Mayor & Board of Trustees

Village Board of Trustees Regular Meeting February 6, 2024 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 6th of February, 2024 commencing at 7:30 p.m. Present Steven A. Vescio, Mayor Peter S. Chatzky, Deputy Mayor Kevin Hunt, Trustee Rhea Mallett, Trustee Malcolm Netburn, Trustee via Zoom Also Present Josh Ringel, Village Manager Christine Dennett, Village Clerk Jeffrey Gaspar, Village Engineer Joshua Subin, Village Attorney Pledge of Allegiance Continued Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 207, Vehicles and Traffic, Articles: VII Snow Emergencies, VIII Storage and Retrieval of Vehicles and IX Miscellaneous Provisions Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the proposed local law to amend Chapter 207, Vehicles and Traffic, Articles: VII, Snow Emergencies, VIII, Storage and Retrieval of Vehicles and IX, Miscellaneous Provisions is hereby adopted. Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 195, Taxation Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. Ms. Linda Urban of Cedar Drive West asked where information could be found on the exemption. Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to February 20, 2024. Public Hearing to Amend Chapter 195, Taxation, to add a new Article VIII, Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Worker Exemption Trustee Hunt recused himself. Deputy Mayor Chatzky gave a brief synopsis of the proposed changes. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to open the public hearing. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Recused Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Chief Arie Uyterlinde read aloud a statement regarding the number of calls, commitment and risks of being a volunteer firefighter. He stated recruitment was becoming increasingly challenging and calls increased 47% over the last five years. He thanked the Board for their unwavering support of the Fire Department and asked them to approve the exemption to show their appreciation. The Board had general discussion regarding LOSAP credit and the active voting list, definitions and assessed values in the proposed language. Mr. Steven Neski of 124 Chappaqua Road stated people wouldn’t join just to get a tax credit due to the level of commitment to join and be active, and requested the Board approve the law as written. Mr. Peter Flihan of 14 Schrade Road stated he found family by joining the Fire Department and it was a vital part of the community. He stated the requirements to join were stringent and they relied on each other for safety and there was value in diversity and giving back to the community. Mr. Michael Motta of 417 Long Hill Road stated he spearheaded the recruitment committee and if this wasn’t approved they could lose recruitment. Ms. Linda Urban of Cedar Drive West thanked the Board for their support and stated during Sandy the Department had a massive response over 10 days. She stated the Department was a family with so many positive aspects. The Board thanked the Firefighters for their commitment and stated their sense of community was impressive. Mr. David Morkal of 137 Holbrook Lane stated he was a career firefighter with the FDNY and joined the Department once he retired. He stated 75% of the firefighters in the US are volunteer and it was a special group of people. He stated this reduction is an incentive and would help to keep members. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the public hearing to February 20, 2024. Board of Trustees Announcements  The Fire Department offered tips for clothes dryer safety and encouraged residents to volunteer and join the department.  Recreation program information is available on the website.  Upcoming dates: o Spring registration begins March 11th o Camp registration is March 20th. o Egg Hunt March 23rd. o Trivia April 1st. o Earth Day April 21st.  Mayor Vescio recently spoke at the County Update with County Executive George Latimer. A link will be posted in the newsletter.   Ossining is looking for a Briarcliff Manor resident to serve on their Town Recreation Board.  The Route 9A study should be completed by the end of February. Input is encouraged.  The RFEI for 1050 Pleasantville Road is posted.  Volunteer opportunities are available on several Village Board and Committees. Village Manager’s Report  Geotechnical borings will be done on February 8th and 9th at 1050 Pleasantville Road. The parking lot will be closed.  The newsletter will be mailed in the next 10 days.  Recycle Coach is a free app with valuable recycling information.  The Village is hiring an auto mechanic to replace someone that’s retiring. Village Engineer’s Report  The fence RFP is posted.  The cleaning bid will be posted tomorrow.  Long Hill Road Pump Station is moving along well.  The Club walking trail project is underway.  The Law Park Drainage Project is waiting on the County. Public Comments There were no public comments. Board/Committee Appointments The Board thanked all those that submitted resumes and letters of interest and stated all resumes are kept on file for future opportunities. The Board thanked Conor Savage for his time spent volunteering as a Zoning Board member and wished him well. 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 Wesley Leforce as the Planning Board Alternate Member for an unexpired term to expire on April 1, 2024. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby appoints Paras Kothari as the Zoning Board of Appeals Alternate Member for an unexpired term to expire on April 1, 2024. Award of Bid - Fire Hydrant Purchase Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution as amended: WHEREAS, the Village of Briarcliff Manor (“Village”) duly bid and opened bids on December 13, 2023, for “VM-2324-10 Fire Hydrant Purchase (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, the Village received 4 bids for the Project; and WHEREAS, the Village Engineer has provided the Village Board with a memorandum dated January 12, 2024, a copy of which shall be annexed to this Resolution, detailing deficiencies and non-conformities in the apparent low bid submitted by Sigelock Systems, LLC.; and WHEREAS, the Bid Items submitted in Sigelock Systems, LLC bid do not meet the Village Hydrant standard specification; and  WHEREAS, the Notice to Bidders for the Project in part provides that the Village reserves the right to reject any or all bids and award contracts in a manner deemed to be in the best interests of the Village, even if such award is to other than the lowest bidder; and WHEREAS, in light of all of the above, the Village Engineer has recommended that the Village Board reject the bid of Sigelock Systems, LLC. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village Board finds that the bid submitted by Sigelock Systems, LLC bid does not meet the Village Hydrant standard specification; and hereby rejects the Sigelock Systems, LLC. bid; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Board hereby awards the contract for the Project to Ferguson Waterworks per their bid of $43,846.06 being the lowest responsible bidder; and charged to H8397.201.24488. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute a contract with Ferguson Waterworks for said Project. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Election Resolution for Annual Village Election 2024 Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED that the Annual Village Election will be held in the Village of Briarcliff Manor at the Library and Community Center (1 Library Road) in said Village on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 between the hours of 6:00am and 9:00pm during which the polls will be open. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the polling places for the Village of Briarcliff Manor, will be designated as follows, the Village’s Single Election District (Town Voting districts #15, #16, #17, #19, #26, #27 and #29) will vote in the Briarcliff Manor Library and Community Center (1 Library Road). Election Inspectors for Village Election March 19, 2024 Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Mallett, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution as amended: BE IT RESOLVED that, Celianne Silverstein, Michael Patrick, Jennifer Boral and Akshara Chittur are hereby appointed Inspectors of Election for the March 19, 2024 Village Election. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Celianne Silverstein is hereby designated as Inspector of Election and Chairperson. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Rhonda Alomar, Georgina Gualdino, Stephanie Volkell, Joyce Perlmutter, Floyd Richardson, Debra Rothstein, Tak-Kin Yum, Rajeev Narayanan, William Rapp, Teena Costabile and Jeffrey Jahier are hereby appointed as Alternate Inspectors of Election. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the compensation for each Inspector of Election other than the Inspector designated as Chairperson is hereby fixed at Three Hundred and Fifty ($350) dollars per day or prorated to $22 per hour worked if necessary. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the compensation for the Inspector of Election that is designated as Chairperson shall be Three Hundred Seventy-Five ($375) dollars per day. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Fire Department Memberships The Board thanked the new members for volunteering. Upon motion by Trustee Hunt, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution as amended: BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the under 18 membership of Matthew Sanzenbacher to the Briarcliff Manor Hook and Ladder Company. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the membership of Kailee Nicole Ingegneri to the Scarborough Engine Company. BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the membership of Stuart Kohler to the Scarborough Engine Company. Minutes Upon motion by Trustee Mallett, seconded by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of the January 16, 2024 regular meeting as amended. Roll Call: Trustee Hunt Aye Trustee Mallett Aye Trustee Netburn Aye Deputy Mayor Chatzky Aye Mayor Vescio Aye Adjournment The Board wished a Happy Birthday to former Manager Phil Zegarelli. Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Chatzky, seconded by Trustee Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:05pm. Respectfully Submitted By, Christine Dennett Village Clerk