Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES March 13, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Senerchia Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Cataldi DeLillo Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft ABSENT: Trustee Bennett 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 Trustee Bennett sends her regrets. She is on a business trip. She is out of town for her business. The Mayor said that a nor’easter is brewing. She asked the Village Manager if she had anything to add. . Manager Luft said that we are expecting heavy precipitation and strong winds. She encouraged residents to secure items and be aware of the potential for downed wires and power lines. She stressed that residents should not touch them because they could be live. She gave the phone numbers for Consolidated Edison and the Police Department in case a resident loses power. The Mayor spoke about budget season and that the Village has been tax cap compliant since the inception of that program. She asked the Village Manager about the tax cap limit for this year. Manager Luft said that two-point seven six percent is the tax cap limit for this year. She said that the budget process started in February and it has been a diligent effort. She said that the Tentative Budget is due on March Twentieth. The Mayor spoke about the Public Service Commission and said that Veolia water is proposing some pretty significant rate hikes. The Mayor noted that the PSC members are appointed by the Governor. She said that the Village Manager met with representatives from Veolia and asked for some more detail. Manager Luft said that Veolia is proposing capital projects in Westchester and Rockland Counties with costs that would be split fifty/fifty between the counties. The rates are subject to approval by the Public Service Commission. The rate increases would be done over three to four years. The Mayor said that the numbers looked high to this Board. She encouraged people to contact the PSC. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that a seventeen percent increase over four years is being proposed. The last increase was twenty-eight percent. In addition, he said that Con Edison is also looking for increases for electric rates and gas rates. He said that they are proposing electric rate increases of four point two percent in 2023, four percent in 2024 and three point eight percent in 2025. The proposed gas rate increases are seven percent in 2023, six point three percent in 2024 and five 1 point nine percent in 2025. He suggested that residents reach out to their legislators at the State and County level. The Mayor thanked Trustee Owen-Michaane for his comments. ---------- MINUTES FROM THE PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY 27, 2023 AND THE REGULAR MEETING ON FEBRUARY 27, 2023 The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or corrections to the minutes. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she had some proposed administrative edits. In the third to last paragraph at the bottom of page one, the Mayor said that there is a Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement with the Fire Department. There is no signed contract yet, but the Mayor said that it is going in a very favorable direction. The Mayor said that Trustee Cataldi DeLillo also had some edits. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that she wanted to make a clarification in the last paragraph on page one. It should read that 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. The Mayor said that she thought the edits reflected the statements as they were given at that time. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Public Hearing on February 27, 2023 and the Regular meeting on February 27, 2023 be and hereby are approved as amended. ----------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Senerchia discussed the monthly report with the Fire Chief. He said that it was a typical yet busy month. The Chief spoke about the compactor fire at Michael’s, a carbon monoxide incident in Pelham, arcing wires at the Chase Bank and a tree down on private property. He asked that residents buckle everything down with the storm coming. Chief Greco also mentioned that the Town Library is having a stuffed animal sleepover and the Fire Department has an Emergency Action Plan for the Library and will be practicing drills. He said that the new apparatus is serving the community well. The Mayor said that it looks great and the Village didn’t borrow for it. The Mayor and Board thanked Chief Greco for his report. Manager Luft gave the Treasurer’s report for the month of February. Revenues included four thousand nine hundred ninety-eight dollars and sixty-eight cents in property tax payments and seven hundred sixty-six thousand nine hundred forty-three dollars and eight-two cents in non- property tax revenues. Some significant non-property tax revenues included sales tax in the amount of three hundred eighty- six thousand four hundred dollars and utility receipts tax in the amount of one hundred forty- eight thousand five hundred forty-six dollars and ninety- five cents, cable franchise fees in the amount of thirty thousand four hundred eighteen dollars and eighty- four cents, rental of real property twenty four thousand dollars, business licenses in the amount of fifty four thousand four hundred sixteen dollars and sixty- seven cents and building permit fees totaling eighteen thousand eight hundred ninety-six dollars and eighteen cents. 2 The DPW Superintendent said that effective Wednesday, March 15, 2023 and April 15, 2023, leaf blowers may be used for one month for Spring clean-up. They may be used on any Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a legal holiday between the hours of eight o’clock in the morning and five-thirty in the evening and on Saturdays between Noon and four o’clock in the afternoon. The DPW Superintendent reported that two hundred nineteen tons were collected for the month and forty-one percent was recycled. The Village Clerk reported that thirty-one dog licenses, twenty-eight building permits and seven handicapped parking permits were issued during the month. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Fire, Village Treasurer, DPW and Village Clerk reports be and hereby are adopted. ------------ REVIEW OF PROPOSED PLAYGROUND AT 575 FOWLER AVENUE Mayor Monachino Lapey said that Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) has a rental agreement with ACDS school. The school is required to have a playground on premises. The Board of Trustees has received the plans for the playground. The Village Manager recommended that this proposal be referred to the Planning Board. The Mayor thought that it was a good idea to send this to the Planning Board for review. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that re grading should be reviewed. One area is not entirely flat and that should be considered. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the proposed playground at 575 Fowler Avenue be and hereby is referred to the Planning Board for review. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO SIGN THE INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH WESTCHESTER COUNTY FOR ENHANCED 911 SERVICE FOR A FIVE-YEAR TERM FROM OCTOBER 1, 2022 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2027 The Mayor asked the Village Manager to speak about the E-911 agreement. The Village Manager said that E-911 is a widely utilized service. Forty-four other municipalities participate in the program. The Mayor said that we keep local control and work collaboratively with the County. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that this was another example of shared services. 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 Intermunicipal Agreement with Westchester County for Enhanced 911 Service for a five- year term from October 1, 2022 until September 30, 2027. ----------- REQUEST FROM ANGELO RUBBO TO USE SHORE PARK ON SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2023 3 Angelo Rubbo, 500 Esplanade, requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of Iona Rowing for the Spring Metropolitan Rowing Championships on Saturday, April 23, 2023. This would allow parents to watch the race from the starting line. The Mayor said that Mr. Rubbo did not include the hours in his request. She thought that this request could be approved conditionally based on the hours of the request. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Angelo Rubbo’s request on behalf of Iona to use Shore Park on Saturday April 22, 2023 be and hereby is granted conditionally based on the requirement that the hours for this request be provided. ------------ REQUEST FROM ANNE D. FROST, RN, PhD, TO HOLD THE ANNUAL COLOR RUN ON SUNDAY, MAY 21, 2023 Anne D. Frost, President of Project Community, a local not-for profit organization, requested the use of certain streets in the Village of Pelham Manor for the Color Run on Sunday, May 21, 2023. It would start at ten o’clock in the morning at Westward Lane and end at the Siwanoy playground. The event lasts approximately two hours. The Mayor said that it is a great event and a wonderful organization. She wants to make sure that Police Chief Atkins and Police Lieutenant Sancho are on board with this event. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the request from Anne D Frost on behalf of Project Community be and hereby is granted on the condition that they honor the terms determined by the Police Department. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 30978-31035 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 30978-31035. ------------- Mayor Monachino Lapey said that the Pelham Memorial High School hockey team made it to the State Championship finals and just fell a little short of the state title. They were second in the State Ice Hockey Championship. Trustee Senerchia said that the hockey team had a great year. Mike Cambria is in his first year as head coach. He congratulated the seniors and coaches and said that he couldn’t be more proud of them. ------------ PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there was any public comment. Gianni Magnani, 435 Carol Place, said that would be away for the next meeting and he wanted to thank Trustee DeLillo and Trustee Senerchia for their incredible work and dedication. 4 Benjamin Argyle, 440 Pelhamdale Avenue, asked about the engineering study on flood areas in the Village, the proposed seventeen percent increase in the water rates and when the public hearings were being held by the Public Service Commission. Trustee Cataldi Delillo said the engineers have gone out and are surveying the last area and developed a model for the first area and are working on the model for the second area. She said that she did insist on a meeting with them and gave them additional direction. In the next week or so they will have a draft of the first area. She said that everybody is getting equal attention. The Mayor said that we’ve already hit a lot of areas. Trustee DeLillo said that they were paid by line item. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that the proposed increase for water rates is for seventeen percent over four years. Manager Luft said that the increases are subject to the Public Service Commission. Trustee Cataldi DeLillo said that the PSC entertains proposals from the utilities and takes public comment. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that Mr. Argyle should call his State Senators and elected officials for the dates on the PSC meetings. ------------ EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there were issues regarding a personnel matter (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: Personnel Matter – Collective Bargaining No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- RESUMPTION OF REGULAR MEETING MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Memorandum of Agreement between the Village of Pelham Manor and the Pelham Manor Police Association, Inc. be and hereby is approved. . ----------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 5