Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 14 May 2025

Created: 14 May 2025

Last Updated: 14 May 2025

Hits: 5850

The Scarsdale Village Board accepted the gift of a memorial bench in Chase Park to honor Susana Balkin a Fox Meadow wife and mother of twin 10 year-old boys who passed away at age 42 in April. Her husband Jonathan Balkin told us that the family moved to Scarsdale from New York City in October 2020 and shortly afterwards Susana was diagnosed with a blood disorder. In the short time she was well she left her job and enjoyed Scarsdale and playing golf and tennis at Sunningdale Country Club.

Balkin said the family made an amazing group of friends in town who have been extremely supportive of the family, sending food, hosting the boys for meals and sleepovers and inviting Balkin out as well.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on May 13, 2025, Deputy Mayor Gruenberg read the following about the gift of a memorial bench.

“The Village received a request for a memorial bench donation from Scarsdale resident, Jonathan Balkin, in memory of his wife and mother of their two children, Susana Balkin. Susana passed away in April 2025 after a courageous 4+ year battle with blood cancer and complications following a Bone Marrow Transplant. She is survived by her loving husband, Jonathan, and their 10-year-old twin boys, Andrew and Ryan Balkin. Her legacy of resilience, strength, leadership, and passion continues to light the way. She also had a deep passion for travel and adventure, embracing every opportunity to explore new cultures and experiences with her family.”

“Understanding the family’s desire to place a bench in Chase Park, which will be a focal point of remembrance and reflection for future years, I have worked with the Friends oof Scarsdale Parks to determine a location suitable for all.”

The 5” x 8” bronze plaque that will be affixed to the bench will read:

In Loving Memory of Susana Balkin
01/09/1983 – 04/23/2025
Cherished wife and devoted mother to twin boys who filled our lives with love and the joy of adventure.
Sit, rest, and take peace in the beauty that surrounds you.
Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts

Other Business
The meeting got off to a late start. Without explanation it was postponed from 8:00 pm until 8:30 pm and then further delayed by technical problems with Zoom.

Mayor’s Comments
The Mayor opened the meeting with some general notes, acknowledging mothers for Mother’s Day, observing Mental Health Awareness Month along with Asian American Pacific Island Heritage Month and designating the week of May 11-17 as Food Allergy Awareness Week in recognition of the 377% increase in food allergies in the past decade. He reminded the public that the vote on the school budget and school board members will be held on Tuesday May 20 from 7 am to 9 pm at Scarsdale Middle School.

He also noted that the term of Ben Boykin, Scarsdale’s representative on the County Board of Legislators, comes to an end in June and that the Democratic primary for a candidate for the seat will be held on June 24, 2025.

In other news, he reported that the recently passed NYS Budget eliminates the MTA payroll tax, which is good for local commuters.

In response to concerns about a resolution to purchase cameras, license plate readers and a drone from Flock Security, the Mayor said, “The Board intends to hold a meeting about public safety technology that we expect to install this summer.” He said the meeting would be held in June, with the data to be announced soon.

Village Manager
Village Manager Alex Marshall told residents to be aware that water main flushing is ongoing. The schedule can be found here. Though the discolored water is safe it could stain your laundry.

The Scarsdale Pool will open on Saturday May 24, 2025 and permits are available online or at the Recreation Department. Contact them at 914-722-1160.

Public Comments
Mayra Kirkendall Rodrigue of Fox Meadow Road called in. About the police technology she said, “It’s good to hear that there will be a meeting in June. But it is backward – the meeting should have happened before the secret vote. We’re lucky to have so many diverse people in Scarsdale – I don’t know why you didn’t want to hear from them. 260 people from all districts have signed a petition. While we support responsible public safety we are concerned about the lack of a transparency. This will have a lasting impact on privacy and public trust. It is critical that we have a meeting to discuss this and I think you should pause this until there is funding. When did you apply for this grant? Give us a meaningful voice in shaping the policies.”

Communications from Residents
Village Clerk Taylor Emanuel reported that there were 15 communications about the new police surveillance equipment, water billing and a report from the Scarsdale Forum. You can see the letters here:

Tax Collections
The Village Treasurer reported tax collections as follows:

As of April 30, 2025, collection percentages are:
93.32 % of the 2025 County Tax Levy.
99.58 % of the 2024 School Tax Levy; and
99.62 % of the 2024 Village Tax Levy.
Tax liens were at an historic low, $546,000, on 19 properties.

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 08 May 2025

Created: 08 May 2025

Last Updated: 08 May 2025

Hits: 1677

Scarsdale Police Chief Steven DelBene(The following was written by Scarsdale Police Chief Steven DelBene

May 8, 2025

Dear Scarsdale Residents,

Over the past few weeks, some residents have raised questions about the Scarsdale Police Department’s selection of new Law Enforcement technology tools used to combat crime and strengthen public safety. I want to take this opportunity to speak directly to the community about why we are pursuing these tools, what they are designed to do, and how the Scarsdale Police Department will ensure they are implemented responsibly and transparently.

The Police Department’s investigation into past criminal activity has confirmed that Scarsdale’s location and reputation make it an ongoing target for organized criminal groups intent on committing property crimes, auto theft, and other offenses against our residents. During my 19 years with the Scarsdale Police Department, it has become clear that in order to stay ahead of these evolving threats, we need more advanced, real-time tools that help us respond faster and more effectively.

For nearly two decades, our department has embraced technology as part of our mission to keep residents safe. We have used vehicle-mounted and fixed license plate readers (LPRs), live-view cameras, officer-worn body cameras, patrol dash cams, and drone technology during emergency responses. These tools have served us well, but like any system they have limitations.

In April 2023, a stolen vehicle carrying multiple firearms crashed on the Hutchinson River Parkway. The suspect fled on foot and remained at large in our Village for several hours. That incident made it clear that the Police Department needed to move quickly to upgrade the technology available to our officers. Since then, there have been several more incidents including very recently, a hit-and-run where a suspect broke into a resident’s home and barricaded himself inside. Real-time data and modern tools could have made a measurable difference in safety and response.

Prior to the Police Department requesting authorization from the Village Board of Trustees for the purchase of this Law Enforcement technology, as part of the Department’s due diligence, we consulted with colleagues across Westchester County, New York State, and nationally, including trusted contacts from the FBI National Academy. Many of these departments had already implemented fixed camera systems, updated LPRs, and drone-as-first-responder (DFR) programs with strong results. Scarsdale is not alone in its use of this technology. Local departments in Eastchester, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, New Rochelle, White Plains, and Greenburgh have adopted similar tools and continue to expand their use.

To be clear, this is not a mass surveillance system for Scarsdale. It is a public safety tool designed to help deter and solve crime, deliver real-time information directly to our patrol vehicles and dispatch center, and reduce our reliance on outside agencies for critical, time-sensitive data. It will be used selectively, responsibly, and solely for legitimate law enforcement and emergency response purposes.

To clarify how these technologies work:

• License Plate Readers (LPRs) scan and compare plate numbers against databases of stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, or individuals involved in criminal activity. They help officers establish timelines, identify vehicle movements, and support cases involving burglaries, abductions, and more.
• Live-view cameras complement LPRs by monitoring public areas adjacent to roadways—parks, trails, and open spaces—helping officers assess which direction a suspect may have gone.
• Drones as First Responders (DFRs) launch automatically in response to certain emergency calls, giving our team immediate, real-time visuals. They are operated by our police officers and can often arrive on scene faster than officers on foot or in vehicles, and they are valuable for storm assessments, fires, or large-scale events.

These tools are not experimental; they are in use by thousands of communities across the country, including many right here in Westchester.

As we explored our options, we met with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office to pursue federal grant opportunities that could offset the cost of this program. Her team was supportive and directed us to the funding program to which the Village has since applied.

We also evaluated several vendors including Flock, Motorola, Midl, and Hanwha after seeing demonstrations at a security conference and inviting each to present their solutions. A fifth vendor, Verkada, did not respond. After careful review, we selected Flock for several key reasons:

• The system delivers real-time data directly to our patrol vehicles and dispatch center.
• Our Department controls access, use, and data-sharing- limited to active cases and authorized personnel.
• It includes ongoing hardware and software upgrades at no additional cost.
• The contract includes a six-month trial period which allows us to cancel for any
reason.
• If we do not receive grant funding, the Village is under no obligation to continue with
this program.
• All data is automatically deleted on a rolling basis after 30 days.
• The system includes several built-in accountability features, including public portals for the LPR and DFR systems, to ensure appropriate usage and transparency.
• It is used in almost 200 municipalities and police departments in the NY Metropolitan area. These include New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Wilton, and Ridgefield in CT, and East Hampton, Garden City, Brookville, Old Westbury, and Sag Harbor in NY.

I want to be clear: the Scarsdale Police Department has been nationally accredited through CALEA for over 30 years. We are proud of our policies, training, and oversight- particularly when it comes to protecting personal privacy and civil rights. This program will be no exception.

Our officers are grateful for the community’s support in acquiring this technology. We are committed to using it responsibly and transparently. The Police Department is currently developing a policy, which will be reviewed with the Board of Trustees and shared with the public. In preparing this policy, the Police Department and Board of Trustees are committed to ensuring that we will:

• Use this technology only for legitimate public safety purposes.
• Never use it to monitor anyone based on race, religion, gender, political affiliation, or
any protected class.
• Enforce strict access controls. Every use will be logged and reviewed.
• Maintain clear data retention policies—automatic deletion after 30 days.
• Follow a “data minimization” model, collecting only what’s necessary.
• Conduct regular audits and comply with CALEA best practices.

My first responsibility as Chief of Police is to safeguard the residents of Scarsdale. This is not about chasing the newest trend or expanding surveillance. This is about giving our officers better tools to prevent crime, protect the public, and respond to emergencies with speed, efficacy, and accuracy. These technologies represent a natural and necessary evolution in our work.

I welcome continued conversation with the community as we move forward with this initiative. I ask for your support as our department continues to serve and protect with integrity, professionalism, and care.

Respectfully,
Steven DelBene
Chief of Police
Scarsdale Police Department

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 01 May 2025

Created: 01 May 2025

Last Updated: 01 May 2025

Hits: 2220

(This letter was submitted by Alissa Baum, Deborah Porder and Myra Saul)

To the Editor:

The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee, Indivisible Scarsdale and concerned community members cordially invite all to attend a rally in Chase Park on Saturday, May 3, 4pm. (Rain date May 10, 4pm)

Another rally against Trump? Why in Scarsdale?

The report card on President Trump's first 100 days is not good. Recent polls bear out that he is a failing president. Even his signature policy of immigration is not in the plus column.

President Trump has flouted our traditional values---including our Constitution and statutes--in so many ways. But the Republican majority in Congress has decided not to object.

This leaves those on the sidelines, like our local Democratic committee, Indivisible Scarsdale and hundreds of other organizations and thousands of individuals, united in the need to state that WE object. WE object to his willful disregard of economic common sense which threatens not only our standing in the world's economy but may also trigger horrific inflation. WE specifically object to his gutting of federal agencies and mass firings, seeking to obliterate scientific research, academic freedom and civil liberties. WE object that under his "leadership", vital programs, like Social Security and Medicaid, may be radically changed or decimated.

Are not these values the ones that Scarsdale prizes? What better community to speak out against the destruction of the values that have actually made America great?

None of us can afford to sit on the sidelines. Republicans want to cut the money and programs that keep our hospitals open, our food safe, our water clean and that will prepare us for the next epidemic. United we can stop them!

Alissa Baum and Myra Saul, co-chairs, Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee

Deborah Porder, lead organizer, Indivisible Scarsdale

Details

Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 24 April 2025

Created: 24 April 2025

Last Updated: 24 April 2025

Hits: 1793

Denim 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 Olivia 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.