Thank you to everyone who attended The Edgemont Community Council, Inc. Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening. I am humbled to have been re-elected President for a fourth term and look forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.
As I reflect upon the work of the Edgemont Community Council over the past year, it was with pride and gratitude that I presented this year’s President’s Report. Our collective efforts have focused on advancing public safety, fostering community engagement and belonging, and setting up the organization for long-term success in the years to come. I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight our collective achievements and initiatives, which have been instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for all Edgemont residents.
Thank you to the ECC membership for re-electing me President for a fourth term. It remains one of the true privileges of my life to represent and serve my hometown, a community that has given so much to me, and to work with each and every one of you in making Edgemont the best possible place to live.
It was also a true honor to celebrate my good friend Pamela Borgeson Montgomery as the recipient of the 2025 Silver Bowl Award for her outstanding service to our community. A special thank you to our partners in government who joined us in recognizing Pamela’s contributions with proclamations and commendations.
We were also fortunate to be joined by Tim Foley, CEO of The Building & Realty Institute of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region and a leader of Welcome Home Westchester, who delivered a thoughtful keynote address on the topic of “Housing — Where Do We Go From Here?. Thank you, Tim, for sharing your insights and helping to inspire an important community discussion.
Thank you again to all who make Edgemont such a special place — your support, engagement, and commitment to our community inspire everything we do.
2025 ECC President’s Report
Strengthening Public Safety and Infrastructure
Over the past year, the ECC has continued to make significant strides in improving traffic safety and infrastructure across our community. Working closely with Town of Greenburgh officials, last June we helped secure a $3.86 million dollar federal grant, with the Town contributing just under a million additional dollars, for a total investment of $4,824,677 dollars in pedestrian safety improvements along Old Army Road. This Transportation Alternatives Program – or TAP – grant will fund new sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks connecting Edgemont’s schools, neighborhoods, the Scarsdale train station, and the Central Avenue corridor — a direct result of the ECC advocacy and community support, including 69 resident letters supporting the grant application.
Earlier this year, the Town approved engineering and design work to kick off this project, which is expected to progress through next year with continued community input. We also saw our ongoing public safety efforts come to fruition when the Greenburgh Town Board adopted a suite of measures addressing local traffic concerns: speed limits were lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph on many residential streets in the Longview and Southern Greenville neighborhoods; new parking restrictions were enacted around Greenville Elementary School to ease pickup and drop-off congestion; and a new stop sign was installed to improve safety at the confusing intersection of Robin Hill Road and Mount Joy Avenue.
These changes, all priorities identified in ECC’s 2023 Traffic and Safety Report or since then through the ongoing work of the Public Safety Committee, led by ECC Director Paul Wooten, will help make our roads safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. The ECC thanks the Town of Greenburgh for its ongoing partnership on addressing these public safety concerns, and encourages all residents to reach out to the ECC anytime with ideas, thoughts, or concerns, and we will raise them during our regular meetings with Town staff.
We’re also pleased that the Town’s 2024 capital budget included $650,000 for a “smart” traffic light at the intersection of Ardsley and Fort Hill Road – a longstanding community request, as well as funding for a new sidewalk along Fort Hill Road between Longview Drive and Underhill Road — both important safety upgrades shaped by community input. From safer streets to new infrastructure, these accomplishments reflect a collaborative effort among the ECC, residents, and our partners in government to enhance the quality of life in Edgemont.
Building Community through Events and Traditions
Outside of advocacy, one of ECC’s most cherished roles is bringing our community together, and this year, Edgemont enjoyed many wonderful events that strengthened our shared bonds. In October, we celebrated Halloween in style with the milestone 35th Annual Halloween Parade at Crane’s Pond — a joyous tradition where costumed families from all corners of Edgemont paraded through Old Edgemont’s streets. The ECC worked with police to implement temporary road closures, ensuring a safe and festive afternoon for all our trick-or-treaters.
As the year drew to a close, Edgemont’s holiday spirit shone bright. The season began with the annual Crane’s Pond Tree Lighting. Later in December, the community gathered for the 98th Annual Crane’s Pond Carol Sing on Christmas Eve, singing holiday favorites by the tree. Just after, neighbors came together to light the menorah and celebrate Hanukkah during the annual Crane’s Pond Menorah Lighting. These long-standing holiday traditions remind us of Edgemont’s warm, close-knit character as generations young and old gather to celebrate together. If you haven’t been to one of these celebrations, I encourage you to join us later this year.
In January, we honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by becoming, for the first time, a co-sponsor of the 5th Annual Edgemont Community Walk on MLK Day. Braving the winter chill, residents marched side by side in a display of unity, service, and reflection — joined by a special guest, Congressman George Latimer. February brought a cultural celebration with a vibrant Lunar New Year Celebration, in partnership with the Edgemont Chinese Association for a second year, ringing in the Year of the Snake with food, music, and community festivities that showcased the diversity that enriches Edgemont.
In March, the ECC was also proud to co-sponsor one of the first Edgemont LGBTQ+ Families and Allies Meet-Ups — a warm, inclusive gathering that created space for neighbors to connect, share experiences, and strengthen community bonds. Events like this are vital reminders of our shared values of inclusivity, respect, and belonging.
We also continued to grow the ECC Edgemont Newcomers Club, creating a welcoming space for new and nearly new residents to build friendships, share local tips, and develop a sense of belonging in their new community.
Coming up, please join us for our next event, the ECC Day of Service 2025 in partnership with the Nature Center at Greenburgh, on Saturday, May 10th, from 11AM to 2PM. Join the ECC in helping the Nature Center at Greenburgh maintain its preserve and get hands-on conservation experience pulling invasive plants. A post-volunteering catered lunch and “Meet the Animals” program with a Nature Center Naturalist is also available for purchase, or you can simply volunteer for free!
Throughout the year, the ECC organized or co-sponsored these community events, and promoted countless others, to help keep Edgemont’s most meaningful traditions alive. Each of these moments — big or small — contributed to a year filled with connection and community spirit. We should all be proud of the strong sense of unity that has always defined Edgemont. If you would like to get involved in supporting these events or have a new idea that would bring neighbors together, we invite you to reach out to the ECC.
Gratitude
In closing, I want to express my deepest thanks to everyone who has played a role in the ECC’s success this year. Thank you to the entire Board of Directors for their ongoing dedication and service, especially Lisa Buckser-Schulz, Lauren Lappen, Jordan Malz, and Pamela Montgomery, who will conclude their Board service this June.
Thank you to the School Board Nominating Committee for another successful year and for a thoughtful and thorough process. Special thanks to Lauren Lappen, who is completing her two-year term as SBNC Chair. Thank you to the six nominees who stepped forward to be interviewed by the committee, and congratulations to Mark Fleischhauer, Grace Lin, and Elyse Paidas on being recommended by the committee to serve on the School Board next year.
Beyond Edgemont, this spring, several new Edgemont residents were appointed to serve on Town of Greenburgh boards, further strengthening our community’s voice in local government. We congratulate Emily Anderson, Peter Blier, and Carl Riobo on their appointments, and thank them for stepping up to serve. Civic participation at every level helps ensure that Edgemont continues to be well represented, and we’re grateful to all who serve on behalf of our community.
And thank you to my wife, Jenny Pyne, for her patience and understanding as this role often requires many nights and weekends out of the house, working for and representing the community.
As we look ahead, there is much to be excited about. The ECC Nominating Committee has assembled a terrific slate of new and returning community leaders for 2025–2026, ensuring that our organization remains in strong and capable hands. With your help, we will build on this year’s momentum and continue addressing the opportunities and challenges before us. We are always eager to welcome new voices and volunteers. If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact me at President@EdgemontECC.org.
In Edgemont, we are fortunate to have a community that cares deeply and comes together in support of the common good. This past year has once again shown that when neighbors unite in constructive collaboration and mutual respect, great things happen. On behalf of the Edgemont Community Council, thank you for being part of what makes this such a special place. If you’re not yet a member of the ECC, we invite you to join us — simply visit our website here. I’m honored to continue to serve as your President and look forward to all we will achieve together in the year ahead.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dylan Pyne
President, The Edgemont Community Council
