In the Spirit

Downtown businesses are getting ready for a busy Halloween season. More to come with Scarecrow Making on October 15th and Window Painting on October 19th, More cars are needed for the Trunk or Treat festivities on October 21st, so sign up and deck out your vehicle to hand out treats and  enter to win a prize. Registrations are still open to enter a float in the Halloween Parade. Get your neighborhood, organization, or group together, or just your own fabulous costumed self, and join the 20th annual parade which is sure to be the best one yet! 

Village Offices Closed on Monday, October 10 for Columbus Day

TARRYTOWN DPW SANITATION SERVICES ARE CHANGED ARE AS FOLLOWS:

GARBAGE COLLECTION………………………

• MONDAY: NO COLLECTION.
• TUESDAY:  ALL REGULARLY SCHEDULED MONDAY RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION INCLUDING COMMERCIAL DISTRICT GARBAGE COLLECTION.
• WEDNESDAY: ALL REGULARLY SCHEDULED TUESDAY RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION. INCLUDING CO-OP GARBAGE COLLECTION (ONLY PICKUP OF THE WEEK). METAL COLLECTION.
• THURSDAY: SEE RECYCLING SCHEDULE BELOW. NO GARBAGE COLLECTION, NO YARD WASTE*.
• FRIDAY: COMMERCIAL DISTRICT GARBAGE COLLECTION. RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION OF BULK ITEMS ONLY.

RECYCLING COLLECTION…………………………

• MONDAY: NO COLLECTION.
• TUESDAY: CO-OP/CONDO RECYCLING COLLECTION. COMMERCIAL DISTRICT CARDBOARD.
• WEDNESDAY: NO RECYCLING COLLECTION
• THURSDAY: RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING. COMMERCIAL DISTRICT RECYCLING. NO YARD WASTE*.
• FRIDAY: COMMERCIAL DISTRICT CARDBOARD ONLY. NO RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION.

* YARD WASTE COLLECTION WILL RESUME THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2022.

Village of Tarrytown Department of Public Works

(914) 631-0356

New Maximum Speed Limit in Village: 25 MPH unless otherwise posted

Due to a change in State law, the Village is permitted to reduce the maximum speed limit in the Village from 30 MPH to 25 MPH. At the October 3rd BOT meeting, the Board adopted Local Law 2022-8 which effectively means that the speed limit in the Village is now 25 MPH unless otherwise posted. Because so many streets had previously been designated 25 MPH zones (find a complete list in section 291-67 of the Village Code), this does not have a particularly wide impact. Broadway and Rt. 119 are not affected because they are State roads and the Village Board does not have control over the speed limit on those roads. The Police Department will work with the Department of Public Works and the Village Administration to change signage where needed. 

East Sunnyside Lane to close beginning Monday, October 10

Beginning Monday, October 10th, East Sunnyside Lane will be closed due to the replacement of gas mains by Con Edison. Road closures will be in place Mondays through Saturdays from 7 am to 5pm.  

The project will begin at Broadway, closing East Sunnyside Lane between Broadway and Hudson View Park. Until further notice, residents who live off East Sunnyside Lane will need to use Taxter Road/ Rte. 119 for access. The project will slowly move east up East Sunnyside Lane, and the street closures will shift as the work progresses. The entire project is anticipated to continue through end April. 

Be aware that there may be a temporary suspension of gas service to homes and businesses as Con Ed disconnects & reconnects service to residences, but it should never be more than a day. An inspection may be required before service is restored. If leaks or hazards are identified in the course of inspection, they will need to be remedied by the homeowner or business owner before service is restored.

Additional Con Ed Gas Main Replacement and Paving

Con Ed work is still taking place at various places around the Village. Con Ed is increasing the number of crews at work in the Village in anticipation of the cold weather ahead. 

Paving : Will take place on North Washington Street from the Sleepy Hollow border to Dixon Street and then up Dixon Street to Broadway. Signs will be posted to let residents know when the actual paving will take place.

Gas Main Work :

• South Washington Street: Work on South Washington Street will continue through the end of October.
• Central Avenue: Work will continue on Central Avenue through the end of next week. 
• John Street: John Street will be closed next week. Police officers will be on hand to assist with resident access.
• Main Street and Miller Park : Work will start after Halloween and will likely take 3 to 5 months depending on the weather.

The gas mains are being replaced by Con Edison as per the recommendation of the Public Service Commission for the health and safety of residents. We regret the inconvenience it causes. Thank you for your patience with this important project. 

Hydrant Flushing Next Week

Dates: Tuesday October 11, 2022 - Friday October 14, 2022.

Times: 6:00 p.m. to midnight.

Location: Benedict Avenue to Cobb Lane

DPW crews will be flushing all fire hydrants between the above streets. The area of flushing will be on streets east of Rt. 9 from Benedict Avenue to Cobb Lane. Signs will be posted in the area of the affected Fire Hydrants.

The purpose of the hydrant flushing program is to perform normal maintenance – check water pressure, clear any buildup and assure the hydrant is properly functioning.

Slight discoloration in your water service may occur during the flushing period, but will quickly dissipate. The discolored water is safe for consumption but may stain clothing. Clothes washing should be delayed until the water is clear. If you experience brown water, please flush your plumbing fixtures until the water is clear (usually 10 -15 minutes).

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation. Any questions regarding this program can be directed to dpw@tarrytowngov.com or call 914-631-0356.

Love the mural?

Come join the Ribbon-Cutting on October 24th at 6:30 pm at the corner of Kaldenberg Place and Main Street. The event will be followed by a Halloween-themed fundraiser hosted by the Sleep Hollow Tarrytown Chamber of Commerce at Horsefeathers at 7pm. More details to follow.

Transportation Survey for Seniors 

The Village would like to know more about the transportation options seniors use to get to the places they need to go. Please take a few minutes to answer the questions below so that we can understand more about transportation needs. We welcome response from all seniors (age 62 and over) who live within the borders of the Village of Tarrytown.

Mobile Shredder: Oct. 29

Residents can bring up to 4 file-size (10”x12”x15”) boxes of confidential papers per household to Tarrytown, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for shredding. Please remove all large binder clips and covers. Papers from businesses, institutions or commercial enterprises are not acceptable and will be rejected, as will any junk mail or newspapers.

Climate-adaptive Design Studio

Tomorrow, there will be a table at the TaSH Farmers Market in Patriots Park where you can give feedback for the Climate-adaptive Design Studio team, or you can engage by filling out this survey: 

English version - https://tinyurl.com/CAD-Tarrytown-eng

Spanish version - https://tinyurl.com/CAD-Tarrytown-sp

The survey will be open until October 29. 

For more information about the project, we have a Climate-adaptive Design Studio page on our website where we will gather information throughout the semester.

These are the presentation slides from the September 9th meetings that include information about flood projections through 2080 and potential estimated costs for the Village associated with future storm damage.

This summary of the meeting discussions reflects both concerns about and visions for the Village waterfront from community members.

This free online mapping tool sponsored by Scenic Hudson allows you to see impacts on our shoreline for different ranges of projected sea level rise.

Some of the other tools used by the DEC and Cornell to estimate costs and impact of seal level rise:

The Columbia University Hudson River Decision Support System Tool:

http://www.ciesin.columbia.edu/hudson-river-flood-map/

Sea Level Affecting Marshes Modelling Tool (SLAMM): 

https://longislandsoundstudy.net/research-monitoring/slamm/

The above resources are models so they are not precise, but can help us estimate what may be possible in the future.

The Cornell Students will return to Tarrytown on October 19 and again on December 12. Stay tuned for more info! 

Library Survey 

As part of developing a new long range plan the Warner Library is working on getting community input on the library via a survey. Please let the library know how they can serve you now and going forward: .https://warnerlibrary.org/future-planning/

The survey is also available on paper in the library and in Spanish.

Westchester Power Program and Energy Prices

The choice of whether to opt in or out of the Westchester Power Program continues to be a difficult one for many households. The Westchester Power rate for electricity supply is fixed, but much higher than in the previous contract (see below). Con Ed's supply rates fluctuate, and they have indicated that prices are likely to rise for a variety of reasons. Con Ed has also indicated that delivery rates will rise, and this applies to all customers, whether your supply comes from Westchester Power or Con Ed. We published the Con Ed press release on September 16 in the Tarrytown Link.

If you want to compare historical pricing for a variety of ESCOs, you can find information on the New York State Power to Choose website. Please be sure to read all of the caveats about the information that the State indicates when you first click on the site: https://documents.dps.ny.gov/PTC/home

Sustainable Westchester also includes historic pricing information for Con Ed and the Westchester Power program on their website:  

https://sustainablewestchester.org/wp/rates-bills/

If you previously opted out of Westchester Power, you should not be receiving communications about the new contract, and you will remain opted out of the new contract unless you deliberately opt in. If you are receiving communications about the new Westchester Power contract, please let the Village Administrator's office know: (914) 631-1785 or administrator@tarrytownny.gov.

The Westchester Power program continues to provide a 100% renewable supply option which mitigated 166,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions program-wide in 2021. They also offer a standard supply option at a slightly lower cost.

Information about the New Westchester Power Contract

The Westchester Power Electricity Supply offer in Con Edison territory has been on a temporary hiatus during the summer months, following the expiry of the most recent contract on June 30, 2022. The new supply offer will be available as of November 1, 2022.

A contract has been awarded to Constellation New Energy for a two year term that begins November 1, 2022 and runs until October 31, 2024, with rates as follows:

100% Renewable Supply: 15.128 cents/kWh

Standard Supply: 13.364 cents/kWh

Customers who were previously enrolled in the supply will be automatically re-enrolled for this new contract period. Customers can opt out of the program at any time with no costs or fees, and can elect to change their supply option at any time.

Once you receive a notification letter from Sustainable Westchester in the mail in mid-September, the following applies:

• You do not need to take action to be enrolled in the program because your status and choice of energy supply will be reinstated.
• To opt-out you can take any one of the following steps:
• Mail the opt-out form supplied with the letter.
• Visit this link to our online form.
• Email westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester.org.
• Call 914-242-4725 x111



You can compare Con Edison's rates with Westchester Power's over the last contract period on the Sustainable Westchester website.

Thank you Hackley Lake Keepers!

13 students and teachers from Hackley met at Neperan Lakes on September 25th to clean up the shoreline. They collected 18 bags of trash! Thank you to the volunteers for helping to keep our landscape beautiful. Let's all work together to keep litter out of our pathways and waterways and where it belongs - in the bin. 

Trees for Tributaries Planting : Volunteers needed 

Report From Board of Trustees Meeting 10.3.22

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

• Presentation: New Yorkers for Clean Power presented to the Board of Trustees about support for the State Climate Action Council's Draft Scoping Plan, a framework to implement the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), passed in 2019. The Board will consider a resolution of support at the next Work Session on 
• 25 MPH Speed Limit: See section above about the new local law passed to set the maximum speed limit in the Village at 25 MPH unless otherwise posted. This does not effect Broadway or Rt 119. 
• Mercy College Compatible Use Permit: Mercy College received a compatible use permit from the Board of Trustees to install 26 new parking spaces, stormwater management improvements, pedestrian pathways and landscaping to property they use for office space at 828 South Broadway. More on their application can be found in the Work Session agenda from September 14.
• Public Hearing set for October 17 on Zoning for cannabis dispensaries: The Board will consider amending Chapter 305 of Village Code to enact new provisions regulating cannabis dispensaries, The main change under consideration will restrict the type of signage permitted. The draft local law can be found at the end of the Meeting agenda from 10.3.22.
• Public Hearing set for October 17 to consider Accessory Dwelling Unit Local Law: The Board will consider a new local law to amend Village Code Chapter 305 to allow and regulate accessory dwelling units. This is a complicated subject, and the Village will release more information in the coming week about the items under consideration n the new local law. The Affordable Housing Task Force will also deliver a presentation before the public hearing to contextualize the issues under consideration. The draft local law can be found at the end of the Meeting agenda from 10.3.22.
• Increase in Taxi Fares: The Village Board voted to increase taxi fares in the Village, which have not been increased since 2017 despite fierce competition for local taxi companies by Uber and other freelance entities. However, at the next Work Session, the Board will review the fares as adopted to address concerns that have been raised about the new fare structure.
• New Fire Chief Vehicle: The Board authorized a new vehicle for the Fire Chief, replacing the oldest Chief's vehicle in the fleet. 
• New Employee for Treasurer's Office: Alexandra Algaba was appointed as Office Assistant: Financial Support to replace a vacancy left open when Susy Molina was appointed as Deputy Treasurer in May.
• New Part-Time Back-up Water Operator: Charles J. Martins will be joining the Village on a part-time basis to serve as back-up water system operator when Steve Cowles, the Water Treatment Plant operator is unavailable. 

Community Coalition Volunteer Directory

The Community Coalition has assembled a directory of volunteer opportunities throughout the Villages of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. Looking for a way to give back to your community? There is something for everyone! 

Click here for the Volunteer Directory

Click here for the Community Coalition Calendar and Directory guidelines.

New York State Small Business Seed Funding Grant Program

The successful recovery and growth of small businesses is key to New York State's future. The $200 million Small Business Seed Funding Grant Program provides grant funding to early stage small and micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations impacted by the pandemic.

The grants will be flexible and can be used for a number of different business operating expenses, including payroll, rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, PPE or other business expenses incurred between September 1, 2018 and January 1, 2022.

The application portal opens on September 14.

County Landlord Tenant Assistance Program

The Landlord Tenant Assistance Program (LTAP) will allow small landlords who own eight units or less, who maintain rent levels that are affordable to residents, to apply for up to $25,000 per unit for repairs to their rental properties. To be eligible, landlords/owners must charge rents that are affordable to households earning between no more than 60% and 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and home improvements may include, but are not limited to, roof replacement, or upgrades to electrical, windows, accessibility ramps, plumbing and heating systems. With $10M available in funds, 400 units can be rehabilitated.

Rent levels, with utilities included, must adhere to the following 2022 HUD Guidelines:

A Westchester County Rehabilitation Specialist will inspect the property after an application has been submitted to the Department of Planning. If the property qualifies, a three-party contract will be signed between the County, the landlord/owner and the contractor, for work to be completed by contractors that are licensed and insured to work in Westchester County. Funds will be disbursed directly to the contractor from the County after a progress inspection has been completed.  

Interested landlords/owners should call at (914) 995-2429 or email Gaitre Rambharose in the Westchester County Department of Planning.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988—the new universal three-digit dialing code for suicide prevention and SAMSHA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) administers the new “988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline,” which replaces the current toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

Importantly, the pre-existing 10-digit number will remain active and will connect callers to the new 988 Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is designed to become a simple alternative to both 911 and the existing 1-800 number. Calling 988 will direct the caller to representatives specifically trained in the management of suicide risk and other mental health crises. This new, simplified tool is critical for older adults and those living with a disability.

For more information, please see the following resources:

• SAMSHA, “988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline” 

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline general information