City Council

Welcome to the Village of Wappingers Falls monthly regular meeting of the Mayor and Board of Trustees today Wednesday, October 14, 2020, 7PM. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG: RECOGNITION / ANNOUNCEMENTS / SPECIAL EVENTS Mother Mag Zion Episcopal Church leaving the area. Dear Mayor and Village Board Members: I would like to take this opportunity to commend Sgt. Matthew Wall and Detective Scott Mchugh, for their meritorious actions during a shooting incident on September 24, 2020 as described below. On September 24, 2020, at approximately 2246 hrs (10:46 p.m.,), Sgt Wall and Detective McHugh were dispatched for a reported noise complaint located on West Main St., Wappingers Falls N.Y. Upon their arrival, loud music could be heard by the officers on the street below and by surrounding neighbors. Assigned officers also observed a female sitting on a stoop outside of building. When interviewed by responding officers, she claimed to have NO access into the building or information on occupants residing on floor where music was being played. Responding officers made several attempts at gaining entry into the apartment building, but access was locked at the front and rear of building. During one of several attempts at gaining entry through the rear door, the same female was now observed by officers to be inside the common area and speaking with a male who was later identified as the shooter. This observation by officers would become a pivotal moment of potential danger for officers. The female previously interviewed had now informed the shooter that officers were outside and attempting to interview him regarding the noise. When officers observed both parties communicating in the common area, the officers attempted to gain their attention. The female looked at the officers, at which time both parties ignored the officers and left the common area from line of sight of officers. As the officer(s) made another attempt at gaining the attention of 3rd floor occupant, a gunshot was then heard. Both officers took cover from a ground floor vestibule of an adjacent building and reported their observation of possible gunshots. Immediate assistance was requested from adjoining agencies, and as assisting units began to arrive, approximately 3 more gunshots were heard coming from the building that officers were initially investigating for a noise complaint. Page 1 of 14 At that moment, and with so many potentially dangerous scenarios now in play, Sgt. Wall and Det. McHugh with assisting units cordoned off the W. Main Street corridor to prevent passing motorist from being struck from stray gunshots. Sgt. Wall and Det McHugh then left cover and hurdled people emerging from their building to observe the commotion and placed them in a safer location to prevent them from being struck from potential gunshots. With the assistance of another resident, they began calling surrounding apartments and evacuated neighbors of the shooter. One neighbor was a young mother and small child. During the time of commotion and distraction from evacuating residents; coordinating responding police units and blocking traffic, Officers were now faced with the actual shooter emerging from his building with an Ar-15 rifle in hand who was screaming derogatory comments and threats towards officers. At this time, officers were now in grave danger and faced with an intoxicated male armed with a rifle. Officers then began yelling commands for the suspect to disarm himself. It should be noted that due to the close proximity of neighboring buildings and the fact that residents were located in the street observing the events as they unfolded, officers would probably have been justified in utilizing deadly force to prevent innocent bystanders from being injured by the suspect armed with a very dangerous assault weapon. Instead, our officers, with assistance of surrounding agencies gained ground on the suspect by using cover and screaming commands for the suspect to drop his weapon and surrender. Thankfully, the suspect complied and surrendered to the custody of our officers. There is no doubt that lives were saved due to the actions and professionalism of our officers, to include the suspect's life. It was later determined that the suspect was highly intoxicated, and he was armed with an AR-15 that was NOT New York State compliant. The suspects apartment also contained an unlicensed handgun and several other firearms that he was disqualified to possess due to his criminal past. The suspect was arraigned and remanded to D.C. Jail in lieu of bail. I would respectfully request that the Village Board recognize Sgt. Wall and Detective McHugh for their heroism and professionalism during this life-threatening event. There is no doubt that lives were saved due the the professionalism and patience of our officers. Our officers provided opportunity persuasion that I believe prevented the loss of life. I would also request that letters of appreciation be sent to surrounding police agencies NYSP, DCSO, Metro-North Police and Dutchess County 9-1-1 operator for assisting us and for their performance of excellence. Respectfully Submitted, Lt. Carl Calabrese Wappingers Falls Police Department Page 2 of 14 Mayor and Trustees, I wanted to take this opportunity to recommend Disp. Autumn Piazza for her professional conduct during the shooting call on September 24, 2020. Dispatcher Piazza is a relatively new employee and on September 24, 2020, she was faced with a call that most employees will not handle during their 20-year tenure. On this day, she dispatched officers to a noise complaint. This is a normally a routine call, at least until 1145p.m. when she heard officers announce shots fired send assistance. She remained calm and was able to direct assistance towards officers who were handling evacuation protocols and dealing with an armed suspect. During this highly stressful situation, she also needed to handle the incoming routine calls and the volume of calls and radio transmissions from onlookers and officers. There is no doubt that her professionalism and attention to detail contributed to the safe return of our officers. Please take the opportunity to commend Dispatcher Piazza for her life saving actions. Respectfully, Lt. Carl Calabrese Wappingers Falls Police Dept. Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade March 6, 2021, parade kick off 1PM. ROLL CALL BY THE CLERK OF THE VILLAGE: Mayor Alexander, Trustee Marcojohn, Trustee Catalano, Trustee Niznik, Trustee Huber, Trustee Paonessa, Trustee Lammars Village Attorney Wallace. ACTION ON MINUTES September 9, 2020 September 30, 2020 AUTHORIZATION TO PAY BILLS AS PER APPROVED WARRANTS REGULAR SESSION: LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls will conduct a PUBLIC HEARING on the 14 day of October, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village Hall 2582 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, New York, at which Page 3 of 14 time all parties in interest and citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard as to whether the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls shall adopt a proposed Local Law entitled "Local Law No. of the Year 2020, Amending Chapter 143. Vehicles and Traffic. Article V. Schedules. § 143-56. Schedule XVIII: Time Limit Parking of the Code of the Village of Wappingers Falls”. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the purpose and intent of the proposed Local Law is to limit the hours of parking at Franny Reese Park, including no parking on specified days and times in order to allow for parking lot maintenance. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Village Board of Trustees has determined that pursuant to 6 NYCRR 617.5 (c) (20) the proposed adoption of the aforementioned Local Law is a Type II action not requiring environmental review pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and, accordingly, no environmental review has been undertaken. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the proposed Local Law is available for review and inspection at the Office of the Village Clerk on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Village Hall, 2582 South Avenue, Wappingers Falls, New York. Dated: September 30, 2020 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS JOHN KARGE, VILLAGE CLERK RESOLUTION NO. 382020 of 2020 RESOLUTION ADOPTING A LOCAL LAW ENTITLED “LOCAL LAW NO. ____ OF THE YEAR 2020, AMENDING CHAPTER 143. VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC. ARTICLE V. SCHEDULES. § 143-56. SCHEDULE XVIII: TIME LIMIT PARKING OF THE CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS” The following Resolution was introduced by __________________ and seconded by ____________________. WHEREAS, a Resolution was duly adopted by the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls introducing a proposed Local Law entitled “Local Law Page 4 of 14 No. ____ of the Year 2020, Amending Chapter 143. Vehicles and Traffic. Article V. Schedules. § 143-56. Schedule XVIII: Time Limit Parking of the Code of the Village of Wappingers Falls” for consideration of adoption by the Board of Trustees; and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was duly advertised in the official newspaper of the Village as required by law; and WHEREAS, a Public Hearing was held on October 14, 2020 and all parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak on behalf of or in opposition to said proposed Local Law or any part thereof; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has determined that the proposed Local Law was a Type II action and, accordingly, not subject to environmental review; and WHEREAS, said Local Law has been on the desks of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls for at least seven (7) days, exclusive of Sunday, prior to the adoption of this Resolution; and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees, after due deliberation, finds that it is in the best interest of the Village to adopt said Local Law; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls hereby adopts the Local Law entitled “Local Law No. ____ of the Year 2020, Amending Chapter 143. Vehicles and Traffic. Article V. Schedules. § 143-56. Schedule XVIII: Time Limit Parking of the Code of the Village of Wappingers Falls”, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part of this Resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Clerk is directed to enter said Local Law in the minutes of this meeting into the Local Law book for the Village of Page 5 of 14  Wappingers Falls and shall file the Local Law with the Secretary of State of New York as provided by law. The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows: Yea Nay Mayor Matthew Alexander _______ _______ Kevin Huber – Trustee _______ _______ Bill Marcojohn – Trustee _______ _______ Jennifer Niznik – Trustee _______ _______ Mary Paonessa – Trustee _______ _______ Kristin Catalano – Trustee _______ _______ Bryan Lammers – Trustee _______ _______ Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York October 14, 2020 The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted. ____________________________________ ______ JOHN KARGE, VILLAGE CLERK “Curfew” 10/13/2020 By Executive Order of the Mayor of the Village of Wappingers Falls, Please be advised that ‘During the evening hours of October 30th, 2020 thru November 1st, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 5: a.m. the following day, it shall be unlawful for any minor to congregate, loiter, wander, remain or play in or upon any public place, public park, public area, street, road or highway in the Village. A) The terms “remain” and “loiter” mean: 1) linger or stay, or 2) fail to leave premises when requested to do so by a police officer, owner, operator or other person in control of the premises. B) “Minor” means under the age of 18 years of age. Page 6 of 14 John M. Karge, CMC, RMC Village Clerk pprove resolution designating “Call of Election”. Chief Election Officer J.M. Karge. Call of Election RESOLUTION BY THE Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls, New York, as follows: SECTION 1: That pursuant to Section 504 of the Election Law, the general Village Election of and for said Village will be held on the 16th day of March 2021, and that the polls shall be open for voting between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. SECTION 2: That the said Village has been divided into three (3) election wards and that a description of said wards, together with the polling place for each such ward is as follows: ELECTION WARD NO. 1: All that portion of said Village lying North and West of the Wappinger Creek; the polling place in Ward No. 1 is the Village Hall 2582 South Avenue in said Village. ELECTION Ward NO. 2: Election Ward No. 2 is comprised of all that portion of said Village generally bounded as follows: on the South by the Village boundary line, on the North by East Main Street, on the East by South Avenue and on the West by the Wappinger Creek and the polling place is the Village Hall, 2582 South Avenue in said Village. ELECTION WARD NO. 3: All that portion of the Village lying outside the two wards above described; the polling place is the Village Hall, 2582 South Avenue in said Village. SECTION NO. 4: This resolution shall take effect immediately. John M. Karge Village Clerk Reminder polling place for all three wards is Village Hall 2582 South Avenue. _____________________________________________________________________ Approve resolution designating offices to be filled next General Election. Chief Election Officer J.M. Karge. Page 7 of 14 RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OFFICES TO BE FILLED AT THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND THE TERMS THEREOF BE IT RESOLVED, By the Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls, New York, as follows: SECTION 1. That pursuant to subdivision 3.a. of Section 15-104 of the Election Law, this Board does hereby designate the offices to be filled at the General Village Election on March 16, 2021 and the respective terms of such offices as follows: Office Term Mayor, Village 2 Years Trustee, First Ward 2 Years Trustee, Second Ward 2 Years Trustee, Third Ward 2 Years Hearing 8 Trabucco Order to Remedy 114-6F 8/26/2020 Motion by Trustee Huber to open the Public Hearing Notice of Violation Exterior Maintenance 8 Trabucco Place. Seconded by Trustee Poanessa. ROLL CALL VOTE: Trustee Marcojohn, Absent. Trustee Paonessa, Aye. Trustee Davis, Aye. Trustee Komornik, Aye. Trustee Lammers, Aye. Trustee Huber, Aye. Carried. 8/26/2020 Motion by Trustee Huber to adjourn the Public Hearing to 9/9/2020. Seconded by Trustee Poanessa. Carried. 9/9/2020 Motion by Trustee Komornik to adjourn the Public Hearing to 10/14/2020. Seconded by Trustee Lammers. Carried. Notice of Violation 10 North Street, Exterior Maintenance. 9/9/2020 Motion by Trustee Huber to adjourn the North Street issue to 9/30/2020. This item was not discussed during the 9/30/2020 meeting. ____________________________________________________________________ 7/29/2020 Notice of Violation 25 South Remsen, Exterior Maintenance. 7/29/2020 Motion by Trustee Davis to adjourn the 25 South Remsen issue to 8/12/2020. Seconded by Trustee Huber. Carried. 8/11/2020 Remove 25 South Remsen notice of violation from the 8/12/2020 Page 8 of 14 agenda. Please place this matter on the 8/26/2020 agenda. Sandra Oakley 8/11/2020. 8/26/2020 Motion by Trustee Poanessa to adjourn the Public Hearing “RESOLUTION NO. 342020 of 2020” to 9/9/2020. Seconded by Trustee Lammers. Carried. 9/9/2020 Motion by Trustee Lammers to adjourn the Public Hearing “RESOLUTION NO. 342020 of 2020” to 10/14/2020. Seconded by Trustee Poanessa. Carried. RESOLUTION NO. 342020 of 2020 RESOLUTION ORDERING THE ABATEMENT OF BUILDINGS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES MAINTENANCE VIOLATIONS AT 25 SOUTH REMSEN AVENUE The following Resolution was introduced by Trustee _________________ and seconded by Trustee _________________. WHEREAS, John Tochet is the last known owner of real property shown on the tax records and the tax map of the Village of Wappingers Falls as Tax Parcel ID # 6158- 18-409148, having a street address of 25 South Remsen Avenue (“Property”); and WHEREAS, there is no record of a mortgage on the Property; and WHEREAS, on June 12, 2020 and August 12, 2020, respectively, an Enforcement Official of the Village of Wappingers Falls inspected the Property and determined that the garage roof is in need of repair/replacement and is allowing water in the structure, which violates § 114-7(F) of the Village of Wappinger Falls Code and thereafter issued Notices of Violation & Orders to Remedy dated July 10, 2020 and August 12, 2020, respectively, copies of which are affixed hereto, which informed any person in control of the Property that they had an opportunity to appear and be heard at this meeting of the Village Board to offer proof that the Property is in compliance with the standards of Chapter 114 of the Village Code or that additional time is needed to take corrective action to cure the violation; and WHEREAS, an Enforcement Official of the Village of Wappingers Falls filed written reports with the Village Board of the Village of Wappingers Falls noting that he had inspected the Property and found that the garage roof is in need of repair/replacement Page 9 of 14 and is allowing water in the structure and the Property was not in compliance with the property maintenance requirements of Chapter 114 of the Village Code; and WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on August 26, 2020, and all parties in attendance were permitted an opportunity to speak regarding the maintenance conditions of the Property; and WHEREAS, the Village Board of Trustees of the Village of Wappingers Falls, after due deliberation, finds that the garage roof is in need of repair/replace and that the Property is not in compliance with the property maintenance requirements of Chapter 114 of the Village Code; that such condition has continued after the Order to Remedy was duly issued and it is determined that abatement of the damaged garage roof is now required; now, therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village Board of Trustees hereby directs that the Enforcement Official hire a contractor to repair/replace the garage roof as soon as possible, which is not subject to competitive bidding; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that accurate records of the labor and materials costs required to perform the abatement work at the Property shall be kept so that they can be assessed and levied against the Property; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, a notice stating the total amount due and the nature of the charge shall be mailed by the Village Treasurer to the last known address of the person whose name appears on the records in the Office of the Village Treasurer as being the owner or agent or as the person designated by the owner to receive tax bills or, where no name appears, to the Property, addressed to either the owner of agent. Such notice shall have stamped or printed thereon a reference to § 114-6(F) of the Village Code. The property owner shall have ten (10) days, after a copy of the notice establishing the costs and expenses is received, to challenge any of the costs incurred by the Village; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that after expiration of the time period to challenge the determination of costs and expenses, the amounts thereof shall be reported to the Village Treasurer to be levied and assessed against the Property, and the expense shall constitute a lien and charge on the Property on which it is levied until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged and otherwise be collected in the same manner and at the same time as other Village charges; and Page 10 of 14  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village Clerk is directed to mail the annexed Order of Abatement, a copy of which is annexed hereto, within two (2) days hereof to the property owner at the address shown on said Order. The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows: Yea Nay Mayor Matthew Alexander ______ ______ Kevin Huber – Trustee ______ ______ Bill Marcojohn – Trustee ______ ______ Ronnie Komornik – Trustee ______ ______ Mary Paonessa – Trustee ______ ______ Scott Davis – Trustee ______ ______ Bryan Lammers – Trustee ______ ______ Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York August 26, 2020 _____________________________________________________________________ Approval VFW Auxiliary to Victor L. Bracone Post No. 5913, Inc. request to hold fundraiser 11-14 & 11-15 8AM to 4PM each day intersection of West Main Street and DeLavergne Avenue. Approval easement partial survey (20004927A – V-SURV 9-17-20.pdf), for Central Hudson - Gas Regulator. 9/30/2020 Motion by Trustee Niznik to table this item to 10/14/2020. Seconded by Trustee Poanessa. Carried. POLICE AND FIRE SAFETY W.T. Garner Engine Company voted in Anton Ljuljdjura, as a new member of the Company and Department. S.W. Johnson reported Joe Raffaele Sr. changed his status to Life-Inactive. Police Page 11 of 14  Village of Wappingers Falls POLICE DEPARTMENT 2628 South Avenue Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (845) 297-1011 MONTHLY DEPARTMENT STATS 2020 Date 2020 Date March Date Date Date 2019 Date Date Date Date Feb 01 01– April 01 May Date Date Date Sept 01 Date Oct 01 Nov 01 Dec 01 Jan 01- – Feb March – April 01- June 01- July 01- Aug 01- – Sept Sept 01 – – Oct – Nov –Dec Jan 31st 29th 31 30 May 31 June 30 July 31 Aug 31 30 Sept 30 31 30 31 Total Calls for Service 340 312 289 218 304 487 301 348 306 378 Arrests 7 16 7 3 6 3 4 6 11 9 Traffic Tickets 226 149 68 10 26 31 66 130 85 118 Sick Call Outs 8 7 5 1 2 8 6 2 3 7 Call Outs (other) 11 21 11 3 1 10 8 12 3 10 Call Outs (shift not covered) 10 20 7 1 3 8 11 11 1 7 Domestics 8 10 12 6 7 11 12 9 11 5 Lockouts 14 11 5 10 5 5 15 12 13 12 Larceny 3 3 5 4 6 8 5 4 4 6 Drug Complaint 1 0 3 1 2 0 1 0 0 1 Criminal Mischief 0 5 1 1 2 3 2 5 2 4 Accidents 20 16 16 9 9 18 19 18 21 30 Assault Calls 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 Burglar Alarms 19 11 17 11 0/ 15 18 19 22 6 20 Medicals 50 37 38 35 55 65 44 51 40 50 Civilian Complaint 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 Parking 0 Tickets 46 41 11 2 0 1 9 2 5 0 Use of Force 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Village of Wappingers Falls Page 12 of 14  POLICE DEPARTMENT 2628 South Avenue Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (845) 297-1011 MONTHLY DEPARTMENT STATS 2019 Date Date Date March Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Jan 01- Feb 01 – 01– April 01 – May 01- June 01- July 01- Aug 01- Sept 01 – Oct 01 – Nov 01 – Dec 01 – Jan 31st Feb 28th March 31 April 30 May 31 June 30 July 31 Aug 31 Sept 30 Oct 31 Nov 30 Dec 31 Total Calls for Service 374 274 384 350 364 427 383 379 378 347 385 367 Arrests 10 11 15 10 10 12 15 11 9 6 7 22 Traffic Tickets 220 251 300 197 203 205 201 135 118 71 122 251 Sick Call Outs 4 9 7 4 7 7 18 8 7 11 3 7 Call Outs (other) 4 1 12 3 6 16 13 3 10 32 16 15 Call Outs (shift not covered) 3 6 7 4 5 7 9 8 7 26 17 12 Domestics 12 10 13 6 11 9 9 10 5 10 8 12 Lockouts 14 13 17 16 11 13 9 20 12 11 14 13 Larceny 7 3 3 6 9 2 3 3 6 6 4 3 Drug Complaint 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 1 2 1 Criminal Mischief 4 1 1 2 2 1 4 2 4 1 5 1 Accidents 24 22 23 13 34 30 25 26 30 18 29 27 Assault Calls 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 2 2 0 0 Burglar Alarms 6 9 13 12 10 13 12 14 20 13 9 10 Medicals 65 40 57 51 62 54 47 54 50 58 53 45 Civilian Complaints 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 Highway, Trustee Huber Fire, Trustee Huber Page 13 of 14 Safety. Village Clerk Recreation, Trustee Huber Lake, Trustee Huber Water, Mayor Alexander Personnel, Trustee Davis Sewer and Grants, Mayor Alexander Note: Future reports to be submitted in writing to the clerk prior to monthly meeting. “Public input” Motion to adjourn the 10/14/2020 Village Board Meeting Page 14 of 14