Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 22, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Bennett Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Case Trustee McLaughlin Manager Luft ABSENT: Attorney Cornachio 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 Village Attorney is unable to attend tonight’s meeting because he is preparing for a trial. The Mayor said that the Village cannot acknowledge all losses in the Village, but needed to mention the passing of John Brice. He was an architect who designed many buildings in Westchester and was involved in this community for many years. She asked Trustee McLaughlin, who knew him, to say a few words about him. Trustee McLaughlin said that he grew up with his son. Mr. Brice was a long-time architect and served twice on the school board. He went to Cornell to study architecture. Everyone looked up to Mr. Brice. He said that Mr. Brice taught him to ski. He gave his condolences to his children Nick and Melissa and his wife. The Mayor offered congratulations to Trustee Case, and the entire Case family, on his son graduating summa cum laude from Bentley College in Massachusetts. Trustee Bennett said that she was pleased to attend a ceremony for Ro Licata who retired as a crossing guard after more than twenty years of service. She said that Ro had a warm smile in the morning which offered comfort to children and their parents. She was a dedicated employee and she said that we wish her the best in retirement. The Mayor said that EcoPel was sowing native plants in Veterans’ Park and we were happy to work with them. Village Manager Luft said that a plan was worked out and the DPW helped. She said that we are happy to work in collaboration with EcoPel. The Mayor said that sustainability initiatives get the highest level of attention. Trustee Owen-Michaane attended the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) annual meeting in northern New York. He said that there was an array of issues such as infrastructure and other important items. He said that we are not the only ones facing problems. Others are also facing them. He said that NYCOM is a direct link from local governments to Albany. He said that it was a good conference. 1 The Village Manager announced that the elevator is on track for the end of the month. Stormwater assessment will be discussed at the June12th Board meeting. The report will be on the website a week before the meeting. Public comment at the June 12th meeting will be done using cards and responses will be received within one week. Paving will be done on Highland and the project will then move on to Boston Post Road. The Mayor said that she was happy to see this work and was thrilled about proper maintenance of this road. The Village Manager said that the Boston Post Road project will be the full length of the village. --------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with the Chief Atkins. She said that April was relatively calm. She asked the Chief for a little recap. Chief Atkins said that larcenies were down. There were seven compared with fifteen in March. Police Commissioner Bennett said that we’ve been working with stores on loss prevention. The Chief said that Storage Post had some locks removed and the contents were removed from the units. He recommended that residents check on their units on a regular basis. The Police Commissioner asked about the case of fraud. The Chief said that a resident’s Citibank Account was compromised and the person called the number of the screen for help. The message on the screen was not from the bank. He urged people to call the bank if something like that happens. Police Commissioner Bennett said that at least three or four people who found wallets brought them back to the Police Department and the Police tracked down the owners. Chief Atkins reminded people about the “dark house” list for residents who are going to be away. If they want, the Police will check the perimeter of the house while the residents are away. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief. The Treasurer’s report showed that the opening balance for the month was seven million nine hundred eighty-nine thousand dollars and the closing amount was seven million one hundred six thousand dollars. There were seventy thousand dollars in revenues and nine hundred forty-seven thousand dollars in expenditures. The Village is in a strong financial position to end the Fiscal Year. 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. ------------ ACTION ON MS4 ANNUAL REPORT ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously 2  RESOLVED, that the MS4 Annual Report be and hereby is adopted. - - - - - - - - - - -- USE OF FOUR CORNERS PARK Girl Scout Troop 2583 requested the use of Four Corners/Veterans’ Park on Sunday, June 4, 2023 from one- thirty in the afternoon until three o’clock in the afternoon to plant a pollinator flower garden. The Mayor asked if they were working within the footprint done this weekend and was told yes. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that this keeps a nice lawn for children to play in addition to having native species to grow. She said that it is a dual commitment and about balance. She asked if a motion was necessary to approve this request and was told no. ------------ REQUEST TO USE SHORE PARK Antoinette Clemente, 1038 Clay Avenue, requested the use of Shore Park on Sunday, June 11, 2023 from noon until four o’clock in the afternoon, with a rain date of Sunday, June 25, 2023, for an engagement party. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the request from Antoinette Clemente to use Shore Park be and hereby is approved. ---------- DECLARATION OF LEAD AGENCY- SEQRA TYPE I ACTION This SEQRA action is for the proposed site plan amendment for the Pelham Country Club. The site plan will be evaluated by the Planning Board. The site plan review and SEQRA process will work in tandem. Trustee Owen-Michaane questioned what this declaration does and was told that it clarifies that the Board of Trustees is the principle decision-making authority. The Mayor said that the Board of Trustees often refer projects to boards for review. They act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Trustees. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village of Pelham Manor Boad of Trustees be and hereby is declared Lead Agency for a SEQRA Type I Action for a possible site plan amendment for the Pelham Country Club. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31236-31292 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 31236-31292. ------------- 3 PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public. Mark Cardwell, 86 Reed Avenue, spoke about the Town of Pelham’s ambulance service. Alexy Scholl, 1076 Grant Avenue, spoke about EMS training. Benjamin Argyle spoke about the engineers’ report that will be discussed at the next board meeting. ------------ EXECUTIVE SESSION 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: Employment history of a particular person (s) No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 4