Documents

minutes 21 pages

Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, held on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 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 6:00pm and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Simon made a motion to approve the following Fiscal Year Vouchers, Claims numbered 24253800-24254033. The Motion was seconded by Trustee Politi and approved with a 5-0 Vote. $506,452.33 Water Fund $40,873.89 Sewer Fund $4,307.88 Capital Fund $53,256.71 3. PUBLIC HEARING a. Motion to open a Public Hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2025 to override the "property tax cap" law enacted by State Legislature was made by Trustee Simon. Motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson and approved with a 5-0 vote. Village Manager Healy stated that this is a proactive measure, since the law was adopted in 2012, the Board only exceeded the Tax Cap once in fiscal year 2014-15, and he anticipates that we will once again be under the Tax Cap this year. Village Manager’s Memo: 02/072bbfb861e3a834a5348978e1dec2bd2df0f2e2.pdf Trustee Simon stated that our Budget process is complicated and we will have a lot of decisions to make but he is confident that after we are done Mayor Pugh Trustee Simon Village Manager Bryan Healy Trustee Nicholson Village Attorney Joshua B. Subin Trustee Politi Village Treasurer Daniel Tucker Trustee Slippen Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 making those decisions we will be under the Tax Cap. Trustee Simon stated that this is put in place every year should there be an emergency that would require us to make an unusual expenditure. COMMENTS: Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, stated that he is happy to hear that the Board has no intention of overriding the Tax Cap, with the sale of parking lot A and Sales Tax up, the Village should not need to override the Tax Cap, he understands that inflation has driven costs up and commended the Village for their good management of the assets of the Village. Gary Eisinger, 210 Cleveland Drive, Croton on Hudson, stated that he appreciates the Board anticipating staying within the Tax Cap since overriding it would place an undue financial burden on Croton tax- payers. Mr. Eisinger stated that the Village is in strong financial health, has a good credit rating and it was noted in 2024 when we had a $400,000 budget surplus that the surplus would be used to potentially offset future tax increase and hopes that those funds would be used for that purpose. Michael Mamone, 19 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, stated that he is concerned about spending money for architectural design services for the Gouveia property, stated that our Historical Society should be located in a nicer location, does not support consolidating our Tax Assessing functions with the Town of Cortlandt, does not believe the Village needed to repave Oneida and Olcott Avenues and Cleveland Drive nor replace sidewalks at Gotwald Circle. There being no further comments to come before the Board, a motion to close the Public Hearing was made by Trustee Simon. Motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson and approved with a 5-0 vote. Resolution #25-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON and 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. February 26, 2025 WHEREAS the State Legislature and the Governor enacted legislation that establishes a “property tax cap” on the amount that a local government’s property tax levy can increase each year, and WHEREAS under this law, the total amount to be raised through property taxes charged on the municipality’s taxable assessed value of property, will be capped at 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less, with some exceptions, and WHEREAS the state legislation provides for local governments to override the cap to protect the Village from unforeseen financial circumstances, and WHEREAS state legislation requires that in the event that an override is necessary, the law enabling it must already have been adopted by the Board of Trustees, and WHEREAS Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2025 has been drafted to override the “property tax cap” law enacted by State Legislature if necessary, and WHEREAS a Public Hearing was opened and closed on February 26, 2025, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby adopts Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2025 to override the “property tax cap” law enacted by the State Legislature, if necessary, which upon adoption will become Local Law No. 4 of 2025. Mayor Pugh stated that this is an annual ritual that is meant to give us flexibility if needed. 4. RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY EMAIL - none. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT - AGENDA ITEMS Michael Mamone, 19 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, stated that he does not understand or support giving the Planning Board the responsibility to issue Special Permits, objects to consolidating Tax Assessing functions with the Town of Cortlandt, and would like a better understanding of the plans for the Gouveia property. Gary Eisinger, 210 Cleveland Drive, Croton on Hudson, stated that he believes there should be exceptions as to what Special Permits should be issued by the Planning Board and believes that it would be a mistake to completely turn that function over to the Planning Board and asked that the Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 Board provide a detailed case by case analysis before considering consolidating the Tax Assessing function with the Town of Cortlandt. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, objected to the entire process for Parking Lot A and believes that the State had a lot of influence over some of these decisions, the visual presentations were not to scale, and it is a lousy site plan which makes terrible use of the size of the property. Resolution Approving the Consent Agenda and moving Resolution #26-2025 into the Proposed Agenda On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Politi the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson approved the Consent Agenda and moving Resolution #26-2025 to the Proposed Agenda. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. Email from Fire Chief Phil Dinkler requesting approval of the department's annual Big Bucks raffle. 2. Notice from the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board on February 2025 Meeting. 02/6b37ed20da99ff7c40f941d46b6ef8349dfc0392.pdf 3. Email from Dennis Kooney of the Croton Yacht Club regarding its annual lease reporting documentation. 4. Draft Letter from Village Manager Bryan Healy in Support of a Town- Wide Curbside Composting Program. 02/837525b23a5465ee6edf3c238eaa04e26785f71a.pdf b. RESOLUTIONS: Resolution #26-2025 Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON and seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 is considering the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2024, a local law to add Chapter 8, Assessments, Real Property Tax, to the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to consolidate the Village’s assessment unit with the Town of Cortlandt, and WHEREAS New York State law authorizes villages to consolidate their assessment status and have towns provide this service, and WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson has been discussing this possibility since at least 2012, and WHEREAS consolidating the Village’s Assessment Roll with the Town would provide a financial savings to the Village and provide residents with one assessed valuation for the entirety of their tax bill, as opposed to the current system of one valuation for Village taxes and one valuation for town/county/school taxes, and WHEREAS the Village previously held a public hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2024 on November 20, 2024, and WHEREAS the Village Board wishes to schedule another public hearing to provide members of the public with an additional opportunity to comment, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby schedules a Public Hearing to be held on March 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building to consider the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 14 of 2024, adding Chapter 8, Assessments, Real Property Tax, to the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson to consolidate the Village’s assessment unit with the Town of Cortlandt. To view the Village Manager’s memo, you may log onto the following: 02/315440b46c57bb4be50ffb2ba9ffd40f3b24cad9.pdf DISCUSSION: Trustee Simon stated that should Croton move forward on this we would be joining seventy percent of Villages in New York State that have their Towns perform their assessing function. February 26, 2025 Village Manager Healy added that thirteen out of the twenty Villages in Westchester have already done this. Trustee Politi stated that most of the taxes Croton residents pay are already determined by the Town of Cortlandt, the Town of Cortlandt provides a full-time staff and residents would be able to communicate with someone much simpler. Trustee Nicholson stated that our Village Engineer and Code Enforcement office should be concentrating on public safety and that is where these resources need to be. Village Manager Healy stated that that the report did indicate that if we decided to keep the Assessing functions, they recommended spinning it out of the Engineering Department and having it become its own department so that the resources of the Engineering Department would not be spent on Assessing functions. Trustee Simon stated that it was not that long ago when the Assessor and the Engineer were the same person, but as the Village evolved, that function was split into two people and this is now taking it to a more realistic approach so that the Engineering Department can now focus on safety, inspections and enforcement. Trustee Slippen stated that during the work session we talked a lot about our responsibility to communicate this thoroughly since this is going to affect every property owner in Croton and emphasized that we need to make it very clear to everyone what is happening, what the timing will be and how they will be financially impacted. Mayor Pugh stated that if the Board moves on this, there will savings in our Budget, it will lower the taxes for a majority of residents and will provide residents with better services. Mayor Pugh disclosed that he believes his property will realize a significant savings and he plans on donating that saving back to the Village to support our sustainability efforts. Resolution #27-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Local Law No. 3 of 2003 was approved at a regular Village Board Meeting held on October 7, 2003, and Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 WHEREAS this Local Law called for the setting of Village fees through Board Resolutions, and WHEREAS the Village would like to update the summer camp fees for the upcoming season, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board of Trustees hereby amends the 2024-2025 Master Fee Schedule as follows: Village Day Camp Village Resident Rates: Old New §122-4 Session I ~ 1st child $380.00 $390.00 §122-4 Session I ~ Sibling discount $360.00 $370.00 §122-4 Session II or III - 1st child $405.00 $415.00 §122-4 Session II or III - Sibling discount $385.00 $395.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ 1st child $995.00 $1,020.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ Sibling discount $940.00 $965.00 Non-Resident Rates: §122-4 Session I ~ 1st child $455.00 $465.00 §122-4 Session I ~ Sibling discount $445.00 $455.00 §122-4 Session II or III - 1st child $480.00 $490.00 §122-4 Session II or III - Sibling discount $470.00 $480.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ 1st child $1,135.00 $1,160.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ Sibling discount $1,095.00 $1,120.00 Tiny Tots - Half Day Village Resident Rates: §122-4 Session I ~ 1st child $235.00 $240.00 §122-4 Session I ~ Sibling discount $225.00 $230.00 §122-4 Session II or III - 1st child $260.00 $265.00 §122-4 Session II or III - Sibling discount $250.00 $255.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ 1st child $560.00 $565.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ Sibling discount $535.00 $540.00 Non-Resident Rates: §122-4 Session I ~ 1st child $300.00 $305.00 §122-4 Session I ~ Sibling discount $280.00 $285.00 §122-4 Session II or III - 1st child $315.00 $320.00 Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 §122-4 Session II or III - Sibling discount $305.00 $310.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ 1st child $665.00 $670.00 §122-4 Full Season ~ Sibling discount $630.00 $635.00 Resolution #28-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Fire Department provides fire protection service to the Town of Cortlandt (“the Town”) for the Mount Airy/Quaker Bridge Fire Protection District on a contract basis each year, and WHEREAS the Town has provided the Village with the 2025 Mount Airy/Quaker Bridge Fire District Agreement between the Town and the Village of Croton-on- Hudson, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute the 2025 agreement for fire protection services with the Town, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Town shall pay the sum of $287,704, with $57,541 paid directly to the Fire Council of the Village of Croton- on-Hudson and the balance of $230,163 paid to the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, for providing fire protection services within the Mount Airy/Quaker Bridge Fire Protection District during the period from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025. Resolution #29-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Emergency Medical Services Department provides EMS service to the Town of Cortlandt for the Mount Airy/Quaker Bridge Fire Protection District on a contract basis each year, and WHEREAS the Town has provided the Village with the 2025 Ambulance Inter- Municipal Agreement between the Town and the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the 2025 Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Town of Cortlandt for Emergency Medical Services, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Town shall pay the Village of Croton-on-Hudson the sum of $211,315 for providing EMS services within the Mount Airy/Quaker Bridge Fire Protection District during the period beginning January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. Resolution #30-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Town of Cortlandt has presented an Inter-Municipal Agreement to the Village to allow the inclusion of the Village when advertising for bids, and WHEREAS the Village has utilized the Town’s purchasing services over the years by using Town bids to purchase supplies and materials, and WHEREAS the Village would like to extend this Inter-Municipal Agreement for another year, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Town of Cortlandt for purchasing services, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the term of this agreement shall be from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025. Resolution #31-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Town of Cortlandt has presented an Inter-Municipal Agreement to the Village to permit the sharing of equipment and vehicles among various municipalities, and Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 WHEREAS the Village has shared or loaned equipment and vehicles over the years with the City of Peekskill, Towns of Cortlandt and Philipstown and Village of Buchanan, and WHEREAS such an agreement allows the Village to save on costs that would occur from the purchase and/or rental of equipment and vehicles, and WHEREAS the Village would like to extend this Inter-Municipal Agreement for another year, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the Inter-Municipal Agreement with the Town of Cortlandt for shared equipment and vehicles, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the term of this agreement shall be from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025. Resolution #32-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is authorized to extend the contract with Empire Printing for the period of April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, in the amount of $3,075.72. Resolution #33-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 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, 2025, through August 8, 2025, for a total payment of $2,900, and WHEREAS St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church has provided a rental agreement delineating the terms and conditions, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute the rental agreement with St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church on behalf of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson. Resolution #34-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 and the New York State Department of Transportation have entered into a snow and ice agreement which ended on June 30, 2024, and WHEREAS the Village has received amendments to this agreement reflecting the severity of the winter for the 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons, and WHEREAS under this amendment the estimated expenditures have been calculated to be $38,137.42 for the 2022-2023 season, $37,972.06 for the 2023-2024 season and $37,908.06 for the 2024-2025 season, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Village Manager to execute the Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement Adjustments with the New York State Department of Transportation for the years 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Resolution #35-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 provides snow and ice removal services on certain New York State-owned roads in the Village, including Route 9A (North Riverside Avenue/Albany Post Road) and Route 129 (Maple Street), and Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 WHEREAS the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has provided the Village with a snow and ice agreement for the period beginning July 1, 2024, continuing through June 30, 2029, for these services, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the 2024-2029 Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement with the NYSDOT. Resolution #36-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 recently concluded an organizational assessment of the Engineering Department, and WHEREAS one of the recommendations which was included in the final report was the institution of a customer relationship management (CRM) tool to allow sharing of data and information throughout the department, and WHEREAS the department’s existing software program, Munis, has the capability of purchasing a CRM module as an add-on, and WHEREAS the quote received for the CRM module totals $9,954, of which $9,535 are one-time costs and $419 are recurring costs, and WHEREAS this expense was not included in the 2024-2025 General Fund Budget, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $9,954 from Contingency Account A1990.4000 to the following account: A1440.4000 – Engineer – Contractual. Resolution #37-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 Recreation Department administration account has exceeded its allotted amount in the contractual line, and WHEREAS funds are needed to be transferred into this line from the Community Recreation budget account, Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to transfer $2,000 from A7140.4000, Community Recreation – Contractual, to the following account: A7020.4000 (Recreation Administration – Contractual). c. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve the minutes, as amended, of the Regular Meeting held on February 12, 2025, was made by Trustee Simon. The motion was seconded by Trustee Politi and approved with a 5-0 vote. Resolution #38-2025 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, was bequeathed the property known as Gouveia Park in 2015, and WHEREAS the Village also received an endowment in the amount of $1,000,000 to care for the 16-acre property, and WHEREAS successive Village Boards appointed Gouveia Park committees to develop plans for the property, and WHEREAS the most recent iteration, the Gouveia Park Working Group, convened numerous times in 2024 to develop a plan of action to enhance the public’s use of the property, and WHEREAS the Village Board of Trustees allocated $100,000 in the 2024-2025 capital budget to move forward with design work, and WHEREAS Sullivan Architecture of White Plains, New York, has submitted a proposal in the amount of $28,000 for pre-design services and schematic design alternates related to the Gouveia Park house, and WHEREAS, Frank Balbi, P.E., Superintendent of Public Works, has recommended that the proposal be accepted, Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Board hereby authorizes the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Sullivan Architecture of White Plains, New York, in the amount of $28,000, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that funding for such work is available in the Gouveia Park Endowment Account: T93997. Trustee Nicholson advised that the Working Group met and talked about the uses and the possibilities for the house, the discussion centered around the Recreation Department being housed on the bottom floor, and the upper floor would be for public use. Trustee Nicholson advised that this expenditure was approved by the Board in the Capital Budget and we are spending $28,000 of the $100,000 that was allocated. Trustee Nicholson stated that the building is going from a residence to a public space and the design firm will help us transition that house to meet the specifications for a public space. Trustee Simon stated that Sullivan Architecture specializes in unique public sector projects and they did a wonderful job in assisting us with the Harmon Firehouse. Trustee Slippen remined everyone that we are using the endowment money to fund this and because this is now a designated park, the Village will have more access to grant money. Trustee Slippen stated that this has been a collaborative effort among the Recreation Advisory Committee, the Conservation Advisory Council and the Arts and Humanities Council, and during those discussions it became clear that all of these committees need more space to better serve the needs of our residents. Mayor Pugh stated that there is a great advantage in creating new indoor and outdoor space and having this building as a functional Recreation Center means that more people will be able to take advantage of the park. Mayor Pugh stated that while the Recreation Department will be at this location, residents can still come to Village Hall and staff will be available to assist anyone who needs assistance in filling out forms. Trustee Slippen stated that it is not unusual for municipal Parks and Recreation offices to be located in their parks and emphasized that dropping Recreation related applications off or picking them up will be available at the Municipal Building as well. Trustee Simon addressed the concern expressed this evening regarding the location of the Historical Society and explained that we moved the Historical Society from its Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 original location to the lower level because it was a terrific space, it is two of the most enormous rooms we have in the entire Municipal Building and we have been told repeatedly by members of the Historical Society and our Historian how happy they are in this location because it gives them the room to properly organize and display the hundreds of thousands of documents they have. Resolution #39-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI, 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 February 17, 2021, the Village Board of Trustees approved a lease agreement with Sol Systems for the installation of solar canopies and a battery energy storage system at the Croton-Harmon Train Station parking lot, and WHEREAS an amendment to the existing lease, Amendment No. 3, has been drafted by Arevon, the successor company to Sol Systems, to provide a credit to the Village in the amount of $150,000 related to the installation of the stormwater management drainage system, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to execute an amendment to the lease agreement with SCS Van Wyck 012823 Croton on Hudson LLC, to provide a credit in the amount of $150,000 related to the installation of the stormwater management drainage system for the solar canopy system at the Croton-Harmon Train Station parking lot. Resolution #40-2025 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 update Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to transfer the authority to issue special permits to the Village Planning Board, and WHEREAS the Village Board is considering the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 2 of 2025, which 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), NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: February 26, 2025 1. The Village Board hereby determines that the Proposed Action is an Unlisted Action. 2. The Village Board hereby declares itself to be the Lead Agency for SEQRA purposes in connection with the Proposed Action. 3. The Village Board hereby issues the EAF and CAF which it has before it in connection with the Proposed Action. 4. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Village Planning Board for a recommendation back to the Village Board in accordance with Village Law. 5. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Village Waterfront Advisory Committee for a recommendation back to the Village Board in accordance with Village Law. 6. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Westchester County Planning Board for review in accordance with law. 7. The Village Board hereby directs Village staff to make any other circulations and notifications regarding the Proposed Action as may be required by law. Village Attorney Joshua B. Subin stated that when a Special Permit is being considered, the applicant must meet certain conditions that fit within that Zoning and if they do not meet those conditions they can apply for a Variance and he believes that the Planning Board is the optimum legal Board to perform those duties. Trustee Politi stated that the process can get very messy with respect to communication and knowing who is in charge of what and this is just a way to make it simpler and less redundant. Village Manager Healy asked, if this law is adopted, how does it affect Special Permits that are currently before the Village Board. Village Attorney Subin stated that we can contemplate that in the law, and the Village Board can either keep it as grandfathered or send it to the Planning Board. Resolution #41-2025 Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 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 update Chapter 116, Environmental Review, of the Village Code to provide for the listing of additional Type II actions under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), and WHEREAS the Village Board is considering the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 3 of 2025, which 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), NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Village Board hereby determines that the Proposed Action is an Unlisted Action. 2. The Village Board hereby declares itself to be the Lead Agency for SEQRA purposes in connection with the Proposed Action. 3. The Village Board hereby issues the EAF and CAF which it has before it in connection with the Proposed Action. 4. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Village Planning Board for a recommendation back to the Village Board in accordance with Village Law. 5. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Village Waterfront Advisory Committee for a recommendation back to the Village Board in accordance with Village Law. 6. The Village Board hereby refers the Draft Law, the EAF and the CAF to the Westchester County Planning Board for review in accordance with law. 7. The Village Board hereby directs Village staff to make any other circulations and notifications regarding the Proposed Action as may be required by law. February 26, 2025 Village Manager Healy explained that if it is determined that a local law has no environmental impact it would be considered a TYPE 2 Action under SEQRA and would not require the Board to go through the full environmental process. Resolution #42-2025 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 in 2021, the EMS facility at 44 Wayne Street was deemed uninhabitable due to mold and structural issues, requiring the relocation of EMS services to a temporary space at the Harmon Firehouse, and WHEREAS following a comprehensive review and design process involving Sullivan Architecture, P.C., it was determined that an addition to the Harmon Firehouse would serve as a permanent solution for the EMS facility, and WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson solicited sealed bids for heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) work for the Harmon Firehouse addition under Bid No. 3-2025, and WHEREAS five bids were received by the deadline of February 11, 2025, and WHEREAS the lowest responsible bid received was from HVAC Now Inc. of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the amount of $150,000, and WHEREAS Superintendent of Public Works Frank Balbi has reviewed the submitted bids and has recommended awarding the contract to HVAC Now Inc., NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to award Bid No. 3-2025 to HVAC Now Inc. of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the amount of $150,000, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for this project has been allocated in capital account H4540.2102.23445. Trustee Simon stated that our Department of Public Works is doing a magnificent job in overseeing and doing a lot of the work, but they cannot do everything and the HVAC system was something that we needed to go out to bid for. February 26, 2025 Resolution #43-2025 On motion of TRUSTEE SIMON, seconded by TRUSTEE POLITI 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 in 2021, the EMS facility at 44 Wayne Street was deemed uninhabitable due to mold and structural issues, requiring the relocation of EMS services to a temporary space at the Harmon Firehouse, and WHEREAS following a comprehensive review and design process involving Sullivan Architecture, P.C., it was determined that an addition to the Harmon Firehouse would serve as a permanent solution for the EMS facility, and WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson solicited sealed bids for doors for the Harmon Firehouse addition under Bid No. 2-2025, and WHEREAS no bids were received by the deadline of February 4, 2025, and WHEREAS the Village of Croton-on-Hudson resubmitted the solicitation under Bid No. 4-2025, and WHEREAS one bid was submitted by the deadline of February 20, 2025, and WHEREAS the bid received was from Messco Building Supply of Montgomery, New York, in the amount of $46,960, and WHEREAS Superintendent of Public Works Frank Balbi has reviewed the submitted bid and has recommended awarding the contract to Messco Building Supply, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Village Manager is hereby authorized Bid No. 4-2025 to Messco Building Supply of Montgomery, New York, in the amount of $46,960, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding for this project has been allocated in capital account H4540.2102.23445. 8. PUBLIC COMMENT – NON-AGENDA ITEMS: Michael Mamone, 19 Young Avenue, Croton on Hudson, stated that he wants a Residential Parking Permit system instituted in his area, asked that the dog ordinance be enforced, encouraged the Board to be careful when putting in plantings at Gotwald Circle so that they are not too high which could create Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 site issues, objects to State funding that supports critical housing infrastructure, objects to the look of the “dummy light”, believes that a strip mall with a few apartments above would have looked nicer than the proposed Lot A project. Ed Riely, 110 Truesdale Drive, Croton on Hudson, objects to the Village’s website being used as a propaganda tool touting Croton’s affordable housing initiatives from State and County officials. 9. REPORTS: Trustee Slippen thanked DPW for their amazing snow removal and keeping everyone safe, and thanked them in advance for getting our parks and fields up and running, a communication will be forthcoming regarding solicitations and what people can do to keep safe, the Arts and Humanities Council is very anxious to expand their programs and they look forward to being able to use the Gouveia property, and encouraged residents to vote for the businesses in Croton that are up for “Best Businesses in Westchester”. Trustee Politi advised that on May 17th that the Business Council will be holding a Hoedown, a fundraiser will be held at the Green Growler on March 23rd, encouraged everyone to vote for our local businesses for “Best of Westchester”, encouraged everyone to attend the Webinar regarding consolidating the Assessing functions, and supports Croton’s Website that includes our calendar, newsletter and announcement and thanked everyone for all their hard work in putting this information together for the community. Trustee Nicholson advised that Clean Up Day has been scheduled for Saturday, March 8th, the IDEA Committee is working on putting together a discussion on immigration at the Library that includes having Neighbor’s Link to answer questions, and the IDEA Committee has asked that our updated Police Policy Procedure be put in the Gazette so people understand what those updates are. Trustee Simon advised that he was happy to see the new La Catrina Restaurant featured on the front page of the Life Section of the Journal News, attended an on-line meeting regarding the Project Mover program and looks forward to the next steps, participated in the monthly call with County Legislator Ken Jenkins where Dr. Amler, the County Health Director, gave a comprehensive briefing on the Avian Flu, on February 20th he attended the ribbon cutting for Maple Commons, met with the Bicycle Pedestrian Village Board of Trustees February 26, 2025 Committee last week where they talked about working with DPW to update the gaps in our sidewalks, the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and the Conservation Advisory Council are teaming up for Earth Day celebrations, sat in on a webinar on Friday with Senator Shelley Mayer regarding the proposed Con-Edison rate increases of 11.4%, met with the Sustainability Committee Sunday morning where they updated us on the solar array and a proposed textile recycling program, this past Sunday the Planning Board held a site visit to 1 Croton Point Avenue, last night he and Village Manager Healy attended the Fire Council meeting where they received updates from the various departments. Mayor Pugh advised that he visited the Institute for Applied Human Dynamics (IAHD), a non-profit corporation that serves people with developmental disabilities, they have a residence in Croton and he got to meet some of the remarkable residents in that home as well as the very dedicated direct care workers that serve them. Resolution On motion by Trustee Simon and seconded by Trustee Nicholson the Board of Trustees approved Mayor Pugh’s appointment of Dr. Carly Shanks to the Water Control Commission with a term ending December 2025. Motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. Village Manager Healy stated that he is working with the Police Chief to write-up a release to the community regarding solicitation and peddlers, registration for the June 1st Summerfest will begin next week, registration will also begin for the 2025 Veteran Banners, the “Croton Connection” was mailed to residents last week, advised that the American Legion Post will be hosting the Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony on March 29th, 12 noon at the Harmon Firehouse. There being no further comments to come before the Board, a motion to close the meeting was made by Trustee Simon. Motion was seconded by Trustee Nicholson approved with a 5-0 vote. Meeting adjourned at 6:51pm.