Board of Trustees

BOARD OF TRUSTEES April 28, 2025 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 she received a handwritten note from retired Police Chief Tom Atkins. She and Trustee Bennett said that it was an honor to work with him. She said he wrote that he misses the Village of Pelham Manor and the residents and said that it was an honor to serve the community. Trustee Case said that he, Trustee McLaughlin and Manager Luft attended the Volunteer Fire Company’s Flapjack Breakfast. He said that it was well attended. This event brings awareness to the Volunteer Company and he thanked them for hosting this event. Fire Commissioner Case congratulated Fire Chief Greco on securing an improved Fire Service Rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO). Fire Chief Greco mentioned that this brings the rating for the Pelham Manor Fire Department within the top four percent of fire departments that are rating within New York State and the top seventeen percent throughout the United States. Trustee McLaughlin said that the Village continues to have the highest possible fiscal stress rating. This rating from the State is “No Designation”. He further added that our numerical score improved due to our operating figures. Additionally, he shared that the Village’s audit shows an improvement of net position and said the structure capital improvement program is one reason for this. Trustee Owen-Michaane spoke about the stormwater projects on Highbrook Avenue. Manager Luft said the Village is currently out to bid for a significant project on Highbrook. She said that the affected residents are aware of this project. The Manager said that she anticipates that this bid will be on the May 12th Board meeting. ---------- MEETING MINUTES The Mayor asked if there were any comments or questions on the minutes from the Regular meeting on April 14, 2025 or the Public Hearing on April 14, 2025. There were no comments or questions on the minutes. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the minutes from the Regular meeting on April 14, 2025 and the Public Hearing on April 14, 2025 be and hereby are approved. Trustee Owen-Michaane and Trustee Case abstained because they were not in attendance at these meetings. 1  ---------- PROCLAMATION HONORING EAGLE SCOUT MATTHEW JOHNSON Mayor Monachino Lapey said that she attended a joint Court of Honor for Eagle Scouts Julian Kalehoff and Matthew Johnson. She said that Julian has been before the Board to receive his presentation for helping to refurbish the bathrooms at Shore Park. She said that tonight Matthew “Hew” Johnson is being honored. She spoke about his work ethic, compassion and neighborliness. His project involved the beautification of a portion of the YMCA in New Rochelle. Trustee Bennett asked Matthew Johnson for additional details on his Scout project. Matthew Johnson said that part of the beatification included opening up an unusable space for the pre-K. A nice, metal bench was added for staff at the Community Center and for the public. The Mayor and Trustee Bennett thanked him for his work. Trustee Owen-Michaane is a fellow Eagle Scout. He said that he remembered Hew, as one of the older Scouts, working with the younger Scouts. He congratulated him on his leadership. PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Matthew Johnson has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America, has completed the necessary requirements and has been successfully examined by the Eagle Scout Board of Review which found him worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm, and WHEREAS, Mattew Johnson has been a Scout since the first grade and has earned Arrow of Light as a Cub Scout, twenty-eight Merit Badges, and the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank awarded by Scouting America, and WHEREAS, Matthew Johnson has completed two High Adventure Trips with Scouting, and WHEREAS, Matthew Johnson completed his Eagle Scout project which beautified the outdoor side of the New Rochelle YMCA, coordinating with Manor Tree Company to trim the trees in this space at no cost, which opened up the area, Gun Hill Fence Company to install a second fence gate for ease of access which allowed the Pre-K program at the YMC A to use the space for outdoor activities, and Larchmont Nursery which supported the planning of a variety of flowers and bushes, and WHEREAS, Matthew Johnson raised over thirteen hundred dollars for an outdoor picnic table which serves as a place for staff and community members to relax and enjoy this peaceful space NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pellham Manor hereby recognizes and commends Matthew Johnson on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm, and be it further RESOLVED, that a copy of this Proclamation be presented to Matthew Johnson. All in attendance congratulated Matthew Johnson. ---------- REPORTS Fire Commissioner Case reviewed the monthly report with Fire Chief Greco. They spoke briefly about the improved ISO rating which will be effective in July. It was recommended that businesses and residents inform their insurance carriers of the new rating and see if they can get a reduction on their insurance. There were two more vehicle fires. There was a bus fire on the Hutch and car fire on I-95. There was also a brush fire. There was a carbon monoxide rescue of an unconscious employee. That person made a full recovery. There were seven motor vehicle accidents last month, but only one was on a 2 street. The other five accidents were in parking lots and one was on I-95. The Fire Chief said that he and two firefighters participated in Read Across America at Prospect Hill School. Fire Commissioner Case spoke about the Tower Ladder. He said the one the Village currently has is more than fifty years old and it has been refurbished twice. In 1986 the cab and chassis were refurbished and the boom has been refurbished twice. He said that it was not feasible to continue doing that. Manager Luft said that part of the ISO rating is looking at the equipment. She said that the Tower Ladder was looked at as an integral type of equipment. Trustee Bennett said that it is a tremendous asset that keeps our residents safe. She said that it is a valuable and necessary tool. Trustee McLaughlin said that it’s a fine apparatus. The Mayor and Board thanked Fire Chief Greco for his report. The Village Manager presented the Village Treasurer’s monthly report. The Village’s Fund Balance was ten million six hundred fifteen thousand six hundred seventy-four dollars and forty-two cents. The significant revenue for the month was thirty-six thousand dollars from Verizon for franchise fees. Trustee McLaughlin mentioned earlier that the Village received the highest New York State Fiscal Stress score of “No Designation”. There was an improvement in the Village’s Net Position. The Village had a decrease in its OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) liability. The Village’s continued investment in capital assets supports its financial stability and contributes positively to the Village’s Net Position. The Mayor said that it was an amazing report. She said that we will continue to have the Village operate in a fiscally responsible manner. The Superintendent of Public Works said that compost will be available town-wide the week of May Fourth. Mayor Monachino Lapey said that DPW will drop off compost to residents during that week. The Superintendent of Public Works said that Thursday and Friday the Street Sweeper will be in the Village. In March, five street lights were replaced, stormwater catch basins were inspected near Bolton Road and Roosevelt Avenue. In addition, potholes were filled, four sidewalks were repaired, and Spring leaf pick up began. RESOLVED, that the Fire, Village Treasurer and DPW reports be and hereby are approved. ---------- RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SALE OF SURPLUS EQUIPMENT Manager Luft asked the Board to approve the sale of six surplus items. Four items received bids and two did not. The following is the list of surplus equipment and the associated bids. 2003 International 7300 $4,100 Christopher Nealon Somerville, NJ 2001 Bombardier sw48 $3,300 Bob Patterson Chesterfield, NJ 2010 Chevy Tahoe $3,200 Christopher Hayden Sparta, NJ 2003 Jeep Liberty $ 290 Marc Corrado Beacon, NY 2002 Ray-Tech RC 8000 No Bid 3 1984 Bombardier No Bid After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the six items be and hereby are declared surplus and the sale of the equipment be and hereby is authorized to the highest bidders listed above and be it further RESOLVED, that the two items which received no bids be and hereby are authorized to be discarded to a scrap metal recycling organization, or similar organization, for the best possible price. ------------- SHORE PARK REQUEST Michael Greco, 470 Carol Place, requested the use of Shore Park on Sunday, June 15, 2025 for a family outing from one o’clock in the afternoon until six o’clock in the evening. There is no rain date for this event. After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Michael Greco be and hereby is granted permission to use Shore Park on June 15, 2025. ----------- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN ABSTRACT OF VOUCHERS NUMBERS 33504-33549 After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Vouchers Numbers 33504-33549 be and hereby are approved. --------- PUBLIC COMMENT The Mayor asked if there was any public comment. Salvatore Focella, 472 Murray Street, spoke on behalf of his neighbors the Duffy’s at 458 Murray Street and himself. He asked that the Board consider planting some evergreen trees across from their properties which are near the Hutchinson River Parkway. The Mayor said that ownership of the property needs to be determined. It may belong to New York State, Westchester County or the Village. She said that the Village Manager will confirm ownership. The Mayor said that the Village participates in the New York Power Authority’s program that provides a free tree for every tree purchased. The Village also has a budget for landscaping. She said that their request will be considered. ---------- EXECUTIVE SESSION After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was RESOLVED, that the Board be and hereby is authorized to conduct an Executive Session to discuss the employment of a particular person(s) - collective bargaining No action was taken in Executive Session. ---------- 4 RESUMPTION OF REGULAR MEETING After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Village Manager be and hereby is authorized to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pelham Manor Professional Firefighters. ---------- ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned. ---------- Clerk 5