The Alvin Ailey Arts in Education and Community Program brought a community dance workshop of Alvin Ailey's Revelations to Pierson Park on Saturday, June 17, in commemoration of Juneteenth.

Report from Board of Trustees Meeting on 6.20.23

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

• Retiring American Flags: Dylan Smith, an Eagle Scout with Troop 22 of the Tarrytowns, along with Isabella Bencosme and Matias Huerta of the National Junior Honor Society presented to the Board of Trustees the box they created to install in the entryway of Village Hall to collect American flags that need to be retired. As the National Junior Honor Society representatives explained at the January 17 Board meeting, there are certain protocols that are to be followed when retiring American flags. According to the US Flag Code, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Troop 22 commits to regularly checking and maintaining the box in the lobby of Village Hall, and will conduct the flag retirement ceremonies as needed. Other members of the National Junior Honor Society contributing to the project are Sabrina Graham, Levi Marquecho, and Juarlin Rodriguez. Anyone may deposit an American flag that they would like to have respectfully retired by Troop 22 in the box now located in the Village Hall entryway.

• New Washer/Dryers for Fire Department: The Village was awarded an Assistance to Firefighters grant to fund 90% of the cost of equipment that reduces exposure to carcinogenic substances for firefighters including two new washer/dryers for two of the fire houses that do not currently have them: Riverside Hose and Consolidated Engine. As awareness of exposure to carcinogenic materials while firefighting has increased in recent years, the standards for cleaning turnout gear have also changed. The protective gear worn by firefighters requires special equipment for cleaning so as not to compromise the gear. Sharing the cleaning equipment across different houses can be excessively time consuming for our volunteer firefighters, which means compliance with the standards can be a challenge. With two new sets of extractors/dryers, our volunteer fire department members, who already give substantial time to the Village, will have an easier time protecting themselves from potential health impacts from this important service to our Village. The bid for the new equipment was awarded to Witmer Public Equipment Supply for the amount of $29,750.00.

• Domestic Partner Coverage for Dental and Vision: The Village already extends health insurance coverage to domestic partners of Village employees as long as they can demonstrate the long-term and committed nature of the relationship and financial interdependence as per state guidelines. The Board of Trustees expanded coverage for domestic partners under the same stipulations to dental and vision insurance as well.
• Halloween Parade: Street Closure and Restaurant Sales: The Board of Trustees authorized the closure of Main Street and Broadway on Saturday, October 28 for the Halloween Parade. The Board also authorized the sale of alcohol in a controlled area on Main Street as part of the celebration. Establishments intending to sell alcohol on that date must obtain permission from the State Liquor Authority for an offsite premise permit.

• Records Management Day: Village Offices will be closed on Friday, August 11, 2023 to get the infamous red tape under control at Village Hall.

• Appointments: The Board of Trustees appointed 40 camp staff for the summer season.

Coming up:

The Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on July 5 for personel appointments. The next Work Session will take place on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, and the next meeting will be held on July 17. The Board only holds one meeting per month in July and August.

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

July 4th at Pierson Park

The Village of Tarrytown and the Village of Sleepy Hollow are collaborating on the 4th of July display. This year, the fireworks will be launched from a barge in the Hudson river located between the two Villages.

Tarrytown's festivities will begin at 5:00pm and will include food trucks, live music and a kids' fun zone at Pierson Park.

Please be aware when making your plans for the event that the H-Bridge will close to vehicular traffic beginning at 6:30pm, and will not re-open again until 10:00pm.

Do You Have Stories of Old Tarrytown to Share?

Our next Open Streets Tarrytown event is dedicated to Local History, and we want to hear from you! We will have a videographer available to record local history stories which will be housed at the Sleepy Hollow Tarrytown Historical Society and be posted online for sharing. We want to hear the Tarrytown experiences of you and your family. The Open Streets Tarrytown event will take place on Saturday, July 15th from 6pm to 10pm on Main Street in Tarrytown. Come out and learn about the history of our emergency responders, see Tarrytown as it once looked through historic photos, participate in a historic scavenger hunt, and of course, shop, dine and stroll through our beautiful Village with friends and neighbors.

Tarrytown Police and Fire Departments Participate in Safety Day at Tappan Hill School

The Tarrytown Police and Fire Departments were invited to join the students at Tappan Hill School for Safety Day. Officers and fiefighters talked to the students about their role in the community, and allowed students to check out police and fire vehicles and equipment. Thank you to the Tappan Hill School staff and administration for inviting our team to meet your students, and for the warm welcome given to our staff and volunteers. It made their day! .

Con Ed Updates

Neperan Road: Con Ed is currently working to replace the gas mains on Neperan Road. The work will continue between Altamont and Broadway next week.

Franklin Street: The gas main replacement will be completed on Franklin Street early next week. We do not yet have a date for road restoration.

East Sunnyside: Con Ed is wrapping up work on East Sunnyside for the time being. Due to extensive sub-surface rock, the project has taken longer than anticipated. The Village of Irvington is planning to do other street improvements in the months ahead. Con Ed projects that they will be resuming work on East Sunnyside in January.

Fall Tree Planting

The Tarrytown Tree Commission's annual goal is to have at least 100 trees planted in our public spaces every year. We are looking ahead to fall planting season, and starting to compile our list of possible locations. Do you have a location in mind where you think we could use a new tree? Please send us your suggestions! Please email afasman@tarrytownny.gov and include the address or GPS coordinate with your recommendation.

Route 9 Multi-Modal Project - Construction Alert



The Rt.9 Multi-modal project to add a turning lane southbound on Rt 9 to access 287, and add a pedestrian bridge across 287 to accommodate pedestrians on the widened roadway continues.

Next week, and during the overnight hours, the contractor will be realigning (restriping) the lanes on South Broadway (from Route 119 south to the Thruway on/off ramps). This will allow curb work to begin on the eastbound side of S. Broadway, which will necessitate the closure of a section of sidewalk between the Thruway on/off ramps and Route 119. The bus stop in front of the Honda Service Center will be relocated south of Walter Street. All driveways will remain open.

Irvington Shakespeare Company postpones Pericles

The Village of Tarrytown had been scheduled to host a free performance of Pericles by Shakespeare on the Pierson Park stage on Saturday, July 29, but the Irvington Shakespeare company has had to cancel the performances due to labor disputes in the industry.

From Irvington Shakespeare Company Executive Desk 6/23/2023:

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the various labor disputes, strikes and negotiations rippling through the entertainment industry, Irvington Shakespeare Company (ISC) has deemed this too volatile of a time to produce a performance, and therefore, effective immediately, ISC will postpone our planned summer production, until summer 2024. 

ISC will soon begin providing non-traditional programming (classes, workshops, readings, etc.) while the strike continues and return to the stage in full scale fashion when we deem it appropriate. 

ISC firmly stands in solitary with the WGA, SAG-AFTRA, DGA and all artists fighting for the right to tell the stories that better our lives, while making a living wage in America. 

Westchester Power Program - Cost Comparison

The Village of Tarrytown is a member of Westchester Power of Sustainable Westchester and has been since 2018. The program is a community-based bulk energy purchasing program intended to increase the use of renewable energy at a reasonable cost in Westchester County, and Tarrytown is one of 29 participating municipalities. As a member, all Village of Tarrytown homes are automatically opted-in to the program unless they already receive their energy supply from an energy supply company other than Con-Ed, or they have previously chosen to opt-out of the program.

The program helps Westchester municipalities leverage their collective purchasing power to provide residents and small businesses with a vetted default electricity supply alternative to confusing private solicitations, and offers stable fixed rates, insurance against fluctuating energy pricing. The default supply option for Westchester Power participants in Tarrytown is 100% renewable energy.

While the program provided a cost savings for participants compared with the Con Edison supply over the course of the the first contract period (2018-2021), since the contract renewal in November 2022, Con Ed's supply rates have been consistently lower than the Westchester Power supply rates for both standard energy supply and 100% renewable supply. Con Ed does not currently provide a 100% renewable supply option. Westchester Power has historically compared favorably with other 100% renewable supply alternatives

The Town of Greenburgh publishes a rate comparison on the 5th of every month which you can find in the in the news section of their website.

The New York State Power to Choose  is another resource for comparing energy rate offerings, but pay attention to the caveats posted when you first enter the site.

Here is an example of the cost comparison posted by the Town of Greenburgh  for May 2023:

Westchester Power Contract - May 2023 Rate Comparison

The Westchester Power program offers two supply options for 100% Renewable and Standard. These rates are fixed until 10/31/2024.

May 2023 Residential Rates:

Below is an approximate electricity cost comparison for a hypothetical Greenburgh resident in May who consumed 500 kWh of electricity for the month

• For a Greenburgh resident on the ConEd supply, that customer would have been charged roughly $39.25 electricity supply
• For customers enrolled in Westchester Power under the 100% Renewable fixed rate, the charge would have been roughly $75.65
• All Westchester Power Standard user’s charge would have been $66.80

What does this mean for Tarrytown residents?

It is up to you. There is no penalty for changing your mind.

Residents who want to opt out can visit the Westchester Power web page and fill out the applicable online form on the Sustainable Westchester website at sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedenergychoices/,

email: westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester.org, 

or call Sustainable Westchester at (914) 242-4725 ext. 111 for live assistance.

Want to enroll?

Residents who are not currently enrolled in the program (including those who have previously opted-out of the Westchester Power electricity supply in the past) still have the ability to opt-in and participate, as the current contract price is locked in until October 31, 2024.

Want to change supply options?

For residents already participating in the program at either the 100% Renewable or Standard Supply fixed rates, you can change your supply option at any time. Whether you want to move into the 100% Renewable supply to maximize your clean energy impact, or switch to the Standard Supply for a better financial option, the choice is yours.

To learn more about the program, including how the rates compare to standard ConEd rates, how to opt-out, or how the program works in general, it is best that you visit https://sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedterritory/

Friends of the Riverwalk

Many thanks to volunteers from Friends of the Riverwalk who help maintain the wonderful plantings along our waterfront. The next work day is July 15. Check out their website to learn more about what they do.

MTA Public Hearings on Fare Rates

The MTA Board will consider changes to the MTA's fares and tolls over the next two months (please see attached notice for details or visit the webpage at the link: changes to the MTA's fares and tolls).

How to comment on the MTA’s proposed changes to fares and tolls:

Members of the public wishing to comment on these specific changes, and/or provide feedback on the MTA’s fares may do so by submitting a comment at the link below:

Submit a comment on the MTA's proposed changes to fares and tolls.

Members of the public may also comment at the MTA’s public hearings, which will be in a hybrid format allowing for remote access via Zoom and in-person access at MTA headquarters at 2 Broadway.

Hybrid public hearings

The MTA will hold four hybrid public hearings on the proposed fare changes:

• Thursday, June 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Register to provide comments at this meeting. 
• Thursday, June 22, 6-9 p.m.
• Register to provide comments at this meeting.
• Friday, June 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Register to provide comments at this meeting.
• Monday, June 26, 6-9 p.m. 
• Register to provide comments at this meeting.

All public hearings will be held in person at MTA Headquarters, 2 Broadway, 20th Floor – William J. Ronan Board Room. 

There will also be a Zoom option for those who prefer to attend virtually, and the hearings will be livestreamed on the MTA website.

This more flexible format allows us to hear from a wider audience, including people who cannot travel to Lower Manhattan.

Registering to speak

Those interested in providing comments at a hybrid public hearing will have two minutes to speak. To register to speak at the hybrid public hearings, please register using the links above, or call the Public Hearing Hotline at 646-252-6777. Telephone agents are available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Registration for each public hearing is now open. It will close at the start of each hearing.

Joining the hearings virtually

If you are registered to speak and joining the public hearings virtually, you may join the Zoom meeting at the scheduled hearing time either online or by phone following these instructions:

• Join online: To access the Zoom meeting online, visit the website. You can also use this link enter the Meeting ID 820 2029 1036.
• Join by phone: To access the Zoom meeting by phone, please call +1 646 518 9805. Then enter Meeting ID 820 2029 1036 followed by the pound (#) sign.

Members of the public who wish only to view the hearings may access the event live on YouTube.

To submit questions during the hearings, you must join the hearing through the Zoom online platform. You may submit questions at any other time in the ways listed below. Questions after the proposed fare changes may be responded to by staff during or after the hearing.

Additional ways to comment

• Submit a written comment.
• Mail a letter to MTA Government & Community Relations, 2 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004
• Call the hotline at 646-252-6777

Accessibility and interpreter services

American Sign Language and CART Captioning Services will be available.

Members of the public who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or the free 711 relay service, and then ask to be connected to the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777 to speak with an agent.

Members of the public who do not have access to a computer or who do not have access to the Internet can listen to each of the hearings by calling the Zoom meeting at 1-646-518- 9805 (toll-free). Then enter Meeting ID 820 2029 1036, followed by the pound (#) sign.

If language assistance or any other accommodations are required, please submit a request at least five (5) business days before the scheduled hearing date in one of the following ways: online, calling the Public Hearing Hotline at (646) 252-6777, or by sending a letter to MTA Government & Community Relations, Attn: Fare Hearings, 2 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10004.

More information here: How to Comment on MTA 2023 Fare & Toll Changes and here: MTA Proposed Fare and Toll Changes 2023”

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