Trustees Advance Speed Zone Cameras, Gouveia Park Site Work, and Third-Party Review for 100-Unit Housing Project

The Croton Board of Trustees advanced a slate of infrastructure and policy initiatives at its May 20 meeting, including a push for school speed zone cameras, environmental review for Gouveia Park improvements, and outside oversight of the village's largest housing development project.

Speed zone cameras The board unanimously adopted a home rule request asking the state legislature to authorize a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village. Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg has introduced A11322 in the Assembly, and Senator Pete Harckham has introduced companion bill S10058 in the Senate. A trustee noted the resolution follows directly from the village's legislative program adopted in March, and both legislators followed up on the village's behalf. The timing was critical — this was the board's last meeting before the legislative session ends in early June. The village manager warned that missing the window would mean the board would not have the option to pursue cameras, pushing the possibility from 2027 to 2028. The home rule request is a preliminary step, not a commitment to install cameras. If the bills pass and are signed by the governor — typically around December — the board would then hold a work session and public discussion before deciding whether to proceed. Several trustees emphasized the need for public education. Trustee Nora Nicholson said social media comments reflected concern about privacy implications. A trustee noted that body camera data storage costs are baked into the police department's existing vendor contract, addressing a concern raised by resident Ed Riley during public comment. Trustee Len Simon called for a "camera Q&A" work session to explain the differences between speed zone cameras, red light cameras, school bus cameras, and license plate readers, including where data is stored and how it's used. Pugh said the village's existing camera data is hosted locally by Westchester County Police, not in the cloud, and that the village avoids a particular vendor that has drawn privacy scrutiny. Gouveia Park site improvements enter environmental review The board kicked off the State Environmental Quality Review process for planned improvements at Gouveia Park, including extending the driveway to create a loop road, installing drainage and lighting, and adding parking spaces near the historic house. The work, funded through the $1 million endowment left with the park when it was bequeathed to the village in 2015, has a rough budget of $400,000 for site work. The house itself is not part of this project. Village Manager Bryan Healy said the board had approved funding in the capital plan, and the landscape architecture firm's contract — which took longer than expected to finalize due to insurance requirements — was issued last week. Work had already begun with three days of site clearing before the discovery of an active bald eagle nest forced a pause. Healy said the nest could remain active through the end of summer, but the delay gives the village time to complete the environmental review and advance the landscape design. Because the project involves a new driveway — which is not a structure — it qualifies as an "unlisted" action under SEQR, triggering the full review process. The board declared intent to be lead agency and will circulate the environmental assessment to the Westchester County Planning Board, state DOT, and Metro-North Railroad, which may have comments about curb cuts along its right-of-way. The Waterfront Advisory Committee will receive the materials after the 30-day comment period. Third-party review for 100-unit housing project The board authorized Village Manager Healy to execute an agreement with La Bella Associates of White Plains for third-party building code review services for the WBP Development LLC affordable home ownership project at 1 Croton Point Avenue. The developer will deposit $38,500 into an escrow account to fund the services.

Healy said the project will require roughly 40 hours of specialized review per month — more than a full week of staff time for the village engineering department. The third-party reviewers will handle specialized and civil inspections while village staff continue to perform plumbing and other required inspections. The reviewers will report to Village Engineer Vincent Salanitro. A trustee called third-party review "standard operating procedure" for large development projects to ensure consistency with approved site plans. Trustee Slippen emphasized that the developer, not the village, is paying for the service. Historic Hudson Valley litigation Resident Ed Riley asked about the village's joint agreement with Historic Hudson Valley regarding litigation at Van Cortlandt Manor. Village Attorney Joshua Subin explained that a contractor selected for the Into the Gateway beautification project had issues with state certifications and public bidding requirements. Historic Hudson Valley wanted to go a different direction with the contractor, the village was sued, and Historic Hudson Valley is indemnifying the village at no cost under a pre-existing agreement. The project dates back to 2009. The consent agenda included grant applications for Westchester County flood prevention funding to move the train station seawall and a NY Plays grant for renovating the Harrison Street playground, which was last updated about 25 years ago. ParkMobile system issues Healy reported that the village's parking meter machines had intermittent trouble accepting credit cards throughout the week. The issue appeared to be system-wide with ParkMobile, not specific to Croton. Payment was still possible via cash or by calling ParkMobile by phone. Enforcement continued as normal. A fix was implemented late Tuesday afternoon. Public comment: leaf blower pressure Dave of Farrington Road delivered a detailed case for a year-round ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers, rebutting what he called myths about electric alternatives, impacts on landscapers, and the adequacy of seasonal restrictions. He noted that Sleepy Hollow, which started with seasonal restrictions, is now revisiting a full ban because the partial measure failed to deliver results. He urged the board to "put public health first." Ed Riley responded that the board should hear from both sides, including landscapers he described as "hardworking Hispanic people that make their living doing this," and not rely solely on one perspective. Simon said the leaf blower issue has generated more email than any other topic during his current term, and that the matter is being referred to the Conservation Advisory Council. He acknowledged it is "moving at a snail's pace" but said it is moving. Trustee and committee updates The trustees recognized several community events and developments. Nicholson reported that Echo Lake summer camp has filled all 90 slots. Slippen promoted the IDEA Committee's Juneteenth event at The Grand on June 19 and the American Legion's Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. on Veteran's Corner. Simon noted a new three-foot passing distance requirement for vehicles passing cyclists, recently passed by the state Senate, and asked for a future discussion about how it applies to Croton's narrow roads. He also raised the possibility of a data center at the former Indian Point site, and a trustee agreed to add it to the village's legislative platform for monitoring. An update is expected at the decommissioning meeting on June 18.

Both trustees and the mayor acknowledged the closure of Upper Village Blooms after many years as a village institution. Pugh appointed Miguel Mara as deputy village clerk, Ian Murtagh as vice chair of the Police Advisory Committee, Joe Strini as vice chair of the HART Committee, and Karen Pokora as vice chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee.