Ossining Village and Town 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony
A Salute to America's Heroes
The Village and Town of Ossining will be holding a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Saturday, September 11th at 11:00 a.m.
The Ceremony will be held at Engel Park on the waterfront adjacent to the Ossining Boat and Canoe Club.
On the ninth anniversary of that fateful day, the Ossining community is gathering to remember and recognize the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and also our local heroes who risk their lives everyday in the service to others.
Members of the Village and Town Police, Fire and Ambulance Departments are invited to participate and all members of the public are invited to attend.
Town Hall Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Police Options August 26 and September 13, 7:30 pm, at Anne M. Dorner Middle School
(August 12, 2010) The Town of Ossining will hold two “Town Hall”- style meetings on Thursday, August 26 and Monday, September 13, at 7:30 pm at Anne M. Dorner Middle School on Van Cortlandt Avenue, to discuss the two options for providing policing services to the unincorporated area of the Town of Ossining currently being evaluated by the Town Council.
The two proposals – one by Westchester County and one from the Village of Ossining – are available for download below. Both proposals suggest ways to save Town of Ossining taxpayers money by providing alternatives to the current method of delivering police services to the unincorporated area of Ossining.
“We encourage residents, particularly those who live in the “Town-outside” area, to attend one or both of these meetings. The Town of Ossining understands the burden on taxpayers, and we continue to seek innovative ways of providing the excellent services residents enjoy in more cost-effective and efficient ways. We have an opportunity to make a very positive change that will save taxpayer money right away, and create a more sustainable future for the community.”
Those unable to attend the meetings are urged to send their comments and questions regarding the two proposals to: cborgia@townofossining.com.
Town of Ossining Seeks Members of Citizen Finance Advisory Committee
Financial Professionals Wanted to Advise Town Board on Financial Policies
(August 16, 2010)
The Ossining Town Council is seeking resumes of interested volunteers to serve on the Citizens’ Finance Advisory Committee (CFAC).
The CFAC acts as a think tank and advisory board, helping the Town Board to shape financial policies and practices for the municipality. The board also researches other financial areas that might benefit the Town.
The 5-member board is currently seeking to fill two vacancies. Ideal candidates will have professional or educational expertise in the financial or general business sector. The committee meets once a month and interacts primarily with the Town Comptroller and Town Supervisor. Members do self-directed projects outside of meeting times.
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to:
Catherine Borgia, Town Supervisor
Town of Ossining
16 Croton Ave.
Ossining, NY 10562
With the increase in coyote sightings in the Town of Ossining during the month of July, the Town of Ossining Police Department would like to inform the public on things they can do to avoid contact with this predatory animal.
First and foremost, coyotes live throughout upstate New York so observing one, especially during the spring and summer months, is not uncommon.
Like most wild animals in our area, their main concern is food. Therefore, residents should never attempt to feed a coyote should they come into contact with one. Also, residents should control their garbage receptacles especially those kept outside. Coyotes will also feed off of bird food, and dog and cat food, so these need to be controlled as well. If you see open sources of food and/or garbage on your neighbor’s property, you should inform them to either contain them or bring them inside. If a coyote cannot gain access to food it will generally move on.
As mentioned above, coyotes are predatory animals and can prey upon small dogs and cats. Because of this, you should always keep your animals leashed and feed them inside. Be on guard with your children, especially those that are still young. Keep them close to you and do not let them wander.
Coyotes like hiding places to rest and raise their young. Thinning shrubbery is a good idea and closing off spaces that they can enter, especially underneath porches and inside crawlspaces, will help keep these animals moving and away from your property.
Aside from being predatory animals, coyotes can carry rabies. This is another reason to completely avoid contact with coyotes. Keeping them off of your property is one thing, approaching them is another. They are not dogs and are not domesticated. They are wild predators. However, if a coyote approaches you, there are a few things that you can do to avoid an attack. Be aggressive. Do not cower or run away as the coyote will see you as prey and this can provoke an attack. Stay your ground. Yell loudly, throw things at the animal, wave your arms and do whatever it takes to scare the animal away. Pots and pans are great noisemakers. Do not try to catch the coyote; call the police. As soon as the threat is over, go indoors.
In the month of July, there have been five sightings of a single coyote in the Town of Ossining. Here is the information:
July 14; Coyote sighted on Wyche Way
July 20; Coyote sighted in the area of 150 Route 9A
July 27; Coyote sighted at Cedar Lane Park
July 28; Coyote sighted in the Fox Hill Condominiums
July 28; Coytoe sighted in the Fox Hill Condominiums [11 minutes later])
On all of the above occasions, before a Police Officer arrived, the coyote had left the area and was not observed.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Town of Ossining Police Department @ 914-762-6007 should you observe a coyote. Our officers will make every attempt to ensure the safety of our residents.
Ossining Town Police Department 507 North State Road Briarcliff, New York 10510
The Village of Ossining delivered a proposal for Police Consolidation to the Ossining Town Board on Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Below are links to the documents and presentations delivered by the Village.
For Immediate Release (June 11, 2010)
Contact: Catherine Borgia at 914-762-6001 or 914-262-8873
Town of Ossining and Westchester County
Discuss Proposal on Possible Police Sharing Option
The Town of Ossining gave a presentation today to detail the proposal to contract county police services for the unincorporated portion of the Town.
The proposal merges the existing Town Police force into Westchester County police, and proposes to have the same officers working out of the same police facility on North State Road, providing the same or greater levels of police services, and sharing administrative operations, dispatching, and supervisory duties. The potential savings to the taxpayers of the Town of Ossining if this proposal is adopted is estimated to be between $832,000 and $932,000.
Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia said, “When we look at the economic realities of small local police departments, it is obvious that the current operating mode is not sustainable in the long term for taxpayers. We feel that the time is right to look at all options to make sure we can provide high levels of public safety at a rate that taxpayers can afford. We are continuing to consider all possibilities, including merging or sharing with one or both of the village departments within the Town’s borders. We feel that the county’s proposal brings another possible opportunity into the mix that might also benefit the villages. This is the beginning of an evaluation process and the Town welcomes the input of our neighboring municipalities and members of the public.”
County Executive Rob Astorino said, “I’m pleased that the Town of Ossining reached out to explore a possible consolidation of police services. Sharing services can increase efficiency while lowering costs – and that’s a prescription for smart government. The next step is to examine all the details to be sure the proposal is in the best interest of the town and the county.”
County Legislator Bill Burton agreed, saying, “We know this is a first step. We know there will be hiccups. Working together, Westchester and the Town can find a way out of an unnecessarily expensive problem. Regional solutions do work. I am committed to see that this process results in substantial savings for Ossining.”
Town Police Chief Mark Busche, who has been working in close collaboration with the County to determine potential cost saving options commented, “The Town of Ossining Police department has always welcomed innovation. Our primary concern is with the safety of our residents, and this proposal will maintain or possibly increase the level of services our residents receive from police officers whom they already know. We owe it to our taxpayers to look at all options to provide high level services at the most efficient and economic way possible.”
The Town of Cortlandt has been contracting police services from Westchester County for over a decade and estimates that they save over $1 million per year by doing so.
Please contact Ossining Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia at 914-762-6001 or 914-262-8873 with any questions.
ICMA Final Report of the Public Works Analysis
Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff Manor and Town of Ossining, New York
June 4, 2010
The Village of Ossining, Town of Ossining and the Village of Briarcliff Manor retained the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and its subcontractor, Springsted Incorporated, to conduct a study to examine how best to provide police services and public works operations within their boundaries. In commissioning this study, policy makers hope to identify opportunities to share services and reduce staff and equipment that would create efficiencies and the ability to reduce the property tax burden. This initiative recognizes that several intergovernmental municipal agreements (IMAs) already exist among the municipalities, providing some momentum for identifying further opportunities to expand this approach to the delivery of public works services.
The results of this analysis have been submitted to the municipalities in two parts; the first examining a consolidation of police services and the following report, presenting the results of Springsted’s review and analysis of public works operations. The public works analysis is presented in four sections: Introduction and Study Methodology, Department Overviews and Organizational Structures, Functional Reviews, and Findings and Conclusions.
Village of Ossining, Village of Briarcliff, and Town of Ossining
Make Significant Progress in Police Consolidation Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(May 5, 2010)
The Town of Ossining and its two incorporated Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff Manor have released the results of a study recommending the merger of their three individual Police Departments.
According to the consultant, The International Municipality/County Management Association (ICMA), the proposed merger is estimated to save $3,000,000 of taxpayer dollars per year. ICMA recommends that the present combined staffing level of 97 sworn officers can be reduced to 72 sworn officers with increased efficiency and enhanced professional police services to the three communities. A single dispatching facility fully staffed by civilians rather than a combination of civilians and police officers is also highly recommended. Also, the standard shift of 8 hours should be changed to 12 hours saving costs and increasing efficiencies described in detail in the report.
The receipt of the consultant’s report is the first step in a process that will now involve public meetings to discuss the report’s recommendations and to gather the opinions and input of citizens of the three communities.
The three communities had established a committee consisting of elected officials and private citizens representing each of the municipalities to work with the consultant and the three Police Departments throughout the study period.
For more information, contact Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia in Town of Ossining at 914-762-6001, Village Manager Phil Zegarelli in the Village of Briarcliff at 914-941-4800, or Mayor Bill Hanauer in the Village of Ossining at 914-941-3554.
The Town Board believes that Chapter 183, Tree Protection, of the Town Code is in need of some clarification, reorganization and improvement in order to allow said chapter to operate efficiently and effectively, and to thereby provide the desired protection to trees, and the management of the removal of trees in the Town. Further, Chapter 183 does not currently contain any penalty provisions. As such, if said chapter provided disincentives to violators, it would be much more effective than is currently the case. Therefore, the Town Board believes that it is reasonable and appropriate to add penalty provisions to the subject chapter. This local law is determined to be an exercise of the police powers of the Town to protect the public health, safety and welfare of its residents.
July 13, 2010 - Town Board Resolution
K. Declaring Surplus Equipment
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ossining hereby declares the following vehicle used by the Assessor’s Office as surplus and authorizes the sale of, to the best offer made; however; if no sale is able to be made due to the poor condition of the vehicle, the Town Board authorizes the equipment to be disposed
of:
VIN: 1FALP52U8VG263296
YEAR/MODEL: 1997 Ford Taurus
July 13, 2010 -Town Baord Resolution
L. New York State Retirement System-Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution
Resolved, that the Town Board of the Town of Ossining hereby establishes the following as standard work days for elected and appointed officials and will report the following days worked to the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System based on the record of activities maintained and submitted by these officials to the clerk of this body:
Residents Plan Memorial Bench in Honor of Supervisor Martha Dodge
A local group of residents have teamed up with the Town of Ossining to honor Town Supervisor Martha Dodge, who passed away in December 2009 after a fight with cancer, by erecting a bench and memorial in her honor at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.
Several of Dodge’s friends approached her husband, John Codman, about how best to memorialize Martha’s enthusiasm for protecting the environment and the Hudson River, and to commemorate her service to the Ossining community. A public bench honoring Dodge at the Ossining waterfront seemed the perfect solution.
A dedicated fund has been established to help fund the bench and memorial and to landscape the site. Those wishing to donate to Martha’s bench and memorial should mail the donation to: Town of Ossining, Supervisor’s office, Attn: Martha’s Bench, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining NY 10562. Please make sure to include the words “Martha’s Bench” in the “re:” line of the check. This is a dedicated fund. All donations received will go towards the purchase of the bench and memorial, landscaping, and upkeep of the site.
The Town will have a dedication ceremony with the Codman-Dodge family once the bench and memorial have been installed.
The Hon Martha L. Dodge, Town Council member and Town Supervisor, passed away on December 27, 2009 after a brief and courageous fight with cancer.
For more information, contact the Town of Ossining at 914-762-6001.
For information on Memorial Gifts or Donations,
please write or call OVAC at (914) 941-3941.
OSSINING VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS INC.
P.O. Box 523, Ossining, New York 10562 http://www.ossiningvac.org
Photo: Martha Dodge and Sam Luben, Chief of OVAC, signing of agreements to create an Ambulance District for Ossining & part of New Castle.
Census Urges Cooperation With Enumerators
To Ensure Everyone Is Counted
New York, NY – Beginning May 1, more than 600,000 Census takers, commonly referred to as enumerators, will knock on doors in communities across the United States, signaling the launch of the Nonresponse Follow-up operation (NRFU). NRFU operation tasks enumerators with visiting households that did not mail back their 2010 Census form to make sure everyone is counted once and in the right place. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this important operation to ensure that the 2010 Census is complete and accurate.
Enumerators are temporary workers hired from the local community by the U.S. Census Bureau. The census taker will have an ID badge with the Bureau of the Census seal, and may also be carrying a bag with “U.S. Census Bureau” on it. If asked, he or she will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the Local Census Office phone number for verification.
Census takers will visit homes to ask the same ten questions that were included in the mailed out questionnaire. They will not ask respondents about immigration or citizenship status, Social Security numbers, or bank accounts and any financial information. They will not solicit any monetary contribution.
“Nonresponse follow-up is critical to achieving an accurate census,” says Lester A. Farthing, the U.S. Census Bureau’s New York regional director. “If an enumerator knocks on your door, please cooperate and answer ten simple questions so that your community can receive its fair share of federal funding and be fairly represented in government.”
Census takers will visit each address up to three times and may try to telephone up to three times. If a resident does not answer, the census taker will leave a door hanger with a number the resident can call to schedule an interview time. If contact is made by phone, the census worker will conduct the interview with the household member.
All personal information given to census takers is kept confidential and is protected by strict privacy laws. Census employees are sworn for life to protect personally identifiable information and face penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine up to $250,000 or both for disclosure. The Census Bureau is prohibited by law from sharing personal information with any other government agency or law enforcement.
Nonresponse follow-up operations will continue until July 10. For more information on Census takers and NRFU operations, visit 2010census.gov.
About the 2010 Census
The 2010 Census is a count of everyone living in the United States and is mandated by the U.S. Constitution to be conducted every 10 years. Census data are used to apportion congressional seats to states; to distribute more than $400 billion in federal funds to local, state, and tribal governments each year; and to make decisions about what community services to provide. The 2010 Census form will be one of the shortest in U.S. history and consists of just 10 questions, taking about 10 minutes to complete. Strict confidentiality laws protect the respondents and the information they provide.
2010 CENSUS TIMELINE OF OPERATIONS
May 2010 – December 2010
May 1: Launch of Nonresponse Follow-up operations - census workers visit households that have not mailed back their census form. July 24: Launch of Vacant Delete Check operations. August 6: Launch of Field Verification operations. Dec. 31, 2010: Reporting of Census data to the President of the United States.
The Town of Ossining has been complying with the NYS DEC requirements for an MS4 community. This requires completion of several tasks over a period of years.
One of those tasks is entitled, “Illicit Storm Water Discharge Detection Elimination.” Another task is entitled, “Public Participation.” A third is entitled, “Public Education.”
For the past several years, the Town has prioritized the renovation of Engel Park, and requested several years of Community Development Block Grant funding for various projects in the park, including the renovation of the comfort station.
The Partnership is comprised of human services agencies, civic organizations and community advocates who live and work in the Town of Ossining, Village of Briarcliff Manor, and Village of Ossining. Our mission is to combat domestic violence through community outreach, education, prevention and awareness.
Stormwater Management Program - incl Illicit Discharge Survey
A local group of residents have teamed up with the Town of Ossining to honor Town Supervisor Martha Dodge, who passed away in December 2009 after a fight with cancer, by erecting a bench and memorial in her honor at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.
For the past several years, the Town has prioritized the renovation of Engel Park, and requested several years of Community Development Block Grant funding for various projects in the park, including the renovation of the comfort station.