Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES September 13, 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 opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. She thanked the Town Board and the American Legion for the meaningful and inspirational ceremony in recognition of the twentieth anniversary of the September 11th terror attacks. The Mayor said that a very moving letter from Fire Lt. Joseph Leavey’s son was read by former Mayor Joseph Durnin. The history of the 9/11 park was discussed. The words kindness and unity were spoken and the Mayor said that the park is a place to contemplate. The twentieth anniversary was a calm, clear, crisp day similar to the weather on September 11, 2001. The Mayor commended the Town and the American Legion on this moving ceremony. Mayor Monachino Lapey spoke about Hurricane Ida which dropped between eight and ten inches of rain in a three hour time frame. This flash flooding was extraordinary and epic. She said that she, Trustee Bennett,Trustee Owen-Michaane and the Village Manager have toured areas and basements with Congressman Bowman. She said that it was important that our federal representative know how acute the problems were in Pelham Manor. Information has been posted on the Village website, Facebook, and Nixle. The Village has a Storm Hub with information compiled in one location. There are links to FEMA and organizations offering assistance to residents in need. The Mayor mentioned that residents can contact Project Community, Pelham Together and the Pelham Civic Association. The Mayor said that attorney Eileen Matz has volunteered her services to residents that might need help with paperwork and Dr. Anne Frost has also offered her services pro bono to help people deal with the mental health consequences due to this storm. She said that people had to flee in the middle of the night. It was dark and scary and people are traumatized. The Mayor said that she will talk with you for free. The Mayor stressed that everything that is discussed remains confidential. She said that your personal problems will remain confidential. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that having dealt with FEMA, people should keep all paperwork, invoices and receipts, because FEMA will request that information. Trustee Bennett that that this was such a traumatic effect especially on children. She said that many children were petrified and said that we need to look out for them. Many were confused about what happened and were having dreams about it. She reminded everyone to look out for the children. Trustee Owen-Michaane thanked the service departments, the department of public works and Manager Pierpont for their hard work. He said that the community comes together when an event like this takes place. He said that is the positive that came out of this horrendous event. He said that Pelhammanor.org/storm update has a wealth of information in one location. Trustee Senerchia thanked the Police Department, Fire Department, EMS and Department of Public Works. He said that it was pretty hectic during this time. In the Fire Department, calls came in one after the next. He said the Police and Fire Departments fielded each call and got help to each call as they were coming in fast and furious during those hours. There were more than two hundred fifty pump outs by the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works is still working on collecting debris. He said that neighbors were helping neighbors community-wide and he thanked all the Services in this time of crisis. He said that he was thankful to be part of this community. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that County Executive George Latimer reported that there were five losses of life in Westchester due to this storm. The Mayor said that the Board is continuing to work on noise problems. She said that there has been significant noise from the 47 Precinct in the Bronx. She said that the Village is working with the County and officials. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that in her opinion Mount Vernon’s proactive approach is working. They are actively patrolling in advance. Mount Vernon has gotten the word out. The noise has shifted to the 47 Precinct in the Bronx over the bridge. They are very responsive and take all of our calls. It s a high, violent crime precinct. The Mayor said that we have spoken with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Biaggi. She said that there was a Zoom call with the Senator and her senior team. She, Trustee Cataldi DeLillo and the Village Manager were on this call. Manager Pierpont said that after the Zoom meeting he wrote to the Senator’s Chief of Staff. He said that they received a response from Maura Curtin who said that they are aware of the noise and have tried to address the issue with the 47th Precinct and the Community Board. She said that they are limited in what they can do. He thanked Ms. Curtin for keeping the Village in the loop. The Mayor said that Senator Biaggi is very important to us. She represents Pelham Manor and that area of the Bronx. We need to get to a spot that is more tolerable for our residents. We have had direct conversations with the Senator and her team and we will continue to work on this issue. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that she was on the Zoom call. She thought that the concept was to try to reach out to the community boards and do public outreach and education and not have this just be about enforcement. It would be more preventative in nature. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the Senator has those relationships and she was hoping something can come of that. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that this hasn’t been just this summer. He said that this Board and Police Department has been very proactive. He said that Police Officer Ramos (work cell phone number 917-543-3951) is working on this. The police are confiscating speakers and giving tickets, but they are not going to arrest the people causing the noise. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that he thought the penalties from New York City have to be swift and severe. He said at three o’clock in the morning, with the music that loud, it’s cruel. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that the Village has been working on this. He spoke about Nuisance Abatement laws. He said that 311 is inundated from their own residents in the Bronx. He mentioned that Kevin Reilly, a representative from Co-Op City in the Bronx, spoke about New York City passing Nuisance Abatement laws. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that we’re going to stay on this. Trustee Senerchia recommended that residents not try to drive to the site, take pictures and post them on social media. He said that it’s dangerous to try to do that. The Mayor said that was a strong recommendation from Trustee Senerchia. -------------- MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 16, 2021 REGULAR MEETING The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or concerns on the minutes. There were no questions, comments or concerns. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was  RESOLVED, that the minutes from the August 16, 2021 Regular Meeting be and hereby are approved. Trustee Senerchia abstained because he did not attend this meeting. ------------ REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the August report with Police Chief Atkins. There were three hundred twenty-eight incidents in August. The Police Commissioner urged people to use caution when shopping. Many wallets were gone and she said that people should watch their valuables. Police Chief Atkins said that people should be cognizant of where their belongings are at all times. The Police Commissioner spoke about the noise from the 47 Precinct and Mount Vernon. She said that thankfully Pelham Manor has good relationships with both Police departments. She said the 47 is very busy. She said that they do their utmost but have to prioritize their resources. She asked the Police Chief what residents can do. The Chief said that we call the 47 Precinct and advise them of the incident and we ask the residents to also call the 47 Precinct. He said that it is a low priority for them. He said that last weekend the noise went on from three thirty until four thirty in the morning. Police Commissioner Bennett said that she heard it. It was late Friday night until early Saturday morning. She asked the residents to call the police at (914) 738-1000. She said that the Police need to have logs and data. She said that this is a tremendous disruption in the Village. She asked residents to stay away from the location where the noise is coming from because there can be dangerous people there. The Police Commissioner urged people to contact Senator Biaggi’s office. She said that the Senator can work with the 47 Precinct. Police Commissioner Bennett thanked the Police, Fire Department and the Department of Public Works. She said that they were exceptional the night of Ida. Police Chief Atkins said that people were trapped in vehicles. He said that officers on the four o’clock to midnight tour were wading through flood sites and taking people out of vehicles through windows and sun roofs. They were soaking wet and were putting themselves in harm’s way. He said that they did a tremendous job. Police Commissioner Bennett said that our hearts go out to residents that lost so much. There was no loss of life. She said that we need to try to stay focused on the positive and we will get through this. The Police Chief said that identity thefts and car larcenies were down. Trustee Bennett said that she has gotten positive feedback on the dark house program. The Mayor and Board thanked the Police Chief for his report. The Village Treasurer discussed the June report which is the beginning of the new Fiscal Year. He noted that certain bills are paid at the beginning of the fiscal year. He gave the example of the bill for Workers’ Compensation. The DPW Superintendent discussed the August report. The Village continues with its refuse and recycling collections, street sweeping and patching and painting crosswalk lines and stop bars before school opens. Pelhamdale Avenue is being repaved from the Four Corners to the Shore Road. ADA ramps are being added. Milling is being done to the curb line. He said that there are few other roads in this paving bid. The tail end of Grant Avenue, Monroe Street, Oak Lane, and Edgemere Street are included. The Village received a good price for paving, so there may be four additional streets that will be added to the paving contract. The new Pedestrian Crossing Signal is on Pelhamdale Avenue and Boston Post Road. He said that we have an engineering report that looks at striping at Mount Tom Road, changing a Stop Sign from Roosevelt to Mount Tom Road, and a pedestrian crosswalk at Mount Tom. The proposed striping plan includes some striping along the curb line and painting a bump out. He asked the board to review the proposed plan. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo spoke about the storm and wondered if the percentage of recycling would change. He said that a lot of the material was going into the trucks wet as waste not as recyclable material. He said that the pedestrian crossing signal went into operation today. It was up and installed, but Ida delayed its implementation. The Department of Transportation was here today. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that people can use it tomorrow. The Village Clerk also reported that the office remains busy. The exterior of Village Hall is being painted. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Village Treasurer, DPW and Village Clerk reports be and hereby are approved. ----------- INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL LAW NUMBER 3 OF 2021 Mayor Monachino Lapey asked the Village Manager to discuss this proposed Local Law. Manager Pierpont said that proposed Local Law 3 of 2021 would add a new section to the Village’s Zoning law. There would be no retail cannabis dispensaries or on-site cannabis consumption establishments in the Village. This law would allow the Village to opt out of licensing and establishing these establishments within the Village. The Mayor said that she did not think we need dispensaries in Pelham Manor or on-site cannabis consumption establishments. Trustees Cataldi DeLillo and Bennett agreed with the Mayor’s statement. Trustee Senerchia said that he did not think this type of establishment worked in Pelham Manor. He supported the Mayor’s statement. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that he agreed with his colleagues and said that New York State provided for a local opt out to allow for local control on this matter. ------------ RESOLUTION TO SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL LAW NUMBER 3 OF 2021 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that a public hearing on Local Law 3 of 2021 be and hereby is scheduled for Monday, September 27, 2021 at eight fifteen in the evening at Village Hall. ----------- RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2021 ADJUSTED BASE PROPORTIONS Every year the Village has to adopt the adjusted base proportions for the year. There are two taxing classes the Homestead, or residential class, and the Non-Homestead, or commercial class. There is a window of opportunity to adopt either the 2020 or 2021 Assessment Roll. The 2020 Assessment Roll is slightly more advantageous for the Homeowner. The 2020 Final Assessment Roll and 2021 Final Assessment Roll figures are listed below. Using 2020 Final Assessment Roll Using 2021 Final Assessment Roll Homestead 80.163398 80.180580 Non-Homestead 19.836602 19.819420 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the 2020 Final Assessment Roll be and hereby is adopted. ------------ RESOLUTION TO AMEND TRAFFIC CODE SECTION 202-41 SCHEDULE E: STOP INTERSECTIONS TO PLACE STOP SIGN ON WASHINGTON AVENUE AT GRANT AVENUE The Mayor said that this was a safety issue that was brought to the Board’s attention by a resident. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Traffic Code Section 202-41 Schedule E Stop Intersections be and hereby is amended to place a Stop Sign on Washington Avenue at Grant Avenue. ----------- REQUESTS TO USE SHORE PARK Jamie Porco Guglielmo, 444 Manor Ridge Road, requested the use of Shore Park ( Gazebo ), on Friday, September 17, 2021 from three thirty in the afternoon until five o’clock in the afternoon for a Girl Scout meeting. Michele Westrick, 410 Manor Lane, requested the use of Shore Park on Saturday, October 2, 2021 from eleven o’clock in the morning until one thirty in the afternoon for a birthday party with a rain date of Sunday, October 3, 2021. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Jamie Porco Guglielmo and Michele Westick be and hereby are granted permission to use Shore Park. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 29084-29173 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 29084-29173. ---------------- PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. Elizabeth Aldeman, 659 Ely Avenue, spoke about the deafening noise at four o’clock on Saturday morning. She said that is set a new record continuing and increasing in volume. She thought that there should be a more efficient way of logging calls. Trustee Bennett said that we need the data behind us. She said that the officer is there. That’s his job, if you’d like to call them. She said that she could sense that the music was moving. Elizabeth Aldeman suggested that an e mail address be established for loud music. She said that this doesn’t affect the Village of Pelham as much. Trustee Senerchia said that it does affect the other Village. He said that it is very frustrating. Elizabeth Aldeman said that they were supposed to meet with Senator Biaggi, but the meetings keep getting cancelled. She said that County Legislator Terry Clements has been helpful. Senator Biaggi’s office is responsive, but meetings keep getting cancelled. Elizabeth Aldeman asked if the Village had reached out to the property owners. She said that Lot 3 is along The Creek. There is one owner and she asked if anyone had contacted the owner. She thought they might not be aware that people are trespassing on the property. Trustee Senerchia said that we could get in touch with the property owner. Elizabeth Aldeman said that this is going to keep happening. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that the Board is not afraid to take action, but we do not have the authority to enforce what is not in our jurisdiction. She said that we will continue to work with the 47 on that. Allison Frost, 4579 Boston Post Road, said the Board should get in touch with Maura Curtin who is on Senator Biaggi’s staff and a Councilwoman in Pelham. She said that the pedestrian crossing was working today. She asked about the status of the traffic study for the Post Road. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that the Village worked with the Department of Transportation when the Business 1 and Business 2 Districts were created, to get an All Way Stop at Four Corners and to change the timing of the traffic signals on the Post Road so the time to cross was increased. The red light camera legislation for the Four Corners is waiting for the Governor to sign. There is significant enforcement on the areas off of Boston Post Road such as Manor Ridge Road. Manager Pierpont met with one company that has worked with red light cameras and he spoke with another company that has experience with red light cameras. They can collect data speed, truck traffic and other activity. We are in a position to move forward with information. The red light cameras would be on Pelhamdale Avenue on the Boston Post Road. The State legislature approved the cameras for Pelhamdale Avenue but not for Boston Post Road. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that this bill, which covers red light cameras and was passed by the legislature, is sitting in corporation counsel’s office waiting to be in the que for the governor’s desk. He said that it could be a month to get to the governor. Trustee Senerchia said that Pelhamdale was a big step forward. The Mayor said that it was a tremendous amount of work. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that this is a federal highway. The Village can’t just slow traffic down. She said that the wheels are turning. Trustee Bennett said that there is only so much we can control. She said that when an officer sees someone speeding, they get a ticket. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the wheels turn slowly. She pointed to the Pedestrian Crossing Signal at Boston Post Road and Esplanade as an example. She said that the process went slowly, but we got it. Tai Montanarella, 464 Esplanade, thanked the Village for help with Hurricane Ida and noise complaints. She asked about the time line for revisions for Local Law 2, the proposed ban on gas powered leaf blowers. The Mayor said that the Board is not going to give a time line, but said that it will be on an upcoming meeting. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it would be something similar to what the Board discussed at the public hearing. Tai Montanarella spoke about the HealthyNY tool kit. She also asked about the number of trees that were removed. She asked for the number of trees removed and the list of locations. She was told that the Village will be planting between eighty and ninety trees. Steven Shekane, 917 Washington Avenue, thanked the Board for the Stop sign at Washington Avenue and Grant Avenue. He spoke about the noise level being out of control. He said that on September 5th he called the Police Department every fifteen minutes. He said that he called the 47 Precinct. He said that it was useless. He said that something new needs to be tried. He said that the Board forwarded his e-mail to Senator Biaggi and she hasn’t responded. He read his e-mail that was sent to the Senator. He said that he was copied from Maura Curtin, as a member of the Pelham Town Council, but no response from the Senator. He said that this is out of control. He said that the Sleep Act only applies to vehicles. He said that we have to figure something out. The Mayor said that we have been working proactively. She said that we don’t have the mechanisms in place to solve this situation. She said that a few nights have been unbearable. Mount Vernon has been better, but 47 is more difficult. She said that we will continue to advocate for the Village of Pelham Manor. Mike Teitelbaum, 1076 Grant Avenue, thanked the Fire Department and DPW who are still cleaning up after the storm. He said that it was absolutely noticed and appreciated. He thanked the Board of Trustees for the storm hub. He said that time is of the essence with flood water because of mold and mildew and he suggested the Village provide an Info sheet so that everyone knows what they need to do. He mentioned documents such as replacing damaged passports and where to go to get them replaced. Trustee Bennett said that New Rochelle Post Office has Saturday hours, and she thinks Larchmont Post Office also has Saturday hours. She said that there is a mobile passport van. The Mayor said that we can work with the Town to see if they’re having the passport van come to Town Hall. She said that they have had it in the past. Mike Teitelbaum asked how the water overwhelmed storm drains. He said that Grant Avenue flooded up to the sidewalks. Manager Pierpont said that rate of rainfall for Tropical Storm Henri was six to eight inches of rain over a day. With Ida, the Village had eight to ten inches of water in a three and a half hour time frame. He said that you can’t engineer for a rainfall like this. Trustee Senerchia said that some manhole covers blew off both the stormdrain and sanitary system. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it was a biblical event. She said that under normal circumstances the street is part of the drainage system. She said that water is crowned and goes to the curb. Mike Teitelbaum said that the water was above the curb. The Manager said that it may have been. The type of rainfall was two times the amount of Henri. Henri was a lot of rain over a longer period of time. The Village has been tv’ing and relining pipes. The lines in the water table are not leaking. He said that some manholes have liners under the covers, but not all do. Mike Teitelbaum asked about the truck that cleans out catch basins. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the vactor truck was not out there because of the storm. She said that the catch basins are treatment pieces of the system. Water comes in off the street and it goes into the catch basin and takes out sediment and then goes into the pipes. She said that we’re very diligent about cleaning the catch basins. The Mayor said that every year every catch basin is vacuumed out and cleaned. Mike Teitelbaum spoke about technology improvements and suggested that he should not have to risk his health or his family’s health to attend a meeting during the pandemic. He thanked the people in the room for wearing masks although it is not required by law. Trustee Senerchia asked if someone sent him that information and he said the he wrote it himself but was reading it from his phone to be able to remember it. The Mayor said that all the people on the dais are fully vaccinated. She said that you must wear a mask if you are unvaccinated. The Village was ahead of the curve on this with contact tracing and a disinfection program. We are considered an essential service and we never closed. The Mayor also said that the Village uses Facebook, Fios, Altice, Vimeo and online as well as off line communication. She said that we are tremendously accessible. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that we are sensitive to the elderly. She said that a lot of elderly folks watch us on tv. She said that we have something for everybody. Alison Frost said that Facebook and Vimeo have been out all night. Cathy O’Brien, 1144 Washington Avenue, thanked the Village for help during Ida. She said that she has applied to FEMA. She said that water bent the bottom of a steel door. She spoke about the possibility of cordoning off the street for all the homes at the bottom of Washington Avenue. The Manager said that we could certainly look at that. The Mayor mentioned that the storm portal on the Village website had a lot of useful information. She reiterated that attorney Eileen Matz has offered her help at no charge and Dr. Anne Frost has also offered her services pro bono to help people with mental health issues. She told Cathy O’Brien that she was sorry for her loss. -------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there was an issue regarding a personnel and legal matter. 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 and Legal Matters No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk