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FORUM FOCUS
December 2022
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Message to Our Membership | |
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Dear Members,
Many of our Scarsdale Forum committees are busy preparing reports, doing research, and finding ways to improve the quality of life here in Scarsdale. Among the highlights: our Programs Committee is hosting a program on December 8 featuring Mayor Jane Veron, who will report on latest developments in the Village; County Fiscal Affairs is studying and commenting on the County budget; Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs is preparing to weigh in on the Village budget; Downtown Revitalization has just prepared a summary designating high-priority projects that lend themselves to quick implementation or incremental roll-out; Education is working on a final draft of a report on addressing mental health and well-being for Scarsdale's K-12 students; and Municipal Services is studying safety issues on the Post Road.
It's always a good time to join any committee whose work you find interesting. Just contact the committee chair shown in the summaries below.
As we head into the festive season, we hope that everyone will enjoy spending time with family and friends, especially after the last several years of curtailed activities. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!
Warmly,
Susan Douglass, President
susanudouglass@gmail.com
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Notes from the Board of Directors | |
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Greet Mayor Jane Veron as we host her at the traditional year-end MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM THIS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022 at the Scarsdale Library Scott Room: in person reception 7:30 pm, program begins at 8:00 pm. Join us in person and on Zoom. Registration for all attendees and Zoom participants HERE (This is not a business meeting, the public is welcome)
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COMMITTEE and BOARD UPDATES | | |
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Development
The Committee will be working on the development of a strategic plan, with goals, objectives, and actions designed to ensure that the Forum continues to carry out its mission and purposes well into the future. Forum members interested in participating are welcome to join us, and should contact Committee Co-Chairs Barry Meiselman at barwest2@aol.com and Ed Morgan at eamlaw@optonline.net.
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Downtown Revitalization
The Downtown Revitalization and Municipal Services Committees issued a report on October 2, 2022 regarding placemaking and mobility issues in the Village Center, referencing the report of Village consultant FHI Studio and also presenting the committee's original ideas. Village Trustee Sameer Ahuja, liaison to the DR Committee, had requested a follow up summary of "low-hanging fruit" and priorities for early action, consistent with a "tactical urbanism" approach of low-cost and incremental implementation. In preparing the summary, the joint committees drew on prior Scarsdale Forum reports and covered the following categories of proposed areas for improvement: safety, placemaking, events, beautification and conservation, parking and wayfinding, branding and marketing, and a business improvement district and funding. The DR Committee will continue to review and report on progress made on Village Center improvements. If you would like to participate please join us. Contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.
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Education
The Education Committee is working on a critically important report focused on mental health and well-being in the school district. Recommendations and areas for further study will be proposed and shared with district administrators and the Board of Education. See the committee's seminal Report on modalities of collaborative communication among school stakeholders. Contact Chair Barry Meiselman, barwest2@aol.com.
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Recreation
The Recreation Committee is busy moving full steam ahead, evaluating current conditions and usage of our parks, fields, paths, green spaces and recreational facilities. We still have a few locations that are not spoken for. All Forum members are welcome to participate in this comprehensive neighborhood undertaking. Our goal is to provide timely feedback to the village so that it may budget accordingly. In addition, our committee is committed to partnering with the Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs and Municipal Services groups on the Pool Complex Project. We hope Forum members from all neighborhoods will join this dynamic and active group and provide feedback. If you would like to participate, please contact Chair Erin Rudensky, ejzerring@aol.com.
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Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs
Committee members attended recent “pre-budget” work sessions about the Public Works “Fleet Replacement Program” and pricing of Rec Department programs and are eagerly awaiting the 2023-24 budget meeting schedule. We expect the Pool Complex Project to be the most important budget issue. The pool pillar Village Board members, staff and consultants are meeting to review assumptions, understand financial details and consider design options. The committee wants to evaluate the claim that pool revenue will cover operating expenses in any project and urges the Board to share with the public the basis for assumptions about future membership, revenues and expenses associated with various options being considered. Work session materials assume a 30-year bond to pay for the project (estimated to cost up to $50 million), requiring a property tax levy increase of up to 6.4%. The committee intends to explore whether pool project costs can be paid partly by private fund-raising and will urge public discussion of these and other alternative funding sources. This is a great time to join the committee. Have a say in how the Board should prioritize competing financial needs and wants and how to pay for them. Contact Chair Anne Hintermeister, ahintermeister@gmail.com.
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Municipal Services
The Municipal Services, Recreation, and Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs committees will be joining forces to study and report on alternatives for the Village Pool Complex. Anyone interested in taking part in this joint committee project should contact Municipal Services Chair Madelaine Eppenstein or Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs Chair Anne Hintermeister or Recreation Chair Erin Rudensky. Updated information about the Village Pool Complex project is on the Village website here.
Municipal Services has begun a study of the traffic issues on the Post Road consistent with our committee's prior recommendations made in the most recent Municipal Services Report on village-wide traffic safety and implementation of complete streets and safe routes to schools policy and design.
The committee also plans on follow up with the Sustainability group and the Conservation Advisory Council regarding the status of Scarsdale's participation in New York State's Climate Smart Communities program; prior Forum recommendations on further restriction of gas leaf blowers; fall leaf collection; and the degradation of the Village tree canopy despite recent code regulations meant to preserve it. Chair Madelaine Eppenstein, meppenstein@eppenstein.com.
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Sustainability
The Committee supports initiatives for an environmentally sustainable and healthy environment that provides quality of life for village residents. Related to Committee Reports in 2018 and 2019, we need your voice at a public hearing in support of a code amendment covering "Pesticide Use on Village Property" on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 8:00 pm to be held in person at Rutherford Hall in Village Hall, and via Zoom video conferencing. The new local law would ban chemical pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, etc. on Village properties and allow only organic landscape practices. Please speak during the public comment phase of the hearing on November 7 either in person at Rutherford Hall or by zoom at https://zoom.us/j/93183703358, or by calling in and using 1-929-436-2866 and entering the Meeting ID, 931 8370 3358.
Recognizing the absolute inter-dependency between the health of our environment and our own health, the Committee continues to support a number of potential green initiatives including, but not limited to those geared toward recycling, green energy, storm preparedness, and NY State's Climate Smart Community initiative. A recent report focuses on the promotion of mulch mowing, the elimination of street leaf pile vacuuming, and a total ban on the use of gas blowers. Contact Chair Darlene Le Francois Haber, M.D., dlefranc@montefiore.com.
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Zoning and Planning
The Committee's focus continues to be on supporting the long term growth and
development of our Village to improve quality of life and sustainability by providing thoughtful analysis and recommendations for existing and proposed codes. Topics currently being prioritized include: elevation of structures in flood prone areas; requirements for new buildings to utilize heat pumps; installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations downtown and at other locations; and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Committee has a supporting role working closely with other Forum committees such as Municipal Services, Downtown Revitalization, and Sustainability. Anyone interested in joining the Zoning and Planning Committee or learning more please contact Chair David Fenigstein, Fenigstein.david@gmail.com.
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County Fiscal Affairs
This is the most important month for the County Fiscal Affairs Committee. In mid-October, the County Executive released the proposed capital budget, which makes investments in environmental conservation, flood mitigation, the County Parks System, and affordable housing. On November 10, he will release the operating budget, which will go into detail on the various programs and services the County provides and how they'll pay for it through sales tax, property tax, and other revenue. Those draft plans will be handed over to the Board of Legislators who must amend and pass them by early December. Our committee report will come together by the end of November so we can make our public comments to the legislators. If you'd like to be part of the committee discussing, analyzing, and opining on the County budget during this critical stretch, please reach out to Chair Tim Foley at tim@commanderfoley.com.
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Community Events, News & Resources | |
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LIGHT THE 'DALE, TODAY, FRIDAY DECEMBER 2, 2022, annual holiday tree and menorah lighting at Boniface Circle in the Village Center at 5:00-7:00 pm more information about the event activities HERE
SCARSDALE EDGEMONT FAMILY SERVICES and the Safe Coalition: FREE community workshop WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7, 2022 at 7:00pm-8:30pm. Adults and teens grade 9 and above are encouraged to attend, presentation in person only: A CALL TO MEN, The Next Generation of Manhood, an interactive presentation challenging the concept of manhood, at the Little Theater, 3rd Floor - Scarsdale High School (Brewster Road Entrance)
SCARSDALE FORUM committee chairs and co-chairs invite you to join us as we tackle the subjects described in more detail in the Committee Update section. Members may consider joining any one, several or all Scarsdale Forum committees listed on the website. No prior experience with the subject matter is required, so Join here.
VILLAGE BOARD MEETINGS and WORK SESSIONS: Village Board meetings are regularly open to the public at Village Hall or via Zoom webinar at https://zoom.us/j/93183703358, or call in using 1-929-436-2866 and entering the Meeting ID 931 8370 3358. The Zoom login uses the same ID. Sign up for updates here. Check the Village Board calendar here.
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Scarsdale Forum Inc.
www.scarsdaleforum.com
Scarsdale Forum Inc. is the 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904, Scarsdale Forum has contributed meaningfully to village affairs through written reports, prominent speaker programs, social gatherings and other public events. Membership is available to all Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Strip residents, regardless of citizenship status. The Forum Focus newsletter is distributed to Scarsdale Forum members generally during the first week of each month. Pertinent information should be sent to communications@scarsdaleforum.com one week prior to publication to be included in the coming issue. Media Contact: communications@scarsdaleforum.com
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