Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 11, 2019 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Annunziata Trustee McLaughlin Trustee Senerchia Trustee Bennett Attorney Cornachio Manager Pierpont PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND FIRE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance and notified those in attendance where the fire exits were located. The Mayor said that two residents asked for some information on the tally from the election law undertaking regarding the Section 78 proceeding where the Supreme Court judge affirmed the Village Clerk’s determination. The total cost was thirteen thousand two hundred two dollars and forty-four cents. Mayor Monachino Lapey spoke about an unfortunate traffic accident in the Village of Pelham where a student was struck. It happened between Second Avenue and Sparks Avenue. It was in the Village of Pelham, but we share the concern. We must all be mindful of our surroundings. You have to be careful especially in respect to our youngest residents. The Mayor said that we respond to acute traffic problems. She said that this is a partnership and people have to meet us halfway especially at student drop off areas. She said that if someone observes a dangerous condition it would be better to call Village Hall at 738-8820 or the Police Department at 738-1000. She said that it would be better to report it to us first and social media second. Trustee Senerchia urged the community to talk about crossing streets and sidewalks and about talking on phones instead of being aware of our surroundings. He gave the example of the Colonial School and how busy traffic is at the corner of Boulevard and Pelhamdale Avenue. He said that we should have that conversation with our kids. The Mayor said that we work collaboratively with the Village of Pelham on a myriad of initiatives such as Active Shooter and traffic safety. Pelham Manor has donated our traffic sign to the Village of Pelham. We have heard comments about collaborating and we are doing that. She said that it would go a long way to have conversations with children. Mayor Monachino Lapey spoke about Con Edison’s moratorium on conversions from heating oil to natural gas. Applications have to be filed with Con Edison by March 15th or they will be subject to the moratorium. Emergency back up generators are exempt from the moratorium because they are not considered a peak use. -------------- MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 28, 2019 REGULAR MEETING The Mayor asked if there were any comments or corrections to the minutes. Attorney Cornachio asked that a few clarifications be made to the minutes. On the bottom of page four, the sentence should read Attorney Cornachio asked if the applicant would be willing to submit studies before the proposed local law is drafted. The next sentence should read Attorney Silverberg indicated that the applicant would draft a proposed local law. The third sentence on page five in the same paragraph should read the applicant would submit a draft local law with a petition and a detailed traffic study. Trustee Senerchia said that on page two, in the first sentence in the seventh paragraph, it should read that the officer, not the office, was able to radio into headquarters. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 28, 2019 be and hereby are approved as amended. ------------ REPORTS Police Commissioner Annunziata discussed the monthly report with Chief Carpenter. He spoke about the overnight break in of an unlocked automobile. He repeated that people should lock their cars. Eight shoplifting events were reported. None were considered to be grand larceny but there were a few arrests. There was more activity at CVS. Three incidents occurred at the store. There were also a lot of lost or stolen cell phones. There is no way of knowing whether they were lost or stolen. The detectives have to review footage to determine if a phone was stolen and many times the cameras don’t record the area where the phone was left. The Police Commissioner said that there were several domestic disputes. He spoke about one at Imperia Drive where the police went to Yonkers to serve an order of protection. Trustee Senerchia said that the Chief and two officers read to the students. The Chief said that he read two books. Trustee Senerchia said that it was fantastic. He said that his son was truly excited and said that this is great community outreach. He said that it goes hand in hand with the walk throughs the Police Department does and it sets some minds at ease. The Chief said that DARE will return to the fifth grade one day a week for ten weeks. It will be at Prospect and Siwanoy schools. The program will also focus on vaping, social media and decision making in general. Police Commissioner Annunziata said that there has been an increase in smoking since 2017. The Mayor and Board thanked the Police Chief for his report. The Village Treasurer discussed the December report. The major expenses are tracking well. On the revenue side, the mortgage tax did not hit the projected revenue number, but the sales tax is projected to meet its revenue number. The Treasurer spoke about the Governor’s budget and how state aid is being eliminated for many communities. Pelham Manor is scheduled to lose sixty thousand dollars in revenue. He said that may not seem like a lot of money, but with a two percent tax cap, twenty percent is a lot to lose. The Treasurer said that the Mayor has reached out to representatives about this issue. He said other than that, the Village is in good financial shape. The Village Clerk said that there was a significant slowdown in building permits in January, but they are picking up this month. Twenty- eight dog licenses were issued. He said that the department remains busy. The Superintendent of Public Works said that the Village took in big recycling numbers through December. There were fifty- two hours of overtime related to a storm that didn’t shape up the way it was supposed to. He said the DPW will be out at five o’clock Tuesday morning in anticipation of the next snow storm. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Village Treasurer, Village Clerk and DPW reports be and hereby are adopted. -------------- PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED E-COMMERCE FACILITY The Mayor said that the proposed E-Commerce facility is in the B2 district and the use is not allowed in that zone. A group has asked the board to consider their proposal and allow this use. The Board had concerns including the proposed height of the facility and traffic. She said that the Board has also been hearing from the community about the fees that could be generated from this proposal. The Mayor said that this was not on the agenda tonight because the applicant asked for additional time to respond to questions and concerns. The Mayor asked if anyone wanted to speak about the proposed E Commerce facility. Kate Pringle, 26 Suburban Avenue, spoke about traffic coming through the Village. She said that concern should be highlighted. She spoke about the accident with the student and an accident that her son had and urged that a crossing guard be considered for that corner. Trustee Senerchia said that he has had a few meetings with Dr. Champ and the Village of Pelham. He said that it is a high traffic area and they are trying to work on it and will have a meeting with Town officials. ----------- DISCUSSION ON AMENDMENT TO TENANT SIGN DESIGN CRITERIA - 24 HOUR FITNESS SIGN 24 Hour Fitness and Dave & Buster’s entrances are in the rear. Dave & Buster’s has a wall painted sign with gooseneck lighting and 24 Hour Fitness would like to have the same thing. Their sign would be slightly smaller than Dave & Buster’s sign. If the Board is interested in entertaining this application, an amendment to the Tenant Sign Design Criteria would be required. Trustee McLaughlin asked if the arrow was part of the sign and he was told yes. Trustee Annunziata said that he thought it was appropriate for their business. Manager Pierpont said that there are wall painted signs there. The Village’s consultant said that it fits in but the sign cannot be painted on the wall because is not currently allowed in this area. The Mayor and Board asked that an amendment to the Tenant Sign Design Criteria be on the next agenda. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 25970-26014 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to sign abstract of vouchers numbers 25970-26014 . -------------- PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any additional comments from the public. Kim Jaimes,10 Bon Mar Road, spoke about the plantings on Bon Mar Road and distributed a package to the Board. She said the residents would like the median shortened, a curb installed and additional plants after that work has been done. Manager Pierpont said that plantings were done. All materials were purchased and they have been maintained by the residents. Curbing was talked about, but it is expensive. He said that we’ll see if we can address what the residents are looking for without curbing. The Mayor said that this proposal could take out a significant amount of green space. Kim Jaimes said that the area isn’t particularly green. She said if there were more room to drive, people wouldn’t drive on the median. Manager Pierpont said that he would meet with Kim Jaimes. Trustee Bennett asked if the newspaper delivery man was still driving on the median and was told that he doesn’t do that because she thinks the police convinced him not to do that. Anthony Marrella, 103 Iden Avenue, commented on the lack of awareness and rudeness of runners. He said one ran in front of his car and didn’t seem to notice or care. The Mayor said that can be very upsetting. She said that it has to work both ways regarding traffic. People need to be more mindful. Trustee Bennett said that she would post about traffic safety on the Village’s Facebook page. The Mayor thought that was a wonderful idea. -------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Board be and hereby is authorized to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the following: Personnel Matter No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk