Open Streets Tarrytown event on August 19th celebrating "Health and Wellness." Thanks to all who came out to enjoy and participate in the event featuring the "Best Main Street in Westchester" according to Westchester Magazine.

Singer Julie Corbalis

Ren Shen Healing on Broadway

Volunteers from the Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps handing out "File of Life" cards which list medications and medical contact information to keep in your wallet or purse.

State Assembly Member MaryJane Shimsky and her husband, David Agosto, enjoying a meal on Main Street at the Open Streets Tarrytown event.

Anne Barnett, the certified yoga instructor who runs classes at the Tarrytown Recreation Center, leads a class on Main Street.

Kana Physical Therapy and Wellness recently opened up a new studio on Main St and N Washington.

Thanks to the DPW staff (Pictured L to R: Danny Lopez, Reggie Waters, Pat Busa, Ray DiFiore, and Kevin Serna) for helping to make the Open Streets events happen along with Police Department, the Recreation Department and Event Coordinator Jenifer Ross)

Report from the Board of Trustees Meeting on 8.21.23

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

• Public Hearing for Zoning Code Changes Set: The Board of Trustees set a public hearing for October 2, 2023 at 7pm in the Village Hall Board Room, 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 at: https://www.tarrytownny.gov/October-2-2023

• Veterans Banners: The Board of Trustees approved a proposal that Eagle Scout Dylan Smith had previously presented for a new program he would like to coordinate which gives residents in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow the opportunity to purchase banners recognizing a veteran in their lives. The banners will include a photo of the veteran, dates of service, and the name of the banner sponsor(s). The banners will be hung in the month of November in both Villages. This program has already been implemented in area Villages including Ardsley. The banners are produced by Military Tribute Banners, and would be purchased via a website managed by Dylan Smith. Once the information is available about how to purchase a banner, we will share it.

• Approval of Kayak Dock and Launch: The Board of Trustees approved the installation of a small kayak dock and launch at the location of the current kayak launch on the Hudson River at the end of Lot G, between Losee Field and the Washington Irving Boat Club. The current kayak launch is situated on a site with a heavy industrial past that was also a dumping ground for debris from the construction of the original Tappan Zee Bridge. As a result, construction remnants, including large concrete slabs with metal protrusions remain embedded in the river, and jut out at low tide. This can make launching a kayak in the area precarious at low tide. The installation of a small floating dock and launch that will be removed in the winter will improve the safety of the launch, and is not a permanent fixture should the Village decide to further improve the site, or move the launch, in the future.

• New Roof for Main Street Fire House: The Board authorized a new roof for the Main Street Fire House. The project estimate is for $230,869 from Gordian industries through the Sourcewell shared purchasing contract #091620-GGI. The estimate is higher than the $150,000 allotted for FY 2023-24 in the Capital Plan due to several complexities in the historic roof. Due to savings from other capital fire house improvements, there is enough funding for the project in the capital budget.

• Tri-Municipal Flood Remediation Project on West Sunnyside Avenue: The Villages of Tarrytown, Irvington and Westchester County all share ownership of sections of West Sunnyside Avenue. Numerous flooding issues over the past several years have caused washouts and erosion that needs to be addressed. The Village of Irvington has applied for a grant from Westchester County to cover 50% of the remediation project costs which are estimated to be $1,023,824. Tarrytown's portion of the overall project cost is $86,284. If the grant is awarded, Tarrytown would owe $43,142 toward the project. The Board approved funds for the project to be paid out of the Sewer Fund, capital surplus or the future issuance of debt.

• Appointment of Advisory Committee Members for Rt. 9 Active Transportation Coordination: The Village has been cooperating with four area Villages on ways to improve pedestrian, cyclist and motorist safety along the Rt.9 corridor. Because Rt. 9 is a State-owned and managed roadway that runs through the heart of the Rivertowns, the Villages must work in concert with State agencies. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins helped secure funding for preliminary and engineering design to take the original conceptual plans developed by Nelson Nygaard to the next phase. In order to better coordinate with State agencies and among the municipalities, the Board authorized Village Administrator Rich Slingerland and Trustee David Kim to work directly with the New York Department of Transportation and other Villages on plans. In addition, Trustee Kim, Administrator Slingerland, and Planning Board member David Aukland will sit on a larger Advisory Committee for the project.



• New Housing Affordability Task Force Member: The Board of Trustees appointed Tina Valenti to join the Housing Affordability Task Force. Tina has a professional background in Real Estate and is an active volunteer in local schools.

Coming up:

The Board of Trustees will hold its next Work Session on Tuesday, August 29 at 6pm. Work Sessions are normally held on Wednesdays, but due to scheduling conflicts, the meeting was changed to Tuesday. 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

Don't forget to Sign Up for the Dog Parade and Puppy Swim!

Next Saturday, September 9, the Rec Department in Partnership with Bark and Meow is hosting a Dog Parade at Pierson Park followed by a swim in the Village pool before it closes up for the season. Sign your pup up online via Rec Desk or stop by Bark and Meow located at 9A South Broadway.

Recreation Department Launching a Newsletter

The Recreation Department has been expanding program offerings for Village residents. From new sports programs like the Pickleball clinics, Sunset Yoga, and the Backyard Sports programming coming this fall, to new classes like the Farmers Market cooking class and Outdoor Painting for grown-ups and kids. Plus the Village's busy season is just ahead. So the Recreation Department will begin issuing a bi-monthly newsletter with information about Department offerings, and we will not be including all of them in the Tarrytown Link going forward. You do not need to do anything to start receiving the Rec Department newsletter. If you get the Tarrytown Link, you will receive Rec Department offerings as well beginning next week. The full line-up of seasonal offerings can also be found on the Department webpage.

Water Meter Replacements Continue

The Village continues to work with Ferguson Waterworks and Saks Metering on the installation of new water meters for all water customers in the Village. More than 700 meters have been replaced so far, and the scheduling of new appointments continues. Be advised that if your meter has been replaced, your new bill may look different because the meters are more accurate than the aging meters had been.

If you have had to have your meter replacement appointment rescheduled due to inventory availability or other concerns, Saks Metering will reach out to get a new appointment set up. For certain households, there was an issue with the size of the new meter. Do not be concerned if it has taken some time for them to get back in touch, as they were waiting for the new inventory arrive. In the next several weeks, more households should be getting a notice that it is time to make an appointment for a new meter. When it is time, be sure that the area around the meter is clear for access. For more information and Saks Metering customer service contact information: https://www.tarrytownny.gov/villageprojects/watermeterreplacementproject

62 Main Street Apartments for Seniors 55+ - Applications Open

Applications for the affordable rental units in the new construction at 62 Main Street where the YMCA used to be are open until October 24, 2023. The lottery for the units will take place on November 7, 2023. Income restrictions apply. At least 80% of the units must have one household member who is aged 55+. For more information, go to https://affordablewestchester.org/affordable-rentals/

Click here for the brochure

Click here for the application.

The brochure is also posted below.

Commendation for Officer Riley

The Village employs dedicated police officers committed to protecting the health and safety of all people, no matter the time or day. We were reminded of this recently when Chief Barbelet received a letter from the New York State Police commending Officer Frank Riley for the off-duty efforts he took to save the life of a young woman who had been injured in a vehicular accident on the Taconic State Thruway. As noted by the State Police's commanding officer, "His commitment to helping others reflects positively on your agency's culture and values." Thank you to Officer Riley and to our Tarrytown Police Department for their commitment to public service.

Con Ed Updates

Franklin Street: Curb replacement work was delayed due to weather, and will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. The Paving of Franklin Street has been delayed as a result. It is scheduled, weather permitting, for Thursday August 31 and Friday, September 1. Please be aware that traffic and parking disruptions will be necessary while paving occurs.

Rosehill Avenue - Several service connections remain and that work will continue next week.

East Sunnyside Avenue: Road restoration and paving to follow the gas main replacement

Village Offices will be closed on Monday, September 4th for Labor Day

Please be advised of the following sanitation collection changes:

New Medical Director at TVAC

After 40 years serving the Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Dr. Emil Nigro is stepping down as its Medical Director, and will be replaced by Dr. Lawrence Goldstein who has been with TVAC for 25 years.

According to TVAC, as a certified EMS service in the State of New York, TVAC "operates under the auspices and license of a Medical Director...The Medical Director must be a Certified and Licensed Physician licensed to practice in NYS. The Medical Director is registered with the NYS DOH as well as the county and regional EMS councils as the Medical Director for the specific agency."

In addition, the Medical Director oversees agency performance, general policy, agency equipment, and an every day consultant for medical questions. 

TVAC reports that "Dr. Nigro has been with TVAC for more that 40 decades, longer than most of us have been with TVAC. He has given his service voluntarily and included us in his busy schedule for so many years. He has not only been a mentor and advisor, he has been a friend to TVAC, recognizing that we are all in this together for the public good. 

Dr. Goldstien has been on our Board of Directors for 25 years. Although he has not had the specific responsibilities of Dr. Nigro as MD he has been a part of all that we do and worked together with Dr. Nigro since he joined TVAC’s board 25 years ago. 

Although we will miss our old friend Dr. Nigro, we look forward to continue working with our “other" old friend Dr. Goldstein as our new Medical Director."

Interested in Volunteering for TVAC? Want to Meet some Local Heroes? Check Out the Open House on September 17

Climate-Adaptive Design Studio Final Look Book

In the fall semester of 2022, the Village of Tarrytown was fortunate to work in collaboration with Cornell University's Department of Landscape Architecture and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson Estuary Program to examine the Village waterfront through the lens of the Climate-Adaptive Design (CaD) Studio. The final Look Book has been published, and a digital Story Map has been produced by the CaD Studio Team. This fall, the Village will be hosting several public information sessions, including at the TEAC Eco Fair on October 14 and at the Warner Library to review what we learned from the CaD Studio process. Please stay tuned for more information about those events.

In the meantime, you can check out the Look Book, the final graphic panels in English and Spanish, the Story Map, and more information on the Village website.

New Bike Racks

The Village installed five new bike racks this summer: Three on the west side of the train tracks in Lot C, one near the entrance of Patriots Park, and one near the tennis courts at Pierson Park. Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts and explore the Village on a bike!

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.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

TravelStorys - an App for Visitors to the Tarrytowns

Check out the free audio tours of historical sites in our area. Have guests coming to visit this summer? It's a great way to help them get to know the area. Information in Tarrytown has been translated into Spanish.

Call for Poets: Seeking Westchester County Poet Laureate 2024-2026

ArtsWestchester has initiated a call for proposals to help them find and appoint the next Westchester County Poet Laureate. The Poet Laureate program embraces both written and spoken poetic traditions and aims to promote poetry as an artistic medium that can “serve underrepresented voices and offer a space for personal reflection and healing.”

The Laureate will engage and connect with the local community and other local poets through front-facing programs and readings throughout their three-year tenure. Required programming includes at least two public readings each year, the presentation of an original poem at a County event each year, three community events per year, during which community members have the opportunity to write and/or share their own poems, and the development of a “humanities project” that brings poetry into the lives of Westchester County residents and visitors. A stipend of $30,000 over the three-year term will be awarded.

A selection panel will make a recommendation to the County based on the applications and subsequent interviews initiated by the panel, which may include professional poets, County representatives, and members of ArtsWestchester’s staff or board. The selection of the Poet Laureate will then be approved by the County.

The deadline for submissions is October 2.

Bicycle Sundays Return September 10

Head back out to the Bronx River Parkway with us for more Bicycle Sundays, as the event returns, Sunday, Sept. 10 and will run through Oct. 1 for the season!

The last Sundays of the season in which Bicycle Sundays will take place are Sept. 10, 17 and 24 and Oct. 1. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “September Bicycle Sundays are a special time as it feels like an extended summer. I’m delighted to welcome cyclists, joggers and families back to the Bronx River Parkway for the fall installment of the 2023 series.”

Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathy O'Connor said, “Just because summer’s over doesn’t mean it’s time to put away our bikes or running shoes. I encourage folks to get out and ride or jog the Bronx River Parkway to keep moving well into the fall.”

Chairperson of the Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF), Seth Mandelbaum said, “Bicycle Sundays embodies the WPF mission to invest, advocate, and enhance all 50 Westchester County Parks. We thank NewYork-Presbyterian and Con Edison for their continued support of this iconic program and look forward to seeing everyone along the Bronx River Parkway this Fall.”

During Bicycle Sundays, a portion of the Bronx River Parkway is closed to cars from for the exclusive use of bicyclists, joggers, walkers, scooters and strollers. The course runs from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, a round-trip of 13.1 miles. There are many points of entry and exit along the way.

Bicycle Sundays is presented by Westchester County Parks and sponsored by Westchester Parks Foundation and its partners, through generous donations from co-presenting sponsors NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester and Con Edison, with Jen’s Cycles in Yonkers as the official Bicycle Sponsor.

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