Village Board Appoints New Police Chief and Recognizes Holocaust Remembrance Day

Newly appointed Chief Steven DelBene poses for a photo with the Village Board, Mayor and Village ManagerWith Scarsdale Police Chief Andrew Matturro’s retirement just a few weeks away, the Village Board appointed a new chief for the Village at their meeting on January 14, 2025. They also issued a resolution denouncing hate, discrimination and antisemitism. See below:

Announcing the appointment of the new police chief, Mayor Justin Arest explained, “Tonight, we have the privilege of voting on a resolution to appoint Lieutenant Steven DelBene as the next Police Chief of the Scarsdale Police Department. This appointment reflects not only the strength of Lieutenant DelBene’s distinguished career, but also the values of professionalism, innovation, and community service that are central to our department.

Lieutenant DelBene began his career with the Scarsdale Police Department nearly two decades ago, in 2006. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, earning the respect and trust of his peers and our community. His roles have spanned from patrol officer to sergeant, and most recently to lieutenant, where he has helped guide a team of 52 sworn and civilian personnel. At every stage of his career, he has demonstrated the ability to inspire confidence, foster collaboration, and ensure operational excellence.

In addition to his operational duties, Lieutenant DelBene has spearheaded several critical initiatives that have significantly strengthened the department’s readiness, transparency, and officer wellness. His notable contributions include the implementation of the department’s first-ever body-worn camera program, the modernization of our radio system, and the introduction of an innovative wellness program—including the department’s first wellness canine, a first for Scarsdale. These efforts highlight his ability to drive positive change by blending operational efficiency with forward-thinking strategies that directly benefit both our officers and the broader community.

Lieutenant DelBene’s professional development further underscores his qualifications. He is a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy, one of the nation’s premier law enforcement leadership programs, and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Marist College. These academic achievements, combined with his extensive field experience, uniquely position him to guide the Scarsdale Police Department into the future.Chief DelBene accepts his new job.

Lieutenant DelBene’s dedication, integrity, and progressive approach to modern policing have prepared him well for this new role. I am confident that, under his leadership, the department will continue to uphold the highest standards of public safety while strengthening its partnership with the community.”

Accepting his new role DelBene said, “I am honored and humbled to stand before you as your next Chief of Police for the Scarsdale Police Department. I want to begin by sincerely thanking the board for placing your trust and confidence in me to lead this exceptional department. Over the past 19 years, I've had the privilege of serving this community in various capacities, and in that time, I've come to truly understand and appreciate what makes Scarsdale so special. Our community is not only rich in tradition and pride, but it is also home to an engaged and supportive citizenry that partners with its police department to create an unparalleled standard of public safety. This promotion is not just a professional milestone for me, it's a responsibility I take to heart. I am deeply committed to ensuring that the scars go to department continues to reflect the high standards our residents expect and deserve.

We face exciting opportunities and challenges ahead, from enhancing public safety, to technology and Innovation and continuing to foster a culture of excellence and professionalism within the department.

…..I promise to serve with transparency, accountability and an unwavering dedication to protecting and enriching this wonderful community. I look forward to working together to ensure that Scarsdale remains a safe, vibrant and thriving place for all. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't thank my family. They have made sacrifices along with me in order to for me to get where I am today, here with me today. You all met my daughter, Ava. Unfortunately, my wife, Julia, is at home taking care of our son, Ryan, who's sick. Otherwise they would have joined me tonight, Julia, I know she's watching. I am so lucky to have had you stand by my side throughout my entire career. I could not have done this without you again for this incredible opportunity.”

License Agreement with the Scarsdale Schools

Recognizing an arrangement for the Village to use school-owned property for the placement of playground equipment at Greenacres field, the Board passed a license agreement for the use of the property.

The rationale is as follows:

“The Scarsdale Union School District owns a parcel of land on Huntington Avenue, adjacent to Greenacres Elementary School and is used by the School District during the academic year as a school playground. Historically, the Village of Scarsdale has maintained playground apparatus in the southeast corner of this property, referred to as the Village Playground. However, there has not been an agreement formalizing the Village s use of this portion of the School District property.

The Village recently purchased and installed new playground apparatus at the aforementioned property in September of 2024, and both the School District and the Village agreed that this was an ideal time to formalize the relationship regarding use of the playground. Attached is a draft license agreement, prepared and reviewed by both School District and Village staff. The agreement is for a term of five (5) years, with an option to extend for additional five-year terms upon mutual agreement of both parties.”

Appointment to the Board of Architectural Review

Lori Falow was appointed as an alternate to the Scarsdale Board of Architectural Review

Assistant Village Manager

The Board approved a resolution to modify Village code to permit the appointment of three rather than two assistant Village Managers.

Donations

The Village Board accepted two donations from the Fenway Golf Club Charitable Fund. One for $5,000 for the Scarsdale Police to purchase equipment and another for $5,000 for the Scarsdale Fire Department to support the firefighters in their duties.

Taxi Service

In response to a request for financial relief from Scarsdale Taxi, the Village Board passed a resolution to pro-rate fees for taxicab licenses on a monthly basis to $10 per taxicab for the 2025 calendar year. This replaces semi-annual payments and will help to ensure that taxicab service remains available in the Village.

Explaining the change, Mayor Arest said, “As you may know, the village government does not operate the taxi service in Scarsdale, nor do we hold, nor do we hold control of the station spots utilized by the taxi company. Additionally, we do not have the authority to license or regulate certain for higher transportation services that operate within our borders. However, when it comes to taxis, specifically, we do have the ability to require driver and vehicle licenses. With that in mind, we have been in communication with Scarsdale taxi operator and have worked collaboratively to support their efforts to maintain essential taxi service for our residents who depend on it. To that end, we are proposing an amendment to our code that will allow the vehicle license fee to be paid on a monthly basis, rather than yearly or semi-annually, for 2025.”

Holocaust Remembrance Day

In an unusual move, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees passed a resolution recognizing the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and denouncing hate. During a moving moment of the proceedings, the entire board signalled their support for the resolution by each reading a section of the following resolution aloud:

WHEREAS, January 27 is recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and honoring the memory of the six million Jews and millions of others who perished during the Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, this International Holocaust Remembrance Day will mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, serving as a powerful reminder of the responsibility to preserve historical truth, learn from the past, and take a resolute stand against all forms of antisemitism, intolerance, and hate; and

WHEREAS, antisemitism, defined as hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jewish individuals, is a persistent and pernicious threat with a long history of inciting division, violence, and societal instability, and continues to pose grave risks in the United States and globally; and

WHEREAS, history demonstrates that antisemitism has repeatedly served as a precursor to broader societal intolerance, igniting cycles of hatred that spread beyond Jewish communities and weaken the bonds of our shared humanity; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Scarsdale is unwavering in its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all residents, grounded in the principles of dignity, equality, and mutual respect; and

WHEREAS, the rise of hate crimes and bigotry, including acts of antisemitism, serves as a stark reminder of the deeply interconnected and escalating nature of prejudice, demanding immediate and resolute action to confront and eradicate hatred in all its forms; and

WHEREAS, in June 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation embracing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, recognizing its importance as a tool to help identify and combat antisemitic acts, thereby providing guidance to ensure that all New Yorkers are protected from such hatred; and

WHEREAS, in December 2022, former Westchester County Executive George Latimer issued an Executive Order adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism for Westchester County, an action publicly praised for demonstrating leadership and providing a clear standard to identify and address antisemitic incidents at the county level; and

WHEREAS, the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, endorsed at both the state and county levels, provides a globally recognized standard that enhances the ability to identify, understand, and combat antisemitic speech and actions; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Scarsdale unequivocally condemns hatred, bias, racism, and discrimination in all forms, recognizing that such ideologies undermine the fundamental values of inclusivity, solidarity, and respect that are essential to a thriving and united community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Scarsdale, through its Mayor and Board of Trustees:

1. Unequivocally condemns antisemitism in all its forms and recognizes its profound impact on Jewish communities and society at large as a dangerous manifestation of hate that cannot be tolerated.

2. Endorses and adopts the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, in alignment with Governor Hochul’s 2022 Proclamation and former County Executive Latimer’s 2022 Executive Order, as a guiding tool to identify, prevent, and respond to antisemitic acts and rhetoric.

3. Reaffirms its commitment to combating all forms of hate and discrimination, acknowledging their interconnected nature and the shared responsibility to build a community where all individuals feel safe, respected, and valued.

4. Encourages residents to report incidents of hate and discrimination, ensuring that such reports are addressed with urgency, transparency, and accountability while providing comprehensive support to affected individuals and communities.

5. Pledges to collaborate with law enforcement, educational institutions, and community organizations to strengthen strategies for preventing and responding to hate incidents, promoting a proactive and inclusive approach to community safety; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Scarsdale stands in unwavering solidarity with all communities impacted by hate, recognizing that an attack on one is an attack on all, and commits to leading by example in upholding and advancing the values of respect, inclusivity, and unity. Let this resolution serve as a reaffirmation of the Village of Scarsdale’s resolve to confront and eradicate hate in all its forms, ensuring that the village remains a beacon of hope, acceptance, and justice for all; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to all Department Heads, the  Superintendent of the Scarsdale Union Free School District as well as said District’s Board of Education President; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that it is recognized that Mayor Arest has proclaimed that January 27, 2025 is to be officially recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Scarsdale.

Tax Collections and Payments Due

Village Treasurer Ann Scaglione reported the following:

The tax collection percentages are:

-99.67% of the 2024 school county tax levy has been collected.
-63.02% of the 2024 school tax levy has been collected
-97% of the 2024 village tax levy has been collected.

She reminded the public that the second installment of the 2024 school tax is due on or before January 31, 2025.