Town of Bedford
April 22, 2022
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Dear Bedford,
Happy Earth Day! This is the day we celebrate and commit to caring for the Earth that supports all life (including ours). Here in Bedford we have much to celebrate as we have made great progress in reducing pollution and protecting our environment, but of course there is more we need to do.
- New increased restrictions on gas powered leaf blowers will decrease air pollution and carbon emissions;
- Transitioning to electric transportation and electric heating and cooling systems reduces pollution;
- Westchester Power helps us transition to renewable energy;
- Collecting and composting food scraps reduces waste using Community Compost, drop off at our recycling center, or compost at home;
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Check out events below including one with an energy coach, our Arbor Day celebration; and talks about ecosystem restoration and recycling;
- Join town-wide clean-ups, shredder day this weekend, dump day on May 7.
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Attend Westchester County's Household Recycling Day on Saturday, from 9am-3pm, and dispose of hazardous materials and other items.
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Thank you for all you do to support a healthy environment for all. I hope to see you at the Healthy Yards and Bedford 2030 Earth Day Festival on Sunday at the Bedford Hills Train Station!
At our next Town Board meeting on 4/26 we will be having an executive session to interview candidates for the Planning Board and for the Bedford Village Historic District Review Commission followed by a meeting where the Town Board will declare its intent to be lead agency on a review of a settlement in the Verizon cell tower court case. More info below.
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Good news, the State, through the Environmental Facilities Corporation, has granted Bedford $841,050 to improve the water source for the Farms and Old Post water districts in Bedford Village. More information will be forthcoming to district customers.
As always, please reach out if you have concerns or want to connect. I am happy to hear from you.
Be well,
Ellen
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At Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, we thanked committee, board, and commission volunteers who put so much time and effort into the work they do for the Town. It was great to hear brief descriptions of each committee. We found that many people did not realize we have so much going on and so many people volunteering their efforts to help the town run: from the Cemetery Committee to the Zoning Board and everything in between! I will invite each committee back for more in-depth updates and discussions at future public meetings. Click here to view the presentation and photos of the party.
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Thanks to Mr. Edward Kelly, for generously hosting a luncheon for community organization leaders last week. It was a lovely event and a great opportunity to connect. Mr. Kelly has held similar events over many years and we appreciate his commitment to our community-driven town. |
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Fox Lane High School Student Receives 2022 J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award |
County Legislator Erika Pierce with Fox Lane Jr. Jacob Feldman |
Bedford resident Jacob Feldman was honored yesterday at the Westchester County public health service awards ceremony for his dedication to public health and his passion for helping others.
Jacob, a junior at Fox Lane High School, received the 2022 J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award, a prestigious award presented annually to a student who exemplifies the highest level of commitment and distinguished public health service to the community in the past year. Jacob was honored for his active and enthusiastic participation and leadership efforts in the President’s Junior Leadership Council, a youth leadership program at Northern Westchester Hospital. On the council, Jacob was instrumental in advancing the hospital’s COVID efforts: supporting youth mental health by supporting campaigns to combat social isolation, participating in the development of School Wellness Education, and volunteering in mobile food pantries and pediatric COVID vaccination clinics.
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Bedford Women Earn Well-Deserved Recognition |
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2022 93rd Assembly District Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony |
Fourteen amazing women from the Town of Bedford were nominated and will be honored by NY State Assemblymember Chris Burdick at the 2022 93rd Assembly District Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to Midge Iorio, Shaina Rotstein, Lisa Bart, Susan Elion Wollin, Jodi Kimmel, Cecilia McKenney, Samantha Bannerjee, Andromeda Klein, Katherine Vockins, Kristen Lawton, Clare Murray, Anne Mayhew, Dolores Rotolo, and Pam Veith
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Saturday, April 23
11am-2pm
SHREDDER TRUCK
at the Recycling Center
343 Railroad Avenue
Bedford Hills
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Cannabis Stores: In or Out?
When the Town Board voted last year to opt out of having retail cannabis stores in town it was in large part because the deadline to make this decision was only a week away and there was not enough time for an assessment and public input on the matter. However, the board members made it clear that they wanted more conversation around this topic. Therefore, I have asked our Planning Director to gather information from representatives of various town committees and departments including Zoning, Planning, Traffic Safety, Drug Abuse Prevention, Police, and representatives from the business community, and to bring this information to a work session with the Town Board on May 3rd for a discussion on this topic. If the town board were to opt back in to allowing these stores it could pass a zoning ordinance to impose restrictions on time, place, and manner in which this type of store could operate.
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Wireless Facilities in Bedford
As the City Scape consultant reminded us at our Town Board meeting on Tuesday, most people want better cellular coverage in town but many locations where the cell carriers apply to put towers are unacceptable to neighbors. Unfortunately, federal law gives towns only a sliver of authority to direct where towers are sited and heavily favors the carriers if there is a gap in coverage to be filled.
The Town Board would like to move ahead to fill the gaps in coverage in several locations. Unfortunately, after over four years of pondering over multiple potential sites for cell towers in Bedford Village, the Town has been sued by Verizon to force their solutions.
After several months fighting this lawsuit, the Town Board will consider accepting a settlement involving a wireless facility at 68 Stone Hill Road which was one of the applications Verizon has pursued and fills a gap in coverage. The Town will be aiming to achieve some additional landscaping and adjustments to the original plan and the Town Board will undergo a review to assess the environmental impact of the project before accepting this settlement. The public hearing(s) on this will occur in early June and I will be setting up a page on the website where information will be posted and comments accepted prior to that meeting.
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Saturday, April 23 from 9am-3pm
County-Wide Recycling Day
FDR Park
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This Earth Day, keep our planet and our water supply clean by safely disposing of your hazardous household materials! Simply throwing away some of the listed items can be harmful to the health of humans and the environment. For more information on what you can and cannot bring to the recycling event and safety precautions, click here.
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County and Town taxes for 2022 are due. Click here for the Tax Receiver's notice and understand the penalties if you don't pay this month!
The Tax Receiver's Office is open 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday thru Friday and is located at the Town Hall, 321 Bedford Rd, Bedford Hills. You may pay online at bedfordny.gov and sign up for email confirmation when your payment is received.
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Enjoy wine, cheese, energy info, and meet Bob, the personal energy coach, on Thursday April 28 from 7-9pm at the Bedford Playhouse.
Learn how to get a free personalized plan to stop wasting energy and go green. Consultations are available in English and Spanish. Click here to learn more about the Bedford 2030 Personal Energy Coach program.
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Spring/Summer Registration
and Pool Pass renewal has begun!
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The Parks and Recreation Spring/Summer program registration continues, as well as 2022 Pool Membership sales!
For more information on programs being offered, click here
Pool Membership Renewals: Visit our online registration page and go to "Pool Pass Renewal" located along the top of page. This will give you access to renew your 2021 pool membership for the 2022 season.
New Pool Membership or Change in Type
Those looking to purchase a pool pass for the first time, or change the type of pass you had in 2021, please complete a hard copy "Pool Registration Form" and submit with two proofs of residency to the Recreation Office at 425 Cherry Street, Bedford Hills. This can be done by mail, the drop box located outside the office, via e-mail to or in person during business hours, Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. General pool info, pass fees and the 2022 pool registration form can be found online on our department webpage under "Pool Info."
Please direct any questions to the Recreation Office at
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Bedford 2030's Community Campaign for Clean Heating, Cooling and Energy Efficiency resulted in dozens of fossil free homes and the Bedford Community House is now zero polluting with Heat Pumps and 100% fossil free electricity.
Join us in making your home safer, more comfortable, and energy efficient!
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Save Money with Sustainable Westchester |
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Bedford residents, small businesses and nonprofits paying a ConEd utility bill can now turn their energy savings into cash with Sustainable Westchester's GridRewards! Download the GridRewards app by April 30th and when notified by the app of peak energy times, reduce your electricity use. Participants receive an average of $100+ in cash rewards at the end of the year.
Sign up with GridRewards, reduce harmful emissions and maximize your savings here or call 914-242-4725 ext. 122.
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Earth Day Festival
SUNDAY APRIL 24
NOON-4PM
Bedford Hills Train Station.
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Bedford 2030’s Climate Action Earth Day Festival is guaranteed fun for everyone! Join Healthy Yards, local non-profits, and a variety of local earth-friendly businesses in celebrating positive steps for climate action. There will be a plant/seed swap, local music and food, family activities, and maybe even a few special guests!
We look forward to celebrating the beauty and benefits of the natural world, raising awareness of environmental and climate concerns, and sharing actions and ideas to address them.
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Bedford Hills Free Library Launches Story Walk |
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Take a walk in the park and enjoy the Bedford Hills Free Library's latest StoryWalk installation featuring, If Only… written and illustrated by Mies Van Hout. This exhibit opens April 25th.
The StoryWalk® Project --started by Anne Ferguson -- combines early literacy and family engagement with fresh air and outdoor activity. Beautiful picture book pages are displayed on posts spaced along the path along Lake Marie at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park.
Special opening presentations of the Story Walk will be hosted on Tuesday, April 26 at 10:30am for preschool children or Thursday, April 28 at 10:30am for babies up to 24 months. Meet Miss Rachel near the Park’s playground and connect with other parents and caregivers as we stroll through the StoryWalk and enjoy a fun art or music project activity related to the story’s theme.
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BRINGING CREATIVITY INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE.
Saturdays 10-11:30am
All you need for these entertaining Saturday morning gatherings is your curiosity.
No experience required!!
The cross-generational nature
of this program brings an added layer of magic.
A free and entertaining series of group explorations into many forms of creativity and art led by accomplished professionals.
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Seasonal Employment Opportunities |
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Bedford Recreation and Parks Department |
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The Bedford Recreation & Parks Department in now accepting applications for summer 2022 jobs! The department will be hiring for day camp, pool and seasonal park maintenance positions. If interested, please submit an “Application for Seasonal Employment.” Feel free to contact our office by phone at 914-666-7004 or by e-mail at recreation@bedfordny.gov with any questions.
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Below is a list of committees
that either have vacancies or have members with expiring terms
through June 30.
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Senior Advisory Committee: Seeking members of any age to fill 4 vacant positions for 3-year terms. The Committee meets on an “as needed” basis.
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Veterans Advisory Committee: 3 year term, 4 open seats. The committee works with veterans to navigate the local, state, Federal and many non-profit organizations which provide benefits and assistance. Non-veterans may apply!
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April 23 from 10-11:30am
“Everyone Can Write”
Presenter: Patti Ivry
Come try your hand (literally) at putting words on paper (or screen) to tell a story, describe a moment, express a viewpoint, or send some love. READ MORE
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Hopp Ground Garden Club and the Community studio present
Community in Bloom
April 23 @11am
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Katonah Museum of Art presents
Family Art Workshop with Artist Jeila Gueramian
April 23 @4pm
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Katonah Chamber of Commerce presents
Katonah Art Walk
April 23 @4 - 8pm
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Flying Coffee Presents and oHHo presents
Coffee & Cars
April 24 @8am
stop by for free in the parking lot behind the Bedford Playhouse
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National Police Memorial Week honors
Sgt. Thomas Wade, Bedford NY
April 24, 2022@1pm
Bedford Police Station
307 Bedford Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
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Bedford Playhouse presents
"My Fair Lady" - A Restoration Screening and Discussion/Q & A with Janet Maslin and Bob Harris
April 24 @12 pm
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Katonah Poetry Series presents
Arthur See Poetry Reading
April 24 @4pm at the Katonah Village Library
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Bedford 2030 presents
Earth Day Festival 2022
April 24 @12 PM at the Bedford Hills Train Station
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Katonah Village Library presents
Caring for the Caregiver
April 26 @ 7pm
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Bedford Farmers Club & Bedford Historical Society present
The Power of Preservation: 1 + 1 = 1,000,000,000
April 27 @6:30
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Bedford Free Library presents
Create With Christa: Musical Rainbow STEM Program
April 28 @3:15
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Katonah Village Library presents
Storybook Cooking
April 28 @4:30
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Katonah Museum of Art presents
Craft & Connect Adult Art Workshop: Creative Textiles
April 28 @5
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Bedford Playhouse and Bedford 2030 present
Earth Week Reception: Wine, Cheese & Bob
April 28 @7
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John Jay Homestead presents
Virtual Lecture with David Gellman: Liberty's Chain
April 28 @7
Live at St. Matthew's Church or Virtual on Zoom
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The Bedford Tree Advisory Committee presents
Town of Bedford Arbor Day Celebration
April 30 @10am
at the Bedford Hills Community House
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KBHVAC has partnered with the AFYA foundation, to curate an Amazon Wishlist of items that Ukrainians desperately need. AFYA delivers vital medical supplies and healthcare equipment to facilities in need around the world. Please consider purchasing from our Wishlist, items will be sent direct to AFYA and then on to Ukraine.
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Past Supervisor newsletters:
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