Public Meetings - Westchester County, New York

On October 20, 2026, the Westchester County Board of Legislators Budget & Appropriations Committee, chaired by Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, met in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM for capital budget presentations. This was the agenda’s Capital Budget Presentation – Part 3. The Department of Information Technology and the Department of Public Works & Transportation presented capital requests for the upcoming budget year. No capital budget vote was taken; the committee adjourned at 2:30 PM. Department of Information Technology - GIS hardware and software continuation (BIT 9B): $450,000 requested to upgrade existing GIS systems, acquire additional services, and continue application development for planning, emergency response, and environmental facilities work such as sewer line, catch basin, and inspection tracking. - Building access control and video surveillance (BIT 45): $2,000,000 requested to continue countywide upgrades. IT officials reported 37 sites and 2,125 cameras installed so far. The existing system is roughly 20 years old, and final camera counts will be determined through facility security assessments. - E911 and Next Generation 911 (BIT 61): $3,000,000 requested to upgrade the county’s 39 public-safety answering points to an IP-based emergency communications infrastructure. State parameters for Next Gen 911 have not yet been finalized. - IT infrastructure upgrade (BIT 67): $8,850,000 requested across five phases, including desktop support and endpoints ($1.8 million), employee productivity and business continuity ($1.8 million), core infrastructure for end-of-life servers and software, telecom and critical communications logging, and network and security hardware ($1.2 million). - IT officials described countywide infrastructure planning as top-down, with the District Attorney’s office operating its own separate network as a law-enforcement agency. Legislators stressed that every department must be covered so that no single department becomes a cyber vulnerability. - IT officials also said cloud-based services cannot be paid for with capital funds, so the shift to cloud will add pressure to the operating budget. Bond periods are governed by local finance law periods of probable usefulness, typically five years, with BIT 45 carrying a ten-year period. Department of Public Works & Transportation – Buildings and Equipment - B014F: $535,000 requested for design of exterior and structural infrastructure repairs at the Richard J. Baronko Courthouse, the annex, and the west-side retaining wall and path. - B015F: $1,434,000 requested for design of interior infrastructure repairs at the White Plains Complex, including a new 480V electrical service and replacement of heating supply and return piping. - B035S: $1,805,000 requested for rolling equipment acquisition, including crew-cab dump, plow, and spreader trucks, a mason dump truck, a crew-cab utility truck, a forklift, a flex-wing deck mower, and a tilt trailer. - B01280: $250,000 requested to continue feasibility studies supporting long-range capital planning. - B0125: $1,800,000 requested for design, construction, and construction management of rooftop HVAC unit replacements at a county facility, including units serving archive and storage areas. - P0134: $720,000 requested for study and design of electrical infrastructure upgrades at the Grasslands campus. - B0134: switchgear relocation at the Baronko Courthouse from a flood-prone B3 level to B2, with equipment upgrades. - P0136: $150,000 requested for design of emergency generator replacement at the White Plains Complex; the courthouse generator is about 25 years old. - Legislators asked for routine capital-project status reporting, possibly a dashboard. Commissioner Hugh Greechan said DPW is working with IT on internal reporting and can coordinate with the Board. - On equipment, DPW officials said they right-size vehicles and pursue electric or alternative-fuel options where reliable, noting the fleet already includes F-150 Lightning pickups for non-plowing use. A list of vehicles to be decommissioned is available, and county purchasing supports municipal piggybacking on bids. - Feasibility-study funding has supported studies including the Mountain Sportsman Center, DSS locations, and fleet and road maintenance facility consolidation. The mental health clinic project is essentially complete, while the Department of Health consolidation has some final accounting loose ends. Department of Public Works & Transportation – Parkways, Roads, and Transportation - Parkways: D0033 requests $2,750,000 for design of the Bronx River Parkway north and south bridges over the Bronx River at Harney Road, with construction expected in 2029. DPW is coordinating with parks on traffic management. The Playland Parkway project (P032) is in construction, with completion expected around the end of 2027; bridge work comes first. - Roads: RB132 requests an additional $200,000 for construction based on a 90 percent design, covering approximately 0.4 miles with a PCI of 63 in 2019. Budget adjustments were also requested for three roads, RB185 Lee Street, RB1940 Avenue, and RB203 North Division Street, based on 90 percent estimates. RB204, the airport access road, was increased to $3.2 million because it was held back for gas-line work and costs increased. - RB251 is a new consolidated county road renovation program replacing four existing projects: Commerce Street in Mount Pleasant (0.7 miles, PCI 69 in 2022, average annual daily traffic of 1,726), Dana Road (0.4 miles, PCI 62, average annual daily traffic of 4,800), Palmer Avenue (0.33 miles, PCI 67, average annual daily traffic of 10,900), and Post Road in White Plains (0.4 miles, PCI 63, average annual daily traffic of 9,600). - Legislators asked for PCI and AADT data for their districts. DPW said updated PCI ratings are being collected and will share available data. - Transportation: T0098 requests $2,500,000 for transit vehicle replacement, targeting 20 to 25 vehicles per year out of the 113-vehicle fleet. P0056 requests $75,000 for bus stop improvements; 19 shelters have been completed and 15 are targeted for the next capital year. T0071 requests $750,000 to replace 21 45-year-old exhaust fans at the Yonkers central maintenance facility. T0072 requests $8,450,000 for bus garage site infrastructure work, including parking lots, access drives, replacement of underground oil and grease tanks with above-ground tanks, detention pond and drainage improvements, EV charging, a solar canopy, an emergency generator, and ADA compliance. - During transportation discussion, legislators raised concerns about EV charger utilization, loss of prime parking spaces, and whether the county earns revenue from chargers. DPW officials said the county currently does not charge for EV charging, will pursue grant funding, and can share usage data. Other legislators noted higher demand for chargers in Yonkers and the economic-development benefits of charger availability. Department of Public Works & Transportation – Airport - A0147 requests $5,000,000 to purchase and install a generator capable of fully supporting the commercial passenger terminal and parking garage. The current generator covers only about 40 percent of the terminal. Power outages occurred three or four times in each prior 12-month period, though there were none in the last year. - A0148 requests funding to advance design and NEPA and environmental review of the commercial passenger terminal modernization. Airport staff said the terminal is really three buildings, with the main facilities opened in the late 1990s and a baggage screening building added in 2016. The site has multiple HVAC and sprinkler systems, slope issues, and TSA space inserted in the center of the terminal. No concrete construction cost estimates are available yet; HNTB is the design firm. Staff said they will pursue federal, state, and passenger facility charge funding, while noting FAA funding will not cover revenue-generating areas such as concessions or rental cars. - Airport staff stated the terminal modernization would not change terminal-use regulations, commercial flight caps, or general aviation activity. They also said FAA rules do not permit airports to impose limits on private flights. Key Outcomes - No capital requests were voted on at this meeting; it was a presentation and discussion session. - Staff were asked to provide capital-project status reporting or a dashboard, a decommissioned vehicle list, closeout project lists, updated PCI and AADT data, bus shelter improvement locations, cost estimates for solar canopies, EV charger utilization and revenue information, and airport terminal design firm references. - The committee adjourned at 2:30 PM.

The Budget & Appropriations Committee, chaired by Legislator Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, met on October 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM (open delayed until quorum reached) to hear capital budget presentations from five county departments. The meeting featured presentations from the Department of Correction, District Attorney's Office, Department of Emergency Services, Department of Labs & Research, and Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation. No formal votes were taken; the session was for discussion and information gathering. Department of Correction - Commissioner Joseph Spano presented two projects: BCR5F (infrastructure improvements including interior/exterior repairs and replacement of valves, pumps, piping, and heat) and BCR65 (jail special housing unit heating system upgrades). Legislator Williams Johnson asked about the inclusion of three HDAC shelters and dozen wider pumps; staff confirmed those were completed. District Attorney's Office - Chief Administrator Charles Forzano and IT Director Jason Carrow presented a continuation of data center upgrades. They requested $1.1 million for 2027, bringing total project funding to approximately $4 million (previous appropriations of $2.8 million for 2025-2026). Legislators questioned the multi-year approach and supply chain impacts. Carrow noted they are pushing equipment to limits, extending warranties, and facing hardware scarcity and price increases. Department of Emergency Services - Commissioner Susan Spear and Deputy Commissioner Michael Volk presented two requests: HVAC system replacement ($1.2 million additional, total $5.2 million) and a hazmat truck replacement ($2 million). The HVAC system is 25-40 years old, critical for firefighter rehab and 911 server rooms; a temporary generator solution is in place but diverts emergency resources. The hazmat truck is 20 years old, with a two-year lead time for replacement; parts are scarce. Discussion included mutual aid agreements with Yonkers and Putnam/Rockland counties, and the status of existing projects (smokehouse near completion, training tower design to follow). Legislators expressed strong support for both projects. Department of Labs & Research - Dr. Aleksandar Milovanovic and Chief Administrator Keith Hoffman presented BLR2F, a multi-year equipment acquisition program. They detailed 13 core instruments for replacement, including an automated BOD analyzer, segmented flow analyzer, LC-MS/MS for PFAS, glassware washers, microwave digestion system, nitrogen generator, GC-MS, handheld Raman unit (new technology for rapid substance identification), DNA genotyping software, refrigerator, real-time PCR system, DNA extraction instrument, and GC-FID. Many are beyond manufacturer end-of-life (10-13 years). The new lab building is in detailed design phase, targeting move-in by 2030. Legislators asked about state funding (70 cents on the dollar via operating budget), supply chain delays (flat pricing, but delays for specialized HVAC), and the potential for wider deployment of the Raman unit. Department of Parks, Recreation & Conservation - Acting Commissioner William Bland, Deputy Commissioner Kevin Cook, and Director of Park Planning Robert Lopane presented 11 projects totaling just over $69 million. Key projects include: general infrastructure and equipment ($1.5 million), playground equipment ($500,000), Blue Mountain Sportsman Center rehabilitation, Bronx River Reservation dam/spillway ($200,000) and pathway reconstruction ($14.5 million), Cranberry Lake Nature Center ($4.3 million, teardown and rebuild with larger footprint), Croton Point Park solar canopy ($9.27 million, includes EV charging and infrastructure upgrades), Hilltop Hanover design ($2.5 million), Canico Hills building renovation (historic pump house stabilization, $1 million for demolition of non-historic portions), and Wilkins Woods site work ($5.5 million, includes traffic calming, drainage, and pedestrian safety). Discussion included concerns about project timelines, the need for a comprehensive Playland plan, and updates on Mirestead farmhouse (exterior work progressing, interior design 90% complete, bond request expected next year). Commissioner Bland acknowledged staffing constraints and the need to close out older projects. Key Outcomes - The committee heard all presentations and closed with a motion to adjourn at 11:52 AM. No votes were taken; the presentations serve as information for future budget decisions. Several legislators requested follow-up information, including: a detailed list of equipment for Labs & Research, a full presentation on Playland's capital plan, and updates on stalled parks projects. The meeting will continue with additional departments later in the day.

The Legislation Committee met on October 19, 2026, to consider Items 2026-491 and 2026-492, a local law creating a new chapter of Westchester County law to authorize local regulations of e-bikes and electric scooters. Justin Aiden from the County Attorney's Office explained the state-law framework, and committee members discussed safety, enforcement, county property, and a notice requirement before unanimously moving the legislation out of committee. Legislative Framework - Justin Aiden said New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law already regulates e-bikes and electric scooters and authorizes local municipalities to add regulations. For Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk, towns and villages need county enabling legislation before they can regulate; cities already have that authority. - The proposed law would allow Westchester towns and villages to regulate the time, place, and manner of e-bike and electric scooter operations to the full extent permitted under state law. Discussion Items - A co-sponsor described safety concerns in her town, including children under 16 riding without helmets or lights on major roads and the Bronx River Parkway, running traffic signals, and creating dangers for riders and drivers. She said the legislation would let each municipality tailor rules to its local conditions. - Another co-sponsor said the effort began in July when the Town of Harrison reached out, with Mount Pleasant following, and thanked those towns for raising the issue. - Legislators asked whether town and village rules would apply on county parks and trailways. Aiden said he believed town or village regulations would not generally apply on county park property such as the trailways, but would apply on roadways; he agreed to verify that point. - Legislators noted that Westchester County can restrict motorized vehicles on its own property without state authorization. - The committee discussed state-law requirements, including the prohibition on riders under 16, helmet and reflective-clothing requirements, and speed limits. Aiden noted that when an under-16 rider is stopped, state law allows a summons to be issued to the parents only if the parents were present. - Several legislators raised consumer education and enforcement concerns, including identifying e-bike classes, informing buyers of age and licensing requirements, and avoiding unfair enforcement against people unaware of local rules. Legislators also recognized e-bikes as accessible transportation for adults. - Legislators called for follow-up discussions with Parks, Public Safety, and Transportation, as well as a possible public education campaign. Amendment - The committee adopted an amendment adding a requirement that any town or village that enacts an e-bike or electric scooter regulation submit a copy to the Clerk of the Westchester County Board of Legislators within 30 days of enactment. - The amendment passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - The committee unanimously approved the amendment. - The committee unanimously voted to move Items 2026-491 and 2026-492 out of committee for all purposes. - The October 5, 2026 committee minutes were approved unanimously. - The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:45 p.m.

The Budget & Appropriations Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on October 19, 2026, to review Part 1 of the Capital Budget. Presentations were received from the Department of Planning and the Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF). Discussions focused on infrastructure resilience, cost escalations, ratepayer impacts, and improving transparency in capital project oversight. Department of Planning - Project Status - Legislator Johnson inquired about BPL 40, a project on county-owned land behind 10 County Center Road and the Greenburgh area. Staff indicated that discussions with the Town of Greenburgh are ongoing but complicated by town staff turnover. County staff committed to providing a specific status update on BPL 40. Department of Environmental Facilities - Capital Projects Commissioner Vincent Kopicki and his team presented dozens of capital projects for 2027, including vehicles, heavy equipment, sewer system rehabilitation, pumping station upgrades, and treatment facility improvements. - Power Reliability & Resilience: In response to Legislator Kunzler's questions about a 17-hour Con Edison power reduction on July 2-3, Commissioner Kopicki explained that the SYL28 plant upgrade ($240 million total) and new digester gas engines will allow the Yonkers plant to generate roughly 85% of its own power. Diesel storage capacity was noted as a priority but not yet budgeted. - Costs, Grants & Ratepayer Impact: Legislator Williams Johnson inquired about impacts on ratepayers. Staff detailed ongoing efforts to secure EFC and DEC grants and reported that average annual cost escalation for specialized equipment is roughly 8%, driving the need for regular budget modifications. - Port Chester Facilities: Legislator Pierce requested a detailed status. Staff cited recent construction awards for the electrical, HVAC, and emergency generator contract. Flood mitigation measures are being included in individual projects, while a plant-wide plan remains in design since 2018. - Yonkers WRF Study: Legislator Pierce noted a $1 million study for the Yonkers facility funded in 2025 is not yet complete, expected by early 2027. - Communication & Reporting: Legislator NamyR and Kunzler stressed the importance of communicating the scope of capital work to the public. Legislator NamyR requested a district-by-district breakdown of project timelines. Legislator Pierce highlighted a prior request for formal, regular capital project reporting that has not yet been implemented. Chair Tyrae Woodson-Samuels confirmed she would reiterate this request in an upcoming meeting with the Department of Public Works. Key Outcomes - Staff agreed to follow up on BPL 40 and to provide a district-by-district pipeline summary and a Port Chester project status update. - The committee reinforced the need for a regular, structured capital project reporting mechanism. - A legislator noted significant improvements in the capital budget documentation compared to previous years. - The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 AM.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators held its regular meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, in the Legislative Chamber at 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, N.Y. The board convened at 7:35 p.m. after an Italian American Heritage Month celebration, and all recorded roll-call votes were 16-0. Italian American Heritage Month Celebration - Legislator James Nolan introduced former State Senator Nicholas Spano, who served 28 years in the New York State Assembly and Senate, including 20 years in the Senate (1987-2006) and time as Senate majority leader. Spano's father, Leonard Spano, served on the Board for more than two decades. - Legislator Jen Puja introduced Dave Franz, a first-generation Italian American and founder of the West Harrison Fitness Center in 1979, recognized for decades of community music and events. Franz was honored with Dave Franz Day on October 27, 2026, and his name displayed in lights at the Westchester County Center. Consent Agenda - Majority Leader Holstein moved the consent agenda with committee referral changes: adding the Legislation Committee to items 2026-501/502 and 2026-521/522, and adding Infrastructure & Housing to item 2026-507. The consent agenda passed 16-0. - The minutes of the September 28, 2026 regular meeting were approved 16-0 without changes. Public Comments & Testimony - A speaker identifying himself as Dr. Major Tom, an ophthalmologist from Legislative District 14, urged the board to act on co-op board corruption and fraudulent elections, criticized the county District Attorney and courts for allegedly ignoring evidence and failing to enforce orders, and said high-intensity LED headlights and outdoor lights are unlawful and harmful. He submitted written comments after his time expired. - Joe Cinquimani, a 23-year resident of New Rochelle, expressed support for recommissioning the Indian Point nuclear plant. He said decommissioning removed 25 percent of the region's generating capacity, that local energy bills are roughly 70 percent higher than the rest of the nation, and that solar energy alone cannot meet industrial-scale demand. - Dan Demico, a Yonkers real-estate broker for 13 years, urged the board to consider legislation reining in co-op application and credit-check fees, saying co-ops charge $1,200 to $1,500 for sales applications while state law caps credit checks at $20. He also praised in-person attendance, asked for mandatory cameras for remote legislators, and opposed a $9 million solar canopy item in the county parks capital budget, suggesting the money be redirected to energy supply, homelessness, or first-time homebuyer assistance. - Erica Bagchi of Fairview cited the county's $2.5 billion budget and approximately $453 million in 2025 capital appropriations, then questioned why flood mitigation funds - at least $4 million of $9 million in the 2026 capital budget and about $24 million over six years in District 8 - had not been implemented. She criticized District 8 Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson's transparency and response to aging drainage and sewer problems in Greenburgh, and said flooding can reduce property values by 3 to 15 percent, or 20 to 40 percent with severe or repeated flooding. The chair told her she could submit written comments. Public Hearings Five public hearings were conducted after 7:30 p.m.; no members of the public registered to speak, and each hearing was closed by motion: - 2026-408 - Proposed removal of 52 and 62 Larrys Lane, Mount Pleasant, from the Saw Mill Valley Sanitary Sewer District. - 2026-443 - Local law amending Section 237.311 to set a three-year deadline for septage-removal reimbursement applications and extend the program until August 31, 2032. - 2026-459 - Local law amending Section 470.11 on the real property tax exemption for senior citizens. - 2026-461 - Local law amending Section 709.31 on the Westchester County Red Light Camera Demonstration Program. - 2026-463 - Local law amending Section 826-a.200 on solid waste and recyclables collection licensing. Standing Committee Actions All roll-call votes on standing committee items were 16-0, unless otherwise noted. Appointments - Acacia Mauriello to the Women's Advisory Board (term Feb. 11, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2027). - Robert Cummings to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board (term Mar. 27, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2027). - Nzingha Milanes as the North of 287 member of the Traffic Safety Board (term Jul. 2, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2028). - Craig McGlinchey and Hernane DeAlmeida to the Board of Plumbing Examiners. - Denver Boone and Alana Innocent to the Youth Board (terms Aug. 25, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2028). Sewer District, Housing, and Local Laws - 2026-409/410 - Environmental resolution and act removing the two Mount Pleasant properties from the Saw Mill Valley Sanitary Sewer District. Legislator Woodson-Samuels noted neither property is connected to the sewer system and the town does not expect sewer service to be extended to them. - 2026-444 - Local law extending the county's septage/septic maintenance reimbursement program to August 31, 2032 and imposing a three-year application deadline. Legislator Smith said the program helps property owners who pay sewer district taxes but must maintain their own septic systems. - 2026-460 - Local law expanding the senior citizens real property tax exemption. Legislator Tubiolo expressed full support, explaining the exemption is adjusted by income; for example, seniors earning $0-$47,000 may exempt 65 percent of assessed value, with the percentage decreasing at higher incomes. - 2026-462 - Local law updating the red light camera program to reflect expanded state authority, allowing cameras at state-authorized intersections in addition to up to 50 county-jurisdiction intersections. The immediate purpose is to permit a camera at the state-owned Saw Mill River Parkway intersection in Pleasantville, subject to written NYSDOT approval. - 2026-464 - Local law broadening Class F licensing for food waste haulers to include haulers serving private customers, and expressly including cooking oil collection and grease trap cleaning. The fiscal statement projects no fiscal impact. - 2026-465 - Act authorizing consent to the conveyance of 330 Riverdale Avenue, Yonkers, income-restricting all 170 affordable rental units to at or below 60 percent of county area median income, and extending affordability by 50 years. The purchaser will also invest more than $1 million in capital improvements. Legislators expressed support for preserving affordable housing stock. Budget and Capital Projects - 2026-475/476 - Capital budget amendment and $14,180,000 bond act for the Flint Avenue Pumping Station Forcemain Replacement. The package includes an $11 million increase in the current capital budget; the 14-inch force main has had six breaks since 2021, including two in August 2026. - 2026-489 - Pay plan amendment revising youth detention service titles, including new youth detention specialist, rapid response specialist, supervisory/compliance, and facility/security leadership positions. Legislator Barr noted the county will take over running Woodfield Cottage, which had been run by outside institutions, and that probation officials believe this is in the best interests of the children and county. - 2026-490 - Amended bond act adding $14 million, for a total of $21 million, for Playland Parking Lot Drainage Improvement. Design is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, followed by about 12 months of construction. Legislator Pierce noted the project includes restoration of a degraded historic structure and pedestrian safety improvements. Hearing Dates Set - 2026-486 - Public hearing on dissolving the Westchester County Deferred Compensation Board set for November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. - 2026-491 - Public hearing on a local law creating Chapter 499 to authorize local regulation of e-bikes and scooters set for November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Memorial Resolutions and Announcements - Legislators offered memorial remarks for Reverend Lamont S. Granby, Sally Maros, John Pizzuto, Andy DeGesto, Paul Piwnicki, and Osman Osmani, among others included in Memorial Resolution 16-2026. - Majority Whip Williams announced the success of the domestic violence awareness 5K held at Tibbetts Park two Saturdays earlier, thanking participants and community partners; the Chairman praised the event and turnout. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda and September 28, 2026 minutes approved 16-0. - All five public hearings closed with no registered testimony. - All roll-call votes on standing committee items passed 16-0. - Public hearings for the Deferred Compensation Board dissolution and e-bikes/scooters local law were scheduled for November 9, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. - The board adjourned to its next regular meeting on Monday, November 9, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

On Monday, October 19, 2026, the Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee on Appointments convened at 4:00 PM in the Committee Room at the Michaelian Office Building, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains, NY. Chair Anant Nambiar called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM and adjourned it at 4:14 PM. The agenda contained one appointment item. After a discussion of affordable housing experience and county housing challenges, the committee unanimously approved the appointment of Thomas McGrath to the Housing Opportunity Commission. Discussion Items - Item 2026-482 – Appointment of Thomas McGrath to the Westchester County Housing Opportunity Commission: The resolution would appoint Thomas McGrath as an at-large member for the term May 11, 2026 to December 31, 2028. McGrath told the committee he had been in the real estate business for about 48 years, including 32 years with the Community Preservation Corporation, a private not-for-profit affordable housing lender and investor based in New York City. He also served about 20 years as chair of the Blue Mountain Housing Development Corporation in Bedford and recently moved to North Salem. He stated that his interest has been in affordable housing and that he has worked closely with Westchester County and New York State, including developing lending products for smaller properties. - In response to committee questions, McGrath discussed opportunities for housing without available land, including adding units above underutilized one- and two-story commercial buildings. He said the lower part of the county has sewers while the northern part of the county faces a lack of sewers, making development more difficult. He cited a 13-unit project in Katonah in which three units were affordable, and said Bedford adopted a requirement that 20 percent of additional housing created must be affordable, double the 10 percent figure, and set it at 60 percent AMI. He noted that the town had created 100 to 150 units over time and that many residents could not identify them because the units were well integrated. - A committee member raised concerns about NIMBY opposition and the narrative that affordable housing affects schools, noting that school districts have lost at least 10 percent of enrollment over the last ten years and are projected to lose at least another 5 percent over the next five years. The member said multifamily housing does not necessarily generate many schoolchildren because families are having fewer children and waiting longer to have them. McGrath recommended education and awareness, saying people often assume affordable housing means very low-income, rent-free, or unemployed tenants, when most tenants pay their own rents and affordable rents in Westchester County can exceed $2,000 per month. Key Outcomes - The committee moved and seconded a motion to approve the appointment of Thomas McGrath to the Housing Opportunity Commission. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote with all members present voting yes. - The committee approved a motion to adjourn, and Chair Nambiar adjourned the meeting at 4:14 PM.

On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the Westchester County Board of Legislators Committee on Health, chaired by Legislator Jewel Williams Johnson, met to examine barriers preventing individuals with substance use disorders from receiving timely, compassionate, and effective treatment. The meeting featured a presentation from Robert DeForde, Senior Program Manager at Shatterproof, and discussion with Trevor Payne, Director of Drug and Alcohol Services at the Department of Community Mental Health. The committee also addressed a recent measles outbreak in New York State. Opening Remarks: Measles Outbreak Update - Chair Johnson reported that Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency due to a growing measles outbreak. As of October 3, 2026, New York had 108 confirmed cases, with 101 outside New York City and 92 cases since July. The largest concentrations were in Suego, Seneca, and Steuben counties; neighboring Rockland County had four cases. No confirmed cases had been publicly announced in Westchester County as of the meeting morning. - Chair Johnson emphasized that measles is extremely contagious, with the virus remaining airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room. Among non-immune individuals, up to 90% of close contacts can become infected. The MMR vaccine is 93% effective with one dose and 97% with two doses. She urged residents to check vaccination records and encouraged those born after 1957 without documented immunity to consult a healthcare provider about receiving another MMR dose. - Chair Johnson referenced the May 20, 2026 Health Committee meeting for a prior update on measles and emerging infectious diseases. Discussion Items Shatterproof Presentation on Stigma in Healthcare - Robert DeForde presented on the scale of substance use disorder (SUD) in the U.S.: in 2024, 48 million people aged 12 or older (nearly 17% of the population) met diagnostic criteria for SUD, yet 80% did not receive treatment. Overdose fatalities dropped to under 80,000 in 2024 from a high of 122,000, but declines were not equitable across racial and ethnic groups. - DeForde defined stigma as a process involving labeling, stereotyping, separation, and discrimination. He distinguished between public stigma, self-stigma, and structural stigma (policies and practices that create barriers). He also noted stigma directed toward medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). - Shatterproof developed the Addiction Stigma Index (SASI) to measure stigma. A 2024 national survey oversampling healthcare providers found: - 78% of healthcare professionals agreed MOUD should be more accessible. - 78% believed MOUD is an effective treatment. - However, 43% believed MOUD substitutes one drug for another. - Only 47% would want an MOUD clinic in their neighborhood. - DeForde described the Providers Pathway training program, developed with funding from the Elevance Health Foundation. The program includes asynchronous online training (free, with CEUs) and in-person team-based training. To date, nearly 8,000 healthcare providers have engaged, with 4,000 completing and receiving CEUs. Population-specific modules address the Latino community. A research study with Yale found that completers showed increased knowledge about SUD, decreased stigma, and increased confidence in treating SUD. - DeForde advocated for making SUD education an ongoing requirement rather than a one-time mandate, citing the federal MATE Act (which requires eight hours of SUD education for prescribers but only once). He noted that New York is expected to receive $3 billion in opioid settlement dollars and encouraged local investment in stigma reduction training for providers. Discussion on Structural Stigma and Local Efforts - Trevor Payne (Director of Drug and Alcohol Services, DCMH) commented on the challenge of NIMBYism as a form of structural stigma, noting that some communities in Westchester are easier to place treatment services in than others. He described county efforts to reduce stigma, including panel discussions (one with nearly 100 community members), and training for professionals using opioid settlement dollars, hosted on a platform run by the Center for Practice Innovation (CPI). - Payne reported that Westchester County has made access to addiction medications a priority for all SUD programs funded by the county. He noted that since the introduction of addiction medications in the county jail three years ago, initiations increased from 250 in the first year to over 450 by the end of 2025, and alcohol addiction medications were added last year. - Payne highlighted the difficulty of engaging primary care physicians in training, citing time constraints and competing demands. He noted that while some individual physicians are open, getting groups to commit has been challenging. Policy and Training Considerations - Legislator Emiljana Ulaj (participating remotely) suggested advocating at the state level to make SUD and stigma training a recurring requirement for medical licensure, similar to other mandatory trainings. She noted that she would follow up with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, chair of the State Assembly Health Committee. - Robert DeForde agreed that state-level advocacy is promising, but cautioned against making it a checkbox exercise. He noted that providers are already overburdened and that federal solutions like the MATE Act are a start but not sufficient. - Chair Johnson proposed holding a future health committee meeting where local hospital systems (New York Presbyterian, White Plains, Northwell) could bring two providers each for a mini-training session using Shatterproof’s case studies. DeForde welcomed the idea. - DeForde also mentioned that the free asynchronous training is available on myCME.com and offers six CEUs for MDs, DOs, RNs, NPs, PAs, and social workers. He offered to share the link with the county. - Payne added that emergency rooms are reporting more cannabis-related issues, and that better data collection from urgent care facilities is needed. He noted that the Department of Health provides some emergency room data, but it can be delayed. - Payne also described the county’s co-occurring treatment approach: all contracted providers are required to use a co-occurring lens for assessments and treatment. The department is currently launching a six-month learning collaborative for clinicians on motivational interviewing, including a chatbot for practice and scoring. Key Outcomes - Chair Johnson committed to following up with Shatterproof’s Chief Policy Officer, Kristen Pendergrass, to offer assistance on state-level advocacy for mandatory training. - Robert DeForde will provide Trevor Payne with the link to the free Providers Pathway training on myCME.com for distribution. - Chair Johnson expressed intent to organize a future health committee meeting where hospital representatives could attend a stigma training session using Shatterproof’s case studies. - The meeting was adjourned at 12:07 PM.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee of the Westchester County Board of Legislators met on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 3:00 PM to receive an update from Neighbors Link on changes in New York State immigration enforcement laws and recent ICE activity in Westchester. The meeting, chaired by Legislator Emiljana Ulaj, included a presentation from Carola Bracco, Executive Director, and Jonathan Campozano, Senior Staff Attorney, and featured questions and discussion from committee members. The meeting adjourned at 3:49 PM. Discussion Items - Presentation by Neighbors Link: Carola Bracco and Jonathan Campozano provided an overview of Neighbors Link, which serves approximately 10,000 people annually, including an immigration legal practice serving about 2,800 people per year. They highlighted ongoing cultural awareness training for police recruits at the Westchester County Police Academy and joint training with Department of Social Services workers and police officers. - Changes in State Law: Bracco detailed the Local Cops, Local Crimes legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in May 2026 and effective summer 2026. Key provisions include: a ban on 287(g) agreements between local law enforcement and ICE (12–13 such agreements existed; most ended, Erie County is being sued by the state for noncompliance, and several counties sued the state); re-establishment of sensitive locations (schools, hospitals, houses of worship, etc.) where ICE needs a judicial warrant; a ban on federal officials wearing masks during enforcement (blocked by a preliminary injunction); the State Viben’s Act, allowing lawsuits against federal officers for constitutional rights violations (retroactive to January 1, 2025); and codification of the right to K–12 education regardless of immigration status, prohibiting schools from using information requests (e.g., social security numbers, leases) as proxies for immigration status. An Immigrant Trust Office was created for oversight. The legislation did not go as far as the proposed New York for All Act, which would have prohibited local law enforcement from asking about immigration status and required notification of rights before ICE interviews. - ICE Activity in Westchester: Bracco and Campozano reported increased ICE operations in Westchester during July–September 2026, primarily targeted operations (looking for specific individuals) rather than large-scale sweeps. They noted a new pattern of traffic stops (previously uncommon) and an increase in ICE check-in letters requiring individuals to report to Manhattan. Data on arrests and detentions remains difficult to obtain, and the ICE detainee locator website has been unreliable. The speakers confirmed that ICE agents in the area appear to be experienced and follow established protocols, unlike reports of less-trained recruits elsewhere. - Community Preparedness: Neighbors Link has conducted tabletop exercises with about half of Westchester municipalities (including Scarsdale, Ossining, Mount Kisco) involving mayors, police chiefs, and school superintendents to coordinate response to ICE operations, including communication strategies to counter rumors. An October 21 panel discussion was announced featuring Brewster School District superintendent, Sleepy Hollow mayor, and Westchester County Association CEO. - Q&A with Legislators: Legislators raised questions about: the preliminary injunction on the mask ban (likely indication of court direction); sensitive locations (whether parking lots are covered, distinction between public and private spaces in schools and food pantries); school practices regarding ID scanning by security contractors; confusion between local police operations across municipal lines and ICE enforcement; and the need for timely, accurate information to dispel rumors in immigrant communities. Key Outcomes - The committee received the update and expressed appreciation to the guests for their work and presentation. - Legislators requested that the legislative newsletter and any future event invitations be shared with the committee for distribution to colleagues. - No formal votes or action items were taken; the meeting served as an informational session and discussion. - Meeting adjourned at 3:49 PM.