Mayor & Village Board of Trustees

VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010– 7:30 PM VILLAGE HALL – 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY Minutes* 1. Call To Order 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Mayor’s Report 4. Trustees’ Reports 5. Village Administrator’s Report 6. Public Comment Approximate Starting time of # Agenda Items: Discussion Non-Recurring Items 8:00 p.m. 7. Authorizing an Amendment to Sprint’s Existing Communications Site Lease Tabled Agreement (219 5th Avenue, Pelham Fire House) to Allow for the Deployment of Advanced Wireless Services Committee Reports 8:15 p.m. 8. Employee Benefits/HR Manual Discussed 9. Tree Committee Tabled 10. Park Improvements Discussed 11. Verizon FIOS Discussed 12. Chamber of Commerce Discussed 13. Commercial Zoning Review Discussed 14. Site Plan Review Tabled 15. Other Business-None Tabled Recurring Items 9:00 p.m. 16. Authorizing Accounts Payable Approved 17. Authorizing Minutes of: January 19, 2010, February 2, 2010, February 23, Tabled 2010 18. Adjournment to Executive Session 9:15 p.m. Next Regular Board of Trustee Meetings are: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 Tuesday April 13, 2010 All meetings start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. *Agenda is subject to change. Item #1 – Meeting called to order: The meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by Mayor Edward Hotchkiss at 7:30 p.m. The following members of the Board of Trustees were present: Mayor Edward Hotchkiss, Trustees, Lewis, Homan, Breskin The following members of the Board of Trustees were absent: Trustees Edwin Bullock, Peter Potocki, and Laura Morris Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 2 Village staff in attendance: Administrator/Treasurer Robert Yamuder, Administrative Intern Peter Bonington Item #2 – Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Hotchkiss Reports Mayor Hotchkiss Report Mayor Hotchkiss reported that on March 1st, 2010, AAA Carting and Rubbish Removal Incorporated assumed its new duties as the Village of Pelham’s Sanitation Company. He said that he hoped the transition would be as seamless as possible but realized that the transition would require some getting used to. He wanted assure residents that the pickup schedule would remain that same as it appears on the schedule for the month of March but that the modifications the Board had discussed at the prior meeting; the picking up of Bulk Trash and Recycling on a bi-monthly basis, would take effect as of April 1st, 2010. The Mayor then reported that the Village had received an anonymous donation of $2,000 to purchase recycling bins for residents. Mayor Hotchkiss thanked the donor for their donation. He stated that the DPW did an excellent job with snow removal from the past storm on Friday, February 26th. He added that with only 9 members in the Department, they perform a fantastic service for the Village. He ended his report by saying that there will be a candidate debate held in Village Hall on Thursday, March 16th. He urged residents to come out and meet the respective candidates for the Board of Trustees. The event will be televised on the public access channel. Trustees Reports: Trustee Breskin- Trustee Breskin reported that the Colonial School chess team participated in the New York State Championships. He reported that they took seven kids to the event and that three competed in the Elementary Novice Division. Trustee Breskin reported that the team brought home three trophies for the Colonial School and commended the students who took part in it. He added that it was Trustee Mia Homan who started the chess club a number of years ago and commended her for starting it. Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 3 Trustee Homan- Trustee Homan commented that this will be her last Board of Trustees meeting. She stated that it has been a great experience serving on the Board and that she has met and worked with wonderful people. She has found that everyone on the Board have all wanted what is best for Pelham. In her work with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s office she had found that many of her colleagues were amazed with how much goes on in Pelham. Mayor Hotchkiss stated that Trustee Homan’s service in Pelham over the past 9 years has been an immense accomplishment. Trustee Lewis- Trustee Lewis recognized Trustee Homan’s accomplishments and thanked her for her service. He stated that no new meetings have been set up to discuss commercial zoning. Trustee Morris-Absent Trustee Potocki-Absent Trustee Bullock-Absent Village Administrator’s Report- Administrator Yamuder stated that it has been a pleasure working with Trustee Homan. He stated that the annual MS4 storm-water education program is beginning again. He noted a poster that outlined several advertisements that illustrate keeping storm-water clean. He added that there are still free doggy-pickup bags available at Village Hall for pet owning residents as part of this clean storm-water campaign. Item #6– Public Comment Matthew Carey of 145 Harmon Avenue stated the Blake Bell the Town Clerk and local historian had written a short brief about the historical significance of the Boston and Westchester Railroad Bridge. Mr. Carey read the brief which related the founding of the railroad and construction of the bridge to its eventual closing. Mr. Carey related that Mr. Bell Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 4 felt that the bridge has historical significance to Pelham and urged them to consider that in any course of action that the Board takes. Mayor Hotchkiss stated that at the Westchester Mall there is an interesting exhibit on trains and railroads of that period. Trustee Breskin stated that the Board’s position is that the bridge is not in good repair and that it is a big liability for the Village. He referenced a report by former DPW foreman Harry Pallet that included incidents of pieces falling off and breaking windshields. Based on this he stated that the bridge is a continual concern for the members of the Board. Ann Swanson of 205 Highbrook Avenue stated that the last information she heard concerning the B&W Property was that there were to be some engineering studies done on the bridge. Administrator Yamuder answered that the engineers who originally surveyed the bridge were putting together a proposal for remediation options. He stated that the Village is currently seeking more bids for proposal purposes. Trustee Lewis stated that this is not a pros and cons determination only a fact-finding survey. Trustee Breskin assured Mrs. Swanson that nothing substantial is happening on the B&W Property. Susan Mutti of 62 Highbrook Avenue stated that she had never heard of accidents with regard to the Highbrook Bridge. The Board stated that they were aware the in the past years there had been some incidents. Mrs. Mutti asked if anything came of inquiring to Metro-North about the support systems located under the underpass. Administrator Yamuder stated that after speaking with Metro-North their workers did uncover some cracks in the structure and are working to correct those cracks. Susan Mutti stated that the support systems currently in place cover the intricate stone work in the underpass. Trustee Lewis stated that he believed the underpass was constructed of concrete and covered by a layer of stone. Trustee Homan added that it is a constant push and pull with Metro-North. Mrs. Mutti asked if there was any news regarding Brett Bell’s presentation to the Board. Mayor Hotchkiss stated that the Village Attorney is getting in contact with Mr. Bell currently. Item #7- Authorizing an Amendment to Sprint’s Existing Communications Site Lease Agreement (219 5th Avenue, Pelham Fire House) to Allow for the Deployment of Advanced Wireless Services. Mayor Hotchkiss stated that this item on the Agenda cannot be voted on this evening because they have not heard back from Sprint/Nextel with regard to the contract revisions they had made. He asked Administrator Yamuder to recap the details of the agenda item. Administrator Yamuder explained that this resolution is to authorize Sprint to upgrade their system that is currently in place above the firehouse. However, as the Board does not have the contract before them, the Board selected to table this matter until a future Board meeting. After some discussion, the Board decided to table the resolution until the next meeting for more research and discussion at the next Board meeting on March 23rd, 2010. Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 5 RESOLUTION Authorizing an Amendment to Sprint’s Existing Communications Site Lease Agreement (219 5th Avenue, Pelham Fire House) to Allow for the Deployment of Advanced Wireless Services BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Board of Trustees hereby authorize an amendment of the Existing Communications Site Lease Agreement Between The Village Of Pelham And Sprint to Allow for the Deployment of Advanced Wireless Services; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Village Administrator are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate actions to effect and execute this contract for these services. Committee Reports Item #8- Employee Benefits/HR Manual Administrator Yamuder stated that he is working with Trustee Bullock on time keeping and record keeping options for the Employee/HR Manual. He stated that they are still on a first draft. Item #9- Tree Committee Administrator Yamuder stated that there have been no current meetings regarding the tree committee. The Board decided to table the resolution until the next meeting for more research and discussion at the next Board meeting on April 13th, 2010. Item #10- Park Improvements Mayor Hotchkiss reported that they are closer to doing some renovations on Wolfs Lane Park. The New York Main Street Grant has set aside some funds for streetscape initiatives and there is a master list for the additions to be made which is in the revision stage. Item #11-Verizon FIOS Mayor Hotchkiss stated that the lack of response by Verizon to the overtures the Board has made to Verizon about restarting negotiations. Mayor Hotchkiss suggested getting into contact with elected officials such as Senator Klein to ask their help in talking to Verizon. Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 6 Item #12- Chamber of Commerce Trustee Lewis mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce is planning a benefit for Joe Solimine on March 26th at the Pelham Manor Country Club. Item #13- Commercial Zoning Review Trustee Lewis stated that they are working on scheduling more meetings for the commercial zoning review meetings. He hopes to have a schedule in the coming weeks. Item #14- Site Plan Review The Board decided to table the resolution until the next meeting for more research and discussion at the next Board meeting on April 13th, 2010. Item #15- Other Business The Board decided to table the resolution until the next meeting for more research and discussion at the next Board meeting on March 23rd, 2010. Item #16- Authorizing the Accounts Payable Trustee Breskin is audited the Accounts Payable. After some discussion, a motion was made by Trustee Breskin and seconded by Trustee Homan to adopt the resolution. The vote was approved by a vote of four in favor, none opposed. Trustees Bullock, Morris, Potocki were absent RESOLUTION WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5-524 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees shall audit all claims against the Village. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees after audit of the following claims, authorizes payment for services rendered and materials received, for the following items that have been submitted to the Treasurer's Office for payment and authorized by the Village Administrator: Fund Name: Amount General Fund $ 19,113.28 Board Of Trustees Meeting Tuesday, March 2, 2010 Page 7 Water Fund $ 269.00 Capital Projects Fund $0.00 Trust and Agency Fund $ 0.00 H3 Fund $ 0.00 Grand Total $ 19,382.28 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof. Item #17- Authorizing Minutes of: January 19, 2010, February 2, 2010, and February 23, 2010 After some discussion, the Board decided to table the minutes until the next meeting for more research and discussion at the next Board meeting on March 23rd, 2010. January 19, 2010 February 2, 2010 February 23, 2010 Item #18-Adjournment to Executive Session A motion was made by Trustee Breskin with a second by Trustee Lewis to adjourn the public portion of the board meeting at 8:10 p.m. and go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, after which the Board would adjourn for the evening. The motion was approved by vote of four in favor, none opposed. Trustee Bullock, Potocki, and Morris were absent. Respectfully submitted, Peter Bonington, Administrative Intern