December 8, 2021
MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
Each year in the United States, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day honors those who lost their lives when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. More than 3,500 Americans lost their lives or were wounded on that solemn day. It marked a turn in the United States' position regarding involvement in World War II. As a result, the attack forced the U.S. into a war that had been raging for two years. Yesterday, our local Veterans gathered at 16 Croton Ave to continue the annual tradition of memorializing and paying tribute to those who lost their lives.
Thank you to everyone in Ossining that came out to watch the Menorah & Tree Lighting ceremonies in Market Square last week. I want to thank Rabbi Dovid Labkowski from the Chabad of Briarcliff-Ossining for hosting an inclusive Chanukah celebration. It is also with pleasure that I thank the Ossining Fire & Police Departments for delivering Santa to bring joy to our community after the Market Square tree was lit. A special shout out to Johnny G and the Mike Risko Band for their fabulous tunes! Although regrettably not in person, I was with everyone in spirit and have heard only good things from people who loved the “Santa Snowglobe." It was a brilliant idea! This might be different from our past celebrations; however, we are no less thrilled to have had the chance to gather outside and wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season.
In case you missed it, the Board of Trustees passed the 2022 budget last week. The budget includes many dynamic capital projects that are long overdue in our Village, as well as allocations for everyday quality of life improvements.
Are you interested in making a difference in your community? Why not join one of the Village’s local volunteer boards or commissions? The Board of Trustees has opened the online application for various positions on our many volunteer Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Participation can help make positive changes in our community by working towards a common goal together. Residents outside of the Village can also apply for the Board of Ethics.

Our staff is available to help you identify what best suits your interests. Please click here for more information on the different Boards, Commissions, and Committees. I welcome you to complete the online application (click here). I thank the residents of the Village of Ossining for their dedication and commitment to service.
Throughout 2022, the Village Board of Trustees and I are planning to host four Village Hall Forums. The purpose of these meetings is to create space for members, organizations, and businesses in our community to share their thoughts and ideas and ask questions regarding various initiatives of concern. Each forum will include the Mayor and one or more of the Trustees. These forums will be held collaboratively and interactively, which will empower the public to learn and share their feedback.

We would like to have your input on which topics are of most interest to you for such community engagement. We've created a survey that includes suggested topics and an "other" area for additional thoughts. The Board will look at these suggestions in developing the forums for 2022.

Thank you for taking the time to participate!
Tonight marks the last Work Session for 2021. It’s truly been an exciting year being your Mayor…you can expect a recap of where we are and what we have planned for 2022 before the close of the year. Items of note from the Work Session are as follows:

  • Based largely on the recommendations from the Nelson Nygaard Mobility & Parking Study, we have developed the 2022 Parking Plan that roughly outlines each of 13 strategies we plan to implement in 2022 to further our progress on making accessing and traversing our business districts easier and our parking administration more user-friendly, before addressing the other recommendations in 2023.
  • In order to receive FEMA funding, we are obligated to have a Hazard Mitigation Plan, which is typically updated every five years. The Village is part of a county-wide consortium that received a grant to update the former Plan, and Village staff has been hard at work ensuring our data is up to date. Our Director of Planning and Assistant Village Manager will give a short presentation, which will also notify the community that the public engagement period on the Plan is open and will end on 12/17.
  • Plateau Associates has requested an extension of their planned Waterfront Special Permit.
  • We will also be presented with an update on the Firehouse Consolidation Study.
  • Last but never least … Corporation Council will present upcoming revisions to the Village’s Procurement Policy.
 
Following the Work Session, we will convene for a Special Meeting, appointing members to the Police Reform Advisory Committee (PRAC), authorization to bid remediation work at 200 Main Street, and a budget adjustment for the 2018 HVAC capital project at the Community Center.
Click here for the


Zoom info is as follows:
Members of the public can view the meeting via computer or mobile app: https://us06web.zoom.us/s/89075189508
Webinar ID: 890 7518 9508
Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone: +1 929 205 6099
Stay tuned to the weekly Mayor's Update for more information about Ossining's Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from NYS!
Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org