Village Board of Trustees

At the special meeting of the Village Board of Trustees Held June 22, 2026 Mayor Bucciferro called the meeting to order at 6:03p.m. PRESENT: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro EXCUSED: Trustee Cook LOCAL LAW 2026-B RELATED TO WATER RATES • Public Hearing Mayor Bucciferro opened the public hearing at 6:04p.m. Tad Boniewski, 503 Charles St; would like to know what the new rates are; asked if increase is related to Glenville taking over water for certain district. Mayor Bucciferro closed the public hearing at 6:05p.m. • Action MOVED by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Gray that Whereas, a public hearing was held, this night, June 22, 2026 on proposed Local Law 2026-B relating to water rates, now therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees adopts proposed Local Law 2026-B. Ayes: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro Noes: None Abstentions: None HARDSHIP OVERNIGHT PARKING EXEMPTION PERMIT Hardship Parking Exemption Program (H.O.P.E.) Presented by: Adam Halbfinger, Chief of Police Village of Scotia June 22, 2026 1. Purpose of Presentation To provide the Board with a solution to address inadequate off-street parking in certain areas of the Village while preserving the Village's existing overnight parking restrictions. The proposed Hardship Overlook Parking Exception (H.O.P.E.) Program would establish a formal application and review process for residents who can demonstrate a legitimate hardship due to inadequate off-street parking. 2. Current Policy • Village Code prohibits overnight parking on Village streets between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. • Historically, temporary overlooks have been granted administratively for emergency situations.  June 22, 2026 • Under the current electronic parking system: • Overlooks are limited to three (3) per license plate per month. • Vehicles with unpaid parking fines are not eligible. • The process is intended for short-term emergencies and not ongoing parking needs. 3. Public Notice and Enforcement Transition Residents were notified through: • Village Website • Police Department Facebook Page • Overnight Parking Overlook Portal The Village advised residents that: • The new electronic parking system would be implemented. • Overlooks would be limited to three per month. • Existing overnight parking laws would be strictly enforced. • Residents relying on nightly overlooks should seek alternative solutions. The Village has consistently maintained that unrestricted overnight street parking is not being considered. 4. The Underlying Challenge Many properties within the Village were developed before modern parking standards existed. Examples include: • Older homes with one-car driveways now occupied by families owning multiple vehicles. • Two-family and multi-family homes with insufficient parking areas. • Rental properties with no ability to create additional off-street parking. The Police Department has received numerous complaints and inquiries from residents who have no realistic ability to park all vehicles off-street despite making reasonable efforts. One resident who recently purchased a two-family residence reported parking outside the Village and using rideshare transportation to return home to avoid overnight parking violations. These situations suggest that a limited number of residents experience legitimate parking hardships rather than temporary emergencies.  June 22, 2026 5. Current Demand • Approximately 15 overnight parking tickets are issued nightly. • Approximately 6–12 overlook requests are received nightly. • Prior to implementation of the new software, more than 30 vehicles routinely appeared on the overnight overlook list each night. The reduction demonstrates that the new system has successfully eliminated routine abuse of the overlook process. The remaining requests may represent residents with legitimate hardship circumstances that warrant formal review. 6. Proposed H.O.P.E. Program H.O.P.E. Hardship Overlook Parking Exception The proposed program would allow residents to apply for a hardship exemption when off-street parking is non-existent or inadequate. Applicants would be required to provide: • Driver's License • Vehicle Registration • Proof of Residency • Application Fee • Property Information • Supporting Documentation Applications would be reviewed by: • Scotia Police Department • Village Building Department The Building Department would verify whether adequate off-street parking exists at the property. The Police Department would verify: • Registration validity • Driver license validity  June 22, 2026 • Outstanding parking fines • Vehicle eligibility 7. Proposed Eligibility Standards Applicants may qualify if: • No driveway or parking area exists on the property. • Existing parking is insufficient for vehicles legitimately assigned to the residence. • The applicant is disabled and cannot reasonably access available parking. • The applicant is required by an employer to maintain a vehicle with immediate roadway access. • The applicant is a temporary resident, student, employee, or similar occupant without available parking. • The applicant serves in an emergency-response profession requiring immediate vehicle access. Property owners would be required to certify: • No additional parking spaces are available. • Additional parking cannot reasonably be created. • Parking spaces are not being rented to non-tenants. 8. Program Restrictions To protect public safety and maintain the purpose of the overnight parking ordinance: • Permits would not be automatically granted and would need to be renewed annually. • Each application would be reviewed individually. • Vehicles with unpaid parking fines would be ineligible. • Commercial vehicles would not qualify. • Vehicles exceeding 8,000 pounds GVW would not qualify. • Permits would be specific to both the vehicle and address. • Permits would be non-transferable. • Permits could be revoked for misuse or false statements. There would still be restrictions during snow emergencies, road maintenance, special events, or other public safety needs.  June 22, 2026 9. Benefits of a Formal Program • Creates a transparent and objective review process. • Eliminates inconsistent administrative exceptions. • Maintains overnight parking enforcement. • Provides relief only for demonstrated hardship cases. • Allows property inspections and verification. • Provides accountability through annual review and permit revocation authority. • Better serves residents while protecting public safety and Village operations. 10. Recommendation That the Board consider adopting a formal Hardship Overlook Parking Exception (H.O.P.E.) Program and direct Village staff to finalize the administrative procedures and permitting process. The proposed program would provide a fair, enforceable, and transparent method for addressing legitimate parking hardships while preserving the intent of the Village's overnight parking restrictions. 11. Conclusion The Village has successfully reduced routine overnight parking through implementation of the new electronic enforcement system. However, a limited number of residents continue to experience legitimate hardships caused by inadequate off-street parking. A formal H.O.P.E. Program would provide a structured solution that balances resident needs, public safety, enforcement consistency, and operational requirements. The Board asked for an additional review by the Traffic Safety Committee. Attorney Marola will review the possible role for the Zoning Board of Appeals in the process. MODIFICATION OF PARK FEES The board reviewed the fees related to the Doug O’Brey Baseball Schools; no modification made.  June 22, 2026 WAIVER OF PARK USE FEES FOR FRESH TABLE COMMUNITY PANTRY/REGIONAL FOOD BANK MOVED by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Gray to waive the Park Use fees for Fresh Table Community Pantry/Regional Food Bank for Summer 2026. Ayes: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro Noes: None Abstentions: None NEW BUSINESS INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS MOVED by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Gray that Whereas, the Scotia-Glenville 250th Independence Celebration and Fireworks will occur June 26, 2026 (the Event), and Whereas, Sponsors have donated money to the Village to help offset expenses of the Event, now therefore, Be it Resolved, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Village Clerk-Treasurer to pay expenses of the Event from the Sponsorship donation fund, outside of the Village audit in order to pay the expenses timely. Ayes: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro Noes: None Abstentions: None AFG GRANT APPLICATION MOVED by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Gray that Whereas, there is an opportunity to apply for a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funds for which can be used to offset overtime that is generated by sending firefighters and officers to trainings as shown on a memo from Chief Wood dated June 22, 2026, and Whereas, a 5% match would be required from the Village, now therefore Be it Resolved, Chief Wood is authorized to submit a grant application for the FEMA AFG grant in the amount of $59,322.00 and further, Overtime for the Training listed on the memo is not to exceed $59,322.00. Ayes: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro Noes: None Abstentions: None Mayor meeting with National Grid representatives on Friday to review the Mohawk Avenue project; tentative timeline is completion by August 31st with DOT to follow with paving project for the Avenue. Fireworks will be held Friday, June 26th; activities begin at 4:00p.m.  June 22, 2026 ADJOURNMENT MOVED by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Gray adjourn the meeting at 7:00p.m. Ayes: Trustee Brown, Gray, Solotruck & Mayor Bucciferro Noes: None Abstentions: None Respectfully submitted, Maria A. Schmitz Clerk to the Village Board of Trustees