CITY OF PEEKSKILL
Results of City Walkability Survey Inform Advocacy Efforts
What are community members’ top priorities when it comes to street safety in Peekskill? Of 85 respondents who responded to a survey by the advocacy group Peekskill Walks, about 45 percent chose pedestrian infrastructure conditions.
Other priorities were speeding and reckless driving (28.7 percent), litter (13.8 percent), illegal parking (5.7 percent), public spaces and seating (3.5 percent), and school zones and student walking conditions (3.5 percent).
About 25 locations across the city were reported as in need of improvement. Problems ranged from a lack of stop signs or crosswalks and inaccessible walkways for people in wheelchairs or pushing strollers, to no public trash cans. Respondents largely reported low scores on perception of municipal government’s response to issues.
The results of the survey informed Peekskill Walks’ next steps and priorities at its meeting at the Field Library on Tuesday, April 7, with pedestrian infrastructure conditions being the clear winner as a priority going forward.
Peekskill Walks Member Jen Zawacki said the best next step is starting a dialogue with Peekskill City Manager Matthew Alexander.
Other recommendations by about 10 members at the meeting included building on its relationship with the Planning Department, building relationships with the new leadership of the Department of Public Works and Police Department, offering publicity for the city when they do something positive rather than being adversarial, and having Peekskill Walks be a voice for residents who fear public speaking at council meetings.
“We need to approach the city [and] come at this from positivity and with the idea that we all want to have these things,” Zawacki said. “Becasue I’m assuming it’s true that everyone who works in city government is doing it because they want to improve the city. So let’s help them do that. So let’s come at it from like, ‘tell us how we can support you.’”
Some members also suggested the city should further fine property owners who have sidewalks in disrepair, paint more crosswalks, and expand category options on SeeClickFix, the mechanism the city uses to enable residents to report neighborhood issues such as potholes and street lights out.
– Eric Harvey
Firehouse Grille Restaurant for Sale for $2.2 Million
The NY Firehouse Grille at 63 Welcher Avenue is up for sale.
Michael Steinberg, a business broker, posted on social media that the 100-year-old restaurant brings in $35,000 a week and profits roughly $7,000 a week. The restaurant reopened in September 2023 after a fire caused it to temporarily shut down.
“The business not only has a great clientele and an established goodwill but it also has government contracts and is run semi absentee with the full staff in place,” Steinberg said. “The seller also has plans to build a rooftop bar that will add tremendous value to the business and to the property.”
Broker Delaney Wallace told the Peekskill Herald that the total purchase price is $2.2 million. He said those interested in purchasing the business or looking to sell their business in Westchester County can reach him at (914) 348-5314 or [email protected].
May 1 Is Deadline for Submitting Tax Exemption Applications
The City of Peekskill Assessment Department announced that the final deadline for submitting all property tax exemption applications is May 1.
Star Credit: New homeowners can register with New York State for the STAR Credit Check. Register at www.tax.ny.gov/star or by phone at (518) 457-2036.
STAR Enhanced: For homeowners who turn 65 by Dec. 31, 2026, New York State Dept. of Taxation and Finance will automatically upgrade eligible recipients. *
Senior Citizen: Owners must be 65 or older, unless the owners are a married couple or siblings, in which case only one person needs to meet the age requirement. *
Disabled: A homeowner awarded disability from Social Security Administration. *
Veterans: Various exemptions are available for veterans of U.S. Armed Forces.
Clergy: Clergy members employed, disabled, or retired should contact the Assessor’s Office.
*Income qualifications apply.
For more information, contact the Assessor’s Office at (914) 734-4190. 840 Main Street, Peekskill, New York 10566.
For a presentation by Assessor Robert Morin on the partial real estate tax exemptions available to Peekskill homeowners, watch the Peekskill Common Council work session meeting on April 6 by clicking here.
Fire Department Holding Recruitment Open House
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter?
The Peekskill Fire Department is holding a recruitment open house at 1141 Main St. on April 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Those interested in learning how to become a volunteer fire can click here.
City Seeks Plumbing Inspector, Police Dispatcher, Senior Office Assistant
The City of Peekskill is seeking to hire for three full-time positions.
Those positions include a plumbing inspector, police dispatcher, and senior office assistant for the police department.
For more information about the positions and to apply, click here.
STATE
Peter Chatzky Suspends NY-17 Congressional Campaign
Another Democrat seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler from Congressional District 17 has dropped out of the primary race, leaving five candidates.
After launching a campaign ten months ago and investing $5 million of his own money, Peter Chatzky, deputy mayor of Briarcliff Manor, announced the suspension of his campaign in a statement on Thursday, April 9.
While Chatzky said polls indicated he was one of three candidates that could win the primary, he said polls should not be the final answer and that only voters can be.
The announcement came weeks after Chatzky faced calls to resign after his crude social media posts about women were uncovered, although Chatzky attributed the suspension of his campaign to better dedicating resources to defeat Lawler.
“Were I to continue my campaign, the party establishment and my competitors would need to spend significant effort and money to defeat me, resources that would be better used to defeat Mike Lawler,” Chatzky said.
He continued, “This race has, for the most part, been exhilarating. I have met so many great people, drank so much coffee, and will forever appreciate the opportunity I had to participate in it as a candidate. I do plan to stay involved and will put my knowledge and resources to a use in a way that I hope will achieve the one goal on which we all [sic] of us agree: ending the Trump regime and getting America back on the right track.”
The remaining candidates are John Capello, Cait Conley, Beth Davidson, Effie Phillips-Staley, and Mike Sacks.
Chatzky’s full statement can be viewed by clicking here.
Tip Line Is Always Open at the Peekskill Herald
Have a story idea that you’d like to see a reporter from the Peekskill Herald check out?
We always want to hear from our readers. We’ll review and evaluate the submissions and select those that may lead to a story we publish. You can reach us at [email protected].
