Village Newsletter: Nov. 23, 2021
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Thanks to Trustees Daroczy and Knell, Intro to incoming Trustees, Thanksgiving schedule, compost guide, Tree Lighting December 4, booster shots for seniors, Thanksgiving celebrations for seniors, Giving Trees, Library happenings, How to protect your water pipes from freezing
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Appointment of new Deputy Treasurer, diversity training proposal, residency requirements expanded, cannabis public hearing tonight, new fire truck
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Hanukkah celebration at Waterfront Park, Toys for Tots, Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation appeal, Holiday Hustle, Ambulance Corps event for kids
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Vaccine clinics for kids, new career training in Advanced Manufacturing
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Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope you are able to celebrate well with your families. The CDC has suggestions for ways to celebrate more safely this year, especially if travelling to areas with high levels of transmission, as the virus surges in some parts of the country. Dobbs Ferry currently has 23 active cases of COVID.
I have many reasons to be grateful this year. I want to express my gratitude to all of the people who serve this Village and make it a wonderful place to live. We have so many who care and contribute, from serving on Boards and Committees, to volunteering in our green spaces, to helping those in need. Consider giving back this holiday season to one of the local groups helping others such as Spring Community Partners, the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry, or Cabrini Immigrant Services. We have numerous openings on Village volunteer committees including on the AHRB, the Conservation Advisory Board, the Traffic Committee, the Youth Services Council, the Sustainability Task Force, the Human Rights and Diversity Committee, the Senior Advocacy Committee, and the Nominating Committee. If you have any time to give back to the Village and wish to volunteer, please get in touch with Village Clerk Liz Dreaper (ldreaper@dobbsferry.com) and find more information on our website here.
Enjoy your holiday!
Be well,
Vincent Rossillo
Village Mayor
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Veterans Day Service on November 11, 2021
(L to R) Assemblyman Tom Abinanti, American Legion Post 1048 Commander Bill Florin, Don Vitagliano, Ed Hennessy, Mayor Vincent Rossillo, County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky
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Thanks to our Department of Public Works and volunteers for helping to keep our Village beautiful!
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Thank you for your service to Dobbs Ferry, Trustee Maura Daroczy and Trustee Christy Knell
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We asked Trustee Daroczy and and Trustee Knell to reflect on their time in service to the community.
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 Trustee Maura Daroczy: I want to thank the residents so very much, for the privilege of representing them during these last 4 years as your Village Trustee. The exceptional support from many of you is the reason I had the honor of representing our Village.
The choice of stepping down has been a difficult one for me, but for the time being, I must prioritize my family’s needs.
It has been my great honor to serve our community as the first Hispanic Trustee. It was so meaningful to be able to bring a different perspective. I worked hard to make sure that we heard our constituents’ voices loud and clear (especially during this past challenging year).
As we continue to grow and face new challenges in our Village -- I want you to keep this in mind: we welcome diversity, change, new and different ideas. Just as you welcomed me four years ago during a contested election.
My proudest achievement has been the continuing efforts to preserve the essence of what makes Dobbs Ferry, Dobbs Ferry: its people. The families that make up our community are at the core of who we are.
In addition, we should maintain all the things we love about our village: that charming feeling while walking down Belden Ave. Main Street, the Old Croton Aqueduct or driving down High street and admiring the stunning views of the Palisades and the Hudson River. These things make up the unique backdrop to the hospitable and friendly community that we are. The community that one day welcomed me with open arms. That is something to be proud of.
I want to thank the Mayor, my fellow Board members, Village Administrators and staff for their service, help and support during my time as Trustee. Congratulations to Shari Rosen Asher and Matt Rosenberg for stepping forward to serve.
For all other residents who care and love our village even if you are not running for office, consider serving on our Village Boards or Committees. Engage where you can and be a part of what makes us unique.
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 Trustee Christy Knell: I was so happy with all the work we did through the downtown improvement task force. We hosted multiple public workshops and the team developed a great report with action items that we’ve been chipping away at ever since.
Being involved in this capacity has truly taught me about the importance of civic engagement—that all of us, as citizens of our village, have the responsibility of participating. We actively choose to live here, and therefore we get to help shape what “here” is, and that shape is ever-evolving.
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Welcome, Shari Rosen Ascher and Matt Rosenberg to the Board of Trustees
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Shari and Matt will be sworn into office at the December 6th Organization Meeting at Village Hall.
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 Shari Rosen Ascher grew up in Brooklyn with her mother and sister and graduated from Brandeis University with degrees in English Literature and Sociology. She and her husband decided to move to Dobbs Ferry in 1997 because it seemed like a great place to raise their family. Shari is currently the Director of Policy & Programs for Small Business and the Chambers of Commerce for Westchester County. She spent over 25 years in media sales, including 15 years as the Corporate Sponsorship Director at WFUV at Fordham University. Shari also helped to create a consulting company specializing in job sharing way back in the late 90s. Shari is a DF Democratic District Leader, sits on the DF Human Rights and Diversity Committee and has volunteered her time as VP of the PTSA, fundraising for Destination Imagination, the gala committee for Tarrytown Music Hall, the Planning Committee for the Westchester/Rockland Walk4Hearing, and a volunteer Contact Tracer She is a political activist and was the Co-chair of Indivisible Dobbs/Irvington. She is very active in local, regional and state politics and can often be spotted at rallies and events focused on social justice. She has campaigned, canvassed, post carded and texted tirelessly for Democrats up and down the ballot. She loves pilates, NY Times crossword puzzle, reading, TV, cooking, traveling, and the Grateful Dead. She has been married to Neil for 30 years. Their sons, Marty (a former District Leader) and Jake went through the Dobbs Schools and are graduates of Vassar and Harvard, respectively. Marty is also a recent graduate from NYU Law, passed the Bar and is working at a NYC law firm.
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 Matt Rosenberg is a nearly lifelong resident of Dobbs Ferry with a history of community service going back to high school (he’s DFHS ’83). Locally, he’s been a member of the DF Board of Education, a past co-president of the PTSA, served on the Traffic and Nominating Committees and Friends of the DF Library as well as co-chair of the PTSA Safe Routes Committee. Professionally, he is a marketing consultant working mainly with technology companies and had a prior career as a television comedy writer. He moved back to Dobbs Ferry from Los Angeles in 2005 with his wife, Marie Coolman, and their son Milo, who recently graduated DFHS.
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Village offices closed for Thanksgiving
Village Hall and municipal offices will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The following is the holiday refuse collection schedule:
- Wednesday: Paper and carboard recycling only. No commingled collection this week.
- Thursday: Holiday
- Friday: Garbage collection for entire Village.
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Reduce Food Waste this holiday
If you want to reduce food waste this holiday season, drop off your food scraps at the compost bins next to the DPW garage at 1 Stanley Avenue (behind Chipotle). All food scraps including meat, bones, dairy, oil in addition to what usually goes in a backyard composter can be dropped off at the site to be recycled into useful compost for landscapes and gardens. Here's a link to the Village food scrap recycling guide.
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Hazard Mitigation Plan open for public comment
The Village worked in partnership with the County of Westchester and 43 other municipalities to produce a collective Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan addresses Village strategies and capabilities for preventing and responding to natural hazards including severe storms, floods, extreme temperatures and other concerns in our area. The Plan includes action items that would help improve Village response, and makes the Village eligible for grants to support such improvements. The Plan has now been posted for public comment and can be reviewed on the County's website: https://www.westchesterhmp.com/. Please check it out and provide feedback by December 15th.
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Boosters for Seniors
Abby Connett, Dobbs Ferry's Senior Advocate, organized a COVID-19 booster vaccine clinic for seniors in partnership with Rite Aid. Hillary administered 93 booster shots last Wednesday, in good time for holiday gatherings. If you or someone you know needs a booster shot, the County has clinics by appointment every Wednesday and Thursday in White Plains, and walk-in clinics on Fridays. For more on County clinics, visit the Wwestchesr Department of Health website. You can also find nearby locations administering booster shots by visiting https://www.vaccines.gov/.
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Friendsgiving
50 seniors joined the Greenburgh Nutrition Program staff and the Recreation Department last week for a Friendsgiving lunch hosted by Lombardo's. Thanks to Lombardo's for hosting and to Abby Connett and the Recreation Department for organizing!
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Thanksgiving lunch for Seniors
The Dobbs Ferry School District cooked 60 Thanksgiving meals for Seniors in the community which were personally delivered by Recreation Department Staff. Thanks so much to Chef Cathy and the School District's cafeteria staff, Superintendent Lisa Brady and Assistant Loretta Turlasko. This is the 11th year in a row the school has served the seniors.
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Giving Trees from the Friends of the Dobbs Ferry Library
Giving Trees from Mary’s Yarn a program of the Friends of the Dobbs Ferry Library. A wonderful group of knitters and crochets work throughout the year to create Giving Trees in honor of Mary Caruso. Feel free to take one!
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Hanukkah Story Time
Sunday, November 28 - December 6
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Join Ms. Gina as she reads a story every night to celebrate Hanukkah! Recordings will be posted afterwards on the DFPL YouTube channel. Look for our party celebrating the end of Hanukkah on December 6th at 4pm!
Email dobchildref@wlsmail.org, call (914) 693-6615, or stop by the Children’s Room for the ZOOM link.
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Virtual Peppermint Hot Cocoa Pancake Pajama Party with Big Flavors in a Tiny Kitchen
Saturday, December 4th,
12:30-1:30 on Zoom: (ages 5+)
Chef Ashley of Big Flavors in a Tiny Kitchen is going to teach us to make the yummiest and most festive breakfast for lunch you've ever seen! When you sign up, we'll send you an ingredient list and everything you need to know before you start. Then, on the day of the program, get cozy in your pajamas and follow along on Zoom as Chef Ashley teaches us how to put it all together.
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Nature as a Sanctuary
Sat. Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m.
Come to a book signing and book sale with Croton author Pam Kolber-Zicca for her new book, Nature as a Sanctuary: Seeking Refuge in the Pandemic. A portion of the proceeds will go towards the Friends of the Dobbs Ferry Library. This will be held in the Community Room.
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Help Me Finish My Admissions Essays with presenter Bruce Jonas
Mon. Dec. 6, 7:00 p.m. Virtual program on Zoom
The good news: college application season is almost over! The bad news: there’s not much time to polish your admissions essays and take your best shot at getting accepted! Help Me Finish My Admissions Essays will show college applicants (and their parents) how to turn what they’ve written so far into an effective, authentic personal essay that will resonate with admissions officers. There will be an open Q&A, so bring your questions and concerns! Bruce Jonas helps students find their own voices and craft unique stories that will resonate with the gatekeepers of the schools they want to attend. A graduate of Brown University and Johns Hopkins University, his experiences in marketing and university recruitment trained him to listen to what makes people unique and help applicants write stories that persuade specific audiences like admissions officers.
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Mary's Yarns Quilting Group
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Monday, December 6, 2021 6:30 pm
Join our new quilting group and learn a new skill! Meets in the Community Meeting Room.
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Cult Classic Movie Night: They Live!
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 8:00 - 10:30 pm
Captain Lawrence Brewing and Cult Classic Movie Nights present They Live! Movie is rated R. Complimentary beverages for 21+.
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Greenburgh Pride Presents: LGBTQ+ Winter Open Mic and Mixer
For ages 13+
Friday, Dec. 17, 6pm-8pm
Greenburgh Pride and the Dobbs Ferry Public Library invite you to celebrate the holiday season with us. Come hang with other local LGBTQ+ people at this festive event. Let us know in advance if you would like to perform, or decide-day of! (Please limit musical performances to acoustic instruments.) Play games! Mix and mingle! Make art! Light refreshments will be provided as well.
Registration is not required, but recommended. Email manning@wlsmail.org
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Dream Career: A Virtual Series
Introducing a new series of virtual programming! This winter, tune in to hear people with cool jobs talk about what they do for a living and how they’ve carved out their unique career paths. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and get useful tips for starting your own business, choosing a major, and more! Have a particular career interest you’d like to have represented? Email amanning@wlsmail.org
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DC Presenter: Mackenzie Greer, Professional Astrologer & Palmist
Wednesday, Dec. 22, 5:30-6:30
Mackenzie is a Queens, NY based astrologer and palmist who blends a traditional and psychological approach to her work. She studied palmistry under Ellen Goldberg at the School of Oracles in the West Village and is currently working to earn her diploma at the renowned astrological institute of Kepler College. Mackenzie currently is the head daily horoscope writer at www.astrology.com and runs her own business, “Mack and the Zodiac.” Email amanning@wlsmail.org to register.
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Suez Water: Protect your pipes!
As colder temperatures set in across the region, SUEZ is encouraging its customers to prepare for another winter by protecting their water pipes and meters from freezing.
Outside the home
- Disconnect and drain the garden hose connection and irrigation system.
- Close all outside vents, crawl spaces and doors so cold air doesn’t seep inside.
- Keep garage doors closed.
Inside the home
- Wrap the meter and water lines subject to freezing in insulation or heat tape (available at hardware stores).
- Make sure the shutoff valves on either side of the water meter are working properly. Place a tag on the main shutoff valve and make sure everyone knows where it is and how to use it during an emergency.
- Check the water meter periodically. Contact SUEZ if you notice any damage.
- If you have had problems in the past, you may want to keep a trickle of water running from the highest faucet during frigid weather. You will be billed for the water used, but this may help prevent costly plumbing repairs that result from broken pipes.
If you won’t be home
- If you’re going away for an extended period, keep a minimum amount of heat on in the house. This will help protect the pipes in case the temperature drops.
- If you plan to turn the heat off, drain all the water from the pipes, toilets and water heater, and turn off the power source to the water heater.
If the pipes freeze
- If your pipes freeze, it’s important to clear blockages as soon as possible to minimize damage. It may be best to call a licensed plumber.
- If a water pipe has burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house.
- Open a nearby faucet slightly so the pipe can drain as it thaws.
- Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water.
- Never use hot water or a blowtorch on a frozen pipe or water meter.
SUEZ also advises that sub-freezing temperatures can cause water mains to break and can cause water to cover roadways creating unsafe driving conditions. If you see a leak, or your water service is disrupted, please contact the company’s Customer Service Center at the phone number on your bill.
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Appointment of Deputy Treasurer D.J. Brucciani
Mr. Brucciani grew up in Mamaroneck, NY, and graduated from Iona College with a BBA in Marketing and an MBA in Financial Management. After working within the Village of Larchmont for the first 7 years of his professional career, he spent the last 4 years managing the finances and the building for the Larchmont Public Library. Mr. Brucciani's father was a former Treasurer so has always felt most comfortable within the Treasurer’s Department. He is excited to continue his career within the Village of Dobbs Ferry.
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Board considers diversity training proposal for Village Boards and staff
NYU Metro Center's Center for Strategic Solutions presented a proposal to train Village staff, Boards and the Human Rights and Diversity Committee. The proposal would offer 3 half-day workshops to work toward the following goals: "1) Establish a foundational understanding of human rights, diversity, inclusion, equity, implicit bias, racism, etc. 2) Acquire and/or build dialogue and discussion skills to use Village-wide. Strengthen working relationships and partnerships throughout the Village. 3) Develop an action-oriented roadmap for enhancing Dobbs Ferry as an inclusive, equitable, and just community. In addition, the Center would offer personalized consulting sessions to Committees as needed. The Board heard an earlier proposal from Leaders2C a group working in collaboration with 6 other Rivertowns communities, and will consider how and whether to pursue either one of the two proposals.
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Residency requirements expanded
After closing the public hearing, the Board unanimously approved the introduction of a local law to expand the residency requirements for appointed Village officials. While members of Village Boards and Committees will still need to reside in the Village of Dobbs Ferry, the requirements for appointed officers such as the Treasurer, Clerk, Administrator and their deputies, can now live anywhere in the State of New York or in counties adjacent to Westchester County. This allows Village leadership to pull from a wider pool of qualified applicants when hiring staff.
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Cannabis licensing under consideration
The Board discussed the considerations to be weighed in deciding whether to opt out of licensing legalized cannabis dispensaries and on-site consumption establishments in the Village.
The Board scheduled a public hearing for tonight, Tuesday, November 23rd at 6:30pm to hear public comment on the local laws under consideration. Information, resources and links to the videos of previous discussions can be found on the Village website here. Tonight's public hearing can be joined in person or remotely via Zoom. For information about how to participate remotely, please follow instructions at the bottom of the agenda posted to the Village website.
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Fire Department begins process of acquiring new truck
The Board of Trustees approved the Fire Department's request to begin the process for replacing the 22-year-old pumper truck which is in frequent need of repair. The truck's replacement was expected and included in the ten year capital placement for replacement this year.
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Toys For Tots
Village Clerk Liz Dreaper has been coordinating gifts for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program for 38 years. Consider donating a toy for a child in need by bringing a new, unwrapped toy to the bin in the first floor lobby of Village Hall. Suggested high need gifts below.
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9th Annual Holiday Hustle 5K and Reindeer Run
The 9th Annual Dobbs Ferry Holiday Hustle 5k and Kids Reindeer Fun Run 1k is an annual event hosted by the Dobbs Ferry Youth Services Council. Each year, the proceeds collected benefit the annual holiday gift drive. We're back in person this year and we hope you'll join us in raising holiday cheer and do our part in contributing to families who are in need. As we all know, COVID-19 has negatively impacted so many Americans, and now more than ever, it's essential to give back to our community.
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5 to 11 year olds now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
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Vaccine clinics for kids ages 5 to 11
The County is hosting vaccine clinics for kids ages 5 to 11. Dates and times are posted on the County's Health Department website. An upcoming one is taking place on November 27 from 10am to 2pm at the 134 Court Street clinic in White Plains. Register here.
"Vaccinate, Educate, Graduate" Vaccine Incentive Program for 5 - 11 Year Olds
Parents and Guardians of 5 to11 year olds who receive their first vaccine dose by December 19 can enter into a random drawing for a chance to win a SUNY or CUNY full scholarship for their child.
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Career Training program in Advanced Manufacturing
Westchester Community College in partnership with the Westchester County Office of Economic Development is offering a new career training program in Advanced Manufacturing that will launch in January 2022. For more information, or to be notified once enrollment opens, visit Westchester's Office of Economic Development website: https://westchestercatalyst.com/work/advanced-manufacturing-sector/advanced-manufacturing-career-training/
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