Town of Bedford
March 11, 2022
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Dear Bedford,
Women’s History Month continues and we are proud to feature some amazing women in this newsletter. Read our interview with Robbi Schlaff from the Westchester Office of Women.
With mask mandates lifted, in-person activity is definitely picking up in town. This week I had the pleasure of attending the Chowder and Marching fundraiser that will support youth programs in Bedford Village, a women’s event on International Women’s Day, a press conference about electric school busses, Bedford 2030 virtual panel about the film The Story of Plastic, and the 911 Mental Health Diversion Forum. Please check out some upcoming events below as well as opportunities to get involved in town committees and a post from the Bedford Hills Fire Department.
Remember to set your clocks ahead Saturday night because Daylight Savings begins on Sunday.
This is your last chance to let us know what kind of cell service you expect and to weigh in on how we develop our cell network in Bedford and Northern Westchester. PLEASE take the survey if you have not already. Thank you. Click here to take the survey and click here for the Spanish version.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people as they fight for democracy, their country, and their lives. Below are some opportunities to show your support.
I hope to see you around town, and I am always happy to hear from you.
Be well,
Ellen
Town Supervisor
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Women's History Month Continues in Bedford |
This week, in recognition of Women’s History Month, Deputy Supervisor Kate Galligan met with Robi Schlaff, Director of the Westchester County Office for Women, to discuss the history and mission of this vital County agency.
Schlaff will be speaking at the Town Board meeting on Tuesday evening along with Licia Sanberg on the topic of Domestic Violence prevention and a program to protect high risk victims.
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HEALTH FAIR COMMITTEE FORMING |
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At the next Town Board meeting we will discuss the formation of a committee to hold a Health Fair - a free event for community members and employees to learn about resources in the area that support community health and wellness. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact acastillo@bedfordny.gov
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Sidewalk Maintenance and Improvement |
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At the upcoming Town Board meeting on 3/15, DPW Commissioner Kevin Winn and Planning Director Jesica Youngblood will discuss their review and report of existing sidewalk infrastructure and will explain what will be improved in 2022 and what that should be considered for repaving or upgrades in the near future or as soon as funding is available. |
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A few weeks ago, it was brought to the Town Board’s that the mulch/compost facility on Beaver Dam Rd creates noise and dust for visitors to the dog park. This compost operation provides a valuable service to the Town as well as to area municipalities and local businesses. It also provides free yard waste disposal and mulch and compost to residents. However, the operation should operate in a way that does not degrade the experience at the dog park. DPW and Recreation and Parks have been working with the facility on solutions and we will hear about their progress at the upcoming Town Board meeting. |
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Goats and Sheep for Vegetation Management |
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On 3/1 the Town Board considered a proposed change to our town code to allow the temporary grazing of goats and sheep to deal with invasive species, with significant restrictions on lot size, fencing, set backs, and more. This week we will hear if the Planning Board recommends adoption and if yes, a public hearing on the proposed law will be set for 4/5. |
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Our Baaaaaad!
We hope that everyone enjoyed the adorable goat content from last week! We would like to circle back and credit this delightful photo to the left and the photo from last week's newsletter to Fat and Sassy Goats!
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Noise Ordinance / Leaf Blowers |
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While we have taken some time to listen, learn and rethink the changes to the leaf blower restrictions, the Town Board would like to move ahead and call for a public hearing on the latest version of the proposed law before it is leaf blower season. Therefore, at the upcoming Board meeting we will propose that instead of imposing a full ban on gas powered leaf blowers in the next 1-3 years, we should allow for a transition to leaf mulching and use of electric equipment by reducing the window of time gas powered blowers are allowed in the clean up seasons every year for 3 years until there are short time frames when gas powered blowers may be used. To summarize the major changes if this gets put forward for a hearing on 4/5:
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Current law: Gas powered leaf blowers are banned May 15 - Sept 15 in the hamlet zones. Restricted hours for use and no leaf blowers (including electric) on Sundays. Some exemptions apply.
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Proposed law: Gas powered leaf blowers banned May 15 - Oct. 7 and Dec. 20 - March 31 throughout town. Restricted hours (including some on Sundays) for use when permitted. Some exemptions apply. Window for use gets reduced in 2023, and even smaller in 2024.
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Summer is coming and the Town Board would like to consider a policy to allow Food Trucks to operate on public property during events. This would require an organization or person to fill out an event application and indicate where, when, and for how long a food truck would be located. If approved for a spot during an event, the food truck would be required to submit paperwork to the Town, pay a fee, and show insurance and its county license. Please contact me if you want to weigh in on this idea. supervisor@bedfordny.gov. We aim to have a draft ordinance before the Board soon.
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Phase II Sewer Construction |
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The Town is awaiting regulatory permits for Phase II of the Sewer project and anticipates going out to bid before summer. Construction is slated to begin later this year assuming bids are within the project budget. Once we have awarded a contract we will prepare a project schedule and communicate to district customers and residents. |
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Cell Service Survey Deadline Extended to 3/16 |
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LAST CHANCE!Tell us about your cell service using our online survey. The link to the survey can be accessed here.
Feeling uniformed to share your thoughts? Access the presentation given at the 2/15 Town Board meeting here.
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About 24 million children ride on primarily diesel fueled buses every school day. |
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These emissions expose school children to 5-15 times more air toxins than the rest of our population. |
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Bedford 2030 is fighting to fix this.
Show your support of clean,
zero-emission school buses in our community by signing
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Safe Drug Disposal at Bedford Police Department |
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The Bedford Police Department has a permanent collection site for old and medication so you may safely dispose of the materials in a medication drop off box.
To access the box, visit the Town of Bedford Police Dept. at 307 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 and
hit the door buzzer to the PD Lobby.
Throwing away unused medication in the garbage or leaving them to collect dust in medicine cabinets risks the medicines falling into the wrong hands, and flushing old medication down the toilet poses a threat to the water supply.
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GOT PERMITS?
Did you know that replacing a fence, building a pool, taking down trees, building a shed.....requires a permit? Check out our Fee Schedule.
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Bedford Hills Fire District Seeking Treasurer |
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The Bedford Hills Fire District is seeking a part-time Treasurer for the Board of Fire Commissioners. This is a confidential and highly responsible position, calling for the use of independent judgement.
The Treasurer will perform duties including but not limited to financial record keeping, receive and maintain custody of the funds of the Fire District, deposit all incoming funds in the manner prescribed by law, disburses funds for the purposes authorized by the Board of Fire Commissioners and keep Fire District accounts and all substantiating records, materials, such as receipts, orders, vouchers, and cancelled checks.
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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.
We will aim to conduct interviews for these prior to April 1st.
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Conservation Board: We are seeking to fill a two year term, full board position preferably someone who will take minutes at meetings.
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Drug Abuse Prevention Council: 2 year term. Seeking members to be actively engaged in tri-town events and education to promote wellness and prevent drug and alcohol abuse. Planners, organizers, marketers welcome.
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Planning Board: There is one position for a five year term, and is open to any resident of the Town of Bedford.
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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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Town Housing Committee: 2 year term, one opening. Seeking an attorney interested in affordable housing
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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
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KVIS Presents
Live Action Oscar Shorts
Katonah Village Library
March 11 from 7:30-10pm
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The Bedford Recreation and Parks Department presents
The Bedford Senior Adult's
St Patrick's Day Celebration and Luncheon
March 16th @11AM
at the Bedford Hills Community House
Phone in your reservation to the Recreation and Parks Department at 666-7203
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John Jay Middle School presents
Back to the 80's
March 11 @7 PM, March 12 @1PM and 7PM
at the John Jay Middle School theater
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Fox Lane Middle School presents
Spongebob Squarepants the Musical!
March 11 @7 PM, March 12 @7PM, March13 @1PM
at the Mary Lou Meese theater
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Caramoor presents
The Schwab Vocal Rising Stars
March 13 @3 PM
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Katonah Village Library presents
VIrtual Meet the Author: Veera Hiranandani
March 14 @ 6:30 pm
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Caramoor presents
A Recital from Pianist Michelle Cann
March 20 @ 3 PM
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Katonah Museum of Art presents
Jeila Gueramian: Let's Step Inside
March 13 - June 26, 2022
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Katonah Chamber of Commerce presents
13th Annual Katonah Chili Cook-off
March 25 @6PM at the Harvey School
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Families in Bedford, Pound Ridge, and our surrounding towns stand in solidarity with Ukrainian families being displaced by the threat of war.
As this humanitarian crisis continues, we hope you will donate to our community fundraiser for the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
IRC is providing critical aid to children, parents, and other civilians fleeing their homes.
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Hosted by the Pound Ridge Human Rights Advisory Committee and with support from Idea committee of Bedford NY, the community fundraiser will also feature a candlelight vigil* in Scotts Corners at 7:00 pm on Monday, March 7 (at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Trinity Pass) during which residents can gather to stand in solidarity and also drop off donations of humanitarian supplies. Supplies will be donated to the Yonkers-based Afya Foundation to ship to the frontlines.
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The Idea Committee, along with Caramoor invite
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Past Supervisor newsletters:
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