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I hope you all are enjoying the change of seasons as we head into the final quarter of 2025. In lieu of my monthly update, I wanted to re-print an explanation of the council-manager form of government that was read at a recent board meeting.
The Village operates under the council-manager form of government, in which the elected Board of Trustees hires a professional manager to conduct the day-to-day operations of the Village. This form of government was adopted by referendum in the Village in 1971, and is the most popular form of government in the United States in communities with populations of 5,000 or more. Since 1971, the Village has had five managers, serving an average tenure of almost 11 years.
The Village Manager is a non-partisan, appointed position. The Manager is responsible, among other duties, for administering local projects, preparing the annual budget, the recruitment, retention and dismissal of most employees, and labor negotiations with the two unions representing employees. The Manager is required to keep the Village Board advised on the fiscal affairs of the Village as well as on future needs, whether that be infrastructure, equipment or staffing. The Manager is also authorized to declare a state of emergency in the Village when conditions warrant and issue emergency orders as necessary.
The Village Manager is the chief executive officer of the Village and the Mayor is the chief elected officer of the Village. The Village Manager and Mayor work together closely to set board meeting and work session agendas and ensure that the policy decisions made by the Village Board are implemented by the administrative staff.
The Mayor presides at all Village Board meetings and work sessions and is typically the spokesperson for the Village. The Mayor works with the Village Board to set the community’s goals and make policy decisions. The Mayor is also responsible for appointing residents to the various boards, committees and councils of the Village with the consent of the Village Board.
Members of the Village Board jointly approve the annual budget for the Village and local laws prepared at their direction. The Village Board can conduct public hearings to hear from residents on proposed legislation, special permit uses, and other topics permitted under state and local law. The Mayor assigns individual Trustees, as board members are known, to serve as liaisons to various committees and community groups, where they also focus on community goals, projects, and long-range planning.
As always, please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns you may have: 914-271-4848 and managersoffice@crotononhudson-ny.gov. Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Sincerely,
Bryan T. Healy
Village Manager
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Renewable Diesel Pilot Program Begins
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has announced the launch of a Renewable Diesel (RD) pilot program for three of its heavy-duty vehicles, positioning the Village as one of the first municipalities in Westchester County to adopt this cleaner technology. This transition is set to significantly lower both greenhouse gas pollution and nitrogen oxide pollution, with potential for expansion to the entire Village fleet pending the pilot's successful results.
| | The Village sewer vacuum truck, one of the vehicles in the pilot program. | | |
Congratulations to Village Engineer Daniel O’Connor, who officially retired on September 26, 2025 after 23 years of dedicated service to Croton-on-Hudson! To honor his 40-year career in public service, the Village Board presented him with a Key to the Village. Throughout his tenure, Dan oversaw numerous projects and acted as liaison to the Planning Board and Water Control Commission.
We thank Dan for all his years of hard work and dedication and wish him well on his retirement!
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Purple Heart Village
Signage has recently been placed at entry points to the Village, such as this location along Albany Post Road, to declare the Village of Croton-on-Hudson as a Purple Heart Village. First declared in 2013, the Village Board approved the purchase of signage at their August 20th regular meeting.
“Placing signage to declare Croton-on-Hudson a Purple Heart Village is more than symbolic, it’s a heartfelt tribute to our combat-wounded veterans and a lasting reminder that their sacrifice is never forgotten. On behalf of the American Legion, we thank Croton-on-Hudson for standing with our heroes," said William Tuttle, commander of Fox-Eklof American Legion Post 505.
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New Stop Sign Coming to Morningside Drive
Effective October 14, 2025, the yield sign currently on Morningside Drive will be replaced with a stop sign. Drivers traveling south on Morningside Drive will be required to come to a complete stop before proceeding onto Truesdale Drive. This change is being made after conferring with DTS Provident, the Village’s traffic safety engineering firm, in order to increase safety for drivers and pedestrians in the area.
A message board has been placed on Morningside Drive to alert drivers to the upcoming change. Thank you in advance for your adherence to this new traffic control device.
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Lottery Open for Hudson Condos Affordable Units (25 South Riverside)
The application period for four affordable condominium units at Hudson Condos (25 South Riverside Avenue) is now open. Applications can be completed online by clicking here.
Hudson Condos is a 39-unit housing complex being constructed on South Riverside Avenue. It is a three-floor elevator building with covered basement parking. Information on the property, including the income limits, can be found by clicking here.
Application deadline for the housing lottery is November 21, 2025. The housing lottery will take place on December 9, 2025, at 11 a.m.
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Thomas “Tex” Dinkler Fire Fair
Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Location: Harmon Firehouse, 36 Wayne Street
Join the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department for the annual Fire Fair in support of Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home,” highlights how to buy, charge, and recycle lithium-ion batteries safely to prevent fires. Enjoy family-friendly activities, safety demonstrations, and learn more about protecting your home. Click here to learn more.
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The Croton-on-Hudson Police Department is investigating recent reports of mailbox fishing at the Croton-on-Hudson Post Office.
A "fishing" scheme is used by criminals to steal mail out of the mailbox to find checks, money or credit cards. Checks will often be "washed" and rewritten for large sums of money.
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Railing Repairs
As part of the 2025-26 capital plan, the railings along the Crossining (Route 9 Bridge) are being replaced. The railings are original to the walkway when it was opened 30 years ago. Our welding contractor has been hard at work this month to ensure the walkway remains safe for the many residents who use it every day.
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Friends of Croton Parks Interest Meeting
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Do you love Croton’s parks and want to help make them even better? A new nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for Village parks is forming now. Join us for an online interest session at 7:00 pm. Join via Zoom.
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Cornelia Cotton Honored
The Croton HEART Committee honored longtime arts champion Cornelia Cotton at a ceremony at the Municipal Building on Sunday, September 21. A portrait of Cornelia, painted by local artist Loomis Mayer, is now displayed in the Municipal Building.
Cornelia’s life journey shaped her lasting impact on our village. Born in Germany during the Nazi era, she came to the U.S. in 1948 and flourished in Croton-on-Hudson as a portrait photographer, co-founder of the Croton Council on the Arts, and gallery owner. Her memoir Stepping Stones recounts her remarkable life and the vocation she embraced in America.
| | Upcoming Community Events | |
League of Women Voters Candidates Forums
The League of Women Voters of Northwest Westchester County will be hosting moderated, in person candidates’ forums for the offices of Mayor and Village Trustees in Croton-on-Hudson.
The forum for Mayor will take place at 7 PM on October 9, followed by the forum for Trustees at 8 PM on October 9. Both forums will be held in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building.
All questions come from the public and must be submitted prior to the event. No questions will be taken from the floor. Candidates do not receive questions in advance. Questions can be submitted at https://www.lwv-nww.org/voter-info.
The deadline for submission of questions is Saturday, October 4th.
The candidates' forums will be broadcast live on Cable Channel 78 and available for playback on the Village website on Friday, October 10th.
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Croton Community Blood Drive
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Ottinger Room, Croton Free Library
The New York Blood Center hosts a monthly community blood drive at the library. To sign up, call 800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org/donate. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome if space permits. Please eat, drink, and bring a donor ID card or photo ID.
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Croton Point History & Nature Hike with Marc Cheshire
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 pm
Location: Croton Point Park
Join Croton Point Park Naturalist John Phillips and Village Historian Marc Cheshire for a special “ghosts & pirates” hike exploring the legends of Money Island, where Captain Kidd was said to have buried treasure. The hike will last 1.5 to 2 hours. Free event; meet at the RV park gate where parking is available. Ages 6 and up; wear sturdy shoes.
| | Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! | | | | |
