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FORUM FOCUS
NOVEMBER 2026
| | Message to Our Membership | | |
Dear Scarsdale Forum Members,
Happy almost Thanksgiving! As we kick off the holiday season I'm pleased to announce that Kenneth Mazer, former Village Trustee, will be joining the Forum Board as Vice President. We are all very excited to have Ken come on board.
I invite you all to attend our Thursday, December 17 “State of the County” Membership Meeting next month, when we host County Legislator Jennifer Puja at the Scarsdale Library Scott Room. This is an important opportunity to hear directly from our County leadership about key initiatives, priorities, and challenges facing Westchester in the year ahead, including issues that impact Scarsdale and our broader community.
I also want to let you all know about a new initiative in Scarsdale, created by the Scarsdale Foundation, called GRACE (Growing Respect Accoutability Compassion and Empathy.) GRACE will partner with schools, faith communities, local government, and other community groups to host a series of facilitated conversations throughout the community, as well as offer a survey community-wide. We will send out more information on the initiative shortly.
We look forward to your participation in all Forum events and to continue our thoughtful discussions and collaboration as we close out 2026 and look ahead to a productive new year.
Best wishes,
Karen Brew, President
for more information about the Forum contact
meppenstein@eppenstein.com
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DECEMBER 17 , 2026 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Meet our Westchester County Legislator Jennifer Puja: You are cordially invited to attend the Scarsdale Forum's year end Membership meeting on Thursday, December 17 at the Scarsdale Library Scott Room. Refreshments at 7:00 PM, meeting begins 7:30 PM. The ZOOM Login instructions will be made available next month for those who cannot attend in person.
MEMBERSHIP: Forum membership runs from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
Residents who wish to join should visit here: https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Join
Renewing or lapsed members may sign up and pay here:
https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Membership/renew
Your membership allows you to participate in all committees and receive our Forum Focus newsletter highlighting the Forum's events and activities. Contact Susan Douglass, Membership Chair, at susanudouglass@gmail.com
| | Committee and Board Updates | | |
County Fiscal Affairs
The County Fiscal Affairs Committee released its Report
analyzing the County budget and its implications for Scarsdale property taxes. The Forum seeks members to participate in this important work. Contact meppenstein@eppenstein.com
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Downtown Revitalization
With the January 2026 Village announcement that a new Freightway redevelopment study had been initiated, the Committee's Freightway Garage working group geared up for another major study to reimagine the Freightway Garage. Read our August 2024 Report. Forum members interested in participating in projects concerning these and other issues relevant to the Village Center are invited to contact chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com for more information or the date of our next meeting.
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Education
See the Committee’s Report on the School District's initiative, "Profile of a SHS Graduate,” published in June 2024. Contact chairs Sarah Bell, sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com or Liza Lee, mslizalee@gmail.com
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Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee: sets up a light refreshment table at all Forum meetings and events. Please join this committee to ensure that members and guests feel welcomed at each Forum gathering. Contact chair BK Munguia at beeks58@aol.com for additional information.
Municipal Services
Municipal Services has collaborated with the Downtown Revitalization Committee on a range of traffic and safety issues that focus on the Post Road, the Village Center and local roads. See their REPORT on Traffic and Safety HERE. This work follows recommendations made to the Village in the Municipal Services Report on village-wide traffic safety.
See the most recent collaborative Report of the Sustainability, Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees, dated January 15, 2025 and the joint Report with the Sustainability Committee on saving the Village tree canopy, which helps to mitigate the volume and damage from stormwater runoff. For more information please contact chair Madelaine Eppenstein, meppenstein@eppenstein.com. Community input is welcome.
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Parks and Recreation Committees
The Committees, whose study encompasses matters relating to Village parks, other green spaces and recreational playing fields and courts, continue to evaluate current conditions and usage of Scarsdale's parks, fields and courts, green spaces and other recreational facilities, and to participate in work concerning these issues. Contact Parks and Rec chair Erin Rudensky, ejzerring@aol.com
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Program Committee
The Program Committee: organizes the programs and speakers for membership meetings and identifies speakers for special speaker events throughout the year. New members with contacts in the community or elsewhere are welcome to join the committee. Contact co-chairs Eli Mattioli at elimattioli@gmail.com and BK Munguia at beeks58@aol.com for additional information.
Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs
The Committee has a history of preparing comprehensive assessments, such as this Report commenting on the Village budget before it was passed, and has recommended that the Village Board should prioritize competing financial needs, wants, and how to pay for them. The Forum seeks members to participate in this important work.
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Scarsdale Youth Advisory Council (SFYAC)
New members are welcome to join. The Forum created the SFYAC to help empower the youth of Scarsdale to actively participate in community dialogue, express personal views, and become involved in addressing the civic issues, choices and solutions that directly impact them. SFYAC members must be Scarsdale residents who are under the age of 18. Please contact chair Sarah Bell at sarahbellscarsforum@gmail.com
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Special Events
Special Events Committee: Save the Date for Winterfest 2027: Saturday, January 30th at the Scarsdale Woman's Club. Always a delightful gathering of members and guests for food, drink and conversation! New members to this Committee are welcome. Contact BK Munguia at beeks58@aol.com 0r Lena Crandall at lena.crandall@verizon.net for additional information.
Sustainability
The Committee supports initiatives that would ensure a more environmentally sustainable, healthy environment and climate that provide quality of life for all Village residents. See the most recent collaborative Report of the Sustainability, Municipal Services, Parks, and Recreation Committees, dated January 15, 2025, updated on March 29, 2025, on the health, safety and environmental impact of artificial turf. Another Report encourages mulch mowing, the elimination of street leaf pile vacuuming -- and a total ban on the use of gas blowers. The Sustainability Committee invites existing and new members to join local efforts to save trees through vine cutting because invasive vines have contributed to Scarsdale's diminishing tree canopy. Contact chair Darlene LeFrancois Haber, M.D. at dlefranc@montefiore.org
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Zoning and Planning
The Committee's focus is the long term growth and development of Scarsdale Village to improve quality of life and sustainability by providing thoughtful analysis and recommendations for existing and proposed codes. The Committee works closely with other Forum committees including Municipal Services, Downtown Revitalization, an d Sustainability. Contact chair Seth Ross at seth.h.ross@gmail.com
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| Community Events, News & Resources | | |
SAVE THE DATE: CNC ELECTION, Scarsdale Library, TUESDAY November 10, 2026, 7AM-9PM, ELECTION FOR NON-PARTISAN CITIZENS NOMINATING COMMITTEE MEMBERS. The CNC is a non-partisan group of community volunteers who interview candidates wishing to serve on the Village Board and Judiciary. Qualified voters are residents who have resided in their Scarsdale neighborhood for at least 30 days and are 18 years of age. For more information see scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org
SAVE THE DATE FOR WINTERFEST 2027
Scarsdale Forum's Annual Event: Saturday, January 30th at the Scarsdale Woman's Club!
VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS and WORK SESSIONS Village Board meetings are regularly open to the public at Village Hall or via Zoom webinar at https://zoom.us/j/93183703358, or call in using 1-929-436-2866 and entering the Meeting ID 931 8370 3358. The Zoom login uses the same ID. Sign up for updates on the home page of the Village website and check the Village Board calendar.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Board of Education meetings are regularly open to the public at the Scarsdale High School or via Zoom webinar. Information relating to BOE Meetings, Calendars, Documents, Policies, Events, Strategic Goals, Board Members and more can be accessed here
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www.scarsdaleforum.org
Scarsdale Forum Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904, Scarsdale Forum has contributed meaningfully to Village and County affairs through written reports, prominent speaker programs, social gatherings and other public events. Membership is available to all Scarsdale residents. The Forum Focus newsletter is distributed monthly. Pertinent information should be sent to Communications chair Madelaine Eppenstein meppenstein@eppenstein.com.
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