COVID update, Holiday reminders including garbage, parking, alternate side; Tarrytown opts out of Cannabis Lounges, Taxes are due, Con Ed work resumes January 3, Police Toy Drive, Board of Trustees Roundup, etc.

(Above is one of the many beautiful sunsets we enjoy over the Hudson River and the Tarrytown Train Station, Dec. 2021) 

COVID update and caution for the holidays

With the recent spread of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, local, state, national and global numbers of infection of the virus are spiking dramatically.  In Westchester, over the past week, infection rates have risen to over 10% of all those tested. We urge everyone to take the scientifically recommended precautions, as follows:

• Get vaccinated and obtain the booster shot to remain up to date with your vaccination.  This is the best way to prevent infection, and to minimize severe infection that might require hospitalization.
• Practice social distancing and wear a mask when you cannot be socially distanced, including at indoor gatherings with friends and family members outside your household.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently
• If you have any of the typical symptoms of COVID-19 infection, isolate yourself, consult your doctor and try and get tested as soon as possible.
• If you test positive, consult with your doctor and follow all of the medical, health department and CDC advice on quarantining and seeing other people and going back to work when the infection has passed.
• The Town of Greenburgh cancelled Youth Basketball League due to uptick in COVID cases, and the Village will be issuing a refund to the families who signed their children up for the league through the Village of Tarrytown.
• Try to avoid big gatherings over the holidays.
• County Vaccine clinics: Walk-in clinics for booster shots and first doses for ages 5 and up every Thursday from 4 to 7pm at 20 South Broadway in Yonkers. Clinics for boosters and first dose vaccines by appointment at the County-run 134 Court Street Health Clinic in White Plains. For a rundown of County clinics, visit: https://health.westchestergov.com/.
• For other locations administering the vaccine: vaccines.gov, or try your local pharmacy such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens or your independent, local pharmacy.

Holiday Schedule Changes and Announcements

• The Sanitation and Recycling Schedules will be as normal Monday through Thursday this week and next week.
• There is no “Bulk Trash” collection on Friday December 24 or Friday December 31
• To schedule Bulk Trash pickup for a Friday starting January 7^th, call 914-631-0356
• Leaf pile collection is done! All leaves must be bagged for collection and put out for organic collection day
• Parking Meters including Downtown Parking Lot meters are bagged until December 27^th, after which payment will be required again.
• Alternate Side Parking is suspended on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31
• The Planning Board Meeting of Monday, December 27, 2021 is cancelled
• Get a head start on your New Year’s health resolutions and consider joining the Tarrytown Fitness Center.  We have convenient hours, affordable prices, and machines and equipment that serve most fitness interests.  Call Recreation at 914-631-8347 for more information. Masks are required at all times for people using the indoor facilities.

Recycling and Sanitation Schedule and Program App

Wondering about changes to the sanitation schedule this holiday week? Do you have items you think can be recycled or re-used, but you are not sure what to do with them? Tarrytown residents have access to an app with all of these questions answered. Get notifications about changes to the sanitation schedule. Search Recyclopedia for items you aren’t sure about.  Access the app online or download the app directly to your phone.

https://www.tarrytownny.gov/department-of-public-works/pages/sanitation-schedule-app

Tarrytown “opts out” on Cannabis Lounges/places of consumption and remains in to allow dispensaries/points of sale

As a reminder, since the possession and use of marijuana / cannabis products was enacted by the State of New York this past Spring, the current and prior Mayor and Board of Trustees members held four meetings to discuss this issue, including a public hearing on December 20, 2021. After the hearing, and after receiving communications from residents, the Village Board voted unanimously to “opt out” on Places of Consumption (aka Lounges).  The vote on opting out of places of consumption is subject to permissive referendum and may also be withdrawn in the future by the Board adopting a local law. We

Tax Payments are due – Accepted until end of business on Monday, January 3, 2022

As a reminder to all property owners, the Second Half Tax Bill for the Village is due December 31, 2021.  Since Tarrytown Village Hall is closed Friday December 31^st for the New Years Day holiday observation, by law the Second Half Tax Bill may be paid on Monday, January 3, 2022. All payments made after January 3, 2022, regardless of the reason, are subject to the full late penalty provided by law.

Con Edison gas line construction update

Here is the update on Con Edison work around the Village:

• No work next week – the week of December 27 through 31, 2021.
• Con Ed work will resume starting Monday, January 3, 2022.
• Follow the posted signs on your street about where you can and cannot park.
• If there are any gas main leaks or breaks that occur and cause emergency work to take place, we will issue a quick notice through the Tarrytown Link.
• West of Broadway Work – Work will start in mid-January on neighborhood streets west of Broadway, such as Dixon Street, North Washington Street, Central Avenue.  More information and specifics will be shared in the Tarrytown Link in early January.
• Wilson Park Drive – Beech to McKeel will continue through the end of February.

Food Waste Composting available including Home-service (for a fee) Food Scrap Recycling

As a reminder to all residents, the Village has free food-waste compost bins for residents to drop off compostable food scraps in sealed compostable bags to the Village’s food scrap collection site over off of Green Street, by the Losee Park ballfields. If you don’t like to drive and bring your food scraps to the Village site, but still want to compost your food waste, get a head start on your 2022 environmental footprint by signing up to compost with Hudson Compost Services. With fee-based services available by subscription, every week, HCS will come by and collect your food scraps just like your curbside trash and recycling services. Once subscribed, you'll receive a kit with everything you need to begin collecting and disposing of food scraps. In the Spring, HCS members will be offered finished compost (made from the food scraps they collected) to use for their home gardens and indoor plants! Join the growing community of 63 Tarrytown residents composting with HCS at hudsoncompost.com!

Tarrytown Police hold 15^th annual toy drive and toy giveaway

The Tarrytown Police Department conducted its 15th annual toy drive, working in collaboration this year with the Community Opportunity Center on Wildey Street. On December 9th the police department delivered the gifts at the COC’s holiday party to families in the community. The Department also collaborated with Sleepy Hollow and Briarcliff to collect toys for families in the area, and on December 21 helped distribute 860 gifts at Sleepy Hollow’s Beekman Avenue Fire House. Both Santa Claus and Mayor Brown were able to join in the distribution.

Board of Trustees Roundup

The Village Board approved the following items at their meeting of December 20, 2021:

• A new curb-cut was authorized for a new driveway at 24 Park Avenue in Miller Park.  (Planning Board, Zoning Appeals Board and Architectural Review Board authorization still remain to be granted)
• A “No Right on Red” prohibition in all four directions was codified for the intersection at Benedict Avenue with Highland Avenue/Prospect Avenue
• The Village Board adopted a resolution asking the New York State Department of Transportation, which operates and maintains Route 9 / Broadway, to install a guard rail on the west side of Broadway, between the crosswalks, at the intersection with Benedict Avenue.

We wish everyone a happy and peaceful holiday season, and a Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it!  Remember to shop local and support our local businesses!