Town of Bedford

March 24, 2023

From the Supervisor

Dear Bedford,

Tomorrow is The Power of Trees Community Forum for everyone who cares about nature and our environment. Hosted by Bedford 2030 at Fox Lane High School from 9-1 there will be something for everyone. The free expo (vendors, organizations, activities) is fun for people of all ages and if you buy a ticket you can go to workshops and speakers. Full event information is below but here is a quick link to Register. Hope to see you there!

The Town Board met on Tuesday evening and heard a presentation by the Town Comptroller which confirmed that the Town is managing its finances well, showing strong projections to maintain a healthy fund balance and the ability to continue to provide quality services to residents in the years ahead. I appreciate the work of the Town Board to develop a reasonable budget within the tax cap, and we greatly appreciate all of the departments heads who manage their budgets well while always maintaining and improving our town. Thanks to the hard working Finance Department staff for all that they do to receive, pay, report, project, and make sure it all adds up.

A reminder that your 2023 County and Town Tax Bills have been issued and will soon be in mailboxes. The last day to pay without penalty is May 1st, so please plan accordingly.

Happy to see the Recreation and Parks brochure is out and spring is in the air!

Please feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns. As always, I am happy to hear from you.

Be well,

Ellen

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Town Announcements & Reminders

2023 County & Town Tax Bills

Your county/town Tax Bill is in the mail. Please pay your taxes on time or there is a penalty.

The last day to pay your 2023 County & Town Tax without penalty is May 1, 2023.

For ways in which you can make your payments, please click here.

For information please contact

Amy M. Dickan, Tax Receiver at receiver@bedfordny.gov or 914-666-4475

Rec and Parks Spring/Summer Brochure is out!

Pools, parks, camps, fun! Check out the Recreation and Parks Spring/Summer Brochure. Registration for programs and pools begins on March 29. Camp registration opens on April 10.

See Program Brochure

Friendly Reminder

As Spring returns and many of us turn to cleaning up our yards, keep in mind that gas-powered leaf blower use is permitted only during the month of April. As always, the best approach is to skip the blowing altogether as it is very polluting, destroys the soil needed for spring growth and harms wildlife, and spews particulate matter into the air. But if necessary, electric blower use is permitted all year. Violations, whether by landscapers or residents, may be subject to fines. For more information, click here

Town Board News

Autism-Friendly Town Task Force Forming

In our on-going commitment to inclusion, the Town Board established a task force to develop a road map to understand obstacles, recommend actions, and form an alliance to support residents with neurodiverse disabilities and their families. Over the last twenty years, Autism spectrum disorder diagnoses have almost tripled, but there is a lot of work to do to remove barriers and destigmatize this dis/ability. Bedford has long been committed to protecting and enhancing the life, safety and security of all residents and intends to launch an alliance of residents, businesses, organizations, and the Town that will place a dedicated focus on this important cohort of citizens.

Monarch Pledge

The Bedford Town Board was pleased to sign a resolution at Tuesday's Board meeting in support of the "Mayor's Monarch Pledge," designed to help leaders educate communities on what they can do to help rebuild pollinator habitats. Fortunately, with the help of the Bedford Conservation Board, Healthy Yards, Westchester Pollinators, Bedford 2030, and others we are already doing this! Our Town is committed to improve habitats, reduce harmful practices, increase native species, and remove invasive species for monarchs and more.

The monarch butterfly population has seen major declines in recent years, and less than one percent of the west monarch population remains. Let's do our part to protect pollinators.

Business in Bedford

In our commitment to supporting our business community and with a view toward positioning Bedford as a “place to do business,” progress is underway, highlights include:

Establishment of The Bedford Economic Alliance (BEA), including an inaugural event on May 4th (stay tuned!);
Collaboration with property owners & business groups;
Discussions about a business promotion event/cooperative for Bedford Hills;
Understanding business-related town processes to improve and better facilitate business opportunities;
Development of business section on new website.

Our business promoter, Laurie Hilliard, volunteers and town board members are hard at work supporting these activities and more.

Finance Department Update - Comptroller Zambrano

Comptroller Abe Zambrano provided the community with an update of the Finance Department responsibilities and provided an walked through of key five year projections.

They're Doing the Work:

· Maintaining the finances of 34 Funds;

· Recording all revenues received by the Town & Managing Payroll

-including taxes collected by the Town’s Tax Receiver

-all other sources

· Managing the issuance and sale of Bonds to finance capital acquisitions and projects;

· Managing all banking relationships;

· Serving as the Town’s Parking Bureau

· Managing and oversight of the Town’s EV Charging Stations;

· Maintaining records and revenues of alarm systems of residents;

· Third-party financial and compliance reporting;

· Budgeting, forecasting and reporting;

· Managing external auditor and audit process

We're on Track

To access five-year projections for the general fund, highway fund, water districts and park districts:

Click Here

Committee Openings

So much of what make's Bedford an amazing community is the contributions of our volunteers. Currently, we have an opening in our Open Spaces Acquisition Committee and several openings in our Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee.

Board Committees Application

Summer Jobs!

College Summer Internships

The Town is seeking applications from college students residing in Bedford who wish to intern for approximately 10 weeks this summer. We are looking for friendly, outgoing candidates who are interested in municipal government and who can take the initiative to see a project from start to completion. There are openings available in a number of departments within the Town, and these positions are paid.

Apply Here!

Summer Jobs with Rec and Parks

Rec & Parks hiring for a full range of positions. Camp, pools, seasonal labor.

Click here to apply.

Community Events and Announcements

Saturday, March 25th 9am-1pm

Fox Lane High School

Attend workshops, speakers, and Expo

Advance registration is $25, includes breakfast/brunch - cost is $35 at door
$10 breakfast/brunch only ticket
Expo is free but advance registration welcome

Attend the FREE EXPO with over 60 organizations and tree-friendly businesses. Family friendly with lots of great activities for kids!

Butterflies at Lasdon Arboretum

This exhibit is age appropriate for PreK through 8 years old and looks like a fun way to learn about butterflies through play.

Author Talk by Ilyon Woo

Tuesday, March 28, 7:30pm on Zoom

Author Ilyon Woo will discuss her book Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Jounrey from Slavery to Freedom which tells the story of an historic escape by an enslaved couple.

Palm Sunday Service at Peppino's

Sunday, April 2nd

9:00 am

116 Katonah Ave, Katonah

Interdenominational service sponsored by: Katonah Presbyterian Church, Katonah United Methodist Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, First Church of Christian Scientist & St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. For more information:

Revmelissaboyer@gmail.com or

pikerrdif@aol.com or 914-617-9606