Irvington Alerts
From the Mayor’s Desk…April 1, 2025
With the advent of spring, I write to remind you that April is Earth month, a time to focus on environmental issues and promote sustainable practices. Leading the effort in April (and all the other months of the year) is the Irvington Green Policy Task Force (“GPTF”) organized by Irvington’s Sustainability Director Charlotte Binns.
GPTF Activities Planned For Earth Month
Among the near-term events planned by the GPTF are:
(i) Climate Talk on April 2 at 7 p.m. As part of Irvington's climate action, adaptation & resilience planning, as well as emergency preparedness, the GPTF is creating Village neighborhood networks with distinct communication channels. Communities that engage in mutual aid build resilience by ensuring that resources and support reach those in need quickly and efficiently, especially during crises. Learn more at https://www.irvingtongreen.org/events and please join the catered workshop at the library on April 2.
(ii) Disaster Preparedness Game. Related to the theme of the Climate Talk is Irvington Zombies: a resilience and survival game brought to you by the GPTF, Presbyterian Church and Rivertowns Playhouse. Neighborhood based teams will compete in a month of challenges designed to make neighborhoods more resilient by identifying vulnerabilities and resources through mutual aid networks, preparing for disasters and establishing relationships among neighbors. It all culminates in a zombie survival game simulating climate catastrophes on May 30th. Learn more at https://www.irvingtongreen.org/climate/emergency-preparedness; and
(iii) Clean Ups at Old Croton Aqueduct and Saw Mill River. There will be cleanup efforts at OCA from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 (register at https://forms.gle/w5n9wpbmcAzMDK3U6) and Saw Mill River from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 (register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-saw-mill-river-cleanup-2025-great-hunger-memorialwoodlands-lake-tickets-1301204109519?aff=oddtdtcreator)
In the spirit of Earth Month, the Village, GPTF and other volunteers are also undertaking projects beneficial to the environment, including:
(i) Village Hall Heat Pumps. The Village Hall HVAC system is being converted from oil-fired heat to an energy efficient heat pump system. The project is funded by a series of grants totaling $482,500 from NYSERDA under the Clean Energy Communities grant program. The grants were earned through energy efficiency actions spearheaded by GPTF volunteers. Actions included community campaigns for electric vehicle adoption and electric heat pump upgrades, and helping the Village document previous environmental efficiency actions such as the purchase of fleet electric vehicles and HVAC upgrades;
(ii) Electric Chargers. The Village is awaiting an inter-municipal agreement to cover grant funds from the County for the planned installation of additional electric vehicle chargers around the Village;
(iii) Reduction of Energy Consumption. The Village is reducing its energy consumption during peak grid hours when it costs the most through participation in Con Edison’s Smart Usage Rewards program. Methods include turning off lights, raising thermostats and charging vehicles during off peak hours. In addition to saving on its bills the Village receives modest incentive payments for its successful efforts; and
(iv) Irvington Woods Invasives Cleanup. The Woods Committee, led by Chair Zoe Hamilton-vom Baur, and the Irvington Recreation and Parks Department are conducting an invasive vegetation cleanup in Irvington Woods Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5. Please help remove Japanese barberry from our woods and learn best practices for identification, removal and tool usage. The cleanup will start at O’Hara Nature Center, 170 Mountain Road. Prior registration is required at register.capturepoint.com/villageofirvington.
Join me in thanking the GPTF, the Woods Committee and Village employees for their continuing successful efforts on behalf of our environment and, if you can, please participate in these planned events.
Regards,
Jon Siegel, Mayor
jsiegel@irvingtonny.gov
GPTF Activities Planned For Earth Month
Among the near-term events planned by the GPTF are:
(i) Climate Talk on April 2 at 7 p.m. As part of Irvington's climate action, adaptation & resilience planning, as well as emergency preparedness, the GPTF is creating Village neighborhood networks with distinct communication channels. Communities that engage in mutual aid build resilience by ensuring that resources and support reach those in need quickly and efficiently, especially during crises. Learn more at https://www.irvingtongreen.org/events and please join the catered workshop at the library on April 2.
(ii) Disaster Preparedness Game. Related to the theme of the Climate Talk is Irvington Zombies: a resilience and survival game brought to you by the GPTF, Presbyterian Church and Rivertowns Playhouse. Neighborhood based teams will compete in a month of challenges designed to make neighborhoods more resilient by identifying vulnerabilities and resources through mutual aid networks, preparing for disasters and establishing relationships among neighbors. It all culminates in a zombie survival game simulating climate catastrophes on May 30th. Learn more at https://www.irvingtongreen.org/climate/emergency-preparedness; and
(iii) Clean Ups at Old Croton Aqueduct and Saw Mill River. There will be cleanup efforts at OCA from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 19 (register at https://forms.gle/w5n9wpbmcAzMDK3U6) and Saw Mill River from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26 (register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-saw-mill-river-cleanup-2025-great-hunger-memorialwoodlands-lake-tickets-1301204109519?aff=oddtdtcreator)
In the spirit of Earth Month, the Village, GPTF and other volunteers are also undertaking projects beneficial to the environment, including:
(i) Village Hall Heat Pumps. The Village Hall HVAC system is being converted from oil-fired heat to an energy efficient heat pump system. The project is funded by a series of grants totaling $482,500 from NYSERDA under the Clean Energy Communities grant program. The grants were earned through energy efficiency actions spearheaded by GPTF volunteers. Actions included community campaigns for electric vehicle adoption and electric heat pump upgrades, and helping the Village document previous environmental efficiency actions such as the purchase of fleet electric vehicles and HVAC upgrades;
(ii) Electric Chargers. The Village is awaiting an inter-municipal agreement to cover grant funds from the County for the planned installation of additional electric vehicle chargers around the Village;
(iii) Reduction of Energy Consumption. The Village is reducing its energy consumption during peak grid hours when it costs the most through participation in Con Edison’s Smart Usage Rewards program. Methods include turning off lights, raising thermostats and charging vehicles during off peak hours. In addition to saving on its bills the Village receives modest incentive payments for its successful efforts; and
(iv) Irvington Woods Invasives Cleanup. The Woods Committee, led by Chair Zoe Hamilton-vom Baur, and the Irvington Recreation and Parks Department are conducting an invasive vegetation cleanup in Irvington Woods Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 5. Please help remove Japanese barberry from our woods and learn best practices for identification, removal and tool usage. The cleanup will start at O’Hara Nature Center, 170 Mountain Road. Prior registration is required at register.capturepoint.com/villageofirvington.
Join me in thanking the GPTF, the Woods Committee and Village employees for their continuing successful efforts on behalf of our environment and, if you can, please participate in these planned events.
Regards,
Jon Siegel, Mayor
jsiegel@irvingtonny.gov