Town of Bedford
May 6, 2022
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Dear Residents,
I love how my job as Supervisor is so varied. Just over the past week I participated in Arbor Day and Walk to School Week, met with NYSDOT regarding herbicide use on state roadways and attended a DOCCS appreciation event for staff at the two prisons; I met with people regarding the Katonah 125th anniversary and Memorial Day events, worked on a variety of challenging issues including wireless facilities, complaints about restaurant noise, the question of cannabis dispensaries, and addressed numerous queries from residents; I identified town beautification projects, made strides with a pedestrian easement, and watched live comedy at the Playhouse. We have so many great things going on!
I want to remind you it is clean-up weekend all over town. Pick up an orange trash bag outside of the Katonah or Bedford Hills libraries on Saturday and choose an area to pick up litter. Leave the bag off to the side of the road and our highway department will pick them up. It is easy and satisfying volunteer work for people of all ages and really makes a difference. Please plan to go out for an hour and help clean up our town! Thank you.
May is mental health awareness, autism awareness month and Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage month! Below are some links to events to celebrate or learn more.
Please come by to visit or reach out with questions or concerns. I am always happy to hear from you.
Be well,
Ellen
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Bedford Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month |
May 1st marked the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. Bedford recognizes the accomplishments and contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to help build and enrich this country, as well as the discrimination they have faced despite these contributions, especially in light of the recent COVID-19 epidemic.
To learn more about the history of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, click here. Photo courtesy of OCA-WHV
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Douglas Drive -Katonah Memorial Park - Druid Place Easement Settlement |
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The Town Board approved a settlement that will ensure safe, well marked use of an existing public easement connecting neighborhoods to each other as well as to Katonah Memorial Park. Once the agreement is final, the Town will build a low stone wall, move some trees, clean up the path, and build stairs up to Druid Place. The work will be completed by the fall. This walkway is great for children to be able to walk to school, visit friends, and get to the park. |
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Dispensaries Challenges and Opportunities |
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On Tuesday, my colleagues and I on the Town Board considered the issues around whether to allow retail adult use cannabis dispensaries in town. Many people have reached out in favor of allowing this, and if it is potentially to be a referendum on the ballot in November, the timeline for the conversation starts now.
Cannabis is legal throughout NY state and within certain regulations will be delivered to homes, sold in dispensaries, and legal to grow, possess and carry. State-wide there will be challenges with how to drug test drivers and needed education to ensure that youth and adults understand the risks of use and addiction. Locally, there will be opportunities to benefit from revenue and visitors coming to town to spend money on a legal products and perhaps in other stores and restaurants.
As we heard by presenters on Tuesday, the push by lawmakers and social justice advocates to legalize cannabis has been driven by the desire to address the disproportionate impact on communities of color due to decades of racially-motivated criminalization and stigma associated with this substance. Allowing a dispensary supports these goals and provides opportunities.
If allowed, a new store located in town would need to conform to existing as well as yet-to-be identified zoning rules which could include requirements with respect to distance from school, churches, parks, and other stores as well as rules around architecture, signage, parking, septic, lighting, hours, etc.
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Scouts Ready for Memorial Day |
On May 1st, in preparation of Memorial Day, local Scouts replaced flags at Union, Buxton and, Pound Ridge cemeteries for military veterans and members of the Bedford Hills and Pound Ridge Fire Departments. The old flags will be disposed of in a flag ceremony at the next campout. |
Rosemary Lee of the Buxton cemetery preservation committee told the scouts about all the veterans from the American Revolution and Civil War who are buried at Buxton cemetery. One noteworthy veteran is Westchester militia American Revolution Lt. Cornelius Clark whose house was among many burned down by the British military forces.
Katonah American Legion Commander Tom Cieslinski told the scouts about military service and thanked them for their service. He also extended an invitation to scouts to attend the Legion barbecue after they march in Bedford Hills and Pound Ridge Memorial Day parades.
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Good Things Come in Trees |
As the town Celebrated Arbor Day this week, there were no shortage of events to celebrate the beauty and benefit of trees! Thanks to the Conservation Board’s Bedford Vine Cutters and Bedford 2030 for coming out on Saturday to plant 25 trees at Beaver Dam Sanctuary (pictured right) |
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The Bedford Tree Advisory Board, Bedford Recreation and Parks Department and the Town Board hosted a tree planting ceremony last weekend at the Bedford Hills Community House. A beautiful Dogwood Tree was planted in the place of a tree that was previously removed for construction (pictured above). |
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Thank you to the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and Harris Road Neighbors for the tree planting on Harris Road this week. Thanks to DPW Commissioner Kevin Winn and the great cooperation from the folks at the prison. Special thanks to Wendy Belzberg and Betsy Mitchell for planting 7 beautiful pine trees |
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Bus Shelter
The Town Board approved an application for the use of grant funding to pay for a bus shelter in Bedford Hills near the intersection at Milan and Babbitt Road. The funding is available because of the recent efforts we have made to be a Climate Smart Community and to earn points to obtain grant funding from NYSERDA. Thanks to Bedford 2030 and the IDEA Committee for researching the use of this funding to provide shelter at one of the busiest bus stops in the area. We look forward to obtaining the approval and moving ahead to choose the style and install the shelter to promote and make public transportation more comfortable and appealing.
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Civil Service Jobs
Many of the positions in the town offices are Civil Service jobs. Civil Service jobs offer great benefits, job security, and can be very local. If you are interested in working for the Town sooner or later, consider taking a Civil Service Exam. Currently we are hiring for Recreation, and the Court. We are also looking for a court clerk (exam not required, but experience is). For more information about the positions open at the town or to be notified when ones do come available, please contact our Personnel Director at 914-864-3835
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Town-Wide Clean Up
Saturday, May 7.
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How Have You Been Impacted by COVID-19? |
The Westchester County Department of Health, in partnership with 6 Hudson Valley health departments, developed a Community Health Survey to understand the personal health and health issues of residents of local communities. The survey is also intended to better understand how the impact of the COVID-19 on the health and well-being of residents. Results from this survey will be used to shape the work that the health departments, hospitals, and community partners do in the coming years.
Click here to take the survey and have your voice heard!
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Spring/Summer Registration
and Pool Pass renewal has begun!
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The Parks and Recreation Spring/Summer program registration continues, as well as 2022 Pool Membership sales!
For more information on programs being offered, click here
Pool Membership Renewals: Visit our online registration page and go to "Pool Pass Renewal" located along the top of page. This will give you access to renew your 2021 pool membership for the 2022 season.
New Pool Membership or Change in Type
Those looking to purchase a pool pass for the first time, or change the type of pass you had in 2021, please complete a hard copy "Pool Registration Form" and submit with two proofs of residency to the Recreation Office at 425 Cherry Street, Bedford Hills. This can be done by mail, the drop box located outside the office, via e-mail to or in person during business hours, Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. General pool info, pass fees and the 2022 pool registration form can be found online on our department webpage under "Pool Info."
Please direct any questions to the Recreation Office at
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We are celebrating with simultaneous Repair Cafe, Tree Sale, and informal conversations with our Energy Coach, Bob, all in the Bedford Hills Train Station Parking lot. Repair Cafe Party 10a-noon.
We need volunteer fixers for our Repair Cafe! Please email us at info@bedford2030.org if you would like to help out and follow Bedford 2030 on social media to stay in the loop! |
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NO MOW MAY!
Committing to "No Mow May" gives worker bees and other pollinators a chance to forage, leading to three times higher bee species richness and five times higher bee abundance. It also saves you time and money! Keep us updated at #NoMowMay and let us know if you notice increased pollinator activity!
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Bedford Central School District |
Bedford Central School Districts annual Budget Vote and Trustee Elections will take place on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Absentee Ballots can be downloaded here or picked up Sandra Speyer, District Clerk, at the Administration Building on the Fox Lane Campus.
For more information on the BCSD elections and absentee ballot deadlines, click here.
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Bedford Central School District residents may submit questions for the candidates via the League of Women Voter’s email account, LWVNEW@gmail.com. For a submission to be considered, it must include the questioner’s name and address and be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9. (The address will not be read aloud, only used to verify school district residency.)
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Katonah-Lewisboro School District |
Katonah-Lewisboro School District’s annual budget vote and school board member election will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Registered voters may vote on propositions placed on the ballot for the 2022-2023 school year and on Board of Education members. There are three Board of Education seats whose terms expires on June 30, 2022.
Absentee ballots can be downloaded here. Absentee ballots must be received by the School District Clerk no later than 5 PM on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
For more information on the KLSD elections and absentee ballot deadlines, click here.
To watch the KLSD Parent Council Candidates Night Zoom Recording, CLICK HERE
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Westchester County Salute To Seniors |
Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services proudly announces the 54th Annual Salute to Seniors. Join us for a series of events that will feature music and information on programs, services and products targeted to our Senior community.
The Northern Westchester event will occur on Wednesday, May 18 at Croton Point Park in Croton-on-Hudson. RSVP by calling (914) 218-3968. RSVP's due by May 10.
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Bedford Hills Free Library Launches Story Walk |
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Take a walk in the park and enjoy the Bedford Hills Free Library's latest StoryWalk installation featuring, "If Only"… written and illustrated by Mies Van Hout. This exhibit opens April 25th.
The StoryWalk® Project --started by Anne Ferguson -- combines early literacy and family engagement with fresh air and outdoor activity. Beautiful picture book pages are displayed on posts spaced along the path along Lake Marie at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park.
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Beaver Dam Compost Facility: Special Hours
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BRINGING CREATIVITY INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE. |
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May 14 from 10-11:30am
“Acting Like Actors With Pros From TV and Broadway”
Presenters: John Bedford Lloyd and Anne Twomey
We'll start with talking about our work in theater, television and film. Then we'll get the group moving with some simple, fun theatre warmups using body and voice. We'll distribute short scenes from American theatre and READ MORE
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Northern Westchester Community Center
Moms for Moms Drive
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Caramoor High School Poster Contest |
Caramoor and Katonah Connect is hosting a Poster Design Contest for high school artists who live in Bedford, Lewisboro, North Salem and Pound Ridge. Students will create poster designs for the Caramoor Jazz Festival on July 30!
All entries must be submitted by midnight on Friday, June 3.
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Up to $50,000 Available to Help you Care for Your Forest |
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Private landowners who want to implement forestry practices to establish and/or protect tree regeneration on their forestland, this grant is for you! Rolling grants of $10,000 to $50,000 are available now, remaining available until the money runs out or until October 7, 2022. If you are looking for advice about applying, contact the Westchester Land Trust or contact the DEC grant administrator at RegenNY@dec.ny.gov.
Access the grant portal here.
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Seasonal Employment Opportunities |
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Bedford Recreation and Parks Department |
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The Bedford Recreation & Parks Department is still accepting applications for summer 2022 jobs! The department will be hiring for day camp, pool and seasonal park maintenance positions. If interested, please submit an “Application for Seasonal Employment.” Feel free to contact our office by phone at 914-666-7004 or by e-mail at recreation@bedfordny.gov with any questions.
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Below is a list of committees
that either have vacancies or have members with expiring terms
through June 30.
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Senior Advisory Committee: Seeking members of any age to fill 4 vacant positions for 3-year terms. The Committee meets on an “as needed” basis.
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Veterans Advisory Committee: 3 year term, 4 open seats including chair position. The committee works with veterans to navigate the local, state, Federal and many non-profit organizations which provide benefits and assistance. Non-veterans may apply!
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Bedford Free Library Presents:
Demystifying Healthcare
May 7 @10AM
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BRLA Presents:
Invasives and Natives
May 7 @10AM
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Bedford Village Chowder and Marching Club presents
Spring Clean-up and Tag Sale
May 6 @ 12PM - 3PM
May 7 @ 9AM - 3PM
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BRLA Presents:
Motherly Meditation
May 8 @9:30 AM
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Woman 2 Woman, Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP), and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) Present
The Interview
May 9 @7PM
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Senior Advocate to the Bedford Parks & Rec Dept. presents
Navigating the Maze of Long Term Care
May 9 @12PM over ZOOM
Join the ZOOM meeting here
Password: Bedford
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Katonah Village Library Presents
Great Decisions
May 10 @10:30
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Katonah Village Library Presents
Poetry Workshop with Hattress Barbour III
May 11 @4:30 PM
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Bedford Audubon Presents
Public Lecture with Suzie Gilbert
May 11 @7 PM
Free at the Katonah Village Library
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Bedford Free Library Presents
Bad Kitty Party
May 12 @3:15 PM
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Katonah Village Library Presents
Build It! Code It! Crank It!
May 12 @4:30 pm
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Bedford Village Business Association Special Meeting
May 12 @5:30 pm
at the Bedford Village Historical Hall
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Guild & Grange Artisan Market
at John Jay Homestead
Ticketed Preview on May 13 @6PM
Free admission May 14 & 15 @9AM - 5PM
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Charis Chamber Voices Presents
Spring Canticles
May 14 @ 4 PM
at the Bedford Presbyterian Church
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Westchester-Hudson Valley's 25th Annual Asian American Heritage Festival
June 4 @ 12 - 6PM
at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla, NY
Free admittance
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Past Supervisor newsletters:
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