Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES November 25, 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 said that Doctor Joe Murray passed away after a long illness. He had four children and many grandchildren. He was an ENT. She extended condolences to His wife Ann and the entire family. Trustee McLaughin said that there will be one Board of Trustees meeting in December. It will be on Monday, December 16, 2024. Trustee Case spoke about the annual toy drives by the Police and Fire Departments. Unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots are being collected now. Trustee Bennett said that all donations are greatly appreciated and put to a very good use. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that said that sanitary sewer work is finished and stormwater work is going out to bid soon. ---------- PROCLAMATION FOR POLICE CHIEF THOMAS J. ATKINS Mayor Monachino Lapey said that Police Chief Thomas J. Atkins is retiring after thirty-nine years of distinguished service. She read the proclamation and spoke about his professional competency and ongoing training. The Mayor said that he never worked in any other municipality. She said that he was a steadfast beacon on integrity for the Police Department. She said that he is leaving us with dignity and has positioned us for the future. Police Commissioner Bennett said that it was both a pleasure and honor to work with Chief Atkins. She said that his knowledge never ceased to amaze her and said that his integrity and dignity has always shone through. The Police Commissioner said that he will be sorely missed. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, THOMAS J. ATKINS has served the Village of Pelham Manor since 1985 as a Police Officer, Police Sergeant, Police Lieutenant and Police Chief, and WHEREAS, he began his Police career with the Village of Pelham Manor on June 1, 1985, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on May 24, 1993, the rank of Lieutenant on January 1, 2017 and Police Chief on July 19, 2021, and WHEREAS, he has delivered an unparalleled level of service to the residents of the Village, and 1  WHEREAS, he has managed the day-to-day affairs of the Police Department, and WHEREAS, he received numerous Commendations which include a Certificate of Commendation for his participation and assistance in an arrest for attempted armed robbery and robbery, for his pursuit, which led to an arrest, when he saw a person exiting a window after burglarizing an industrial building, for his participation in the arrest of two suspects who burglarized a home, and for evacuating residents safely from a building due to smoke and fire conditions, and WHEREAS, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mercy College with a concentration in Criminal Justice, and has continued his training and education with certificates in Life Saving and Life Support, Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention, Doppler Traffic Radar Operator, Police Supervision, and EOC Operations and Planning for All-Hazards Events. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that on the occasion of his retirement as Police Chief, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham Manor for themselves and for the residents, officials, and employees of the Village hereby publicly acknowledges and records its admiration of THOMAS J. ATKINS, and his years of public service to the Village and its residents, and be it FURTHER RESOLVED, that that a copy of this Proclamation be presented to THOMAS J. ATKINS as s token of gratitude, affection and esteem. --------- REPORTS Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the Police report with the Chief. The Commissioner said that October was a steady month. There was a car theft. Chief Atkins said that there was a theft of a 2022 Dodge Challenger. It was tracked to Newark, New Jersey. It had GPS, but it was not recovered. The Chief spoke about leaf blowers and said that summonses were being issued for violations. He said that after December Fifteenth no gas leaf blowers will be allowed to operate. He reminded residents of the days and time leaf blowers are currently allowed to be operated. Police Commissioner Bennett asked about ShopRite. The Chief said that the officers have been able to get there expeditiously and have been able to make arrests. He said that it has been quiet, but if you see something strange you should call the Police Department. Police Chief Atkins thanked the Mayor and Board. He said that it has been an honor and privilege to serve this long. He said that he will miss his colleagues and he will come back to visit. Fire Commissioner Case discussed the Fire report with Chief Greco. The Chief spoke about a stuck elevator at Dave & Busters and the department completing more than five hundred training hours. He said that eleven firefighters were certified in water and boat rescue. Fire Commissioner Case saw the training exercise and said that it was very impressive. The Fire Chief spoke about Captain Tortorella’s completion of his supervisory training, successful fire prevention training, assisting Siwanoy Cub Scouts with their “Light Badge” and using caution when cooking and especially when deep frying outside. Fire Commissioner Case said that there seems to be a decrease in the number of traffic accidents. He said that he hopes that this trend continues. 2 The Treasurer’s report showed that October ended with a fund balance of a little under fifteen million dollars. The Village received seventy-four thousand dollars in various permitting fees and there were no significant expenditures for the month. The Village continues to be in in a strong financial condition. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Police, Fire and Village Treasurer reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF SITE PLAN AMENDMENT RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING BOARD Manager Luft said that the Village Board referred site plan amendments for 940 Wynnewood Road, the Pelham Country Club to the Planning Board for a thorough review. The Planning Board reviewed the entrance to the Club and parking lot and the seasonal ice rink with a tent over the structure. The Manager said that these are Type 1 SEQR Actions. The entryway adds ADA ramps. The stairs were changed to a ramp and a few EV charging stations were added. It was clarified that a few components will be removed. The ice rink is for seasonal use and it is a seasonal component of the site plan. She said that all is in order. The Mayor said that a lot of work behind the scenes went into this. The Planning Board held over the tent for the ice rink and the new tennis dome ( “the bubble” ) for additional review. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the entrance to the Club and parking lot and the seasonal ice rink be and hereby are approved. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS 33014- 33060 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Vouchers 33014- 33060 be and hereby are approved. ---------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions from the public. Tracy Shekane, 917 Washington Avenue, said that she was a certified poll inspector for elections. She said that several machines malfunctioned at the November election. She expressed concern that this will be the same going forward. She didn’t think that having the County run the elections would be any better than having the Village run the elections. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that when machines malfunctioned in March, the Village Clerk alluded to the fact that they were County machines. Jon Kasper, 10 Elm Tree Lane, spoke about plans to mitigate flooding on Forest Road and License Plate Readers. He was told that the Feasibility Study is underway and that the Village has License Plate Readers and participates with the Real Time Crime Center. ------------- 3 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. ---------- RESUMPTION OF REGULAR MEETING After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Gregory M. Sancho be and hereby is appointed to the position of Police Chief effective December 7, 2024 at a salary of one hundred ninety-six thousand three hundred sixty- nine dollars. ---------- ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ---------- Clerk 4