June 23, 2023

The Honorable Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

RE: Support for A7208/S6893 to Protect the Hudson River from Radioactive Wastewater

Dear Governor Hochul:

As you well know, Holtec Decommissioning International (Holtec) plans to dump radioactive wastewater from Indian Point into the Hudson River.

Our constituents have serious and legitimate concerns about their health and safety as well as over the potential impairment of the aquatic environment. We, the Board of Legislators of Westchester County, have used our voices to amplify our concerns and shined a light on the risks associated with wastewater contaminated with radionuclides. On March 6, 2023 we unanimously adopted a resolution to oppose the discharge of contaminated water into the Hudson River. We are one of more than two dozen communities who have taken such action and we were pleased to learn that A7208/S6893 sponsored by Assemblymember Levenberg and Senator Harckham, respectively, recently passed both houses of the New York State legislature.

We, who live here and also protect those who live here and the health of the Hudson River need your help at this critical juncture. Please sign A7208/S6893 into law immediately. We need to ensure that radioactive wastewater is not dumped into the Hudson River.

Sincerely,

Cc: Senator Peter Harckham
Assemblymember Dana Levenberg
County Executive George Latimer

The novel coronavirus outbreak is stressing all our systems. For people who are already food insecure, these are troubling times. But the need for self-quarantining, mandatory quarantining, and social distancing as well as disruptions to the supply chain create additional stresses.

The Town and Village of Ossining are coordinating volunteer and other local efforts to help those in need. If you would like to help, please contact the Village Manager’s office at kdattore@villageofossining.org or (914) 941-3554. Senior citizens in need of delivered meals should call the Ossining Senior Nutrition Program at (914) 762-1450 to register.

In addition, many local community organizations remain open and working to respond to this crisis. This list will be continually updated as more resources become available. Below is a list of resources that we hope can be helpful.

• Town of Ossining Coronoavirus Disease page: https://www.townofossining.com/cms/coronavirus-disease
• Feeding Westchester Coronavirus Support page: https://feedingwestchester.org/coronavirus-response/
• Feeding Westchester Mobile Food Pantry Schedule: https://feedingwestchester.org/find-help/mobile-food-pantry-schedule/
• Donate to Feeding Westchester: https://feedingwestchester.org/donation-page/
• Neighbors Links Coronavirus page: https://www.neighborslink.org/issues/coronavirus
• Ossining Community Action Program contact page (can provide emergency meals): https://westcop.org/cap-programs/additional-caps/
• The JCC of Mid-Westchester can provide childcare services to children ages 2 and up. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

General Information about Coronavirus on the Web:

The Westchester County Department of Health: https://health.westchestergov.com/2019-novel-coronavirus

NYS Department of Health: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

The CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

COVID-19 Hotline Phone Numbers:

If you have symptoms you may call any of these numbers and they will ask you questions to determine the course of action.

• Westchester County COVID-19 Information Call: 211 or email covid19faq@westchestergov.com
• NYS Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline: (888) 364-3065
• People under self-quarantine or exposure to known case, call: (866) 588-0195

Food Assistance:

• The Community Center of Northern Westchester (Katonah): (914) 232-6572, Ext 110 and https://communitycenternw.org
• The Interfaith Food Pantry in Mount Kisco: (914) 610-5187 and https://www.mountkiscofoodpantry.org/
• In North Salem, call the Town of North Salem: (914) 669-5588
• Schools are continuing their free breakfast and lunch programs, on a pick up basis. Please contact your school for your district’s procedure. Contact information for each district is below.

Seniors:

In addition to local shops offering delivery and early morning hours for seniors and the immune compromised, towns have senior support programs which may help get you groceries, meals and other basic needs.

• Meals on Wheels general information: (914) 666-7203
• Bedford, Senior Coordinator, Rosemary Vorel: (914) 882-5886
• Lewisboro, Director for Senior Outreach, Pam Veith: (914) 232-6162
• Mount Kisco, Senior Nutrition: (914) 666-8931
• North Salem and Somers, Senior Home-Delivered Meal Program Coordinator, Barbara Taberer: (914) 232-0807
• Pound Ridge, Senior Programs Coordinator, Louise Paolicelli: (914) 764-8201

Mental Health:

• County support for mental health: (914) 995-1900
• Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-8255

Domestic Violence: (800) 799-7233 and via chat at http://www.thehotline.org

Emotionally Abusive Teenage Relationships: https://socialworklicensemap.com/blog/emotional-abuse-teen-relationships/

NYS Health Insurance for the Unenrolled: Extended until April 15 - https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/contact

Westchester County Department of Social Services:

• To apply for benefits online: www.MyBenefits.com
• To get assistance over the phone: (914) 995-3333, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM

School District Contacts:

For healthcare workers and first responders who need childcare, those children qualifying for free breakfast or lunch, or for issues related to your child’s education.

• General information for Westchester County’s Childcare program
• Bedford Central School District: https://www.bcsdny.org/
• Katonah-Lewisboro School District: https://www.klschools.org/
• North Salem School District: https://www.northsalemschools.org/
• Somers School District: https://www.somersschools.org/

Coronavirus Related Scams:

Including how to protect yourself, how to report and other related issues - https://ag.ny.gov/coronavirus

Unemployment assistance: https://www.ny.gov/services/get-unemployment-assistance

Special Grocery Store Shopping Hours for Seniors and the Immune Compromised:

• Acme in Goldens Bridge (Monday - Friday, 7-9 AM)
• Decicco’s in Somers (8-8:30 AM)
• Decicco's in Katonah (Saturday - Sunday, 7-8 AM)
• Green Way Market in Cross River (8-9 AM)
• ShopRite in Bedford Hills (6-7 AM)
• Stop and Shop in Mt Kisco (6-7:30 AM)
• The Market at Pound Ridge Square is providing curbside pickup. Call: (914) 764-5736

For Business Owners:

• Resources including loan programs, grants and the ability to produce Covid-19 products can be found here: https://emailblast.westchestergov.com/CE/whoknows/Mar20_special/
• New York State’s current list of Essential Businesses can be found here: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026 with a supporting FAQ here: https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/ESD_EssentialEmployerFAQ_032220.pdf
• To request designation as an essential business, apply here: https://esd.ny.gov/content/request-designation-essential-business-purposes-executive-order-2026

Other Representatives:

New York State Senate:

• Shelley Mayer (Town of Bedford): (914) 934-5250
• Peter Harkham (Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers): (914) 241-4600

New York State Assembly:

• Chris Burdick: (914) 244-4450

Town Offices:

• Bedford: https://www.bedfordny.gov/
• Lewisboro: https://www.lewisborogov.com/
• Mount Kisco: https://www.mountkiscony.gov/
• North Salem: https://www.northsalemny.org/
• Pound Ridge: https://www.townofpoundridge.com/
• Somers: https://www.somersny.com/

NYS and the Federal Government are currently updating guidelines regarding mortgages, evictions, earned sick leave and unemployment. NYS has currently suspended debt collection for student and medical debt as well as evictions. This information is changing frequently. I am attaching the current link for mortgage relief, but best to check with your state representatives or my office for the most current updates: https://www.dfs.ny.gov/industry_guidance/industry_letters/il20200319_coronavirus_mortgage_relief