Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Meeting called to order at 7:45 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Siry, Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith, Trustee Whalen, Trustee O’Neill, Trustee Brooks ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Bruce Kennedy AFD Chief Rob Waegerle APD Chief Bryan Burton Superintendent Bruce Hopper Building Inspector Bryan Donato Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Murdock Assistant to the Mayor Wendy O’Neill Mayor Siry welcomed everyone to the Board of Trustees meeting and invited Chief Bryan Burton to conduct the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Siry requested Committee Reports for the month of March: DPW (Trustee O’Neill): Picked up and disposed of 30 cubic yards debris/trash from the Great South Bay cleanup at the eastern entrance to the Village at Ketcham Creek, and 10.17 tons of C & D as well as 3.27 tons of Village municipal waste. They cleaned storm drain, repairing catch basin on Barberry Court, catching up on grinding tree stumps. A resident on Wood Ave. thanked DPW for grinding the stump on their property. Replaced damaged bench at James Caples Park; replaced two trees damaged in traffic accidents; performed pothole work around village, are working with a marine contractor on bulkheading and a storm drain at Mincher Place; moving the electronic speeding sign around the village; cleaning and repairing teak memorial benches. They repaired and reinstalled decorative fountain at Park Ave., are working with electrical contractor at ball field at the beach, performing clean ups at Peterkin Park; and picked up materials for replacing fencing on south side of Nautical Park. They are working on baseball fields and working on a better locking system for the Little League Field on County Line Rd. The Department continues with street light replacements, street sweeping, and weeding and mulching throughout the Village. Fire Department (Trustee Whalen): Commercial building fire calls 6, brush fires 2, rescue calls 88 (a pretty high number), miscellaneous alarms 1, mutual assistance calls 14, mutual assistance calls 14, rescue for a member 3, member transports 2, CO alarms 1, gas leaks 3, motor vehicle accidents 5, water rescue calls 1, 14 second, third and fourth rescue calls and 7 house fire alarms. All is going well and budgeting is complete. Justice Court (Trustee Brooks) Shannon Kokoneshi reports revenue came to $19,218.00, under penal, criminal, vehicle, traffic and ordinances 156 fines processed, 96 closed, total of $11,061.00 was collected. 81 Parking tickets were processed and 72 were collected on for a total of $8,157.00. Village Beach (Trustee Brooks): Hiring is underway. Offer letters were mailed to candidates and must be returned on or by May 20th. Beach orientation and safety are scheduled for June 22nd via Zoom or at a remote location (not at Village Hall). Swimming and sailing signups will be on June 23 3:30 p.m.– 6 p.m. and June 28th,10 am.- 1 p.m. Beach is slated to open on June 26th at 10 a.m. There is an ongoing search for a crash boat and operator to support the sailing program. Please let us know if you have any leads. We are also seeking a concession operator and there has been interest to the RFP. On July 18th at 5 p.m. a theater group will perform Romeo & Juliet at the Beach, and we hope to attract a good crowd of residents. The goal is to have Wednesday nights at the beach come back with live music again. There may be Friday night events as well with concerts and movies. 1  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Building Dept. (Trustee Whalen): Revenue, $320,925.00 (which is high, due to closing out of apartments by the LIRR from the Planning Board); 32 permits, 39 inspections, 61 notice of violations performed, 38 violations corrected, 14 fire safety inspections and 6 fire marshal callouts. Amityville Police Dept. (Deputy Mayor Smith): February: Arrests 10, blotters 443, cases 46, citations 143, medical aided 82, and traffic accidents 23. March: Arrests 12, blotters 506, cases 46, citations 162, impound 1, medical aided 90, and traffic accidents 23. The department is working hard on their accreditation. Chief Burton also advised the APD will host a 3-week training course and three of our officers being trained as instructors. They are working on the Police Reform manual and getting the speed safety sign out on the street. Mayor’s Actions: Request to approve Board of Trustees Minutes from the April 12th Organizational Meeting and regular Board of Trustees Meeting of April 12th MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to appoint Jacqueline Aissa as Deputy Treasurer at the rate of $31.25 per hour effective April 27th, 2021 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 Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to appoint Gregg Doerner as Part-time Building Inspector at the rate of $30.00 per hour, effective May 3rd, 2021 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Licenses: Landscaper License -Renewal Mayor Siry asked the Board to vote on the three landscaping licenses on the agenda (agenda a. through c.) Giulio DeLuca, 311 Center Bay Dr., West Islip, NY for DeLuca Landscaping. Edward Batz, 29 Macdonald Ave., Amityville, NY for Batz Brothers, Inc. 2  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Aroldo Diaz, 1 E Gate, Copiague, NY for Diaz Lawn Service Corp. MOTION to APPROVE all three licenses, a. through c. on the agenda, with all stipulations noted in the applications was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Taxicab Driver’s License – Renewal Electicia Perez, 24 East Cherry St., Central Islip, NY for Lindy’s Taxi. MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Storage of Trailer James Josephson, 45 Burch Ave., Amityville, NY for Burch Realty Associates Ltd. The Board expressed concern that the applicant has not submitted plans for an alternative solution. MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Michelle Hawley, 126 Riverside Ave., Amityville, NY A discussion occurred among the Trustees and neighbors, several of whom were in attendance to voice their concerns and displeasure about the RV. The applicant’s husband, Don Hawley stated the travel trailer is 28 feet in length and it is parked in the rear of the property. The trustees were concerned that the trailer might not be concealed enough under their current plans. Cynthia and Francis Tunney, who reside at 10 Weatherly Pl., expressed their strong objections to the trailer for reasons including their use of a private road as well as blowing sand and dust caused by a driveway without a paved surface and curb cuts. Ms. Tunney suggested that other residents are also not pleased. She said they feel their privacy and home value have been negatively affected by the residents’ actions. John Cutillo, Jr., 79 Grand Central Ave., also spoke against the storage of the RV. 3  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 MOTION to DENY the application was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Bryan Greenberg, 139 Dixon Ave., Amityville, NY for Irving’s Recyclables MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Deputy Treasurer Request to approve abstract from April 8th, 2021 – April 21st, 2021 MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Clerk/Treasurer Request to approve the 2021-2022 Village Budget MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Carlene Bryant, 30 Purdy Lane, Amityville, NY to use Pearsall Park for wedding photos for her daughter, Amanda, on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 2 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 4  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Request to pay Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services Inc. for Crime policy $125,000 (installment 2 of 2) in the amount of $3,567.00 (A1910.430) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC for Legal services rendered through 3/31/21 in the amount of $3,147.00 (A1420.440) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Smith and was seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Brian Redash for LI Dodgers Nation to use the south ballfield at James A. Caples Park, Louden Ave. and County Line Road ballfields, when available, for team practices, Tuesday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, at the Beach south field from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Brian Redash, 3940 New York Ave., Seaford, explained that they wish to work with Amityville Little League, for their 8U to 12U teams to practice on the fields, when not in use. Several teams have Amityville players. The Board recommended that, if approved, all team coaches must be prepared to show proof of permitted field use any time they use the Village fields. Mayor Siry directed the league representatives from LI Dodgers Nation and Amityville Little League get in contact with each other and work out field use. Amityville will have priority use at any time. Bill Ordon, 9 Norman Ave., who is a member of the Amityville Little League Board of Directors, shared that the league is finalizing their schedules and will be fielding T-ball to the majors. He will speak with League President Joe Morin about contacting Mr. Redash. MOTION to APPROVE with the stipulations that Amityville Little League has the first pick of using the field and there be no scrimmages with outside teams not in their organization, was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 5  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Request from Nicole Savin on behalf of EastLine Theatre to perform a community theater production of Romeo & Juliet, at James A. Caples Park on July 18th MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Fire Department Request to pay Quality A/C & Heating for Tickets # 93874; # 97001; # 96915 in the amount of $3,120.00 (A1624.460) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Deputy Mayor Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request from Department of Public Works Request to pay Display Sales for 15 feet and 25 feet Garland and Bulbs, shipping and handling in the amount of $5,950.00 (A7110.240) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Request to pay Dynaire Service Corp. for 2 New Controllers in the amount of $4.168.00 (A1623.460) MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays 6  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Resolutions Resolution 21-04-26-01 to award contract 21-01 - Bicycle /Pedestrian Path Under LIRR Viaduct to Nelson & Pope and authorize the Mayor to authorize the agreement MOTION to APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Smith and was seconded by Trustee Whalen Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Resolution 21-04-26-02 to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of intent with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority regarding the Bicycle/Pedestrian Path Under the Amityville Train Station MOTION to APPROVE was made by Trustee Whalen and was seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks aye Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Trustee Brooks announced that Amityville’s Arbor Day Celebration takes place at the Village beach at 10 a.m. with the Parks Commission, high school students, and Girl Scouts Troop 3332 helping to plant trees. Deputy Mayor Smith shared upcoming events: • Covid vaccinations are being offered on April 29th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dominican Village, on Albany Ave., Amityville. To register, visit Assemblywoman Jean-Pierre’s website or Senator John Brooks website. • Sunday, May 2nd, Kiwanis will select the winner of its Mother’s Day raffle – get your tickets now. • Kiwanis will host a pitch & putt golf outing at the Town Beach, on June 18th; Bay Village Civic Association’s Farmers Market will begin on June 12th at 9/11 Memorial Park on Broadway at the LIRR; Simpson Methodist Church will have a tag sale on Saturday May 22nd, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Beginning May 15th there will be a community crafts market taking place on the Village triangle (Broadway and Park Ave.) from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Trustee O’Neill added there will be a Memorial Day service at the Triangle at 10 a.m. with the VFW – all are invited. Mayor Siry added that the Village 4th of July Parade will take place this year, but the July 3rd celebration most likely will not due to Covid. Dina Rosenberg, 34 Wellington Place, asked about the art market and voiced continued concerns about the condition of the old firehouse and general store on Broadway and Ireland Place. She questioned if the properties qualified under the Village’s laws for vacant properties, pointed out the presence of debris in the alley near her business, and commented on the state of disrepair. Mayor Siry said he has been speaking with the owners and the Town of Babylon regarding any possible restoration assistance. Also, Building Inspector Donato has spoken with the owner about cleaning up. 7  Board of Trustees Minutes April 26, 2021 Erica Reichlin, of Lindenhurst/owner of Cornucoppia, asked where the vendors for the Community Art Market will park. She also expressed interest in having local businesses involved in the planning. Jack Magnani, 75 Meadow Lane, voiced concerns about the marina across the street from his home which he said is detailing boats in front of their house and is allegedly engaging in boat sales. Mayor Siry said the Village will check on that, adding that the marina has been very responsive. Mr. Magnani said he feels they are not being neighborly. Debbie Magnani, 75 Meadow Lane, asked for an update on the marina owner’s April Court appearance. Building Inspector Donato explained the marina is making a motion to try to get their tickets dismissed. Lisa Strollo, 80 & 81 New Pointe Place, asked about the sandbar forming in Ketcham’s Creek to which Mayor Siry reported that the Army Corps of Engineers is going to be dredging in June. She also asked for a status report of the Army Corps’ review of the marina’s new finger slips, to which Mayor Siry reported there has been no word. There being no further agenda items or discussions: MOTION to ADJOURN was made by Trustee Whalen and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Siry aye Deputy Mayor Smith aye Trustee Whalen aye Trustee O’Neill aye Trustee Brooks Motion Carried: 5 aye 0 nays Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. ______________________________________ Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer 8