ALERT

‌From Metro North: Hudson‌ Line service remains suspended between ‌Croton-Harmon‌ and ‌Tarrytown‌ because of a significant mudslide onto our tracks due to today’s weather.

Hudson Line service is reduced to hourly in both directions between Grand Central and Tarrytown. We are working to secure extremely limited buses between Tarrytown and Croton-Harmon, but strongly advise utilizing Bee-line buses to/from the Harlem Line instead. See your Bee-line options here: https://transportation.westchestergov.com/bee-line/timetables-and-maps

It's that time of year in Tarrytown! Thanks to all who came out for the Scarecrow Making and Window Painting events.

You have until tomorrow to sign up to participate in the Halloween Parade. More information below about timing and details.

Report from the Board of Trustees Meeting on 10.16.23

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

• Public Hearing Continued for Local Law Requiring Private Roads to be Maintained for Health and Safety: The Board of Trustees continued the public hearing considering the adoption of a local law to require maintenance of private roads. Property owners are required to maintain curbs and sidewalks in front of their properties. If the Local Law is adopted, property owners will be required to maintain private roads for which they are responsible in the interest of public health and safety. The law gives the Village authority to address a health and safety issue on a private road and charge the cost back to the property owner if the issue is not first addressed by the property owner. The full text of the local law can be found at the end of the October 16 agenda.

At the hearing on October 16th a clarification was made - while a list of private roads according to Village records can be found below, the list of private roads is not codified in the Local Law. Only the requirement to maintain a private road for health and safety is addressed in the law itself, but not which roads are private.

The public hearing on the proposed local law will continue at the November 6th meeting.

Below is a list of private roads in the Village as well as a list of housing developments in which the roads are all private. Please note that many of the Hudson Harbor roads are planned to be converted to public roads and turned over to the Village, but the cul de sacs in that development will remain private roads.

Private Roads:

1.Oak Avenue (off of Cobb Lane)

2. Cobb Lane - #78 to Wilson Park Drive

3. Wilson Park Drive – from 209 ½ to Tower Hill Rd./County House Rd., plus the extension of

Wilson Park Drive down to the Tarrytown Lakes path

4. Dixon Lane (alleyway between Central Ave. and Dixon Street)

5. Hillside Pl., part (from stone pillars to Cobb La. Private; McKeel to the stone pillars, public) 6. Gracemere (Jardim Estates off of So. Broadway)

7. Emerald Woods

8. Rivers Edge Drive – the through-road will become public, the cul de sacs will remain private 9. Hudson View Way – the through-road will become public, the cul de sacs will remain private 10. Orchard Drive – the through-road will become public, the cul de sacs will remain private

The roads in the apartment complexes around the Village are all private:

A. Sleepy Hollow Gardens, 177 White Plains Road

B. Ridgecroft, 154 Martling Avenue

C. The Quay – 279-299 So. Broadway

D. Edgemont, Martling Avenue

E. Talleyrand Crescent, White Plains Road

F. Carrollwood, White Plains Road

G. 300-320-330 South Broadway

H. Rivercliff, off of Main Street

I. Franklin Courts

• Public Hearing Continued for Local Law to Expand Options for Curb-side Plantings: The Board continued the public hearing to consider a local law that would allow for plantings other than grass in the nature strips between curb and sidewalk, as long as the plantings are lower than 6inches and do not cause a tripping or entanglement hazard. The amendment would help diversify permitted plantings while maintaining safe and accessible public pathways. The full text of the local law under consideration can be found at the end of the October 16 agenda. While some residents would prefer some leniency in the height of the plantings permitted, particularly in locations where cars do not park next to stop signs and driveways, the more nuanced the law, the more difficult it is to implement and enforce. The Board will discuss the feedback they have heard at the next Work Session on Nov. 1, and the Public Hearing will be continued at the November 6 meeting.

• Public Hearing on Zoning Code Amendment to amend setback requirements and parking requirements: The Board continued the public hearing to consider amendments to the Zoning Code that would reduce the cost and procedural burden for property improvements by residents and businesses. The proposed local law would amend Chapter 305 (Zoning) to 1) allow certain mechanical equipment for heating and cooling and non-habitable structures including sheds, playhouses, and stairs to be located within the setback areas but still no less than 3ft away from side and rear yard lot lines; and 2) prevent applicants required to pay in lieu of parking by the Planning Board from having to also go to the Zoning Board of Appeals to request a parking variance. More information about the proposed amendments and a full draft of the local law can be found online.

In response to feedback received at the last public hearing, the height of sheds allowed in the setbacks was reduced to 9ft, and the amount of time that an establishment can be vacant and still maintain its parking requirements for the same type of use was extended from 6 to 12 months. This means, for instance, if a retail establishment that is required to have five parking spaces for its size and use vacates a property, and a new business that is similar in size and use moves into the property, they will not have to seek approvals from the Planning Board if they occupy the business within the year, where it was previously only 6 months.

The Board will discuss the feedback they have heard at the next Work Session on November 1, and the Public Hearing will be continued at the November 6 meeting.

• Seeking Grant for Drainage Improvements on Sheldon Avenue: Properties on the western end of Sheldon Avenue have been experiencing an increase in flooding events in recent years, and, in cooperation with the Town of Greenburgh, the Village is seeking grant funds for a study of the stormwater management system in the area to develop a capital project solution. In 1983, the Town of Greenburgh established the Sheldon Brook Drainage Area as a Special Improvement Area taxing district to implement $5 million in drainage improvements at the time. The study will investigate whether the system is undersized for the extreme weather events we have been experiencing, or whether there are repairs to the system that are necessary. The grant, program was established in response to Hurricane Ida, and is administered by the New York State Department of Homes and community Renewal. The grant requires no matching funds from the Village for the study.

• Grant for Recycling App: For the past five years, the Village has coordinated a grant to fund 50% of the cost for a recycling app used by multiple municipalities in Westchester. The Recycle Right app can be downloaded to your mobile device or accessed online. It will remind you of trash and recycling pickups, holidays and other changes to the schedule. It also has a Recyclopedia feature, so if you are wondering how to dispose of something, for instance unused paint, you can type the item into the Recyclopedia, and it will tell you where and how to dispose of it or recycle it. The app and information about how to use it can be found on the DPW website.

• Cyber Security Grant: The Village conduct a cyber security assessment with the help of PKF O'Connor Davies, the Village auditors. A number of recommendations to fortify our systems were made in the final report. With the consultation of Village IT Consultants, the Village is applying for a grant through the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to implement several of the measures that have not already been implemented. No matching funds are required for this grant award.

• New Senior Shuttle Bus: The Village was awarded a grant by the Community Development Block Grant program to cover $100,000 toward the purchase of a new Senior Shuttle Bus. The current bus dates to 2010, and as one Senior complained, passengers have to "hold onto their kidneys" while traveling on Tarrytown roads. In addition, the steps into the bus are steep and can be difficult for some passengers with mobility concerns. The new bus is a New England Frontrunner low floor model scheduled to arrive in Tarrytown in the third week of November.

• Water Meter Replacement Project: The Board authorized a change order request for the Water Meter Replacement Project to accommodate extra safety measures required for meter replacements for multiple commercial establishments that require confined-space-entry work. Because extra safety measures are required including the rental of additional equipment and personnel, the additional costs are estimated to be $57,000. Residents who have not yet had their water meters replaced should make an appointment. More information about how to do so can be found here, and information about the project can be found here.

• Parking Space for Veterans: The Board authorized a parking space in Lot E, the parking lot next to the Senior Center, be reserved for use by veterans who have a sticker or license plate identifying their service in the US Armed Forces.

• Winter Stroll to take place December 2nd: The Board authorized that part of south Washington Street be closed for the Winter Stroll event scheduled for December 2nd and organized by the Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce. Once again, the Chamber will be bringing a trolley to transport shoppers and revelers between Patriots Park, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. The vent will take place on the same night as the Holiday Market and Tree Lighting in Patriots Park.

• Snow Watch Pay increased: During the winter months, volunteer fire department members are often called in to stay overnight in the fire houses during extreme weather events to ensure that their ability to respond to emergencies is not inhibited by winter storms. The Board agreed to increase the hourly pay for this extra service from $10 to $15, which matches the rate paid by other area municipalities.

Coming up:

The Board of Trustees will hold its next Work Session on Wednesday, November 1 at 6pm. The agenda for the Work Session can be found here.

Want to learn what's on the docket for the Board of Trustees? You can sign up to receive agendas in your inbox here.

Interested in what is currently before the Land Use Boards? Sign up to receive agendas in your inbox, or find them posted on the website, three days before the scheduled meeting.

Current applications before the Planning and Zoning Boards can be viewed online:

Planning

Zoning Board of Appeals

Congratulations on a Successful 2023 Fire Inspection

(L to R) 1st Assistant Chief Frank Morabito, Chief Engineer Sean Scogna, 2nd Assistant Chief Patrick Derivan

Fire Department Inspection

Founded in 1877, the Tarrytown Fire Department is an all-volunteer force on call 24/7, 365 days per year in service to the community. The six fire companies occupy five Village fire houses and maintain four pumper engines, two ladder trucks, and three marine unit boats. Every year, the Annual Fire Department Inspection is both ceremonial and practical. The inspection of the facilities and the equipment affords an opportunity to ensure all is well-maintained and in good working order, and for the Village leadership to hear about any particular facility or equipment needs. This year the Board was able to review some of the projects that have been completed this year including new grant-funded washer/dryers for Riverside Hose and Consolidated Engine, a new apron in front of the Main Street Fire House, a new kitchen and floor for Riverside Hose, and four projects scheduled for completion this year: a new exhaust system for Washington Engine, a new epoxy floor for Consolidated Engine, a new roof for the Main Street Fire House, and a new engine truck for Consolidated Engine.

The celebration following the inspection is an opportunity to recognize and honor the service of Tarrytown Fire Department members. There are many benefits to becoming a volunteer in the Fire Department. In addition to the satisfaction of serving your home community in a very meaningful way, the Department provides all required training in critical skills, there are property tax, state tax, and pension benefits, and the camaraderie of belonging to a fire company can contribute to emotional well being. Interested in learning more? Check out the Tarrytown Fire Department website or reach out to a volunteer firefighter in your neighborhood. They don't bite!

Officers of Main Street Fire House (L to R) Captain Adam Konwerski (Hope Hose),2nd Lt. Robert Hoyt, Sr. (Conqueror Hook and Ladder), Captain Will Sherer (Conqueror Hook and Ladder)

The officers of Riverside Hose in front of a new grant-funded PPE dryer: (L to R) Logan Spector, Captain Scott Weaver, Jr., Pat Derivan, Sr, Pat Derivan, Jr.

(Lto R) John Ragusa, Captain Dominic Morabito (Phenix Hose), Bob DeMasi Bill Garbade, Sal Zambaletti, Marty Annicharico

(L to R) Eugene Gasparre, Bill Logan, Sr., John Chang and Guests

Clockwise around the table: Sawyer Hershmann, Bill Maher, James Wagman, Scott Weaver, Sr., Henry Molina, Pete Saracelli, Clarice Pollack, Adam Konwerski, and guest

Officers of Consolidated Engine Company (L to R): Captain Justin Hoyt, Sean Scogna Sr., Armando Scogna, Charles Boyce, Sr.

RECREATION RUNDOWN

For information about all of the upcoming events and programs organized by the Recreation Department, click here, or sign up to get the news straight to your inbox every other week.

Halloween Parade - Next Saturday, October 28th, 5:30pm

Volunteer

The Halloween Parade Committee and the Recreation Department have been working very hard to make the parade the fun and creative celebration we have all come to enjoy. They need VOLUNTEERS for parade day! Want to help out? Email: recreation@tarrytowngov.com or call 914-631-8347

Participate

TODAY, Saturday, October 21 is the last day to sign up to participate in parade. Come join in and maybe win a cash prize!

Getting There

As Tarrytown residents know well, as the parade has become more popular - Voted Best Local Parade in Westchester - we have more spectators, and more cars on the road. As with the well-attended 4th of July celebration, we will need to be patient during post-parade departure on our dense and narrow streets. As always, the best way to get to the parade festivities would be without the use of a car - walk or train if coming from out of town. If driving, please be aware that Cortlandt Street in Sleepy Hollow will be closed for a block party that night, and turning left on to Broadway is a challenge from Central, so the best way to exit the parade if parked west of Broadway will be via Franklin Street. Plan to turn right on Broadway and make your way from there via Benedict or otherwise.

Street Closures and Parking Restrictions

• MAIN STREET will be closed for parking and vehicular traffic beginning at 3pm on Saturday, October 28th, and will remain closed until the end of the block party (approximately 11pm).
• The MINI-LOT off of Main Street (next to the South Washington Street Lot), will be closed for parking at 3pm.
• BROADWAY will be closed from 5pm to approximately 7:30pm from Main Street to College Avenue. Please avoid this area at all costs at this time if you are not attending the parade.

Affordable Housing for Seniors: Last Day to Enter Lottery is 10/24

The deadline to apply for affordable housing at 62 Main Street (the former YMCA) is coming up on October 24, 2023.

100 apartments are available and at least 80% of the units must have one household member who is over the age of 55.

The majority of the units are 1 bedroom units with a maximum household size of 2 people. There are 14 studios for single occupancy.

A lottery will be held on November 7, 2023. The lottery determines in which order the applications will be reviewed for tenancy. Income restrictions apply of between 30% and 70% of Westchester Area Median Income, which is between $30,840 and $82,250 depending on how many people you have in your household.

For more information and to apply, please visit: https://affordablewestchester.org/affordable-rentals/ and click on the application for 62 Main Street.

You can also:

Click here for the brochure

Click here for the application.

Fall Leaf Collection

The schedule for fall leaf collection is posted on the Public Works Department website and is scheduled to begin November 6. As a reminder, the Public Works Department will collect leaves left curbside over the course of a month beginning November 6th according to the posted schedule. Each street will have two collections over the course of the month. For more information, check out the DPW website.

If you are considering Healthy Yard alternatives to blowing and raking leaves, check out http://www.leleny.org/ and watch one alternative in the video below. For Village facilities, the general practice is to mulch the leaves in place as it is beneficial for the green spaces, beneficial for the environment, and saves our staff time to focus on other necessary tasks.

Con Edison Updates

Gas main rehabilitation:

Gas main replacements will continue on Lower Main Street and Cortlandt St next week.

November 1: Gas main replacement will begin on Midland Avenue in the Crest neighborhood.

Service connections:

Next week Con Ed crews will continue to connect service lines Grove Street and expect to back fill the trenches next week as well.

Paving:

Starting November 1, after Halloween, Con Ed crews will be paving the following streets:

• Union Avenue from Rosehill to Marymount
• Rosehill Avenue from Neperan to Altamont
• Neperan Road from Hamilton to Broadway
• Castle Heights from Union Ave. to the Dead End

In recognition of Halloween, Con Ed crews will finish their work early to avoid disrupting holiday revelry.

Public Works Project on Corner of Neperan Road and Broadway

The Public Works Department will be repairing the catch basin on the corner of Neperan Road and Broadway next to the old Citibank building from October 23rd to October 25th. Please be aware this may cause some traffic disruption.

Time to Make Your Water Meter Replacement Appointment

The Village of Tarrytown is in the process of upgrading the water meters for all water system users, with over 800 meters already installed. If you have not already had your water meter installed, you should now make an appointment for the installation.

To make an appointment: 

• You may visit the Saks Metering website at www.SaksMetering.com and click on “Schedule Appointment”\
• You may email Saks Metering at info@saksmetering.com
• You may call the Saks Metering office at (914) 502-3333 or 877-583-7257 and schedule your appointment over the phone (Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 8am-4pm)

Prior to your appointment, please be sure to remove all items that may be obstructing your meter, allowing for at least a 3ft clearance, to avoid postponing the installation.  If you are a landlord or property manager please inform your tenants about the temporary water shutdown when the meter is changed. To make an appointment, or if you have any questions, call Saks Metering at 877-583-7257.

More information about the project can be found on the Village website.

Upcoming Election

The Westchester County Board of Elections runs all elections in the Village of Tarrytown. Information about elections can be found on their website as well as on the Village Clerk's page.

Important dates for the November 7, 2023 Election:

• October 23 Last day for Board of Elections to receive absentee ballot application by letter, telefax, or through the absentee ballot portal
• October 23 Last day for change of address
• October 28 Last day for in person voter registration; mail in registrations must be received by a Board of Elections
• November 6 Last day to apply in person for an absentee ballot
• November 7 Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local Board of Elections no later than November 14th. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than November 20th.
• November 7 Last day to deliver in person ballot to the local Board of Elections or to any poll site in your county.

The League of Women Voters held a Candidates' Forum featuring candidates for Village Mayor and three Trustee positions. The recording of the forum can be found here or on the League's website.

Want to know what will be on your ballot? You can plug your address into the https://www.vote411.org/ website which is operated by the League of Women Voters and it will show you what positions and referenda are up for vote. The Westchester County Board of Elections also posts a list of 2023 candidates.

News from the Police Department

Connecting with kids: Did you know the police Department has its first motorcycle? Able to navigate crowds and tighter corridors more easily, Police Officer Pavese also put it to good use this week with the Halloween Safety outreach education the department conducts with area schools. This week they were at Transfiguration Pre-School and the Elizabeth Mascia Childcare Center. Next week they will be visiting the Morse School.

Look out for the new motorcycle in this year's Halloween Parade!

Women in Law Enforcement

This month the Department sent three female officers to New York State's Women in Law Enforcement Training which was held in Suffern, NY. Te conference gives the officers a chance to connect with other women in their field and learn about current criminal justice issues. PO Schubert, PO Williams, and PO Dimmie were all able to attend this year.

Many thanks to Antonio Pinto of Pinto Contracting for donating the beautiful seasonal decorations outside of the Police Department!

From the Chamber:

New Executive Director

At the October 19 monthly Chamber networking meeting, which took place at the newly-renovated Castle Hotel and Spa, Chamber President Laura Rey Iannarelli announced that the Chamber's Acting Director, Lucia Ballas-Traynor has agreed to stay on as the new Executive Director of the Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce. Lucia comes to the Chamber after a long career in Hispanic media. Prior to service as Interim Director, Lucia served on the Chamber Board, and will maintain her position as Business Development Director of River Towns Media LLC. Having just weathered a trial by fire with the coordination of the October Street Fair in Sleepy Hollow which involved a last minute date change, we are confident Lucia will be able to advance the mission of the Chamber and effectively advocate for the Village's local businesses. Welcome, Lucia.

Other Chamber Announcements:

Please come out to support the arrival of two new local businesses by attending the following ribbon-cutting events:

• Thursday, November 2 at 3:30pm: White Oak Bridal at 54 Main Street, Ste 205
• Thursday, November 9 at 3pm, Kana Physical Therapy and Wellness at 47 Main Street (behind Pik Nik BBQ)

2023 Eco Fair

Thank to all who came out for this year's Eco-Fair! The rain or shine event was held in Patriot's Park last weekend and the volunteers were not deterred. Seeds and plants were given away, information was shared about the Climate Adaptive Design study that was done at the waterfront, and participating vendors had information about clean transportation, composting, clean energy solutions and more.

Find the latest TEAC Newsletter here:

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Village Committees are not the only way to give back to your community. There are lots of civic groups in Tarrytown doing important work. Like TEAC, the Friends of the Riverwalk are looking for volunteers to help maintain the plantings on the waterfront. Many more organizations are listed in the Volunteer Directory that has been assembled by the Community Coalition and Kids Club of the Tarrytowns.

TravelStorys - an App for Visitors to the Tarrytowns

It's high tourst season! Share this app with friends and visitors looking for something to do in Tarrytown. Check out the free audio tours of historical sites in our area.It's a great way to help them get to know the area. Information in Tarrytown has been translated into Spanish.

Westchester County Budget Released

A news conference was held on October 17 to annouce the release of the proposed County Budget. You can read the proposed budget here.

For information about how to engage with the County budget process and the public hearings about the budget, please check out the website for the County Board of Legislators.

Did you know?

Local businesses can find resources, classes and other opportunities on the Westchester Catalyst website:

https://westchestercatalyst.com/events/

Tuition Reimbursement Program for EMS AND Fire Volunteers

Citizen volunteers are often called on to respond to emergency situations in Westchester County. Due to a variety of factors, local volunteer fire departments and volunteer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies are currently experiencing a critical need to recruit and retain members.

As an incentive for local residents to serve at volunteer fire departments and EMS agencies the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services (DES), has developed a program of recruitment and retention incentives for volunteer emergency services agencies. The program is designed to provide tuition or student loan reimbursement to volunteers for their service in the County.

For more info: https://emergencyservices.westchestergov.com/contact-us/h-e-r-r-o