Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 27, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Senerchia Trustee Bennett Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Cataldi DeLillo Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft 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 Mayor Monachino Lapey opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. She said that the Village is expecting the first major snowfall of the season. Manager Luft reminded residents to drive slowly and carefully. There are a number of plates on the streets in the Village and she reminded people to go slow and be careful. She said that at this time, garbage collection is still scheduled. The Mayor noted the passing of John J. McNamara (Jay) a former Mayor of Pelham Manor. She said that he was an elder statesman with a brilliant mind and she thanked him for his service. The Mayor also mentioned the passing of Joan Considine who was a long time resident of Pelham Manor. She asked Trustee Bennett, who knew her, if she would like to say a few words. Trustee Bennett said that Joan was a lovely woman who will be missed by her family and friends. The Mayor also mentioned that resident Mike Paradis was killed in a car crash. She said that this is a very difficult time for the family. She said that he was very active in the community. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that Mike was a good friend and a pillar of the community. He said that he was very giving and caring. Trustee Senerchia said that he worked with Mike on the Little League Board. He said that he was very passionate and this is a devastating loss. Trustee Bennett said that he was a gentleman and this is a loss to his family and the community at large. The Mayor mentioned that there is a memorandum of understanding with the Fire Department. There is no signed agreement yet, but it is going in a very favorable direction. She thanked the Fire Department, Manager Pierpont, Manager Luft and especially Trustee Senerchia for his outstanding work. Mayor Monachino Lapey reviewed the Village’s concerns on the Governor’s proposed Housing Compact in the proposed budget. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the Governor’s proposed Housing Compact in the budget would mandate increased density and result in impacts in schools and infrastructure proposals and 1 obviates the need for SEQRA and public comment. She said that this would give ability to upzone with no planning. The Mayor said that this is a fully built out community. ---------- RESOLUTION FOR ACTION ON LOCAL LAW 2 OF 2023 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Local Law 2 of 2023 be and hereby is adopted. ----------- MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING ON FEBRUARY 13, 2023 The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or corrections to the minutes. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that on page one paragraph four under Opening Remarks there was some confusion as to what she said specifically as to who was responsible for what part of our emergency response. She believes this language is going to reflect more clearly her intent and what actually is reality. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that it is very important to understand that the fly car (which is provided through the Town and housed here in the Village of Pelham Manor) is the primary response and the Town’s ambulance contract provides secondary response when needed. The Mayor said that she believed this was an accurate reflection as to what was stated. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 13, 2023 be and hereby are approved as amended. ----------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Police Chief Atkins. The Chief spoke about soliciting in the Village and the process for getting approval. He said that the department responds to complaints and usually issues a warning. Police Commissioner Bennett said that if you feel uncomfortable, you should call the Police Department at (914) 738-1000 on the line for fraud. The Chief spoke about “phishing” and emphasized that if you don’t know who you’re dealing with you shouldn’t give them information. He said that there were no vehicle larcenies in January. Trustee Owen-Michaane reminded residents that the IRS does not call anyone. They only mail information. The Mayor and Board thanked Chief Atkins for his report. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police report be and hereby is adopted. ------------ 2 PROCLAMATIONS FOR DENNIS CONDON AND SEAN CONDON ON RECEIVING THEIR EAGLE SCOUT AWARDS PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Dennis Condon has attained the rank of Eagle Scout which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouting program, and WHEREAS, Dennis Condon achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on March 23, 2022, and WHEREAS, Dennis Condon has earned twenty-seven merit badges required for the Eagle Scout designation, and WHEREAS, Dennis Condon planned, developed and implemented a project for the Bartow Pell Mansion Museum, coordinating this work with the Museum Director, Alison McKay, and WHEREAS, Dennis Condon built two ADA accessible vegetable planting beds and tables which were built offsite, transported to the Bartow Pell property and filled with planting soil, tomato, bean and lettuce plants, and WHEREAS, Dennis Condon, with the help of numerous friends, family and fellow scouts was able to fulfill a need for the community, and WHEREAS, the project will benefit the community for years to come NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor hereby recognizes Dennis Condon on the occasion of his earning the rank of Eagle Scout. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Sean Condon has attained the rank of Eagle Scout which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouting program, and WHEREAS, Sean Condon achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on February 15, 2022, and WHEREAS, Sean Condon has earned twenty-one merit badges required for the Eagle Scout designation, and WHEREAS, Sean Condon planned, developed and implemented a project for the New Rochelle YMCA, coordinating this work with the YMCA Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Ryan Safsel, and WHEREAS, Sean Condon renovated a hallway used by the YMCA daycare program that included replacing all of the lights and non-uniform and stained ceiling tiles and repainting the walls with the signature colors of the YMCA, and WHEREAS, Sean Condon, with the help of numerous friends, fellow scouts and family members was able to fulfill a need for the community, and WHEREAS, the project will benefit the community for years to come NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor hereby recognizes Sean Condon on the occasion of his earning the rank of Eagle Scout. ------------ RESOLUTION TO APPROVE PROPOSED CAPTIAL BUDGET AMENDMENTS The Mayor asked the Village Manager to give a little more detail on this subject. 3 Manager Luft said in order to properly account for the expenditure of the ADA compliant elevator for Village Hall, the Building Renovations line ( H1620.415) required re-allocating funds within the line. She asked the Board to approve the following re-allocations: Reduce Police Headquarters by $ 185,000 Fire Headquarters by $ 85,000 Handicapped Restroom $ 30,000 Establish ADA Compliant Elevator $ 300,000 This will fully fund the lift. The Manager said that once the work is completed, the grant funds can be re-allocated to the reduced lines as needed and determined by the Board. The Mayor said that this is such an important project. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that this is a shuffling of money so that we will be eligible to get reimbursed. She noted that the ADA bathroom goes hand in hand with this. She said that it’s a nice way of managing money. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that we’re able to do this because we’re in a fiscally strong position. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the proposed Capital Budget Amendments be and hereby are approved. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 30932-30977 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to sign Vouchers Numbers 30932-30977. ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there was any public comment. Fire Commissioner Senerchia said that the new fire apparatus came in last week and he said that it’s a very impressive vehicle and the Village was financially able to do that. Cindy Courtien, 1044 Clay Avenue, gave a Public Service Announcement for the Citizens Nominating Committee for the Board of Education. She said that there are three seats up for election. She gave pelhamcnc.com as the website and said that residents who are interested in serving on the Committee can apply until March 10, 2023. ------------ EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there were issues regarding a personnel matter (collective bargaining) 4 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. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 5