September 23, 2022

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.
Village News

Greetings from Tarrytown/ Saludos Desde Tarrytown

Thanks to the initiative of the Placemaking Committee, Artist Tim Grajek is nearing completion on a new mural on Kaldenberg Place at the corner of Main Street. Check it out, and stay tuned for information about a celebration co-hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Placemaking Committee in October. 

Village Tag Sale Tomorrow 


One person's junk is another's treasure. Check out the Interactive Online Map of 47 households in the Village selling their treasures in the Annual Village Tag Sale on Saturday, September 24.

Climate-Adaptive Design Studio Meeting on September 9

On September 9th at the Pierson Park Picnic Pavilion, Landscape Architecture students from Cornell University met with Village residents to talk about the future of the Tarrytown waterfront and the challenges of climate change. With the impact of flooding and inundation already felt at Village properties during extreme weather events, residents discussed concerns about how to protect Village resources and plan for the future. At the same time they discussed visions for the waterfront and the areas connecting the river to the heart of downtown. 


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! 


Con Ed Gas Main Replacement and Paving


Con Ed work is still taking place at various places around the Village


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 :


  • Central Avenue: Work will be continuing next week from lower Central Avenue to Broadway.
  • Elizabeth Street: Work continues on Saturday, September 24 to complete project.
  • Main Street : Work will start after Halloween and will likely take 3 to 5 months depending on the weather.
  • Next phases of Con Ed Work: Miller Park and Riverview neighborhoods including Miller, Park, Independence, Bridge, MacArthur, Riverview and Windle Park. We will notify with schedule when it is available. 


Thank you for your patience with this important project. 

Westchester Power Program and Energy Prices


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.


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



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


More on Westchester Power 


The following is some helpful information from Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner: 


"The ESCO everyone is signed up for unless they opted out does not guarantee you savings. It does guarantee that the rates can't go up or down between November 1, 2022 and October 31 2024.


Everyone in the town should have received a mailing within the past few days from Sustainable Westchester indicating that they are enrolled in the Westchester Power Community Energy program. 24 communities, including Greenburgh, are participating in this ESCO- providing clean renewable electricity to residents of member municipalities.

Because Westchester Power purchases electricity in bulk, NYS law authorizes the ESCO to enroll everyone in the community in the program unless they opt out or had previously opted out. Every community that is participating (including the villages within the town) has the opt out policy. 


It is important to note that there are NO GUARANTEES that you will save money. The ESCO provides a guarantee that the rates won't go up or down between November 1, 2022 and October 31, 2024. There are months that Con Ed rates will be higher. There are months that Con Ed rates will be lower. Currently, the Westchester Power 100% renewable option is higher than Con Ed rates. Last winter there were months when people were calling me asking to re-enroll in the ESCO because rates were much lower. There is a possibility that Con Ed rates could be much higher this winter.


If you want to OPT OUT you can opt out by calling 914-242-4725 X 111 or e mail westchesterpower@sustainablewestchester."

Other ESCOs


If you are considering other ESCO offers, New York State offers the opportunity to compare ESCO offers, through the Power to Choose website, but please read their words of caution and guidance when considering ESCO offers. 

Please join the Hackley Lake Keepers and TEAC on 9/25 from 10 am to 2 pm to help clean up the Tarrytown Lakes to celebrate National Cleanup Month! Community service hours will be awarded. Hope to see you there! #nationalcleanupmonth #tarrytownlakes #tarrytownny #loveyourlake

Board of Trustees in Brief

Report From Board of Trustees Meeting 9.19.22

ICYMI, you can watch Village Board meetings online.

  • Mercy College Parking: The Board authorized a Compatible Use Permit for Mercy College that will allow them to add 26 parking spaces to their Broadway campus while also making landscaping and drainage improvements.
  • Public Hearing: 25 MPH Speed Limit - A Public Hearing will be held at the next Board Meeting on October 3rd. to consider adopting a local law to make the speed limit in the Village 25mph except where otherwise denoted.
Upcoming Meetings




Learn more by visiting the Boards and Committees pages on our website.

Volunteer Opportunities
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 

Tree Commission Volunteer Needed

The Tree Commission is still seeking a volunteer who is a certified arborist or has a similar degree of tree expertise. The Commission meets once per month and is charged with reviewing tree permit applications and applications pending before either the Zoning Board of Appeals and/or the Planning Board, and issues recommendations to either Board with respect to any aspect of the applications which may impact trees, shrubs and/or related plantings. The Commission advises the Board on other matters related to the urban canopy including tree species selection for Village projects, and educational opportunities related to the value and importance of Village trees. If interested, please submit your application and resume through the Village portal: https://www.tarrytownny.gov/volunteer-to-serve.

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.

Visit Tarrytownny.gov for more info

2022 Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Eco Fair!


Date: October 1, 2022 (Rain or Shine) from 10am - 2pm

Location: Southwest corner of Patriots Park, Route 9, Tarrytown NY 


Volunteers Needed! Please contact Tarrytownenviro@gmail.com for info. Community service hours will be awarded upon request.


The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council (TEAC) is hosting its annual Eco Fair on October 1, 2022 at Patriots Park from 10am to 2pm, in collaboration with the Village of Tarrytown and The TaSH Farmers Market.

 

Come learn more about zero waste, alternative energy and solar power, food scraps recycling and composting, local sustainability initiatives and policies, home energy savings, sustainable DIY projects, healthy lawns, Pollinator Pathways, healthy lawns, native plants, the Hudson River, local waterways, and MORE. 

 

There will be something for the whole family including kids activities, eco art, sustainable and repurposed gifts, games, live music, and fresh local food vendors at the TaSH farmers market! 

 

ParticipantsFederated Conservationists of Westchester (FCWC)Hackley Lake KeepersKindboneLeague of Women Voters RivertownsMothers Out FrontRiverkeeper, Sleepy Hollow Environmental Advisory CouncilSun Blue EnergySustainable WestchesterThe Refillery Shop and more to come. If you or your organization would like to be an exhibitor, please Register Here.

 

The Eco Fair brings together community sustainability organizations and local businesses to educate and share ideas to enrich our Villages and enhance the environment. It is an opportunity for community members to increase awareness and engage on environmental issues. The goal is to highlight things that we can all do at home and in our own neighborhoods.


TEAC is committed to working with area businesses, community leaders and neighbors to create a cleaner, greener, safer place to live and work, while fighting the climate crisis and other assaults on our environment through education and outreach.


tarrytownenviro@gmail.com ~ https://www.facebook.com/tarrytownenviro ~ https://www.instagram.com/Teac_10591 

Community Events
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.
 
Please submit flyers or information to the following: newsletter@tarrytownny.gov
 
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. 
Government News in the Region

Business FIRST Grant Program Info Session

Tuesday, September 27 at 10:00 AM


The Westchester County Office of Economic Development will host a virtual info session on Tuesday, September 27, from 10:00 AM –  11:00 AM for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) interested in applying to the latest round of Business FIRST Grant funding. Participants will learn how to complete the grant application and get any questions they have answered. 


Click here to join the WebEx.


Join by meeting number:

Meeting number (access code): 2423 626 1785

Meeting password: Td3nKyP9xA2


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:

Bedroom Size

60% AMI Rent Levels

80% AMI Rent Levels

100% AMI Rent Levels

Studio

$1,457

$1,942

$2,427

1 Bedroom

$1,665

$2,219

$2,773

2 Bedroom

$1,873

$2,497

$3,119

3 Bedroom

$2,080

$2,773

$3,465

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


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