At the Board of Trustees Meeting on June 16, 2025, Alberta and Hassan Jarane were presented with a Proclamation declaring June 19, 2025 as Alberta and Hassan Jarane Day in the Village of Tarrytown. This recognition for Juneteenth of this year acknowledges the many contributions the Jarane family members have made to the Village since setting up their first restaurant in 2003, not only as business owners bringing vibrancy to the downtown, but as community advocates and supporters of social justice issues bringing attention and awareness to important concerns, and never shying away from raising their voices when necessary.

The Open Streets Tarrytown event celebrating Pride 2025 took place on June 8. Many thanks to Jenifer Ross who coordinates the annual events with the Tarrytown Recreation Department, as well as the Village staff from the Police Department and the Public Works Department who help keep the event orderly and safe. It was a great day for the celebration! Many thanks to all the Tarrytown residents, vendors, participants and Assembly Member Shimsky for coming out to celebrate Pride with us.

We had so much fun visiting with the students and staff of John Paulding Elementary School for a new annual tradition - Touch a Truck Day! On June 13, the DPW staff were able to share their knowledge and demonstrate their equipment to the engaged learners who were full of questions and observations. We look forward to coming back for Public Works Week next year!

Report from the Board of Trustees Meeting on 6.16.2025

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

Battery Energy Storage: Hearing Continued to Next Meeting on July 21

The Public Hearing to consider amending the Zoning Code to allow for and regulate the installation and operation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the Village was continued until the next meeting on July 21.

The Public Hearing comments and presentation from the most recent meeting can be viewed online on the Village website. The hearing runs from 24:39 through 1:40:35. The most recent presentation from the applicant can be viewed here.

The full application can be viewed at this Dropbox link.

The current proposal from Catalyze Tarrytown White Plains Microgrid LLC recommends an overlay zone that would apply to four properties in the Office Building (OB) and Mixed Use (MU) districts. Criteria for inclusion in the Zone include:

• must be at least 4 acres
• must have a minimum setback of 100' to the battery cabinets with the exception of any property that borders I-287

If adopted, the overlay zone would mean that Battery Energy Storage would be a permitted use for properties that meet the criteria, however the Board of Trustees would also have the ability to decide whether the overlay zone actually applies to one of the properties should an applicant come forward, and any Battery Energy Storage applicant would still need to undergo a rigorous environmental review and site plan review process through the Planning Board.

The four properties to which the overlay zone would apply as proposed are:

1. 120 White Plains Road
2. 200-220 White Plains Road
3. 150 White Plains Road
4. 303 South Broadway

Background

The Planning Board spent nine months reviewing the Catalyze application. They ultimately issued a Negative Declaration in their environmental review and recommend that the Board adopt the zoning amendment. In the process of review the Planning Board engaged a third party independent consultant to advise, particularly on the numerous safety questions that were raised. The consultant's report can be found in the application package. The Zoning Petition Documents can all be found at this link: Dropbox Link.

Battery Energy Storage Systems enable energy from all sources including renewables like solar and wind to be stored and released when the energy is needed most. To ensure the consistency and reliability of energy supply in the transition to cleaner energy sources with lower carbon emissions, battery energy storage is a key alternative. New York State has set a goal of installing 6,000 megawatts of battery storage capacity by 2030. This installation is a relatively small facility capable of storing up to 5 megawatts of energy. In addition to helping meet state goals, the Planning Board found that support for Battery Energy Storage Systems is consistent with the Tarrytown Comprehensive Plan.

More information from previous public hearings can be found in the previous Tarrytown Link newsletter.

Scenic Hudson Green Street Connector

As part of the project to construct a Scenic Hudson Westchester Riverwalk Connection to make a continuous waterfront trail from the north end of the Riverwalk which skirts Pierson Park to where the trail resumes south of Van Wart Street past Lyndhurst, Scenic Hudson secured $2,797,500 in Community Project Funding from Senator Schumer's office to improve Green Street. Green street is the roadway that runs from the base of the H-Bridge on the west side of the tracks straight to the entrance of the Washington Irving Boat Club. The project would make the corridor safer and more accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists, and would address flooding issues.

Since the Village owns Green Street, Scenic Hudson has requested that the Village act as the project lead for design and construction. The funds from the Federal Transit Administration will be transmitted through the Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation for the project. An agreement between Scenic Hudson, the Village, and the County will be approved at a later date. Funds that Scenic Hudson is using to design the Riverwalk Connection can be used for the 20% match, so there will be no financial burden on the Village for the design and construction of this project within the established project cost parameters.

The Board approved having the Village act as project lead for the Green Street improvements at the June 16 meeting.

Relocation of 9/11 Memorial

Many in the Village may not even be aware that a piece of 9/11 history is built into the hillside along the western edge of Patriots Park. The unassuming sculpture and memorial, tucked away in a place for quiet remembrance and contemplation, has proven challenging to access since it was first installed. The Fire Department proposed moving it to a more publicly accessible location in line with the other memorial sites in the park along Route 9. The Board of Trustees approved the relocation which will take place this summer.

Village Offices will close on Friday, August 22nd for Records Management Day

The Board authorized the closure of Village offices for Records Management Day. This is an annual day to focus on the retention and disposition of public records as dictated by the 411-page New York State records retention schedule. The irony of expansive red tape to manage expansive red tape is not lost on us.

Support for Fire Department Parade

The Tarrytown Fire Department will be hosting the Westchester County Volunteer Fireman’s Convention and Parade on September 20, 2025. To pay for several days of activities associated with hosting the Convention and Parade, the Fire Department proposed hosting a fundraising carnival by the waterfront. Since the Village would have to incur expenses to support the carnival, the Board of Trustees instead proposed direct support for the event in the amount of $10,000. The Fire Department is currently fundraising to pay for the remainder of the event costs. Please consider making a donation to them. To find out how to do so, please visit their website: https://www.tarrytownfd.org/contacts/.

New Bus and Shuttle Waiting Area

To alleviate commuter traffic around the train station, the Board established bus and shuttle waiting areas on Cortlandt Street north of the Train Station. The Village will communicate with shuttle companies and bus route managers, to direct them to the new waiting areas, away from the multiple rows of waiting vehicles that accumulate at rush hour next to the station.

Two New Committees - Looking for Volunteers!

The Board established two new committees at the June 16 Board meeting. Please consider signing up to participate. You can submit a volunteer application online, or if you do not have access to the online form, you can send us your resume and a letter explaining your interest in the Committee and what you think you can contribute.

Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan Committee

The Village will be updating and finalizing its Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan thanks to a grant from New York's Department of State. The last draft of the Plan dates to 2015, and much has changed on the waterfront since then. Updating the Plan will involve soliciting community input on the vision for the waterfront's future, as well as developing a Harbor Management Plan among other new requirements. The Village is looking for a diverse group of volunteers interested in what happens on the waterfront from various perspectives, including those with planning and land use experience. The volunteer committee members will be working with a consultant who will help the Village develop the plan. That consultant has not yet been identified, but the Village expects to launch the process later this year.

Cultural Heritage Recognition Committee

To help celebrate and promote cultural awareness and appreciation of the Village's diverse residents through the planning and organization of events and initiatives the Board established a Cultural Heritage Recognition Committee. The committee will be charged with working with Trustees, the Recreation Department and other local organizations to identify opportunities to celebrate a wide array of cultures and groups that populate the Village of Tarrytown. Any and all members of the community are welcome to apply to participate in the Committee. The Village is seeking a wide range of voices representing the colorful quilt of this community.

Please click the link below to complete the volunteer application or send your resume and cover letter to the attention of the Village Clerk: kgilligan@tarrytownny.gov.

Coming up:

The Board of Trustees will hold its next Work Session on Wednesday, June 25 at 6:00pm. The agenda can be found on the Village website.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will take place on July 21, 2025, with a Work Session preceding it on July 16. The agendas will be posted the Friday before each meeting. In the summer months, the Board meets for one regular meeting in July and one in August.

Want to learn what's on the docket for the Board of Trustees? You can sign up to receive agendas in your inbox here.

Interested in what is currently before the Land Use Boards? Sign up to receive agendas in your inbox, or find them posted on the website, three days before the scheduled meeting.

Current applications before the Planning and Zoning Boards can be viewed online:

Planning

Zoning Board of Appeals

Rt. 9 Complete Streets - Update

At a public meeting on Wednesday, June 4, the NYS Department of Transportation and their consultants from WSP presented the preliminary designs for Rt. 9 Complete Streets improvements from Sleepy Hollow to Hastings on Hudson. These improvements are designed to improve safety and flow for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. Comments are being accepted for 30 days: route9completestreets@dot.ny.gov. This costly and complicated project will be rolled out in stages, and each segment will need to be taken through final design phase at which time some adjustments can be made, although not substantial ones.

The New York State project page with all of the designs can be found here: https://www.dot.ny.gov/display/projects/route9completestreets/reports

Tarrytown renderings of specific locations can be found here.

The full roll plots for Tarrytown can be found here. Tarrytown's downtown segment is included in the Sleepy Hollow document.

This series of panels explains more about roundabouts and other safety interventions utilized in the designs.

On Wednesday, July 25, the Board of Trustees will discuss what comments to send back to the New York State Department of Transportation. In response to concerns raised about the loss of parking in the downtown segment of Rt. 9, the consultants for the project created an alternative design that removes the proposed turning lane at the Main Street intersection, but adds back the parking in front of the businesses. The new design along with a third hybrid option can be viewed in the Special Work Session agenda packet.

Questions, concerns and comments can be sent to administrator@tarrytownny.gov.

Heat Wave Next Week: Find Cooling Centers Near You

The Village will open the conference room at the Tarrytown Recreation Center to any Tarrytown resident who needs a place to cool off. The Recreation Center is open from 7am to 4pm on Sunday and from 6am to 9pm Monday -Wednesday when the temperatures are expected to reach well into the 90's.

The Warner Library is also open to anyone who needs to cool. They are closed on Sundays in the summer months, but will be open from 10am to 6pm Monday to Wednesday.

More information about sun safety can be found on the Westchester County Department of Health website.

Energy Affordability Program

As the weather warms next week, energy bills will rise. If you are having trouble paying your energy bill, there are programs through Con Edison and through New York State to assist. Find a selection on the Con Edison Energy Affordability Program website.

Westchester County Social Service offices can help you enroll in New York's Home Energy Assistance Program.

The 2024-2025 Cooling Assistance Program is scheduled to close on June 23, 2025, so if you have not signed up, call or visit a Westchester County Social Service office.

Con Edison Tree Trimming

Con Edison is conducting tree trimming in Tarrytown to prevent power outages caused by trees interfering with overhead power lines. Contractors will assess and trim trees along the right-of-way at no cost to property owners. While trimming within the right-of-way is Con Edison's responsibility, trimming on private property remains the property owner's duty.

Certified arborists will follow industry standards to minimize impact on tree health. If a hazardous tree is identified on your property, Con Edison will notify you. With your permission, they will prune or remove it at no charge. However, they will not trim or remove trees outside the right-of-way without your consent.

For more information, visit coned.com/treetrimming. To report a hazardous tree, email Con Edison at BWlineclearance@coned.com.

Congratulations to Joanne Murray!

Congratulations to Joanne Murray for recognition by the Westchester Recreation and Parks Society for her many years of volunteer service for the community of Tarrytown. Her years spent conceiving of and coordinating the Annual Halloween Parade, which has become a premier event for the Village, as well as her work creating and coordinating the Duck Derby, and other special events through her Rotary Club Service, made her a standout choice for their E. Mario Cribari Voluntary Service Award. She was honored at an awards lunch which took place on June 13.

July 4th Festivities at the Waterfront

The Village will once again host fireworks and other activities at Pierson Park this year. Food Trucks, Face Painting, Bounce Houses and Live Music from Kickstart Charlie will once again contribute to a fun celebration. The food trucks will set up at 5pm and other activities will kick off at 6pm. The fireworks will launch after dark.

We highly recommend that if you live in Tarrytown, you do not try to park on the west side of the train tracks. You will have a very slow exit if you do. Instead, find a location on the east side of the tracks. We anticipate that the H-Bridge will close to vehicular traffic around 6:30pm. If you live outside of the Village, we highly recommend taking the train. It is a very short walk from the train station to Pierson Park. Project Mover e-bikes are another option for getting to the festivities.

The Recreation Department will post more information closer to the date. July 5th is the Rain Date.

New Shade Garden in Neperan Park

From the TEAC newsletter:

Before (left) and after (right) photos above tell the story: from a messy, uninviting patch choked with invasive plants (porcelainberry, creeping thistle, English ivy, garlic mustard, and others), we moved to a scene of enthusiastic volunteers installing more than 200 perennials and shrubs, culminating in the joy of the first flowers blooming in this revitalized space. This new native garden isn't just pretty; it's a vital new habitat! It will benefit bees, butterflies, and a host of other local wildlife, while simultaneously offering a beautiful, serene space for everyone visiting the park. Designed by talented TEAC members Kerstin Erdbrink and Mai Mai Margulies, the garden features an inviting path so visitors can truly appreciate the flowers, along with a charming birdbath.

Tarrytown Pollinator Gardens — Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to spend time in a beautiful garden, learn how to care for native plants, and connect with your community? Join us in maintaining Tarrytown’s public pollinator gardens this season! No gardening experience is necessary, and any time you can contribute is appreciated. Scheduling is very flexible.

Please reach out to tarrytownpollinators@gmail.com to schedule a garden tour and get started!

In Celebration of National Pollinator Month, we're giving away free native plants at this Saturday's TASH Farmers Market!

Volunteer for Waste Warriors

Message from TEAC:

Every Saturday at the TaSH Farmers’ Market (or the Winter Market), TEAC invites Volunteers to attend the stations where bins for recyclables, compostables and trash are collected. These “Waste Warriors”, sporting orange vests, help people put items in the right bin, and inform them about the benefits of source separation.

Recyclables and trash (everything that cannot be reused, recycled, or composted) might be self-explanatory. But TaSH vendors are now using compostable single-use packaging for ready-to-eat prepared food and beverages. Compostables include discarded food, paper (napkins, tissues, cardboard food containers) and compostable plastics.

Removing organic waste materials from the waste stream significantly reduces the volume and weight of the trash going to the landfill or waste-to-energy plant (incinerator), as we have in Westchester. Not only does the heavy wet food require excess energy to process, it can clog the system, making the whole operation less efficient. But more importantly, by separating the food scraps and compostables, the organic waste material can be converted into compost, to be put back into the Earth to nourish the soil.

If you would like to be a Waste Warrior some Saturday, reach out to TEAC at tarrytownenviro@gmail.com.

New Westchester Power Contract: Information Sessions

The new Westchester Power contract for the Village’s Community Choice Aggregation Program will go into effect in December. Sustainable Westchester will be hosting public meetings about the new contract including two at the Warner Library on July 3^rd at 6pm and on July 10^th at 6:30pm. Please bring all questions or concerns to these public meetings. More information about the program can be found on the Village website and on the Sustainable Westchester website.

Project Mover: Community Bike Skills Class – No Cost!

In cooperation with the grant-funded Project Mover program, a free bike skills class will be offered at the Tarrytown Senior Center on Saturday, July 19 from 10am to 1:30pm. A registration link will be posted on the League of American Bicyclists website in the coming days. Please reach out to the Administrator's office with any questions: administrator@tarrytownny.gov.

Public Meeting: Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Byway

Tarrytown is proud to participate in the development of the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Byway.

Please join the public meeting on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 4:00–7:00 PM at Tarrytown Village Hall, where community members will have the opportunity to help shape the Corridor Management Plan and contribute to the vision for this historic byway.

Please RSVP by June 24.

To learn more about the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway initiative, visit the project website.

New School Hours to Begin in September

Washington Irving Bleachers Project to Begin this Summer

From Superintendent Ray Sanchez: 

On or about June 30, the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns will be starting a summer construction project on our grounds. As part of this work, the removal of the concrete bleachers will take place between June 30 and August 8, with working hours between 8:30am and 4pm. We want to make you aware that this phase of the project will likely be noisy at times due to the nature of the demolition work.

We sincerely apologize for any disruption this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. Please know that every effort will be made to minimize the impact during this temporary disruption.

RECREATION RUNDOWN

For information about all of the upcoming events and programs organized by the Recreation Department, click here, or sign up to get the news straight to your inbox every other week.

Find the latest TEAC Newsletter here:

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Village Committees are not the only way to give back to your community. There are lots of civic groups in Tarrytown doing important work. Like TEAC, the Friends of the Riverwalk are looking for volunteers to help maintain the plantings on the waterfront. Many more organizations are listed in the Volunteer Directory that has been assembled by the Community Coalition and Kids Club of the Tarrytowns.

Did you know?

Local businesses can find resources, classes and other opportunities on the Westchester Catalyst website:

https://westchestercatalyst.com/events/