Mayor Justin Arest out of town, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg led a brief meeting of the Scarsdale Board of Trustees on Monday November 10, 2025, which was rescheduled due to the Veteran’s Day holiday on Tuesday November 11, 2025.

Here are her opening remarks:

Veterans Day

Tomorrow morning, the Village of Scarsdale will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony at 10:30 AM in Boniface Circle Park. This program honors the service and sacrifice of our U.S. military veterans, with participation from local officials, veterans, scouts, and community members. The ceremony will include a flag raising, wreath laying, and remarks reflecting on the meaning of Veterans Day. It will open and close with the Presentation and Retiring of Colors by the Scarsdale Fire and Police Honor Guard. I encourage everyone to attend and show appreciation for those who have served our country with courage and commitment.

Troop 4 Court of Honor

I attended Troop 4’s Court of Honor last evening. Congratulations to the 41 members of Scarsdale Troop 4 who were recognized at the ceremony receiving 158 merit badges and 35 rank advancements. I am always struck by the strong sense of community within the Scouts, a community that not only nurtures individual passions but also empowers kids to explore their curiosities and interests. A special thank you to the adults who volunteer their time so generously to help raise the next generation of thinkers and leaders while grounding them in values of character and integrity.

Hoff-Barthelson Fall Gathering

Last evening, I also had the pleasure of attending the Hoff-Barthelson Fall Gathering with our State Senator, Shelley Mayer, where two extraordinary student musicians, Meera Chari and Ariana Thomas, showcased their talents. Their performances were both uplifting and inspiring, a wonderful reminder of the vibrant arts community we’re so fortunate to have here in Scarsdale.

Pool Neighborhood Feedback Sessions

Residents are encouraged to join one of the upcoming neighborhood feedback sessions to share input on the Pool Complex project.
Rutherford Hall Sessions:

Nov 17, 8 PM: Greenacres, Sherbrooke Park, Overhill, East Heathcote, Fox Meadow

Dec 1, 7 PM: Crane Berkley, Drake Edgewood, Arthur Manor

Dec 11, 7 PM: Colonial Acres, Quaker Ridge, Scarsdale Meadows

Additional Sessions (Scarsdale Public Library):

Nov 14, 11:30 AM: Scarsdale Senior Council

Nov 21, 9:30 AM: Open Public Session (children welcome)

Con Edison Settlement

The Westchester Municipal Consortium, which represents 40 municipalities, recently achieved a major victory in the Con Edison 2025 rate case. The three-year settlement significantly reduces Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes—from 13.4% to 2.8% for electricity and from 19% to 2% for gas—with modest adjustments in subsequent years. The Consortium also secured important Westchester-specific provisions, including annual capital investment meetings with Con Edison leadership and a detailed study comparing underground versus overhead system costs. This collaborative effort has delivered real savings, greater transparency, and stronger accountability for our residents.

Upcoming Work Session – November 18 at 5:30pm

The Board will hold a pre-budget work session on Tuesday, November 18, focusing on paving, sidewalks, and stormwater infrastructure. We encourage everyone to attend in person or via Zoom.

CNC Election

A reminder that the Citizens Nominating Committee election will take place this Thursday, November 13, at the Scarsdale Public Library, from 7 AM to 10 AM and again from 2 PM to 9 PM. All eligible residents are encouraged to come out and vote.

Farmers Market

Finally, as the Farmer’s Market and Destination Scarsdale come to a close, I just want to thank our partners, Down to Earth Markets and the Scarsdale Business Alliance for their efforts in putting together an amazing season. I want to give a special thank you to SBA Executive Director, Sam Reemer, SBA Board Member, Randi Culang, and Deputy Village Manager, Stephen Shallo, for their tireless efforts in organizing all of the Destination Scarsdale events for the last 7 months. The last date for the Farmer’s Market of the season is November 23rd. Please come out and shop!

Resolutions:

Village Elections

Trustees designated Election Day for Village Elections on March 18, 2026.

Drainage Improvements

Trustees approved a resolution to declare the Village Board as lead agency for an environmental review of the Brite Avenue and Fox Meadow area to identify necessary improvements to the stormwater drainage infrastructure to mitigate recurring flooding I the area.

Scarsdale Business Alliance

Trustees agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scarsdale Business Alliance to promote local economic development, business and cultural vitality and community programs, with “annual financial support from the Village to help defray costs incurred with organizing and implement program, activities and events of public interest and value.”

Letters

Also in the agenda packet was a letter from a Quaker Ridge parent who is concerned about coyotes: Here is what she wrote:

Dear Scarsdale Village Manager, Mayor and Board of Trustees,(Note this has also been sent to the Board of Ed and Quaker Ridge PTA.)

I hope you are doing well. I am writing on behalf of concerned families (cc'd are just some) in our neighborhood regarding an escalating public safety issue involving frequent coyote sightings- specifically in residential yards, on neighborhood pathways, and most alarmingly, along the route many children use to walk to school. There are likely dozens and dozens of other families as concerned as us from discussions with parents and dog walkers in the neighborhood over the last few months

In recent weeks, several families, including mine, have encountered coyotes in backyards and on the public pathway leading to the elementary school on the way to school. Our neighborhood has always been known as a safe environment for children and families, and we are deeply worried that this situation is changing. With an elementary school at the center of our community and so many children walking or biking each day, the risk is too great to ignore. As many of you may have seen, there was a recent incident in New Jersey involving a coyote attack-an example that underscores the seriousness of the threat. We want to take proactive steps before something similar happens here. These coyotes are not being spotted on cameras in the middle of the night but while walking, in backyards and it appears even on the school property during school days.

Coyotes are becoming increasingly bold, and without coordinated action, it is only a matter of time before there. is an incident involving a child, pet, or staff member. We strongly feel that this is a public safety hazard requiring a unified response, not individual households acting alone.

Several families are prepared to contribute toward professional prevention and trapping services, but these measures are most effective when implemented collectively and in coordination with local authorities. We are asking for the PTA's and the school board's help with the following:

1 Support in raising awareness among parents and staff
2. Assistance in organizing a coordinated neighborhood response
3. Help facilitating fundraising or cost-sharing efforts for safe, legal coyote control and trapping through licensed professionals. We have begun speaking to a few different providers about options.
4. Engagementwithlocalanimalcontrolandcountyofficialstopursueanofficialactionplanfor school-adjacent areas

Our goal is simple: protect our children, our school community, and our neighborhood before an avoidable tragedy occurs.

If necessary we'd be happy to discuss an action plan at the next PTA meeting or, if possible, as a special topic sooner. Many families are ready to participate and share firsthand accounts of sightings.

Thank you for your attention, partnership, and commitment too the safety of our children. I look forward to your response and to working together on a solution.

Sincerely,
Concerned Quaker Ridge Parents
Jessica Sarter Weiland 914-772-1782
jessica.s.weiland@gmail.com

Also in the packet were letters from Susan Levine and Karen Dolins concerning the pool proposal.