The Katonah Fire Department is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Below are some photos from the June 2nd parade and carnival.

A racket from raccoons  On Friday, June 28, at 12:43 a.m., a resident of Gordon Avenue, Bedford, reported hearing an odd noise in her backyard and then neighborhood car alarms going off. She suggested a bear might be responsible. Police searched her property and discovered a family of raccoons living in her shed. No activated car alarms were heard, and the animals were left undisturbed. Monday, June 24 5:20 p.m. — Three teenage males were reported as suspicious behind the Hawthorn School on Old Post Road, Bedford. Police spoke with the youths who said they were playing basketball and listening to music. When advised of the complaint, they left the area. 8:45 p.m. — Police responded to a call for a welfare check on a teenage female in Bedford Hills. On their arrival they spoke with the teen who admitted she made self-harming statements to her girlfriend. She was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Her grandmother accompanied her in the ambulance. Tuesday, June 25 1:56 p.m. — A utility pole was reported on fire on Katonah Avenue, Katonah. Police arrived and determined that the fire was already out. The utility company took over the scene. 3:09 p.m. — A two-car collision with injuries was reported on Long Ridge Road, Bedford. A male, 17, from Danbury,  Conn., was transported to Westchester Medical Center by Bedford firefighters. He said he fell asleep while driving. Police said airbags were deployed and his nose was bloody. The second driver, male, 22, from White Plains, saw the car coming towards him and crossing into his lane. He complained of pain but refused medical attention. Both cars were towed from the scene. Wednesday, June 26 5:58 p.m. — An intoxicated male, 41, from Katonah, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps. His mother told police he had threatened self-harm. 9:13 p.m. — A tree was reported down on Springhurst Road, Bedford Hills. The highway department was notified. 9:13 p.m. —Utility wires were reported down on Mustato Road, Katonah. The highway department responded and the utility was notified. 9:50 p.m. — A tree was reported down on Byram Lake Road, Bedford Hills. The highway department was notified. 11:02 p.m. — A female, 21, was reported intoxicated in Bedford Hills. She was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps after the responding officer observed her crying uncontrollably and unable to speak coherently. Her father told the officer he thought she was self-medicating with a substance that triggered an adverse effect. Thursday, June 27 7:32 a.m. — A skunk reported as injured by a resident of Church Street, Bedford Hills, was placed in a box by an officer at the homeowner’s request. The officer attempted to contact a wildlife agency but was unsuccessful. He offered to safely dispatch the skunk as it appeared severely injured, or he said he could put it into the box she provided and she could continue to try to contact a wildlife agency. She chose the latter and the officer left the scene. 11:56 a.m. — A disoriented man was reported in the vicinity of JV Auto on Bedford Road, Bedford Hills; police observed him on Edna Street. They spoke with an employee at another repair shop who said he had worked on the man’s car earlier in the day and at the time he did not seem disoriented. He returned later with new damage to his car’s tire rim and at this time appeared impaired. Police spoke with the man who said he only wanted access to his car. Police advised he did not seem to be in a condition to drive. An ambulance was summoned but the man declined examination, preferring to walk to his home in Bedford Hills. No further action was taken. 4:38 p.m. — A female, 94, from Bedford Hills was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps after complaining of hip pain after falling in her home. Friday, June 28 11:05 a.m. — Police went to a residence on Orchard Lane, Katonah, for a reported assault. The police spoke with a landlord and his tenant who are engaged in a lawsuit. The landlord said he came over with a town building inspector which angered the tenant; the two physically tangled and a friend of the landlord physically separated them. The landlord said during the struggle, the tenant grabbed his arm aggressively. Neither man wished to pursue the matter. They were advised by police to stay away from each other. 4:49 p.m. — A female, 77, from Bedford Village, was transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Bedford firefighters for medical evaluation. On arrival police observed discoloration around her left eye. She said she fell in her home two days earlier and since then was taking medication for headache and nausea. 5:10 p.m. — A bear was reported in the parking lot of the Unitarian Universalist Church on South Bedford Road .  The reporting party said a woman saw the bear while picking up her child. The bear was gone before police arrived. Saturday, June 29 8:15 a.m. — A resident of Kelly Circle, Katonah, reported a neighbor’s dog bit her dog. She took her dog to the pet hospital for treatment. She said this was the second incident with this dog, and she and its owner were previously in court. Police spoke with the other party who said she had no idea her dog was out and that she would pay any medical bills incurred. The dog control officer was notified for follow up. 2:20 p.m. — Multiple fire companies responded to a home on Greenwich Road, Bedford, after smoke was reported inside the house after a tree came down on the property. The responding officer also smelled smoke. Firefighters investigating said there was no fire and that the smoke smell was likely caused from a circuit breaker shutting off. 3:00 p.m. —Road hazards due to trees and wires down from heavy rain and wind were reported in Bedford on Pine Road, Girdle Ridge Road, Black Spring Road and Bisbee Lane. Sunday, June 30 10:59 a.m. — A snapping turtle was reported injured on Sarles Street, Bedford Hills. The police officer observed the turtle to be extremely injured and was safely dispatched. 11:34 a.m. — A male, 2, was transported to Westchester Medical Center by Bedford firefighters after his parents reported he was having difficulty breathing. His mother accompanied him in the ambulance. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Bedford Police Department.

Back into the woods  A bear was reported in a yard on Todd Road, Goldens Bridge, the morning of Friday, June 28. When police arrived, the bear left the yard, crossed the street and returned to the woods. Police said there was no problem and no need for further action. Monday, June 24 2:50 p.m. — A caller reported a street sign for Bayberry Lane, South Salem, was missing. The caller said it was gone for two or three days; the highway department was advised. Later that evening an officer went to Bouton Road to ask if a resident had cameras on her property that might help identify who took the street sign. She said the only camera on her property was her Ring doorbell. The officer checked the area for other residents whose home security cameras might have filmed the thief, with negative results. 9:07 p.m. — Police went to a residence on Conant Valley Road, South Salem, for a landlord- tenant dispute. On arrival, both parties were engaged in a verbal argument. Police separated them and both were interviewed. The tenant claimed the landlord locked the thermostat over a money dispute; the landlord agreed to unlock the device. No further action was required. Tuesday, June 25 8:56 p.m. — A female complaining of chest pain was transported from her home in South Salem to Northern Westchester Hospital by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. 10:05 a.m. — A caller reported an unaccompanied toddler near the roadway in Goldens Bridge; the child was already inside her home before police arrived. The dad said he was cooking and his wife accidentally left the front door unlocked and the toddler turned the doorknob and wandered off. The responding officer said the toddler appeared in good health and well cared for. The officer discussed the importance of keeping doors locked to avoid a recurrence. Wednesday, June 26 12:42 p.m. — A caller on Waccabuc Road said while traveling westbound on Route 35 in Goldens Bridge, they collided with a deer. An accident report was filed. No information was provided on the deer’s condition.  4:14 p.m. — A person came to police headquarters to be fingerprinted for their Florida pistol permit. 6:15 p.m. — A South Salem resident reported having difficulty breathing was being evaluated by Westchester EMS personnel on police arrival. They were transported to Northern Westchester Hospital by Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Thursday, June 27 5:58 p.m. — A motorist with an adult learner permit was pulled over near the intersection of North Street and Route 22, Goldens Bridge, after a patrol officer observed nontransparent tinted windows on their vehicle, a violation. It was quickly apparent there was no licensed driver in the car. Citations were issued for the windows and driving on a learner permit unaccompanied by a licensed driver. The car was impounded and towed by East Towing. Friday, June 28 11:34 a.m. — A burglary was reported at a home in South Salem. No further information was provided as the incident is under investigation. 12:01 p.m. — A female in an altered mental state was transported from her home in South Salem to Northern Westchester Hospital by Vista firefighters. 3:30 p.m. — A man with a gun, possibly a BB gun, was reported in the vicinity of the Oak Ridge condos, South Salem. When police found him, he said he had been in the woods near his condo unit shooting his pellet gun. He gave an officer permission to examine his equipment; no issues were found. The officer advised the resident to conduct his shooting in a more remote location. Saturday, June 29 8:16 p.m. — Loud music was reported coming from a graduation party in a backyard in Goldens Bridge. Police responding said the music was at a reasonable level but still advised the host to lower the volume. Two hours later the caller, a neighbor, complained again. Police returned and asked the host to turn off the music altogether, given the evening hour and that the neighbor might want to go to sleep soon. Sunday, June 30 10:47 a.m. — Police went to a home in Cross River after a man fell, injuring himself. The aide said he slipped while walking on his pool wall; he was OK but his right shoulder and arm were scraped. Visa and South Salem firefighters were on scene along with Vista ambulance crew members. The man declined medical attention. 1:45 p.m. — Police went to a home in South Salem after the homeowner found a wallet on Route 35 between Smith Ridge Road and the town state line. She said she went to the police station but no one was there at the time. She next attempted to contact the wallet’s owner by going online but was unsuccessful. At her request, an officer went to her home to pick it up. Lewisboro Police contacted Danbury Police in Connecticut who provided a phone number for the owner but the number was no longer in service. The wallet was placed into a property locker and a report was made. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

By Joyce Corrigan Too darn hot! Caramoor celebrated its 10th anniversary collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center on June 22 with JALC managing and artistic director, Wynton Marsalis, conducting a program celebrating Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday. Band leader, musical ambassador, trumpeter extraordinaire and longtime Caramoor friend, Marsalis is the only musician to have won a Grammy Award in both jazz and classical categories in the same year. Ellington was one of the most prolific composers of his era (2,000-plus pieces) and was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for music in 1999.  As early as the 1930s, Ellington quietly devoted his services to the NAACP and its racial equality activities. He died in 1974. “I’ve always regarded the Duke Ellington Orchestra as one of the great achievements in the history of art,” remarked Marsalis. “He hired the best musicians playing this enormous body of original music, who stayed on the road, separated from their friends and lovers through wars, Prohibition, the Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. But a love for the music and the people they played for kept them out there, year after year.” “As we broaden the scope of the Caramoor audience,” Lewis said, “our goal is for listeners to be transformed not only by what they hear but who they see on stage.” So, picture “Sir Duke,” as serenaded by Stevie Wonder, and famously dubbed “Harlem’s Aristocrat of Jazz,” in his scene-stealing top hat and tux looking down on Caramoor’s Venetian Theater from that jumping jazz joint in the sky, toasting the health, success and enduring influence of jazz; that infectious, all-American musical genre that bubbled up in New Orleans in the late 19th century. A fiery gumbo of African American, European, Latin and Caribbean musical influences, from the get-go, jazz was far more than just a new multicultural music genre. “Jazz is a good barometer of freedom,” Ellington once said. “In its beginnings, the United States spawned certain ideals of freedom and independence through which, eventually, jazz evolved. The music is so free that people say it’s the only unhampered, unhindered expression of complete freedom yet produced in this country.” Taking liberties is what jazz does — improvising, merging, and mixing it up with every kind of music. Last month, jazz pianist and multi-Grammy winner, Jon Batiste, a Caramoor headliner in 2015, opened for the Rolling Stones at MetLife Stadium. That the irresistible Batiste is on every Best Dressed list (recently at the Grammy Awards and the Met Gala), well, Duke would get it. “I never had much interest in the piano,” the dapper Duke confessed, “until I realized that every time I played, a girl would appear on the piano bench to my left and another to my right.” On the occasion of Duke’s 100th birthday, Marsalis wrote a tribute in The New York Times about how the “uplift of the human spirit and … having a good time” were Duke’s main concerns. “[Ellington] appropriated the moans, hollers, laughs and cries of the blues despite having been raised in a high-minded, churchgoing family.” Call it the contradictory human instinct. “Some people may sit in the first pew of church and be the most demonstrative voices in the ‘Amen chorus,” wrote Marsalis, “but (also) love the most secular and low-down music.” Kathy Schuman, who directs Caramoor’s far-reaching programming, acknowledges that while the performing arts center regularly hosts top performers from the fields of classical, Latin, American roots and other genres, this year’s annual gala has been a particularly big deal. “The 10-year collaboration with JALC has enabled us not only to have access to jazz legends but to rising talents,” she said. “We love when we host someone who’s just appearing on people’s radar and then they go on to be global superstars.”  While it’s the 10th anniversary of the JALC partnership, Caramoor audiences have been swinging to jazz for 30 years. In 1988, the debut program kicked off with performances by Ray Brown, and later hosted the bands of Count Basie and Ellington. In 1945, Caramoor owners Walter and Lucie Rosen bequeathed their 25,000-square-foot 1920s Mediterranean-style summer home to the public as a venue for classical music; since then it’s become the “summer home” of generations of musicians . “No matter what stage they’re in their careers, musicians love the place,” commented Schuman. “They can’t get over the outdoor Venetian Theater, the Spanish Courtyard, the Music Room with its Renaissance and Gothic art and the sprawling performance lawns. The young artists all bring their peers, and it’s just an exhilarating time.” Caramoor CEO and President Edward J. Lewis III, now in his third year at the helm, couldn’t have been more excited to kick off the season with a celebration of the two jazz giants. Trained as a classical violinist, Lewis has also had the “enormous pleasure and fun” of playing with jazz stars including Christian McBride, Kenny G and brothers Wynton and Branford Marsalis. “The beauty of jazz is that it’s a distinctly American form, blending sounds and rhythms from ancestral Africa with Western,” he said, adding, “It’s art music that dips into the realm of the popular.” Caramoor’s highly-anticipated Jazz Festival (another Jazz at Lincoln Center collaboration) takes place July 27, starting at 12:30 p.m. Featuring headliner Matthew Whitaker, it will be filled with performers exploring many facets of the genre. Lewis embraces his role as musical ambassador, a part also played by both Ellington and Marsalis. He was thrilled to announce that Sphinx Virtuosi, a Detroit-based, self-conducted string orchestra of Black and Latino players playing music by composers of color, are making their Caramoor debut July 7. “As we broaden the scope of the Caramoor audience,” Lewis said, “our goal is for listeners to be transformed not only by what they hear but who they see on stage.” This summer season is, in fact, a cauldron of every musical style. Scheduled programs include the classical strings of Abeo Quartet on June 27, American Roots Music Festival on June 29, Pops, Patriots, & Fireworks on July 4, Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano on July 6, and Broadway diva Sutton Foster on July 13 . In August, Caramoor welcomes back dance with the cheeky Mark Morris Dance Group whose unorthodox contemporary choreography and dancers famous for being all shapes and sizes, is often set to iconic classical and baroque music. You couldn’t find a better way to kick off the summer season than with a tribute to Duke Ellington by Wynton Marsalis. They truly are two kindred spirits.  According to Marsalis, Duke had learned an important lesson from the blues: “That the greatest joy is earned in the hardest times,” he wrote. His mantra was “integrate, integrate, integrate,” Marsalis explained. “He blended diverse cultural and musical ideas because he understood not only what the country was, but also what it could become.” Caramoor is located at 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah. For tickets and more information, visit caramoor.org .

One male teen was killed and another critically injured in an early morning single-car accident Tuesday, June 18, at the intersection of Bedford Road and Edna Street, Bedford Hills. The collision was reported at 2:27 a.m. Both victims were students at Fox Lane High School. According to Bedford Police, the car was traveling northbound on Bedford Road likely at a high speed and wound up in the JV Auto parking lot; several cars parked in the lot were damaged as a result. On police arrival, both young men were found trapped inside the car. Bedford Police Officers Jordan Baschnagel and Ronald Sauber extricated them prior to firefighters’ arrival. Westchester Emergency Medical Services and Katonah Bedford Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps were on scene to provide medical attention and evaluation. Both victims were taken to Westchester Medical Center The driver, who was transported by KBHVAC, was found in critical condition and succumbed to his injuries. He was later identified as Joshua Martinez Arana, 18, from Mount Kisco. He died just two days before his planned high school graduation. The passenger was transported by Westchester EMS. He was last reported in critical condition, although initially his injuries were said to be minor. The passenger, identified as Matthew Gutierrez, was also a Fox Lane senior at the time of the crash. Robert Glass, superintendent of the Bedford Central School District, on June 18 sent a letter to parents regarding the incident and identified Martinez Arana as the deceased victim. “Our hearts go out to Josh’s family and this loss is sure to raise many emotions for our entire community, especially our students,” Glass wrote. “Please know that our district crisis team is mobilized with help from clinicians in neighboring districts, and we are providing assistance for any students or staff who need it during this difficult time.”

By Neal Rentz // The Pound Ridge Town Board voted June 4 to extend its moratorium on opening new cannabis dispensaries in the business districts for an additional six months. The vote was 3-1, with Councilwoman Namasha Schelling voting against the extension. Supervisor Kevin Hansan did not attend the meeting. The vote came less than 10 days before the current six-month moratorium was set to expire. “The town board believes that a moratorium is necessary and advisable to maintain the status quo while it assesses the implications of these new state rules and allow the town to collaborate with Office of Cannabis Management to protect the best interests of the town,” the legislation stated. The extension continues the moratorium on approvals of building permits, variances, special use permits, site plans and subdivision applications for properties in the PB-A, PB-B and PB-C zoning districts. In an interview following the meeting, Schelling explained why she voted against the moratorium extension: “I voted against extending the moratorium because I do not see the purpose,” she said. “The first moratorium did not stop the opening of a cannabis dispensary in our business district. This moratorium only stops any business from opening in the business district, if they need approval for building permits, variances, special use permits, site plans, and subdivision applications in the business district.” The state legalized adult cannabis use in March 2021. The initial local moratorium was approved by the Pound Ridge Town Board in December after it was sharply criticized by many residents for failing to “opt out” of the permissible cannabis business provision allowed under state law before the 2021 deadline. During the June 4 public hearing, residents expressed support for extending the moratorium. Resident John Nathan, an attorney, urged the board to approve the moratorium extension, if it favored such an action, before it expired nine days later. “I have never said one word for or against cannabis” in the seven months that he has been involved with the issue, Nathan said. “I was interested in just one thing, the process,” he said. Nathan said he wrote Hansan, stating that “it is essential that you take action tonight.” Town Attorney William Harrington said at the meeting the town was working with a consultant on legislation to regulate cannabis dispensaries. The process of crafting the legislation will include informational sessions for residents during the summer, he said. The town will try “to accommodate everyone,” Harrington said. The plan calls for the town board to approve the proposed legislation in the early fall, he said. The sole operating cannabis dispensary in Pound Ridge — the Purple Plains Cannabis Dispensary, located at 32 Westchester Ave., sued the town, the town board, and Building Inspector James Perry on Feb. 20 in state Supreme Court in White Plains. Purple Plains, which is co-owned by Sophia Mortell and her boyfriend Mark Buzzetto, opened on April 17. “Our lawsuit asserts that they filed the moratorium incorrectly. We did not sue them for damages,” Purple Plains secretary and father of Sophia Mortell, Jack Mortell, said following the vote approve the moratorium extension. Harrington said in response that he did not agree with the contention of the dispensary that the town did not “properly enact” the original moratorium and lacked the authority to enact the moratorium “The moratorium was properly enacted,” he contended. “The town had the authority under the New York cannabis law to enact the law.” Despite the filing of the suit, Mr. Mortell shared positive comments about the town and the positive reception the business has received. “The response from the people in town has been fantastic. We have only had one person come in the store insinuating that we are in violation of town law,” Mr. Mortell said. “We politely explained to her that we are indeed operating legally.” People from out of town seem happy, too,” he continued. “Most who come in are pleased by the look of the store” and variety of products for sale. Mr . Mortell said he understood why some people opposed a local cannabis dispensary, but, he added, “the majority of them do not understand what our dispensary is, how it functions and who shops here,” he said.  “We are very happy with the people of Pound Ridge and are very happy that they opted in and that we opened here,” Mr. Mortell also commented.

By CARL JAFFEE The Bedford Town Board is considering the adoption of a new Community Preservation Plan to be funded by a tax on the transfer of real property in an amount up to 2% of the consideration for each transaction. The tax, which would apply initially only to home sales over $778,000, would be paid on a graduated scale by homebuyers. The establishment of such a tax would be subject to voter approval in a referendum to be held Nov. 5. The town board has not yet passed a resolution authorizing the ballot referendum. These actions are part of a process that began in January when the board authorized the appointment of a task force by the Open Space Acquisition Advisory Committee to prepare a conservation plan and draft law for the board to consider. That committee recruited a task force of nine persons, representing a cross section of the community, according to its report. The procedures established by the board follow the requirement of the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act, originally enacted by New York state in 2019. The measure permits towns and cities in Westchester, Putnam and Ulster counties to establish funds for a variety of land conservation purposes, primarily to acquire interests in real property “for the preservation of community character.” Under the plan, acquisition of real property by the town for conservation purposes would be based on criteria including water and natural resource protection, parks and recreation, wetland and habitat protection, forest health, scenic vistas, agriculture and historic properties. Any acquisition of property by the fund, with money from the transfer tax, would be based on input from an advisory board appointed by the Bedford Town Board, and would be preceded by a public hearing. Bedford would be the first municipality in Westchester to establish such a fund. Versions of the plan were presented to the town board by the task force in March and May 21. A public hearing was held June 18. The town board is scheduled to discuss the matter at its next monthly meeting Tuesday, July 16. Actions could include adopting the preservation plan proposed by the task force, establishing a fund to carry out the plan, and authorizing the transfer tax to provide the money to do so, including a ballot referendum in November to move forward with the plans. How would the tax work? The proposed tax provides for an exemption for the median sales price of residential real property in the town, as determined by the state. This amount is currently $778,000, according to the countywide formula utilized by state officials. For home sales above the exemption amount, the following rates would apply: 0.5% of the consideration up to and including $1,000,000 resulting in a tax of $1,100; 1% on the amount of consideration in excess of $1,000,000 up to and including $1,250,000 resulting in a tax of $3,610; 1.5% on the amount of consideration in excess of $1,250,000 up to and including $1,500,000 resulting in a tax of $7,360; and 2% on the amount of consideration in excess of $1,500,000 so that on a sale at $2,500,000 the tax would be $27,360 and on a saleat $3,000,000 the tax would be $37,360. The amount of the exemption would be adjusted annually as the state publishes updated sales numbers regarding home sales. Public comments At a public hearing June 18, town residents expressed their views, both pro and con, on the establishment the of the fund and the taxes that would support it. Comments from interested parties were received through June 28. At the June 18 hearing, representatives of several conservation groups spoke out strongly in favor of the plan, stressing the need to conserve and maintain what they called “the special character of Bedford” in the face of the depletion of funds raised by the existing open space levy. Other persons at the hearing, including local real estate sales professionals, expressed concern about the impact the transfer tax would have on the value and sale of residential real property within the town. Several questioned the need for the proposed fund, citing the various other environmental protections such as zoning requirements and wetlands protections that are already in place to preserve the nature of the town. A concern expressed by some speakers and others who submitted written comments after the hearing is that if the town board votes to put this matter to the voters, this entire matter would not be adequately publicized before the November election. The open space levy is imposed on property owners on an annual basis as a part of the town taxes, equal to 2% of the town’s general fund and highway fund. It would remain in place whether or not the newly proposed transfer tax takes effect. The levy was first enacted in 2000. In 2017, the amount of the levy was established by town voters at 1%, increasing to 2% in incremental steps from 2018 to 2022, In recent years, monies from the open space levy have been used by the town to purchase land at Reyburn Road and the Buxton Gorge. However, although the levy is expected to generate approximately $496,000 in the current tax year, the proponents of the transfer tax believe that such monies from the levy are inadequate to meet the town’s conservation and preservation needs and goals. As of June 30, the fund balance raised from the open space levy was $1.1 million.

By NEAL RENTZ The Lewisboro Board of Ethics has found that comments made on Facebook and in public by Councilman Daniel Welsh have not posed a conflict of interest under the town’s ethics code. Since the war between Israel and Hamas began last Oct. 7, Welsh has made postings critical of Israel’s actions in the conflict. His comments disturbed and angered some town residents, with several describing his remarks as antisemitic, which the councilman strongly denied.  On Feb. 13, the Lewisboro Town Board referred his recent social media postings and comments to the board of ethics for their review.   In a recent decision on a request for an opinion, the board of ethics stated that Welsh did not violate the ethics code in his social media posts and other comments. It said further that Welsh did not violate the code by continuing to make posts and comments about the conflict over the objections of residents and town board colleagues, who implored him to stop making public pronouncements on the war.  During a public comment period at the June 24 Lewisboro Town Board meeting, Welsh was criticized again by several residents.   Resident Cathy Deutsch cited guidance from legal experts who warned of the risks of public officials mixing personal and official posts on social media pages. She stated that Welsh mixes world politics with local posts, while “blocking comments at whim.” Deutsch said social media use guidance should be part of the town’s revised employee handbook, and personal comments from officials should be made separately from town business comments. Another resident, Daniela Goldman, who has been an outspoken critic of the councilman, reiterated her opinion that Welsh has been making antisemitic comments on his social media account and during town board meetings. Addressing the supervisor, she said, “Tony, you have allowed him to hide behind the statement that this is his First Amendment right to speak in such a manner, but is it?” she asked. As a town board member, Welsh “is speaking on behalf of the town,” Goldman said. The Supreme Court has ruled that public officials cannot delete public comments on their official government social media pages, she said. Welsh said in an interview following the meeting that his comments about the Middle East conflict were in keeping with what he has said in the past about wars. “I have actively commented on international issues with an anti-war perspective for years and years on Facebook,” he said. “No one ever commented that this was somehow inappropriate until I started opining and sharing about the genocide in Palestine. That should tell you all you need to know.”  Welsh said a small group of residents have “done everything they can to try to silence me, which just highlighted for me how important it is that I don’t give in to them. What would it say for us all if they succeeded? What is the next thing that somebody doesn’t like that should be silenced?” “And anyway,” he continued, “I am not a judge or something that I have to maintain an antiseptic exterior. I’m a legislator, and a citizen, and we are supposed to have opinions. And as these folks themselves have noted, international affairs are not in the scope of the town board, so no one can possibly imagine that when I post an article, say, on how Israel has destroyed every educational institution in Gaza, that this somehow represents town policy.” Welsh said he has deleted some Facebook posts from his page. “The group had vociferously commented on my posts from the start. I would let the smears go, but occasionally respond to those posts that actually had an element of content in them,” he said. Residents who opposed him and were outraged by comments on his page would call the Town House in response, Welsh said. “There was a request by one individual at least that I should not allow comments on my posts. Very reluctantly I stopped allowing comments by anyone,” Welsh explained. Welsh has also been the target of criticism from some residents and fellow board members who allege a conflict of interest because he is program director of Westchester Power, a municipal energy-buying cooperative that includes the town of Lewisboro. Welsh said there has been no conflict of interest. “A couple of board members and certain other members of the public have tried to make the case that there was a conflict of interest in this situation. I have always acted as advised by counsel on this, and there is, in fact and in law, no conflict of interest as Sustainable Westchester is a membership nonprofit.”  Welsh said the board of ethics wouldn’t rule against him in this matter if a referral was made. “But the board yielded to pressure by the group, yet another effort to take me offline,” he said. “This group is driving all of this, and it’s because they feel that critique of Israel is antisemitic, and so I am attacked regularly and publicly with that same descriptor,” Welsh said. “This is putting a chill on discussion,” he added. Supervisor Tony Gonçalves said Welsh waived his right to confidentiality as a town employee due to the referral of the war-related matter to the board of ethics. Gonçalves said there will be language in the new town employee handbook, which is being drafted by an outside human resources company, to include policies about social media use. “As to my feelings about mandating the separation of social media accounts, I agree that if an employee has a town account on social media, that account should be used for town relevant information and not for presenting personal views,” he said.

Motorbike parked on wrong property gets the hook On Tuesday, June 18, at 1:10 p.m., a caretaker working at a Mead Street residence reported there was a motorcycle parked on the property without permission. The bike, a 1982 Honda with New York plates, was parked 200 feet into the woods on the private property. Tire tracks showed it recently was ridden in from Mead Street. An officer ran the plates and saw the last time the bike was registered was 2015 when it belonged to a resident of North Salem. The bike was towed to impound. Meanwhile, police attempted to interview its last known owner. They reached the individual’s mother, who said her son currently lives in Colorado and might have sold it to a friend whom she named. Police contacted the friend who explained he had no place to store the bike and another Mead Street resident had offered to let him park it on their property; he said he had parked the bike on another property by mistake. He was informed his bike was at Sal’s Towing. No further action was taken. Monday, June 17 4:07 p.m. — An employee of a Big Y supermarket in Connecticut reported suspicious activity after someone purchased $5,000 in gift cards. Police paid a visit to a home in South Salem to investigate. No further information was available. 8:30 p.m. — Police were at a home in the vicinity of Mill River Road and Lake Kitchawan responding to a 911 call regarding an argument between a father and his adult daughter. She requested police assistance recovering her belongings as she was leaving. A New York state domestic incident report was completed.  Wednesday, June 19 9:54 a.m. — A deer was reported caught in recreational soccer netting in a South Salem driveway. On arrival, police saw its legs were completely tangled in the netting. A volunteer emergency technician was summoned to come out and cut it free. No information on the deer’s condition was available. Thursday, June 20 12:20 p.m. — A K-9 unit were dispatched by Lewisboro Police to assist the FBI who were at a park or playground in Ardsley with evidence recovered from a bank robbery. No further information was available. 2:11 p.m. — Police and Goldens Bridge firefighters went to a home on Flint Rock Ridge  Road for an activated alarm. On arrival they met with the homeowner who said the pressure release valve on a gas tank was activated and was spewing gas. Firefighters cooled the overheated tank with cold water. 4:50 p.m. — A traffic stop was conducted on Route 35 after an officer on patrol noticed the car’s registration was expired. The driver said the car belonged to his brother, not him, and was unable to provide proof of insurance or a valid driver’s license. A tow was called and the car was impounded. The operator requested to be dropped off at Cameron’s Deli, where he said he would get a ride. 6:15 p.m. — A car was stopped on Route 35 for tinted windows and suspended registration. A check of records revealed the driver also had a suspension on his license and expired insurance. His car was towed to impound and the driver requested to be left at the parking lot of the South Salem Fire Department until someone could pick him up. 7:17 p.m. — Police and emergency personnel went to a home in South Salem after a resident reported accidentally swallowing a moisture-absorbing gel pack inside his vitamin bottle. He had already contacted poison control who said he was not in danger. Ambulance crew advised the man to drink plenty of water, and he declined further assistance. Saturday, June 22 8:48 a.m. — Police went to Cameron’s Deli on Route 35 for a report of someone with a U-Haul who said he was there to pick up his property. Police found the person at the rear of the store talking to an employee on their break. Police asked this individual if they had any court documents to obtain their property or had spoken with the building owner. The individual said they did not. Police spoke with the employee, who said the property owner would return after the weekend. The person with the U-Haul said they there to retrieve furniture and other items. Police advised them no property could be retrieved until the owner returned. 12:15 p.m. — An officer patrolling Goldens Bridge Road pulled over a car whose registration showed up on a plate reader as suspended. The driver was also unlicensed and had no insurance. Three summonses were issued. The officer said he detected a strong odor of marijuana around the driver who admitted he had smoked pot earlier. The driver performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody by a New York State Trooper who brought him to the Somers police barracks for further testing. The car was towed to impound. 9 :35 p.m. — A caller reported a dead dog on Route 35, Cross River. It appeared to have been struck by a car. Sunday, June 23 10:06 p.m. — Police went to a home in South Salem for an activated carbon-monoxide alarm. On arrival, all occupants were outside the house. Vista firefighters entered and took a reading, which was high. People who had been inside the house complained of headaches and requested transport to Norwalk Hospital. The home was ventilated. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer This report was made from official reports provided by the Lewisboro Police Department.

What is that hissing sound? On Monday, June 24, at 10:07 p.m., a resident of Hack Green Road requested police assistance for an unknown animal they said was in the nearby brush making “hissing” sounds. Patrol arrived to investigate but saw nor heard signs of the reported wildlife. Tuesday, June 18 9:50 p.m. — An officer was dispatched to Lockwood Lane after a caller reported shots fired. They spoke with the reporting party and stayed on the scene for a while but no loud noises were heard. Wednesday, June 19 4:00 a.m. — Police responded to a residence on Westchester Avenue for a male who initially requested medical assistance but then refused the assistance when it arrived. No further action was taken. 8:30 a.m. — Honey Hollow Road was reported blocked by a large tree lying on power lines. On police arrival, NYSEG was already on scene. 10:30 a.m. — Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked for 15 minutes on Pound Ridge Road; no reason was given for why the reporting party found this suspicious. An officer patrolled the area with negative results.  11:50 a.m. — A two-car collision was reported on Stone Hill Road. Police said no one was injured and neither car was towed. 12:15 p.m. — A burglary reported on Pettit Lane was turned over to New York State Police who are investigating. Thursday, June 20 9:35 a.m. — A suspicious parked vehicle was reported on Lons Lane; the caller said it was blocking the roadway. An officer found the operator who agreed to move their car. Sunday, June 23 10:30 a.m. — A resident of South Eastern Farm Road notified police she received a fraud alert on her phone after leaving her car unlocked overnight; the resident noticed the next morning that it had been rummaged through. She said her pocketbook was missing. She notified her bank and asked them to freeze her account. Police are investigating. 12:57 p.m. — A resident of Lower Shad Road reported their unlocked car was entered and rummaged. Nothing was reported stolen. 8:58 p.m. — A Pound Ridge male was transported from his home to Northern Westchester Hospital by Pound Ridge ambulance for an unspecified condition. Monday, June 24 2:40 p.m. — While patrolling Westchester Avenue, an officer observed a U-Haul truck with out-of-state plates parked legally on the street. Police said they would note if the vehicle remained parked there for more than 96 hours, in which case they deem it abandoned. 5:09 p.m. — A resident of Fancher Road reported a tree blocking the roadway. The highway department was notified. Forty-seven permits for parking passes for the upcoming fireworks display scheduled for Saturday, June 29, in Pound Ridge Town Park were issued throughout the day. — Eve Marx, The Recorder staff writer. This report was made from official reports provided by the Pound Ridge Police Department.

By Neal Rentz // The Pound Ridge Town Board agreed June 4 to authorize Supervisor Kevin Hansan to seek state grants for a potential establishment of a Scotts Corners Water District and subsequent water treatment plan for the area. The vote was 3-1 with Councilman Dan Paschkes voting against the resolution and Hansan absent. Councilwoman Alison Boak said at the June 4 meeting there is $325 million available from the state. “We are working around the clock to get our application in for this,” she said. The deadline for the grant application was June 14. The resolution indicated support for the grant application, Boak also said. Explaining his “no” vote, Paschkes said the resolution would give the supervisor “unfettered authority to execute any contract.”  An official public hearing to establish the district was held June 11. The importance of creating the new district was discussed in detail at the May 21 Pound Ridge Town Board meeting where several residents, including many from the business district, voiced their support for creating the water district. The discussion included Scotts Corners business owners who spoke of the dire situation created by inadequate water/wastewater solutions that has plagued their stores and restaurants for decades.  Resident Norman Bernstein said there should be “full and fair disclosure” to the town board about details of the project, the water use levels for property owners prior to the completion of the project and how long the project will take to complete. Bernstein said the sewer and water treatment project could cost between $24 and $30 million. The grant terms need to be presented to the public by Hansan before he is permitted to sign an agreement with the state, Bernstein said. Paschkes said an environmental review was needed and the town board needed to approve a negative declaration, meaning an extensive environmental review would not be required because the action would not have a significant negative environmental impact. If the determination was not being made at this meeting, he wanted to know when it would be voted on. “I think this is a separate issue,” said Deputy Supervisor Diane Briggs, who conducted the meeting in the absence of Hansan. “This is just allowing us to go forward with the application.” Paschkes said he wanted to be assured that the project “would be subject to the normal permitting process through the Water Control Commission.' “This resolution is just authorizing the application,” Briggs replied. If an environmental review is not conducted, there would be “less points” for the town in seeking funding for the project, said Paschkes. “We do have a serious problem,” resident James Best said. “This project will not happen without grants.”  Louise Paolicelli resigns Also at the June 4 meeting, the board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Senior Program Coordinator Louise Paolicelli, effective June 14. The board also approved a proclamation to honor Paolicelli. Paolicelli, who resides in town, has been in her position for 15 years, running the highly popular Neighbor to Neighbor program. In a follow up interview, Paolicelli said she was leaving on account of personal health issues and her decision was unrelated to her role in the Recreation Department. “I love my job,” she said. She also explained that her position was created at the request of organizations that work with local seniors. Her duties include organizing events for seniors, such as field trips, and helping seniors receive access to social services, Paolicelli said, stressing that she is not a social worker. Paolicelli praised volunteers who provide assistance to Pound Ridge seniors, for instance, by helping seniors with grocery shopping and driving to medical appointments. Volunteers also regularly assist in the Café Conant program, which is held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at Conant Hall. At these weekly events, seniors bring their lunches and enjoy the chance to socialize; tea and coffee are provided. Paolicelli’s last day was June 13, the day of the N2N Senior Picnic BBQ, which she worked to organize and didn’t want to miss.  ‘A safe space for survivors’ Also at the meeting, a presentation on the New Dawn Resource Center in Pound Ridge was made by its vice president, David Ryan, who was the town’s police chief for 23 years. New Dawn is a nonprofit organization that provides and expands support for programs and services for victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking. The New Dawn concept began when Gary Warshauer was town supervisor and Richard Lyman was serving on the town board in 2011, Ryan said. Warshauer wanted to create “a safe space here in this building,” Ryan said. “Dick was really the one who got it off the ground,” Ryan said. Prior to the establishment of New Dawn, victims seeking assistance had no local options, and had to travel either down county or north to Putnam County, Ryan said. Supervisors from five local towns, including Pound Ridge, Bedford and Lewisboro, agreed to create the North East Westchester Domestic Abuse Alliance, Ryan said. “A pretty diverse group” of representatives from faith-based organizations and law enforcement and others comprised the original board of directors, Ryan said. He noted there have been nine domestic violence-related murders in the five towns, including Pound Ridge, underscoring the need for a local resource like New Day, he said. Each of the towns provides $3,000 in annual funding to the organization, he added. “We don’t disclose the space for obvious safety reasons,” Ryan said, adding no one working for New Dawn receives a salary. New Dawn, which rents the space but does not itself provide services, has commitments of about $55,000 a year in donations, and it recently received a $50,000 grant from the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Ryan said. “We probably have the most successful peer support group in Westchester County” for victims of abuse,” Ryan said. “It really has blossomed as a safe space for survivors.”  New Dawn provides food for Thanksgiving dinners on an annual basis for 300 families, mainly from northern Westchester, Ryan said. “Thank you, Dave, for your hard work and dedication,” Boak said during the update. 2021 annual financial report dispute During the first public comment period of the meeting, resident John McCown sharply criticized the town’s handling of its financial statements. The town filed its 2021 annual financial report with the state comptroller’s office a week before the meeting, McCown said. He faulted the report for “improper revenue recognition.” “What surprised me is that it showed $42 million in revenue for 2021, or four times what the 2021 audit shows for revenue. That is similar to the 2020 filing where revenue was also four times the audit,” McCown said. “Neither of those is GAAP, or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. You don’t need to take my word for that. The town’s auditor has twice called that improper revenue recognition and has sent correcting journal entries in a letter to management. Because of this, for two straight years the auditor has also stated that a significant risk they identified during the audit was improper revenue recognition.” Despite the auditor’s warnings, the town filed reports for two years based on improper revenue recognition and the mistakes needed to be corrected, McCown said.  In January when the auditors presented the 2021 audit, they said most of the fieldwork for the 2022 was complete and would be finalized the following week, McCown said. Residents have been told that the 2022 audit would be presented to the town board in March and the 2023 audits presented soon after that; neither have been, he said. “I don’t understand what is going on with our financials,” McCown said. “Disclosure is good and when the financials are materially wrong and the latest is from 2021, that is bad.” Though town board members did not respond to McCown’s comments during the meeting, Director of Finance Steven Conti did reply to Mr. McCown’s statements later in the week. “There were inaccurate and misleading public comments related to the 2021 Annual Financial Report,” Conti said. “Mr. McCown was incorrect in his statements that we showed four times the revenue as compared to the audited financials for 2020 and 2021. Our auditors have explained that this variance is the amount in the custodial account in which we receive taxes for other jurisdictions. The GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) released GASB 84 which changed the treatment of custodial funds. The New York State Open Book website shows $42 million in revenue for 2021 but the detail of the report includes $32,456,902 as an offsetting revenue and expense that accounts for the sharp increase. This is also the exact amount on page 26 of the 2021 audited financial statements.” “The auditors have not twice called out the town for improper revenue recognition and have not stated that a significant risk they identified during audit was improper revenue recognition,” Conti also said. “The town has not filed reports with improper revenue recognition and the reports that were filed do not need to be corrected. New York state auditors closed their review of the 2021 report and we are moving forward. Mr. McCown makes these statements as factual and absolute which can lead to public confusion. There is a responsibility with public comment to verify the information which could have been resolved before the meeting.” “Regarding the 2022 town audit, the New York State Comptroller’s Office has been conducting an audit since November 2023,” Conti said. “As they finalize their report, we will work with our auditors to close the 2022 audit and release the financial statements.” Conti said he planned to discuss the 2021 Annual Financial Report at the June 11 town board meeting.

By Neal Rentz // Members of the Lewisboro Planning Board and representatives of a proposed horse training facility agreed June 18 to move forward with a proposed review of the initial phase of the project. They also decided to review a proposal to subdivide a portion of the property separately in the future.  Double H Farms LLC is seeking planning board approval for a private riding academy on a 37.2-acre parcel located at 20 Boutonville Road South, Cross River. The property is located in a town R-2A residential zoning district and the Westchester County Agricultural District. The applicant also owns the adjacent 17.2-acre property to the east of the proposed riding academy. The current horse farm property includes a one-story frame barn, a one-story house, a sand riding ring and various paddocks as well as asphalt and gravel driveways. On the existing horse farm parcel, as part of the project’s initial phase, Double H Farms is seeking to construct an outdoor riding ring and a grand prix riding field on the northwest portion of the property.  The plan for phase two of the project would call for the teardown of the existing barn and construction of a new barn and indoor riding ring in the same location. Double H Farms is also proposing the rearrangement and regrading of various paddocks and reconstruction of the existing maintenance barn with housing above the barn. The applicant also wants to make asphalt and gravel driveway improvements. Double H Farms is also proposing a subdivision/lot line change, which would merge a total of 6.9 acres into the Reid family property located at 45 Cross River Road. Charles Martabano, an attorney representing Double H Farms, said the plan is for horse owners to leave their horses on the property, where the animals would be trained. The horses would be taken off the property to participate in competitions, he noted. Martabano said his client is operating horse training and boarding facilities in other parts of the country, including Ridgefield, Conn. Some of the horses could be owned by Double H Farms, he added. The proposal calls for “a very high end, very targeted training facility for horses,” Martabano said. He said his client is seeking to sell nearly 7 acres of an adjacent parcel to the Reid family. The sale would add to the 5 acres already owned by the Reids, enlarging their holdings to 11.9 acres. Planning board members and residents who participated in the public hearing expressed concern about the plans for the proposed expanded Reid property. Resident Ghy Manning said the property owners should not be allowed “to do what they want” if their land is combined with property currently owned by Double H Farms. Resident Jen Akin said she was also concerned about a potential development of an expanded Reid family parcel. Martabano told Manning that the Reid family has no plans to develop their land if it is expanded to include a portion of his client’s current parcel, which is in the Westchester County Agricultural District.  Dan Hollis, an attorney representing the Reid family, said his clients are interested in expanding the size of their property because they want “to buffer their existing property” from the site of the proposed horse training facility land. “It’s a merger,” he said. Planning Board Chairwoman Janet Andersen asked if the Reid family would consider seeking a conservation easement from the town to preserve the land from development. Mr. Hollis replied that the Reid family was not planning to seek a conservation easement. If the Reid family decided in the future to seek a subdivision of the proposed expanded property, they would be required to obtain planning board approval, he said. Without a conservation easement, there would be no guarantee that the Reid family would protect their property from development, Ms. Andersen said.  After further discussion, Martabano and the planning board members agreed to continue the review of phase one of the project at the board’s July 16 meeting, and will take up the subject of the proposed land transfer at a later date. Pound Ridge Stone Also at the meeting, the planning board voted unanimously to reapprove the special use permit for Pound Ridge Stone & Landscaping, located at 2 West Road, South Salem. The business is owned by Two West Road LLC. Pound Ridge Stone is proposing to construct a 24-foot-by-35-foot storage building, install 27 parking stalls with an outdoor material storage bin and outdoor display areas. The 0.7-acre property is located in a general business zoning district. No residents spoke during the public hearing, which was closed by the planning board. Town Planner and Wetland Consultant Jan Johannessen said the applicant would need to obtain a building permit from the town by no later than March 6, 2025. Cell tower approval extension Also at the meeting, the planning board agreed to vote next month to renew its special use permit approval for the T-Mobile Wireless Telecommunications cellphone facility at the Leon Levy Preserve, which is located on Routes 35 and 123, South Salem. The tower is owned by American Tower. “No changes to the facility are being proposed at this time,” Angela Poccia, an attorney representing T-Mobile, told the planning board.  No residents spoke during the public hearing, which was closed by the planning board. The board voted unanimously to instruct Johannessen to prepare an approval resolution for its July meeting.