It has been a busy and super productive week here in Ossining.
Eco-warriors stand strong for increased state funding to protect the environment, especially our precious Hudson River! The proposed New York State budgets include unprecedented investment in environmental initiatives. Environmental groups, including Riverkeeper, Green Ossining, Scenic Hudson, and Clearwater, applauded NYS State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef for their commitment to combatting climate change and creating a more sustainable world and to urge that all the proposed funding be included in the final budget which is being negotiated at the State level of government this week. I believe that our State representatives have been super supportive in a material way of our mission to become the Greenest Village in the Country.
It is always a pleasure to have U.S. Congressman Mondaire Jones and New York State Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, and many local representatives visit Ossining. I had a chance to speak to each of them individually on projects we have in our plan to improve the lives of our residents and add some vigor to our business community which I believe can use their material support. I am grateful for all that our State and Federal representatives do for us in Ossining. We have secured, with their help, more grants and other resources for infrastructure and programs than ever before.
The Village of Ossining has commenced a study in concert with the New York State Department of Transportation to understand better how the U.S. Route 9 corridor within the Village can be reimagined to break down the divide between the east and west side of the Village and better connect the two neighborhoods. The project also includes plans to create more parking for local businesses and residents and improve walkability. New York State established Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to guide this study and review and provide feedback on interim and final study products. The TAC consisted of staff from the Village of Ossining, representatives from the Village of Ossining Board of Trustees, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and consulting firms. The TAC convened monthly to review progress and advance the study. Last Friday, representatives of the Village, Town, State, consulting teams, and representatives from the office of Senator Reichlin-Melnick and Congressman Jones met in person and toured the area to move the project to its next milestone steps. This is an exciting project for the Village.
