November 14, 2023

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell.

This past Saturday, Veteran’s Day, the Central Committee of Organized War Veterans of the Town of Ossining held its One-hundredth and Fourth consecutive community Veterans Day event. As always, being a part of this observance is an honor. I thank our veterans for their service, bravery, and dedication to the American people … this year and every year.

Beginning this week, the Department of Public Works will conduct its curbside leaf pickup program with our vacuum truck. Any remaining leaves that you wish to have removed after this week must be bagged in paper bags or raked into a bin for the weekly organic waste pickup.

A reminder that gas-powered leaf blowers are now prohibited in the Village of Ossining on all properties less than a ½ Acre, year-round. Properties larger than ½ Acre: Only (2) leaf blowers can only be used during the allowable time frames of March 1st -June 1st and September 15th -December 15^th (click here for more info).

You asked we delivered! Over the years, the Board and staff have received requests for road, sidewalk, and traffic calming improvements. Have you noticed the roadwork going on in the Village? Well … the welcomed news is that traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements are being implemented at the following intersections:

1. The intersection of Elizabeth and Croton will soon include a crosswalk (crossing Croton Ave.) and an improved ADA ramp crossing Elizabeth Street.
2. The intersection of Linden Ave. and Croton Ave. will also include two new crosswalks (crossing Croton Ave.) to improve the safety in crossings Linden Ave.
3. The intersection of Narragansett Ave. at the entrance and Veterans Memorial Park will include an added ADA crosswalk (crossing Narragansett Ave.) as well as an ADA sidewalk approximately 100 feet into the park area.
4. We will also be adding two additional stop signs on Clinton Ave., which will make the intersection of upper Linden Ave and Clinton Ave a 4-way stop intersection. 

There will be appropriate signage alerting drivers to the crosswalks and stop signs – which are currently being installed. Tune in to the Village’s Work Session on Wednesday, November 29th – when Village Engineer Paul Fraioli, P.E., will discuss these improvements along with other options we are considering to address traffic calming, including further interventions to address issues at Linden Ave and Croton.

Ossining Community Pool Renovation Project Update: Significant progress has been made on the renovation work being done since the work began in September.

The pool has been pressure tested, and the good news is that the lines show no leakage. However, a small hole was found in the gutter, which will be remedied once the resurfacing is complete.

The renovations in the locker rooms began today – so folks visiting the gymnasium can expect some loud noises as we open the floor to work on the plumbing.

We are still on target for the renovations to be completed by the end of December 2023.

Last week, the Village Trustees and I spent many hours in budget session presentations regarding the 2024 Village budget. This process is conducted by every Village Board as it is a state requirement that the Board has oversight responsibilities and fiduciary responsibilities over the budget. We look at every department and all the detailed line items on behalf of the community we were elected to represent. Only the Board of Trustees can approve the annual budget and submit its final form to the State. In 2024, we will continue with exceptional services and initiatives that our residents deserve and are able to do so within the 2% tax cap with a reduction in the tax rate.  

The Board continues to seek your feedback—please email us at BOT@villageofossining.org with your input, or join us for the Budget Public Hearing, which will be held at this week’s Legislative Meeting on Wednesday, November 15^th @ 7:30 PM at the Birdsall-Fagan Police Court Facility, located at 86-88 Spring Street (click here for agenda/Zoom info), with the anticipated adoption of the 2024 budget at the December 6^th Legislative meeting.

The public hearing on the budget will be followed by (2) others:

• The pending local law regarding mandatory curb-to-curb paving restoration on road openings.
• The zoning petition to add Animal-Related Uses to the O-R District.

W

e will then have subsequent resolutions for review.

Click here for the Legislative Meeting - Nov 15 2023 agenda.