Irvington Alerts
From the Mayor’s Desk…October 17, 2025
I am writing to provide you with brief updates regarding the work of the Streamlining Committee, the transition to a new Village Administrator, the significance of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the impact of the Village’s Halloween plans on traffic.
Streamlining Committee
The Land Use Approvals Streamlining Committee was established to develop proposals to streamline, simplify and improve the approval process for land use projects (construction, renovation, and other modifications to residential and commercial properties). On October 15, 2025, David Zweibel and Randy Huff, Co-Chairs of the Committee presented the Committee’s report at a work session of the Village Board. The recording of the presentation can be viewed here (@ 3 min. 40 sec.): https://www.youtube.com/live/Zs-3nirpc2Q?si=TmkhnfHDWx51ws_s The Committee made thirteen recommendations for improvements and provided suggested time frames for addressing the recommendations. Many of the recommendations require the Board to select among multiple options and/or necessitate further group work. Accordingly, the Streamlining Committee also suggested creation of implementation committees to determine how to address the contents of their report. The Streamlining Committee will present an executive summary of their report at the regular meeting of the Village Board held next Monday, October 20, 2025 at 7 pm. There will be opportunity for public comment at that meeting so I encourage you to participate in person or online as these recommendations have the potential to make meaningful changes in the land use approval process and the character of the Village.
Village Administrator - Changing of the Guard
Larry Schopfer, our long serving Village Administrator, has retired effective today. Having worked as Mayor and Trustee with Larry for almost seven years, I will miss his sage advice and equanimity. As his parting act, Larry has for the last six weeks trained his replacement, our new Village Administrator Charles Hessler. Based on my interaction with Charles I am confident he will be a worthy successor and I look forward to working with him until the end of my term. Irvington is fortunate to have had the services of Larry Schopfer for as long as we did and to have identified Charles Hessler as our Village Administrator of the future.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The link to the Village’s announcement on this subject is https://page.alertsense.com/content/2121/109375 . From October 16th through October 23rd the Village Clock Tower will be lit purple to demonstrate solidarity with survivors and to honor their strength and resilience. During this week community members will be sharing information, resources, and ways you can make a difference.
Halloween in Irvington
In order to improve safety and enjoyment of this year’s Village Halloween celebration, from 5 pm to 10 pm on October 31, 2025 Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Buckhout to just below the Main Street School parking lot. There will also be road detours to accommodate the closure. The details of road closures, detours, available parking and the deadline for removing cars from the closed portion of Main Street, are provided at this link:
https://www.irvingtonny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3245 Please plan ahead so you can enjoy trick or treating and the bands that will be performing at venues detailed both in my letter from the Mayor’s Desk dated October 8, 2025 and in posters to be put up around Main Street by the band organizers.
I hope to see many of you at the Halloween celebration. Look for me masquerading as a drummer in one of the bands at Village Hall.
Regards,
Jon Siegel
Mayor
Streamlining Committee
The Land Use Approvals Streamlining Committee was established to develop proposals to streamline, simplify and improve the approval process for land use projects (construction, renovation, and other modifications to residential and commercial properties). On October 15, 2025, David Zweibel and Randy Huff, Co-Chairs of the Committee presented the Committee’s report at a work session of the Village Board. The recording of the presentation can be viewed here (@ 3 min. 40 sec.): https://www.youtube.com/live/Zs-3nirpc2Q?si=TmkhnfHDWx51ws_s The Committee made thirteen recommendations for improvements and provided suggested time frames for addressing the recommendations. Many of the recommendations require the Board to select among multiple options and/or necessitate further group work. Accordingly, the Streamlining Committee also suggested creation of implementation committees to determine how to address the contents of their report. The Streamlining Committee will present an executive summary of their report at the regular meeting of the Village Board held next Monday, October 20, 2025 at 7 pm. There will be opportunity for public comment at that meeting so I encourage you to participate in person or online as these recommendations have the potential to make meaningful changes in the land use approval process and the character of the Village.
Village Administrator - Changing of the Guard
Larry Schopfer, our long serving Village Administrator, has retired effective today. Having worked as Mayor and Trustee with Larry for almost seven years, I will miss his sage advice and equanimity. As his parting act, Larry has for the last six weeks trained his replacement, our new Village Administrator Charles Hessler. Based on my interaction with Charles I am confident he will be a worthy successor and I look forward to working with him until the end of my term. Irvington is fortunate to have had the services of Larry Schopfer for as long as we did and to have identified Charles Hessler as our Village Administrator of the future.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The link to the Village’s announcement on this subject is https://page.alertsense.com/content/2121/109375 . From October 16th through October 23rd the Village Clock Tower will be lit purple to demonstrate solidarity with survivors and to honor their strength and resilience. During this week community members will be sharing information, resources, and ways you can make a difference.
Halloween in Irvington
In order to improve safety and enjoyment of this year’s Village Halloween celebration, from 5 pm to 10 pm on October 31, 2025 Main Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Buckhout to just below the Main Street School parking lot. There will also be road detours to accommodate the closure. The details of road closures, detours, available parking and the deadline for removing cars from the closed portion of Main Street, are provided at this link:
https://www.irvingtonny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3245 Please plan ahead so you can enjoy trick or treating and the bands that will be performing at venues detailed both in my letter from the Mayor’s Desk dated October 8, 2025 and in posters to be put up around Main Street by the band organizers.
I hope to see many of you at the Halloween celebration. Look for me masquerading as a drummer in one of the bands at Village Hall.
Regards,
Jon Siegel
Mayor