Town Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) Seeking New Member

Pre-requisites include an interest in both the environment and working collectively to make our community a greener place!

The Environmental Advisory Committee:

• Helps to build awareness and support for the development, management, and protection of Ossining's natural resources 
• Drafts environmental ordinances, for consideration by the Town of Ossining, designed to provide protection for natural resources 
• Participates in environmental reviews as specified in the Town's ordinances

The EAC has successfully worked with the Town of Ossining to enact a Tree Protection Ordinance, Wetland Protection Ordinance, and Steep Slope Ordinance. The EAC is developing recommendations for the protection of Ossining's local water supply. In addition, the EAC helped Ossining to qualify as a national "Tree City", through its tree protection efforts.

The Town of Ossining created the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) to advise in the development, management, and protection of its natural resources. EAC members are appointed by the Board of the Town of Ossining and serve five year terms.

Please contact Maddi Zachacz (mzachacz@townofossining.com) in the Town Supervisor’s Office with inquiries or applications. Interested candidates may forward their resume and/or bio by fax to 914-762-0833 or mail to Supervisor's Office, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562.

Read more about the the Environmental Advisory Committee...

Town of Ossining residency is required.

TOWN OF OSSINING RESIDENTS

Second Half School Tax Bills Due!

OSSINING AND BRIARCLIFF MANOR
SCHOOL TAX -- DUE JANUARY 31

CALL IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE A BILL
914-762-8790 - GLORIA FRIED, RECEIVER OF TAXES

Village of Ossining Intermunicipal Agreement
IMA Proposal to the Town of Ossining

Highway Department, Building Department and Planning Department

The Springsted Report of the Public Works Analysis commissioned by the Village of Ossining, Town of Ossining and the Village of Briarcliff Manor from ICMA was instituted to examine how best to provide Public Works service to all three municipalities.

Download – Village of Ossining IMA Proposal to the Town of Ossining (May 7, 2011)

Download – Town of Ossining Response to the Village IMA Proposal (May 10, 2011)

Application for License Plates or Parking Permits for Persons with Severe Disabilities
New York residents to apply for plates or a parking permit for people with severe disabilities. Requires a medical doctor's signature and certification. Plates are issued at state and county DMV offices, but permits are issued by local governments, not DMV.
*NOTE: Completed applications must be submitted to: Ossining Town Clerk, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562

Visit the 2012 Budget page for all documents and downloads...

Borgia Releases Tax-Cut Budget Second Year in a Row

Tax Savings for All Town Taxpayers,
Including Villages of Ossining & Briarcliff

For the second year in a row, the Supervisor’s Tentative 2012 Budget, filed with the Town Clerk on Friday, October 28, shows tax cuts for all taxpayers in the Town of Ossining, including residents in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff. This budget has a tax rate decrease for all taxpayers despite the fact that the Town of Ossining is taking on additional costs of operating a consolidated Ossining Justice Court, effective January 1, 2012.

These rate decreases are well below the recently-imposed New York State Tax Cap of a 2% tax levy increase. Borgia stated: “In these hard times, we are all struggling to do more with less. For my tentative 2012 budget, I was committed to creating another opportunity to save taxpayers money while increasing government efficiencies through consolidation of services, careful spending, and innovative new ways of providing necessary government services. I am very pleased to offer a budget that does not raise taxes and offers some taxpayer relief despite the increased costs of mandatory NYS Retirement System contributions, the rising cost of health insurance, and additional expenses due to fuel costs.”

This budget has tax decreases in both the Town General (-0.07%) and the Town Unincorporated (-0.02%) budgets. All residents of the Town of Ossining, including those in the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff, pay the Town General tax. Residents in the Unincorporated area (the “town-outside” of both villages) pay the Town Unincorporated tax.

A total of $152,752 of revenues from Dale Cemetery operations in 2011 will be restored to all town taxpayers as part of the 2012 Town Budget. This is a first step towards Dale Cemetery restoring taxpayer monies that had been used for operations from 2006-2009.

In addition, the consolidation of the Village of Ossining and Town of Ossining Justice Courts will provide additional tax relief to Village of Ossining residents not reflected in this budget. Cost containment in other areas mean that residents of the Unincorporated area will not see taxes rise due to the cost of the court consolidation, which is estimated by the NYS Comptroller’s office to be $460,571. If the Village of Briarcliff decides to join the consolidated court, Briarcliff taxpayers will also see a savings in their village tax bills.

The Supervisor’s Tentative 2012 Budget is available in the Town Clerk’s office at 16 Croton Avenue, the Ossining Public Library, and online below.

Visit the 2012 Budget page for all documents and downloads...

Town Seeking Volunteers to Serve on Business Incentive Board

The Ossining Town Board is seeking resumes of interested volunteers to serve on a citizen advisory board known as the “Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board” of the Town of Ossining.”

The this advisory board will seek out ideas and make recommendations to the Town of Ossining Town Board about legal options available to the Town to give partial real property tax exemption for certain commercial business or industrial improvements as per NYS Real Property Tax Law, and to work in collaboration with local merchants and the Ossining and Briarcliff Chambers of Commerce to support and attract business to Ossining.

The Industrial and Commercial Incentive Board will consist of five members, with one of the members serving as a Chairperson. Ideal candidates will have professional or educational expertise in the financial, marketing, or general business sector.

The committee will meet once a month and will interact with the Supervisor, Town Board, local merchants, and local business organizations.

Interested residents should send resumes to: Town Supervisor, Town of Ossining, 16 Croton Avenue, Ossining, NY 10562, or via fax: 914-762-0833, or via email: sdonnelly@townofossining.com.

For more information, contact Town Supervisor's Office at: 914-762-6001.

Download the 4-Year Projections spreasheet (prepared by Town Comptroller)

Budget Implications of NYS Tax Cap Legislation – Town of Ossining
Four Year Projected Financial Impacts, 2012 to 2014

(Projected Years prepared by Town Comptroller, August 2011)

Earlier this year, New York State passed a law stating that municipalities and school districts in New York State cannot have a tax levy increase of greater that 2% from the previous year. The law includes some exemptions, including municipalities who consolidate by taking over a service that was formerly the responsibility of another government.

Municipalities have certain ongoing financial obligations such as contributions to the NYS Retirement System, health care costs (to the Empire Plan in the case of the Town of Ossining), and energy costs, the cost of which is outside of the control of the municipality.

In order to do good long term financial planning as we begin the 2012 budget process, the Town did an analysis of how much of an increase we anticipate the fixed costs will be for our budget for the next years, in order determine how much money must be cut out of other area of the budgets. Some assumptions about infationalry and personnel costs are included and are in the notations on the side of the charts.

The charts are divided into Town General fund, (which is paid for by all of the Town of Ossining, including the Villages of Ossining and Briarcliff,) and the Unincorporated Area funds, which are paid only by those in the unincorporated area.

This is a planning tool for information purposes only to help the Town to develop responsible budgets and spending cut decisions.

For more information, contact Catherine Borgia at 762-6001 or cborgia@townofossining.com.

Download the 4-Year Projections spreasheet (prepared by Town Comptroller)

PROPOSED BRIARCLIFF ANNEXATION
OF ELECTION DISTRICTS 17 & 20

The Town of Ossining seeks to give all impacted residents, including the residents of the two Election Districts in question, the other residents of the Unincorporated area of the Town, and the residents of the Villages of Briarcliff Manor and Ossining, accurate and up-to-date facts to help understand the Annexation Proposal and its short- and long-term implications.

If Election Districts 17 & 20 are annexed into Briarcliff Manor, and Briarcliff Manor subsequently becomes a Coterminous Town/Village, the following will also apply:

1. All Briarcliff Manor residents who attend the Ossining School District run the risk of having an equalization rate that adversely impacts their proportionate share of Ossining School District taxes. Residents of the Town of New Castle who are part of the Ossining schools have been unsuccessful in fighting this situation with the New York State Real Property Tax Office for over 10 years. (Contact the West End Neighborhood Taxpayers “WENT” Group for further details and history.)
2. Special Districts will be preserved, such as Mid Hudson EMS Special District, Town-wide Water, Refuse and Recycling Special District, Lighting Special District, and Sewer Special District, including the outstanding debt on North State Road Sewer construction.
3. Residents who are in the Ossining School District will continue to pay for both the Briarcliff Manor and the Ossining public libraries.
4. Briarcliff Manor will need to assume the costs of providing Town-wide services, including Assessment, Assessment review; legal defense costs; Tax Receiver; establishment of a Town Court in accordance with NYS Town law and Office of Court Administration standards; and the cost of paying up front the uncollected taxes to both the County and the School Districts within its boundaries (Briarcliff Manor and part of Ossining).

Town of Ossining & Village of Ossining

Court Consolidation

There Are Numerous Benefits to Consolidation

Exponential Long-term Savings: Benefits accrue over the years through sharing of vital resources.

Greater Community Service and Operational Efficiencies: Centralization of service.

Savings Increase Significantly in Out Years:
  - Additional efficiencies over time
  - Reducing staff by attrition
  - Additional regionalization possible

NYS Comptroller's letter on Court Consolidation (10/26/11)

Board Presentations and Publications (posted September 7, 2011)

Preliminary Consolidated Town Court Budget [PDF] *For Information Purposes Only
2012 Estimated Court Budget vs. 2011 Town and Village Court Budgets; Updated 9/7/2011

Presentation – Town & Village Public Hearing held on 8/31/11 [PDF]

Presentation – Town & Village Public Hearing held on 8/31/11 [PowerPoint Show]

Find out more about the Town's Comprehensive Plan...

Fact Sheet on Comprehensive Plan and Proposed Zoning Law Process

• Date of Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning changed to Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:30 pm Police/Court facility on Spring Street
• Two significant changes made:
• Allowing automotive uses to rebuild to existing footprint in case of disaster
• Change from “Non-Conforming” Use to “Grandfathered” Use to clarify protection of existing automotive use businesses

• Comprehensive Plan Process:

• NYS recommends each municipality have a Comprehensive or Master Plan. Zoning should follow from the plan and must be consistent with adopted plans
• In 2002, after a multi-year process involving public surveys, hearing and other forms of public input, the Town Board adopted the Comprehensive plan, working with a citizen committee and consultant planners
• Plan recommends changes to North State Road
• In 2009, the zoning component was begun

• Zoning Changes Process:
• Working with the Planning Department, Town Board and Planning Board (both made up of appointed or elected citizen members), FP Clarke, our consultant planners, make recommendations to the Town Board.
• Town Board discusses the recommendations at several meetings over 2009, 2010, and early 2010
• Recommendation to make auto related uses non-conforming
• Does not have sunset clause, so businesses can continue to operate
• Does not hamper businesses from growing within current footprint – for example adding customers or other automotive services, re-use of existing space
• Most businesses are already physically maxed out on space for expansion
• Does not prevent sale of business or other change of ownership
• Adds time to non-conforming use from 3 mo to 1 year
• Prevents other competitive businesses from moving to North State Road

• Town Board to discuss a change allowing non-conforming uses to rebuild to existing footprint if catastrophe or natural disaster occur.
• Call for public hearing on March 22, 2011, 7:30 pm, 86/88 Spring Street
  • Time for Town Board to hear public comments
  • Opportunity to discuss possible changes at work sessions
• Town Board votes on Zoning Changes – date TBD, after public comment period

Find out more about the Town's Comprehensive Plan...

Visit the Consolidation of Law Enforcement Services page for details and documents, including side-by-side comparison of County and Village Proposals and an Police Options Q&A.

- Westchester County Proposal for the Provision of Police Services (06/09/10, PDF)
- County Presentation for the Provision of Police Services (06/09/10, PPT, 3MB)

- Town of Ossining Policing Options - Compare Village and County (PDF)
- Questions and Answers Regarding Town of Ossining Policing Proposals (PDF)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 9, 2011
Download the full Press Release for more details...

COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND OSSINING SUPERVISOR
SIGN POLICE SERVICES CONTRACT

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino and Ossining Supervisor Catherine Borgia today formally signed the historic Inter-Municipal Agreement for the Department of Public Safety to provide contractual police services to the Town.

At a ceremony held at the former Town of Ossining Police Department, Astorino and Borgia signed the IMA, which went into effect on Jan. 1. Under the agreement, the Westchester County Police is providing Patrol and Investigative services to the Town of Ossining.

Response from the Village Board and Village Manager to the Town Proposal (09/09/10)
Town Response to the Village Police Proposal (09/03/10)
Village Police Proposal to the Town of Ossining (09/03/10)

Proposal for the Provision of Police Services - Village of Ossining (07/02/10)
Village of Ossining Police Proposal (07/06/10, PowerPoint Presentation)

Town Hall Informational Meeting - Notes from September 13, 2010 (PDF)
Town Hall Informational Meeting - Notes from August 26, 2010 (PDF)

Town Press Conference Presentation (06/11/10, PowerPoint)
ICMA Study on the Consolidation of Law Enforcement Services - (06/08/10, PDF)

Press Release - Town Hall Meetings (08/12/10, PDF)
Press Release - Town and County Discuss Police Sharing (06/11/10, PDF)

Congratulations Ossining Residents!

You live in the community ranked the #2 best community to live in Westchester by Westchester Magazine, based on criteria such as Diversity, Housing Costs, Parks & Recreation, Property Tax, Proximity to NYC, Safety, Schools, Proximity to Water, Nightlife, Shopping, and Downtown.

Check out the whole article online at Westchester Magazine...

Congratulations on your excellent decision to live in such a wonderful community!

"Best Places To Live" Westchester Magazine
By Elsa Brenner Published September 21, 2010

Catherine Borgia - Supervisor, Town of Ossining
914-762-6001 -- 914-262-8873 (cell)

Posted Obituary: July 25, 2011

John Chervokas, Former Ossining Town Supervisor,
Ad-man Who Created Famous Charmin Campaign, Dies at 74

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY - John V. Chervokas, a former advertising executive who created the famous "Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin" ad campaign and later served for a decade as supervisor of the town of Ossining, NY, died on Saturday at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center in Manhattan. He was 74.

Chervokas spent nearly 40 years on Madison Avenue, starting as copywriter and eventually rising to Vice Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Warwick Advertising. In the 1980s, he also served as editor in chief of Madison Avenue Magazine, an industry trade publication. But Chervokas was best known for the ad campaign he created while working as a junior copywriter at Benton & Bowles in 1964 for Procter & Gamble's Charmin toilet paper. He recounted to Ad Age in 1972 how his search for something to demonstrate softness led him to the image of women squeezing fruit in a supermarket, and the supermarket manager who had a duty to stop them. "Please Don't Squeeze the Charmin" was named #51 on Ad Age's top 100 ad campaigns of the 20th century.

After retiring from the advertising business, Chervokas turned to public service, winning election as Town Supervisor in Ossining in 1998. Chervokas' previous experience in public office had come in the mid-1970s when he served as president of the Ossining School Board, presiding over the racial re-districting of the town's schools. Chervokas spent ten years as town supervisor from 1998-2008. He also served as executive director of the Ossining Chamber of Commerce from 1994-1997 and chairman of Historic River Towns from 1999-2003.

John Vincent Chervokas was born on November 14, 1936 in Norwood, MA. He graduated from Fordham University in 1959 with a bachelor of arts degree in English. He was the author of four books of prayers and religious commentary. His death, from stroke, came after a five year battle with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Roseanna; his sons, Jason of Hastings-on-Hudson and Josh of Manhattan; his daughter, Jessica Hoyer of Briarcliff Manor; and three grandchildren, Emily Chervokas and Julia and Zachary Hoyer.

A wake will be held at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 14 Emwilton Place, Ossining, NY, on Thursday, July 28, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a funeral to follow Friday, July 29, at St. Theresa church in Briarcliff Manor. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his name to the National Parkinson Foundation.

Contact: Jason Chervokas, 917-453-3056, jason@chervokas.com

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.

Versatile Dodge had 'spirit of public service' - Dedication on LoHud.com
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912310334

Town Calendar of Events --- Ossining Community Calendar
  - Town Board Work Session - Tuesday, 2/7, 2/21
  - Town Board Meeting - Tuesday 2/14, 2/28
  - Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - Monday, 2/13
  - Planning Board Meeting - Wednesday, 2/8, 2/22
  - Green Ossining Committee - TBD, Ossining Operations Center
  - Town Offices Closed: Presidents Day, Monday 2/20

Forms, Permits, and Publications By Department [Full Listing]
  - Town of Ossining - Schedule of Fees (37Kb, PDF, Updated 1/21/11)
  - Police Facility Meeting Room - Policy & Terms and Application For Use
  - 2012 Adopted Town Budget
  - Town Assessment Tentative Roll - 2011 [PDF, 5.7MB]
  - 2012 Planning Board Calendar (129Kb, PDF)
  - 2012 Recreation Activity Winter Brochure (365Kb, PDF)
  - 2012 Refuse Schedule & Info (89Kb, PDF)
  - 2012 Sanitation-Recycle Calendar (149Kb, PDF)
  - 2011 Town & County Tax Rates (25Kb, PDF)
  - 2011/2012 School Tax Rates (94Kb, PDF)
  - Homeowner's Guide to Protecting the Environment
  - Senior Services Monthly Activity Calendar
  - Tax Map - incl Town & Villages (667Kb, PDF)
  - High Priority Planning Grant - Evaluation of Potential Government Structures
Stormwater Management Program - incl Illicit Discharge Survey