Supervisor

Supervisor's Update – Friday, January 15, 2021

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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!

Supervisor's Update – Friday, January 8, 2021

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Last Updated: 08 January 2021 08 January 2021

This is the first update of 2021. While I would love to be able to write about how exciting it is for us to have a fresh start, the attempted insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has overshadowed the glow of the new year. Ossining Mayor Rika Levin, Ossining School Superintendent Dr. Raymond Sanchez, and I released a statement condemning Wednesday’s violence. You can read that statement here. The DC Capitol Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation are requesting help from the public to identify those involved. If you recognize someone in the crowds, you can submit an anonymous tip here. Since Wednesday, when we issued our statement, we have learned that five people have died as result of the violence, including Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick. We mourn the loss of life and hope those who organized and incited Wednesday’s events understand the weight of this tragic outcome. I join Federal lawmakers and elected officials across the country in calling for a full investigation into Wednesday’s events so that nothing like this can ever happen again.

I know it has been hard to focus on much this week, with chaos unfolding in our nation’s capital. But, your leaders in the Town continue to focus locally to do good work on behalf of our constituents.

The Town of Ossining accomplished quite a bit in 2020. We oversaw the distribution of 17,000 masks to emergency service personnel, local businesses, and vulnerable populations. We also distributed hand sanitizer and coordinated our social media pages to share updated info about resources available to residents. Now in 2021 as we see increases in cases, we are helping out yet again with some of these items. In 2020 we launched our Food Scraps Recycling program to transform organic material into compost. The program currently fills 12 toters every week – each individual toter being 64 gallons. Homebound residents are becoming increasingly green-minded. We saw over 2700+ views of our Recyclopedia page on the Town of Ossining website. The Town hosted virtual events, including a popular Summer Concert Series on FB Live, and an Organ Donor Enrollment Day Zoom-a-thon with lots of special guests. We also hosted NY Presbyterian Hospital Administrators and Doctors to give us an up to date assessment of the COVID situation from inside hospitals as the vaccine was just about to start rolling out.

We have a lot of plans for 2021. The Ossining Community Equity Task Force is preparing a meeting schedule for the year. Residents can participate in meetings to discuss the future of equity in Ossining. The Town will also continue its work on a new Comprehensive Plan - Sustainable Ossining - which will guide land use decisions for the next ten years or so. The Ossining Parks Stewardship group will launch a plan to visit our Town parks in need of TLC to help clear invasive species and teach residents about them as well as friendly native plants. We will be embarking on a major rehabilitation of McCarthy Drive. And, we will continue to do all we can to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, forging ahead with live-saving vaccines for essential workers and vulnerable populations first, and other protective measures. Our annual reorganization meeting is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, January 12^th at 7:30 PM via zoom. In addition to all of our annual beginning of the year resolutions, we will also be appointing and reappointing a number of people to our various volunteer boards. We are so grateful for the many application we received when we put out a call for them at the end of 2020. We really are the Volunteer-Spirited Town.

Government is coordinating across many levels to make 2021 a better year for residents. Assemblywoman Sandy Galef published a list of new resources available to residents, including additional unemployment, rent relief, a moratorium on utility shut offs, and paid sick leave. Senator Gillibrand’s office shared with us that the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act. This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. For more information, visit the Small Business Administration Website.

New York State is maintaining a Find Services Feature providing an easy-to-use starting point for finding for information related to Paid Family Leave, tax relief, accessing addiction services, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline, mental health resources, Child Health Plus, COVID-19 resources for New Americans, NY State of Health (Official Healthcare Marketplace), Medicaid, and the NYS Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Hotline. If you would like to reach out to a more local office for this information, you can use the County information hotline by dialing 211 or call my office. As always, you are welcome to reach out to my office by email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 914-762-6001.

Living room spread continues to be the largest contributor to new cases in New York. These cases are contracted when people from multiple households gather in private settings, unintentionally spreading the virus to our family and friends. Positivity rates have climbed since Thanksgiving. If you participated in a gathering, please get a test – even if you don’t 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 February 1, 2021 (as January 31^st is a Sunday). As a reminder, there is no bill mailed for the 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 by 5 pm that day. After 5 pm will be postmarked the next day.
• By mail from any other mailbox – just make sure your payment envelope is postmarked 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.

Our Highway department is reminding residents that Christmas trees should be left at your curb on your bulk pick-up day. Please remove all ornaments from the tree, as well as wires, lights, and nails. Do not place trees in plastic. Collection will continue until the end of the month.

It’s that time of year when people forget to pick up after their pets. We love that Town residents are walking with their furry friends, but make sure you leave the path clear for the next person.

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

You may have noticed a major restoration project underway at Sally Swope Sitting Park. Thank you to our Parks Foreman Mario Velardo and his team for working in the cold over the past few weeks to get this park ready for the spring. This week, the team added drainage systems. The Town is coordinating with Teatown Reservation to identify and remove invasive species, and protect the beautiful native species. The restoration is expected to be complete when the warmer weather rolls around.

Being a new parent is stressful enough – even when there isn’t a pandemic. The Briarcliff Public Library is connecting parents and caregivers of children under 2 years old. Email Amy at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to join this group for their Tuesday morning Zoom chats.

The Village of Ossining is mailing train station permit renewals. The return address is a processing center in Elmsford, so be on the lookout, and be sure not to miss the deadline for renewal (January 15, 2021). Renew 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..

As vaccines become more widely available, beware potential scams. Medicare or Social Security (or other government agencies) are not calling people to get them vaccines. The vaccine is free and you do not need to provide your social security number, credit card number, or any bank info to qualify.

New York State is overseeing the distribution of vaccines, which are being further distributed to healthcare “hubs” across the state. The Governor’s office is making it available to nursing homes, their staff, and healthcare workers first. Starting Monday, distribution will expand to teachers, first responders, public safety workers, public transit workers, and residents who are 75 and older. Find out if you are eligible for a vaccine here. New York State plans to launch a portal on Monday to help residents find healthcare sites administering the vaccine. Please be aware that the number of people eligible for vaccines far outweighs the number of doses currently available. This means appointments to get the vaccine will be scheduled across the next few months. The vaccine is not yet available to the general public and anyone attempting to receive the vaccine before they are eligible can be prosecuted by the State Attorney General.

The Westchester Women's Advisory Board is hosting a panel discussion on Issues Facing Immigrant Women on Tuesday, January 12. The event will run from 7-8:30pm via zoom and livestreamed on the Westchester Women's Agenda’s Facebook Page. The program will be in English and Spanish.

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 offered. You can learn more about Eaglefest on the Teatown website.

2021 is off to a rough start. As we face these compounding challenges, I encourage all residents to reach out if you need help or have questions. You can reach me at 914-762-6001 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Stay safe and have a good 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!

Supervisor's Update – Thursday, December 31, 2020

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Last Updated: 31 December 2020 31 December 2020

Tonight is the last night of 2020. It is amazing to think this year is finally over. Though COVID and many other challenges will not disappear at midnight, we are all looking forward to the start of 2021.

We all accomplished a lot this year. On Tuesday, January 5^th we will have a Town Board meeting which will include a discussion about what was achieved in 2020. Board meetings are aired live via Zoom. You can join us using the zoom link here and meeting ID 822 5825 0368 (password 768303). Recordings are later posted on YouTube and Facebook.

The approaching New Year has felt like a double edged sword for many people who have anxiously waited to hear whether protections would be extended into 2021. Starting next week, an additional $300 to be available through unemployment. Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order extending rent relief to tenants until May, and the state has expanded rent relief, paid sick leave, and the moratorium on utility shutoffs.

Government offices at many different levels are offering services. If you need help please do not hesitate to reach out. If we do not know the answer, we will connect you with someone who does. The Find Services Feature provides an easy-to-use starting point for information related to Paid Family Leave, tax relief, accessing addiction services, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), the COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline, mental health resources, Child Health Plus, COVID-19 resources for New Americans, NY State of Health (Official Healthcare Marketplace), Medicaid, and the NYS Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Hotline. If you would like to reach out to a more local office for this information, you can use the County information hotline by dialing 211 or call my office at 914-762-6001.

Living room spread is still the largest contributor to new cases in New York. These cases are contracted when people from multiple households gather in private settings, unintentionally spreading the virus to our family and friends. Following Thanksgiving there was a large spike in cases and health experts expect the positivity rate will continue to climb as new cases from Christmas and New Years are recorded. Please avoid gatherings as you celebrate tonight’s holiday. Our emergency response and healthcare workers have been on the frontlines since February, and they will work through the holiday, away from their own families, to help people infected by COVID-19. We must all work together to bring our case numbers down. We are looking forward to a happier and healthier new year.

The Town and Village of Ossining Inauguration of Local Elected Officials will be virtual this year. All are welcome to join this Zoom event on Friday, January 1 at noon. Click here for the Zoom link. The meeting ID is 942 7543 4613. To call into the meeting, you can dial (929)-205-6099 and then enter the Meeting ID.

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 Ossining Farmers Market will be closed on Saturday. The Market will re-open outdoors at Market Square, from 9am-1pm on Saturday, January 9^th, 2021.

As vaccines become more widely available, we expect scammers to come out of the woodwork. New York State is overseeing the distribution of vaccines, which are being further distributed to healthcare “hubs” across the state. There are no sign-up lists for the vaccine. The Governor’s office is making it available to frontline workers first, then vulnerable populations, before it will be available to the general public. Medicare or Social Security (or other government agencies) will not be calling you about getting your vaccine. When it is released more widely, it will be free for all New Yorkers. This time of year scams tend to increase, regardless of our current health crisis. Always protect your personal information, you do not need to provide your social security number, credit card number, or any bank info to qualify for the vaccine.

The Town’s Comprehensive Plan survey was extended through January 1, which is in just a couple of days. Please take some time to complete the survey to help us map out our next Comprehensive Plan, which is a blueprint for land use over the next decade plus, and lays out priorities, goals, and suggestions for how to move forward. One of our early steps has been to reach out with this survey to collect your opinions and suggestions! We extended the time to respond through tomorrow, so get started now and complete the quick survey here. The survey is also available in Spanish.

Thank you all for your dedication and hard work during this most difficult year. Ossining is truly an amazing community and I know we are all looking forward to harnessing our power to work together in the new year ahead. As we ring in 2021 and launch our individual New Year’s resolutions, I am honored to have served you this year. We undertook a lot, as we had to rise to the occasion. We can all resolve to do the same and even more as we wave goodbye to 2020. Happy New Year everyone. Stay safe.

--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!

Supervisor's Update – Wednesday, November 23, 2020

Details

Last Updated: 23 December 2020 23 December 2020

Just hear those sleigh bells jing-a-ling…Merry Christmas, Ossining! This week’s Update is coming to you a few days early, but it does FEEL like a Friday! As a reminder, Town Offices will be open a half day tomorrow and will be closed on Friday for Christmas Day. Same is true next week, when we will open for just a half day on Thursday, December 31, New Year’s Eve, and will remain closed all day on Friday, January 1, 2021. A new year is truly just around the corner – can you believe it?

As we round out the holiday season, it remains important to continue to be vigilant against the spread of COVID-19. We are all super anxious for the vaccine, but obviously we are not even close to out of the water yet. Please celebrate in-person only with those who already live in your household. Hop on a Zoom call or FaceTime to celebrate with everyone else! Share around a treasured family recipe, so you can all still enjoy a meal together, even if it’s virtual. We know we have seen an uptick in cases as a result of the Thanksgiving holiday, and we just cannot afford to make the same mistakes during Christmas or New Years. Locally, we are seeing cases more in single-family homes, and less in congregate settings like nursing homes, so we know the majority of spread right now is “living room spread” as a result of small household gatherings. There are still so many ways you can celebrate the holiday, without putting your friends and family at risk. I know we are all ready to ring in 2021, and look forward to a much better new year when we can hopefully all gather together again soon!

As a reminder, there will be no trash or recycling pickup on either holiday. The Town Highway Department and Suburban Carting will offer collection services on the Thursday before (December 24^th and 31^st) to affected residents. Regular Thursday pickups will move to Wednesday (today and December 30). You can download the Recycle Right Westchester app for reminders, service changes, and information about special recycling days. Just plug in your address to the app and your house’s schedule will come right up. Sanitation Schedules for 2021 are in the mail and should arrive in your mailbox any day now, but the app is really easy to have on your phone and at your fingertips any time.

I want to say thank you to all our residents for your work this year. There was a lot of information to process and we rely on your feedback. In 2021 we will continue our engagement as we embark on a Comprehensive Plan, which is a blueprint for land use over the next decade and lays out priorities, goals, and suggestions of how to move forward. One of our early steps has been to reach out with a survey to collect your opinions and suggestions! We extended the time to respond through January 1, so get started now and complete a quick survey here. The survey is also available in Spanish.

Residents are also invited to share their opinions/experiences regarding the Ossining Police Department, as part of the Police Reform and Reinvention initiative the State has mandated for all communities with police departments. Feel free to share your input - 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..

Important Scam Alert: As the vaccine roll-out takes place via guidelines set by New York State, residents need to be on heightened awareness for scams promising sign-ups to get the vaccine. The Westchester Consumer Protection Bureau reminds us that the vaccine is free for all New Yorkers and you cannot pay money to get your vaccine earlier. There are no sign-up lists for the vaccine. Medicare or Social Security (or other government agencies) won’t be calling you about getting your vaccine. Always protect your personal information, you do not need to provide your social security number, credit card number, or any bank info to qualify for the vaccine.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application for 136-140 Croton Avenue in Ossining, formerly the Sun Valley Nursery (site ID #C360207.) In urban planning, “brownfield” land is any previously developed land that is not currently in use that may be potentially contaminated. The site was a gas station before it became a nursery. The application and other relevant documents can be viewed online through the DECinfo Locator. Comments to the DEC can be submitted to site Project Manager Michael Squire at 625 Broadway, 12th Floor, Albany, NY, 12233-7014; via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or by calling (518) 402-9662. All comments must be submitted by January 15, 2021.

We all know holidays can be a super stressful time, which is of course, compounded by the pandemic. Government offices at many different levels are offering resources for residents and New York State has launched a program to help New Yorkers find services and benefits. The Find Services Feature provides an easy-to-use starting point for community members in need of social services, including Paid Family Leave, tax relief, accessing addiction services, Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), COVID-19 Emotional Support Helpline, Mental Health Resources, Child Health Plus, COVID-19 resources for New Americans, NY State of Health (Official Healthcare Marketplace), Medicaid, and the NYS Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Hotline. If you would like to reach out to a more local office for this information, you can use the County information hotline by dialing 211 or call my office at 914-762-6001.

The Ossining Farmers Market will be closed on Saturday (12/26) and next week on 1/2. The Market will re-open outdoors at Market Square, from 9am-1pm on Saturday, January 9th.

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp (OVAC) is hosting a Blood Drive on December 30^th. Large-scale donation events were cancelled this year and blood banks are facing a shortage. Make an appointment online and then stop by to help save a life.

The Town and Village of Ossining Inauguration of Local Elected Officials will be virtual this year. All are welcome to join this Zoom event on Friday, January 1 at noon. Click here for the Zoom link. The meeting ID is 942 7543 4613. To call into the meeting, you can dial (929)-205-6099 and then enter the Meeting ID.

If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping it is probably too late to order something online. The good news? We have amazing small businesses waiting and ready to step up. Use our Small Business Bingo board to help get ideas for how to support our local economy – financially and otherwise!

December 29^th is a fifth Tuesday so we will be taking a week off from town meetings, but will be back on January 5^th for a work session, and our annual reorganization meeting will be on January 12th.

For those who celebrate, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a very Happy Kwanzaa! Please stay warm and enjoy the snow for as long as it lingers. We are expecting some dicey weather tomorrow, so please be careful and stay safe! We will monitor the storm and coordinate any storm response necessary. Remember to report outages to the affiliated company so crews can be assigned and service can be restored more quickly.

--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!