Supervisor's Update – Friday, April 9, 2021
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- Last Updated: 09 April 2021 09 April 2021
April is Earth Month and so far this warm, sunny weather has been accompanied by good news. This week, New York State expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to an additional two million people. All residents age 16 and older can now sign up for an appointment. The process can feel overwhelming, so I will go into more detail about appointments later in this update. Before we jump in to seemingly never-ending pandemic news, I would like to remind everyone to mark their calendars for the Green Ossining Earth Day festival. Due to coronavirus restrictions, the festival will not take place at the waterfront this year. However, the fun and education was expanded to a week-long collaboration between local businesses, volunteers, Town and Village Parks Departments, and some of our residential nature experts. The full calendar of events is posted on the Green Ossining website.
On April 19th the Town and Village will be hosting a Lunch and Learn on the Cornell University Climate-adaptive Design studio that was hosted in Ossining during the 2019 fall semester. The student-developed designs reimagined our waterfront to be more resilient to climate change. These designs will hopefully be good jumping off points for us as we consider improvements to our assets along the Hudson. The 45 minute Zoom session will start at noon. Join us to learn more – the Zoom details are available on the Green Ossining events page.
Also, thank you to all of you who joined our Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting last night via Zoom. If you were unable to join us, or you or one of your neighbor’s is unable to attend workshops virtually, I am happy to share that we are offering a “To Go Workshop” to hear from more residents on this important process. Printed To Go Workshops are available at the Ossining Public Library, 16 Croton Avenue, or one of the Little Free Libraries at Ryder or Engel Parks, or very soon at our to-be unveiled Little Free Library at Gerlach Park. Or, you can print out your own To Go Workshop at the project website, www.sustainableossining.com and return it via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or to one of the locations listed above. We want to hear from as many of you as possible on our new Comprehensive Plan, so together we can create a vision for an even better Ossining!
Yesterday, I also had the opportunity to join so many members of the Ossining community to say farewell to Neil Woolf, owner of Bob’s Army and Navy on Main Street. Neil was such a beloved member of the Ossining community, as a small business owner and friend to many local organizations and businesses. Bob’s Army and Navy was founded by Neil’s parents, Anita and Robert “Bob” Woolf in 1946, relocated to Ossining in 1973, and Neil took over the reins soon thereafter in 1978. The Town was just one of Neil’s many loyal customers, with our Highway Department, Parks Department, and Senior Nutrition Program staff relying on his store for uniforms and work clothes. Neil was always ready to help, and order what you needed if he did not have it in stock. In addition to his business, Neil was actively involved in the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce and served for many years on the board of the Ossining Children’s Center. Neil will truly be missed by so many in the Ossining community and beyond. As the hearse drove by the store yesterday, and his family followed, we all deeply felt the vacuum Neil’s loss has created. We know he was watching us all from above!
The 2021 Town and County tax bills are due by April 30. Pay online using Xpress Pay, mail your payment or place your stamped envelope in the designated box in the Ossining Post Office lobby, or stop by 16 Croton Avenue between 9am and 2:30pm. Remember, please be wary of online bill pay with your bank – those checks are not postmarked and can often take several days to reach our office. Your best bet is to use Xpress Pay, so your payment makes it directly to the Tax Receiver worry free! Learn more with Tax Receiver Holly Perlowitz’s helpful eblast or send her an email (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.
The Ossining Public Library will offer tax assistance until May 13th in light of the extended federal deadline for income tax payments. The 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.
Our Parks Department has been very busy these past few weeks as they prepare for our busiest season. Foreman Mario Velardo and his crew continued their restoration of Sally Swope Sitting Park. The Park is expected to reopen to the public later this spring. The Parks Department is doing increased clean ups and is preparing town ballfields for Baseball/Softball Opening Day next week. If you visit Louis Engel Park you will also see a true sign of Spring – the docks are back in the water!
As previously mentioned, vaccine eligibility expanded this week to all New York residents age 16 and older. Supply is slowly catching up with demand, as local pharmacies are now regularly offering vaccines. The WCC campus in Valhalla is offering appointments through the Westchester County Department of Health website. Appointments at Open Door, the Prescription Center of Ossining, and other local sites can be made directly through the local business. Westchester County publishes a list of local allocations each week, which the Town shares on our Facebook Page. You can also schedule appointments through the New York State Coronavirus webpage by reviewing the sites and clicking “Get Started.”
Some residents are not able to make appointments online. These residents might be seniors, may have limited internet access, or struggle to navigate online signups because of language barriers. The Ossining Briarcliff COVID Vaccine Angels are helping residents make appointments. If you know someone who is struggling to get an appointment, please reach out by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 914-236-4567. Volunteers are bilingual and can also connect homebound individuals with mobile vaccination units.
Unfortunately this week, the UK variant of the virus became the most common strain in the United States. The variant is more contagious, though it is not inherently more dangerous to you. Case numbers are rising across the country, including in Westchester County. Please continue to social distance and wash your hands. Wear your masks in public and avoid gatherings. If you see an incoming call from “NYS Contact Tracing,” please pick up the phone.
If you are experiencing symptoms, please make an appointment for a COVID test. When in doubt, get a test. Appointments for COVID tests are available at a number of sites in Ossining and Briarcliff, including many local pharmacies. Use the Find a Test Site Near You feature on the New York State website to find other locations.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act has provisions specific to small businesses and hard-hit industries. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal began accepting applications yesterday. Also this week, the U.S. Small Business Association raised the loan limit for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. The Paycheck Protection Program can provide loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed (borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness). For more information, business owners should 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.
A Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to issue grants (not loans), but has not opened for applications yet. The grants can be used to cover payroll costs, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, outdoor dining construction costs, PPE, operational expenses, and more. The Business Council of Westchester held an event yesterday to help restaurants get a better understanding of this program. You can find information about this event on the Business Council of Westchester Facebook page.
Teatown’s Plantfest has begun! This year, the shop will offer purchases of their curated herbs, annuals, and perennials through curbside pickups. The pre-sale runs until April 28th, so review their collections now and place your orders.
The IFCA thrift store is open for shopping! Stop by 138 Spring Street and check it out! IFCA is a local non-profit that provides a range of affordable rental housing, property management, and supportive services.
The Ossining NAACP is hosting a Book Donation Drive for children at Woodfield Cottage. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to coordinate pick-ups and drop offs.
The Recreation Department has shared their spring programming and announced their plans for summer camp. There are some great in-person and virtual programs, including esports, pickle ball, stained glass class, LEGO programs, oil painting, and so much more. Click here to learn more about the programs.
The Ossining High School PTSA is expanding their Takeout Tuesday Fundraiser with a Food Truck event. Sign up is required, so register here to secure your spot.
The Briarcliff Police Department is hosting a Books & Badges event tomorrow from 10am to 1pm. Kids can get a free book, bag, and snack by visiting the drive through event at the Briarcliff Manor Youth Center.
The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is offering Chamber Chats for local businesses to connect and share ideas. This past year has been rough for businesses and many have adapted in creative ways to stay ahead of the curve. 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.
The Westchester County Youth Empowerment Council for Change is hosting a webinar on food waste. Log in to learn how food waste contributes to harmful effects on the environment and how we can make simple changes to lessen those effects. To register, email Susan Weisman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
A special Stash the Trash event is planned for Sunday, April 18th from 10am to noon as part of the Earth Week festivities. This clean-up will cover 10 locations, with 20 people each. The locations are Market Square, the corner of James and Spring, Snowden Park, Roosevelt School, Arcadian, OHS, Croton Avenue (Dale/Todd), Arthur Jones Park, Crawbuckie Nature Preserve, and North Highland/Snowden. Social distancing and masks are required, as is pre-regisration. Check out the Green Ossining calendar to register.
New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley is hosting a bilingual program for parents hoping to help their child manage pandemic-related anxiety. Register here for the April 22 evening discussion.
Saturday, April 24th, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. The Ossining Police Department allows residents to safely dispose of prescription and over-the-counter medications every day, but this national event is a good reminder for all of us. Proper disposal of these items prevents them from entering our drinking water, rivers, and streams. Clearing unneeded prescriptions from your medicine cabinet also reduces the likelihood of those medications being misused or abused. Call it an opportunity for some spring cleaning!
The Ossining Community Equity Task Force held its April meeting last week. The Task Force is preparing a Town Hall event to discuss inequity in the time of COVID. This event will take place toward the end of April and I will share more details as the date approaches. The Task Force is also co-sponsoring a book club discussion organized by the Coalition for Understanding Race through Education (CURE). The group will read Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and be joined by the author to further discuss issues of institutional inequity. Hard copies and digital copies of the book can be requested through the Ossining Public Library. Pick up a copy and register here to participate in one of the book discussions.
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. Help make an even bigger impact this year by registering for the May 1st Riverkeeper event. A number of local site clean-ups are planned and over 100 similar projects will take place throughout NYC and the Hudson Valley. Register here on the Riverkeeper website.
Planning is underway for Make Music Day! Mike and Miriam Risko are planning a series of sidewalk concerts to help highlight small businesses in Ossining and Briarcliff. If you have an open area of sidewalk or grassy area, reach out to be added into the plans. Contact Mike Risko Music at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 914-762-8757 for more info.
Westchester Craft Crawl will return on May 15th and 16th this year. I will share more information as the date approaches, but this celebration of local business is sure to be exciting. This year’s Crawl will feature 56 regional professional craft artists from Westchester, NYC and the Hudson Valley region, with 10 tour stops between Tarrytown, Ossining, Croton, Cortlandt Manor, and Peekskill.
The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 13 at 7:30 on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 837 4975 9569 and passcode 277959. Read the Meeting Agenda here. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.
--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, April 7, 2021
- Details
- Last Updated: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021
A meeting of the Planning Board of the Town of Ossining will be held on:
Wednesday, April 7, 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/86054885111
Meeting ID: 860 5488 5111
One tap mobile
+1-929-205-6099, 860 5488 5111# US (New York)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kek3W33IH0
**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, PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
- Terra Rustica Ristorante, 550 North State Road, Site Plan Amendment & Architectural Review PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUED
- River Knoll, 40 Croton Dam Road (Stony Lodge Property) Residential Development, Review of Draft SDEIS Scoping Outline – PUBLIC HEARING SCOPE
Please visit the Planning Board Projects Page to view PDF copies of the documents pertaining to the agenda for Wednesday, April 7, 2021.
Town Board Work Session - Tuesday, April 6, 2021
- Details
- Last Updated: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021
Town Board Work Session
Tuesday, April 6, 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/84510366498?pwd=MThwbUNOQnMvRVdJNWNqdzJKWkJjUT09
Please note password for this meeting: 046947
Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone:
Meeting ID: 845 1036 6498
(929) 205-6099
Work Session Agenda:
1. Discussion -- Fees for Beekeeping Permit Application and Renewal
2. Discussion of Potential Adoption of NYStretch Energy Code
3. Discussion of Proposed Local Law to Require a Permit for Boat Launch Parking at Louis Engel Park
4. Discussion of Proposed Local Law Regulating Special Events
Supervisor's Update – Thursday, April 1, 2021
- Details
- Last Updated: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021
Rabbit Rabbit. Yes, if you can believe it, it is actually already April first! I am pleased to report we are off to an excellent start. There are lots of fun upcoming events planned for this month and many focused on sustainability, as Earth Day has become Earth Month during the pandemic. We kicked it off today with a half day sustainability conference hosted by Westchester County, Sustainable Westchester, and Federated Conservationists of Westchester County. It was, indeed, humbling to hear how much good work is going on in this county, including right here in our own backyard! Big shout outs to all our partners, Green Ossining, the Town and Village EACs, and the Briarcliff Sustainability Committee.
There is also good news on the vaccine front. As a reminder, Town offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. We will be back in the offices on Monday, April 5. Refuse collection will not be impacted tomorrow, Friday, April 2.
And, speaking of sustainability, before I jump into sharing more details, I ask all residents to please place an important event on your calendars – it is just one week away! The Town of Ossining is holding a Comprehensive Plan workshop on Thursday, April 8 from 7:30pm to 9pm. This workshop is another opportunity for residents to share thoughts about the future of land use in the Town of Ossining. Draft goals have been developed based on past workshops, surveys, and input from the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Residents can review these goals and share more input at the workshop. Join us via Zoom on your computer (rather than a smartphone or tablet), so your interactive participation can be enhanced. And for those of you without access to Zoom, there will be more opportunities to provide feedback via non-virtual methods following this public workshop, which we will announce next Friday. For e-mail updates specific to the Comprehensive Plan process, please subscribe on our website.
The 2021 Town and County tax bills are arriving in mailboxes and are available online for payment. If you do not receive the bill by next week, you can contact the Tax Receiver’s Office for more information. Due dates for Town and County tax bills are set by the State. The NYS Real Property Tax Law sets the due date, which is April 30, 2021. Pay online using Xpress Pay, mail your payment or place your stamped envelope in the designated box in the Ossining Post Office lobby, or stop by 16 Croton Avenue between 9am to 2:30pm. Learn more through Tax Receiver Holly Perlowitz’s latest eblast, send her an email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or give the Tax Office a call at (914) 762-8790.
The Village of Ossining is hiring lifeguards and counselors for its Summer Recreation programs. The Rec Department is hosting a job readiness program related to these positions. You can check out this program on the Community Pass website.
The Town of Ossining is hiring a Seasonal Parks Groundskeeper. The full job description and application are available on the Town of Ossining website. Applications can be returned in person at 16 Croton Avenue or emailed to Victoria Cafarelli in my office. All applications must be received by April 9th at 2:30pm.
We got some great news about vaccines this week. All New York residents 30 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility will further expand to all residents 16 and older on April 6th at 8am. Navigating the scheduling process can be challenging, but I encourage you to make an appointment. The WCC campus in Valhalla is offering appointments through the Westchester County Department of Health website. Appointments at Open Door, the Prescription Center of Ossining, and other local sites can be made directly through the local business. Westchester County publishes a list of local allocations each week, which the Town shares on our Facebook Page. You can also schedule appointments through the New York State Coronavirus webpage by reviewing the sites and clicking “Get Started”.
Some residents, including senior citizens, are not able to make appointments online. The Ossining Briarcliff COVID Vaccine Angels are helping residents make appointments. If you know someone who is struggling to get an appointment, please reach out by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 914-236-4567. Volunteers are bilingual and can also connect homebound individuals with mobile vaccination units.
The country is seeing a rise in case numbers as the warm weather brings people together. We are all excited by the increase in vaccine eligibility, but we are not out of the woods. Highly contagious strains of the virus are circulating across the country. Please remain vigilant; wear your mask, wash your hands, and social distance. We do not want to get this far, only to have to backtrack into further shut downs. After mitigation strategies, our best defense is testing. Appointments for COVID tests continue to be available at a number of sites in Ossining and Briarcliff, including many local pharmacies. You can use the Find a Test Site Near You feature on the New York State website to find other locations.
The Ossining Community Equity Task Force held its April meeting today. The Task Force is preparing a Town Hall event to discuss inequity in the time of COVID. This event will take place toward the end of April and I will share more details as the date approaches. The Task Force is also co-sponsoring a book club discussion organized by the Coalition for Understanding Race through Education (CURE). The group will read Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and be joined by the author to further discuss issues of institutional inequity. Hard copies and digital copies of the book can be requested through the Ossining Public Library.
April is also National Donate Life Month – a nationally recognized month focused on raising awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Organ and tissue donation is such an important issue, and signing up to be a donor during this month will help give hope to the thousands of individuals waiting for a lifesaving transplant, as well as their families and friends who love and care for them. If you don’t already have a heart… on your driver’s license…now is the time to sign up! This year’s theme is Garden of Life, which symbolizes hope, courage, and transformation. I think anyone who has ever experienced the donation journey in any way can find deep meaning in these themes. If you got to watch our Organ Donation Zoomathon back in October, but still haven’t gotten around to signing up, now is the time! Join us this month as we plant the seeds of donation by providing education and raising awareness about this important issue. Follow @LiveOnNewYork on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram this month to learn more about donation and hear the compelling stories of those impacted by organ and tissue donation, sign up yourself or help inspire a friend or family member to do the same.
The IFCA thrift store is accepting spring and summer items. Make an appointment to drop off your donations at 138 Spring Street between the hours of 10:30am and 4pm. The store will open for shopping on Wednesday, April 7th.
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act has provisions specific to small businesses and hard-hit industries. A Restaurant Revitalization Fund was created to issue grants (not loans) starting soon. The grants can be used to cover payroll costs, mortgage payments, rent, utilities, outdoor dining construction costs, PPE, operational expenses, and more. I will share more information about this Fund as it is published. The Business Council of Westchester is hosting an event on April 8th to help restaurants get a better understanding of this program. You can find information about this event on the Business Council of Westchester Facebook page.
Additionally, the Paycheck Protection Program provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed (borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness). Starting the week of April 6, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Association is raising the loan limit for the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program from 6-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $150,000 to up to 24-months of economic injury with a maximum loan amount of $500,000. The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal will begin accepting applications on April 8th. For more information you are also welcome to contact my office at 914-762-6001, or you can also directly contact U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s local office at (914) 734-1532. They can help walk you through the process to get the aid you need.
And of course, you have heard that local municipalities stand to receive direct federal funding to help offset revenue shortfalls, help pay for water and sewer infrastructure, broadband access and more. We are anxiously awaiting the details so we understand how the money will be distributed and how we are permitted to spend it so we can collectively determine how to best use it to support our community.
The Ossining High School PTSA is expanding their Takeout Tuesday Fundraiser with a Food Truck event. Sign up is required, so register here to secure your spot.
Ossining High School students are offering income tax help! The Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board (WPWDB) program runs until April 15th. Customers must make an appointment by calling 211 or (800) 899-1479 to schedule a drop-off time at OHS or the Mount Vernon Career Center. You must make an appointment to participate. Once an appointment is made, tax filers will drop off their documents at their preferred location. Remember, the IRS has extended this year’s income tax filing deadline until May 17th.
The Briarcliff Police Department is hosting a Books & Badges event on Saturday, April 10th from 10am to 1pm. Kids can get a free book, bag, and snack by visiting the drive through event at the Briarcliff Manor Youth Center.
The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is offering Chamber Chats for local businesses to connect and share ideas. This past year has been rough for businesses and many have adapted in creative ways to stay ahead of the curve. 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.
Green Ossining is celebrating our planet with a week-long Earth Day Festival. Due to COVID restriction, we will not be gathering at the waterfront for this year’s activities. Instead, the events will be spread out across Town, with collaborations between small businesses, our Park’s Department, and even some local experts. Check out the Green Ossining website to learn about hikes, special deals, craft beer, and open houses. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
As part of this special month with a focus on our Earth, the Town and Village will be hosting a Lunch and Learn on the Cornell University Climate-adaptive Design studio that was hosted in Ossining during the 2019 fall semester. The student-developed designs which reimagined our waterfront to be more resilient to climate change will hopefully be good jumping off points for us as we consider improvements to our assets along the Hudson. Join us to learn more – the Zoom details are available on the Green Ossining events page.
Planning is underway for Make Music Day! Mike and Miriam Risko are planning a series of sidewalk concerts to help highlight small businesses in Ossining and Briarcliff. If you have an open area of sidewalk or grassy area, reach out to be added into the plans. Contact Mike Risko Music at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 914-762-8757 for more info.
The Recreation Department has shared their spring programming and announced their plans for summer camp. There are some great in-person and virtual programs, including esports, pickle ball, stained glass class, LEGO programs, oil painting, and so much more. Click here to learn more about the programs.
The next Town of Ossining Board Meeting will be a Work Session on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:30 on Zoom. Join us with Meeting ID 845 1036 6498 and passcode 046947. Read the Meeting Agenda here – we have a lot on our plate for Tuesday including a few new proposed local laws relating to our boat ramp passes/trailer parking and events policy. Meetings are recorded and uploaded to Facebook and YouTube every week.
This week was Spring Break for most families, and an opportunity to celebrate the holidays of Passover and Easter. I hope for those who celebrate, you are able to enjoy these important days with your family and friends, both near, far, and over Zoom!
--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!