Town Board Regular Meeting - Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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Last Updated: 07 March 2022 07 March 2022

Town Board Regular Meeting

Tuesday, March 8, 2022, 7:30pm

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING ONLY

Pursuant to Chapter 417 of the Laws of 2021 of the State of New York, as subsequently amended.

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

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85253526411

Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone:

Meeting ID: 852 5352 6411

(929) 205-6099

 

Meeting Agenda:  pdf 03 08 22 Regular Meeting (891 KB) (rev 3/7/22)

 

pdf 03 08 22 Town of Ossining Voucher Detail Report 2021 (14 KB)

pdf 03 08 22 Town of Ossining Voucher Detail 2022 (29 KB)

 

Supporting Documents for Town Board Meetings are available via Google Drive.

 

 

 

Supervisor's Update - March 4, 2022

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Last Updated: 04 March 2022 04 March 2022

Hard to believe it’s already March! As spring approaches, we are preparing for summer. At our Board meeting this past week, we passed a resolution to sign an agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to administer Food Truck Fridays, the Summer Concert Series and (drum roll please) the fireworks celebration for Independence Day! We are so looking forward to some amazing summer events, particularly in light of the grim milestone we just passed. 

This week marks the two year anniversary of the first identified positive COVID-19 case in Westchester County.  We have all been through so much since March 2020; it is pretty surreal that it has been two years.  Yesterday, I attended the COVID memorial event which County Executive George Latimer held.  It was incredibly moving to hear the stories of those who lost many, as well as the tribute to all those who stepped up to help. We have suffered so much, and all of us know one or many who we lost. 

We also rallied together around a cause, and the message from speakers yesterday was about channeling that teamwork further to solve other seemingly intractable problems.  Yesterday’s event was live streamed so you can watch it here. We will also be planning an Ossining commemoration in the coming weeks–stay tuned for more details. 

We also discussed some tweaks to the Comprehensive Plan as we incorporate your feedback on it. Thank you to all those who have submitted feedback thus far. There is still time to submit comments via the form before it closes on Monday, March 7. We will also be opening the public hearing on the Comp Plan next Tuesday, March 8, during our Legislative Session (Zoom details at the end of this message). Please join us and tell us what you think! This will just be the start of our public hearing. We will likely keep the public hearing open for at least one more meeting, which is scheduled for March 22.  We are also planning on returning to hybrid meetings for our March 22 Legislative Session, so there will be an opportunity to provide comments in person on the Comprehensive Plan as well. 

In environmental news, Victoria Cafarelli from my office has been working closely with Maddi Zachacz from the Village Manager’s Office and Suzie Ross of Green Ossining to establish a joint Climate Smart Communities Task Force for the Town and Village of Ossining to help us achieve Bronze Level Certification under this program. We reviewed a proposed resolution establishing this Task Force, which will be on the agenda for next week’s meeting, and look forward to getting started.

So ends the first week of Women’s History Month. I always find inspiration in the incredible Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and her life’s work to advance gender equality.  Justice Ginsburg frankly reminded us of what true equality looks like with her quote - "When I'm sometimes asked 'When will there be enough [women on the Supreme Court]?' and I say 'When there are nine,' people are shocked. But there'd been nine men, and nobody's ever raised a question about that."  I am proud to work alongside many women in our local, county, state, and federal government here in Ossining, now finally including our first female governor, Kathy Hochul, and first female Vice President, Kamala Harris.  All of the little girls out there can see themselves represented in their leaders, and hopefully dream a little bigger for that reason. I’ll be sharing more resources and events on this theme all month in our new Celebrating Women’s History Month section.

One last time - please join us for the public hearing on the Comp Plan this coming Tuesday, March 8 at 7:30 PM. Zoom details are as follows: 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85253526411

Or One tap mobile :

US: +19292056099,,85253526411# or +13126266799,,85253526411#

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 929 205 6099 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833

Webinar ID: 852 5352 6411

Please remember that public hearings are an opportunity for members of the public to share their comments with the Board, not necessarily for the Board to engage in a back and forth dialogue.  We look forward to hearing what the public has to say, synthesizing the comments, and considering revisions where they may be indicated.  

We will see you soon - stay safe and be well!

--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 email a flier 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 - February 25, 2022

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Last Updated: 28 February 2022 28 February 2022

Hope everyone is staying safe and warm through this latest bout of inclement weather! Here’s hoping the groundhog was wrong in predicting six more weeks of winter earlier this month.

 

Before turning to Town business, a word on world news. I join leaders around the world in condemning the unprovoked attack on Ukraine by the Russian military.  We must stand in solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people who are facing an unimaginable horror right now.  I know this situation is especially challenging also for Ukrainian immigrants around the world, including right here in Ossining and New York, who are concerned about the safety of their loved ones and their homeland.  Please know the thoughts and prayers of the world are with you now for peace in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. 

 

Here in Town government, we started the week by participating in the annual Association of Towns Conference, held virtually for the second year in a row.  During the conference, we heard from US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, and NYS Senator Liz Krueger regarding funding and programs for local governments.   At both the federal and state levels, unprecedented levels of funding are slated for local governments and infrastructure, from our roads and bridges, to our cyber security, which we know is of critical importance in light of the current geopolitical climate.  In the Governor’s Budget Proposal, there is also a significant increase proposed for the Environmental Protection Fund, which will help New York and local governments meet our climate goals.  We are grateful to Governor Hochul and our federal and state legislators for understanding the importance of local governments and our infrastructure, and for working to ensure adequate funding is available to us for our work serving our communities.

 

As February winds to a close, remember that Ossining’s celebration of Black History Month continues this weekend, and also into March a little bit too!  Bethany Arts Community will be holding a Paint and Poetry Jam tonight, Friday, February 25 from 7pm to 9pm, with spoken word artists and paint artists creating art together, bringing each other’s works to life.  What a beautiful and inspiring way to end the week.  There are more events featured under the “Celebrating Black History Month” tab here; be sure to check it out!

 

 

Lastly, a reminder that the online comment form on our Draft Comprehensive Plan, entitled “Sustainable Ossining,” will close soon, so please review the plan and make your comments now by visiting the project website, www.SustainableOssining.com. We are extending the comment period to allow more time to collect your input, such that it will now close next Friday, March 4. We will also be opening the public hearing on “Sustainable Ossining” at our next legislative session on March 8, which will be held via Zoom. We really want to hear from you as we put the finishing touches on our collective vision for the Town!

 

Please stay safe 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 email a flier 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!