide whether to proceed with calling for the Public Hearing process to commence.
• We will discuss the possibility of making cannabis dispensaries a specific use in the Village’s zoning code (currently, it is considered “retail”).
• William Garrison, Recreation Superintendent & Andrew Tiess, Superintendent of Water will give a report on the state of the Wishnie Park Fountain and what our next steps will be to get it replaced.
• Karen D'Attore, Village Manager, will present a mid-year update on all of our large projects, and Dale Brennan, Village Treasurer, will give us a briefing of our finances through Q2.
• Finally, Paul Fraioli, P.E., Village Engineer & Andrew Tiess, Superintendent of Water/Sewer, will present on the progress at the new Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org