=== HEADLINE === Board Approves Lorraine Hansberry Street Honor After Red Scare Commentary === SUMMARY === Trustees voted to co-name a section of Cleveland Drive near the library for playwright Lorraine Hansberry, adopted a 3% short-term rental occupancy tax, and authorized a project labor agreement for the Lot A affordable housing development. === EXECUTIVE BRIEF === • Approved co-naming of Cleveland Drive near the library for Lorraine Hansberry • Adopted Local Law 4 of 2026, imposing a 3% occupancy tax on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals effective April 1 • Authorized village manager to execute a project labor agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council for publicly funded portions of the Lot A affordable housing project • Awarded roofing contract to ArmorTite Construction Corp ($45,350) and masonry contract to Construction Plus Services ($35,731.20) • Adopted formal guidelines for advisory boards and committees • Presented Key to the Village to Delton Robinson, designer of the village logo === ARTICLE === It was a moment of high drama at Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting when a resident used a public comment period about honoring Lorraine Hansberry to deliver an impromptu lecture on the history of Soviet communism, the Nazi-Soviet pact, and the KGB — before the board went ahead and approved the honor anyway. Christine O'Connor and Geordie Bell of the Lorraine Hansberry Coalition had just spoken in favor of co-naming a section of Cleveland Drive near the library for the famed playwright, who spent summers in Croton and is buried here. Then a resident from Everely and Truesdale Drive rose to say Hansberry "must have made a mistake" and launched into a several-minute discourse on communist affiliations, Stalin, and forced collectivization. "I love Lorraine Hansberry's play, *A Raisin in the Sun*," the resident said. "But this brings up a question of honoring people who have allegiance to the communist party." Trustees moved on without engaging the commentary. Trustee Karen Nicholson then made a motion to approve the co-naming immediately, calling Hansberry "an important cultural figure here in Croton." Nicholson also suggested pursuing a historical marker through the New York State Historical Society so passersby would understand who Hansberry was. Trustee Brian Pugh clarified that the honor would not change street names or addresses — only add a marker to the existing sign. The motion passed unanimously. In a quieter but arguably more consequential move, the board adopted a 3% occupancy tax on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals, effective April 1. The village previously had no such tax because it has no operating hotels, but a recent change in state law extended the option to short-term rentals. Not a single resident showed up to comment on the new tax — a notable silence given that it will directly affect anyone in Croton renting out a property on Airbnb or similar platforms. Short-term rental owners will be responsible for remitting the tax quarterly. The board also authorized a project labor agreement for the publicly funded portions of the 100-unit affordable housing development at Lot A on Croton Point Avenue. The PLA covers infrastructure work — including a water main extension and new sewer line — funded through Westchester County's Housing Implementation Fund, but does not cover the building's general construction. Trustee Brian Pugh noted the PLA was a recommendation of the village's own Lot A task force. Trustee Slomin abstained. Earlier in the evening, the board presented the Key to the Village to Delton Robinson, who designed Croton's enduring logo in 2004. "They chose the craziest one," Robinson quipped. Pugh noted that the logo, which incorporates the railroad, the Hudson, Native American heritage, and eagle imagery, draws envy from other communities. "I feel I have put my fingerprints on everything in town," Robinson said, listing walking trails, floor mats, and tax bills. "It haunts me in a very nice way." **What to watch for:** - **Feb. 23:** Budget priority survey responses due - **March 2:** Gouveia Park virtual meeting at 7 p.m. (Zoom link coming soon; will be recorded) - **April 1:** Short-term rental occupancy tax takes effect - **Spring:** Municipal building wall masonry repairs begin once weather permits; Gouveia Park playground installation underway (approximately six weeks)