Home - Town of Ossining, New York

Supervisor's Update – Friday, May 7, 2021

Details: Last Updated: 07 May 2021 07 May 2021

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps is administering Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to residents 18 and older. At-home appointments are available or you can schedule to get the vaccine at 8 Clinton Avenue (OVAC headquarters). Schedule appointments here or call to ask questions (914) 941-9196. We are truly lucky to live here in Ossining with such a dedicated group of emergency services professionals and volunteers, who make up OVAC. And of course, we are so very grateful to OVAC Captain Nick Franzoso – he has been a leader not just in Ossining, but across the County and the State in innovating the role an ambulance provider can play in a community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Covid Flyer May

Speaking of vaccines, get your mom, grandma, aunt, sister, daughter, any mother in your life the BEST Mother’s Day gift by getting vaccinated this weekend! Westchester County is asking us all to show our love for our moms this weekend with appointments available tomorrow, Saturday, May 8 from 11am to 3pm at Westchester Community College in Valhalla for COVID-19 vaccines. Appointments are encouraged, but walk ins are welcome, and there will be special gift bags for mothers while supplies last.

Westchester County Mothers Day Vaccines sp

It has never been easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine for all New York residents ages 16 and up. All State and County sites now offer walk in appointments, as does CVS and many other local pharmacies. Westchester County launched a PSA this week featuring Ossining native and New York Knicks star, Obi Toppin, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. Watch the PSA on the Westchester County YouTube page and share to show your Ossining Pride! Remember that COVID-19 vaccines are always free and available to all New York residents regardless of immigration status. New Yorkers can report vaccine-related fraud by calling 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Remember it takes two weeks from your final dose (second for Moderna or Pfizer, or single dose for J&J) for the strongest immunity. So, if you find time this weekend to get vaccinated, you could be enjoying all summer has to offer with your family and friends virtually worry free. We are also hopeful that vaccine eligibility will expand to teenagers very soon, as Pfizer and Moderna seek Emergency Use Authorization for this age group following very promising trial results.

On Tuesday, I joined Father Raymond Finch of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and Brock Gibian from Ecogy Energy and their teams for the groundbreaking of a solar canopy installation at Maryknoll. This project is the first of its kind in our Town and I am so excited to see it get underway. The canopy will provide cover for parked cars, while generating electricity as an elevated solar farm for community solar customers. It will also help sustain Maryknoll and serve their mission as well, with few to no trees needing to be cut down. Solar canopies are a revolutionary way to convert paved parking lots into green energy spaces. Ossining and Briarcliff residents can learn more or enroll to get electricity through this new solar farm – and get up to 10% off their electric bill - by visiting the Ecogy Powermarket site. Sign up takes only seven minutes or less. You will want to have your ConEd bill or online account handy. Some people get nervous because the program asks for your banking information, but this is needed for the billing process. We have also heard that although there is great interest in the program, potential subscribers are not entirely completing the process. Be sure to provide all of the required information, and keep an eye out for follow up e-mails or phone calls to complete the subscription process.

maryknoll

Ossining’s own Donna Sharrett (first from the right on the picture below) was recognized recently by State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick as an Environmental Champion. Donna serves on the Town’s Planning Board, Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, and is co-chair of the Ossining Parks Habitat Stewards. She has a long resume of accomplishments related to the preservation of our planet. Notably, Donna’s expertise as a Master Gardener is an invaluable asset to the Town as we continue to strive toward sustainability. Congratulations Donna!

Donna Sharrett recognition

On Thursday, the Ossining Community Equity Task Force hosted their May meeting. The Education Sub-Committee led a conversation on mentorship programs and apprenticeships, the digital divide, and removing barriers to educational opportunities. The Task Force is planning a press conference to further discuss some of these topics.

Today wraps up Teacher Appreciation Week, but educators deserve our praise every day of the year. If you had a teacher that made a positive impact on your life, consider sending them a thank you. Or give them a shout out on Facebook. We know this year of all years they deserve our appreciation more than ever! Ossining High School recently hosted an alumni day, allowing former students to share words of wisdom with current classes about their paths since graduation. It was also a welcome chance for OHS alumni to reconnect with the teachers who helped guide them years before. Thank you to our Ossining and Briarcliff School District teachers for all of your amazing work.

teacher appreciation week

In celebration of Compost Awareness Week, I would like to remind residents about Town of Ossining’s food scrap recycling program. Food waste makes up 22% of material buried in landfills. Food waste also generates methane as it breaks down, not to mention the burned fuel needed to transport it with other garbage. By removing food scraps from our regular waste stream and instead composting them, we can eliminate the weight and the harmful waste, while turning those scraps back into fertile soil to fuel our green gardens and so much more. Ossining and Briarcliff residents can participate in the Food Scrap Recycling Program at Cedar Lane Park or the Ossining Farmers Market. Learn more at OssiningComposts.org.

Food Scraps Program 2

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act is offering relief to small businesses and hard-hit industries through a variety of programs. Regular applications for the Paycheck Protection Program closed this week, though distribution of this relief money through certain third parties is still available. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant is accepting applications. Assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program, and Restaurant Revitalization Fund is still also available. For more information, business owners can contact U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s local office at (914) 734-1532. Office staff can help walk you through the process to get the aid you need.

SBA

With the summer quickly approaching, the Town is preparing for summer events. One favorite returning is the Mind, Body, Spirit – Ossining program, which brings free wellness classes to our parks and open spaces. In the past the program has hosted yoga, belly dancing, tai chi, meditation, kickboxing, and much more. If your small business is interested in hosting an outdoor class, please contact my office at 914-762-6001 or by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

General Post 2021

Today is opening day for Bigfoot Creamery at Gourdine Park on the waterfront. This ice cream shop has handmade, small batch ice cream served with compostable bowls and spoons. Check out their menu and ask about their vegan and dairy-free options. In May the shop will be open on weekends from 2pm to 9pm (in case you needed another excuse to spend time at our beautiful waterfront).

creamery

Tomorrow, Saturday, May 8 is Household Recycling Day throughout Westchester County. Clear your home (and garage) of old tires, computers, paint, and other items that cannot necessarily be hauled away in a garbage truck. See the full list of accepted items here.

recycling day

Plantfest is back! Teatown is holding their annual plantfest sale today, Friday, May 7 and tomorrow, Saturday, May 8. Stop by between 9am and 2pm to find the perfect plant for you. You can also get inspiration and advice from fellow gardeners. Many residents started gardening for the first time last year during the shutdowns, but do not feel dismayed if your garden struggled. Most gardeners remember having trouble with their first plantings. Give it another shot!

plantfest 2

Sunday is Mother’s Day and Ossining businesses are ready to help you make the day special. The Ossining Chamber of Commerce has been sharing special Mother’s Day deals and menus on their Facebook Page. Bethany Arts Center is launching a month long exhibition (and online gallery) starting on Mother’s Day. You can register for the event or learn more on the Bethany website.

bethany 2

On Wednesday, May 12 at 7:30pm, Sustainable Westchester will host a Spanish language event about cash savings and energy savings. The Town has partnered with Sustainable Westchester, along with a number of other organizations, to help residents explore Community Solar, the GridRewards program, and EnergySmart Homes. Register for the event and join the webinar here.

Spanish Langage ESH

The Ossining Public Library will offer tax assistance until Thursday in light of the extended federal deadline for income tax payments. This assistance is available thanks to AARP's Tax Aide program. Appointments are required. Residents should call (914) 810-3384 to make an appointment for assistance with preparing and filing federal and state income taxes. When calling to make your appointment, please be sure to leave a message with your name and phone number, and a Tax Aide volunteer will be in touch to schedule your appointment with you, go over the required paperwork, and answer your questions.

taxes 3

The Ossining Public Library is leading a book discussion group that focuses on the literary works of African-American, African, and Afro-Caribbean authors. All discussions will take place virtually. If you are interested in being a part of this book club, email facilitator Barbara Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the zoom details.

Talk Culture 2021

Westchester Craft Crawl will return on May 15^th and 16^th this year. This year’s Crawl will feature 56 regional professional craft artists from Westchester, NYC and the Hudson Valley region, with several stops in Ossining. So while you may not be able to get something for mom or any of the mom’s in your life, if you ARE one and didn’t get a really beautiful something, now is your chance! Check out the full list of artists and stops along the crawl here.

Craft Crawl

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is offering Chamber Chats for local businesses to connect and share ideas. The next meeting is May 20th. Hear from other owners and employees about the challenges and successes small businesses are facing. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the Zoom link.

Chamber Chats

From May 20 to June 20, Westchester Collaborative Theater will present Gen Z Outloud, virtual readings of plays written by young playwrights (ages 13 – 20), the first part of their inaugural Hudson Valley New Voices (HVNV) Festival. HVNV continues June 4-6 with Vintage Voices, featuring dramatic works by seniors. The festival concludes June 18 – 20 with Voices of Color, featuring original plays by writers who identify as People of Color. All tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or by calling (914) 263-4953.

WCT shows

Mark your calendars and save the date for Gullotta House’s 5th Annual Charity Duck Race on Saturday, May 29th from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Dale Avenue Park in Ossining, NY—good luck getting your duck to beat mine! There will be a top prize of $1,500, a second prize of $250, and $100 gift cards for the third, fourth, and fifth prizes.

For more information about this year's event or to purchase a duckie for the race, please click here. Gullotta House has continued to provide free prepared meals to local families, and has even stepped in and delivered food to our seniors when we needed some help! Thank you for your support and we hope to see many of you or your ducks there!

Duck Race

Barbeque season is here. If your Memorial Day plans involve using your gas grill, be sure to check your propane tank first and make sure it’s filled. If you have some old empty propane tanks sitting around that cannot be refilled or exchanged, here’s your chance to safely get rid of them. Ossining Fire Department Venturing Crew 467 will be hosting Propane Tank Drop-Off Day this Sunday, June 6 from noon to 3.

propane

Historic Hudson River Towns and all its member communities, which include the Villages of Briarcliff, Ossining, and the Town of Ossining, worked with the company Travel Story to develop a driving tour of communities along the Hudson, north of the Mario Cuomo Bridge. The tour app is available for free via the TravelStorys app. Check it out! Big shout out to former Ossining Village Historian and current Village Trustee Dana White for her work creating the Ossining sections of the tour.

HHR

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 11 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 843 5134 9192 and passcode 546102. Read the Meeting Agenda here. We will be re-opening public hearings on three proposed local laws. Current drafts of these local laws can be found on the Town’s website to review. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, grandmas, aunts, fur moms, and all mother figures out there! The weather is looking a little dreary for the weekend, but I hope everyone finds time to celebrate the important women in our lives on Sunday. I know this is a challenging holiday for many, especially those who may have lost a loved one to COVID-19 this year, or cannot be with family due to public health restrictions. But, hope springs eternal, and the sights of spring blooming all around us help show us the promise of better, and sunnier days ahead.

Enjoy the weekend!

--Dana

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!

Supervisor's Update – Friday, April 30, 2021

Details: Last Updated: 30 April 2021 30 April 2021

Before I jump into my update, I would like to remind everyone that you have a few short hours before the 2021 Town and County Taxes are due! Tax Receiver Holly Perlowitz and her team are available to accept payments at 16 Croton until 7pm tonight, Friday, April 30. You can also pay online using Xpress Pay. If you choose to pay by mail at the Ossining Post Office, you must do so by 5pm, otherwise it will be postmarked for tomorrow. You can learn more on the Tax Office webpage or you can reach out to Holly Perlowitz directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Tax Office is also always ready to take your questions by phone, so feel free to call them at (914) 762-8790.

taxes 4

Tomorrow is May 1^st, also known as International Workers' Day. I would like to extend a special thank you to all the workers who have kept the world spinning this past hectic year. Essential workers continued to staff our grocery stores, delivery services, healthcare systems, and emergency services, as well as take care of our roadways, parks, and at our Town/Village offices, accept payments, and issue permits. Remoting workers adapted to zoom meetings, spotty WiFi, forwarded calls, and homeschooled kids – just to list a few. We are so grateful for all that workers did to keep things as much on track as possible at some very difficult moments, to say the least.

Today I joined leaders from the Village of Ossining for a tree planting in honor of Arbor Day. This is the Town’s 21st annual Arbor Day celebration, and the Village’s very first! We are excited that the oak tree planted will support over 500 different species of butterflies and moths native to our area, making it an excellent pollinator for our area. The new tree was planted at Nelson Sitting Park at the site of the Ossining COVID-19 Memorial. You can read our press release about this event for more details.

Arbor Day Group Shot 2

On Monday evening, the Town hosted the Ossining Community Equity Task Force’s first virtual Town Hall. Thank you to all our panelists and presenters for Inequity in Ossining; How the Pandemic Brought Issues of Inequity into the Spotlight. If you missed the Town Hall you can watch the recording here. The next regular Task Force meeting is scheduled for May 6 at 2pm (join us on Zoom using meeting ID 835 5100 4869). Subcommittees will be discussing their ideas to dismantle and disrupt inequity.

Task Force meeting

If you like the idea of supporting solar power, but cannot put panels on your own house, condo or apartment, consider Community Solar. This program allows residents to get electricity from a solar farm’s clean energy and it can lower your electric bill by up to 10%. You can even select locally right now, because the soon-to-be-built Maryknoll solar canopy is a community solar project you can select! Some people get nervous because the program asks for your banking information, but this is needed for the billing process, and you will see savings to your energy costs. Learn more about the program, get your questions answered, and watch a walkthrough of the signup process through the Sustainable Westchester website. Make sure you have your ConEd bill or online account handy. Sign up takes only seven minutes – or less!

Community Solar 2

Today is the last day to register for the GridRewards program to be sure your rewards. This program was developed to reduce stress on the electric grid during peak usage hours. Con Edison will basically pay you to reduce electricity at peak demand times so they can avoid running old, inefficient power plants. The GridRewards app is open to homeowners, tenants, and businesses owners. There are no enrollment fees nor are there penalties if you choose not to participate once you enroll. Of course there’s much more of a benefit for you and the environment if you do! Learn more about this program, and how to sign up on the Sustainable Westchester website. If you are having trouble enrolling please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 908-517-3730 (this helpline can troubleshoot or walk you through the signup process).

O B grid rewards step by step

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp received 200 doses of Moderna vaccine to distribute to residents 18 and older over the course of the next month. Appointments will be available at 8 Clinton Avenue (OVAC headquarters) and EMTs will make house calls for homebound as well as to help people feel more comfortable getting their first dose. Schedule appointments here or call to ask questions (914) 941-9196. Huge shout out to OVAC Chief Nick Franzoso for all of his hard work during the pandemic, he has been an instrumental leader in helping the Ossining community fight COVID-19, from OVAC making their own disinfectant in the early months, to offering testing for first responders and community members, and now vaccines. Not to mention, always being on the frontline of emergency medical care for our community. There is not much Nick and his team can’t do!

Community Paramedic Program

Vaccines are available to all New York residents ages 16 and older. All COVID-19 vaccines are free. New Yorkers should report vaccine-related fraud by calling 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Appointments at local sites can be made directly through the businesses. There are appointments available at the Westchester Community College Campus in Valhalla (click here then select the “vaccine information” tab for current scheduling options). You can also schedule appointments through the New York State Coronavirus webpage by reviewing the sites and clicking “Get Started.” The Governor announced this week that walk-in vaccinations are available at any State run vaccination site, like the Westchester County Center, for people of all ages. Please remember that vaccines take approximately two weeks from your latest dose to be fully effective.

Planet

After some initial delays, the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) finally opened. This relief program is part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act to help small businesses and hard-hit industries. Assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Paycheck Protection Program, and Restaurant Revitalization Fund is still also available. For more information, business owners can contact U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s local office at (914) 734-1532. Office staff can help walk you through the process to get the aid you need.

Applications for the NYS Empire Pandemic Relief Reimbursement Fund are currently open. Through this program, essential workers and first responders can apply for up to $1,000 (per household) in State reimbursements for out of pocket costs incurred during the pandemic. Eligible expenses include child care, transportation, and lodging. Learn more or find applications for this program on the New York State website.

SBA

The Briarcliff Fire Department is looking for members to join their ranks. If you are interested in learning more about the BMFD volunteer experience call 914-941-4440 or visit their website to chat with firefighters, ask questions, and learn more.

BMFD seal

And now for some events – including quite a few this weekend!

The biannual Ossining & Briarcliff Community-Wide Tag Sale is back tomorrow. This event is always a great way to meet your neighbors and save money without shopping at big box stores. Over 50 households across town are participating this year and Green Ossining is so dedicated to reducing carbon emissions they have even created a route representing the most fuel-efficient and time-saving way to reach each property. Masks are required (of course!) and this year some sellers may accept digital payments (Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal) to decrease cash handling. For previews of the items on sale, check out the Green Ossining official Tag Sale Facebook Group.

Tag Sale Map

Tomorrow is also I Love My Parks Day. Celebrate by learning more about native species and taking part in fun events. This year there are five Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park locations from which to choose when you register, including the one starting at our very own Gerlach Park (though that one has been maxed out for registrants for some time now!) Specific information about each area is available on the registration site.

I love my Parks Day

A number of local site clean-ups are also planned for tomorrow’s Riverkeeper Sweep including ones at Engel Park, the Sing Sing Kill, and the one at the Aqueduct accessed through Gerlach Park (which is still maxed out!). Join the Ossining Parks Habitat Stewards for an invasive species removal at Ryder Park. Over 100 similar projects will take place throughout NYC and the Hudson Valley. Register here on the Riverkeeper website. In 2020 the #RiverkeeperSweep removed more than 16.6 tons of trash from local waterways, and over the past decade of Ossining-based clean-ups, has cleaned out over 4 tons of trash.

Riverkeeper Sweep Final Poster Sweep 2021

The Bethany Arts Community is hosting a pottery show with works by Hudson River Potters. Entry is free for the in person event on Saturday and Sunday. Visit the Hudson River Potters website for more information.

2021 BAC flyer

On Monday evening, Ossining Village Historian Joyce Sharrock Cole will present some amazing local history at this year’s Jug Tavern annual meeting, taking place remotely. Ms. Cole will speak about the life of Captain Lewis Brady, resident, homeowner, and fisherman in 19th-century Sparta. Ms. Cole will trace the life of Captain Brady, his escape from Delaware to Sparta before the Civil War, the family roots he planted, how he lived, and the legacy we can celebrate today. Join the conversation on Zoom.

Jug Tavern May 3

The Ossining Public Library will offer tax assistance until May 13^th in light of the extended federal deadline for income tax payments. This assistance is available thanks to AARP's Tax Aide program. Appointments are required. Residents should call (914) 810-3384 to make an appointment for assistance with preparing and filing federal and state income taxes. When calling to make your appointment, please be sure to leave a message with your name and phone number. A Tax Aide volunteer will be in touch to schedule your appointment with you, go over the required paperwork, and answer your questions.

taxes 3

Talk Culture 2021

Craft Crawl

Chamber Chats

Mark your calendars and save the date for Gullotta House’s 5th Annual Charity Duck Race on Saturday, May 29th from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Dale Avenue Park in Ossining, NY - good luck getting your duck to beat mine! There will be a top prize of $1,500, a second prize of $250, and $100 gift cards for the third, fourth, and fifth prizes.

For more information about this year's event or to purchase a duckie for the race, please click here. Gullotta House has continued to provide free prepared meals to local families, and has even stepped in and delivered food to our seniors when we needed some help! Thank you for your support and we hope to see many of you or your ducks there!

Duck Race

HHR

The Town received word from Con Edison today regarding the wind gusts expected to hit our region tonight into Saturday morning. Con Ed has secured 75 mutual aid full time line workers to be ready to respond to potential system impacts. Customers can report power outages or service problems by calling 1-800-75-coned or online at www.coned.com (where they can also view service restoration information and an outage map). Customers can also text REG to OUTAGE (688243) and follow the prompts. You will need to enter your Con Edison account number to complete the registration process. Once you've registered, you will not need your account number to report or check the status of a power problem.

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Work Session on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:30pm on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 836 3762 7373 and passcode 287261. Read the Meeting Agenda here. At this meeting, we are going to hear from our project manager, Chris Rice, of our planning team at WXY Studios with an update on the Comprehensive Plan. We are close to finalizing draft goals for the Comprehensive Plan, and now gearing up for the fun part – developing objectives and strategies to achieve those goals! We are still looking for community members to weigh in on the draft goals, and take part in an exercise about Ossining’s strengths and weaknesses as we dive into the next phase of planning. Visit the Sustainable Ossining website to complete these exercises (yes you can download and print a PDF too), or visit the Ossining Public Library or Little Free Libraries at Gerlach, Ryder or Engel parks to get a hard copy. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.

Have a great weekend. I hope to see you at some of the amazing events planned.

--Dana

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!