Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - Monday, January 25, 2021

Details

Last Updated: 22 January 2021 22 January 2021

Town of Ossining Zoning Board of Appeals

Monday, January 25, 2021 at 7:30 pm

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING ONLY

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

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

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83938154247

Meeting ID: 839 3815 4247

One tap mobile

+1-929-205-6099, ID 83938154247#

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcg7yE0c0S

Agenda

• Mark Seiden, 49 Croton Dam Road – Variance Side Yard  R-15 Zone

 

• Enrique Martinez, 2 Minkel Road – Variance Rear Yard (Corner Lot) R-20 Zone

 

• Luigi Arena,13 Mancuso Drive – Variance Rear Yard  R-15 Zone

Visit the Zoning Board Projects Page to view PDF copies of documents pertaining to the agenda for January 25.

Town Board Work Session - Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Details

Last Updated: 15 January 2021 15 January 2021

Town Board Work Session

Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 7:30pm

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING ONLY

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

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

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84282750772?pwd=N2JmZzBOYlFaVGZOYmxLdnFoZ0hjQT09

Please note password for this meeting: 506113

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

Meeting ID: 842 8275 0772

(929) 205-6099

Meeting Agenda:

1. Departmental Report – Police Chief Kevin Sylvester

2. Discussion of Exemption of Village of Ossining Water Properties and Proposed Water Inter-Municipal Agreement Terms between Town and Village of Ossining – Village Manager Karen D’Attore & Assistant Village Manager Maddi Zachacz

3. Departmental Report and McCarthy Drive Rehabilitation Project Update – Town/Village Engineers Paul Fraioli and Andy Tiess

Supervisor's Update – Friday, January 15, 2021

Details

Last Updated: 15 January 2021 15 January 2021

New York State is celebrating the start of 2021 with an ambitious vaccine roll out. Over 730,000 vaccines have been administered in the State. Governor Cuomo has expanded eligibility requirements to all residents over 65, teachers, emergency response personnel, and healthcare workers. The Westchester County Center is one of the state’s first mass-vaccination sites. I encourage all residents to check if you are eligible and make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Residents can expect to receive appointments that are weeks – and sometimes months – in the future. This is due to high demand nationwide. New York State is allowing people to reserve appointments in advance of the vaccines’ arrival from manufacturers, in accordance with the federal government’s vaccination allocation plan. But, there is hope that this will ramp up soon – a one-dose vaccine manufactured by Johnson & Johnson is showing promising results in clinical trials and could receive emergency authorization by the FDA as early as next month. We are also planning to work with Westchester County and local sites, like churches, to increase the number of local vaccination sites here in Ossining. We need to be patient – but hopeful! – as we work together to get as many eligible people vaccinated as possible.  

 

Governor Cuomo gave his State of the State address this week in a four part series. He discussed the budget gap faced by New York and his goals for the new year – including supporting legislation to legalize sports betting and recreational marijuana in the state. 2021 is also the start of many exciting new laws. Thank you to Assemblywoman Sandy Galef for this list of laws that went into effect on January 1^st. Assemblywoman Galef is hosting her Town Hall meetings virtually this year, and the “Ossining” targeted one is scheduled for Thursday, January 21^st. You can participate by calling 1-646-558-8656 or by video (meeting ID 825 0100 8557.)

 

 

At next Tuesday’s work session, we will hear from some of our close partners in the Village of Ossining. First, with a departmental report from Ossining Police Chief Kevin Sylvester. Then, pivoting to focus on our infrastructure, Village Manager Karen D’Attore and Assistant Village Manager Maddi Zachacz will present on the potential for the Town and other taxing jurisdictions to exempt properties owned by the Village Water Department on the tax roll. As we will hear from Karen and Maddi, this proposal, if approved by the Town Board and School Board, would reduce the water rates for all water users, with a minimal impact on property taxes. Additionally, we will discuss proposed new inter-municipal agreement terms between the Town and Village as it relates to water. These new terms will move the water rates in the Town towards equalization with the Village rates – currently Town residents pay 1.5 times the water rates in the Village. We look forward to this discussion and this opportunity to strengthen our shared services working relationship with the Village of Ossining. And then finally, the dynamic duo Engineering Team of Paul Fraioli and Andy Tiess will wrap up with a departmental report, to include an update on the McCarthy Drive Rehabilitation project and bid results from contractors. Please join us!

 

As many of you may be aware, the River Knoll applicant made a submission to the Town Planning Board with a revised preliminary site plan and will be appearing before the Planning Board at its January 20 meeting. Given that there was considerable public interest in this project when it was last before the Town in 2019, particularly with respect to traffic and schools, we encourage you to visit the Planning Board projects webpage to see the changes that are being proposed. This is a pending application before the Planning Board and is still undergoing its required environmental review process and will be before the Planning Board until that process is complete. The applicant is continuing the application process as required and authorized by law. Many people have also asked how this project should be handled, given the ongoing Comprehensive Plan Process. We are hoping to get some guidance from Pace Land Use Law Center, who are regional experts in these topics. We have asked them to come to discuss with the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee in the near future.

 

This week, Victoria from my office and I participated in a lunch and learn Zoom seminar with the Flood Resilience Network. This network is a group of leaders from Hudson Riverfront communities, and we were connected to this group after participating in the Cornell University Climate-adaptive Design Studio. We have found this network to be helpful in learning about what other communities are doing to tackle climate change, and mitigate its impacts, specifically flooding. During this meeting, we learned of a very useful and informative online tool, FloodFactor. This website allows you to search by community, neighborhood, or even down to an individual property to evaluate your flood risk over time, and learn about ways to mitigate flood risk. We also learned how Piermont, a flood prone community across the Hudson River, utilizes this tool as part of their Planning Board process. Understanding flood risk, especially with flooding becoming more severe and frequent as a result of climate change, can go a long way toward adaptation and environmental protection to mitigate damages to property caused by flooding. Take a few minutes, visit the FloodFactor site, and maybe search your property or neighborhood to learn more!

 

Our Assessor’s Office announced this week that protections for seniors with limited incomes were expanded following our request to the Governor’s Office. This law enables the Town to continue an exemption on next year’s assessment roll by using last year’s application. You can read a full letter from Assessor Fernando L. Gonzalez here. For further information you can contact the Assessor and his staff at 914-762-8274.

 

 

Our dedicated Cemetery team reminds residents that seasonal decorations should be removed from gravesites by Sunday, January 17^th.

 

 

Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. is offering grants to homeowners and landlords to help add accessibility modifications in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tenants that are interested in the grant are also encouraged to apply. You can learn about the grant, eligibility, and contact information here.

 

 

Living room spread continues to be the largest contributor to new COVID cases in New York. Avoid gatherings and get tested often – even if you do not have any symptoms. Drive through and walk up testing is available at Star of Bethlehem Church on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You can reserve an appointment for a test at the Ossining Community Center through Westchester Medical Center. Testing through CVS, Open Door, and other sites can be scheduled through the New York State Find a Test Site Near You feature on their website.

 

 

The second half of 2020/2021 School Tax Bills are due by January 31^st but accepted until February 1, 2021 (as January 31^st is a Sunday) without penalty. As a reminder, there is no bill mailed for second half school taxes. In an effort to keep residents safe, the Tax Office is offering multiple options for payment:

 

• Online at townofossining.com by e-check for a cost of $1.50 charged by our service provider (XpressPay).
• At a dedicated mail slot in the Ossining Post Office Lobby (Open 24/7). You must place a stamp on your envelope. It will be postmarked that day if received by 5 pm. After 5 pm will be postmarked the next day.
• By mail from any other mailbox – just make sure your payment envelope is postmarked on or before 2/1/2021.
• At the Town’s Municipal Building LOBBY at 16 Croton Ave during the hours of 9:00 to 2:30 (protocols are in place to keep everyone safe).

*There is a fee of 2.8% for credit cards and $1.50 for using eChecks. NY State Law requires municipalities to pass these fees on to the consumer for tax payments. The amount of the fee will be stated separately for your review before you pay the bill.

The Tax Receiver’s Office is ready to assist you if you have any questions about your bill. You can call the Tax Office at (914) 762-8790 or send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tax Receiver Holly Perlowitz and her staff are very helpful if you have any questions. You can also learn more on the Tax Receiver page on the Town of Ossining website. A guide to the online pay system is also available.

 

 

Today is the deadline to renew train station permits. If you have not renewed already, you can finish the process online at www.buymypermit.com/ossining. You will need your current account number and permit number to complete the renewal.

 

 

Residents are invited to share their opinions/experiences regarding the Ossining Police Department. The Police Reform and Reinvention initiative has been mandated by the state for all communities with police departments. Please share your perspective good, bad, or neutral, via the survey the Village of Ossining has circulated from the consultant they hired to help with community outreach and with putting the final report together. The survey is completely anonymous, and individual responses will not be shared with either law enforcement or government officials. Only the Matrix Consulting Group team can see the responses. The survey is available in English and Spanish. If you prefer to leave feedback by audio, please call the toll free number (866) 262-9756 and leave a voicemail. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Ian Brady at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

The Town of Ossining is partnering with Sustainable Westchester on the EnergySmart Homes program, which allows residents to save money while saving the planet. Join us on January 28^th at 7pm to learn how you can heat and cool your home without fossil fuels. RSVP to the webinar SustainableWestchester.org/Ossining-Briarcliff or call (914) 242-4725 ext. 122.

 

 

Teatown is preparing for its 17^th annual Eaglefest, which celebrates the migration of bald eagles to our beautiful Hudson River. The weeklong event starts on Saturday, January 30 and extends until February 7. There will be no programs at Croton Point Park this year, but other in-person locations have been adapted. Virtual presentations will also be offered. You can learn more about Eaglefest on the Teatown website.

Neighbors Link is helping residents navigate the DACA application process by connecting them with immigration attorneys and DOJ accredited representatives. Appointments are available via Zoom for January 29 and February 5 between 10am and 4pm. Neighbors Link provides services in English and Spanish. Call 914-502-3377 to schedule an appointment.

Wednesday, January 20^th is Inauguration Day, the American tradition of a peaceful transition of power. I encourage all residents to watch this historic occasion, as can only be viewed by the world once every four or eight years. In fact, in the history of the United States, there have only been 59 inaugurations. These transitions have taken place during wars, disease, the Great Depression, and other times of national anxiety. We are united despite our differences, and I am looking forward to this chance for our country to come together.

Monday is a holiday and Town Offices will be closed in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in recognition of what would have been his 92^nd birthday, which is actually today, January 15. I cannot think of a better time when we could all benefit from reflecting on Dr. King’s legacy of peaceful, civil disobedience and calls for equality for all, regardless of the color of our skin, where we call home, or how much money we earn. The holiday is often celebrated through acts of service to the larger community. I encourage residents to safely seek out volunteer opportunities and strive to serve our neighbors through acts of selflessness, kindness, and respect. Enjoy the three day 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!