Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES September 26, 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. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that this weekend the storm was downgraded from a cyclone to a tropical storm. He said that in advance the catch basins were cleaned and they worked as they should. Trustee McLaughlin thanked the Pelham Civics for the Toonerville celebration even though it rained. Manager Luft spoke about safety meetings. There was a school safety meeting which she attended along with representatives from the Village of Pelham. The school’s drop off and sporting events were discussed. She and the personnel from the Police and Fire Departments also attended seminar on emergency preparedness and how to plan for and handle all types of hazards and emergencies. The Mayor credited the Village Manager for working on this issue of mutual aid and thanked the first responders and the Village Manager. ----------- SWEARING IN DANIEL SUSPIRO AS POLICE OFFICER Mayor Monachino Lapey read the background of Daniel Suspiro. He is twenty- nine years old and began his law enforcement career in Mount Vernon in 2021. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. Daniel Suspiro brings with him a multitude of training certificates. The Mayor administered the Oath of Office to Daniel Suspiro. All in attendance congratulated the Village’s new police officer. - ---------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Chief Atkins. She noted that larcenies were up. The Chef said that there were larcenies at Home Goods and ShopRite. He said that the police are usually on site after the incidents happen, but they may also get there when they are in progress. The Chief said that there were several apprehensions during the month of May. 1 A special detail was assigned to discourage drag racing. They racers were coming from Shore Road to the Post Road and a special detail was assigned to help prevent this activity. The Police were successful in deterring it. The Chief said that there were a couple of burglaries at Dave & Busters. He said that the suspects hid at closing time. He said that they returned ten days later and were ultimately apprehended by officers. The Scavenger Hunt on Beech Tree Lane, Elm Tree Lane, and Forest Road was discussed. Additional police patrols were added and it has been quiet. The Police Commissioner said that it was great work quelling that down. She said that some people were frightened. The Mayor said that the Police have been in touch with the school district on this issue. She said that an officer has been designated to work with the school. The Police Chief said if residents see something that doesn’t look right, they should call the police. Police Commissioner Bennett said that residents should call (914) 738-1000. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The Village Manager said that the Village Treasurer’s report showed over sixteen million dollars in significant revenues. All of these revenues were in excess of thirty thousand dollars. Ninety-nine percent of the tax levy was collected. It was reported that the Village is expected to receive reimbursement for the elevator shortly. The Village Manager deferred to Commissioner of the Department of Public Works Owen- Michaane. He spoke about the stormwater system and the ongoing efforts that the Village is making. He spoke about the meeting the Village had with Pelham Bay Parkway Association. He spoke about dual culverts under I-95 or making two culverts into one culvert. He said that the Village has been in contact with Senator Fernandez who has been very supportive. He said that the Village has applied for grants in excess of two million dollars and a decision will be made sometime in January. It was reported that New Rochelle is in the design phase on an outfall that would reduce stormwater runoff. This would benefit Mount Tom which is in Watershed 5. The New York State DEC is working on a flood mitigation study that would benefit the Hutch. The Village has been rehabbing catch basins on Witherbee Avenue. Forty-eight new native species trees will help with ground water. Manager Luft said that the Village has done a number of stormwater items over the years. She said that the DPW collected three hundred twenty-seven tons of material during month. Forty- five percent of that material was recycled. During the month, the street sweeper was in, sidewalk trip hazards were repaired, crosswalks were painted and street lights were replaced. She reminded people that Fall leaf collection starts on October 15th. The Village Clerk reported that there was a FOIL request that was two hundred fifty-one pages, and forty-one building permits, twelve vital statistics records, forty-five dog licenses, eleven handicapped permits and three letters in lieu were issued for the month. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Village Treasurer, DPW and Village Clerk reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- 2 ACTION ON LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2023 The Mayor said that she felt comfortable taking a vote on Local Law 1. She said that the Board has been analyzing this for quite some time. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Local Law 1 of 2023 be and hereby is adopted ----------- MINUTES The Mayor asked if there were any questions, comments or corrections to the minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 5, 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 September 5, 2023 be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2023 ADJUSTED BASE PROPORTIONS The Village needs to adopt adjusted base proportions for 2023. The Final Assessment Roll from 2022 or 2023 may be used. The 2022 Final Assessment Roll is slightly more favorable to the Homestead, or residential, class. The Mayor thought that this was a very fair practice. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that adopting the 2022 Assessment Roll is in line with what we’ve done in the past. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the 2023 Adjusted Base Proportions be and hereby are adopted using the 2022 Final Assessment Roll. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31621-31710 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 31621-31710. ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. There were no comments or questions from the public. ------------ 3 EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there was an issue regarding an employment matter and pending litigation. 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 and pending litigation -------------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 4  BOARD OF TRUSTEES PUBLIC HEARING September 26, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Bennett Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Case Trustee McLaughlin Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL LAW 1 OF 2023 Mayor Monachino Lapey opened the Public Hearing on Local Law 1 of 2023. The Mayor asked Manager Luft to give a little more context on this proposed local law. Manager Luft said that this local law was for the red light cameras at the Four Corners intersection. She said that that they will be live and the Village will be ticketing for violations on October First. The Village Manager said that this was a small clarification. The Mayor said that this was a refinement in language. This is an ongoing process and this is the last piece of the puzzle. She said that the Board is committed to this effort. ----------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions. There were no comments or questions. ------------ TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING 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 closed. ----------- Clerk 1