The Croton Board of Trustees moved forward on several major 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.
Mayor Brian Pugh and Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of the Maple Street flashing beacon at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Mayor Brian Pugh and Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of the Maple Street flashing beacon at the Board Of Trustees meeting.

School Speed Zone Camera Request

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 introduced A11322 in the Assembly, and Senator Pete Harckham introduced companion bill S10058 in the Senate. The timing was critical. This was the board's last meeting before the legislative session ends in early June, and missing the window would push the possibility from 2027 to 2028. "Then we go from looking at this in 2027 to looking at it in 2028," Mayor Brian Pugh said. 38:01▶ 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. Trustee Nora Nicholson said social media comments reflected public concern about privacy. "People are really questioning privacy issues at this point in our history," 34:07▶ Nicholson said, adding that if and when the village gets approval, there will be a deeper conversation about speed cameras and their use. Trustee Maria Slippen called for 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 is used. "We have had a lot of ongoing interest from residents regarding every time cameras come up," 35:12▶ Slippen said. 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. "Our data is hosted locally by Westchester County Police, and it is not, cloud based," 34:43▶ Pugh said.

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 is funded through the $1 million endowment left with the 16-acre park when it was bequeathed to the village in 2015, with a rough budget of $400,000 for site work. The house itself is not part of this project. Village Manager Bryan Healy said work had begun with some initial site clearing before the discovery of an active bald eagle nest forced a pause. Slippen noted that crews got in about three days of work before stopping. 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. The landscape architecture firm's contract was finalized the previous week after delays due to insurance requirements. 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. The Waterfront Advisory Committee will receive the materials after the 30-day comment period.
Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of the school speed zone camera demonstration program at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of the school speed zone camera demonstration program at the Board Of Trustees meeting.

Third-Party Review for 100-Unit Housing Project

The board authorized Healy to execute an agreement with LaBella 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. Simon called third-party review "standard operating procedure" for a project at this stage of development to ensure consistency with approved site plans. 22:10▶ Trustee Slippen emphasized that the developer, not the village, is paying for the service.

Historic Hudson Valley Litigation

Resident Ed Riely 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, the village was sued, and Historic Hudson Valley is indemnifying the village at no cost under a pre-existing agreement. Subin's fees are also being covered by Historic Hudson Valley.

Leaf Blower Debate Continues

Dave Lowell of Farrington Road delivered a detailed case for a year-round ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers, rebutting arguments 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. Riely responded that the board should hear from both sides, including landscapers he described as hardworking people who make their living doing this work. Slippen said the leaf blower issue has generated more email than any other topic during her current term as trustee, and that the matter is being referred to the Conservation Advisory Council. "It's moving at a snail's pace, but it is moving," 53:19▶ Slippen said.

Appointments and Other Business

Pugh appointed Miguel Marra as deputy village clerk, Ian Murtaugh as vice chair of the Police Advisory Committee, Joe Streany as vice chair of the HEART Committee, and Karen Pecora as vice chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee. The consent agenda included 15 resolutions covering grant applications for Westchester County flood prevention funding to address tidal flooding at the Croton-Harmon train station parking lot, a NY Plays grant for renovating the Harrison Street playground (last updated about 25 years ago), renewal of the OVAC ambulance services agreement at $203,460.91 per village, and several budget amendments for snow removal overtime and other expenses.
Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of a building permit application for WBP Development LLC at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Village Manager Bryan Healy during discussion of a building permit application for WBP Development LLC at the Board Of Trustees meeting.
Healy reported that the village's parking meter machines had intermittent trouble accepting credit cards during the week, an issue that appeared to be system-wide with ParkMobile. Payment remained possible via cash or phone, and a fix was implemented Tuesday afternoon. Slippen acknowledged the impending closure of a long-standing flower shop in the upper village after many years as a village institution.