Public hearing to override tax cap set for Nov. 12
Peekskill residents will get their chance to speak at a public hearing scheduled for Nov. 12 on whether or not the city should break the state’s 2 percent property tax cap next year.
The Common Council must first vote to approve breaking the cap before any budget over 2 percent can then be approved with another vote. By state law, 60 percent of a governing body must authorize the override, so in Peekskill, five of the seven council members would need to say yes.
If the authorization passes, a later vote will then determine what the 2025 tax rate will be. City Manager Matt Alexander proposed raising the tax by 4.65 percent in the tentative budget he presented earlier this month. A final budget must be passed by Dec. 1.
In the resolution calling for raising taxes above the 2 percent cap, Alexander cites a potential 12 percent increase in health insurance premiums next year that would cost the city $2.76 million. He rules out using money from the fund balance to pay for the increase as was done in previous years, saying “… the City has determined that it must control costs, reduce expenses, add new revenue sources, and increase its tax rate over the allowable tax cap in multiple years in order to keep a balanced budget.”
The total City of Peekskill budget proposed for 2025 is $55.62 million, an increase of $4.59 million over the 2024 budget.
– By Jim Roberts
School absentee rates remain high after Covid era closures
Chronic absence from school in Peekskill was nearly 50 percent lower than the state average according to the most recent figures compiled by the New York state Department of Education.
Defined as missing at least 10 percent of days in the school year, or about 18 days, chronic absenteeism is significantly higher in the years after the Covid pandemic shut down in-school attendance for 18 months or more.
In Peekskill, the absentee figure was 10.2 percent pre-pandemic in the 2018-19 school year. In 2020-21, the rate rose to 17.8 percent and remained at an elevated rate of 17 percent in 2022-23, the most current year’s statistic available from the state.
Statewide, absenteeism totaled 29.1 percent in New York in 2022-23 compared to the lowest rate of 16.6 percent in New Jersey and the highest of 45 percent in Alaska. Thirty-nine states reported their absentee rates that year.
Other districts in the area had lower absenteeism rates compared to Peekskill. In the Hendrick Hudson district the figures were 2018-19 6.5 percent; 2020-21 11.9 percent; and 2022-23 15.1 percent. In the neighboring towns of Yorktown and Ossining, the rates were: Yorktown – 5.7 percent, 7.6 percent, 8.9 percent and Ossining – .02 percent, 15.4 percent, 12.1 percent.
Suggestions from the state Education Department that school districts can implement to reduce chronic absenteeism include expanding school breakfast programs as a means of getting students to school each day and on time, introducing intramural sports before school instead of after, and having staff greet and welcome students.
Other approaches include making class participation a portion of older students’ grades, requiring regular school day attendance to participate in after school programs, sharing data between schools and after-school programs to identify students at risk of chronic absenteeism and provide supports, engaging in frequent and positive communications with parents and caregivers, and recognizing good attendance and improvements in attendance, not just perfect attendance.
– By Jim Roberts
Street paving program ongoing throughout the city
The City of Peekskill’s 2024 Paving Program started on Thursday, Oct. 10. Lane and street closures will occur on the following streets:
Montross Ave; Brown St (Elizabeth to James); Elm St (Maple to Wells); Vail Ave; Pomeroy Ave (Hudson to Elm St); Summit Ave; James St (Brown St to Main St); Pemart Ave (Dead End Section); Prospect Ave; Magnolia Ave; Mountain View Road; South St (Select Sections); Howard St (High to Broad); Second St; Requa St (South St to Railroad); Railroad Ave (Auto Body to Requa); Smith St (Hudson to South St).
Major construction project at Annsville Circle begins
Drivers will want to consider alternate routes to avoid Annsville Circle for the coming months as a major construction project is now underway.
A new traffic pattern controlled by temporary signals is in effect on U.S. Route 6/202 (Bear Mountain Bridge Road) between Roa Hook Road and Bear Mountain Parkway in the Town of Cortlandt, beginning Oct. 9 through April 30, 2025.
The traffic circle exit heading north is closed. All traffic over the Annsville bridge travels left to a signal light that controls the north and south roadways.
The new traffic pattern supports an ongoing flood mitigation project at the Annsville Circle. A $24 million federal grant is providing money to the state’s Department of Transportation to do the work.
The project will raise a small segment of Route 6 from Roa Hook Road to Camp Smith in the town of Cortlandt by about seven feet to reduce the risk of roadway closures due to flooding during severe weather and to ensure the roadway remains passable when sea levels rise.
In addition to ending the flooding problems the new project will create a tighter rotary at the Annsville Circle with less merging to improve the existing poorly designed traffic pattern.
Peekskill PD buys hybrid car, expands HQ with state grant
State funding of $250,000, secured through two State Senate grants, was used to purchase a new hybrid squad car and make significant renovations to the department’s headquarters for the Peekskill Police Department.
“Supporting our law enforcement professionals has always been a top priority of mine, and I’m proud to secure this quarter-million-dollar investment for the Peekskill Police Department,” said State Senator Pete Harckham. “Keeping our equipment up to date is crucial for community safety, and this new squad car will allow our officers to serve while minimizing environmental impact. The renovations will create much-needed space for Peekskill’s officers and ensure the department remains modern.”
The new vehicle, a 2023 Ford Mustang hybrid, has been added to the Peekskill PD’s fleet and is being used by the command staff and detective unit, freeing up additional patrol cars for officers. A five-passenger vehicle, the new squad car can accommodate all necessary equipment and has a range of 350 miles when fully charged.
“The City of Peekskill Police Department is willing to try and incorporate green technologies into our operations to help safeguard the environment,” said Chief Police Leo Dylewski. “We will continue to explore new ways to cut our carbon footprint, whether it is with our vehicles or our new locker room. We are appreciative of all the help we have received regarding these endeavors.”
Renovations are set to begin later this year, focusing on converting an unfinished part of the basement into an exercise and training room, as well as expanding existing locker rooms and restrooms. The current gym is insufficient for the department’s needs, and the renovations will increase the size of the exercise facility by over 30 percent. Once the new facility is completed, the old gym will be converted into a secure storage space. The renovated locker room will feature over 60 locker units and a fully ADA-compliant restroom.
“Peekskill is making great strides in reducing its carbon footprint, thanks to the commitment of our mayor, council, and Conservation Advisory Council, and I am excited to see this latest investment in electrification,” said Peekskill City Councilwoman Kathleen Talbot. “Our police will benefit greatly from these new facilities upgrades. Thank you to Senator Harckham for his continued support of our city. Having a state partner who is paying attention to our needs and able to deliver for our community is so important.”
The funding comes from the Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) program which is administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) to support community and economic development. Harckham has delivered more than $8 million of State Senate grant funding to first responders in the 40th Senate District since taking office in 2019.
Black Diamonds to hold annual fundraiser on Oct. 22
The Black Diamonds Academic Success Program is holding its annual Benefit Fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant.
This special evening will honor Turner Construction’s outstanding contributions and unwavering support for the program and community. Their commitment to fostering opportunities for young men of color has made a lasting impact, and the Black Diamonds are excited to celebrate their achievements. Tickets to the Gala are $125.
Tickets may be purchased here.
Join the fun at Family Fun Day on Oct. 19 at Depew Park
Bring the family out for the Depew Park Fun Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Depew Park.
Enjoy an afternoon that will include face painting, bounce houses, hayrides, touch a truck, pickleball and tennis activities, a live DJ, and more.
Vehicles from the Fire Department and Police Department will be there to explore. Co-sponsored by the City of Peekskill and the City of Peekskill Human Relations Commission.
Campaign launched to educate on sickle cell disease
The New York-Presbyterian Dalio Center for Health Justice has launched its Sickle Cell Awareness Ball campaign, introducing a special-edition basketball designed with one crescent-shaped red panel to represent a sickle cell and stand out against minimalist black panels.
The campaign encourages the public to learn about sickle cell disease, a chronic condition that affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., predominantly impacting Black and Hispanic Americans. New York-Presbyterian is also launching a social activation, encouraging people to film a trick shot and post it on social media using the hashtag #IBall4SickleCell.
“We hope the public and other healthcare systems will join us in raising awareness about sickle cell disease,” said Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and CEO of New York-Presbyterian. “NewYork-Presbyterian is committed to providing high-quality, innovative care for patients with this disease, and we are proud to raise awareness and do all we can to continue to advance promising new treatments and research.”
As part of this effort, New York-Presbyterian has committed $5 million to expand its clinical programs and support services for sickle cell patients.
To help raise awareness, NBA 2K, a basketball simulation video game series, includes the ball’s design in Season 1 of NBA 2K25, which was released on Sept. 6.
El Sueño opens newest restaurant at Peekskill waterfront
The latest addition to dining near the Peekskill train station has arrived at El Sueño, located in the space formerly occupied by Better Burger.
El Sueño debuted as a pop up cocktail bar with food during the Fourth of July celebrations this year. The address is 55 Hudson Ave. but the restaurant entrance is on Railroad Avenue.
The menu features tapas including mexi mussels, duck quesadilla, nachos del sueño, salchipapas and many more. Salads include kale y quinoa and el sueño caesar while the cocktail menu offers paloma del sueño, watermelon aqua fresca and green mango martini and other choices along with wines and a rotating selection of classic and seasonal beers on draft.
“We’re bringing a new energy to riverfront this fall… A little cute, a little sexy, primal, colorful …but with a shadow side too,’ El Sueño says, inviting everyone to join the scene.
Tracy Morgan Paramount show postponed to February
Due to a scheduling conflict, Tracy Morgan’s October 26 show at the Paramount has been moved to Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. Ticket holders will have their exact same seats for the new date and will be contacted directly from the box office.
The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater continues to present an outstanding series of shows through the end of 2024. Upcoming highlights include “The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute” on Oct. 19; Brian Kilmeade, The History, Liberty and Laughs Tour on Oct. 20; and a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Oct. 31.
November shows will feature Jim Breuer – Survival with Laughter Tour on Nov. 1; Air Supply on Nov. 7; An Evening with Dionne Warwick on Nov. 10; and Anthony Rodia: Totally Relatable Tour on Nov. 15 and 16 (second show added).
Schedule and ticket information available on the Paramount’s website.
Peekskill restaurateur closes Croton location
The restaurant 140 Grand in Croton-on-Hudson permanently closed its doors on Sunday, Oct. 13.
“We thank you for all the support and love we received over the last five years,” the owner wrote in their post, adding, “We definitely made great use of this location.”
The restaurant’s kitchen was run by Chef Enzo Deraco, who also worked at Gleason’s and Birdsall House in nearby Peekskill as well as the now-closed MTK Tavern venue in Mount Kisco.
This February, DeRaco and Anthony Maguire, owners of Slainte Peekskill, opened a new eatery, 140 Kitchen, in the former Gleason’s location at 911 South St.
Maguire served as the contractor on the physical space and Executive Chef and General Manager Shauna Leigh Franz was brought in to head up the cuisine and operations.
A tasting menu of their Asian-infused offerings began with the smokey hoisin wings appetizer and wrapped up with honey buttermilk bread dessert. Along the way, diners sampled broccoli tempura, pork belly bao buns, sliders (with bacon!), smoked gouda mac & cheese, salad with house ginger dressing, and two mains: their New York strip steak and bbq smoked brisket.
Depew Park joins the list of best fall hikes in Westchester
Peekskill’s “Central Park” is one of the top recommendations for a fall hike in Westchester County.
Depew Park is listed as one of the best places for fall hikes according to Jane Daniels, author of Walkable Westchester, naming the best foliage viewing experiences in her article for Westchester magazine.
“Fall is the perfect time to get out and exercise in Westchester. Not only is it the last chance to do so without having to put on 30 layers of clothes, but it also offers an opportunity to see beautiful foliage. (Peak viewing season in Westchester County is expected to hit sometime around mid-October this year.) Yet with hundreds of miles of trails all over the county, it can be hard to know where to start.”
1 Robin Dr, Peekskill
Daniels: “There is something for everyone at Depew Park: walk, run, or walk your dog. Short strolls take you to Lake Mitchell, by wetlands, or into adjacent Blue Mountain Reservation for a longer hike.”
Riverfront views, safe place to live make favorites list
The Peekskill/Buchanan area placed in two categories of the Best Places to Live in Westchester in 2024 in a poll of readers conducted by Westchester magazine.
Down by the River: Rivertowns
Although all the Rivertowns have waterfronts and views to admire, we found Cortlandt, Peekskill, Tarrytown and Yonkers are the standouts for water aficionados.
At Charles Point’s Fleischmann Pier or Riverfront Green Park in Peekskill, you can take in the views with plenty of space to have a picnic or just enjoy some river watching.
Now Safer Than Ever: Buchanan
One of two villages in the town of Cortlandt, tiny Buchanan, with a population of 2,000-plus, sits partially along the Hudson River just south of Putnam County. Characterized by woods, streams, and wetlands, it has a suburban/rural vibe, a property crime incidence rate of 7.3, and a violent crime incidence rate of six per 1,000 residents annually. Fun fact: Buchanan is the smallest municipality in the world that formerly had a nuclear power plant (Indian Point Energy Center was decommissioned in 2021).
Ginsberg top property management firm in Westchester
Ginsberg Development Companies was voted best Residential Property Management firm by 914INC magazine
“Few organizations have changed the very face of our county quite like Ginsberg Development Companies.
“In operation for more than six decades and a five-time winner of Westchester Magazine’s Best Residential Developer, Ginsberg has been behind a crop of eye-catching county constructions, including the glitzy Christie Place in Scarsdale, Ossining’s Harbor Square, the Fort Hill apartments in Peekskill, as well as the sprawling River Tides, 1177, and Stratus, all located amid Yonkers’ Greystone neighborhood.
“Led by visionary architect Martin Ginsburg, these Valhalla-based developers have an undoubtedly bright future ahead, considering their outsized impact over the last half-century.”
Obituaries
Helen (Mills) Underwood
Helen (Mills) Underwood, 93, passed peacefully into eternal rest on Oct. 5, 2024. She was born on Jan. 14,1931 in Peekskill, New York, to Samuel and Alice Mills. Helen was a graduate of Peekskill High School, Class of 1948. She married the love of her life, Orval K. Underwood, on June 10, 1951 and was happily married for 45 years. She and Orval had five children.
Helen was an active member of her community. She worked for many years as the Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Putnam Valley, NY. She was a member of the St. Columbanus Church and sang in the choir. Helen was also a Life member of the Putnam Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps. where she rode as an EMT. Helen enjoyed crossword puzzles, sitting on her back deck enjoying the birds and time with her family.
Helen was pre-deceased by her parents Samuel and Alice, and stepfather; Joseph French, her husband; Orval, her daughter; Catherine Anderson, as well as her siblings; William Mills, Anastasia Williams, John Mills, and Edward Mills.
Helen is survived by her sister Alice Bracken of Smyrna, Delaware, her children; Orval V. (Tracy), Michael (Jeanne), Barbara (Christopher) Diorio, and, Maryellen Brown, her loving grandchildren; Jennifer (Stuart) Wells, David (Donna) Anderson Jr., Danielle (Charles) Paulson, Christopher (Cheryll) Diorio Jr., Orval J. (Rachel) Underwood, William Underwood, Joel Underwood, Garret Underwood, and Zachary Brown, her great grandchildren; David (Madelyn) Anderson III, Alyssa (Michael) Austin, Allison Anderson, Tyler Cargain, Jackson Diorio, Jacob Diorio, Sophia Paulson, Liam Paulson, Finley Paulson, Orval J. Underwood Jr., Ruby Underwood and Macie Underwood. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Helen will always be remembered as loving and devoted to her family. She will be greatly missed.
John (Jack) Kelleher Doyle
John (Jack) Kelleher Doyle passed away peacefully on Oct. 4, 2024. The son of Agnes and John Doyle, Jack was born on July 19, 1937, in Troy, NY. After graduating from Catholic high school, Jack attended St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt.
Upon his discharge from the army, Jack began his career in sales at Hedley Cadillac in Troy, NY. His boss was impressed when Jack volunteered to make the weekly bank deposits at Troy Savings Bank. Little did he know it was because of a captivating bank teller working there named Mary Quinlan! Jack’s greatest sales pitch was convincing Mary to go on a date with him. That date ultimately led to five sons, eleven grandchildren, and 60 years of happy marriage.
Jack’s career brought the family to settle in Cortlandt Manor, NY. There, the neighbors became friends and those friends became family. The kitchen of 28 Forest Avenue was an iconic gathering spot for countless happy hours, gatherings, and holidays for all who knew them.
In spite of the long hours Jack worked at Tobin’s First Prize, and later John Morrell, he was very active in the local community. He loved coaching his sons’ Little League teams, was a leading member of the High School Booster Club, and took on ambitious construction projects improving the athletic fields and facilities. Jack’s most ambitious and proudest accomplishment was working with Mary, to fundraise and help build The Church of The Holy Spirit. Prior to that initiative, there was no physical church in Cortlandt Manor and services were held in the movie theater of the Beach Shopping Plaza. Jack and Mary were proud and faithful parishioners for over 50 years.
As the boys grew up and became more independent, the Peekskill Yacht Club became Jack and Mary’s happy place. Through the club, they embarked on many adventures with other members creating deep and lasting friendships. Although their boat was already named when they purchased it, the Carpe Diem was a perfect fit.
It was no surprise that Jack’s passions were sales, coaching, the community, and the boat club. Jack loved people and thrived on making connections. He never met a stranger because within three minutes of an introduction he would know where you were from, where you lived now, and what you did for a living. Then, he would not rest until he had found a mutual connection!
Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary and his older sister Janet Mauiro. He is survived by his five adored sons John (Katherine), Michael (Elizabeth), David (Stacy), Matthew (Jessica) and his cherished grandchildren Megan, Jack, Claire, Tarah, Fiona, Connor, Mikayla, Kevin, James, Colin and Chloe. He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews of whom he was incredibly proud.
