Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES December 16, 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. The Mayor asked Trustee McLaughlin to speak about the tragic car accident a few weeks ago. Trustee McLaughlin asked for a moment of silence for the couple that perished on Shore Road. He thanked Scarsdale, New Rochelle and Pelham for their help. Trustee Bennett reminded residents that if they’re going to be away, they can have their home added to the dark house list. The Police will check the perimeter of the house on a daily basis. She said that residents should call the Police Department at 914 738-1000 if they are interested in this service. Trustee Case said that he had the honor of attending the annual fire inspection dinner. He said that a new departmental patch, incorporating the history of the three former fire department patches, was designed by Sophia Greco. Trustee Owen-Michaane said that Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on a Wednesday. The first Wednesday of the month is usually the day for metal pick up. In January, because of the holiday, the metal pick up will be the next day, Thursday, January 2, 2025. Trustee Owen-Michaane thanked all the service departments who will be working on the holidays. ---------- MAYOR LAPEY TO SWEAR IN GREGORY M. SANCHO AS POLICE CHIEF The Mayor said that this was an exciting and important night. She said that she was pleased to see recently retired Police Chief Atkins in attendance tonight. She said that the upcoming appointment will be a seamless transition. Mayor Monachino Lapey read Gregory Sancho’s biography. She said that she couldn’t be more honored to swear him in as the Village’s new Police Chief. Police Commissioner Bennett said that it has been an honor to work with Chief Sancho over the last few years. She said that he has big shoes to fill. She said that the Village is in excellent hands. Mayor Monachino Lapey administered the Oath of Office to Gregory M. Sancho. All those in attendance congratulated Police Chief Sancho. ----------- 1  MEETING MINUTES The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions on the Regular meeting minutes from November 1, 2024 and the Regular meeting minutes from November 25, 2024. There were no comments or questions. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular meeting on November 11, 2024 and minutes from the Regular meeting on November 25, 2024 be and hereby are approved. ---------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Case said that it was another busy month. He spoke about the fatal car accident on Shore Road. The Chief said that they also spent all Thursday night helping out Mount Vernon. There were fourteen car accidents during the month. There was on rollover on the Hutchinson River Parkway and three mutual aid calls, two in New York City and one in the Village of Pelham. Chief Greco spoke about boiler and dryer fires and stressed the need to maintain systems. The Fire Chief said that the volunteers will be having the annual Santa Run from nine o’clock in the morning to eleven o’clock at the Huguenot Memorial Church parking lot. He also spoke about the toy drive which is doing well. The firefighters will be bringing toys to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Elizabeth Ann Seton Hospital. The Fire Chief spoke about the use of candles during the holidays and reminded residents to use safety precautions. The Mayor and Board thanked the Fire Chief for his report. Police Commissioner Bennett discussed the Police report with Chief Sancho. The new Chief thanked the Board for this opportunity. He said that there were eleven incidents and six arrests. A vehicle was stolen on Washington Avenue and it was recovered in the Bronx. The Chief reminded residents to be aware that porch pirates are extremely active at this time of year. He suggested that people use tracking and signatures for packages. He recommended that safe, alternate locations be used for delivery or suggested that a friend or neighbor collect the package. Police Commissioner Bennett welcomed Chief Sancho. The Mayor and Board thanked the Police Chief for his report. The Village Treasurer’s report for November reflected a fund balance ending with of a little under twelve million dollars. The significant revenues were three hundred ninety- five thousand dollars for the third quarter sales tax received from Westchester County and one hundred seventy- four thousand dollars for reimbursement from FEMA for a 2023 disaster. The significant expenditure was two million dollars to the New York State Retirement System for the Village’s annual contribution for employees in the system. It was reported that the Village is in a strong financial position. The DPW Superintendent said that in November, fifty- four thousand linear feet of sewer lining was completed. It was a great effort and return on investment. In addition, three street lights were replaced, paving was coordinated with Con Edison, and ninety-four percent of material collected was recycled. The leaf volume was a significant factor in this number. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Fire, Police, Village Treasurer and DPW reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- 2 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE SIGNAGE FOR MICHAEL’S Mayor Monachino Lapey said that this signage has been reviewed by the Village’s planning consultant. The applicant has resolved outstanding issues. Manager Luft said that this applicant has gone through a few rounds for revisions. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the signage for Michael’s be and hereby is approved. ----------- RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE VILLAGE OF PELHAM MANOR’S PARTICIPATION IN THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE Manager Luft said that for certain programs Hazard Mitigation Plans are required. These plans cover any type of hazard such as extreme heat and brush fires. The Village needs an All Hazard Mitigation Plan. Westchester County rolled out an All Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2016. This resolution would confirm the Village’s participation in the Westchester County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Village currently participates and this would renew that participation with the Plan update. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village of Pelham Manor’s participation in the Westchester County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update be and hereby is approved. ------------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS 33061- 33134 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Vouchers 33061-33134 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. ---------- 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: 3  Village Manager $200,000 Effective January 1, 2025 To be paid in equal weekly payments and a one-time merit payment of $12,000.00 and a one-time longevity payment in the amount of $5,000.00 both payable in the first pay period of January. ---------- ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING Mayor Monachino Lapey said that people should enjoy their family and friends and said that she and the Board will see everyone in the New Year. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ---------- Clerk 4