MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
|
|
The 40th Annual Greater Chamber of Commerce Village Fair was back this past Saturday! This is one of the most premier events in what we think is the most beautiful community on the Hudson River, Ossining. The event included food, art, music, and dance. There were live performances on three outdoor stages that featured a unique selection of the area's live music and dance acts. Also, this year the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce featured a food and beer garden with food trucks, cultural cuisine. The Kids Zone had super fun games and highlighted local programming related to "kids." Both Mike Garcia, Youth Bureau Director and Jaime Martinez, Director of Planning were in Market Square greeting the public and engaging the community in discussions about the many initiatives happening in the Village of Ossining.
The weather was perfect – and I am so happy that the event is back after two years of COVID. We can't wait for what's next!
|
|
This past Saturday, The Board of Trustees of the Village of Ossining recognized Neil Woolf with an honorary street renaming at Main Street and Central Avenue to Neil Woolf Street. Neil is deeply missed by all. He touched many lives over the years, and his loss left many with heavy hearts. His devotion to the Ossining community was undeniable, and his contributions were many. He has left behind a legacy. We are thankful for Neil's service and dedication to the Ossining Community. |
|
Tonight (June 14) is our final community meeting for the Village of Ossining's Downtown Revitalization Planning process! There will be a presentation of the preliminary slate of projects to be presented to the state for funding consideration and an opportunity for you to weigh in on the final projects to be selected by the Local Planning Committee. Please join me at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center from 6:00 - 8:00pm to learn about and share your input on these projects!
The proposed projects are targeted to open up the possibilities for private investment, helping us leverage our assets for economic development. These catalytic projects will incentivize private and public investment in the Market Square properties, the former DPW site, the historic Station Plaza industrial-residential neighborhood, the Waterfront, and a broader mix of entrepreneurial retail establishments. The DRI investment is high-impact support for Ossining which will dramatically accelerate development and significantly enrich the return on investment, yielding positive financial and quality of life benefits for the Village and a boost to neighboring communities and throughout the region as well.
|
|
June 28 is primary day for all local, state, and federal offices other than State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. (The primaries for State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will be held on August 23).
A nine-day early voting period for the June Primary begins Saturday, June 18. Registered voters eligible to vote in their party’s primary will be able to cast their ballot at any of the County’s 23 designated Early Voting locations during the hours listed below:
|
|
With gas prices continuing to rise, the Bee-Line Bus System offers a clean, green, cost-effective way to travel the County. And from June 1 through Labor Day, all rides are free – including Bee-Line ParaTransit and the BxM4C express to Manhattan. “Leave the driving to us and save some money this summer."
|
|
Some items of note:
- Our meeting will begin with (2) Public Hearings—one on proposed Local Law #6 of 2022 re: Remote Meetings, and Local Law #7 of 2022 re: adding the Solar Opt-Out to the CCA chapter of the Village code. The drafts of both proposed laws are embedded in the agenda.
- The Board will have (2) resolutions regarding the CDBG sidewalks project—the first is a $200K bond issue for our half (CDBG will fund the other 50%), and the second is the establishment of a capital project and budget for the project.
- There will be a resolution adopting what is now Local Law #3 of 2022 re: the release of balloons and sky lanterns.
- The Board will be asked to authorize the Treasurer to accept payments on 108 Croton Avenue—since the property has passed the redemption period for the foreclosure.
- As per the BOT’s conversation during last week's Work Session, a resolution adding a fee for Community Benefit Fund (CBF) contributions is set at $7500 per each ADDED dwelling unit, $5000 per ADDED affordable dwelling unit, and $750 per each 100 sf of ADDED commercial space. The Board can review this fee as part of the annual budget process or at any time.
- Next up will be an annual resolution—under the ETPA, the Village is obligated to make an annual payment to HCR for each unit covered under the program in that calendar year at a rate of $20/unit, which is then recouped from the individual building owners. This resolution, the same as has been passed since ETPA was enacted in the Village in 2019, allows for the Village to, at the same time, collect a $5 per unit administration fee, which offsets the Village's administrative costs for the program.
- There is a resolution to re-appoint Karen D’Attore as Village manager for an additional three years.
- Corporation Counsel Kahan has prepared a resolution re: 31 Croton Avenue, which is the first property to take advantage of the overlay zone that allows for a density bonus—the resolution is asking the BOT to grant the special permit required for the density bonus.
|
|
Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
