Board of Trustees

DRAFT BOARD OF TRUSTEES September 5, 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. She said that the Village Attorney will be unable to attend the meeting in person because it is his son’s birthday. She said that the Village is lucky to have his counsel. He offers his service to the Village on a pro bono basis. He will be available by phone for Executive Session. Trustee Mclaughlin commended his neighbors for a block party. He said that it was well done. He thanked the Village Manager as she continues to rebuild the website. She worked on e-mails behind the scenes. He said that you will continue to receive Village announcements if you signed up for them. Trustee Case gave an update on the Four Corners. He said that the Village continues to support the rehabilitation work. He said that the property is owned by Friedland Properties. The Village Manager and Building Inspector have done a tremendous amount of work on this project. Fire Chief Greco helped supervise fire connection work being done today. He took New York Sate Code classes and just became certified in the Code. Trustee Case also mentioned that the Village lost a long- time resident Vito “Ace” Pisano. He was one hundred years old, served in World War II and was a former Grand Marshall of the Town’s Memorial Day parade. Mayor Monachino Lapey said ha the Village did a proclamation for his one hundredth birthday. She said that he and his late wife received their home on Reed Avenue as a wedding present. He lived in his home and never left. Trustee Bennett spoke about drag racing at two and three o’clock in the morning during the summer. She said that there were small numbers when they started and then the numbers increased. This weekend there were no drag races. The previous two weekends they came down the Shore Road. She thanked the Village Manager, Police Chief, Police Lieutenant and all the Police Officers for staying on top of this. She said that residents can always call 911 for emergencies but if they call 914 738-1000 the Police will get the call directly. She said if you are home and use a land line the call will come directly to us. The cell phone call will be routed to Westchester County and then the Village. Trustee Case said the same information applies to ambulance service. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she has spoken with County Legislator Terry Clements and Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard about reports of significant and protracted high levels of music at Memorial Field. The Village is working with local, county and state representatives. She said that residents should call the Police Desk at 738-1000 and the desk 1 Sergeant will advise them what number to call regarding the source of the noise. ----------- PROCLAMATION FOR EAGLE SCOUT LIAM DeCOURSY MEAD The Mayor said that the Eagle Scout program involved rigorous training as well as a project. This project involved a safety upgrade to the church playground. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Liam DeCoursy Mead, has attained the rank of Eagle Scout which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouting program, and WHEREAS, Liam DeCoursy Mead has been in the Boy Scouts since Two Thousand Fifteen and has taken on the leadership roles in Pelham Troop 1 of Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Sea Base Crew Leader, and WHEREAS, Liam DeCoursy Mead oversaw the installation of a safety upgrade to the Christ Church playground in Pelham Manor which is used by the Montessori School, parishioners, and members of the community. The upgrade is a one hundred twelve-foot safety barrier made of wooden railroad ties, buried three ties deep into the ground, which separates the playground from the parking lot next to it. This project took several weeks to complete and included planning, budgeting, fundraising and overseeing a team of Scouts to complete the work and WHEREAS, Liam DeCoursy Mead has completed all three programs necessary to earn the Triple Crown of National High Adventure Award. The Adventure Programs included hiking through the mountain wilderness in northeastern New Mexico, scuba diving in the Florida Keys where he served as Sea Base Crew leader, and canoeing the waterways of the Northern Boreal Forest in Minnesota. He saved money and organized fundraisers to help pay for each of these High Adventure programs, and WHEREAS, Liam DeCoursy Mead earned the rank of Eagle Scout on April 26, 2023 and his Eagle Court of Honor will take place on September 9, 2023 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor hereby recognizes Liam DeCoursy Mead on the occasion of his earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Trustee Bennett congratulated him on his achievement and said that his parents should be very proud. She asked him what his biggest challenge was and was told that working with kids in sixth and seventh grades it was challenge to keep them focused on the project. Trustee Case congratulated him and all of Troop 1 on their structure for producing so many Eagle Scout candidates and the community of parents who support them. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that he knows how hard it is to stay focused on becoming an Eagle Scout. It takes a lot of work and dedication. He congratulated Liam Mead’s parents. ---------- PROCLAMATION FOR EAGLE SCOUT CANDIDATE JULIAN KALEHOFF The Mayor said that this was a multi-phased project that improved and renovated the bathrooms at Shore Park. She said that Shore Park is a crown jewel and this volunteer work was extremely helpful to the Village. 2  PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Julian Frank Kalehoff is a candidate for the rank of Eagle Scout which is the highest honor in the Boy Scouts and WHEREAS, Julian Frank Kalehoff completed his Eagle Scout Service Project which included a multi-phased approach to improving and renovating the restrooms at Shore Park in the Village of Pelham Manor by scraping the walls and doors of the restrooms and then repainting the restrooms using multiple coats of paint to dramatically improve their appearance and WHEREAS, Julian Frank Kalehoff worked diligently to plan, organize and manage his Eagle Scout Project, and WHEREAS, Julian Frank Kalehoff accomplished his project in Shore Park, utilizing help from his parents and friends, which will benefit the Village of Pelham Manor, its residents and guests NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor hereby recognizes and commends Julian Frank Kalehoff on completing his Eagle Scout Service Project. Trustee Bennett said that she was there at the beginning of the project and after it was finished and said what a difference the work made. She thanked him for his project. Trustee Case asked what his biggest challenge was and was told that a lot of paint got on the floor and it was an undertaking to correct that. Trustee McLaughlin thanked him for painting. Trustee Owen-Michaane offered his congratulations. - ---------- MINUTES The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or corrections to the minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 14, 2023. There were no questions, comments or corrections. . After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular meeting on August 14, 2023 be and hereby are approved. Trustee Owen-Michaane abstained from voting because he was not in attendance. ---------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Case discussed the monthly report with Chief Greco. The Chief spoke about a structure fire on Iden Avenue. The house is uninhabitable and the residents are staying with relatives. He said that Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Larchmont and Pelham supplied mutual aid. There were seventy- eight calls during the month and Pelham Manor covered the firehouses for Larchmont and Pelham when they needed help. The Village of Pelham had a minor electrical fire. Chief Greco also said that a car jumped the curb and hit a corner of Manor Market. It was not a serious accident. The Chief also reminded people that its’ time to service boilers and chimneys. He said that the 9/11 Service will he held on Harmon Avenue at 3 eight-thirty in the morning. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Fire report be and hereby is approved. ------------ CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN AMENDMENT The Mayor said that there is a significant departure in what is currently being requested for the ACDS playground at 575 Fowler Avenue than what was approved by the Board of Trustees. Manager Luft made the recommendation to refer the application back to the Planning Board for additional review. The Mayor said that she felt comfortable sending this application back to the Planning Board for additional review. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the site plan amendment for ACDS playground be and hereby is referred back to the Planning Board for additional review. ------------ SHORE PARK REQUESTS Erica Cheung and Michael Brescia, 612 Timpson Street, requested the use of Shore Park on September 10, 2023 from twelve o’clock in the afternoon until three o’clock in the afternoon for a gender reveal party Rabbi Benjamin Resnik, 804 Wolfs Lane, and Jonathan Kasper, 10 Em Tree Lane, requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of the Pelham Jewish Center on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from four o’clock in the afternoon until five o’clock in the afternoon for a Rosh Hashanah service. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Shore Park requests by Erica Cheung and Michel Brescia, and Rabbi Benjamin Resnik and Jonathan Kasper be and hereby are approved. ------------ RESOLUTION TO SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2023 The proposed Local Law is for the red light camera system which worked through an implementation period which started September 1, 2023. Local Law 1 amends Chapter 185 of the Village Code regarding owner liability for failure of the operator to comply with traffic control indications. The Public Hearing on Local Law 1 of 2023 can be scheduled for the next Board meeting on September 26, 2023. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Public Hearing on Local Law 1 of 2023 be and hereby is set for Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at eight fifteen in the evening. ----------- RESOLUTION APPROVING CAPITAL BUDGET TRANSFERS 4 This resolution is to move two hundred fifty thousand dollars for storm drain improvements and two hundred seventy-five thousand dollars for a refuse packer for a total of five hundred twenty- five thousand dollars from General Fund to the Capital Fund. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that five hundred twenty- five thousand dollars be and hereby is transferred from General Fund to Capital Fund for storm drain improvements and a refuse packer. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31559-31620 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 31559-31620. ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments from the public. Jonathan Kasper, 10 Elm Tree Lane, spoke about an attempted break-in at his home on Saturday. He spoke with the Police Chief and Lieutenant. He said that it was kids. The Police told him that they were working on it and he appreciated that. The Mayor said that there is a fine line between giddy pranks and crossing the line into criminal behavior. She suggested that parents have a discussion on appropriate behavior and having concern for other peoples’ property. The Mayor said that a resident recommended a railing for Weihman Park at the Esplanade and Post Road. She said that the Village can look at that. ------------ EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there was an issue regarding an employment 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: Employment of a Particular Person No action was taken in Executive Session. ------------ -- RESUMPTION OF REGULAR MEETING SALARY ADJUSTMENTS After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the following salary adjustments be and hereby are approved. 5 Fire Chief $2,500 One-time stipend $2,500 Salary Increase -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 6