Town Update – Summer 2025: Welcome Summer 2025! You know it’s summer when the gazebo is hopping on Monday nights with the sound of live music and residents pack the town green with their beach chairs and blankets, take up seats on the benches lining 5th Ave to dance and sing along. The library just had a visit from the bubble bus, which means that the annual summer reading program is in full swing and Pelham Recreation has done all of the prep work to host our kids at tiny tots, big tots, Pelham Daycamp and the multiple sports clinics each summer. We are glad to share a quick update from the town. EMS Heroes Among Us – On June 2, 2025, the town council in conjunction with our Emergency Medical Services Executive Director, Mark Baumblatt honored the exceptional service of members of our community. On Saturday, April 12th, the Pelham Manor Fire Department, Pelham Manor Police Department, and Pelham Fire Department responded to a report of a possible dryer fire in Pelham Manor. Pelham EMS unit 38Medic1 responded in a non-emergency capacity to provide support if needed. Shortly after the fire was brought under control, Captain John Gerken of the Pelham Manor Fire Department suffered a sudden medical emergency and collapsed. Chief Robert Benkwitt immediately alerted 38Medic1 (Paramedic Michael Baumblatt) and requested an ambulance through 60-Control. Captain Gerken was quickly determined to be in cardiac arrest. Paramedic Baumblatt immediately initiated CPR and began removing Captain Gerken’s firefighting gear, assisted by members of the Pelham Manor Fire Department, Pelham Manor Police Department, and Pelham Fire Department. Paramedic Baumblatt delivered one defibrillation using the ZOLL cardiac monitor and the team continued CPR. Once on-scene, Paramedic Samjo Samson initiated IV therapy, administered medications, and delivered a second defibrillation, while EMT Samuel Kupferberg and fire personnel continued providing high-quality CPR. Thanks to the exceptional teamwork, rapid response, and coordinated life-saving efforts of all involved, Captain John Gerken was successfully resuscitated and gradually regained consciousness. He was stabilized, carefully packaged, and transported without incident to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. There is no doubt that the swift, skilled, and coordinated actions of these first responders were instrumental in saving Captain Gerken’s life. With deep gratitude and admiration, the Town of Pelham proudly recognizes the following individuals for their exemplary life-saving efforts: Pelham/EVAC: Paramedic Michael Baumblatt Paramedic Samjo Samson EMT Samuel Kupferberg Pelham Manor Fire Department: Chief Michael Greco Firefighter Daniel Higgins Firefighter Alex Ruggiero Pelham Fire Department: Chief Robert Benkwitt III Lieutenant Tim Frusciante Firefighter Shane MacDonald Firefighter Michael Leak Firefighter Andrew Camaradella Pelham Manor Police Department: Sergeant David Uyeki Police Officer Nicholas Manias Police Officer Jesus Oceguera Police Officer Brandon Lustig May 2025 EMS Stats Clean Mobility Planning Update The Town of Pelham was recently awarded $100,000 from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)’s Clean Mobility Program. The Town partnered with third-party transit planners who are in the final stages of conducting a feasibility study of our local transportation usage, including local train and bus service, assessing our community driving and parking usage, and assessing feasibility of bike lanes and ride-share options. The goal is to identify and implement sustainable transportation solutions that will assist the local community’s transportation needs, including populations in greater need such as senior citizens, high school students, and non-drivers or individuals with one or less cars. A report is being prepared and will be submitted to NYSERDA, and which will ultimately be shared with the community within the coming weeks. The Town will then be seeking further grant opportunities to implement some of the report’s recommendations. The Library 📚 In partnership with Ecopel, introducing the Pelham Seed Library for the 2025 growing season Just like you would check out a book from the library, you can “check out” seeds from a seed library…you just don’t have to worry about due dates! EcoPel has supplied the seeds and gardening instructions. The seed library currently has a variety of herbs and vegetables to grow. These seeds will appeal to both the novice gardener and the seasoned pro. To take advantage of the seeds- please visit the library in person. Tuesdays from 12:30-3pm the library is offering a drop-in Mah Jongg program for adults ages 18 and up. This program is for participants of all abilities who know how to play American Mah Jongg. No beginners, please. The Library will provide Mah Jongg sets, but please bring your own official Mah Jongg card. Monday, July 14th at 7:15pm- Crafty Adults: Herb & Flower Drying Racks Join our resident artist/instructor Sara Mallach as she showcases the bountiful summer harvests from garden and grocery. Participants will be making simple herb & flower drying racks which are both practical and beautiful. This event will take place in-person at the Library and separate registration is required for each attendee. Click here to register. Sign up early, as space and supplies are limited. Reading BINGO- Reading contests for children have been a staple of the Library’s Summer Reading program for years. But why let the kids have all the fun? Adults and teens in 9th grade and up can play our Reading BINGO game and enter a raffle to win a brand-new Kindle! You can get instructions and download a BINGO board by clicking here, or stop by the Library reference desk to pick up a form. Tai Chi on the Library Lawn- Join Master Yao-Wah Chan for beginning Tai Chi on Tuesdays at 11:15am. He has over 40 years of experience teaching throughout New York City and Westchester, and is trained in multiple Chinese disciplines. Tai Chi is a series of slow, gentle, and meditative body movements that can help you reduce pain, increase flexibility, improve balance, and cope with stress. These classes are walk-ins that do not require preregistration. Also this month programs like after hours book club, lego club and reading to canines, ESL, crafty adults and so much more are all happening- please visit the library website for more information. Save the date- Novel Night is Saturday October 4, 2025- Online ticket sales for Novel Night 2025 will go live on July 16th at 8:00pm. Recreation Monday outdoor concerts🎶 at the Gazebo are back- for the full schedule of the featured performers in the summer concert series please click here Recreation Website Update Pelham Recreation is getting a new website and registration software in time for fall clinics and programming. It even includes an app for all of our smart phone users. Registration is currently open for fall clinics in Youth Flag Football (1st & 2nd Grade) and tackle football. Mahjong will be returning to the schedule as well. The fall programming will be released in a few weeks. In addition to Tiny Tots, Big Tots and Pelham Rec Day Camp, Town Recreation is also offering the following camps and clinics: Rising Star Baseball Camp Summer Basketball Clinics Summer Soccer Summer Tennis Clinics Summer Volleyball Clinics 🏀⚽🎾🏐 Registration is still open for Camp Mindfullness– July 7th- August 8th Pelham recreation presents a camp to provide K-8 students with social and emotional difficulties in the Pelham community with a safe, supported, structured, environment to grow, explore, and learn with each other. Students will work with seasoned special education teachers to learn coping skills, talk about their feelings, and engage in mindfulness and sensory strategies throughout the day. Students will also enjoy the summer sun, take walks outdoors, play on the playground, and complete arts and crafts projects, all while developing and maintaining coping skills. Scholarships are also available, please call the recreation office at (914) 738-0153 for more information. Senior Citizens Resident Emergency Assistance List (R.E.A.L) – The Pelham and Pelham Manor Police Department and the Town of Pelham are continually updating the list of senior citizens and residents with special needs who reside in the Village of Pelham and Pelham Manor. This list provides us with important contact information that we can access in the event of adverse weather or power emergencies, such as heat waves, hurricanes and winter storms, which occur in our area. With this information we are able to contact these residents during emergencies to check on their well-being. Please note contacts should be family members, friends, and neighbors. All of your information will be kept confidential. If you have any questions or would like to register a resident please call Carolyn Veith at the Senior Citizen Advocate Office (914) 738-5004. Ceremonies – Save the date- Our next town wide memorial will be held on Thursday, September 11th at the September 11th memorial park on Harmon Avenue to honor those we lost on 9/11. No Matter what you are planning, we hope you have an unforgettable and safe summer 🌻🎶🏀 See you around town!
The Pelham Town Council voted to appoint Arthur L. Scinta as the new Town Historian. Now there is a new website launched this month and in honor of Women’s History Month, a feature shared of Dr. Janet Travell who a Pelham resident and was the first woman to serve as White House Physician 1960-64 for JFK and LBJ. Page can be seen here: Dr. Janet Travelle – Pelham Town Historian