Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! How beautiful does New Castle look right now bathed in colorful leaves and decorated with mums and pumpkins? It is simply a joy to behold, and I can’t help but smile!
And speaking of smiles, our Town events this weekend are sure to bring smiles to the faces of our youngest New Castle residents. This Saturday, they won’t want to miss dressing in costume and attending the LittleMaestros Happy Halloween Music Show at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Then keep those costumes handy because Sunday is our annual Town Ragamuffin Parade. For those of you new to Town, you won’t want to miss it – it’s simply heartwarming and adorable to watch the parade of little ghosts and goblins through the Chappaqua hamlet! My kiddos are in college, but I still attend this happy parade every year! Also on Sunday, be inspired by the tale of musicians who fought the Nazis through music with a screening of Orchestra of Exiles at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. More information on these events can be found in the flyers below.
I am also happy to report that last night the Town Board unanimously appointed a new Town Board member to fill the vacancy caused by Tara Kassal’s relocation out of Town. Alexandra Chemtob will be a wonderful addition to the Board. We welcome her viewpoints and experiences, as well as her commitment to serving the community, as we do, with thoughtfulness, transparency, ethics, and respect. And she will do it all with her winning smile! Read more about Ally in the Town Board meeting section below.
Good Luck to our 6th grade BLUE HEAT SOFTBALL TEAM in the GHVSL Playoffs beginning October 20th!
Look for the community’s best wishes to you all on the electronic sign across from the train station! We love the sense of community (and the smiles) that this brings!
If you have a community shout-out (birthdays or otherwise), please send an email to CommunityCorner@mynewcastle.org. We make our Community Corner announcements at each of our public meetings. And you can see your name in lights!
Please join me this Saturday at 1PM at Bobo’s for coffee and conversation as I sit with our State Assemblyman Chris Burdick. We will be joined by State Senator Peter Harckham and Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi. Let’s talk about what matters to you!
The 10/19/22 Town Board Meeting Recap
Welcome Ally Chemtob as our new Town Board Member!
As you know, Tara Kassal’s relocation from New Castle leaves a vacancy on the Town Board. Though it was a difficult decision for her, I know that Tara was confident that the Town would be in good hands. And as we fill her replacement tonight, I can assure everyone that this Board will continue to provide the community with dedicated, thoughtful, and respectful leadership.
Town Law dictates that the remaining members of the Town Board have the legal authority to act upon vacancies in the position of Town Councilmember. In my view, given a slate of projects to move forward, important town committees to work with, the potential for pandemic-related absences, and the fact that we no longer have the authority to hold a virtual quorum for public meetings, it is essential to bring in someone to serve out Tara’s term now, rather than to unnecessarily operate as a four-person board.
With regard to process, the Town Board met in executive session to discuss the process for appointing a new Board member to fill the current vacancy. We reached out to potential candidates and also received applications from the public at large for the position. We ended up with a pool of five well-qualified and interested candidates. The Town Board together interviewed all five candidates. We then deliberated in executive session as we customarily do with all of our appointments, and we reached a consensus as to the candidate to appoint. I again want to thank each candidate for their interest in serving our community.
As a result of this process, I am pleased to announce that last night the Town Board unanimously appointed of Alexandra Chemtob, a resident of New Castle since 2016, to fill Tara’s Town Board seat. Ally lives near Westorchard and has three young children. She is a former assistant district attorney and currently is a legal mediator and works for a nonprofit company in Yonkers focusing on conflict resolution and support for clients facing housing insecurity, among other issues. She also is an active member of the PTA.
With very young children and a home in the Campfire section of town, Ally embodies a different demographic from any current Town Board member, and one that deserves a voice, particularly coming out of the pandemic. Ally will serve a one-year appointment and began her duties last night, following a lengthy public comment session. Her seat will then be on the ballot in November 2023, giving the entire community a full opportunity to participate in the associated vacancy election cycle.
These are Ally’s words after being appointed to the Board:
“Hello and good evening. First, let me thank Lisa, Vicky, Chris, and Jeremy for appointing me to our Town Board. I am humbled by the opportunity to serve our community that I love so much.
My husband and I left Brooklyn in 2016 looking for a bit more space and a respite from city life. In just a few short years we have planted deep roots within New Castle. Now, we have two children in elementary school and our third finishing her last year of preschool. Serving on the Town Board is a chance for me to learn from those who have served before me, and an opportunity for me to offer my unique experience, skill and perspective.
Currently, I am a caseworker for a nonprofit where I manage a roster of clients who are facing eviction, homelessness and housing insecurity. I am also a volunteer mediator in Family Court where I work with clients to establish parenting plans and work through other issues related to custody and visitation. I am also an active member of the Westorchard PTA, and since 2016 I have served on various parent committees for the Early Childhood Center at Temple Beth El.
My background and interests have always centered around public sector work and service. Leadership is about relationships; we are at our best when we care for each other and work together, I look forward to getting to work to ensure that New Castle continues to be the wonderful place that it is, now and for generations to come. Thank you.”
Please join me in welcoming Ally to the Town Board.
Other News
In addition to appointing Ally, last night the Town Board discussed the creation of an Open Space Preservation Reserve Fund that would allow the Town to reserve and dedicate monies to acquire land or rights in land, and improve and/or maintain such land, for park, recreation and conservation purposes. Following a discussion, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for November 29, 2022.
We also discussed requested modification by the owner of Chappaqua Crossing that would allow them to tear down the Wright Guest House and replace it with a replica property, following our receipt of a report detailing the poor condition of the current building’s foundation. The Board is weighing this information and the financial implications of upkeep of the current guest house on future homeowners there against the benefit of maintaining the guest house in its original form from a historic preservation perspective. Following a discussion, the Board set a public hearing on this matter for November 29, 2022.
The Board also held three public hearings last night. The first two – regarding a Local Law to Amend Chapter 131 of the Town Code (Water) and a Local Law to Amend Chapter 102, Article IV of the Town Code (New Sewer Connections) were brought to the attention of the Board by our Commissioner of the Department of Public Works. They were relatively administrative, though the sewer change would require an applicant for a new sewer connection to pay town costs related thereto, rather than having all taxpayers bear that burden. There were no public comments on either public hearing, and the Town Board closed them.
The third public hearing was with regard to a Local Law to Amend Chapter 65 of the Town Code (Filming). The proposed changes to our film permit ordinance would eliminate the exemption for still photography where it can be adversely impactful on neighbors or neighborhoods. Following public comment, the Board adjourned the public hearing for a week.
We also appointed Robyn Keiles and Josh Lungen as student members of the Holocaust & Human Rights Committee. Thank you for your willingness to serve our community!
Want to See for Yourself?
For more information on any of these items, I urge you to watch the recording of the Town Board meeting HERE.
Our next Town Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 25th.
Thank You Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival!
Last weekend’s Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival was simply fantastic. The authors, the food trucks, the happy children, the community, and the BOOKS – all were marvelous! We are so lucky to have this event in our Town. Thank you so very much to Dawn Greenberg, Town Staff, Police, DPW, and all of the many volunteers who planned and participated in this hugely successful event!
Donate Candy for Downtown Trick or Treating
Our merchants are always so incredibly generous when it comes to donating merchandise for fundraisers, sponsoring sport teams and so much more. Trick or treating in downtown is a wonderful community tradition but the cost of the candy for the merchants can average around $500! So many people have asked for small ways to support the merchants, well here's a way: The Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce has set up collection bins by the police station for those who want to donate a bag (or more!) of candy for this community event. The candy will be distributed equally to participating businesses to help offset the cost to the merchants.
Ribbon Cuttings
This past weekend we held a ribbon cutting for A NEWER YOU, a medical weight loss and medispa. This beautiful space is located at 75 South Greeley Avenue on the second floor (Unit 203) in Chappaqua.
Election Day is November 8th
On November 8th, there is a local election for our Governor, U.S. Senator, U.S. Congressman, State Senator, State Assemblyman and oneNew Castle Town Board member, among others.
Please make sure you are registered to vote. DO IT TODAY!
Monday, October 24th - Absentee Ballot Registration Deadline. This is the last day for the Board of Elections to receive any APPLICATION, letter, fax, email, or online portal request for an absentee ballot for the November election. You can find more information and registration options here - https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/absentee-ballots. Don't forget that your children in college can vote by absentee ballot!
FREE Halloween Show at Chappaqua PAC
This Saturday!
Ragamuffin Halloween Parade
This Sunday!
Documentary Screening at Chappaqua PAC
Sunday at 3pm
Help Wanted!
Mission Statement
The Town of New Castle strives to identify sustainable policies, practices and procedures that promote equal access to civic involvement opportunities to all its citizens regardless of race, gender, or other protected class, thereby creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive systems of community governance. All qualified and interested residents are strongly encouraged to apply.
Board of Assessment Review
The Town of New Castle is seeking qualified candidates for 1 open position on the Board of Assessment Review.
Candidates shall have a solid knowledge of values of all types and classes of property throughout the Town of New Castle as well as a firm understanding of ad valorem taxation.
Members of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) have been vested with the duty and responsibility of hearing assessment complaints in the first instance. You will be asked to exercise judgment and discretion to render an impartial, objective determination on assessment complaints brought before the board, including a statement of the reasons for the determination.
The Board of Assessment Review (BAR) is a quasi-judicial body and the members of the board are charged with judicial responsibility to get all the facts, and apply appropriate laws and reasoning to the facts in a fair and judicious manner. Accordingly, each member of the board of assessment review should: 1. Possess judicial temperament, patience and tact. 2. Provide a fair hearing. 3. Safeguard the constitutional guarantees of due process of law. 4. Withdraw from a case where he/she deems themselves disqualified by reason of personal or business relationships or interest.
A mandatory training module must be completed after each appointment in order to serve.
The Board of Assessment Review’s primary annual meeting ison the third Tuesday of June (Grievance Day), and members must be available throughout the summer for additionaldeliberative sessions.
The term of Office is five years.
Interested? Please fill out the volunteer application form HERE. Questions? Please contact Jill Shapiro at JShapiro@mynewcastle.org
COVID Update
10/18/2022: 3,042 Countywide, 38 New Castle
10/11/2022: 3,090 Countywide, 38 New Castle
10/06/2022: 3,089 Countywide, 48 New Castle
09/29/2022: 3,482 Countywide, 63 New Castle
09/22/2022: 3,531 Countywide, 60 New Castle
09/20/2022: 3,334 Countywide, 54 New Castle
09/14/2022: 2,840 Countywide, 46 New Castle
09/08/2022: 2,755 Countywide, 41 New Castle
08/30/2022: 3,205 Countywide, 35 New Castle
08/21/2022: 3,674 Countywide, 61 New Castle
08/16/2022: 4,104 Countywide, 67 New Castle
08/11/2022: 4,694 Countywide, 67 New Castle
08/09/2022: 4,957 Countywide, 82 New Castle
08/02/2022: 5,285 Countywide, 107 New Castle
07/26/2022: 5,555 Countywide, 99 New Castle
07/19/2022: 6,007 Countywide, 103 New Castle
07/12/2022: 5,618 Countywide, 98 New Castle
07/5/2022: 5,054 Countywide, 83 New Castle
06/28/2022: 4,667 Countywide, 90 New Castle
06/22/2022: 4,519 Countywide, 94 New Castle
06/15/2022: 5,015 Countywide, 89 New Castle
06/07/2022: 5,629 Countywide, 101 New Castle
05/31/2022: 6,698 Countywide, 172 New Castle
05/24/2022: 8,093 Countywide, 247 New Castle
05/18/2022: 8,304 Countywide, 282 New Castle
05/10/2022: 6,944 Countywide, 248 New Castle
05/03/2022: 5,411 Countywide, 160 New Castle
04/26/2022: 4,683 Countywide, 127 New Castle
04/20/2022: 4,834 Countywide, 126 New Castle
04/13/2022: 4,074 Countywide, 106 New Castle
04/05/2022: 2,751 Countywide, 87 New Castle
03/30/2022: 2,279 Countywide, 66 New Castle
03/24/2022: 1,875 Countywide, 39 New Castle
03/22/2022: 1,696 Countywide, 38 New Castle
03/17/2022: 1,550 Countywide, 38 New Castle
03/15/2022: 1,516 Countywide, 43 New Castle
03/11/2022: 1,463 Countywide, 47 New Castle
03/08/2022: 1,469 Countywide, 48 New Castle
03/03/2022: 1,337 Countywide, 46 New Castle
03/01/2022: 1,559 Countywide, 46 New Castle
02/24/2022: 1,784 Countywide; 45 New Castle
02/17/2022: 2,600 Countywide; 50 New Castle
02/15/2022: 2,837 Countywide, 58 New Castle
02/10/2022: 3,797 Countywide, 69 New Castle
02/08/2022 4,614 Countywide, 86 New Castle
02/03/2022: 6,982 Countywide, 135 New Castle
02/01/2022: 8,779 Countywide, 174 New Castle
01/26/2022:16,093 Countywide; 276 New Castle
01/24/2022: 20,176 Countywide, 324 New Castle
01/19/2022: 34,213, Countywide, 491 New Castle
01/18/2022: 37,378, Countywide, 513 New Castle
01/12/2022: 48,574, Countywide, 659 New Castle
01/05/2022: 43,469, Countywide, 563 New Castle
01/03/2022: 38,802, Countywide, 538 New Castle
The Westchester County Covid-19 Dashboard can be viewed HERE
Get Vaccinated!
COVID vaccines are now widely available at pharmacies, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and other locations across the state. Visit Vaccine Finder or the NY State vaccine appointment website or call 833-NYS-4-VAX.
Town Hall: Learn More and Contact Us
Town Hall Meetings and Board Packets
Agendas, supporting documents, and minutes for Board meetings:
To watch videos from recent meetings recorded by New Castle Community Media Center, click here.
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