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!  

Town of Pelham

Posted on by Maura Curtin

Town Spring 2025 Update

Town Update Spring 2025

As flowers bloom and warmer days brighten our town, we wanted to share an update from your Town Council. This edition features—upcoming events, exciting programs, grant updates, and helpful information on town services. There’s a lot to look forward to in Pelham this spring. Enjoy this season of renewal!

The Annual Town Spring Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 12th at 10am. The egg hunt will happen at the gazebo outside the Daronco Townhouse. The event is free and will feature Music by Zev, arts & crafts + face painting, refreshments & treats! Rain date is Sunday April 13th at 10am. For weather related questions please call the Recreation weather hotline (914) 738-6644

Westchester Municipalities Unite to Oppose Con Edison Rate Hike – The Town of Pelham along with 37 other Westchester municipalities—representing nearly 1 million residents—has formed a consortium to oppose Con Edison’s proposed electric and gas rate hikes. The group has retained attorney Joel Dichter of Dichter Law LLC to represent them before the New York State Public Service Commission. Con Edison’s January 31 filing seeks to raise electric rates by 18%, residential delivery charges by 25.1%, and gas delivery rates by 19.1%, following a 20% increase over the past three years. To protect residents from further financial strain, municipalities including have joined the consortium and will submit formal opposition to the PSC.

 

Notice was given and published in the Pelham Examiner that the  Receiver of Taxes of the Town of Pelham, has received the Tax roll and Warrant for the year 2025 and will begin collection of Taxes thereon April 1, 2025.

Taxes may be paid at the office of the Receiver of Taxes in the Town of Pelham, 34 Fifth Ave., second floor, until further notice on any day, except Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, between the hours of nine O’clock in the morning and four O’clock in the afternoon. The following scale of Penalties is prescribed for the neglect to pay Town and County Taxes after the Levy thereof:

TOWN/COUNTY Penalties

                               Month                                     Penalty (%)

                                May                                          2%

                                June & July                             5%

                                Aug. & Sept.                            7%

                                Oct. Nov. & Dec.                     10%

                                Jan. through May                  12%

                                Roll to a lien after                  May 31, 2026

Special Notes on Tax Payments:

-Taxes cannot be dropped at the Police station. All Payments received from the Police station will be returned to the owner without being processed and penalty will apply if applicable.

-A Mail slot (outside access) is located in front of Town Hall for receipt of all tax payments, NO CASH PLEASE.

-As a convenience to our taxpayers, The Town of Pelham is now offering the ability to pay your Town/County Taxes online via electronic check (ACH) and credit card.  There is a convenience fee per transaction for paying by credit card or no additional processing fee for paying by electronic check (ACH).  Please visit our website TownofPelham.com to use this service.

Town Grants Update

As we reported late last year, the Town of Pelham was selected for a planning award through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) $32 Million Clean Mobility Program. We will receive $100,000 to conduct a feasibility study on local transportation options including shared bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, on-demand electric vehicle ride-hailing, on-demand public transit services with flexible routes, and shared electric vehicles. The Clean Mobility Program provides funding to local governments, transit operators, and community-based organizations for planning of shared electric mobility services. There will be a survey seeking community feedback at the end of April, which we will share.. More information to follow.

The Town of Pelham has achieved a new designation under NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program and has been awarded a $30k grant to be used on clean energy initiatives that directly affect greenhouse gas reduction like energy efficient upgrades to municipal buildings, adding solar, installing EV charging stations or planting trees. The town council collected bids for the design and plans to install an elevator in the town hall that will be paid for by a $325,000 grant from former Senator Klein- the work is expected to begin this summer. The council voted to accept the bid to design the installation by Pencil Project Architecture Studio at the April meeting. 

Glover Field Pedestrian Safety Project Update

The Town of Pelham, in collaboration with the Village of Pelham Manor, the Village of Pelham, and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, recently engaged the Town to solicit feedback via a Community Planning Workshop and Community Survey regarding potential plans for improving pedestrian safety near the Glover Field Complex and the corridor along E. Sandford Blvd to Pelham Memorial High School. Results of the survey are currently being compiled and will be shared with the municipalities, which will be used to seek grant funding for the improvements. 

EMS – Our Ambulance and fly car are now parked together under a carport in the town hall parking lot and the Pelham EMS are using the lower level of Town Hall as their temporary headquarters while we continue to plan out the vacant space since the Pelham Village Police Department relocated to the new municipal center just north on Fifth Ave.

March EMS Statistics: 

The Courts

The Town of Pelham is also seeking a federal grant through FY2026 Congressionally Directed Spending to purchase a new prisoner transport van. The current vehicle is outdated, unreliable, and costly to maintain. A new, fully equipped van will enhance safety, improve operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with transport standards. It will also support better service to the local community and regional law enforcement partners. The Town of Pelham Court sits regularly on Wednesday mornings for Civil Cases/Village & Town Ordinances/Parking and Moving Violations, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY.

Criminal Matters – The Pelham Town Court hears cases for all crimes committed in the Villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor.  These matters are prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.  Cases are heard on Thursday evenings beginning at 6:00 PM at 20 Fifth Avenue Pelham, NY.  Arraignments, hearings and trials are scheduled as necessary. For additional information or any questions about the courts, please visit the website here

The Library

Start spring off on the right foot with Tai Chi, mah jongg, and baby yoga. You can also make lotus lanterns, learn more about women’s health, and join us for two exciting EcoPel programs – of course April is the month we celebrate Earth Day. 

​​The Library will host the kickoff of the Pelham Tree Conservancy on Thursday, April 10th from 7-8:30pm, please join the Environmental Coalition of the Pelham’s launch of the Pelham Tree Conservancy with keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Reinmann, Assistant Professor at CUNY Advanced Science Research Center. Dr. Reinmann will discuss the critical role trees play in our local environment and share key research on tree canopy loss across Westchester County. The Pelham Tree Conservancy will share efforts to plant 300 native trees this year in backyards and natural areas across the Pelhams. Registration is suggested but not required. Walk-ins are welcome.

Also, on Saturday April 12th 10:15-12pm– Join the Pelham Girl Scouts Troop #2617 and the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel) to learn how to transform unused grass spaces into thriving wildlife habitats using bare root seedlings from the New York State Department of Conservation. What You’ll Learn & Do: Learn how Troop #2617’s Plant Pelham Native initiative helped turn empty lawns into vibrant habitats as part of their Silver Award project; Understand the fundamentals of ecosystem restoration, including native plants, grass removal, digging, and planting; Participate in a hands-on planting workshop to add wildlife habitat to the Town of Pelham Public Library grounds. 

You can find more information about all the amazing programs happening at the library by  visiting the library’s website

The Friends of the Pelham Library are looking for volunteers interested in hosting a Novel Night dinner- the main fundraiser for the Town of Pelham Public Library scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025. The bi-annual celebration begins with book-themed dinners thrown at private homes and other venues throughout Pelham. If you are curious about hosting a Novel Night dinner please send an email to [email protected].

Recreation

Pelham Recreation is hosting a series of spring break camps beginning on Monday April 14th while schools are closed for vacation. To see the offerings please visit this webpage. There are also dozens of programs offered in the spring after school and on weekends including flag football, tennis, volleyball, field hockey, chess, basketball, baseball and so much more. For more information on all of the programs offered please visit this webpage.

Looking for a summer job? Pelham Recreation is hiring camp counselors – anyone interested should complete this job application and reach out to the Recreation office at 914-738-0153.

Pickleball is happening at Julianne’s Tennis Court. In order to play you must purchase a permit- here’s the link.  Once you have purchased your permit you can then make reservations by clicking here (this also applies to tennis) 

Pelham Recreation is offering beginner Mah Jong classes for Adults this spring- These classes filled up quickly and there is currently a wait list. More classes will be added if possible. To register please go to www.pelhamrecreation.com and click adult programs. The class will be taught by Rose Asprea.  She is a member of the National Mah Jongg League.  Following the western style of play and the National Mah Jongg League rules, she has taught hundreds of new players throughout Westchester County. 

The Pelham Senior Citizen Club meets weekly on Mondays from 1-4pm at the Daronco Townhouse. Participate in meetings, bingo, cards, casino trips and other special events. There is a minimal monthly refreshment collected. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Carolyn Veith at the Senior Citizen Advocate Office (914) 738-5004.

Did you know?

The Town of Pelham provides several programs for our Senior Citizens including the Senior Citizen Medical Van Transportation:

  • The van will only be in session on Mondays-Thursdays
  • All of the Town’s programs are available for all seniors 55 years and older who reside in the Town of Pelham. 
  • 9:15am is the first pickup and 3:00pm will be the last pickup
  • Passengers must be able to get in and out of the van without assistance
  • Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance
  • Van is for medical use only.  No shopping/personal use
  • Anyone with cold/flu-like symptoms will not be allowed in the van to protect the driver. Please notify us if you were in contact with someone that tested positive for Covid
  • The areas of service are limited to Pelham, New Rochelle, Larchmont, Eastchester, Bronxville, Mt Vernon, Scarsdale (Lord & Taylor area), and Yonkers (Ridge Hill area only) 

Please call the Senior Advocate, Carolyn Veith at  (914) 864-1155 for further information.

Reminder

Your dog is required to have a  license. 

Dog Licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s Office for Village of Pelham residents. The requirements for the license are (1) Village of Pelham Resident, (2) updated paperwork on the  dog, which should include current rabies information and proof of neutered/spayed, (3) Owners I.D. An application can be printed at home and brought to the clerk’s office. Please call the clerk’s office with any questions (914) 738-0777.

Note- Pelham Manor residents must go to the Village Clerk for the  Village of Pelham Manor at 4 Penfield Place to acquire a Dog license. If you have any questions please call Pelham Manor (914) 738-8820.

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, May 5th  at 7pm – Town Council Meeting, 2nd floor of Town Hall 34 Fifth Ave.

Monday May 26th – Annual Town of Pelham Memorial Day Parade

Monday, June 2nd- Town Council Meeting, 2nd floor of Town Hall 34 Fifth Ave.