The Tarrytown Link is generally 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.

September 11th Remembered in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow

Paving Schedule for next week

Con Edison will be paving on the following roads for restoration of their gas trenches:

• N. Washington – Patriots Park to Dixon St.
• Dixon Street
• Wildey Street – Rt. 9 to Hanford Place

Scheduled Date(s) of Work: (weather permitting)

September 21-23, 2022 – 7am to 6pm

Please be aware of the following: 

• Motorists should expect rough road conditions in preparation of the road’s new pavement…
• Be advised of intermittent traffic disruptions.
• One lane of traffic will be maintained but motorists should expect sporadic road closures.(Access in/out of driveways may experience a slight delay)
• Detours to be controlled by contractor flag persons and/or by Tarrytown Police... (Dixon Street will be closed)
• Avoid travel in the vicinity of the construction zone

We appreciate your cooperation and patience and apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Village of Tarrytown Department of Public Works at: dpw@tarrytowngov.com or call 914-631-0356.

Westchester Power Program Returns

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.

The price of natural gas, one of the main sources of electricity in New York, has more than tripled over the past 18 months, due to marketplace conditions driven by global events. Market volatility and rate uncertainty necessitated a brief pause in the Westchester Power electricity service upon the lapse of the previous contract that expired on June 30, 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

The program notification letter will be in mailboxes in the next few days. Sustainable Westchester will be hosting additional information sessions about the program and the new contract during the next few weeks. We encourage anyone who would like to learn more or who has questions to attend - there are daytime and evening options listed at sustainablewestchester.org/wp/conedterritory#events 

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.

Notification letters will be sent to residents in mid-September and will contain information about the program and instructions for changing the supply options or opting out.

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

A Press Release from Con Edison for Residential Customers 

NEW YORK – Con Edison is urging customers to take actions now that can help them manage costs this winter as market prices for electricity and natural gas are expected to be substantially higher.

Though summer is still winding down, Con Edison, recognizing the hardship high bills can impose, is letting customers know what they can expect for energy costs in the winter of 2022-’23 and steps they can take to soften the impact.

The company offers energy-saving tips and a number of payment assistance options, including levelized billing, which smooths a customer’s costs out throughout the year. The company encourages customers to check out its energy efficiency incentives for upgrades customers make to their homes.

Local electric and gas companies and customers across the Northeast are facing similar circumstances. The increases in customer bills are mainly due to increases in the market cost of natural gas, which is volatile and also influences electric market costs.  

The company currently projects that its average residential natural gas heating customer using an average of 165 therms per month will pay $460 a month from November 2022 to March 2023, 32 percent more than the average bill of $348 a year earlier.

Supply costs will account for $90 of that $112 increase, while delivery charges will account for $22, under the company’s projections.

Con Edison buys natural gas and electricity on the wholesale markets and uses a variety of strategies to stabilize pricing for customers. The company does not set supply costs and does not make a profit on the supply.

Higher natural gas prices also affect the cost of electricity, since power generation plants in the Greater New York City region run mainly on natural gas.

A New York City residential customer using 300 kilowatt hours a month this winter will pay about $116, a 22-percent increase over last winter’s $95, based on current projections.

A Westchester County customer using 600 kilowatt hours a month will have an average bill of $203, a 27-percent increase over last winter’s $160, based on the company’s latest estimates.

For a small commercial customer using 583 kilowatt hours per month, bills are projected to rise $44, or 23 percent, from $194 last winter to $238.

A larger commercial customer using 10,800 kilowatt hours per month with a peak demand of 31 kilowatts will see an increase of $706, or 28 percent, from $2,524 to $3,230.

The best strategy for Con Edison’s 3.5 million customers is to carefully manage their usage.

Customers can save money on energy by using these tips:

• Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Each degree lower decreases heating costs.
• Make sure heating vents are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or anything else that could obstruct the flow of heat.
• Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect heating systems.
• Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for the hot-air furnace and heat-pump.
• Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun's energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat.
• Replace conventional light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are up to 10 times more efficient, and are widely available and affordable.

The company offers help for customers who are struggling with their bills. Con Edison can assist customers with payment plans, so that they can pay off balances over time, rather than all at once.

Con Edison is also implementing the New York State Electric and Gas Bill Relief Program, which the company helped design and propose.

Under that program, residential customers who receive qualifying government assistance will receive a bill credit on their past-due balance for service through May 1, 2022.

For customers who are enrolled in Con Edison’s Energy Affordability program or received Emergency Rental Assistance Program or Home Energy Assistance Program-Regular Arrears Supplement benefits, bill credits will be processed automatically. In addition, service will not be suspended for non-payment while credits are being processed.

Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may qualify for discounts on their monthly energy bills. Con Edison offers information on these and other forms of assistance it has available for customers.

The company’s campaign to keep customers informed about winter bills will include press outreach, e-mails, bill inserts, social media postings, conversations with elected officials and other communications.

Con Edison also notes that energy costs are changing quickly with significant shifts on a daily basis. The company will continue to refine its winter pricing forecast.

Natural gas supplies are expected to remain tight this winter, and any disruption from interstate gas transmission providers could further constrain supplies. Con Edison remains vigilant in its monitoring of operational conditions.

Try. To Go Car-Free on September 22nd

Car Free Day 2022 is Thursday, September 22! It's an international event celebrated in more than 50 countries that encourages participants to reduce their driving and instead telework, ride a train, bus, or subway, bike, walk, carpool, vanpool, or drive an electric vehicle.

Celebrate Car Free Day this year by participating in the various Car Free Day events and programs planned. 

How will you be celebrating Car Free Day?

oInvite friends to a ride on a bike path 

oJoin a carpool 

oElectric Vehicle

oVanpool

oScooter

oPublic Transit

oTelework 

Learn more and take the pledge.

Revolution on the Hudson!

Save the date for our Revolution on the Hudson! Living History Experience on the waterfront in historic Tarrytown, NY, on October 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at Pierson Park. This family-friendly event is FREE.

Revolution on the Hudson! will feature historical figures such as George Washington, Benedict Arnold, Major John André, Benjamin Franklin, and Patriot David Williams. Multiple military reenactor groups will be on-site, including a cavalry unit, the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, with several of their military horses, and Alexander Hamilton’s militia unit, Hearts of Oak. There will be craft demonstrators including blacksmithing, demonstrations of Lenape technologies, colonial-period music, a military tent encampment and a marching/parade demonstration of more than 30 soldiers with musket firing. Theatrical performances will take place at intervals on the park’s outdoor stage—providing immersive, entertaining, and educational experiences.

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.

Village Halloween Events

Click Here to register: https://www.tarrytownny.gov/parks-and-recreation-department/pages/2022-halloween-events

There are less than two weeks remaining to vote for The TaSH Farmers Market as America's Favorite Farmers Market and we're thrilled to share we're holding strong at #5 in New York and #15 in the Northeast!

This national ranking is the only annual ranking of the top farmers markets in the United States, a joint effort from Farmers Market Coalition and American Farmland Trust. Given there are more than 400 markets in New York State alone, we're feeling pretty excited about this accomplishment to-date but we need your help to secure our place in the Top 5 – and maybe just win it all!

Can we count on your vote to help us? It only takes one minute to vote. Thank you!

VOTE HERE: https://markets.farmland.org/market/tash-farmers-market/

Arts Alive Grant Opportunity 

Click here for information about the Arts Alive Grant Opportunity: https://artswestchester.org/grants/arts-alive-grant-program/

Drought Alert 

This year, Westchester experienced its 24^th driest July of the last 128 years, and is so far experiencing the 42^nd driest year of the last 128 years, with 2.13 fewer inches of rain. 100% of Westchester County is presently experiencing a ‘moderate’ drought, while 83% of the County is experiencing ‘severe drought’, as defined by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Severe drought signals a decrease in air quality, damage to specialty crops yield and fruit size, and an increase in the likelihood of wildfires.

The County’s Water Districts are required to maintain emergency supply plans that are reviewed and updated by the Department of Health every 5 years. Areas south of I-287 generally rely on reservoir water or “surface water”. Areas north of I-287 predominately rely on well water. Water Districts and relevant companies monitor the levels of well water. If a shortage in water supply appears to be developing with the well system, the Westchester County Department of Health will be notified – we will be sure to update you if this does occur.

In light of the drought, County Executive Latimer is asking encouraging adoption of the following voluntary action steps:

• Pause the use of fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire protection, public health requirements or other emergency/authorized use.
• Serve water to patrons in restaurants, clubs or eating places only if specifically requested by the customer.
• Pause any ornamental or display use of water, including such artificial displays as fountains, waterfalls, reflecting pools, lakes and ponds.
• Pause the use of hoses for street, driveway, sidewalk and/or automobile washing.
• Restrict the watering of lawns and gardens.
• Restrict the watering of golf course roughs, fairways, tees and greens as per a water restriction plan.
• Pause use of water in the power washing of the exterior of buildings unless a variance has been granted.
• Do not fill residential and commercial/public swimming pools more than once per year. (Spillage should still be replenished)

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