August 6, 2024

We have some wonderful news to share with the community over the past couple of years, but today was an especially exciting day here in Ossining as I hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant! It's a new chapter for Ossining.

For over 60 years, the Village and Town have worked together to ensure the delivery of a reliable source of safe, clean water for Ossining residents and businesses. In 2016, the Village and Town jointly initiated planning for the construction of a new water treatment plant as it was mutually understood that the existing plant was reaching the end of its useful life in meeting the evolving regulatory requirements and accommodate population growth. The highly involved planning process, which included a rigorous review and approval required by the State and County Departments of Health, took six years to complete. During that time, water rates were adjusted to build a reserve in anticipation of constructing the new plant.

This $100 million clean drinking water infrastructure project is the largest and most important initiative to be undertaken in Ossining’s history. To offset the cost to Ossining's water-rate payers, the Village has aggressively sought funding resources. In 2023, The Village of Ossining was awarded $10 million through the Mid-Hudson Momentum Fund, a New York State funding initiative designed to support community investment in projects throughout the Region, specifically earmarked for growing infrastructure and housing needs, to help fund the construction of the new Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant. The Village has also secured $5M in WIIA (Water Infrastructure Improvement) and $160K in GIGP (Green Innovation Grant Program) funding through the Environmental Facilities Corporation to offset the capital cost of this work and to integrate a green roof array on the completed plant, underscoring the Village's commitment to sustainable, smart development.

We thank government officials at all levels of government, project stakeholders, contractors, engineers, architects, and construction crews, who have contributed to this transformative project and made this groundbreaking possible. Most of all, I am especially grateful to our staff—past and present. 

Photo credit - MTA

Good news for those in and around Ossining! The ferry service between Haverstraw-Ossining has been experiencing significant ridership growth since the new weekend service program started, which will run through Veterans Day.

Click here to see the MTA’s article

Tonight's Ossining Recreation FREE Family Summer Entertainment Series At Louis Engel Waterfront Park for Summerz Cool Jam, featuring Parrot Beach, a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band, is POSTPONED due to the forecasted weather.

Fins up folks … as Jimmy would say …

Squall's out on the Gulf Stream

Big storm's comin' soon

Good news: we have rescheduled this event for Tuesday, August 20th. Food trucks, fun, & activities will begin @ 5:00 PM, with the band starting @ 7:00 PM.

Unfortunately, due to the coming inclement weather and the flood watch during the afternoon, we will be canceling the National Night Out. Stay tuned for more upcoming events.

There will be a public hearing pursuant to Section 859-a of the General Municipal law, to be held by the County of Westchester Industrial Development Agency on August 13rh @ 11:00 AM at the Ossining Public Library.



Click here to learn more

The "Less Lawn, More Life" challenge has launched! This challenge offers a unique opportunity to create vibrant, eco-friendly landscapes that support biodiversity and help combat climate change. Join fellow environmentally conscious individuals across the Region in this free 8-week guided challenge. Leading ecological experts will teach you how to unleash the full potential of your yard!

Sign up @ www.lesslawnmorelife.com

This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 7^th, at the Court House.

• Some items of note:
• The Board will begin with (5) Public Hearings, as follows:
• A proposed local law updating various definitions use group classifications, zoning district requirements bulk requirements, and parking regulations in the Zoning Code (Chapter 270)
• A proposed local law making amendments to Village Code Chapter 91 re: the window of time applicants have to protest consultant billing, as well as the requirement to replenish escrow before a resolution can be released
• A proposed local law making amendments to Village Code Chapter 247 (Towing) re: minimum standards for permit approval and fingerprinting requirements to reference NY Correction Law
• A proposed local law to enact the Indian Brook/ Croton Gorge Intermunicipal Watershed Protection Overlay District by amending Chapter 270 (Zoning Code)
• A public hearing on the Village’s (4) CDBG projects, as required by law—the Ossining Children's Center will also review their projects with the public, per their requirements.
•  Village Manager Karen D’Attore will make her 2^nd Quarter Projects Presentation under the Manager’s Report.
• The Board will also have the IBWTP bond resolution again, as we require 2/3 of the Board of Trustees.
• The Board will have a resolution referring to the proposed local law for EV Charging to the Planning Board since it is a zoning change.
• Board will also have (3) Public Hearings to call for (hearings scheduled to take place on August 21^st, the next Legislative Meeting):
• A proposed Local Law containing additional changes to Chapter 162 (Housing/ Property Maintenance and Building Code Administration)
• A proposed Local Law revising procedures we use to levy unpaid charges (like landscaping snow removal) onto Village property tax bills
• A proposed local law extending the expiration date of rules for “Videoconferencing by Public Bodies” until July 1, 2026.
• The BOT will have a resolution authorizing a license agreement for the property at 61 Hunter Street. 
• Finally, we will be adding as many as (3) additional resolutions:
• Adopting the Village’s Climate Action Plan (CAPI)
• Authorizing the Village Manager to sign the Uniform Allowance Stipulation with the PBA
• Authorizing the Village Manager to sign the MOA with the CSEA for the 2025-2029 agreement

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org