November 16, 2021
MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
This Veteran’s Day, It was my honor to join community members to thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
 
Are you a veteran, is someone in your family a U.S. veteran? Please note that recent legislation, introduced by New York State Senator Pete Harckham and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, requires care facilities to ask patients about their military veteran status on intake forms, which will forge better communication between providers and clients while helping to provide benefits to deserving individuals. The legislation (S.2977A) will ensure that all intake forms at hospitals, primary care facilities, nursing homes, assisted living residences, and homeless shelters seek to ascertain an applicant's or client's military status. With this information, a state veteran's resource officer can be dispatched to ensure that Veterans and their family members receive all entitled benefits. 
Over the past few weeks, the Village Board of Trustees has been engaged in extensive discussions with Ossining’s Village Management regarding the components of the 2022 Tentative Budget. As a Board, it is always our goal to provide transparency to the community. That being said, I am pleased to share that all budget meetings were open to the public and all recordings and transcripts are available for view on the Village’s website.
 
Here are some key takeaways:
In 2021, we continued to adapt to the challenges of a global pandemic while prioritizing the health and well-being of our community. In planning for 2022, our department heads, along with the management team, Chief of Police, Corporation Counsel, and fire department Chiefs, worked diligently to move forward with many important initiatives while managing daily expenses. We expect costs to rise dramatically in 2022 on many of our capital projects as we see that supply chain shortages across the region are growing, not receding. Even with all that in mind, we are aiming for a 0% tax rate increase for Village residents.
 
The tentative budget for 2022 includes:
  • Improved code enforcement to address quality of life issues
  • Increased road paving
  • Parking and mobility implementation
  • Economic Development
  • Village-owned site development opportunities
  • Climate change resilience and energy efficiency
  • Improved communications with the public
  • Police reform plan implementation
  • Staffing right sizing/increases
  • Renovations to the Indian Brook Water Treatment Plant
  • Increased investments for the Fire Department
  • Improvements to Public Works, Parks and Recreation
  • Operating efficiencies such as sidewalk and curb maintenance
  • Municipal Building enhanced security and safety
  • Physical and safety enhancements to our Community Center and Operations Center
  • Investment in Public Works
  • Investment in our youth via the newly developed Ossining Youth Bureau

Please join us for the public hearing, which begins this week Legislative Session.
This week, at our Legislative Meeting, we begin the public hearing for Proposed Local Law 13-2021: A Local Law amending Chapter 8 (Civilian Police Complaint Review Board) of the Village of Ossining Code followed by the Public Hearing for the 2022 Tentative Budget. The community is encouraged to participate.

Click here for the Legislative Meeting - Nov 17 2021 Agenda.

Members of the public can view the meeting via computer or mobile app:  https://us06web.zoom.us/s/88980532186
Webinar ID: 889 8053 2186
Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone: +1 929 205 6099
The Ossining Youth Bureau (OYB) has been awarded a grant from the Friends of White Plains Youth Bureau (FWPYB) to replicate their Nationally recognized intergenerational mentoring program. Please join us, wherever you are, with a cup of coffee, even tea. Invite a local GRANDPA or two. This is an opportunity to hear a brief presentation, ask questions and give thought to how you can support the quest for GRANDPA MENTORS! 

Please, review and share the attached flyer, with ZOOM information.  

Seriously, if you know of GRANDPAS interested in giving back to the Ossining Community, have them join or reach out to me. 

We have also partnered with First Village Coffee (11/22) and Good Choice Kitchen (11/19) for in person events as well. 

All information shall be shared via multiple social media platforms and eventually a GRANDPAS United Ossining distribution list.  
Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org