Mayor & Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting November 15, 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 15th of November, 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 David Turiano, Village Engineer Josh Subin, Village Attorney Pledge of Allegiance Continued Public Hearing Special Use Permit Application for Yeshivath Viznitz - 235 Elm Road Village Attorney, Josh Subin gave an update. Mr. Dan Patrick, Attorney representing the Applicant, stated they submitted correspondence today and requested a waiver to not have to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals. He stated the application still needed site plan approval and requested the Board close the public hearing. Mr. Keith Austin read excerpts from a LoHud article and stated there were still a number of questions left unanswered. He requested the Board leave the hearing open. Mr. William Wetzel of 2 Central Drive stated it was the Board’s duty to see what goes on at their other sites. Deputy Mayor Chatzky stated the Board conducted a site visit yesterday and they would give a report after they had time to discuss it. Mr. Jay Behzadi of 115 Holly Place asked what the reference to the day school from 2007 meant in the October 12th memo. 1 Ms. Tracey Conte of 220 Long Hill Road stated there was an article in the New York Times regarding meeting basic education requirements and requested the School District be involved in the process to ensure they didn’t bear the brunt of the Yeshiva not meeting those requirements. Mr. John Hinkel of 42 Tuttle Road stated the applicant should be transparent and very specific in their application. Mr. Todd Prigozan of 15 Tanglewood Circle stated even though Elm Road is considered local is has a considerable amount of traffic and a blind turn. Mr. Steve Reese of 10 Cedar Drive stated he echoed Keith Austin’s comments and stated the LoHud article was eye opening. Ms. Lauren Hammer of 134 Alder Drive stated she didn’t see the benefit of issuing the Special Use Permit. Ms. Abby Hegarty of 250 Elm Road stated it was a local road with homes and she had concerns with traffic and the vacant buildings. Ms. Larisa Paulmeno asked if the Village would have access to the property. Mr. Stephen Lagana of 157 Quinn Road stated the article was shocking and the property was a potential tinder box and safety risk. Mr. Colin O’Neill of 95 Old Briarcliff Road stated the Fire Department was all volunteer and they should not be put at risk and any safety concerns should be addressed. Mr. Mark Santiago of 353 Sleepy Hollow Road asked if all the students would be eligible to vote. Mr. and Mrs. Schorr of 30 Frame Road stated the application would have a large amount of impacts. Mr. George Zimmerman of 176 Law Road stated the applicant was not giving committed answers. Mr. Steven Plaxsun of 22 Burns Place stated his biggest concern was the applicants lack of commitment to future use. Mr. John Bedia of 75 Hirst Road stated there was a lack of specifics and asked if there would be an impact to the schools and voting. 2 Mr. Richard Languilli asked if the applicant was affiliated with the Nyack campus and stated the Board should visit that site. He asked what the repercussions would be if they didn’t follow the Special Permit. Mr. Dan Patrick stated there was a lot of information in the record and would provide some clarification. Village Attorney Subin recommended keeping the public hearing open. Mr. Tony Gioffre, Attorney representing the Applicant, stated most answers had been provided and any further answers would be submitted in writing. Mr. Anthony Carpenito of 152 Hardscrabble Lake Drive stated they purchased the property knowing the Special Permit no longer existed. Mr. Gioffre stated they had no issue keeping the hearing open and would continue to work with the Village but hoped there would be a decision soon. Ms. Rebecca Cooper of Tuttle Road asked if the Applicant didn’t submit if the hearing could be postponed to later. Mr. Steven Nesky stated the applicant was giving vague commitments and more students equaled a bigger burden on the Village and an increase to Fire and Ambulance services. He asked that no open flames be used in religious ceremonies. Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to December 20, 2022. Board of Trustees Announcements • The Fire Department gave tips on winter safety. Village Manager • There is a free caregivers training offered by the Fire Department on 11/16 at 8pm. • Sale/Open House of Goods at 1050 Pleasantville Road on Saturday, November 19th. • Seasonal Laborer positions are available. • There have been a number of water main breaks. • Leaf pickup is underway. • Marc Medico was hired to work in the Recreation Department. Village Engineer’s Report • The N. State Road Transite Pipe Bid opening is 11/30. • The Dog Park and Trail Project is before the Army Corp of Engineers. • The demolition of 1050 Pleasantville Road timeline was reviewed. 3  • A meeting is scheduled with the Fire Chiefs to discuss the Cross-Access Easement Project. Committee Reports Recreation Advisory Committee: • Portraits in the Park. • The Holiday Sing-A-Long and Bonfire will be on 12/10. • A basketball clinic is being offered. Library Board: • Thanks to al Village Staff that helped fix the HVAC issues. • Author John Sternfeld is giving a talk on 11/19. ESAC/HAC • The next HAC meeting is 11/16 at 7pm. • ESAC met this past Monday. • All meetings are posted on the website and the public is welcome to attend. Public Comments There were no public comments. Authorize Village Manager to Execute Agreements General Release Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Trustee Midgley, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village Manager and Village Counsel are authorized to execute all documents and take all actions necessary to settle pending litigation with Nathaniel J. Hester, Kemper Services Group and Unitrin, upon the terms presented by and discussed with Village Counsel and the Village Engineer in Executive Session. Employment Agreement Police Chief Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is authorized to execute an agreement with Dominick Bueti as Chief of Police subject to any non-material changes; and 4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this agreement supersedes any prior agreement between the Village and the Chief of Police. Lease Agreement with United States Postal Service Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute on behalf of the Village a lease agreement with United States Postal Service for the lease of Village Owned Property located at 200 Scarborough Station Road for the annual rental of $35,000 payable in equal monthly installments effective December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2027. Schedule a Public Hearing to Repeal Chapter 220-9.1 Regulation of Solar Energy Collectors Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that a Public Hearing is hereby scheduled for the December 6, 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 Repeal Chapter 220-9.1, Regulation of Solar Energy Collectors. Board Appointment The Board thanked all residents that submitted letters of interest. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby appoints James Rinzler as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of John O’Leary to expire on April 1, 2026. Minutes Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 1, 2022. Adjournment A plaque was issued to John O’Leary for his 25 plus years of volunteerism and service to the Village in several capacities. 5 Congratulations to Village Manager Ringel on his one-year anniversary with the Village. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:35pm. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine Dennett Village Clerk 6