Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 11, 2024 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. She wished a happy Veterans’ Day to those who served and thanked them for their service. The Mayor reported the sad passing of Richie Bell who gave tirelessly to the community. Trustee Bennett said that she was fortunate to have worked with Richie Bell. He was very involved in recreation especially for those with special needs. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that he was a mainstay of the community and the community must carry forward his good work. He expressed his condolences to his family. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that fifty- four thousand linear feet of sewers will be re-lined. This is keeping a commitment to both the sanitary and stormwater systems. Trustee Bennett said that Halloween went very well and she thanked the Chief, Lieutenant and the officers. Trustee Case thanked the Fire Department for being well prepared for potential wild fires. There is additional information on this subject on the Village’s website. Residents can call the Fire Department at (914) 738-0800 or 911 to report brush fires. Trustee McLaughlin said that Club Pilates opened recently and LIDL will be opening this Wednesday. He said that it was great to see new businesses. The Mayor said that Club Pilates fits another need in the business district. ---------- MINUTES Mayor Monachino Lapey asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from October 28, 2024. There were no comments or questions on the minutes. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the minutes from the October 28, 2024 Regular Meeting and October 28, 2024 Public Hearing be and hereby are approved. ----------- 1 REPORTS The DPW Superintendent said that the month of October was quite busy. The Village has a Highway Work Permit with the Department of Transportation for the right turn from Boston Post Road onto Pelham Parkway. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that we’ve been working on that issue for quite some time. The DPW Superintendent attended a Mid-Hudson webinar on water infrastructure funding. The Mayor said that it is important to stay up to date on this. A new garbage truck, which was funded in the 2023 budget, will be on the road this week. The procurement process for sanitary sewer services is taking place now. The DPW Superintendent reported that five streetlights were replaced, fifty trees were planted and six sections of sidewalks were replaced. It was noted that there are still restrictions for gas leaf blowers. In October seventy seven percent of material collected was organic leaves. Five hundred twenty tons were collected. The new garbage truck is white with red lettering. Some money and quite a bit of time was saved by not painting the truck red. Red lettering was kept to coordinate with the other trucks. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the DPW report be and hereby is approved. ---------- CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SIGNANGE FOR CLUB PILATES This sign was reviewed by the Village’s planning consultant and after the most recent tweaks were made, the sign complies with the Village’s Tenant Sign Design Criteria. The Mayor commented on the leaf motif and said that it was a nice addition to the Village’s Business District. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the sign for Club Pilates be and hereby is approved. --------- CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUED AND INCREASED STATE AID FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS The unrestricted state aid (AIM Funding) has been consistent for fifteen years. This year a fifty million dollar allocation to increase state aid was adopted. The Village received four thousand dollars. The Village Board was happy to see the increase and hope it continues as unrestricted revenue sharing. The Mayor said that a copy of this resolution will be sent to the Governor, Assembly woman Paulin, Senator Fernandez and the New York Conference of Mayors. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously Resolved that the following resolution in support of Continued and increased State Aid for Local Governments be and hereby is adopted. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, until 2024, Cities, Villages and Towns had not received an increase in unrestricted state aid 2 (AIM funding) in 15 years, significantly impacting their ability to provide essential services to their residents; and WHEREAS, after a prolonged period without financial support, local governments finally received an increase of $50 million in unrestricted state aid; and WHEREAS, local officials express their gratitude for the $50 million increase in unrestricted state aid, recognizing it as a positive step towards addressing longstanding funding challenges; and WHEREAS, the State has referred to this new aid as Temporary Municipal Assistance, suggesting that such increase may not continue, jeopardizing the sustainability of crucial municipal programs and services; and WHEREAS, the property tax cap further challenges the ability of local governments to fund the programs and services their residents need; and WHEREAS, increased and ongoing state aid for local governments is vital for maintaining municipal services; and WHEREAS, the challenges of inflation and the increasing costs of labor and supplies accentuate the need for consistent and predictable funding to plan for the future; NOW, therefore, be it resolved, that the Village of Pelham Manor call upon the Governor and the State Legislature to commit to continuing the additional $50 million in unrestricted state aid in the 2025-2026 State Budget and beyond, and BE it further resolved, that the Village of Pelham Manor urges state officials to recognize the need for a long term-plan that ensures consistent and predictable increases in financial support for local governments. ------------ CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED CAPITAL BUDGET TRANSFER AND AMENDMENT The Village Manager said that this was a bit of fiscal housekeeping. She said that we worked with the auditors on this. It was proposed that the final grant payout, in the amount of two hundred seventy-four thousand three hundred forty-three dollars and sixty-six cents, for the Village’s participation in the Sewer System Evaluation Study be transferred to the Storm Sewer- Watershed 1 Rehab line in the Capital Fund. It was also recommended that an amendment to close out completed capital projects be authorized by the Board. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Treasurer be and hereby is authorized to make the Capital Fund transfer and Capital budget amendment to close out completed Capital projects. ------------ CONSIDERATION OF SITE PLAN AMENDMENT 940 WYNNEWOOD ROAD PELHAM COUNTRY CLUB Manager Luft said that a few months ago the parking lot area at the Pelham Country Club received authorization for changes. There were deviations from the approved site plan. She said that plans are important. There are some changes that were made that we’re not accepting. The Manager thought that the plans should be re-submitted to the Planning Board for review. The Mayor said that these site plans are approved for safety. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the plans be and hereby are referred to the Planning Board for review. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS 32978- 33013 3 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Vouchers 32978-33013 be and hereby are approved. ---------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. There were no comments or questions from the public. ------------- EXECUTIVE SESSION 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 pending litigation and the employment of a particular person (s). 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 4