Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Edition

Current Westchester COVID Data

As of 10/14/2020

The positivity rate for Westchester County is 1.2% (seven day rolling average) as of October 13^th. Learn more: https://forward.ny.gov/percentage-positive-results-county-dashboard
 
 All data related to the COVID pandemic is publicly available. Here are the sources of information:

• COVID Tracker: https://covid19tracker.health.ny.gov/
• Forward NY Regional Metrics: https://forward.ny.gov/covid-19-regional-metrics-dashboard
• Westchester County Map of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases by Municipality: https://www.facebook.com/westchestergov/

Chappaqua Forward - Form Your Future!

The Town has conducted two engagement sessions regarding the proposed Form Based Code as described in the DGEIS for Chappaqua Hamlet. With a final engagement session scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, October 15), you'll have another opportunity to ask questions of the Town Board and the Planning Department regarding this key initiative for our Town.
 
The Form Based Code is nothing to fear. It is meant to provide clarity in the zoning code for Chappaqua to revitalize itself. Many of your questions have been answered as part of our FAQ on the Chappaqua Forward website, accessible by clicking here.
 
Hear from Bill Spade, a resident, architect, and a member of the Form Based Code Working Group, in addition to local business owner Scott Mikolay on why they are in support of the Form Based Code.
 
Residents and interested parties are invited to attend the final upcoming engagement session to learn more about the proposed Form Based Code. Note that this is an informational discussion for residents and interested parties to learn more. A public hearing is scheduled for October 20, 2020, in which comments will be collected.

• Thursday, October 15 - 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Register Here

This session will highlight potential alternatives to the Form Based Code as described in the DGEIS
*Webinar ID: 861 1638 9617 (For Dial-In Access)

The engagement session will take place virtually and will be limited to ninety (90) minutes.

All participants are required to register for a session by going to chappaquaforward.org and clicking register on the session they would like to attend. The session will also be live-streamed on YouTube and recordings of each session, as well as more information about the form based code, can be found at chappaquaforward.org.

We encourage residents and interested parties to participate in the public hearing on the DGEIS on Tuesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. You can virtually attend the public hearing before the Town Board or submit written testimony. Either way, your comments submitted through that process will be responded to in writing as part of the Town’s preparation of the Final GEIS following the close of the public hearing.

To attend the Public Hearing:

• Tuesday, October 20, 2020 - 7p.m. – Register Here                                                             *Webinar ID: 859 1133 3479 (Dial-In Access)
• Tuesday, October 27, 2020 - 7p.m. – Register Here                                                          *Webinar ID: 825 5386 0554 ( Dial-In Access)

Visit chappaquaforward.org to find out more information about the form based code. If you have questions regarding the form based code, you can e-mail chappaquaforward@mynewcastle.org or call (914) 238-4723 to speak with Sabrina Charney Hull, Director of Planning for the Town of New Castle.

*Dial-In Phone Access and participation is available if you don't have a computer, or have problems with your computer's audio: US: 1 646 876 9923  or 1 312 626 6799. Enter the Webinar ID of the selected session followed by #.  Use *9 to raise your "digital hand" for public input/comment.  

Vacant Storefront Registry

Did you know that in March 2020 the Town of New Castle adopted legislation requiring all property owners of vacant storefronts located in the B-R, B-RP or B-D Zoning Districts to register their property with the building department within 30 days of the storefront becoming vacated.  Learn more: https://www.mynewcastle.org/501/Vacant-Store-Front-Registry

The growing number of vacant storefronts in Chappaqua is only one reason why we are proposing new zoning for the hamlet. By allowing property owners to build residential in the hamlet, we will have more feet on the street, which will help revive and sustain our local small businesses!

Census 2020 – ONLY TWO MORE DAYS!!!

As you may have read, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the U.S. Census Bureau has the authority to shut down the Census earlier than the October 31^st extended deadline that was announced earlier this year due to the pandemic. Last night the Census Bureau issued a press release stating that “As of today, well over 99.9% of housing units have been accounted for in the 2020 Census. Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on October 15, 2020.”
 
What does this mean for New Castle? We only have today and tomorrow to convince as many of our friends and neighbors as possible to complete the Census! 
 
The Town of New Castle has a response rate of 82.4%, as of October 13th, and we are in 2^nd place among municipalities in Westchester County behind Scarsdale (83.9%). Don’t delay! Go online today to complete your census questionnaire: https://my2020census.gov/.

Con Edison Public Hearing with New Castle Town Board

Last night the Town Board held a public meeting with Con Edison to discuss the utility’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias. The purpose of the meeting was to hear from Con Edison regarding their post-storm response in New Castle and planned improvements for the future, and to give residents the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. While Altice and Verizon were invited to attend the meeting, they declined the invitation.

All comments received will be shared with these utilities, as well as with the United Westchester task force of State and Local leaders who are making countywide recommendations to the Public Service Commission.

You can watch Con Edison’s presentation to the Town Board HERE.

Bystander Intervention Training

A message from Tejash Sanchala, Executive Director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission:

We received such positive feedback from our first virtual program on Bystander Intervention Training that we have decided to host a second virtual session as part of our series on racism and hate! On Thursday October 15th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Hollaback! will present virtual, live training with an interactive element and a Q&A period. This program aims to empower community members with tools so that they can be upstanders when they see hate or harassment. The program is free and open to the public. It is a timely program given our current climate. A recording will not be posted so register today!

There are 3 ways to register:

1. You can send an email to humanrights@westchestergov.com with your name and email address
2. RSVP by clicking here
3. Call our office at (914) 995-7710

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be provided. We look forward to hearing from you.