I am pleased to report that this year was a safe one for our village. The police department has reported that it was a very quiet one and there were no incidents reported. The Sanitation/Recycling Collection Schedule and Guidelines for 2004/05 were recently mailed to residents. I encourage you to review the schedule and to please retain it as a reference source for the upcoming year.

A number of thoughtful residents have been inconvenienced by placing plastic flats and flower pots in their recycling box. Although these items may have the recycling symbol, they are not recyclable by the village. Only number one and number two plastic containers can be recycled.

The type of plastic containers that can be recycled in your recycling box are beverage, food, detergent, milk and non-toxic household cleaners. Some examples of a number one plastic container are soda, mouthwash, salad dressing bottles, peanut butter jars, etc. Examples of number two plastic containers are milk jugs, water, juice and shampoo bottles, as well as liquid detergent containers. All containers must be rinsed of all food or beverage residue.

Other plastics with the symbols "3" through "7" are to be disposed of as garbage or rubbish. Examples of non-acceptable plastics include toys, utensils, cups, plates, motor oil plastic cans, etc.

Any questions should be referred to the Department of Public Works at 465-4031.

Please observe the village's Sanitation Guidelines by adhering to the following instructions:

1. Rubbish should be placed at the curb Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.

2. Sharp objects, such as broken glass, sharp pieces of metal and knives should not be placed loosely in plastic or paper bags. Proper precaution should be taken, such as placing them in cardboard boxes tied with string or tape.

Your village has spent a good deal of time and money to beautify our central business district in order to make it as appealing to residents and businesses. Our local food markets have also made a significant investment in purchasing high quality shopping carts for our use and convenience while shopping in their stores. Regrettably, these carts are not being returned to the prescribed areas by the shops and are being left within the parking fields and in the areas of the apartment houses.

In consideration of your neighbors, merchants and community, I urge residents to return these carts to their respective stores. The additional effort will go a long way to keeping our village the beautiful place that we all want it to be.

With the arrival of summer comes more of our young people taking to the streets on bicycles. A reminder to parents that in New York State, all children ages 1-13 are required by law to wear helmets when riding.

Learning to ride a bicycle is a source of pride for most kids. Unfortunately, as bicycling becomes more popular, the number of bicycle-related injuries have also increased. According to the NYS Department of Health's latest statistics each year, "an average of 52 New Yorkers are killed in bicycle crashes. Nearly 2,200 are hospitalized. Of the hospitalizations, 38 percent involve brain injuries. Children, ages 5-19, are most at risk for being hospitalized for a bicycle-related injury and more than 500,000 children go to hospital emergency departments or doctors' offices because they were in bicycle crashes."

These are startling statistics. Bicycle injuries can be prevented by promoting the use of bicycle helmets and by teaching bicycle safety. Parents can make a difference by promoting bicycle safety education. Parents can role model, wearing a helmet when riding a bike and focus on the following "Rules of the Road." Parents can make sure his/her child:

-Wears a properly fitting helmet, which is SNELL, ANSI or ASTM approved; these helmets have passed crash safety tests - look for a sticker inside the helmet;

-Has a bike that is in good working order and has the right accessories;

-Rides only one person to a bike;

-Always rides with the traffic;

-Keeps to the right of the street; children under 16 years may ride on sidewalks;

-Obeys all traffic lights and signs;

-Signals all turns;

-Uses a horn or bell; and

-Wears reflective clothing for nighttime riding and makes sure the bicycle has reflectors, a headlight and a taillight.

Also, note that any person skating or gliding on "in-line" skates (e.g., roller blades) and or operating a two-wheeled vehicle (e.g., scooter) is required to wear a helmet meeting the above noted standards. Don't let you or your child become a statistic. Start practicing bicycle, skating and scooter safety today!

Once again, compliments are due to the recreation department for arranging the 2004 season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues.

This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, July 15, and will feature Buddy Merriam and Back Roads - Banjo and Blue Grass for your enjoyment.

The program will begin at 7:15; admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's School. Please contact the Recreation Program Line (742-5888) with questions pertaining to the concert.