Board of Trustees

Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 6, 2023 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 Becky Pearson Chris Batson Patricia Maher Ralph Garrison Jr. Kristie Hall Absent: Also Present: John Revella, Village Manager Marisa Kraus, Village Clerk David Donovan, Village Attorney Village Manager introduced Robert Wallner as new Building Inspector. Chief Herlihy introduced Tyler Briere as new Full Time Officer. Village Manager’s Report Manager Revella: Had meeting with special counsel and Treasurer to finalize the CSEA agreement. It's been implemented. Did have a vote at the OC Transportation Council on a few projects and did hear about updates on Route 17 projects. Their next New York State project on, Route 17 will be exit 122, I believe. That should be about a year and a half starting in December. Met with the Comptroller and Treasurer a couple of times about audits. Went over capital projects with engineer. Reviewed the sewer dig at 5 Clinton St. That's all patched up now. Met with the Chief a couple of times to go over the list and conduct interviews for full time police officer. Had a virtual conference with DEC about funding. Held Rec Department interviews with the Rec Coordinator and hired the summer staff. Went over Toshiba contracts with the Village Clerk and talked about usage and updates to our machines. I met with the Village Engineer and Orange County, CDBG and the contractor to go over the sewer smoke testing and lighting project. Which will be starting soon. Soon as I have a confirmed date, I'll let everybody know and send out letters and notices to the public so that there's not so much hecticness going on. Had a conference with Orange County Trust and the Finance Department. Went over the lockbox process again. We pretty much have that finalized, so hopefully we can get notices out to everyone about that process before the next billing cycle. I attended a Zoom meeting with Barton Lajudice about traffic and pedestrian safety programs. They are going to send us some literature on that, which I'll forward to the board to review as well. Went over NYS DOT projects. I did get some responses. They did patch 52 near Valley Avenue. They did move my concerns up to the next level on the crosswalk at Orchard and Main. They did paint the crosswalk at Elm and Main. They said that the stairs on West Main were to spec. I accelerated that to the next level as well. Went over potential projects with the grant writers for CFA and that'll come up, hopefully we will have some projects for the board to discuss next time. Rec Department, indoor pickle ball starting June 13th, we hope, at Wooster. Tennis season went well 47 participants. That's ended. They're doing lawn maintenance as the violations come in. They did replace a few trees. DPW assisted at the boulevard, replacing the cherry trees, they replaced some trees at Olley and at Public Works as well. Online registration is open for 1 summer camp and flag football. Building Department, the Code Enforcement Officer issued building permits, certificates of compliances, a violation of property maintenance, had one new complaint in the office, issued landlord registration violations and did inspections. The Part Time Building Inspector issued building permits, certificates of compliance, CO reports, grass violations and properties going to court. The new Building Inspector, I'm sure, will have a report next meeting on his progress as well. Clerk updating social media, still have 2 police officers out on 207c and comp. One has filed for retirement, so hopefully that gets processed. Working on FOILs, water/sewer questions. Also attended the Orange County Associate & Towns and Villages meeting with myself and the Treasurer and a few of the board members and the Police Chief were there as well and the DPW Super went as well, worked on minutes, responding to resident requests. Finance Department is working on audits, the comptroller and the RBT audit. Bank reqs, tax bills that were all sent out, CSEA pay scale, resident concerns. Went over the part time position and coverage in the office. We're still getting some applications in so hopefully get those reviewed soon. Went over escrow accounts and requests for and reports that need to be done. Public Works doing a lot, as much as they can. Working on replacing parts of the sewer plant and station, new pumps getting put back in now. Water Department replaced meters, endpoints, mark outs, inspections, closings. They finished meter readings and the bills went out for June 1st, which was great. They've been cleaning up roads and parks with downed trees as time allows, repairing catch basins, flushing and jetting. Police Department obviously, we're getting those interviews together so we can get the full staff back. They did issue traffic tickets, went to MVAs, arrests, vehicle traffic stops and blotters. If you go to the second floor, you'll note the renovations to the library are coming along very well, and hopefully they'll be finished soon. Trustee Pearson: Go over the reports you have of the DEC about funding for what? Manager Revella: The sewer plant and the Tin Brook station. Trustee Pearson: Pickle ball Court. We bought a tablet for pickle ball. What does that mean? Manager Revella: It's for the game and for scheduling. Trustee Pearson: You can't use a regular computer to schedule? Manager Revella: Not when they're on site for scoring and stuff, I believe. Trustee Pearson: Thank you for tree replacement, DPW and parks. It looks great. They're watering I see every day when I go out that way. Building department. There's only one property maintenance going on. Is there only one thing going on in this village? Manager Revella: I can only speak to what happened before June 1st. And that's what I have before June 1st. Since that time, you'll have more. Trustee Pearson: That was under you. Manager Revella: I can't write violations. Trustee Pearson: I also want to talk about something in the Building Department about how there were five grass violations. I still don't understand why the village cannot sub out doing the grass with somebody who comes and cuts the grass and collects later on and free up our guys in our Parks and Rec Department to do other things. I just don't understand. It used to happen years ago. We used to bid out for who wanted to do that service through the village to be able to cut people's grass that didn't cut their grass. Then if they didn't pay their bill, they would just go on their taxes like 2 would happen anyway. Manager Revella: Because we would front the money for that, which didn't seem fair. Trustee Pearson: We're fronting money now. How many people pay? Same difference. Manager Revella: The difference was the people that were getting lawns done were getting price gouged, even though we bid it, which was inappropriate. And we can control a little more by doing it in-house. Trustee Pearson: I don't know. I just think it's silly. We can free up guys to do other things planting, weeding, doing, cleaning. There's so much to be done here that I think that if the board wants to make a motion or if we want to think about that, to talk about it, I think it's a good thing to talk about. But I guess I'm usually the only one. The parade was beautiful. It was great. I would just like to talk about this building and 4th of July and Flag Day and Memorial Day. There used to be buntings hanging off of this building and there's no such thing anymore. You come into the square, it's pretty. It's beautiful. Flowers are planted. But to have buntings up here for the village to put buntings on this building where the library windows are would be beautiful. The stage is never decorated. It used to be decorated all the time. I think there should be a policy in the Village of Walden that if you're going to use the stage, you decorate it for that event. I just think that should happen. It just looks so barren and orange cones all around it. I think we should be able to look at something as a board and make things prettier for when events happen in the square. That's just my opinion. If we'd like to revisit that, I'd be happy to do that. When we get into the Treasurer's report. Is there a fee for the for the credit and debit cards? Do we know what that fee is? Manager Revella: There is. It's done by the credit company. There's a minimum charge as well. And if you're over that, it's a percentage. I'm not sure what it is. We have it in the office. I just don't know what it is off the top of my head. We disclose that to all the residents as well. It's on the site when they do it. Trustee Pearson: Can you go over North Montgomery Street? The senior apartment where they dug. We had to put in the connection. Is that what we had to do? Manager Revella: Yes. Trustee Pearson: I thought they have to do it. Manager Revella: They do have to pay us to do the connection. We don't let anybody touch our mains. Trustee Pearson: And how much do we get paid to do? Manager Revella: I don't know what the fee was. Trustee Pearson: So, now when there are issues with it, what happens? There have been issues. It's heaving. Not heaving. Needs to be straightened out. People are complaining. So, we have to go back and fix it. Manager Revella: Correct. Trustee Pearson: That's kind of like a homeowner doesn't have to fix their properties. 3 Manager Revella: It's still our dig. We're responsible for our dig. Trustee Pearson: Who's going to finalize it? Manager Revella: We do. Trustee Pearson: And will we get more money to do that as well? Manager Revella: More money to do what? Because it didn't tamp properly? It's still our problem. It's no one else's problem. We're not able to tamp it because of the pipe that's there. So, we had to let it settle. As it settles, it fills in. Trustee Pearson: I'd like to know how much we got paid. Manager Revella: You could ask the Finance Department to pull it up. Trustee Pearson: At the end, we're going to be doing the work at the end to finalize that road. The grade, the road, the blacktop. Manager Revella: We'll finalize our dig. If there's anything else under the road. That's not us. That's the contractor. Just where we dug. Trustee Pearson: Do we not have a mechanic that changes oils and filters and cars? Why do they have to go somewhere else? Manager Revella: For certain vehicles, yes. For other ones, no. Trustee Pearson: Meaning what? Manager Revella: It could be due to a number of factors, I would have to check if you want specifics. Trustee Pearson: I know we got a report on cameras. There's nothing on this agenda about cameras. Will we be doing that soon? Mayor, you want to put cameras on? I got the quote, it was very high, I thought. I reached out to another mayor in another village who uses a certain company and they're pretty reasonable or more reasonable than what we had. And there's so much new technology out there that doesn't necessarily have to be all of that that was listed. I don't know if we can look at other numbers, other companies as well. Maybe we should look at a couple other companies. Manager Revella: This is the state bid company. That's why they used them for the quote and that's for all web based cameras. Otherwise they would have to hardwire and that was a different cost. And that's what was expensive last time, was hard wiring all the cameras to the station. This one is where they're talking to each other remotely. Trustee Pearson: I think that's the same as what I spoke to the mayor about. You might want to check with that. I can give you the name of who I spoke to. Maybe we can get another quote. Manager Revella: I already told them to get other quotes if they can. They're looking for other companies that are able. The Chief and Rec Coordinator. There's some for the parks and some for the streets. 4 Trustee Pearson: You're not looking. They're looking. Manager Revella: Absolutely. Trustee Pearson: The blue building on Main Street. We walked by it during the parade. Manager Revella: 110 West Main. Trustee Pearson: Yes, it has a violation. Again, does the board need to make a new policy or new law that within X amount of time we can take them to court instead of just dragging this out? I know I talk about this at every meeting and I think that this board should really be doing something because I don't think things are done in a timely manner. Anybody on the board, any comments, nothing. Trustee Batson: Sure, we have it in our list of things to review policies. If you would like to make that one a priority. Trustee Pearson: I'm happy with that. Let's do that. Trustee Batson: Sounds like a great place to get it started. Trustee Pearson: Any news on the charging station? Manager Revella: What do you want to know? Trustee Pearson: You said last meeting you were waiting for the electrician meets. Are we still waiting for the same electrician? Are we ready? Manager Revella: Electrician is waiting on NYSEG to run the line. Trustee Pearson: You did talk about the crosswalk, so that is kind of happening, hopefully. What does that mean move up on the list? Manager Revella: They said no, it's not within their purview and they would ask the higher up to review it again. But they said, no, there shouldn't be one there. It's not within their standards or something like that. Trustee Pearson: I know the mayor asked to write a letter. Did that happen? Did we write that letter? Manager Revella: He's included on it. Trustee Pearson: We did? And it got sent to them. Mayor Ramos: Yes. Trustee Pearson: The senior garbage discount, if you put in to have that by May 31st are you on for this year? Manager Revella: Yes. Trustee Pearson: What about someone who has a trust? 5 Manager Revella: No, they're not eligible. Trustee Pearson: Why not? Manager Revella: Because they're not owner occupied. The trust is. It's a company. Just like an LLC. A trust isn't an individual. It's an entity. They asked me that, too, and I already answered them. Trustee Pearson: ARPA funds. I know there's a to do with recalls on certain things. Are we not in that? Rescission? Manager Revella: No. Trustee Pearson: Municipal building painter. Did you get other quotes? Manager Revella: We did. And we awarded the lowest bidder. Trustee Pearson: Who awarded it? Manager Revella: The village. Trustee Pearson: You just spoke at the last meeting that we were going to get other quotes. Doesn't it come before the board to approve that quote? Manager Revella: It is the one that you saw was lowest quote. I got two other ones that were higher. It's the same guy that painted the backstairs. Trustee Pearson: So, the board doesn't have to approve those quotes. Manager Revella: You told me to get it painted, the board already approved that project. Trustee Pearson: Well, you were going to get other quotes. They would come before the board and then the board would make the decision. So, that's going to happen. Manager Revella: Serta Pro Painters, I think is the name of the company, the one that did the backstairs. Trustee Pearson: Mayor, did you know that the letter got sent to the town for the campers? Did you get that sent? Mayor Ramos: No. Manager Revella: I did message the town about the property on Rt 208 north. Trustee Pearson: I know the mayor wanted a letter written, so I don't know if he was going to write a letter. Manager Revella: I sent an email to them. Mayor Ramos: I was going to rely on the Village Manager to coordinate with the town. 6 Trustee Pearson: Did you hear anything back from the town? Manager Revella: There's a violation currently on the property and they're pursuing it through their code enforcement. Trustee Pearson: Health care, retirement. I know I spoke about it last time. Does this board need to make a decision on when this person can meet with us or is it not important? Manager Revella: It's up to you guys when you want to do it. Trustee Pearson: You're the one who gave us the information. Is it important for us to move forward with this information or not? Manager Revella: I think it's important to discuss it, yes. I just don't know when the board can discuss it with her if you want to do it over the phone. She's eligible and able probably after exec time or before. Trustee Pearson: There's new board members, maybe they should get the information that you gave us before so they can read it and then we can have a discussion as a board and then move forward and see when she can meet with us if that's the way the board wants to go. But if it's not important, then I'm fine with whatever anybody wants to do. Manager Revella: I think it's important. Trustee Pearson: Orange County Transit. You had a meeting in May, and I know you both went to that meeting, Ralph and Trish, there was a letter written. That letter just go out today, June 6th? Manager Revella: Yes. Trustee Pearson: We wanted that letter to go out before the next, they have three months to get here, which is the middle of July. Manager Revella: I can't help when the letter is approved. Trustee Pearson: You sent the draft out on May 16th and now it's June 6th. Manager Revella: Correct. Did you respond? Trustee Pearson: I did not respond. How many respond? Manager Revella: Okay. I got enough responses and it went out when I got enough responses. Trustee Pearson: Because I'm not responding to that because I voted no. I'm not a part of that. You were going to find out whether they had a sewer waiver? Manager Revella: They do not have one. They have not complied yet. Trustee Pearson: And they have no applications submitted as of today. They still need a permit to finish the berm, the plantings, the back fence. There is a lighting plan that Dean told me there is a plan for. They don't even want to do that. So, why are we even entertaining these people? I don't understand it. We went three months so the board could catch up to what's happening and what's going on and do your research from before. So, I hope you're doing that. Do we allow flags along 7 the road? I don't think we allow those flags that are out front of his building, those big wavy flags. I don't think we have that in our code. Manager Revella: If you have a temporary sign, that's 30 days. Trustee Pearson: Well, he has to get a permit for it though, doesn't he? There you go. Trustee Garrison: I stopped in at the library on my way up here today and it looks great down there. I had a very nice conversation with Ginny. She's awesome. We walked through. She showed me stuff they were doing. It looks great. We couldn't get into the room they're working in. But I did look through the window and I think it looks amazing. I'm happy to see it. Trustee Batson: The report indicates that the work is done at 5 Clinton Street. I guess that means the sort of physical work, but the work as it relates to litigation and those types of issues are still not resolved. Manager Revella: Correct. Trustee Batson: I'm assuming we can't speak about it because of the litigation. Manager Revella: Correct. The repair is complete. Trustee Batson: As it relates to the police officer that is going to retire, do you think that we're going to be in the same predicament of the challenge of filling that full time position? Manager Revella: No. Most retirements from application take between 6 to 12 months. If this does take that long, we should have a pretty active list. The list just came out. We should be okay. Deputy Mayor Carley: Meeting with RDAC. There are some projects that we're working on or no? Manager Revella: Not yet. Deputy Mayor Carley: Do we have another list? I don't remember after our budget meeting, capital projects, anything. An updated list, what’s completed, not completed? Manager Revella: No, I met with the engineer to do that. He's putting bids out. I'm waiting for those to go out. Deputy Mayor Carley: The same list we had before. Manager Revella: Still the same list. Nothing's been completed since the list was out. Deputy Mayor Carley: Was there something about the DEC that we once before to meet their requirements or something? The consent order. Are we still with that? Manager Revella: I don't know what else is going on with that. We're in compliance right now. Attorney Donovan: I'm assuming John Queenan is taking care of it. Deputy Mayor Carley: So, we just wait till they come back to us? 8 Attorney Donovan: No, there's a schedule by which we're supposed to be doing certain things. Deputy Mayor Carley: And we're up to date on that? Manager Revella: We're in compliance as of today. Deputy Mayor Carley: The CFA projects, it's the same as the capital or those different? Manager Revella: That's next year. Those proposals for next year's grants. We've applied for those grants this year, for next year's projects. Deputy Mayor Carley: I guess the tree stumps, in general, about these stumps throughout the village or some type of stump removal. Manager Revella: Public Works usually keeps track of what stumps need to be ground and it's only the ones that we have cut the trees. Sometimes NYSEG will cut a tree, that's their responsibility to remove the stump. Or if some other contractor does it, it's their responsibility to remove the stump. We're only responsible for the ones that we remove. They keep track of those. They try to do it all at once. They rent the machine for that day or two days and get it all done instead of paying for it a couple different times, it's usually cheaper. Deputy Mayor Carley: Ideally the ones that are the stumps that are out there was removed either by a contractor. Manager Revella: Or NYSEG or us. Mayor Ramos: Fire hydrant replacement. Where were we with that? Manager Revella: He's got them now. We have the new budget. He'll be able to start them now. He's got one on Walnut Street. That's the first one he's doing. I'm not sure when he's doing the second one, but they take a little time. Approval of May 16, 2023 Minutes Deputy Mayor Carley made a motion to approve the May 16, 2023 minutes. Seconded by Trustee Batson. All ayes. Motion carried. Public Comment Mary Ellen Matise: Park use forms. I think I mentioned this before. I really think all the forms should be available up here outside the Clerk's office. Some are, some aren't. This building is open all the time so people can access the forms. They can access them online, I guess, too. The discussion about review of Village Code. I sent everybody an email a couple of weeks ago and it was sort of coming off of the joint board meeting that we had where we brought up issues related to the code and run off. We have driveway issues, runoff issues, parking issues, side lot issues. There were a whole bunch of things that we brought up at that meeting and maybe you want to look at those codes first. The ones that we have really already identified as problems and then go back and review others because it seems like the Zoning Board, we always find the issues because they're coming for a variance and that's where you see what the problem is, what your code is addressing and not addressing. I'd like to encourage everybody, get out your copy of the comprehensive plan and look at it as you review the code, because the code follows the plan and that's what it's all about. This is our vision for our village. I'll give you a report on the pathways meeting later. But I really have another issue that deals with the code, so I'm hoping that you'll start addressing some of them. I never got a response from anybody on all the pictures I sent you. Maybe somebody read 9 them, looked at them. Raymond Ortiz: I reside at 113 Scofield Street. I've been a homeowner in this village since 1993. I have a couple of problems. One first being the garbage. The past couple of months, picking up the garbage have been an issue. I've called the Clerk. Maria's helped me out tremendously today. Last week they didn't come. They didn't pick up the recyclables. They didn't pick up the yard waste. I call last week's, she said, we'll email the company and we'll get them back to come back. They didn't come back today. Again, the garbage man picked up the garbage, but they left the recyclables at the curb. I then called the village again. I said, you know what's going on? So Maria said she had to call me back, that they were returning to put the yard waste out and they would pick it up. Well, about a little bit after three they came. They did follow up and did pick it up. So, I don't have a problem with that. That problem was resolved. The garbage fee went up and we're not getting a service. I'm not the only homeowner. I'm 63 years old. I work, I pay my bills. I expect the service to be done. We all work. We all homeowners. Another issue that I had and I spoke to Mr. Revella and sent him an email is, we have a traffic camera on Scofield Street and Orange Avenue. On the weekends is horrendous. People making a left turn when they're not supposed to make a left turn. Somebody is going to have an accident. Somebody is going to get hurt. I live down the street. The last year we had a motorcycle accident. I heard the noise. I responded. I helped out with the traffic. I'm a retired corrections officer out of Sing Sing near 40 years of service. I do care about this village because I lived here. All my kids went to school here. I'm not asking for a lot just what needs to be done. That camera sits, if the people are making a left turn illegally, then they got to pay the price. If tickets got to be written, somebody at the police station should be doing it. Maybe if that's done, you can keep an eye on what's going on in the village. I don't know. I'm here. I'm always available. My children went to school here and we all grew up here. Thank you. SRO Agreement 2023-2024 Manager Revella: Hopefully the board has been able to review the agreement. Some of the new members may not have seen the agreement before. It's the same agreement that was approved last year, except the years have changed and the amount requested has changed slightly due to the increase in our costs. They're supposed to cover our costs. So, that was adjusted. Trustee Batson: Does it cover our cost? Manager Revella: It has and hopefully it will again next year. Trustee Batson: Is this an additional headcount? We're moving our current resources that we have to this particular role? Manager Revella: We have SRO Officers designated for that purpose so it doesn't take them off the street. Trustee Batson: I do appreciate the language in here, but there is language in here that really focuses their duties on making sure that they, I've read ample studies where SROs had some negative consequences in schools when they are misused by the district. So, I just certainly appreciate those clauses 13 and 14 that keeps their duties focused on safety and criminal activity rather than just basic disciplinary matters. Trustee Garrison: Looks great. Trustee Hall: Same. Trustee Maher: No questions on the agreement. Looks good. 10 Trustee Pearson: The percentage of increases I'm figuring out is 2%. Is that what our officers are getting this year? Manager Revella: The contractual increase is 2%. Trustee Pearson: Where is the difference and I asked you, about the difference because we send sergeants over there. So, we are paying a sergeant to be in that position sometimes as opposed to an officer. They make more money. How are you saying we're getting our costs covered? Manager Revella: Because we also have an officer there that doesn't have any fringe. But we do get recuperated for fringe at all times. So it balances out. Trustee Pearson: So, that 56k dollars covers the cost of our sergeant and the officer that go there throughout the whole year. We don't pay anything extra. Manager Revella: We're covered. Trustee Pearson: You said it. It has. It doesn't mean it is. Manager Revella: We don't know if this coming year will be the same. We hope so. Based on scheduling it's supposed to be. Trustee Pearson: I was asking for that number of what the number was, and nobody could give it to me because they didn't have time to give it to me. So, I just would still like to see that number. Manager Revella: They are going to provide it. Trustee Pearson: I also asked for a report because when we decided to do this last year, it was new and we asked for a report on how it was going. Nothing minutia, as you said, but just like, has it worked? Should we do something different? Is it fine for how it's working? Do we need a different officer? Those are things that I was looking for. And there is no report here. We said last year, we give it a year. Get a report, see how it's going to do and there's no report. So, I'm not comfortable. Manager Revella: You want a report from the school as to how they think its going or from us? Trustee Pearson: Both. I would be great. I think it's awesome. I think we should have that. Manager Revella: I'll give you an oral report. They both think it's going well. They want in writing. I can get that later. They are working on a written one, the Chief and the Treasurer. Trustee Pearson: They will be come up with that number that I'm looking for. Manager Revella: I know they're working on it. She's in there right now. Trustee Pearson: If I can get that information before I have to vote, I'm fine with that. I thought we would have it maybe today and be able to read it and understand it and ask questions on it. But that's my thought. Thank you. Mayor Ramos: At the completion of our vote of the agreement, who goes first? District or us by signing? 11 Attorney Donovan: Doesn't really matter. It becomes effective when it's fully executed, fully adopted by both boards. Doesn't matter who was first. Mayor Ramos: Are we ready, besides, Trustee Pearson? Trustee Garrison: No, I'm not ready to vote. I would like to see those numbers and I'd like to see a report on how it's doing. Just so we have it for knowledge going forward. Trustee Batson: I would wait for the data for Trustee Pearson. Trustee Pearson: I agree. Will we be able to get that before the next meeting? Manager Revella: Should have it later today, I hope. From the school district, I'm not sure. We haven't made the request. Trustee Pearson: It doesn't have to be done until September 1st. Attorney Donovan: No, it needs to be one by this month. Fiscal year starts July 1. Trustee Maher: It looks like we're holding till next meeting if we have time. Manager Revella: I think so. Trustee Pearson: I'm holding until next meeting. Deputy Mayor Carley: We can wait, in my opinion. Mayor Ramos: June 20th, back on the agenda for clarification. Park Use Forms Manager Revella: The board had asked for some updates. The Rec Department had updated the forms. Make sure you review them. Anything else, any other comments? Concerns? Trustee Pearson: I'm sorry I didn't read it. I was thinking that they were the same ones because you kind of said that we were going to have a discussion on it and see what we wanted to do, because I don't think we finalized anything last meeting. Manager Revella: You gave me comments and concerns. I said I'd update them for this meeting. Trustee Pearson: So, what's new? Manager Revella: You asked for the insurance to be for all events, so we change that. Down below, says fees due at Finance Department after approval. The checklists and rules are attached to both. And the other one also has the million dollars for all as well. Trustee Batson: You also defined large events? Manager Revella: Yes. That was requested. Trustee Pearson: All fees are due before approval last time or at approval? Manager Revella: After. That's what it's updated to now. 12 Trustee Pearson: I'm fine. Yes, I'm happy with that. I didn't read it because I didn't think we finished the discussion last meeting where we're going to come back to it. Trustee Maher: I still don't think that we should have a million dollar policy for park use for nonalcoholic events in the village. That's still my feeling. I do agree for the new community center. I think that's fine. And I agree with anything involving alcohol, which was already our policy. So, really, no need to change that. I do think for a regular park rental, that's going to deter a lot of the village residents from using our facilities. Trustee Hall: I think my only question really would have been in the rules, maybe I overlooked at the last time, for number two. Does this mean that if there's going to be alcohol, that you want a certified bartender there? If you're having a family party or gathering and you get alcohol, you can't have just like a cooler with some beer in it? Manager Revella: That's not somebody serving alcohol. Trustee Hall: You mean like a wedding or something where they're actually serving. Manager Revella: If they're serving alcohol, they have to have a bartender. Trustee Maher: Okay. I'm okay with everything else. Trustee Garrison: As I stated previously when we discussed this, I don't feel like we should do a million for pavilion use at a park. I think that's too much on somebody in the village trying to use the pavilion for a child's birthday party with some family members. I was content with the 500,000 on that. I am okay with the million for the Vandermark Community Center. I think that's perfectly fine. I love the new wordage. All fees due at approval. My only concern again is the million for a pavilion use, I think is excessive. Trustee Batson: I agree with Trustee Garrison. One nitpicky thing on me, Anita Vandermark, is that under the insurance requirements, it states that there's a million dollar requirement there. I think we most of us agree that that's fine, but then it sort of doubles down on that under the no alcoholic beverages. I just don't think you need the duplicate language there. If you have them, you need a million period. Then I agree with the others. I think the million dollar requirement for the pavilions is prohibitive for our residents. Deputy Mayor Carley: I'm with an agreement that I think the million dollars is a little bit excessive for the use. With the fee schedule that we talked about. Thank you for the explaining about the large events, but I think the fee schedule, I thought you said something about and I could have looked at the minutes from last time. The check should come with the application, but I guess it's okay if there are no problems. We have no issues so far. It's just that after approval then you go with the check versus everything at once. That's minor. Manager Revella: It's just a matter of like reissuing if they were to give us funds and then not get approved because I don't know if we're going to hold on cash in the office. Could be troublesome. I mean it's either way. Deputy Mayor Carley: But I agree with that. You don't want to have to go back if disapprove. I think 500K would suffice, in my opinion. Trustee Pearson: I know Ralph was talking about not doing a million. What's your number, then? 13 Trustee Maher: 500,000. Trustee Pearson: Is it on your homeowners insurance or is it a whole different policy? Because we talked about last time and I don't think that was finalized either. Trustee Garrison: In my opinion, of course, 500,000 on your homeowner's or a renter's policy, that liability will extend over to the event. I think that's sufficient. My only concern is, being from this village in the village itself is I don't want to keep taking money from the residents. They're using our parks, they're submitting the application. They're paying to use them. I just don't think I feel comfortable telling somebody, hey, I know you own a home here. I know you have good liability coverage, but now we want you to go get more. Then you're asking the residents, pay another $125 on a pavilion that's outside that. They're going to have 40 people at a kid's birthday party. I think asking them to spend another $125 or $150, they're going to go somewhere else because now they're there $200, $225 to $250 deep in the rental, plus the deposit for cleaning. Maybe they're going to take that money and go somewhere else and then we're going to lose altogether. Trustee Pearson: You get some of that money back. Trustee Garrison: You get $100 deposit back for cleaning. But what I'm saying is $100 for the deposit, $100 to rent it, and then you're asking them to spend another $125-$130 for a liability policy. I know they're going to get the hundred back, but they're $330 up front. Like if I'm going to spend $330 to rent something, even if I'm getting 100 back, I'm going to go somewhere else. Trustee Pearson: As an example. The last person that came before us only had $300,000. What happens then? Then that person has to go get a policy anyway. So, they're still spending money. Trustee Garrison: Some homeowners companies don't allow you to get a million dollars in liability. But I can tell you that 95% of the homeowners companies in New York State are going to allow you to get 500,000. So, they can go to their insurance company and spend $30 a year to up their liability roughly, don't quote those numbers, roughly to increase to the 500,000 in lieu of $140 for a liability policy. I just don't feel comfortable taking more money from the resident. Trustee Pearson: We all think that no matter where there's alcohol, it's a million. Trustee Garrison: Of course. There's more exposure with alcohol. I think with the Anita Vandermark Center, with it being the facility that it is, a million is sufficient there too because you're paying for that whole facility and everything that comes with it. I just don't want to see us losing people using the pavilions because they don't want to go the extra expenses or the extra time and everything else on top of planning a party to do that. Trustee Pearson: The one reason I brought it up is when we did the short term rentals, we were talking to the manager and he said, you'd like to see everything at a million dollars in the village. Everything should be. Because it keeps it simple. It goes across the board. There's no discrepancy. There's no people saying, well, how come this is this and how come that is that? So, I was really bringing it up because of that issue as well, that he felt that it would be a million dollar policy across the board. I was just trying to relay that. I think that especially with the alcohol. Trustee Garrison: That's fair. As a guy working in insurance I would love for everybody to have as much liability as possible. But sometimes it's just not feasible. Mayor Ramos: I'm in agreement with Trustee Garrison. I believe the million dollar policy is in 14 excess, especially for some of the parks that are not going to use alcohol or the liability is pretty limited. Wooster, Midge Norman, whatever parks that are being requested to use. I know the simplicity thing about keeping everything at a million dollars is easy. We have to look at the definition of how liable is the Village of Walden. Alcohol and I believe a newer facility dictates a higher amount of insurance liability. The rest to keep that 500,000 for the families to enjoy without additional costs to their event. Manager Revella: Consensus of the board to make that adjustment to that portion only. Mayor Ramos: Thank you. Discussion – Review of Village Code Deputy Mayor Carley: I brought up the suggestion that we should review our village codes just to make sure everything is updated. We demonstrated during the tri-board meeting that it's needed. The thing that I would like to just discuss is that where we start. If everyone's in agreement with where we start, we have just discussed that. I just wanted to say yes. But in order to do that, we'll still need the Building Department to be a part of that and our Village Attorney or at least information needs to go to the Village Attorney prior to finalization, things of that nature. Someone suggested we can discuss as a work session so that we can go through it and talk about it, because I don't think it's going to be real quick because you have to go through everything. I think the time frame, we start here at 6:30, maybe start at 5:30, something like that. End a little bit earlier so that we can have our board meeting, keep it on the same day as the board meeting so that schedules won't be off too much. I'm sure there's that hour could affect some people, but definitely the days wouldn't affect somebody. I guess we could start there and just hear some comments on that. Trustee Batson: I guess my opinion, I'll stress that's an opinion, we should probably start with matters of public safety, things that could put people in danger rather than other types of codes. Or if we have any data available to us from codes that are egregiously violated, perhaps we can look at those first. I'll do my suggestions. Public safety, anything that can lead us to data. And then right there in that top three would be the call outs that were discussed in the tri-board meeting. Trustee Garrison: I agree. I think it's a good idea we start at 5:30. I think that's a great idea. If everybody can fit that in. I'm 100% on board with going through some of the codes and looking through everything and seeing everything. Like Mary Ellen brought up, there's obviously some that are a little more important than others. Maybe we should really target those first and then go from there. Trustee Hall: I'm good with starting with the important ones first. Doing them the days of the meetings. 5:30, I might be a little late, but I'll make it there, so I'm good with that. Trustee Maher: Are we thinking monthly work sessions or biweekly? Every meeting? Deputy Mayor Carley: I'm thinking biweekly so that we can move through it. Mayor Ramos: Every meeting. Trustee Maher: Sounds good. Sign me up. Trustee Pearson: Who's going to make the decision where we're starting. What laws you want to look at first? Who's going to make a decision? Manager Revella: The Board should. 15 Trustee Pearson: I understand that we've been talking about this for months, but nobody has made a decision. Deputy Mayor Carley: I'll make a proposal. Trustee Pearson: Start at the beginning? Deputy Mayor Carley: It's already been stated that maybe start where issues of concerning the tri- board meeting or the beginning, either or. There's only two areas that has been brought up so far and I'm good with either one. Starting at the top and work our way down, like chapter one and moving through that way is fine. If there's some issues that are burning with the Zoning Board or the Planning Board that we need to address, that's up front. We can address that first. I'm not 100% sure. Was it a burning issue with the Zoning Board or the Planning Board? Do you remember? Manager Revella: I have the tri-board notes. There were some issues it wasn't burning, but it was just some points of interest to reflect on. Trustee Pearson: One of them is what I just brought up again tonight about how the codes, we don't get the finalization. You give them a violation and I'd be happy to start with that one. Deputy Mayor Carley: I think the code violations, that's a major one. That's all over property maintenance and some other things. That's been a hot topic forever. It's up to the board, that's a hot topic, so maybe we can start there or just start from the front. I'm good either way. Let's start with the property maintenance. Trustee Maher: Then who would be in charge of, to what Becky was saying, like setting the agenda for those work sessions so that we can come prepared? Deputy Mayor Carley: The mayor. Mayor Ramos: Deputy Mayor and I. This is my opinion, and it's only my opinion. I'm really a simple type person. I think we need to just start with chapter one, as we did with the Police Department and the rules and regulations. We started with chapter one. The chapter one only consists of 184 pages and that's chapter one is really the meat and potatoes of our codes. We'll probably have a lot of discussion on chapter one. I don't believe in going into the middle of the book to read certain things that may have applicability to chapter one. So, if we start a chapter one at the beginning, then we can move smoothly through two and three. But that's my opinion and I'll go with whatever. But what we need to do is we need to review our codes. Deputy Mayor Carley: I bring up a good point. I just thought about that. The general provisions. It covers like just about the code itself to make sure that once that's aligned, everything else should follow. Mayor Ramos: It would make it easy to flow through chapters two and three. We get a grasp, I don't think everybody jumps on e360. You know what e360 is? Manager Revella: General code e360. It's online. Mayor Ramos: We should just go page by page and do the summarization of what this particular codes are. 16 Trustee Pearson: Will we be able to get it in paper form? What we're reviewing? Mayor Ramos: As long as long as everybody is able to maneuver around the e360 and find the codes itself, it'd be real easy for us to identify specific chapters and we can obviously ask the Building Inspector. The involvement of the attorney should only come to the last point because this is local laws and laws and if we break it down in a simple manner that the I'm not saying that the attorney is simple, but for him to do less amount of research and work on the specific codes that we come out and to identify that would assist him. I don't think, we've dived in these codes since we've been on the boards and we know what the inner workings are, but I don't think the attorney needs to be at every session. I think he needs to be at our final session once we finalize the interpretations of the code's possible changes and then we give them to him and he can just like what we did with the police. Manager Revella: There may be the need from time to time to have consultants come in. We'll do that. Attorney Donovan: Just two points I would like to make. You may have questions, say for example, you get to a fine portion of whatever and you may want to ask what are the parameters of the fine, something like that, you channel through John, John can give it to me. I can give you a timely response to that. The other thing you probably all know this, but I just do want to make sure that those meetings, even though you're calling them work sessions, are subject to the open meetings law. You have a quorum of the board, going to be conducting village business. So, the time, date and place of the meeting needs to be published and the public, they get to participate, but they can sit and watch and Mary Ellen can talk behind your back. Mayor Ramos: I think we're all in agreement that that would be the process. We'd identified the date posted on, our website and newspapers that we're having a work session for, I don't know how you want to call it, Code Revitalization, Code Interpretation, we can figure out that terms. Then every meeting at 5:30, we come and we stay on point even if we get to a point where we're only doing ten pages, then we do ten pages and then we stop and then continue on with our board meeting. Is everybody in agreement with that? All: Yes. Mayor Ramos: For the new board members, I know they haven't gotten their comp plan. We need the comp plan. Manager Revella: Who hasn't gotten a copy of the plan? I'll show it you in my office. Mayor Ramos: Make five because obviously we're going to need one for the audience for the meetings so that they have some guidance. Deputy Mayor Carley: Is the results reportable to the board after we have the session? They come in and we discuss it? Mayor Ramos: Yes. Manager Revella: You don't have to because you're in a public meeting. Attorney Donovan: No, but at some point in time, I assume that you want to make a change to chapter two section four. That's a local law with the appropriate referrals to a public hearing. So, you would have that at a board meeting on the agenda, draft a local law. Authorize to go to a public 17 hearing to get the public's input before you would adopt it. Mayor Ramos: This does mean that the Clerk is involved in this too for notes? Attorney Donovan: Well, you would need to take minutes. Mayor Ramos: Let's start as soon as the next meeting. Manager Revella: 20th. Mayor Ramos: 20th, 5:30. I know Trustee Hall will be a little tardy, but, we can work with that. Trustee Pearson: I will be a little late, too. Mayor Ramos: I will send everybody what chapters we're going to review. Everybody wants to dive into the middle. I'm in agreement with either or, but I would love to start with chapter one. Deputy Mayor Carley: I don't mind starting with chapter one. I don't remember the language, but I think it's the overview of the code and everything to kind of set the pace and the direction. Manager Revella: You want to go page one to what for next meeting? Mayor Ramos: Chapter one, part one to 74.3 Trustee Maher: Do you think that's enough time to discuss in a one hour session? Manager Revella: It might not. You go as far as you can for the hour and then you go to the next meeting. It's a time consuming process. Normally, it'll take about two years to get through. So, don't think you're going slow or fast. However long it takes. It takes. Trustee Maher: Then I also feel we should leave a few minutes maybe to discuss, like Trustee Batson said, hot topics regarding safety. Cause even what Mr. Ortiz was saying regarding the signage. That's something we should talk about asap. Mayor Ramos: Can you read back on what the chapters I said. Manager Revella: 1.1 to 74.3. Deputy Mayor Carley: I guess what I was getting at chapter one says subsection 1-1, 1-13, and that's chapter 1. Then the way we just said it through chapter 74, that's all that administrative, we can cover that. But start at chapter one it covers subsections 1-1 to 1-13. That's going to take a minute by itself. But what I'm getting at is instead of printing out everything, that's a lot, just a little subsection, and then we'll work through that. And then once we complete it, move down to the next one, which is chapter 5, subsection 5-1, 5-2 and exhaust it as we go. Manager Revella: That's up to you guys. Deputy Mayor Carley: Part of the code it says, part one administrative legislation. Then it covers by chapters. When we just said chapter 1 through Chapter 74, I don't know how many pages that is, but that's a lot, respectfully. So, chapter 1 has a general provisions and has subsection 1 through 113. Now that's a lot within itself. I'm just saying, if we start with just chapter 1 and then once we exhaust it, then we move on to the next one exhausted. We go on to the next one. I think we're 18 saying the same thing I'm just being a little specific by cover chapter 1. Start there. Don't worry about printing out chapters 5, 6, 7, whatever the other ones are. That's going to be a lot. Manager Revella: I don't know what page you're going to now. You want to just confirm. Deputy Mayor Carley: It says 113. Manager Revella: How many pages is that, Mayor? Mayor Ramos: Front and back, 6 pages. I think we need a little bit more than that. Deputy Mayor Carley: It goes into subjects with homework, we got to read. Mayor Ramos: I'm just wondering whatever happened to chapter 2, 3 and 4, but that's okay. I didn't write the book in 82 or back then. Attorney Donovan: Sometimes chapters are reserved for future insertion of different topics. Deputy Mayor Carley: I guess it goes back to, for example, legislative intent. This is 1-1, in accordance with subdivision 3 of subsection 20 of the municipal home rule law. So, now we've got to go back and read and make sure we're in compliance with that. So, it's not just read it and say, okay. Mayor Ramos: This is why collectively we don't start in the middle of the book. Now we have subdivision 3 of 20 of the municipal home rule law. We're going to need the home rule law to review according to this. Manager Revella: If that's event the same provision now. It may have been adjusted as well. So, what's the last page? Mayor Ramos: 1.5. And it'd be a good idea to have the municipal home rule law also. Manager Revella: Which provision? Mayor Ramos: Subdivision 3 of 20 of statute 20 the home municipal rule law. Public Comment Mary Ellen Matise: #8 of the rules for the parks is, is that a typo? Dangerous behavior who are in violation of any other, isn't a clause of this contract? Manager Revella: Got it. Mary Ellen Matise: I happen to notice that there are an awful lot of contractor signs on poles on East Main Street. Who does painting, who does drywall, who does this, who does that. They're not in in front of people's houses where they're doing work, so they should be removed. Manager Revella: None are allowed. We remove them as we can reach them. But it's some of the telephone pole companies responsibility. Mary Ellen Matise: June 19th, Juneteenth celebration. 12 noon to 4 pm at Wooster Grove. Please come out. We want participants. We're going to have a history table. Come do your family research, get some ideas on how to do it. Then this morning was the pathways meeting. A couple of 19 interesting things, John. You know about that Orange County, the Transportation Council, they're going to do 3 public meetings about the long range transportation plan again. I don't know what ever happened to the Newburgh and North plan that they did that we contributed to an awful lot. And then they put it on shelf somewhere. I think in the fall they're going to have three public meetings. The Orange County Land Trust in July is going to do a workshop dealing with the Orange County Open Space Plan, which we should participate in. Board members can go. Orange County Tourism, I don't know her last name, Rachel, they're going to look into this, so it's not going to happen tomorrow, but they're thinking of financing an app with the QR code for the county. Then we could contribute in to this app. About trails in our area, we have the Rail Trail and sites, historic sites or other sites of interest that would be people who are using the trails would want to visit. I said to her, put us on the list. I think we should watch for what they're going to be doing and make overtures to them. They're in Port Jervis, the outdoor club. The Port Jervis Police Department now has electric bikes that they're using to patrol trails. Whatever happened to our bike patrol here? The police loved it and it worked really well. Maybe there are grants for electric bikes and maybe that's something we could get back into for them to patrol the village. That was from the Visions Hudson Valley Pathways meeting this morning. Allen was on there and he didn't say anything about the connection. Manager Revella: He didn't bring it up, but it's definitely on the agenda that they are looking at it at the state level as well. We're trying to connect all the trails, the Heritage Trail, Shunnamunk Trail, Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Trailway Over the Hudson and there are two other ones. One goes near Napanoch and there are a couple other ones. Mary Ellen Matise: He's working on the Planning Department's input, they're going to be presenting to the Orange County Legislature next month I think. That's what he was saying. Any comments that we want to pass on to that we should do to make sure we're heard. David Sperry: I'm here to complain about parking again on North Montgomery Street. When you come down on Wait Street, it's very difficult to see right and left. I don't know if we have to paint the curb yellow because there's a car park right underneath the sign that says "No Parking Here to the Corner" but there's usually a car park there. Either he doesn't mind paying a fine or there's no fines issued. I don't know if we need to hire a parking person to issue those tickets or who would go about that. There's definitely a hazard going from Wait Street either direction with the cars parked there. Right now, it's not too bad in front of the Walden House solely because the building across the street is vacant. But when that was full and when there is park through there there's a little dip in the road. It is very hard to see cars coming into the village in both directions. I asked in the fall about a feasible study with the state to see about moving the parking to the other side of the road. Also, you might want to look at and consider when the senior center is built, there will be more traffic coming in or more pedestrians walking, so it would be easier for them to walk on one side, which we decide it's on instead of we're having to cut through cars to see. Is there going to be sidewalks extended all the way out to the senior center? Manager Revella: That's part of the plan. David Sperry: The old firehouse that's now been sold and is used as an Airbnb, they're parking on the sidewalk. They've been parking on the sidewalk, a couple different cars. One was from Florida, one was from New Jersey. There's been one from New York. Shouldn't be allowing parking on the sidewalks whatsoever. So, all those cars should have been ticketed. I don't know if they were, but if they're not, if they go by, they should start writing tickets. It's the same with no parking zones. With the Airbnb, is there is there code enforcement for those? Manager Revella: We had a large discussion and several meetings on short term rentals. We did 20 not adopt one yet. David Sperry: My question is you have one for rentals, but you don't have one for this type of dwelling where more people are using it, it should be inspected more often than once a year. Manager Revella: That's in the draft. David Sperry: I was just wondering about that because it is being used full time as an Airbnb now. That should go for all the rest of them in Walden that are run as Airbnbs. They should have to have inspections done to make sure they meet fire codes and access and everything else. Trustee Pearson: Number 1, we don't have a code for it, so they shouldn't be here in the first place. So, until there's a code, they're not legal. That's a whole enforcement issue. David Sperry: Being they're legal because nobody's stopping them. Trustee Pearson: Well, they're not legal but they're there. David Sperry: They're there and they are being put on the Internet. People from Florida, New Jersey, I'm sure other people see the cars on the sidewalks, the car and no parking zone. You spoke about or somebody mentioned discounts for seniors for garbage. Is that put out to all seniors? Manager Revella: Anyone who's 65 or older, owner occupied. Cheryl Baker: I'm actually glad you mentioned the flags out front. They're lovely to have, but they're too low because anyone walking by, especially on a wonderfully windy day like today, it doesn't feel so good to get smacked by them when you're walking by. Trustee Pearson: You're saying long get longer poles? Cheryl Baker: If they're allowed to be up front, they've got to go up higher. Because myself and someone else the other day we really got smacked good by them. I want them there. They're lovely, but they're just too low when you're walking by. And we have a few properties, you said we can cut down trees, our Park or our DPW would do that? We have a few locations where the sidewalks, I don't know why they call them Tree of Heavens because they're not heavenly by any means. You have several there are over growing and same thing on West Main when you walk, you walk right into them because they're really over the sidewalk along with the poison ivy, most especially by what used to be Ciardullo's building. Manager Revella: If there are trees that are coming from the other side of the sidewalk, they are the homeowner's responsibility and we would have to cite them for it. We'll note that. Cheryl Baker: Possibly when you guys are able to get cameras, it's not so much in this municipal parking lot, but the one on Oak Street. Seems to be a great dumping ground for people there. There's been toilets, sinks, tires, just constant garbage that myself and others keep picking up. I don't know what's attracting. Maybe because it's behind the kind of buildings that it is. People just think blind eye and I'm just going to chuck the garbage there. But if someone can monitor, maybe a police presence, because also cars going in and out, it's only supposed to be the one way. They're going both directions and they don't seem to care whatsoever. I've also noticed that on Orchard at night, people are going down the wrong way. I was wondering if we were going to get police officers to be on their bikes again to ride around, because I think that might be part of the problem why people are acting the way they are with dumping the garbage in places they're not supposed 21 and things like that, because ain't nobody watching, so why not kind of thing. Payment of Audited Bills Trustee Hall made a motion to approve payment of audited bills. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Carley. All ayes. Motion carried. Miscellaneous Comments from the Board of Trustees Trustee Pearson: Just a reminder, Flag Day is Sunday at 1 pm. I hope you all can make it. I will not be here this year. I'm sorry, but my son turns 40. First year I'm going to miss it and I feel so sad. I hope you all can be there. It's just such a nice day. I hope you can be there. Will watch it on video. Hill Street Bridge, anything new? Or is that executive session? I know we got a bill. Manager Revella: We have a drafted summons complaint to be filed. Trustee Pearson: So, there's no like report back to us for what's happening. Manager Revella: I don't think I can say more than that. Trustee Pearson: On Overlook, I had a person approach me, bushes around our retention basin on Overlook and Wait Street. They've let the DPW know, and nothing's been done yet. It's a hazard pulling out of that. They wondered when it was going to be taken care of. Manager Revella: Parks Department takes care of those retention ponds. Trustee Pearson: But we're everyone else's lawns. Manager Revella: Plenty of time. That's what we have staff for. Overlook which retention are you talking about? Trustee Pearson: The retention basin on Overlook and Wait Street. When you pull out of Overlook, you can't see past the weeds. Manager Revella: There are 2 on Overlook. Just making sure. Trustee Pearson: Also 101 Wait Street, there's a pool that's not fully enclosed and the neighbors pretty concerned about that. They take equipment in and out of their yard, but they don't close up the fence and it's open. Manager Revella: I believe, the Building Department's handling that. Trustee Pearson: *read letter into the minutes from Barbara Millspaugh* Other family members would like to know that the launch can go back on to the river. It was donated by the family for that purpose to go there. It is at Olley Park right now. They want people to fish and get into the river and use kayaks and that was the purpose of that donated boat launch. They sent along the proclamation that Mayor Rumbold had proclaimed on July 25th, 2016, about Mr. Mickey Millspaugh. I agree, it's been years and we can finish a community center in a year's time, but we can't get this park done in 7. It's amazing to me. I hope this board wants to push it. I know that John's still waiting, but that's all I keep hearing. We're waiting, We're waiting. We're waiting. We're getting this, we're getting that. Before you know, we won't have the money or maybe we don't have the money anymore, so hopefully we can move it forward. I don't know what to do with it. Where we at, John? Manager Revella: I just don't think that the village has been neglecting it. We've been trying to 22 push it forward and we've had delays by outside sources. First, the DEC, then no response during COVID, and then we finally got a contractor and we were told that we had to do drainage first, which we couldn't during the winters. They had to wait until we got the parts which we finally put in. And now that we have everything ready, now the contractor is AWOL. Trustee Pearson: We can at least maybe mow it and put the thing back in the river and make it look presentable. As she's saying, whether you can get the park done or not the way it's supposed to be, maybe we can at least make it look presentable. Manager Revella: They're mowing it. I know they started it. I'm not sure if they finished. Trustee Pearson: That's not for me, but I have been concerned about that for a long time because I know Mickey was very proud of that and was happy that something was going to be done and in his honor. And he was a really good friend of mine. Manager Revella: We all want it to get done. Believe me, I'm not sure anybody thinks otherwise. I hope not. It's been frustrating. I also talked to our grant writers about phase two of the project since we only have phase one funded, to try and work on phase two through the CFA as well. So hopefully that'll be part of the presentation. Trustee Pearson: One other thing, there was a Boy Scout big to do in Walden. I just have a question for the mayor. I don't understand. I know when I was mayor, I used to get letters that I would pass on to the board about events that were happening. I don't know. Do you get letters? I don't see anything in my box, of letters coming to us of events that are happening that people are, it would be addressed to the mayor and the board of trustees. So, I'd always send that on. I don't know if it's just addressed to you or whether you're not sharing about events with people. Mayor Ramos: I got an invite and it was just addressed to me. Did you get one? Trustee Pearson: I did not get and that's fine. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying for other things that have happened in the village. I'm just saying, like the PBA did a dinner and it used to be addressed to the mayor and the board of trustees and maybe they're addressing it differently. I would share that with all the trustees. If I couldn't go, maybe somebody else would be able to go. Mayor Ramos: Well, rest assured, if it's addressed to me and the board of trustees, I will share that. Trustee Pearson: Thank you. I hope so. I would like to talk about the buntings one more time, about the village. Maybe purchasing some buntings that we can put out for special events for Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July. Leave them out from Memorial Day to just past Flag Day. It's also an honor if we have a death or police officers or somebody of importance that might be in a service industry that we could decorate the building. I just think it just should happen. I'm just saying that maybe we can find some funds for it. Wouldn't take a lot. We'd have to see what size the banners would be, but I'm just hoping that we could maybe do something and also make sure that the bandstand is covered and decorated for the event that that community group is using it for. I think that should be a policy that if you're going to use the bandstand and we're going to put it up for you that it needs to be decorated. I would be happy to, if somebody wants to give me stuff, I would decorate it. I almost bought stuff for it because it looks so bad. But then I said, am I going to offend somebody if that's what they're supposed to be doing. Maybe they're going to decorate it before the event. I just thought it was should be something that we do as a board for the future. Trustee Maher: I'm also down to help for anything that we can do, from a volunteer perspective of getting some plants down at the Mickey Millspaugh Park. I think that maybe a few of us can get 23 together one day and just sort of do what we can. I think that's something that I'm in for that. Just let us know what we can do to help. I think with the decorating, does that fall under Parks and Rec? Who's that committee? Manager Revella: Beautification. So, we need to budget what the buntings might cost. I would think we would need red, white and blue and the black. If that's what we're going to go for. Red, white and blue and also the black, just in case. I hope we don't ever need them, but we should think about it. Trustee Maher: They look so beautiful and I see them in other villages and it does look really nice. I agree to leave them up. I think Memorial Day through July 4th weekend. Trustee Hall: I agree with the buntings. I'm down with that and the bandstand decorating it. It did look a little bland. As far as the Mickey Millspaugh Park, when I was walking around talking to residents, that was one thing that came up a lot. A lot of people want to canoe through there. They want to pay respects to Mickey. I'm all for that and doing whatever we need to do. I know a lot of residents said they would also come and help. If it's put out there, I think you'll get a good amount of people to help, whether it's just putting flowers out or anything. The parade, I think it was a much better turnout this year than it was last year. I think we had more people along the side. I think was a better, better turnout. May 17th, I came up and attended the historical trolley night. It was very interesting. Unfortunately, I didn't get a piece of trolley, so I did put my name on the list. They went pretty quick, it was informative and it was interesting. Trustee Garrison: Mr. Millspaugh Park down there. I'm in. Whatever you guys want to do. Get flowers or whatever we can do in the scope of without stepping on the village's toes and what they're doing. But I'm in. Also in on the buntings, get a price together and see what it's going to cost. Maybe we can do something without going through the budget. Last thing I have, it's not really in regards to the village per se or anything, but I will not be at the next meeting. My amazingly beautiful daughter is moving up to middle school, so I will be attending her moving up ceremony and I will read the minutes and watch the meeting post. Trustee Batson: I think if we're all passionate about making some changes to the Millspaugh Park, we should just pick a day just right now. Trustee Maher: Sounds good. Trustee Pearson: I'm available on Thursdays and Sundays. Those are my days. Trustee Hall: Sundays are my days. Trustee Maher: I just can do this coming Sunday because it's Flag Day then Father's Day and I can't do the 25th, graduation party. Trustee Pearson: What are we going to be doing? Is it going to be mowed? At least we could get something done. What will the village be doing between now and the time we want to do something? Manager Revella: We hope the contractor starts between now and the time we're doing something and it'll be moot. But been hoping that for a long time. Trustee Pearson: Let's plan at the next meeting. We'll see what happens between now and then and then we can plan a date if it's not, we can do something down there, even if it's buckets and flowers 24 or something that we can do. Manager Revella: The sign needs some love, too. Trustee Batson: Paint it, sand it, whatever it needs. I have an off the wall question around the cameras. I know that they're not on the budget this time, but they've been a source of discussion. I see that they have license agreements to them, which I get its standard software. But what's the legal reasons or ability for us to just truly make them public view? The public's paying for them. Why can't the public help to watch the park? Why is it is the software restricted? Is it possible to give the public access to what the cameras can see? Manager Revella: We could. I don't know anyone ever restricted that. Trustee Batson: You just said for software license, which I assume meant a limited number of people would have access to what those cameras could see. Manager Revella: I don't know. It depends on the contract. That's the state contract bid price and what their software is. I know that most places like universities will have public cameras, so you can look at the university any time you want or the park or whatever. I'm not opposed to it and I don't think anybody else would be. It's a public park anyway. You can look at any time you want. Trustee Batson: Just want to throw that out there if we're looking at cameras if that's an option. Manager Revella: Once we have a camera that works. Trustee Pearson: I'm going to give you the name of the other thing. Manager Revella: I have a note for that as well. Mayor Ramos: Functionality is the most important thing. Deputy Mayor Carley: I'm not sure about having 100 people or 1000 people or 7000 people looking at a park to make something. If there's an issue, there's an issue there. If there's not, an amount of people looking at, it's not going to change it. But going back to the Scofield cameras catching illegal turns, if the public is bringing it up, that there's an issue with that. Can we use the cameras to do a license plate read if he even has that? Manager Revella: No. Deputy Mayor Carley: That's what I'm getting at. Manager Revella: We're not allowed. City of Yonkers, New York City, Buffalo. There are certain cities that are allowed by state law. We're not allowed. Deputy Mayor Carley: Exactly. That's what we have to communicate to the public so that they'll know that we're not allowed, but at the same time, increase of presence. If we can. Manager Revella: Yes. Have to. Trustee Batson: Can I just ask why we're not allowed? Why do those cities have exemptions and we don't? 25 Manager Revella: The state gives them exemptions. Trustee Batson: Can we get an exemption? Manager Revella: I doubt it. They give them to certain cities. Isn't that what they did for those traffic camera ticket things Dave? Attorney Donovan: For traffic? That's correct. To state enabling legislation and then there's a local code, which you'll find, though, is the fine is nowhere near with the vehicle traffic fines. It's like a $35-$45 fine as opposed to $300 fine. Trustee Batson: I don't know that it's necessarily about the value of the fine rather than it's the turn aspect. The fact that you can be seen and there are repercussions that hopefully would serve its purpose more so than the cost of the fine. Attorney Donovan: You could always ask for a home rule request and then they'll go wherever goes. Deputy Mayor Carley: The issue about the Airbnb enforcement. I don't know anything about it personally, but it appears that when the gentleman was talking about it, heads were going like, yes, yes, yes. And if it's that public, why aren't we enforcing that? Manager Revella: What are you going to enforce? Say I advertise for Airbnb. I rent it to somebody on Airbnb. The guy's there for 9 months. That's not a short term rental. It's not against the law. It's legal. It's just a rental. It's just a way of advertising for a rental. We don't know for sure how long they're staying there. That's the issue. That's why we try to do the short term rental law to try and regulate that. Deputy Mayor Carley: The issue is we don't know if it meets the definition of an Airbnb. Manager Revella: Airbnb is the company. Short term rentals is the type of use. Try not to confuse the two. We wouldn't want to infringe on some copyright or something. Deputy Mayor Carley: That should be communicated in public so they understand that Airbnb is a company versus a short term rental and if it's legal to do a short term rental in that area or I'm just saying. Manager Revella: The short term rental part is not legal. Using Airbnb to advertise for an apartment, that's their business. Deputy Mayor Carley: So, with the short term rental, now we get to do it in code enforcement, have we? Manager Revella: We haven't enacted the law yet. Trustee Pearson: We had a discussion on it. You're all we're going to read it again and hasn't been put back on the agenda. Manager Revella: Correct. Deputy Mayor Carley: So, let's put it back on the agenda, because I'm not sure why it stayed off so long, because I remember reading it a while ago. I'm talking months, not weeks. 26 Trustee Maher: It was a couple meetings ago. Deputy Mayor Carley: It's been at least a month or two. I guess we can put that back on there, so we can finalize that. Then they can move forward concerning short term rental. Cameras on Oak Street. Are they working or do we have them or is it just a suggestion? I'm not sure. Manager Revella: There is a camera at the corner of Oak and Main Street, the intersection. That's only camera we have that's related to Oak Street. Its fixed point right now. It used to have a 360 view. It doesn't anymore. Deputy Mayor Carley: The request we have out there for other cameras, we have a list of priorities, correct? Manager Revella: That's correct. Deputy Mayor Carley: So, we'll move on that as we get everything done. I'm just saying it's for the public to know that it's not being not addressed. We are addressing it, but we have to get through the purchasing and the bidding and everything, and then we'll move with the list. Manager Revella: Just so the public is aware, it's well over $300,000 just for the cameras to get initiated. It's not a small number to try and get that done. Deputy Mayor Carley: And that's why Trustee Pearson was saying there are others that have it at a lesser price, either hard wired or wireless. We went with wireless versus hardwire. Mayor Ramos: I agree with the buntings and everything else. I would like to shower the village with banners for military veterans to wear out the whole village. I know we only have I believe it's 14 or 16 that are on upper bridge, but I'd like to also see banners on Main Street, West Main Street, East Main Street, just like other villages here in our three villages of the Town of Montgomery. I would like to work on that, too. Besides the buntings and the patriotic decorations throughout the village. Let's work on some things like that. Is there an issue to putting on banners? Manager Revella: No. Trustee Pearson: The last time they bought banners, the people whose family bought them through the village. Is that something you're thinking about again? Mayor Ramos: Yes. Manager Revella: A family member would sponsor them, that was the normal course of action. *read events into minutes* Executive Session – Personal History of Particular Employee Trustee Batson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss employment history of particular person. Seconded by Trustee Hall. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Trustee Hall made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Pearson. All ayes. Motion carried. 27  Village of Walden Board of Trustees Regular Meeting June 6, 2023 Motions & Resolutions Approval of May 16, 2023 Minutes Deputy Mayor Carley made a motion to approve the May 16, 2023 minutes. Seconded by Trustee Batson. All ayes. Motion carried. Payment of Audited Bills Trustee Hall made a motion to approve payment of audited bills. Seconded by Deputy Mayor Carley. All ayes. Motion carried. Executive Session – Personal History of Particular Employee Trustee Batson made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss employment history of particular person. Seconded by Trustee Hall. All ayes. Motion carried. Reconvene Trustee Hall made a motion to reconvene the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. Seconded by Trustee Pearson. All ayes. Motion carried. 28