October 1, 2024

Did you see? We have a new business on Main Street: Just Eyes Optometry, which was opened by Dr. Sara Dawson. It was a pleasure to spend time with you at your ribbon cutting this past weekend – I am confident in your success, and wish you the best of luck!

Way to go to Ossining’s Police Officer Robert Cregier for graduating from Police Motorcycle School hosted by the Yonkers Police Department. Job well done, ride safe!

Congratulations to Town of Ossining Council Member Jennifer Fields-Tawil on being chosen to receive the Anne M. Janiak Leadership Grant Award at the WEDC's Entrepreneurial Spirit Awards Gala for her work for Lean on Me Westchester Doula.

Join the Ossining Police Department this Thursday, October 3rd, at 9 am for Coffee with a Cop at the Starbucks in the Arcadian Shopping Center. Retired Officers such as Shelly Farrell and others will join us as well. Come, strike up a conversation!

Please join us for National Night Out 2024 on Friday, October 4, from 5-9 PM at Ossining High School. This community event will allow you to meet your folks from the Police Department, Fire Department, and Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps - and touch a truck!

This free event will have burgers and hot dogs and fun activities (including face painting and games) for the kids! National Night Out is a community event that promotes community partnerships to keep our neighborhoods safe.

The Ossining Youth Bureau will host a "FREE" first responder program for Ossining Union Free School District (OUFSD) students in grades 9-12th. The Civilian Academy is a six-week program that combines the Police, Fire, and EMT Department in partnership with The Ossining Youth Bureau "OYB". The program will provide a learning experience of what it means to be a first responder.

Session: October 1st until November 7, 2024

There will be two sessions a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 5pm-7pm held at various locations throughout Ossining.

To sign up, please refer to the link below:

https://register.capturepoint.com/reg/cat_program_list_detail.cfm?season_id=18796&program_id=2382926 

The Village of Ossining Board of Trustees meets each Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm. The first and third meetings of each month are typically Legislative Sessions, held at the Birdsall-Fagan Police & Court Facility at 86 Spring Street.

During Legislative Sessions myself, the mayor, and the Board of Trustees are able to open public hearings and make decisions regarding local laws and ordinances. Legislative Sessions also enable the Board to ratify budgets and authorize contracts and expenses.

Here is a summary of recent laws and ordinances that have been passed since August 2024:

• Local Law 9-2024- Amends chapter 91, article IV, reimbursement of professional services for land use applications. It requires that charges for professional services be paid before a resolution or certificate is issued by one of the village land use boards (Planning, Board of Architectural Review, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Historic Preservation Commission).
• Local Law 10-2024- Amends chapter 240 (Towing). At the request of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the law was amended to list those sections of the Correction Law that the Chief of Police must consider when reviewing an application for a tow truck driver's permit.
• Local Law 11-2024- Amends Chapter 270 (Zoning) by creating the Indian Brook-Croton Gorge Inter-Municipal Watershed Protection Overlay District. 
• Local Law 12-2024- Repeals much of the former chapter 162 and adopts a new chapter 162 (Housing and Property Maintenance). This includes provisions relating to changes in commercial occupancy, outdoor signs, inoperable motor vehicles, illegal residential properties, and overcrowding.
• Local Law 13-2024- Amends multiple chapters of the village code setting out the process for the Village to recover its expenses for activities that the property owner otherwise is responsible for (brush and weed removal, snow and ice removal are examples).
• Local Law 14-2024- Rea-adopts chapter 57, allowing for videoconferencing by the Board of Trustees, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, etc.
• Local Law 15-2024- Amends chapter 270 (Zoning). This includes new definitions and new rules regarding the Village's zoning districts.
• Local Law 16-2024- Amends Chapter 92 by deleting the reference to a foundation permit.
• Local Law 17-2024- Amends Chapter 250, Vehicles and Traffic. Prohibits passenger vehicles and pick-up trucks registered as passenger vehicles with a gross weight of 8,000 pounds or greater from parking in municipal parking lots.

Due to the Rosh Hashanah holiday beginning at sundown on Wednesday, October 2^nd, the Village of Ossining held this week’s Legislative Meeting on Monday, September 30^th, at 7:30PM at 16 Croton Avenue.

Some items of note:

• The Board began with (2) Public Hearings, as follows:
• A proposed Local Law containing additional changes to Chapter 8 (CPCRB)
• A proposed Local Law revising Chapter 194 (Peace & Good Order)
• The Board had resolutions to adopt (2) local laws:
• A proposed local law-making amendments to Village Code Chapter 92 re: repealing the sections of the code making reference to the issuance of Foundation Permits
• A proposed local law-making amendments to Village Code Chapter 250 re: increasing the allowable weight of non-commercial vehicles eligible for hardship (on-street) parking permits
• The Board also had a resolution to call for a Public Hearing (scheduled to take place on October 16^th, the next regularly scheduled Legislative Meeting) on a proposed local law making amendments to Village Code Chapter 1 (General Penalty).
• The Board had a resolution to amend the 2024 Cabaret License issues to The 19^th Hole, updating the business’ approved Methods of Operation to include live music.
• The Board had a resolution authorizing Village Manager D’Attore to sign an agreement authorizing ELQ to replace lead service lines along Spring Street, piggybacking off the White Plains contract and at a price not to exceed $150K.
• The Board had a resolution authorizing a Merchant Agreement with AllPaid, who will act as the Village’s authorized agent to accept online payments for commuter and muni lot permits issued by the Town of Ossining Clerk.
• Finally, under New Business, we had a discussion regarding a potential resolution to the EPA in support for PCB cleanup in the Hudson River.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org

Wednesday, October 2nd, marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah and the high holidays. I will be celebrating this holiday with my family and neighbors.

May your home be filled with the sweetness of honey and the warmth of community this Rosh Hashanah. May we see an end to arrogance, ignorance, and antisemitism.