Documents

minutes 6 pages

A Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY was held on Monday, June 6, 2011 at the Municipal Building, Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520. Mayor Wiegman Trustee Gallelli Village Manager Zambrano Trustee Murtaugh-absent Village Attorney Staudt Trustee Schmidt Treasurer Bullock Trustee Raskob 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Wiegman called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. Everyone joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS: Trustee Gallelli made a motion to approve the vouchers as follows, subject to review by the Audit Committee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Raskob and approved with a vote of 4-0 with one absent. 2010-2011 General Fund $ 125,190.63 Water Fund 28,186.07 Sewer Fund 8,844.50 Capital Account 16,590.82 Trust & Agency 3,041.25 Total $ 181,853.27 Trustee Raskob made a motion to approve the vouchers as follows, subject to review by the Audit Committee. The motion was seconded by Trustee Schmidt and approved with a vote of 4-0 with one absent. 2011-2012 General Fund $152.775.91 Water Fund 8,087.43 Sewer Fund 237.00 Capital Account Trust & Agency Total $ 161,100.34 3. CORRESPONDENCE: Village Manager Zambrano read the following correspondence (full text available at the Village Office): Village Board Meeting June 6, 2011 a) A memo from Village Engineer Dan O’Connor requesting extension of a building permit for 126 Upper North Highland. Motion by Trustee Schmidt, 2nd by Trustee Raskob, request was approved 4-0 with one absent. b) A letter from Dr. Richard Izzo, Westchester Toughman, regarding a Food Drive they will be conducting. c) A letter from Alicia Baly, Account Executive, New York Power Authority, regarding proposed modifications of NYPA's production and delivery rate. d) A letter from Caroline Pavlenyi, Community Development Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters, requesting placing their collection bins in the Village. Trustee Gallelli stated that she has some concerns about this because of the possible overstuffing of the bins which becomes unsightly; we must have some recourse to deal with this. Village Manager Zambrano recommended reaching out to private entities that might have the space for bins and a way to manage them. Trustee Raskob added that this organization is a profit-making enterprise. Trustee Schmidt asked where do you draw the line if others are asking for this; we do have Goodwill collection already in the community. e) A letter from Alexander H. Roberts, Executive Director, Community Housing Innovations, Inc., regarding the CHI Fast Track Loan Modification Program for those who are behind on their mortgage payments. The next session of three days meetings is scheduled for Tuesday June 21 through Thursday, June 23 at 190 East Post Rd., White Plains, 3rd floor. f) A letter from Alexander H. Roberts, Executive Director, Community Housing Innovations, Inc., stating that their group will be applying for CDBG funding for their foreclosure assistance program. g) A letter from Kate Bialo, Executive Director, Furniture Sharehouse, stating that they will be applying for CDBG funding for their furniture bank program which collects gently used furniture from the public and redistributes it to need families (see www.furnituresharehouse.org) and offering to make a presentation about their program. Trustee Schmidt asked that this information be added to the Village web site. h) A letter from Rosemarie Noonan, Executive Director, Housing Action Council stating that this group will be applying for funding from the Westchester Urban County Consortium CDBG Application for FY 2012-2014 to continue its homeownership counseling program. i) A letter from Geoffrey Anderson, Executive Director, Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc., stating that this group will be applying for CDBG funding for four programs and offering to make a presentation before the Board. 4 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (agenda items): a) Pat Moran, Wells Ave., asked if the executive session is considered an agenda item. Village Manager Zambrano replied that it is not part of tonight’s agenda. Ms. Moran asked if someone could identify the real property discussed. Mayor Wiegman replied it was 41-51 Maple St. Village Board Meeting June 6, 2011 b) Bob Wintermeier, 43 Radnor, regarding the NY Power Authority correspondence, asked who gets that power. Village Manager Zambrano replied that the municipalities do. Mr. Wintermeier asked what the significance is of the four items regarding CDBG fund applications. Trustee Gallelli replied that all non-profit organizations who are applying for CDBG funding follow a protocol whereby they have to conduct a public outreach including contacting municipalities and offering to make a presentation. c) Ginny Calcutti, 93 Hunter, asked what is CDBG funding. Mayor Wiegman replied that it is Community Development Block Grant; the County determines where the money should be distributed for the fiscal year cycles. Ms. Calcutti stated that last year the Westchester Toughman event caused traffic/bicycle confusion and asked if there is anything that can be done before someone gets hurt. Village Manager Zambrano replied that the route has been changed for this year so the congestion does not take place and we will not have the issues we had last year. Mr. Zambrano added that they will be setting up meetings with the Westchester County Parks and WC Police. 5. PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS: a. On motion of TRUSTEE Gallelli, seconded by TRUSTEE Schmidt, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton on-Hudson, New York with a vote of 4-0 with one absent: WHEREAS, the Village of Croton on Hudson has entered into an agreement with the SPCA of Westchester Inc. to provide animal shelter care on an annual basis; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to renew this agreement for fiscal year commencing June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012; and WHEREAS, SPCA of Westchester has agreed to renew the agreement with no increase for fiscal year June 1, 2011 through May 31, 2012; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the agreement with the SPCA of Westchester, Inc. to provide services to the Village for seized, stray and homeless dogs and cats in accordance with the terms of the agreement at the annual cost of $6,416.55. b. On motion of TRUSTEE Gallelli, seconded by TRUSTEE Schmidt, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a vote of 4-0 with one absent: WHEREAS, the Village Treasurer wishes to open both sides of the General Fund budget to record the receipt and subsequent disbursement associated with insurance recoveries; amending the 2010-2011 General Fund budget as follows: GENERAL REVENUE Increase A1000.2680 $6,171.00 GENERAL EXPENSES Increase A3120.4710 $6,171.00 Village Board Meeting June 6, 2011 NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village Treasurer is authorized to amend the 2010-2011 General Fund budget to reflect these changes. c) On motion of TRUSTEE Raskob, seconded by TRUSTEE Schmidt, the following resolution was adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York with a vote of 4-0 with one absent: WHEREAS, the Village wishes to provide immediate assistance to the leadership of the Croton EMS in order to provide a continuity of service by our EMS volunteers; and WHEREAS, the Village has an Emergency Management Director who is available to assist EMS; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees authorizes the Village Manager to appoint the Emergency Management Director to act as Interim Liaison between the Village staff and Board and the membership of the Croton EMS and Fire Department for as long as is needed to study and implement the options that will provide a continuity of ambulance services to the members of our community, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, should the Emergency Management Director accept the role as Interim Liaison, that work should commence effective immediately and that the Director work with the Village Manager as necessary and report back to the Village Board within three weeks from today with preliminary findings and suggestions to ensure continuity of service to the community. 6. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION (non-agenda items): a) Bob Wintermeier, 43 Radnor Ave., stated that the parking lot garage feasibility study approved in September 2009 encompasses 47 pages or $2,000 per page; the executive summary includes boring which he thought had funds approved already. Trustee Gallelli stated that $97,000 was the amount allocated, but that is not what was spent; some things were not done and were not charged for. Mr. Wintermeier stated that he understands that this structure is not needed for one to three years but he would like to know what all the figures represent. Village Manager Zambrano stated that the parking usage has increased considerably the past several months. Mr. Wintermeier stated that some pages have repeated data and some information is not what he would consider a local study. He added that pictures are also duplicated; some maps were reversed; he is not enthralled about what we got for our money. Trustee Gallelli added that a report is not normally evaluated by dividing the cost by the number of pages. Mr. Wintermeier stated that another study he is waiting to hear about is the DPW productivity study. Village Manager Zambrano replied that he and the DPW superintendent have a meeting scheduled with the consultant on June 26th b) Ginny Calcutti, 19 Hunter Place, stated that she met with Village Manager Zambrano last Tuesday; at the meeting she asked about the DPW report and was told it was forthcoming; the study started in the fall of 2010 and no report has come through yet. Ms. Calcutti asked about specific summer employees and was told they were not coming back this year, but they have in Village Board Meeting June 6, 2011 fact, reported for work. Ms. Calcutti, regarding longevity, stated that it is not mandated by the State as she was told; she also wants to discuss health plan costs with one or more members of the Board. Ms. Calcutti asked why we are paying for a clothing allowance; the Police Dept. and DPW clothing allowance is okay because of the nature of their job. c) Julie Woodward, formerly of Croton and a member of CIP (Close Indian Point) read a prepared statement regarding her views on Indian Point. She asked for resolutions to be posted on line. She listed 8 items she would like the Village to pursue. Mayor Wiegman asked Ms. Woodward to send the Board her comments in writing. d) Mary Cronin, 201 Cleveland Drive, asked Croton to pass a resolution regarding the closing of the Indian Point Nuclear Plant; she read the resolution and left a copy with Village Manager Zambrano. She stated that they were at Summerfest and received 450 signatures on a petition to closed Indian Point which will be sent to the Governor. e) Roseanne Schuyler, Olcott Ave., questioned public statements regarding the Harmon litigation; she asked who the business people are and what about the litigation is preventing development. Attorney Staudt, as counsel, advised no response from the Mayor about this ongoing litigation. Ms. Schuyler continued with her opinions about the Harmon area rezoning. f) Bob Armanini, Thompson Ave., read a prepared statement regarding a letter in the Gazette about the Harmon rezoning. 7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of the minutes of the Special Meeting held on April 29, 2011 was held over to next meeting. Trustee Gallelli made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on May 16, 2011 as corrected. Trustee Raskob seconded the motion. The Board approved with a vote of 3-0 with one abstaining and one absent. 8. REPORTS: Village Manager Zambrano reported that Village tax bills went out this past week; payment is due by June 30th. Mr. Zambrano reminded the public to make sure their dogs are leashed and pick up after your dog. He reported that on Saturday the Yacht Club had its opening day; he offered congratulations to the new officers, Mr. Zambrano stated that Summerfest seemed to have more people than in past years. Trustee Schmidt reported that Summerfest was a great day and there was a great crowd; the weather was partially cloudy, but there was no rain or heavy winds; there was a good turnout of vendors and it is an important day in the Village; a lot of community groups were out there to talk about themselves and what they do as well as using it as a fund raiser. He thanked participants for their community outreach; one group was selling clothes for $1.00 and notices were sent out in English and Spanish. Trustee Schmidt thanked several groups and individuals Village Board Meeting June 6, 2011 who helped make the day come together. He added that veterans were honored and veterans with many years of service were involved. Trustee Schmidt stated that, regarding dogs and leashes, we need to issue a few tickets and hope will get 99% compliance; it is time to do something serious about this. He reported that recycling is now collecting plastics with numbers 1 through 7. Trustee Raskob reported that everyone enjoyed Summerfest; it was a pleasure to march in the parade and he was proud to do so; it was a great success for participants. Trustee Raskob reported that on May 24th he went to the NYCOM conference in Saratoga and he went to work; they had conferences for new officials, balancing budgets and policy; he met a lot of people in equivalent positions and found out most are in the same general position; NYCOM does a good job in lobbying, but he did not get an acceptable answer regarding tax cap; it was two days of intensive work. Trustee Gallelli reported that she concurs what a delightful day Summerfest was and thinks it was just as well attended as other years. Trustee Gallelli also reported that the Farmers Market opened last Wednesday; they have some new vendors and some old tried and true vendors. Trustee Gallelli stated that over the last 2 years, we sometimes had speakers from Croton- Harmon Tennis Assoc. regarding refurbishing the tennis courts at the Middle School; the clay tennis courts were completed last summer; they are now open again and are having an event this Saturday at the CET courts; there will be clinics for children and adult tournaments then a barbeque at Senasqua Park at 2 pm; there is a small charge for this. Ms. Gallelli reported that the Croton Harmon Booster Club is having a golf tournament at Hollow Brook CC. She reported that last Thursday night the Westchester County Municipal Planning Federation had their annual dinner; Josh Moreinis was posthumously honored for his many planning achievements Mayor Wiegman reported that Summerfest was great. He stated that on June 3rd, NYCOM invited him and others to meet with officials from Russia and volunteer firemen, ambulance corps, DPW and sanitation were topics discussed. Mayor Wiegman reported that on June 8th, Assemblywoman Sandy Galef will be having a forum at the high school on energy alternatives to Indian Point. Trustee Gallelli made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Schmidt seconded the motion; approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm. Phyllis A. Bradbury Phyllis A. Bradbury, Secretary Village Clerk