Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES January 11, 2021 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Senerchia Trustee Bennett Trustee Cataldi DeLillo Trustee Owen-Michaane 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 safety exits were located. OPENING REMARKS The Mayor welcomed everyone. She said that in our effort to provide continual improvements with respect to communication, a little computer glitch, which has been corrected, occurred this evening which delayed the start of the Board meeting. She apologized for the delay. The Mayor thanked the Village Manager, the Police Chief, friend and neighbor Stephen Byfield, Deputy Mayor Cataldi DeLillo and Trustee Senerchia for their electrical expertise in getting the problem solved. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that this Board issued a joint statement on the violent acts at the US Capitol. She said that it struck at the heart of our representative democracy. She said that the Board has condemned the behavior and said those acts run counter to the principles upon which this country was founded. She said that we support the peaceful transition of power which has defined our country for over two hundred years. The Mayor quoted John Adams who said that our country is “a government of laws”. She said that, in her opinion, violence and lawlessness are never the answer. The Mayor said that we must do better not only for ourselves but for our children. She said that the US Capitol was modeled after the Parthenon. It is one of the greatest examples of neoclassical architecture in the world. She said that thugs attacked this beautiful structure. She said that this was an assault on many levels. She said that she was truly disappointed in the behavior of some and said that she remains optimistic that through collaboration we can move forward in a more respectful way that truly defines this country. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it was her sincerest wish that all those who were acting inappropriately are found and, if already known, held accountable. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that he was horrified by the day’s events and said that we are a country of laws. He said that is the bedrock of our society. He said that every person involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Trustee Bennett said that the actions last Wednesday were appalling and frightening. She said that she cannot imagine the fear the representatives and staff were under. She said that she hopes the people responsible are caught and prosecuted. Trustee Senerchia said that this was inexcusable and intolerable. He said that it is not representative of our government. He said that these lawless acts were not the model and lessons we want to teach our children. He said that he hopes he never has to see it again. The Mayor said that the Village is making strides with respect to improved communication techniques. The website has beautiful new photos and new Covid 19 Hub. The webcast and Facebook page have links available on the website. The Mayor reminded the audience that New York State is responsible for the rollout of the vaccine. Categories have been expanded to include teachers and people over seventy five years old. The Mayor said that the Covid hotline number is 1-833-697-4829. She gave the websites covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov and am-i- eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov to find out if you are eligible to receive the vaccine. She said that all this information was available in the Village’s Covid 19 Hub. The Mayor announced that on this Saturday at nine thirty in the morning there will be a grand opening of Flour Power, the new bakery at the Four Corners. She said that the continued vibrancy at the Four Corners has always been one of her goals. Trustee Bennett said that we continue to work on Executive Order 203. She said that Police Chief Pallett from Pelham and Police Chief Carpenter met with Pelham United on December 17th. She said that they are a very impressive group of young adults. She said that on December 18th a larger group met with Pelham United. They are interested in having improved communication between the police and middle and high school students. They plan on using t shirts to help promote diversity. They are working on increasing their membership and launching a website. The Police Commissioner said that the working group met last Thursday night. There was a vibrant, open, honest and courageous discussion. Last week the discussion focused on recommendations. The report will be put together and then it will then go to a public forum for comments from the entire community. She said that Bridges of Pelham will meet on January 21st. Trustee Bennett said that things are moving along. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo reminded everyone that this is the last week for Christmas tree disposal. She asked people to get them out to the curb for collection. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the Village of Pelham is developing the Intermunicipal Agreement for Food Scrap Recycling. She said that she reached out to EcoPel about a grant for the Village of Pelham Manor similar to what Pelham received for food scrap recycling. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that they are meeting in January and they will bring up this request at their next meeting. Trustee Senerchia said that the Toys for Tots collection was very successful. He said that between eight hundred and nine hundred toys were delivered. He said that it was very much appreciated. He also said that he heard a lot of comments from people who were pleased with the snow removal and the condition of the streets. He said that on a personal note a member of his family received medical aid this weekend. The EMS, Fly Car, ambulance, and police department arrived very quickly. He thanked the police department and said that it was another testament to our services. He said that in his opinion they are top notch. The Mayor concurred with that assessment of the response time for the police department. She said that last year there was a break-in in the Townsend Avenue neighborhood. Seconds were of the utmost importance. In her opinion, the situation could have been much worse if the response time of our police department hadn’t been as good as it was. ------------ MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 14, 2020 REGULAR MEETING The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or edits to the minutes from the December 14, 2020 meeting. There were no changes to the minutes. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the minutes from the December 14, 2020 Regular meeting be and hereby are approved. ------------ REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the Police report with Chief Carpenter. She said that this month’s theme seems to be larcenies. She asked people to lock their cars especially by BJ’s. The Chief said that the cars in BJ’s lot were locked. The windows were smashed. He said that in residential areas the cars were not locked. There were a few incidents at CVS which were discussed. The Chief said that the Police have been working with management. He said that their policies and procedures are not adequate. They have been working with their district loss prevention department and they agree with the police department’s assessment. They will be coming down to meet about this location and its policies and procedures. The Chief said that he is hopeful that a security guard will be hired for the location. Police Commissioner Bennett spoke about a robbery at Canal Road. The Police Chief said that that there was a break in at Canal Road. The person was arrested and released. He went back to the same location and was re-arrested. The Chief said that there was a twist to this burglary. The person needed shelter, clothing and food, but a crime was committed. The Chief said that this met the criteria for mandatory release. Police Commissioner Bennett spoke about the positive feedback on the foot patrol at the Four Corners on the weekends. She said that people like saying hello to the officers. The Chief said that this weekend detail takes place regardless of the weather. The Police Commissioner asked the Chief to talk about some of the training going on in the department. The Chief said the Detective Sergeant will be attending a week long FBI school on conducting and managing internal affairs investigations. He also said that the department is going to have its own in house de escalation instructor. Police Commissioner Bennett said that they will be able to bring back new information to the department. Mayor Monachino Lapey asked about Detective Sergeant Greg Sancho and Sergeant Andrew Leal’s fluency in Spanish. The Chief said that Detective Sergeant Sancho can communicate in Spanish but is not fluent. He said that Sergeant Leal is fluent in Spanish. Natalie Marrero, 4466 Boston Post Road, is a member of the Working Group examining the Governor’s Executive Order 203. She said that the Village has two Spanish speakers in the Police Department. She said that Pelham, our sister village, has talked about establishing a female police officer position. She asked if the Chief could address that. The Chief said that he was surprised by that statement because he had never heard of a female police officer list. He called Civil Service and they had never heard of that either. He said that they did not know what he was talking about. According to Westchester County Department of Civil Service a female police officer list does not exist. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that the Civil Service list just has names and rank. Civil Service does not keep that type of information. The Chief said that if he were to ask for the latest female office list, he would be told that it does not exist. There is no such thing. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The Village Treasurer gave the report for November. Six months of the Fiscal Year have elapsed. Page fifteen shows sales tax at fifty percent. He said that he would have preferred to see fifty one percent, because the Village has received two payments. He said that it’s going to be tight. Page twenty shows building permits at forty-seven point three per cent. It doesn’t include some large permits in December. His internal tracking shows us at a little bit ahead. Trustee Senerchia asked about the clerk’s account on page nine. He was interested in the parks line 0410. It is for the sprinkler systems in the parks. Shore Park, Weihman Park and Veterans Park have sprinkler systems. The parks line usually runs high in the summer because of water and people. The DPW Superintendent said that the report reflects work through December. It has organic waste figures for October, November and December. He said that the site is overflowing right now, but material will be processed next month. Recycling is over eighty percent, but said that number will go down. The DPW Superintendent said that we had a snow storm and it was a very long day. The workers came in at seven thirty in the morning and did not leave until four o’clock the next day. They rested in between, and he was very appreciative of the effort. The Village Clerk said that there were thirty- one building permits. Notices of Violation are down because they are no grass clippings. He said that the number of letters in lieu remains high. The Village Clerk said that it was a generally busy month. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Treasurer, DPW and Village Clerk reports be and hereby are approved. ------------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO SIGN A LEASE FOR 5 CANAL ROAD Mayor Monachino Lapey asked Manager Pierpont to discuss this topic in a little more detail. The Manager said that the previous owner gave the Village the property at 5 Canal Road. A lease was put together for REB Sports which was a business that rented space on athletic fields. He said that the business had been doing fine until March, but was a victim of Covid. They stopped paying rent, which they do not have to do during the pandemic. The manager spoke with the owner of REB Sports and asked if he was going to be able to pay a large bill when the pandemic is over and he said he would not be able to pay. REB’s owner handed the lease back to the Village so it could look for a viable business to take REB’s place. That was a loss for the Village. A neighbor down on Canal Road expressed interest in renting the space. He is looking for room for the work he’s doing with the pandemic. He’s willing to pay the Village almost twice as much as REB. This is important revenue for the Village. It would help offset the lost revenue. The lease is for one year with an option to extend the lease for two years. It is a very short- term lease, but it would put the Village in a good position. The Mayor said that this was an amazing opportunity. She said that the work is remarkable. Trustee Senerchia said that this was a low impact use with little traffic. He thought it was a great use. He thought what the company is doing is a great thing and is much needed. Trustee Owen-Michaane also supported this. He said it was a win-win. It helped the former tenant by letting him off the hook of a huge financial burden and it is a good use of the property with income for the Village. Trustee Bennett was also in favor of this lease. It has low impact on Village services and it is a great use. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Manager be and hereby is authorized to sign the lease for 5 Canal Road. ------------ TO INTRODUCE LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2021 Mayor Monachino Lapey said that the Village Manager was very involved with the Business 1 and Business 2 Districts. In store retail may not be a viable option in the future, and she asked him to speak about Local Law 1. The Village Manager said where BJ’s is now was a dilapidated area. At one time the Village had robust manufacturing. There were three oil fuel facilities. In the 1990’s the Village re zoned that area to retail. The pandemic has changed that. He said that he doesn’t know what will happen with brick and mortar. This local law would allow an urgent care in the B2 zone and it also re- establishes the B3 zone between Canal Road and the Creek. The B3 zone had been incorporated into the B2 zone. The uses are low impact. An example would be installing and maintaining dry cleaning equipment. This law is to re-establish the B3 District uses in buildings twenty thousand square feet or less in area. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she liked the cap on the size. She thought it would be good for our neighbors on Secor. The B2 would allow an urgent care and the B3 would have a modest tweak. Trustee Senerchia said that it was important to have our finger on the control. He asked if the Village was putting it back to what it was and was told somewhat. The parameters are the same. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that an urgent care would probably be booming with business. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it was important for the Village to respond to the times. Trustee Bennett said that we don’t know how brick and mortar will fall out. She thought that this was good work. Manager Pierpont said that Mount Vernon is within five hundred feet of this planned change and will need to be notified. White Plains Planning Board must also be notified of the proposed Local Law. We need to give them time to comment on the proposed changes. ------------- TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2021 ON FEBRUARY 22, 2021, AT 8:15 P.M. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that a Public Hearing on Local Law 1 of 2021 be and hereby is scheduled for Monday, February 22, 2021 at 8:15 p.m. ------------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 28235-28341 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 28235- 28341. ---------------- PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey said that at every meeting we have the opportunity for public comment. She asked if there was any comments or questions from the public. Gianni Magnani, 435 Carol Place, said that he was very appreciative of the multiple passes of the snow plow and the timely dispatching of the sidewalk snow plow. He said that it saved a lot of work and he appreciated the service. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. -------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that we have a personnel matter regarding Collective Bargaining. 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: A personnel matter regarding Collective Bargaining No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk