Croton Trustees Honor Volunteer EMS, Adopt Tax Cap Override
The Croton Board of Trustees approved a $302,940 solar canopy for the DPW garage, scheduled a February 18 public hearing on a 3% hotel and short-term rental occupancy tax, and set a March 17 tax lien sale for $131,414.25 in unpaid property taxes across 37 parcels. All 19 resolutions passed 5-0.
●Resolutions Passed: None. No formal resolutions were introduced or voted on during this meeting.
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed: None. No Planning Board or ZBA applications were discussed.
●Public Comments: None. No public comment period was held as the meeting consisted solely of an executive session.
●Reports: None. No official reports were presented during this session.
●Resolutions Passed (19 total, all 5-0):
●#11-2026: Adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2026 authorizing property tax cap override if necessary (formality).
●#12-2026: Adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2026 creating Village Auditor position; appointed Village Manager Bryan Healy (no additional compensation).
●#14-2026: Accepted resignation of Daron Weber from ZBA; accepted Vincent Flynn's move to Active Member at Washington Engine Company; filed memos on red-light cameras and National Police Week.
●#15-2026: Set boarder/roomer permit fee at $250 under the 2025-2026 Master Fee Schedule.
●#16-2026: Initiated SEQRA review for Local Law Intro. No. 3 of 2026 (zoning code inconsistencies, definitions, fowl limits); referred to Planning Board and Waterfront Advisory Committee.
●#17-2026: Scheduled public hearing for February 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM on Local Law Intro. No. 4 of 2026 to enact a 3% occupancy tax on hotel/motel rooms and short-term rentals.
●#18-2026: Authorized tax lien sale for $131,414.25 in unpaid taxes; set sale date for March 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at 1 Van Wyck Street. Largest delinquent parcel: Hudson Valley Hospital Center ($32,861.15).
●#19-2026: Accepted $5,415 proposal from Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies Inc. (Wappingers Falls) for asbestos and lead paint testing at Gouveia Park house; funded from Gouveia Park Endowment.
●#20-2026: Accepted $23,500 not-to-exceed proposal from Imbiano-Quigley Landscape Architects (White Plains) for Gouveia Park site development plan; funded from Gouveia Park Endowment.
●#21-2026: Amended General Fund budget by $76,583.57 for police overtime reimbursement from Historic Hudson Valley ($66,795.36) and NYS ($9,788.21).
●#22-2026: Transferred $15,000 from Contingency to Manager-Contractual for Nelson Pope Voorhis planning consultant/grant writer services.
●#23-2026: Transferred $15,166 from Water Contingency to Distribution–Equipment for hydrant meter, leak kit, and hydrant flow test kit.
●#24-2026: Transferred $2,000 from Engineer–Personnel to Engineer–Contractual for Cornell Cooperative Extension tree steward certification training for two Engineering Department employees.
●#25-2026: Accepted $10,710 proposal from Cohen Law Group (Pittsburgh, PA) for Verizon cable franchise negotiations; funded from Contingency.
●#26-2026: Amended agreement with American Legion Fox-Eklof Post 505, transferring $500 from Contingency for Pearl Harbor Day ceremony costs exceeding the $2,500 annual cap.
●#27-2026: Authorized 5-year lease agreement (Jan 1, 2026–Dec 31, 2031) with Croton Little League for advertisement banners at Dobbs Park field fences.
●#28-2026: Authorized 3-year lease agreement (Jan 1, 2026–Dec 31, 2028) with Croton AYSO for advertisement banners at David J. Manes Memorial Field fences.
●#29-2026: Awarded Bid No. 21-2025 to Rivertown Solar (Dobbs Ferry) for DPW Garage solar canopy installation at $302,940, funded by NYSERDA grants.
●Appointments: Matthew Berger to ZBA (Dec 2028); Peter Sedlmair and Emily Boglioli to Recreation Advisory Committee (Dec 2028); Jessica Sewell to Arts & Humanities Advisory Council (Dec 2027).
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed: None (Planning Board/ZBA items not on this agenda).
●Public Comments (4 speakers):
●Ed Riely (110 Truesdale Drive): Commended EMS/FPW/DPW winter response; suggested medals over certificates for responders; expressed concerns about community-police relations; asked about boarder/roomer fee explanation; noted Croton has not overridden tax cap in years.
●Bryan Deyo (North Riverside Avenue, President of Association of Businesses): Reported business traffic decline due to snow-blocked parking; requested free train station parking during snow events.
●Sonia Ferrante (Riverside Avenue): Described difficulty finding parking during snowstorm; requested free train station parking and free shuttle transportation back to residences.
●John Sasso (87 Morningside Drive, Recreation Advisory Committee): Expressed disappointment over stalled Dog Park discussion; committee supports sunrise-to-sunset hours (not 4 PM limit); urged Board to continue dialogue.
●Reports:
●Village Manager Healy: DPW working extended hours on snow removal and water main breaks; Duck Pond open for unsupervised skating; budget priority survey coming via email; Village offices closed Presidents Day; Van Cortlandt Manor entrance project starting; Quaker Bridge replacement awaiting Army Corps of Engineers approval; 25 South Riverside submitted temporary CO paperwork; some Bari Manor apartments failed inspection; recommended keeping current Dog Park hours; Gouveia Park Q&A meeting anticipated in March; free train station parking was offered during storm.
●Trustee Slippen: Arts & Humanities Aaron Copland tribute Sunday at 2 PM at Library; Blood Drive February 21; Tax Grievance Day in June at Town of Cortlandt; congratulated Valedictorian Jeremy Pollak and Salutatorian Maya Sebestyen; recognized National Girls and Women in Sports Day; wants piece of Quaker Bridge preserved in Village archive; supports future work session on snow removal policy.
●Trustee Nachtaler: Supported deeper snow removal discussion; noted all Recreation Advisory Committee recommendations approved except Dog Park; recognized Croton Senior Citizens Club (130 members); Recreation Department Korean BBQ trip to KPOT; next trip to Southern Table February 17.
●Trustee Nicholson: Reported from Albany trip—parking, housing, affordability, insurance rates are top municipal issues; noted two-year Dog Park negotiation in 2023; flagged that 60 trees will be cut during Quakerbridge construction.
●Trustee Simon: Open to reconvening Dog Park discussions; reported on Albany meetings regarding state transportation budget, AIM funding, and clean water infrastructure; met with Project Mover on phase II; Planning Board processed two ADUs and approved Mirage Mirror and Glass signage on January 27; promoted Eaglefest February 14.
●Mayor Pugh: Appreciated Recreation Advisory Committee work; thanked DPW for storm response; supported reviewing snow removal policy after winter; thanked Daron Weber for ZBA service.
=== HEADLINE ===
Volunteer EMS Top Responders Honored as Tax Cap Override Stirs Confusion
=== SUMMARY ===
Croton's volunteer EMS top responders were recognized at the February 4 Board of Trustees meeting, where officials also adopted a routine tax cap override law that sparked concern from one resident. The village manager was appointed to a new auditor role, and updates were shared on snow removal, duck pond skating, and the Quaker Bridge replacement.
=== EXECUTIVE BRIEF ===
• Approved treasurer's report: $497,615.63 across all funds
• Adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2026: property tax cap override authorization (routine, no intent to override)
• Adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2026: created Chapter 9 (Auditor) in village code; appointed village manager to the role with no additional compensation
• Approved consent agenda including National Police Week recognition, zoning code cleanup shifting special permit reviews to planning board, and boarding/rooming permit fees
• Village manager announced dog park hours will remain unchanged from 2021
=== ARTICLE ===
Board Of Trustees meeting
Rich Ellison, Croton's top EMS responder, stepped up to the podium Tuesday night to a round of applause — and a gentle scolding from resident Ed Riley, who later told the board that volunteers who race to emergencies at all hours deserve "something better than a lousy piece of paper." {{quote:1539}}
"Give them a real good medal," Riley said.
The moment captured the warmth — and occasional edge — of the February 4 Board of Trustees meeting, where the evening's emotional high point was the recognition of EMS volunteers who handled mounting call volumes in 2025. One trustee shared that EMS arrived at the scene before she did when her daughter was hit by a car while riding her bike. Another noted that roughly 50 young people are on a waiting list to join the training program.
Mayor Brian Pugh also announced that a referendum to expand the LOSAP program to EMS members will appear on the November ballot.
But the meeting took a more bureaucratic turn shortly after, when the board opened a public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2026 — a routine authorization to override the state property tax cap if necessary. Nobody on the board actually wants to override the cap, and it's only been done once in 14 years. Still, the agenda item alone was enough to draw Riley to the microphone.
"Do you have any plans to override the tax cap?" he asked pointedly, before urging the board to push back publicly against inflationary policies from higher levels of government. "You should respond publicly to that. You don't have to call them out by party, but say, look, get this damn thing under control." {{quote:819}}
Trustee Nora Nicholson noted the irony: "Every year, this comes up and people are like, oh my god, we're gonna override the tax cap." She urged staff to communicate more proactively about the law's purely precautionary nature. {{quote:949}}
The board also adopted a new local law creating the office of village auditor — essentially codifying the existing practice of having staff review invoices before they reach the board. The village manager will fill the role at no additional pay. Ironically, not a single resident commented on the new auditor position during its public hearing, despite the board having just discussed how other local governments are under scrutiny from the state comptroller.
In other business, the village manager reported that DPW crews have been starting at 4 a.m. to tackle snow removal, with Duck Pond now open for skating on 12-inch-thick ice. The Quaker Bridge replacement is still awaiting Army Corps of Engineers approval, and the 25 South Riverside apartment building has applied for temporary certificates of occupancy. Residents displaced by the Barry Manor fire will wait longer — the building failed its latest inspection.
**What to watch for:**
- **Budget priorities survey** arriving by email through February 20
- **Duck Pond skating** open (green flag up); evening skating under lights delayed until next week pending warmer temperatures
- **Quaker Bridge** update expected within weeks once Army Corps approval arrives
- **Village offices closed** February 16 for Presidents' Day; garbage picked up Tuesday that week
- **Sign up for Everbridge alerts** at crotononhudson.gov for snow removal notifications in your neighborhood
---
**Source documents:**
- [warrant](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/44a951bae7cb300335a6ebc0affac217f0e9d811.pdf)
- [Local Law Intro 1 of 2026 - Tax Cap](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/14a7c1b58de81b795edeaeb062292d466a8a6298.pdf)
- [Resolution 5-2026 Tax Cap Override](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/603667dca8913942d8e23e70174e985e497318af.pdf)
- [Resolution 11-2026 Adoption of LL Intro 1 of 2026 .docx](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/f8086b313760d15fea8a776bc61acc97458d53f8.docx)
- [Local Law Intro 2 of 2026 - Auditor](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/362f1bc8f8ab69010de4055a692286bf348f8894.pdf)
- [Resolution 6-2026 LL Intro 2 of 2026 PH](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/de4ae9e17c86ca3efdfbdd68ab5231a6cfbb2732.pdf)
- [Resolution 12-2026 Adoption of LL Intro 2 of 2026](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/f49c1428ff4e5fe699fa0724dcf6e5fd3d3df8e4.pdf)
- [Daron Leaving the ZBAFF](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b5ce5e4520d36517db9ce7edaead954fd0aa1f45.pdf)
- [CFD Membership Changes](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/9db5ab079529e1eebbd9c3b606021b7c103097bd.pdf)
- [PAC memo national Police week](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/ca4a997dfc9212ce6f5cbd244223069642a40c9f.pdf)
- [PAC memo signage red light cameras](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b4cc6e3b884e5c41385ad843e8586701189fc3db.pdf)
- [Re Red light camerasF](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/4b2a3d36a1c81527ab4f3a202fb74c3741dbe111.pdf)
- [Resolution 13-2026 Correspondence](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/6c33f65eaf430227c5833a70d3f01709afa12aa0.pdf)
- [Final 2025 Village of Croton Justice Court](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/dde39c2ac4229f0c4c91b5bfe050c660ed042679.pdf)
- [Resolution 14-2026 Justice Court Audit](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/8efe2838d31343b4c068d866f02762aa3ea647a9.pdf)
- [Resolution 15-2026 Boarder Permit Fee](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/8a43268570f3ba63eaa4ae97d19c8c6c0662b9af.pdf)
- [Short EAF Part I - LL Intro 3](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/48a258bdc848b000c20bee2dceede9c9fc90b917.pdf)
- [Coastal Assessment - LL Intro 3](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b466012578ffe684a4e6ba5597c178d75700d8ee.pdf)
- [LL Intro 3 Memo](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/fb3352347a4dccd60d577a8b0a55df72d57629d8.pdf)
- [Local Law Intro 3 of 2026 Zoning Code Amendments](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/2b84f2f017420774c1aad9d47f369279d7e29d92.pdf)
- [Resolution 16-2026 LL Intro 3 of 2026 Referrals](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/4a52c4427764f8e10638df8fc93f0519358596a1.pdf)
- [Resolution 110-2025 Occupancy Tax Home Rule Request](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2025-05/46107fcd84dc621d0f4e4760f17d312b36aaa0e2.pdf)
- [A8348 – Assembly Bill](https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A08348&term=2025)
- [S7790 – Senate Bill](https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=S07790&term=2025)
- [LL Intro 4 of 2026 Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/7d983e94e7f821f62f159e693277b508910fc795.pdf)
- [Resolution 17-2026 LL Intro 4 of 2026 PH](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/b8789f44edd74a6be3a0de911bcab0851c9ba863.pdf)
- [Resolution 18-2026 Tax Lien Scheduled 1](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/95fcd630998c9fcc4dc587bf20a44c1d1ccb613f.pdf)
- [Gouveia Park Improvements Project Page](https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-manager/pages/parks-recreation-projects#anchor_gouveia)
- [269735%20Pre%20Renovation%20Environmental%20Testing%20Services%20Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/5df943ab08a44874c266fa3874da257130afa799.pdf)
- [Resolution 19-2026 QuEST Gouveia Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/84701fbd13a59d7c102a5d3ca297f1b7409c037f.pdf)
- [Gouveia Park Improvements Project Page](https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-manager/pages/parks-recreation-projects#anchor_gouveia)
- [Portfolio%20of%20Past%20Projects%20from%20Landscape%20Architect](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/35dfc1e4c65c972df1f46b9cf78fd35d8d7b1992.pdf)
- [Landscape%20Architect%20Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/ddabe0f90512a52227e90d30121885b8293ae803.pdf)
- [Resolution 20-2026 IQ Architects Gouveia Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/76f1ef4da8c417266d8c7b99c78e286fda7096e8.pdf)
- [Resolution 21-2026 PD Overtime](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/fc8d54c50d786e60f34fbad6cb0435dc3774b625.pdf)
- [Resolution 22-2026 NPV Expenses](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/7445a417cddf3d95a491c7e054b2dfb576347d41.pdf)
- [Resolution 23-2026 Water Dept Budget Transfer](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/073856a9a6dc0c899529beb44013f56577626831.pdf)
- [Resolution 24-2026 Engineering Budget Transfer](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/aff6dc5eda92fad56c37c3437c18fec57145b2f9.pdf)
- [MINUTES JANUARY 21 2026](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/49129f876f9ab5e1ea7e71f3b1a0a75ff8566d77.pdf)
- [Village of Croton-on-Hudson - Proposal for Cable Franchise Agreement with Verizon 1-6-26](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/c62a04cd7b245ac53b6884e32681764c4afe8bd5.pdf)
- [Village of Croton-on-Hudson - Engagement Letter for Verizon Franchise 1-6-26](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/a2a31cd3a25707798d7f736ef130c7ef09767acb.pdf)
- [Resolution 25-2026 Verizon Cable Franchise Negotiation Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/b5defbfbec21e15533cd250cfa6c094b1590dd16.pdf)
- [American Legion Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/9b4a474a6fdfbf6c3c0370f54e0324077b628832.pdf)
- [American Legion Amendment](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/64f4aed0e5c6e208a85d7dfb5ea8caa47ead523b.pdf)
- [Resolution 26-2026 American Legion Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/de640b5012de2afec7705b680de546ae1594c7bb.pdf)
- [Lease Agreement - Sports Field fences - CLL](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/d878b0ad1561d24ab5bad9b8b321bf43a4ed021a.pdf)
- [Resolution 27-2026 CLL Lease Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/0d7b919ced146f689b5a49365f0076ed1bae9a59.pdf)
- [Lease Agreement - Sports Field fences - AYSO](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/fba0c2b074b54d10afd574754f1c9fe39f34a335.pdf)
- [Resolution 28-2026 AYSO Lease Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/d9c8961e81c23ae4a8df3b78eaf2d9b499dec589.pdf)
- [Resolution 29-2026 Bid 21-2025 DPW Canopy](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/7f80e014498ddc1fb8309d1f3b6f041f7f86cc0d.pdf)
This article was drafted by AI (glm-5-turbo-styled) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
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Related Board Of Trustees Meetings
2026-02-11Trustees reject biased $36,500 village court study proposal
●Financial Audit Accepted: The Board received the FY2025 audit report from PFK O'Connor Davies, resulting in an "unmodified (clean) opinion"—the highest possible rating.
●Revenue Performance: The Village generated nearly $23 million in actual revenues, about $1.1 million more than budgeted and a 4% increase over the prior year.
●Expenditure Increase: Spending rose approximately 5% to $20.3 million, driven primarily by a $400,000 increase in health insurance costs and rising retirement benefits.
●Debt Strategy: The Village transferred nearly $4 million from the fund balance to the Capital Projects Fund to pay for improvements upfront rather than issuing debt, saving on interest and issuance fees.
●OPEB Liability: Auditors highlighted a $39 million liability for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB), a non-cash accounting figure that does not impact the day-to-day budget or bond rating due to state legal restrictions.
2026-02-18Trustees Approve Lorraine Hansberry Street Honor, Rental Tax
●Public Comments: None (no public session was held).
●Reports: None.
●Other Actions: The Board held an executive session (4-0 vote) from 8:35 PM to 8:44 PM to discuss information relating to a current or future investigation of a criminal offense. No formal action was taken.
●Resolution #30-2026: Adopted Local Law No. 4 of 2026, enacting a 3% occupancy tax on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals, effective April 1, 2026. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #31-2026: Consent agenda addressing five items: referred Half Moon Bay Bridge LWRP review to Waterfront Advisory Committee; authorized Rotary Club car show at train station parking lot on Sept. 27, 2026; authorized Croton Little League parade on April 11, 2026; approved honorary co-naming of Cleveland Drive (Old Post Road South to Gerstein Street) as Lorraine Hansberry Way; filed $3,500 NYS DEC grant award for fire department. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #32-2026: Updated summer camp fees in the Master Fee Schedule, slightly adjusting rates for Village Day Camp and Tiny Tots (e.g., resident full-season day camp dropped from $965 to $960; non-resident increased from $1,160 to $1,245). 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #33-2026: Initiated SEQRA review for Local Law Intro. No. 5 of 2026, adding affordable housing preferences for emergency and medical services workers. Referred draft law to Planning Board, Waterfront Advisory Committee, and Westchester County Planning Board. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #34-2026: Authorized STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign Inter-Municipal Agreement with Westchester County (Oct. 1, 2025 – Sept. 30, 2026). 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #35-2026: Accepted $15,300 proposal from Kroll LLC for GASB 34 fixed asset inventory and accounting ledger, funded via interfund transfers from General ($11,475), Water ($2,754), and Sewer ($1,071) contingency accounts. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #36-2026: Extended Inter-Municipal Agreement with Town of Cortlandt for purchasing services (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026). 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #37-2026: Extended Inter-Municipal Agreement with Town of Cortlandt for shared equipment and vehicles (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026). 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #38-2026: Transferred $28,000 from Water Contingency to Water Supply–Contractual account to replace end-of-life water meters that failed to transmit data. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #39-2026: Authorized interfund transfers to cover additional audit costs for FY 2024-2025: General Fund ($25,758.15 total, offset by $16,758.15 in interest earnings), Water Fund ($2,500), Sewer Fund ($1,000). 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #40-2026: Authorized Village Manager to execute a Project Labor Agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester and Putnam Counties for public work components (water main and sewer lines) of the WBP Development LLC 100-unit affordable housing project on Lot A at Croton Point Avenue and Veterans Plaza. 3-0 vote (Trustee Slippen abstained).
●Resolution #41-2026: Awarded Bid No. 22-2025 for roofing trade labor services to Armor-Tite Construction Corp. of Port Chester for $45,350. 4-0 vote.
●Resolution #42-2026: Awarded Bid No. 22-2025 for masonry trade labor services to Construction Plus Services of Elmsford for $35,731.20. 4-0 vote.
●Honorary Street Renaming (Consent): Co-named portion of Cleveland Drive between Old Post Road South and Gerstein Street as Lorraine Hansberry Way. 4-0 vote.
●Mayoral Appointments: Ken Sargeant (Vice Chair, Arts & Humanities Advisory Council, term Dec. 2026); Susan Skrelja (Police Advisory Committee, term Dec. 2026); Frank Pusatere (Police Advisory Committee, term Dec. 2027); Patrick Turner (ZBA Alternate, term Dec. 2026); Karen Pecora (HEART Committee, term Dec. 2026). 4-0 vote.
●Resolutions Failed
●None.
●Resolutions Tabled
●Resolution #43-2026: Proposed formal guidelines for advisory boards, committees, and councils, including a requirement that members serving on multiple bodies notify the Village Manager by May 31, 2026. Tabled for further discussion with committee chairs at the March 18 work session.
●Applications Reviewed
●None directly by the Board. (Trustee Simon noted the Zoning Board held a hearing on the 52 Mount Airy project the prior evening.)
●Public Comments
●On agenda items (3 speakers): Christine O'Conner (64 Grand Street) and Jordy Bell (Lower North Highland Place) spoke in support of adding Lorraine Hansberry's name to the Cleveland Drive street sign. Ed Riely (110 Truesdale Drive) asked about the labor services bid resolutions and supported honoring Hansberry with both a street sign and a historical marker.
●On non-agenda items (2 speakers): Ed Riely (110 Truesdale Drive) addressed an incident at ShopRite, objected to comments attributed to the IDEA Committee, and supported retaining the Village Court. Susan Skrelja (56 Truesdale Drive) asked why Croton residents are subsidizing the WBP Lot A project and stated she opposes dissolving Village courts.
●Reports
●Village Manager Bryan Healy: Explained rising labor costs prompted pre-emptive bidding of trade labor services; congratulated Andrew Racioppo on promotion to Motor Equipment Operator; reminded residents to complete the Budget Priority survey; noted contact with the Village Court study firm regarding requested updates; announced a Gouveia Park meeting on March 2 at 7pm (with Zoom link); clarified that no Village tax dollars fund the Lot A project—funding comes from Westchester County's affordable housing programs—and stated no definitive groundbreaking date is set.
●Trustee Slippen: Praised rescheduled Teatown Eaglefest; announced the Repair Café reopens February 28.
●Trustee Nicholson: Commended the IDEA Committee and a privately launched "Love Lives Here" campaign, with an opening event February 25 at the Black Cow; noted Parent Resource Center Camp Expo at CET on February 25.
●Trustee Simon: Congratulated Elton Robinson on receiving the Key to the Village for designing the Village logo; announced HEART plaque unveiling on February 20; reported on WMOA Executive Committee meeting with county legislative delegation; attended Fire Banquet honoring outgoing Chief Dinkler and former Chief Karpoff; noted ZBA hearing on 52 Mount Airy; hosted Tarrytown Mayor and Bedford Supervisor on a tour; recognized the passing of former Congressman Richard L. Ottinger.
●Mayor Pugh: Congratulated Eva Thaddeus on completing her first meeting as Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council.
●Voucher Approval: Claims #26004083-26004282 totaling $168,855.36 (General Fund: $101,884.71; Water Fund: $23,653.40; Sewer Fund: $25,724.85; Capital Fund: $17,592.40). 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #4-2026: Renewed cable franchise agreement with Cablevision of Wappingers Falls, Inc. for another 10-year term. 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #5-2026: Set public hearing for February 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM on Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2026 to override the state property tax cap (set at 2.63% this year). No decision made to actually override; hearing is a procedural safeguard. 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #6-2026: Set public hearing for February 4, 2026, at 7:00 PM on Local Law Introductory No. 2 of 2026 to establish the office of Village Auditor (Chapter 9 of Village Code). 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #7-2026: Transferred $6,600 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to Police Department–Uniforms account A3120.4260 due to insufficient budget funds for contractually required uniform allowances. 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #8-2026: Transferred $4,410 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to Parks-Equipment account A7110.2000 to purchase an AED for Black Rock Park, per Recreation Advisory Committee recommendation. 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #9-2026: Authorized Deputy Mayor to sign NY Conference of Mayors AIM Letter; filed for the record recommendations regarding the John "Rifle Jack" Peterson memorial. 3-0 vote.
●Resolution #10-2026: Authorized Chief of Police to execute an MOU with Yorktown and Briarcliff Manor Police Departments to apply for a NYS Local Government Efficiency Grant for a shared Motorola CAD system. Does not commit village funds. 3-0 vote.
●Snow Summons Waiver: Waived snow parking summonses issued during the surprise Saturday snow event, one-time only. 3-0 vote.
●Board Appointments: Shiloh Shea (Conservation Advisory Council, term ending 12/26); Dana Nicholson (Bicycle Pedestrian Committee, term ending 12/28); Seyed Hosseini (Alternate Member, Planning Board, term ending 12/26); Adriana Zavala (IDEA Committee, term ending 12/26). 3-0 vote.
●Minutes Approved: Regular Meeting (Jan 7), Work Session (Jan 14), Executive Session (Jan 14). All 3-0 votes.
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed: None.
●Public Comments
●Ed Riely (110 Truesdale Drive): Spoke during the cable franchise public hearing about subscriber declines, taxes on internet portions, and utility pole responsibilities. Also spoke during agenda comment period to praise outgoing ZBA Chair Christine Wagner and support the American Legion's proposal for a John "Rifle Jack" Peterson plaque opposite the Veterans Memorial. Spoke during non-agenda comment period about state budget corruption, a March for Life bus from Briarcliff Manor, and a CVS boycott.
●Reports
●Village Manager Bryan Healy: Detailed snow event regulations (2-inch trigger, parking prohibitions, hardship permits, sidewalk clearing within 12 hours, specific streets excluded from permit parking). Explained cable franchise renewal terms including PEG Grant funds of $0.50 per subscriber per quarter for broadcasting equipment upgrades. Confirmed an audit found Cablevision's franchise fees were in order. Noted the village continues to advocate for FIOS service.
●Trustee Nachtaler: Thanked Christine Wagner for ZBA service; congratulated Jim Tuman as new ZBA Chair and welcomed new member Ethan Lewis; thanked DPW for snow removal; urged deadlines for the Rifle Jack Peterson memorial project.
●Trustee Simon: Thanked Wagner and DPW; reported attending meetings with Congressman Lawler, Westchester Municipal Officials, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (Project Mover expansion, red light cameras), Sustainability Committee (EV chargers at train station, diesel program, solar canopy), and County Executive Ken Jenkins; noted Fire Inspector Jim Ferguson's presentation to seniors; announced a Winnie-the-Pooh reading at By the Dam Books; noted the passing of Jeanette Gingold on January 10.
●Mayor Pugh: Requested one-time waiver of Saturday's snow parking summonses; stated the village continues advocating for FIOS.
●Ceremony: Key to the Village presented to former ZBA Chair Christine Wagner.
2026-02-25Trustees map 2026 grant strategy after snow budget shatters
●Board and Committee Appointments: Approved 8 volunteer appointments to village boards with terms expiring between December 2026 and December 2028. Vote: 5-0.
●Resolutions Failed
●None.
●Applications Reviewed
●None.
●Public Comments
●None noted in the minutes.
●Reports
●DPW Garage Site Visit: Superintendent of Public Works Frank Balbi joined the Board to discuss their recent site visit to the Department of Public Works Garage.
●Bond Rating Presentation: Financial advisor Beth Ferguson presented an update on the Village's current bond rating.
●Draft Budget Priorities Survey: The Board reviewed the draft survey intended to gather community input for the upcoming fiscal year's budget.
●Recreation Advisory Committee: The Board discussed recent recommendations presented by the committee.
●Proposed Local Law: Discussed a proposal to create a local office of the Village Auditor.
●Resolutions Passed: None.
●Resolutions Failed: None.
●Applications Reviewed: None.
●Public Comments: None.
●Reports: None.
●Executive Session: The Board met from 9:06 PM to 9:42 PM to discuss matters of personnel involving specific individuals. Motion to enter made by Trustee Simon, seconded by Trustee Nicholson (5-0 vote). Motion to adjourn made by Trustee Nicholson, seconded by Trustee Slippen (unanimous). No formal action was taken.
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