Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 23, 2022 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Senerchia Trustee Bennett Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Cataldi DeLillo Attorney Cornachio Manager Pierpont PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND FIRE SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance and she notified those in attendance where the fire safety exits were located. ------------ OPENING REMARKS Mayor Monachino Lapey opened the meeting and said that she and Trustee Bennett attended the Seventy-Fifth anniversary of The Rotary Club of the Pelhams whose motto is “Service above Self.” Trustee Bennett said that it was an amazing achievement. The Mayor said that it was held at a local venue, the Pelham Art Center. The Mayor said that the New York State DOT issued a positive declaration regarding SEQRA and the proposed monopole. This is State owned land in Village boundaries. The Mayor said that the Village takes this very seriously and said that there is a heightened burden on the company that wants to put up the monopole and an environmental impact statement is required.. Manager Pierpont said that SEQRA, the state environmental quality review act, is going to make a determination on whether it is going to have a significant impact on pollution, traffic, and water and sewer. That is part of the environmental impact statement. The Village will have an opportunity to make sure it has all things addressed and they will come up with options. He said that it is a long and involved process. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it is also a public process and people will be able to voice their concerns. The Mayor said that a municipal Home Rule regulation on red light cameras on Boston Post Road at Pelhamdale Ave was passed. This needs state approval. Eight copies were sent to the State Assembly and Senate. The Village Manager said that it now has to be reported out of committee by both houses. There isn’t much time left in the legislative calendar year for this to happen and it will be a heavy lift, but we will do whatever we can. The Mayor said that Mr. Betke was at Village Hall and hand delivered the Home Rule information. She said that Mr. Pierpont has credited him with moving the successful legislation for the red light camera on Pelhamdale Avenue. The Mayor spoke about the Police Department Awards luncheon that was held yesterday. Police Commissioner Bennett said that it was a lovely event where the excellent work of officers was recognized. She said that it was so nice to see the families of the officers. She also said that this this was National Police Week. 1 Mayor Monachino Lapey attended the Police Awards luncheon and said that there was a table in the front with three empty seats which represented the three officers who died in the line of duty. The Mayor said that the Memorial Day parade is back. The Town and American Legion coordinate this event. It will start at eleven thirty in front of the Manor Club. She said that there is a beautiful ceremony after the parade and said that it is a unifying time. Trustee Bennett mentioned that the Grand Marshal for this year’s parade is Maggie Klein. She owned and operated the Pelham Weekly for many years and has been a tremendous force in the community. Trustee Senerchia asked people to remember that as the weather is getting nicer more bicycles will be on the road. He asked that people be careful when driving and asked that children be encouraged to wear helmets. . ----------- MINUTES FROM THE MAY 9, 2022 REGULAR MEETING AND THE MAY 19, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or corrections on the minutes. The Mayor said that on page one in the opening paragraph of the May 9, 2022 minutes the o needs to be added to correct the Fire Chief’s last name to Ruggiero. On page three, in the section under the request from Lisa Robb, Village needs to have the e added to the end of the word. Two paragraphs below that where “ The Mayor asked the Village Manager to ask the Village of Pelham the amount should be one thousand three hundred dollars not eleven thousand dollars. The sentence should read “The Mayor asked the Village Manger to ask the Village of Pelham what the budget is for this entire endeavor and said that it looks as though the total cost is one thousand three hundred dollars.” The Mayor said that her recollection of the dollar amount was less than what was recorded so she went back to review the video and the dollar amount should be corrected. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the May 9, 2022 Regular Meeting and the May 19, 2022 Special Meeting be and hereby are approved as amended. ----------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Senerchia discussed the monthly Fire report with Chief Ruggiero. He said it was a busy month and mentioned the fuel spill on I-95. There were a few hundred gallons of diesel fuel spilled. The Chief said that it was handled capably. Chief Ruggiero said that twenty-five years ago today he took an oath of office as Fire Chief. He said that he was proud of the advances in the department. He said that he has applied for retirement. He has been Chief for twenty-five years and has been in the department for thirty-six years. He thanked the current Board for their support. Manager Pierpont said that the Chief has had a wonderful career. His retirement will be effective June 20, 2022. Fire Commissioner Sererchia said that we owe you a debt of gratitude. He said you took the department in a different direction. The Chief said that is was not an easy decision. He said that he’s in the fourth quarter of his life and has three children and five grandchildren. 2 The Mayor said that her father coached him. The Chief pulled someone out of a burning building. He is a tremendous athlete. He modernized the department. She said that it has been a pleasure to work with him. Trustee Bennett thanked the Chief and told him that he has a lot to look forward to. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that you made this your life’s work and were able to balance outside with our needs. She said that you were able to bring special skills to us. She wished him the best. Manager Pierpont said that he and Joe have worked together for a long time and said that there is no one that I have more confidence in to keep the Village running along. He said that it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with him. -------------------. The Village Treasurer said that things were in good shape. The revenue receipts for the month of April totaled two hundred forty-eight thousand six hundred eighteen dollars and sixty- five cents. Revenues included property tax payments and non-property tax revenues. Significant non-property tax revenues included building permit fees totaling one hundred two thousand sixty- eight dollars and ninety two cents of which fifty-one thousand dollars was for a single permit and seventy two thousand two hundred nineteen dollars and forty two cents was from FEMA. There were expenditures for General Government Support, Public Safety, Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Community Services and Employee Benefits. He said that that the Village continues on track to end the fiscal year in a strong position. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Fire and Village Treasurer reports be and hereby are approved. ----------- RESOLUTION TO AWARD WORK OF EXTERIOR PAINTNG OF VOLUNTEER QUARTERS (1090 CLAY AVENUE) Three companies bid on the work of exterior painting of the Volunteer Quarters at 1090 Clay Avenue. The Village Manager recommended JLT Painting the lowest, responsible bidder be awarded the work The bids are listed below. Capital Renovation Corporation No Bid Cornerstone Restoration Group $ 49,000.00 JLT Painting $ 20,900.00 Nuco Painting $ 40,800.00 Oliver’s House Painting No Bid Pan-American Enterprises, Inc. No Bid After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that JLT Painting be and hereby is awarded the work of exterior painting of the Volunteer Quarters for a price of twenty thousand nine hundred dollars. ---------- 3 PARK REQUEST FROM NICHOLAS R. FORAND Nicholas R. Forand, 596 Colonial Avenue, requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of the Siwanoy Dad’s Club on Wednesday, June15, 2022 for their annual barbecue from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven thirty in the evening with a rain date of Friday, June17, 2022 with the same time. Mr. Forand estimated that one hundred fifty to two hundred people will attend. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Nicholas R Forand be and hereby is approved to use Shore Park for the Siwanoy Dad’s Club annual barbecue on June 15, 2022 with a rain date of June 17, 2022. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 30005-30049 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 30005-30049. ---------------- PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if anyone had any comments or questions. Amy Goodman, 1242 Pelhamdale Avenue, spoke about the red light cameras and thought it was a step in the right direction. She complemented the Board for the good work on Mount Tom and said the flow of traffic has improved. Ms. Goodman suggested a crosswalk at Pelhamdale Avenue and Grant Avenue. She asked about the progress of the solar panels for Village Hall and asked when Prospect Avenue was going to be paved. Manager Pierpont said that he will look at the request for a crosswalk. He said that whenever we establish a crosswalk signage has to be considered as well as how much it is used. The Village Manager said that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is reviewing the solar panel project. He said that he agreed that Prospect Avenue should be paved and he will look at it again. The Mayor said that Mr. Pierpont has a system for street paving. There is a rotation that is followed. Gianni Magnani, 435 Carol Place commented on Fire Chief Ruggiero’s retirement. He said the Chief leaves behind a tradition of firefighting. His father was a Fire Chief in the Village of Pelham. He said that he was sorry to see him go. James Doran, 451 Wolfs Lane, spoke about parking between Wolfs Lane and the Esplanade and the gas leaf blower law. Trustee Bennett said that since the leaf blower ban went into effect the Village has received eight complaints. She said the police officer must see the gas leaf blower in use. She said that she observed one in operation and the operator received a summons. Mr. Doran said that he thinks there are more than that. The Village Manager said that he doesn’t see that many being used. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that we will reiterate your concerns to the PBA. She said that the Village has amped up the fines and reduced the times the gas leaf blowers can be used. She said that we try to strike a balance. She said that we will stay on it. 4 Trustee Senerchia said that a lot are using electric powered blowers. Toby Marxuach Gusciora, 901 Plymouth Street, asked if there was any new information on Save the Sound. She also said that she went to the No Dig Gardening presentation and it was great. Village Attorney Cornachio said that it is in federal court and we’re trying to come to an understanding. The negotiations are ongoing. --------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there were issues regarding an employment matter and a 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 Matter – Collective Bargaining No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- RESUMPTION OF REGULAR MEETING SALARY ADJUSTMENTS After discussion an upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the following salary adjustment be and herby are approved effective June 1, 2022. Police Chief $186,000 $ 6,500 Longevity Police Lieutenant $176,800 $ 2,500 Longevity Fire Chief $178,000 $19,500 Longevity Mechanic Duty $ 35,000 DPW Foreman $ 99,500 $ 5,800 Longevity Deputy Clerk $ 95,400 $ 8,000 Longevity Personnel Mgr. Duty $ 12,000 Deputy Treasurer $ 95,000 Int. Acct. Clerk $ 26.53 Per Hour Int. Acct. Clerk $ 41,250 $ 5,000 Longevity Int. Typist $ 47,650 $ 5,200 Longevity Int. Typist $ 39,975 Int. typist $ 15.30 Per Hour Code Enfor. Off. $ 31.84 Per Hour Crossing Guards $ 28.40 Per Hour ------------ ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 5