Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 27, 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 Trustee Case helped load the food for the annual Thanksgiving in a Box program. She said that it’s great to be able to help so many people. The Pelham Half Marathon held this past weekend had outstanding attendance. The Mayor said that Trustees Bennett, Owen-Michaane and McLaughlin were there to welcome the runners. She said that it was wonderful to see so many locals. There were also some running groups from Yonkers and the Bronx. The Mayor recognized runner Ruthie Spence who is a member of the Class of 1987. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she looked great. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that over nine hundred runners participated. He said that it is a great event that is put on by the Pelham Civics. Trustee McLaughlin spoke about the Winter Wonderland event that was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Town of Pelham. Games, face painting, and carriage rides were part of the event. He said that the Girl Scouts sang carols and the Pelham Larks helped light the tree. Mayor Monachino Lapey gave kudos to Cristina Chianese, the President of the Chamber of Commerce. Manager Luft said that the Department of Public Works is waiting for a new piece of equipment. A high-pressure sewer jetter will be arriving this week. This equipment will further support the Village’s in house stormwater management program. The Mayor said that, as is the Village’s custom, the Board will meet once in December. That meeting will be on December Eleventh. ----------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 13, 2023. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 13, 2023 be and hereby are approved. Trustee Owen-Michaane abstained from voting because he was not present at this meeting. ----------- 1 REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Chief Atkins. She said that October was a pretty average month overall. The Business District was busy. The Chief said that there were larcenies at ShopRite and Fairway Wines and Spirits. The suspects take the merchandise then conceal it and walk out of the store. He said that sometimes, after the fact, arrests are made on warrants. Police Commissioner Bennett spoke about frauds. She spoke about credit card fraud and said that residents must stay vigilant. The Police Chief recommended monitoring your bank accounts. He said that you should not share your information on the phone. Police Commissioner Bennett added that information should not be shared over e-mail. The Police Chief said that holiday season is here and said that if residents are expecting packages and are not going to be home, they should arrange with a neighbor to hold the packages, arrange for delivery at the back of the house or pick up the packages themselves. Chief Atkins said that the Police Department is collecting toys for the toy drive sponsored by Toys for Tots. They should be new and unwrapped. They will be collected through December Thirteenth. The toys will be distributed by the Marine Corps Reserve. The Police Commissioner said that there is a box for the toys inside the Police Department. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The Treasurer’s report for October was presented by the Village Manager. She said that the Village’s ending Fund Balance was $15,243,793.33. The Village received a significant revenue from Con Edison in the amount of $296,693.10. The Manager reported that the Village has received more than ninety-nine and a half percent of the real estate tax levy over the first five months of the fiscal year. She said that the Village continues to be in strong fiscal condition. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police and Treasurer’s reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PRISONER TRANSPORTATION ZONE RATE AGREEMENT Manager Luft said that this was a standard agreement with Westchester County. It establishes the zone rate schedule for prisoner transportation. The Village is in Zone 4. She said that this agreement is rarely used given that the Town Constables handle most of this duty. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Manager be and hereby is authorized to execute the Prisoner Transportation Zone Rate Agreement with Westchester County. ------------ RESOLUTION IDENTIFYING THE LOCATION AND HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE POLLING PLACE FOR THE MARCH 19, 2024 VILLAGE ELECTION The Village Election will be held on March 19, 2024 from six o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening. It will be held in the Village board room. 2 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Election will be held on March 19, 2024 from six o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening in the Village board room. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31851-31903 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 31851-31903 ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. Kate Pringle, 26 Suburban Avenue, spoke about the administration and cost of the Village election. ------------ 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: Pending litigation No action was taken in Executive Session. -------------- RESUMPTION OF MEETING PENDING LITIGATION After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, That the Village Manager be and hereby is directed and authorized to take the necessary administrative acts to move forward with concluding the Save the Sound litigation. ----------- ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. -------------- Clerk 3