SOUTH SALEM, N.Y. - A proposal from a Lewisboro Eagle Scout candidate and an initiative to advance the town's Climate Smart Communities certification highlighted a relatively brief Town Board meeting Monday, Sept. 28.
The Scout is Jackson Wiles, a junior at John Jay High School and a member of Vista Troop 101. He proposed a series of improvements at Waccabuc's Old Field Preserve, seeking approval for a four-part project on town-owned land.
“The first is an informational kiosk, which is going to definitely help all the pedestrians and other people who visit the preserve get helpful information, maps and [other] things they might need to have a better visitor experience,” Wiles said. “A second component would be a pedestrian bridge over an area that’s very wet and muddy in the rainy season.”
Wiles' project would also include improved trail markings in areas identified by Old Field Preserve stewards as needing clearer navigation, along with the removal of invasive plants and the planting of native species near the trail and proposed bridge.
Town Supervisor Tony Gonçalves asked Wiles about the dimensions of the bridge footings.
“We don't know the exact dimensions yet,” Wiles said. “We still [need to] determine the exact location start to finish for the bridge.”
Wiles said he has enjoyed visiting the preserve since he was younger but believes some improvements, particularly to the kiosk, are needed.
“It’s very well kept and very nice, but it's just missing a couple details that would really just bring everything together,” he said. “And I would like to be the one to do that.”
“Do you have somebody you're working with to help you with the invasives part of it or do you know what you're looking for?” asked Councilman Dan Welsh.
“The preserve stewards specifically requested that we keep the native ferns that are there, and provided photos of what they look like,” Wiles said. “There's a list of invasive species that are common in that area that I'll look at. My troop [will be] working with me on the project and we'll all definitely make sure everyone's able to identify all of them.”
Climate Smart Communities
In other environmental business, the board approved a green power procurement policy and renewable energy strategy. Gonçalves said the measures are key components of the town's efforts to advance its certification under the state's Climate Smart Communities program.
Among its initiatives, the town has purchased renewable energy from the New York Power Authority to power municipal facilities. Other efforts include the recently completed rooftop solar installation at Onatru Farm and a community solar program through Sustainable Westchester.
“We’ve already for years been doing the community solar, both for the town – which has saved a few thousand dollars, as well as residents,” Gonçalves said. “There’s some 200-plus families that are signed up.”
Gonçalves said these initiatives have been incorporated into a townwide policy document. Lewisboro has already earned bronze-level certification under the Climate Smart Communities program, and the goal is to achieve the higher silver and gold levels.
“We need [to do] a lot more besides this,” he said. “You'll hear more about it…and having this climate-smart community designation helps us with grants as well. We've had grant applications where we didn't get any points because we didn't have this [Climate Smart certification].”
Other Town Business
The board also approved several resolutions involving environmental services and infrastructure.
These included renewing commercial licenses with CRP Sanitation Inc. and Tri-County Carting for the collection and disposal of refuse and recyclables, along with a residential and commercial license for Interstate Waste Services of Connecticut.
The board also authorized advertising for bids for sludge hauling in the Oakridge and Wild Oaks sewer districts.
In addition, members accepted the MS4 interim 30-month stormwater report and authorized the supervisor to sign the town's MS4 certification form.
Public comments were limited to questions from one resident about when the budget review process would begin and another about the review of the town's fund balance. A third resident suggested purchasing ADA-compliant deck furniture for the Town Pool, which is slated for replacement.
The board also approved:
A resolution authorizing the town supervisor to sign an agreement to host the Westchester Municipal Officials Association dinner meeting at Waccabuc Country Club on Dec. 10, 2026.
Intermunicipal agreements with the Katonah-Lewisboro School District for salt and fuel purchases and shared use of facilities.
A resolution authorizing the auction of two town-owned properties in South Salem, at 1 Kingswood Way and 11 Birch Spring Road.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here