Dear Neighbors:

There is substantial funding available from both the federal and state governments for infrastructure improvements — and Croton is committed to doing what it takes to get our fair share of these resources.

At our Board meeting Monday night, we resolved to seek funding from the “Transportation Alternatives Program” (TAP) which is a federal program administered at the state level, in our case by the NY State Department of Transportation (NYDOT). Our professional grant writing team will soon begin preparing the application and our Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee will also advise us during each step of the process.

TAP is typically used to plan, design, and promote pedestrian and bicycle safety and undertake projects such as connecting gaps in existing sidewalks, bike lanes, and related activities. The minimum grant request is $500,000 with a $5 million maximum. Eighty Percent (80%) of the eligible project costs (including final design, bidding, and hard construction) would be reimbursed with TAP, with a 20% local match required. A portion of that local share could be met by the time of our own Department of Public Works (DPW) should DPW participate in the project, a likely to occurrence. The application will be submitted by January 9, 2024 with award decisions by NYDOT later that year.

One possible focus of the grant that has been discussed could be Cleveland Drive, including a series of new sidewalks, a traffic circle at Five Corners and bike lanes if feasible. Given the proximity of schools and the library, there are both “safe routes to schools” and mobility benefits which could accrue to all of Croton should we proceed with Cleveland Drive as the centerpiece of our grant.

Decisions on the final application components will await further collaboration and coordination with our grants team and our Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. We’ll be sure to keep you all informed on next steps on TAP.

Seeking TAP funding for vital Croton priorities makes good sense for our Village. And, since it is your federal tax dollars which funds this national program, we are very eager to have them returned to you in the form of much needed transportation improvements to help us all.

Len Simon, Trustee

Village of Croton-on-Hudson

Dear Friends and Neighbors;

I am running for Mayor of Croton-on-Hudson. I was elected as Mayor in 2017 and it has been my honor and privilege to serve our Village and my hometown.

I’ve worked with my colleagues on the Board to enact policies that reflect our community’s values while remaining under the tax cap.

Working together, we have been named the number one clean energy community in New York State and earned the highest Climate Smart Community rating of any village in the state. We added solar arrays at the Dept. of Public Works Building and the Washington Engine Firehouse. We installed electric vehicle charging stations at the train station and the municipal building. We initiated a food scrap recycling program.

We established a Diversity & Inclusion Committee and made Juneteenth a Village holiday. We developed a police reform plan and created a Police Advisory Committee.

We reached collective bargaining agreements with the village unions. We created a housing task force and are on track to double our supply of affordable housing.

We have completed important infrastructure investments such as the Elliot Way boardwalk connecting Senasqua & Croton Landing, the Croton Point Avenue improvement project, and the South Riverside sidewalk extension.

We’ve maintained our bond rating despite the fiscal challenges of the pandemic. We have the largest fund balance in Village history, and we have reduced Village debt by more than $4M.

Our Board has broadened the tax base, developed new non-property tax revenue sources and managed spending & borrowing. Because of this comprehensive approach, we were able to adopt our first budget in more than a decade without a property tax rate increase.

We have made significant progress, but there is still more work to be done. I ask for your vote for myself and my running mates, Nora Nicholson & Cara Politi, so that we can continue to move Croton forward.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear Neighbors:

I am writing to ask Village of Croton-on-Hudson residents to vote for me, Nora Nicholson, for the Village Board. I began serving on the Village Board in January 2023 when Mayor Brian Pugh appointed me to fill a vacancy, and I am now running for my seat. As many know, the Democratic slate is running without opposition this year. This does make being a first-time candidate easier, but without opposition, there have not been any public forums available to talk through the issues, which is unfortunate. Discussion, debate, and compromise are valuable, and I look forward to continuing to hear from village residents with their suggestions and concerns. I am committed to improving communication and taking steps to promote more transparency in Village matters. I grew up here in Croton and love this community. That is why I have decided to serve on the Board.

Our natural environment is our greatest treasure. Keeping our parks well-maintained and improving our facilities is one of my priorities. I support the formation of Friends of Croton Parks and look forward to that nonprofit flourishing in the coming years. I also am a strong supporter of moving Gouveia Park forward into a place that residents can enjoy, and that can serve as a Center for Art and Culture. I am concerned about our environment and the effects of global warming and want the village to continue to lead in sustainable energy. My family and I were lucky enough to be part of the initial compost pilot in the Village this year, and I look forward to expanding that program. I am proud of the progress that has been made in Croton over the past few years and for its recognition as one of the greenest in New York State.

We need to continue supporting safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets and focus on improving our roads and sidewalks. We also need to continue to support our local businesses. Being a small business owner is hard, and we must do what we can to support our businesses. I am keenly aware of the conversations around the Village about housing development and the concerns that we are moving too fast. I am committed to responsible development with adequate growth.

In my time on the Board, I have been impressed with Mayor Pugh and his leadership in fiscal responsibility, housing, and the environment, and I am honored to run alongside him. Although I will miss Trustee Sherry Horowitz greatly as a colleague, Cara Politi will bring deep professional experience in communications and nonprofits to the Board and a fresh perspective.

I appreciate your vote on November 4 and also want to extend my endorsement of the slate of Democrats in the town of Cortlandt as well as Emiljana Ulaj for the County Board of Legislators. We are all committed to the people of Croton-on-Hudson and progress moving forward.

Best,
Nora Nicholson

Village Board of Trustees Croton-on-Hudson

Dear Neighbors,

At last night’s Village Board work session, the Village Board unanimously adopted a statement that defines
and articulates the foundational principles and values that guide our communal life. The statement reads as
follows:

“The Village of Croton-on-Hudson affirms the human rights of all who visit, work or live in our Village. We aim to be
an inclusive and safe place for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual identity,
faith, disability, language, socioeconomic status and immigration status.”

The statement is durable: it is rooted in the belief in human rights for all.

The statement is positive and affirming.

The statement is proactive: it proclaims the value and dignity of all human life.

The statement is descriptive: it describes the values on which our Village chooses to identify itself.

The statement is concise. This is important because the statement can now be easily and prominently highlighted on the Village’s
website as a stand alone statement.

But possibly, the most important aspect of this proclamation, is that it lays the foundation for the implementation of policies and practices that will translate the words on a page into the reality of our Village committing itself to affirming the rights of all people to dignity, respect and protection. In adopting this statement, The Board has also agreed to authorize and empower the new leadership and additional members of the Village Diversity and Inclusion Committee to work in tandem with the Board. To do the work of researching and gathering data so they can advise and assist the Board in establishing the necessary practices and procedures to make the Village a safe, welcoming place of equity and opportunity for all who live, work and visit here.

The Board hopes that residents also approve of the statement, and that it aptly expresses our Village’s asprations.

Sincerely, Sherry Horowitz, Trustee, Croton-on-Hudson Village Board