Dear Bedford residents,
Positive COVID-19 cases have been coming down in the past few days but we need to see the data for another week or two to know if the trend will continue. While Omicron symptoms seem to be less severe, especially for those who are already vaccinated, we are still mindful that the ease with which it can spread can be problematic when our goal is to keep things open. Careful mask wearing and social distancing are still best practices. And when it is 10 degrees outside, the mask isn’t so bad.
Make sure you take advantage of the free COVID test kits available from the federal government. One order per address.
If you know someone who is not computer literate, offer to order for them. The tests are expected to be delivered in a few weeks.
Given the extreme cold weather and Omicron it has been an isolating January for many. If you or someone you know is having a hard time coping, NY Project Hope has an emotional support hotline 844-863-9314.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and residents of all ages are welcome to make Valentine’s Day cards for seniors. If you are feeling very generous, consider adding a “favor ticket” to the card with an offer to do something nice for them. Details below.
Below you can read about recent town news and local events. Please feel free to reach out to me with concerns or questions.
Be well,
Ellen
Bedford Town Supervisor
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At the Town Board meeting on Tuesday my colleagues and I adopted the 2022 Capital Plan, a resolution to use low carbon emissions concrete in town projects, heard a presentation about potential wastewater treatment solutions in the area of the Bedford Village green, and set a work session to discuss modifications to the proposed changes to the leaf blower law on February 1st at 6pm. We approved the rates for summer camp and pool passes and look forward to registrations opening up for those in another month or so.
Our town DPW, Parks, and our Building department staff have done a great job with the snow and ice we have already had this year. We appreciate your calls to alert us about road conditions in your neighborhood that could affect the traffic flow. A good number to know to reach our DPW is 914-666-SNOW!
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School Taxes are Due on 1/31
DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE
There is no predicting the weather, the mail service, or your health!
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Please consider paying online, by mail, or using the drop box outside 321 Bedford Road.
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NYSEG Tree Trimming to Avoid Power Outages
NYSEG will be starting routine tree trimming, starting in Bedford Hills in the coming weeks, to get trees away from the power lines to safely distribute reliable power to its customers. There will be tree crews in the town of Bedford doing routine work for at least 6 months.
Nelson Tree Service is the contractor doing the work for NYSEG in Bedford. A postcard notification will be sent to property owners where trees will be trimmed. The tree company is required to make two attempts to let the homeowner know about tree work being done on their property. If they do not have a personal conversation a door knocker is left with their contact information. READ MORE
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Bedford Central School District
Upcoming opportunities to learn about BCSD’s potential bond offering and to provide feedback include the following:
January 24, 7:30 PM:
Fox Lane Sports Booster Club, FLHS Room A114
January 28, 10 AM:
West Patent Elementary School Association via Zoom
February 4, 7 PM:
Bedford Village Elementary School Association, location TBD
Information on the Bond Project will be
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Town Board Meetings
Plan to attend
the next one 2/1
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Air quality monitors
If you see these devices around town, they are air quality monitors that measure pollutants and track air quality improvement over time.
The units measure PM2.5 (fine particles emitted from local sources like construction sites, unpaved roads, smokestacks) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) which comes from burning fuel.
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Recycling Food Scraps
The town’s curbside food scrap pilot pick-up program is well underway. Residents who enrolled in the program in the spring will be receiving a quarterly reimbursement for 50% of the price this week and another for the 4th quarter of 2021 in mid-February.
This program is due to a grant from the NY Department of Environmental Conservation.
If you are interested in getting your food scraps picked up curbside for 50% of the cost for one year, learn how here. Other ways to recycle food scraps include starting a compost pile or taking your food scraps to the town recycling center on Railroad Ave. in Bedford Hills Tues, Thurs, or Sat. 8-3.
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Affordable Housing Presentation February 1
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This Saturday, January 22:
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Town Recycling Center
343 Railroad Avenue
Bedford Hills
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Learn About County Mental Health Resources |
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Saturday, January 22, 2022
9:30am-11:00am
Pound Ridge Police Chief David Ryan hosts
Guest speaker: Michael Orth
Commissioner
Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health
Pound Ridge Library | 271 Westchester Ave | Pound Ridge, NY
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DEADLINE JANUARY 31, 2022
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Having trouble paying your mortgage?
New York has started accepting applications for a new $539 million fund intended to help homeowners who fell behind on their mortgage payments and risk losing their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for more info.
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Town Committees
Our town committees are getting up to speed for the year. The Senior advisory committee recently had a speaker talk with them about affordable senior housing, the Conservation Board is organizing a training for invasive species removal and amphibian road crossings, the Drug Abuse Prevention Council is hosting educational events, and the Traffic Safety Working Group has sent a request through Assemblymember Chris Burdick to the NY-DOT to study traffic challenges on Route 172.
We could use some more members for the Police Community Group and are looking for both a landlord and a tenant to serve on the new Building Health and Performance Advisory Committee. The Town Board is working on making sure the process for filling committee vacancies is more streamlined.
If you are interested in serving on a committee, board, or commission, please let us know! Submit a letter of interest and resume to supervisor@bedfordny.gov.
Vacancies:
● Recreation and Parks Committee (BedfordHills rep) (3 year term)
● Senior Committee (3 year term)
● Building Health and Performance Advisory Committee (new)
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Great news! Westchester Power’s 100% renewable electric supply will be back on for NYSEG customers this March.
Eligible Bedford (NYSEG utility) residents will receive a notification letter from the Westchester Power Community Energy Program and the Town of Bedford in January with information about the new energy supply company, rates, and timing.
Green energy is an important part of our town’s commitment to reducing pollution and reducing emissions.
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For information and COVID testing locations
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Winter Seeding Event at Bedford HIlls Train Station on Sunday January 23, 1-3
Native plants, seeds, soils and containers. $5.
Exhibition, Sale & Silent Auction at St. Matthew’s Church
FrI-Sun Jan 21-23 and Jan 28-30
11am-5pm - Free admission
Katonah Museum: ARRIVALS through January 23. Tickets.
Kickoff event 1/27 at 7pm at the Bedford Playhouse
Fox Read is the Bedford Teacher's Association community read. The Beautiful Struggle encourages conversation about race. See the calendar and sign up for the opening event and for a discussion. All are welcome.Feel free to share.
Drug Abuse Prevention Council (DAPC) JANUARY Events:
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