COVID Numbers
The fast escalation of COVID cases in Ossining is alarming. Last week Governor Cuomo designated most of the village, and a small corner of the town, as a yellow zone. Today he indicated that yellow zones in Westchester are on track to become orange or red zones. The color coded zones are loosely drawn around clusters of cases. The good news is that other areas that have had a color coded designation have brought their numbers down. We have the power to contain this virus. Click here for information we provided last week in follow-up to the Governor's designation.

We are actively working with county and state officials to bring more testing to Ossining. Additional PPE arrived from the county today, and we will proactively distribute masks and hand sanitizer to individuals and community organizations.

In addition to wearing masks, maintaining distance, washing/sanitizing our hands, and minimizing travel, we must avoid gathering in groups and contributing to "living room spread." This is especially important as we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

If you need to quarantine, do you know what that means? How would you be able to achieve that level of isolation for 14 days? Click here for information from the County Department of Health, including the Quarantine or Self-Isolate Tool. In the coming days we will be sharing additional information from community organizations that are able to help support people who need to isolate.

Last week's meeting opened with a public hearing on proposed local law 8 regarding special events linked here. Thank you to the attendees who shared further comments. The public hearing has been held open through the December 2 meeting. We also voted to approve local law 7 protecting wetlands. Thank you to the many people and organizers who provided comments on this new legislation. The corresponding wetlands and drainage map was approved as well, and will be subject to annual certification to ensure it reflects the most recent data from a number of sources.

Community Connections  
Join me tomorrow at 10am for a Facebook Live. I will provide updates on COVID and respond to questions on any village topic. Email me in advance or ask live during tomorrow's virtual chat. The meeting will be recorded and available on the Village YouTube channel.

With COVID infection rates escalating, I am limiting my in-person contact, and will not be at Village Hall for Open Office Hours. COVID has turned our world upside down, and I'm sorry for missing out on so many Tuesdays with you in person. If you would like to speak with me by phone, call or text 914-640-0575), or email any time.

No Thanksgiving Week Meeting
It has become our tradition to take off Thanksgiving Eve. Instead of chairing a work session, I'll be home making cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie with my sons. What do you have planned for Thanksgiving? Will you be visiting loved ones on zoom? Limiting celebrations to our households is especially tough in a year with so much hardship, but it's the right thing to do. For the sake of your family and your community, I hope you have made a responsible plan for this week's holiday.

With Regards, 
Victoria Gearity
Mayor
Village Seal of the Future
Tell us what you think by responding to this survey asking which seal should represent the village into the future.

The Double Arch seal was recently created by a local Ossining artist. The image of two masonry arches, a bridge within a bridge, and the greenway beneath, reflect our interconnectedness across cultures and generations. The double arch often serves as a symbol of Ossining and can currently be found on seals for the Town, OPD, OFD, and Recreation & Parks.
 
The Indian Head seal depicts a generic Plains Indian with a feathered headdress, though it is intended to reflect the Sint Sinck Indians. It has served as the village seal since the 1940s. Is it time for the village seal to symbolize something iconic that cannot also be viewed as a reminder of genocide and racism?
 
Our charter provides that the village board may adopt and use a common seal and alter it at will. The Indian Head has served that role for many years. Should the Double Arch represent the village moving forward? Click here to select which seal you would choose.