Board of Trustees

INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF PIERMONT BOARD OF TRUSTEES REORGANIZATION MEETING January 2, 2024 Present: Mayor Bruce Tucker, Deputy Mayor Mark Blomquist, Trustee Rob Burns, Trustee Nate Mitchell, Trustee Michael Wright, Lino Sciarretta, Esq. -Village Attorney and Jennifer DeYorgi Maher Village Clerk-Treasurer. Mayor Bruce Tucker called the meeting to order and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. As a result of the Village Election, the Village Clerk Treasurer Jennifer DeYorgi Maher administered the Oath of Office to MAYOR BRUCE TUCKER for a term to expire on December 31, 2025. As a result of the Village Election, Mayor Tucker administered the Oath of Office to TRUSTEE BLOMQUIST for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2026. As a result of the Village Election, Mayor Tucker administered the Oath of Office to TRUSTEE WRIGHT for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2026. Mayor hereby appoints MARK BLOMQUIST as Deputy Mayor for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. The Village Clerk administered the Oath of Office. Mayor hereby appoints MICHELE MARZO as Deputy Clerk – Treasurer term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. The Village Clerk administered the Oath of Office. Mayor appoints the following as Liaisons to Village Departments: Deputy Mayor Blomquist: Police Department / D.P.W Trustee Wright: Clerks Office, Chamber of Commerce, Community Center Trustee Burns: Justice Court, Building Department, Land-Use Boards Trustee Mitchell: Fire Department, Parks Mayor hereby appoints LINO SCIARRETTA as Village Attorney for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor Tucker made a motion to approve a letter of engagement from BLEAKLEY PLATT & SCHMIDT, LLP for legal representation for the Village of Piermont beginning January 1, 2023. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints HEIDI SPITZER as Associate Village Justice for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. The Village Clerk administered the Oath of Office. Mayor hereby appoints BRIAN KENNEY to serve as Village Assessor/Consultant for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints BART RODI to serve as Village Engineer for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2024. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Village of Piermont Board of Trustee Minutes January 02, 2024 Page 2 of 6 Mayor hereby appoints JENNIFER DEYORGI MAHER as Registrar of Vital Statistics for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and was carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor Tucker administered the Oath of Office. Mayor hereby appoints MICHELE MARZO as Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints Members of the Planning Board Mayor hereby appoints DANIEL SPITZER as Chairperson of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. The Village Clerk administered the Oath of Office. Mayor hereby appoints DANIEL SPITZER as Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2029. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints ED Nelson as Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2028. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints CHRISTINE MCANDREWS as Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2028. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints JERRY WARSHAW as Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints KIM STIEFEL as Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2026. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints DAVID LEVY as an Alternate Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints DON GUYTON an Alternate Member of the Planning Board for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals Mayor hereby appoints USHA WRIGHT as Chairperson to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints PETER T. METZLER (Filling the unexpired Term of Marc Ruby) as Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Village of Piermont Board of Trustee Minutes January 02, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Mayor hereby appoints DR. PHILIP TIERNO as Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2028. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints WALTER CAIN as Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2026. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints GREGG MANZIONE as Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2029. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints KEVIN TIMONEY as Alternate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints ROCHELLE SPOONER as Alternate Member to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire at the Reorganization Meeting of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints DAN GOSWICK, SR as Chairperson of the Harbor Commission for a term to expire at Reorganization of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Blomquist, and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby appoints DAN SHERMAN as Chairperson of the Piermont Parks Commission for a term to expire at Reorganization of January 2025. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and was so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby designates THE JOURNAL NEWS & ROCKLAND COUNTY TIMES as the official newspaper for the Village of Piermont. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby designates M & T BANK, NY CLASS, and CONNECT ONE BANK as the official depositories for the Village of Piermont. The motion was seconded by Deputy Mayor Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Mayor hereby designates the following as the official locations for posting of notices for the Village of Piermont: Village of Piermont Village Hall Canzona’s Market Railroad Station Piermont Post Office Piermont Library M & T Bank Eleanor Stroud Skating Pond Piermont Landing Health Club Official Village of Piermont website Official Village of Piermont Facebook page Designation of Board of Trustee Meetings one meeting per month on a Tuesday at 7:00pm at Village Hall. Adoption of Procurement Policy for the Village of Piermont Adoption of Workplace Violence Policy for the Village of Piermont Adoption of Sexual Harassment and Diversity Training Policies Village of Piermont Board of Trustee Minutes January 02, 2024 Page 4 of 6 Adoption of Disaster Preparedness Emergency Policy for the Village of Piermont Adoption of Bloodborne Pathogens Policy for the Village of Piermont Adoption of Employee Layoff/Staff Reduction Procedure for the Village of Piermont Adoption of HazCom Policy for the Village of Piermont Adoption of Social Media Policy for the Village of Piermont Mayor Tucker made a motion to approve the Village policies as currently existing, effective for the official year 2023-2024. The motion was seconded by Michael Wright and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF PIERMONT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING January 2, 2024 Item #26 Approval of Meeting Minutes Trustee Blomquist made a motion to approve the minutes for December 12, 2023. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays. Item #27 Approval of Warrant Trustee Blomquist made a motion to approve Warrant #122123 in the amount of $26,970.43. The motion was seconded by Trustee Burns and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Item #28 – Department Reports Department of Public Works - Highway Superintendent Tom Temple reviewed the December Monthly Report. He stated the Christmas Tree collection dates are January 3rd and January 17th, 2024. The 2024 recycling bulk schedule was given to all residents and condo associations to give out. The Front door of the Community Center is scheduled to be put in on January 12, 2024. The County has not contacted him regarding the Skating Pond. Police Department – Chief Hurley informed the Board for the year of 2023 there were 1,900 summonses issued, 5043 calls for service, 940 were in Grand View the remaining were in Piermont. Chief Hurley thanked the businesses and residents of Piermont for donating to the Toy and food Drive Piermont was able to provide to over 6 families. Chief Hurley stated he was elected President for the Rockland County Chiefs Association he will be sworn in on January 10, 2024, at 12pm all the Board members were invited to attend. Building Department - Building Inspector Charles Schaub was not present. Parks Department – Dan Sherman was not present. Fire Department – Chief Larry Cabrera informed the Board for the year 2024 they had 450 calls for service 196 were fire/rescue 254 for EMS. The month of December was busy with the last 15 days the Fire Department responded to four house fires within the Town of Orangetown. It’s been one of the busiest years they have had in over five years. It stated it’s a testament to the hard work and quick response of the Department. Village of Piermont Board of Trustee Minutes January 02, 2024 Page 5 of 6 Item #29 - Old Business Village Clerk-Treasurer had no old business to discuss. Mayor Tucker had no old business to discuss. Deputy Mayor Blomquist had no old business to discuss. Trustee Wright had no old business to discuss. Trustee Burns had no old business to discuss. Trustee Mitchell had no old business to discuss. Item# 30 New Business Village Clerk-Treasurer stated that Kelly Ruby asked if a donation box could be left at the Community Center. Trustee Wright stated a lot of clean up has been done and he feels it would be best to hold off on having a donation box there. Village Clerk-Treasurer stated Kelly Ruby forwarded an email from Nora and William Maloney who reside at 201 Hudson Terr. They lost a child in the family wanted to donate to the West Chester Childrens Hospital. Village Hall was selected as an alternate location. Mayor Tucker had no new business to discuss. Deputy Mayor Blomquist had no new business to discuss. Trustee Burns had no new business to discuss. Trustee Mitchell had no new business to discuss. Trustee Wright had no new business to discuss. Item #31 Presentation by Rockland County regarding the establishment of the Rockland Riverway Trail Moved to January 23, 2024, Village Board Meeting. Item #32 Presentation from Piermont Historical Society of a check to the Village to cover the cost of a new cupola on top of the Community Center Building Barbara Scheulen stated the Piermont Historic Society raised $5,000.00 to replace the Cupola at the Community Center. She stated Mayor Bruce Tucker and Sara Tucker, Peter Helou and Barbara Scheulen and her husband donated, in addition to the boutique from the Historic Society. Item #33 Discussion on increasing income cap amount for Piermont residents with Aged Exemption (65 years old+) Mayor Tucker stated the Village of Piermont’s Assessor Consultant Brian Keeney informed the Village that the state has increased the income cap for exemptions. He stated the Town of Orangetown voted for the cap to be raised from $39,000.00 to $58,400.00. He also stated the Town of Orangetown voted to pass a resolution to include IRA income as part of the adjusted gross salary. Brian Keeney wanted to make the Village of Piermont aware of the changes. Two Resolutions would need to be passed. Trustee Burns made a motion to approve Public Hearing for Senior Income amount to be raised to $58,400.00 on February 20, 2024. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Village of Piermont Board of Trustee Minutes January 02, 2024 Page 6 of 6 Trustee Burns made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing to include IRA income as part of the Senior adjusted gross salary on February 20, 2024. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Item #34 Review proposal for MS-4 Engineering Services from Eve Mancuso of Brooker Engineering Trustee Burns made a motion to accept proposal for MS-4 Engineering Services from Eve Mancuso of Brooker Engineering. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Item #35 Resolution authorizing the Mayor to update Employee Letters of Understanding for the Calendar Year 2024 Trustee Burns made a motion to accept the Resolution authorizing the Mayor to update Employee Letters of Understanding for the Calendar Year 2024. The motion was seconded by Trustee Blomquist and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Item #36 Public Comment No Comment Item #37 Executive Session – discuss a legal matter Executive Session Trustee Burns made a motion to enter Executive Session at 7:27pm. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Trustee Burns made a motion to exit Executive Session at 7:43pm. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. No action was taken Item #38 Adjournment Trustee Burns made a motion at 7:43pm to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Wright Mitchell and so carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer DeYorgi Maher Clerk-Treasurer