The village of Ossining announced on March 8 that Village Clerk MaryAnn Roberts has rejected a petition submitted in an effort to force a voter referendum on a previously approved traffic roundabout project in the village”™s downtown.
Filed by the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce, the petition sought a public vote on whether to defund the project”™s previously approved $500,000 bond.
Gayle Marchica, president of the chamber, said the petition regarding the proposed roundabout received more than the 2,146 signatures needed to force a public referendum. As of press time, the clerk”™s office determined that of 2,683 signatures submitted, only 1,634 were valid.
Roberts noted that signers of the petition neglected to include their election districts, as required by village law. She added that while only residents and registered voters of the village were allowed to sign the petition, it contained “numerous names” of unregistered voters and non-residents. Other defects included signers not providing their full names, providing incorrect signing dates, signing the petition multiple times and printing instead of signing their names.
Mayor Victoria Gearity has said that the traffic circle would provide safer flow for cars and crosswalks for pedestrians.
Opponents, including business owners, cited the traffic circle”™s potential effects on safety, parking, traffic and economic development in downtown among their concerns.
