Ice Cream in a Village Park
Yesterday was National Ice Cream Day, and we celebrated at Ossining's newest local business, Bigfoot Creamery. Opening during the COVID crisis might not work for all businesses, but the hot weather and its location in Ossining's beautiful Henry Gourdine Waterfront Park contribute to the creamery's success. The kiosk where the business is located is owned by the village and has been waiting for a terrific new venture to move in since it was built a few years ago as part of the public/private partnership with Ginsberg Development. Ice cream is produced on site using fresh ingredients from the Hudson Valley.

Last week's Village Board meeting included a resolution for the Village to engage a facilitator to assist in our review of police policy, public outreach, and development of a plan to fulfill Governor Cuomo's Executive Order 203. A request for proposals has been sent out to several prospective consultants, and is available here .

We also voted to establish the Village Board as the lead agency in the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQRA) that will be undertaken as part of our comprehensive plan update. Have you shared your thoughts yet about Ossining Tomorrow, our comprehensive plan update? Click here to post on the Ossining Tomorrow Ideas Wall or reply to the Survey. Click here for the July 15 agenda and link to the meeting video .

Open Office Hours Return!  
After months of working from home, last week I cracked open the office door at Village Hall. This Tuesday, tomorrow, I will return to holding Open Office Hours . If you'd like to speak with me in person, please join me from 10am-12noon. To enter the building you must wear a mask, you'll be asked a few questions and have your temperature taken. When the attendant asks if you have an appointment, let her know that you are attending the Mayor's Open Office Hours. If someone is with me already, you'll be asked to take a seat.

I'll continue to provide a Thursday live update at 11am on Facebook. This is an opportunity for me to recap highlights from the meeting the previous night and address some of the questions I'm hearing from residents this week. Even if you are not on Facebook, you can find my updates anytime on the Village YouTube channel .

To reach out by email:
  • Mayor Victoria Gearity (gearity@villageofossining.org);
  • Board of Trustees (bot@villageofossining.org); or
  • Village Manager Karen D'Attore (kdattore@villageofossining.org).

Wednesday's Meeting
This week's work session opens with a very special presentation where I will be announcing the appointment of a new Village Historian. Dana White has been a stellar Village Historian throughout my tenure as Mayor. On Wednesday we will honor Dana's remarkable service and we will welcome her successor, Joyce Sharrock Cole.

This week also includes a visit from Wilder Balter regarding a proposed development at the Village owned DPW site, as well as updates on the new Indian Brook Water Treatment Facility, public works projects, a potential zoning amendment and human resource information. Click here for the full agenda .

Whatever approach to gathering information about village government is best for you, we've go it—social media, email, website, public zoom meetings, and once again, one-on-one in person Open Office Hours with the Mayor!

With Regards, 
Victoria Gearity, Ossining Mayor
Help for Tenants
If you are a tenant who pays more than 30% of your income on rent, you may be eligible for COVID Rent Relief from New York State. Click here to learn more about this NYS program .

If you are experiencing challenges with your rental housing, the Village's Landlord Tenant Relations Council may be able to help. Click here to learn more about the LTRC .