Thanksgiving is upon us. The smell of crisp leaves and pumpkin pie are in the air. The joy of gathering with loved ones warms our hearts, and the anticipation of the upcoming holiday season is palpable. What better time to express gratitude for what we have here in New Castle?
Of course, we have beautiful parks, thriving hamlets, and spirited town events. But what makes New Castle so special are the people (and pets) that make up our wonderful community. Our merchants not only sell fabulous items and services but are always willing to give of themselves to support local causes; our restaurants greet us with smiles and made sure we were all fed during the pandemic (including many who made generous donations); our neighbors rally around and support each other in times of joy and sorrow; our town employees work tirelessly to ensure our comfort and happiness; our teachers educate our children and encourage them to be their very best; our first responders are always ready to keep us healthy and safe; and hundreds of volunteers give their time and energy to help make our community flourish.
We see our neighbors working to bring joyful shows to the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. Ambulance and fire calls are answered at all hours of the day by dedicated volunteers. Some worked through town planning issues, while others worked on sustainability, pollinator gardens, land conservation, and limiting the airport's environmental impacts. Many volunteered their time to bring us fabulous recreation programs and to improve our fields. This year, a committee of volunteers was formed to further the CRE's efforts to celebrate and enhance diversity and inclusion. Some volunteers fought invasive vines or coached soccer and little league. Others spent time coordinating senior activities, helping our children, and beautifying our hamlets. And so very much more. Thank you all for truly making New Castle not just our address but our community and our home.
As one of our famous residents said, “It takes a village.” And each one of us is an essential piece of the fabric that weaves our incredible community together. I am forever thankful for all that you have given to our town. You continue to make a remarkable difference.
So, this Thanksgiving, I raise a glass to all of you here in New Castle. Thank you for the joy, smiles, and kindness that you bring to our community. And thank you for this extraordinary place that we call home.
P.S. If these words look familiar, it’s because they also appear in the November edition of Stroll Chappaqua magazine
The Town of New Castle would like to wish:
Happy 8th birthday to CAROLINE ACOCELLA!
Happy 8th birthday to OLIVER LEITNER!
Happy 8th birthday to EMERSON JAR!
Happy 4th birthday to SILAS HIRSHSON!
Happy birthday to BOB JOHNS!
And HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!
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!
The 11/22/22 Town Board Work Session Recap
Last night’s work session was a quick one and relatively administrative, as we know everyone is welcoming friends and family (and college kids - YAY!) home for the holidays. The Town Board authorized the issuance of an RFP for CURBSIDE FOOD WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT that we discussed at our last meeting. We also referred the initially proposed legislation regarding 50 NORTH GREELEY AVENUE to the New Castle and Westchester County Planning Boards and authorized the issuance of an RFP for a transportation consultant for that project, the fees for which would be paid by the applicant.
Want to See for Yourself?
For more information on the meeting, I urge you to watch the recording of the Town Board meeting HERE.
Our next Town Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 29th.
Let Me Shed Some “Light”
Some residents have reached out with questions about a notice they received from Con Edison advising that they selected Cca-Constellation New as their electricity supplier effective November. I spoke about this in a few of my prior Supervisor Reports but wanted to make sure everyone understands what’s going on.
As you may recall, the Town opted into the Westchester Power Community Choice aggregation program for our electricity supply a few years ago, and over 75% of our community participates in this program. It allows residents to lock into a flat rate for green energy electricity supply prices, and it spared participants from the massive utility increases that residents and businesses in less proactive towns saw this past year. To date, this program has also allowed us to mitigate 86,600 metric tons of CO2. Our contract rates with Westchester Power had been fixed until June 30, 2022.
A new two-year contract for electric supply under this program was awarded to Constellation New Energy, and the Westchester Power program electricity service resumed in November, ending a short pause during which customers returned to Con Edison supply. The program rates of 15.128 cents per kWh for 100% NYS renewable supply and 13.364 cents for standard supply will be fixed until November 2024. While this program doesn’t guarantee that we will see savings on our bills, it does provide a negotiated fixed rate, which will spare us from rate volatility.
This is an opt-out program, meaning that you were automatically enrolled unless
you specifically opted-out by the deadline. A notice to opt out was sent by mail to all residents in October. And you can opt-out and then back in at any time and without fees or penalties.
Note that a Con Edison press release from Friday, September 9th identified that energy bills this winter are likely to rise and urged residents to take steps in advance of the winter to conserve energy. Con Edison estimates that a Westchester County customer using the average of 600 kilowatt hours a month will see an average bill of $203 per month, a 27% increase compared to the $160 bill they would have seen in winter of 2021. A small commercial customer in Westchester using an average of 583 kilowatt hours per month will see an average bill of $238, an increase of 23% compared to the $194 bill they would have seen in winter of 2021. Con Edison attributes these increased prices to increased costs in the supply of natural gas; power generation plants in our region largely utilize natural gas in order to produce energy.
Okay, I have a problem. I like to shop at all our local merchants just a bit too much! But who can blame me? They are fabulous! And the personal attention can’t be beat!
This holiday season, make sure to shop, eat, and stay local starting with Small Business Saturday on November 26th. We encourage all New Castle residents (and your out-of-town friends) to shop local here in New Castle to boost our local economy, support our small business community, and show our merchants some love! Not only will you make a big impact, but it will make you feel good, and your gifts will be so much more special!
IMPORTANT - CCSD Bond Vote!
Everyone living in the Chappaqua Central School District should read up on the proposed CCSD Facilities Improvement and School Safety Bond. You then should VOTE on the two propositions on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 7am-9pm at Horace Greeley High School.
REFERENDUM #1: Infrastructure Repairs and Upgrades – TOTAL COST $33,985,000
Safety & Security
Roof Replacement (all buildings)
Greeley J Bridge (full replacement) ;
Greeley Fire Alarm System Replacement
Electronic Classroom Door Locking System (K-8 buildings)
Preventative Maintenance and Repair
Paving Projects at Greeley and Westorchard
Electrical Panel/Underground Feeder Cable Replacement (Greeley Gym)
HVAC Repair and Replacement (all buildings)
Playground Resurfacing at Elementary buildings
Light Pole Replacement at Greeley Tennis Court
Auditorium Upgrades at Greeley
Network & Fiber Optics Upgrades (all buildings)
Priority Upgrades to Support Academic and Extracurricular Programming
Air Conditioning in Cafeterias and Gyms (all buildings)
Air Conditioning in L Building at Greeley
Outdoor Bathrooms at Greeley
Storage at Greeley's Athletic Complex
Modified Baseball Field at Seven Bridges
REFERENDUM #2: Single Point of Entrance – TOTAL COST $11,340,000
The second proposal creates a single point of entrance at Horace Greeley High School by redesigning the front entrance and office spaces. This proposal is based on the 2019 recommendations from the CCSD Safety and Security Task Force, as well as recommendations from professional safety audits conducted prior to the pandemic.
As part of New Castle’s commitment to protect Monarch Butterflies, our Mayors’ Monarch Pledge report has been approved by the National Wildlife Federation Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Team.
Reminder - Sanitation and Recycling Holiday Schedule
Town of New Castle November Recycle Center and SaniPro Disposal Holiday Changes
Recycling Center
Recycling Center Closed Thursday, November 24th
Recycling Center Closed Friday, November 25th
Recycling Center Open Saturday, November 26th
SaniPro Disposal
SaniPro Disposal not making collections for Zone 4 on Thursday, November 24th
Zone 4 will be collected on Friday, November 25th
Zone 5 will be collected on Saturday, November 26th
No Changes for Zones 1-3
2023 Parking Applications are Due
The new parking year beings December 15, 2022 and will run through December 14, 2023.
Friends of Buttonhook Forest
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
What a better opportunity than Thanksgiving weekend to learn more about Native Americans?
On Saturday Nov. 26, spend an afternoon with Drew Shuptar-Rayvis and go back in time.
Drew will not only speak to us of these times, he will also demonstrate and represent them. His attire and objects reflect the interconnected relationships between the Dutch, English, and Algonkian peoples and represent the adaptation of Native American life to European settlement and trade goods, including the importance and use of wampum. #scouts #fashionhistory #earlycolony
For more information: https://preservebuttonhook.ticketleap.com/chappaqua-celebrates-native-american-heritage-day/details
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @chappaquafarmersmarket and Facebook to stay up to date every week!
Chappaqua's Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 3rd
Comedy Night at ChappPAC
Friday, December 2nd
8:00PM
Join us for a great evening of laughs, some beer or wine and a whole lot of fun! We are planning to make Comedy Night a bi-monthlyh event at ChappPAC (that means every other month). Start December off with a giggle with friends and neighbors.
Winter Wonderland
A Very Merry
Holiday Show
Saturday, Dec. 10
11:00AM
Come celebrate the holiday season with this festive show filled with song and dance, led by none other than the Clauses and their North Pole friends! Plenty of surprises and fun photo opportunities await you in this festive celebration!
Follow the Holocaust & Human Rights Committee on Social Media:
Grand Chanukah Celebration & Giant Menorah Lightning - With Guest Dignitaries
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
EPIC All-Inclusive Student Short-Film Festival
Are you a middle or high school student who likes making short films? Get a chance to see your film up on the BIG screen!
The New Castle EPIC Committee with The New Castle Recreation Department is hosting an EPIC All-Inclusive Student Short-Film Festival. We will be accepting short films for consideration now through December 31. The festival, which will be free and open to the public, will take place at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 14. All rules and regulations can be found on the website: https://epicfilmfestival.wordpress.com/
New Castle
Recreation & Parks
Letters to Santa
Save the Dates!
Wanted - Ski Chaperones
New Castle Senior Services
Senior Happenings
We look forward to seeing you at future events and programs. Please call the Center at 238-8888 for more information, and continue to check this enewsletter for weekly updates.
November 25: Open 1:00-6:00 pm (closed in the morning)
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.
LBGTQIA+ Committee
The Town of New Castle is looking for volunteers to serve on its LBGTQIA+ Committee. The Committee shall establish channels for outreach and inclusion for members of our community who identify as LBGTQIA+ and their allies, including providing information and resources.
If interested please complete the Committee Application at the link HERE.
Environmental Review Board
The Environmental Review Board (ERB) is governed by Chapter 137 “Wetlands” of the Town Code of New Castle. The ERB is the primary approving authority for applications submitted in connection with the Town’s wetlands regulations.
Members are expected to be familiar with the regulatory thresholds and requirements of the Town ordinances relating to environmental protection, including steep slopes, trees, and especially wetlands and wetland buffers. They are also encouraged to develop skill in reading blueprints, maps, and draft plans, as well as the basic science underlying environmental evaluation.
Meetings are held the third Monday of every month.
If you are interested in serving on this board please complete the Board Application at the link HERE.
COVID Update
11/22/2022: 3,272 Countywide, 38 New Castle
11/16/2022: 3,311 Countywide, 40 New Castle
11/9/2022: 3,413 Countywide, 52 New Castle
11/1/2022: 3,120 Countywide, 48 New Castle
10/25/2022: 3,044 Countywide, 48 New Castle
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.
Stay Connected
To stay informed about your local government and community, click here to sign up for Town Hall e-News and Community e-News, and sign up with Nixle and Code Red to receive text messages and/or emails for emergency alerts and community events.
Community e-News Submissions
The Town uses the eNewsletter to keep residents informed about community news, meetings, events, initiatives, announcements and other important information. In addition, civic groups, not-for-profit and charitable organizations are welcome to submit time, place and date announcements for their upcoming events for inclusion in the eNewsletter free of charge.
Click here for Con Edison's Storm Central including outage location maps, storm preparation, and recovery tips!
