Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 24, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Bennett Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Case Trustee McLaughlin 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. The Mayor said that the volunteer fire company hosted an annual dinner and a flap jack breakfast. She said that they are an extremely dedicated group and are very helpful in supporting our paid department. She said that the Mayors’ luncheon was hosted by two former Mayors Brian Gallagher and Val Taubner,Jr. They re-lived memories with retired Village Manager John Pierpont and welcomed new Village Manager Lindsey Luft. Trustee Bennett said that on Saturday afternoon she attended Pelham’s Earth Day festival at the Town’s Gazebo. She said that there are sustainability efforts taking place here in the Manor. She was encouraged by the number of young people in attendance. Trustee Bennett said that April 15, 1996 was a dark day. Detective Charles Schuta was killed in the line of duty. She said that it was a tragic loss. On the twenty-seventh anniversary of his death his loss is still felt in the Village and by his mother. She said that each year there are three wreaths in his honor. One is placed at Village Hall, a second at Prospect Hill School and the third at St. Mary’s cemetery in Yorktown. She asked that people take a moment to remember Officer Schuta. Trustee Bennett reported that Sergeant Ryan received his certification to teach children about the DARE program. He took an intense two-week training course in New Jersey. He will work with Officer Vogel. She said that that this is an asset. The Dare Program teaches about the dangers of alcohol and drugs. --------- MAYOR MONACHINO LAPEY TO ADMINSTER OATH OF OFFICE TO KYLE BOOTH The Mayor said that Kyle Booth has an accounting degree from Siena College and has been serving as Deputy Treasurer. Mayor Monachino Lapey administered the Oath of Office to Kyle Booth who was sworn in as Village Treasurer. All in attendance congratulated the new Village Treasurer. --------- 1 PROCLAMATION HONORING JOHN T. PIERPONT ON HIS RETIREMNT FROM THE VILLAGE The Mayor said at the end of this week John Pierpont will no longer be an employee. She said that he has worked with Manager Luft to help with the transition. Trustee Bennett said that it has been an absolute pleasure and honor to work with John Pierpont for the last six years. She spoke about his knowledge and doing the right thing. She said that he is an absolute gentleman and she wished him the best in retirement. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that when he moved to the Village eight years ago, he wanted to do some renovations and he had to see John Pierpont. He went to the meeting with his contractor and John made getting the permit a simple process. He said that he has been a mentor and a friend and he’s sad to see him go. He thanked him for maintaining and improving the Village. Trustee Case thanked John Pierpont for his service. He said that he is new to the Board but has lived in the Village for twenty years. Trustee McLaughlin said that he grew up with both of his sons. He said John Pierpont is a walking encyclopedia and he thanked him for his knowledge. John Pierpont said that it has been his honor to serve the people in this community. The following Proclamation was presented to John T. Pierpont. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, John T. Pierpont has served the Village of Pelham Manor since 1995 as Village Manager while simultaneously performing the duties of Village Treasurer, Village Clerk, Building and Plumbing Inspector, Superintendent of Public Works, and Registrar of Vital Statistics, and WHEREAS, he has delivered an unparalleled level of service to the residents of the Village, and WHEREAS, he has, in addition to managing the day-to-day affairs of the Village, achieved notable successes which included planting in excess of one thousand trees through an established tree replacement program, the constant improvement of recycling and waste management programs in the Village, active sidewalk replacement and street repaving programs, working to upgrade Village infrastructure, and providing vigilant oversight of the finances of the Village, and WHEREAS, he has represented the Village by serving as an officer or member of many organizations, including President of the Municipal Administrators Association, President of the New York City/County Management Association, Member of the Executive Board of the Westchester Municipal Officials Association, Board Chair and President of Public Employers Risk Management Association, and WHEREAS, he has served the Village and its residents with diligence, prudence, wisdom and good humor, and 2  WHEREAS, his friendship, experience, sense of humor, sound judgement and effective leadership will be missed by the Village, its residents, officials and employees NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that on the occasion of his retirement as Village Manager, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor for themselves and for the residents, officials and employees of the Village, hereby publicly acknowledges and records its admiration of John T. Pierpont, and its deep appreciation for his twenty-eight years of leadership, planning, and untiring service to the Village and its residents, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be presented to John T. Pierpont as a token of gratitude, affection and esteem. ---------- MINUTES FROM THE REGULAR MEETING ON APRIL 10, 2023 AND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET ON APRIL 10, 2023 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular meeting on April 10, 2023 and the Public Hearing on the Budget on April 10, 2023 be and hereby are approved. ----------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with the Chief Atkins. March was a busy month. The Chief said that there was a stolen access code at Storage Post and items were taken from some units. Police Commissioner Bennett also reminded residents to keep their cars locked and not to leave valuable in their cars. The Chief said that 620 and 920 Pelhamdale Avenue had vehicles that were accessed. One vehicle was found in lower Manhattan. The steering column and windows were broken in order to steal the car. Police Commissioner Bennett spoke about using ATM’s. She said that you shouldn’t be distracted. Someone could be looking over your shoulder. She said that you shouldn’t put your bank card down. You should put it back in your wallet or pocket. She reminded residents that gasoline powered leaf blowers are unlawful to use until October 15th. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The Village Treasurer gave the monthly report for March. He gave the opening cash balance and the balance at the end of the month. Revenues included property tax payments and other non-property tax revenues. Non-property tax revenues included fines and forfeitures, rental of real property and building permit fees. The Mayor said that the Village is in a strong financial position. 3  After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police and Village Treasurer reports be and hereby are adopted. ------------ RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2023-2024 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously resolved that WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has met at the time and place specified in the notice of public hearing on the tentative budget and heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the tentative budget as hereinafter set forth is hereby adopted and that the several amounts stated in the column titled “Adopted” in Schedule 1-A be and they hereby are appropriated for the objects and purposes specified and the salaries and wages stated in Schedule 5 of such budget shall be and hereby are fixed at the amounts shown therein, effective June 1, 2023, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Manager be and he hereby is authorized to complete the assessment roll by extending the taxes against properties on said roll in conformity with the budget figure as adopted, and be it further RESOLVED, That the Board of Trustees set the 2022 adjusted base proportions for the year 2023 Village taxes at 78.99% Homestead and 21.01% Non-Homestead and be it further RESOLVED, That the tax rate of $ 6.1524 for each $1,000 of assessed valuation of property be levied and collected upon all of the Homestead properties appearing on the completed assessment roll of 2022 and $9.6733 for each $1,000 of assessed valuation of property be levied and collected upon all of the Non-Homestead properties appearing on the completed assessment roll of 2022 and that the Mayor and the Village Manager be authorized to sign the warrant attached to said roll; that the assessment roll, together with such warrant on or before the 15th day of May 2023, that all taxes on said roll become liens on the various properties against which same are assessed at 12 o’clock Noon on the first day of June 2023. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE TAX WARRANT After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Mayor be and hereby is authorized to sign the Tax Warrant. ------------ CONSIDERATION OF AMENDED SITE PLAN APPROVAL-PLAYGROUND AT ACDS 575 FOWLER AVENUE The Mayor said that she was pleased to see the amended site plan. She asked the Village Manager to discuss this a little more. Manager Luft said that the Planning Board put a lot of thought into this application. It was thoroughly reviewed especially for safety. Arborvitae will be planted as screening. There will 4 be one point of entry and the fence has mesh woven into it. She thanked the applicants for their professionalism and the Planning Board for their review After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the amended site plan for the playground at ACDS 575 Fowler Avenue be and hereby is approved. ----------- CONSIDERATION OF AMENDED SITE PLAN - BACK UP GENERATOR AT 15 CANAL ROAD The Board of Trustees typically sends an amendment to a site plan to the Planning Board for review. This is for a back-up generator at 15 Canal Road. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the amended site plan for a back-up generator at 15 Canal Road be and hereby is forwarded to the Planning Board for review. ----------- CONSIDERATION OF AMENDED SITE PLAN - PROPOSED CHANGES TO PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB 940 WYNNEWOOD ROAD Manager Luft recommended sending this application to the Planning Board for review. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the amended site plan for proposed changes to the Pelham Country Club be and hereby is forwarded to the Planning Board for review. ----------- RESOLUTION TO AWARD WORK FOR STREET SWEEPING The Village received two proposals for street sweeping services. One proposal was from Three D Industrial Maintenance Corporation and the second proposal was from East Coast Industrial Services, Inc. Three D Industrial Maintenance Corp. $ 3,275.00 East Coast Industrial Services, Inc. $ 2,850.00 The low bidder was East Coast Industrial Services, Inc. Village Manager Luft recommended the low bidder saying the that Village had been pleased with their service in the past. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the low bidder for street sweeping services, East Coast Industrial Services, Inc.be and hereby is awarded the work at a cost of two thousand eight hundred fifty dollars per sweep. ---------- REQUESTS TO USE SHORE PARK Nicholas Forand, 596 Colonial Avenue, requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of the Siwanoy Dad’s Club for their annual Barbecue on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven thirty in the evening. A rain date of Friday, June 16, 2023 was requested. 5 Toby Marxuach-Gusciora, 901 Plymouth Street, asked to use the Park for a pot luck event for the Pelham Democrats. She requested the date of July 8, 2023 from one o’clock in the afternoon until four o’clock in the afternoon with a rain date of July 15, 2023. This was a request that was received after the agenda was completed and posted. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the requests from Nicholas Forand and Toby Marxuach-Gusciora to use Shore Park be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31153-31206 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 31153-31206. ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public. Toby Marxuach Gusciora, 901 Plymouth Street, asked for an update on Save The Sound. Attorney Cornachio said that the Village is in the Discovery stage for Save the Sound. He said that the Monopole is on appeal and oral argument will be coming up within the next couple of weeks. Manager Luft said that construction for the red-light cameras is expected in early June. ------------ EXECUTIVE SESSION No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 6