Presentation of Certificates to the Top Responders from Croton-on-Hudson EMS for 2025
▶
Public Hearings
•
Public Hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2026 to authorize an override of the "property tax cap" enacted by the State Legislature if necessary.
Memos from the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and the Police Advisory Committee regarding the implementation of red-light cameras at certain intersections within the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.
Consider accepting the letter of resignation from Daron Weber, approving the membership changes in the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department, and filing for the record the memos from the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and Police Advisory Committee.
Consider acknowledging receipt of Local Law Introductory No. 3 of 2026 to amend Chapter 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to address various inconsistencies, update definitions and amend the number of fowl permitted on residential properties, declaring the Village Board as Lead Agency under SEQRA, issuing the Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) and Coastal Assessment Form (CAF) in connection with the Draft Law; and referring the Draft Law, the EAF, and the CAF to the County Planning Board, Village Planning Board, and Waterfront Advisory Committee.
Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory No. 4 of 2026 to add an occupancy tax to hotels and motels for February 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building.
Consider giving notice to property owners about their unpaid tax balances, authorizing the Village Treasurer to take all action prescribed by law to collect such unpaid taxes through the advertisement and sale of taxes or tax liens, and thus designating March 17, 2026, as the tax lien sale date.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies Inc. of Wappingers Falls, New York, for testing services at Gouveia Park in the amount of $5,415.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Imbiano-Quigley Landscape Architects of White Plains, New York, to create a site development plan for Gouveia Park in the amount of $23,500.
Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2025-2026 General Fund Budget in the amount of $76,583.57 to recognize payment for various police overtime shifts.
Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $15,000 for costs related to the Village's planning consultant.
Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $15,166 for various equipment requested by the Water Department.
Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $2,000 for two employees in the Engineering Department to attend tree steward certification training.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to accept the proposal from the Cohen Law Group to commence negotiations with Verizon for the establishment of a cable television franchise in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson in the amount of $10,710.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an amendment to the agreement with the American Legion Fox-Eklof Post 505 related to the reimbursement of expenses for various patriotic observances.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an agreement with Croton Little League for the lease of the sports field fences for the display of advertising banners.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an agreement with Croton AYSO for the lease of the sports field fences for the display of advertising banners.
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to award Bid No. 21-2025 for the installation of a solar canopy at the DPW Garage to Rivertown Solar of Dobbs Ferry, New York, in the amount of $302,940.
◆Resolutions Passed: None. No formal resolutions were introduced or voted on during this meeting.
◆Resolutions Failed: None.
◆Applications Reviewed: None. No Planning Board or ZBA applications were discussed.
◆Public Comments: None. No public comment period was held as the meeting consisted solely of an executive session.
◆Reports: None. No official reports were presented during this session.
◆Resolutions Passed (19 total, all 5-0):
◆#11-2026: Adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2026 authorizing property tax cap override if necessary (formality).
◆#12-2026: Adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2026 creating Village Auditor position; appointed Village Manager Bryan Healy (no additional compensation).
◆#14-2026: Accepted resignation of Daron Weber from ZBA; accepted Vincent Flynn's move to Active Member at Washington Engine Company; filed memos on red-light cameras and National Police Week.
◆#15-2026: Set boarder/roomer permit fee at $250 under the 2025-2026 Master Fee Schedule.
◆#16-2026: Initiated SEQRA review for Local Law Intro. No. 3 of 2026 (zoning code inconsistencies, definitions, fowl limits); referred to Planning Board and Waterfront Advisory Committee.
◆#17-2026: Scheduled public hearing for February 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM on Local Law Intro. No. 4 of 2026 to enact a 3% occupancy tax on hotel/motel rooms and short-term rentals.
◆#18-2026: Authorized tax lien sale for $131,414.25 in unpaid taxes; set sale date for March 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM at 1 Van Wyck Street. Largest delinquent parcel: Hudson Valley Hospital Center ($32,861.15).
◆#19-2026: Accepted $5,415 proposal from Quality Environmental Solutions & Technologies Inc. (Wappingers Falls) for asbestos and lead paint testing at Gouveia Park house; funded from Gouveia Park Endowment.
◆#20-2026: Accepted $23,500 not-to-exceed proposal from Imbiano-Quigley Landscape Architects (White Plains) for Gouveia Park site development plan; funded from Gouveia Park Endowment.
◆#21-2026: Amended General Fund budget by $76,583.57 for police overtime reimbursement from Historic Hudson Valley ($66,795.36) and NYS ($9,788.21).
◆#22-2026: Transferred $15,000 from Contingency to Manager-Contractual for Nelson Pope Voorhis planning consultant/grant writer services.
◆#23-2026: Transferred $15,166 from Water Contingency to Distribution–Equipment for hydrant meter, leak kit, and hydrant flow test kit.
◆#24-2026: Transferred $2,000 from Engineer–Personnel to Engineer–Contractual for Cornell Cooperative Extension tree steward certification training for two Engineering Department employees.
◆#25-2026: Accepted $10,710 proposal from Cohen Law Group (Pittsburgh, PA) for Verizon cable franchise negotiations; funded from Contingency.
◆#26-2026: Amended agreement with American Legion Fox-Eklof Post 505, transferring $500 from Contingency for Pearl Harbor Day ceremony costs exceeding the $2,500 annual cap.
◆#27-2026: Authorized 5-year lease agreement (Jan 1, 2026–Dec 31, 2031) with Croton Little League for advertisement banners at Dobbs Park field fences.
◆#28-2026: Authorized 3-year lease agreement (Jan 1, 2026–Dec 31, 2028) with Croton AYSO for advertisement banners at David J. Manes Memorial Field fences.
◆#29-2026: Awarded Bid No. 21-2025 to Rivertown Solar (Dobbs Ferry) for DPW Garage solar canopy installation at $302,940, funded by NYSERDA grants.
◆Appointments: Matthew Berger to ZBA (Dec 2028); Peter Sedlmair and Emily Boglioli to Recreation Advisory Committee (Dec 2028); Jessica Sewell to Arts & Humanities Advisory Council (Dec 2027).
◆Resolutions Failed: None.
◆Applications Reviewed: None (Planning Board/ZBA items not on this agenda).
◆Public Comments (4 speakers):
◆Ed Riely (110 Truesdale Drive): Commended EMS/FPW/DPW winter response; suggested medals over certificates for responders; expressed concerns about community-police relations; asked about boarder/roomer fee explanation; noted Croton has not overridden tax cap in years.
◆Bryan Deyo (North Riverside Avenue, President of Association of Businesses): Reported business traffic decline due to snow-blocked parking; requested free train station parking during snow events.
◆Sonia Ferrante (Riverside Avenue): Described difficulty finding parking during snowstorm; requested free train station parking and free shuttle transportation back to residences.
◆John Sasso (87 Morningside Drive, Recreation Advisory Committee): Expressed disappointment over stalled Dog Park discussion; committee supports sunrise-to-sunset hours (not 4 PM limit); urged Board to continue dialogue.
◆Reports:
◆Village Manager Healy: DPW working extended hours on snow removal and water main breaks; Duck Pond open for unsupervised skating; budget priority survey coming via email; Village offices closed Presidents Day; Van Cortlandt Manor entrance project starting; Quaker Bridge replacement awaiting Army Corps of Engineers approval; 25 South Riverside submitted temporary CO paperwork; some Bari Manor apartments failed inspection; recommended keeping current Dog Park hours; Gouveia Park Q&A meeting anticipated in March; free train station parking was offered during storm.
◆Trustee Slippen: Arts & Humanities Aaron Copland tribute Sunday at 2 PM at Library; Blood Drive February 21; Tax Grievance Day in June at Town of Cortlandt; congratulated Valedictorian Jeremy Pollak and Salutatorian Maya Sebestyen; recognized National Girls and Women in Sports Day; wants piece of Quaker Bridge preserved in Village archive; supports future work session on snow removal policy.
◆Trustee Nachtaler: Supported deeper snow removal discussion; noted all Recreation Advisory Committee recommendations approved except Dog Park; recognized Croton Senior Citizens Club (130 members); Recreation Department Korean BBQ trip to KPOT; next trip to Southern Table February 17.
◆Trustee Nicholson: Reported from Albany trip—parking, housing, affordability, insurance rates are top municipal issues; noted two-year Dog Park negotiation in 2023; flagged that 60 trees will be cut during Quakerbridge construction.
◆Trustee Simon: Open to reconvening Dog Park discussions; reported on Albany meetings regarding state transportation budget, AIM funding, and clean water infrastructure; met with Project Mover on phase II; Planning Board processed two ADUs and approved Mirage Mirror and Glass signage on January 27; promoted Eaglefest February 14.
◆Mayor Pugh: Appreciated Recreation Advisory Committee work; thanked DPW for storm response; supported reviewing snow removal policy after winter; thanked Daron Weber for ZBA service.
=== HEADLINE ===
Volunteer EMS Top Responders Honored as Tax Cap Override Stirs Confusion
=== SUMMARY ===
Croton's volunteer EMS top responders were recognized at the February 4 Board of Trustees meeting, where officials also adopted a routine tax cap override law that sparked concern from one resident. The village manager was appointed to a new auditor role, and updates were shared on snow removal, duck pond skating, and the Quaker Bridge replacement.
=== EXECUTIVE BRIEF ===
• Approved treasurer's report: $497,615.63 across all funds
• Adopted Local Law No. 2 of 2026: property tax cap override authorization (routine, no intent to override)
• Adopted Local Law No. 3 of 2026: created Chapter 9 (Auditor) in village code; appointed village manager to the role with no additional compensation
• Approved consent agenda including National Police Week recognition, zoning code cleanup shifting special permit reviews to planning board, and boarding/rooming permit fees
• Village manager announced dog park hours will remain unchanged from 2021
=== ARTICLE ===
Board Of Trustees meeting
Rich Ellison, Croton's top EMS responder, stepped up to the podium Tuesday night to a round of applause — and a gentle scolding from resident Ed Riley, who later told the board that volunteers who race to emergencies at all hours deserve "something better than a lousy piece of paper." {{quote:1539}}
"Give them a real good medal," Riley said.
The moment captured the warmth — and occasional edge — of the February 4 Board of Trustees meeting, where the evening's emotional high point was the recognition of EMS volunteers who handled mounting call volumes in 2025. One trustee shared that EMS arrived at the scene before she did when her daughter was hit by a car while riding her bike. Another noted that roughly 50 young people are on a waiting list to join the training program.
Mayor Brian Pugh also announced that a referendum to expand the LOSAP program to EMS members will appear on the November ballot.
But the meeting took a more bureaucratic turn shortly after, when the board opened a public hearing on Local Law No. 1 of 2026 — a routine authorization to override the state property tax cap if necessary. Nobody on the board actually wants to override the cap, and it's only been done once in 14 years. Still, the agenda item alone was enough to draw Riley to the microphone.
"Do you have any plans to override the tax cap?" he asked pointedly, before urging the board to push back publicly against inflationary policies from higher levels of government. "You should respond publicly to that. You don't have to call them out by party, but say, look, get this damn thing under control." {{quote:819}}
Trustee Nora Nicholson noted the irony: "Every year, this comes up and people are like, oh my god, we're gonna override the tax cap." She urged staff to communicate more proactively about the law's purely precautionary nature. {{quote:949}}
The board also adopted a new local law creating the office of village auditor — essentially codifying the existing practice of having staff review invoices before they reach the board. The village manager will fill the role at no additional pay. Ironically, not a single resident commented on the new auditor position during its public hearing, despite the board having just discussed how other local governments are under scrutiny from the state comptroller.
In other business, the village manager reported that DPW crews have been starting at 4 a.m. to tackle snow removal, with Duck Pond now open for skating on 12-inch-thick ice. The Quaker Bridge replacement is still awaiting Army Corps of Engineers approval, and the 25 South Riverside apartment building has applied for temporary certificates of occupancy. Residents displaced by the Barry Manor fire will wait longer — the building failed its latest inspection.
**What to watch for:**
- **Budget priorities survey** arriving by email through February 20
- **Duck Pond skating** open (green flag up); evening skating under lights delayed until next week pending warmer temperatures
- **Quaker Bridge** update expected within weeks once Army Corps approval arrives
- **Village offices closed** February 16 for Presidents' Day; garbage picked up Tuesday that week
- **Sign up for Everbridge alerts** at crotononhudson.gov for snow removal notifications in your neighborhood
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**Source documents:**
- [warrant](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/44a951bae7cb300335a6ebc0affac217f0e9d811.pdf)
- [Local Law Intro 1 of 2026 - Tax Cap](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/14a7c1b58de81b795edeaeb062292d466a8a6298.pdf)
- [Resolution 5-2026 Tax Cap Override](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/603667dca8913942d8e23e70174e985e497318af.pdf)
- [Resolution 11-2026 Adoption of LL Intro 1 of 2026 .docx](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/f8086b313760d15fea8a776bc61acc97458d53f8.docx)
- [Local Law Intro 2 of 2026 - Auditor](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/362f1bc8f8ab69010de4055a692286bf348f8894.pdf)
- [Resolution 6-2026 LL Intro 2 of 2026 PH](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/de4ae9e17c86ca3efdfbdd68ab5231a6cfbb2732.pdf)
- [Resolution 12-2026 Adoption of LL Intro 2 of 2026](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/f49c1428ff4e5fe699fa0724dcf6e5fd3d3df8e4.pdf)
- [Daron Leaving the ZBAFF](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b5ce5e4520d36517db9ce7edaead954fd0aa1f45.pdf)
- [CFD Membership Changes](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/9db5ab079529e1eebbd9c3b606021b7c103097bd.pdf)
- [PAC memo national Police week](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/ca4a997dfc9212ce6f5cbd244223069642a40c9f.pdf)
- [PAC memo signage red light cameras](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b4cc6e3b884e5c41385ad843e8586701189fc3db.pdf)
- [Re Red light camerasF](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/4b2a3d36a1c81527ab4f3a202fb74c3741dbe111.pdf)
- [Resolution 13-2026 Correspondence](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/6c33f65eaf430227c5833a70d3f01709afa12aa0.pdf)
- [Final 2025 Village of Croton Justice Court](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/dde39c2ac4229f0c4c91b5bfe050c660ed042679.pdf)
- [Resolution 14-2026 Justice Court Audit](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/8efe2838d31343b4c068d866f02762aa3ea647a9.pdf)
- [Resolution 15-2026 Boarder Permit Fee](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/8a43268570f3ba63eaa4ae97d19c8c6c0662b9af.pdf)
- [Short EAF Part I - LL Intro 3](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/48a258bdc848b000c20bee2dceede9c9fc90b917.pdf)
- [Coastal Assessment - LL Intro 3](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/b466012578ffe684a4e6ba5597c178d75700d8ee.pdf)
- [LL Intro 3 Memo](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/fb3352347a4dccd60d577a8b0a55df72d57629d8.pdf)
- [Local Law Intro 3 of 2026 Zoning Code Amendments](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/2b84f2f017420774c1aad9d47f369279d7e29d92.pdf)
- [Resolution 16-2026 LL Intro 3 of 2026 Referrals](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/4a52c4427764f8e10638df8fc93f0519358596a1.pdf)
- [Resolution 110-2025 Occupancy Tax Home Rule Request](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2025-05/46107fcd84dc621d0f4e4760f17d312b36aaa0e2.pdf)
- [A8348 – Assembly Bill](https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A08348&term=2025)
- [S7790 – Senate Bill](https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=S07790&term=2025)
- [LL Intro 4 of 2026 Hotel Motel Occupancy Tax](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/7d983e94e7f821f62f159e693277b508910fc795.pdf)
- [Resolution 17-2026 LL Intro 4 of 2026 PH](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/b8789f44edd74a6be3a0de911bcab0851c9ba863.pdf)
- [Resolution 18-2026 Tax Lien Scheduled 1](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/95fcd630998c9fcc4dc587bf20a44c1d1ccb613f.pdf)
- [Gouveia Park Improvements Project Page](https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-manager/pages/parks-recreation-projects#anchor_gouveia)
- [269735%20Pre%20Renovation%20Environmental%20Testing%20Services%20Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/5df943ab08a44874c266fa3874da257130afa799.pdf)
- [Resolution 19-2026 QuEST Gouveia Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/84701fbd13a59d7c102a5d3ca297f1b7409c037f.pdf)
- [Gouveia Park Improvements Project Page](https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-manager/pages/parks-recreation-projects#anchor_gouveia)
- [Portfolio%20of%20Past%20Projects%20from%20Landscape%20Architect](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/35dfc1e4c65c972df1f46b9cf78fd35d8d7b1992.pdf)
- [Landscape%20Architect%20Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/ddabe0f90512a52227e90d30121885b8293ae803.pdf)
- [Resolution 20-2026 IQ Architects Gouveia Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/76f1ef4da8c417266d8c7b99c78e286fda7096e8.pdf)
- [Resolution 21-2026 PD Overtime](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/fc8d54c50d786e60f34fbad6cb0435dc3774b625.pdf)
- [Resolution 22-2026 NPV Expenses](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/7445a417cddf3d95a491c7e054b2dfb576347d41.pdf)
- [Resolution 23-2026 Water Dept Budget Transfer](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/073856a9a6dc0c899529beb44013f56577626831.pdf)
- [Resolution 24-2026 Engineering Budget Transfer](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/aff6dc5eda92fad56c37c3437c18fec57145b2f9.pdf)
- [MINUTES JANUARY 21 2026](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/49129f876f9ab5e1ea7e71f3b1a0a75ff8566d77.pdf)
- [Village of Croton-on-Hudson - Proposal for Cable Franchise Agreement with Verizon 1-6-26](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/c62a04cd7b245ac53b6884e32681764c4afe8bd5.pdf)
- [Village of Croton-on-Hudson - Engagement Letter for Verizon Franchise 1-6-26](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/a2a31cd3a25707798d7f736ef130c7ef09767acb.pdf)
- [Resolution 25-2026 Verizon Cable Franchise Negotiation Proposal](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/b5defbfbec21e15533cd250cfa6c094b1590dd16.pdf)
- [American Legion Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/9b4a474a6fdfbf6c3c0370f54e0324077b628832.pdf)
- [American Legion Amendment](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/64f4aed0e5c6e208a85d7dfb5ea8caa47ead523b.pdf)
- [Resolution 26-2026 American Legion Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/de640b5012de2afec7705b680de546ae1594c7bb.pdf)
- [Lease Agreement - Sports Field fences - CLL](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-01/d878b0ad1561d24ab5bad9b8b321bf43a4ed021a.pdf)
- [Resolution 27-2026 CLL Lease Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/0d7b919ced146f689b5a49365f0076ed1bae9a59.pdf)
- [Lease Agreement - Sports Field fences - AYSO](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/fba0c2b074b54d10afd574754f1c9fe39f34a335.pdf)
- [Resolution 28-2026 AYSO Lease Agreement](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/d9c8961e81c23ae4a8df3b78eaf2d9b499dec589.pdf)
- [Resolution 29-2026 Bid 21-2025 DPW Canopy](https://play.champds.com/ATT/crotononhudsonny/2026-02/7f80e014498ddc1fb8309d1f3b6f041f7f86cc0d.pdf)
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