Mayor's Report

Good evening. September always feels like a reset. Summer is ending, school buses return, and our community gets back to its rhythm. We began the month with Labor Day. It reminds us that work is more than a job title. It is the daily effort of residents, staff, and neighbors who make Scarsdale what it is. Thursday is Patriot Day, September 11. We will pause to remember the lives taken, the families forever changed, and the first responders who ran toward danger. Let us honor them with silence, reflection, and kindness. Back to school is fully underway. Drivers, please take extra care. Slow near crosswalks, stop for buses, and remember that children move unpredictably. Safety is not seasonal. September is also National Preparedness Month. Make a family plan, check flashlights and medications, and sign up for our emergency alerts if you have not already. You can never be too prepared, and if an emergency occurs, readiness matters. We mark Suicide Prevention Month, a chance to end stigma and make help normal. Today is Firearm Suicide Prevention Day. The community should know that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is always available. On Sunday we celebrated Grandparents Day. If you forgot to call someone, consider this your official municipal reminder. From September 15 through October 15 we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Our community is stronger for the cultures, languages, and traditions that neighbors bring to our shared table. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, September 22, and Yom Kippur follows October 1. To our Jewish friends and neighbors, L’Shanah Tovah and wishes for a meaningful fast and reflection. Sunday, September 21 is the International Day of Peace. Peace is not passive. It is built in our homes, on our blocks, and here in this chamber. Yesterday we had the privilege of attending two important ceremonies that speak directly to service and sacrifice. At the fire department ceremony, we officially welcomed Nicholas Camardella to the Scarsdale Fire Department. Nick is a familiar face in our community having grown up in the area and attending IHM, and after serving as a police officer in Greenwich he has now joined a fire department defined by courage, camaraderie, and service above self. His timing is meaningful, as we look ahead to the retirement of Arthur Hickey after 20 years of distinguished service. We are proud that Nick chose to bring his skills and commitment to Scarsdale. Later in the day, at a police department ceremony, we recognized three new officers joining the ranks and four of our own stepping into leadership roles. It was a powerful reminder of why the Scarsdale Police Department is among the most respected in our region, with CALEA Tier 2 Advanced accreditation held by fewer than five percent of agencies nationwide. We welcomed Officers Murphy, Vega, and Del Bene, and celebrated the promotions of Detective Galindo, Sergeants Wilder and Kringas, and notably Lieutenant Arcesi, the first female lieutenant in the history of the Scarsdale Police Department. Her promotion is not only a personal achievement, but a milestone for our community. She carries forward the professionalism, integrity, and community engagement that define our police, and she stands as a role model for others who will follow. We thank them all, and the families who stand behind them, for their service and sacrifice. The pool is officially closed and we thank our Parks Department for their hard work to ensure we had another successful season. I also want to mention two upcoming work sessions, of course other work sessions will likely be planned and we will announce those as soon as possible: Sept 30: Discussion on the land use code changes and Freightway, and Nov 18: Discussion on Roadway Paving and Sidewalks We anticipate holding a pool work session in October and hope to have a date in the next week or two. Staff is currently working on the budget calendar for the proposed 2026-2027 budget cycle which will include various work sessions. Finally, please remember that the first School Tax payment is due this month.