Happy Friday! Hope this week has treated you kindly.
On Sunday, the Town and its two villages came together with our emergency service organizations for our annual remembrance of 9/11. We are grateful to the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department for annually organizing this event to honor those lost that day as well as the first responders who we lost as the result of their heroism. State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef joined us, as did Chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, Catherine Borgia.
In other news, my office has received word that the notification mailing for the new Westchester Power electricity supply contract has gone out. Sustainable Westchester will be hosting ten additional information sessions - eight in English and two in Spanish - where residents can get the facts about the new contract and ask questions.
This is particularly important after a Lohud headline spurred some misinformation about what the contract might mean for customers who remain opted in. While it is true that Westchester Power rates are going up, it is also true that all suppliers are experiencing high prices that are expected to increase further. Con Edison issued a press release last week indicating that they anticipate increased prices this winter; click here to read more about what they’re predicting and to learn about options for energy conservation and managing increasing costs.
In the long run, the biggest benefit of the 100% Green Westchester Power option is reducing our carbon footprint. But another key benefit of the Westchester Power program is that rates remain fixed over the course of the two year contract, which means your bills will be more predictable. Opting out of the program could mean risking big price swings, similar to what some people experienced this past winter. Cost savings in one month could be wiped out by big bills in another.
I encourage everyone to get all of the facts about your options to make the best possible decision for your households. In addition to the information provided by Con Edison above, residents can click here to view the Westchester Power site with schedules for upcoming webinars, FAQs and more information.
Now to something more fun: Who else is looking forward to Car Free Day? We’re kicking off the fun tomorrow, September 17, at the Farmer’s Market with a demonstration by Pedego Bikes and a visit from 511NY Rideshare. We also have some businesses offering fun giveaways to incentivize taking the pledge to go car-free/car-lite for a day. Special thanks to Miriam Risko of Mike Risko Music for once again helping us line up business participation! Here are the first five offers:
Take the pledge now to reduce or eliminate your car usage for at least one day during Car Free Week. Then, stay tuned to @townofossining on Facebook and/or Instagram for additional businesses being added this weekend, as well as all the rest of the car-free/car-lite fun!
If you are the owner of a local brick & mortar business that would like to support Car Free Week, there’s still time to be part of our promotional efforts. Please fill out this Google form to let us know what you might like to offer patrons as a reward for participating and we will add your establishment into the rotation.
Join us for a town hall at next Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, in which we will discuss the Town’s application for a New York Forward grant. For those who are unaware, the New York Forward program is very similar to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that the Village of Ossining won in the last round, but is scaled down to meet the needs of communities without large downtowns. We have decided to put our hat in the ring for the Executive Boulevard/Stormytown Road area. The Town Hall meeting will take place Tuesday, September 20 at 7:30 PM. Click here to join the meeting, learn more and share your input.
A reminder that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has begun to draw down water levels in the New Croton Reservoir to allow for routine operational inspections of the New Croton Dam and spillway. As DEP begins lowering the water level of the reservoir, there will be significant increases in the flow of water into the Croton River. Members of the public should be extra cautious while the increased water is released into the river. Activities such as wade fishing and kayaking are discouraged, as the fluctuating flow in the river could make them unsafe. The increased release is expected to continue until approximately September 27th. More details in the message below.
Lastly, a tax reminder - school tax bills have been sent out, and payment for the first half is due by September 30. If you pay directly instead of through an escrow account and have not received your bill yet, please call the Tax Receiver’s office at (914) 762-8790. You can also view and pay your bill online at the Tax Receiver’s page of our website: https://www.townofossining.com/cms/receiver-of-taxes.
That’s all for now! For ideas for what to do this weekend and beyond, keep scrolling. Note that we are now back to our regular meeting and office schedule, and are also back to hybrid meetings. You can still participate and watch remotely. We will be in person at 16 Croton Ave. Hope to see you soon!
--Dana
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