April 1, 2025

The Ossining Recreation and Parks Department and the Ossining Fire Department look forward to celebrating spring in our community. Big Bunny on the Fire Truck is returning to Ossining this Saturday, April 5^th, beginning at 9:00 AM. The parade route will be shared on the Village’s website and our social media pages before the event.

Westchester County will host a shredder event on Saturday, April 5^th, from 10am – 1pm in Ossining at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center.

Residents can bring up to 4 file-size (10" x12" x15") boxes of confidential papers per household for shredding. Please remove all large binder clips and covers. Papers from businesses, institutions, or commercial enterprises are not acceptable and will be rejected, as will any junk mail or newspapers.

Service at the event works on a first-come-first-served basis, as the Mobile Shredder unit can reach its maximum capacity before closing. It is important to know where you place the paper to be shredded - and it should not be with matches, lighters, or anything combustible. Staff at the event will check the material before being shredded.

Please call the county's Recycling Helpline at (914) 813-5425 to check on a cancellation or early closure.

Remember, it's best to shred documents you're no longer using that contain personal identifying information such as name, address, phone number, credit card number, or social security number. Such documents should be shredded before they are thrown out for recycling.

Some examples are:

• expired credit card statements and receipts
• old tax returns or personal documents containing your name, address, or other identifying information.
• pre-approved credit card application licenses

As this service is gaining in popularity, so please come prepared. Remove all metal clips, fasteners, binders, folders, and hardcovers, and place the papers loosely in a box. Hardcovers – cardboard or plastic covers on items such as ledger books, marble composition books, and hardcover books – cannot be shredded and will be turned away. Residents must rip pages from hardcover books for shredding and throw the covers in their regular household trash.

We celebrated Women's History Month with the Ossining Youth Bureau on Monday. Our guests enjoyed an afternoon filled with comradery, delicious food, and fun activities that were truly inspiring!

Earlier today, your Board of Trustees had the honor of participating in the Groundbreaking Ceremony at the 30 Water Street Project (Old DPW Site) hosted by WBP Development. This initiative has been years in the making, and we are so grateful for the teams of people who persevered to bring it to fruition. This event signifies the exciting next steps of the Water Street project, a significant step towards shaping the future of our community.

I am excited about this public /private enterprise, which brings together the best government practices aligned with private investment. The Village of Ossining has long been considered one of the most affordable villages in Westchester, and this all-affordable housing initiative at the waterfront continues to be in line with our focus on balancing development with the Village's capacity to support meaningful growth for the benefit of businesses and residents. Of special note is the incorporation of state-of-the-art decarbonization elements for environmental sustainability, additional private and public parking with a four-story garage, commercial retail space, community space, and the extension of the unique Sing Sing Kill greenway.

We thank all the dignitaries who joined us today, along with the Wilder Balter Group, our colleagues in Town government, county and state government, local non-profits, and most especially our staff.

I encourage all in the community to become involved in the outrageous rate hike proposed by Con Edison. Many local government members, including myself and my fellow board members, have spoken against this ridiculous rate of double-digit rate hikes for both delivery and product. 

Last week, the Village Board voted to participate in a consortium of local municipalities to be represented by our legal counsel in a hearing regarding this unreasonable increase to residents and businesses in our community. The Public Service Commission is a primary decision-maker in this matter, and we urge individuals to SPEAK UP. 

The Public Service Commission will be hosting public statement hearings for the proposed rate increases by Con Edison for electric and gas services. All written comments will become part of the Commission's record and may be accessed here:

Virtual public statement hearings will be held on the following:

Tuesday, April 8 (1:00 and 5:30 pm): Click here to register, and Wednesday, April 9 (1:00 and 5:30 pm: Click here to register

It is important to note that those individuals who want to make a public statement during the virtual public statement hearings must register. Here are 3 ways you can be heard.

• Comments filed via the internet: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on "File Search" (located under the heading "Commission Files"), enter 25-E-0072 or 25-G-0073 in the "Search by Case Number" box, and then click on "Post Comments" at the top of the page.
• Comments filled by mail: Send to Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, 12223-1350. 
• Comments filed via phone: Call the Commission's opinion line at 1-800-335-2120. 

Outdoor Summer Season is Upon Us! Here are links to helpful information for where to get your Ossining, Westchester County, New York State, and United States permitting information, as well as programming!

• Click here for Ossining Recreation and Parks Catalog
• Click here for Westchester County Parks Information
• Click here for New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
• Click here for US Park Pass information

This week’s Legislative Meeting will occur on Wednesday, April 2^nd, at the Courthouse.

We will start at 6PM with an Executive Session and begin the regular meeting at 7:30 PM.

Some items of note:

1. The BOT will have a resolution to declare a vehicle, a piece of equipment, and the police boat as surplus.
2. The Board will also have a resolution referring the Zoning Text Amendment re: the residential moratorium at the Waterfront (RDD & SP-N districts) to the Planning Board.
3. There will be a resolution for the Village Manager to sign a proposal for the HVAC replacement at the Community Center.
4. The BOT will also have (4) resolutions related to the Snow and Ice Agreement between the Village and the NYSDOT.
5. Finally, there is a resolution for the BOT to consider the 2025 Cabaret License for Hacienda el Patio.

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org

To everyone observing, I wish you and your family a blessed Eid filled with joy, peace, and prosperity. May the divine blessings of this holy day bring you hope, faith, and joy on Eid and forever.