Murphy announces streetlight upgrade, new senior van for Sleepy Hollow

SLEEPY HOLLOW, NY - The lights along Beekman Avenue will burn brighter and senior citizens will travel in style thanks to a pair of grants the Village of Sleepy Hollow received from the Westchester County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  Senator Terrence Murphy, a supporter of the grants announced the first grant for $340,925 will support the Beekman Avenue Street Lighting Project Safety Improvements project; the second for $62,292 will fund the purchase a new van for seniors.

"The new streetlights will be brighter, safer, and will further enhance the beauty of Sleepy Hollow's downtown area," Senator Murphy said. "The new van will improve senior's mobility. Most importantly, it will have the capability to transport seniors in wheelchairs who might otherwise be homebound."

The Beekman Avenue Street Lighting Project Safety Improvements Project will replace forty-seven streetlights along Beekman Avenue in the heart of Sleepy Hollow's business district. The metal in the pedestal bases of the lights has deteriorated and the lights no longer provided proper illumination along the walkways. New conduit, wiring, poles and LED lights will be installed that will cast a greater spectrum of light on the sidewalks and roadway. The new street lights will be more energy efficient and match the historic look of downtown Sleepy Hollow.
 
Sleepy Hollow has an active senior citizen population that relies heavily on van transport to take them to doctor's appointments, the supermarket and a variety of other activities. By last year, through wear and attrition, the Village's van worn out and in need of replacement. The new van will include a wheelchair lift that can accommodate two wheelchair passengers and 16 additional passengers.
 
"The Village of Sleepy Hollow is incredibly grateful to be the recipient of two Community Development Block Grants being administered by New York State.," Anthony Giaccio, the village administrator, said. "One for a desperately needed passenger van that will used to transport senior citizens to our various programs and important services, the other for new decorative LED streetlights that will help to revitalize our downtown.  We thank our local politicians for their help in securing these grants."