June 25, 2024

Sustainable Westchester is hosting an event that will be held specifically in Spanish – the Energy Savings Workshop - at the Ossining Public Library on June 26 at 7:00 PM!

Here, you can learn about programs that will help you save on your electricity bill. They will expand the conversation to include how these programs can connect to the environment, health, and the future of our community. Sign-up assistance will be provided after a brief presentation.

This workshop will be in Spanish, and refreshments will be provided.

Ice Cream Social!

The Ossining Police Department will host a Cops & Kids Kickball Game at Nelson Park on Friday, June 28th, beginning at 4:30 pm.

Join the fun and get the ball rolling by meeting members of our local police department.

DJ Johnny will be on hand with music - while the Elks will provide hotdogs.

Did you miss our community engagement event on Monday? If so, please join us on Saturday, June 29th, in the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center Multipurpose room from 10 AM to noon. This is a vital step in the development and design of the Multi-Modal Transportation Hub, and your active participation is key to its success.

For those who have been following the Village's progress since being awarded a $10M grant from NYS, this will be our first approved project that will move from concept to reality!

The Hub will support the Village of Ossining's redevelopment of the two most centrally-located and desirable properties in the downtown, which are currently used as surface parking following the demolition of buildings during Urban Renewal. For many years, these parking lots, located at Spring and Main Streets in the heart of the Village, have been the subject of redevelopment studies and conceptual plans; however, the lack of parking alternatives presented a significant impediment. With DRI funding, Market Square will be transformed with new landscaping to create a greatly enhanced open-air plaza. The two surface parking lots adjacent to the post office will become the home of "Spring on Main"; this mixed-use property will further activate Ossining's Main Street business district with retail space, improved street scaping, and residential rental apartments. These project elements combine to represent a major step towards a more sustainable and vibrant future for Ossining.

We will have a recording available from Monday's meeting, and we invite you to view the session here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHDwnG_eFIRoSs1sc8jdpw

There will be ample time for community questions & comments, ensuring your voice is heard, and your ideas are considered.

Click here for more info: https://www.villageofossining.org/nys-dri/pages/hub.

This July, the Village of Ossining will be expanding its Community Solar Program with a solar canopy installation in the parking lot located on the east side of the train station. Unlike traditional solar panels located on private property, this innovative project will benefit the entire community by making solar energy accessible to all, including households who cannot install solar panels where they live. This model significantly increases access to clean energy, offering a unique opportunity for our community to actively contribute to a greener future and enjoy the benefits of sustainable living while saving money in the process.

Construction is expected to begin on Monday, July 15th, with an anticipated completion date of September 6th.

Commuter Parking on the east side of the train tracks will be impacted, as per the diagram below. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience, and we want to assure you that we are working diligently to minimize this inconvenience as much as possible.

During the construction period, we are encouraging commuters to utilize available train station parking spaces at both the north and south ends of the east side train station parking lot, as well as spaces dedicated for commuters along Water Street and Central Avenue. Commuter parking is also permitted in the lower Main Street parking lot. To offset the loss of parking during the construction period, an additional 30 spaces will be available at Westerly Marina on the west side of the train station at 7 Westerly Road. There will be no additional cost to park at Westerly Marina; however, you will need to have a train station parking permit, as parking will be enforced.



We appreciate your support and patience as we expand Ossining’s solar program.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Village Manager’s office at 914-941-3554 or email the Board of Trustees at bot@villageofossining.org with any questions or concerns.

For your convenience, we have created a dedicated page on our website for the Train Station Solar Canopy Project. Here, you can view the images by zooming in on your computer or via phone. Click here: https://bit.ly/3VufLRH

The Village recently learned about the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) ongoing rulemaking process that proposes to significantly change the long-standing “Fire Brigade Emergency Response Standard” (1910.156). The proposed amendments, which widely expand the scope of standards applied to first-responders, will have major implications for volunteer fire departments, and the communities they serve, nationwide. OSHA has allowed for an extended comment period through July 21^st—clicking here will allow you to read the proposed rule in its entirety, and will also allow you to share your formal comment on the proposed new standards.

I want to give special thanks to Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg for her work in awarding the Ossining Youth Bureau a $25k Assembly Budget Initiative grant for its environmental, visual arts, and civilian youth academy programs.

The Annual Best of Westchester 2024 Winners have been announced. This is not just a recognition of the businesses but also a testament to the active participation of our community. Readers were given a chance to vote on Westchester's best offerings, and the results are in! We are pleased to say that Ossining has some of the best in the county, with 17 awards! ⁠

The superlative categories span a wide range, reflecting the diverse and vibrant nature of our community. From food & drink to home & garden, shopping to fun & leisure, kids to services, and community & media, these awards truly showcase the richness and variety of Ossining.⁠

We want to congratulate these businesses on this honor. We are grateful for their contribution to making Ossining a thriving hub of success.

Readers’ Picks: Food & Drink

• COFFEE: First Village Coffee www.firstvillagecoffee.com
• EMPANADAS: Wanna Empanada www.wannaempanadany.com 
• LOBSTER ROLL: The Boathouse www.ossiningboathouse.com
• BANANA PUDDING: The Tasty Table www.thetastytableny.com
• SORBET: Penny Lick Ice Cream www.pennylickicecream.com

Readers’ Picks: Shopping

• MUSIC STORE: Mike Risko Music Store www.riskomusic.com
• OPTICAL STORE: Raymond Opticians www.raymondopticians.com

Readers’ Picks: Fun & Leisure

• LIBRARY: Ossining Public Library www.ossininglibrary.org
• LIVE BAND: The Mike Risko Band www.mikeriskomusicschool.com/mikeriskoband.html
• RUNNING TRAIL FOR STROLLERS: North County Trailway www.empiretrail.ny.gov

Readers’ Picks: Kids

• CHILDREN’S LIBRARY: Ossining Public Library www.ossininglibrary.org
• MUSIC SCHOOL: Mike Risko Music www.mikeriskomusicschool.com

Readers’ Picks: Services

• COLLEGE PREP: Smart Test Prep www.smarttestprep.com
• SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE: Green Ossining Committee www.greenossining.org

Readers’ Picks: Pets

• PET BOARDING: Gracelane Kennels www.gracelane.com
• PET SITTER: Geri DeSandre Dogwalking and Boarding https://www.facebook.com/geri.desandre
• VETERINARY CENTER: Family Veterinary Care www.fvcossining.com

Click here to see all of the winners: https://bit.ly/4ewc4DE 

This week’s Work Session will be held at 16 Croton Ave at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, June 26^th. Click here for agenda: Work Session - Jun 26 2024   

There will not be a Village Board of Trustees Meeting next week. Please join us next Wednesday, July 10^th, at Village Hall for our next Work Session.

Each year on July 4, the United States celebrates Independence Day. This federal holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain.

Here in Ossining, one of the exciting ways we celebrate is with our spectacular fireworks display. For many years, folks from all over the county have gathered at Ossining’s waterfront for the Town of Ossining’s RiverJam kickoff. This summer will kick off on Wednesday, July 3rd, @ 5:00 PM with music from Steel Passion & Homegrown, followed by fireworks. There will be food trucks, craft beer, and, of course, good times to be had. For more info on RiverJam, please click here: https://www.townofossining.com/cms/component/content/article/42-riverjam?catid=10&Itemid=101

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org