Climate-Resilient Design
Last week the Climate-adaptive Design Studio at Cornell University was in Ossining helping us further explore climate-resilient design alternatives.
The next step in this process is seeking input from Ossining residents about their ideas for the waterfront. You are invited to participate in a mapping activity designed to gain a better understanding of how people currently use the waterfront. What would you like to happen in the future, and what concerns do you have about flooding and sea-level rise? The mapping activity invites people to place colored dots on a map of the waterfront that indicates different activities (such as sports, arts, and culture, or water access). Space on the map is provided for residents to write ideas, and more detailed responses can be shared in a comment box.
The mapping activity is provided in English and Spanish. It will be available in the Ossining Public Library, Village Hall, and the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center now through Wednesday, October 30. Feedback gathered through this activity will be incorporated into the proposals of students in the Climate-adaptive Design Studio.
At last week's Village Board meeting we unanimously supported a resolution urging Albany legislators to pass proposed bills requiring instruction on symbols of hate in New York State public schools. The proposed bills were brought to the attention of local leaders by members of the Ossining chapter of the NAACP. Supervisor Levenberg and I have spoken with Ossining School District Superintendent Ray Sanchez regarding the incorporation of hate symbols into curriculum, regardless of any action taken in Albany.
In response to an incident at a Town park in August where a rope tied like a noose was found hanging from a tree, Aaron Moore, president of the local NAACP chapter along with fellow members of the group, spoke at a Town Council meeting.
Click here to view the Town Council meeting
when this proposed NYS legislation was suggested as one step in an effort to proactively address issues of racism. Town Councilmember Jackie Shaw, who also serves on the School District’s Equity Task Force, suggested that the task force's goal of reaching out to the broader community beyond the schools might be an avenue for furthering this shared goal. The Village looks forward to partnering with the Town and community organizations in this effort.
Community Connections
Open Office Hours with the Mayor
will be abbreviated tomorrow as I attend a press conference seeking to garner the attention of the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT) in changing the traffic patterns on Route 9A to create safer roadways. Engaging in a partnership with the DOT is a lengthy process. The Village's efforts to work with the DOT on modifications to Route 9 and 133 continue.
I anticipate I will arrive in the Board of Trustees office at Village Hall at about 11am, and will keep my door open for office hours until 12:30pm. No appointment is necessary, and all are welcome to discuss any topic, concern or idea of interest to you.
Have a burning question or idea, at any hour of the day or night?... Email me (mayor@villageofossining.org), Village Manager Karen D'Attore (kdattore@villageofossining.org) or the Board of Trustees (bot@villageofossining.org).
Wednesday Meeting
This week's work session has a full agenda. We begin with a presentation from a representative of the New York Civil Liberties Union. Next we will discuss moving forward with software for online building department forms. The last three items on the agenda are related to 2020 budget decision making. The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) presentation includes a small budget request. The trustees and I will discuss requests from elected officials and how Manager D'Attore proposes to incorporate them. Also, Treasurer Warren will suggest updates to the fee schedule.
Work sessions are forums when the Village Board meets with staff and experts to become informed on potential action to be taken, and generally is not open for public comment. However, the public is invited to attend in person or to watch the meeting on television,
the village website
, or
YouTube
.
With Regards,
