Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 13, 2023 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Bennett Trustee Case Trustee McLaughlin Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft ABSEST: Trustee Owen-Michaane 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 Trustee Owen-Michaane had a work commitment this evening in New York City. She said that he is current on all issues. The Mayor said that this past weekend was Veterans’ Day and said that we honor all veterans for their service. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that American Legion Post 50 had a ceremony on Saturday morning honoring veterans. Trustee Bennett said that it was lovely to see the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts waving their flags. A beautiful poem was read. The Mayor thanked the Village Manager and Police Chief for their attendance at a PTA traffic safety meeting. Trustee Case spoke about the Pelham Half Marathon which will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023. He said that it begins at seven-thirty in the morning and they should be out of Pelham Manor by ten-thirty. He thanked Manager Luft and her staff for their help with the race. The Mayor spoke about how the Village has been proactive on traffic issues. She asked Trustee Bennett to speak about this topic. Trustee Bennett said that she was out with the crossing guard. She said that we need to slow down and pay attention especially in the morning. She said that we need to come to full stops at stop signs and work with the crossing guards. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she, Trustee Bennett, Village Attorney Cornachio and Manager Luft attended the WMOA meeting in Bronxville. The new Commissioner for Human Resources and Civil Service spoke at the meeting. The Mayor said that Civil Service controls many of our personnel actions. Trustee McLaughlin said that the Village Manager has become certified as a Municipal Stormwater Inspector. Manager Luft said that it was an honor to attend. It was sponsored by the National Stormwater Center and it included all things in the MS4 atmosphere. It is a five- year certification and you have to work to maintain the certification. 1 The Mayor asked if this was a national certification and was told yes. The Mayor said that this dovetails with the Village’s study. Trustee Bennett spoke about “ Movember” which is s month long fundraising event to benefit cancer research and mental health for men. She said that during the month members of the Police Department either grow mustaches or grow longer mustaches for this important fundraising event. ----------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 23, 2023. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 23, 2023 be and hereby are approved. Trustee McLaughlin abstained because he was not present at this meeting. ----------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Case discussed the monthly report with Chief Greco. Chief Greco said that fire prevention week was a success. Pamphlets were distributed at schools and even during Halloween when candy was being given out. He attended a Siwanoy Cub Scout meeting and they had a question and answer period. He said that the scouts asked some very good questions. The Chief reported that during the month there were sixty- three alarms, multiple car accidents, two structure fires and one major gas leak. He attended a weekend leadership conference in Montour Falls. He said that three officers will help with staffing a live burn in Harrison. The Chief reminded residents to have their furnaces and chimneys serviced, not to park on leaves, and not to block fire hydrants with leaves. Chief Greco said that the Fire Department will be gearing up for the annual toy drive. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The DPW Superintendent said that seven hundred twenty-four tons were collected during the month. Seventy-two percent of the tonnage was recycled and four hundred sixty tons of leaves were collected. She said that Boston Post Road is being prepared for paving and they will be paving in November. The DPW Superintendent is now a certified Stormwater Inspector. She said that stormwater impacts everyone. She said that field assessments for the whole Pelham Bay Parks area are starting. This will include the bridle path and the dual culverts. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that these are receiving conduits and streams outside the Village’s system. The DPW Superintendent said that they are going to do the assessment work that the Village has already done. The City of New Rochelle has completed a city-wide assessment. In 2024 they will be working on Water District 5. The Village is collaborating with them on how this will work with the water Pelham Manor is sending them. In addition, it was reported that forty-eight trees were planted using the New York Power Authority program. The Village Clerk reported that during October eighteen vital statistics records, sixteen dog 2 licenses, thirty-six building permits, ten handicapped permits, three Notices of Violation, one Board of Appeals application and one Certificate of Occupancy were issued. Two Planning Board meetings were held. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Fire, DPW, and Village Clerk reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A HISTORIC DISTRICT Mayor Monachino Lapey said that the Village has been working collaboratively with Town Historian Arthur Scinta. The Village is looking to recognize the Four Corners which includes the Police Booth, a Tudor shopping center and Huguenot Memorial Church. The Historic District status would not place encumbrances on businesses but could provide tax credits for them. Trustee Bennett said that this was very advantageous. She said that it is a beautiful area. The Mayor said that it added a nice cachet, but that there are no guarantees that that the Village will get this designation. She said that it harkens back to our roots. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the creation of a Historic District to recognize the Four Corners be and hereby is supported by the Board of Trustees. ------------ RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31796-31850 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 31796-31850 ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. Jon Kasper, 10 Elm Tree Lane, thanked the Village Manager for walking around the bridle path. He said that it seems obvious what needs to be done, but realized that the Village has to work with New York City on this issue. The Village Manager said that we stay in communication with one another and they have been better about general maintenance. Alexy Scholl, 1076 Grant Avenue, spoke about a full assessment for Pelham Bay Parks, the culvert under the bridle path, back pitch on culverts at higher elevations, the Elm Tree Lane area, channel maintenance, and resident involvement. The Village Manager spoke about the streams along the bridle path, dual culverts and the importance of City funding, cleaning culverts, reviewing the separate stream that affects Elm Tree Lane, the Thruway Authority and Pelham Bay Parks responsibility for maintenance, and residents contacting Senator Fernandez who has been very responsive in this matter. ------------ 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 The Mayor wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 4