Welcome to Katonah!

Bedford parks employees Tom Megna, left, and Mark Graniero, install the new “Welcome to Katonah” sign on Cherry Street, near the intersection with Route 35. STAFF PHOTO

The town installed a new sign on Cherry Street in Katonah this week, welcoming people to the hamlet.

According to the supervisor’s chief of staff, Lisa Burke, the corner at that intersection has been an eyesore for some time, without a formal welcome to town. 

“We have found a way to beautify the entrance, while keeping within the town right-of-way,” Burke said. 

There had been talk of beautifying the corner for years, but nothing came of it amid competing jurisdictions. The corner is maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation, while a parking lot is maintained by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, as parking for fishing on the Muscoot Reservoir. The town has control over a narrow right-of-way.“We will continue to maintain this area, mowing the grass and maintaining the landscape,” Burke said. A similar sign was placed, with companion landscaping, at the entrance to Bedford Hills on the corner of Harris and Bedford roads. 

“We will also consider other opportunities to enhance welcome points to town,” she said.

— Jeff Morris