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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 05 July 2026

Created: 05 July 2026

Last Updated: 05 July 2026

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(Updated 6:30 pm 7/5)

Strong thunderstorms, with winds reported at 60 mph swept through Scarsdale around 8 pm on Saturday night July 4, pulling down utility lines and taking out power. 

As of 7:45 am, 286 homes were without power - and a fallen tree was blocking the entire entrance to Colonial Acres. By 1 pm, the map showed about 30 homes without power. Residents were still reporting outages on Penn Boulevard, Franklin Road and Crossway. In order to make the repairs at Colonial Acres, it was necessary to cut off power to the entire neighborhood. 

The Village sent out the following around 2 on Sunday:

"Con Edison is currently in the area of Colonial Acres to prepare for removal of downed tree/wires. In order to safely perform this emergency work, Con Edison will need to de-energize the primary lines in the area, which may temporarily cause additional outages for residents in the surrounding areas."

The power outage also affected the Scarsdale Pool, which was closed for several hours on July 4, and on July 5 was not able to open. Here is the note from the pool sent out on July 5:

Dear Pool Members,An uprooted tree on Mamaroneck Road at the Saxon Woods Golf Course

We wanted to provide an update regarding today's pool operations.

Due to an electrical outage resulting from last night's storm, the Scarsdale Pool is unable to open at this time. Restoration time is still to be determined, and we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.

We will provide updates throughout the day as we assess the situation and receive additional information. We appreciate your patience and understanding and look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as it is safe to do so.

Thank you,
Scarsdale Pool Management

Share your photos with us at scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.

Evening Update

At 6:30 pm on July 5, the Village of Scarsdale sent out the following update showing closed roads and more homes without power than was originally indicated on the outage map:

Here is what the said:

Road Closures
Our Department of Public Works, Police Department, Fire Department, and other Village personnel have been working continuously to assess damage, clear roadways where it is safe to do so, and coordinate with Con Edison and other utility partners. As of 5pm, the following roadways still remain closed in the Village:

-Mamaroneck Road between Catherine Road and Canterbury Road
-Colonial Road at #3 (Con Edison currently on scene)
-Berwick at Whig Road
-Penn Road at #85 (Con Edison currently on scene)

Outage Information
A few hundred Scarsdale customers remain without electric service. Con Edison reports that approximately 7,000 customers remain without power across Westchester County, which experienced the largest concentration of storm-related outages. Several Con Edison restoration crew(s) are currently assigned within Scarsdale, and Village officials remain in close communication with the utility and continue to advocate for the resources needed to restore service to our community as quickly and safely as possible.

Flood Watch through Tomorrow Evening
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for our area through Monday night. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected, capable of producing localized flash flooding, rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, isolated strong to damaging wind gusts, and ponding on roadways. Widespread rainfall totals of 2 to 3 inches are expected, with localized amounts of 4 inches or more possible where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same locations. Residents should avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain, never drive through flooded roadways, and stay well away from downed trees and any wires, which should always be treated as energized.

Residents should report all power outages, downed wires, gas odors, and other utility-related issues directly to Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633, even if they believe the outage has already been reported. Customers who report outages will receive restoration updates directly from Con Edison. For all other non-emergency public safety concerns, including downed trees, flooded roadways, blocked streets, or other hazards, please contact the Scarsdale Police Department non-emergency line at 914-722-1200. If you observe an immediate threat to life or property, call 911.

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Written by: Claudia Wang

Published: 25 June 2026

Created: 25 June 2026

Last Updated: 25 June 2026

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Scarsdale has a new Village Treasurer! At their meeting on Tuesday night June 23, the Board of Trustees approved the appointment of a new treasurer, filling a critical job in the Village Manager’s office that has been open for almost a year. The Mayor announced an add on the agenda, explaining that “Since the treasurer resigned last August, we were clear that they we were not just going to fill a seat. This is one of the most consequential roles in Village Government … the person responsible for safeguarding our community’s finances.” He said, “the process took longer than any of us would have liked. ….”

Later in the meeting Trustee Schulhof read the resolution to officially appoint Dawn Donovan as Scarsdale's next Village Treasurer, effective August 3rd, 2026. He outlined the search and interview process. Donovan comes to the role with more than 35 years of public sector finance experience, including 25 years in municipal government. Notably, she served for over 15 years as the Town Comptroller and HR Manager for the Town of Eastchester, where she managed a $48 million municipal budget. The Board voted unanimously by roll call to approve her appointment.

During the second public comment period, Dawn Donovan came to the podium to thank the Mayor and the Board for the confidence they have placed in her, saying she is “honored to serve Scarsdale and is fully committed to managing the village's finances with transparency, integrity, and diligence.”Dawn Donovan has been appointed as Scarsdale Village Treasurer

Fireworks on Thursday night July 2, 2026

Village Manager Alex Marshall announced the upcoming Annual Fireworks Spectacular, celebrating the 4th of July, scheduled for Thursday, July 2nd, at the Scarsdale Pool Complex.

Key details for attendees include:

● A $10 fee will be charged to all non-pool members entering the complex starting at 5:00 p.m.
● Beginning at 8:00 p.m., a $10 fee will apply to all individuals entering the complex.
● The Westchester Band will perform at 7:30 PM.
● This year’s event features special "America 250" and "Scarsdale 325" giveaways.

Further information regarding parking and local road closures will be shared with the community later in the week.

Public Comments Regarding Lateral Sewer Lines and Con Edison

The first public comment period brought comments on the ongoing issues with damage to lateral sewer lines caused by the installation of a gas main by Con Edison.

Joe Lawrence of Walworth Avenue raised urgent concerns regarding the ongoing scoping investigations of Con Edison sewer lines. He noted that independent plumbers have captured clear video evidence of lateral line damage, while Con Ed contractors claim no issues exist. He noted that Con Ed representatives have gone so far as to claim that residents' video footage was "altered by AI."

Lawrence stated that out of roughly 60 homes inspected by a contractor, around 90% showed problems. He warned that wastewater leaking from these broken lines risks contaminating the local water table and creating a toxic waste site. He stated that some residents have already spent $50,000 to $60,000 out of pocket to repair lines so they can sell their homes. He urged the Village to apply pressure on Con Ed to provide a fixed timetable for repairs, before the ground is frozen, and to commit to resident reimbursement. It’s been 3-4 weeks since they said they were gathering information. He said, “I would like to have a fixed date for repairs and a third party to review their videos.”

Elizabeth Lawrence, also of Walworth Avenue, echoed these concerns, expressing worry for her neighbors who are paying large sums for infrastructure damage caused by Con Ed. She also noted the absurdity of Con Ed claiming that local residents were altering plumbing videos with AI and requested that a third party look into it. Additionally, she requested an update on the ongoing sidewalk project, noting she hoped everything was progressing according to plan, and thanked Dara Gruenberg for rescuing her from the ladies room earlier in the evening.

In response, Mayor Arest stated that the Village remains in regular communication with Con Edison and expects to host a public meeting in the near future where residents can attend to directly receive answers.

Board Actions and Resolutions

The Board voted on several key resolutions, all of which passed with unanimous support and no trustee objections:

● Approval of Bills: Trustee Silberfein presented the abstract of claims dated June 23, 2026, totaling $2,450,427.43. The board approved the payments unanimously.

● The Consent Agenda included the May 28 meeting minutes, a contract to deliver a 500-gallon oil-water separator, the purchase of a garbage truck chassis and rack body with a lift gate, and a New York State contract for gasoline procurement passed unanimously.

● Village Hall Interior Improvements: Trustee Foley introduced a resolution authorizing a contract with LaBella Associates DPC for design and engineering services to renovate the interior of Village Hall. Trustee Foley noted that the building has not seen significant renovations in over 50 years, leading to layout inefficiencies, poor staff workflow, and inadequate public restroom facilities. The contract, not to exceed $193,750, passed unanimously.

● Annual Property Tax Levy: Trustee Kaufman introduced the resolution to levy the annual property tax for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, totaling $53,354,201. As in previous years, the tax will be collected in two installments. This passed unanimously via roll call.

● Fire Apparatus Bond: Trustee Kaufman also introduced a resolution authorizing a $1,750,000 bond issuance to fund the acquisition of a new fire engine to replace Engine 55. Although delivery of the apparatus is not expected until 2030, the advance preparation ensures timely replacement of the vehicle, which will have 18 years of service and over 100,000 miles by that time. This passed unanimously via roll call.

● CSEA Agreement Amendment: Trustee Schulhof moved to ratify a stipulation agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA Local 1000) to officially add the title of police dispatcher to the bargaining unit. This passed unanimously.

● Therapeutic Recreation Services: Trustee Silberfein introduced an agreement with the Southeast Consortium for Special Services to provide therapeutic recreational programming for residents with special needs. Scarsdale’s cost share for 2026 is $18,018.96, representing a 2.5% increase from last year. This passed unanimously.

Communications and Future Meeting Schedule

The Village Clerk reported that seven written communications were received since the last meeting. These included emails from Andrew Petchek, Anna Petchek, Helen Macarino, Barry Abramson, and Andrew Rodman concerning a special tax district for stormwater remediation, as well as emails from Jordan Copeland and Jared De Palma regarding 27 Woods Lane.

Upcoming Meetings

● Tuesday, July 14, 2026: 6:00 p.m. Work Session; 7:30 p.m. Agenda Committee Meeting; 8:00 p.m. Regular Village Board Meeting.
● Tuesday, July 28, 2026: 8:30 a.m. Limited Agenda Morning Meeting.
● Holiday Closure Notice: Village Hall will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 10 June 2026

Created: 10 June 2026

Last Updated: 10 June 2026

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George Field ParkAfter years of discussion, the Village of Scarsdale is moving forward with three long awaited stormwater remediation projects, using a 50% fund matching program from Westchester County.

In order to qualify for the matching funds, the Village was required to make a commitment to fund 50% of the proposed work. With a June 19 county deadline approaching, the Scarsdale Village Board unanimously approved resolutions to authorize the issuance of bonds to underwrite the Village share of the expenses.

The three projects are as follows:

-Authorization for the issuance of $3,669,640 in bonds for the Village’s share of the cost of stormwater and drainage improvements around Cushman Road, Garden Road, Willow Lane and Sheldrake Road, including installation of new surface inlets, upsizing of storm sewer pipes and replacement of piping, and any incidental expenses. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $7,339,280.

-Authorization for the issuance of $4,236,680 in bonds for the Village’s share of the cost of stormwater and drainage improvements around George Field Park, Rugby Lane and Cambridge Road, including improvements to piping and bio-retention pond and regrading, and any incidental expenses. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $8,473,360.

-Authorization for the issuance of $373,750 in bonds for the Village’s share of stormwater and drainage improvements around Griffen Avenue including construction of a culvert system, removal of pipes, widening and stabilization of stream bank, and removal of debris and sediment within the system, and any incidental expenses. The total cost of the work is estimated to be $747,500.

Another proposed project on Brite Avenue and Chesterfiled Road near the tennis courts, estimated to cost $3,380,000 was not included.

Several residents from the affected areas wrote letters and came to Village Hall to speak about the projects after the Mayor raised the question of funding stormwater improvements by creating special tax districts to assess affected residents for the cost of the work at a work session on May 28, 2026.

Subsequently, further details about special tax districts were provided in two memos issued by the Village on June 5.

A memo titled, “Village Considering Funding Options for Stormwater Hazard Mitigation Improvements” says: “The Village has previously identified potential local funding sources for these projects, including assigned fund balance and future debt financing. During its May 28 work session, the Village Board discussed project funding strategies, broader stormwater management considerations, and various financing tools available to municipalities under New York State law, including special tax districts. No action was taken or decision reached regarding any specific funding mechanism.”

Another titled, “Understanding Special Tax Districts and Infrastructure Funding” said the following:

"Infrastructure projects can vary significantly in both cost and the scope of benefits they provide. Some projects provide benefits that are shared broadly throughout the community, while others may provide more direct benefits to particular areas or groups of properties……Local governments may consider funding tools such as grants, reserve funds, debt financing, general Village revenues, and other mechanisms authorized under New York State law.
One such tool is a special tax district, which allows certain public improvements or services to be funded, in whole or in part, by properties that receive a particular benefit from them. Special districts are commonly used throughout New York for infrastructure and services such as sewer systems, drainage improvements, water systems, and lighting districts.” … The Board discussed a variety of funding options as part of its deliberations on how best to finance these significant and costly projects…. These discussions were conceptual in nature, intended to explore potential approaches and better understand the implications of various funding mechanisms. No decisions were made, no actions were taken, and no consensus was reached regarding how to proceed…. The discussion of special tax districts does not mean that properties within a particular neighborhood would necessarily be responsible for the full cost of a project. Under New York law, special districts can be structured in different ways depending on the nature of the improvement, the public benefits provided, and the applicable legal requirements.”

During public comments residents objected to underwriting the cost of stormwater improvements through the creation of special tax districts.
Shari Beckman of 75 Garden Road said, “It has come to our attention that you are considering levying a tax for residents around Cushman Road to pay for stormwater remediation…. That strikes us as totally unfair and inappropriate. The Village has never advocated for the costs of a project to be born by those who receive the primary benefit… We live in a town where the residents support one another – not only those that benefit themselves. A targeted tax is a slippery slope – and one we should never go down.”

Helen Maccarino read a letter from Andrew Rodman of 77 Cushman Road. It said, “It has been suggested that the Mayor may propose a special tax on neighborhoods where flood remediation projects are undertaken. This would be unprecedented and could have serious long-term consequences for the town. It would set one project against another and create ongoing disputes over who should bear the cost.”

“Rather than adopting a short-term solution with unintended consequences, the town should continue to fund infrastructure projects that benefit all residents through shared responsibility. Reducing flood risk benefits the entire community. The headwaters in our area are regional, so this issue extends beyond our neighborhood. A special tax would allow those who contributed to the flooding problem to benefit from the improvements without sharing the cost. Our neighborhood should not be singled out to pay for a project that benefits many others, including residents of White Plains.”

“I moved to the Cushman area in 1991, and since then the number of approvals for larger new homes has been striking. The increase in impervious surfaces and changes to drainage patterns have worsened flooding throughout Scarsdale. Residents who did not tear down and rebuild their homes should not bear the consequences of poor planning decisions. These approvals should not have been granted, especially given the long-standing awareness that these areas are prone to flooding.”

“Likewise, residents should not be separately charged for projects like Georges Field if earlier flood-control efforts failed due to engineering mistakes. We should address these issues as one community. When Greenacres School was renovated, only Greenacres residents were not asked to pay for it, because the whole town shared the benefits of a better school in Greenacres. This special tax would be bad for the town and would depart from both the principles of community and past village precedent. Please approve the debt authorization without imposing a special tax.”

And Maccarino added, “Scarsdale is a soggy village. Flooding is a hazard in many neighborhoods. We are all vulnerable to the next big storm. Infrastructure funding is in the budget because it is long overdue. We all pay because we benefit us all – I don’t use the pool or have kids in the schools but I pay for it all. This would penalize our neighborhood for a problem that is not our fault. If White Plains is not asked to help, you are asking us to pay for the run-off. It is like a bad gangster movie. If you want to be safe from flooding, pay up.”

Barry Abramson of 98 Garden Road said, “I agree totally with the Beckmans and Helen. I have lived there for 28 years. The neighborhood has been neglected for years – We have been here…. We have suffered. Don’t impose an extra heavy financial burden upon us. Scarsdale has a non-partisan policy – a special tax district is a partisan policy.”

Andrew Fein of Greendale Road said, “Residents are being asked to fund a project without access to the details. We have not been able to review detailed plans. If the Village is considering a special tax district, residents should have access to these plans. Visual representation would help residents understand. Make detailed plan available.”

Responding to the comments the Mayor seemed to equivocate on whether or not the Board was seriously considering the creation of special tax districts. He said, “I hope there is a recognition that we are trying to address stormwater.” Regarding the creation of special tax districts he said, “I am sorry that there was a feeling that it was happening… It did come up at that meeting but a lot more would have to happen. I think it is an interesting conversation about how we use our resources…..it is a discussion about a cost benefit analysis…. We are moving forward (with the bond authorizations) but I think it is an interesting concept. There is a lot that needs to be discussed about funding projects that we have to pay for.”

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 02 June 2026

Created: 02 June 2026

Last Updated: 02 June 2026

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The Scarsdale Board of Trustees relaunched the development process for the Freightway site, unveiled the winning design for the 325th anniversary flag of Scarsdale and recognized Gun Violence Day at their meeting on Thursday May 28, 2026.

Freightway Lot

Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest and Village Planner Kellan Cantrell announced the first step in the possible development of the Freightway Parking lot. The lot has outlived its useful life and requires millions of dollars of repairs to stay open. Many see an opportunity to build a mixed-use structure on the site and the adjoining open lot with parking, housing and retail space.

As an initial step, the Village Board declared themselves the lead agency for a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) which would study potential development impacts on:

-Schools and municipal services
-Traffic, mobility and parking
-Infrastructure and environmental conditions
-Fiscal benefits to the Village
-Community character and the Village Center
-The relationship to the train station area

The Mayor explained, “By declaring the Village Board as lead agency, the Village will lead and conduct the environmental review before inviting any developers for proposals and the community’s priorities will shape the process from the start.”

“The GEIS will allow the Village to examine a broad range of what if scenarios before the development process. ... and if the study concludes that redevelopment cannot meet Scarsdale’s community standards, the Village has no obligation to move forward.”

Cantrell emphasized that there would be many opportunities for public involvement at all stages of the process with public hearings and meetings. In order to build public consensus for the redevelopment of the site, he said, “We invite you into it from the start.”

He said, “A redevelopment could reduce the long term burden and create a revenue opportunity for the Village.” He announced a series of upcoming meetings with the first being a Board of Trustees work session on June 16, 2026 to review the GEIS process, present findings on the impact on schools and to receive public comments.

Additional meetings are scheduled for:

July 14
July 28
August 11

The timeline calls for the publication of the findings in March 2027.

See the presentation here:

Commenting on the announcement, former Village Trustee Seth Ross said, “I am the head of the Scarsdale Forum’s working group which has been studying the Freightway site, but speaking on my own behalf … There are so many reasons to move forward with the study. The garage is unsightly and underutilized. I urge you to learn more at https://www.thefreightwayscarsdale.com/ a new website that will be launched tomorrow. This is a complex situation. Work with your village board on the responsible development of the site. Join the effort in whatever way you believe productive. “

Village Trustee Tim Foley concurred. He said, “We just passed a resolution for a half million dollars to repair Freightway –- this garage is not staying the same – it is deteriorating.”

Take a look at the new Freightway website, thefreightwayscarsdale.com for more on the process and the project timeline.

Flag Design Contest

The results of the Scarsdale 325th anniversary flag design contest were announced. Deputy Mayor Gruenberg said that 42 designs were submitted, from artists ranging in age from 9 to 72 years old. A committee evaluated the designs, without knowing the artists’ names. From the entrees, two stood out and it turns out these designs were submitted by a mother and a son. The Village then asked for help combining the best of the two designs and came up with the following flag which will be hung in five locations around the Village. The flag was designed by Ling Zhu and Entong Deng. Gruenberg thanked Assistant Village Manager Ruby Tower for running the contest and organizing the flag display.

Gun Violence Awareness Day

In recognition of National Gum Violence Awareness Day all the members of the board and village staff wore orange lapel pins in honor of the event.

Mayor Justin Arest read the following proclamation, designating June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the Village of Scarsdale.

Whereas, every day, nearly 130 people in the United States are killed by gun violence and more than 200 are shot and wounded; and

Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1,000 people die from firearm-related injuries in New York State each year; and

Whereas, protecting public safety in our community is the Village’s highest responsibility; and

Whereas, support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens goes hand-in-hand with keeping firearms out of the hands of those who pose a danger to themselves or others; and

Whereas, in January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton, a 15-year-old teenager who had marched in President Obama’s second inaugural parade just days earlier, was tragically shot and killed; and

Whereas, to honor Hadiya Pendleton and the many victims and survivors of gun violence across our country, communities nationwide recognize the first Friday in June as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and wear orange as a symbol of the value of human life; and

Whereas, the idea was inspired by Hadiya’s friends, who chose orange because hunters wear it to make themselves visible to others and protect human life; and

Whereas, the Village of Scarsdale encourages residents to reflect upon the impact of gun violence and recommit ourselves to keeping our communities safe; and

Whereas, on this day we also remember the efforts of Ms. Pat Colella, local resident and dedicated Gun Violence activist, who passed away in May 2023.

Now, Therefore, I, Justin Arest, Mayor of the Village of Scarsdale, do hereby proclaim Friday, June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day in the Village of Scarsdale, and encourage all residents to support efforts to prevent gun violence and honor the value of every human life.