The Tarrytown Link is issued the Friday after the regular Board of Trustees meeting, twice per month. We welcome community groups to contribute information about events and activities of interest to Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow residents. See more on how to submit information below. Please share this sign-up form with any friends or neighbors who may be interested in receiving regular Village updates.
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The Village recognized Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19 2024, by honoring a local, public-spirited African American family and their donation of land in what is now Patriots Park for the placement of the Captors Monument. If you want to hear the story, you can watch this video, and there will be more to come, as Village Historian Sara Mascia is working on a book. Almost a century ago, Laura Taylor, the generous donor, was misidentified on a plaque in front of the monument. A new bronze plaque will be placed alongside, and in historical dialogue with, the original.
Photo credits: Sunny McLean
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Hearty congratulations to Sergeant Samantha Schubert and Sergeant DaVonn Warner on their promotions within the Police Department. Sergeant Schubert has been with the Village of Tarrytown Police Department for nine years, and has devoted many hours to events and other efforts to enhance the Department's commitment to community policing. Sergeant Warner has been with the Tarrytown Police Department for eight years and in addition to taking advantage of as many training opportunities as he can, he brings his local expertise to the position, having been born and raised in Tarrytown and graduated from Sleepy Hollow High School. The Village is pleased to support leadership positions for both of these committed officers. | |
On Monday, June 17, the Mayor and Board gathered to cut the ribbon on a new group of pollinator plantings at the Tarrytown Metro North Station, an important gateway to the Village that is now made brighter by the hard work of the TEAC Landscape Committee led by Mai Mai Margules, the Department of Public Works, and many volunteers. A new informational sign was designed by resident Jason Williams. James and Oak Fitzgerald are Tarrytown residents who have donated funds to this planting site and other TEAC efforts, and hope to encourage other local individuals and businesses to support projects like these which beautify the Village while improving the local ecosystem. Many thanks to Metro North for their partnership on this project. | |
Photo credits: Sunny McLean | |
Board of Trustees in Brief | |
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Report from the Board of Trustees Meeting on 6.17.2024
ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.
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Memorandum of Understanding Approved to Renew Participation in Westchester Power Community Choice Aggregation Program
The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to once again participate in the Westchester Power Community Choice Aggregation Program in a 4-1 vote. Participation in the program requires a municipal commitment to participate without knowing what the final cost of the energy supply will be because the program relies on bulk purchasing from the energy supply marketplace, and therefore the size of the bidding pool, or approximately how many potential customers, must be understood in advance. Tarrytown's Board included a stipulation in the MOU with Westchester Power stating that the Village would not participate should the price exceed $0.15 per kWh. Current understanding indicates that the market will return proposals lower than that, but there may be factors that intervene to influence energy prices when Westchester Power goes out to bid in several weeks' time.
With this contract, the Board also had a choice to make about which default supply option to approve. Currently there is a shortage in Tier 2 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in New York. RECs are issued when a certified renewable energy source generates one megawatt-hour of electrical energy and supplies it to the grid. RECs enable the purchase of renewable power and assist in the growth of the renewable energy market. Because the energy supply on the grid cannot be differentiated by source, a main way to purchase a guaranteed percentage of renewable energy is by purchasing RECs, the currency of the renewable energy market.
Tier 2 RECs are those that support legacy renewable energy in the State which is mostly hydropower. Due to a shortage in the availability of Tier 2 RECs, as more programs like this one have come online, Westchester Power can only guarantee a 50% renewable energy supply at this time. However, there are two factors that may allow Westchester Power to offer a 100% renewable supply in July:
1) If the price of Tier 1 RECs is within reach when prices are announced in July. Tier 1 RECs are those that support more recent renewable energy projects like wind and solar, and are going to be made available for purchase by Westchester Power for the first time this year, and
2) If more Tier 2 RECs become available allowing for a 100% renewable supply option of Tier 2 RECs.
The Board of Trustees had to decide whether to offer the 50% renewable energy supply by default, with an opt-up option for consumers to the 100% renewable energy supply should it be made available. With this choice, if the Board wanted to choose a 100% renewable energy default option, they will need to take public action in July once prices are known. Otherwise, the default will remain at 50% renewable energy. Alternatively, the Board could approve a resolution permitting the Village Administrator to opt into the 100% renewable energy supply without Board approval.
The Board of Trustees chose to require Board action should any changes need to be made to the program going forward, and for now, the default choice will be a 50% renewable energy supply at a price to be determined in July.
Feeling Lost? Need More Info?
If this is confusing or this is the first time you are hearing about this program, the following is summary information, and more information can be found on the Village website and on the Westchester Power website.
- The program relies on an opt-out model to enable municipal bulk purchasing agreements for the energy supply. This means that when the Village enrolled in the program in 2018, all energy customers in Tarrytown that were not already signed up with an energy supplier other than Con Edison were automatically enrolled in the program unless they chose to opt out.
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Does this mean you are currently enrolled in the program? If you have not chosen a different energy supplier that is not Con Ed, and you have not opted out of the Westchester Power program by calling them or sending them an email, then you are likely still enrolled. You should check your bill, and look at the source of energy supply. Under Westchester Power that source is currently Constellation Energy.
- If you opted out of Westchester Power, you will remain opted out, and will not need to do anything when the contract renews in October 2024.
- During the first contract period (2018-2021) with Westchester Power, customers saved money on energy supply over the course of the contract. Westchester Power has a fixed rate price, while Con Ed's prices fluctuate, which means the comparison between the two changes day to day. In the second contract period (2022-2024), the Westchester Power prices have been consistently higher than Con Ed, sometimes more than double the cost.
- Westchester Power provides a renewable energy supply option. Con Ed does not provide a renewable energy supply option. Compared with other renewable energy supply choices, Westchester Power's price has been favorable, but it has consistently been higher than Con Ed's standard energy supply option since 2022.
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The energy supply is just one cost on your energy bill. Consumers do not have control over the cost of distribution which is a significant portion of the energy bill, and was approved for substantial increase by the Public Service Commission in 2023.
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Public Hearing Scheduled on CDBG Grant Applications: At the next Board Meeting on July 15th, the Village will hold a public hearing on two grant applications for the Community Development Block Grant program. The Village would like to apply for assistance for the rehabilitation of a storm water culvert on Franklin Court as well as a sidewalk replacement project in the downtown area that is eligible for CDBG funding. More details will be made available in advance of the public hearing in the Work Session documentation that will be posted on the Village website and by email to those who have signed up to receive agendas.
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Technology Grant for Police Department: The Tarrytown Police Department received a grant award from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice to install security cameras in three areas of the Village through the State's Law Enforcement Technology Program (LETECH).
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Memorandum of Understanding with Hudson Valley Regional Council: The Village applied for a grant with ten other municipalities for federal funds to upgrade facilities through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program. The Village's application sought funds to install LED lighting in the Department of Public Works Garage, Village Hall, and the Recreation Center, upgrade the HVAC system at the Pump Station on Neperan Road, and conduct energy audits in three Village facilities. The Memorandum of Understanding ensures that the Village submits grant documentation to the specification of the Environmental Protection Agency with the Hudson Valley Regional Council acting as lead applicant. The Village expects to hear about whether the grant was approved in July.
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Agreement to Provide Fire Protection Services to Glenville Renewed: The Board approved an agreement renewal with the Town of Greenburgh for the Tarrytown Fire Department to provide fire protection services to the Glenville Fire District.
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Intermunicipal Agreement to Study Curbside Collection of Food Waste for 6 Municipalities : Irvington has applied for a grant on behalf of Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Tarrytown Sleepy Hollow and Hastings to examine how and whether it is possible to establish a curbside food scraps collection program in the Rivertowns. The Board approved an IMA for the study and the administration of the grant.
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Recycle Right Agreement: Tarrytown has been lead applicant for a Recycle Right application for 18 municipalities that use it to help with scheduling of sanitation collection and information how to dispose of or recycle various items. This is the last year of participation in the program, as the county has rolled out a program for all municipalities to use, and which Tarrytown will use in the new year.
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Halloween Parade Traffic Plan: The Village will be receiving professional assistance from Stantec Consultants on how to better manage the traffic plan for the Tarrytown Halloween parade. The attendance has grown exponentially, and in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable event, the Village is seeking new ideas for how to manage the traffic safely, and how best to communicate ahead of the event, and remind visitors to find alternative ways to get to and from the parade.
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Records Management Day: Village Offices will be closed to the public on Friday, July 26, 2024 for Records Management Day.
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Coming up:
The Board of Trustees will hold its next Work Session on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:00pm. The agenda will be made available the Friday before the meeting on the Village calendar.
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Want to learn what's on the docket for the Board of Trustees? You can sign up to receive agendas in your inbox here.
Interested in what is currently before the Land Use Boards? Sign up to receive agendas in your inbox, or find them posted on the website, three days before the scheduled meeting.
Current applications before the Planning and Zoning Boards can be viewed online:
Planning
Zoning Board of Appeals
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Department of Public Works Adds Extra Organic Waste Collection Day
Beginning Monday June 24, 2024, and until further notice, the Village of Tarrytown Department of Public Works Sanitation Division will conduct organic waste collection on Mondays and Tuesdays in addition to their daily regular scheduled trash collection assignment. Thursday collection will remain on a village-wide basis.
After the collection of trash on their daily route, the sanitation crew will double back on their respective collection route to pick up organic waste.
We are offering this to our residents at this time as more landscapers and property owners are conducting weekend cleanup of their properties and subsequently putting out the organic waste earlier than Thursdays.
We hope our residents take advantage of this added service.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Veteran Banner Program
Eagle Scout Dylan Smith is coordinating a Veteran Banner Program for the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. The banners can be ordered any time over the next several months, and will be hung in both Villages in the month of November in time for Veterans Day. To order a banner to recognize a military service member in your family, you can go to the Military Tribute Banners website and select the Village where you would like your banner to be hung. Be sure to find a high resolution photo of your family member, and follow all of the guidance to ensure a beautiful banner in their honor:
https://militarytributebanners.org/new-york/tarrytown-ny-landing-page.html
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Voting Information
If you are planning to vote in the Primary Election on June 25th, early voting is underway. Find out where your polling place is located, what times polling places are open for early voting and on Tuesday's primary election day, and more on the Westchester county Board of Elections page.
If you want to know who is on the ballot in your district and more information about the candidates, check out, https://www.vote411.org/.
The League of Women Voters has also hosted a series of debates, and the recordings can be found here: https://my.lwv.org/new-york/westchester
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Con Ed Update
Con Ed is working under a heat contingency, and work may be postponed or cancelled to protect the integrity of the system, and the health and safety of the workers.
Crest Neighborhood: Work is continuing on Highland Avenue, Union Avenue, and Marymount Avenues. This includes gas main installation and service connections.
Miller Park: 9 services remaining to be connected on Miller Avenue. Paving is planned for the week of July 15th in the Miller Park neighborhood including Bridge Street, Glen, Independence, Park, MacArthur, and Miller Avenues.
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Friends of the RiverWalk Hosting Work Day on Saturday
Message from the Friends of the Riverwalk :
Saturday the heat wave continues with a moderate chance of rain. We will be at our station at the end of West Main Street pursuing trash and invasive vines. The RiverWalk generally offers a breezy walk and shady trees at its south end.
Our Pruning Project continues. We will focus on invasive vines including a not-yet-identified invasive shrub/vine this week that has invaded the beds west of the West Main circle. Work has begun near the circle. See attached photo.
Trash bags, granola bars and water will be offered at the welcome table. A limited supply of tools and adult and child gloves are available. Please join us to help keep the RiverWalk clean and beautiful. We recommend gloves, hats and seasonal clothing, sunscreen and bug spray. A reminder that depositing your trash in the appropriate cans or taking it with you when you leave goes a long way to a cleaner park. Extra hands make a big difference. Consider donating some time to this special place. A flyer with workday dates is on our website www.frw-ttown.org. The next workday is July 20th.
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Open Streets: Celebrating Mothers in May and Pride in June | |
Many thanks to Jenifer Ross and her work with the Tarrytown Recreation Department to produce the first two Open Streets of the 2024 season. This year, the Village is skipping July and August, and will open up the streets again on Sunday, September 15 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage. Thanks also to the Tarrytown Police Department and the Department of Public Works for keeping the streets safe and clean for all to enjoy. | |
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RECREATION RUNDOWN
For information about all of the upcoming events and programs organized by the Recreation Department, click here, or sign up to get the news straight to your inbox every other week.
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Find the latest TEAC Newsletter here: | | | |
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Zoning Board Meeting, 6/10, 7:30pm
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Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council, 6/10, 7:30pm
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Board of Trustees Work Session,,6/12, 6:00pm
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Planning Board Work Session, 6/13, 8:45am
- Board of Trustees Meeting, 6/17, 7pm
Learn more by visiting the Boards and Committees pages on our website.
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The Village of Tarrytown benefits from engaged, caring, and talented residents who volunteer their time and expertise to help create the community they want to inhabit. There are many opportunities to serve, whether contributing to the vision and development of public spaces, environmental issues, housing affordability, transportation challenges or recreation programs. Find out more about the Village’s many Boards and Committees and fill out a volunteer application by visiting: tarrytownny.gov/volunteer-to-serve
For all those who apply to serve on a Committee, because vacancies may be limited, we would like to include you on a general volunteer list for one-off events that may arise. Please indicate in your application whether you are willing to be contacted if the need arises.
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Do you have a Community Event to include in the Tarrytown Link?
The Tarrytown Link is released the Friday after the Regular Board of Trustees meeting, twice per month. All info must be submitted by noon on the Wednesday prior to the Tarrytown Link's release. Submissions included in this listing are intended solely to inform of events and info of general interest to subscribers in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. No events that are religious or political in nature will be posted. The Village of Tarrytown does not necessarily endorse, support or take any position with regard to organizations or entities whose events and/or activities are listed. The Village makes no representation as to the accuracy thereof, nor does it assume any liability in connection with same. The Village reserves the right to reject submissions if the proposals received are not timely or do not adhere to these guidelines in part or in full. If submitting a flyer, please consider submitting a translation in Spanish as well.
You may submit a flyer (jpg or png) or text in the format below:
Title:
What: [Limit description to 100 words or less]
When:
Where:
Contact: [Name of organization/ individual, phone, email]
To review the Village newsletter guidelines, please click here.
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