The Tarrytown Link is issued the Friday after the regular Board of Trustees meeting, twice per month. Questions or concerns? Email us at newsletter@tarrytownny.gov.

One bright spot of the bone-chilling deep freeze we have been experiencing over the past two weeks is that the Upper Lake has more than 12 inches of ice. After focusing on clearing sidewalks and other areas of snow following the storm event on January 25, the Parks Department was able to turn their attention to clearing the snow from the Lake to make way for ice skating. Ice skating will be open on the Upper Lake through 6pm on Sunday. Please check the Recreation Department webpage to confirm details. Many thanks to the Parks and Recreation Departments, the Fire Department, and the Ambulance Corps for helping this beloved Tarrytown tradition to continue.

Highlights from the February 4, 2026 Board Meeting

Honoring Bill Burnette's Life

for Black History Month

The Village Board of Trustees was pleased to honor William "Bill" Burnette in recognition of Black History Month. Bill Burnette passed away last year at age 90, having spent most of his life in Tarrytown. Bill spent four decades as a guidance counselor serving the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns encouraging students to pursue their education and follow their dreams. Beyond his service to the students, he was President of the Tarrytown Municipal Housing Authority Board, was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns, served on the Board of Asbury Terrace and the Community Opportunity Center and volunteered for the Ambulance Corps. To those who knew him well, he was known as the "Unofficial Mayor of Tarrytown." In recognition of Black History Month, the Board was pleased to honor a member of the African American community who contributed so significantly to the fabric of the Village. Brian Burnette, Philip Burnette, Yolanda Johnson, Dawn Connolly and other family and friends joined the recognition at Village Hall.

For more information on local Black History to explore this month, check out the essays written by Roger Glass on the Historical Society's website.

The Village will be hosting in collaboration with the TaSH and the Cultural Heritage Recognition Committee an event on Saturday, February 21st that will include music, food and information about the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway that is currently being developed to run through Tarrytown. See more information below.

Safe Streets for All Action Plan Draft

Ready for Review

Eric Hanss of TYLin, representing the consultant team that has been dedicated to crafting the Safe Streets for all Plan for the Villages of Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow and the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns school district, presented the draft plan to the Board of Trustees.

 The Safe Streets for All Action Plan is available now through February 20, 2026!

Click to read more about the Villages’ commitment to making roadways safer and more accessible for all. The Action Plan includes findings, strategies, actions, and projects to make consistently reaching zero deaths and serious injuries a reality in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.   

You can find additional information about the process on the project website.

Submit comments on the plan using this survey link - deadline: February 20, 2026.

Funding for Infrastructure Improvements as part of Tarrytown Municipal Housing Authority Redevelopment Projects

Wilder Balter Partners (WBP Development, LLC), the same development firm that recently completed the affordable housing project for seniors at the former YMCA, now 10 Windle Park/ 62 Main Street, is working in collaboration with the Tarrytown Municipal Housing Authority to renovate the apartments and facilities at Franklin Towers and reconstruct the Franklin Courts apartments, adding 20 additional units as part of the project. The Board of Trustees agreed to work with them to apply for funding assistance from Westchester County to make related infrastructure improvements as part of the redevelopment. This includes drainage improvements, replacement of the stormwater sewers, new sidewalks, improved roadway entrance, lighting and retaining walls. The Village will be applying for up to $5,000,000 in funding assistance from the County for these improvements, and will enter into an Intermunicipal Developer Agreement (IMDA) with the County and the Development partnership, and will provide oversight and management of the infrastructure improvements.

Celebrating Our Nation's Birthday

250 years ago the Declaration of Independence was signed by our nation's founders. One of the ways we will commemorate this anniversary will be by partnering with the Village of Sleepy Hollow and Revolutionary Westchester 250 on a celebration to take place at the waterfront on November 1, 2026. The event will recognize the significant role our two Villages played in the founding of our nation. The capture of Major Andre by three local militiamen exposed Benedict Arnold's treason and thwarted British plans to force an American surrender. The 250th commemoration event will include re-enactments, performances, a landing of the Tarrytown flotilla, opportunities for students to serve as members of the local "militia" demonstrations and other activities that remind us of this community's historic role in the birth of our nation. The Board adopted a resolution to enter into an intermunicipal agreement with Sleepy Hollow to share in the cost of the event and apply for a grant to help fund it.

Other events hosted by the Village this year will include 250th anniversary elements including the July 4 celebrations at Pierson Park on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

Rt. 9 Improvements and Patriots Park

The New York State Department of Transportation has been working with Tarrytown and four other Villages along the Rt. 9 corridor to enhance safety for all travel modes along Rt. 9, as well as improve mobility along the corridor for a range of roadway users including pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. The draft report and designs can be found on the New York State project website.

As part of the proposed improvements, the stretch of the corridor adjacent to Patriots Park would include a shared-use path for both bicycles and pedestrians. To accommodate the path a small portion of Patriots Park must be shifted west. The Village will also need to grant a temporary easement in the park during the course of construction. Any plantings or fence-line disturbed during construction would need to be replaced in kind. New York State asked the Village to adopt a resolution acknowledging that the impacts on the park would be "de minimis" as part of the environmental review requirements. In the course of review, the Board asked the State to adjust the design to widen the sidewalk which they did, increasing it from 5ft to 6ft 6in. The revised design can be found here and posted on the Village's webpage for the project.

New Member of Housing Advisory Task Force

The Board appointed Michael Maskin to the Housing Advisory Task Force. Michael is a housing attorney with the Legal Aid Society helping tenants navigate housing court and other administrative proceedings. He has a particular interest in "considering ways Tarrytown can help its tenants and landlords resolve disputes while avoiding housing court, and also broadening access to affordable housing." Thank you for volunteering, Michael!

Coming Up

• Board of Trustees Work Session: Wednesday, February 11, 6:00pm
• Board of Trustees Regular Meeting: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 7:00pm

Please note Wednesday BOT Meeting due to Presidents Day.

• Board of Trustees Priorities Meeting: Monday, February 23, 2026, 6pm, EF School

Please note, this meeting date was postponed due to the snow storm on the previously scheduled meeting date. Also, the location is at the EF School instead of in Village Hall for a change of venue as the Board works on setting priorities for FY 2026-2027. The priorities will be published in a message on the website and in the annual budget document.

Extreme Cold Expected This Weekend

Extreme Cold Watch in Effect from Saturday Evening to Sunday Afternoon

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Cold Watch for this weekend from Saturday evening through Sunday afternoon. They predict dangerously cold wind chills of a possible 10 to 20 below zero. This level of cold can cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes.

How to prepare:

• Dress in layers including a hat, face mask, and gloves if you must go outside.

• To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. Those that have in-ground sprinkler systems should drain them and cover above-ground pipes to protect them from freezing.

• Keep pets indoors as much as possible.

• Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills inside.

Sidewalks: Help Your Neighbors -Widen the Path and Please Help Clear out Fire Hydrants

Following a snow storm, property owners and occupants are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their properties under Village Code. Our small Village does not have the staff capacity to clear all Village sidewalks as expediently as is necessary. We understand that as roadways are cleared, the plows can un-do the good work that has been done by responsible property owners. Please prepare for this inevitability, particularly in a very large snow storm such as this one. Please also try to remember that we have neighbors of different abilities and various needs using our sidewalks. The path through the snow and ice needs to be wide enough for a stroller or a wheel chair.

Please also help our volunteer Fire Department by clearing space around a fire hydrant if you have one adjacent to your property. Our volunteer fire department members were out in the frigid temperatures clearing hundreds of hydrants around the Village. They could use your help ensuring that the Village is ready for an emergency, even in the midst of layers of snow during a deep freeze.

Thank you to all residents of Tarrytown for doing your part for the community.

Congressman Latimer Helps the Village Secure Funds for Benedict Avenue Sidewalk

Thanks to advocacy from Congressman George Latimer, the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was signed into law on February 3, 2026 included an appropriation of $850,000 to help fund a sidewalk along Benedict Avenue to help complete the connection between Crest Drive and Detmer Avenue. With the re-opening of the Tappan Hill School, the need to enhance connectivity along this corridor has become even more critical. Enhancing pedestrian safety in this area was also identified as a priority in the Safe Streets for All Plan which included a community-wide survey identify key problem areas. Many thanks to Congressman Latimer's office for securing these important funds.

Celebrate Black History Month

with Us in February

Please join us at the first Village Board of Trustees Meeting in February on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 to honor William "Bill" Burnette, a longtime Village resident and contributor to our community who passed away in 2025. We will be joined by local family members of Mr. Burnette to recognize his work with the School District, his contributions to organizations like the Community Opportunity Center and the Tarrytown Municipal Housing Authority, and other ways he helped shape the Tarrytown community throughout his lifetime.

We also invite you to join us later in February at the TaSH Farmer's Market on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The Cultural Heritage Recognition Committee was newly formed in 2025 and has put together a wonderful event to celebrate Black culture, history and community in cooperation with the TaSH. Taste dessert offerings from Pik Nik, listen to MoTown music, and learn about the Harriet Tubman Scenic Byway. We look forward to celebrating Black History in Tarrytown with you in February.

Adopt A Spot in 2026

Help make our Village even more beautiful

Is one of your New Year's resolutions to find more ways to connect in person with friends and neighbors? What about finding more ways to give back to your community? Consider doing both at the same time in 2026 by participating in the Village's Adopt-A-Spot program.

A first hand account of what it is like to Adopt A spot was published by Suzy Allman in the latest TEAC newsletter. Suzy is responsible for transforming the triangle at the intersection of Neperan Road and McKeel.

Applications are due February 15. Information is available on the Village website.

Sign Up for the Vine Squad

All interested weekend vine warriors are invited to join the next season of Vine Squad. We will be cutting the vines that choke our trees in several of the park areas of Tarrytown. The next meet-up will be on January 24. Please dress appropriately and wear heavy shoes for safety’s sake.

The meet-ups, which are always on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 noon, are scheduled as follows:

February 7

February 21

March 7

March 21

To sign up please go to Volunteer New York and search for Vine Squad in Tarrytown.

New Program to Support

Accessory Dwelling Unit Construction

ADU Plus One offers grants to income-eligible property owners

The Plus One ADU Program is a New York State grant available to support homeowners of modest means to build or renovate accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The program provides up to $125,000 per home in soft and hard costs to create or legalize ADUs/accessory apartments in Tarrytown, with 10% of the award dedicated to HAC delivery/administrative fees.

The program supports low- and middle-income single-family homeowners who wish to build a new ADU or improve an existing one. Eligible projects include basement, attic, or interior apartments; garage conversions; and small stand-alone units on single-family lots. Homeowners needing to legalize or bring existing ADUs up to code may also apply.

To qualify, homeowners must:

• Have a household income not exceeding 120% of the area median income (AMI) as shown in the chart below.
• Own and occupy the residence as their primary home.
• Demonstrate financial need for the grant.
• Ensure the ADU complies with local zoning and that homeowner’s insurance is in place.
• If project costs exceed $125,000, homeowners must secure additional funding.
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.

Maximum Annual Gross Household Income Limits

Applications are open through March 1st.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Savannah Hoffman at shoffman@affordablehomes.org

Latin Dance Night with the Rivertown Dance Academy

Claim your spot on the floor at Latin Dance Night, celebrating Dominican Independence Weekend. Enjoy mini lessons in Merengue & Bachata, tasty bites and adult beverages.

 - $40 per person

 - No experience necessary, all levels welcome

 - Non-partner event

Space is limited, reserve your spot early!

www.RivertownDanceAcademy.org/store/p43/latindancenighttickets

Featuring Guest Artist: Brianna Luciano

Yonkers-based choreographer and performer with 18 years of dance experience and 13+ years of teaching across Latin, hip hop, street jazz, acro, heels, and hustle.

When: Saturday, Feb 28 | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Where: Rivertown Dance Academy | 69 N Broadway Lower Level, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Contact: Christina, Rivertown Dance Academy

Email: christina@rivertowndanceacademy.org, Phone: 914.631.4302

Contact:

Ann Scholl, League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns

914-478-0142 or info@lwv-rivertowns.org

Please note that February 14, 2026, is the Party Change Deadline in New York State, the deadline to choose or change a party affiliation. Only those enrolled in a particular party may vote in that party’s primary election on June 23, 2026. If you are enrolled as an independent voter you cannot vote in a party primary.

Contact your Board of Elections (BOE) to download a registration form to change or add a party affiliation. The form must be received by the BOE by February 14. If you are not a member of either of the two major parties, please check to see if your party is holding a primary. (Even though February 14 is a Saturday, the BOE will be open.)

https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/register-to-vote

Affordable Housing Lottery Open for 55+ Development in Yonkers

New affordable housing is available for seniors aged 55+! Applications for the lottery at Mary the Queen Senior Housing , located at 35 Vark Street in Yonkers, are due February 26, 2026. Apply and learn more at https://shorturl.at/brhBo.

Mary the Queen, financed by New York States Homes and Community Renewal (NYS HCR), will have 12 units available for seniors aged 55+ rents starting from $1,430 (see attached for more information). 3 units will be adapted for those with mobility impairments and 1 will be adapted for those with hearing and vision impairments.

Follow along on social media: