January 30, 2024

Please join me at the many events held in our community during Black History Month. Of particular note is the Black History & Culture: BLACK PRESENCE. PROFOUND. INFLUENCE, which has been curated by Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole (click here to learn more), as well as various other programs at the Bethany Arts Community and the Ossining Public Library. Tomorrow, the Village will send out an email blast with many of the Black History Month events happening in the area.

I am excited to update you regarding the Train Station solar array which will soon begin construction. This project is a part of the Village Board’s overall goal for making our community more environmentally sustainable. Our team has learned that the company installing the panels is still awaiting action from NYS, which will delay the beginning of construction from March 4^th, 2024, to the summer – following the July 4^th fireworks celebration.

During the summer, we find less commuter traffic, thus providing less displacement for train station permit holders. 

We are happy to report some good news! Work on the pool at the Ossining Aquatic Center is moving along! We have applied the pool’s new surface and will begin filling it tomorrow (Wednesday, January 31, 2024). For those traveling on Highland Avenue South Bound between Aqueduct and Broadway, you can expect some travel delays beginning at 4:30 AM and ending around 4:30 PM.

Our pool is still on track to re-open on March 1^st, 2024. Stay tuned for more updates!

A special message to our Ossining community: I usually comment and educate the public about Ossining. Every once in a while, it is imperative to communicate current events that are of interest to our community even if they take shape in another municipality. The events that have unfolded in Ecuador rises to that bar.

About three weeks ago, Ecuador declared a “state of war” against drug gangs/cartels. Unfortunately, the situation has placed the country into a quasi-state of internal war, which is severe and with many lives at risk. A multi-municipality event has been put together to address this situation with the desired goal of bringing awareness to this situation, joining together in a moment of silence, and informing our Ecuadorian community and its allies to be aware of the many tricks or scams from attorneys, notaries, etc., and resources available to them. There is currently no reliable law for immigration purposes so it is incumbent upon those of us that can help our neighbors to do so. We have an opportunity to support our community and learn more about reliable services and resources that are available. 

Please join the Somos Ecuador event scheduled for Saturday, February 3^rd, from 1-4PM in the Administration Building of Peekskill City School District to learn more. See below for the flyer in English and Spanish.

You can pay, extend, and manage your Passport Parking sessions in the Village of Ossining. It’s easy! Just park where you see Passport Parking app signs & decals, pay for your parking session from your phone and be on your way.

Are you wondering how to pay for parking with the Passport Parking app?

1. Download the Passport Parking app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Create an account with your mobile phone number or email address.
3. Park anywhere you see Passport Parking app signs & decals.
4. Pay for your parking session from your phone.
5. Extend your time remotely if you’d like to stay longer!

Regarding the Route 9A Modernization Study below is a letter from Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg in the River Journal.

Dear Editor,

Roads are an ongoing concern in my district and throughout this region of New York State. I am reaching out with an update regarding the study of Route 9A in the vicinity of Ossining and Briarcliff, undertaken to develop recommendations for long-term plans to improve the functionality, safety and sustainability of this route. The first draft of the Modernization of Briarcliff-Peekskill Parkway Engineering Scoping Study: Executive Summary Report is now available for review. You can access the draft at www.dot.ny.gov/briarcliffpeekskillparkwayreport. The study team is collecting feedback on the draft, which will be used to inform the final report. Comments are due by Friday, February 9. You can send your comments in writing to Sandra Jobson via email at Sandra.Jobson@dot.ny.gov or via regular mail to Ms. Sandra D. Jobson, NYS Department of Transportation, 4 Burnett Boulevard, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Please include the project number 810355 with any comments related to this study.

The conclusion of this study is the beginning of the process to substantially improve Route 9A. Your feedback is very important at this stage. However, please also know that you will continue to have opportunities to provide input as we move to the next phase of our work to improve this road.

Next steps for improving this stretch of 9A include advocating for the funding it will take to modernize it, which will be a top priority of mine. I will continue to provide updates to the community regarding this road and so much more via my print newsletter and e-newsletters. If you do not already receive my e-news, you can sign up for it at https://bit.ly/AD95E-News. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out to NYSDOT with your comments and concerns. My office can provide assistance as well. Please reach out to my Chief of Staff, Victoria Cafarelli, at cafarelliv@nyassembly.gov or 914-941-1111 if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

Dana Levenberg

Member of Assembly, 95^th District

Second in our series of volunteer committee spotlights:

The Recreation Advisory Board (RAB) looks forward to undertaking its work in 2024. This committed team of volunteers, many on their second terms, have demonstrated their passion and commitment to improving Ossining Parks and the community center. RAB has representatives from the Village, Town, and outside Town and is looking forward to the completion of the Community Center pool and locker room project and is eager to begin the design and planning stage for Community Center upgrades that will take place with DRI and Village funding. RAB actively engages in community engagement with the public in the planning and design process.  

The RAB is an advisory group to the Village Board of Trustees on various recreation-related issues. The RAB recommends policies regarding strategies for the acquisition, protection, maintenance, and enhancement of parks as well as support with interpretation and communication of the policies and functions of the Recreation and Parks Department. The committee holds public meetings and encourages park users, sports teams, and residents to forward requests and ideas for improvements. Contact information is available on our website.

The Recreation Advisory Board consists of the Superintendent of Parks plus ten members: five appointed by the Board of Trustees and five members appointed by the Town Supervisor. Folks on this Board serve a three-year term.

Click here to view the Village of Ossining’s Recreation Advisory Board (RAB) page. 

The remaining volunteer boards to be spotlighted are:

• Board of Ethics
• Civilian Police Complaint Review Board
• Environmental Advisory Council
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Landlord-Tenant Relations Council
• Placemaking Committee
• Police Reform Advisory Committee
• Youth Advisory Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals

This week's meeting will be held at 16 Croton and begin at 7:30PM on Wednesday, January 31^st, 2024.

We will start with a Special Meeting to discuss two Cabaret applications—Grace Hall and Richie’s Kitchen. The Work Session agenda will be as follows:

• The first 4 agenda items will be related to the Building and Planning Departments.
• Corporation Counsel Kahan will lead a discussion about a request from the Finance Department, which involves excluding (9) properties along Cedar Lane from paying sewer charges.
• Mr. Kahan will then present the potential for a license agreement with the owner of 58 Ferris Place for front yard stairs and a retaining wall in the Village’s right of way.
• Finally, he will propose a local law regarding updates to the Village’s Special Events policy.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org