Croton's Board of Trustees took a major step toward renewable energy on February 4, awarding a $302,940 contract to Rivertown Solar of Dobbs Ferry for the installation of a solar canopy at the DPW Garage. The project, funded entirely through NYSERDA grants, was recommended by Sustainability Committee chair Lindsay Audin and drew the lowest of two bids submitted in December. If all goes smoothly, the canopy could be generating clean power for village operations before year's end. But the evening's most charged moments came during public comment, where residents pressed the board on snow removal frustrations following the recent once-in-a-decade storm. Bryan Deyo, president of the Association of Businesses, said local merchants saw a sharp decline in foot traffic because snow-clogged streets eliminated parking. He asked the village to offer free parking at the train station during storms so DPW crews could focus on clearing commercial spaces. Sonia Ferrante, a Riverside Avenue renter without off-street parking, went further, requesting free shuttle service to ferry residents back from the station to their homes. Village Manager Bryan Healy noted that free train station parking had already been offered during the storm and that crews prioritized business districts—Upper Village on Wednesday and Thursday, Harmon on Friday, and North Riverside on Tuesday. Mayor Pugh thanked DPW workers but acknowledged the board should review snow removal policy after winter. Trustee Slippen suggested a future work session on the topic. On the revenue side, the board set a February 18 public hearing on a proposed 3% occupancy tax on hotel and motel rooms, including short-term rentals, authorized by state legislation signed by Governor Hochul last October. The board also approved a March 17 tax lien sale covering $131,414.25 in unpaid taxes across 37 parcels, with Hudson Valley Hospital Center accounting for the largest single delinquency at $32,861.15. Gouveia Park planning moved forward with two contracts totaling $28,915 from the park's $1 million endowment: $5,415 for asbestos and lead paint testing by Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies, and $23,500 for a site development plan by Imbiano-Quigley Landscape Architects. Trustee Nicholson stressed that no final decisions have been made and that a public Q&A session is planned for March. The dog park debate also resurfaced. John Sasso of the Recreation Advisory Committee urged the board to resume discussions, advocating for sunrise-to-sunset hours rather than the current 4 PM cutoff. Trustee Simon, who noted a protracted negotiation process in 2023, said it may be time to "get everyone back to the table." Residents should mark February 18 at 7:00 PM for the occupancy tax hearing, and note that village offices will be closed for Presidents Day. The Duck Pond is open for unsupervised skating, and a budget priority survey will arrive soon via email.