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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 14 September 2025

Created: 14 September 2025

Last Updated: 14 September 2025

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Undeterred by years of pushback from the village and neighbors, Steven Kessner renewed attempts to win approval for a subdivision on Garden Road at a special meeting of the Scarsdale Planning Board on Thursday night September 11, 2025.

The proceedings were eerliy resemblant to an earlier meeting of the Planning Board on September 19, 2024 when the applicant proposed to build eight new homes and a private roadway on the site by subdividing the property and trucking in landfill to raise the grade of the property.

What’s different in this iteration is that they have reduced the number of new homes from eight to five, reducing the number of tree removals from 437 to 246, and the amount of landfill from an estimated 2000 truckloads to 666.

However one exasperated resident pointed out, “This project has been cooking since 2006 despite the repeated reference to 2018. (I have the documents). For nearly 20 years this developer has been trying to develop this site. What makes this iteration any better? There are fewer houses but:

-still clear-cutting 200+ trees;
-still trucking in fill from other construction sites to raise the terrain by 4 feet;
-despite the raised terrain, homes will have basements and pools that will hit the high groundwater table; Q: Where will this displaced water go? A: Laterally, into neighboring properties;
-swales to handle runoff will ultimately drain into the too small pipe that feeds into the stream behind homes on Willow;
-the Village has not done any remediation of the stormwater runoff problem at Cushman/Willow/Garden, and it remains, admittedly, inadequate to handle the current level of runoff.

I feel like Bill Murray in "Ground Hog Day."

Developers brought back their same team of experts to plead their case. Attorney Lucia Chiocchio from Cuddy and Feder explained that they proposed to reconfigure the three tax lots on the 7.6 acre site into 6 tax lots, demolish the two existing homes and build five more homes.

She contended that the project “Will not create any significant adverse impacts” and in fact will “improve conditions” in this area which many call a sensitive drainage area. She said, “The design exceeds Village Code standards.”

Also on their team is engineer Eliot Senor who said the lots will range in size from 30,000 to 69,000 square feet, larger than is required by the Village.

He explained that the southeast corner of the lot is wetlands which are contiguous with a stream that runs out into Cushman Road. He said, there will be “no construction or fill in the wetlands.”

He defended the project saying, “The town consultant says this drainage basin is 118 acres – we’re only a small percentage of that runoff.” He said he had designed, “A detention area that empties into the wetlands…All of the drainage meets code.” He later added, “We will install three rows of silt fence around the wetlands.’

About the 8,000 cubic yards of fill he said, “we will only truck it in between 9 am and 3 pm.” He also shows plans for swales along the back property line.

Richard Baldwin of Hydrologic Solutions said, “There is a low probability of causing flooding in neighboring properties. When trees mature, the situation will improve.”

Tree expert Aaron Schmidt said, “The applicant is proposing an extensive tree planting scheme. The removal of 246 trees will be offset by the planting of 388 trees for a net increase of 137 trees. The total number of trees on the property will be 543.”

Of the 246 trees to be removed, he said 76 are in poor condition and 41 are dead. He claimed, that after the planting, “More water will be absorbed than presently.”

During questioning from the Board, Chairman Clapp asked for a detailed tree plan. He also asked the applicant if they had considered his suggestion to build cluster housing on the dry portion of the lot. He said, “Cluster subdivision is allowed by NY code – you figure out how many could be built and then cluster them into one area. “The applicant replied that this was not in keeping with the neighborhood.

Board member Mark Seiden said, “They say this is a sensitive drainage area, subject to low permeability and infiltration rates. The existing municipal stormwater system is already overburdened.”

Senor replied, “The existing system may be overburdened but we are reducing the runoff. We are not adding any more to it.”

About how much fill would need to be imported, Senor said it 8,000 cubic feet (which represents about 666 dump trucks.) And he added, “We are not using it (the landfill) for stormwater management.”

Questioned about the underground stormwater retention basin that would be installed, Senor explained, “Homeowners will be responsible for maintaining the drainage system,” as well as the private road.

Public Comments

David Salzman of 12 Varian Lane circulated photos of his cul de sac after a heavy rain. He said, “It becomes a lake and floods one of the houses on our street. About 15 years ago we put in a pool. We had to put in an enormous detention system – as large as the pool underneath our driveway. From what I see that detention system that you designed is nowhere near the size of the one we have. I don’t think it’s going to work. If it doesn’t work, it will be awful for the people on Cushman and downstream. Years ago there were houses in that area whose basements collapsed. We are going to band together and have our own engineering firm look at this. The idea that the homeowners are going to take care of the system is nonsense.”

Attorney David Steinmetz who is representing Bob Falk who lives on the 3 Willow Lane said, “We have been talking about this for 18 years. Here we are again. The SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan) does not contain the correct analysis and does not meet DEC code.”

He continued, “Mr. Senor said that fill will not be used for stormwater retention or mitigation. In the application it says stormwater will be retained by fill. The outcome is only as good as the data that goes into the system. The assumptions are not accurate. The municipal system is overburdened. The system is at capacity. All the water gets discharged into a stream into Mr. Falk’s backyard.”

An environmental consultant also retained by Falk said, “The plan is deficient. It is a sensitive drainage area. Inaccurate baseline conditions go into the model. About the fill, importing fill is not a stormwater management practice. Misusing fill to reduce runoff will not work post construction.”

Steinmetz added, “It is our position that this application should not even be before the board. The Woodland Road de-mapping was approved to prevent development of the more sensitive area. The de-mapping was approved by the DOT. And now the applicant is trying to rebuild the road that de-mapped.”

Helen Maccarino said, “We’ve been arguing about this for 18 years. It’s not better, it’s just a bad assault on our neighborhood and our well-being. Noise pollution and air pollution will result from building it. The site has no road, no sewer, no electrical and the drainage problem is immense. It’s scary to think that we will have a storm and wonder if this drainage system will protect neighbors downstream.”

Elaine Weir of 138 Brewster Road said, “I am concerned about the flooding in an intense rainfall. We can expect this change to continue and we need to prepare for it. The presence of this water may be the reason this area was not developed in the past. Raising the land will increase flooding of older homes. An environmental impact statement is needed.

Andrew Rodman read a letter from Shari Beckiman of 75 Garden Road. It said, ‘How many more years will all of us need to devote our time and energy to argue against this preposterous project plan? Our family has lived on Garden Road for almost 25 years. We have had four major floods in the finished lower level of our home. We have lived through continuous re-grading and re-plumbing our our entire outdoor property. We pay enormous tax dollars to this Village every year in exchange for living in this charming, beautiful community, despite it challenges……
(read the balance here)

Rodman of Cushman Road said, “I am adjacent to lot 2. I have lived here for 32 years and water has been flowing onto my property for 32 years. Many different proposals have been brought to this board. The pipe at the bottom of Cushman Road is bathtub size. Don’t divide this up.I don’t understand the swales – how high will the one be behind my house? …. Will sump pumps be required? …. Where will they drain? ….Many trees don’t survive in wet soil. It will be hard for 300 trees to survive. …. Are we going to add a stoplight for school buses and garbage trucks at the entrance to this private road? I don’t want to get flooded out from this development.”

Richard Canter read a letter that is posted here:

Barry Abramson of 98 Garden Road said, “My backyard has been flooding for 27 years…This is not an ordinary project. This is untouched land. The developers have look at it and determined that they cannot build there. It will create an environmental impact and downstream damage.”

Jake Levitt of Stonewall Lane said, “New trees will not mature. This is ecological bankruptcy. Projects that change the character of the neighborhood. Dead trees are important….This will contribute to the collapse of our environment.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 10 September 2025

Created: 10 September 2025

Last Updated: 10 September 2025

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Though Scarsdale has been designated as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation for 42 years, the reality is that the Village’s tree canopy is on the decline. A report from the Village found that last year 1,000 trees were taken down, and only 300 replaced, for a net loss of 700 trees. Though there are laws in place to protect the trees, any tree designated as invasive, such as Norway Maples, and any “diseased” trees can be clear cut.

In order to strengthen protections, Trustees proposed a code change to require licensing for commercial tree service businesses operating in Scarsdale. Licensees would be required to show proof of insurance. The code says that tree removals must be done from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 6 pm. The law could be suspended when an emergency requires removal of trees and branches.

The code defines penalties for individual violators and for business or corporate offenders that climb with repeat offenses.

The provision applies to the removal of “any part of a tree connected directly or indirectly to the trunk at a height greater than 10 fee above grade.”

A public hearing on the new law was held during the Village Board meeting on September 9, 2025.

Commenting on the proposal, Joan Weissman of 3 Kingston Road called it a “positive step in helping to protect Scarsdale trees.” She said, “I look forward to further provisions that will safeguard our tree canopy. Thank you for taking these steps.”

Michelle Sterling, Chair of the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council, said she was “appreciative of the code change” and called it “a great first step.” She said, “I am hopeful that we will make further changes. 70% of trees are not being replaced…. In the future we will denude the landscape. Hopefully we can address tree replacements in the future.”

Ron Schulhof of 8 Springdale Road said, “The changes are valuable improvements. Having worked on multiple updates I appreciate the willingness of the board to continually review the code and make changes as needed. I urge the board to adopt these changes. I want to thank the DPW for their street tree planting. The trees will help future generations long after we are here.”

Discussing the proposed code, Trustee Mazer questioned the height provision. He said, “If a branch is 11 feet up, hanging over a gutter, you would need a licensed tree person? Not the roof guy?”

Jeff Coleman, Supervisor of the Department of Public Works said, “The intent of the code is that any major work should be done by someone who receives a license from the Village.”

Trustee Gans said, “I think Scarsdale’s tree canopy needs to be preserved and enhanced. We have to be careful about the right way to do it. The law as drafted needs to be tightened up. Some lawn companies will need to get a license. But this prohibits tree work on Saturday and Sunday and after 5 pm. Why do we allow yard work on weekends but not tree work?”

Trustee Kofman questioned the penalties, saying, “It is not clear about what defines an individuals vs. a corporation.”

Trustee Wise asked, “Do you have any plans to revisit the other tree code – concerning removals? Why are you allowed to take down one tree a year?”

Mayor Arest said, “There is a difficult balance between property rights and concern for our tree canopy.”

About the ban on weekend work, the Mayor said, “If you hear a chain saw on the weekend, it’s reasonable to assume that the person is not complying with our code.”

Trustee Gans said, “Pruning does not require a permit – and presents a gray area – especially on the weekends.”

Trustee Goldschmidt added, “We don’t want to interfere with normal housekeeping and keeping the property neat and clean. But when is pruning tantamount to a tree removal?”

Gans said, “I think we should allow tree work on the weekend – like stonecutting and gardening.”

After discussing some of the questions, Mayor Arest said the public hearing would be re-opened at the next meeting on September 30, 2025.

Mayor’s Comments

Mayor Justin Arest opened the meeting with the following comments:

Good evening. September always feels like a reset. Summer is ending, school buses return, and our community gets back to its rhythm.

We began the month with Labor Day. It reminds us that work is more than a job title. It is the daily effort of residents, staff, and neighbors who make Scarsdale what it is.

Thursday is Patriot Day, September 11. We will pause to remember the lives taken, the families forever changed, and the first responders who ran toward danger. Let us honor them with silence, reflection, and kindness.

Back to school is fully underway. Drivers, please take extra care. Slow near crosswalks, stop for buses, and remember that children move unpredictably. Safety is not seasonal.

September is also National Preparedness Month. Make a family plan, check flashlights and medications, and sign up for our emergency alerts if you have not already. You can never be too prepared, and if an emergency occurs, readiness matters.

We mark Suicide Prevention Month, a chance to end stigma and make help normal. Today is Firearm Suicide Prevention Day. The community should know that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is always available.

On Sunday we celebrated Grandparents Day. If you forgot to call someone, consider this your official municipal reminder.

From September 15 through October 15 we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our community is stronger for the cultures, languages, and traditions that neighbors bring to our shared table.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22, and Yom Kippur follows October 1. To our Jewish friends and neighbors, L’Shanah Tovah and wishes for a meaningful fast and reflection.

Sunday, September 21 is the International Day of Peace. Peace is not passive. It is built in our homes, on our blocks, and here in this chamber.

Yesterday we had the privilege of attending two important ceremonies that speak directly to service and sacrifice. At the fire department ceremony, we officially welcomed Nicholas Camardella to the Scarsdale Fire Department. Nick is a familiar face in our community having grown up in the area and attending IHM, and after serving as a police officer in Greenwich he has now joined a fire department defined by courage, camaraderie, and service above self. His timing is meaningful, as we look ahead to the retirement of Arthur Hickey after 20 years of distinguished service. We are proud that Nick chose to bring his skills and commitment to Scarsdale.

Later in the day, at a police department ceremony, we recognized three new officers joining the ranks and four of our own stepping into leadership roles. It was a powerful reminder of why the Scarsdale Police Department is among the most respected in our region, with CALEA Tier 2 Advanced accreditation held by fewer than five percent of agencies nationwide. We welcomed Officers Murphy, Vega, and Del Bene, and celebrated the promotions of Detective Galindo, Sergeants Wilder and Kringas, and notably Lieutenant Arcesi, the first female lieutenant in the history of the Scarsdale Police Department. Her promotion is not only a personal achievement, but a milestone for our community. She carries forward the professionalism, integrity, and community engagement that define our police, and she stands as a role model for others who will follow. We thank them all, and the families who stand behind them, for their service and sacrifice.

The pool is officially closed and we thank our Parks Department for their hard work to ensure we had another successful season.

I also want to mention two upcoming work sessions, of course other work sessions will likely be planned and we will announce those as soon as possible:

Sept 30: Discussion on the land use code changes and Freightway, and Nov 18: Discussion on Roadway Paving and Sidewalks

We anticipate holding a pool work session in October and hope to have a date in the next week or two.

Staff is currently working on the budget calendar for the proposed 2026-2027 budget cycle which will include various work sessions.

Finally, please remember that the first School Tax payment is due this month.

Public Comments

Sidewalks:
Elizabeth Lawrence of 7 Walworth Avenue and Marion Green of 43 Butler Road commended the Mayor for scheduling a meeting on sidewalks for November 18, 2025.

Flock Safety:
Joseph Lawrence also of 7 Walworth Avenue commended the board for not following through with the contract with Flock Safety. He said it “raised privacy concerns,” and that the state of Illinois announced an investigation into Flock sharing data with out of state agencies. He said, “In August, Flock paused contracts with ICE and Homeland Security.” He called Flock “a serious threat to our civil liberties,” and said, “I hope the Police Department will learn a lesson from Flock Technology.”

Lawrence continued, saying that when Con Edison put in the gas line at the intersection of Walworth and Fenimore Roads they disrupted private home hook-ups to the sewer system. He asked if Con Edison would be held accountable.

Mayor Arest assured him, “If Con Ed did not do what they were required to do, they will be held accountable. They would be responsible for rectifying that.”

In other business, the village renewed a lease agreement with AT&T to place wireless telecommunications facilities on the smokestack at 110 Secor Road.

Trustees agreed to hold a public hearing on September 30 for a code change that will extend metered parking until midnight. It is now prohibited to park in metered spaces after 11 pm.

They adopted a revision to the code regarding eligibility requirements for serving on boards and councils. They lowered the required age from 21 to 18 and will allow one non-US resident to serve on many of the boards and councils.

Melissa Chai was appointed to the Arts Advisory Council

A professional service agreement was signed to retain Woodard and Curran Engineering to maintain the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system associated with the Village’s water system.

Victoria Sirota was reappointed to serve a six-year term as Town Assessor. The Mayor said, “We are fortunate to have Assessor Sirota and appreciate that she is here. I hope she will be here longer than the six-year term.”

Toby Levin was appointed to the Town Board of Assessment Review.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 September 2025

Created: 02 September 2025

Last Updated: 03 September 2025

Hits: 2478

(The following letter was written by Steve Kessner concerning proposed development on Garden Road)

I appreciate your article on the 80 Garden Road subdivision. Many of your statements are correct, but there are some glaring misstatements. The 7 acre property is not swampland and never was. There is a 1/10 of an acre wetland in the northeast part of the property, which is the drainage area. We have cut back on the extent of the project from 8 homes to 5 homes. The landfill (as in any new construction) has been seriously reduced and is not adding four feet to the entire property.

Everyone is aware of the current drainage issues in the Garden Road/Cushman Road area. What some don't understand is that the current subdivision proposal before the Planning Board for Garden Road actually results in an improvement and enhancement to the drainage of this area. This result is not speculation or opinion. It is based on comprehensive and detailed analyses by the project professionals. In fact, the project design not only conforms to the Village Code requirements, in many respects it exceeds the requirements. And, the Village hired an independent consultant to meticulously review the project reports, data collection and analyses, to confirm these results. The Garden Road subdivision results in three new residential lots, which is similar in size to other developments in the Village. Each proposed lot is significantly over-sized and sensitive features on the property will be protected. All of these data supported facts will be revealed as the application moves through the approval process, which the appropriate forum for comments and concerns to be expressed and addressed.

Thank you,

Steve Kessner

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 August 2025

Created: 13 August 2025

Last Updated: 13 August 2025

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Plans for new equipment at Aspen ParkMayor Justin Arest opened the August 12, 2025 Village Board meeting by thanking the community for a successful food drive for Feeding Westchester. He reported that 3,400 pounds of food were donated which is enough to provide approximately 2,833 meals for those in need.

He thanked and praised two departing Village employees, Treasurer Ann Scaglione who will become Comptroller for the Town of Cortlandt and Assistant Village Manager Charles Hessler who is leaving to take the job of Village Administrator in Irvington.

He also discussed continuing gaps in wireless coverage in the Village and possible solutions.
See the Mayor’s full comments below.

Village Manager Alex Marshall thanked Assistant Village Manager Charles Hessler for being an incredible member of her team. She said,”He’s not afraid to ask difficult questions and always approaches problem solving in a collaborative way. He is a great sounding board for ideas and always looking for ways to make improvements.” She told Hessler, “I know you will be an incredible Village Manager.”

About Central Taxi, she said that there are still a limited number of drivers available and can still be reached at their phone number.

Public Comments

Elizabeth Lawrence of Walworth Avenue spoke about the sidewalks and urged the Board to do something about all the sidewalks in disrepair, especially the ones on Walworth Avenue.
She said, “It is an urgent situation. I have to walk on the street. If we don’t fix the sidewalks I am going to have to move.”

Marian Green, Chair of the Council on People with Disabilities said the consultants (PMG) found that sidewalk conditions are merely fair. But 35% are good, 20% are fair, 30% is poor and 12% are excellent. The only portion that are excellent are in the Village Center. I am optimistic that we are moving forward.

New Playgrounds for Willow and Aspen Parks

Good news for Scarsdale families. The trustees approved contracts to replace two dated Village-owned playgrounds with new climbing equipment, slides, catwalks and swings to delight children of all ages.

Equipment at both parks was outdated and broken and replacement parts of the existing equipment was no longer available. Willow Park at 37 Wayside Lane was built in 1999 and Aspen Park, at 7 Aspen Road was built in 1997.

Costs to replace the equipment has risen dramatically since the Village originally budgeted $40,000 for the replacement of Greenacres equipment years ago.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board approved $342,00 for each playground.

What’s the schedule? The Mayor said, “We're hoping no later than the spring for Aspen Park and fall for Willow Park, and if it can be done sooner, obviously, that that is the goal.”

See the renderings here and see more detailed drawings of what’s coming in the Village agenda packet here: 

Equipment Shed

Trustees approved a gift of $4,460 from the Scarsdale Youth Football Association to build a 10 x 10 equipment shed adjacent to the tennis courts at Crossway Field for storage of set-up equipment. Examples of essential football program equipment include pylons, tackling dummies, and blocking pads, among other items.

Minimum Age for Service

The Board held a public hearing on a code change regarding board and commission membership requirements. The proposed amendment would lower the minimum change for councils, committees and commission membership from age 21 to age 18. And it would allow one non-resident to be appointed to an advisory council provided that they live within the boundaries of the Scarsdale Union Free School District.

Mayor Arest explained that the proposal was made because an applicant for a council who was already participating was a non-resident.

Traffic Light Coming to Edgewood and Post Roads:

After several accidents, residents called for the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Post and Edgewood Roads to allow pedestrians to safely cross Route 22. Since this is a state road, the light needs to be installed by the New York State Department of Transportation who needs to acquire Village property both in Fee and a Temporary Easement for the construction. At the Village Board meeting on Tuesday August 12, trustees agreed to accept $23,025.00 for a 274 square feet piece of land and grant a temporary easement for a total of 435 square feet. The land currently contains an asphalt path between Post Road and Windsor Lane. This pathway will continue to exist at the completion of the project.

See a detailed map of the area here:

Appointment to the Board of Architectural Review

Jason Young, who is currently an alternate on the BAR was appointed to be a full member.

Demolition of Sanitation Incinerator Building

The Board approved a resolution to spend $38,093 to demolish a non-operational sanitation incinerator building that was built in the 1930’s and is severely deteriorated. The contractor will perform a full scale asbestos and hazardous material removal.

Licensing for Tree Removal Contractors:

The Village is seeking to strengthen laws regarding tree removals by requiring all businesses performing tree cutting, pruning, or removal to obtain an annual license from the Village. Licensees would need to meet insurance requirements, hold a valid Westchester County Home Improvement Contractor’s License, and comply with specified operating standards. The law includes provisions for enforcement, penalties, and potential suspension or revocation of licenses for noncompliance.

Following the Work Session discussion, the draft legislation has been updated to incorporate several clarifications and enforcement enhancements, including:

-A definition of “pruning” to clarify the law’s applicability.
-Expanded license restrictions, barring issuance to revoked licensees, their affiliates, or
businesses in which they hold a 10% or greater interest.
-Explicit requirement to comply with the full Noise Code, not just specified hours.
-Revised hours of operation, prohibiting work before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on
weekdays, and entirely on weekends and legal holidays.
-An emergency provision allowing the Superintendent of Public Works to temporarily lift
hour restrictions after major storm events.
-A new requirement that all tree debris be removed daily and not placed in public rights-of-
way.
-Clarification that each instance of unlicensed work or missing decals constitutes a separate
offense.
-Increased penalties for business or corporate offenders, with higher fines for repeat
violations.
-Addition of appeal rights under Article 78 for suspended or revoked licenses.

The Board scheduled a public hearing on the proposed changes to the code for September 9, 2025.

Mayor’s Comments

As we gather this evening, I want to take a moment to recognize that August holds a number of important observances and celebrations. August 7 is Purple Heart Day, when we honor those who have been wounded or killed in combat in service to our country. Today, August 12 is International Youth Day, which celebrates the creativity, energy, and contributions of young people around the world. August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, a reminder of the ongoing work toward equity and opportunity. It is also a season when our community is especially active, with neighbors filling our parks, families enjoying our downtown, and volunteers giving their time and energy to causes that matter. This past weekend’s Farmers Market was a perfect example. It was wonderful to see Chase Park and our Village Center full of children and families, enjoying the best of Scarsdale together. My thanks to the Scarsdale Business Alliance for all of their efforts in collaborating with the Village to make Destination Scarsdale a success. And a quick reminder that this Thursday, August 14, at 8 PM in Chase Park will be the final installment of the Westchester Band for this season. I encourage all residents to come out and enjoy this great community tradition.

That spirit of giving is front and center in our collaboration with Feeding Westchester. My sincere thanks to Christine Sciandra in the Manager’s Office and Bob Kaczmarek, Assistant Superintendent of PRC, as well as Deputy Mayor Gruenberg for leading the Village’s efforts in this important partnership. Through the generosity of our residents, the Village collected 3,400 pounds of food, enough to provide approximately 2,833 meals for those in need. Their dedication, along with the kindness of those who contributed, reflects the very best of Scarsdale and shows how much we can accomplish when we work together.

I want to take a moment to recognize Treasurer Ann Scaglione, who will soon depart to become Comptroller for the Town of Cortlandt. When Ann joined the Village, she succeeded a beloved Village Treasurer and inherited systems in need of modernization. From the start, she brought energy, persistence, and expertise, tackling the challenges with focus and determination. Ann introduced meaningful improvements to our operations and moved us toward a truly digital and even more transparent budget process. Her work has strengthened the Village’s financial foundation, making our practices more efficient, more accessible, and more responsive to our residents. While there is always more work ahead, Ann’s contributions have been significant. We thank her for her dedication and service to Scarsdale and wish her every success in this next chapter, along with a shorter commute.

I also want to thank Charles Hessler, who will be leaving us to serve as Irvington’s next Village Administrator this fall. I think we have all seen Charles grow in this role. He has served at a time when we needed significant information technology upgrades, including enhancements to our cyber security systems, and he handled those challenges with diligence and steady leadership. He embraced the demands of the job, navigated change thoughtfully, and made a real impact on the way we work. I have no doubt he will be an excellent administrator for Irvington, and we wish him the very best.

To Christine, Bob, Dara, Ann, and Charles, thank you. Your efforts, leadership, and service have strengthened our community, and we are truly grateful.

Before we close, I also want to acknowledge that we continue to receive concerns and complaints about wireless coverage in the Village, particularly with Verizon Wireless. While some improvements have been attempted over the past few years, the results have been limited and, frankly, disappointing. Our conversations with the carrier remain ongoing, but in the meantime the Village Manager is working with the Technology Advisory Council to explore independent resources that can evaluate our service, assess what has and has not been done, and help identify possible solutions. Unfortunately, there has not been a quick solution but we continue to work on this and will continue to keep the community informed as this work progresses.