Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 The Board of Trustees Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Dennis Siry, Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith; Trustee Michael O’Neill, Trustee Roger Smith, Trustee Owen Brooks, Jr. MEMBERS ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Village Attorney Bruce Kennedy APD Chief Bryan Burton DPW Superintendent Bruce Hopper Building Inspector Michael Breitweg 1st Assistant Chief Stephen Juliano Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Murdock Assistant to the Mayor Wendy O’Neill Mayor Siry welcomed everyone to the Meeting and invited Chief Burton to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. He also announced that Governor Kathy Hochul has awarded $2 million to Town of Babylon to replenish Overlook Beach which eroded during the last storm. Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith announced the upcoming Village events, including: 17th annual Bay Village Civic Association Brunch is Feb. 4th; Fire Police Trivia Night, Feb. 3rd, 7 to 11 p.m. at the firehouse; Mayor’s Social March 3, 3 – 7 at Unqua Corinthian Yacht Club; AFD Chemical Hose hosts Bonko on March 23rd at the firehouse. Distinguished Resident award nominations are due February 1st, and applications are on the Village website. Mayor’s Actions Request to approve Board of Trustees special meeting minutes of January 8th, 2024 MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Roger Smith and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Licenses Ernesto’s Landscaping, 48 Maple Place, Amityville MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Roger Smith and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Tow Truck License – Renewal Coastal Collision & Towing, Inc. 9 Deforest St, Amityville Avanti Automotive LI, Inc., 60 Sprague Avenue, Amityville MOTION TO APPROVE the above two agenda items (a. and b. on agenda) was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays 1  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Storage of Trailer – New Bang’s Towing, 67 Albany Avenue, Amityville Precision Signs.com, Inc., 243 Dixon Avenue, Amityville 330 Merrick LLC, 330 Merrick Road, Amityville MOTION TO APPROVE the above three agenda items (a. through c. on the agenda) was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Temporary Storage Container PJ Gosline, 46 Turner Place, Amityville Jannine Bradley, 33 Marion Road, Amityville MOTION TO APPROVE the above two agenda items (a. and b. on agenda) for no longer than 90 days was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Deputy Treasurer Request to approve the voucher abstract from January 4th to January 17th, 2024 MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Clerk/Treasurer Request to pay NYS Employee Health Ins. Acct. for health benefits in the amount of $251,830.58 MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Nelson & Pope for N21X113.001 Bike LIRR path design/bid assistance in the amount of $18,541.00 (A0-1410.440) Mayor Siry announced that the bicycle path is currently out for re-bidding. MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith 2  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management for 2024 Cancer Benefit liability in the amount of $11,385.00 (A0-1910-430) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Edmunds Govtech Inc. for annual hosting in the amount of $4,326.40 (A0- 1625-440) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Leonardo Ferraresi for Vittorio’s Restaurant, 184 Broadway, to temporarily erect a tent measuring approximately 6 feet x 50 feet on the Greene Ave. sidewalk outside of the restaurant for a period of no longer than 24 hours to accommodate a party on the night of February 5th, 2024 MOTION TO APPROVE with the stipulations that a tent permit be submitted and nothing is affixed penetrating the sidewalk was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Jule Huston for Long Island Youth Club to conduct door to door sales of cookies, candles, dog treats on Saturday and Sunday, January 27th and 28th, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. MOTION TO APPROVE with the stipulation that the end time be changed to 5 p.m. was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays 3  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Request to pay Vision Long Island DRI Façade program quarterly invoice in the amount of $15,925.00 MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Roger Smith and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Nelson & Pope for Amityville Roadway Resurfacing Phase A Prep Work Orders and Phase B Inspection and Office Support in the amount of $8,330.50 (AO-1410-440) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay CSEA Employee Benefit Fund for health plan premiums in the amount of $5,411.44 MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request for budget modification to decrease Contractual/Legal Services (A0-1420-440) in the amount of $51,000.00 and increase Leases/Rentals/Contracts in the amount of $51,000.00 (A0-3410-450) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Police Department Request to approve Training Request 2024-4: Property/Evidence Room Management Course on Feb. 27th- 28th, 2024, 0800-1600 hours, at Suffolk County Police Department Police Academy; Request 2024-5: Active Shooter Site Protection through Observational Techniques, March 27th, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at APD Training Room; Training Request 2024-6: Active Shooter Response Instructor, Oct. 7th- 11th, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, SIG SAUER Academy, Epping, NH 03042; Training Request 2024-7: Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement – ARIDE Feb. 29th – March 1st, 0800 – 1600 hours, at Suffolk County Fire Academy, Yaphank, NY MOTION TO APPROVE with the stipulation that they abide by GSA rates for travel/expenses was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Trustee O’Neill 4  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Total Technology Solutions for monthly support billing, December, in the amount of $3,122.70 (A0-3120-261) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee Roger Smith and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Lexipol LLC for annual policy manual/training in the amount of $10,978.73 (A0-3120-261) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Fire Department Request to pay BioConnect US Inc. for Cabinet & Safe Annual Subscription in the amount of $3,859.92 (A0-3410-450) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Veso Life for FD Group Life Insurance in the amount of $5,341.96 (A0-1910-430) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays 5  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Request to pay ProClaim, Inc. for October deposits and Medicare Claims in the amount of $4,364.79 (A0- 3410-450) Request to pay ProClaim, Inc. for December deposits and Medicare Claims in the amount of $4,713.73 (A0-3410-450) MOTION TO APPROVE the above agenda items (items a. and b.) was made by Trustee Brooks and seconded by Deputy Mayor Keivn Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Stryker Medical for stretcher chair and power cot in the amount of $35,550.00 (A0- 3410.450) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request from Department of Public Works Request to pay SCWA for 272 Public Hydrant Rentals in the amount of $22,440.00 (A0-3410-469) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Request to pay Dynaire Service Corp. for Server Room repairs in the amount of $5,945.00 (A0-1623-460) MOTION TO APPROVE was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee Roger Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Resolutions Resolution 24-01-22-01 regarding the date of tax sale Resolution 24-01-22-02 setting the interest rate of unpaid taxes Resolution 24-01-22-03 regarding the publication date of unpaid taxes 6  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 MOTION TO APPROVE the above resolutions (agenda items a. through c.) was made by Trustee Roger Smith and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Public Hearing Conduct a public hearing for Introductory Local Law No. 13 of the year 2023 to grant a tax exemption for historic properties within the Village of Amityville pursuant to Section 444-a of the Real Property Tax Law MOTION TO OPEN the public hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Trustee Brooks Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Village of Amityville Introductory Local Law No. 13 of the year 2023 A local law to grant a tax exemption for historic properties within the Village of Amityville pursuant to Section 444-a of the Real Property Tax Law. Be it enacted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Amityville as follows: Section l . The Board of Trustees finds that to encourage owners of historic properties within the village to consent to the designation of such properties as historic landmarks, it is appropriate to grant a tax exemption for the alteration or rehabilitation of said properties as authorized, and in accordance with Section 444-a of the Real Property Tax Law. Such exemption will provide a significant monetary incentive to upgrade and rehabilitate historic landmarks after review and approval by the village as provided in Chapter 15 of the Village Code. Section 2. The Board hereby grants to historic properties duly designated as historic landmarks in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Code of the Village of Amityville, an exemption from taxation to the extent of any increase in value attributable to an alteration or rehabilitation to such landmark as set forth in Section 444-a of the Real Property Tax Law. Section 3. This local law shall take effect immediately. 7  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Mayor Siry announced a letter had been received from Richard Handler, 195 Ocean Ave., Amityville, NY (see below) to be entered into the minutes of the meeting. 8  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Public Comments on Hearing Chris Papile, 22 Marion Rd., Amityville, questioned if the tax incentive had an impact on Town of Babylon taxes, to which Mayor Siry said no. He voiced concerned about the program’s impact on the tax base. Village Attorney explained that property owners only get the benefit of the exemption on the amount of their increase. Wendy Canastro, 45 Wood Ave., Amityville, asked about the approval process for homeowners, the timing/criteria/membership of the Historic Preservation Commission, and the potential for any conflict of interest. She said she hoped Richard Handler would be considered. Mayor Siry explained that registering your home is voluntary and that a commission would be appointed. She also asked that public hearings be posted on the Village Facebook page. He thanked her for her suggestions. Joseph Guidice, 43 Barberry Ct., Amityville, President of the Amityville Historical Society, thanked the Board for its preservation efforts, and considering this law. He said it means a lot to the Village as we have very little left of our historic structures. This is an incentive for people to do this and preserve the rich history of Amityville. Catherine Schultz, 45 Shore Rd., Amityville, noted that the day for the hearing in the Amityville Record calendar was printed incorrectly. It was noted that the correct information was listed in the legal ad. She also asked if New York State has a similar tax incentive program, to which Mayor Siry replied yes, and that the State program has more guidelines to follow. MOTION TO CLOSE the public hearing was made by Trustee O’Neill and seconded by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays MOTION TO APPROVE Introductory Local Law No. 13 of the year 2023 was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Brooks aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays Other Public Comments Wendy Canastro, 45 Wood Ave., Amityville, asked about the disbursement of the funds recovered from a recent fraud arrest made by Amityville Police Department. Chief Burton noted that the funds are shared by the various entities and APD gets 5%. She also asked why the Village pays rent on fire hydrants, to which the Mayor explained that hydrants are owned by SCWA. She recognized the efforts of the DPW and PD. She also asked if the Village would consider live streaming Board meetings. Mayor Siry responded that it has been considered in the past. It can be reconsidered, he added. Joan Donnison, 150 S. Ketcham Ave., Amityville, clarified that Vision Long Island is managing the Façade Program. She also confirmed the opening date of the new restaurant Mesita in the former Chase Bank building is still March or April 2024. Carolyn Franco, 32 Marion Rd., Amityville, appealed to the Board to lift a stop work order on her home, saying she is living in a hardship situation. She also said she feels the Zoning Board of Appeals has been unfair and unwelcoming. Clerk/Treasurer Catherine Murdock explained the Board of Trustees has no 9  Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 regulation of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and due to an ongoing lawsuit, the Mayor and Board are unable to discuss the matter. MOTION TO ADJOURN was made by Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith and seconded by Trustee O’Neill Vote on Motion: Mayor Dennis Siry aye Deputy Mayor Kevin Smith aye Trustee Michael O’Neill aye Trustee Owen Smith aye Trustee Roger Smith aye Motion Carried: 5 ayes 0 nays The Meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. ______________________________________ Catherine C. Murdock Clerk/Treasurer 10