Message to Our Membership |
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Dear Members,
Our ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be held on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm in person at the Scarsdale Library Scott Room and online via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. Doors/Zoom open at 7:30 for socializing with a meeting start time of 8 pm. There will be several votes on the agenda, including our annual vote for next year's Vice President (who will automatically become President the following year), Treasurer, Secretary, two members of the Nominating Committee, and three Directors-at-Large, in addition to approval of two committee reports. All members of the public are welcome, but Forum members will need to be current with their dues to vote. Register to attend in person or via Zoom. Proxy instructions follow below.
I'd like to extend my sincere thanks to all Forum members, our Board, officers, numerous committee chairs for their important committee work on reports of importance to the public, and many others who have served and supported the Forum during these extraordinarily challenging times. We hope to see many of you on May 19th as we transition to our new leadership team, including our next Forum President, Susan Douglass.
It has been my great privilege to serve as Forum President this past year, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue on the Board, working with you on our shared mission to provide a platform for meaningful community dialogue about issues relevant to Scarsdale residents.
Best wishes,
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Notes from the Board of Directors |
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SAVE THE DATE and REGISTER: our ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is on Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 pm --In Person at the Scarsdale Library Scott Room or via Zoom. Doors/Zoom open at 7:30 for socializing with a meeting start time of 8 pm. Officers, At-Large Directors, and Nominating Committee members will be elected, so all members are encouraged to attend. Forum members will need to be current with their dues to vote.
Here's what you need to do to be ready for our meeting on May 19:
2. If you wish to participate either in person or by Zoom, REGISTER HERE. As always, the meeting is free and open to the public.
Finally, please remember to check that you are current with your dues so that you are eligible to vote and fully participate in the meeting.
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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 at their earliest convenience Committee Co-Chairs Ed Morgan at eamlaw@optonline.net, and Barry Meiselman at barwest2@aol.com.
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Downtown Revitalization
The Committee worked jointly with the Municipal Services group on a Report exploring the possibility of creating a Business Improvement District (a "BID") in the Village Center. The Committee also compiled a summary of its reports for use in the planning stage of the Village's Complete Streets project, and members attended the Village consultant's walking audit of the downtown area and select roads on March 29. If you would like to participate or join the Downtown Revitalization Committee, please contact Chair Susan Douglass, susanudouglass@gmail.com.
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Education
The Education Committee, following its seminal Report on collaborative communications among school stakeholders, is preparing a report on student mental health challenges. The Committee also plans to explore: civics curriculum as it relates to elections , the process for the search for a new superintendent, and a variety of other issues having an impact on students, teachers, parents, and the Board of Education. Please Contact Chair Barry Meiselman, barwest2@aol.com.
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Recreation
The Rec Committee agenda includes the condition of the playing fields and bicyclist safety, among other recreation issues of importance to the community. The Committee will be participating in the joint committee work on the future of the Pool Complex. Any member interested in chairing the committee should contact President Eli Mattioli, elimattioli@gmail.com.
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Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs
The SFA Committee released its Report commenting on the Village's Tentative Budget on March 28, 2022. The Committee will be participating in the joint committee work on the future of the Pool Complex. All Forum members are encouraged to share their views on the budget with the Mayor and the Trustees. Please contact Chair Anne Hintermeister with any questions, 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 possible alternatives for the Village to re-envision the Pool Complex. Anyone interested in taking part in this joint committee project should contact Municipal Services Chair Madelaine Eppenstein, Scarsdale Fiscal Affairs Chair Anne Hintermeister, or Forum President Eli Mattioli. More information about the Village Pool Complex project is included in the Municipal Pool Complex Market Study and Existing Conditions Survey here. Forum members are encouraged to participate in upcoming Village surveys regarding the pool.
Municipal Services members are encouraged to participate in Village Board work sessions and hearings on Scarsdale's Complete Streets plan outlined in the "Village Center Strategic Mobility and Placemaking" RFP . Copies of the Committee's three traffic safety reports were re-submitted to the Village for use in the planning stage of its Complete Streets project.
Municipal Services has been following up on recommendations made in its joint Committee Report (with the Sustainability/Climate Resilience group) on "Gas Leaf Blowers, Leaf Vacuuming, and Leaf Mulching" and in the most recent Municipal Services Report on 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. Please contact 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. Recognizing the absolute inter-dependency between the health of our environment and our own health, the Committee continues to support recycling, green energy, storm preparedness, and Scarsdale's Climate Smart Community initiatives. Recent work focuses on: landscape management including the promotion of mulch mowing and grass recycling over street leaf pile vacuuming; a total ban on the use of gas blowers and the elimination of non-organic and environmentally harmful pesticide use; and year-round containerized pick-up of yard waste and excess leaves instead of the environmentally counterproductive practice of leaf vacuuming. The collaboration with other Forum committees produced the Report on banning smoking in outdoor village spaces and opting out of retail cannabis dispensaries until state regulations are promulgated and can be assessed. Both initiatives were adopted by the Village Board on December 14, 2021, and the no-smoking local law took effect on January 1, 2022. Please contact Chair Darlene Le Francois Haber, dlefranc@montefiore.com.
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ZONING AND PLANNING
The scope of the Committee covers zoning issues generally, and in the context of future development. Any member interest in chairing the Committee should contact President Eli Mattioli, elimattioli@gmail.com.
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Community Events, News & Resources |
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SCARSDALE WOMAN'S CLUB
TUESDAY May 10 at 7 pm, 37 Drake Road, the Scarsdale Woman’s Club "Programs at Seven" section has invited Emma K. Lagle to present an update on developments in implementing solutions for energy and climate challenges during the past decade. She will discuss the current goals of renewal energy, legislation, and the economic and incentive benefits to property owners.
SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION AND BUDGET VOTE
TUESDAY May 17, 2022 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Location: Scarsdale Middle School, 134 Mamaroneck Road,
See information from School Board HERE.
The Scarsdale Forum does not endorse any candidates for office; this notice is solely intended to inform the community about opportunities to participate in Scarsdale public affairs.
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION: MONDAY morning MAY 30, 2022 AT SCARSDALE VILLAGE CENTER.
THE SCARSDALE FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP AID
REMINDER and DEADLINE JUNE 1, 2022: Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School or lived in Scarsdale during their high school years and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2021-2022 academic year, the Foundation awarded need-based grants totaling $139,000 to 31 students attending private and state-supported colleges and universities.
Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year should be submitted online from the Scarsdale Foundation’s website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Questions should be directed to Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Anne Lyons or B. Kathleen Munguia at: scarsdalefoundationscholarship@gmail.com.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping students in need pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website or mailed to the Scarsdale Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
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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. Check the Village Board calendar here.
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Scarsdale Forum Inc.
Scarsdale Forum Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904 the Forum has contributed meaningfully to village affairs through written reports, public speakers, events, and committee discussions. Membership is open to all Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Strip residents, regardless of citizenship status. Forum Focus is distributed to Scarsdale Forum members generally in 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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