Mayor & Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting April 19, 2022 7:30 p.m. A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, New York was held at the William J. Vescio Community Center on the 19th of April, 2022 commencing at 7:30 p.m. Present Steven A. Vescio, Mayor Peter S. Chatzky, Deputy Mayor Kevin Hunt, Trustee Rhea Mallett, Trustee Edward E. Midgley, Trustee Also Present Josh Ringel, Village Manager Christine Dennett, Village Clerk Kathryn Nivins, Village Treasurer Josh Subin, Village Attorney David Turiano, Village Engineer Pledge of Allegiance Continued Public Hearing Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Tentative Budget Village Manager Ringel gave a brief overview of the tentative budget for FY 2022-2023 and stated the budget was below the tax cap. He thanked Village Treasurer Nivins for all her work on the budget. Upon motion by Trustee Midgley, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Public Hearing - Property Tax Levy in Excess of the Limit Established in General Municipal Law §3-c 1 Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Midgley, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye There were no public comments. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye The Board took no action on the proposed local law. Board of Trustees Announcements • The mobile shredder will be at DPW on April 21st. • The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department offered tips on Candle Safety. They’re having an Open House on April 24th to encourage volunteering. • Residents are encouraged to volunteer and help clean up the Village all year round, not just at Stash the Trash. • A call for volunteers for various Boards and Committees. Letters of interest are due by April 28th. • There will be a press event on April 29th regarding Route 9A. Village Manager’s Report by Village Manager Ringel • Donna Pesce gave an update on the Library and loaned books to each Trustee and the Village Manager based on their interests. • Seasonal Employment opportunities are available. • There is a New Resident Section on the website. Village Engineer’s Report • The dog park and trail permits are being worked on with the DEC. 2  • Westchester County has monies available for stormwater management projects that require a 50% contribution. • Due diligence work is being done for 1050 Pleasantville Road. Committee Reports Library Board: • The Library offers many programs to all age groups. Visit their website for information. • The Human Library is scheduled for April 30th. Recreation Advisory Committee: • Dana Durso will be joining the Village Staff on April 25th. • Spring programs are online. • Registration for Camp has begun. • The numerous Village trails are detailed on the Hiking Project App. Beautification Committee: • The flowers blooming and looking great. • Hanging baskets will be installed soon. Public Comments There were no public comments. Consider the Adoption of Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JUNE 1, 2022 AND ENDING MAY 31, 2023 WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has met at the time and place specified in the notice of public hearing on the tentative budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the tentative budget as amended and revised and as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted and that there be and is hereby appropriated for the objects and purposes specified, including the amounts set forth required for the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness, the following amounts: General Fund Budgetary Appropriation to be raised by Real Estate Tax Levy $13,018,381.91 3  Debt Library General Water Fund Service Fund Totals Fund (A) Fund (F) (V) (L) 22/23 Expense 20,340,806.02 5,831,548.73 5,129,131.78 678,528.00 31,980,014.53 21/23 Revenue 20,160,806.02 5,831,548.73 4,856,499.85 678,528.00 31,527,382.60 Net/Fund Balance Applied 180,000.00 --- 272,631.93 -- 452,631.93 Town of Ossining Town of Mt. Pleasant* Taxable Assessed Value $1,951,389,437 $2,592,975 Est. Tax Rate per $1,000 $6.0815 $443.9042 *Mt Pleasant Tax rate is calculated does not use full market assessment (FMV) 2021 Equalization is 1.37% - Mt Pleasant FMV is 189,268,248 Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Consider the 2022-2023 Tax Levy and Warrant Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: WHEREAS, the budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2022, has been duly adopted and filed with the Village Clerk; and WHEREAS, it has been thereby determined that the sum of $20,340,806.02 will be necessary to meet the obligations of the Village; and 4 WHEREAS, there has been duly credited as against said sum estimated revenues and appropriated fund balance aggregating $7,322,424.11 leaving $13,018,381.91 to be raised by the levying of taxes; and WHEREAS, it appears from the Assessment Roll of the year 2021 for taxes for the fiscal year June 1, 2022 that the total assessed valuation of real property in the Village is $2,140,657,685 with $1,951,389,437 in the Town of Ossining portion of the Village and $189,268,248 in the Town of Mt. Pleasant* portion of the Village and said Assessment Rolls having been duly confirmed; WHEREAS, the total transfers into the Library Fund from the General Fund is $655,000. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the tax rate for the Village of Briarcliff Manor for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2022 be and the same hereby is fixed at the rate of $6.0815 on each $1,000 of assessed valuation for properties in the Village of Briarcliff Manor located in the Town of Ossining and $443.9042 on each $1,000 of assessed valuation for properties in the Village of Briarcliff Manor located in the Town of Mt. Pleasant. FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sum of $13,018,381.91 the same being taxes for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2022 be, and the same hereby is, levied upon the taxable property in the Village of Briarcliff Manor and that the Treasurer be and she hereby is authorized and directed to extend and carry out upon the roll the amount to be collected from each of the persons named thereon, and the respective amounts of said tax roll against each such parcel of taxable property set forth thereon be and the same hereby are levied upon each parcel of taxable property respectively which said levy includes items shown on the budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2022 theretofore adopted. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees does hereby authorize and direct the Village Treasurer to place the delinquent water arrears on the tax roll for fiscal year 2022-2023. * Mt. Pleasant Assessment 100% valuation using 1.37% equalization rate Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Fire Service Awards Program 2021 5 The Board thanked the Fire Department and all volunteers for their service to the Village. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: In the matter of approving the 2021 certified points WHEREAS, the Village is the sponsor of a Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) on behalf of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department in accordance with Article 11-A of the New York State General Municipal Law (GML); and WHEREAS, as required by GML § 219-a(2)(c), the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department has submitted the attached list, certified under oath, of active members of the Fire Department, indicating those volunteers who earned at least fifty points during 2021 to qualify for service credit; and WHEREAS, the certification made by the Fire Department includes a statement that the points recorded on the attached list have been tabulated in accordance with the Point System adopted by the Village to be in effect during calendar year 2021, and to the best of the knowledge of the Fire Department, is a true and accurate reflection of the activities performed by the active members; and WHEREAS, GML § 219-a(2)(d) requires the Board of Trustees (Board) to review and approve the attached list, then return it to the Fire Department to be posted for thirty days; and WHEREAS, the Board has completed its review of the attached list; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees approves the attached list of volunteer firefighters of the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department and the points earned by these firefighters during calendar year 2021; and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this adopted resolution and the attached list shall be returned to the Fire Department for posting for a minimum of thirty days. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye 6 Mayor Vescio Aye Tax Certiorari – Copley Court Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Midgley, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: WHEREAS, Copley Court Condominium (1-67 Copley Court) instituted tax certiorari proceedings pursuant to Article 7 of the Real Property Tax Law of the State of New York; and WHEREAS, the tax certiorari filings were for Town of Ossining assessment years 2016 through 2021; and WHEREAS, the tax certiorari filings relate to Village of Briarcliff Manor fiscal years 2017-2018 through 2021-2022; and assessment year 2021 is not yet active for VBM bills WHEREAS, a Consent Order of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester, was entered on 3/4/22; WHEREAS, the Consent Order was received after the finalization of the approval of the Village budget for Fiscal Years 2017/2018 through 2021/2022 WHEREAS, the Consent Order reduced the tax assessment for the subject properties for the Fiscal Years 2017/2018 through 2021/2022 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees does hereby authorize the refund of the tax bills for Fiscal Years 2017/2018 through 2021/2022 in the aggregate amount of $25,797.61 as set forth on the annexed schedule based upon the reduced assessment values in the Consent Order and schedules annexed thereto. FY 17-18 $6,014.47 FY 18-19 $5,976.29 FY 19-20 $5,505.87 FY 20-21 $3,913.74 FY 21-22 $4,387.24 Total Refund $25,797.61 Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye 7 Mayor Vescio Aye Resolution of Support for Village of Briarcliff Manor Drinking Water Asbestos Cement Pipe Replacement Project Grant Application Trustee Mallett suggested residents send letters of support as well. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: WHEREAS the Village of Briarcliff Manor is requesting Community Project Funding for construction and construction management of the Drinking Water Asbestos Cement Pipe Replacement project; and WHEREAS the Village strongly supports this project; and WHEREAS project design has been completed with local funds and approved by the Westchester County Department of Health; and WHEREAS preliminary cost estimates total $950,000; and WHEREAS Environmental Protection Agency State and Tribal Assistance Grants require a minimum local match of 20% of project cost. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the project and, upon approval of the request for Community Project Funding, commits to provide $190,000 in local funds for the required match. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Schedule a Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 164, Public Assemblies Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: 8 BE IT RESOLVED that a Public Hearing is hereby scheduled for the May 3, 2022 Board of Trustees meeting at 7:30pm at the William J. Vescio Community Center located at 1 Library Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York to hear and discuss a proposed local law to amend Chapter 164, Public Assemblies. Award of Bid – Television Production Equipment Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Midgley, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: WHEREAS the Village received 1 (one) bids for Television Production Equipment Project (VM-2122-1); and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the bid for Television Production Equipment Project (VM-2122-1) is hereby awarded to Com Tech, Inc. per their bid price of $22,325 and charged to H1230-201-15PEG. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute a contract with Com Tech, Inc. for said project. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Fire Department Membership - Morkar The Board thanked Mr. Morkar for volunteering. Upon motion by Trustee Midgley, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approve the membership of David Morkar to the Briarcliff Manor Fire Company. Minutes Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of April 5, 2022 as amended. 9 Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Adjournment Village Manager Ringel stated he would be on vacation the week of May 3rd and David Turiano would be the Acting Village Manager. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 8:27pm. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine Dennett Village Clerk 10