By DAVID POGUE — Saving the planet is one thing. Withholding $100,000 from the electric company is pleasure on a whole different level. I actually have no beef with NYSEG and ConEd. They’re probably very nice people. They are, however, New York utilities, and therefore they produce about half of our electricity by burning natural gas. Which produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct. Which makes our atmospheric blanket thicker. Which makes the oceans warmer, the hurricanes stronger, the heat waves longer, the winters shorter, the droughts grimmer, the wildfires deadlier. And it’s only getting worse. I don’t mean the climate crisis (well, that too) — I mean the price of power. It’s up almost 40 percent since 2012. Hell, we’re up 13.4 percent just since last year. And thanks to an agreement locked in with the New York State Public Service Commission, we can look forward to more double-digit price hikes through at least 2025.  And every year, you’ll be buying more of that more expensive juice — to run your A/C, as the summers get hotter and longer.  In our first year here in Bedford, my wife Nicki and I have experienced only one outbreak of door-to-door salesmen. It was two weeks ago: two guys selling solar panels.  OK, maybe I’d consider buying a magazine subscription or a fundraising candy bar. But $25,000 worth of photovoltaic equipment? How desperate are these guys? Still, we agreed to hear them out.  The next day, a rep from Trinity Solar arrived. On his laptop, he showed us satellite photos of our house, indicating where the panels could go. As he began his spiel, I realized just how much has changed since the last time I sniffed around solar. First of all, modern panels look great. They’re no longer all silver-and-black checkerboards. Now they come in solid glossy black, sleek and shiny, like Apple iPanels.  Second, they’re much more efficient. In 2010, they’d convert 15 percent of sunshine into free power; today, they’re over 22 percent.  Third, the price of getting solar has crashed. It’s half of what it cost in 2010.  Fourth, solar adds to the resale value of your home — about $25,000 on an average New York house. The panels keep your roof cooler in summer, and melt snow faster in winter. Best of all, the government would really, really like to buy your panels for you. The wishful-thinkingly named Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 slices a delicious 30 percent off the cost. New York state is pleased to kick in another $5,000. (These are not lame tax deductions, which lower the amount of income you use to calculate your taxes. These are tax credits, which subtract real money from your final tax payment. Much juicier.) But wait, there’s less! NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) wishes to chip in, too: 20 cents per watt of solar you’re installing. In my case, that’s another $3,500. I mean, these people really want you to get solar. You no longer need a backup battery (about $10,000), either, thanks to a cool scheme called net metering. When your rooftop generates more power than you need (daytime, summertime), the electric company stores it for you.  Then, when you need more than your panels produce (nighttime, winter), it returns the power you’ve banked, as needed. In essence, you’re using the entire electrical grid as your personal battery.  You can get solar in the same three ways you can get a car: Loan, lease, or buy outright.  — Loan. A solar loan buys your panels; you pay it back over 25 years. You get the installation now, without paying anything — and the beauty part is that the loan payments are less than your current electricity bill. (In our case, it’d be about 22 percent less.) The interest rate’s about 7 percent, or 4 percent in lower-income areas.  — Lease. You pay a fixed amount for your power — once again, less than you’d pay the utility. But you don’t get the tax cuts and rebates, and selling your house to a new owner can get complicated. — Buy. If you can afford to buy the panels outright, you get to “free power forever” much faster, and you pay much less in total. (Example: If your buy-it-now price is $25,000, then paying back a loan for the same panels would come to $80,000 over the 25 years. That’s just how interest works.) We very much appreciated Trinity Solar’s go-getter attitude; they turned us onto the insane value of 2024 solar.  In the end, though, we did some due diligence. We uploaded our electric bills to EnergySage.com , an independent clearinghouse for solar installers. Four companies submitted quotes; you can view their terms side-by-side for comparison. Over the phone, a free EnergySage coach guy helped us sort through the proposals. (They are not, ahem, novice-friendly.)  He explained that these days, the hardware is essentially identical across the industry. Almost every solar company will give you the same gorgeous, high-efficiency panels, the same kind of phone app to monitor them, the same 25-year warranty. All you’re really choosing is the company you want to deal with — for support, maintenance, the rare repairs — for the next 25 years. (He also noted that one of the two presidential candidates, who shall remain nameless, has vowed to gut the IRA bill if elected. Therefore, the safest time to buy solar might be before January.) In the end, we chose a company called Infinity Energy. They’ve done 10,000 installations in the tri-state area. Their panels are made in America. They’ve got an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, a 4.8 average Google rating, and zero debt. (That’s a big green flag. In 2023, high interest rates drove over 100 solar companies out of business. Including a California company called Infinity Energy — no relation.)  Infinity, too, has a roof-preview app. It revealed that, because of our house’s position, we’ll get only 85 percent of our power from the sun. We’ll still have to buy a few dribbles from NYSEG.  “But some savings is better than no savings,” our rep pointed out. “Some reduction of your carbon footprint is better than no reduction.”  True. Besides, there’s a golden lining to the news: the front of our house won’t have panels on it — it faces the wrong way — so it will still look cute from the street.  The cost of all of this? All in, $46,200. But thanks to the contributions of our generous elected officials, our final cost will be just under $25,000. 25 grand? Well, hold on now! Our current NYSEG bills are $4,300 a year. In other words — am I sitting down? — we’ll recoup the entire price of those panels in six years.  Six years! And at that point — hoo, baby. Free power forever! No more annual price hikes. No more wasting the free money that Mr. Blue Sky has been dumping on us for years.  And no more burning natural gas for power, either; the power plant that does our burning is 93 million miles away. Our new rooftop panels will keep 17,000 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air, every single year, forever. We already drive electric and don’t eat beef. Once we fire up our new panels (after three months of design, permits, and other preamble), we’ll be getting dangerously close to being zero-emissions humans. As a sweet reward for our noble service to the planet, we’ll save $100,000 over the next 25 years. A hundred grand we would have paid to the power company. Sorry ‘bout that, NYSEG.  Well, sorry/not sorry.

By JOYCE CORRIGAN Liz Hallock is in the house! It takes the newly appointed executive director of the Bedford Historical Society exactly 10 seconds to walk from her office in the 1838 charm-personified Bedford Store to her interview with The Recorder at the industrial-chic-personified oHHo: The Old Firehouse.  Judging from the half dozen well-wishers who abandon their matcha lattes to greet her, Hallock already knows everyone in town. (Extra credit for being director of admissions at Rippowam Cisqua for seven years).  With the July opening of oHHo, the village’s buzzy wellness shop/café selling Taschen coffee-table books, luxury totes, bespoke pizza and all things CBD, Bedford seems to have made a quantum leap from quaint historical district to hipster destination. In fact, the “reno” of the three-block district has been unfolding for two years, with the opening of Duchess selling responsibly-sourced beauty products, Rivay, a high-end menswear boutique, New York Stoneware offering hand-thrown pottery, and Sotheby’s Real Estate. Mast Market, an organic market and café — another prestigious Manhattan transfer — is opening any minute on Court Road.   Hallock, a resident for 18 years who married a Bedford native and raised three children here, sees Bedford’s landmarks coexisting with the newly arrived luxury not as a clash of civilizations, but as a move closer to the sweet spot. “Preservation doesn’t mean leaving things alone,” she said. “There’s room for newcomers as well as beloved standbys like Jewel Corner, Village Green Deli, and, of course, our heritage structures. The society’s goal is to help maintain Bedford’s functionality and character. Any healthy historic town has to have a balance between conservation and innovation. I hope to help marry the two.” History certainly had a distinct swagger at the sold-out Bedford Oak Party held Saturday night, Sept. 28, against the backdrop of the venerable 500-year-old white oak, illuminated in all its leafy finery. Three hundred guests gathered to honor retired Executive Director Lynn Ryan and to raise funds for Properties Preservation. The infectiously high-energy Atomic Funk Band kept everyone rocking until almost midnight, while camera-ready appetizers, a raw bar and carving station from Portage provided fuel. And nothing like a sing-a-long for community bonding (“Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree.” Ya think?)  “After 500 years the Bedford Oak is finally invited to the party!” laughed Hallock.  Considered by many to be Bedford’s “most venerable citizen,” the 130-foot-wide Quercus alba has been under the protection of the BHS since 1977, when 30 acres of land bordering the tree were sold to a developer. The BHS and a handful of locals purchased 2 acres to give the tree breathing space and lifetime security.  The 10 historic properties the BHS curates include the 1787 Court House, Westchester’s oldest government building, where not only Aaron Burr argued cases but William Jay, son of the Supreme Court of the United States first chief justice, John Jay, sat on the bench; 1806 Historical Hall, moved to its present site in 1837 by 20 yoke of oxen, and now the  site of the beloved annual Bedford Antiques Show; and the Bedford Free Library, built in 1807 as Bedford Academy, which educated, among others, John Jay II, grandson of the first chief justice, William H. Vanderbilt of railroad fame and John McCloskey, the first American-born cardinal. Founded in 1916, today’s BHS is unrecognizable from the organization that Ryan joined 28 years ago.  “We wrote membership renewal letters on an IBM Selectric typewriter,” Ryan recalled. “No more sleepy historical society on the second floor of the Lounsbery Building. We became an active organization solidifying Bedford Village as a vibrant center with diverse dining and shops, and have consistently supported historic buildings being adaptively reused to meet the community’s needs.” The BHS works with both the department of public works and the Bedford Village Business Association on maintenance and retail assistance.  Currently the BHS leases the 1857 Jackson House to luxury brand Brittany Bromley Interiors, while the iconic 1906 Greek Revival Lounsbery building has housed The Horse Connection, a mecca to local equestrians since 1972. Not only is the BHS proactive in the curation of the village’s antique buildings, they protect 165 acres with four historic conservation easements, exhibit artifacts at two museums, and run programs about Bedford’s  pivotal role in American history. Crowd favorites include reenactments of the 1779 Burning of Bedford on the Village Green and historic trial recreations in the courthouse.  Restoration of historic buildings is not for the faint-hearted. Consider replacing 200-year-old pillars or an original cedar roof which requires craftsmen skilled in historic preservation. After decades of wear and tear, there are spent sump pumps and entire electrical systems.  “The village’s glorious antique structures are all made of wood,” Hallock said. “With major storms and intense water runoff, they take a beating.” Ryan remembers some close calls.  “In 2010, we planned to simply replace the floorboards in Historical Hall for which we budgeted about $17,000,” she said. “We had issues with moisture from the basement crawlspace, so we removed the floorboards only to discover the columns weren’t fully supported. One sill was completely rotted and almost all of the original chestnut beams that held the floor had deteriorated.” The total fix turned into a $100,000 project.  While dozens of Hudson Valley communities boast beautifully restored historic districts, few, if any, can match Bedford’s resilience. Town historian John Stockbridge chalks it up to Bedford’s beginnings: a literal baptism by fire. “The British burning Bedford practically to the ground during the Revolution caused us to really solidify our historic character,” he said. “It preempted not only the recreation of the town but its prominence in Westchester.” Stockbridge encourages everyone to take the BHS historic house tours.  “There’s too much great history to miss —  not to mention the always accessible Village Green and Old Burying Ground that take us back to our founding in 1680.” If Hallock is considered the Bedford Historical Society’s “next-gen” model, her key asset in growing the organization is knowing how to appeal to the next generation of young families. Hallock smiles when it’s pointed out that transitioning from a decade at an elementary school to a preservation society means she’s gone from overseeing Bedford’s infancy to its antiquity. “What I always see are families that want a wonderful place to live with good schools and a beautiful, vital town,” she said. “Once they learn about Bedford’s rich legacy, they’ll always want to preserve it.”  Of course, the real challenge is never just the parents.  “Young people are tough customers,” she laughed. “You have to be that much more creative to hold their attention. If, after some historic reenactment or exhibition at the museum, I hear one child say to another ‘Wow, that was cool!’ Well, that’s a big win for us.” And for Bedford.

Man causes a scene at town office  A man came to a government office in the main Town Campus in South Salem Tuesday, Sept. 30, at 4:12 p.m., requesting a police report. He became agitated and began yelling when told he would have to fill out a FOIL form, resulting in a town employee pushing a panic alarm, at which time the man drove off in a white Honda; police located him on Bouton Road. He was told his behavior was unacceptable and he agreed. The officer then provided him with the report he was looking for. No further action was taken.  Monday, Sept. 30 9:26 a.m. — A resident of Waccabuc, male, age unknown, exhibiting possible symptoms of a stroke, was taken by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital. Westchester EMS was on scene. Before police arrival, the man complained of dizziness.  2 p.m. — Dark tinted windows observed by an officer patrolling Route 35 in the vicinity of Mead Street, Cross River, led to a traffic stop for a blue Chevrolet Camaro. The operator identified themselves and offered registration to a vehicle that came back as a Honda. The registration for the Camaro was also suspended due to unpaid parking violations. The car was towed and impounded and the driver was issued several tickets.  9:18 p.m. — Police went to a multi-unit dwelling on Beekman Lane, Goldens Bridge, for a welfare check on a woman who calls them almost nightly after getting off the train. She answered the door and came out with a stack of paperwork and said she is being harassed by phone calls regarding her past medical insurance. Police advised her to call the number on the paperwork during business hours and that this was not a police matter.  Tuesday, Oct. 1 12:20 p.m. — A resident of South Salem, male, complained a fellow tenant in their shared residence is “poisoning him.” He reported this happening on a regular basis. He said after he eats food she’s made, his blood pressure shoots up alarmingly. Medics were consulted and said they are aware of the situation and would not be responding. The man also alleged there was “a hit out on him,” and reported a person in the woods and someone looking in his bedroom window. A report was made for documentation purposes only.  3 p.m. — A North Carolina resident’s custody dispute with her ex-husband regarding their daughter brought police to an address in South Salem where the girl resides with her father. Earlier in the day, the mom came to headquarters showing a custodial agreement valid only on a military base. She was advised to go to family court in White Plains where she said she already has an appointment. After police spoke with her, she agreed to return to North Carolina until her court date. All parties were advised to handle their issues in family court and obey all court orders or be charged with custodial interference.  5 p.m. — A resident of South Salem, male, requested an order of protection to be served against his wife. When police went to their home, a child answered the door and said his mother went to New York City. Two officers looked for her by the train station without result. An hour and a half later, her husband came to headquarters again and said he saw her lurking in the front yard. Police looked for her with negative results. Wednesday, Oct. 2 9:45 a.m. — A prior larceny was reported at a home on Falcon Ridge Road, Goldens Bridge. State police were also on scene. The incident is under investigation and no further information was provided. Thursday, Oct. 3 2:05 p.m. — Police went to a home in South Salem after they were contacted by someone from a medical office who said they were trying to get in touch with the resident following recent testing. An officer spoke with her husband who said his wife left the residence three weeks earlier and he has not been in touch with her. He said he removed her from his phone plan. She last spoke to him using her father’s phone. It’s unclear whether he provided police with that information.  3:35 p.m. — A horse and a donkey were reported missing by a South Salem resident who said both animals were removed from a boarding facility in Orange County last December while she was in the hospital. At the time, she notified the Warwick Police. She recently saw her animals on another property. Police spoke to an attorney representing the person who currently has her equines who said the animals were surrendered due to mistreatment. Police advised the complainant she needed to gather her documents and work through the courts if she wanted to get her pets back.  Friday, Oct. 4 9:30 p.m. — A resident of Katonah reported his kids were sitting in his car parked in his driveway playing video games when a man, dressed entirely in black, very tall, described as “skinny,” walked past the car, crouched down, and then headed towards the front of the house. He said he and his wife were in the backyard and also saw the man, who disappeared into the woods. Police asked neighbors if they saw anything and extra patrols were added to the area.  Saturday, Oct. 5 11:48 a.m. — Police were dispatched to Rock Shelter Road for an activated burglar alarm. On arrival, the exterior was checked. All appeared in order. The resident was contacted through their Ring camera and advised of  the incident.   2:35 p.m. — A caller on Waccabuc Road reported kids were using their cellphone cameras to film themselves driving on Mead Street, causing a hazard condition. Police patrolled the area with negative results.  4 p.m. — A caller in South Salem reported problems with his half-brother regarding his father, who has dementia. He said the problems started in July when he occasionally cared for his father. He said his half-brother, who has power of attorney, said a nurse had been hired to care for their dad and that person would be driving his car and he would be unable to use the car. He was told he wasn’t welcome at the house and some harsh words were exchanged. Police advised the caller no crime had been committed and advised him to give his family members some space.  Sunday, Oct. 6 8 a.m. — Police went to the Wild Oaks apartment complex in Goldens Bridge with a state trooper for a noise complaint. They were met by a woman who was annoyed to see them. She said there was no disturbance and she was working on her closet. The complainant was advised to contact the building management as they claimed to have a recording of the woman yelling.  11:45 p.m. — Vista firefighters and police went to an address in South Salem after a fire was reported. They found a small fire at the rear of the residence. No one was home. The fire was extinguished and the resident was contacted via phone and advised no open burning was allowed.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer. This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

Block sender  A resident of Long Ridge Road came to headquarters Wednesday, Oct. 2, at 3 p.m., to report receiving an email threatening to expose her online activity if she didn’t pay $1,950 to this party. Police advised her this is a scam and to block that sender.  Taking a break  A man walking on Kitchawan Road Friday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m., was reported as suspicious. Police say he was taking a rest break while continuing on his way home. No intervention was required. Tuesday, Oct. 1  9:20 a.m. — Police were dispatched to Miller Road for a report of a suspicious man walking on the roadway. The man was staying with a neighbor and no intervention was required. 11:10 a.m. — A traffic summons was issued to a driver on Westchester Avenue for disobeying a traffic control device.  3:07 p.m. — Two summonses were issued to a driver traveling on Stone Hill Road. One for failing to stop at a stop sign, the second for operating an unregistered vehicle.  4 p.m. — During a traffic enforcement detail, police issued four summonses to drivers for speeding and one summons for driving without a valid driver’s license.  5:18 p.m. — A resident of Fox Run Road reported someone using a gas-powered leaf blower. Police searched the area with negative results. Wednesday, Oct. 2 1:19 a.m. — A female, age unknown, was taken by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Northern Westchester Hospital from her home. No further information was available. 1:30 p.m. — Police were dispatched for a gas-powered leaf blower complaint made by a resident of Stone Hill Road. Police searched the area with negative results. Thursday, Oct. 3 5:30 p.m. — Police conducted a radar detail on Pound Ridge Road. No violations were observed.  Friday, Oct. 4  9:50 a.m. — A summons was issued to a driver on Salem Road for using a cellphone in a moving vehicle.  11:18 a.m. — A driver on Westchester Avenue was issued a ticket for failure to stop at a stop sign.  12:35 p.m. — A summons was issued to a driver on Westchester Avenue for using a cellphone in a moving vehicle.  Saturday, Oct. 5 5:30 p.m. —  Police conducted a radar detail on Old Mill River Road. No violations were observed.  Sunday, Oct. 6  3:20 a.m. — A female, age unknown, was taken from her home to Northern Westchester Hospital via Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps. No further information was available.  6:20 p.m. — A traffic summons was issued to a driver on Westchester Avenue for disobeying a traffic control device.  Monday, Oct. 7  8:15 a.m. — Police were dispatched to a home for a medical emergency. On their arrival medics on scene said the person’s medical alert bracelet was accidentally activated and there was no emergency.  10:39 a.m. — Police responded to a noise complaint on Westchester Avenue; on arrival they heard an alarm sounding. The landlord was on scene and said he was working on an issue with his plumber.  2 p.m. — A resident of Barnegat Road called to complain about a neighbor using a gas-powered leaf blower blowing leaves into the street. Police arrived and saw a homeowner using an electric blower on his own property. No violations were observed and the street was clear of leaves.  5:15 p.m. — A driver traveling on Westchester Avenue was issued a summons for failing to obey a traffic control device.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police Department.

By NEAL RENTZ The project to expand the Pound Ridge Fire District firehouse for the first time in decades is to begin Thursday, Oct. 17, and some preparations are already under way. The project was approved unanimously by the planning board Dec. 14, 2023, a year after the proposal was approved by town voters. A bond to pay most of the cost of the expansion was approved by voters Dec. 13, 2022. The fire department’s $7.75 million plan is to merge four lots and expand its existing headquarters, located at 80 Westchester Ave., including relocation of its driveway and site improvements on the 10.4-acre property. The firehouse was last updated 32 years ago when it received a two-bay addition in the rear of the building. The new project includes a two-bay addition on the front of the existing building; upgrades to the infrastructure; and site work to improve parking and maintain and manage water quality.  As stated on the department’s Facebook page, “You might have noticed some work starting at the Pound Ridge Fire Department property. We have started prepping for our expansion project which is set to break ground on October 17th 2024.” Even with the project about to begin, “this will not impact our firefighting capabilities to protect the town,” the department stated.  According to the department, the expansion project will take about 18 months to complete. “Construction fencing will be placed around the property to keep the site safe and secure,” according to the department.  A section of the rear parking lot directly behind the firehouse and near the pond will not be accessible to the public during the construction work. The rear parking lot will be accessible from the side access road between Chubby’s Hardware and Avalon Agency Insurance, as well as the one-way access road between the firehouse and 123Dough bakery.  The PRFD is working with the town to relocate the 9/11 memorial site to another park of the town’s choosing, prior to the beginning of construction, according to the department. “We understand the importance of this memorial and do not want to limit access during our construction,” the department stated. The department’s annual Halloween Party is being moved to Pound Ridge Town Park. The event is slated for Thursday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 9 p.m, weather permitting. Food, drinks, an ice cream truck, candy, popcorn and movies will be provided at no charge. Several infrastructure needs are being addressed in the project, according to the department, including replacement of the HVAC system, water treatment, a generator, the information technology network, as well as vehicle exhaust management and fuel/heating oil storage.  According to the department, the size of its apparatus has grown significantly due to new emissions and safety standards and the project would address that issue. Large equipment storage has exceeded current facility capacity and space limitations create injury hazards. Existing conditions at the firehouse prohibit segmentation of personal protective equipment or turnout gear from contamination, according to the PRFD. The plan also calls for the relocation of the offices and the conversion of existing office space into a gear storage room. Pound Ridge Fire District Commissioner Frank Tavolacci said work will begin next week, and is to be completed by spring 2026. “There has also been much preparation to get to the point of actually breaking ground,” he said. “The logistics of having a viable operating firehouse during a major renovation takes major planning and implementation.” He said the project will be the first fire district in the state to utilize a “project labor agreement” to construct an addition to an existing firehouse. A project labor agreement is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations. It contains no-strike, no-lockout clauses that eliminate delays associated with labor unrest. “They will hire union and non-union workers alike for the project,” he said of the general contractor. “The fire district determined that this was the best path forward to get the best results; and in the process protect the taxpayers who ultimately finance the project.” The estimated cost of the project is $7.75 million. However, the net cost of the project is $6.5 million because the district’s plan is to use $1.2 million from its existing reserve. The project will be financed over 27 years. The owner of a home with a market value of $500,000 will pay a total fire department tax of $258 annually, with $84 of the cost to pay for the expansion project. The owner of a home with a market value of $1.5 million will be responsible for an annual fire department tax of $773, with $252 of cost going to the expansion project. The tax levy impact per $1,000 of assessed valuation will be $1.05.

By NEAL RENTZ The Pound Ridge Old Pond Road Committee was told Monday that an easement for a property that would allow for construction of a boardwalk has not been finalized by the town, and a vote to create a water district has been scheduled for later this month.  Councilwoman Alison Boak, who co-chairs the committee with Joseph Virgilio, said at the Oct. 7 meeting there is no agreement in place between the homeowner and the town board.  In August, Boak told her committee colleagues she was informed by town attorney, William Harrrington, an agreement between the town board and the owner of the home adjacent to the Town Park was nearing completion. The parcel is needed because the committee, in conjunction with the town’s recreation department, wants to build a boardwalk on the homeowner’s land to connect the town park with the 22-acre Old Pound Road lot. Construction on the boardwalk cannot begin until the 2-acre land easement is acquired. The homeowner’s parcel is 4.2 acres in total. The roughly 22-acre Old Pound Road parcel was acquired by the town in July 2020. The property is off Route 137 between the town park and the historic district. The property has been seen as providing a valuable link between the hamlet and Scotts Corners attractions, and offering a range of potential recreational uses, such as hiking and biking. Water district vote Also at the meeting, the committee was told a referendum to approve the creation of a water district for the Scotts Corners Business District is slated for Thursday, Oct. 24, which could affect how Old Pond Road could be used.  The vote will be conducted among the commercial and residential property owners in Scotts Corners, Boak said. Committee member Mark Mosolino, a longtime member of the town’s Water and Wastewater Task Force, noted the 37 property owners are eligible to vote. Most of the eligible properties in the district are businesses, Boak said.  “Some of the owners are in other states,” she said, adding the owners must be present in Pound Ridge on the day of the vote.   Earlier this year there were findings from private well tests in town that revealed the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”  The PFAS in the drinking water of those property owners affected are at levels exceeding both state and EPA standards. Mosolino said at a previous meeting the water situation could affect water usage on Old Pound Road. At this week’s meeting Mosolino said the town has applied for a $7 million federal grant for a potential $10 million project for municipal water for the Scotts Corners Business District, with the remaining $3 million to come from a town bond.  In a follow up interview this week, Boak said, “Regardless of whether or not the water district is created, it’s the charge of the OPR to develop a plan for town board consideration.”  The committee did a survey about two years ago to find out what residents wanted to do with the property. “The possibilities are endless,” Boak said. The committee agreed to discuss the survey results on Monday, Nov. 4.

Stealing of signs is act of political vandalism To the Editor: I hope this note finds you well and we are thrilled with the recent print launch of The Recorder. I am proud to be an inaugural subscribing patron to The Recorder and we will continue to support local news as best we can. This town needs it more than ever, case in point below.  We have seen recent articles in your paper and police blotter regarding stolen political signs around the local area. This has become more rampant this past week and our own home has fallen victim to this chronic vandalism as well. My husband, a U.S. Air Force Veteran who joined after the 9/11 attacks, has been proudly showcasing his support for Vice President Kamala Harris with a sign he received from VoteVets. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on education and advocacy on behalf of veterans and their families.  The sign simply stated “Veterans for Kamala” against a dark blue background with the VoteVets emblem on the bottom, along with the American flag stamp. This sign has now been stolen from our driveway, along with other signs which have been stolen from our home over this past year, including several “Lewisboro Celebrates Pride” signs during this past Pride month in June. All of which has been reported to Chief Alfano of the Lewisboro Police Department, but no leads as of writing this email.  We need this to stop. No one should feel harassed or violated on their own property with this continued act of political vandalism. We feel this should be in the news to showcase what we, as a community, have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. No one is immune to these shocking acts, even for those who were willing to sacrifice everything to maintain the ability for all of us to post supporting signs on their lawns in America, supporting whomever whenever.  Jason Pignatiello Waccabuc Supports newspaper, but disappointed by road signs To the Editor: I donated to The Recorder and became a subscriber; however, I have to let you know that I am disappointed that you have put out roadside signs advertising The Recorder. We are privileged to live in this beautiful area and community. I am incredibly disheartened that The Recorder would add road signs that will become litter on our beautiful roadsides. To begin with, there is no respect for the environment and total disregard for the natural beauty of our area, which is littered with road signs. I believe there should have been some forethought about an environmentally conscious way of advertising and not lowering the bar of road signs. Tasteless. I am disappointed, appalled, and shocked by the disregard for what the signs all over the roadside looked like — roadside trash.  Louisa Purcell Goldens Bridge Editor’s note: The Recorder lawn signs are up temporarily, and some have already come down. There are no plans to put up more. Also, they are made of biodegradable cardboard, unlike most lawn signs, which are made of plastic.

Lawrence Thomas Barlow died Oct. 3 at the age of 91. He was born Nov. 2, 1932, in Roanoke, Va., to Doris (Carpenter) and Joseph Barlow. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty Barlow, and is survived by his children, Susan Clark (John) and Robert Barlow, as well as three granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, and his sister, Linda Kroosz. Barlow moved to Bedford at a young age, where he spent most of his childhood and adult life. There he met his future wife, and they were married in 1953. He was drafted into the U.S. Army later that year, serving in the Korean War. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to work as a carpenter for Hall and Sons.  In 1969 he began working for the town of Bedford as a machine operator until his retirement in 1989.  The couple moved to Eastham, Mass., in search of retirement, but instead Barlow began working for the Orleans Parks and Beaches Department. His family said it was more of a love of his work and carpentry than just a job. His carpentry skills were legendary, and many of his projects are in homes around Cape Cod. He enjoyed fishing and boating and, in his later years, he also enjoyed painting.  While in Bedford, he spent a large portion of his days serving as a volunteer in the Bedford Fire Department. He served as a commissioner, second assistant chief, on the board of directors, and as foreman of his favorite truck, Engine 211. He joined the department in 1950 shortly after his 18th birthday, earning his lifetime member status in 1970. Barlow believed that serving in the department was one of his greatest accomplishments. A burial service is to be held at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Mass., on Monday, Oct. 14, at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bedford Fire Department at bedfordfire.com , or Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore at fccns.org .

Jim MacLean photos Clockwise from top left, Finja Degl races after a loose ball. Logan Bueti makes her move to the goal for John Jay. Jane Brennan clears for the Wolves. John Jay goalie Molly Gallagher makes a save as Kayla Magier backs her up By JIM MACLEAN  A week after making history with its first-ever win over Lakeland, the John Jay field hockey team found itself once again facing the Hornets. The Wolves hosted the Hornets on Saturday, Oct. 5, and this time it was Lakeland celebrating as the Hornets won the rematch by the same score of 1-0. However, John Jay once again found itself making history as the Wolves rebounded with a 7-0 win at home over Hen Hud on Monday, and it was the 100th career victory for coach Debbi Walsh. It was also senior night under the lights as John Jay added another memorable celebration to its season and the Wolves improved to 10-1-1 overall. “Our senior night, always a night to remember, and I’m just so proud of this amazing group of athletes,” Walsh said of her team, downplaying her coaching milestone. Against Hen Hud it was a team effort with five different players scoring goals for John Jay. Jojo Degl had another big game as the senior captain scored two goals and added an assist. Laney Daly scored a pair of goals for the Wolves. Senior captain Kaycie Keeley scored a goal and had an assist, while Logan Bueti also scored a goal and had an assist. Sophia Shaw scored a goal, and senior captain Jane Brennan added an assist for the Wolves. John Jay cruised to the easy victory, and it was a welcome reprieve in the midst of a crazy couple of weeks against intense competition, starting with the two league games against Lakeland. The Wolves knew Lakeland would be out for revenge on Saturday, and the Hornets looked strong as they controlled the action. However, John Jay was up to the challenge on defense with goalie Molly Gallagher and the Wolves keeping the ball out of the cage as the two teams were locked in a 0-0 tie heading into the fourth quarter. Lakeland turned up the pressure in the fourth quarter, earning six corners in a row with the John Jay defense scrambling. Gallagher came up with some big saves, and Kayla Magier saved a shot from crossing the goal line after it got past Gallagher to keep it 0-0. The Hornets finally broke through as Gabby Santini scored with 6:06 left to play and that proved to be the difference for a 1-0 victory. John Jay tried to answer back with some of its best scoring chances late in the game earning a couple of corners, but the Hornets held on for the win. “We knew what to expect, and once again my defense was confident and knew they would have to play calm the entire game,” Walsh said of the John Jay defense. “For Lakeland to draw 13 corners and only score once with six minutes remaining in the game, I’m very proud of my team. Overall, losing 1-0 just confirms that our 1-0 win wasn’t a fluke and we can compete with them.” Round three could happen in the playoffs coming up in a few weeks, but Walsh knows John Jay has a lot of hard work to earn a rematch with Lakeland as the Wolves face a lot of tough teams before the playoffs even begin. John Jay was set to face Rye on the road Wednesday, and then host rival Horace Greeley on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The Wolves will finish the regular season with a home game against Yorktown and a game on the road at Mamaroneck. “We can’t look ahead to the playoffs as we have four strong opponents left to face in the regular season,” admitted Walsh. “These four games will prepare us for the postseason.”

Let it burrow  A resident of McLain Street, Bedford Hills, reported Thursday, Oct. 3, at 1:12 p.m., they might have a rabid groundhog on their property. The caller reported it as “spinning in circles.” Police arrived and said the groundhog looked healthy, was not aggressive and was making circles, but only “right-hand turns.” A decision was made to let it live and find its way back to its burrow.   Monday, Sept. 30 3:24 p.m. — A tow company located on Railroad Avenue, Bedford Hills, reported they continue to receive harassing messages from a previous customer. Police advised they block unknown numbers and a report was made for documentation purposes only.   11:11 p.m. — Police went to a residence on Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, for a landlord/tenant dispute. All parties were on scene. Two people said they recently vacated the bedroom they were renting and wanted their security deposit returned. The landlord, who had been withholding their money, agreed to give it back after deducting an amount for unpaid utilities. This agreement was satisfactory to both parties and no further police intervention was required.   Tuesday, Oct. 1 4:35 a.m. — A disturbance was reported on Robinson Avenue, Bedford Hills, when a caller reported yelling outside near their driveway. Police patrolled the area with negative results.  9:28 a.m. — A resident of Bedford Hills came to headquarters to report she was contacted by an unknown party demanding money or they would expose her online activities. Police told her this is a scam and to block that person’s number. A report was made for documentation purposes only.   2:53 p.m. — A resident of Katonah came to headquarters to report an unknown person was threatening him via email to expose his activities online. He was advised this is a scam and to block that sender.   7 p.m. — A male, 10, was reported missing by his grandmother who thought she was picking him up at the Rippowam Cisqua School on Cantitoe Street, Bedford. On police arrival she said there was a misunderstanding and her daughter had already collected him. Police confirmed with the mom the boy was with her.   Wednesday, Oct. 2 9:54 a.m. — Police went to a home on Babbitt Road, Bedford Hills, after a home health aide caring for an elderly woman reported the woman’s niece came to the home and began arguing with her over cleaning. She said the niece was verbally abusive. After a conversation with the police, the niece was informed she was no longer welcome at the home. A report was made for documentation purposes only.    10:30 a.m. — A male, 24, who appeared homeless, was reported in Katonah intoxicated on Woods Bridge Road. An officer found him lying on the ground. He said he’d had too much alcohol to drink and needed to go to the hospital. He was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps.  11:30 a.m. — A resident of Hillside Avenue, Katonah, reported a political sign was removed from the front of his property on the evening of Sunday, Sept. 29. He said this was the second Sunday night in a row this happened. A report was made to document the incident and a note was left for patrol about the timing of the occurrence.  Thursday, Oct. 3 3:00 p.m. — A dog reported found on Wood Road was wearing a collar with its phone number on it and a PetWatch tag. The dog control officer made contact with the owner and the dog went home.   Friday, Oct. 4 5:17 a.m. — Police responded to Depot Place, Bedford Hills, for a report of an intoxicated person on the train. They spoke with the conductor who said an intoxicated woman with no money fell asleep on the train. Police woke her up and she did not seem intoxicated. The officer drove her to her destination in their patrol car without incident.   8:30 a.m. — A resident of Holmes Lane, Bedford, reported a political sign was removed from their property overnight. Police suggested in the future they move their signs away from the roadway and closer to their house. A report was made of the incident.  Saturday, Oct. 5 11:02 a.m. — A resident of Tall Pines Lane, Bedford Hills, came to headquarters to report her car tire was slashed. She said it’s a new car and new tires. She mentioned she is embroiled in a divorce and thought there might be a connection between her marital situation and the vandalism. A report was made for documentation to provide to her attorney.   7:46 p.m. — A resident of Pines Bridge Road, Mount Kisco, came to the police to report a man who came to their door requesting permission to cross his property to access public land to hunt deer to provide food for the homeless. The homeowner declined. He said the man was dressed in hunting gear and left without incident. Police looked for the hunter with negative results. Sunday, Oct. 6 12:10 a.m. — Police went to a residence in Katonah for a reported argument between a married couple. They spoke to the man first, who told them to talk to his wife. She said he locked her out of the house after they argued over a fidelity issue. The husband said he would be leaving for the night and she could stay in the house. The argument was verbal in nature only.   4:44 a.m. — Police went to Hook Road, Bedford, after they were notified by state police of an automatic crash detection collision through the operator’s iPhone in the vicinity of Hook and Pea Pond roads. State police said they tried to contact the operator by phone but their message went straight to voicemail. On arrival, Bedford Police saw evidence of a one-car crash. The operator said they’d swerved to avoid striking a deer that appeared in the roadway. The car struck a utility pole, which wasn’t damaged. The car was towed from the scene. The operator wasn’t injured and no citations were issued.   2:57 p.m. — A mother calling from Cross River Road, Katonah, said her daughter jumped out of her car as they were driving to Four Winds Hospital, Cross River. This happened when the mother slowed for traffic near the Interstate 684 ramp. The girl, who did not want to go to the hospital, ran off and the mother lost sight of her. A state trooper also arrived on scene to assist with the search. During the search, the mother received a call from a woman who said her daughter was at this woman’s residence in Katonah . P olice and the mother went to that address and the girl willingly went back home with her mother, not to the hospital. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer. This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

The Community Center of Northern Westchester will be the recipient of a $2 million grant from New York state, the organization announced Oct. 4. State Assemblymembers Chris Burdick and Dana Levenberg secured the funding in the 2025 state budget, and made the announcement at Friday’s CCNW gala. The Katonah-based nonprofit provides food, clothing, and other resources and programs designed to promote well-being and self-sufficiency among low-income residents throughout the region.  The organization is preparing to break ground on a major expansion project that will include renovations of their existing facility along with the construction of a 3,500-square-foot addition.  The funding secured by Burdick and Levenberg will be used for site development and laying the foundation for the expanded facility.  “We are so grateful for this extraordinarily generous award,” said Clare Murray, executive director of CCNW. “Thank you, Assemblymember Burdick and Assemblywoman Levenberg, for caring for our entire community so deeply, and for believing in us and our mission. This will enable us to right-size our home and continue to improve the lives of so many of our friends and neighbors when they need us most.”  The expansion will enable CCNW to enlarge its food pantry, add an elevator for universal access, provide new meeting spaces for client services, and build a classroom to enhance its educational programming.  This will not only improve the organization’s ability to meet our community’s needs but also provide the flexibility for future challenges. “Every day, the Community Center of Northern Westchester provides food, clothing, and other types of assistance to those in our community, no questions asked,” Burdick said in a statement. “It is truly an amazing organization that brings transformational change to hundreds of families across northern Westchester.” “The Community Center of Northern Westchester serves many people in my district, helping individuals and families to stabilize themselves during times of acute need and providing resources to help them get ahead,” Levenberg said. “I am so pleased to join my colleague, Assemblymember Chris Burdick, in supporting this worthy organization with a grant that will help turbocharge their ability to serve our communities.”

By JEFF MORRIS  Though the case against Penny Berk, the owner of Rescue Right and Northwind Kennels, was on the Bedford Town Court calendar for Wednesday, Oct. 9, that turned out to be a formality. In fact, according to Ernest Lungaro, director of humane enforcement at SPCA Westchester, he was informed the case has been moved to Mount Kisco Justice Court. However, he said, no court date has yet been set. It was Lungaro who made the arrest of Berk on July 18, charging her with five counts of animal cruelty. The charges were based on the discovery of four sick Bernese mountain dog puppies and their mother, at the animal rescue organization Berk runs along with Northwind Kennels. All were suffering from distemper and had to be euthanized. Berk pleaded not guilty to the charges when she was arraigned in Bedford Town Court, and her next scheduled appearance, Aug. 28, was subsequently  postponed.  The case had then been on the docket in Bedford on Sept. 25, with a full house of spectators on hand, but both Town Justice David Menken and Town Justice Jodi Kimmel recused themselves. At that time, Menken said either another judge would be brought in, or the case would be moved, and it was adjourned until Oct. 9. As of Wednesday, the Bedford court clerk said the case was “on the calendar for control purposes only and no appearances are required.”  That same day, Lungaro was notified it would be heard in Mount Kisco, though when is not yet known.