Commemorating Our Iconic Double Arch
In March I met up with artist Daniel Aviles on the Sing Sing Greenway and we took this selfie. We could already sense big changes afoot. Days later schools closed and stay-at-home orders were issued. Among the many things that didn't happen because of COVID, was a year of events anticipated to commemorate the restoration of the Broadway Bridge. Thankfully, one very special project that was able to come to fruition is this beautiful commemorative seal. Daniel is an Ossining High School graduate who was recommended as an artist who might be perfect for capturing an updated pen and ink image of Ossining's double arch, including the greenway below.

The point where the Old Croton Aqueduct crosses over the Broadway Bridge is an iconic image frequently used to symbolize Ossining. We learned from former Village Historian Dana White that the double arch bridge is "unique in New York State. Two masonry arches, a bridge within a bridge, at two opposing angles to each other". Click here to view her presentation during the Broadway Bridge ribbon cutting. The commemorative seal unveiled today reflects the recent historically evocative upgrades to the Broadway Bridge that were completed early this year, as well as our beloved Sing Sing Kill Greenway that opened as a pedestrian walkway in 2016.

The commemorative seal illustrates layers of narratives about Ossining. We are a community that honors local history as we invest in our engineering infrastructure. When faced with a necessary encasement of the sanitary sewer line that runs through the Sing Sing Kill, we made design enhancements to create a pedestrian greenway in a gorge of natural beauty winding through our historic downtown. The Old Croton Aqueduct that forms the upper arch was constructed largely by immigrants to carry water to New York City nearly two centuries ago, and many of of those immigrants settled in Ossining. Today's rendering is from a local artist, the son of a new generation of immigrants, who in one small drawing has captured hundreds of years of innovation and connection in the heart of our village. Please join me in congratulating Daniel Aviles on a beautiful depiction of our iconic landmark.

The most exciting news from last week's Village Board meeting came from village treasurer Dale Brennan who updated us on budget numbers. When the manager presents her proposed 2021 budget at the November 4 meeting, we can look forward to a recommended reduction of the village property tax rate. Budget season is my favorite season of the year. I look forward to delving in to the proposed budgets for every department and working with my colleagues in elected and appointed office to vote on a final budget in December that preserves excellent village services, while being cognizant of the financial hardships experienced by so many residents this year. Click here for the full agenda an link meeting video link.

Last week we announced expanded membership of the Ossining Police Reform & Reinvention Working Committee. Click here to read the full statement, including quotes from several community stakeholders and working committee members. The expansion adds representation from the District Attorney's office, the Legal Aid Society, and the NAACP.

Community Connections  
Open Office Hours with the Mayor will take place tomorrow in the Board of Trustees office on the first floor of Village Hall from 10:00am until 12:00noon. The public is invited come by to ask a question, offer a suggestion, or raise a concern about anything village related. If you prefer to meet me outside, weather permitting, please call my cell phone 914-640-0575 when you arrive and I'll bring a couple of folding chairs onto the front lawn for us..

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 Work Session
This week we will begin with a presentation from Green Ossining Chair Suzie Ross to learn about an online tool that will empower individual households to track their carbon footprint, helping them to make tangible reductions in their family's greenhouse gas emissions. Establishing this tool in partnership with the Town of Ossining, is a perfect enhancement to the EnergySmart Homes initiative that we are launching in the coming weeks with Sustainable Westchester which will bring savings directly to Ossining homeowners.

We'll also have a Comprehensive Plan update, and discussion of two proposed fee schedules for 2021. Budget season is typically when the Village Board considers updates to fees, though we can update aspects of the fee schedule at anytime during the year. This week we will hear proposed changes to building department fees, as well as a new fee schedule to coincide with proposed Local Law 8 related to special events. Click here to read the current draft of the proposed updates to special events, and mark your calendar for November 4 when we will hold our first public hearing on this proposed local law. Click here for the full work session agenda, including the link to watch the meeting virtually.

With Regards, 
Victoria Gearity, Ossining Mayor
VOTE!
Were you among the 1000+ people who voted at the Community Center this weekend? Did you wake up early to get online before the 8AM opening today? When I visited voters waiting on line, I heard inspiring stories of families voting together, young people voting for the first time, and people who feel this is the most important election of their lifetimes.

Kudos to the poll workers who, by all reports, ran a smooth operation, with strong safety precautions in place, and stayed hours after poll closing time to make sure everyone in line got to vote.

If you aren’t among the legions of people who have voted already by absentee ballot or early voting, have you made your voting plan? Maybe your plan changed when you saw the lines of voters. That’s ok. Just make sure you follow through with whatever it takes to vote.

Early voting continues every day through Sunday, 11/1. Westchester voters can early vote at any early voting polling place in the county. On Election Day, 11/3 you must vote at the polling place assigned for your Election District.