Croton-on-Hudson Is Now the State’s #1 Clean Energy Community
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is now the top-ranking Clean Energy Community in New York State, leading 503 designated communities statewide with a score of 8,000 points on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Scorecard. The CEC program is designed to help local governments implement clean energy actions, save energy costs, create jobs, improve the environment, and reward communities for the completion of clean energy projects. The Village recently completed two major energy-saving projects that launched it into first place: the installation of fuel-saving heat pump controls in the Washington Engine firehouse, and the addition of four EV chargers at the Department of Public Works (DPW) garage on Yorktown Road.
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Village to Conduct Wireless Infrastructure Master Plan Study
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson has worked to improve wireless services in the Village for several years. However, areas with limited or no service continue to exist within the Village boundaries. As more residents continue to exclusively use wireless service and discontinue landline service, the need for improved service is not just a quality-of-life issue, but a matter of public safety. On July 10th, the Village Board accepted a proposal from Televate to conduct a Wireless Infrastructure Master Plan Study to evaluate the current state of wireless coverage in the Village and identify community-focused solutions to address wireless service gaps. The Village is also seeking volunteers for its Telecommunications Advisory Committee (TAC), an ad-hoc task force that has been tasked with assisting in the development of a consolidated, comprehensive and cost effective approach to the wireless telecommunications needs of the community.
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Croton resident and 2023 Croton-Harmon Graduate Madelyn Boglioli was honored with a Proclamation at the July 10, 2023 Board of Trustees Meeting in recognition of her exceptional volunteerism with Croton Caring. Congratulations Maddie! | |  |
Local historian Duane Jackson hosted a Revolutionary History re-enactment Showcase on the grounds of the Van Cortlandt Manor on July 4th. Participants experienced an interactive presentation on the 1st Rhode Island Regiment and 2nd New York Regiments, a pioneering regiment of Black soldiers in the Revolutionary War. | | |
Noise Ordinance Reminders
With the warmer months comes open windows and more outdoor activities. Residents are encouraged to be mindful of the Village's noise code. The operation of power lawn mowers, rakers, electric leaf blowers and other motor-driven law/garden equipment is prohibited between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM from Sunday through Friday and from 8:00 PM Friday to 9:00 AM Saturday, and from 8:00 PM Saturday to 10:00 AM Sunday. Use of gas-powered leaf blowers is banned in the Village between June 1st & August 31st. Please also be mindful of your sound system volume. Decibel levels are limited for speakers and amplifiers from 10 PM to 8 AM on weekdays and from 11 PM Saturday to 10 AM Sunday. Should you have any questions regarding the above, please contact the Engineering Department at 914-271-4783
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Using Life-Support Equipment? Enroll in the Con Edison LSE Program
Con Edison asks customers who use life-support equipment such as an apnea monitor, a respirator, or other medical equipment, to enroll in the company’s Life-Support Equipment (LSE) program. Con Edison provides LSE program participants with preparedness tips, alerts to potential power outages, and wellness checks should they experience an outage. Enrolling in the LSE program is convenient via My Account or by downloading the life-support equipment form, and returning it to Con Edison or by calling 1-877-582-6633.
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Bee-Line Bus Fares Suspended for Summer
Westchester Bee-Line Bus fares will be suspended from July 1 until September 4. The fare suspension will also apply to the County’s ParaTransit system. Visit the Bee-Line website for more information, including bus schedules.
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From the Department of Public Works | |
The Department of Public Works recently completed a total renovation of the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department Headquarters. The DPW collaborated with the police, contractors, and administration to create a phasing strategy that allowed for police operations to continue uninterrupted while maintaining the project schedule and budget. The new-and-improved Headquarters features refurbished offices and an improved layout to accommodate the needs of modern law enforcement. Thank you to our hardworking and talented DPW staff for all that they do! | |
Keep Croton’s waterways clean and build a Rain Garden!
WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?
A rain garden is a landscaped area with a depressed planting bed designed to receive rain water from impervious surfaces such as rooves, roads and parking lots.
WHAT DOES A RAIN GARDEN DO?
A rain garden allows storm runoff to pool for a short time in the garden. As the water soaks into the ground, it is filtered by the plants and the microbes in the soil. This helps recharge the ground water supply and releases slowly into the waterways. Storm water runs off impervious surfaces and into storm drains and flows directly into our streams, carrying pollutants picked up along the way. This can impact the water ways habitat stability and cause storm water pollution. A Rain Garden can prevent polluted water from reaching our local waterways.
WHAT DO I PLANT IN A RAIN GARDEN?
The plants need to be hearty and must be able to handle short periods of excessive water after rain. The plants used should be deep rooted plants and grasses.
For more information on how to create a Rain Garden, visit the Rain Garden Network or https://www.dec.ny.gov/public/44330.html
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Residential Water Service Line Data Collection Survey
Under new federal regulations, the Water Department is developing an inventory of all the service lines in the Village. You can help by identifying your water service line and submitting your findings to the Village. There are two ways to submit this information: via the online survey below, or by setting up an in-person inspection with the Water Department by calling 914-862-1419. Your participation will greatly help the Water Department meet the federal deadline of October 2024.
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Upcoming July/August Events | |
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Family Entertainment Event: Zach Alexander Magic Show
Wednesday, July 19, 6:00 PM
Senasqua Park
Zach Alexander's family show is especially designed to delight all the kids, but leave the grown amazed at the magic too! His goal is to get everyone up and interacting to encourage the creation of memories that will last a lifetime.
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Community Blood Drive
Saturday, July 22nd, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Croton Free Library
The New York Blood Center will be hosting a blood drive at the Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive, on Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins welcome if drive capacity permits. To sign up, call 1-800-933-2566 or register online.
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Outdoor Movie Night: Clifford the Big Red Dog (Rated PG)
Wednesday, July 26, 7:30 PM
Senasqua Park
Movies are shown in Senasqua Park beginning at dusk on Wednesdays. Families are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy the sunset and stay for the movies. In case of rain, movies are shown on the next evening.
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Friends of Croton Parks Info Session
Wednesday, July 26, 7:00 PM
Zoom
Do you love Croton Parks? Are you Interested in Working Collaboratively to Start Something New? Friends of Croton Parks is holding an information session with the Westchester Parks Foundation for interested members of the community. More information & Zoom link available on the Village Calendar.
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Family Entertainment: Beth & Scott at Senasqua Park
Wednesday, August 2, 6:00 PM
Senasqua Park
Music and Storytelling with Beth and Scott! Full of humorous story-songs as well as opportunities to jump, clap, sing and dance, it's a show that's fun for everyone.
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Family Entertainment: Squeaky Clean Rock N' Roll
Wednesday, August 9, 6:00 PM
Senasqua Park
Beach party fun for the whole family! An interactive rock and roll concert featuring great songs and lots of audience participation.
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125th Anniversary Boat Flotilla
Saturday, August 19, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Croton River
The Croton community is invited to float down the Croton River at this year’s 125th Anniversary Boat Flotilla, a floating parade hosted by the Croton 125th Anniversary Committee. The floating parade will start at 11:00 AM. Boats will launch from Echo Canoe Launch, paddle up to Fireman's Island, turn around, and stop at Mayo's landing for a talk by Croton Historian Marc Cheshire about the old mill. The flotilla will be led by the Croton Police Department Boat. A light lunch will be provided at the end of the paddle. Registration Required! Visit the 125th Anniversary website more information and to sign up.
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Outdoor Movie Night: Back to the Future (Rated PG)
Friday, September 8, 7:30 PM
Senasqua Park
Families are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy the sunset and stay for the movies. In case of rain, movies are shown on the next evening.
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Save the Date: Village-Wide Tag Sale
Saturday, September 23, 10 AM to 4 PM
The Village of Croton-on-Hudson is pleased to announce that the 5th annual Village-Wide Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, September 23rd. Learn more on the Village website.
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Conservation Corner
A Monthly Column written by the Croton Conservation Advisory Council
In 2022, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson instituted a seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers during the summer and winter months. Gas-powered leaf blowers are known to negatively impact air and soil quality, as well as generate significant noise pollution. The American Lung Association recommends electric leaf blowers over gas-powered ones because “old two-stroke engines like leaf blowers often have no pollution control devices. They can pollute the air even more than cars.” As the roar of the gas powered machines is being replaced by the lower whine of electric leaf blowers, the Conservation Advisory Council would like residents to know that there are a number of ways you can manage your leaves AND help the environment.
Among the choices are mulching and composting leaves and other yard debris, and—while it may seem a radical idea—leaves can be left on the ground, where they provide nutrients to beneficial insects and microbes. Suggestions can be found at the website of the organization Healthy Yards, a group of gardening and landscaping experts in Westchester County. For other environmentally friendly advice, see “Ten simple choices for a healthy planet,” published by the National Ocean Service. Finally, the Croton Conservation Advisory Council has a dedicated Resource Page with information related to Sustainable Planting/Gardening. It’s our planet, only we can save it!
The Croton Conservation Advisory Council meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM in the small meeting room in the Municipal Building. All meetings are open to the public.
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Municipal Building Summer Office Hours
Beginning June 1, 2023, all offices within the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building, located at 1 Van Wyck Street, will be operating under summer hours. These hours will be Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM and Friday from 8:30 AM until 2 PM. The summer hours will conclude September 4, 2023. Please note that the Village’s Department of Public Works will maintain their regular hours of 7 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.
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