Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES December 11, 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 extended best wishes to those who celebrate Christmas and Chanukah. She said that the toy drive is still going on and the last day to drop off toys for both the Police and Fire drives is December Thirteenth. Trustee Case said that this goes a long way toward helping people. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that John Cahill, MD., a native of Pelham, sadly passed after a valiant fight. It was a tragic loss and she said that fifty-six years old is too young. It is especially sad during the holiday season. She said that our hearts and thoughts are with the Cahill family. Trustee Bennett congratulated Mayor Lapey on being in the Winter 2023 edition of Women in Westchester. She said that she knows how dedicated Mayor Lapey is. She has volunteered her time and expertise to the Village for the past eight years while working as an attorney for a local manufacturing company. Trustee Bennett said that she is so grateful to have her and it is fitting that she has been honored beyond our borders. The Mayor said that there were a lot of talented ladies, and men, involved with this. She thanked everyone. ----------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 27, 2023. There were no comments or questions. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 27, 2023 be and hereby are approved. ----------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Chief Atkins. 1 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. He said that 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 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. Police Commissioner Bennett said that people who are going to be away can put their house on the “Dark House” list. The Police will check on the perimeter of the house while the residents are away. Residents should call the Police desk at (914) 738-1000 to use this service. 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. Fire Commissioner Case discussed the monthly report with Chief Greco. He said that the Village was fortunate with the flooding last night. Last month there were fifty calls. The Chief said that there was a pedestrian hit crossing the street to catch a bus. The person was taken to Jacobi and released. He said that there were several fires. There was a structure fire at Dave&Busters, a rubbish fire and a fire from a lithium battery. Chief Greco reminded people to check their flues when lighting the fireplace. The Chief mentioned that firefighter Donald Swartout will be retiring after thirty-three years of service. He said that the department received a ninety-four thousand dollar grant from Senator Fernandez for a smart board and laptops. The Pelham Civics gave the department a grant for dewatering pumps. The Chief also said that the department is still accepting toys for its drive. Fire Commissioner Case said that the Annual Inspection Dinner was very impressive. The Mayor and Board thanked the Chief for his report. The Village Clerk said that there were thirty-two building permits, one business license, thirteen copies and seventeen dog licenses issued. The DPW Superintendent said that leaf collection was heavy for November. Two thousand seven hundred tons were collected and ninety-four percent of that was recycled. Forty-eight native species trees were planted. This was accomplished through the New York Power Authority program. The Village bought twenty-four trees and NYPA matched that number. The River Birch drinks a lot of water. This makes the tree canopy robust. One River Birch was planted on Manor Lane. The Village Treasurer’s report showed the ending fund balance was twelve million dollars. The Village received three hundred eighty-two thousand dollars in sales tax revenue from Westchester County. The County operates on a calendar year basis. This was the first payment for the Village. The Village paid two million dollars to the New York State Retirement System. 2 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Fire, Village Clerk, DPW and Village Treasurer’s reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- CONSIDERATION OF AN INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH WESTCHESTER COUNTY FOR MOBILE RADIOS Manager Luft said that this program is very similar to the one with Fire and EMS. The Village participates with Police municipal aid. The County operates public safety radio communication systems with emergency first responders throughout Westchester County. This IMA would allow the County to provide mobile radios for Pelham Manor’s police cars. This document is available online. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Manager be and hereby is authorized to execute an Intermunicipal Agreement with Westchester County for Mobile Radios. ----------- 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 firehouse. It is more appropriate to operate from the apparatus floor. The Mayor said that we wouldn’t want anyone waiting for the lift. The Polling Place will be downstairs as it has been. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Election be and hereby will be held on March 19, 2024 from six o’clock in the morning until nine o’clock in the evening in the Village firehouse. ----------- CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN AMENDMENT – PELHAMDALE, LLC 4760 BOSTON POST ROAD The Mayor thought that this would be something valuable for the Planning Board to review. Manager Luft thought that feedback from the Planning Board would be very useful. They look at the site plan as a whole. The Mayor said that this is part of the Four Corners and the area should be treated with due care. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the site plan amendment for Pelhamdale, LLC 4760 Boston Post Road be and hereby is forwarded to the Planning Board for review. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 31906-31938 3 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 31906-31938 ------------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. Tai Montanarella, 464 Esplanade, spoke about historical designation for the Hutchinson River as well as the Hutchinson River Parkway, community landscapes, additional trees, a native plant ordinance, and designated no mow zones. The Mayor thanked her for her comments. Kate Pringle, 26 Suburban Avenue, spoke about the administration and cost of the Village election. Mayor Monachino Lapey appreciated her thoughtful comments. Gianni Magnani, 435 Carol Place, said that as the year draws to a close, he wished the Board, administration, and all employees of the Village a happy and healthy New Year. ------------ 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 ADJUSTMENT After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the following salary adjustments be and hereby are approved: Village Manager $195,000 Effective January 1, 2024 To be paid in equal weekly payments with an additional one-time merit payment of $10,000.00 in the first pay period of January. ------------ ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ------------- Clerk 4