Friday, May 16th

Denim Day, A Moment of Silence for Pope Francis, Arbor Day and More from Village Hall

DenimDayDenim Day at Village HallScarsdale will officially recognize Denim Day on April 30, 2025 when everyone is encouraged to where denim to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence.

Olivia Barbezat and Milagros Chatelain, Youth Outreach workers at Scarsdale Family Counseling Service attended the Village Board meeting on April 22 when the Village issued a proclamation recognizing Denim Day as an expression of support for victims of sexual violence.

The two explained that Denim Day has become a symbol of protest opposing erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. It ProclamationOlivia Barbezat and Milagros Chatelain display the Denim Day Proclamationstems from an infamous ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim in the case was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent.

Residents are encouraged to wear denim on April 30 to support survivors and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.

Barbezat and Chatelain invited the community to attend a screening of the film, “It Ends With Us,” and a discussion at Scarsdale Library at 7:00 pm on April 30, 2025.

The board and village staff wore denim in a show of support.

Pope Francis

Mayor Justin Arest asked for a moment of silence for Pope Francis. He said, “We pause tonight to acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis, a global spiritual leader whose humility, compassion, and commitment to justice touched lives far beyond the Catholic Church. As the first Jesuit and first Latin American pope, he led with a deep sense of service, championing the poor, the planet, and the dignity of all people. His legacy will continue to inspire people of all faiths to lead with empathy and purpose. We will be flying our flags at half staff in coordination with the state until Saturday. I ask for a moment of silence in honor of Pope Francis.”

Village Budget

The Village Board approved a $72.2mm budget for 2025-2026 that calls for an increase in the tax levy of 3.95%, or $1,930,000, which exceeds the allowable levy under the New York State Tax Cap formula. Approximately $456,606 of the total levy increase exceeds the cap.

This 3.95% increase translates to a 2.39% rise in the tax rate, equating to approximately $203.25 per year for the average household.

-The budget includes funds for road paving and stormwater improvements.

-There is $5.3 million for an artificial turf field at Winston Field and plans to redesign Crossway, which will involve relocating the tennis courts, building six pickleball courts and redesigning the parking lot. This will be funded through debt and the general fund.

-$200,000 for community safety technology, such as license plate readers and security cameras and $175,000 for an upgrade to the nearly 40-year-old computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system are included in the budget.

Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg made the following comments about the budget:

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Village Manager Marshall, Treasurer Scaglione, the department heads and entire Village staff for their diligence, expertise, and professionalism throughout the 2025–26 budget process. I also want to thank my fellow Trustees for their thoughtful engagement, collaborative spirit, and shared commitment to responsible governance.

This budget reflects months of careful analysis, meaningful public input, and productive dialogue. Every decision was guided by our responsibility to safeguard public resources while ensuring that Scarsdale remains a vibrant, well-managed community.

While the budget includes a modest tax increase, it’s important to note that rising fixed and personnel costs alone placed us above the state tax cap. These are necessary expenses to maintain the high-quality services and professional workforce our residents rightly expect. Even in that context, the budget manages to prioritize key investments in infrastructure, stormwater mitigation, sustainability, public safety, and technology enhancements, each essential to both meeting immediate needs and positioning Scarsdale for the future.

Equally important is the continued focus on long-term planning. This budget lays the groundwork for future capital investments in major community assets such as the Scarsdale Pool Complex and playing fields. These are complex, multi-year initiatives that require foresight, fiscal discipline, and public engagement. I’m proud that we are advancing them thoughtfully.

I fully support this budget. It is balanced, forward-looking, and aligned with our values as a community. It reflects the dedication of our staff, the leadership of this Board, and our collective commitment to the future of Scarsdale.”

Tree City

The Village of Scarsdale was recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, for its commitment to cultivating a healthy and sustainable urban forest. The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and run in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, honors communities that use urban forestry to improve sustainability and quality of life. To qualify, a municipality must meet four standards: maintain a tree board or department, enact a tree ordinance, invest at least $2 per capita in tree care, and hold an Arbor Day observance.

The Village of Scarsdale will hold its annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. (rain or shine) in De Lima Park. This year, the Village will plant a white oak (Quercus alba)—a species recommended by the Friends of Scarsdale Parks for its ecological value and long-term contribution to Scarsdale’s urban canopy. All members of the community are invited to attend the planting.

Destination Scarsdale

Village Manager Alex Marshall announced that the first farmer’s market will be held on Sunday May 4 in Scarsdale Village and run through November 23, 2025. There will be a ribbon cutting at 11 am. This will be the first day of “Destination Scarsdale,” a series of events coordinated with the market and Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway.