By Sarah Ellen Berman • Photo by Isabel Greenberg
On January 5, Susan Carpenter began her tenure as town supervisor. The path that led her to this office, full of extensive civic involvement, insured a swift and efficient integration into the town government.
Carpenter traces the origin of her community activism back to the time when her son was a student at Grafflin. While serving on the Grafflin PTA’s environmental committee, she effectively lobbied the district to cease using harmful pesticides inside the schools.
Subsequently, Carpenter served in a multitude of organizations including the town’s open space advisory committee, conservation board and as chair of the planning board. As Congresswoman Nita Lowey noted in her introduction of Carpenter at the inauguration ceremony, “She’s keenly aware of the environmental issues facing the town of New Castle.” In addition to her new municipal duties, Carpenter continues to serve as legal counsel and director of land preservation for the Westchester Land Trust.
Carpenter’s concern for the environment stems from her childhood in the Finger Lakes region. Reminiscing about summers spent outdoors with her three siblings in the varied environment of the area, she said, “I have a real love for all those ecosystems.”
In the field of academia, Carpenter has pursued studies in related subjects. At CUNY law school, she taught environmental law and at Yale she obtained a masters in environmental science. She has also studied political philosophy and has a masters from Antioch Law School.
While Carpenter was serving on the open space committee, the property that is now Burden Park came up for sale and was acquired by the town. She enjoys hiking there with her two rescue dogs, Taco and Saia. After Hurricane Irene, she pitched in to help maintain the trails. “We had to move a couple of trails because there were erosion problems,” Carpenter said. Another one of her favorite places for hiking is Glazier Arboretum.
In Carpenter’s view, the town’s commercial and residential green building laws constitute a critical component in protecting the environment. Although these laws do not require builders to secure LEED certification, they do lay the groundwork for following LEED standards.
Carpenter has brought new vigor to the project of revitalizing the town’s business districts in the hamlets of Millwood and Chappaqua. She emphasizes the need to “get people in the community involved to focus on what services and businesses would work in our community.” Carpenter feels that “constructive ideas” put forth by residents should be a key element in any redesign or improvement effort. When D’Agostino’s closed, she listened attentively as residents expressed the desire to have a new supermarket in town. “We’re thinking of rezoning Chappaqua Crossing for retail to allow for a grocery store,” Carpenter said. The public was invited to attend the town board meeting at the end of March to discuss the proposed change.
Carpenter has met the owner of Step in Style NY, the new shoe boutique in town and welcomes this addition to the existing mix of speciality shops. “A lot of people are looking forward to it. It’s a great idea,” she noted.
As an avid reader, Carpenter sees a void in the current retail landscape. “It would be great to have a bookstore,” she said.
Carpenter is deeply committed to My Second Home, the adult day care facility for seniors. This is the place where she dropped off her mother in the morning for many years. As a single mom, this entity enabled her to work and care for her son, secure in the knowledge that her mother was receiving the best of care. It provides “a safe, supportive and stimulating environment,” Carpenter observed. She is a very active member of the advisory group for My Second Home.
On Saturday mornings, Carpenter heads downtown to the Chappaqua farmer’s market. “I love being able to buy fresh, local and homemade foods. It’s also an opportunity to meet people and talk,” she mentioned.
Sarah Ellen Berman is a regular contributor to Inside Chappaqua. Many additional stories by Sarah can also be found through the “New Castle News” link
