With students back in school, fall programs in full swing, and a number of important Village projects advancing, there is a great deal happening throughout our community. I wanted to share several updates, celebrate a few recent accomplishments, and highlight several events coming up this fall. 

Remembering September 11: This year marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks. 

Scarsdale remembers the 2,977 lives that were taken, the families forever changed, and the extraordinary courage of the firefighters, police officers, EMTs and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger to help others. The village also honors the first responders and recovery workers who later became ill or lost their lives because of their service and exposure. 

For many of us, September 11 remains deeply personal. We remember where we were, what we saw and how that day changed our country. Many in the community lost loved ones, friends, colleagues and neighbors and have carried that loss for 25 years. 

The community should also recall what Americans showed us on that terrible morning. People did not stop to ask one another about religion, politics, race or where their families came from. They helped one another. They carried strangers. They stayed behind. Some gave their lives for people they did not know. 

That is the America we must remember. 

Freedom is not free, and the values sometimes taken for granted are not guaranteed simply because we inherited them. September 11 reminds us where hatred and extremism can lead, but it also reminds us of what is strongest about our country: courage, selflessness, service and our capacity to stand together. 

For the children in our schools, September 11 is history rather than memory. None of them were born before September 11, 2001. That creates a solemn responsibility for all  to make sure they know not only who we lost and the courage of those who stepped forward, but also the evil that caused that terrible day. They should understand that hatred and extremism are real, that freedom can never be taken for granted, and why the courage and sacrifice Americans showed in response still matter. 

In recognition of the 25th anniversary, I have proclaimed September 11, 2026, a Day of Remembrance and Service in the Village of Scarsdale, and I encourage all residents to mark the day through remembrance, reflection and acts of service. 

On September 11, first responders gathered at the Scarsdale Public Safety Building to honor the fallen and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I hope everyone in Scarsdale will take a moment to remember them and reflect on the example they left us. 

Welcoming the New Village Treasurer: I am very pleased to welcome Dawn Donovan as Scarsdale’s new Village Treasurer. Dawn joined the Village on August 3, bringing more than 35 years of public-sector finance experience, including 25 years in municipal government. Most recently, she spent more than 15 years as Town Comptroller and Human Resources Manager for the Town of Eastchester, where she oversaw a $48 million municipal budget. 

The Treasurer plays one of the most consequential roles in Village government, with responsibility for safeguarding the community’s finances and helping ensure that public resources are managed responsibly. The village took great care in filling this position, and Dawn brings tremendous experience and a demonstrated commitment to transparency, integrity and sound financial management. 

Fall Fun in the Village Center: The Farmers Market at Destination Scarsdale continues every Sunday through November 22, bringing fresh food, local vendors and plenty of activity to the Village Center. 

There is plenty more community fun ahead this fall, including Scarecrow Hayday on October 3, the Halloween Window Painting Contest on October 18, the Halloween Parade on October 30, and Light the ’Dale on December 4. 

Freightway Planning : Work also continues on the future of the Freightway site, one of the most significant long-term planning opportunities facing the Village. 

The Village is advancing the environmental review process for the site, with the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) anticipated this fall. That process will help us better understand the potential impacts, opportunities and tradeoffs associated with possible redevelopment before any decisions are made. 

Freightway serves an important function today, particularly as a parking resource for the Village Center and commuters, while also representing an opportunity to think carefully about the long-term future of this critical area. As the environmental review moves forward, there will be additional opportunities for public input, and I encourage residents to remain engaged in the process. More information can be found by visiting www.thefreightwayscarsdale.com.

Playground Progress! Over the past few years, the Village has completed major playground renovations at Greenacres, with a new playground in 2024, and at Aspen and Willow Parks, both of which opened with newly renovated playgrounds this past spring. 

Attention has now turned to Davis Park. Following a competitive proposal process and input from a review committee that included nearby residents, staff are finalizing modifications to a proposed design. Subject to Village Board approval, we anticipate placing the equipment order this fall, with construction currently expected to begin in December, weather permitting. 

It has been exciting to see these spaces renewed for a new generation of Scarsdale families, and I look forward to seeing Davis Park join that growing list. 

Pool Complex Update: The Village recently shared an important update on the Pool Complex Project: The existing Pool Complex will remain open for the summer of 2027. 

The revised timeline gives the Village additional time to further refine the project’s design, scope and cost before completing construction documents and moving through the required regulatory approvals. The Board remains committed to delivering a modern indoor/outdoor pool complex that reflects the priorities developed through years of community planning and engagement. 

As this work continues, three resident volunteers will be added to the Pool Redevelopment Advisory Committee (PRAC) who bring professional expertise in architecture, design and construction. 

Under the current schedule, construction is anticipated to begin following the 2027 pool season, with the new outdoor component targeted to open for summer 2029. The goal is to limit the Pool Complex closure to the summer of 2028. 

For the full update and more information about the Pool Project, visit www.scarsdale.com/poolproject.

Congratulations to Scarsdale’s Swim and Dive Team! I also want to recognize an accomplishment that deserves a proper celebration. On August 6, the Scarsdale Summer Swim and Dive Team won the Conference Championship, capping off a terrific summer season. 

Congratulations to all the swimmers, divers and coaches who contributed to the team’s success. Special congratulations go to Emily Tieng, who broke two meet records this season in the 8-and-under 25-yard backstroke and 25-yard butterfly. 

Thank you as well to Head Coach Alex Eforo, Dive Coach Noam Tomkin, the assistant and pre-team coaches, and all of the families who supported the athletes throughout the season. The Village is incredibly proud of the entire team! 

A New Way to Purchase Parking Permits: September also marked the first permit sale conducted entirely through the Village’s new online parking permit portal. More than 720 applications have already been approved, with several high-demand permit categories selling out. 

Overall, the shift to the new system has been positive, and the Village appreciates everyone who navigated the new process with us. As with any major transition, we have also learned a great deal from this first sales cycle. Village staff are working with the portal developer to implement enhancements based on both resident and staff feedback, and the Village will continue looking for opportunities to make future permit sales as clear, convenient and user-friendly as possible. 

Thank you to the Village Clerk’s Office staff for the tremendous amount of work that went into preparing for and managing this transition. 

Village Center Parking Meters: Thank you to everyone who tested the demo pay stations recently displayed in the Village Center and at Village Hall and provided feedback. Staff are synthesizing that input as the Village continues developing a broader plan to modernize parking in the Village Center. We hope to have more to share toward the end of the year. 

The existing parking meters are well past their useful life and require constant maintenance, with staff spending significant time replacing batteries and piecing together aging parts. This is simply not sustainable. The Village needs to modernize our parking system, and we remain committed to doing so thoughtfully and incrementally. 

The Pango app will continue to be an important part of the system, but we also need to determine where pay stations make sense and where single-space meters remain necessary, including at accessible parking spaces. At the same time, the Village has an opportunity to use parking data more effectively to make the most of limited Village Center parking. That may include a greater variety of time limits to encourage turnover in quick-stop locations while allowing longer stays where appropriate. 

Thank you for your feedback and patience as the Village works toward a system that is more reliable, convenient and responsive to the needs of Village Center. 

Traffic and Pedestrian Safety: Improving safety on Village roads remains an important priority, and I am pleased to share progress on two initiatives that have been discussed with the community. 

Post Road and Edgewood Road Traffic Signal: Scarsdale is nearing the finish line on the long-awaited new traffic signal at Post Road and Edgewood Road. This New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) project follows years of advocacy by the Village and community to improve pedestrian safety at this important crossing, particularly for students and families traveling to and from Edgewood Elementary School. Most recently, NYSDOT advised the Village that the new signal is expected to be fully operational by the end of September. 

Sprague Road Speed Hump Pilot Program: The Village will soon launch a speed hump pilot program on Sprague Road as part of continuing efforts to address speeding and improve neighborhood traffic safety. Installation is expected within the next three weeks, and we look forward to evaluating how the speed humps perform during the pilot period. 

The Police Department also continues its traffic safety and enforcement efforts throughout the Village, including increased attention around schools as students and families settle into the new school year. 

Alongside these safety initiatives, the annual road maintenance program is continuing into the fall. Fog sealing recently began on designated roads throughout the Village, helping to protect and extend the useful life of recently paved streets. While the work can create some short-term inconvenience, it is a relatively modest investment intended to reduce the need for more frequent repaving and help provide the community with the quality of roads it deserves. As the Village works to wrap up the season’s remaining road projects, we appreciate residents’ patience and care around active work zones. 

Crossway Pickleball Courts: Village staff continue to work on the temporary improvements to the pickleball courts at Crossway. Unfortunately, their progress has been repeatedly interrupted by rain at a stage of the project when dry conditions are particularly important. 

While these improvements are temporary, the Village recognized that the condition of the courts was not acceptable for residents who use them. I greatly appreciate the creativity and dedication of Parks staff in finding a way to make meaningful improvements now rather than simply asking players to wait for the permanent project. 

Staff are completing repairs to the existing playing surface before applying the resurfacing and color coats, striping the courts, and completing fencing and net work. Weather permitting, Saturday, September 19 is the target date for the courts to reopen for play. 

The goal is to provide residents with a significantly improved playing experience in the near term while the Village continues working toward the new permanent courts the community deserves. 

Con Edison Transmission Project and State Oversight: The Village continues to seek answers and greater transparency from Con Edison regarding its transmission project and related work in the Walworth Avenue and Fox Meadow area. 

Staff and I recently met with representatives of the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS), which is responsible for pipeline safety oversight, as well as a representative from the Governor’s Office. That conversation raised important questions about communication and regulatory oversight, particularly regarding the additional inspection work currently taking place in Scarsdale. We have made clear that the Village expects to be kept fully informed about work involving critical infrastructure beneath residential streets, and the Village is continuing to pursue answers on behalf of our residents. 

At the Village’s request, Con Edison held a community meeting on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 PM in Rutherford Hall at Village Hall. Representatives provided an update on the project, discussed upcoming work and answered residents’ questions directly. 

The Village will continue working with Con Edison and our State partners to ensure appropriate oversight, clear communication and accountability as this work proceeds. 

Looking Ahead: As we look to begin another busy fall in Scarsdale, I am grateful to our residents, volunteers and Village staff who contribute every day to making our community such a special place to call home. I hope to see many of you around the Village, whether at Rock the ’Dale, the Farmers Market, on our fields and courts, or simply out enjoying our community. 

Sincerely, 

Justin Arest 

Mayor