The Tarrytown Link is issued the Friday after the regular Board of Trustees meeting, twice per month. We are introducing a new look for the newsletter to make it easier to read. We are always open to feedback. Please feel free to reach out at newsletter@tarrytownny.gov.

Many thanks to all who participated in Trunk or Treat at Pierson Park this year!

Highlights from the October 20, 2025 Board Meeting

Presentation by Dr. Ray Sanchez

Dr. Ray Sanchez, Superintendent of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns School District, gave an annual update to the Board of Trustees on a range of school issues including the progress of the large capital projects underway.

In Tarrytown, the Washington Irving field and bleacher improvements are ongoing. The new turf will soon be installed and the project is anticipated for completion in Q1 of the new year. The new lights on the High School fields are already in use, and have allowed night practices and games for a variety of sports including the recent Homecoming game. The new addition and renovation of one half of the Morse School is expected to be near completion by March, at which time, the work will pause until the summer when a new project will begin on the other half of the school. In addition, energy performance contract which is installing energy efficient upgrades on multiple campuses, will pay for itself through the cost savings provided by the upgrades.

For more information about the District's capital improvement projects, check out their facilities webpage.

In addition to the capital improvements projects, the School District has been adding new programming including:

• Expanded afterschool offerings
• Workforce training in partnership with Westchester Community College
• Expanded mental health services including the hiring of an additional social worker and provision of mental health clinics
• Parent education opportunities including English as a New Language classes
• A police academy program produced in partnership with the police departments of the two Villages.

The School District re-opened Tappan Hill School this year. The building hosts 1st grade this year and will host 2nd grade next year, but will eventually be the home for the District's kindergarten classes. The additional space with the new school opening has allowed for an expanded pre-k program in the district which means there is currently no waiting list for entering families.

The District's enrollment has remained fairly steady at approximately 2,700 students.

Keeping the Upper Lake Clean

The Board of Trustees approved a contract with Everblue Lakes Solutions (formerly Lake Savers) to construct a new, more durable, permanent solution to capturing stormwater runoff from the Sunnyside Avenue waterway before it transports nutrients into the lake that cause harmful algae blooms. The previous filtration system was constructed 10 years ago, and is no longer functioning properly. The new solution will use a combination of geotextile filtration fabric, biofiltration materials, pea gravel and rip rap.

This filtration system is part of a larger project to improve the health of the Upper Lake. Other measures used include the installation of aerators, the harvesting of vegetation, an annual bio-blast, which introduces beneficial bacteria which feed on the algae.

The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Committee (TEAC) has recently raised concerns about the health of the Lower Lake due to a build up of algae along the shoreline. The much larger Lower Lake would require a significantly larger investment for the same treatments. The Village will be meeting with experts in aquatic ecology from Rockefeller Preserve in November to seek guidance on possible solutions.

Coming Up

• Board of Trustees Work Session: Wednesday, October 29, 6:00pm
• Board of Trustees Regular Meeting: Monday, November 3, 7:00pm

Credit: Margaret Fox

The Halloween Parade: Saturday! 10/25 at 5pm

What Residents Need to Know

You have likely seen the event signs going up around town this week. The Public Works Department has been staging barricades along the parade route. The end result of months of preparations by the Halloween Parade Committee and Village staff is finally here. We hope you have your costumes ready!

As the parade size has grown exponentially in recent years, the Village has implemented additional measures to reduce congestion to the extent possible and support a successful event. The following is essential information to plan your day, whether participating in the festivities or not:

NO PARKING ZONES

WHERE TO PARK

If you need to get your car off of the street, or you need closer access to the parade, Village residents will be able to park in the municipal lots.

Check out this online interactive parking map for a guide to names and locations of Village lots. The following Village lots will be available for parking but we recommend you arrive early to secure a space:

• McKeel Lot (Lot 5)
• Lot 4 (Washington Street West)
• Lot A (next to Village Hall)
• Lot B (next to train station)
• Lot C (waterfront commuter parking)
• Lot D (next to Recreation Building)
• Lot E (for residents only – next to Senior Center)
• Lot F (next to Losee Field)
• Lot G (next to kayak launch near the WI Boat Club)

In addition:

• The School District Booster Club is running a fundraiser for parking lots at the Washington Irving School and the High School and charging $20 for the day. See the attached flyer.
• The parking lot next to the DPW garage off of Hudson View Way will also be open for Event Parking. 

SHUTTLE

Three shuttle buses will be operating between 2pm and 5pm between the train station and the parade route.

ROAD CLOSURES

RESTRICTED ACCESS

To improve traffic flow on the day of the parade, vehicle access to the inner Village will be limited to downtown residents and businesses only.

MAKE A PLAN

If you don't want to get caught in parade traffic, it's a good idea to make a plan to either stay in the Village for the duration of the event (and enjoy the festivities!), or if you plan to leave or must leave the Village, try to delay your return until later in the evening.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS

If you have friends visiting on the day of the parade, please encourage them to park at a neighboring municipality and take the train. Our neighbors have other fun happenings going on the 25th. Park in Hastings on Hudson, and check out their Scarecrows's Ball at the Good Witch Coffee Shop before parade time. Park in Croton on Hudson and check out the pet costume parade! More listings on the Halloween Parade website.

Leaf Collection Schedule

2025 Season

The Annual Leaf Collection season begins on November 3rd. The 2025 Leaf Collection Schedule can be found on the Village website. For those who are new to Tarrytown or residents who need a refresher, this is how fall leaf collection works in Tarrytown:

The hours of leaf collection occur between 7:00 am and 3:00 pm. On the day of your scheduled collection, please refrain from parking on the street to allow DPW crews to safely and efficiently collect the leaf piles. Due to conditions beyond our control, your scheduled day may be delayed.

The following rules apply to leaf collection and will be strictly enforced by Code Enforcement or Tarrytown PD:

1. Leaves must not be placed at the curb prior to the weekend before your scheduled collection date.

2. Leaves must be piled at the edge of the curb and NOT in the travel lane of the road.

3. Leaf piles mixed with any other materials – brush, twigs, pumpkins, etc. – will not be collected. The County of Westchester only accepts leaves.

4. All leaves placed curbside prior to the beginning and after the conclusion of the leaf collection season must be placed in biodegradable paper bags to be collected during normal organic collection (Thursdays).

5. In addition to our leaf collection schedule, organics placed in bio-degradable bags and small neatly piled brush will continue to be picked up on Thursday’s Organic collection.

6. The schedule is subject to change depending on unforeseen conditions and weather. If your collection is missed, you will be picked up a day or two later.

Changes to SNAP Benefits

in Effect on 11/1

NOTICE FROM WESTCHESTER COUNTY:

New federal government work rules and eligibility requirements take effect November 1, 2025.

Starting November 1, based on changes from the federal government, work requirements, age limits and exemptions are changing for SNAP recipients who are 18-64 years old, living without dependent younger than 14 and who are able to work.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE NEW FEDERAL RULES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF SNAP BENEFITS.

The federal government now has different age limits for SNAP recipients and their dependents. If a recipient is an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD).

To get SNAP benefits for more than three months in a three-year period, you must work at least 80 hours a month or participate in a qualified training program if you are between the ages of 18-64, have children 14 or older and are physically and mentally able.

Exemptions for veterans, homeless individuals and current or former foster youth age 18-24 have been eliminated by the federal government. 

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If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out immediately to the Department of Social Services by calling the Case Management Information Center at (914) 995-3333 or visiting your local district office.

You can find more information on the new work rules on our website 

https://socialservices.westchestergov.com/snap/snap-announcements

No Shave November:

The PBA Supports Cancer Awareness Campaign

The Tarrytown Police Benevolent Association will be participating in No Shave November again this year. This month-long campaign to raise awareness of male cancer requires participants to stop shaving for the month. Each participant donates to the campaign, and the PBA will match the donation. The donated funds are given No-Shave.org which supports cancer foundations including the American Cancer fund, the Testicular Cancer Society, Be the Match, and Fans for the Cure. The Tarrytown PBA will have a team registered on N-Shave.org for any other donors who want to contribute to their campaign.

Reminder: Early Voting Starts Saturday!

Saturday, October 25 through Sunday, November 2

For information about what is on the ballot this election, the Village Clerk has posted a sample ballot.

The League of Women Voters of Westchester has been hosting candidate forums. A recording of their candidate forum with the candidates for County Executive can be found on their YouTube Channel.

Please visit the Westchester County Board of Elections page for up to date information on Early Voting.

What is Early Voting?

Early voting for the General Election is a nine (9) day period where voters can vote in-person before Election Day in Westchester County.

Who can vote early?

For the November 4, 2025 General Election – All registered voters in the County of Westchester can vote early.

When can I vote early?

Early Voting will begin prior to the General Election. The early voting period will be from Saturday, October 25, 2025 through Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Days and Hours as follows:

• Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Sunday, October 26, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Monday, October 27, 2025 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 28, 2025 from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 29, 2025 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Thursday, October 30, 2025 from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.
• Friday, October 31, 2025 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Sunday, November 2, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Where can I vote early?

You can vote at any of the twenty-five (25) designated Early Voting sites throughout the County.

Community Food Pantry to Host Open House Wednesday, November 12, 2025

What:

The Community Food Pantry of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow is welcoming our friends and neighbors to an Open House evening where they can see first hand how we provide nutritious food to the members of our community who need it. Light refreshments will be served.

When:

Wednesday November 12, 6.30-8.00pm

Where: 

Upstairs at the Christ Church Hall, corner of W. Elizabeth and John Sts, Tarrytown 

RSVP:

Erin Blanton at eblanton22@gmail.com

New MTA Fares Coming in January 2026

The base fare for subways, local buses, and Access-A-Ride is increasing 10 cents, from $2.90 to $3. The reduced fare is increasing from $1.45 to $1.50, and the express bus base fare is increasing from $7 to $7.25. 

For a full list of changes, check out the press release.

Follow along on social media: