Thomas Molito, 79, of Pound Ridge, a first-generation college graduate who went on to a successful corporate and entertainment career, died Sunday, Aug. 18. Molito was born Aug. 30, 1944, to Angelina “DeeDee” and Edward Molito in the Bronx. A graduate of Roosevelt High School in Yonkers, he was a first-generation college student earning a degree in business from Iona University.  In 1966, Molito was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as a postal administrative specialist at Fort Hood, Texas. It was during this time that his lifelong love of media and human connection was born. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged. After the Army, Molito held several positions in the corporate world, first at Nestlé and then at UST. He launched Cabin Fever Entertainment, a media company focused on Americana programming. He helped usher in the age of VHS, producing widely viewed entertainment properties including “Lonesome Dove,” “The Little Rascals,” “The 500 Home Run Club” and “Freebird: The Movie.” He was on the board of the Country Music Association and received several RIAA Certified Gold Records for producing. Molito’s family said his curious nature, kindness and family will be his greatest legacy. Molito is survived by his wife of 47 years, Kathleen Kane-Molito, his children, Christine Labov (Paul), Luke Molito (Elisa), and Laura Molito (John), as well as seven grandchildren. The family is receiving friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Clark Associates Funeral Home, located at 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah. A Mass of Christian Burial is set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, located at 55 Valley Road, Katonah. Burial will follow at the Pound Ridge Cemetery. The family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation at https://arizzofoundation.org/ .

State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash on Interstate 684 at 9:31 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11. They responded to a report of the crash along the northbound lanes near Exit 4 in Bedford. State Police said a preliminary investigation determined that Kevin Castillo Rayo, 21, and his father, Nilson E. Castillo, 46, both of Flushing, Queens, were riding motorcycles when the older man lost control for an unknown reason. His motorcycle veered off the road and struck a guiderail. Castillo Calderon was dead at the scene, State Police said. The investigation is continuing.

Collections of photos from community events and happenings in August taking place in Bedford, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. This page will be updated throughout the month as new photo galleries are added. Pound Ridge Veterinary Center celebrates its 50th anniversary at Food Truck Friday Pound Ridge’s latest Food Truck Friday was held Aug. 23 in Scotts Corners. There was live music, food pantry donations, and the Pound Ridge Veterinary Center, celebrating 50 years of business, teamed up with the SPCA of Westchester for puppy adoption. Photo credit: Ellen Best. Building Community at National Night Out Town of Bedford first responders held an event Aug. 12, to meet with people, parents and youngsters in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. The National Night Out with Bedford Police wasn’t just cops. It included firefighters, ambulance corps crews and other community groups. It was a local part of a national community building campaign. There were no flashing lights or sirens. Instead, fun activities and friendly smiles from those in uniform. They helped youngsters climb into firetrucks, onto police motorcycles, handle heavy rescue equipment, or just pose for photos with family members. Photos by Herb Foster. Top right: Town Supervisor Ellen Calves and Bedford Police Chief, Photo credit Peter T. Michaelis Field of 100 runners inaugurate Sanctuary 6.5(ish) Robert Cummings Photos A rainy run The Sanctuary 6.5(ish) race was run for the first time Aug. 18 at Westmoreland Sanctuary. The first race of its kind started and finished at Fox Lane Middle School off Route 172 in Bedford/Mount Kisco. Nearly 100 runners braved a very rainy morning to take on this challenging trail race. Members of the Bedford Volunteer Fire Department's EMS crew were on standby at the race HQ in case of any injuries. The race benefits the Westmoreland Sanctuary, the Fox Lane Boosters Club, and the Mount Kisco Food Pantry. After a sprint across the soccer fields, past the obstacle course and onto the access trail, runners headed into the sanctuary. Late Truesdale Lake Getaway Photographer Robert J. Cummings captured this sequence of a great egret taking flight from a log in Lake Truesdale in South Salem.  South Salem Annual Parade and Carnival Putting on a big parade A bit of rain didn't dampen spirits Wednesday evening at the South Salem Fire Department's annual parade which kicked off carnival week. The sprinkles ended before the last truck came into the SSFD carnival grounds. In no time, the midway was busy as usual. Kids were jumping on rides including the Scrambler, Zero Gravity, and the Wacky Shack, and the food tent was serving up burgers, hot dogs, cotton candy and other treats. Photo credit: Robert J. Cummings Bedford Audubon Family Day Photo credit: Robert J. Cummings Birds, bees, butterflies and books at family day Bedford Audubon hosted a family day on Aug. 3 at its Bylane Farm on Todd Road in Goldens Bridge. Activities included a guided bird watching hike near the trailhead of the Hunt-Parker Audubon Sanctuary, painting birdhouses, storytime and learning about bird banding.  KMA Summer Creativity Club Photo credit: Gregory Kaplowitz Art for kids The Katonah Museum of Art is hosting a series of weekly workshops for kids ages six to 12. At the KMA Summer Creativity Club, young artists get the chance to explore new ideas, materials, tools and techniques. Their projects, which include creating scrapbooks and visual storytelling, draw inspiration from the current KMA exhibition, “Jonathan Becker: Lost Time.”  Auto Show Photos by Gregory Kaplowitz (top gallery) and Robert Cummings (bottom gallery) Katonah Sons of the American Legion Car Show July 14, 2024 at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah. Cars came from all over. From classics like the 1962 Dodge Dart NYFD Fire Chief wagon to the custom hot rod kit cars, there was something for everyone. The event was open to the public and featured music, raffles, food, and prizes at the end.

Boy Scout Troop 1 of Bedford/Pound Ridge has had an adventurous summer, with a weeklong outing in July at the Ten Mile River Scout Camps in the Catskills and a two-night whitewater rafting trip in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley in June. Scouts spent the week at Ten Mile River working on merit badges including Motorboating, Rowing, Camping, Game Design, Canoeing, Public Speaking, Whitewater, Citizenship in the Nation, Life Saving, Small Boat Sailing, Electricity, Oceanography, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Archery, Art, Chess, Communications and Pulp and Paper. Over the summer they also saw a bald eagle, drove ATVs and threw tomahawks. The troop was originally chartered by Pound Ridge Community Church in 1943, and since 2018 has been chartered by the Pound Ridge Fire Department Since its inception, Troop 1 has had a total of 55 five Scouts earn the rank of Eagle, an accomplishment attained by just 6 percent of those who enter the program. If you live in the Pound Ridge/Bedford/Mount Kisco area and your son (11-18) is interested in joining, visit prboyscouts1.wixsite.com/prscoutsamerica  or email PRboyscouts1@gmail.co

By JEFF MORRIS It took only an hour for the Bedford Town Board to forge through a wide variety of agenda items at its Aug. 13 meeting.  The meeting began with state Assemblymember Chris Burdick presenting town board member Stephanie McCaine with a 2024 Women of Distinction Award. Honors selected for the Assemblymember’s awards program were recognized June18 in Chappaqua, but McCaine was unable to be at that ceremony. The awards recognize women who make a difference in their communities and for the people around them, or excel in their professional careers. “Stephanie, you have been absolutely exemplary,” said Burdick. “Your calm, your demeanor, your being responsive and receptive to the community is really stellar.”  New Dawn David Ryan then appeared to present a brief update from the New Dawn Family Resource Center. Ryan, the retired police chief of Pound Ridge, is project director of the Westchester County Domestic Violence High Risk Team and serves on the board of New Dawn. The organization provides support for programs and services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse, and human trafficking to five towns in northern Westchester.  The principal reason for Ryan’s appearance was to let the board know that New Dawn is looking for a new location. “We are in a position now where we may have to relocate,” he said. “We have been in a location in Lewisboro since our start. That location may be torn down.” He said board members were looking at different organizations and places, and may have found a site in North Salem, but they have specific criteria, including close proximity to law enforcement. He said they were going to each town to keep them in the loop and hopefully maintain their support. But, referring to the relocation, Ryan noted, “We will continue to do this with or without municipal support.”  Ryan said he was uncertain of the timeline for the move, noting that the board thought they were going to lose the current location in June, but that did not happen. However, without knowing for sure whether the whole building or just a part of the building where they are located will be torn down, the facility is in limbo. “Based on what I’ve heard, our piece of that facility given its current condition will be torn down,” he said. “We don’t want to be stuck; we don’t want to be in a position where we have nothing, and we’ve lost opportunities elsewhere.” Ryan said it will not be a problem to get out of the lease. He estimated the facility needs three decent-sized office spaces, including a meeting room that could house about 60 people.  “New Dawn is the only 501(c)(3) serving victims in Westchester County that has no paid employees,” Ryan pointed out. “Every penny we raise other than the rent pays a victim. If we raise a dollar, that victim gets a dollar.”  Public hearing The board held a public hearing on a proposed local law that would impose a six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems. The intent of the moratorium is to provide adequate time for the town to consider the development implications of such facilities within Bedford, specifically regarding fire safety and environmental impacts.  The proposed legislation defines battery energy storage systems as “one or more devices, assembled together, capable of storing energy in order to supply electrical energy at a future time, not to include a stand-alone 12-volt car battery or an electric motor vehicle.” It states that such systems “are a key component to the viability and promotion of renewable energy sources,” but goes on to explain that since the technology of these systems is still in its infancy, “there is a significant amount of recent public concern about the potentially volatile nature of lithium-ion batteries.”  The legislation cites potential updates to the state fire code, and references numerous issues pertaining to the energy systems that the town needs to study.  Resident Simon Skolnik asked for clarification on what the moratorium covered, looking for reassurance that he would not be restricted in charging his electric car, which supervisor Ellen Calves confirmed.  Mariah Okrongly read a statement from Bedford 2030, where she is a program director, supporting the moratorium. She noted batteries are essential for the creation of energy sources that are non-polluting, healthier, and to preserve resources, as well as providing a more resilient grid during damaging storms and heatwaves. She lauded the town board’s proactivity in addressing concerns and enabling the town to move forward with these essential systems.  The board closed the public hearing and approved the six-month moratorium.  New NYSEG power agreement The board agreed to approve a memorandum of understanding with Sustainable Westchester, for a new Westchester Power supply contract meeting low bid requirements to provide 100% renewable energy for NYSEG customers. The board had previously approved a new agreement for Con Ed customers that went out to bid and takes effect Nov. 1.  Calves said getting 100% renewable energy has allowed the town to meet its climate action goals.  “This has been a very impactful program,” she said, “to make the 100% renewable supply the default — and if people choose not to participate they can opt out, find a different ESCO to enroll with, or they can go with whatever supplier their utility has chosen, which is a variable rate. Currently the variable rate is a couple of cents lower than the contracted rate with Westchester Power; that may not always be the case, it could be that the fixed rate ends up being a better deal.”  Calves thanked all the residents who have stayed in the program “because it really is making a difference and paving the way for a brighter future.”  The board’s quick approval contrasted with the recent refusal of the Lewisboro Town Board to even hear any presentation from Sustainable Westchester, and thus to allow that town’s participation in the Westchester Power program to end.  Additional items The board discussed and approved two requests from Police Chief Melvin Padilla. One was to use funds that had been donated in a previous year and then were rolled over to the fund balance, to cover expenses for working with the Westchester County Cause and Origin Team to investigate the origin and cause of fires and to support subsequent criminal investigations. The other was to authorize an agreement with Motorola to install new direct communications technology, independent of cellphones, that will ensure communications are clear, continuous, and coordinated across multiple users, agencies, and systems. The state is providing $1.4 million in grant funding, and most of the radios and equipment needed had previously been authorized and installed. Padilla said this authorization is more for the heavy-duty equipment and towers needed to make everything operable. The board approved both requests.  Another request that was approved was from town clerk, Alexandra Whalen, for purchase of online dog licensing software, which will allow dog owners to save time and money in obtaining licenses, as well as provide greater convenience and accessibility. An accompanying approval contracted for an online payment processor and office terminal to facilitate the new online capabilities.

By JEFF MORRIS The first Katonah-Lewisboro Board of Education meeting for new district Superintendent Raymond Blanch was a very brief and unusual session on the morning of July 17. The meeting, held at the district office rather than the high school library and with only five members present, was called to order at 8:32 a.m. and adjourned at 8:37 a.m.   The entire purpose of the meeting was to vote on a consent agenda containing four contracts, based on bids for work to be done at John Jay Middle School as part of the district’s capital improvement project.  District residents voted in October 2022 to permit bonding for up to $49.5 million for capital projects at all five Katonah-Lewisboro schools. The overall project is now progressing from the bid process to actual construction, with ground having been broken June 24 for improvements at Increase Miller Elementary School.  Work to be done at the middle school includes renovating two labs, updating other science facilities, installation of air conditioning in the southwest wing, and building a new entrance vestibule for enhanced security.  The four contracts voted on, for general construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, totaled just over $7 million, and were approved unanimously.  At his first full board meeting July 25, Blanch spoke about conducting a listening and learning tour to acclimate himself to the district and meet staff in all the schools. He said he has already been meeting with administrators in every district building; he also spoke about having conversations with all the various groups and organizations within the district, including the PTO, SEPTO, and student leaders. Blanch also said he intends to eventually distill all the data he and a transition team collect into a “Plan for KLSD 2030.”  “From my initial couple of weeks in, it’s just been wonderful,” he said. “So, I just want to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and be a part of the district. I’ve been going home the last couple of nights and my wife said, ‘Hey, you’ve got a little pep in your step there!’ And I said, ‘Yes I do.’”  At the July 25 meeting the board approved the tax levy for the 2024-25 school year. The resolution that was passed will allow the district to utilize an additional $2,450,000 of surplus funds which, added to $750,000 of reserve funds already so allocated, will result in a total of $3,200,000 from the fund balance to be used to reduce the tax levy. The district was authorized to collect a total of $106,007,107 in taxes for the 2024-25 fiscal year.  The board also discussed items that were not addressed at its reorganization meeting  July 2, including committee appointments, and approved numerous consent agenda items pertaining to personnel, curriculum and business matters.  One committee in particular, the facilities committee, was the subject of extensive discussion, as board members considered what the continuing role of the committee would be as the construction bond process progresses. The committee’s charge was adjusted to have it meet on an as-needed basis until the project is successfully completed.  Among the business items approved was a resolution regarding architectural and engineering services, in the amount of $20,565, to be provided by architectural firm KG+D for the demolition of the former district offices located at Shady Lane.  The board had established a committee early this year to make recommendations on the future of the former district office and Lewisboro Elementary School properties, neither of which is being used to educate children, by the end of the school year. That committee issued a report June 20 recommending demolition of the former district office and preservation of the land, noting several options for possible future uses and additional steps that would need to be taken.  In its report, the committee noted that the great-grandfather of the inventor of the Ferris wheel moved to the Shady Lane property in 1782. The property was donated to the district by the Newman family in 1963, and the home, which is next door to Meadow Pond Elementary School, was last used as the district office in the 2015-16 school year. It has no kitchen and the third floor is unstable, the report noted; also, it is not listed as an historic structure.  The initial estimate of the cost to remove the building was $325,000. At the June 20 meeting, the board voted in favor of “deconstructing” the Shady Lane building, pending an appropriate review by the State Historic Preservation Office and, if necessary, a State Environmental Quality Review Act environmental impact assessment.  Lewisboro Elementary School was originally built in 1940, with several additions over the years, including a significant overhaul in 1997 and a gym built in 2003. Declining district enrollment led to its closure following the 2013-14 school year. Portions of it have been rented by the town of Lewisboro and other tenants. Trustee Rory Burke reported that when he served on the finance committee, which evaluated the building, it found there have been significant costs for maintenance that have exceeded the rental income.  The Shady Lane/LES committee had been unable to arrive at a conclusion regarding the former elementary school by its June deadline, largely due to the fact that any path forward, other than selling the land would require a seven-digit expenditure. The board recharged it in June to deal exclusively with LES, tasking it with researching, engaging stakeholders and presenting specific, fiscally sustainable options regarding the future of the LES property, with the understanding that the board wishes to maintain ownership of the land.  The committee is to present recommendations for the disposition of the buildings and the use of the land to the board no later than October 2024.

Gaming console purchase hits snag On Thursday, Aug. 8, at 3:39 p.m., a young Waccabuc resident told police that a few days earlier he sent $100 to a phone number through Apple Pay to purchase a PlayStation 5 console. He based his purchase on a photo he saw online. After he gave his address to receive the shipment, the seller asked for more money. Multiple texts were exchanged. The resident refused to pay more money and instead requested a refund, which was denied. The seller began sending threatening texts with pictures of guns inside a car. Police spoke to the caller’s mother. Police advised them to block the caller’s number and save all text messages. It was unclear if they would be able to get the money back through Apple Pay. Monday, Aug. 5 7:50 a.m. — A red Toyota Camry with Connecticut plates was impounded in South Salem after an officer noticed the license plate attached to the vehicle traveling southbound on Route 123 belonged to a 2016 Chevrolet. The car was stopped at West Road. The operator admitted the plates didn’t belong to that vehicle. The car was towed and impounded. Tickets were issued to the operator, including one for not wearing a seat belt. 1:08 p.m. — A patient reported as a runaway from Four Winds Hospital in Cross River was located by K-9 Zane, his human partner and another officer not far from the hospital on South Wind Drive. The person was cooperative and agreed to be taken back to hospital where they were received by nursing staff. 1:45 p.m. — A caller accidentally locked out of their car on Lakeside Drive, South Salem, was assisted by police getting back into their vehicle. 6:10 p.m. — A caller from Elmwood Road, South Salem, reported they’d been sideswiped by a black GMC truck with New York plates, causing damage to the driver’s side mirror. The caller declined medical attention and decided not to complete an accident report. 8:15 p.m. — An order of protection was served to a resident of South Salem. The order came from a district court in Portland, Maine. Tuesday, Aug. 6 12:11 p.m. — A female reported not feeling well at an undisclosed location in South Salem was attended to by Vista EMS for hyperthermia. No transport was required. Wednesday, Aug. 7 7:05 a.m. — Two brothers were reported fighting at their home in South Salem; they have been living together for five months. They had an argument and hot water was thrown, but no one was injured. The pair agreed to separate for the remainder of the day. 1:15 p.m. — While patrolling Route 36, an officer received information about a missing person driving a Hyundai Sonata with New York plates. The operator was said to suffer from dementia. The officer searched Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, where the caller thought the missing person might be, but the car was not located. No further information was provided. Thursday, Aug. 8 4 p.m. — Police went to a home on Sabbath Day Hill Road, South Salem, for a report of a domestic dispute. On arrival, they saw someone in the garage. No further information was provided. 5:17 p.m. — An officer was dispatched to Route 121 and Todd Road for a report of illegally parked cars causing a traffic hazard. Upon arrival, all the cars were gone. Friday, Aug. 9 1:15 p.m. — An officer was dispatched to Upper Lake Shore Drive for a fire alarm coming from a house in the area. The alarm could be heard loudly from the roadway. The reporting party said the house had recently changed hands. They didn’t believe anyone was home. Goldens Bridge firefighters arrived on scene. They entered the home and said there was no fire and that the alarm had malfunctioned. The home was secured and no further action was required. 2:00 p.m. — Due to extreme weather conditions trees were reported down, blocking the roadway; falling tree limbs were reported bringing down wires. Trees were reported resting on wires; roads were partially or entirely blocked. These incidents were reported on Route 35, Boutonville Road, Todd Road, Route 123, Shady Lane, some unspecified portions of Katonah, Todd Hill Circle, unspecified roads in South Salem and Goldens Bridge. Highway departments were notified, as well as utilities. Saturday, Aug. 10 1:58 p.m. — Police were advised to be on the lookout for a resident of South Salem, female,  last seen entering the Cross River Plaza. An officer made contact and said she was coherent and cooperative. The woman told police she was experiencing marital difficulties and had turned off her phone. A trooper arrived with a court order in hand directing she be taken to Northern Westchester Hospital. Lewisboro Ambulance Corps arrived and transported the woman. 3:15 p.m. — A passerby called 911 to report someone harassing an elderly couple walking their dogs on Truesdale Lake Drive. She said a car sped past and a woman made a hand gesture meaning  for the driver to slow down. The driver apparently took umbrage, stopped and got out of his car. There was some phone and shirt grabbing. His car was registered to a residence on the street. Police went to that home and spoke to a woman who said her husband left for a business emergency. He called the police shortly afterwards and said he was insulted by her gesture. He said the woman grabbed his shirt and spit at him. He said he’s lived in the neighborhood a long time but didn’t know the couple despite being neighbors. Police advised him to slow down and work at controlling his temper. Sunday, Aug. 11 12 p.m. — A dog was reported locked in a car at a park in Cross River. Police saw a blue Ford Maverick with a black-and-white dog inside. The windows were cracked and the dog didn’t appear to be in distress. Police hung around for about 10 minutes and the owner appeared. He said he took a little walk and got lost. He removed the dog from the car and gave it water. Police reported the dog was fine. No further action was taken. 1:40 p.m. — Police went to a multiple-dwelling home in Goldens Bridge for a dispute between neighbors over leaves blown and a center island being covered with debris. A woman recorded the person blowing leaves and a scuffle ensued. The woman showed the recording to the police. The officer spoke to the other party, who admitted putting the leaf blower directly in her face. He agreed to apologize and she accepted his apology. She still wanted the incident documented. 2:38 p.m. — A caller reported that a woman in a white Tesla ran over a racoon, injuring it. Police looked for the driver with negative results. The caller drove the injured racoon to a wildlife rehabilitator.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

A life saved  On Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 5:55 a.m., a resident of Katonah, female, 68, reported as not breathing, was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Westchester EMS. Police on arrival reported she was in bed unresponsive with no sign of breathing. The officer immediately began performing CPR. Westchester EMS arrived and took over. The woman regained a pulse and began breathing prior to transport. No further information was provided. Monday, Aug. 5 8:30 a.m. — A stray dog reported in someone’s garage overnight was picked up by the dog control officer on North Street, Katonah. The dog was brought to the SPCA shelter in Briarcliff. The dog control officer noted the dog wasn’t wearing a collar or tags and was not friendly. 8:17 p.m.— A resident at a group home for male teens and young adults was reported behaving in a violent manner. Police went to the location and heard yelling. Inside a young man was being restrained from getting close to a staffer by another resident. Police said he “appeared high”; he told them he’d had a bad day and only wanted to go to his room and play a game. He was told to leave the staffer alone. No further action was taken. Tuesday, Aug. 6 11:42 p.m. — A resident of Katonah, female, 85, was reported breathing but otherwise non-responsive. Police arrived after Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps were on scene. On police arrival, the woman was alert, conscious, and in bed. She complained of weakness and was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital for evaluation. Wednesday, Aug. 7 2:21 p.m. — A caller on Sunrise Avenue, Katonah, reported a sick fox in their yard. Police arrived and the caller said the fox had left the area after grabbing a small rabbit and carrying it off. 6:59 p.m. — A female came to police headquarters to say she’d lost her wallet in ShopRite on South Bedford Road, Bedford Hills. Due to a language barrier, a translation app was used. The woman said inside the wallet was cash, her personal ID and other personal papers. Police contacted the store manager to check the cameras and a voicemail was left for the woman to update any information the store might provide regarding her lost property. 10:00 a.m. — Due to extreme weather conditions, trees were reported down throughout the day blocking roads in Bedford Hills including Bedford Road, Davids Way and Mianus River Road. The highway department and utilities were notified. Thursday, Aug. 8 4:18 p.m. — A resident of Katonah, female, 40, was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps after falling off a bench in Katonah and hitting her head. Police say she lost a large amount of blood after striking her forehead. Gauze was applied to staunch the bleeding by an officer before medics arrived. The woman said she texted her husband moments before she fell to say she felt ill. No further information was provided. 7:50 p.m. — A resident of Riverside, Conn., female, 76, refused medical attention after falling outside the Bedford Playhouse in Bedford. Firefighters and other emergency personnel arrived but she refused assistance. Friday Aug. 9 11:25 a.m. — A dad requested a welfare check on his son who resides in Bedford Hills. He said his son had just started a new medication and wasn’t answering his phone. He also said his son worked nights and might turn off the phone during the day when he’s asleep. Police knocked on the door and the son answered and said he was sleeping. No further action was taken. 12:19 p.m. — A tree was reported on fire on Hook Road, Bedford. On police arrival Bedford firefighters were already clearing the scene. 2:00 p.m. — Due to extreme weather conditions, trees and wires were reported down in Bedford, Bedford Hills and Katonah on Cantitoe Street, Deep Woods Road, Chestnut Ridge Road, Harris Road, Goldens Bridge Road, Jay Street, Bedford Center Road, Mount Holly Road, Broad Brook Road and Leslie Lane. Utilities and the highway department were notified. No injuries were reported. Saturday, Aug. 10 11:46 a.m. — A resident of Buckbee Place, Bedford Hills, said a male in his 20s knocked on his door and then left. Police located the man on Harris Road. He said he worked for a pest control company and was soliciting business. He was advised against soliciting without a permit and the caller was updated. 2:06 p.m. — An unoccupied home on Cedar Road, Katonah, was reported possibly burgled after it was discovered the front door was damaged. Damage was observed to the door knob and exterior molding. Police checked the exterior and interior. Nothing inside appeared damaged. Neighbors were asked if they’d heard or seen any unusual activity but no one had. A real estate agent said nothing inside the home appeared disturbed. 3:13 p.m. — An employee at Tazza on Katonah Avenue, Katonah, reported a male customer who regularly purchases a cup of coffee to go and then sits inside their car for hours. She said he is often there 12 hours at a time. She feels he is staring at her taking out the trash. Police didn’t see him and said nothing criminal has happened. A report was made. Sunday, Aug. 11 10:16 a.m. — A resident of Katonah, female, 91, was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She said she fell and hit her face but didn’t remember how she fell. No further information was provided. 7:31 p.m. — Police received multiple calls from residents reporting receiving emails from a Katonah woman who said her husband had their children locked in a closet and he had a gun. The emails requested the recipients to send money to a specific Katonah address. Police went to that location and spoke with the resident who had no idea about the emails. She said a family member has a high-level government position and thought that might be why her address was targeted. Police determined the source of the “swatting” emails was in the Lewisboro jurisdiction. That department was contacted and information was shared. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

Home generator blaze on Trinity Pass Road   A generator fire was reported at a home on Trinity Pass Road on  Saturday, Aug. 10, at 9 a.m. Pound Ridge   firefighters arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire.  A strong rain storm with high winds moved through the area the day before, causing down trees, road closures and widespread power outages. The following morning, a number of homes in Pound Ridge were still operating backup generators until NYSEG fully restored power.   Tuesday, Aug. 6   10:08 a.m. — A female was taken by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps from her residence to Northern Westchester Hospital for an unknown condition.  3:30 p.m. — A male was taken to Stamford Hospital by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps for an unknown condition.  7:32 p.m. — A one-car crash on South Bedford Road resulted in the car being towed. There were no injuries.  Wednesday, Aug. 7   A total of 25 bow-hunting permits were issued throughout the day to prospective hunters at Pound Ridge police headquarters.  Friday, Aug. 9   4:37 a.m. — A male, age unknown, requested medical attention at his residence but told the Pound Ridge ambulance crew and county medics that he’d changed his mind and refused medical attention.  9:20 a.m. — Trees were reported in the roadway on Salem Road. On arrival police saw branches, not trees, and were able to clear them.  11 a.m. — A female,  age unknown, was taken to Northern Westchester Hospital by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps for an unknown condition.  1:25 p.m. — Trees were reported hanging on wires on Old Pound Road. The utility was contacted and an officer blocked the area off with caution tape.   3:22 p.m. — Trees were reported blocking the roadway on Kitchawan Road. The highway department was notified.  3:26 p.m. — Trees were reported blocking the roadway on Upper Shad Road. A utility was contacted and the highway department notified.  Sunday, Aug. 11   7:24 a.m. — A man was taken to Stamford Hospital by Pound Ridge Volunteer Ambulance Corps for an unknown condition.  — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer   This report was compiled by official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police   Department.

By JEFF MORRIS// A seemingly dormant proposal for a 23-lot subdivision between Harris Road and New Street in Katonah that would create 22 new single-family homes returned to the Bedford Planning Board on July 22 after a long absence.  The board held a workshop session to learn about the proposal. Chairwoman Deirdre Courtney-Batson noted that she is probably the only member who was on the board when the application last appeared before it in 2018.   Attorney Diana Kolev explained that the application had stalled in 2018 because of regulations applicable to the property due to its location in the New York City watershed. She said the city’s Department of Environmental Protection was requiring variances at the time of the original application, but project representatives had “worked things out” with the DEP and variances were no longer required. The 25.59-acre property was once home to the Bailey Hall School, a vocational school for boys. The school closed in 1987, and was destroyed by fire in 2000; none of its structures or buildings remain today. The property owners are Cosimo Tripi and James and Adelaide Murphy, whose existing home is located at the entrance to the site on Harris Road. The 1.84-acre Murphy property was subdivided from the larger Bailey Hall property, which had been 26.5 acres in total.  In 2006, a 19-lot conventional subdivision was proposed for the site. According to the application, following consultation with the planning board at that time, the plan was changed to a 23-lot subdivision that meets town code requirements for a “conservation subdivision,” with two of the proposed lots to be marketed as affordable, consistent with town code.   As a conservation subdivision, the development would contain 21 new single-family residences designed around a looped road with a single project entrance at New Street and a community septic system in the central portion of the development, inside the looped road. The conservation plan preserves the steep slopes on the site and concentrates the development on the flatter portion of the property, while preserving as undisturbed approximately 12.53 acres of the existing vegetation and land.  The application stated that the plan also includes the widening of New Street and installation of a sidewalk to provide pedestrian access to the nearby residential neighborhood. According to the applicant, the town recently repaved and widened New Street as part of overall area improvements, though sidewalks are not yet installed.  The property is located north of Harris Road and south of New Street, east of Westview Drive and west of Sunrise Avenue. There is approximately 900 feet of road frontage on Harris Road, and the south end of New Street ends at the northern property line of the site. The site has some steep slopes, but has no identified wetlands, watercourses or water bodies. It is located within the Katonah Fire District, the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, and within the Bedford Consolidated Water District. No connection to a public sewer district is available.  In 2006, the planning board declared its intent to act as lead agency under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, or SEQRA. A draft environmental impact statement was completed in 2011, and the applicant began preparing a final environmental impact statement. At least two contentious public hearings were held by the planning board in 2011 regarding the draft environmental impact statement. According to press reports at the time, more than 50 residents of the area signed a letter criticizing the proposal, citing concerns about possible blasting, adequacy of the community septic and stormwater management systems, aesthetics, and the number of schoolchildren who might be added to the Katonah-Lewisboro district. They also spoke about traffic and safety concerns, and were unhappy with the prospect of staged construction that could mean it would take up to 15 years to complete all the houses.   Though a final environmental impact statement was first submitted to the planning board in 2012 and revised to include a modified stormwater pollution plan in 2016, it was still under review by the board in 2018 when the project stalled due to the issues with NYC DEP.  According to the current application, a new project engineer, Catizone Engineering, was retained in 2023, and worked with DEP to address comments and concerns and move forward with site design. On March 27, DEP confirmed that a variance is no longer required for the project.  Kolev stated that there have been no substantive changes to the project or the site since the proposal submitted to the planning board in 2017 was last discussed. She noted no wetlands have ever been identified on the site and potential impacts were fully studied as part of the SEQRA process, concluding that “certain minor updates” may be required to the final environmental impact statement. She pointed out that for the project to move forward after SEQRA is complete, numerous approvals and permits from various boards and departments will be required.  Courtney-Batson said the board needs to conduct a site visit so current members can familiarize themselves with the plan. She noted that while there had been a lot of public interest in the proposal in the past, the neighbors “may now be different people.” And while the area has not changed, she said, the planning board may want to have a traffic engineer revisit the project impact, though not necessarily conduct a new traffic study.  Concluding that “there is nothing else we can do tonight,” Courtney-Batson proposed the board aim to schedule a public hearing Monday, Sept. 23, and arrange a site visit after the hearing.

By NEAL RENTZ  The Lewisboro Town Board unanimously approved the revised version of the town’s comprehensive plan and also OK’d three revisions to its tree preservation ordinance at its meeting Aug. 12.  Following several months of work by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee, including a series of public outreach meetings beginning in 2023, the proposed revised document, formally known as the master plan, was approved 4-0.  Councilwoman Mary Shah did not attend the meeting.  The plan was last reviewed in 1999.  Even with the passage of the revised plan, the work of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is not complete. Supervisor Tony Gonçalves said the board will have the opportunity to approve zoning amendments being proposed by the steering committee after a public hearing is held in September.  The revised comprehensive plan includes goals and objectives in the areas of land use and zoning, housing, economic development, natural resources, climate change, sustainability and resiliency, infrastructure, community facilities and services, transportation and mobility, and community character and historic preservation.  During this week’s public hearing, resident Chris Zoller said the creation of a center for seniors in town should be part of the revised comprehensive plan, noting that about 7% of the town’s population is comprised of seniors.  Valerie Monastra, principal planner at Nelson Pope Voorhis, the environmental planning and land use analysis consulting firm retained by the steering committee, said during public outreach meetings that many residents expressed support for a center for the town’s seniors.   Tree ordinance revised  The town board also voted 3-1 to approve three revisions to the tree preservation ordinance, while delaying the implementation of other changes until there has been additional discussion.  Voting against the legislation was Councilwoman Andrea Rendo. She reiterated previous opposition, stating she would prefer the town board send one package to Albany with all the future changes rather than having the board send different sets of changes. The state Legislature must approve the town’s home rule request for the tree ordinance revisions to become law.  The ordinance changes were originally presented by the Conservation Advisory Council with the intent to make the tree ordinance consistent with the Westchester County licensing requirements for tree removal, tighten the language to prevent clearcutting of trees and correct an error in the special character portion of the ordinance.  A majority of the town board previously agreed with the suggestion made by Gonçalves to postpone action on proposals regarding penalties and tree replacement schedule for violations of the ordinance. CAC chair John Wolff has agreed that some additional discussion should be held before revising the penalty section of the ordinance, including creating a work group that would consider the issue.  During the meeting’s public hearing, resident Carol Cernak asked if someone who owned a piece of property near a state road would be permitted to take down a tree that could potentially fall onto the road without being penalized. If a tree is dying it could be cut down, Councilman Richard Sklarin said. If a tree falls down on a state road it would be removed by the state, Rendo said.  Battery storage facilities moratorium  Also at the meeting, Gonçalves said he supported a six-month moratorium on approvals for storage facilities for lithium-ion batteries to give the town board an opportunity to draft legislation for such facilities.  Resident Barbara Mangione said local towns have recently created regulations for battery storage farms and Lewisboro could follow their lead by putting laws for them in the building code.  While Gonçalves supported a moratorium, he said “there’s a process” to passing one, including conducting a public hearing; he said it could take place in September.  The town board did not set a date for a public hearing.

Doris Karas of Pound Ridge died July 31 at Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Conn. She was 99. She was born Jan. 16, 1925, in New York to Charles Erath and Emma Schalk. She and her future husband, Gerald, grew up in Queens and met at a World War II canteen for service members in New York where she volunteered.  They were married Dec. 7, 1947, and started their family in a ranch house in Massapequa, N.Y. In 1968, they built their dream home in Pound Ridge, having discovered the town 20 years earlier on a church camping trip to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Her husband of 72 years died July 2020. She is survived by their children, Kenneth Karas (Katie), Keith Karas (Patricia) and Kristen Woll (David), as well grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Services were held at Clark Associates Funeral Home in Katonah earlier this month. She was buried next to her late husband Aug. 3 at Pound Ridge Cemetery.