Scarsdale

Scarsdale Welcomes New Village Assessor Victoria Sirota

Theresa Diamond, Jane Lawrence, Victoria Sirota and Margaret SmoyverScarsdale has a new Village Assessor. Victoria Sirota, who served as assessor in North Castle has accepted the job and was officially appointed at the February 25 meeting of the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees. Here are comments from Trustee Justin Arest, welcoming Sirota and thanking those who filled the void while the Village undertook their search.

As many are aware, former Assessor, Nanette Albanese unexpectedly resigned from her position on Friday, March 1, 2019. The Village wasted no time setting up a plan and I am very proud that the hard work of many has led us to the appointment before us tonight, just less than one year later. I would be remiss if I did not make a few comments of appreciation before proceeding. I am a huge advocate of process and ensuring that the proper steps are taken by the right people in order to promote the best decisions and hopefully the best outcomes. But, regardless of how impressive of a plan could be implemented in terms of a search, without stability in our Assessor’s office over the past year, none of it would have been possible. We are all very grateful for the hard work and substantial time put in by our Village Manager to ensure our incredible professionals had the resources they needed, including the important addition of Edye McCarthy as a consultant. Thank you to Edye for her assistance. I need to extend a big thanks to Ms. Jane Lawrence who I imagine would never have believed anyone had they told her she would have served as Acting Assessor for a year. She continued to say yes when Scarsdale needed her and for that we should all be grateful. To say that her service was integral would still be an understatement.

Finally, quick thanks in the interest of time, to all of the participants of our search committee, the outside professionals that aided us and at times educated us, former HR Director Adil Tahir and current HR Director Angela Sapienza-Martin who did most of the leg work and helped us stay organized, and former Mayor Dan Hochvert, current Mayor Samwick and Village Manager for their leadership and unwillingness to ever panic.

Over the course of this process we received over 30 resumes from interested applicants. Of those, over a dozen candidates were seriously considered and many of them were interviewed multiple times by the search committee as well as the Board of Trustees. The road to get here might have been a little longer than anticipated but, I could not be more pleased to introduce Scarsdale to Victoria Sirota.

Victoria comes to Scarsdale from the Town of North Castle where she has served as its Assessor for 8 years. She holds a BS in Accounting and a BA in Russian from Rutgers University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. Victoria is a CPA and spent fifteen years in the accounting and taxation fields until deciding to take a step back and spend more time with her family.

Victoria’s career in municipal assessments began in 2012 when she was appointed to be the sole assessor for the Town of North Castle. Victoria, along with the assistance of her professional staff in North Castle prepares, maintains and defends an assessment roll of approximately 4,800 properties for the purposes of taxation for the Town (that includes the hamlets of North White Plains, Armonk and Bedford-Banksville), five school districts, Westchester County and various special districts. Victoria is a member of the Institute of Assessing Officers. Otherwise known as the IAO, it is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. An assessor with an "IAO" designation, such as Victoria, is recognized as one who has achieved the highest level of professional competence in his or her field. Additionally, Victoria is a member of the NYS Assessors Association where she plays a valuable role on its Legislative Committee, and, an Executive member and also Past President of the Westchester County Assessor's Association.

Victoria is looking forward to working with our community and encourages residents to call and/or stop by the Assessor's office with any questions related to exemptions, assessments or even just to introduce yourself.

Vicki Presser Presses On

Vicki Presser, the Public Information Officer, media liaison and the voice of the Scarsdale School District has announced she will retire in June after 18 years on the job.

We asked Presser a few questions about her role, her history and the future and here is what she shared”

What are your current responsibilities?

I write or edit all the articles in Insight, and take the classroom photos that are published there; I gather and edit the articles for 'Dale Dispatch; I send Board meeting notices and news releases out to the news media and the community, and write and distribute Board Highlights; I edit reports and papers written by our District administrators; I write special pieces as needed; I answer community and reporter requests for information; I post items on the District Facebook page and contribute to Website postings; I notify news media concerning inclement weather postings; I take part in Safety, Security, and Emergency Management committee work; and there's probably more things that are not coming to mind just now! Oh right: I help bewildered, lost people in the hallway -- a lot. That just happened, so it reminded me.

How has the job changed during your tenure?

Google Docs is a game-changer, as they say. So much easier to collaborate on drafts and keep track of changes.

Under which superintendents did you serve and how did their communication styles vary?

Just Dr. McGill and Dr. Hagerman.

How has the advent of social media affected the way you communicate with the community?

In 2002 Facebook was barely a thing. Now we have nearly instantaneous access to information. But the same rules of communication apply - be clear, concise, and mindful of community concerns.

Were you ever fooled into reporting a fake story or fake news?

Nope. I'm the one telling people to go to Snopes and check the veracity of a story BEFORE passing it around.

What was one of the funniest stories you ever reported?

Not exactly that, but here's one of my favorite stories: It was Human Rights Day at the Middle School some years ago. I had twisted my ankle badly the day before, but gamely limped around the hallways taking photos -- until principal Mike McDermott stopped me and said, "young lady, I'm sending you to the nurse's office!" Now, that is truly one of the perks of working in a school district.

Down the road, what changes in district communications do you anticipate?

I've already seen the transition from phone calls to emails to texts. But some things never change -- for example, a print newsletter is still the only reliable way to reach everyone living in the community.

Do you think the job description for your replacement will differ from what you currently do?

I'm certain my successor will find new and better ways to get the work done -- and will probably also be able to reach items on top shelves.

What do you plan to do in your retirement?

I was recently elected to the White Plains Common Council, and very much enjoy serving the community where I've lived for nearly 40 years. But another title I got in January is even more exciting -- Grandma! My new granddaughter is in Chicago; regular visits will be in order. Apart from that, I'll be glad to have more time to read, take part in synagogue activities, attend concerts, and visit museums and parks.

Local Boy to Appear in Caroline, or Change on Broadway

Ten year-old Jaden Myles Waldman, formerly of Scarsdale, is currently rehearsing to perform in the Roundabout Theatre production of Caroline, or Change. Written by Tony Kushner, the musical is set in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1963 and tells the story of African American maid Caroline and her relationship with Noah, a young boy in the Jewish family for which she works. The backdrop is the American south at a pivotal time in the fight for racial equality. Jaden is now rehearsing for the role of Noah and learning to sing the score, composed by Jeanine Tesori.

We had lunch with Jaden in midtown Manhattan during a break in his busy week. We walked and he arrived by scooter, which Mom Stacie says makes it easier for Jaden to get around town.

Due to the six-day a week rehearsal schedule, Jaden and his mom have sublet an apartment near the theater district so that he could get to work on time without having to commute from Connecticut, where the family now lives.

Stacie explained that Jaden is not missing his schoolwork during the run of the play. Roundabout has two highly skilled tutors that work with him three hours a day so that he keeps up with his fourth grade class. She says that the tutors are excellent and sometimes even give Jaden extra work.

This is not Jaden’s first gig -- he has performed in many commercials, recently co-starred on an episode of the Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and will appear in HBO’s miniseries The Plot Against America in March. Jaden has recently done film work and he played the principal role of Ben in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular twice. Caroline, or Change, however, marks his Broadway debut and his first musical; he seemed to be thriving with the vocal coaching, dance instruction and the intensive acting lessons involved in learning his role.

Previews begin March 13th and the show opens April 7th. As an alternate, Jaden is guaranteed to perform each week and also has to be at the theater for all performances. It seems like a lot to ask a boy of ten, but Jaden was clearly enjoying it.

What about his Dad and sister back home in Connecticut? Stacie said with help from her mother and wonderful neighbors, sister Carly has been managing just fine.

Watch for Jaden Waldman in the Roundabout Theatre production of Caroline, or Change at Studio 54 beginning March 13, 2020.

Plastic Bag Ban in Force March 1, 2020

The day has come: On March 1, New York State will enact a plastic ban bag, requiring shoppers to either bring their own reusable bags or pay a five cent fee for each paper bag they use.

To avoid paying the fee -- and to do your part to save the environment -- bring your own environmentally friendly bags to carry your purchases. After you shop, remember to put them back in the car to have them on hand for your next trip to the store.

Find out how to get your own free Scarsdale reusable bag here.

Here’s the official note from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:

Starting March 1, 2020, a new bag waste reduction law will take effect in New York State - where over 23 billion plastic bags are typically used each year. Plastic bag usage affects both our communities and environment. Plastic bags can be seen stuck in trees, as litter in our neighborhoods, and floating in our waterways. From the significant recycling and disposal issues they pose to the harm they can do to wildlife, the negative impacts of plastic bags are easily seen.

As a consumer, you can help and #BYOBagNY - Bring Your Own Bag. Keep reusable bags in your car, or clip folding reusable bags onto your commuting bag or purse so you always have them handy. If you store them near the door or coat closet, you'll be more likely to remember them on the way out. Remember that every time you use a reusable bag, you are doing your part to prevent litter and waste. Using reusable bags makes sense and is the right thing to do. You can also remind your family, friends, and neighbors to bring their reusable bags whenever they shop.

The Bag Waste Reduction Law applies to more than just grocery stores. Whether you're going to the grocery store, clothes shopping, or to a home improvement store, make sure to bring your reusable bags.

Types of Bags You Can Use
While shoppers can bring any type of bag -- including film plastic -- note that there are many alternatives to choose from which are more environmentally friendly. Ideally, a bag should be washable and designed for multiple uses, such as one made from cloth. If you forget to bring a bag with you, many retailers will have reusable bags for sale. An alternative, such as paper, may also be available. Please note that stores are not required to have bags available for customers. Some stores may choose not to switch to paper and may only have reusable bags for purchase. That is why it is important for consumers to #BYOBagNY - Bring Your Own Bag. If you have a small purchase, such as a magazine, candy or drink, you can help our environment by saying "No thank you" to a single use paper bag and carrying the item instead.

The Bag Waste Reduction Law and Who it Affects
Starting March 1, 2020, all plastic carryout bags (other than an exempt bag) are banned from distribution by anyone required to collect New York State sales tax. For sales that are tax exempt, plastic carry out bags are still not allowed to be distributed by anyone required to collect New York State sales tax (unless it is an exempt bag). The law will affect anyone required to collect New York State sales tax, bag manufacturers and consumers. Cities and counties will also be involved. Under the law:

Cities and counties are authorized to adopt a five-cent paper carry-out bag reduction fee. This means that in these areas, a consumer will be charged 5 cents for each paper carryout bag provided at checkout. In areas that have adopted the five-cent paper carryout bag reduction fee, the fee does not apply to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children -- a nutrition program) recipients, and they are exempt from paying a paper carryout bag reduction fee for paper carryout bags. One way to avoid paper bag fees no matter where you are across New York State is to always bring your own bag.
stores covered under the NYS Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Act will still be required to collect plastic bags and other film plastics from consumers for recycling. (Film plastics include items such as bread bags and plastic wraps that come over cases of water, paper towels and other similar items). As a consumer you can help by continuing to recycle these items at participating retailers.

Exempt Bags
Some bags are exempt under the law, so plastic bags may still be distributed to consumers in a few specific circumstances, such as a bag used by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs, and produce bags for bulk items such as fruits and vegetables. But as a consumer, you can aid in protecting our environment by using reusable bags as much as possible.

Three Debaters Advance to the Finals at Harvard Tournament

Over the Presidents’ Day break, the Scarsdale Speech and Debate team traveled to the 46th Annual Harvard National Forensics Tournament, the largest invitational competition in the country.

Scarsdale had not had a competitor advance to the final round of any category since 2016, but this year Scarsdale had two entries (three team members) advance to finals! Seniors Annie Radin and Rachel Meiselman finished in second place out of 157 competing entries in Duo Interpretation, a dramatic category in which two people perform a ten minute excerpt of a movie, play, or written work. Radin and Meiselman selected the piece “Dance Nation”, a serio-comedic play by Clare Barron that explores the lives of young girls on a competitive dance team.

Fellow senior Jack Silvers won in Extemporaneous Speaking, or “extemp,” a limited-preparation category in which competitors speak on a prompt they receive 30 minutes in advance. Silvers beat out 267 competitors from high schools across the country to win the championship, speaking on issues as varied as cryptocurrency to Chinese investment in South Sudan en route to the title.

In addition to the three finalists, other Scarsdale students also made deep runs at the tournament, with senior Abhinav Vittal reaching the semifinal round in extemp, junior Genie Enders reaching the quarterfinal round in extemp, sophomore Rowan Haffner reaching the octafinal round in extemp, and senior Craig Caroll making the octafinal round in Oral Interpretation, another dramatic category.

All of the students would have been unable to achieve their impressive accomplishments without the help of coach Joe Vaughan, who accompanied the team to the tournament and is in his 21st year as team coach and 18th as head coach. The three seniors are all four-year team veterans, and will surely be missed next year.