September 28, 2022
MAYOR'S UPDATE
From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin
Following is a work schedule sent to the Village from ConEd:
A Con Edison contractor, Danella Construction, will be working in our area on the Gas project. Con Edison expects work to commence from September 23 to December 2022.

How the Work Could Affect Your Service

To complete their work, Con Edison may temporarily interrupt your gas service. If they need to interrupt your service, a Con Edison employee or contractor will contact you by phone or in person to schedule the time.

To help protect everyone from coronavirus (COVID-19), they will only interrupt service with your permission; their employee or contractor will wear a face covering and gloves at all times and maintain six feet social distance wherever possible while they are in your home.

If you have questions about the upcoming work or concerns about private facilities buried in your lawn, such as sprinkler lines or electric dog fences, please email

CustomerQuestions@conEd.com and reference your job identification number WG21018208. The Con Edison construction supervisor is Renaldo Hemans.

Please note: There is usually a delay between the end of the project and the final landscaping or paving restoration, which is completed by different contractors.

Please email dl-WestchesterRCA@conEd.com if you have any questions or concerns.
The Westchester Power program electricity service will resume in November, ending the current pause during which customers returned to Con Edison supply. The program rates of 15.128 cents per kWh for 100% NYS renewable supply and 13.364 cents for standard supply will be fixed until meter read dates in November 2024.

In the next few days, current active participants will be receiving a program notification letter in their mailboxes.

Please note that no action is required on your part – as you will be automatically enrolled in the program. You do not need to take action to enroll in the program because your energy supply status and choice will be reinstated.

***WAYS TO OPT OUT***

To learn more about how Westchester Power Electricity Supply Resumes in Con Ed Utility Area, click here: https://sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedterritory/#events
On Thursday, I joined our Village Engineer, Village Planner, and our consulting engineers to observe a "Firetruck Maneuver Test," for which Star of Bethlehem Church lent their parking lot. As part of the planning process for the all-affordable, mixed-income development at 30 Water Street (aka the old DPW site), the development team is working closely with our first responders to ensure that all areas of the building can be accessed during an emergency.

Our Fire Chiefs were joined by Trustee Robert Fritsche (who, on Thursday, was wearing his OFD hat) to participate in two exercises: One to ensure that the 30 Water Street property has an adequate turning radius for the ladder truck, and the other to make certain that the ladder could reach the top of the proposed building.
I am thrilled to announce that we are one step closer to adding solar power to our Operations Center and constructing a solar canopy at the train station parking lot. Stay tuned for more on these exciting initiatives. 

In 2019, the Village participated in the NYPA (NY Power Authority) RFP process for municipally-sited solar installations. Two of the three properties we included in our response were chosen: the Ossining Train Station (for a solar canopy) and the John-Paul Rodrigues Operations Center (for a roof-mounted array).

We are getting close to the start of installation on the Operations Center project, which will begin to mobilize in October. The construction should be completed by the end of 2022, with the system ready to go online in Spring 2023.

Through our partnership with Sustainable Westchester, the solar energy from this project will be available to several dozen low-income property owners within the Village. As a municipality, the Village will receive annual lease payments for decades to come.

Last week, a representative from Ecology (the developer of the solar array) met with Village Engineer Paul Fraioli to go over final details for staging prior to the start of construction.
New York State Green Dates to Remember:

  • Second Tuesday of the Month: Sustainability Lunchtime Learning Webinars – A monthly series covering numerous topics of interest, such as choosing a green cleanser, climate-friendly air conditioning, and water conservation. Pre-registration is required.
  • September - October: Fall Foliage Report – Before you head out on your leaf-peeping adventure, check out the fall color report. The foolish in the Catskills and Adirondacks are amazing this time of the year. 
  • September 30: Anniversary of the Montreal Protocol Signing – The Montreal Protocol regulated the use of fluorocarbons, which deplete the ozone layer, but we still need to be mindful of how we dispose of refrigerated household appliances.
  • October 16: World Food Day – Purchasing locally grown food reduces fossil fuel emissions from cross-country transportation, improving air quality for everyone.
  • October 18: Federal Clean Water Act was enacted this day in 1972. By conserving electricity, you can help reduce the effects of acid rain on our waterways.
  • October 31: Halloween – Consider keeping your trick-or-treating local by walking house to house or to outdoor fall celebrations. It will help keep our air clean.
Congratulations to Frank Bignell and James D’Angelo for their active memberships in the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department. As a community, Ossining is grateful for their many years of loyal service.
This week’s Work Session will be held on Wednesday, 9/28, at 16 Croton Avenue at 7:30PM—we are looking forward to seeing everyone in person.
The following topics will be covered during the Work Session:
  • Jackie Shaw will be with us to discuss a renewal of IFCA’s annual contract to administer affordable housing for the Village. The proposed 2023 agreement is attached here.
  • As a result of the BOT passing Local Law #6 of 2022 (changes to Parking), we have been hard at work getting ready, across multiple departments, for the changes! Clerk Donnelly and Assistant Village Manager Maddi Zachacz will give a short update on where we are/ where we are headed (and the budget implications of both).
  • The Kiosk at Gourdine Park's lease agreement is coming to a close, and the folks at Bigfoot Creamery are looking to enter into a new agreement with us. We will discuss signing a new lease.
  • Representatives from Wilder Balter Partners will join us to discuss their request for a Special Permit for 30 Water Street.
  • Village Engineer Paul Fraioli will be with us to give an update on the 5 Corners Intersection project.
  • Finally, there will be a discussion regarding the proposed changes to the Village Noise Ordinance, which currently exempts certain activities from decibel restrictions, even in residential neighborhoods.
Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org