Documents

minutes 20 pages

Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, held on Monday, November 27, 2023, in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room at the Stanley Kellerhouse Municipal Building, Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. The following official was absent: 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pugh called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pugh asked for a moment of silence to remember past Village Trustee William J. Pohlmann who passed away last week. Mayor Pugh announced that Trustee Ann Gallelli has resigned from her position as Village Trustee due to health reasons, Ian Murtaugh has been appointed to fill the remainder of her term, to expire December of 2024. Mayor Pugh appointed Trustee Simon as Deputy Mayor. Trustee Simon stated that he will do his best to live up to the standards set by Trustee Gallelli in her role as Deputy Mayor and will use the lessons he learned from her as a teacher and friend. 2. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS Trustee Horowitz made a motion to approve the following Fiscal Year Vouchers, claims numbered 23242933 through 23243136. The Motion was seconded by Trustee Simon and approved with a 5-0 Vote. $1,791,003.56 Water Fund $88,206.56 Sewer Fund $27,574.56 Capital Fund $4,501.27 3. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY EMAIL: Trustee Horowitz Village Manager Bryan Healy Trustee Murtaugh Village Attorney Linda Whitehead Trustee Nicholson Assistant to the Village Manager Emily Mancini Trustee Simon Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . Email from Dallin Swenson, 11 Gerstein Street, Croton on Hudson, dated November 26, 2023, asking if the train horn and diesel testing at 3am is a common practice. Village Manager Healy explained that as a State Agency they are not subject to the Village’s review or oversight and as such the Village does not have control over the noises coming from their facility. Village Manager Healy stated that he believes once the temperatures go below a certain point, the trains are required to run basically 24/7 so that they are able to operate. Trustee Murtaugh stated that when Metro North moves their equipment, they are obligated to alert staff as a safety measure and without the leaves on the trees, the sound travels more freely. 4. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Memo from the Planning Board re: Feedback on Traffic & Parking Assessment for Potential Cannabis Dispensary at 440 South Riverside Avenue. Planning Board’s memo: https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2023- 11/3a23dcab22a9e8394b04d183f9e63d757a6b05d1.pdf Village Manager Healy explained that if the applicant is successful in obtaining a license from the State, the applicant will need to come back to the Village Board for a Special Permit, as well as the Planning Board for a change of use. Village Manager Healy advised that he has put together a revised letter to the Office of Cannabis Management for the Board’s approval. Manager’s Letter: https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2023- 11/1687f274737565de691e8c7047bd5d3d7ac99afb.pdf b. Memo from Village Manager Bryan Healy regarding the renewal of the Special Permit for M&J Auto Repair at 485 South Riverside Avenue. https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2023- 11/6f74b0f9ff8a105848ab8d5da2dc76fad6b02c3a.pdf Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . Village Manager Healy explained that at our last meeting the Board gave M&J Auto Repair a thirty-day extension to allow them to operate until December 15th. Village Manager Healy advised that we requested them to secure Site Plan approval for the shed and approval for their signage, the applicant has taken the steps necessary to get those approvals and believes that it would be appropriate to have a resolution at the next meeting to issue the Special Permit. Village Manager Healy also advised that Village Engineer Dan O’Connor has issued a Notice of Violation to the owners of the property to remedy the following: 1) failure to maintain the retaining wall, 2) construction of the concrete block retaining wall without a Building Permit and 3) the display of merchandise in front of the building, the owner has been given a period of thirty days to remedy these issues (December 16th). Trustee Simon stated that he concurs with Manager Healy that we issue the Special Permit to M&J Auto Repair at our next meeting and believes that we have gotten the attention of the owner of the property regarding the perils of the retaining wall. Trustee Nicholson asked what happens if the owner of the property does not take care of these issues. Village Manager Healy advised that if the violations are not addressed an Appearance Ticket will be issued and the owner will have to appear in Village Court. Trustee Murtaugh asked what happens if the conditions are not remedied but there is a plan in place by December 16th. Village Manager Healy stated that the conditions are supposed to be corrected by December 16th, but if there is an appearance of compliance, we can show some leniency. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that this is an enforcement issue and the State Law requires a 30-day notice. Village Manager Healy suggested that since the Board has received complaints about safety issues with respect to the gate, the Board can Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . add a condition to the Special Permit indicating that the gate needs to be closed during certain hours or closed at all times except when a vehicle is entering or exiting the repair area. c. Memo from Village Manager Bryan Healy regarding 1 Half Moon Bay Drive. https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2023- 11/4e80f9f87403f5d35c4493e511317fc1fa4ada95.pdf Village Manager Healy stated that the property is currently being leased and no petitions or applications have been filed with the Village with respect to this parcel. Trustee Murtaugh stated that it is his understanding that the Village can flatly deny a request for a zoning change, and the Village would not be put in jeopardy. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that it is the discretion of the Village Board to approve or deny a Zoning Amendment Petition. d. Request from John Munson, Chief of the Croton Fire Department, to conduct a Holiday Parade through the Village on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 6:00pm, with a rail date of Saturday, December 23rd. On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Murtaugh the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton on Hudson approved the request from the Croton Fire Department to conduct a Holiday Parade through the Village on Saturday, December 16th beginning at 6:00pm (rain date December 23rd). Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. e. Various correspondence regarding Gouveia Park https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2023- 11/a8375dc77e5d05d601252e95a4ac4f011a131184.pdf Mayor Pugh advised that he and Trustee Nicholson will be part of the Gouveia Park Working Group, along with two representatives from the Recreation Department, one representative from the Department of Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . Public Works, the Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Maria Slippen and a guest, Ken Sargeant of the Arts and Humanities Council and guest, Sherry Horowitz, and Janet Monahan, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Attorney Andrew Schriever representing the dispensary applicant asked that the Village attach the Planning Board’s memo along with the Village’s memo to the OCM. Mr. Schriever stated that he believes this information will give the OCM a better understanding of the process that the Village has undertaken for its review, as well as giving OCM a degree of confidence that the applicant understands the importance of parking and traffic. Erica Laudon, 124 Penfield Avenue, Croton on Hudson, stated that she is concerned with what might happen with the property at one Half Moon Bay and the possible development and encouraged the Board to be very transparent. James Picciano, owner of Straddles Gymnastics, 485 S. Riverside Avenue stated that he has voiced his displeasure over the last few years that the gate is being left open and creates a safety hazard for those coming to the gym. Mr. Picciano stated that the original criteria was that the gate would be closed at all times, and this was done until the automotive repair came in. Julie Evans, 100 Benedict Blvd, Croton on Hudson, and member of the Gouveia Task Force, encouraged the Task Force to engage Planners while the inputs are still in play and to not wait too long into that process. Ms. Evans stated that Planners have tools to translate wishes and activities into special requirements and they can help the Working Group with the best way to present this to the community. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, offered his thoughts on inflation and its effects on many products we buy, objected to the Board opting into allowing a dispensary in our community, objects to five story buildings in Croton and is concerned about what could happen at the 1 Half Moon Bay property, addressed illegal immigration issues and suggested that Croton provide housing for these migrants. 9. RESOLUTIONS: November 27, 2023 . Resolution: - Authorization to forward Letter to OCM On motion by Trustee Horowitz and seconded by Trustee Simon the Board of Trustees authorized the Village Manager to forward his letter and a copy of the Planning Board’s letter to the Office of Cannabis Management. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. Trustee Nicholson stated that many of the Planning Board members did agree that there is an issue with the parking lot, and believes it is up to the Village, if we want to continue to have additional businesses, we need to look at the traffic at the Shoprite Plaza. Trustee Simon stated that improvements come up regularly during the Planning Board process and hopefully this will get momentum from our discussions regarding parking and traffic. Resolution #238 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees has introduced Local Law Introductory No. 19 of 2023 to amend and update the definition of Family as stated in Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, and WHEREAS on October 16, 2023, the Village Board of Trustees declared itself Lead Agency for SEQRA purposes, and WHEREAS on November 13, 2023, the Village Board of Trustees undertook the process and review described in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of the EAF “Determination of Significance” attached hereto, and WHEREAS the Village Board held a public hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 19 of 2023, which was opened and closed on November 13, 2023, and WHEREAS the Village Board has received a recommendation of consistency from the Waterfront Advisory Committee with the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, and WHEREAS the Village Board must make its own determination of consistency with the LWRP policy standards and conditions, and Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . WHEREAS on November 13, 2023, the Village Board reviewed the LWRP Policy’s standards and conditions, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows: The Village Board of Trustees makes the following findings regarding the applicability of the LWRP policies and the consistency of the Proposed Action with those policies and conditions of the LWRP which it found applicable: Policy 1A: Existing planning and zoning documents should be reviewed and amended where necessary to ensure development within the community is consistent with adopted goals and policies. The remaining policies and conditions of the LWRP not specifically discussed above, were reviewed and found not to be applicable, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that based upon the above, the Village Board of Trustees confirms its determination that the Proposed Action, the adoption of a local law to update the definition of family as stated in the Zoning Code, complies with the policy standards and conditions set forth in the Village’s LWRP, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby issues and adopts the EAF Parts 2 and 3 Determination of Significance attached hereto and adopts a Negative Declaration in connection with this action, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Board of Trustees hereby adopts Local Law Introductory No. 19 of 2023, to amend and update the definition of family as stated in Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, which upon adoption becomes Local Law No. 20 of 2023. Resolution #239 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS Maple Street, also known as State Route 129, is owned and maintained by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . WHEREAS NYSDOT has authorized the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFB) along State Route 129 in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, pending final approval of the design, and WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees has approved funding for the purchase of the RRFB units as part of the 2023-2024 Capital Plan, and WHEREAS NYSDOT is requiring that the Village assume maintenance responsibilities for the RRFB units following their installation, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby agrees to assume the maintenance responsibilities of the RRFB units as requested by NYSDOT in an email to the Village Manager dated August 16, 2023. Resolution #240 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON seconded by TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village Board wishes to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to update regulations related to accessory apartments and permit accessory cottages in residential districts, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 21 of 2023 has been drafted for such purposes, and WHEREAS the Village has completed Part 1 of a Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) and a Coastal Assessment Form (CAF), and WHEREAS the Village Board has referred the draft law and other documentation to the Village Planning Board, Waterfront Advisory Committee, and Westchester County Planning Board in accordance with Village and County Law, and WHEREAS the Village Board has received comments from the Westchester County Planning Board, Village Planning Board, and Waterfront Advisory Committee, and has taken these comments into consideration, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby schedules a Public Hearing on December 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building to consider Local Law Introductory No. November 27, 2023 . 21 of 2023 to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to update regulations related to accessory apartments and permit accessory cottages in residential districts. Resolution 241 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ seconded by TRUSTEE MURTAUGH, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson owns and maintains emergency generator systems at various buildings and facilities throughout the Village, and WHEREAS the Village desires to perform periodic preventive maintenance on the systems and to provide 24-hour emergency service for the systems when needed, and WHEREAS on November 3, 2022, the Village advertised for proposals on this work (RFP #03-2022), and WHEREAS on December 9, 2022, the Village Board of Trustees authorized the Village Manager to award the contract for generator maintenance services to Gentech Ltd. in the amount of $10,880.00, and WHEREAS as per RFP #03-2022, the Village reserves the right to extend the bid for one additional year if in agreement with the contractor, and WHEREAS Gentech would like to extend the contract for an additional year, and WHEREAS Superintendent of Public Works Frank Balbi has recommended extending the contract with Gentech, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Village Manager to extend the contract for generator maintenance services to Gentech Ltd. of New Windsor, NY, for a one-year period beginning December 9, 2023, through December 9, 2024. Resolution 242 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWTIZ, seconded by TRUSTEE MURTAUGH, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. November 27, 2023 . WHEREAS the Village occasionally requires welding services that cannot be performed in- house, and WHEREAS on November 9, 2023, the Village published an Invitation to Bid #7- 2023 for welding service, and WHEREAS on November 21, 2023, two bids were received and publicly read: one bid from Santella Welding of Putnam Valley, New York, in the amount of $34,720, and one bid from Senco Metals of Paterson, New Jersey in the amount of $84,000, and WHEREAS Frank Balbi, Superintendent of Public Works, has recommended that the bid be awarded to Santella Welding, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to award the bid for the Village’s welding services to Santella Welding in the not-to-exceed amount of $34,720 for the period beginning December 6, 2023, through December 6, 2024. Resolution 243 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ seconded by TRUSTEE SIMON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is a member community of the Westchester County Urban County Consortium, making it eligible to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, and WHEREA Westchester County, in cooperation and agreement with the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, has been awarded CDBG funding in the amount of $59,076 for the replacement of a retaining wall along lower Grand Street, and WHEREAS in connection with the aforementioned grant, the County will receive grant funds and desires to provide such funds to the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to provide the project, and WHEREAS on January 9, 2023, the Board of Trustees authorized the Village Manager to execute the Intermunicipal Agreement between the Village of Croton-on-Hudson and the County of Westchester, and Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . WHEREA, by resolution dated November 9, 2023, the County was authorized to amend the Agreement to change the expiration date from November 14, 2023, to November 14, 2024, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute the amended Intermunicipal Agreement between the Village of Croton-on-Hudson and the County of Westchester, pending approval of the Village Attorney. Resolution 244 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, seconded by TRUSTEE MURTAUGH the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS on December 18, 2017, the Village Board of Trustees authorized the Village Manager to execute a license agreement with Fratelli's Trattoria Inc. for the use of approximately 230 square feet of Village-owned property for the purpose of constructing a sunroom addition and maintaining and occupying portions of the existing deck, retaining wall and other improvements, and WHEREAS the license agreement was granted for an initial term of five years and has expired, and WHEREAS the annual license fee has been set at $25, and WHEREAS Village Engineer Daniel O’Connor has reviewed the situation and determined that no changes are needed to the license agreement, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees authorizes the Village Manager to execute a license agreement with Fratelli' s Trattoria Inc. described at length above at an annual cost of $25 per year for the period of March 15, 2023, through March 15, 2028. Resolution 245 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, seconded by TRUSTEE SIMON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Department of Public Works made two unbudgeted repairs to the sanitary sewer system during the summer, and Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . WHEREAS these repairs included jet cleaning of catch basins and pipes, as well as the replacement of broken rails at the Half Moon Bay Pump Station, and WHEREAS as these repairs were unforeseen, funding for these expenses was not included in the 2023-2024 Sewer Fund budget, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $8,467.50 from Contingency Account #G1990.4000 to the following accounts: G8120.4000 – Sanitary Sewers – Contractual: $8,467.50 Resolution 246 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, seconded by TRUSTEE SIMON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village Board adopted Resolution 236-2023 on November 13, 2023, authorizing a tax refund to the property owner of 11 Newton Court, known as 67.10-2- 4.27 on the Village Tax Maps, and WHEREAS upon further review by the Finance Department, the refund amount previously calculated was incorrect, and WHEREAS the correct amount to be refunded for the property is $318.25, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees authorizes the Village Treasurer to issue a tax refund to the property owner as outlined in the memo from the Village Assessor; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby rescinds Resolution 236-2023. Resolution On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Nicholson the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton on Hudson, approved suspending the Rules of Procedure for a presentation by Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg to honor Trustee Sherry Horowitz who will be leaving the Board. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. November 27, 2023 . Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and the Board of Trustees presented Trustee Horowitz with proclamations thanking her for all her hard work while serving on the Village Board. To hear the entire presentation, you may log onto the following link: https://play.champds.com/crotononhudsonny/event/906 (Section 1.05.43) Resolution 247 of 2023 – Interfund transfer On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, seconded by TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village owns a 20-seat passenger bus which has been used on occasion for special events; and WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees would like to operate the bus as a holiday shopping shuttle on December 2, 2023, to support the local business community; and WHEREAS funding for this expense was not included in the 2023-2024 General Fund budget, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $250 from Contingency Account #A1990.4000 to the following account: A7550.1100 – Celebrations – Personnel Services P/T: $250 Resolution 248 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE HOROWITZ the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the onsite audit has been completed for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget; and WHEREAS the following budget transfers are required as detailed in the attached schedules, Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Treasurer is authorized to make the following amendments to the 2022-2023 General, Water, and Sewer Fund budgets as follows: A1110.4000 Justice Court-Contractual $1,264.00 A1230.4000 Manager-Contractual $557.00 A1420.4000 Law-Contractual $5,069.00 A1420.4010 Law-Contractual Legal $544.00 A1420.4200 Law-Supplies $37.00 A1910.4000 Insurance-Contractual $246.00 A3310.4000 Traffic-Contractual $566.00 A4050.4200 Public Health-Supplies $7.00 A8760.4000 Emerg. Disaster-Contractual $130,231.00 A8710.1100 Conservation-Personal Srvc Pt $2,126.00 A9010.8000 NY ERS-Undistributed $14,684.00 A9015.8000 NY PFRS-Undistributed $15,961.00 TOTAL $171,292.00 GENERAL REVENUES Increase A1000.2401 Interest & Earnings $171,292.00 WATER EXPENSES Increase F1650.4400 Comm-Energy Electricity $9,243.00 WATER REVENUES Increase F1000.2401 Interest & Earnings $9,243.00 SEWER EXPENSES Increase G1650.4400 Energy – Electricity $1,072.00 G1910.4000 Insurance – Contractual $23.00 TOTAL $1,095.00 SEWER REVENUES Increase G1000.2401 Interest & Earnings $1,095.00 Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . Resolution 249 of 2023 On motion of TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, seconded by TRUSTEE SIMON, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is an employer participant in the New York State & Local Retirement System (NYSLRS), and WHEREAS NYSLRS invoices the Village annually for employer contributions due every February, and WHEREAS the Village budget is proposed and adopted before NYSLRS provides an actual invoice for the corresponding fiscal year, and WHEREAS the Village has an established fund balance reserve designated for Future Retirement to plan for unexpected changes in the actual invoice, and WHEREAS the February 2024 NYSLRS annual invoice is higher than the appropriation contained in the Village’s 2023-2024 budget, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Treasurer is authorized to make the following budget amendment to the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-2024: INCREASE EXPENSE Account Desc. Amount A9015.8000 NYS PFRS $ 17,468.00 A9010.8000 NYS ERS $ 3,897.48 F9010.8000 NYS ERS $ 376.51 G9010.8000 NYS ERS $ 11.01 $ 21,753.00 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that such expense shall be charged to the Future Retirement Fund Balance at the end of the fiscal year. November 27, 2023 . Trustee Murtaugh asked if this Reserve Account stays separate or does it get rolled back into the General Fund. Village Manager Healy explained that at the time of our Budget process, we do not have the actual numbers from the New York State Retirement System and this Reserve account was created to handle these fluctuations. Village Manger Healy stated that this is an assigned Fund Balance and stays separate forever until the Board unassigns it. Resolution 250 of 202 On motion of TRUSTEE MURTAUGH, seconded by TRUSTEE HOROWITZ, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a 5-0 vote. WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson desires to improve wireless services in the Village. and WHEREAS on May 18, 2023, the Village issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a professional consultant to complete a Wireless Infrastructure Master Plan Study to advise the Village on potential options to improve wireless infrastructure and make recommendations for updating the Village Code regarding Telecommunications, and WHEREAS on July 10, 2023, the Village Board of Trustees authorized the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Televate, LLC (Televate) in the amount of $31,253 and WHEREAS Televate has completed a portion of the work as outline in the approved proposal and invoiced the Village accordingly, and WHEREAS the Village Board has previously discussed expending fund balance to fund this study, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget as follows: Increase Expense: A8020.4000 – Planning – Contractual: $ 31,253 AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such expense shall be charged to the unassigned fund balance at the end of the fiscal year. November 27, 2023 . 10. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Tony Granger, Half Moon Bay, Croton on Hudson, stated that he hopes that the Board will make sure that the 1 Half Moon Bay property does not change to a residential development. Mr. Granger asked the Board not to forget safety and health issues related to 5G and directed the Board to a report put out by Massachusetts for Safe Technology. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, stated that there are other groups that are not represented in the Statement of Inclusion, mentioned the passing of pro-life leader Christoher T. Slattery, blamed State and Local politicians on the poor handling of the Covid epidemic. 11. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Motion to approve the minutes as amended of the Regular Meeting held on November 13, 2023, was made by Trustee Horowitz. The motion was seconded by Trustee Simon and approved with a 4-0 vote. Trustee Murtaugh abstained. Motion to approve the minutes of the Work Session held on November 20, 2023, was made by Trustee Horowitz. The motion was seconded by Trustee Simon and approved with a 5-0 vote. 12.REPORTS Trustee Nicholson thanked Trustee Horowitz for being an incredible colleague, mentor, and leader, she was never afraid to share her opinions and is grateful that she will continue to serve Croton as a member of the Gouveia Working Group. Trustee Nicholson advised that she and Trustee Simon had the opportunity to visit the incinerating facility in Peekskill, it is an incredibly well-run operation, but we need to think about how we can reduce the amount of garbage that we are producing and asked that the Sustainability Committee take a look at the data with a view towards reducing our garbage costs. Trustee Simon stated that Ann Gallelli will be his North Star in trying to do a good job as Deputy Mayor and thanked Mayor Pugh for his appointment. Trustee Simon stated that he always says that if there is anything in Croton that you really like, Ann Gallelli probably had a hand in it, and we have all benefitted from Ann’s great Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . service over the years and wished her all the best in the days ahead. Trustee Simon welcome Ian Murtaugh to the Board. Trustee Simon praised Trustee Horowitz on all the contributions she made while serving on the Board, as a teacher she brought those skills to the Board, he is also grateful that on occasion she had the insight to ask us to “wait a minute” on some of the big issues we were dealing with because ultimately things get improved if you do “wait a minute”. Trustee Simon advised that Croton will have the opportunity in the future to take part in a Bike/Share program through a program called Project Mover, advised that the incinerating facility is quite vast and generates both electricity and steam, the Telecommunications Committee met on November 20th and continues to review our Telecommunications Code, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee met on November 15th and updated us on the Gotwald Circle and offered guidance on the Transportation Alternatives Grant that we will be submitting, advised that Croton 100 will be holding a seminar on Building Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy on Sunday December 10th at the Croton Library from 2-3:30pm. Trustee Murtaugh stated that Ann Gallelli is a person that he has looked up to and admired, she has dedicated decades of her life to Croton, and views her as a mentor and will do his best to keep up with her pace. Trustee Murtaugh emphasized that the Village of Croton is an efficient, well-run organization and he will do whatever he can to continue to have that be the case. Trustee Murtaugh stated that he also shares the same concerns about the property at 1 Half Moon Bay, and he will do his best to make everything as transparent as possible, he will also keep an eye on the issues at Straddles Gymnasium, and we as a Village need to look at this entire situation holistically. Trustee Murtaugh advised that the holiday lighting event will take place at Vassallo Park this Thursday beginning at 5:00pm. Trustee Murtaugh wished Trustee Horowitz good luck and thanked her for all that she’s done for the Village. Trustee Horowitz stated that she is overwhelmed with everyone’s sweet sentiments, it has been an absolute pleasure, honor and privilege to have served on the Village Board for the past six years, she is grateful to Mayor Pugh for encouraging her to run, grateful to those that voted for her, grateful to her Village Board of Trustees November 27, 2023 . colleagues on the Village Board, the Village Manager and all of her constituents. To her Trustee Horowitz’s complete comments, you may log onto the following: https://play.champds.com/crotononhudsonny/event/906 (section 1.54.31) Mayor Pugh thanked Trustee Horowitz for her years of service and to the many contributions she has made to our Village. Mayor Pugh stated that he attributes Croton, being named the number one Climate Smart Village in the State in large part to Trustee Horowitz. Mayor Pugh stated that he looks forward in the very near future to recognizing Ann Gallelli for everything that she has done for the Village. Mayor Pugh congratulated Jack Kooney on achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Village Manager Healy stated that he will follow up with Trustee Nicholson’s suggestion and reach out to the Sustainability Committee regarding doing an analysis of our garbage. Village Manager Healy stated that he does not know of any concrete plans with respect to the sale of 485 South Riverside Avenue, but the violations will continue to exist if the property is sold. Village Manager Healy advised that the Village is in process of securing a Retainer Agreement for our Cablevision Franchise Agreement which will expire in September and reminded residents to sign up for the Everbridge Communication System. Village Manager Healy stated that it has been a pleasure working with Trustee Horowitz and he is happy that she will continue to stay involved. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that it has been a pleasure working with Trustee Horowitz and she will be missed. There being no further business to come before the Board a motion to close the meeting was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Horowitz and approved with a 5-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 9:08pm. November 27, 2023 . --- Editorial note (croton.news): name spelling(s) in this copy were corrected against official records: ‘Ed Riely’ corrected to ‘Ed Riely’. The original document, as issued, is available from the Village; see croton.news/editorial-policy for our corrections policy.