Mayor's Newsletter - September 4, 2021

This edition of the Mayor's Newsletter is being sent through the Village's main email lists. Please visit www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/subscribe and select "Mayor's E-Blast" to receive future editions.

 

Local Storm Update

Flood at Train Station

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson was fortunate to avoid the worst of the recent storms that struck our region. Most importantly, we are all blessed to have such devoted, professional, and dedicated staff and volunteers keeping our Village safe. To prepare for the storm, the DPW has checked catch basins and flood-prone areas. Police checked on those listed on our special needs registry.  

I want to especially thank our volunteers in the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service, who are our first line of defense in any emergency. Please remember that our Fire Department is an ALL volunteer force. The volunteers of the Croton Fire Department & EMS leave their families to brave the storm and protect our families.

Due to continued flooding from the Croton River, the following parks and recreation areas will remain closed through Monday, September 6th: Echo Canoe Launch, Silver Lake, Mayo’s Landing, and Black Rock Park. Please respect the DPW barricades and do not sightsee in these areas. Updates will be posted as warranted. Please continue to monitor the Village's website and social media accounts for further information.

CDC Recommends Masks Indoors, Village Requires Masks in Public Buildings

Covid-19 Map

The Center for Disease Control recommends people wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission--this applies to those who have been vaccinated and those that have not. At this time, Westchester County is considered to be a high transmission area. Consistent with the CDC guidance, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is requiring the wearing of masks in the common areas of municipal buildings.

COVID-19 Vaccine Available to Adults, Young Adults & Homebound Seniors

Anthony & Jennifer from Save Mor Pharmacy at the Village’s Pop-Up Clinic

Anthony & Jennifer from Save Mor Pharmacy at the Village’s Pop-Up Clinic

The COVID-19 vaccine is free, and everyone 12 years of age and older is eligible to receive it. COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations in our region have increased dramatically over the summer due to the highly contagious Delta-variant. Vaccination remains the surest defense against COVID-19.

The Village of Croton held a pop-up clinic on August 30th.  There will be a flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Croton Free Library on Saturday, Sept. 18, 10:00 AM -2:00 PM.

New York State’s Department of Health is overseeing the distribution of COVD-19 vaccines in NY. You can check your eligibility through the state’s hotline (1-833-NYS-4-VAX) or the state’s vaccine website: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov

9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration

9/11 Memorial

The annual 9-11 Memorial Ceremony will be jointly held by the Town of Cortlandt, and Villages of Buchanan and Croton-on-Hudson on Saturday, September 11 at 1:00 PM at Croton Landing. Led by a color guard from the community, participants will walk in procession along the quarter-mile pathway north to the memorial site on the Hudson River. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Harmon Firehouse.

To attend the ceremony, please gather at the Croton Landing parking area at the north end of Elliott Way by 12:30 PM. A van from the Village of Croton will be in the parking area to transport those who need assistance.

Welcoming Congressman Jones

Waddell Stillman, Bridget Gibbons, Joel Motley, Mondaire Jones, Sandy Galef & Brian Pugh

Waddell Stillman, Bridget Gibbons, Joel Motley, Mondaire Jones, Sandy Galef & Brian Pugh

I had the honor of joining Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) in welcoming Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY) to Van Cortlandt Manor on Monday, August 9, 2021, to celebrate the inclusion of funds for the site in the INVEST in America Act.

Rep. Jones has included $600,000 for the Van Cortlandt Manor Entrance Project in the INVEST in America Act, as well as funding for the Half Moon Bay Bridge Reconstruction Project, also in Croton. While this funding is not guaranteed until a final bill passes Congress and is signed by the President, it is a critical step in securing funding for local projects.

Recent Actions By the Village Board

Village Board Pledges to the Flag

At the most recent Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on August 30th, the Board:

  1. Authorized the Village Treasurer to amend the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget in the amount of $2,500 for EMT services to be paid for from the Contingency account.
  2. Authorized the Village Treasurer to refinance Public Improvement Serial Bonds issued in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and to issue a refunding bond.
  3. Ratified the Village Manager's acceptance of a proposal from Tub Construction Corp. for probing of the engine room floor at the Grand Street Firehouse, for no more than $7,000, to determine theload capacity of the floor of the Grand Street engine room.
  4. Authorized the Village Manager to sign a grant agreement with the Dormitory Authority of NY to accept $50,000 for the purchase of a hybrid police vehicle. 
  5. Issued a special permit to Sol Systems, for the installation of solar canopies at the Croton-Harmon Train Station Parking Lot. The permit conditions include the requirement that a conduit be installed during construction for potential future Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations.
  6. Authorized the Village Treasurer to amend the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget in the amount of $85,205 in relation to personnel changes (retirements).  The savings from these personnel changes were assigned to the Contingency account.
  7. Approved the emergency authorization for the Village Manager to accept the proposal from VCI Emergency Vehicle Specialists for a new ambulance in the amount of $194,154 under New York State GML § 103(4). 

At the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees on August 16th, the Board:

  1. Approved the extension of a building permit for 90 Cleveland Drive.  
  2. Issued an amended special permit to Hudson National Golf Club for modifications to their ancillary storage area following an extensive review by both the Planning Board, Village Board, Engineer. The special permit addresses drainage and roadway issues and has 11 conditions specifically identified.
  3. Authorized the Village Manager to execute the amendment from CivicPlus, owner of Earth Channel, for web streaming services in the amount of $6,500 per year to provide high-definition streaming to improve better access to the public.
  4. Scheduled a Public Hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 11 of 2021 to adopt Chapter 99 of the Village Code, Cannabis On-Site Consumption Opt Out, to prohibit cannabis consumption establishments within the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, for September 20, 2021, at 7 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room at the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building, 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
  5. Authorized the Mayor to sign a Letter of Commitment from NYSERDA in regards to $110,000 in grant funding from the Clean Energy Community (CEC) program.
  6. Authorized the Village Treasurer to amend the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget in the amount of $8,360 for funds received from the sale of surplus equipment.  These funds will be used to purchase a piece of equipment used in the Fall leaf pickup.
  7. Authorized the Village Manager to execute a PILOT Agreement with Regan Development Corporation in regards to the Village-owned parcel located at 41-51 Maple Street. The terms of the 30-year PILOT agreement call for an annual payment of $70,000 to be split among the taxing authorities of the parcel, increasing by 3% each year of the agreement.

At the August 12th Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board:

  1. Authorized the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Antonucci & Associates of Pelham, New York, for engineering services at the Grand Street Fire House at a cost not to exceed $17,600 to document the existing condition and the load capacity of the engine room floor at the Grand Street Fire House.  

At the August  2nd Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, the Board:

  1. Adopted Local Law Introductory 9 of 2021 to delete Chapter 202 of the Village Code, Tattoos. Tattoo shops are now permitted in the Village, subject to the Village’s zoning regulations.
  2. Issued a special permit to the Croton Circle School to operate a daycare center (nursery school) at 119 Maple Street. 

The full text of resolutions adopted by the Board are available on the Village website’s “public documents section.” Video of Board meetings and work sessions is available in the “webcasts” section of the website.

Job Opening: PT Intermediate Clerk, Village Court

PT Intermediate Clerk

The Croton Justice Court is seeking a part-time intermediate clerk to work 17.5 hours per week (9 AM - 2:30 PM Monday; 8:30 AM - 4 PM Wednesday; 9 AM - 2 PM Friday). Attention to detail is a must, and prior experience in a court setting is preferred. Bi-lingual Spanish speakers are also preferred.

Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and application through our online employment application by September 10, 2021. Additional details can be found here.

Community Resources

Handshake

Health Insurance: To allow as many consumers as possible to access these enhanced tax credits, and in light of the ongoing public health emergency, NY State of Health has extended its Open Enrollment Period for Qualified Health Plans to December 31, 2021. For more information visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov, contact an Enrollment Assistor, or call 1-855-355-5777.

Employment: The Village offers employment information on the Village website about job opportunities with the Village government and beyond.

Training & Education: New York State has created new free training opportunities with the SUNY Online Training Center and Online Learning with Coursera

Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program: Provides grants in the range between $5,000 - $50,000 to eligible small and micro businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations impacted by the pandemic. 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 March 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021. Click here for details.

Business Counseling: Get help navigating State and Federal Small Business Assistance programs. New York State has a network of partner organizations that provide instruction, training, technical assistance, and support services to entrepreneurs and small businesses in local communities statewide including confidential business counseling and training at no cost, including assistance with New York State and federal pandemic relief grant and loan applications. Click Here for details.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Tenants who have struggled to pay rent or landlords who are owed back rent due to COVID-19 can now apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Apply for the ERAP online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by clicking here.

Upcoming Village Meetings

Upcoming Village Meetings

Please note that all board meetings are back to being held in-person at the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building, unless stated otherwise:

  • Wednesday, September 8 | 8:00 PM – Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
  • Monday, September 13 | 7:00 PM – Board of Trustees Work Session
  • Tuesday, September 14 | 7:00 PM – Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting
  • Tuesday, September 14 | 8:00 PM – Planning Board Meeting

Recordings of the statutory board meetings (Board of Trustees, Planning & Zoning) are available under the Village’s live stream channel.

Please visit www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/subscribe and select "Mayor's E-Blast" to receive future editions.