Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 8, 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 the people with Cablevision did not hear the beginning of the meeting so she repeated her remarks. She said that the last few weeks have been busy. She said that in recognition of our ongoing commitment to communication and reaching residents through a variety of technology we have added Vimeo to the complement. She said that we are doing a test run live streaming on Vimeo. She said that Village Hall is a building from another era and we had to overcome obstacles. The Mayor said as a refresher we offer FIOS on channel 46, Cable on channel 75, streaming live on Facebook and Vimeo. The link for the meeting is on the Village’s website the next day and it can be viewed at your convenience. Today there was a conference call with the County Executive on covid. She said that there have been some difficulties with the distribution of the vaccine. She said that the State keeps control of that by design and localities do not get involved with that. She said that on February Fifteenth there will be an expansion of the vaccine to people with co morbidities. Information on covid 19 is available on the Village’s website pelhammanor.org. The Mayor also thanked the Department of Public Works crew for their stellar work with timely snow removal and clearing. Manager Pierpont said that more snow is predicted for tomorrow. There may be two to four inches of snow and later in the week there may be six to twelve inches of snow. The Village has replenished its salt supply and the roads were re salted this morning. He said that the public works did a really good job. He said that this storm wasn’t as long as the last one, but we had to keep up with Mayor Monachino Lapey said that to help keep Four Corners vibrant especially during covid, restaurants, delis or a bakery could offer café seating. She said that we are looking at purchasing some additional benches for Veterans’ Park. The Mayor said that on this Thursday night we will have a public forum on Executive Order 203. There is a draft report and plan and said that a lot of work has gone into this and have a lot more work to do. She said that we look forward to hearing from the community further and have had had a lot of feedback. The Mayor said that we are always open to listening and good ideas. Trustee Bennett said that if you’re using a mobile device to view the forum, you need to download the Webex app to view the meeting. If you have a desktop there is no need to download the app. She asked Trustee Owen-Michaane to confirm this Trustee Owen-Michaane said that was accurate. He said that few communities have such a variety of outlets for people to be able to access a live government meeting. He said that with any technology sometime you might hit some bumps in the road, but the main thing is to get the meeting out to people. He also thanked the DPW for their work during the storm. The Mayor reminded the audience that the Governor’s order limited in person attendance to ten people who are socially distanced and wearing masks. She said that because of the limit it would be on a first come, first served basis. ------------ MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 25, 2021 REGULAR MEETING The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or edits to the minutes from the January 25, 2021 meeting. Trustee Senerchia had two edits to the minutes. On page three in the second paragraph at the beginning of the second sentence the word he needs to have an e added and on the last page in the fifth paragraph the letter h needs to have an e added to make the word he. In both cases the word he was missing an e. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the January 25, 2021 Regular meeting be and hereby are approved as amended. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that she abstained from this vote, because she was unable to attend the meeting. ------------ REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Chief Carpenter. There was a total of three hundred ninety-one incidents for the month. There were nineteen arrests, a DWI, thirty- two aided cases and two hundred thirty- five summonses. She said that the foot patrols at Four Corners, which have been getting positive feedback, continue and three child safety seat installations were done. The Police Commissioner asked people to be mindful that packages were taken from a front door. She again asked people to lock their cars. Three unlocked cars had items that were rummaged through and some things were removed. The lockers at 24 Hour Fitness are being broken into. The detectives have narrowed down the time of the incidents and are asking for guest lists and the video. They are working with the company’s corporate loss control division. The Chief said that they are also investigating fraud regarding unemployment benefits. The Chief said that every day there is a new method. He cautioned people not to give out personal information such as birth date and Social Security number. He said if there is any question whether a call is genuine or not, the resident should contact the police and they will investigate the matter. The Police Commissioner said that we look forward to another safe month. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that people ae looking for personal information and want you to say yes to their questions. That answer is recorded and used later for authorization. He said that you should be very careful of the language you use. Trustee Owen-Michaane asked if there were any reports on increased speeding by motorists. The Police Chief spoke about collecting data on one speeding complaint. He said that last month there was a complaint on either drivers going through the stop sign or trucks on the road on Manor Ridge Road. He said that a police car was there for eight or ten days. He said if he receives a complaint, it is acted on, and if data needs to be collected it is done and a complaint is worked on as a result of that data. Trustee Owen-Michaane spoke about the stealth monitor and red light and speed cameras. He said that this Village doesn’t have control over red light and speed cameras. They have to be authorized by the state. He said that he wished we had that type of technology. He said that he thought both Pelham and Pelham Manor were deserving of them and he that these tools would make it safer because the police cannot be everywhere at the same time. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The DPW Superintendent said that through January organics went down to twenty tons. It was twenty tons of Christmas trees. He said that pulp and paper collected through January 2020 was four hundred eight-nine tons and it was sixteen percent higher this year. Pulp and paper collected through January 2021 was five hundred sixty- five tons. Trustee Senerchia asked about the pole that came down on Boson Post Road. A refrigerated box truck hit three utility poles at the entrance the middle and the exit of Manor Market. The truck did not stop but was caught in Pelham. The Police department shut down the road and re-directed traffic. Con Edison showed up and worked on it and the power was back up and running. Some neighbors had power shut off until about midnight. Traffic was a mess. He said that the work was done as expeditiously as could be expected. The Village Clerk said that it was a standard month. The building department is busy and we continue to respond to the public and answer phones. Trustee Owen Michaane asked about the number of building permits and asked if that was a good barometer for revenue. The Village Clerk said that twenty-seven is lighter than usual, but according to the computer we will come out above revenue projections. He said that the Zoning Board of Appeals applications are on the rise. He said that there are more swimming pool requests in the last eight months than he’s seen in the last twenty years. He said that it’s been a very unique year and it’s going to be close, but we’ll make it through. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, DPW and the Village Clerk reports be and hereby are approved. ------------- RESOLUTION APPOINTING MICHAEL TESORO TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS The Mayor said that she had exciting news. The Zoning Board of Appeals is incredibly busy and there is an opening on the five-member board. She said that she was appointing Michael Tesoro to the opening. She said this is a diverse and talented group. Mayor Monachino Lapey said Michael Tesoro is a graduate of Pelham High School and is a talented CPA. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Fordham University. He is a principle at a fund services company. He has young children and he has been active in the schools. He coaches little league, travel baseball and ice hockey. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo thanked Mr. Tesoro for offering his service and for those who continue to serve their appointments. Trustee Senerchia said that he is someone who is intelligent and open minded and said that he would be hearing these cases and decipher the Village Code. He said that he would be perfect for the position. He thanked all for serving and for those who accept re- appointment. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mayor’s appointment of Michael Tesoro to the Zoning Board of Appeals be and hereby is confirmed. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 28394-28432 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 28394- 28432. ---------------- PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey said that at every meeting we have the opportunity for public comment. She asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. There was no public comment. Trustee Senerchia said that he meant to mention this last month. He said that while not every death in the Village can be mentioned, he wanted to note the passing of Paul Pallett. He said that he knew him for quite some time. He was raised in both Pelhams and lived in both Pelhams. He was a Vietnam veteran from the Vietnam war and said that he never missed anything that the American Legion was doing. He was involved with sports and never missed a sporting event for his grandchildren. He said that that the Village lost a very precious member of the community. The Mayor said that his daughter Darlene is still in the community. She offered condolences to his family. -------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that we have a personnel matter and communication on a legal matter regarding the monopole. 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 and communication on a legal mater regarding the monopole. No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk