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minutes 20 pages

Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room at the Stanley Kellerhouse Municipal Building, Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. 1. Mayor Pugh called the meeting to order at 7:00pm and led everyone in the pledge of allegiance. Trustee Simon made a motion to approve the following Fiscal Year Vouchers, claims numbered 23245054 through 23245255. The Motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson and approved with a 5-0 Vote. $396,267.37 Water Fund $38,127.30 Sewer Fund $4,722.24 Capital Fund $70,234.56 Trust Fund - 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Public Hearing to consider the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget A motion was made by Trustee Politi and seconded by Trustee Nicholson to open a Public Hearing to consider the 2024-2025 Tentative Budget. The motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. Village Treasurer Daniel Tucker presented the 2024-25 Tentative Budget. To view the entire Budget and presentation you may log onto the following: https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-treasurer/pages/proposed- budget-fiscal-year-2024-2025 https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2024- 03/0a08a77480d390135e14da674289bab0cccbc95d.pdf Mayor Pugh Trustee Murtaugh Village Manager Bryan Healy Trustee Nicholson Village Attorney Linda Whitehead Trustee Politi Village Treasurer Daniel Tucker Trustee Simon Assistant to the Village Manager Emily Mancini Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 Village Manager Healy explained that the total appropriations over the last four years increased by $3.1 million, total non-tax revenues increased by $3.2 million, and we have largely been able to cover our increases in appropriations through the use of non-tax revenues. Village Treasurer Tucker gave a comparison of what the tax increase would be if the Board did not use $675,000 of our Fund Balance, by not using that amount, Tax Appropriations would be $13,923.263 which equates to a 7.99% tax increase as opposed to a 2.75% tax increase. Trustee Simon stated that the Village’s Fund Balance is healthy and in alignment with what is recommended by our Auditors as well as being in accordance with our Fund Balance Policy. Trustee Murtaugh stated that while he understands this is just a proposed Budget and we will be meeting with all of our departments, he would like to discuss using a little more of the Fund Balance to reduce the tax increase. Village Manager Healy stated that it is important to have a healthy Fund Balance, in 2021-22 the Village used $1,629,000 of the Fund Balance because of the emergency conditions that existed at that time, and it is important to have those funds if another situation arises. Mayor Pugh stated that some of those funds that were returned to the Fund Balance came from the sale of the 41-51 Maple Street property as well some highly variable non-property tax revenue sources that came in better than expected during the last Fiscal Year, but to think we are going to beat our Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 forecast on these funds consistently is not a way to build a reliable Fund Balance, there is a portion of money that we can take from our Fund Balance but it must be within the limits of our Fund Balance Policy. Trustee Simon stated that while we go through the Budget process it is possible that our appropriations will increase somewhat and believes it is a conversation for the Board to have. Village Treasurer Tucker gave an overview of the outstanding debt as detailed on page 29 of the Power Point presentation which reflects the Board’s policy to lower our debt by $791,021 by the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Village Manager Healy stated that since 2017 our debt has gone down by seven million dollars, and we expect that in Fiscal Year 2026, to see it drop by another million dollars. Mayor Pugh stated that the slight upwards in Fiscal Years 2021/22 was related to the Covid Pandemic, where we saw a decrease in revenues and historically low interest rates which made it harder to fund a Capital program through the Fund Balance. Mayor Pugh thanked all of our Village employees for their service during the Pandemic, particularly the Teamsters for their partnership in addressing the fiscal issues in 2020 when revenues were down dramatically, at that time the Teamsters entered into a one year Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Village wherein they forfeited a raise during that time and as a token of our appreciation we established Juneteenth as a paid Village holiday which has no direct fiscal cost to the Village, we have currently reached a multi- year Agreement with an increase in the first year of 3 percent and a 2.75 percent increase in the succeeding years which is very reasonable given the inflationary environment. Trustee Simon thanked Village Treasurer for a great Power-Point presentation. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Dan Bennett, 40 Van Wyck Street, Croton on Hudson, stated that in four out of the last five years the Village has raised property taxes, and has collectively increased the tax rate by 10.21 percent, the Debt Service at $28.1 million exceeds this proposed Budget by 27.75 percent which, in his Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 opinion, is not sustainable and believes the Board has a spending problem and encouraged the Board to exercise fiscal constraint. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, stated that the two biggest power drivers in this Budget is the Pension Plan and Health Benefits and urged the State to switch to a Defined Benefit Plan, he does not believe there has been any savings switching our election to November, and requested getting an assessment for the value of the State run railroad property and what would the value be if we could tax that property. Marilyn Grantner, 115 Cleveland Drive, Croton on Hudson, thanked the Board for increasing the Budget for Senior Programs. Ms. Grantner stated that Croton is unique in their support of their seniors, but she would like to see some programs expanded, and thanked the Board for their continued support of the Croton Caring Committee. Janet Monahan, 116 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, Chair of the Conservation Advisory Council advised that the CAC has grown rapidly over the last couple of years and has taken on many more initiatives that include: Clean, the Repair Café, the Garden Club, and the Trails Committee and asked for the Board’s consideration for their funding requests as detailed in their letter to the Board. Carolyn Whiting, 7 Nordica Drive, Croton on Hudson, Chair of the Croton 125 Committee, Police Advisory Committee, and the proposed new HEART Committee requested the Board to increase funding for various programs as detailed in their letter to the Board. Cristina Alvarez Arnold, Croton on Hudson, Chair of the IDEA Advisory Committee, gave an overview of some of programs they are looking to expand and asked the Board to support their funding requests. Trustee Nicholson read letters from the Arts and Humanities Advisory Council and the Lorraine Hansberry Coalition funding that would enable them to continue to hold events in the Village. Village Manager Healy advised that he received a letter from the Welcome Wagon requesting $1,300 to help fund programs. Mayor Pugh thanked all the chairs and committee members for all the work they do as volunteers for the Village, the Board will be discussing these requests over the course of the Budget process. March 27, 2024 Mayor Pugh responded to a comment that the Village has a “spending problem”, that is a question of perspective and a question of priorities, it is very easy to be vague on spending as an undefined topic, but the Village has priorities whether they be for public safety, sanitation or programs for our seniors, and he believes the public supports those priorities and while it may be easy to say spend less, the question is spend less on what, which is a much more difficult question to answer. Mayor Pugh stated that New York State has the second-best funded pension system in the country. Mayor Pugh explained that New York State periodically looks to amend the system and over the years the State has been less generous, the Village has also expanded employee contributions to the Health Benefits. There being no comments to come before the Board, a motion to close the Public Hearing was made by Trustee Simon. Motion was seconded by Trustee Politi and approved with a 5-0 vote. 4. RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY EMAIL - None 5. CORRESPONDENCE: a. Email from Brian Godleski, Croton Little League Secretary, requesting to hold the 2024 Little League Parade on Saturday, April 6th. On motion by Trustee SIMON and seconded by Trustees MURTAUGH the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton on Hudson approved the request from the Croton Little League to hold the Little League Parade on Saturday, April 6th. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. b. Letter from the Office of the State Comptroller regarding the Village of Croton on Hudson’s Fiscal Stress Score of 2023. 03/5f32f3c3e036ddedc923d717c443e758e03100df.pdf Village Manager Healy explained that our Fiscal Stress Score has remained the same at 3.33 percent, which is related to our Debt Service ratio to Revenues, and we expect to see that number decrease. Village Manager Healy explained that, as indicated by the Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 State Comptroller’s Office, our Environmental Stress score increased as a result of the decrease in our population of eighteen people between 2017 and 2022. Village Manager Healy stated that like any kind of survey there is a margin of error, but these are the numbers that were provided by the New York Comptroller’s Office. c. Compilation of energy data from municipal buildings for 2023 in accordance with the Village’s Benchmarking Policy. Presentation made by Assistant to the Village Manager Emily Mancini. To hear the entire presentation, you may log onto the following (section 1.51.01): https://play.champds.com/crotononhudsonny/event/944 To view the report, you may log onto the following: 03/99532fbfcb5938dfbc576d625a712f8a00f9e3de.pdf d. Notification from the New York Planning Federation Awards Committee granting Ann Gallelli the Levine Community Service Award (Posthumously). 03/71aa507dd5675a8194694da8a778d133fab66961.pdf Trustee Simon stated that he looks forward to accepting the award on the Village’s behalf. e. Letter from Chris Kehoe, Director of Planning and Community Development at the Town of Cortlandt, regarding the referral of the draft Indian-Brook Croton Gorge Watershed Overlay Zone. 03/d2e8811c13f140950bcf59a0d65d496c8af07e3e.pdf https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2024- 03/21d467b5022c3294c4e7d81eb85696badb9cd735.pdf https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2024- 03/54b517f6c203a8d18ee835432000ace607ef3dc3.pdf Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 f. Request from the Croton Rotary Club to use a portion of the Croton- Harmon Train Station parking lot on September 29, 2024, for the 40th Annual Croton Rotary Car Show. On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Murtaugh the Board of Trustees approved the request from the Croton Rotary Club to hold their annual car show on September 29, 2024, at the Croton Harmon train Station. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. g. Email from Rob Abbot of the Croton Rotary Club requesting to install two new trees at the Covid-19 Memorial Grove at Croton Landing Park. 03/2ed3d89f4ae0a3e2963c9fee6478177ee7ed8f77.pdf Resolution: On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Politi the Board of Trustees accepted the donation of two new trees from the Croton Rotary Club. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. h. Email from Bill Thom, Interim Director of Wellness, Health, Physical Education and Athletics at Croton Harmon School District, requesting to hang senior banners at Firefighters Field for the 2024 season. On motion by Trustee Politi and seconded by Trustee Simon the Board of Trustees approved the request from Bill Thom, Interim Director of Wellness, Health, Physical Education and Athletics at Croton Harmon School District, to hang senior banners at Firefighters Field for the 2024 season. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. i. Invitation to the Town of Cortlandt’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 3:30pm at the Cortlandt Town Hall Vietnam War Memorial. 03/90d7dc9fbed763f00c396fe388403846d5c36f84.pdf j. Sustainability Committee’s 2023 Annual Progress Report. March 27, 2024 https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2024- 03/e2c4172d1df29d214d109599d36ecd7d8313736c.pdf 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS: Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, objected to the Board excluding all the industrial sections of Croton from the Indian Brook Gorge regulation area which he believes are responsible for most of the pollution in the Croton River, and suggested building a dike around part of the train station parking lot to address flooding. Resolution #56-2024 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 the Village would like to amend Section 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to provide for the administration and regulation of geothermal energy systems, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2024 was drafted for such purposes, and WHEREAS on January 24, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees declared itself Lead Agency for SEQRA purposes, and WHEREAS on March 13, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees undertook the process and review described in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of the Full EAF “Determination of Significance” attached hereto, and WHEREAS the Village Board held a public hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2024, which was opened and closed on March 13, 2024, 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 WHEREAS on March 13, 2024, the Village Board reviewed the LWRP policy standards and conditions, Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 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. POLICY 6: Expedite permit procedures in order to facilitate the siting of development activities at suitable locations. POLICY 6A: To expedite permit procedures, the Village shall coordinate all relevant local laws into a development package for applicants and/or make all local laws available to applicants proposing development activities. POLICY 7F: Construction activity of any kind must not cause a measurable increase in erosion or flooding at the site of such activity, or impact other locations. Construction activity shall be timed so that spawning of anadromous fish species and shellfish will not be adversely affected. POLICY 11A: Erosion and sediment control measures shall be undertaken in order to safeguard persons, protect property, prevent damage to the environment, and promote the public welfare by guiding, regulating and controlling the design, construction, use and maintenance of any development or other activity which disturbs or breaks the topsoil. 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 amend Section 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to provide for the administration and regulation of geothermal energy systems, 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. 1 of 2024, to amend Section 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to provide Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 for the administration and regulation of geothermal energy systems, which upon adoption becomes Local Law No. 6 of 2024. Resolution 57-2024 On motion of TRUSTEE MURTAUGH, 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 of Trustees adopted Local Law 5 of 1994 to create Chapter 66, Adult Entertainment Use Businesses, on July 11, 1994, and WHEREAS, over the past 30 years, certain definitions have changed, which require the Code to be updated, and WHEREAS the Village Attorney has also recommended that such regulations be placed in Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code, rather than as a standalone chapter, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 3 of 2024 has been drafted for such purposes, and WHEREAS on February 7, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees declared itself Lead Agency for SEQRA purpose, and WHEREAS on March 13, 2024, the Village Board of Trustees undertook the process and review described in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of the Full EAF “Determination of Significance” attached hereto, and WHEREAS the Village Board held a public hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 3 of 2024, which was opened and closed on March 13, 2024, 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 WHEREAS on March 13, 2024, the Village Board reviewed the LWRP policy standards and conditions, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED as follows: March 27, 2024 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 repeal Chapter 66 and amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to provide for the administration and regulation of adult entertainment use businesses, 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. 3 of 2024, to repeal Chapter 66 and amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to provide for the administration and regulation of adult entertainment use businesses, which upon adoption becomes Local Law No. 7 of 2024. Village Attorney Whitehead explained that the original law was adopted in the 1990’s and the Courts have ruled that some of those definitions were not Constitutional. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that since this is a Zoning provision, it made sense to move it into our Zoning Code where it appropriately belongs. Village Attorney Whitehead emphasized that the Village is not promoting such businesses, but a municipality cannot zone these uses out completely and subsequently a municipality has to allow it somewhere in their community. Trustee Nicholson stated that a citizen raised an issue in the local newspaper whether or not we should be using gender references in the definition and whether or not the mention of gender is antiquated. Trustee Nicholson asked if we strike gender out of the Law would we have to start all over. March 27, 2024 Village Attorney Whitehead stated that comments in that article do not talk about these activities in the context of an Adult Entertainment business, they talked about walking down the street and walking down the street is not a use of land and is not what is being regulated by this Code. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that we can certainly take a look at the gender references, but we were comfortable with the changes that were made. Village Attorney Whitehead stated that this communication should have been directed to the Village Manager and Village Board rather than to the newspaper, which subsequently delayed the Board’s ability to respond and review it. Resolution #58-2024 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, 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 is seeking a replacement for the Fire Department’s Tower Ladder 44, which is over 20 years old and showing signs of aging, and WHEREAS the Columbian Hook & Ladder Company appointed an apparatus committee to develop the bid specifications for the new Tower Ladder 44, and WHEREAS on December 28, 2023, the Village issued an invitation to bid, and WHEREAS on January 25, 2024, one sealed bid was received and opened, and WHEREAS after a thorough review, the bid received from Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, Wisconsin, has been determined to meet the Village's requirements, and WHEREAS funding for this new ladder truck has been secured through a $250,000 grant from Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg and $2,010,000 in assigned fund balance, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board authorizes the Village Manager to award the contract to Pierce Manufacturing in the amount of $2,259,433. Resolution #59-2024 On motion of TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 owns a parcel of property located on the southwest side of Gerstein Street in the Village, which is known as Firefighters Memorial Field (“Field”), and Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 WHEREAS in April 2019, the Village and the School District entered into an Intermunicipal Agreement for the Field to allow school use in exchange for certain items, and WHEREAS the agreement is set to expire on April 4, 2024, and is recommended to be renewed, and WHEREAS under the terms of the original Agreement, the School District purchased and installed a scoreboard, wind screens, fence capping and infield tarp at the Field, which the School District will continue to maintain under the proposed Agreement, and WHEREAS the School District has provided additional maintenance support for the Field from March 1st to June 30th of each year in exchange for its access to and use of the Field, which will continue under the proposed Agreement, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such agreement shall come into effect upon the approval of the Board of Education of the Croton-Harmon Union Free School District. Resolution #60 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, 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 recognizes the importance of promoting renewable energy initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, and WHEREAS Ecogy Community Solar, LLC of Brooklyn, New York, has proposed a Community Solar Subscription Agreement that aligns with the Village's sustainability goals and offers an opportunity to support clean energy production within the community, and WHEREAS Lindsay Audin, Chair of the Sustainability Committee, has recommended participation in the program, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Village Manager to enter into a Community Solar Subscription Agreement with Ecogy Community Solar, LLC, in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in the proposal. March 27, 2024 Resolution #61 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE NICHOLSON, 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 Gouveia Park Working Group has submitted its recommendations to the Village Board regarding the layout of the Gouveia House, and WHEREAS before work can begin on the house, essential site improvements must be made, and WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is interested in pursuing grant funding for infrastructure enhancements at Gouveia Park through the 2024 Municipal Parks Grant Program, and WHEREAS due to the complex and technical requirements of the grant, the Village desires to contract with a professional grant writer to assist in the preparation of the application, and WHEREAS C.T. Male Associates of Latham, New York, has prepared a proposal for grant application preparation services in the amount of $5,800, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby accepts the proposal from C.T. Male Associates in an amount not to exceed $5,800, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for this expense is available in the Gouveia Park Endowment account T.93997. Resolution #62 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, 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 March 20, 2023, the Village awarded a contract for the purchase of screened sportswear to Empire Printing LLC of Springfield, MO in the amount of $3,075.72, and WHEREAS the Village intends to extend this contract for another year at the same rates, and Empire Printing LLC has agreed to the renewal terms, Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is authorized to extend the contract with Empire Printing for the period of April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, in the amount of $3,075.72. Resolution #63 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Croton-Harmon Union-Free School District has advised the Village that its school buildings, the customary location for the Recreation Department’s Summer Day Camp program, will not be available this summer for use; and WHEREAS, Holy Name of Mary Church, located at 114 Grand Street, has agreed to grant a license for the use of their premises for the Village's Summer Day Camp program for the period beginning July 1, 2024, through August 9, 2024, for a total payment of $5,800; and WHEREAS, Holy Name of Mary has provided a license agreement delineating the terms and conditions, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute this agreement on behalf of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, subject to final review and approval by the Village Attorney. Resolution #64 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE MURTAUGH 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 Croton-Harmon Union-Free School District has advised the Village that its school buildings, the customary location for the Recreation Department’s Summer Day Camp program, will not be available this summer for use; and WHEREAS, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, located at 6 Old Post Road North, has agreed to the use of their premises for the Village's Tiny Tots Camp program for the period beginning July 1, 2024, through August 9, 2024, for a total payment of $2,900; and WHEREAS, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church has provided a rental agreement delineating the terms and conditions, Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute this agreement on behalf of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, subject to final review and approval by the Village Attorney. Resolution #65 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE MURTAUGH, 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 police services were requested for various events and functions during this fiscal year, and WHEREAS police officers are assigned to these events and functions to conduct traffic control, as well as to ensure safety for residents and visitors to the Village, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Treasurer is authorized to amend the 2023-2024 General Fund Budget in the amount of $53,397.62 as follows: Police – Personnel Srvcs OT - $53,397.62 GENERAL REVENUES Increase A1000.3089 State Aid - Other $5,457.35 A3120.3089 State Aid – NYS PTS Grant $3,599.89 A3120.1520 Police Fees $44,340.38 Resolution #66 of 2024 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 the Village of Croton-on-Hudson has designated the Gazette as its official newspaper for the publication of legal notices, and WHEREAS the costs associated with legal notices published in the Gazette have exceeded the budget allocated in the 2023-2024 General Fund budget, attributable to the accumulation of six years' worth of legal notices being invoiced concurrently, Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $1,662 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to the following accounts: A8010.4000 - ZONING – CONTRACTUAL: $1,419 A8020.4000 - PLANNING–CONTRACTUAL: $243 Resolution #67 of 2024 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, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson is undertaking the reconstruction of the Grand Street Retaining Wall, which necessitates access to private properties adjacent to the project site, and WHEREAS the owners of the properties located at 33 and 25 Grand Street, Crotonon- Hudson, NY 10520, have reviewed the documents pertaining to the project and are willing to grant access to their property for the duration of the construction work, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Manager to sign the Access Agreement with the owners of the properties located at 33 and 25 Grand Street, as attached hereto, granting the Village and its contractor the necessary rights and easements of use and occupancy in and to their property for the purpose of the Grand Street Retaining Wall project. Resolution #68 of 2024 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, 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 Croton Westchester LLC, the owner of 1250 Albany Post Road, Croton-on- Hudson, is desirous of connecting to the sanitary sewer system, and WHEREAS Croton Westchester LLC has a wastewater collection and pumping system on said property that will connect with the Village's sanitary sewer system force main on Albany Post Road and subsequently into the County’s Ossining Sanitary Sewer Treatment Plant, and Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 WHEREAS the parties wish to set forth their agreement as to the rights and obligations of each of the parties with respect to the wastewater collection and pumping system on said property, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute an agreement with Croton Westchester LLC to connect the property located at 1250 Albany Post Road to the Village’s sanitary sewer system. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Sarah Boyce, Benedict Blvd. Croton on Hudson asked if Croton firefighters have received training on how to treat fires caused by electric vehicles and electric bikes, asked what the Village’s status is with regards to being a Sanctuay Village and how that affects situations when someone is stopped and they do not have a license or they are driving an unregistered vehicle, expressed her concerns that Croton seniors only have a .03 percent chance of getting one of the affordable apartments at the Maple Street development and what does Light Industrial use mean in terms of an Adult Entertainment business. Marilyn Grantner, 115 Cleveland Drive, Croton on Hudson, asked if a private home has solar panels should they be registered with the Village and does the Village gain any benefits towards CEC points. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, addressed some of the biggest polluters in Croton, believes that Croton has a responsibility for housing and feeding the 250 immigrants in our community, the IDEA Committee’s Inclusion Statement leaves out various classifications of people and if the Village gives them money he expects to be able to attend these meetings, once again objected to how the January 18th Lorraine Hansberry program was conducted at the Library, and objects to the sale of abortion drugs. 9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to approve the minutes of the Executive Session held on March 13, 2024, was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Murtaugh and approved with a 5-0 vote. Motion to approve the minutes as amended of the Regular Meeting held on March 13, 2024, was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Politi and approved with a 5-0 vote. March 27, 2024 10. REPORTS: Trustee Nicholson stated that the IDEA Committee and the Lorraine Hansberry Committee are two separate committees, and they have separate mission statements and budgets. Trustee Simon advised that tomorrow evening Maple Commons will be holding another briefing from 6-8pm at the Croton Library. Trustee Simon explained that because of Federal and State laws, Croton residents cannot be guaranteed places for the thirty-three affordable apartments, but we are hopeful that some will get through the lottery system, attended the Westchester Municipal Officials monthly meeting where the County Planner addressed the group, he and Trustee Murtaugh had a good meeting with our Telecommunications Advisory Committee where we explored their recommendations, this past Sunday the Sustainability Committee met, he and Trustee Politi met with the All Croton Business community and we were briefed on upcoming events, attended the recent Fire Council meeting where we discussed the LOSAP program, the recent Legislative package which contains information regarding training regulations as well as discussing the new truck, congratulated Croton Harmon High School Freshman Aya Nakamura on winning first place honors for her African Women’s Education Fund Logo design, second place winner was Croton High School Senior Mikayla Thomas, the Green Growler was highlighted in the recent River Journal, Congratulated Dan Colombini who is the owner and occupant of the first LEED (Leadership and Energy in Environmental Design) Platinum House in Westchester which acknowledges that his house is creating more energy than it is using. Trustee Murtaugh thanked Ms. Grantner for bringing up Senior programs and while there might not be as many of them as we had in the past, he will certainly look into it. Trustee Politi encouraged people to do their own research with respect to the new abortion drug, after discussion with the Business Group, there seemed to be a consensus to extend vending to Saturdays as well as Sundays, the IDEA Committee stands for the inclusivity of ideas and we are open to everyone and asked that people reach out to them to share their viewpoints, encouraged everyone to check the calendar on our website for upcoming Village Board of Trustees March 27, 2024 events and activities, and congratulated Croton Harmon High School seniors on becoming this year’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Mayor Pugh explained that local preference with respect to housing is not legal when they are taking government funds, according to our 2017 Comprehensive Plan approximately two thousand people work in the Village but eighty-nine percent of those do not live in the Village and many of those workers provide very critical jobs for the community which is why it is important to expand our affordable housing inventory. Village Manager Healy stated that the Fire Department has undertaken training for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries, explained that when one of our Police Officers stops a driver and they find them to be unlicensed or driving an unregistered vehicle, that driver would be arrested regardless of their immigration status but the arrest would not trigger any call to any immigration authority, explained that Light Industrial is a specific Zoning District that we have designated for Adult Entertainment uses, these areas are all west of Route 9, i.e., the Metro North property, parcels on Croton Point Avenue west of Route 9, the parking lot at the train station, the old Croton North station and the warehouse at One Half Moon Bay, solar panels are regulated by the Building Department but he does not believe any credits come back to the Village. Village Manager Healy extended his condolences to the Vallo family on the passing of Jennaro Vallo, who served on the Croton Police Department for more than 20 years retiring in 1988. Village Manager Healy also informed the Board of the resignation of Police Officer Mark Frascello and wish him well in his future endeavors. There being no further business to come before the Board a motion to close the meeting was made by Trustee Politi. The motion was seconded by Trustee Simon and approved with a 5-0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20pm. --- Editorial note (croton.news): name spelling(s) in this copy were corrected against official records: ‘Ed Riely’ corrected to ‘Ed Riely’; ‘Cristina Alvarez Arnold’ corrected to ‘Cristina Alvarez Arnold’. The original document, as issued, is available from the Village; see croton.news/editorial-policy for our corrections policy.