MAYOR'S UPDATE

June 30, 2026

Annual fire inspections are an essential part of keeping our community safe. They help ensure that every piece of equipment, every vehicle, and every operational standard of the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department is ready to protect our residents whenever the call comes… no easy task for the largest volunteer fire department in New York State 

While I was unable to attend this year’s annual inspection, I was pleased to know that many of my fellow local elected officials were on hand to recognize the dedication and professionalism of our volunteer firefighters. On behalf of the Village of Ossining, I extend my sincere gratitude to every member of the Ossining Volunteer Fire Department for your unwavering commitment, countless hours of training, and selfless service to our community. We are deeply grateful for all that you do.

We all love dinner and a show, but a sounding fire alarm should never be treated as background music or a cue to see who blinks first. When an alarm goes off in any local business, it is your immediate signal to drop the fork, pause the conversation, and head for the exit—staff and patrons alike.

Per Chapter 92 of the Village Code and State Fire Code, immediate and total evacuation is mandatory, regardless of whether you see smoke; ignoring the alarm leaves the establishment subject to severe municipal penalties, fines, and legal liability.

Let's keep Ossining safe, compliant, and moving quickly when it counts—your meal can always be boxed up later, but safety cannot wait.

As we prepare for Independence Day, this holiday carries added significance as we mark the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding. As a proud American and the daughter of immigrants who found refuge in this country, serving as Mayor of the Village of Ossining during this milestone is a profound honor.

To kick off the summer season and our holiday weekend, join us for the Ossining Fireworks and RiverJam this Thursday, July 2, at Louis Engel Waterfront Park. The festivities begin at 5:00 PM with musical guests Brass Demolition and the Mike Risko Band, along with food trucks, craft beer, and local business spotlight activities. For details, visit www.townofossiningny.gov/riverjam.

An anniversary of this scale requires effort, and I thank the members of the O250 Council for their work so far. With more events planned before the end of the year, I look forward to continuing this journey together.

While we look forward to the celebration, let's also remember our four-legged family members. The fireworks are inevitable—and as any pet owner knows, so is your pet's reaction! Let's ensure they are prepared, secure, and comfortable indoors before the show begins.

Happy Independence Day, Ossining!

Ossining is getting ready to celebrate the global excitement of soccer with two upcoming community watch parties. Both events are open to the public:

• Saturday, July 11: Join the community at Nelson Park from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM for our first match screening. We will have a large screen, a live DJ, and food and beverage vendors on-site. Find more details on the Facebook Event Page.
• Sunday, July 19 (World Cup Final): This watch experience moves to Kensico Dam Plaza as part of a free, statewide initiative featuring large-scale, family-friendly viewing events where fans can gather to watch live matches on giant outdoor screens, enjoy entertainment, and celebrate the world's game together. Doors open at noon for family-friendly activities, and the match kicks off at 3:00 PM. While admission is free, registration is required. You can sign up through New York State United.

The Village of Ossining Staff and the Recreation & Parks Department are actively out in front of the aquatic plant growth at Richard G. Wishnie Park, treating it as a priority management issue rather than a passive observation. This persistent growth is Eurasian Watermilfoil—a highly invasive species frequently mistaken for algae—which is currently impacting most regional water bodies across our area, including the nearby Croton River and New Croton Reservoir. To tackle the problem proactively without deploying harsh chemical treatments that risk drifting and destroying native local flora, the Village has taken immediate structural action by introducing young Grass Carp into the pond. Funded generously by the Carmichael family, this biological control serves as a sustainable, long-term solution while staff continue to coordinate directly with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Cornell Cooperative Extension to explore additional safe, mid-summer mitigation strategies.

2026 July 4 Fireworks Guide For Ossining/Croton-On-Hudson

Ossining firefighters march through the streets of Yorktown during the annual Yorktown Heights Fire Department parade June 24,

This week’s Legislative Meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 7:30PM at the Courthouse. 

Some items of note (items in yellow were discussed at the most recent Work Session):

• We will start off with the swearing in of our newest Police Officer!
• We have (4) Public Hearings scheduled:
  • (1) on the proposed Zoning Changes for the SP-N District
  • (3) on Overgrowth Assessments (there are resolutions for the board to consider later in the agenda)
• The Board will be asked to call for (2) Public Hearings, both of which would take place at the July 15th Legislative Meeting:
  • The first is for the Special Permit Application for 34 State Street
  • The second is for the batch of Small-Scale Zoning Changes discussed this past Work Session
• There are resolutions authorizing the Village Manager to sign several agreements:
  • Supplemental agreement with Creighton Manning for the Route 9 Safety Improvements project (necessary due to the additional $50K funded by NYSDOT)
  • An access agreement for Wilder Balter Partners (WBP) re: the Spring on Main parcels they plan to develop downtown.
• There is also a resolution adopting the extension of the T-Zone Moratorium for an additional (4) months until November 13th.
• There is a resolution appointing several new members to PRAC.
• We have our annual resolution to charge back the ETPA (Emergency Tenant Protection Act) fees that we are charged by NYS, as well as the $20-per-unit administrative fee to cover the work performed by the Village to run this program.
• There is a resolution to authorize an agreement with the White Plains Youth Bureau for the Ossining Youth Bureau’s Grandpas United program for 2026.
• After review by our cybersecurity consultant, staff have put forth a recommended to award the award the contract for Penetration Testing (as a reminder, this is funded by a grant, the performance period for which closes in August, so we are working quickly!)
• Under New Business, the BOT will consider the request for an Honorary Street Naming in honor of Shirley Perillo.

In observance of the July 4th holiday all Village offices (including the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center) are closed on Friday, July 3rd. On Saturday, July 4th – the Joseph G. Caputo Community Center will be open from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Mayor Rika Levin