Supervisor's Update - November 15th, 2019

Details

Last Updated: 19 November 2019 19 November 2019

We started this week commemorating Veterans Day, and in the Ossining community that was done through the Central Committee of Organized War Veterans' annual ceremony at Nelson Park.  I was humbled to stand alongside my fellow elected officials, representatives from the Ossining American Legion and other veterans' groups, honoring all the veterans in our community that have given so much in service to our country.  We must always be grateful for their dedicated service, and it was an opportunity to take time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices all veterans and their families have made for our freedoms. The Ossining community was even represented at Arlington National Cemetery, as the Ossining Girl Scouts presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The Ossining Girl Scouts annually make wreaths representing our community's veterans' organizations locally for Memorial Day, so it was so wonderful to see them representing Ossining in Washington, DC on this solemn day, via their Instagram page.  Go Ossining Girl Scouts!

 

 

At this past Tuesday's Town Board Meeting, we held a special presentation in memory of Mario Conte, a Court Officer and Constable in our Town Court for many years, who tragically and suddenly passed away last year.  Mario was a dedicated employee and member of our community, serving thirty-three years in the Ossining Auxiliary Police and as an active member of the Ossining Hose Company in the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department.  His death truly left a void in the Ossining community.  A few months ago, the staff of the Town Court approached the Town Board about installing a plaque at the Courthouse, in memory of Mario, right where he stood week after week, welcoming people into the Town Justice Court. This request from our Court staff highlighted just how much the Town Court is truly like a family. 

Read more: Supervisor's Update - November 15th, 2019

Town Board Regular Meeting- Tuesday, November 12th, 2019

Details

Last Updated: 08 November 2019 08 November 2019

Supervisor's Update- November 8th, 2019

Details

Last Updated: 26 November 2019 26 November 2019

Happy almost weekend, everyone!

 

 

First things first. I want to acknowledge all of the community who came out to vote in this year’s election, whether via our newly inaugurated early voting process or to your regularly polling places yesterday. In this off, off year election with no celebrity seats at the top of the ticket, it isn’t always easy to get people motivated to vote. This year, we did get out a little over 4,000 voters to the polls of which approximately 900 were early voters. In coming years we anticipate that by making it more convenient for people to vote, we will see higher totals—at least we can hope! I would like to thank the community for coming out to support me for another two years in office. As many of you know by now, the three propositions to enact Local Laws 4, 5 and 6 of 2019 did not pass.  I was disappointed by this outcome which was put forth to the community to save money, professionalize and modernize offices and offer a better customer experience when people pay taxes, use clerk services or have their roadways managed. Because this was a ballot initiative, the board and I had to be careful how we communicated with the public on these issues.  We could explain why we put them forth to the public, but really could not take on the misinformation campaign and tactics used to convince people they were somehow being put forth for other reasons.  I believe this “no” vote will ultimately work against the best interests of the taxpayers of Ossining. However I can assure you, we will continue to work hard to find ways to save money in areas where we are not hamstrung by laws that were put into place hundreds of years ago. I am very much looking forward to partnering with our residents and the Board as we move forward, (and offer congratulations to my colleagues Councilwoman Liz Feldman and Greg Meyer!), to continue to make our Ossining an even more wonderful place to live, work, play and enjoy.

 

And we only took a short break for Election Day.  Otherwise, we have been hard at work this week on a variety of exciting projects, so let's get to it!

 

 

First and foremost, the 2020 Tentative Budget was received by the Town Clerk on Wednesday of last week, and the Board Members received their copies this week. All budget material is posted online and can be found here.  So, what are the next steps? On Tuesday, November 19th, our Budget Director Maddi Zachacz will be making a short presentation of the proposed budget at our Work Session.  Then, we will be meeting with Department Heads on Wednesday, November 20th between 11AM and 2PM, and then again on Friday, November 22nd between 12PM and 5PM-- these meetings will be held on the 3rd Floor of 16 Croton and will be open to the public. The public hearing on the 2020 Budget will be held on the evening of Tuesday, November 26th at our Legislative Session, with plans to adopt the budget with any Board revisions at the December 10th Legislative Session. We look forward to hearing your feedback! Please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if anything comes to mind prior to the Public Hearing and we will do our best to get you an answer right away.

 

Read more: Supervisor's Update- November 8th, 2019