Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Minutes May 21, 2020 Meeting called to order at 8:16 AM MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Siry, Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith, Trustee Jessica Bernius, Trustee Thomas Whalen, Trustee Michael O’Neill ALSO PRESENT: Acting Chief of Police Bryan Burton AFD Chief Rob Waegerle Superintendent of Public Works Bruce S. Hopper Building Inspector Bryan Donato Village Attorney Bruce Kennedy Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Murdock Deputy Treasurer Tiffany Ladd Deputy Clerk Deirdre Parker Assistant to the Mayor Wendy O’Neill The salute to the flag was led by Acting Chief of Police Bryan Burton. Mayor Siry welcomed everyone to the May 21st meeting of the Board of Trustees -- a Special Meeting to pay bills -- conducted online and telephone via Zoom Meeting. He announced that on Monday, we will honor our fallen service members with a brief, socially distant Memorial Day service. It will be “unplugged” with no microphones for safety against the COVID virus. He pointed out that there will be a Planning Board meeting tonight at 7 p.m. and a Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting next Thursday, at 7 p.m. via Zoom Meeting. Mayor’s Actions: Mayor Siry requested the approval of the Board of Trustees minutes from May 11th, 2020 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith and Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Deputy Treasurer Request to approve the abstract from May 7, 2020 – May 20, 2020 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 1  Board of Trustees Minutes May 21, 2020 Request from Fire Department Request to pay Bound Tree Medical in the amount of $3,641.36 (A3410.412) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Motorola Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $61,363.64 (A3410.250) which has been reimbursement a FEMA Grant. MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and seconded by Trustee Bernius Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Copiague Fire District in the amount of $5,772.37 (A3410.231) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Chevrolet of Smithtown in the amount of $64,761.00 (A3410.230) The vehicle purchase is for the replacement of truck #81 which had an electrical fire, for which the Village received the maximum insurance reimbursement MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 2  Board of Trustees Minutes May 21, 2020 Resolution Resolution 20-05-21-01 Request to enter into an agreement with the Town of Babylon and utilize all remaining funds inclusive of the 2019 Federal Community Development Block Grant Funds for Infrastructure and Handicap Improvements to Municipal Parking Lot #14 in the amount of $96,512.00 Mayor Siry indicated that this grant through the Town of Babylon may help accommodate outdoor seating for businesses along Broadway, near Amity Ales, when the businesses reopen. Joan Donnison, 150 S. Ketcham Ave., asked if the paving will include repair of low spots and lighting, to which the Mayor responded that the surface will be leveled off but there is no remaining funding available in the grant for lighting. MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Bernius and seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Resolution 20-05-21-02 Request to go to bid for Project 20 – 01 Infrastructure and Handicap Improvements to Municipal Parking Lot #14 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Trustee Bernius asked that Lori Waegerle, our Village Disability Coordinator, have the opportunity to review the plans for handicapped facility improvements. She also called for improved accessibility at Village Hall, perhaps with electronic doors and lower counters. Mayor Siry acknowledged this need, although the building met the Disabilities Act requirements at the time of its construction. The previous administration had attempted to obtain funding through Senator Fuschillo’s office for this purpose, however, it had not materialized before the Senator left office. Mayor Siry said we would look into it but State funds right now are going to be tight. Other Discussions: • Beach Operations: There will be a beach committee meeting later today to discuss COVID requirements and Summer employment. Per Mayor Siry, there will be no swimming or sailing lessons. Still 3  Board of Trustees Minutes May 21, 2020 to be determined are the food concession, opening date, availability of certified lifeguards, etc. If there is no concession at the beach, ice cream trucks would be allowed to sell at the Beach. The Trustees suggested that we accept applications for Pavilion rentals and see what the State guidance is as dates get closer to determine if rentals will be permitted. Trustee O’Neill suggested that given the uncertainty, we hold off on accepting checks in advance. Trustee Bernius asked that the Village emphasize there is no rental at this time. Regarding summer recreation, Mayor Siry is inclined to approve Yoga and dance as activities that can be done safely under social distancing. Arts and crafts and theater are yet to be determined. Trustee O’Neill suggested that we have APD do background checks for anyone using Village facilities for programs – starting with the summer programs. Trustee Bernius agreed, as this is routine practice for all schools and church programs, and is often an insurance requirement. • Wedding Photos: The Trustees agreed that requests for wedding photos and ceremonies in our parks should be denied to non-Village residents at this time. For those requests already received, we should grant permission with the stipulation that group size is limited to10 people as per the Governor’s current Executive Orders, but we will revisit the approval two weeks prior to the event based on changing guidance. • Storm Drain Contract: An intermunicipal agreement with Lindenhurst for rental of their Storm Drain Vacuum truck is being discussed. DPW Superintendent Hopper warned that the cost of dumping the silt is costly. Drains clog with silt when lawn clipping leaves are blown into the street. • Boars Head Property: Deputy Mayor Smith asked about the status of the Boars Head business on Merrick Road. Mayor Siry stated the Building Inspector would reach out regarding their plans for improving the property. Deputy Clerk Deirdre Parker also noted that their Storage Trailer Permit renewal is coming up for renewal. • July 4th Parade: Trustee Bernius asked if the July 4th parade would take place, given the COVID pandemic. Mayor Siry stated that under the current guidance, he thinks not. • Article 78 Court Date: Trustee Bernius also asked if a Court date has been set for the Security Dodge Special Use Application Article 78 appeal. No date has been set which is in a large part due to Court closures due to the COVID shutdown. Mayor Siry took the opportunity to say that having seen Security Dodge’s site plan, it has the potential to be one of the nicest properties on Merrick Road. He will connect with the Snug Harbor residents’ association to update them. He would like to vote on the application in June, as this matter has gone on for too long. 4  Board of Trustees Minutes May 21, 2020 • Refund Request: The Board discussed a request from Vincent Franco for a refund of a Storage of Commercial Vehicle permit which will go on the agenda on June 8th. The Mayor noted he has plans for constructing a shed that complies with the Village code. • Commercial Truck Storage: A commercial truck is being illegally stored at a residence on S. Bayview Avenue, and violations have been issued. Having the Courts closed at this time makes enforcement more challenging, Building Inspector Donato explained. • County Tax Deadline: The Board noted that County Executive Bellone’s proposed tax deadline extension for individuals who have proven financial hardships still has to be approved in Albany. The extension will not apply to the Village of Amityville taxes. In closing, Mayor Siry urged everyone to remain safe. MOTION to ADJOURN was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Bernius aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Meeting adjourned at 9:26 a.m. ____________________ Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer 5