Message from the Mayor: TMTTR, Curbs, Barges, Tennis, Riverview, New Engine
Posted on: August 27, 2016 - 9:07pm
Fellow Residents;
Updates, news, events in the next few weeks as we roll off the Summer and begin the process of return to school, and the rhythms that follow.
Take Me To The River Music and Arts Festival
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We mark the return of the Take Me To The River concert series with some excitement after a year's hiatus. The ninth iteration of this absolutely excellent Hastings institution will take place in two weeks, Saturday, September 10th, from 12:30 to 9PM at the Draper estate off Broadway. It will feature a day's worth of bands on two stages, with acts drawn locally, regionally and nationally. The full schedule – and tickets - are here , and with the loss of the Clearwater festival, this is one of the bigger music festivals going on in Westchester. What makes it special is the range of events and programming above and beyond the wide variety of musical performances up on the stage. There's local food vendors so you're covered when you hunger (and a beer garden, so I'm pretty much set) and a range of clever activities for the kids. You can sit and enjoy the food and music while your young loved ones frolic in a set of activities that appeal to the younger set - giant blocks, clever art installations, and more. It's worth every cent of the admission ($25 for adults – cheaper if you order online, for $15 kids and seniors, under 10 free) and that covers the many bands and everything else. If you ever wanted confirmation you live in the best community around, this is it. One of my favorite events of the year, organized and put on by Liz Liebeskind, Barb Prisament and Niki Armacost. Come. Have a blast. See you there. The Village is a co-sponsor of this great musical festival, which is held on a non-profit basis to foster community involvement and appreciation for the arts.
Curbing and Resurfacing
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With our stronger financial position, we've upped the number of streets we are resurfacing this year and have begun to add new curbs to the mix - so several streets will see curb work begin next week. Resurfacing will follow in September.
Barges Update
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Despite the little warning and an abbreviated amount of time for public comment on the Coast Guard's plans to establish anchorages in various places in the Hudson including right in front of our waterfront, the surrounding communities have rallied and begun to organize a campaign to defeat this ill-conceived assault on our waterfronts and river. Yonkers, Hastings, and other communities have banded together to form the Hudson River Waterfront Alliance, hired a law firm with appropriate expertise, begun an organized reach-out to our federal legislators, and begun organizing a public response. We're working with other groups - the Riverkeeper is doing excellent work here - read their analysis here . The issue has gotten press and media exposure and as opposition grows, is likely to get more. We have until September 7th to comment on the proposal, so if you haven't done so, click here and leave your thoughts for the Coast Guard. Quantity of respondents matters as much as quality of prose, so please do this even if you are brief. It takes only a few minutes of your time. Click now. Similarly, we’re jointly sponsoring an on-line petition that seeks to demonstrate public unhappiness with this idea. Take the minute to click here and add your name.
School Facilities
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We are seeing the renovations to Reynolds Field come to a conclusion, with the tennis courts reopening and the track about to do so as well - renovations paid for by the school bond issued a couple of years ago after a public vote. The Village has completed, as well, the lion's share of the work on the brand-new Reynolds Field Playground, and it is now open to joyful use by local children who have been eager to see it available for play. A pleasure to see. School Superintendent Roy Montesano has asked me to reach out and tell people that the public are welcome to use the school facilities (tennis court and track, when it is reopened) as long as they are not in use for school athletic practice or competition. The new facilities are beautiful and I know that many will take Superintendent Montesano up on the offer. The upgrades represented by the new field, courts and playground are a major new asset for the community and one, I am sure, that will receive plenty of use.
“The Riverview” Restaurant
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A Hastings institution for decades, The Riverview is located at the border of Yonkers on Warburton Avenue and it has been swept up in the controversy around the proposed Artis memory care facility proposed across the street. This catering hall has been used by many in the community, given its excellent location, views and food. The Artis process will take a while to resolve itself, one way or another, and The Riverview is going nowhere in the meanwhile. They have asked me to pass on that they are taking reservation through 2017 and beyond. Keep them in mind when you plan your events.
Protection Engine’s new Engine
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The Fire Department’s Protection Company (the one on Warburton next to Chase) has received it’s new apparatus – a beauty that has not yet been formally inaugurated that you may see around town as they break it in and test it on our non-trivial hills and sharp corners. (Our village’s challenging topography requires custom transmissions and engines, so off-the-shelf rigs are out-of-reach for us.) Protection is enjoying its 140th birthday this year, one of the oldest continually operating houses in Westchester. Originally built from the bricks of the burnt sugar factory that, in part, inspired its construction (some can still be found in the foundation and cellar), they will be proudly participating in the Annual County Volunteer Firemen’s Association Dress Parade in Hastings on September 24th (1:30PM through town). This parade, which we have not hosted in a while, will involve apparatus and uniformed volunteers from across the county. There will be a Friday Night Live/Block Party the night before to celebrate this awe-inspiring day. More details on this to follow.
Enjoy these summer days and store up the warmth. With all the recent rain, it’s as pretty as it has been.
Sincerely,
Peter Swiderski
Mayor