=== HEADLINE === Dog park hours may expand after weekend complaints === SUMMARY === Croton trustees discussed extending Black Rock Dog Park weekend hours, allowing nonresident dog sitters, and switching village diesel vehicles to renewable fuel. The Half Moon Bay Bridge rehabilitation project will move forward with a 14-month timeline. === EXECUTIVE BRIEF === • Approved $544,139.11 in voucher payments across all funds • Authorized $41,540 additional scope for Tectonic Engineering on Half Moon Bay Bridge rehabilitation • Adopted Local Law No. 1 of 2026, allowing appointment of alternate members to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals • No vote taken on dog park changes; matter referred to future work session === ARTICLE === Judy Rayer of Gerstein Street came to Tuesday's Board of Trustees meeting with a simple plea: let working people walk their dogs on weekends. Currently, the Black Rock Dog Park closes at 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays — a restriction that dates back to a 2021 compromise with Quaker Bridge Road neighbors over noise concerns. For residents who work until 4 or 5 p.m., that leaves no weekend window at all. "What's the other thing? Oh, and as far as the residents who are not village residents being able to use the dog park, I think that is a good step in the right direction," Rayer said, before raising another practical problem. If she goes on vacation and her son from Montrose watches her dog, he can't legally bring it to the park. "He should be able to take the dog to the dog park without getting a ticket." Village Manager Brian Healy acknowledged the gap. "As the rules are right now, if they don't have the ID card, they're not able to use the park," he said, suggesting the village could explore guest passes or sitter passes similar to what some municipalities offer for pool memberships. Trustee Karen Nightingale pushed for a transparent process. "What would be the opportunity to hear that?" she asked, referring to neighbors who might oppose extending hours. The matter will go to a future work session before any changes, and if board action is required, a public hearing would follow. John Sasso of Morningside Drive, who plays bocce near the dog park daily, offered unsolicited testimony: "Barking is not an issue at the dog park. In two years, I heard one dog barking, except for this one dog that yaps. We call it the yappa. And there's a rooster. And they both live on the other side of the river." The irony? Despite a 40-minute webinar Monday detailing the 14-month Half Moon Bay Bridge rehabilitation project — covering lane closures, railroad coordination, and federal funding — only 22 people tuned in. Ed Riley of Treesdale Drive voiced what many residents are quietly wondering: what happens to the old tire warehouse property near the bridge? Mayor Brian Pugh had a rare definitive answer: the industrial tenant's lease was renewed for more than five years, so "there will not be a change in use for the remainder of this decade." On the sustainability front, the village is switching all diesel vehicles to renewable diesel, following the lead of Westchester County Airport, Tuckahoe, and New York City. The roughly $26,000 annual cost difference will be covered by solar canopy lease revenue at the DPW garage — no tax impact expected. The board also adopted a local law allowing alternate members on the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, giving the mayor flexibility to fill absences or recusals without shutting down proceedings. **What to watch for:** Village offices close Monday, January 19 for MLK Day — garbage collection delayed by one day. Alarm permit renewals mail around January 15. A public hearing on the Altice/Optimum cable franchise renewal is scheduled for the next trustees meeting, January 21. The Half Moon Bay Bridge project webinar is available on the village website's project page and livestream archive.