October 31, 2023

I wish all that celebrate a safe and happy Halloween. I look forward to seeing Ossining's littles at tonight's Trunk of Treat in Market Square, where our local first responders and Public Works vehicles will be all decked out in Halloween themes.

Throughout the year, the folks who chair the Village’s volunteer committees, boards, and commissions present updates to the Board of Trustees. These presentations are an opportunity to discuss what each group is working on. In the case of the Recreation Advisory Committee (RAB), they have chosen to present close to the time for this year's 2024 Budget Review. RAB Chair Pat Yost brought their Capital Recommendations for the Recreation and Parks Department for 2024 (click here for presentation).

Every year at this time, we revisit our 13 volunteer committees and look to fill various openings that might be available for involved community members. We are recruiting talented and interested residents from the Village of Ossining for appointment to open positions on various Volunteer Boards, Commissions, and Committees, with the exception of the Board of Ethics, which is open to people throughout Westchester. For more information and to familiarize yourself with the various committees, please visit our website.  

Our Boards, Commissions, and Committees vary in size and involvement, yet all are designed to help shape and influence critical decisions and services for the Village of Ossining. We strive to fill all open positions with residents who are passionate and enthusiastic about serving. 

At this time, there are openings on the following Boards, Commissions, and Committees:

• Board of Architectural Review and Planning Board
• Civilian Police Complaint Review Board
• Environmental Advisory Council
• Landlord Tenant Relations Council
• Recreation Advisory Board
• Historic Preservation Commission
• Youth Advisory Board
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Please complete the online application linked below if you are interested in serving on a Board, Commission, or Committee. Interviews will be scheduled for dates in December, with appointments/selection done at the January 3rd, 2024 Reorganization Meeting.

We thank the residents of the Village of Ossining for their dedication and commitment to service.

https://www.villageofossining.org/home/webforms/application-boards-and-committees

The Village of Ossining’s 2024 Budget Review process will begin on Tuesday, November 7^th – both in person and recorded to be shared on the Village's YouTube and the meetings portal. This is one of the most essential items that come in front of the Board. Only your Village elected officials can approve the budget each year. We take great care in reviewing all the submissions presented to us by the staff, including the legal department, police, emergency crews, manager’s office, and fire department, to name just a few. We also thoughtfully review the capital projects and grants that often have significant costs and affect the infrastructure for years to come. In essence, the budget is the roadmap for the Board and staff to focus on and its priorities. I have ensured that we look at the initiatives through the lens of fiscal responsibility, equity, and the environment.

Click here to view our scheduled agendas, which include pertinent info: https://villageofossining.civicweb.net/Portal/

Did you know that early voting has begun? Registered voters can cast their ballot locally at the Joseph G. Caputo Community Ctr. during the days and hours listed above. If you cannot participate in early voting, be sure to cast your vote on Tuesday, November 7th. Voting gives us an excellent opportunity to take our children and teach them how democracy works.

Please note that due to the election activities, my next Mayor’s Message will be going out on Wednesday, November 8th.

This week’s Legislative Meeting will occur at 7:30PM on Wednesday, November 1st, at the Birdsall-Fagan Police Court Facility.

Some items of note:

• As part of Village Manager Karen D’Attore's Administrative Report, she will present the 2024 Tentative Village Budget.
• We will also have a resolution calling for the Public Hearing on the 2024 Budget on Wednesday, November 15th.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families in Maine who lost their loved ones through yet another senseless mass shooting. Thank you to the first responders who put their lives on the line, doing their best under such stressful situations. Whatever we are doing to curb this madness may need a complete revisit to support communities against these continued senseless mass killings across the country.

Daylight saving time is almost over, so get ready to "fall back" on Saturday, November 4^th! Remember to set your clocks back one hour!