Board of Trustees

Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 1, 2021 Mayor Ramos called the regular meeting of the Village of Walden Board of Trustees to order at 6:30pm. On roll call the following were: Mayor: John Ramos Present: Deputy Mayor Willie Carley Trustees Brian Sebring Cheryl Baker Patricia Maher Absent: Lynn E. Thompson John Elliott Also Present: John Revella, Village Manager Gina Somma, Deputy Village Clerk Kelly A. Kelly, Village Treasurer Dave Donovan, Village Attorney Mayor Ramos introduced the Mayor for the Day, Austyn Robb and Deputy Mayor for the Day, Brandon Reynolds. A total of 40 essays were completed through Walden Elementary School. They whittled it down to the 6 finalists and 2 were selected and we have those 2 young gentlemen here with us today. Manager’s Report Manager Revella: We continue to have some discussion and finally got some information out to the public on the issues with regard to relevying the water bills on taxes. We're not able to and we were required to put those back on people's bills so they may see a difference on their water bills. We were able to put the sewer, but not the water. That'll be a different from prior years. Conducted interviews for Summer Rec employees with the Rec Coordinator and conducted some interviews for the Sergeant positions with Chief Herlihy. Had a few different conferences with the Treasurer regarding retrieving and reviewing tax bills, also went over some audit questions and some other things with billing. Had a conference with our Special Counsel for PBA to review the items for the contract finalization with the Police Department. A good meeting and a conference with the Montgomery IDA looking for potential uses on vacant properties and some businesses that are looking forward to coming into the Village to fill any ones that we have. Had to cover for a couple of Department Heads while they had time off. Had another conference with the Rec Coordinator regarding the health regulations for Summer Camp. Seems they are not as strict as they projected to be. Had a conference with the State DOT, Village Engineer, looking at finalizing the work on Ulster Avenue. They had some questions on paving over there and when it's going to be done, so we're working on that. I reviewed a few different rehab loan packages along with the Village Attorney and the Village Treasurer. I was able to help with the tribute to the late, great Sam Wright, who was a brilliant contribution to our community for many years and will definitely be missed. The Rec Department also is continuing to prepare for summer, planting flowers, cutting lawns as the violations come in. Tennis is going well. Helped prepare the square for Memorial Day Ceremony along with DPW. Building Department has been working on notifications for the property maintenance violations, along with continuing inspections, permits, CO reports and helping with the rehab loan write ups. Clerk has been following up with FOIL requests and updating Facebook and website and sent out the new bi monthly calendar. It's posted now. Treasurer has been working on 1 audit reports, bank recs and vouchers and receivables and helped to work on salary worksheets and is working on retro for the PBA contract and redoing some numbers for retirement as well. DPW has been working on the new equipment orders, some vehicle orders for the new year, maintaining vehicles, streets, sewers, road repairs, flushing and jetting sewers. They actually replaced a section of sewer main on Alfred Place. Been responding to resident complaints and doing catch basin repairs. They are busy as always. Police Department has been working on special details, commercial traffic, working on overtime. There are still some staffing issues there and they hope to resolve soon due to 207c. Courts have been open, having hearings again. There's no landlord/tenant isn't allowed in court still, but other items have been in, criminal and traffic. The Library is still on some restrictions and that comes from RCLS, not from our particular Library. The attorney has been assisting us with local laws and reviewing some correspondence for potential litigation. Approval of May 18, 2021 Minutes Trustee Maher made a motion to approve the May 18, 2021 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment on Business of the Board None Action Items Intro Local Law 2 of 2021 – Proposed Modifications to Code Chapter 256, Article vi – Snow & Ice Removal Manager Revella: We had a discussion about some contradictions in the code and what is in the code wasn't actually what was practiced. We made sure that was compliant. Dave drafted that for us in this introductory local law. Everyone has had a chance to review it and I hope they have no corrections, we can discuss it, but otherwise you can set a Public Hearing. Deputy Mayor Carley: I want to make sure that this is what we're doing. Manager Revella: Yes, I had the different Department Heads look through as well to make sure that's actually what's happening in order. Deputy Mayor Carley made a motion to schedule Public Hearing for Local Law 2 of 2021 for June 15th, 6:30p.m. or soon thereafter. Seconded by Trustee Baker. All ayes. Motion carried. Discussion – Motorized Vehicles Manager Revella: I know that some of the Board Members were interested in trying to get some research. I did provide some from the Police Department. Officer Montanaro did some for the Department. I'm not sure if anyone else found anything relevant, but it's open for discussion. Trustee Maher: I agree with the mph regulation. I think 15 miles per hour is what I recommend. I understand the need for keeping them off the sidewalks. We want to keep our sidewalks for walking and not disrupt that. I also think that there should be an age in which kids can use them on the sidewalk. I think NYS is recommending 12 and under and I think that we should also go with that. I think anyone under 18 should be required to wear a helmet. Trustee Baker: *inaudible* what other Villages and municipalities have done in regards to the issue of the electric scooters. I don't think that they belong on sidewalks. I can see that it's used as a mobility device for someone that's disabled. I can see permitting that, but for regular bike riding, bicycles aren't permitted on a sidewalk. I was wondering if maybe it would be safer for pedestrians and for the riders who have them just on the road to the white lines. That way they're not on the road and they're not on the sidewalk. I agree that all classes, whether 1, 2 or 3 should require a 2 helmet and the same thing with age requirement on that. For example, in Tarrytown they have a ban on certain roads. They only allow class 1 or 2, they don't allow class 3 that gets 30 miles per hour. Yes, the bike does turn off at 30 miles an hour but if you're going downhill, unless you hit the brakes, you're going to go over 30 miles an hour or more. I don't know how the other Board Members feel, maybe not have in the class 3 permitted in the Village and only have the class 1 and 2. Trustee Sebring: The electric scooters, I would say fine providing they wear helmets. And with an audible device for when you're behind people, let them know that somebody is behind them. On the sidewalks, I don't believe that they belong on the sidewalks, because you have people walking and you have people with baby carriages at times. It puts a liability on the person that has that if they are on the sidewalk and they do have an incident with a pedestrian. I'm not in favor of that. The electric scooters I would say, on the side of road. They also must wear helmets and should have an audible device. The maximum speed of no more than 20 miles an hour, which is fast for one of those things. First time users that could be a problem if you run into a situation that you don't know how to handle. Knees pads I think would be a requirement, because if you do jump off, you know you're going to go on your knees. The electric bicycle assist, they can be along the side of the shoulder of the road. I don't have a problem with that. Deputy Mayor Carley: We have to come up with something and enforcement. Because regardless of, "he doesn't have kneepads on" or "he doesn't have a helmet on", what is enforcement? And to what degree are we going to put some teeth behind it? I guess the bottom line is if we do come up with a certain speed limit and protection, on the sidewalk, off the sidewalk, we can't do it here and now. My thing is enforcement. Are we really going to confiscate the bike? Especially for a young person riding down the street having a scooter and the police pulls him over and snatches the scooter. Trustee Baker: They could issue a warning the first time. And if there's a second after offense, issue a ticket then. Deputy Mayor Carley: Then we get back into what we did with profiling and some other things. What happens when a young man, young girl gets caught 2 or 3 times by the same one and someone can say that they're tracking and profiling them. That's my issue with the whole thing, enforcement. I think we have to have a real talk about enforcement. I couldn't find it anywhere. It's in the laws in different areas, but who actually carries out the enforcement? Once again, you put something in writing and it's in writing. Manager Revella: For example, Trustee Baker brought up Tarrytown, maybe see what Tarrytown has done in the past of any violators, what their penalties were and how that worked out. Trustee Baker: From what I read, they give a warning, second time there was a fee. If the child was under a certain age, 16 if I'm not mistaken, the parent was issued the ticket and there was a fine attached. The bike wasn't confiscated or taken away. Manager Revella: I'm talking about asking the court there if they actually did that. Deputy Mayor Carley: I get the policy, that's fine, but enforcement of what we put in writing. Mayor Ramos: I do have a couple issues with allowing them, especially on our streets and sidewalk. In my career or my time, I've investigated a number of serious injuries to the kids on skateboards, electric bikes and scooters. They're not wearing their protective equipment, knee, elbow and helmet. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles allows it in certain areas, but I 3 don't see those areas fitting within the confines of the Village. We have Route 208 and 52, very heavily traveled roadways. Even our Village streets are heavily traveled. If we're going to propose a local law, motor vehicles gives strict guidelines. I think we need to be stricter. Attorney Donovan: The only exception, is preemptive. If there's preemption, means that the State Governments that they're the only ones that can regulate. If there's no preemption, we can impose harsher ramifications. Mayor Ramos: On their bulletin, it says you cannot operate these devices on a sidewalk, except as authorized by local law ordinance. That would be one thing that we would work on as the prohibition of operating on sidewalks. Some of these classes go up to 30 miles an hour. Our streets are 25 posted speed limits, with the exception of the 52 and 208. I think it's an unsafe practice. I think we should develop areas where they can have free movement, free riding areas where they can be unencumbered and they can operate safely. I don't want to overuse our parks, but if those are the areas that we can use, then I think we should use them. Deputy Mayor Carley: With practicality, I live on Evergreen, my sons are older, but if I had young people, I'm not going to put in the car and go to the park and they ride it. Practicality says they're going to be in the middle of the street. Just being realistic. You want young people to enjoy it, but you have to be safe at the same time. I get it. I'm not saying no to policy, but you have to be practical and understand that young people are going to be outside their house, play with their friends or whatever. Mayor Ramos: I think we should still continue with the dialog on this. We're going to hear Tarrytown and other municipalities. Let's not take this lightly. I would love all bikes to be registered by the Police Department. In the event that we have an incident and we can contact the manufacturers and they're not 100 percent proof. Just looking at the safety of the children. Why don't I ask the Mayor for the Day and the Deputy Mayor what their ideas are? Austyn Robb: I didn't really think about. I'd like to see what Brandon would say. Brandon Reynolds: I think they're very dangerous and people shouldn't be riding them on the main streets. Mayor Ramos: Thank you. We'll still continue dialog on this. Trustee Baker: In regards to registering the bikes, another issue that I saw, they buy after-market kits. Let's say you have a class 1 bike, you can change out the speed sensor and make it a class 3. I reached out to several manufacturers to ask them if those sensors or motors from the after-market kits come with serial numbers. If a Police Officer does look at a bike, if it's marked so he can tell there's been an alteration. I haven't had a response back from a couple companies. I'll reach out again tomorrow. Mayor Ramos: That would be the first thing, in the event that there is an incident, either a fatality or a serious physical injury. The bike would obviously be examined by a mechanic and documenting that serial number and knowing the nomenclature of their engines. That would be the first step in any type of investigation. Deputy Mayor Carley: I really do think they should be an age ban for certain ones. The slower one, of course, for the younger. 4 Set Public Hearing – CDBG – Smoke Testing & Sewer Lining Trustee Baker made a motion to set Public Hearing for June 15, 2021 at 6:30pm or soon thereafter for CDBG Grant 2021-2022 - Sewer Relining & Smoke Testing. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment Becky Pearson: 167 Walnut. I was a bit confused in the conversation with the bikes. Is it for all bicycles or just electric bikes? I know you talked about the helmets on children under certain ages, but there's already that law. I didn't know if this was just electric bikes or is this for both types of bikes? I know there's kids on my street that ride down the sidewalk on regular bikes and do you really want them riding the roads with speeding cars that fly down the street? I looked online for the proposed laws and emailed the Clerk, but she's not here, so that's fine, but I'm just wondering, are those what you put in the packets listed on the website somewhere before each meeting that we can read or can it be put on? I couldn't find any reading before I came to the meeting, except for the packet outside, is there a way to maybe have some of that information put on the website? Mayor Ramos: We will work on that. Becky Pearson: There's only 1 sergeant position open in the Village? Manager Revella: There are 2. Becky Pearson: I thought you said you were interviewing for 1 position when you spoke tonight. Manager Revella: I said that we were interviewing for sergeants position. I don't believe I said 1 or 2. Becky Pearson: I'm Chair of the Zoning Board, and they have a meeting once every so many months that we listen to and they talked about the cannabis laws and I don't know of any of you have gotten any information on dispensaries where you can talk about it. I haven't heard about it the public. You have until December 31st to opt out of what dispensary you want to have. I don't think there's a conversation going on. There is revenue to be had, but I haven't heard any of those discussions. That needs to be done before December 31st if you want to do something like that. I was just curious if you had those discussions in public or where you're going to be having those discussions? Where and what zones you would you want to put them in, where they're going to go or if you're going to even talk about that? Today there would have been a webinar on it as well from the State. If you can go back and maybe find that. It might be pretty interesting to give you all the laws, the ins and outs. Also, there was an interesting that I listened to as well on food trucks. We don't have any laws for food trucks, but I think they're becoming more and more popular. Where to park them, if you're going to allow them in the Village, not allow them, whether they're just for special events. Maybe something to think about in the future, because I think they're becoming a little more prominent. There's information on that as well. If you need it, I can forward it to John. I got some information from the County as well. Some businesses may not want it, but it also brings businesses. I've read both things. There's a lot to think about and didn't know if that's something that you might want to talk about. Payment of Audited Bills Trustee Sebring made a motion approve Payment of Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Maher. All ayes. Motion carried. Correspondence Mayor Ramos: Received a couple of emails from the passing of the Great Mr. Sam Wright. A lot 5 of community support on anything that we needed and it was great to see such an outcry for his work, for our loss. Miscellaneous Comments from the Board of Trustees Becky Pearson: I'm sorry, I should have read this before. Thank you. I received a message about the Parks and she had a concern and didn't know if there was maybe a mistake that was made. It's from Shirley Brewer. She said, "Do you know if summer camp is from July 7th to August 12th, which is only 4 weeks? They are charging for 6 weeks. Early drop off is $25 a week. $450 for full 6 weeks. Did they make a mistake?" I don't know if someone would reach out to her. I don't know if a mistake was made or that's what it is. 6 weeks would be $150, but you're only going for 5 weeks. Manager Revella: its 5 weeks and 3 days. The last day is a picnic. Mayor Ramos: If it's on Facebook, we will review it. Trustee Maher: I just wanted to say what a wonderful celebration on Memorial Day. You did a great job and everyone that was involved, Bill Kiernan, Bill Pullar, Dave Penney. Again, fabulous celebration. Great to see people that came out for it. Trustee Baker: Same sentiments as Trustee Maher. It was a great parade and there was a very good response. Trustee Sebring: I'd like to just say the same thing that they did, even though I couldn't make it. I didn't feel good that morning. They do have a good turnout for Memorial Day and Veterans Day and Labor Day. Deputy Mayor Carley: Minds and hearts for Mr. Wright. He is a figure of Walden. I would like to know if we're going to do something. I think we should, let me put it out there. I think we should do something. Not just because he was just an actor, but he was a national figure. Everybody recognized him from Walden all the way through. He put Walden on the map concerning his profession and what he does. We can think about that and we can do something for the family, bring something together. Mayor Ramos: Yes, there are things in the fire. I will tell you that there is a special rock on Albany Avenue that Mr. Wright sat, pondered, thought, gathered with others and Mr. Jonathan Joseph, the owner of Hannaford's, graciously, when he was developing the Hannaford's project, left that stone there. We will be creating an event there and placing an object there on behalf of Sam Wright. He will be totally missed. I miss our conversations that we've had on his porch and I apologize for not being here Friday and his send off. He will always be in my heart. Secondly, Memorial Day, the Village needed a jumpstart in our hearts. The parade, the number of Boy Scouts, the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, Blue Star Families. That was a tremendous outing for us. If you want to relate it to an AED, that's what we needed. I counted about 175 people here in Village and it was truly an honorable and a memorable day, especially after we finished a year and a half of this pandemic. I'd like to personally thank the Valley Central School District for allowing us to develop and foster a relationship with the Walden Elementary School, in developing this Mayor for the Day and Deputy Mayor for the Day. We walked around the Village. We looked at projects that we were developing here. The Community Center, Mickey Millspaugh Park and we walked and we talked around the Village of Walden. Had a couple of thoughts on some projects that we can have here in the Village. Our 2 guests were phenomenal. Very interactive. I applaud them both. Out of 40 essays, you guys did great and I thank you. Some of your thoughts, we will look at the future and we appreciate moms and dads for allowing us their 6 time here and just get the feel of what local government is all about. Watch what the Manager does, watch what we do as a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor and our Trustees and the Attorney and what our Clerk does, our Treasurer. It's just not a small speck of what we do. We're all up here for the betterment of the Village. Again, I thank you. I thank Mr. Heideman. I thank Mr. Bugleman. I thank Mrs. Werner, who facilitated this. Diane Smith and, of course, your phenomenal teachers. They did a phenomenal job and I thank you for sharing your time with us. Deputy Mayor Carley: Congratulations, you did a wonderful job. I think it's great. I wish I had that opportunity when I was your age. I didn't, but I had this opportunity and you had a great opportunity to be an example to your peers and to your community. And understanding how boring government is and you need to bring a coat when you're sitting here because it's cold. Good job and keep up the good work. You have a long road ahead, but guess what? It goes fast. Trustee Sebring: Congratulations to you 2 for your great essays that you wrote for us. I know it probably took a lot of thought to write, but you did a very good job. Yes, you do see how we operate here in the Village and they took you around to some of the projects here. You know what we're doing and you can always come back at another time and ask us more questions. Thank you for your time. Trustee Baker: Congratulations. It's quite an accomplishment. Out of 40 essays, your essays were wonderfully written and the thing that I love the most about, this is a testament to the kind of gentlemen I think you will grow up to be, is the love and concern that you showed that was reflected very well in your essays with the ideas that you had. I certainly look forward into looking to see if we can implement some of those ideas. You should be very proud of yourselves. You did a wonderful job. Trustee Maher: Austyn, Brandon, thank you for spending the evening with us tonight. I just want to say, echoing the sentiments of everyone else, your essays were phenomenal. Keep writing and keep asking questions, because you're going to really go places. It's very important to just keep in mind, don't be afraid to question things. Keep going. I'm excited to see what you do in future. Thank you, your teachers, your parents. This is great. Manager Revella: I'm glad that we got to hang out this afternoon and talk about Walden and how wonderful it is. I try to share how I felt about it being raised here as well and I hope you feel that way some day when you're in your career someplace, you can talk to young kids about what Walden means to you and reflect that on them. Maybe they'll understand where you're coming from. I know that when you grow up, you'll make this place better for the younger generation too. Thanks for coming. Mayor Ramos: Because you're Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the Day, I invite you to our Walden Veterans Memorial Flag Day ceremony on June 13th. Which is a Sunday at 1:00 p.m. I'd love to see you there. Definitely make your name be known while you're standing there next to us. Again, I thank you from the bottom of our heart. Austyn Robb: I'd like to thank you guys for having me for this once in a lifetime opportunity to be the Mayor of the Day. I learned that the taxes that my parents pay will help the Village. 1 thing that I'd like to see done in Walden, I think that Bradley Field need some drains because we can't play when the fields are so wet after the rain and this will help kids stay out of trouble. Mayor Ramos: We'll work on that. Brandon Reynolds: I also thank you for the opportunity to be Deputy Mayor for the Day. I learned 7 that some of the roads are Walden's and some are New York State's. I would also like to say that Covid-19 is not only effecting people, but also effecting families. When someone gets the virus, their families get really sad and depressed and commit suicide. Also, a lot of the school's don't have the best education, so the kids don't get the best education. I think I can help the schools get the best education for the kids. Attorney Donovan: Keep up the good work. Very impressive young men and look forward to you doing great things to the future. Executive Session - PBA Negotiations, Personal History of a Particular Employee Trustee Baker made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss PBA Negotiations, Personal History of a Particular Employee. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Trustee Maher made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Carley. All ayes. Motion carried. 8  Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 1, 2021 Motions & Resolutions Approval of May 18, 2021 Minutes Trustee Maher made a motion to approve the May 18, 2021 Minutes. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Intro Local Law 2 of 2021 – Proposed Modifications to Code Chapter 256, Article vi – Snow & Ice Removal Deputy Mayor Carley made a motion to schedule Public Hearing for Local Law 2 of 2021 for June 15th, 6:30p.m. or soon thereafter. Seconded by Trustee Baker. All ayes. Motion carried. CDBG Application & Resolution Trustee Baker made a motion to apply for the smoke testing, cameraing and lining of sewer mains through CDBG for the year 2022. Seconded by Trustee Thompson. All ayes. Motion carried. Set Public Hearing – CDBG – Smoke Testing & Sewer Lining Trustee Baker made a motion to set Public Hearing for June 15, 2021 at 6:30pm or soon thereafter for CDBG Grant 2021-2022 - Sewer Relining & Smoke Testing. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Payment of Audited Bills Trustee Sebring made a motion approve Payment of Audited Bills. Seconded by Trustee Maher. All ayes. Motion carried. Executive Session - PBA Negotiations, Personal History of a Particular Employee Trustee Baker made a motion to enter into Executive Session to discuss PBA Negotiations, Personal History of a Particular Employee. Seconded by Trustee Sebring. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Trustee Maher made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Carley. All ayes. Motion carried. 9