• good evening, and welcome to our October 15 work session of the Croton Village Board of Trustees. Our first time in the business is a author or consider authorizing the manager to reject the bid received on 09/04/2025 for the DPW Garage Solar Canopy project.
Manager. Whereas the village issued an invitation to bid on 07/31/2025 for the installation and commissioning of a solar canopy at the DPW garage. Whereas this project to be funded through grants awarded to the village by the New York State Energy Development and Research Authority. And whereas one bid was received at the time of the bid opening on 09/04/2025. And whereas the required bid bond or cash deposit was not submitted, is considered a material defect in the bid response. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson hereby rejects the bid received on 09/04/2025 for the DPW Garage Solar Canopy project.
So myself and village clerk Paula DeSanto and sustainability chair, Lindsay Auden, have all been working with this vendor over the past six weeks to try to bring the bid into compliance and move forward with the project. However, we're at the point now where we have to choose an alternate path. Otherwise, we're going to risk the missing out on the incentives that are going to expire at the end of the year. So we will be rebidding this project in the very near future, and hopefully, we will get better better results.
Do we have to rebid it? Sorry. I know you probably just said this. So I'm gonna ask this question. Do we have to rebid it, or can we go to the second bidder? We only had one bidder. Oh. So, yeah, if if we had had two bidders, we could have gone to gone to the second bidder? Yes. But since we only got the one, we have to
yeah. But we're going to we're going to try to bid it for the minimum period Mhmm. So that, you know, we can still try to meet the deadlines.
Do we have a sense of what we can do to recruit more bidders for this? I mean, my understanding is that one of the challenges, is, right, right, is it's called what you want, the the last hurrah for a lot in the solar industry and that they're you know, everyone's basically full till the end of the year, and then probably a lot of folks won't be around after that, sadly. Supposedly,
from what I understand, all we need the work itself doesn't need to be done by the end of the year. We just need to have the contractor in place, and then we can lock in. So, you know, they can do the work next year as long as we lock it in this year. So Yeah.
Yeah. No. I oh, I understand. Yeah. I I I get that. But, I mean, I think that you everyone else operates under that same basis as well. Right? Yeah. And so they're still probably full into 2026.
I mean, we we advertised it through our normal mid channels, and we shared it with the NYSERDA approved contractors. You know, we will do the same again. And hopefully, like I said, hopefully, we get better better results. You know, I don't I don't know if maybe the timing was just a little off. Maybe there were so many people trying to schedule their their projects in August that, you know, it was ignored or put to the side by other other companies. And now now that those other things have been mostly scheduled, maybe they'll have more time to focus on preparing a response for hours.
• But that's where we are, unfortunately. This contractor was not able to provide what was needed.
• All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye.
• right. Next item is an update on the departmental operations from DPW Superintendent Frank Balbi.
• So as you guys know, we have, quite a few things going on in the in the village. So manager Healy did ask me to to stop by and just sort of give a rundown of of everything we got going on. I I mean, if anybody is following along, I'm sort of you know, manager Healy has the the village projects page on our website. So I'm sort of just following that format if anybody wants to follow along at home.
Staffing? Yep. Sure. Do you want me to do that ahead of time or right at the end?
Okay. So currently, as it sits today, we don't have any open positions. Positions. Okay. We did receive notice from the state that one of our employees is retiring by the end of the month. So that'll open up actually a driver's position for us, which we intend to fill. Traditionally, that's always been filled in house, which, in theory, if everything goes as it has in the past, would open up a laborer position because everything shuffles around. So that could be done following the end of the month. So that's where we're at with that. Other than that, unfortunately, we don't any additional positions open. We could talk about that, of course.
Yes. So we She just promoted. The the road foreman position. Yeah. Was a position that we opened up. It actually, we had that position in our in our union contract a while back. It was vacated even before I got here. We did sort of resurrect that, and that was filled by an internal staff member. Okay. We did not backfill that position just for budgeting because we didn't have we didn't have that in our budget to do that.
• But when somebody does retire and vacate a position, that does leave us a a position to open. So roster wise, we're not adding any. We didn't add any any any headcount, but we did add a position.
• That's the that was more to myself than it was to you guys. But yes.
We added one position to DPW for this. Yeah. So we had so we had we're plus one in headcount Yeah. At DPW currently. Okay. And then there was a promotion, which, as the superintendent was saying, did not result in additional personnel, but it does allow them to have additional crews because you have another supervisor.
tried to hire a additional supervisor. Correct. Yeah. Yeah. And it's, you know, it's still new, but it's it's working out pretty nicely so far. Yeah.
I I looked at this, and I I looked at the Brook Street drainage improvement project at the top. And then I looked at the bottom of that page at the municipal building improvements. And I said, well, this is a pretty ambitious agenda. And then I realized there were two more pages of the twenty twenty three projects. So it it it took my breath away just to just to read the whole thing. So I'm looking forward to Yeah. Hearing hearing you talk about them. It's pretty amazing. And I guess I'll start off with you know, this is on top of our daily
workflow. Right? The sanitation, the potholes, the tree trimming, all the all the all the daily stuff. So this is sort of on on top of all that regular work, we'll call it.
So we will start with that Brook Street drainage improvement project. So they're they we are working with the design firm. They have developed construction drawings to improve the drainage flow coming down Brook Street from Old Post Road North all the way down to Riverside. I believe last meeting, the seeker and the LWRP was all approved for this project. I believe we have made a request to the county for some funding to help offset some of the costs of the of the project. I don't think we have heard from them yet. Not yet. No.
• out?
This will be bid out. It is a large scale drainage project Okay. With large culverts going in the roadway and and utilities being moved. And, yeah, this is gonna be a large scale project, so it will be bid out. Next one is the Cleveland Drive resurfacing. So federal funding was bookmarked for
• resurface Cleveland from Benedict all the way out to Gerstein. On top of that, the paving Gerstein down to Wood, and then Wood out to Maple, and then a portion of Old Post Road South from the high school to Cleveland. Plans and specs have been developed. They were submitted to the state for review. We got some initial comments from them, and we're actually meeting with the state along with the design firm tomorrow to just review their comments and make sure we're all on the same page. Comments didn't seem to be too overly
• restrictive. They you know, it's a it's a, quote, unquote, simple project. It's mill and pave. So in terms of federally funded project, it's it's a very basic project. So the comments were were low, but we did wanna, excuse me, meet with the state just to make sure our next submission is complete or as close to complete as we can get them anyway.
Yeah. So paving past November is usually not a so we're we we hope to bid this out in the winter, say January, February. This way, when the spring paving season starts and the plants open up again, we can we can get a contractor and and sort of hit the ground running with it.
And then just on Cleveland, the Con Ed opened the streets up. Yeah. Right? Which was somewhat somewhat of a surprise to us, right, to do some of their gas gas line work. Like, is that done? Is that something that they're were they happy with the result? Did you get any communication from them about that project? I haven't spoken to Con Ed, but as I understand that that work is complete. Okay.
Yes. And they won't be they'll thankfully, they did it before we paved Yeah. Which isn't always the case, unfortunately. Yeah. But that was that was done and and without issue.
• Walkway to Ossining, that's a project currently going on. We have the material delivered. The contractor is working. We are working with our welding contractor. They're replacing some of the damaged and worn out railings and and posts there where where he's expected to be done with that whole thing by the December.
Some of the in the sort of the middle part, there's some signage there that's a worn out as well. Is part of the project you think?
At the end of the project, we'll see what the funding we have left. Absolutely, yeah. Put it on the list. Yeah, absolutely. Is
is that on that little, like, outlook override? Okay. The the midpoint where you can stop and kinda look out there. Got it. The crossing. Yeah.
• I've never actually been out there, so I don't know what the signage looks like. Well, it's it's it's great. You know? I mean, you I do think that too. I drive drive tires all the time. Like, I can get out of the car with me. No. No. It's well, it's great on your bike here. Mean, you do is just go down to the green growler, and it's just, you know Yeah. Right. Right. Just make it Stop at the of these days, make that turn. And and, you know, the only thing is you just want you want it to keep on going truly to, you know, further further into us, but maybe someday.
Next one is the Farrington Road steps. As you guys know, we did do a full design and bid on that project. Bids came in, unfortunately, much higher than the than the funding that we had. We believe a lot of that was because of the sort of the the restriction on the job that it had to be done through the summer. Mhmm. So we are planning to also rebid that one in the in the winter, hoping that, you know, we get more favorable pricing from contractors then. And then, again, construction starting in the in the spring on that one.
• 2025, general road repairs and sidewalks. So the road repair section of this, the resurfacing project was complete for this year. We did resurface Scenic Drive West, Lower North Highland, the dead end section of Cleveland Drive by Piney Point, and that section of Penfield, Benedict to Oneida. So that was all done and all funded through the chips money that we received from New York State. Sidewalks, we did do a few sections of sidewalks, which shows the dead end section of Thompson and a section of Wheelan By Oneida. It's okay. We
• do have some funding left over in that capital account. So we actually are are are deciding on a section to be done with that two small sections to be done with that money as well. They're they're little they're actually too small continuations. They're gaps in the sidewalk system that that Yeah. Through the years, we sort of lost. So since we have the funding left over, we can probably get that done for by the end of the year.
These were areas that were identified by the bicycle pedestrian committee as part of their as part of their plan. So That's good. You know, hopefully, as Superintendent Balbi was saying, by the end of the year, we will have done four areas that they identified, which is pretty nice. Yeah. With relatively minimal funding. I mean, we only set aside $30,000 for this project. So
I'm just thinking out loud. I think there could be an opportunity for the bike ped committee to come to a work session in the future Mhmm. And talk through the master plan and talk through kind of these sidewalk sections and complete streets. And because I it I think I think probably a lot most of the board is is probably on the board since they've developed that master plan. So I think it would be under good to understand kind of where we're at with it Yep. And what are the priority projects for them going forward.
Yeah. And I was actually when I was looking at the map today, I was thinking it would be helpful if they could actually update that map because it's been almost Right. Probably, like, five years since it was done. And we have done a number of the the things that are on it, so it would be good. And there's probably maybe some new things that might The the one
the the 2021 version, which we're working off of now, is itself an update of what was previously done. So I think it's timely to consider an update. They're gonna their next meeting is on the thirtieth, so we can just kinda start talking about this as a possibility. Great. And, you know, get some dates for them to come by. Yeah. That'd be great.
Okay. Next one is the Half Moon Bay Bridge. So this is the bridge that crosses the tracks over by Half Moon Bay. We received a few flags. And so every year, I don't know if you guys are aware, New York State goes out and they inspect every bridge every two years. Mhmm. So we had some flags pop up on this on this bridge. It's time for a rehab. Again, design firm went through. This is sort of a specialty design, so they went through. We have a full design. We did submit it since it does cross the railroad tracks. Metro North is would does have to review and comment on the the design, on the project itself. So that's sort of the phase we're at. They have the drawings. They are under review with Metro North. But we have been
the security of the office as we've done in both the main office and the rec department. We have a, you know, a temporary situation in there right now. They were the last office that needs to be done.
The intersection of Croton Point Avenue and Benedict. So the the so we're hoping to update the the traffic signals themselves, but as well as the controls for the signals, get a more modern system going. And and we're trying to figure out a way to to do traffic loops aren't aren't sort of old technology now. They use cameras so that they can signal the lights if nobody's coming down. Let's say nobody's coming down Benedict. There's no reason for them to go green. Right? So they won't go green until they actually see a car on Benedict. Then they'll stop Riverside. Benedict can go, and Riverside will go green again. So we're trying to implement those on intersections there. I think we can I think with the funding, we can we can get that done? But, again, we're waiting for proposals from
vendors for the equipment and the material to do that. And there was some equipment installed on Croton Point Avenue next to the the lights there. Yes. Right? Yeah. But that that just doesn't look like it's plugged in yet?
So, yes, there there are traffic loops in in there. Yeah. So that that system is working. That system is pretty complicated and intricate because there are so many intersections so close together. So we did work with a design firm to streamline that a little bit. The timing is better. Okay. To get a perfect system there, I I I think I don't know how perfect we can get over there, unfortunately, because there are so many cars in a short amount of time with intersections that are so close together.
So that's what the intersections aren't talking to each other necessarily was the challenge. That's the other thing. Yeah. We're
only responsible for one of those intersections. The state's responsible for the other So getting those to communicate as well. The state generally doesn't allow the state won't control a municipally owned intersection, and they won't allow us to control theirs, obviously. So that's why there's a little bit of
But the contractor that we had, I think that was earlier this year. Right? New England. They were able to work with the state and get them to loosen the grip a little bit. A little bit. Yeah. Okay. Am I am I correct that that was
anticipation of that project. For the work that was done by this New England traffic. Right. Yes. Okay. Gotcha. So that was a requirement from their planning board approval. Yeah. So so that was that was helpful. Yep.
add a little bit to what Frank was saying, you know, this will also improve the pedestrians, the signals at the intersection. Right? And, you know, we have gotten complaints in the past of people feeling unsafe trying to I'm speaking more about Benedict and South Verra side at this point, but people feeling unsafe crossing there.
We were actually at the firehouse when somebody was was hit. I forget what that was. Maybe for an inspection. No. Actually, we were we were getting an award for Oh. We're getting a It was a Crest award. Yeah. It was a Crest award. Yeah. Yeah. So, I mean, there have been there have been some
unfortunate incidents at that intersection. So, you know, I'm very, very happy to be able to make improvements here. And we're also hoping that as part of this upgrade, there will be equipment that will allow the fire apparatus leaving the firehouse to, control the signal. Mhmm. Yeah. So that will basically clear the intersection. So it will make it safer for them Yeah. So that they don't nobody either nobody hits into them or they don't hit into somebody. Yeah. And, you know, that's obviously beneficial as well. So this has this is a multifaceted improvement.
Great. Is there any discussion about the no right turn on red when you're coming south when you're taking the the exit ramp south going towards the because I know that we were able to move there was one on the northbound right now, and that was removed. But I think that even it well, I mean, you can tell me. I won't maybe you have the answer to my question before can ask it. Okay. The state the state has emphatically stated
that they will not remove that right on red because it is a two lane ramp, and it is not safe for pedestrians walking with vehicles turning from two different lanes.
So the I I understand that's how, like, that's how it's laid out. Yeah. So if you ever drive on the ramp on the going northbound I do every day. Not right. So you then you know that it is it is a one lane ramp that is I know. In in practice, it's a two lane ramp. I know. So, like, I so and I do think that so I just said, like, I don't know how we have that conversation because it's not I mean, not to cut you off, but, I mean, we have had this conversation
Yeah. Dozens of times since 2020. The difference with the northbound ramp is it's yes. Not two lanes. It's kinda two lanes, but both lanes are going in a different direction. The southbound ramp, everybody's going right. So that's the the Southbound, everybody's going Yeah. Both Most people most people are going right on both both of those. So making a right on red, if you're on the left lane,
You can turn. You can go left straight or right from the the left ramp lane. And you can only go right in the right ramp lane. So you can turn right from either lane on the southbound ramp.
Right. And that's the maneuver that the state is very hesitant on as well. Because there so is there some
• the Croton-Harmon improvements. And so people would that's always been a problematic ramp, right, especially during
• as on either side it is, I guess, you know, when during the commuting hours in the morning when people are going into the train station. But I just wonder if I don't drive it as much as I used to, but there it seems like there's an opportunity there for something
lane is kind of crazy. Right? And then to but not to be able to turn on red even if it were only turn on red between you know, no turn on red between
We've brought that suggestion. We've we've brought that suggestion on something. So there's not so we They have like I said, they have
said, we are not doing this. End of discussion. Closed. I mean I mean, it's it's an ongoing issue that it feels like we should be able to have some type of
We even tried. Right turn on right from right lane only. We haven't tried. But I just think that is
it it seems like there's a there could be potentially a better solution there than what's going on. You know? And especially because that other ramp is not I know there are lines driven in it, but, like, guilty. I've totally driven next to a car so that I can turn when I'm going south so that I can turn right when there's a backup of cars that wanna turn left there. I'm I'm sure, you know, it's not it doesn't feel reckless. Reckless. It's It's big big enough enough for for that. That. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway Anyway okay. Okay. Sorry. Sorry. I just had a fantasy that that, like, turn on red could could be limited to certain I I mean, I I I
I believe say that I get emails on it at least once a month, if not more. I mean, five year like I said, it's been five years, and people are still emailing about it. Yeah. I mean, Well, you missed one train.
Yeah. But, I mean, I I we can reach out again. But, I mean, there's no that you guys did that I just felt like since we're talking about, I wanted to work out because Yeah. I didn't notice.
I I don't I I we have not had a meeting yet Okay. With them. So I would say let us meet with Okay. Yes. I just wanna I don't
I think that adding traffic calming measures is what is preferable. Of course. Lived there for over twenty years and whose kids had to cross the street to walk to school there. I I don't I'm highly in favor of only adding traffic calming measures and not removing any. I just wanna say that out loud and leave it at that. Yeah. Okay. But happy to schedule, you know, to to discuss it further.
I think we all I think we're all Yeah. On the same page with that. Yeah. So And I think that, you know, just pointing out kind of what's been paid and what hasn't been paid for. The only thing that's been paid for is the study itself. Right. So if we were to do any work, that would need to be paid for in the 2526 budget. So there's still a lot of time. And I think this is where we need to bring community members in and talk to you. Once we have the solutions from the the the study and really understand the study, I mean, I think there could be a public presentation of that information at some point before we go into the capital requests for that project so that everyone's kind of aware of, you know, what could be done in that what the recommendations are and what can be done in that neighborhood to improve. Yeah. I think it would be our intention that after
we come to a consensus with the traffic engineers, right, there would be a presentation to the board of what was, being proposed. Mhmm. And then, obviously, we could invite the neighbors. Yeah. You know, we could send out a letter and let people know that this is being discussed. I mean, that's Yeah. Yeah.
Okay. We'll be on that one. So now we'll skip down to the Grand Street Firehouse upgrade. So as part of the this fiscal year capital funding was approved for some upgrades at Grand Street Firehouse.
• The air conditioner in the ladder, day room, and the radio the radio room and the chief's office have all been updated. That part of the project has been completed. The other two sections that have to get done are the replacement of the ceiling tiles and the chemical engine, the day room there, and the and we're gonna be replacing the kitchen floor as well. Those have not been started yet, but, you know, when when when times again again, that's waiting on EMS addition to to finish up as well.
Just just a note with Grand Street. So this is a very old building. Yeah. Very old. And it needs a lot of exterior work. You know, the the roof, the all the framing around the windows, the gutters. We just did the floor as a major project. Yes. Right. That was the that was the apparatus floor. But all basically, all the exterior features are in need of some care. So they're currently in the five year capital plan. We have the Grand Street project budgeted in 2728. Okay. But, I mean, ideally, if we can afford it, it really should be moved up to next year because, I mean, it's
I mean, we had put in a number of 200,000. But, I mean, that's probably again. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I we've Frank and I were talking about this last week where we said we were gonna try to come up with some high level numbers to see if it's even feasible or if it's something we need to, you know, break into more manageable phases. But, you know, the building is a 100 and, I don't even know, a 160 years old or something like that. It's Yep. It's older than this building. Oh, yeah. Yeah. So it needs it needs some work. Yeah. Definitely needs some work.
• Which just mean it usually means more work into it, right, to maintain. So I think that's a good idea if we sort of plan for that sooner rather than later.
• Okay. Next one is the EMS edition at the Harmer Firehouse. So that's progressing along nicely. We're sort of at the finishes staging. So, you know, the painting, kitchen cabinets are going in, the flooring, ceiling grid, the apparatus bay is what we're working on as well. So there's there's there's still a lot to do. It's that point of the project where you see the building outside. Like, alright. What are you guys waiting for? Well, there's a there's a lot of, like, little things going on on the inside to to finish that up. We've been in communication with EMS throughout the project, so they they know about everything going on. And they're on board with with with everything. They've been they've been pretty good to work with, actually.
And you have a date when the HVAC is all gonna be installed? Because that was the that was the thing that was delayed. Are on the roof. Yes. They're they're they're here. They were
was it the week before last? The the yeah. We had a crane back there. We picked them all, and they're up on the roof. Great. Awesome. Okay. So that was, like, a big thing that was Yeah. Delaying. Yeah. Right? That was delayed quite a bit. Okay. But they were delivered when the our third delivery date was given. That was the right one. So
• so they're up there. HVAC is complete, actually. Oh, great. So now we're waiting on of course, there's, like I said, a number of other things to be done, but that's moving along nicely.
Well, there's dedication in our future somewhere at some point. So hopefully, we can do it before it gets too cold. But we can always do it indoors. Yeah.
PD renovation. So the you know, we started this a few years ago now with the main renovation of the of the police department. There are a couple more projects to tack on there as part of the the juvenile program sort of further protection. A bathroom in the detective division has to be installed and also as sort of a separate entrance for the detective division. I guess both of those are for the juvenile protection. When they're when they're brought in, they don't have to go in throughout the rest of the building. They have their own sort of section there. Yep. That that relates to the raise the age act, which was
passed a number of years ago and also will be part of the accreditation process. And
the bathroom, I think there is enough money left in the project. Okay. The entrance has not. So we were trying to look at other potential solutions for the entrance. And, unfortunately, basically, all the walls that surround where the detectives are are load bearing walls. So the only real way to get into them is through a window on the outside. So, you know, that's gonna involve a staircase and, you know, framing a door and everything. And so we don't have that money set aside. So
Next project, Washington engine of the parking lot. I'm sure you guys have seen we've been working on that over the past few weeks. We created a little parking lot in front of the firehouse. Much needed. They'd never really had any parking there before. Just sort of whatever they found on the on the roadway there. Retaining wall is in. We're working on the rest of the site work there. We did do the curbing before the state came in and paved so that we didn't have to rip up the pavement again. Mhmm. Sidewalks do have to get done, but we won't we won't be disturbing the roadway to get those done. We're anticipating adding 10 spots in front of the parking in front of the firehouse.
Wow. That's great. So, you know, again, it you know, definitely improvement over Yeah. Think it was Getting at least some of them off of the roadway would be Yeah.
It's gonna be mobbed on North Riverside. Parking we can get over in that neighborhood.
So that's another so we're we're we're thinking of putting the binder down in the fall, letting it settle because, you know, it it it will settle. And then in the spring, doing the final asphalt coat on that.
• Dobbs baseball infield improvements. So that was out to bid. Contractor is we're waiting for them just to finish their submissions. In addition to that, we are doing some fencing work around the field as well. So that's all been ordered. And we're sort of waiting to schedule
• the infields.
Have you been in contact with Little League about what the because I guess, like, I've some questions have not formally, but, like, sort of in casual conversation. What's the update on it? When is the so you've been in con like, along the way, you've been in contact with Little League about what the timing is and how it's progressing.
Although that's not really the baseball field meeting. That's more the playground Playground. Yeah. Basketball court meeting. But at least, you know, we'll have some more information after tomorrow. So
Yes. For the for the playground court. Yeah. We're still waiting on the on the contractor who was awarded the field. We're waiting on some insurance documentation. So
So in terms of the playground and and basketball court renovation, same thing. Contract was awarded. We're doing a preconstruction walk through with the contractor tomorrow for that side the project.
• We did order the equipment that was that was sort of the village's responsibility to defer some of the costs on that. So the or the equipment has been ordered.
• So that's gonna that that should be taking place soon, that project.
Exciting stuff. Yes. Very exciting. And for anyone who hasn't seen, we have a nice big display at Dobbs Park Mhmm. That shows what the equipment will look like. So you can go take a look at it. Yes.
Next one is the Govea Park improvements. So also ahead of the resurfacing of Albany Post Road, we did put in the sewer line across the street there. So we made the connection into the final what will be the final connection connection into into this this existing sewer system. Great. We went across the street. So now we can pick it up from from the property side and go down to the house. The architects completed the conceptual designs. We've we've met with the committee members. They are now working actual construction drawings.
• Site work, we're hoping to start that after, again, after EMS is is done, so through this winter.
Sure. The driveway improvement, some drainage improvements that we're gonna make. We have to install a sewer, upgrade the water.
• We are going to be adding some parking down by the house as part of the driveway improvements. We're gonna be making some provisions for lighting whether we when you know, in the future if we we put some in or not Mhmm. You know, while we're tearing everything up.
We're doing we're doing fencing as part of it. Is there some fencing we're doing as part of that site work? Fencing. Some guide rail. Okay. Yeah.
• Okay. DPW solar canopy project. We just took care of that. Yeah. So you guys, I think, are up to date on that one. So, unfortunately, we only received one bid and and was not complete. So we are planning, I guess, to go back out to bid for that project as well.
• EV chargers at the train station. Again, the contractor is we're waiting on submissions from the contractor to complete that project. The agreement there was we'll be doing the excavation. Contractor will be installing a conduit, wiring everything up, and then we'll go and restore the area and restripe the the parking spots in those areas.
• Food scrap program. We got a new shed delivered last week behind the salt shed, which will be it's a little bit larger shed because they do plan on expanding the program. I guess it's gonna be have been a popular program. They're planning on expanding it. And then we're also gonna take the shed that is in in Lot A right now. We'll put it right next to there, and they can use they can use those too.
Yeah. So superintendent, on on this one, just say hypothetically that in Lot A, WBP wants to put a shovel in the ground, say, in the spring late spring. What's what's our first option in terms of of the composting?
The where where to relocate? Yeah. Well, for right now, I think it's behind the saw shed. Yeah.
That's what I thought. Yeah. I think that's gonna that's gonna be its new home. Yep. Yeah. Yeah.
If anyone if anyone wants to keep a salt shed in their backyard, let me know. Does it come with the salt? That's what I want to Next
one is the renewable diesel pilot program. So at the September September 23, we had renewable diesel delivered to our fuel station. We had initially four vehicles
• fill up with the renewable diesel. They've been driving around. We haven't had any issues yet. And the next week or beginning of the following week, we were actually adding five more just to sort of expand that program.
• So again, it's been successful so far. We haven't had any issues with the vehicles. It's going well. And then you could see that if you do go by the fuel station. You see next to the next to the really big fuel tanks is the smaller tank. That's the renewable diesel that we've been filling up with.
Well, and we saw I think you you saw this as well. The the airport is now using the the renewable diesel for all of its operational equipment. Yeah. They they had a planes yet. Yeah. They had a pilot program similar to ours Yeah. Yeah. Which I was I think they're expanding it as well. Yeah.
Shoreline resiliency and flood mitigation. So this was for the train station parking lot, trying to come up with a a plan to minimize, if not remove, all flooding that happens during larger events there. We did have some conceptual plans drawn up by a design engineer.
• And we also did make a going to be making a request through the grant writer for Westchester County to ask about some funding for that project as well.
• And then the final one is the train station solar canopy project. Construction on that is complete. So everything is in and ready to go. They are just we're waiting for it to be actually powered up, and I guess we're expecting that sometime in in November.
All of the drains North of the the tower. The tower Okay. Are connected. South of the tower, there is no subsurface drainage yet. We will be connecting those as we we sort of go along.
We held off because for the most part, people are not parking in that section of the lot.
So we're so we're still not fill filling down to that area? I mean, probably,
I would say the first three or four rows of g Mhmm. Have cars in them, but those are also the rows that are not covered by the canopy because they're closest to the tower. Right? And they need the fire department access. So, most of the rows that are under the canopy are not used on a daily basis. So, yeah, we have there's still hundreds of spaces. Right? I mean, you know, we're at twelve fifty, give or take, permits. Right? And, I mean, we used to sell 1,800. Yep.
When you're driving through it, it's just like night and day. It's it's very dense, and then all of a sudden, it's not. Yeah. And then the nondense goes on for quite a while. Yep. Till the very end. I was going to a tour last week. Yeah. I mean, it did it costs quite a bit quite a bit of money to do the drainage. Yeah.
So, you know, if if people if we start seeing regular usage down there, we will, you know, under, you know, budget for it and and do the project. But as of right now, the gutters are installed. Right? So water just comes down off the canopies, drains through the gutters, and then discharges onto the pavement and then runs off into the into the river. So Yeah. Yeah. So that's that's what's happening right now. You know, if like I said, if we see more regular usage down there, then we will look into doing the the subsurface drainage.
The plan exists for if and when we do that. So that's Yeah. We're ready. And that's
So, like, I mean, honestly, it's budget you know, it's it's about budgeting too, but maybe it makes sense to
Yeah. If start doing that work before we have to If money was no if money was no object, you're absolutely right. It would make sense. But, you know, on the flip side, you know, I don't wanna spend hundreds of thousands of dollars putting in drainage and then, you know Yeah. Maybe potentially never have people really parking there. So
Not for a long time. I don't think I think eventual I mean, I think Hopefully. The parking lot will. And that side needs to be resurfaced
eventually too. Yes. Right? It does. It's it's in It's rough. It's rough. It's still rough. Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, I would think that that would make sense also that if we were going to project. If we were going to repave that section of the lot, it would make sense to do it before we repaved. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
I don't know if anybody has any questions. Like like I said, it's an exhaustive list. It's it's exhausting just listening to all of this. But thank thank you and, you know, thank everyone on the team. It's truly amazing. Yeah.
Incredible job. I mean, you guys are doing an incredible job. I you know, the reason why we wanted you to come here was to really inform us, but really to inform the public of all of the various projects that are going on and the stages that they're in.
• I have a question for you in terms of communication. Right? So we definitely got a lot of heat about Gottwad Circle Mhmm. And that renovation. So, you you know, going forward Yeah. You know, I think, you know, when we do a project like that, you know, what do you think the steps we should take to better communicate out kind of those plans to folks?
That's a tricky question because, you know, we we do our most times, we'll do an email, and and and we'll put it on the website, and and we'll even maybe even put it on whatever social media.
• And we're sort of limited to that in terms of communication. Right? I mean, I guess we could have a if there's a large meeting I'm I'm sorry. A larger project going on, we could have a special meeting just for that project to to to go through it.
• I'm not I'm not quite I mean, short of knocking door to door, I know, like, I don't know. I'm not quite sure how you reach everybody. You know what I mean? Because we do use what we have the tools we have. Right? I mean, Manager Healy is very good at the at the sort of the the social media stuff, getting stuff out there. And that's that's definitely his game. That's not me. But but, you know, we feed him information all the time, and he gets it out there
with the email blasts. And The the the probably the best successes we've had is when we just invite people to a meeting. And and, you know, the ones that are interested come. Yeah. We could think about that on on certain projects. Yeah. But but that's also
that's also the ones that are interested come. Right? And then then you're in front of somebody's house. And I didn't know anything about this. You know? And then you said, you know, we sent out emails. We said that we did this. We had a special meeting. Yeah. And you're still not. So I think you're always gonna deal with a little bit of that. Like, nobody told me about this.
Yeah. And, I mean, I think, you know, there there were lessons that were learned from this project. There were lessons that we have learned from other projects throughout the course of this year. Right? And, I mean, I know that I'm certainly looking forward to, you know, having input and conversations with our potential communications consultant who will hopefully give us some additional insight into improving our our methods. But to what Superintendent Balbi was saying, we we will not ever be able to reach everyone absent, you know, intensive door to door campaign because, I mean, we could we just saw it with what happened on Monday with the flooding. Right? I mean, we put out our message board. We have signs in the parking lot. We sent out emails. We sent out text messages. We tried to alert people in all the different ways, and we still had dozens of cars that were parked in Section I that had water up to their doors on Monday. So, I mean, it's just people are are unfortunately, with, all the, distractions and everything else of the you know, that you have in 2025, people just tune us out sometimes. So that's not that's not an excuse, and that's not to say we can't do better, but it's just the reality that we you know, it's it's very difficult sometimes to reach to reach people.
• So and, thankfully, as far as I know, nobody's cars were damaged. The water only went up to the the door. It didn't actually go into into cars. Cars. So
• where are we at with that project?
So the the the circle and the islands are are in. They've been they they've been in. We did put some no parking there and met with residents. That's actually another we were out there every single day. Scott was out there every single day. I was out there pretty much every single day as well. People would come up to us and ask questions and talk about it. And then, you know, it's at the end of the project saying nobody ever told me about this. Like, I didn't know any of that. So there was there's an opportunity. It's I don't know how you get out there. But anyway, so, you know, some of the we did put some no parking on on, I guess, East Of the East of the traffic circle. Met with some of the residents there. They weren't very happy about it. So we did go back to our traffic engineer. And we took a look at not only the parking there. They they had concerns about the double yellow line in that area as well. There was a yield sign at the intersection of Morningside and Trewsdale that they were asking about maybe a stop sign. So our traffic engineer took a look at all that, and we were able to to satisfy most of those those concerns. You know, there's now a stop sign there. Double yellow is is no longer there. We did reduce the no parking in front of the houses there. That was a concern some people had there. So, you know, we we are sort of working we're trying to we're trying to accommodate all of these requests with the ultimate goal of also making that intersection safer for for traffic and pedestrians, which it is definitely safer than it was than it was before.
Our garbage trucks get around there without an issue. I I appreciate you bringing that up because what I I have seen or heard people say that the buses have trouble getting through there and maybe that fire trucks would have trouble going through.
So so we called the county beeline. They brought a truck down and two drive I'm sorry. A bus down and two drivers. They went around the circle a bunch of times.
We just incidentally, we were out there, and we met we happened to Yep. Have a bus driver who was driving by Right. And and stopped and was speaking to us and said that he School district. Of the Croton-Harmon School district bus drivers who stopped and told us that he has no issue driving in around the circle.
So And what I think I said something else about some drainage, like, that there's water that's pooling. I don't go that way very often. So anything I is
So personally things that I'm seeing. But Yeah. So an issue with most pedestrian ramps. Right? Pedestrian ramps have to be in order to be ADA compliant, they have to be flat. So if somebody with a wheelchair does go through, there's it's not a big slope. Unfortunately, during a bid rain event, flat is not good. Right? So it'll rain. It'll pool there for a little bit. But then once the the rain is gone, it does drain away. So during a rain event at some at and you notice this in New York City a lot. Right? During a big rain event and you're at a pedestrian crossing, there's there's, like, a pool of water in front of you. Right? That's part of the reason why.
• So, yeah, we have to be ADA compliant. So it's going to be flat in that area so it could collect
pooling is that people are talking about is occurring is near the Yeah. Cutouts for the ADA.
Yeah. Yeah. And that's why if you go to a lot of pedestrian ramps, you'll see, like, a you can almost see a silt buildup from Right. Because and that and that's why. Because the silt will drain out and the water goes away. And Yeah. You There's know, not too much. You know, we try to we try to do a little bit with with with with the drainage there, but there's really not too much you can do. You can't put a you can't put a drainage grade right at the pedestrian ramp because then more of of
also a bit little of, a like because more of and I noticed this kind of all around the road village is, you know, wherever there's been tarring, there's then, like, sort of streaks of black on our crosswalks and on our you know, all the lines on the roads. Will we eventually sort of get to a point where we'll we're just gonna repaint everything?
Yeah. So the crosswalks are painted annually Mhmm. And the stop bars and the center lines as well. So, yeah, they'll be repainted. A lot of that does sort of wash off or rub off with tires. Okay. So if you go to that those spots in a few weeks, you'll see if they're not gone, they're they're faded quite a bit. Okay. And just to add to that, we did that section of Cleveland because that's not covered in the federal funding from what we do the rest of Cleveland. So that's why we figured we'd do that. This way, the entire stretch of Cleveland up to Gerstein will be resurfaced.
Yep. In case there's ever a question on why we did Right. Right. Right. Because there's got there's, like, a a little bit of a blip in the road right now of, like, where the old meets the new. So, eventually, once we do Cleveland in the spring, hopefully It'll be all it'll all be. Yep.
I actually I just wanted to pass on a thought from a a longtime constituent, someone who's lived here for decades and just came up to me the other day and said, how about a white line down Glengarry and where there there isn't one. Now there's there's some kind of a black line there. I don't know what what the history of that is, but but it's narrow, Glengarry, going towards Temple Israel. Mhmm. But it might be it might be something to consider.
Yeah. I mean, it is I I was up in that area on Monday after the storm. Yep. And, I mean, people do travel, I would say, fast on that road. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's it's surprising to me because I feel like going anything over 20 on that road is, like, a little you're taking your life into your hand because it's so curvy. Mhmm. But Do you notice the the black line that's in that that's I did I didn't notice it, but I also wasn't looking for it. Yeah. Yeah. You're you're trying to avoid getting Yeah. Yeah. So but, I mean, we have gotten emails from people in the past. You know, people have asked us about maybe putting school speed limits on Glengarry, which unfortunately we're not allowed to do because there's the school, which is at the temple, does not actually face it's not on Glengarry itself. And we can't lower the speed limit any lower than it is because 25 miles an hour is the state minimum.
• And, you know, there's there's been other suggestions throughout the years, but, I mean, you know, something like putting a sidewalk on Glen Gary. I mean, you're talking I don't even know how how much money. It's and, also, you'd have a sidewalk to nowhere because there's no sidewalk on Mount Airy, and there's no you know? So it would just be Right. So I don't really know what a potential solution is there, but, it's something that we could continue to to look at. Right. Yep.
I just two things I wanted to ask. I know that just recently that the AV in this room was redone. Right? Probably recently. Well, not not all of it, but, yes, continue. So and, like so I you just have to unplug something or replug, and it may was it because I kicked it out? No. No. No. Okay. No. So but, also, you know, when this room was used for the League of Women Voters the other day, there was an issue with the AV. Yeah. And so I just wondered if there is you know, and sort of if there's, you know, HVAC improvements that that are gonna be made. I know there's been issues in the past with the HVAC in this room. Is that something like, do we think that the are there potential improvements to the AV that can still be made here? I don't Yes. I'm not I know that you work very hard to try to make it all so I don't know if that's becoming out as a criticism. It's not. It feels like there's, like, room for improvement
Yeah. For how it works. It'll work. Before you came in, I was sharing I'm sorry. With the board because I had we had about ten minutes where I the sound was not working before we started the meeting. And so even though I had the tech here So you don't have to waste my No. It's but the end the end result is that the four cameras that are in the rooms are being replaced. Okay. We ordered them last month, and that they're actually here. But we have to try to find, a period of time where we don't have meetings scheduled to do the install. So that may not happen till, like, the end of the year. But that will that's interconnected. That will yes. That those cameras will help reduce a lot of the excess wiring because the the room back there just has so many wires in it. And it's it's just very difficult because there's a lot of things that have been done in patchwork over the years, and, you know, we've been trying to fix things as we go. And, you know, hopefully, this will this will solve a lot of the And, like, having an IT person on-site while there's,
you know, potentially IT issues, but you can't be expected to know how to troubleshoot,
right, all of this stuff that but it does feel like there's a little there's an opportunity there to do Yes. A different where where that all handled. We are we are on it. And, you know, I mean, we have not had any issues for a long time. And then, of course,
during last week's event, it happened. Right. So higher viewership than any of these meetings that are going on. Yes. Then the only other question I have was, I know that you guys have brought a lot of the work that you're doing. You you are totally self sufficient as a department right now. Everything from, you know, purchasing to the a lot of the very technical detailed work are things that are all done you're able to do within the department. Do you think that's the most do you find that that that I mean, it gives you a lot of control over it, but do you think that is the most efficient way to do it? Like, you know, sometimes bringing everything in house can make things more efficient, but also sometimes it is potentially more efficient to outsource certain things that are being done. Do you guys assess how you like, because I'm sure some things are working way much better if it's in house, but maybe there's an opportunity for something to be either, you know, to hire somebody who's dedicated to doing that instead of having somebody who has some other expertise who is now doing I don't mean to beat up on purchasing. I it's just a word that I'm hanging on. Maybe it's the wrong example to use, but I just feel like there is potentially an opportunity to be even more efficient if some things were outsourced. It probably saves money to not outsource things, but maybe the efficiencies would balance out if some things were outsourced. Can you talk to that a little bit? Does that make sense?
Sure. So everything depends on what we're doing at the time. And a good example is the
• EV chargers that we're going be putting at the train station parking lot. It's a relatively simple excavation project, putting in conduit and wiring. But we're running around all over the place. We're actually going to be working with a contractor to do that work. Because like you said, they can dedicate their time. They're going be doing this. So even though, yes, we're more than capable of doing that work in house, we just can't get to it. And we can't really push that project further anymore. Right? Because that's that's sort of how it goes. So in terms of project wise, yeah. I mean, we have to we have to always analyze what we're doing, what's coming up, and and can we can we? A lot of the work at Govea. It's site work. Right? We're very capable of doing it, but it's kinda large scale, and and we can't dedicate that much staff to it. There are as much staff as we would need to in order to get that stuff done. So that's why some of the work we have to contract would have to contract out. The HVAC work, right? We don't have that tool in our box, right? So we have to sort of contract that stuff out. For the record, I would love purchasing agent.
• I'll repeat that. I would love a purchasing agent.
• But in our office does some of that as well. So we're always working on that.
• Sometimes it is tough to follow all the procurement rules, but we always do. It's frustrating at times, many times. But those are the rules we have to follow. So I don't know if I'm answering your question.
Yeah. It's not to suggest I mean, I think it's incredibly efficient. And the amount of the volume of work that you're able to get done with the expertise that is in existence with a very, very small staff. I just wonder if there are some things, you know, that as we start to think about the budget,
• you know, that that, like, sort of the redeployment of some of the you know, of course, you wanna add more people to the department. But maybe if there were some ways to segment out, not necessarily people, but more the the tasks that some of those people are doing. It could be a different way to think about, you know, reallocating the the way time is spent that would make it more efficient for you if we can't say, you know, if you wanna take if we can't say, no, we can't fund all of these extra bodies that you wanna bring in. I mean, there's just a different way to be looking at it. Yeah. And, I mean, I think, again,
Well while I hear you. The sound was working. Yes. We were talking about the fact that we had a promotion. Right? We moved one of our MEOs.
• he was moved up to road forming. Right? So it didn't increase our headcount, but we now have a supervisor who is able to bring out another crew. Right? So instead of Scott having to be on a site with the guys, right, Scott can now go do something else, and the road foreman can supervise the work that's taking place. Right? So I think that is kind of alluding, you know, alluding to what you're saying Mhmm. That we're we are looking at our existing resources and how they can best be reallocated. Mhmm.
And maybe there could be additional shared services with the town of Cortlandt
from a We would love that. Yeah. Speaking about the HVAC person. Yes. You know, anyone from the town, if you're listening. But they do have somebody on staff who
Oh. Is, yeah, HVAC. Is HVAC? Yes. Yeah. That seems like that could be Yeah. Yeah. And so how does that work? Do do you have you made that ask? Could you make that ask?
I think I don't know if how much you wanna go into detail. Sorry. We don't have to
• Oh, about I think you you have spoken to them about that? I have spoken to them about it. Yeah. But that, again, they have, you know, one person. So for, you know, smaller maintenance stuff, that's great. Redoing the municipal building AC system, I don't know how useful that would be. But yes, we have had conversations with the town about that.
then finally, just coming back to what Trustee Nicholson was saying about some of the communication. I think that we do have this opportunity where we're gonna be looking at all of the communication that's done. I think that of all the things that you guys are responsible for, we can't expect DPW to be responsible for communication. No. We can arm you guys with communication tools. We can you can give us the language to so that people can describe what's happening. But, also, you know, I'm interested in what's happening at Circle, but I am not as you know, it's I'm not gonna pay that much attention to those communications that are that are sent out in a more general way because it's not Impacting your debt. Yeah. Michael's Lane, I'm very you know? And and they're all, you know, all the example everybody feels that way about their neighborhood. So I do think that figuring out how to drill down and, you know, I mean, you have to tell them tell them what you told them and then tell them again. You know, people are not paying attention until something major is happening right outside their door. Yeah. So I do think that there is a really good opportunity here, but also it's a it can't be the responsibility of DPW to be doing the communication. Although, you know, when there's something going on outside for your team to be able to explain to people what's happening. Because what's better than seeing somebody, you know, shoveling the ground and being able to say, well, you know, what's happening right outside my door? But it really is, like, a really Yeah. Multipronged strategic approach to making sure people know what's happening because people are very concerned when
something's happening outside their window. Yeah. And I'm I think, you know, just in terms of the neighborhood specific approach, we have a very good tool in our Everbridge communication tool. But I, you know, I I was realizing when I was doing the alert for Young and Hastings, which we're going to get into very shortly, that, you know, there are a number of homes, a a decent number of homes in just on those two streets that are not signed up for the system. Right? So, I mean, maybe it would be beneficial to do another another postcard mailing or something to, you know, the village reminding them that we have this system. And, you know, if you have a landline, it will get you no matter what. Mhmm. But as we know, more and more people don't have landlines, and so, you know, you you have to physically register to get the alerts on your cell phone and get the alerts in your email. And, you know, we don't we don't abuse that system at all. And so, you know, we obviously encourage people don't use it enough. Don't Yeah. You know, I think that. I know. That's what I'm saying. You know, people so many people tell me, oh, I don't sign up for the because we get too many emails or we get, you know, we get too many texts. And I'm like, we don't send any texts. You're not getting the text from us. Hear from more text. You know? Right. So, I mean, it's yeah. So we really
I think it would be good if we could get the word out Yeah. About that system again. Yeah. So We're at a disadvantage on that too because I think a lot I do it in my own town. Like, you see something from the village, like, oh, it's probably just a garbage schedule. And you kinda ignore it, right, because you you sorta get blind to it. Yeah. So it's hard to pick out, like, you know, what's oh, yeah. There's a holiday, so change in garbage, which is also important, but not as maybe important. Oh, they're paving right in front of my house. You know? Right. Yeah.
But there are definitely strategies for how to reach out to people that that we don't Yes. Yeah. Nobody in this room has to be an expert on. We're gonna We're going to get the expert. Yes.
Our next item of business, a review of residential parking permit survey results for Young And Hastings Avenue. Manager Healy will be presenting.
Okay. Okay. So as I was just mentioning, we did send out a survey to the residents of Young And Hastings. This was a follow-up to a survey that was done a couple of years ago on instituting the residential parking permits in that area. We did get a decent response rate, a little over 50% of all the letters that we sent out. So there were a total of 41 responses, and I think we sent 73 letters. Out of the 40 responses, 29 of them said that they were interested, that they supported the residential parking permits, and 12 said that they did not. So it was pretty, you know, 7071% in favor, 29% opposed. And we have individual graphs that show by block
• that show by block what the responses were. Right? So 1 To 40 Young, which is the southernmost block between Devon and Benedict, you know, 73% were in favor. The block of Young between Oneida and Crest Street was 67% in favor. And then the one block where we didn't have a clear direction one way or the other was the short block of Hastings, the dead end after South Of Devon. We it was a fifty fifty response. We only got two responses from that block, so you really can't tell much from that. The block of Hastings between Benedict and Oneida was very much in favor of 82%. And then the last block of Hastings between Oneida and Crest was a little a little more a little closer, but still a majority, 57%, were in favor. So that was the data that was collected. We did as I said, we sent out a letter to everyone, and then we did an Everbridge reminder, which, you know, was by phone, email, and text for those that were signed up in the system to submit their responses, and this was the data that we came up with.
• So, yeah, happy to answer any questions. The board can decide. Basically, you know, you could just ponder this information or you could decide to move forward with some or all of these blocks. Or,
you know, if you have any any other information you're looking for, just let me know. Just clarification, manager, for folks that are listening. We've gotten the authorization from the state Yes. To enact residential
permit parking. Yeah. And that's that's a good point. Yeah. That's a good point to bring up because we only have the authorization for Young and Hastings. I know there was some I was gonna ask you to Yeah. Address that. Yeah. There was some information that was shared by, you know, some people in neighborhood, to residents of Oneida and Benedict. And, unfortunately, our legislation does not extend to those streets. It only extends to Young and Hastings residents. So, you know, I I believe that there are some questions which, you know, if we do decide to move forward with this, we'll have to investigate. There are certain houses that have a mailing address, excuse me, a mailing address of of Benedict or Oneida, but their driveways are on Young or Hastings. So we'll have to look into that, get some guidance, you know, if we do choose to move forward with it. Oneida.
Okay. So Oneida yeah. I think Oneida would kind of be the next home rule request only because I mean, we haven't gotten there yet, but with the the potential of the more building going in Yeah. It it would probably be behoove us to get on top of looking at parking on Oneida and give us some flexibility with home rule. What sections are
blocks that were in favor. Yeah. So now it's really that whole area. The whole area is in favor except for that one little There aren't many people on that little end street. No. And, I mean, it's so it's so far away from Benedict. Right? I mean, it's you know, there's really no reason that somebody would would park there and then, you know, go to the train, for example.
I asked the manager this question today, so I'll ask you again. Sure. In in public. So do residents have to pay for this permit?
So the permits are free. The first two permits are free per household. So for people with two cars, there's no charge. If you have three cars or more, then it's a $10, per permit cycle charge. So the permit's valid for two years. So it's basically $5 per year. So And the current parking regulations on these streets are what? So it's it's a little bit of a mess because Okay. You know, I mean, most of the streets are well, I shouldn't say most of the streets. The northern side of so, like, after Oneida. Right? So the Northern side of Young And Hastings have no restrictions. And then the Mid block of Hastings has no restrictions. The southernmost side of Young has no parking eight to ten on weekdays. And then the two blocks that have the permits currently in effect, it's four hour maximum parking for nonresidents.
I I would love to see like, I I think if we're gonna change this, right, I think we should really, like, look at this neighborhood sort of holistically and say, okay.
You know, what are what are the rules? What are what's working? What's not working? Well, the we can all we can sort of make one big change. The idea would be that everywhere that had the permit system would go like, the restriction the eight to 10 restrictions on Young would disappear Okay. And they would go to the four hour parking limit. So everything would go to four hours. Would go to four hours. And that's that's actually also what Benedict is now as well. It's the four hour. Four hours. Okay. So it would really streamline things in a way over there that, you know, basically, all of Young and all of Hastings, with the exception of that very end Mhmm. Would be four hour
nonresident parking. And with this survey, was that clear to the residents answering the survey that that that's what that would have been?
• So something I left out was the system is only in effect on weekdays. Weekdays. So there's no restrictions on weekends. So if you're having people over for a barbecue or something, you know, they they can just park on the street.
So what's the benefit in making this decision right now based on the information that we have versus,
• you know, what trustee Nicholson suggests about maybe and based on the information that we you know, there were people who and not a huge vast majority, but there were there were some people who were vocal about feeling as though
• I feel it's potentially It's
We should be back. Hopefully, we're done in the next forty minutes. Oh my god. Let's do it. Oh, Debbie Braddock. There no sound. There you go. Well, you could tell her it's back now.
So if we made this proposal I mean, I think we should have a session where the public gets to Absolutely. They will. I mean, so, you know, you would have to
it's a it's a local law. So you'd have a public hearing. Great. People would be able to obviously come out and share their share their thoughts. Yep. So yeah. So I'd like to Yeah. Okay. So we we should move forward with drafting the
drafting the law? The consensus is to be move excuse me. Would the consensus be to move forward with everything but that small section of Hastings that was not interested? I think so. I mean, unless unless you wanted the only other potential one that if you wanted to
maybe leave out for now would be the northernmost block of Hastings, right, where
• Right? You had
• a 57 to 43, you know, 57% in support, 43. So you didn't have a you didn't have a super majority of support there. Mhmm. But, I mean, you did have a majority. So,
I mean, the other the other blocks pieces. I mean, I guess I would it's hard. Right? Because you once we make this decision or what if the law passes for the rest of the neighborhood, then then all of a sudden, that little section of Hastings is where you can park all day if you want to. Well and that's kinda what happened, right, after we instituted it on
the two blocks. Right? The cars then shifted to the other two blocks, and now those people wanted it because now they had the problem on their block. Right. So it's it is kinda just shifting the problem around. You know? Yeah. What were what is the what does that $57.43
Does it say Yeah. Just give me one. It's it's not I I can tell you that. Hold on a lot of homes.
Okay. So in that block, there were 15 letters that were sent out, and we got seven responses. Right? So you had just just under 50% response from that block, and you had four yes and three no. So
• I mean, the other just in you know, just if you want the other raw data. Right? There were for the mid block of Hastings, there were 22 letters. We heard from 11 people, so 50%. Nine yes to no.
• And then the northernmost block of Yonge, there were 12 letters. Right? Yeah. 12 letters. So we heard from six, so that's 50%. We heard we got four yes, two no. And then the southernmost block of Yonge, 18 letters sent, we heard from 15 of the 18, and it was 11 yes, four
And that's not a home rule street for us either. Okay. So that's, like, the other one in this whole equation that we should probably request. Yeah. I mean, Benedict is not either. Yeah. So but Benedict has the four hour
• but that doesn't help. The four those four hour restrictions are in effect for residents on Benedict as well. So
I think we should do all the majority of streets. Okay. I mean, especially because, again, for the potential for,
• call it, fugitive overflow or whatever.
Yeah. And it it it would streamline, you know, people's understanding the regulations for sure in that whole area. You know? Just basically, this whole area is four hour parking on weekdays.
And I agree. I think that leaving one little piece uncovered by this is just gonna create a
Well It's just gonna create problem. Yeah. And we're not in a position to say, well, your you had a majority, but it just wasn't big enough. Mhmm. It's Right. Yeah. And, I mean, you're going to you know, you got like I said, you'll have a public hearing, and people will be able to come out and share their share their thoughts. And we might we might well need, you know, another another home rule statute down the road. But let's I I think let's put in the piece that we can Yep. We if we have have the interest in doing so, and then see what's left after that. And if this ends up having been a three part process, I think that's fine. And we'll have learned a lot at each point.
I'm getting very, very good at doing surveys. My third or fourth one up for these streets.
• Okay. So we will prepare that and have it for the next meeting.
Okay. Alright. So, the next item is, the proposed length of service award program for EMS. Yes. Yes. So, I've been working with EMS to develop this over the course of the year. Unfortunately, we were not able to, get everything together in time to be on the ballot this this fall. But, you know, if we do choose to move forward with this, I have been told that we can do a look back to the beginning of 2026. Right? So even though the vote the vote So we can incorporate those Correct. So even though the vote won't take place till 2026, you could still backdate it to January 1. Including the payments that we would make. Correct. Yes. So there would be based this estimate is based off of 13 eligible volunteers. That data came from Phil Dinkler, who's the department head for EMS based off of how active they are with EMS. The LOSAP is a recruitment and a retention program. Right? So we have it with the fire department. The purpose is to not only recruit new members by providing a pension benefit to them when they reach, the age of 60 in this program, and it also retains people. Right? So that, you know, basically, we go up to forty years. You can earn up to forty years of credit. So your your hope is that, you know, when somebody joins, as long as they're still around and they live here, that you will be able to keep them around for forty years before they before they choose to go on to life inactive Right. Status. And that's and that's the increment that we we added twenty years
on the balance three year I believe three years ago. Yep. And the manager, I I I know the metric for for entitlement in fire. Is it the same as
percent percentage of answering calls? Yeah. Correct. So this is based on it's it's based off the Firematic program. Great. Yeah. And so there's a very there's a they have a a point schedule. Right. There's a system that, you know, says you have to go if you go on 10% of calls, you get this many points. If you attend every meeting you attend, you get a point. You know, that it's a whole schedule. And so you have to get 50 points in the calendar year to be eligible for your year of service credit. K. So so you can see at the bottom here oh, well, actually, you can't see on the screen. Hiding the best part. You can see on the bottom there that the cost is $35,000. That's the estimated cost. For, comparison purposes, our fire department, LOSAP, last year, cost about a $160,000, but they have, you know, this is only 13 members. They have probably five times that in their in their low sap. Well, and and what's
we we should say, you know, that one of the reasons you do you do this is to reward the the folks who are active volunteers, but also as an encouragement, you know, for others to consider being either more active or becoming active for the first time. Yep. So
And we certainly need that. Yeah. Yes. I on the I think we offer it to the VFD. And I think as a matter of equity, we should offer it to EMS, especially because, as we've seen, it's a service where the demand only goes up over time because of presumably because of demographics and aging society.
• So,
you know, this this is a mandatory referendum subject. So, you know, you would need to we would need to prepare the language for the for the referendum. The board would need to adopt a resolution, and then we would need to send it to the board of elections. You know, you have the option of scheduling a special election. It's up to you. I don't think that's strictly necessary. I think especially since we know we can go back to 01/01/2026, you could just wait until the November election Yeah. To do it.
the primary election? I don't think so. We've kinda talked about this, but I think it would be It would be I think it would be too confusing. Yeah. No. And I think, you know, again, with the look back,
and I think the additional time, I think, is actually helpful because it helps engage, you know, the the EMS folks themselves Yes. In getting helping to get the word out if they're interested and making sure there's something that's new on the ballot. It hadn't been on the ballot before. Had it has been for fire, but not for EMS. I I think the added time is is helpful. Yeah. That'll give us a nice runway to to get a get a good vote. And remind me, manager, the is a simple majority or supermajority
• All right. So we will move forward with this as well. Great. And I I think it probably goes without saying, but EMS is obviously in support of moving this forward. So Yep. Do other municipalities have this for their EMS? Yeah. It's a good it's a good question. I don't know how many do. I can try to find that out. Some places, their EMS are still part of their fire department, so they're covered under their fire department one. You know, you've you may have seen is having a vote to create a fire department, LOSAP, in November. They they don't have one. And I think their EMS is paid, so they wouldn't you know? And, actually, that's a good point. A lot of EMS have gone paid. Right. So we still have that combo volunteer paid aspect, but, you know, a lot of a lot of places have had to go paid. Yeah. So
Yes. Yeah. I mean, it would be great if we could go back, you know, if we were able to get enough volunteers that we could go back to just having the one EMT and not having to have that second staff person during the weekdays. Right. You know, that would that would the savings from that would more than pay for the LOSAP. Yeah. So
k. I think that covers that agenda item. Now we have another one which is to go into an executive session