Supervisor's Update – Friday, February 12, 2021

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Last Updated: 12 February 2021 12 February 2021

The snow saga continues! Please be patient and friendly and wave to our Highway and Parks crews as they drive by in the plows. They have been working hard out there to keep the roads safe, and believe it or not, there is more snow in the forecast for the weekend. Do your part by clearing snow from the roof of your car and your windshield (yes, the whole windshield and the whole roof!) before you start driving. Please also continue to dig out any nearby fire hydrants.

 

 

There is only one season famous for snow, but winter is really going all out this year. Though, to be fair, there was almost no snow last year… Good thing we all know how to work remotely these days. My office will send updates if there are changes to the sanitation schedule. As a reminder, Town staff is available by phone or email if the physical office happens to be closed due to weather.

 

Demand for the COVID vaccine continues to outweigh the supply. The Biden administration announced this week that they have ordered enough vaccines for every American to receive one by July. But, of course, that is still many months away for those of us that do not yet qualify to receive the vaccine. If you are not eligible, you cannot reserve an appointment – even one that is months in advance. Governor Cuomo has promised a $1 million fine for facilities that distribute the vaccine to anyone ineligible. Steep penalties are being considered for individuals who misrepresent themselves to receive one early. The Town of Greenburgh has created a COVID Angels program that assists eligible senior residents with reserving vaccine appointments. We are in the planning stages of launching a similar program here in Ossining. Our Senior Services Department has already begun this initiative on a smaller scale. If you are interested in volunteering to be a part of this program, please email me at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

In December, when the vaccine was launched, I met with experts from New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley to learn more about what this would mean for our residents. If you have questions about the vaccine, check out my conversation with Dr. Craig Hametz and President Stacey Petrower here. You can also call the New York State vaccine helpline by dialing 1-833-NYS-4-VAX. The State is managing a separate hotline for reports of vaccine fraud and abuse. That number is 1-833-VAX-SCAM. As a reminder, vaccines are free for all residents and you cannot pay to reserve an appointment to receive one.

 

 

The Town of Ossining is hiring! Our justice court is looking for a part-time intermediate clerk. You can check out the full job posting and application on our website. Applications are due to Victoria Cafarelli by February 26^th at 2:30pm. You can submit an application online or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you are submitting an application via email, be sure to save your application before sending.

 

 

Last week, the Assessor’s Office began mailing out exemption applications. Some common exemptions in New York State include those for residents over 65, for residents with disabilities, and Veterans. Please note that New York State has waived renewal requirements for some senior exemptions. The Assessor’s Office has sent communication to those who need to renew, and those who do not -- check your mailbox for information and keep in mind the May 1^st deadline is closer than you think. If you have any questions, please give our Assessor’s Office a call at (914) 762-8274. They are happy to help!

 

 

The Playland Summer Jobs Fair is virtual this year. Check out their website for a list of the jobs available, employee incentives, and application information. If you know someone who is looking for summer work, please forward this to them – don’t assume they have seen it already.

 

 

This weekend is Valentine’s Day, and I encourage you to show some love to our local businesses by spreading the love and shopping local!

 

This Valentine’s Day will certainly be like no other. Typically, there is a rush to secure reservations, but this year people are opting for takeout of their favorite meals. Our local businesses are stepping up to the challenge! Many have created special menus and designed pre-order options for residents. Call today to pre-order your meal, this way you are ahead of the game.

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is also selling Love Ossining merchandise to support their Virtuous Collective program. Order a mug, magnet, keychain, and pen for the Ossining-lover in your life -- these items were designed by local artist Mary Ellis. Order online for local delivery! (I’m looking at you last minute gift shoppers!)

 

 

In a wonderful example of the community coming together, you can celebrate Valentine’s Day and support the Ossining Children’s Center at the same time. Joining together, eight restaurants have partnered with OCC to help put together this year’s fundraiser. Be sure to mention the “Ossining Children’s Center” for this special deal.

 

 

And now for some events!

 

The ENU Community Collective is hosting a virtual movie night and discussion about the 2009 movie The Blind Side. This event starts at 6pm tonight. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

 

 

Tomorrow I will be joining many friends in support of Gullotta House when I plunge into the icy Hudson for the Horseman’s Hollow Plunge taking place in Sleepy Hollow this year. As you know from these updates, Gullotta House has been a tremendous support for our residents and businesses alike throughout the pandemic, offering free meals multiple times a week in various locations in and around Ossining. Please help them help our community and support this year’s Plunge.

 

 

Art classes for winter session are available at the Cedar Lane Arts Center. Visit the Community Pass page to learn about arts and athletic programs being offered by the Ossining Recreation Department (open to Village of Ossining residents, unincorporated town residents, and residents of the Village of Briarcliff).

 

The Ossining Parks Habitat Stewards are leading a guided Forest Species ID walk on Saturday, February 27^th. Meet at 10 at Ryder Park Pond to learn how to identify the trees on the park’s woodland trails. Register for the program through Community Pass.

 

Bethany Arts Community is celebrating Black History Month with a star-studded exploration of Ossining’s history, complete with musical performances, artists’ talks, an art history class, and an exhibition of Black History & Culture. Check out their calendar for a list of upcoming virtual and in-person events.

 

 

The Bennett Conservatory of Music is holding its annual benefit concert tomorrow at 7:30pm. The concert will be virtual this year and tickets are priced per household. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions or Zelle your payment directly and save your spot.

 

Fable is hosting a Valentine’s Day cooking class led by Ossining’s own Beylka Krupp. Formerly of Wobble Café, Beylka will teach two classes, both over Zoom. Visit the Fable: From Farm to Table Facebook page for information about how to register.

 

The Loft LGBT Community Center is hosting an online "Share The Love" Social tomorrow from 11:30am-1:00pm. In honor of Valentine’s Day, the conversation will center around the notion of self-love, love for your community, loving friendship, and more. Register to join virtually by selecting “Unity Table Intergenerational Share The Love Valentine's Social” via the google form here. The Loft is hosting a number of other events, including "Raising Voices," a Celebration of Black LGBTQ+ Identities for Black History Month.

 

 

Many local venues have been closed or under severe restrictions since March. Peekskill’s Dramatic Hall Theater will be celebrating Violintine’s Day without an in-person audience, but you can watch the livestreamed concert and participate in a virtual cocktail hour too. On Sunday from 5:30 - 8 PM EST, join world renowned classical and rock violinist, Daisy Jopling, cofounder of the Daisy Jopling Music Mentorship Foundation (DJMMF), and her band for an evening of music. Learn more at the Dramatic Hall website.

The Sing Sing Prison Museum is celebrating Black History Month with a look at the stories of the town’s Black community. This month's webinar offers a look at prominent business owners, women leaders, and those that have been employed by the historic prison. Register here.

 

Join us on Tuesday, February 23^rd to better understand how energy efficiency can save you money and energy. This webinar, co-hosted by Sustainable Westchester, Green Ossining, and the Briarcliff Sustainability Committee (among others) will discuss financial incentives and rebates offered by NYSERDA and your utility. The webinar will cover customized clean heating and cooling solutions for your home that do not rely on costly fossil fuels. Register here to join us on Zoom or Facebook Live to meet the contractors and hear from your neighbors! Still on the fence? You can look over an introductory brochure here.

 

 

Bethany Arts Community is offering after school classes for children ages 6 and up. The classes include both in-person and virtual options. You can learn more about the classes and registration on the Bethany website. Classes for adults are also available, including one on art history with Dr. Jill Kiefer.

The Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative is holding several meetings in February. There is a public feedback session focused on the needs of the Black community on February 20 at 10am. There is also a Spanish-language session on February 27^th at 10am. These are just some of the many opportunities to weigh in on Police Reform.

The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30 on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 889 8534 2300 and passcode 440564. You can also dial in to hear the live audio by calling 929-205-6099. This meeting is going to be a Town Hall style meeting, featuring a presentation on our food scraps recycling program which is celebrating its one year anniversary. We open our Town Hall meetings up to public comment, so please join us to learn more about this exciting program, and ask your questions too! Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube in case our residents are interested in catching up on anything they missed.

Please be reminded that on Monday, February 15, Town offices will be closed for the Presidents Day holiday. Please also be aware that some staff members in the Supervisor’s Office, Tax Office, and Clerk’s Office will be (virtually) attending the annual Association of Towns Conference both Monday and Tuesday and may not be available immediately via phone or e-mail during the conference. Please leave us a message, or send us an e-mail, and we will be sure to get back to you as soon as we can.

Enjoy the long weekend, Happy Valentine’s Day, and stay nice and warm!

 

--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!

Planning Board Meeting - Wednesday, February 17, 2021

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Last Updated: 12 February 2021 12 February 2021

A meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Ossining will be held on:

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 7:30 P.M.

 

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING

Pursuant to Governor’s Executive Order 202.1 dated March 12, 2020

Members of the public can join the meeting via computer or mobile app:

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88375663334

Meeting ID: 883 7566 3334

+1-929-205-6099

**Please note that by dialing in, your phone number will be visible to the host, participants, and attendees of the meeting**

 

Preliminary Agenda

• Rinaldi Subdivision, 39 Stormytown Road, 10-Lot Subdivision, Final Subdivision Review - PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED

• Borrego Solar, St. Augustine Church, 381 N. Highland Avenue, Site Plan Review Battery Storage System - PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED

• Terra Rustica Ristorante, 550 North State Road, Site Plan Amendment

 

Please visit the Planning Board Projects page to view PDF copies of the documents pertaining to the agenda for Wednesday, February 17, 2021. 

The Town of Ossining is Seeking a Part-Time Intermediate Clerk in the Justice Court!

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Last Updated: 10 February 2021 10 February 2021

INTERMEDIATE CLERK

TOWN JUSTICE COURT

17.5 HOURS PER WEEK (PART TIME)

 

Applications are available online. Interested candidates should submit an pdf Employment Application (199 KB) by email to Victoria Cafarelli (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or in person at 16 Croton Avenue by 2:30pm on Friday, February 26.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: Under direct supervision, an incumbent of this class performs a variety of clerical duties of average difficulty, requiring limited judgment and responsibility in the carrying out of prescribed procedures. Detailed instructions are received at the beginning of work and on new assignments, but regular routine assignments are performed more independently and some initiative and judgement is utilized as experience is gained. In the performance of tasks, the incumbent may be required to use standard office equipment. Supervision is not an aspect of this position. Does related work as required.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (Illustrative Only)

• Posts simple and routine data to departmental records and may compile or assist in compiling reports based on tabulations of posted data and simple arithmetical computations;
• Receives and screens applications, vouchers or other forms for accuracy of content and compliance with procedural and regulatory requirements;
• Sorts, indexes and files documents, reports, vouchers correspondence and other material;
• Answers telephone, takes messages and relays information;
• Makes and checks arithmetical computations;
• Furnishes routine information to inquirers at a public counter, over the telephone, or via e-mail;
• Must be comfortable using computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, email and database software

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES: Familiarity with office procedures, including the use of simple office machines and filing systems; skill in filing, in posting to simple records, and in making simple arithmetical computations; accuracy in preparation and checking of records and forms; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the essential duties of the position; ability to use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail and database software; resourcefulness in locating information and compiling summaries of data from office records; tact; ability to get along well with others; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position. The ideal candidate should be able to multi-task efficiently, remain organized, and provide superior customer service.  Spanish speaking preferred.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, only experience gained after attaining the minimum education level indicated in the minimum qualifications will be considered in evaluating experience.