The Village/Town of Mount Kisco | 914-864-0059 | www.mountkiscony.gov
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Welcome to the Village of Mount Kisco e-newsletter. In addition to continued communication on Facebook, Twitter, enotify and Nixle, we will be using this vehicle to summarize Village government activities and share news about upcoming events.
(Photo Credit Laurie Kimsal)
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Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Amendments
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Over the last year, the Village has engaged in a Comprehensive Plan process which included
3 public workshops, 2 downtown design workshops, 2 plan and zoning Q&A sessions, and 2 public hearings.
Village trustees have been reviewing and working to incorporate comments and ideas from the public. Updated documents are available on
envisionmk.org
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Comprehensive Plan
The Village of Mount Kisco Comprehensive Plan establishes a vision, goals, and principles to guide both development and preservation in the Village.
Read more
www.envisionmk.org
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The Village Board of Trustees passed legislation that identifies specific criteria for roof top solar, and adds an option for large ground mounted installations and open-air carports in specific zoning districts. The larger installations are permitted in identified non-residential zones on private property and would require a Special Permit from the Planning Board. The adopted solar law is available
here.
If you are interested, please visit the United States Department of Energy's website below for information on getting started with going solar in your home. You may also want to check out Energize NY for ways to finance a solar project and reduce your energy costs.
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Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar | Department of Energy
Solar leases and PPAs allow consumers to host solar energy systems that are owned by solar companies and purchase back the electricity generated. Consumers enter into agreements that allow them to have lower electricity bills without monthly loan ...
Read more
www.energy.gov
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Citing strong budget management, ample reserves, and liquidity, Moody’s Investors Service reaffirmed the Village of Mount Kisco’s Aa2 Credit Rating in a recent report.
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The Village Board of Trustees has begun conversations with Homeland Towers about the possibility of placing an additional cell phone tower in the Village. To provide a visual marker, balloons were floated in two locations that were initially identified as possible places for tower installations. We expect Homeland Towers to present to the Board of Trustees photographs with renderings of how an installation would appear from different views. Additionally, we expect further information regarding service gaps. There are currently no actions pending. We expect Homeland Towers to be on the January 14th agenda.
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Westchester Power is a community-based bulk energy purchasing program intended to lower costs and increase the use of renewable energy in Westchester County. Mount Kisco residents and business owners, are automatically enrolled in this program to receive "Basic Energy" unless you choose to switch or opt out. We recommend considering switching to the "Renewable (Green) Energy" option. For approximately one third of one cent per kilowatt hour more, you can positively impact climate change.
You can switch between supply options by calling Westchester Power at (914) 242-4725 or visiting www.westchesterpower.org, and filling out the appropriate form under “Energy Choices.”
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Fire Safety, Building and Zoning Code Policy
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The Village is working to clarify a policy regarding housing safety as it relates to certificates of occupancy and predate letters issued in contravention of state or village zoning code.
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Co-founders of Stayin' Alive, Michele Berliner (L) and Christy Saltstein (R) presented a Grant Award at the Village of Mount Kisco Board Meeting on 11/19/18. Mount Kisco Independent Fire Company, represented by 1st Lieutenant Jon Pucila, received a grant for a Blowhard Ventilation Fan. This is the third
grant that this department has received for a total of more than- $10,000.
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Stayin’ Alive, Inc. is a 501 (c)3 charity that supports the First Responders of Northern Westchester, New York. They combine funds raised through an annual 5K Fun Run, grants, and donations from individuals to provide equipment to emergency responders that is not covered in their annual budget. Visit them online at https://stayinalive.org/.
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2019 Parking Permits are Available
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Your 2018 parking permits are expiring at the end of December. By now, you should have received a renewal application in the mail. If not, or if you misplaced it, you can download one
here.
Permits are also available at Village Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
Please make sure you have all of the required documents.
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Parking Permits for Businesses
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Business owners and employees - which would you rather pay, $1,560 or $450?
If you feed the meter for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, you're paying $1,560 to park for the year. You can pay only $450 for a year-long parking permit, which has other benefits in addition to saving money:
- metered spots in front of businesses will be freed up for customer parking
- staff won't lose time running in and out of work to feed the meter or risk a ticket
- permits can be shared among employees with different shifts
Please call us at (914) 864-0034 or e-mail parking@mountkiscony.gov to get started on a business permit today!
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Free Holiday Parking in Municipal Lots
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Village Center
2 & 4 hour free parking
South Moger
2 & 4 hour free parking
North Moger
2 & 4 hour free parking
(12 hour meters excluded)
Blackeby
2 & 4 hour free parking
(12 hour meters excluded)
Dakin
2 and 4 hour free parking
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Free holiday parking is being provided in all municipal parking lots
(not on-street meters)
through Tuesday, January 2nd, and is identified at all pay stations.
Come downtown to shop, eat, visit the library, watch a movie, and more!
Please be sure to read the two hour or four hour time restriction on the signs.
Time limits will be enforced to discourage all day and commuter parking.
For employees of downtown businesses: free all day parking during this period is available in the North Moger Parking Lot - see the Tax Receiver's Office in Village Hall for obtaining a permit. (914-864-0034 or taxreceiver@mountkiscony.gov)
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Infrastructure Construction Updates
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The Village is working with the Town of Bedford and the New York State Department of Transportation on ensuring that ConEdision paves North Bedford Road, per our existing agreement. This will likely take place in the spring.
The Mountain Avenue water main project is complete, with approval from the Westchester County Department of Health. The road, sidewalk, and curb will also be fully restored in the spring.
New York State Department of Transportation will continue their work to move the utility lines and sidewalk at the intersection by Northern Westchester Hospital through the end of December. The project plan indicates that work on the roadway will begin in the Spring.
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Please place your garbage at one (1) central location at the rear of the building by 6:00 AM on the day of collection. If you must place your garbage at the curb, do so between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM on the day of collection.
Tuesday will be bottle and can pick up, Wednesday will be cardboard pick up.
If your collection day falls on a holiday, unless otherwise announced, garbage will be collected the day before the holiday.
2019 Holiday Schedule
Tuesday-January 1, 2019
Monday-January 21, 2019
Monday-February 18, 2019
Monday-May 27, 2019
Thursday-July 4, 2019
Monday-September 2, 2019
Monday-October 14, 2019
Tuesday-November 5, 2019
Monday-November 11, 2019
Thursday-November 28, 2019
Friday-November 29, 2019
Wednesday-December 25, 2019
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December
17th - Board of Trustees Meeting (7PM)
19th - Architectural Review Board (7:30PM)
January
7th - Board of Trustees Executive Session (6:30PM)
8th - Planning Board Meeting (7:30PM)
9th - Recreation Commission Meeting (7PM)
14th - Board of Trustees Meeting (7PM)
15th - Board of Trustees Executive Session (4:15PM)
15th - Zoning Board of Appeals (7:30PM)
16th - Board of Trustees Executive Session (7PM)
16th - Architectural Review Board (7:30PM)
22nd - Planning Board Meeting (7:30PM)
28th - Board of Trustees Meeting (7PM)
For additional events and meetings, please see the Village calendar
here.
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From the Village Assessor
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The Assessment Department would like to remind all senior citizens who receive the Enhanced Star exemption to sign up for the Income Verification Program (IVP), if they have not done so already. The IVP forms were previously sent out to seniors. This is now required by New York State in order to continue to receive the exemption.
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Celebrating December Birthdays and a Welcome the New Year Celebration
Thursday, December 27
th
12:00PM
After a delicious lunch and birthday good wishes a DJ plays music for toe tapping, singing along and dancing.
For more information and registration requirements for these and many more activities at the Fox Center, call 914-666-8766 or email at mtkiscoseniors@gmail.com.
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School Break Mega Fun Break Days – Grades K–5 (Leonard Park Complex)
Come join us for a few days during the school breaks! Each day will feature a different themed special event. A side from the day’s special event, we will play games and sports, make art projects, and weather permitting, go to the playground.
December 26, 27, 28 (Wednesday—Friday).
Week Fee
:
$85 per week 1
st
child, $80 for 2
nd
child
Themes
:
Wednesday (Mad Science), Thursday (Snow Day), Friday (New Year’s Pizza Party)
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New Year's Day Run/Walk (Leonard Park)
New Year’s Day at 11:00AM
This mile long run/walk is designed to start the New Year on the right foot. No registration is necessary, if you would like to bring a non-perishable food item, we will give it to the local food pantry.
You can register for all recreation programs online, click
here.
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Rescue Fire Police Appointment
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Congratulations Officer Humberto Mejia Perez!
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On Monday, November 19th, Humberto Meija Perez was appointed to the Rescue Fire Police in the Village. Officer Perez is pictured here with his family and fellow officers.
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The Building Department routinely receives calls questioning what improvements require a Building Permit. A Building Permit is required for most home improvements with the
exception
of the following:
- Construction or installation of one-story detached structures associated with one- or two-family dwellings or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) which are used for tool and storage sheds, playhouses or similar uses, provided that the gross floor area does not exceed 100 square feet (9.29 square meters) and shall adhere to the required setbacks in that zoning district;
- Installation of swings and other playground equipment associated with a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses);
- Installation of swimming pools associated with a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses) where such pools are designed for a water depth of less than 24 inches and are installed entirely above ground;
- Installation of fences which are not part of an enclosure surrounding a swimming pool;
- Construction of retaining walls unless such walls support a surcharge or impound Class I, II, or IIIA liquids and/or rise more than four feet above grade;
- Construction of temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets, and scenery;
- Installation of window awnings supported by an exterior wall of a one- or two-family dwelling or multiple single-family dwellings (townhouses);
- Installation of partitions or movable cases less than five feet nine inches in height;
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, or other similar finish work;
- Installation of listed portable electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation or cooling equipment or appliances;
- Replacement of any equipment, provided that the replacement does not alter the equipment's listing or render it inconsistent with the equipment's original specifications; or Repairs, provided that such repairs do not involve:
- The removal or cutting away of a load-bearing wall, partition, or portion thereof or of any structural beam or load-bearing component;
- The removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure in a manner which affects egress;
- The enlargement, alteration, replacement or relocation of any building system; or
- The removal from service of all or part of a fire-protection system for any period of time.
If you are unsure whether your project requires a permit, contact the Building Department to inquire. They are always ready to help! You can call (914) 864-0019 or email
buildingdept@mountkiscony.gov
Home owners who have finished their basement and attic space often unaware of the necessary code and safety requirements. Also, people often ask whether an additional kitchen can be added to the basement of their home
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- Let’s start with adding a second kitchen in your home, is it allowed? Yes. Then what makes a second kitchen unlawful? When other space is combined including: a full bathroom, bedroom, living space/room, and a separate entrance which creates a separate, independent dwelling unit. The Village definition of a dwelling unit is a building or entirely self-contained portion thereof containing complete housekeeping facilities for only one family unit, including any domestic servants employed on the premises, and having no enclosed space (other than vestibules, entrances or other hallways or porches) or cooking or sanitary facilities in common with any other dwelling unit. In addition, zoning laws may prohibit adding another dwelling unit depending on the location of your home. If you are unsure, call the Building Department and they can help you identify the zoning district for your home.
- If you have an additional dwelling unit that was created without Village approvals, by solely removing the stove does not constitute the removal of the dwelling unit in its entirety. There are a number of other code and safety requirements necessary to legalize any habitable space.
- Lastly, most attics and basements do not qualify as habitable space unless they meet specific code and safety requirements including, but not limited to:
i. An adequate amount of living space
ii. An adequate second means of egress
iii. Proper ceiling heights
iv. Adequate natural light and ventilation
v. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
vi. Possibly the need to install a fire sprinkler
If you are considering finishing a basement or attic space, schedule an appointment with the Building Department so they can help identify whether your home meets the minimum code and safety requirements. If you already finished your attic or basement space without a permit or purchased a home with an already finished attic or basement, the Building Department will assist you with legalizing the space.
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Do You Need a Tree Removal Permit?
YES, if:
- Your tree trunk is wider than 4 inches at a height of 4 feet above ground.
- You plan to cut down the tree or alter more than 25% of the tree's growth.
- You plan any construction or other activity that could injure the tree or its roots (i.e. excavation or paving).
NO, if:
- It is necessary to control a fire, or for the protection of health, safety, or property (this needs to be documented within three days of removal).
- If the tree is less than 4 inches in diameter 4 feet off the ground.
- You have a site plan and tree preservation plan approved by the Village's Planning Board.
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How do you apply for a tree permit?
- Visit the Building Dept. at Village Hall.
- Fill out an application and pay $10 fee.
- Tree Preservation Board members will inspect the tree/s and advise on the next steps.
- If the application is approved, the permit will be available in a few days.
Tree removal permits are usually approved when the tree poses a danger to people or property, the tree is diseased, the tree substantially interferes with the permitted use of the property, and/or the tree belongs to an invasive species. If you have questions, please contact the Building Department at (914) 864-0019 or go to
www.mountkiscony.gov.
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Paula Maiorano, the Village's Secretary and Deputy Clerk for the last 30 years, is retiring in January.
Paula was recently named Woman of the Year by the Italian American Club of Northern Westchester, and the Village declared Monday, December 3rd, 2018 as Paula Maiorano day.
We wish Paula all the best and thank her for her years of dedicated service to the Village!
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The Library Promotes Giving Back
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Give Back This Holiday Season @ Mount Kisco Public Library
At the Mount Kisco Public Library, we are thankful for our Friends & Foundation groups, our dedicated volunteers, and our incredible patrons who make the library a wonderful place to work. We hope that you and your friends and families have a...
Read more
myemail.constantcontact.com
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Happy Holidays from Village Hall!
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