Mayor & Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 21, 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 21st of June, 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 Josh Subin, Village Attorney David Turiano, Village Engineer Pledge of Allegiance Public Hearing Special Use Permit Application for Yeshivath Viznitz , 235 Elm Road Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, 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 Mr. Daniel Patrick, Attorney representing the Applicant, explained the proposed application and site. Mr. Beril Karniol, Applicant, stated they were seeking a secluded spot for their students and gave a brief overview of their other campus in Monticello. 1 Mr. Keith Austin of 55 Hawthorn Place stated he was a direct neighbor of the property and read a letter into the record. Mr. Frank Janos of 1 Berkley Court stated it was not clear if the applicant was the owner and asked the ages of the proposed students. He requested a third party inspector be hired to review the project. Ms. Patricia Carr of 316 Pine Road stated the site would be a tax burden to the rest of the community and asked for detail on the number of bus trips to the campus. Mr. William Wetzel of Central Drive West stated he supported Mr. Austin’s comments and requested the Monticello Campus be visited by the Board. Ms. Lauren Hammer of 134 Alder Drive stated the perimeter of the property was not being addressed and asked how the property would be maintained. She further stated she agreed with the points of previous speakers. Ms. Susan Scharf of 17 Birch Road asked what the proposed lighting plan was, if there would be a gate and what type of signage would be put up. She further asked about the current wireless antenna being powered by a generator. Mr. Bruce Yeager of 450 Central Drive stated the Village needed to approach the application with their eyes wide open and the jurisdiction needed to be clarified clearly and concisely. Mr. Michael Harlow of 6 Elizabeth Court stated the tax base needed to be broadened and the application was of no benefit to the Village. Trustee Mallett asked what the student count at the Monticello was and why the applicant was closing that campus. Mr. David Rosenberg, Applicant, stated there were 250 students at the Monticello campus and they wanted an easier commute for the commuting students and staff. He stated they were considering the donation of a buffer of land on Tuttle Road for more privacy. Trustee Hunt asked about emergency services and if any staff members would be trained. Mr. Patrick stated some staff would be trained for minor health issues and there would be no issue with female emergency responders. He further stated he would provide clarity on the owner/applicant question and they would provide a landscaping plan and an amended plan for fencing. 2 The Board requested a lighting plan, drainage plan and the plan for the vacant buildings and whether the fees for the vacant building registry had been paid. The Board had general discussion regarding enrollment and special events. Mr. Steve Barshov, Special Counsel for the Village, stated there needed to be owners consent in the application and the vacant buildings needed to be explicitly addressed. Mr. Matt Sesti of 20 Birch Road stated he was concerned with safety and that there did not seem to be enough adult supervision. Mr. Jay Behzadi of 115 Holly Place asked what a town did to dissolve itself. Mr. Michael Harlow asked if there was tuition to attend the school. Ms. Yael Monselise of 402 Sherman Avenue, Hawthorne, asked if they would employ people from the community. Mr. Lee Levitz of 105 Hirst Road asked who would be supervising the minors on the property. Mr. Steven Weintraub of 895 Pleasantville Road asked if the students would be eligible to vote locally. Mr. Peter Zimmar of 288 Law Road asked for more information on special events. Mr. Frank Janos stated there were six vacant buildings that would remain on the site and it would be an issue for the applicant to insure them. He further stated it needed to be clear how issues would be enforced. Ms. Abby Hegarty of 258 Elm Road stated she was concerned with safety and more bus traffic on Elm Road. Mr. Patrick stated they would put together information and requested the hearing be adjourned to July 19, 2022. Ms. Lauren Hammer stated supervision and special events needed to be clarified and asked if camps would be operated during the summer. Ms. Rebecca Cooper of 160 Tuttle Road stated she was concerned with the safety of vacant buildings. The Board requested a site visit be scheduled. 3 Mr. Frank Janos stated he watched the last Planning Board meeting and found it very informative. Mayor Vescio gave an overview of the review process and steps needed. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to July 19, 2022 at 7:30pm. Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 207, Vehicle and Traffic Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief summary of the proposed changes. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. There were no public comments. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to July 5, 2022. Board of Trustees Announcements  The Briarcliff Manor Fire Department offered tips on lightning safety and encouraged residents to volunteer and become a member of the Department. Village Manager’s Report  The Recreation Summer Kickoff event was great and staff did a nice job.  A new phone call feature has been added to NIXLE alerts. Village Engineer’s Report  DEC comment and approval is still pending on the Dog Park and Walking Trail application.  An area for electrical vehicle charging stations is being discussed. Committee Reports Library Board:  The Library offers many programs to all age groups. Visit their website for information. Recreation Advisory Committee:  Thanks to all that attended and helped with the Summer Kickoff Concert.  Pool Hours are currently 11am-7:30pm.  Day Camp begins next week. 4 Beautification Committee:  No report. Public Comments There were no public comments. Schedule Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 81, Animals Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief summary of the proposed changes. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that a Public Hearing is hereby scheduled for the July 19, 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 81, Animals of the Code of the Village of Briarcliff Manor. Appointment of a Police Officer Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that Katelyn Casey of Poughkeepsie, New York is hereby appointed, effective July 5, 2022, to the position of Police Officer Grade 4 to be paid at an annual salary of $95,708.06 as per the Village of Briarcliff Manor PBA Collective Bargaining Agreement salary scale effective June 1, 2022. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Manager will undertake the necessary administrative steps to get Office Casey appointed. Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Budget Transfers 5 Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees does hereby authorize the following budget transfers totaling $23,211 for FY 2021-2022: From: L7410.101 Personnel Services $22,711 To: L7410.107 Personnel Services - Vacation $711 L7410.103 Personnel Service – P/T $22,000 From: L7410.499 Contingency $500 To: L7410.450 Phones $500 Roll Call: Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Midgley Aye Trustee Hunt Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Minutes Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 7, 2022 as amended. Adjournment The Board stated a work session would be held on June 23, 2022 at 6pm to discuss the Mobility Project. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the Regular Meeting at 9:27pm. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine Dennett Village Clerk 6