Mayor's Comments 

This is a special evening because we have a guest who is not a stranger to anyone, but I will ask him to come speak at the end of my mayor's comments.

Before I turn to other matters, I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary work of our village staff during this week's storm. Eighteen inches of snow and sustained winds made for one of the more significant weather events we have seen in some time. I had the opportunity to visit with members of our highway crew as they worked around the clock, and I want to tell you what I saw. I saw dedicated professionals who never stopped working, never stopped moving, and they kept our roads passable for emergency vehicles throughout the storm. They plowed ahead for ambulances, and they are continuing to work through sidewalks, pathways, and crosswalks. The condition of our roads today is a testament to their efforts and skills. As I said to them yesterday, they have a bit of a public relations problem. They make it look easy. I assure you it is anything but, but we must not confuse competence, training, and efficiency with ease. My sincere thanks to Superintendent Coleman, Deputy Superintendent Seifert, and Highway Foreman Cipriano, and to every member of the team for another job exceptionally well done. This board and this community are grateful for you. And of course, as is always the case when Scarsdale faces a challenge, our police department, fire department, and ambulance corps were there keeping us safe. Thank you to each of them as well.

Immigration enforcement has weighed heavily on communities across the country for some time now, and Scarsdale is no exception. Recent events have brought those concerns into sharper focus, and tonight I want to speak directly to where this village stands.
 
 Let me tell you what we have done and what we are doing. I want to start with something I said at the Stand Up, Stand Together Interfaith Rally on January 28th, because it speaks directly to what follows. I said that our Constitution does not say certain rights belong only to citizens. It says “persons”. And that everyone who lives here, works here, visits here, or simply passes through is entitled to constitutional protections envisioned by our founders. That principle is not abstract. It is reflected in the policy I am about to describe.
 
 That order will be available on the Scarsdale.gov website tomorrow under SPD News on the department’s page. 
 
 Here is what that policy establishes, clearly and in writing:

• Scarsdale Police Officers do not stop, question, or detain individuals based solely on immigration status.
• We do not honor civil immigration detainers without a judicial warrant, meaning that the department will only honor a warrant signed by a federal judge, and will not honor an administrative document signed by an immigration official.
• We do not allow federal civil immigration authorities access to our facilities or to individuals in our custody for civil immigration enforcement without that same judicial warrant.
• We do not use village resources to build or assist any registry based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin 
• We do not delay release from custody because of immigration status.

These are not aspirations. This is how the Scarsdale Police Department has been conducting business for years, and our policies are being strengthened and memorialized. These orders govern how every officer in this village must act. The order reflects our values as a community as well as our commitment to following the law at every level. Everyone in this community can call on their police department without fear. That is not a political position. That is sound policing.
 
 Our job, as a Village Board and your government, is to govern, and governing can at times mean more than local action. I had the opportunity to speak at length with Assembly Member Amy Paulin recently on this matter. She understands where I stand, where this board stands, and where this community stands in regard to proposed legislation at the state level, such as the Bivens Act and Sensitive Location Protection Act. She will continue to be a strong advocate for everyone in our community and will stay in close touch as this issue develops. I have also been in contact with a representative from Governor Hochul's office. In our conversation, I made clear the position of the village and asked to be updated on any developments. State Senator Shelley Mayer knows our position on this matter as well. We are in regular contact, and she hears from us directly. And I am pleased that Congressman George Latimer is with us tonight. George fights for this community every day, in Washington and right here in our district. He knows who we are. He knows what we believe. And there is no better person to have in our corner right now. That is how policy changes at higher levels of government, through consistent, direct engagement with the people who write the laws.
 
 And I want to close by saying this: the residents who have shown up, written letters, and spoken at this podium did so because they care deeply about this community and about all of the people in it. That kind of civic engagement is not new to Scarsdale. This village has a long and proud tradition of residents who volunteer, advocate, and hold their government accountable. That tradition makes us stronger, and it is something to be celebrated. So does a police department that holds itself to the highest standards and a board that is committed to making sure our practices always reflect our values. That is Scarsdale at its best, and I will once again introduce someone who certainly does not need an introduction. Congressman, the floor is yours whenever you are ready.

Congressman Latimer's Report

Congressman Latimer thanked the mayor and board for the opportunity to speak and complimented the Village's handling of the recent snowstorm. He discussed the federal government's budget process and the partial shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security. Congressman Latimer explained the impact of the shutdown on various federal agencies, including FEMA, the Coast Guard, and TSA. He mentioned an upcoming roundtable discussion on tariffs and their impact on the business community. Congressman Latimer encouraged the Village to submit requests for federal funding for important projects and offered to assist the village in navigating the federal funding process and working with federal representatives.

Manager’s Comments

As we continue through this snowy winter and begin to see increased roadway wear, I wanted to highlight that New York State has a pothole reporting line, administered by the Department of Transportation. Residents are encouraged to report potholes on state roads by calling 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653) or submitting a report online through the New York State DOT website. State roadways in our community include Route 22, Weaver Street, and Palmer Ave. Prompt reporting helps ensure repairs are made as quickly as possible and allows crews to prioritize areas experiencing the greatest impact. More information about this program will be in this week's edition of Scarsdale Official.