Village Board

REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF HIGHLAND FALLS December 18, 2024 A Special meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Highland Falls was held on December 18, 2024, at the Village of Highland Falls, 303 Main Street, Highland Falls, NY 10928. The meeting was called to order by Mayor D’Onofrio at 9:00 AM. Members present were: Mayor Joseph E. D’Onofrio Trustee James DiSalvo Trustee James Ramus Trustee Melanie Guerrero Also present was: Village Clerk, Heidi Johnson Approximately 6 Community Members Absent Members: Trustee Peter Carroll Village Attorney, Alyse Terhune Camera Operator, Sean Lackhan Mayor D’Onofrio opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a moment of silence remembering our service members. Comments on agenda items. Trustee DiSalvo motioned to approve Bills & Claims Warrant # 2407, FY 24’ – 25’, $340,119.89, including prepays. Motion was seconded Trustee Ramus. Motion carried on a roll call vote, results as follows: 3 Ayes: Trustee Ramus, Trustee DiSalvo, Mayor D’Onofrio 1 Nay: Trustee Guerrero 1 Absent: Trustee Carroll Discussion: Mayor D’Onofrio asked Trustee Guerrero if she looked at the bills and claims. Trustee Guerrero stated yes, just now. Mayor D’Onofrio asked if Trustee Guerrero sees anything wrong, can she mark up her sheet and give it back to him so he can correct it Trustee Guerrero commented that many things are wrong, and she’s told them many times already. Mayor D’Onofrio asked Trustee Guerrero to tell the board what the problems are – if she’s willing to tell him. Trustee Guerrero responded that she will tell him but refused to tell the board publicly. She will tell them soon. Mayor D’Onofrio commented that she should tell them publicly, it is the public’s money. He repeatedly asked for her to tell the board what’s wrong with the bills and claims so they can fix it. Trustee Guerrero refused and instead confirmed that she is saying no to paying the bills because there are things wrong with them, but again won’t share what they are with the board so that they can correct it. She stated that she has told them before and will tell them again, soon. Mayor D’Onofrio pleaded with Trustee Guerrero again, if they are doing something wrong, it would be appropriate for her to tell the village board so they can correct it. Motion carried. Trustee DiSalvo motioned to accept the following minutes as written: Village Board Regular Meeting, December 2, 2024.  2 Motion seconded by Trustee Ramus. Motion carried unanimously. Trustee DiSalvo motioned to approve Mearns Avenue Stormwater Collection System Rehabilitation bid per recommendation of Village Engineer, Todd Atkinson. The lowest responsible bidder is Scapetech Landscaping Technologies, Inc. Bid is $479,000. Motion seconded by Trustee Ramus. Motion carried on a roll call vote, results as follows: 4 Ayes: Trustee Guerrero, Trustee Ramus, Trustee DiSalvo, Mayor D’Onofrio 1 Absent: Trustee Carroll Public Comment Norman DeYoung (Resident) commented on the Public Hearing on Zoning that is scheduled for January 6, 2025. He thought it was closed and wondered why there was going to be another one. Mayor D’Onofrio responded that there has to be one more Public Hearing due to the changes that were made. It will not stay open. It is part of the process. The County also has 30-days to respond. SEQRA will take some time. Trustee Ramus stated that per the County’s comment, things could change. Trustee DiSalvo motioned to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Trustee Ramus. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting closed at 9:10 AM. ________________________ Heidi Johnson, Village Clerk ________________________ Joseph E. D’Onofrio, Mayor