BEDFORD, N.Y. - Ellen Calves has announced she will seek re-election as Bedford Town Supervisor on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, citing progress in public safety, fiscal management, infrastructure, affordability, environmental sustainability and community engagement during her time in office.
Calves, who has served as supervisor for the past 4½ years, said her campaign will focus on continuing responsible financial management while investing in infrastructure, parks, housing, downtown revitalization, environmental protection and youth programming.
“Serving this community in this role for 4½ years has been an incredible honor,” Calves said. “Together, we’ve worked to strengthen our community, support our local businesses, invest in our infrastructure and preserve the character that makes Bedford such a special place to live.”
Calves said she has worked to remain accessible to residents through regular communication, transparency and opportunities for public engagement, while encouraging respectful dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
During her tenure, the town implemented a new townwide police radio communications system, expanded wireless coverage, enhanced police-community engagement and training, and improved pedestrian safety through new sidewalks, flashing beacons, upgraded crosswalks and improved street lighting.
The administration also completed an update of the town’s 20-year-old Comprehensive Plan following extensive public input, maintained Bedford’s AAA bond rating and kept taxes within the state tax cap despite rising costs. Additional initiatives included digitizing the building permit process through an online property portal, strengthening protections for historic homes and districts, purchasing a new senior bus with state grant funding, and expanding recreational and youth programming.
Calves also pointed to affordability and housing initiatives, including adoption of an enhanced low-income senior tax exemption, support for affordable housing projects on Valley Road and through the McLain and Doyle House renovation, and the creation of a Housing Working Group to explore additional affordable housing opportunities.
Environmental and resiliency efforts included expanding food-scrap recycling drop-off locations, increasing the town’s electric vehicle fleet, installing six fast-charging stations in Katonah, assisting residents with septic and well-water improvement funding, and achieving Silver Level Climate Smart Community certification from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
The town also sponsored community events, including Rev Up 250, supported volunteer recruitment for first responders, enabled farmers and community markets in Katonah and Bedford Hills, and enacted a moratorium on battery energy storage systems while local safety and zoning standards are evaluated.
Under Calves’ leadership, Bedford received several recognitions, including a Gold Level Town of Excellence designation from the Association of Towns, a Traffic Safety Award from AAA, and recognition by SafeWise as the Safest City in New York State for two consecutive years.
Looking ahead, Calves said her priorities for another term would include upgrading the Katonah playground and implementing a long-term parks and pools capital plan, advancing redevelopment planning for the Route 117 commercial corridor, expanding walk and bike path connections between hamlets, improving efficiency and customer service in the town’s permitting and review processes, enhancing youth engagement through the THRIVE prevention program, expanding open-space preservation, supporting public art initiatives, improving clean-water infrastructure, and pursuing acquisition and redevelopment of the Bedford Hills train station to support restaurant use.
She also said she would continue advocating for improvements to state roads and sidewalks, as well as additional state aid for municipalities.
“There is still important work ahead, and I remain committed to thoughtful, transparent leadership that reflects the values and priorities of our residents,” Calves said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue this work and respectfully ask for your support.”
Calves has received endorsements from the Bedford Democratic Party, Eleanor’s Legacy, the New York League of Conservation Voters, the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body AFL-CIO and the Working Families Party.
The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Information provided by Friends of Ellen Calves.
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