Supervisor's Update – Friday, October 30, 2020

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Last Updated: 30 October 2020 30 October 2020

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope everyone is staying warm and dry on this rainy (and snowy!) day. Although the storm seems to be petering out with much less oomph than was predicted, there are still areas of our roads and walkways that may be slippery, as well as potential for a few power outages, although it does seem like we are in pretty good shape right now. Remember not to touch downed tree limbs, as power lines may be entangled and also wet limbs can conduct electric charge. If you lose power, report your outage to Con Edison by calling 1-800-75-CONED or online at www.coned.com. Con Edison customers can sign up for text notifications at www.coned.com/test. Customers can also text REG to OUTAGE (688243) and follow the prompts. You will need your Con Edison account number to complete the registration process. The good news is that once you are enrolled, you will not need your account number in the future to report or check the status of a power problem. Also, with so many leaves on the ground, remember that wet leaves can be as slippery as ice! If you have leaves piled at the curb, make sure they do not get into the roadway, and drive safe. Tonight we are expecting very cold temperatures, too, so stay warm.

 

The Town and Village had a post-Tropical Storm Isaias meeting with ConEd earlier in the week to review not only ConEd’s performance, but any issues we may have had with their municipal liaison program, and also to learn about some of the storm hardening efforts put in place since Storms Irene/Sandy/Lee. We learned that in Ossining, 4732 customers were impacted, with 27 road closures, 28 wires down, 9 critical customers. The rate of recovery, while we know it seemed like forever for some, was significantly improved since those prior storms. We also learned that ConEd has outfitted 90 additional trucks which are staged for significant storm events, and lines up 250 personnel to be on hand day-of for cutting and clearing operations, to help expedite road openings. We also learned that of the 600 roads that were closed, 40% involved no electrical lines down. So ConEd has decided to train additional employees to help identify the lines so that if municipal crews can clear debris from roadways safely, they would be directed to do so by ConEd. They are also implementing technology that would allow smart meters to ping when restored. Finally they shared that post Riley/Quinn, they have spent approximately $2 million on upgrading infrastructure/storm hardening efforts in Ossining Town/Village combined. We certainly hope these improvements will help expedite restoration efforts in future storm events, and we will continue to work closely with ConEd and the other utilities through our Ossining Police Dept, to do whatever we can to make things go even more smoothly.

 

It was a busy week in the Town Supervisor’s office as we filed the 2021 Tentative Budget with the Town Clerk yesterday! We were a day early --State law requires we file by October 30--but we were happy to get the official binder stamped by our Town Clerk before then. The Tentative Budget is also now posted online. If you would prefer to read a hard copy, a copy will be available both in the Clerk’s Office and the Ossining Public Library. I am proud to report that the Tentative Budget shows tax rate percentage decreases in all but one fund, and even then, the percentage increase is less than one tenth of one percent. However, we are cautiously optimistic about these budget numbers, bearing in mind that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a lot of uncertainty in terms of future revenue shortfalls and potential for increased costs. I am grateful to all Town Department Heads for their measured budget requests this year. Here in the Town we have a great team, and budget season is one of those times when it is so clear. Huge thanks to our Comptroller Dale Brennan, Deputy Comptroller Liz Naccari, and Budget Officer Victoria Cafarelli for shepherding us through the first round of our budgeting process, and Town Clerk Sue Donnelly for breaking out the stamp for the occasion.

 

 

During Work Sessions in early November, the Town Board will join us for the next round of budget meetings to carefully review each department’s budget. These meetings are open to the public to observe, and will be held via Zoom. The dates and times for these meetings are: Wednesday, November 4 at 11am, Friday, November 6 from 8:30am to 4:30pm (we will be breaking for lunch), and Tuesday, November 10 at 5:30pm. Zoom access information for these meetings is available on the Town’s website. At our November 17 Work Session, Victoria Cafarelli, our Budget Officer, will deliver a presentation summarizing the highlights of our 2021 budget, and our public hearing on the 2021 budget will be held at our November 24 legislative session.

 

Now onto some Halloween fun! For this holiday, like many we will celebrate in the coming weeks, we must adjust. We know that COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets released by our breath. It is also possible to transmit the disease through shared objects. This means holiday traditions should be exercised with great care. The Ossining Police Department will host a Halloween Candy Run tomorrow from 11am to 3pm, which will be a fun way to celebrate the holiday safely. They will be bringing the candy to the kids, instead of the other way around. You can check out their route and other info about this event on the OPD Facebook Page.

 

 

The CDC has released a list of guidelines to help people prepare for Halloween. Costume masks do not provide adequate protection from the virus. It is also unsafe for a child to wear both a costume mask and face covering to prevent spread. If you can find an appropriate mask that doubles as both a Halloween costume and COVID protection, you will be in great shape. Check out the one I am modeling here with my Halloween buddies, which I purchased at First Village Coffee from a local person who was selling them.  

 

 

Wash your hands and all wrapped candy before eating any pieces. Avoid touching your face. Online, I have seen a lot of people sharing ideas for making the day safe without compromising on fun. Some great recommendations include using a shipping tube to help trick-or-treaters keep six feet from a doorway or setting up a station outdoors with mini “gift bags” that are easy to wipe down.

 

 

Halloween parties are a particularly dangerous activity this year because eating and drinking requires the removal of your mask. Parties also gather people who may not normally interact. We all miss our friends and family, but Halloween parties are a risk we should not take. Please remember that the actions we take today are reflected in the case numbers and hospitalizations in two weeks.

Lastly, please remember that Halloween is going to be scarier than usual for some people this year. There is a lot of anxiety for parents, senior citizens, and those from vulnerable populations. Some houses may keep their lights off. Some houses may place social distancing markers on the floor or put out signs around the yard. Be respectful of the precautions people have chosen to take at this time. Have a safe and fun Halloween.

 

 

Next week, expect a letter from Westchester Power regarding the next round of Community Choice Aggregation. For the past several years, the Town of Ossining, along with over 25 of our municipal neighbors, has partnered with Sustainable Westchester to offer Community Choice Aggregation to our residents. What this means is that by partnering with these communities and competitively bidding electricity rates, we are able to secure a low rate for green sourced electricity. The Town of Ossining has opted into the 100% renewable option, so our residents and businesses are able to be powered by renewable energy, while also saving money on their electric bill. Customers will be automatically renewed into this round of the program, unless you choose to opt-out. For more information, please visit the Westchester Power website.

 

 

Last week, the Ossining Community Equity Task Force finalized their Equity Survey. All town residents are welcome to share and complete the survey, the results of which will be used to help shape the Task Force’s focus. We believe there room to make things better and more equitable in Ossining. You can complete the Equity Survey in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Hard copies of the survey are also available. Call my office at 914-762-6001 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a copy.

 

 

Also, please save the date, Thursday, November 19 for our first public workshop on the Comprehensive Plan! The Town is embarking on this process to help guide the Town in future planning and sustainable development. Over the course of 2020 and 2021, we intend to bring together neighbors, workers, business owners, and the Town’s various Boards and Committees through public workshops and events to identify priorities, goals, and strategies that will shape the Town of Ossining over the coming decades and beyond. At this first workshop, to be held via Zoom, there will be discussions, asking questions, such as, why do you love living in Ossining? What makes our community so great? How do we become a more sustainable community? How did COVID change the way we live in our community? And much, much more.

 

I know some are concerned that holding this process at this time may be difficult for widespread community engagement. However, we are working closely with Pace Land Use Law Center – experts in our region on public engagement – and based upon their experience in other communities going through similar processes this year, virtual opportunities are actually bringing higher attendance than traditional, in-person meetings. Our Comp Plan Steering Committee was also selected to ensure we have arms out into the community, and one of the main tasks of this group is to help bring neighbors and interest groups into the process, as well as share back out with them. We think we have some excellent coverage of the multiple neighborhoods in the Town, plus business owners, condo owners, and more. Additionally we will be sharing information with the schools and libraries and other important stakeholder groups to ask that they also relay information about the comprehensive plan meetings and info sessions with their lists. That being said, this process will be quite lengthy and hopefully we will also be able to hold more traditional events in the coming months that many of our residents are more familiar with. Rest assured we want to hear your voice in this process, and we will do whatever we can to facilitate as much participation as possible.

 

The best way we can make sure as many voices are heard is to share with friends, family, and neighbors and ask them to join us on Thursday, November 19, to start, for our first public session. The more the merrier!  Pop into our public comp plan meeting on Thursday, November 19 via Zoom. The Meeting ID 923 7228 9331 and the password is Ossining. If you would like to receive e-mail updates specific to the Comprehensive Plan, you can sign up for those here.

 

 

Early voting is underway and so popular that the Board of Elections has extended voting hours! There are 17 early voting locations across Westchester and you can cast your vote from whichever is most convenient for you. The most local location for most Town of Ossining residents will be the Ossining Community Center at 95 Broadway. For a complete list of locations and hours, visit the Board of Elections website.

 

 

Don’t wait until you have the ballot in front of you to find out who is running in this year’s election. There are County positions, like district attorney and family court judge waiting for your vote too. There are also local positions and seats in the Congress, the State Senate, your Assembly District, and State Supreme Court. You can visit www.vote411.org/ballot to learn about the candidates.

 

If you plan on voting by absentee ballot, you can drop off your absentee ballot at any early voting location. The United States Postal Service does not recommend mailing your ballot this late. To ensure your ballot is counted, please drop it off at an early voting location or bring it directly to the Westchester Board of Elections office in White Plains. Absentee ballots come with multiple envelopes, need a stamp, and must be signed, so read the directions carefully. You can direct your questions to the Westchester Board of Elections.

 

 

New York State has issued some helpful guidance for families with college-aged children. SUNY students will be offered a viral diagnostic test before leaving campus for the holidays. This will help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 from campuses to vulnerable family members back home. Students from private colleges are also encouraged to get a test before coming home. The Governor’s Office issued a reminder that students are not exempt from the Travel Advisory, and are required to quarantine for two weeks after returning from a Restricted State regardless of a negative test result. To get a test locally, visit the New York State website Find a Test Site Near You feature. There are several testing locations around town. All viral diagnostic tests are free for New Yorkers.

 

 

Health Departments at the State and County levels are undertaking contact tracing. If you see an incoming call from NYS Contact Tracing, please pick up the phone. The caller has been trained to connect you with important resources, including eldercare options, information to share with your employer, access to groceries, and more.

 

 

There are a lot of resources for people related to the Coronavirus Crisis. Food distribution programs have continued on Tuesdays at Trinity Church and HORAC, on Wednesdays at St. Teresa’s School in Briarcliff, and on Fridays in the Ossining Stop & Shop parking lot. The Ossining Food Pantry is accepting new clients by phone at 914-762-5510 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Briarcliff residents are of course eligible too. The moratorium on COVID-related evictions has been extended to the end of the year. All New Yorkers are eligible for free mental health services through the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314. New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through the end of 2020 (you must apply within 60 days of losing coverage). Information about paid sick leave, workers’ rights, rents/mortgages, and more are also listed on the New York State website.

 

 

With Halloween and other holidays around the corner, it is important to recognize that COVID-19 can manifest differently in children and adults. Children may develop additional symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about symptoms.

 

 

The New York State Department of Health launched the “COVID Alert NY” app in partnership with Google and Apple. The free app uses Bluetooth proximity-enabled technology to recognize other phones nearby. When a positive case is confirmed, phones that have been in close proximity will receive an alert. No personal information is shared. The app is voluntary, anonymous, and does not use location services, GPS, or geographical information. Knowing about a potential exposure allows you to self-quarantine immediately, get tested, and reduce the potential exposure risk to your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and others. You must be 18 or older to use the app. You can learn more through your phone’s App Store or by visiting https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-alert-ny.

 

 

The Ossining Village Historian, Joyce Sharrock Cole and the Ossining Public Library have launched the Ossining Community History Collection Project: Ossining during COVID-19. Share your experiences through journal entries, short stories, poems, essays, pictures, or audio clips. How did you spend your March quarantine? Were you furloughed? What was it like the first time you went grocery shopping during the pandemic? If you want to participate but writer’s block is getting in the way, the Village has created a question list to help you. Visit the Ossining COVID-19 Project Interactive webpage to learn more and share your quarantine, graduation, loss, survival, or other COVID-19 experience.

 

 

Many people are curious about getting flu shots to reduce the strain on hospitals and frontline workers. The symptoms of the flu are similar to COVID-19, so you can ease your anxiety by getting your flu shot now. Phelps Hospital is offering free flu shots tomorrow from 8:30am – 4:30pm.

 

 

The Ossining Recreation and Parks Department has a robust Fall Catalogue. You can learn a new skill or hone a favorite – from stained glass work, yoga, cooking, pottery, painting, strength and conditioning, and much more. Check out the Community Pass page for a full list.

 

 

If cooking sounds fun, you might also love knowing about the November Teaching Kitchen Calendar from New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital. Some meals focus on cooking with health concerns and some focus on holidays. Take a look at their calendar below and check out their other events at https://events.nyp.org/.

 

 

Home Run Against Drugs is raising money for their Rising Above Boundaries mentoring program. The group’s mission is to promote healthy lifestyle choices in young people. This prevention program is designed to create a community where young people and families can make responsible, healthy choices, especially in avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs. Donations can be made through the HRAD website and are tax deductible.

 

 

Do you have a creative idea for how to improve personal protective equipment? The SUNY Prepare Innovation & Internship Program has launched a grant program PPE inventors, offering $10,000 for students and faculty who want to develop innovative alternatives to the PPE our frontline workers need in the fight against COVID-19. Applications are open to students and faculty at all SUNY state operated and Community College campuses (including Westchester Community College). Applications will be accepted through November 15th and the first grant will be awarded December 15th. You can learn more and apply through the SUNY website.

 

 

The Ossining Micro Fund is hoping to raise $50,000 for their COVID Emergency Relief Fund for community members in need of financial assistance. The non-profit organization offering interest free loans to individuals and families who encounter unexpected financial obstacles. You can donate at https://givebutter.com/OMF.

 

 

Now let’s get onto some events!

 

The Ossining Community Action Program (Ossining CAP) is still accepting packaged candy donations as part of their Spooktacular COVID-19 Candy Drive. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule a drop off.

 

 

At 10am on Halloween morning, the Ossining Public Library will host an interactive tour of Ossining’s oldest cemetery on Facebook Live via the OPL Facebook page. Joyce Cole (Village Historian), Dana White (Village Historian Emeritus), and Scott Craven (Town Historian) will walk you through Sparta Cemetery while pointing out notable residents including a former slave from George Washington's plantation, Revolutionary War veterans, and our famous vagabond The Leatherman (you may recognize him as the subject of an Eddie Vedder song). We will also discuss the history and symbolism of the stones. This is Facebook live so ask your questions and get answers from experts in real time.

 

 

The Briarcliff Public Library is already excited for DINOvember. Details for some roaring good fun will be released soon on the Briarcliff Public Library website.

The cold weather is here. No doubt you have already rummaged through your closet to grab heavier layers. Or maybe you bought something new. If you have any jackets and coats that you want to part with, consider donating them to the Ossining Padres Hispanos Winter Coat Drive on November 1st. Donations can be dropped off at the St. Ann’s rectory. Need a coat? Stop by and pick one out.

 

 

The Ossining Children’s Center is celebrating their 125^th year with a Zoom celebration. Join them online as they discuss their history and honor their Community Partner Honorees: Sue Bicksler-Taub, Holbrook Cottage, Stacey Winnick, Chappaqua Moms Sales, and Dr. Ray Sanchez of the Ossining School District. The Zoom starts Sunday, November 8 at 5:30pm. You can register online here.

 

 

As the cold settles in for the long haul, our local businesses enter their slower season. This is a particularly daunting problem considering the shut down in the spring and already slow summer. Instead of buying from box stores or online giants, consider supporting a neighbor’s business. This week, Maya Riviera on North State Road announced they are hosting Taco Tuesdays with $4 Tacos and drink specials. Briar Bagels partnered with Gullotta House to aid with food distribution. Flames Bar and Grill promoted their Zecchino, a vanilla custard with chocolate mousse. Today and tomorrow Euro Pizza is offering free calamari with any order over $25. Our local businesses help keep our Town a wonderful place to live. Remember to support local businesses and encourage others to do the same.

 

 

--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!