Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES March 25, 2024 PRESENT: Mayor Monachino Lapey Trustee Bennett Trustee McLaughlin Attorney Cornachio Manager Luft ABSENT: Trustee Owen-Michaane Trustee Case 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 Trustee Owen- Michaane and Trustee Case are away. They are up to date on everything and will return for the next meeting Trustee McLaughlin spoke about two wonderful events. He mentioned the Easter Egg hunt by Huguenot Church in Weihman Park and the Town of Pelham’s Easter event at the Gazebo. Trustee Bennett gave an update on the Westchester Municipal Officials Association monthly meeting on March 21st. She said that Blanca Lopez, the Westchester County Commissioner of Planning, was the keynote speaker. She gave a comprehensive overview on planning and topics such as Stormwater and All Hazards Planning. The Town of Pelham hosted this meeting and it was a very enjoyable and informative evening. Village Manager Luft reported on the significant rain this past weekend. This weather event brought more than three inches of rain in twenty-four hours. It was just over the one- year storm event. The Manager gave an update on Watersheds 1, 3 and 5. She mentioned a pipe obstruction in Watershed 1 and said that the sanitary sewage pipe is used by Pelham Manor, Pelham and New Rochelle and goes to the County pump system and is gravity fed. She said that the obstruction is directly under Glover Field which is school district property. The school district is aware of the issue and there have been conversations with them. The proposed project has the idea to minimize effects. The surrounding area is in a FEMA flood zone. A regional approach will be applied to this area. Watershed 3 involves New York City Parks. NYC Parks confirmed that they’re making head way. Manager Luft that the Village did not receive a grant for Watershed 5, but said that there is still funding for Watershed 5. DPW Foreman Michael DiBenedetto attended a program on invasive species of plants and pests which was presented by Westchester County. ---------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 11, 2024. There were no comments or questions. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was 1  RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 11, 2024 be and hereby are approved. ---------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the monthly report with Chief Atkins. She said that the business district was busy. Chief Atkins said that there were several instances of shoplifting at ShopRite. He said that arrests have been made. The Police Commissioner spoke about CVS and was told that the Police were able to apprehend a subject. He said that there were several warrants out for this person. Police Commissioner Bennett said that a burglary on Split Rock Road was foiled by the Police. She said that they were stealing cars. The Chief said that it was an auto theft ring. He said that Officer Rivas was checking on the vehicle and the vehicle fled to the Bronx. He interrupted the criminal activity. The Police Commissioner spoke about solicitation around CVS. She said that it is not allowed unless you have a permit. Chief Atkins reminded residents that if they see something suspicious, they should call the Police Department. The Police Commissioner said to call the Police Desk at 914 738-1000. The Mayor and Board thanked the Police Chief for his report. Manager Luft presented the Village Treasurer’s report for February. The month ended with a fund balance of nine point five million dollars. The significant revenues for the month were three hundred ninety-one thousand one hundred thirty- six dollars from Westchester County for the Village’s share of the County’s fourth quarter sales tax, and one hundred thirty-nine thousand six hundred ninety- eight dollars and seventy- one cents from Con Edison for gross receipts tax. The Village’s significant expenditure of one hundred ninety- nine thousand dollars was for a bill for storm related damages to manholes. Manager Luft said that she is working with FEMA and the State to get reimbursed for these damages related to the September 28th -29th storm. She said that it was important to pursue reimbursement to maintain a healthy fund balance. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police and Village Treasurer reports be and hereby are adopted. ----------- INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF TENTATIVE 2024-2025 VILLAGE BUDGET Village Manager Luft gave an overview of the tentative 2024-2025 Village budget. The tentative budget is just over nineteen point two million dollars. It is a bold budget with a lot of re- investment in the Village. It is tax cap compliant Some of the highlights are on page twenty-seven, Schedule 4. Three hundred thousand dollars has been added for Watershed 1 and some infrastructure work along Pelhamdale Avenue. One point two million dollars is for Stormwater alone. In total, one point eight million dollars is for stormwater infrastructure. Schedule 4 is new this year. The Village Manager said that the Village hasn’t received word on grant funding for Watershed 3 but said we remain hopeful. Six hundred thousand dollars is already in Capital Fund which brings the total to one point two million dollars. Manager Luft said that there is three hundred thousand dollars for Watershed 5 which will fund design. She said that necessities will be accomplished. The budget is the plan for the year and we adjust when needed. The Mayor said that this budget was an additional step toward transparency. She thought that it was appropriate to add three hundred thousand dollars for Watershed 1. 2 Trustee Bennett said that this budget has a healthy allocation for Stormwater. Manager Luft said that the auditors like the budget to look like this. ------------ RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE 2024-2025 VILLAGE BUDGET After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Public hearing for the 2024-2025 Village Budget is set for April 8, 2024 at eight-fifteen in the evening. -------- SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT- 2008 SRECO FLEXIBLE SEWER RODDER The 2008 Sreco Flexible Sewer Rodder was surplus equipment that was auctioned and sold for six thousand one hundred seventy-five dollars. This equipment became surplus when the Village purchased a new hydro jetter. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the sale of the surplus Sreco Flexible Sewer Rodder for six thousand one hundred seventy-five dollars be and hereby is approved. -------------- REQUEST FROM NIKKI CALAMARI, 1415 PELHAMDALE AVENUE, TO USE SHORE PARK FOR THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL PICNIC ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5, 2024 WITH A RAIN DATE OF THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024 Nikki Calamari requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of the Montessori School for their annual picnic on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 from ten o’clock in the morning until one o’clock in the afternoon with a rain date of Thursday, June 6, 2024 for the same time. REQUEST FROM ANGELO AND ROSEMARY RUBBO, 500 ESPLANADE, TO USE SHORE PARK FOR THE IONA UNIVERSITY ANNUAL ROWING REGATTA ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 Angelo and Rosemary Rubbo requested the use of Shore Park on behalf of Iona University for the annual rowing regatta on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The Mayor asked if a time was requested and was told from seven o’clock in the morning until dusk. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the requests from Nikki Calamari and Angelo and Rosemany Rubbo to use Shore Park be and hereby are approved. --------------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 32219-32289 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 32219-32289 --------- 3 PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. James Tolan, 144 Manor Lane, spoke about water coming down Pelhamdale Avenue. He said that water from Hazen Street is coming onto his property. He said that something needs to be done at the end of Hazen Street because there is just too much water. He said that all the water is eroding his foundation. He said that this is the sixth time in three years that his property has been flooded. Manager Luft said that she went to Mr. Tolan’s property and said that the water does pick up some velocity as it goes down Pelhamdale Avenue. She mentioned that three hundred thousand dollars was added to the budget to address this. The Manager said that the engineers are working on a plan. The Manager spoke about soil testing along Esplanade and rain gardens which will slow water down for smaller events. Erica Winter, 923 Esplanade, spoke about having four sump pumps and being in the process of acquiring a fifth pump. She said that the new neighbors behind her property on Edgewood got six feet of water on their property. The water was coming from Boston Post Road. She also expressed her concern about Mount Tom Road. Mayor Monachino Lapey said how stressful this is and said that the Village has an all hazards mitigation plan and a Village-wide emergency plan. The Village has done Interim measures in between having a long term plan. Trustee Bennett said that we are committed to this. The Village Manager said that past history shows commitment. She said that because of interim measures the Village was able to handle the storm until three o’clock in the afternoon. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that this was a challenge and the Village is working on it as well as working with intermunicipal partners. She spoke about Westchester County legislator Terry Clements and the Westchester County Planning Department. Bob Bennett, 468 Pelhamdale Avenue, spoke about the condition of the Siwanoy path. He said that debris covered the catch basin and increased flooding in the area. The Village Manager said that she would be happy to look at pictures he took. She said that DPW did an outstanding job with the leaves and said that we can look at it and see if they can do something differently or better. The Mayor said that the Village is working with engineers, the school, county and intermunicipal partners. She said the Village is committed to this. Jennifer Rohr, 30 Sherwood Avenue, spoke about ballot harvesting and asked about guidelines. Manager Luft said that the Village follows New York State Election law which does not regulate ballot harvesting. It does not specify the number of ballots that can be collected. Attorney Cornachio said that everyone follows the law. The Village Attorney said that elections are to be done properly and fairly and he said that is what the Village does. Benjamin Argyle, 440 Pelhamdale Avenue, asked about projects for Watershed 1, the status of Glover Field and a timeline associated with the issues. Manager Luft said that the Village is looking at improvements along Pelhamdale Avenue and rain gardens along the Esplanade. The rain gardens are not for flood mitigation, but would slow down water. She said that most of the three hundred thousand dollars proposed for these improvements would be for Pelhamdale Avenue. It would be to upsize pipes, extend drains and fund the design phase for the work. The Village Manager said that she does not have a solid timeline yet. Jon Kasper, 10 Elm Tree Lane, thanked the Police regarding kids in the park. He said that Watershed 5, Mount Tom Road and some smaller problems on Forest Road and Elm Tree Lane, needs to be funded. 4 The Village Manager said that the line has been jetted. The line is clear. The topography is very flat, and the outfall is not much lower than the infrastructure. She said that this ties into the New York City Parks area. This outfall which is different from the others is still within the parks area. Manager Luft said that NYC Parks is taking a holistic approach and we are continuing communication with New York City. Emily Pauley, 60 Beech Tree Lane, spoke about flooded drains in front of 20 Beech Tree Lane. She said that Forest Road and Beech Tree Lane were both blocked. She spoke about the interest earnings listed on page twenty- four in the budget. She said that she was looking for a higher rate of return. She said that she was looking for a good, high interest rate that can be achieved safely. Trustee Bennett spoke about the requirement for collateralization of funds. Finance Commissioner McLaughlin spoke about the need for Village funds to be safe and secure. He said that the Village is always looking at ways to improve. He spoke about the Federal Reserve and potential for cuts to money market rates and the possibility that interest rates could be down to two and a half percent by the end of this year. He said that the Village is looking for maximum yield safely achieved through local parameters. Emily Pauley spoke about the Village election. She said that she thinks Westchester County should run the Village election. She suggested that during the next election some employee parking spaces be bagged for that day to make parking more accessible. She also spoke about the catch basin on Garden Road and Garden Place. Manager Luft said that bagging some meters for the Village’s election could be done. She said that Garden Road and Garden Place have a seepage basin. Seepage basins appear full and work by re- charging the ground. The Village is trying to systematically connect them. ---------- EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor said that there was an issue regarding the employment of a particular person. 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. ---------- ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ---------- Clerk 5