Platform 2026
Bedford is an incredible place to live. We have three unique hamlets surrounded by natural beauty, engaged citizens, and a community committed to making this place, and the world, better. Together we have shown that Bedford works well when we are safe, when residents thrive, when economic and community life is vibrant, and when we are green and resilient. Bedford works well when we have responsible managment and visionary leadership. These pillars are the foundation of Ellen's leadership to date and her platform for her re-election. Read more below and please reach out if you have any questions.
Excellent Fiscal Management & Communication
Good Governance & Transparency
Strong fiscal management is the most important part of the Supervisor's job. Ellen has led the Town Board through 4 budget adoptions and has had a "clean audit," and maintained the Town's AAA bond rating each year and will continue to hold the line on taxes while maintaining Bedford's excellent financial position.
Under Ellen's leadership the Town has received grants from the CDC Drug Free Communities Program, DEC Water Quality Protection and Clean Water Infrastructure, NYS Planning Grant for Walk/Bike Path, County Downtown Improvement Grant for Bedford Hills, DEC Grant for a Natural Resources Inventory and for Mapping Wildlife Corridors, DEC Grant for Food Scrap Recycling, and NYS Grants for Police Technology, Pickleball Courts, BH Inclusive Playground, Katonah Playground, Senior Bus, Electric Vehicles, Improved Sidewalks, Building Health and Performance Program, Building Department Technology, a Bus Shelter and Bike Racks, funding for seniors in need, NYSERDA funding for decarbonization of a municipal building. We will continue to work to obtain grant funding whenever available.
Launching a new town website and sending a weekly newsletter to subscribers, I aim to provide transparent and thorough communications to residents.
We have updated platforms in departments and I aim to continue to improve processes, response times and technology to provide the highest levels of customer service, efficiency and cost effectiveness for taxpayers.
In addition to managing the 10 departments of the Town and collaborating with a variety of agencies that interact and intersect with Bedford including the MTA, NYS DOT, NYS DEC, NYC DEP, NYS DOCCS, USPS, 3 fire departments and 2 EMS corps, 2 electric utilities, 2 school districts, and many County agencies, I will continue to be a leader in the region as the current 1st Vice President of WMOA, Treasurer of East of Hudson Watershed Corporation, and I represent the Town on the WEMS consortium and on the Northern Westchester Presidents Council
I am proud that the Town of Bedford was awarded Gold Level "Town of Excellence" award from the Association of Towns in 2026 and will continue to always aim for Excellence!
Health & Safety
Trust, investment, and innovation
Public health and safety are top priorities. and I am proud that Bedford has once again been recognized as one of the safest communities in New York — and for the third year in a row, SafeWise has ranked Bedford in the top two safest cities in New York State.
Through strategic partnerships, investment, and grant funding we have dramatically improved police communications and emergency cellular coverage and continue to find ways to improve communication networks throughout town for everyone's safety and in ways that work for our town.
Delivering on the recommendations of the Police-Community Reform and Reimagination Committee's report, an effort I chaired in 2020-2021, we understand that trust between the community and the police are essential to safety and we will continue to support police-community partnerships, outreach, and education.
For the safety and health of residents we will continue to improve traffic and pedestrian safety with sidewalks, crosswalks, and other traffic calming measures. We continue to educate the public to Share the Road and are applying for grants to advance walk/bike paths.
For the safety of residents, we have launched a program to inspect and provide data to landlords and tenants about building health and safety and we will continue to advance the program and ensure information is available to tenants and future tenants of multifamily buildings.
Safety and health include clean water and that is why we are expanding our clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
I also understand and invest time in partnerships that keep all residents safe. I work closely with our police, first responders, county agencies, organizations, hospitals, utilities, and others to ensure we are prepared for emergencies, mental health crises, domestic violence, storms, etc. and work tirelessly to keep residents informed and prepared for their own safety as well.
Hamlet & Community Vitality
Collaboration & Cooperation
Revitalization means making our hamlets robust centers of activity for residents and visitors.
I will continue to work with businesses and landlords in each hamlet to fill our storefronts, support community events, and support welcoming and beautification efforts.
I work with residents to find out what they want in their neighborhoods and support initiatives to create green spaces, protect land and natural beauty, support a variety of housing, and support programs and collaborative solutions for all segments of the population to come together and thrive in our town.
I will continue to work to improve parking in the hamlets and advocate to the State to repave deterioriating State roads.
I will continue to improve efficiency and cooperation to advance approvals and partnerships between the Town and local organizations and businesses, improving internal workflows and event sponsorships.
I will work with residents and other stakeholders to adopt an area plan to redevelop 117 to be more beautiful, vibrant, and to accommodate mixed use for retail, restaurants, and housing.
I will continue to work to restore Bedford Hills Train Station and obtain a tenant cafe or restaurant to serve commuters, residents and visitors and enahnce foot traffic.
I will continue to develop a program for public art.
I continue to collaborate on events that support community vibrancy and partner with our not-for-profit leaders on increased participation and engagement.
Sustainability
Health & Resiliency
Sustainability means clean air and water. it is also about improving quality of life, reducing costs for taxpayers, and making smart investments that will benefit future generations.
As an environmental advocate and attorney, I am a passionate advocate for our environment and human health and will continue the efforts we have underway to reach our shared sustainability goals in Bedford's Climate Action Plan and for the health and wellness of Bedford residents now and in the future.
By benchmarking energy use in town buildings, we identify where energy is wasted, measure progress and make informed decisions about future improvements and decarbonization. We evaluate municipal buildings and identify energy-efficiency upgrades and pursue grant funding to help pay for those projects.
We have upgraded charging systems and acquired municipal electric vehicles with grant funding, and we are planning for the future of our municipal fleet.
I will continue expanding the infrastructure residents need to make cleaner transportation choices with public electric vehicle charging stations and grant funding to expand bike/walk paths.
Waste reduction is another cost savings and we continue to expand composting, increase recycling, and reduce plastics.
Under my leadership, we continue to preserve open space and will expand Buxton Gorge with additional grant funding in the coming months. We also secured funding for wildlife corridor mapping and will enhance policy to encourage land preservation in tandem with any subdivision development.
We expanded seasonal restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers, and will continue to work to improve enforcement.
I continue to support native plants and the removal of invasive vines. tree planting and other healthy land practices.
I am proud that Bedford is a leader in the state, earning Silver designation in the Climate Smart Community challenge and one of the leaders in the Clean Energy Communities program, which makes Bedford more competitive for state grants that help reduce costs for local taxpayers.
Double click to edit the text.
Thriving Residents
Working for You
Bedford is special because of its people. People who engage to support our businesses, institutions, and history, who protect and preserve what they love about our small town and engage with their neighbors, and people who advocate and advance ways of learning and living together.
I will continue to engage, invest, and support robust opportunities for all residents to thrive regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, their first language, their race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, age or their abilities.
I continue to support dynamic programming and events for all ages.
I continue to honor and support Veterans with tax exemptions, free pool passes, annual ceremonies and events including with our new, annual military banner program and Veterans Day Celebration.
I continue to support Seniors with tax exemptions, reduced rates for services, a full tie senior advocate, programming and events, and support for affordable housing.
I support resident recreation through the acquisition of open space and support for our incredible parks and programs including new events such as the youth triathlon and boat rental programs.
I support the development of a variety of housing, where appropriate, that serves all community members.
I will ensure we continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive community with newcomer events, pride events, inclusive initiative collaboration, not for profit partnerships, hispanic business chamber events, events that attract multigenerational and multicultural participants as we have done with salsa night, world cup watch, etc.
I continue to listen and learn from our residents every day, and I am always happy to hear from you. I promise to continue to put people first as your Town Supervisor.
Remember to vote on Election Day, November 3rd, or vote early, in-person. For more information on voting and registration and more, click here.
