City`s Largest Employer Consolidates and

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Volume 1, Issue 2
Summer 2010
City's Largest Employer Consolidates and
Expands on John Walsh Boulevard
White Plains Linen Invests $7.6 Million in New Plant
By Brian Havranek, Executive
Director, Peekskill Industrial
Development Agency
Inside this issue:
Lincoln Plaza
Nears Construction
2
Summer Safety &
Backyard Pools
2
Sidewalk
Improvements
3
Property Tax Relief
3
Youth Bureau
Boatworks Honored
4
Food Drive
4
Peekskill Celebration
5-6
Community Calendar
& Links
7-8
News from Human
Resources
9
Fire Prevention Week
10
Stormwater Pollution
10
Field Library Awards
and Events
11
Peekskill Nutrition
Goes Green
12
Peekskill Stadium Home to
State Baseball Tournament
The NY Jr. American Legion Baseball Tournament will take place at
Peekskill Stadium from July 28
through August 1. This five day
event includes an opening reception
and skills tournament followed by
two days of games with playoffs on
Saturday at 5pm and 7:30pm and a
championship game (if necessary)
Sunday morning at 10am.
W
hite Plains Linen
(WPL),
Peekskill’s largest employer with approximately
400 employees, will soon
operate from a 90,000 sq.
ft. facility. The project will
be Peekskill’s largest economic development initiative in the past decade. The
72-year old corporation is a
linen rental supply business
providing table linens, garments, towels and other
textile goods to over 2,000
customers in the region.
WPL will construct a new
31,460 sq. ft. building that
connects its existing 30,000
sq. ft headquarters at 4
John Walsh Blvd. to a
28,000 sq. ft. building at 6
John Walsh Blvd. WPL acquired 6 John Walsh Blvd.
in February for $2.8 million.
Highland Light Steam Laundry, Inc., which services
the laundering, delivery,
and operational needs of
WPL, will vacate from its
current Highland Avenue
complex to WPL’s new facility on John Walsh Blvd.
With
this
consolidation,
WPL hopes to increase the
efficiency of its operations
and create at least 25 new
jobs over the next two
years. WPL will also continue to operate a warehouse at 10 John Walsh
Blvd.
The Peekskill Industrial Development Agency assisted
in the company’s expansion
by using its powers to provide the company with a
variety of economic development incentives to make
the company’s investment
and expansion more cost
effective.
Downtown Peekskill’s Summer of
Arts & Cultural Celebrations
This spring and summer,
Peekskill’s downtown historic
and arts district has been the
focal point for a number of
arts and cultural festivals.
31, the 4th Annual Peekskill Jazz & Blues
Festival will take place. Launched in 2007,
this has become a signature Hudson Valley
musical experience.
These events have included
the
increasingly
popular
Cinco de Mayo celebration in
early May and the First Annual Caribbean Reggae Soca Splash on
July 24. These events have been produced as a partnership between the City
and the Peekskill BID.
Then on the weekend of August 13-15, the
downtown will be transformed with the
First Annual Festa Italiana Peekskill. This
three day festival of Italian heritage will
take place on South St. between N. Division St. and Depew St. and feature ethnic
specialty foods, kiddie rides, games of
chance and live music from internationally
known artists and local talent.
The downtown is slated to have two more
cultural celebrations. On Saturday, July
For further information about these events
go to www.downtownpeekskill.com.
Page 2
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Historic Lincoln Depot Museum
and Lincoln Plaza Near Construction
By Jean Friedman, Planner, Department of Planning & Development
The City of Peekskill is getting
ready to begin construction on the
Lincoln Plaza which includes a new
Visitors Center and public plaza at
the site of the Historic Lincoln Depot on South Water Street at the
foot of Central Avenue. The City
restored the exterior of the historic building in 2008, and the Lincoln Depot Foundation will be restoring the interior and creating
the Lincoln Depot Museum. The
Visitors Center and plaza will have
historical exhibits to complement
the museum’s collections, as well
as an indoor/outdoor café and
banquet room with views of the
Hudson River.
The Lincoln Depot Foundation is
planning lectures, events and reenactments on the plaza and inside both buildings. This historical
museum complex is being funded
by grants awarded to both the
City and to the Lincoln Depot
Foundation by the State of New
York. Construction on the Lincoln
Depot Museum’s interior should
start by late summer.
Lincoln Statue on South Water Street
An aerial view of the
Lincoln Plaza as seen from the
corner of Central Avenue and
South Water Street.
Rendering by Hudson & Pacific Designs
Summer Safety and the Backyard Pool
By Victor Pizzella, Building Inspector,
Building Department
Did you know a swimming pool is
defined as any structure, basin,
chamber or tank which is intended
for swimming, diving, recreational
bathing or wading and which contains, or is designed to contain, or
is capable of containing water more
than 24 inches deep at any point.
This includes in-ground, aboveground, on-ground pools, indoor
pools, hot tubs, spasm and fixed in
place wading pools. The installation
of a swimming pool is regulated by
both the State of New York Building
Code and the City of Peekskill’s zoning ordinance. Prior to installing a
pool a permit must issued by the
Building Department.
A term you may not recognize when
describing a pool is an ―on-ground‖
pool. This term is used to identify
the latest craze in affordable pools:
inflatable or giant ―marshmallow‖
pools available at your local megamart. They are not exempt from the
requirements of the applicable
codes.
Please note that other expenses
and permits may be needed prior
to purchasing a pool. These include: a permit (generally
$100.00); a safety barrier or fencing around the pool; pool alarm;
electric for the pool’s filter to be
installed by a licensed electrician
(requires a permit); and property
setback requirements from property line(s).
Building Department forms are
available on the city's website or
you can contact the Building
Department at (914) 734-4140.
Page 3
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Mayor and Common Council Authorize
New Sidewalk Improvement Reimbursement Program
By Howard Wessells, Deputy Director,
Department of Public Works
The Mayor and Common Council
recently authorized a 50/50 Sidewalk Improvement Reimbursement Grant Program. The final
details of the program are being
worked on by staff within the Department of Planning and Development, the Department of Public
Works, and the Corporation Counsel’s office.
At the City Manager’s direction,
the City will create small target
areas over the life of the program. These areas will consist of
neighborhoods that are heavily
traveled by pedestrians and are in
desperate need of sidewalk replacement. Within the targeted
area the City will offer owner occupied one and two family residences that have been issued
sidewalk violations the opportunity
to participate in the program.
The program’s design will include
the following steps: the City will
solicit proposals from contractors
willing to participate in the program.
Eligible property owners
can then choose an approved contractor and enter into a contract
for completion of the sidewalk replacement. All permits, fees and
inspections will be the responsibility of the contractor. In addition,
all work will be done under the
supervision of City of Peekskill
employees according to the City’s
specifications.
Targeted streets and eligible
homeowners will be notified in
upcoming weeks with further details on the program and the application procedure.
Property Tax Relief Available to
Homeowners and Senior Citizens
By Thomas J. Waitkins,
Tax Assessor
The School Tax Relief Exemption,
more commonly known as STAR,
provides a partial exemption from
school taxes for most owneroccupied, primary residences.
The exemption consists of two
parts: (1) a Basic exemption
available to New Yorkers who own
a one, two, or three family home,
condominium, cooperative apartment or mobile home and (2) an
Enhanced exemption available to
senior citizens (age 65 or older)
with a yearly adjusted gross income of $79,050 or less.
In addition, a Senior Exemption
for senior citizens (age 65 or
older) whose incomes do not exceed $37,400 is also available.
The total income for the Senior
Exemption includes Social Secu-
rity, pensions, interest and dividends. Seniors Citizens may apply
for the Senior Exemption in the
year they will turn age 65.
These exemptions provide partial
relief from city, county, and school
taxes. The Senior Exemptions require a yearly renewal application
that can be obtained from the tax
assessor’s office in early January.
All exemption applications must
be filed in the Assessor’s Office by
May 1st. Acceptable proof of income includes either your Federal
Income Tax Form, New York State
Income Tax Form or individuals’
proof of income (social security
forms, W2’s or 1099’s) for two
years prior to the year you
are filing the application.
There is an income option
application for those seniors who do not wish to apply every year. The form is
filed once and the State
verifies income for the Enhanced STAR only.
Please call the Tax
Assessor’s office for
further information,
(914) 734-4190.
Page 4
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Peekskill Youth Bureau’s Boatworks Program
is honored by NYCOM
By Valerie Swan, Executive Director,
Peekskill Youth Bureau
The New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) awarded the Peekskill Youth Bureau’s Boatworks
Program
First
Place honors in
the category of
Public
Safety
during their 23rd
Annual
Local
Government
Achievement Awards.
The Boatworks Program is a boat
building program that was created
and supervised by James Taylor, a
former Peekskill elementary
school principal.
The program is sponsored by the
Peekskill Youth Bureau. Over the
course of the program, Taylor
taught Peekskill high-school students how to build a wooden boat.
Taylor supervised the participants
as they built a fourteen-foot
Wright Skiff, a wooden rowboat
that is a replica of the boats that
had been used for centuries by
fishermen on the Hudson River.
NYCOM honored twelve other municipalities in the areas of Economic Development, Public Works,
Public Safety and Government
Administration.
According to Peter Baynes, Executive Director, NYCOM, ―These
awards were given to cities and
villages who successfully implemented innovative projects that
improved their community’s quality of life and which could likely be
replicated by other municipalities.‖
Westchester Food Drive
By Pamela Beach, City Clerk,
City Clerk’s Office
The City of Peekskill joined with Westchester County in hosting a two-day food
drive, June 22-23, 2010.
Staff was very generous this year in particular realizing that these are financially
hard times. We trust that the donations
by city staff will make a difference to
those in need in our community.
Lizette Erickson, Secretary to the City
Manager, and Sandy Dubinsky, Deputy
City Clerk, (pictured left to right) coordinated the food drive for the City.
Photo Courtesy of City Hall
You can still donate food to assist members and families in
our Peekskill community. The following are the most needed
food items and can be dropped off at the St. Peter’s Church
office during office hours or in the baskets in the narthex on
Sundays: cereals: hot or cold, canned tuna fish, canned beef
stew, canned soups w/ beans, chicken, ham, beef,
peanut butter, jelly, canned vegetables, canned pineapple,
canned peaches, canned mixed fruit, mayonnaise, 100%
juices in plastic bottles or cans, and non-perishable milk (in
vacuum-packed shelf packaging).
Donations were distributed to three local
food pantries: Fred’s Pantry at St. Peter’s
Church, 137 N. Division Street, Salvation
Army Pantry, 117 Nelson Avenue and
United Methodist Church of Peekskill,
1040 Main Street.
Fred’s First Choice Pantry is open at
St. Peter ’s Epi sco pal Church
Every Saturday at 9:30am. St. Peter’s
is located at 137 N. Division Street.
Page 5
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
2010 Peekskill Celebration
Kicks off Friday Night August 6
The Famous Dragon Boats
By Cathy Montaldo, Executive Director
N
ow in its 14th year, the
2010 Peekskill Celebration
showcases the City's maritime heritage, its historic relationship with the mighty Hudson River
and its vibrant commercial and
cultural life.
It is a fantastic
weekend of family entertainment
with free admission to the
grounds, entertainment, shuttle
buses and parking.
This year, Peekskill Celebration
will take place from Friday, August
6, through Sunday, August 8.
There is literally something for
everyone: ethnic and traditional
festival foods, top-notch entertainment, arts and crafts, commu-
nity groups, historical reenactments, the Elton Brand Basketball Clinic and so much more.
A full schedule of events can be
found in this newsletter on page 6
and on our website.
Peekskill Celebration’s most popular
attractions continue to be the
Dragon Boat Races on the Hudson
River, the Jan Peek 10K Road Race
and the Entergy Fireworks Extravaganza, all of which take place on
Saturday, August 7.
While the Dragon Boat Races require
skill, once paddlers are synchronized
and the long, narrow craft builds
momentum, everyone contributes to
the team—no matter how big or
small, young or old.
Those who like to race but don’t like
the water can sign up for the annual Jan Peek 10K Road Race—one
of the most grueling courses in the
area. It begins and ends in downtown Peekskill. Runners start at
7:45 AM at the Kiley Youth Center
and cross the finish line at the Gazebo on Division Street.
Saturday’s events culminate with
the Entergy Fireworks Extravaganza.
Now a much-anticipated tradition,
the world famous purveyors of fireworks—Garden State Fireworks—
will again captivate those in attendance with a dazzling pyrotechnics
show.
Dragon Boat Photo Courtesy of PeekskillCelebration.com
For more details and updates on
our events please visit
www.PeekskillCelebration.com
Page 6
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
Peekskill Celebration Schedule of Events
Friday, August 6
*FREE Shuttle bus service from Downtown begins at 5:00pm and runs until
10pm.
RIVERFRONT GREEN PARK
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Main Stage Kick-Off Concert
Professor Louie and the Crowmati
Sponsored by the Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVAC Service Union Local 21.
Arts & Crafts Show -Everything is
handmade. Wide variety of booths
from jewelry to furniture and more.
Exhibitor Booths – Chiropractors,
Home Improvement Experts, Investment Planners, Real Estate Professionals, etc.
Food Booths – Please visit our fine
food booths while at the festival.
Saturday, August 7
*FREE Shuttle bus service from Downtown and Charles Point Park begins at
Noon and runs until 11pm.
DOWNTOWN PEEKSKILL
8:00pm – 4:00pm
Jan Peek 10K Race & 2 mile Fun
Walk
Race Time: 7:45am
Jan Peek 10K Awards Ceremony follows the race at the Division Street
Gazebo. Proceeds to benefit Peekskill
Celebration and the annual Columbus
Day Youth Races in Peekskill.
Underground Railroad Tours –
Tours leave The Fern Tree at 2 South
Division St. at 10am & Noon. Tour includes a guided tour of the historic
sites that were part of Peekskill’s Underground Railroad. Come meet Harriet
Tubman and hear her story as told by
Carolyn Evans. Ticket price is $5.00;
donation to Sisters in Support.
PEEKSKILL HIGH SCHOOL
10:00am – 1:00am
Elton Brand Youth Basketball Clinic
– Clinics begin at 11am. Sponsored by
the Elton Brand Foundation, youth
ages 7 - 15 are invited to participate in
a 30-minute clinic. Clinics are conducted by Peekskill High School Coach,
Lou Panzanaro, with members and
alumni of the Peekskill Red Devils.
RIVERFRONT GREEN PARK
9:00am – 11:00am
Dragon Boat Races - Dragons on the
Hudson - Races begin at 9:00am with a
Parade of Teams just before the Awards
Ceremony at Riverfront Green’s Main
Stage at 4:00pm.
Come cheer on your favorite team as
businesses from far and near take to the
water for a fun and competitive day on
the water in these unusual and historic
vessels. Races will take place a short
distance from the Riverfront shoreline
and are very visible from the park.
Arts & Crafts Show - Opens at 11:00
am. Visit our Craft Area. Everything is
handmade and there will be a wide variety of booths from jewelry to furniture
and more. The items are affordable and
the vendors are delightful people to
meet and visit with.
Bucketful of History – Peekskill resident and educator Jim Taylor, will bring
members of the living history program,
―A Bucketful of History‖ to the Riverfront. The group is comprised of skilled
craftsmen dedicated to preserving and
demonstrating trades and crafts of colonial America.
KIDS CRAFT TENT – Sponsored by
the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art.
Public Safety Displays – Include the
Westchester County Police Department
helicopter, APC vehicle and Mounted
Patrol, Peekskill DARE, Peekskill Fire
Department, New York State Police and
the US Military.
Sponsor Display Booths – opens at
11AM. Visit displays from Westchester
County DOT, Metro North Railroad, Con
Edison, Entergy Nuclear, Coldwell
Bankers, the Hudson Valley Hospital
Center, News12, Yorktown Media
Group, WHUD, and many more.
MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Sponsored by the Plumbers, Steamfitters and HVAC Service
Come, watch and listen as Hudson
Valley’s best entertainments take center stage throughout the day and into
the night.
Community Organization Exhibits –
Groups include: SPCA of Westchester,
Caring for the Homeless in Peekskill,
Hollowbrook Water Watch and the
Peekskill Library.
11:00am Street Beatz
11:30am Dance Expressions
12:00pm Cancer Awareness
Dragon Boat Race
12:30pm Staj & Co.
1:30pm Seisun
2:30pm LA and the Hit Squad
3:30pm Sonido Costeno
4:00pm Dragon Boat Awards
Ceremony
4:30pm The Blues Buddha
5:00pm Roots Vibration Band
6:00pm Ceiling Unlimited
7:00pm The New York Uproar
8:00pm Roxy Perry
9:00pm Fireworks
9:30pm DJ Les
Dragons on the Hudson Cancer
Awareness Race – Race at Noon sponsored by the Hudson Valley Hospital
Center. Six teams made up of cancer
survivors, family, friends and support
staff will compete in the 3rd Celebration
Cancer Awareness Race. The Race is
conducted to raise awareness that there
is life and a quality life after the diagnosis.
FIREWORKS
EXTRAVAGANZA
Sponsored by Entergy Nuclear Northeast. Music simulcasts on 100.7FM.
WHUD Fireworks show designed by
Garden State Fireworks. The Fireworks
are designed to be seen from many
different vantage points so pick your
favorite spot at the Riverfront Green,
Charles Point Park or on the River and
settle in for a great show.
Food Booths - Please visit our fine food
booths while at the festival.
Sunday, August 8
Classic Car & Motorcycle Show – Featuring the classic and custom bike from
Ebony & Ivory and select cars from the
Road Knights Car Club. Show opens at
Noon. Sponsored by Mavis Discount Tire.
―Green Zone‖ – Check out our green
zone vendors and learn how you too can
become more green in your home and
business. Sponsored by Wheelabrator
Westchester.
DOWNTOWN PEEKSKILL
10:00am – 4:00pm
Old Timers Stickball Tournament Games begin at 10am. Come out and
enjoy a fun and exciting game of stickball in downtown Peekskill, a favorite
for several years.
Peekskill Community Calendars
Page 7
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2
3
4
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Fleischmann
Memorial Service
7pm
the Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
Riverfront Children’s Special:
Gigi & The Lend
Me A Hand Band
7-8pm
National Night
Out
Riverfront Green
5-8pm
Riverfront Concert Series
The Bad Habits
7-9pm
8
9
10
11
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Peekskill
Celebration
10am-4pm
Riverfront Children’s Special:
The Ned Show
7-8pm
Common Council
Meeting 7:30pm
Planning
Commission
Meeting 7:30pm
15
16
17
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Festa Italiana
12-6pm
South St.
Committee of the
Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
22
23
Committee of
24
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
29
Volume 1, Issue 2
Thursday
5
12
August
18
19
Youth Board
Meeting
Zoning Board of
Appeals Meeting
and the Historic
& Landmarks
Preservation
Meeting
both at 7:30pm
25
26
Friday
6
7
Peekskill
Celebration
6-9pm
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Peekskill
Celebration
9am-11pm
13
14
Festa Italiana
5-11pm
South St.
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Festa Italiana
12-11pm
South St.
20
21 Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Downtown Entertainment Series:
Peekskill’s Own
House Band 7-10pm
Annie at Paramount
1pm
27
P.A.T. Meeting
3-5pm
30
31
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
1
2
5
6 LABOR DAY 7
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
City Hall Closed
Committee of
the Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
12
13
14
15
16
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Common Council
Meeting 7:30pm
Planning
Commission
Meeting 7:30pm
Youth Board
Meeting 6:30pm
Zoning Board of
Appeals Meeting
7:30pm
19
20
21
22
23
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market 8am4pm
Road Knights Auto
Car Show
10am-4pm
Committee of the
Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
26
27
Antiques Treasures
Common Council
Flea Market
Meeting 7:30pm
8am-4pm
Rotary Horse Show/
Country Fair
9
3
10
4
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Downtown Entertainment Series
11
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
9/11 Ceremony
9-10am Riverfront
Historic & Landmarks Preservation Meeting
7:30pm
28
28
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Downtown Entertainment Series:
Craft Beer Fest
7-10pm
September
8
Saturday
29
30
17
18
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
City-Wide Tag Sale
10am-4pm
Peekskill Dog
Splash—Depew
Park 10am-12pm
24
25
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Rotary Horse
Show/Country Fair
8am-5pm
Men Who Cook
Peekskill Youth
Bureau 4-7pm
Nutrition Center
2nd Annual Irish
Festival at Riverfront Green
11am-7pm
Peekskill Community Calendars
Page 8
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Sunday
Monday
26
Tuesday
27
28
Wednesday
29
Volume 1, Issue 2
Thursday
30
Friday
1
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
3
10
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
5
11 Columbus
Day
City Hall Closed
Taconic Road
Runner Club
24th Annual Children’s Running
Race Grades 1-6
9am at Depew
Park Track
18
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Committee of the
Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
24
25
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Common Council
Meeting 7:30pm
4th Annual
Doggy Halloween
Parade at the
Peekskill Dog Park
October
9
12
13
14
16
Common Council
Meeting 7:30pm
Planning
Commission
Meeting 7:30pm
City of Peekskill
2010 Economic
Development
Summit 8:30am11am at WCC
19
20
21
Peekskill Youth
Bureau Shining
Stars Program
7-9pm
Design & Hayride
4pm at Depew
Park Bandstand
Pre-k—6th Grade
Zoning Board of
Appeals Meeting
at 7:30pm
27
28
Committee of the
Whole Work
Session 6:30pm
17
31
2
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
4
Antiques Treasures
Flea Market
8am-4pm
Saturday
26
6
7
8
15
Pumpkin
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
Chester A. Smith
Award,
Field Library 6-8pm
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
City-Wide Tag Sale
10am-4pm
22
23
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
29
Historic & Landmarks Preservation Meeting
7:30pm
30
Farmers Market
8:30am-2:30pm
All Common Council Meetings can been seen on Ch. 78 on Cablevision and
on Ch. 28 on Fios and are streamed on the City’s website:
www.cityofpeekskill.com
City and Community Web Links
City of Peekskill
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Peekskill Celebration
www.peekskillcelebration.com
Peekskill Fire Department
www.cityofpeekskill.com/fire
Peekskill Arts Council
www.peekskillartscouncil.org
Peekskill Youth Bureau
www.cityofpeekskill.com/youthbureau
Peekskill Museum
www.peekskillmuseum.org
Peekskill Department of Parks and Recreation
www.cityofpeekskill.com/parksandrecreation
Lincoln Society in Peekskill
www.lincolnsociety.com
The Peekskill Dog Park
www.peekskilldogpark.com
Lincoln Depot Museum
http://blog.lincolndepotmuseum.org/
Field Library
www.peekskill.org
Peekskill Community Garden
rootsofpeekskill.wordpress.com
Peekskill Board of Education
www.peekskillcsd.org/home
Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce
www.hvgatewaychamber.com
Peekskill Business Improvement District
www.downtownpeekskill.com
Westchester County Government
www.westchestergov.com
Page 9
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Volume 1, Issue 2
City of Peekskill Conducts 2008 and 2009
Employee Service Awards Program
By Lynn Swansen, Director,
Department of Human Resources
Recently Mayor Mary F. Foster
and Richard M. Finn, city manager acknowledged city employees with from 5 to 40
years of service with an
awards recognition program.
On behalf of our City workforce, we congratulate all employees who were recognized!
Five Year Service Awards
Donald Bennett
Susan Bielomyza
Nicholas Franco
Pamela Sgroi
Steven Zappolo
Decatur Myers
Gregory Lizotte
James Howard
Julia Bentley
Thomas Harris
David Haut
Patrick McGinnis
James Meaney
Robert Pappas
William Brown
Scott McDonough
Richard Cohen
Jeffrey Roma
Garry Male
Ten Year Service Awards
Calvin Elmore
Rosanna Ciotti
Janice Shulman
Lisa Hintze
Eugene Finnigan
Gregory Manfredi
Angelo Antonucci
John Falcone
James Brazee
Michael Viggiano
Louis Denet
Paul Purpura
Donald Halmy
Frank Lockwood
Lisa Fanzo
Fifteen Year Service Awards
Leonard Fiducia
Anthony Malfitano
Catherine Pisani
Kathy Lockwood
Valerie Swan
Lynn Swansen
John Curran
Eric Johansen
John Esposito
Todd Gallaher
Jonathan Merritt
Andrew Polay
Marc Lewis
Mark Fetzer
Kevin Watson
John Dresser
Kevin Ward
Twenty Year Service Awards
David DiGregorio
Sally Rathjen
Gregory Rich
James Lepore
Timothy Moseley
James McCarthy
Kevin Bristol
Catherine Johansen
Daniel Cairl
Edith Konzen
Daniel Burrett
Robert Gilleo
Bryant Turner
Michael Herling
Aaron Wright
Audrey Overby
Ronald Potenza
Ausilia Grabowiecki
Twenty-Five Year Service
Awards
Joseph Gomez
George Walker
Francis Brunelle
Albert Fogg
Cornell Hammonds, Sr.
Gary Godbee
Victor Gonzalez
Gerald Woods
David Engel
James Ferris
Howard Wessells
Edward Khuns
Thirty Year Service Awards
Julius Carrington
Clarence Smith
Thirty-Five Year Service
Awards
David Greener
Kenneth Williams
Forty Year Service Awards
Eugene Tumolo
City of Peekskill Participates in the LENS Program
By Lynn Swansen, Director,
Department of Human Resources
The City of Peekskill is now participating in the New York State
Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) License Event Notification (LENS) Program.
The LENS program provides the
City with information from the
DMV driver license file for all employees who operate City vehicles.
The City will be notified immediately of any driver license events
such as expiration, suspension, or
revocation, as well as the restoration of a driver license, traffic con-
victions and reportable accidents.
The City will also be notified of the
completion of any training courses
to reduce points and insurance
premiums. The LENS program is
provided at no cost to the City and
is designed to improve highway
safety.
Volume 1, Issue 2
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Page 10
Stormwater Pollution
To decrease polluted runoff from
paved surfaces, households can develop alternatives to areas traditionally covered by impervious surfaces.
Porous pavement materials are available for driveways and sidewalks;
native vegetation and mulch can replace portions of your high maintenance grass lawns.
In addition, households can prevent
polluted runoff by picking up after
pets and using, storing, and disposing of chemicals properly.
Drivers should check their cars for
leaks and recycle their motor oil and
antifreeze when these fluids are
changed.
Drivers can also avoid pollution from
car wash runoff by washing your car
on grass or gravel surfaces instead of
on paved surfaces.
Homeowners should use fertilizers
sparingly and sweep driveways, sidewalks, and roads instead of using a
hose. Instead of disposing of yard
waste, they can use the materials to
start a compost pile.
Did You Know That What
Goes Into Our Catch Basins
Ends Up in Our Waterways?
Do not allow grass clippings to accumulate and remain in the curb line
where it will end up in catch basins
where it drains to brooks and rivers.
Better yet take your car to a commercial facility where the water is
treated and recycled.
For more information, please visit
www.westchestergov.com/stormwater
Fire Prevention Week 2010:October 3-9
By James Howard,
Fire Inspector, Building Department
Protect what matters most to
you…Your Family
One of the best ways you can protect your family is by installing
and maintaining smoke alarms in
your home. Smoke alarms are
the single most important safety
device to alert you and your family in the event of a fire. Statistics
show that people in households
with working smoke alarms have a
substantial advantage in escaping
a home fire. Without a working
smoke alarm, valuable time is lost
from the time a small fire starts
until it produces enough visible
smoke to be noticed by the building’s occupants--if it is ever noticed.
NYS Code is very specific as to
how many smoke alarms are required in a building and where
they should be installed. There
should be a smoke alarm in every
bedroom, immediately outside the
bedrooms and on every level of
the home, including the basement.
It is recommended that you check
the operation of your smoke alarm
every month and change the batteries twice a year when you
change your clocks for daylight
savings time. The life span for a
smoke alarm is 8 to 10 years.
Installing smoke alarms is the
most effective method of giving
your loved ones the chance they
need to escape a fire in your
home. Please install one today.
They are worth the investment!
Check out these websites for further information:
National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org and the
U.S. Fire Administration:
www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm
Volume 1, Issue 2
www.cityofpeekskill.com
Page 11
Field Library
Presents the 16th Annual
Chester A. Smith Award
The Field Library is honored to
present the 16th annual Chester A.
Smith Award to Cathy Pisani for
her many outstanding achievements and contributions to Peekskill. The awards ceremony named
after a former library board president is held each year to honor
individuals who serve the community well.
Peekskill, a Friendly Town.
Chester A. Smith's support of the
Field Library covered more than 50
years, beginning in 1920 when he
chaired a committee to raise
$20,000 to buy a church and convert it into a library. Researchers
on city history use his book,
Tickets are $40 per person and
can be obtained by calling the
library, 737-1212.
Library Live Children’s
Summer Programs
Library Live is a fun series of family entertainment and enrichment programs which will be held
Thursday August 12 and
19 at 6:30 p.m. These
programs are free to children,
parents, caregivers, and all adults.
And we’ve teamed up with the RIF
program (Reading is Fundamental) to add even more enrichment
to some of these evenings. On
RIF nights, kids get to take home
two free books to read and cherish
for their very own!
Teacher in the Library Starts up
again this Fall on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 4:00pm 6:00pm.
If your child needs
homework assistance during the
school year, we have a certified
teacher in the Children’s Room
three afternoons a week after
school to help with homework
assignments—a vital and valuable
program also supported by the
Please join us at the library on
Saturday evening, October 9,
2010. Our cocktail reception begins at 6:00pm followed by the
presentation ceremony at 7:00
pm.
Peekskill Rotary Club!
Peekskill Reads – Saturday,
October 23 11:00am-2:00pm
This program is a great chance for
kids to fill up their bookshelves
with free books.
If you have
books to donate, please drop
them off in the Children’s Room
before October 2nd.
H a l l o w e e n
P a r t y
Friday, October 29 at 11:00am
Don’t miss our annual Halloween
party. Perfect for all witches,
ghosts and pumpkins, ages 2 and
up.
Check the teen blog at http://
fieldlibraryteens.wordpress.com/
to find out what other kids are
reading! There’s no
way you can miss
being in touch with
us!
We blog, we are on both
Facebook and Twitter. Check out
our website for direct links. We’re
ready with information to help you
with life, school, friends and work,
and also to listen to your sugges-
Be sure to note that The Field Library voter proposition to approve
a $49,000 increase to the 2011
library operating budget will appear on one side of your paper
ballot. When you vote on Tuesday, November 2, 2010 using the
new optical scanning voting machines, be sure to
find the proposition, fill in the
box, and FLIP THE
BALLOT FOR YOUR
LIBRARY!
tions. Our Teen/Young Adult collection includes the very latest in
fiction, graphic novels, poetry,
assignment-reading, non-fiction,
and audio-books. The ―Club Graffiti‖ booth area also has free Wi-Fi
Internet access available, so bring
your laptops.
Library Live Teen Summer Programs: Backlash, a talented
group of Peekskill teens that is a
local band favorite, will play
Thursday August 5th from 6:30
p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Backlash has
chops, so come listen to some seriously good rock!
The You-Name-It Book Club
Monday August 23rd from 4 p.m.
– 5 p.m. This club is open for middle school students in grades 6-9.
Poetry Slam! Held on the
first Wednesday of the
month and starting again on October 6, our monthly teen Poetry
Slam! performance series showcases renowned local, national
and international artists, followed
by open mike, refreshments and
pizza.
City of Peekskill
840 Main Street
Peekskill, NY
10566
The Honorable Mary F. Foster
Deputy Mayor Donald Bennett, Jr.
Councilwoman Drew Claxton
Councilwoman Marybeth McGowan
Councilwoman Patricia Riley
Councilman Joseph Schuder
Councilman Andrew Torres
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 6618
White Plains
New York 106010
POSTAL PATRON
Richard M. Finn, City Manager
Brian Havranek, Assistant City Manager
Pamela Beach, City Clerk
Share and Recycle
Your Newsletter
City Volunteer: Anne Hayes Wilson
Newsletter Editor: Leah Quinn
Graphic Design & Photography:
Leah Quinn, DesignsAnything.com
Celebrating City of
Peekskill’s 70th Anniversary
By Pamela Beach, City Clerk,
City Clerk’s Office
In 2010, the City of Peekskill is celebrating its 70th Anniversary as a city, and
we have designed a sturdy, attractive
tote bag to commemorate this occasion.
Peekskill is committed to a cleaner environment, and these bags emphasis the
3R’s of the Environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
You will show your pride in Peekskill while avoiding the
use of plastic bags that may end up in a landfill. The
tote bags measure 19‖ x 15‖ and are made in the
U.S.A.
They may be purchased in the City Clerk’s Office at City
Hall for $7.00. If you would like to order one by mail,
please include an additional $2.50 for postage and send
your request to: City Clerk’s Office, 840 Main Street,
Peekskill, NY 10566. Checks should be made payable to
the City of Peekskill.
The bags are also available on our website at
www.cityofpeekskill.com.
Peekskill Nutrition
Goes Green
By Gary Cahill, Recreation Supervisor for Senior Services
The City of Peekskill’s Nutrition Program
has
gone
green. Thanks to a
Westchester County
Community Development Block Grant
that was made available to the City, the Nutrition Program was able to replace a 10-year old vehicle with a
brand new 2010 Ford Hybrid Escape (pictured below)
for its Meals-at-Home Program. The vehicle was purchased for $31,513.35 as part of the Westchester
County Shared Bid Process, which resulted in the city
saving considerable money and time. This four wheel
drive vehicle gets about 34 mpg and allows the Nutrition Program to navigate the hills in the winter as it
delivers meals to home-bound seniors.
The Meals-at-Home Program annually delivers more
than 23,000 warm lunches and cold suppers to program participant’s homes Monday through Friday. Participants must be 60 years or older and be home
bound.