Mayor's Update

From the desk of Mayor Rika Levin

Thank you, Trustee Dana White, for hosting the ribbon cutting at the new Little Free Library at the Kiosk at Henry Gourdine Park. With the funding from the Ossining Library Fund and support from Ossining Public Library, Big Foot Creamery, and Miriam Risko!

Super Sunday afternoon! I so enjoyed the five short Parking Lot plays performed by these fine actors produced and curated by the Westchester Collaborative Theater, located on Water Street in Ossining. It was so much fun, especially the play that was about an event in Ossining which includes the mayor! Here I am with Sandy Rooney, who portrayed Mayor Rika Levin! Thank you to our local playwright Rob McEvily for creating this fun play. Please support our local performing arts programs.

It’s been a long and challenging year with the recent rise in energy costs. The good news is that Sustainable Westchester has secured a contract for the ConEd area municipalities.

In the event that your household does not wish to participate in Sustainable Westchester’s community energy program with Westchester Power, contact them at +1 844-605-7650 for instructions.

Westchester County is offering free vaccination for those at higher risk of monkeypox. Per CDC guidance, those at higher risk are those who have:

- Traveled outside the United States to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing.

- Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or with someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox.

The LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center will be hosting monkeypox vaccination clinics on Thursday, August 11th and August 18th.  

- Vaccines are free.

- Appointments can be made through this link from the hours of 9:30 AM-4:30 PM for adults 18 years of age and up.

- These clinics are strictly for first-dose inoculations only. 

Monkeypox Vaccinations are available:

- Westchester Medical Center has availability for vaccinations; residents can call (914) 326-2060 to schedule an appointment from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

- Residents can find a list of available appointments at this link. 

- Residents with questions, or in need of assistance registering, can call 995-8900

Please take a moment to visit the Ossining Shoreline Revitalization & Community Connectivity Improvements Project Virtual Open House. This site presents potential concepts for the Ossining Shoreline. This project is part of Phase II of the Climate Adaptive Design program. Phase I included the development of high-level concepts by landscape architecture students at Cornell University. Phase II will focus on moving some of these conceptual elements forward into an implementable and permittable design, with support from the community. Click here to begin.

Please join me for this week’s upcoming events throughout Ossining. For the Family Entertainment Series tonight, please join us at 7:00 PM for the Ossining Recreation FREE Family Summer Entertainment Series at Market Square, featuring Comedian Ned Gelfars! Tomorrow night, we continue the fun with the Summer Acoustic Music Series at Market Square with Bob and Norm playing from 7-8:30 PM – don't forget you can also play Chess with Detective Chavez while listening to music!

On Thursday, August 4^th, the Ossining Police Department, with the help of the Ossining Union Free School District and the Elks Club, will be hosting our annual BIKE DAY on Spring Street from William to Lafayette. You can expect food, great DJ music, and giveaways!

This week's fun continues … Please join us on Friday, August 5th, for the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department Annual Firefighters Parade. The parade kicks off at 7 PM from Roosevelt Square, proceeding down Croton Ave, over Rt 9 to Main St - and ending at the waterfront.

This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 8/3 at 7:30PM over Zoom.

We have a short agenda, which will begin with a Public Hearing on the changes to Chapter 250 (Vehicle and Traffic), which mainly contains the discussed changes to downtown parking (Lots 5 & 6, as well as the hours of paid parking), as well as parking at the train station.

The BOT will also have (3) tax certioraris to approve, as discussed at last week’s Work Session.