I hope that this newsletter finds you enjoying the beautiful summer weather our area is expecting this weekend. The waters at Silver Lake have warmed following a rather chilly start and our swimming area is open daily from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. If swimming is not your preferred activity, please visit one of our other parks and preserves to enjoy the outdoors!

The Village Board of Trustees is considering a number of special permit applications this summer, along with one zoning petition. The special permit applications are for a battery energy storage system at 1 Municipal Place, a mixed-use building at 325 South Riverside Avenue, and a multifamily residential building at 1 Croton Point Avenue; the zoning petition has been requested for changes at 1 Half Moon Bay Drive to permit multifamily housing at that location. Project pages for each application/petition have been created on the Village website and I encourage anyone who is interested to review the materials which have been posted.

The solar canopy project at the Croton-Harmon Train Station parking lot continues to make progress this summer. Most construction activity is currently slated to be completed within the next 30-45 days. As a reminder, parking in Section G (under the canopies) is available for permit holders; please make use of this area if you cannot find spaces in other sections of the parking lot. On behalf of the Village, I want to thank our commuters and other travelers for their patience during this project. 

Those who drive along lower Grand Street have likely noticed that the retaining wall construction project has largely been completed and the sidewalk has reopened for pedestrian use. Landscaping of the area remains to be completed and will be done once the weather is cooler to allow the plantings to thrive.

A reminder that the Municipal Building offices are on summer hours through Labor Day. Offices are open until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and close on Fridays a 2 p.m. You may always make use of our dropbox in front of the building to leave payments and other paperwork, which will be retrieved on the next business day.

Finally, please note that the Village Board meeting schedule for August has been adjusted. A special meeting will be held on August 9 at noon to approve the payment of bills. The next regular meeting of the Village Board is scheduled for August 21 at 7 p.m.

Please remember to check the Projects and Initiatives page of the Village website for updates on various other work being done. These pages are updated regularly as more information becomes available. As always, residents are welcome to contact me at bhealy@crotononhudson-ny.gov or 914-271-4848 with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Bryan T. Healy

Village Manager

Village of Croton-on-Hudson Police Department To Host Inaugural National Night Out Event

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson Police Department is proud to announce its inaugural National Night Out event, scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The event will take place in the parking lot of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building located at 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. The Croton Fire Department and EMS will also be in attendance to engage with the community and showcase their services.

National Night Out is a nationwide, annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. This free event aims to strengthen these vital partnerships while providing an evening of fun-filled activities for residents of all ages.

Event Highlights:

• Meet and greet with Village of Croton-on-Hudson police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel
• View specialized equipment and vehicles
• Participate in interactive activities for children and families
• Enjoy live music and games
• Free face painting for children by a talented local artist from 4 to 6 PM
• Receive community information from law enforcement and the Police Advisory Committee
• Free food and refreshments
• Dunk tank hosted by the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), with proceeds benefiting My Sister's Place, supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson Police Department invites all residents to participate in this special event. For more information, please contact the Croton Police Department at 914-271-5177.

Village Secures $425,000 NYSERDA Grant for Clean Energy Projects, with Additional $82,500 Grant Pending

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has made significant strides in its commitment to sustainability and clean energy. Recently, the village was awarded a $425,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) under the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) program, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the village's Sustainability Committee. This grant, along with a pending additional $82,500 grant, will support the implementation of several high-impact clean energy projects. This funding will be used for the installation of a 50kW carport solar array at 435 Yorktown Road, along with a 35kW and a 10kW rooftop solar array at 30 Wayne Street. The projects also include various building upgrades at these locations, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the village's carbon footprint.

The village has set the stage for these initiatives with its ambitious solar canopy project at the Croton-Harmon Train Station parking lot, which commenced construction in 2023. Recent drone imagery (above; credit: Arevon Energy) offers an exciting glimpse of progress, showing eight solar canopies nearing completion at the south end of the project site.

The July 4th Revolutionary War Living History event at Van Cortlandt Manor was a great success, attracting an estimated 150 attendees, a larger crowd than last year. Highlights included an exploration of the First Rhode Island Regiment's history, their role in the Battle of Rhode Island, and an account of the Battle of Pine Bridge. Historians Duane Jackson and Joe Cerrito provided insights into the Continental Army's structure, strategies, and significance, along with the history of the 2nd New York Regiment. Attendees learned about soldiers' lives and warfare during the period, culminating in a live demonstration of musket firing techniques. 

On Saturday, July 20th, a gathering of 40 paddlers convened at the Echo Canoe Launch for the Croton River Community Paddle, inspired by last year's 125th Anniversary Boat Flotilla. Participants equipped with kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards, made their way up to Fireman’s Island for a mid-journey respite and an enriching talk by local historian and river enthusiast, Scott Craven.

Running on select Fridays from June through August, the Summer Concert Series is a perfect way to enjoy the warm summer nights. To make these events even more accessible, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is offering a free mini-bus shuttle service on Friday nights in conjunction with the Summer Concert Series. As the series continues, residents and visitors alike can look forward to more evenings of great music, delicious food, and unforgettable memories at Senasqua Park.

State Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg recently announced that the Village of Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the State of New York to replace its aging tower ladder truck. Joshua Karpoff, Chief of the Croton Fire Department, said, " The new apparatus will be state of the art and allow us to protect not only the Village, our outer fire districts and our mutual aid neighbors, but also one of Metro-North's main maintenance yards, which is right here in Croton." Read more.

The Municipal Building Community Room in Croton-on-Hudson buzzed with excitement as young artists from the Summer Art Camp showcased their creations at a gallery reception. The event, held on the final day of the camp, highlighted the talents of students entering grades 5-8 who participated in the two-week program led by art instructor Claire Cronin. Running from July 8 to July 19, the camp provided a dynamic environment for budding artists to explore new techniques. Students engaged in various activities both indoors and outdoors at Senasqua Park, using the Hudson River as their muse. Parents, friends, and community members attended the reception, admiring a diverse array of artwork, including paintings, sketches, sculptures, and mixed media pieces.

Summer Concert: The British Rock Show

Date: Friday, July 26th (Rain Date July 27th)

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

The British Rock Show authentically recreating the golden age of Rock from across the pond. Starting with the British invasion and moving into the second wave. A to Z British rock, everything from Animals to Zeppelin and so much more! Food and beverage options will be available for purchase from Baked by Susan & the Green Growler. The Village will run a FREE mini-bus shuttle service Friday Nights from June 21- August 9 (8 Fridays) in conjunction with the Summer Concert & Family Entertainment Series. Shuttle Stops will be marked with orange and blue signs. In the event of inclement weather/concert cancellation, the shuttle will not run. 

Community Blood Drive

Date: Saturday, July 27th

Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Location: Croton Free Library

The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency due to a significant drop in blood donations. There will be a Community Blood Drive at the Croton Free Library on Saturday, July 27th. To sign up, call 800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org/donate. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your donor ID card or ID with name and photo. 

Summer Concert: Basecamp

Date: Friday, August 2nd (Rain Date August 3rd)

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

BaseCamp is a 6-piece band that performs soul-filled R&B classics from Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Sade', Mary J. Blidge, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Charlie Wilson, The Isley Brothers and more! Food and beverage options will be available for purchase from Wrappers Delight Food Truck.

Family Entertainment: Animal Embassy

Date: Wednesday, August 7th

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

Enter the animal kingdom with the help of Animal Embassy’s educational show that will introduce you to exotic animals that aren’t regulars in your backyard. Meet a chinchilla, a python, or even a pink-toed tarantula, and foster a better understanding and appreciation for the natural world.

Family Entertainment: Acrobatics Show

Date: Wednesday, August 14th

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

Prepare to be amazed as Li-Liu showcases the mesmerizing traditions of Chinese acrobatics, combining stunning physical feats with grace and precision. This family-friendly event promises to captivate audiences of all ages with an unforgettable display of skill and artistry.

Summer Concert: River of Dreams

Date: Friday, August 9 (Rain Date August 10)

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

River of Dreams is a talented six-piece tribute band dedicated to bringing the magic of Billy Joel's music to life. Their performances are known for their captivating renditions of Joel's classic hits. Food options will be available from Wanna Empanada, and beverage options will be available from Wanna Sip. 

Congressman Mike Lawler's Westchester Senior Fair

Date: Monday, August 19th

Time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: David Swope Student Center at SUNY Westchester Community College, 75 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595

Join Congressman Lawler and other organizations for a Senior Fair at the David Swope Student Center at SUNY Westchester Community College. Visit https://lawler.house.gov/senior-fair/ to register. Questions? Please call 845-201-2060 and ask for Donna Chiapperino.

Hudson River Arts & Crafts Festival

Date: Sunday, September 1st (Rain Date Monday, 9/2)

Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Location: Senasqua Park

The Hudson River Arts & Crafts Festival is a FREE outdoor event sponsored by the Croton Council on the Arts. The event is held at the riverfront Senasqua Park. In 2023, the festival showcased the works of 75 artists, featuring fine art, woodworking, jewelry, pottery, photography, fiber art, and more.

More info available at https://festival.crotonarts.org/ 

Hudson River Day

Date: Saturday, September 7th

Time: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Location: Croton Yacht Club, 6 Elliott Way

Join the Croton Yacht Club for "Hudson River Day" on Saturday, September 7th, from 11 AM to 4 PM at 6 Elliott Way, Croton-on-Hudson. Celebrate the river's history and ecology with exhibits, seining demonstrations, hands-on activities, and local artist displays. Enjoy free sailboat rides, a youth fishing clinic, and delicious food including the best fish chowder on the Hudson. Admission is free. For more details, contact Dennis Kooney at dennis@kooney.net or 914-271-6384.

Mobile Passport Office

Date: Tuesday, September 10th

Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Location: Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building Parking Lot, 1 Van Wyck Street

Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni’s community outreach staff will be visiting the Municipal Building in the Mobile Passport Truck. The staff will be able to assist you in applying for a passport, renewing a passport, preserving military discharge papers, or filing a business certificate. In-person notary services will also be available. Visit the County Clerk's website for full application information and form downloads.