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Sleepy Hollow president urges civility, outlines water and park projects and responds to 1601 West Main tree-removal dispute
Summary
The village president delivered a state-of-the-village update, thanked volunteers for July 4 events, outlined grant work on water mains and Sabatino Park, and addressed resident concerns about tree removal at 1601 West Main, owned by Conrad Ryback; several residents urged stronger enforcement.
The village president, speaking at the July 7 Sleepy Hollow Village Board meeting, delivered a state-of-the-village update and urged civility as residents continue to dispute tree removal and development at 1601 West Main. He thanked volunteers and staff for the Fourth of July events and said the village is pursuing grant funding for water-main improvements and for making Sabatino Park more accessible.
The president said he has begun regular office hours (Wednesdays, noon–2 p.m.) and has attended municipal training and regional networking sessions since taking office. He told residents the board is researching how other nearby municipalities regulate e-bikes, e-strollers and golf carts and invited public input.
On the conflict at 1601 West Main, the president identified the property owner as Conrad Ryback and said the village’s buffer-yard and zoning rules are “reactive” and cannot always prevent every change on private property. He said the village inherited a multi-year development and that staff and trustees are trying to broker understanding between “equally passionate sides,” but that enforcement options are constrained by the limits of the code and property law.
Several residents used the public-comment period to press village officials for stronger action. “We’re all in the same boat,” one resident said, describing loss of privacy and what she called poor prior communication about the development. Debra Vernon, who identified herself as a 23-year resident with local-government experience, said residents have sought stop orders, court orders and injunctions and urged the village to pursue legal remedies where possible.
The president said he and Chief Jeff Fleck will meet within two weeks before the next board meeting to discuss enforcement and code issues affecting the property and other problem parcels, and he urged continued constructive dialogue.
The board did not take formal action on the 1601 West Main matter during the meeting; the president said a review of the village code of conduct will be rescheduled and that staff will follow up on property-enforcement options before the next meeting.
