April 30, 2024

On April 17^th, the Village Board of Trustees proudly approved and promoted several members of our Ossining Police Department. They are as follows:

• Detective Division Commander of George Byrne
• Detective appointment of Anthony Perillo
• Police Lieutenant Appointment of Michael Lantz
• Police Sergeant Appointment of Joseph Schwartzman
• Police Sergeant Appointment of Jason DaSilva

More good news on the police front… The Ossining Police Department has received two grants from the New York State Department of Homeland Security (DHSES) for the Fiscal year 2021 (the grants are backlogged a few years, so yes, that's not a typo). These grants are highly competitive, so we are especially proud to have won them. For both grants, we received the maximum award.

The first of two grants is for $50,000 and is to target hardened areas of Critical Infrastructure, Key Resources, and Mass Gathering (CIKR for short). The funding for this grant is earmarked to target hardening the area of Spring Street and Main Street. The project consists of several close-circuit TV cameras as well as automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras. The idea is that the camera system can be used by us as a force multiplier, particularly during times when the area is used for large-scale mass gathering events (Dia de Portugal and Padres Hispanos festivals, etc.). Additionally, the camera system can aid the police department in solving crimes and aid in the overall quality of life. For example, the cameras could assist in locating a missing child or vulnerable adult (Alzheimer's / dementia patient, etc.).

The second of the two grants is the Tactical Team targeted grant. This grant is for $75,000 and is to aid in maintaining a New York State-accredited tactical team. Our agency is one of only 30 accredited tactical teams in New York State, and this funding will help us to maintain and strengthen our team. We will utilize this funding to pay for training and equipment to keep our tactical team current with both training standards and equipment. Much of this equipment and training is expensive and would typically be beyond the reach of our agency without the aid of the grant. 

Community policing… Sergeant McGovern and SRO Valencia got to hang out with the AMD Drone Club. Who do you think had more fun, the kids or the cops?

This year, the Village of Ossining celebrated Arbor Day at Brookside School with the Town of Ossining, our Assemblywoman, State Senator, and the OUFSD! Arbor Day 2024 marks the third year the Village has celebrated the Tree City distinction.

Did you know that Arbor Day has been celebrated in the United States since the 1800s, when pioneer J. Sterling Morton and his wife planted an abundance of trees, shrubs, and flowers in their new home in the Nebraska Territory, sharing their passion for trees and agriculture with their neighbors. In 1872, Morton proposed a tree-planting holiday to the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, and with that, Arbor Day was born.

As Tree City USA designees, the Village of Ossining continues to look for ways to care for trees and add trees back into the environment through legislation, policies, grant funding from New York State, and annual tree-planting celebrations.

We have received numerous emails and calls from Village residents on the challenges of navigating a growing number of potholes. Some complaints have even suggested that state roads in wealthier Westchester communities seem better-taken care of than Ossining. The most traveled and hardest-hit State roads in Ossining are Route 9, Route 9A, and Route 133. As our community knows, those State roads have much to be desired. Thankfully, the Village Board has budgeted significant increases for Village-owned roads and sidewalks in the past three years. As a result, our Public Works department has redone many of our downtown roads, e.g., Dale and Broad Streets, Main Street, and the five-way intersection in our downtown etc.

Unfortunately, many of the problematic roads belong to the State, and our local municipality is prohibited from working on them. The most problematic areas are Route 9 (Highland Ave), Route 9A and the on/off ramps, and Route 133 – where the asphalt that is put down lasts only weeks instead of years and has become a major challenge. 

For issues with our State roads, I suggest reaching out to state representatives for assistance:

State Senator Peter Harckham

• Email: harckham@nysenate.gov
• Phone: 914-241-4600 (District Office) / 518-455-2340 (Albany Office)

Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg

• Email: levenbergd@nyassembly.gov
• Phone: 914-941-1111 (District Office) / 518-455-5348 (Albany Office)

This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place at 7:30PM on Wednesday, May 1^st, at the Court House.

Some items of note:

1. A public hearing on a local law that looks at changes to Chapter 249 (Vacant Buildings and Storefront Registry).
2. Chair Jennifer Cabrera of the CPCRB will join us for their annual update.
3. The Board will have a resolution adopting a Negative Declaration under SEQR with respect to the proposed amendments to Chapter 270 (Zoning).
4. The BOT will also have a resolution to adopt changes to Chapter 162 related to the paving and re-paving of driveways and on-site stormwater management requirements.
5. The BOT will also have a resolution calling for a Public Hearing on changes to Chapter 147 (Food Establishments) related to Refreshment Licenses (as a reminder—the changes are limited to adding the definitions of "alcoholic beverage," "liquor," and "spirits," and refining the definition of "refreshment business."
6. The BOT will have a resolution to approve an agreement with Goosetown Communications for upgrades to the OFD’s paging system.

Nearly 70 households and organizations are participating, and a handy map of sales and a link to our Facebook group will be posted Wednesday at http://www.greenossining.org/tagsale. Don't forget your reusable bags!

Village of Ossining | www.villageofossining.org