Message from the Mayor: CAMP, Memorial Day Parade, No Blowers, FNL, Music, and More

Mayor
Fellow residents,
 
An important presentation by the State, Memorial Day festivities, a reminder on the leaf blower ban, and many events in subsequent weeks are highlighted below.
 
CAMP
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As we move toward demolition of Building 52 this summer, an important component is the Community Air Monitoring Plan ("CAMP"), which is what BP Arco is required to implement as part of the demolition effort. This plan, reviewed and approved by the Department of Health and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ("NYSDEC"), monitors and reports on air quality during the demolition and functions as the mechanism by which we make sure that particulate contamination is controlled and verified as below dangerous thresholds.  The NYSDEC is here at the Community Center on Wednesday from 2PM to 4PM and the later from 6PM to 8PM to answer any questions on the CAMP and other control measures to ensure the demolition is safe.  The CAMP itself is memorialized in a document found (HERE). (I will be attending the 6pm-8pm session.)
 
Leaf Blower Ban
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The ban on leaf blowers kicked in on May 15th and runs until October 15th.  Instituted by the Board 9 years ago and enshrined in Village law, the ban prohibits the running of any leaf blower during this time frame - with exceptions made for the disabled or elderly through petition to the Village Manager (email him at villagemanager@hastingsgov.org).  If you encounter a lawn service firm or neighbor who hasn't gotten the message, please immediately call the police at 914-478-2344 (only works if they catch them in the act) and they will go issue either a warning or fine.  The ban cuts down on the smog generated by these devices, as well as the significant dust kicked up and, of course, the ungodly racket. 
 
Memorial Day
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We have our Memorial Day parade and service this Sunday at 2PM, and it promises to be memorable. (Click Here for the Parade Flyer)  We have contingent of 25 marines and 25 navy personnel participating, as well as distinguished guest Major General John Love of the 2nd Marine Division. Fire engines, marching bands, scouts, volunteer firemen - the works. The parade kicks off by Reynolds Field at 2PM and works its way down Main Street, turns right on Warburton through the downtown, and then loops around South Street back up Maple where it ends.  It's the real deal - a tribute to those in the armed forces who paid the ultimate price on our behalf (the real meaning of Memorial Day, after all) with all the charm of a small-town parade, just 12 miles north of Manhattan.  It is followed by a brief service to honor the fallen at the VFW plaza, with a gun salute, roll call and brief speeches.  Our fallen deserve your respect and time and kids will love the pageantry. The Historical Society has photos of Memorial Day Parades over time – you can view them (HERE)
 
The Village is reviewing a proclamation to honor the wounded and fallen and expects to post it on the Village website in the next few days for action at the June 6th Board meeting. More will follow.
 
Friday Night Live
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The latest Friday Night “Love”, is on Friday June 2 starting at 6PM, with Warburton closed to traffic, featuring a Beatles tribute band from 7pm to 9pm,  and gals from the Suburbia Roller Derby team out and about skating and greeting people, carnival games, etc.  As always, fun and free.
 
RiverTowns Arts Music Tour
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In its third year, Saturday, June 3rd, from noon to midnite, this new Rivertowns tradition is great fun – 80 performances at 25 locations throughout the Rivertowns (Hastings, of course, is over-represented) and the individual gigs are so timed that you have time to walk to the next one and see something new.  You can profitably spend the day flitting from performance to performance, and given that the price is free, it doesn't get better than this. All performers are local, and many are professionals with quite a few Grammy and other award winners out there.  Information can be found (HERE) and maps will be available closer to the date, and this is the moment where you get your out-of-town friends up to show off exactly how talented and cool a Village you live in. 
 
Lights Camera Action
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The Library runs a fundraiser in tribute to Harvey Lerner, who has hosted the “Talking Pictures” movie series over the years, hosting thoughtful discussions.  Join us Sunday, June 4th, from 5-8PM at a cocktail party and live auction to raise money for furnishing the Children’s Room.  $25 in advance, tickets at the library, and $35 at the door.
 
Hastings House Update
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Hastings House, that empty but beautiful building on the corner of Warburton and Spring that once housed the eponymous restaurant, has finally sold and we can hope and expect a great thing there.  More to follow, but there is reason to be excited. Definitely.
 
Other news items
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The school welcomes a new school superintendent, Dr. Tony Sinanis, and he will officially start July 1st. Congrats to the Board of Education for a successful conclusion to the search.  We are posting the new Village budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year on the website (HERE): it posits an increase of about 1% in the tax levy, with more details to follow in an email from Trustee Armacost.  We have agreed to a significant increase in our paving efforts – many times our usual annual expense – and Trustee Armacost’s email will cover that as well.
 
Please join us on Sunday this Memorial Day weekend – and hope that we are blessed with weather better than what is expected throughout this week.
 
Sincerely,
 
Peter Swiderski
Mayor