Board of Trustees

Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting September 1, 2020 Deputy Mayor Moore called the regular meeting of the Village of Walden Board of Trustees to order at 6:30pm. On roll call the following were: Mayor Susan Taylor Present: Deputy Mayor Faith Moore Trustees Brian Sebring Larry Kraus John Ramos Lynn E. Thompson Absent: Dan Svarczkopf Also Present: John Revella, Village Manager Marisa Kraus, Village Clerk Kelly A. Kelly, Village Treasurer Dave Donovan, Village Attorney Village Manager’s Report Manager Revella: Want to give a special thanks to the Ciardullo family for their generosity and support for the Recreation and Parks program. Through the donations made in honor of John Ciardullo, the Village was able to put on an online community program during these tough economic times and social distance matters. Kudos to them and the efforts they made, it really falls in line with John Ciardullo's life and how he tried to help the youth throughout his life. Much appreciation and applause. Also, thanks to Fox Hill Community for donating time to assist in beautification at Wooster Grove. They try to help out wherever they can and they love to volunteer to do work, especially in parks. Had a couple conferences with the Village Treasurer regarding Edmunds and the Building Department software timeline. Still going to take some time before we're fully operational in that area. A lot of conversion. Went over some things with Chief Herlihy on special details. He has done some road reports that have been requested. We had some complaints from different streets. Went out and did road counts, checked speeds. Based on those they're going to conduct other details. I'll also bring the data back to the board to see any other actions they want to take. We have data for Albany Avenue, East Avenue, Evergreen and Maple. No other follow up since the Hill St Bridge meeting last time. It's on our joint meeting agenda. We did have an arbitration for CSEA. Nothing happened, yet, we have another date coming up. Went over child care issues for employees and coverage. With the school year coming up, not a lot of options. Especially since school is not five days a week. We are trying to work on that with our Labor Council to make sure we're covering in every way possible and try to help our employees. Went to the Community Council picnic in Olley Park. Wonderful, well attended, beautiful as always. Went over Civil Service issues with the county's Civil Service Commissioner and Trustee Ramos. Went over Emergency and Shared Services. Then the next day we had a storm where we had to utilize our shared services. The Village of Walden DPW has been helping out the Village of Montgomery with some cleanup after the storms. The police also helped out as well in the initial aftermath to make sure everyone was safe. Still following up with lighting and Heat Smart. The NYSEG lighting contract is in place. They're getting the lights in order to implement. It will still be next month. The railings have been measured for Ulster Avenue, so hopefully that gets installed shortly. Park concerts going well. We have three left. Next one tomorrow. Building Department continues with 1 CO reports. There is some concern about how he conducts Fire and Safety inspections safely with COVID concerns at the residence. I'll be following up on that with Dave to make sure that we're in compliance. Clerk attended the Election Seminar. No changes. Election is still on as it is. No change in March, petitions or otherwise. As far as we know. Water/Sewer billing is out. Went over some unemployment claims rehab loans with the Treasurer. We've been looking at the reimbursement plan that the feds have. Not sure if we're eligible, but we're looking into that. The Treasurer also helped the town staff with Edmunds Software implementations. I started the special assessments and rehab loans as well in the system so that we can track the rehab loans now. Thanks to the Treasurer for working on that. As you know, overtime has been an issue in the Police Department, because of personnel staffing issues that we have. We do have some new officers in part time and some new dispatcher’s part time. They'll be coming to the next meeting to be introduced. Public Works have been putting in meters when they can. They're still on restriction as to what buildings they can go in. Sewer maintenance is ongoing. We're trying to work on the funding for the plan upgrades. Routine testing. We did get some reclaim from Maybrook. We've trucked it over from there so we can use it for road repairs, road maintenance when we're digging holes and patching. Sweeper has been out, weather permitting. They've been cleaning up debris from storms. Courts opening this month. There are some protocols they're going through, but they definitely have court scheduled this month. They're going through safety protocols, temperature checks, things like that. Library is still on curbside service and by appointment. Deputy Mayor Moore: When you're talking about the election and the petitions for next year. Did you find out if there is any guidance on the education credits that board members of Planning and Zoning Boards need to obtain. Has there been any deferment on that because there hasn't been any in-person classes for them to go to. Manager Revella: There's been no deferment, as far as I know. Not yet. Trustee Ramos: Orchard Street, West Main Street railings *inaudible* Manager Revella: Yes, we have that contracted and ready to go. Just need to get the railings in. Trustee Ramos: Did we send any assistance from the last storm to anybody else in the area? Manager Revella: Just Village of Montgomery. We've had trucks there Friday, Monday and today, along with equipment, chipper's, personnel. Trustee Thompson: When you gave the names of the streets that the Police Department's going to be watching for excessive speed. Do we speak to you if there's a street we have in mind that should be monitored. Manager Revella: Yes. Trustee Thompson: Ok. I was going to park back here. Is that going to be slated to have the lines repainted anytime soon? Manager Revella: We didn't get any painting this year because of the restrictions. Otherwise, normally we would get painted. My plan for the back is to actually have it done a little bit differently. The curb line redone and then restriping. Mayor Taylor: Do we have a punch list for Ulster from the engineers? Manager Revella: No. We just have the things that are not done. The railings. And there's one 2 more piece of drainage, so far. They've been going back as we've been getting concerned with the grass and seeding. That's being worked on. Approval of August 18, 2020 Minutes Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the August 18, 2020 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment None Action Items Local Law 4 of 2020 – Donation Boxes Trustee Ramos made a motion for Negative Declaration. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve Local Law 4 of 2020 – Donation Boxes. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. Roll call: Trustee Kraus: Aye Deputy Mayor Moore: Aye Trustee Ramos: Aye Trustee Thompson: Aye Trustee Sebring: Aye Mayor Taylor: Aye Absent: Trustee Svarczkopf Motion carried Discussion – Ulster Ave Blue Stone Mayor Taylor: I think the board on the last discussion decided that we were going to keep the bluestone in the Village until we had all the internal projects done that might be able to make use of it. We have already offered it to the residents there who have taken what they want. Is everybody at the same understanding? Because I did get a request today from the Town that possibly we would give them some bluestone to use at the Colden Manor area. I thought we had decided we were going to keep it until we exhausted everything we possibly might use it for in the Village. Was that everybody's understanding? All: Yes. Mayor Taylor: Ok, so you can just inform the board, when we've exhausted all those projects and potential use of it and if there's anything leftover then the board can decide what they want to do with it. Discussion – NYS Executive Order 203 Attorney Donovan: In June of this year, Governor Cuomo issued Executive Orders 203, which is titled NYS Police Reform. *inaudible* Requires comprehensive review analysis of Police policies procedures. It also requires reexamination of some community involvement and the adoption of a new policy, which is obviously intended to be better than what we have in place now. Needs to be adopted by April 1, 2021. Fair amount of work that needs to be done going forward. 2 page Executive Order that came out in June, followed by a 121 page booklet. We're just getting guidance on what needs to be done. Chief is here tonight and I know I had a brief discussion before that he 3 already has some operating ideas because the Chief of Police needs to be involved closely and examine the policies and new policies as to various members, stakeholders, in the Executive Order that needs to be involved in the process as well. More to be developed as we go forward. I've been in touch with neighboring communities. Pretty much everyone was waiting for this guidance from the state, which will allow the process to move forward. Mayor Taylor: Do we have a copy of that in the office? Manager Revella: We do. It is available online as well. Award Bid – 2020 Village Paving Incl. Grove Street Manager Revella: Bidding was done by 3 different bidders. Consorti Bros, $22,710.27. Ron DeGroodt Paving, $42,057. Tilcon, $57,500. The recommendation was to award the lowest bidder, Consorti Bros Paving, $22,710.27, if that's the board's pleasure. Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to award bid for 2020 Village Paving Including Grove St to Consorti Bros at $22,710.27. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Payment of Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion for Payment of Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Manager Revella: The only thing that I just want to make sure that the board was aware of, we did get a prospectus on Maple St Riverfront Park. If you wanted to review that while we're finishing the meeting. I have 2 copies. Correspondence Trustee Kraus: Received an email from Mary Ellen about blue stone. Deputy Mayor Moore: Received the same email. I also received text messages from Village Resident regarding the annexation and the conversations that we have had on July 7th, July 21st, August 4th and August 18th regarding the lack of discussion we've had regarding the annexation. I just want to reiterate some of the conversation that I had at the last meeting. My comments regarding why I am against bringing in a new zone is because I personally believe that according to affordable housing and my professional experience in housing, I am perfectly satisfied with having a residential property on 12,000 square foot of property. I am not interested in building single family housing in our Village on 2 acre lots. I did some math with a new construction on 1,700 square foot house on .275 acre lot. A family making 100 thousand dollars a year could afford that including the taxes. Building a 1,700 square foot house on a 2 acre lot would increase the taxes so dramatically that a family of making 100 thousand dollars a year would not even be able to afford that property. They would have to be making 120 thousand dollars a year or on that size lot would be able to afford a house $280,000. Be able to build on smaller lots and looking at residential units that are more cluster building vs. a conventional development provides an opportunity for a neighborhood. It's lower construction, which then tends to lead to a lower cost. Lower taxes, as I discussed lower maintenance and more desirability for the number of people that are looking to buy. I just wanted to add all of that to my comments on why I am against 2 acres. Trustee Ramos: Just the email from Mary Ellen. Trustee Thompson: I also got the email from Mary Ellen and I got an e-mail from a Town resident who understands that there's a pecking order of how the stone would potentially be distributed. She owns a historic home and is interested in purchasing if there's anything left. 4 Mayor Taylor: Forward it to John, because as we mentioned before, if we've exhausted what we want to do with it in the Village then that would be something to consider. Trustee Thompson: Already forwarded it to him. Trustee Sebring: Received an email from Mary Ellen also. Mayor Taylor: Received the same email from Mary Ellen. Miscellaneous Comments from the Board of Trustees Deputy Mayor Moore: I just wanted to let everybody know that the Town of Montgomery Comprehensive Planning Committee is really close to having our survey live and active, which will be posted on the Town website, probably in the next 72 hours. There are 3 things that the Comp Plan Community is looking for all residents to participate in the Towns. Take the survey. If you have any comments, you can e-mail them to cp@townofmontgomery.com. We have 3 in-person events that are going to be happening that you can attend in person and or Zoom if you're not comfortable with social distancing on September 9th from 6p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coldenham Fire Department. On September 12th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Senior Center, also in person or Zoom and then on September 16th there will be 2 locations at the same time from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Maybrook Senior Center and Walden Firehouse. You can attend either one of those locations that will be the same content or Zoom. Trustee Thompson: I was wondering if we have acknowledged the generous donation from the Ciardullo family for our youth programs. Manager Revella: The online program was funded by that. Mayor Taylor: Mike brought to me today with the list. There were 7 programs that were offered. It came through the donation from Clair in memory of John. He told me how well they were received. A lot of children got the benefit from them. I wrote a note to Clair today that's going out tomorrow, acknowledging the donation, letting her know that the programs have concluded and that the money was well spent. The kids enjoyed them. I'd read it, but there's some personal stuff in there for her. It was on the flier so that everyone that signed up for it knew where the funds came from for the program. Mike made sure to thank them each time the video presentation was coming on. Trustee Sebring: I've been thinking about the zombie poles that we have in the Village. Towns are starting to write ordinances against the zombie poles. Maybe we should at least maybe think about and discuss it at the next meeting. These are telephone poles that were cut off half way. The power company moved the power up to the top of the pole. But you still have the phone company and cable TV line's still there. I've seen where a lot of them stay 10-15 years. They are unsightly. I think we should join in with the rest of the county municipalities and see about getting something written in the law. Mayor Taylor: Do we inform them when there's a change of a pole so that they can come and rewire their portion? Manager Revella: Sometimes we're not aware of whose wires are which. NYSEG, if it's their pole, they will inform the other utility companies that they're changing it at that time. Dave, you know of any places that have these ordinances in place right now? Attorney Donovan: About 5 or 6 years ago, there was kind of a push and this model of legislation 5 was out of there. Executive Session – Personal History of a Particular Person Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to enter Executive Session – Discuss Personal History of a Particular Person. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. 6  Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting September 1, 2020 Motions & Resolutions Approval of August 18, 2020 Minutes Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve the August 18, 2020 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Local Law 4 of 2020 – Donation Boxes Trustee Ramos made a motion for Negative Declaration. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to approve Local Law 4 of 2020 – Donation Boxes. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. Roll call: Trustee Kraus: Aye Deputy Mayor Moore: Aye Trustee Ramos: Aye Trustee Thompson: Aye Trustee Sebring: Aye Mayor Taylor: Aye Absent: Trustee Svarczkopf Motion carried Award Bid – 2020 Village Paving Incl. Grove Street Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to award bid for 2020 Village Paving Including Grove St to Consorti Bros at $22,710.27. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Payment of Audited Bills Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion for Payment of Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Executive Session – Personal History of a Particular Person Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to enter Executive Session – Discuss Personal History of a Particular Person. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Deputy Mayor Moore made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Ramos. All ayes. Motion carried. 7