Board of Trustees
Good evening, and welcome to the June 17 regular meeting of the Croton on Hudson Board of Trustees. I'm mayor Brian Pugh. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance.
Our first item of business is the approval of vouchers and blanket purchase orders. Treasurer.
Hi. Good evening. For the general fund, we have $501,969.75. The water fund is $9,918.91. The sewer fund is $2,850.02. The capital fund is $30,739.27. The trust fund is for $5,553.18.
Okay. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. Very good. Now we proceed to the approval of you oh, sorry. We have the Oh, blanket purchase orders. Oh, they're they're on thing. Okay. Yes. Very good.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. All in favor? Aye. Alright. Now we proceed to our public hearings. The first public hearing is on local law number eight of 2026 to amend chapter 197 streets and sidewalks of the village code to update provisions related to the prior notice of defects. Before we go to that manager, would you like to be briefly summarize the proposal?
Sure. Thank you, mayor. So this update to our existing code just clarifies the ways that unwritten notice is supposed to be delivered to the village clerk. You know, this section of the code dates back to the nineteen seventies. Since that time, there have been alternate means of communications developed, including email, social media, you know, text message, whatever it might be. So none none of those are what we would consider to be sufficient ways to give notice. So we are codifying that that, you know, the only correct way to provide notice is either hand delivery. Right? You hand hand deliver it, and it's received by the clerk, or if you do it through certified mail. Proof of delivery, isn't it? Yes. Yep.
Now, manager, this is not to for requesting repair. It's to provide legal notice in advance of, establishing the village's liability for potential injuries as a result of a defect. That that is correct. Yes. Great. And what it really does is it provides
opportunity for the village to correct the condition if it can be corrected quickly. So really it's to the advantage of the public in general. Okay.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. All in favor? Aye. Aye. The public hearing on local law number eight, was on a re regarding notice of defect is now open. Anyone wishing to comment on this topic, this is your opportunity. Please step to the podium, state your name and address. K. Seeing no one wishing to comment on local law eight of 2026, do I have a motion to close the public hearing?
Motion, by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nachtaler. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Whereas
the village's law regarding the prior notice of defects was adopted in 1977 and has not been amended since that time, and whereas new methods of communication have developed over the past forty nine years to share notices with the village, and whereas the New York Conference of Mayors has recommended that municipalities review these sections of their municipal code to address how notices are required to be delivered. And whereas local law introductory number eight of 2026 has been drafted for such purposes. And whereas a public hearing on local law introductory number eight of '20 26 was opened and closed on 06/17/2026. And whereas the village board has determined that the adoption of local law introductory number eight of 2026 to be a type two action under the state environmental quality review act requiring no environmental review. Now therefore be it resolved that the village board of trustees hereby adopts local law introductory number eight of 2026 to amend chapter one ninety seven streets and sidewalks of the village code to update the provisions related to prior notice of defects, which upon adoption becomes local law number seven of 2026.
Motion by trustee, Nicholson, second by trustee Simon. Discussion?
Yeah. Just as we said, this is NYCOM has recommended that we do this, and so, you know, we like we like to listen to their advice. So
Manager of trustee Murtaugh were still with us in this room.
Yep. Alright. On further discussion? All in favor? Aye. Alright. We proceed to public hearing on local law number nine of 2026 to amend chapter 99, cannabis of the village code to establish a temporary moratorium on cannabis dispensaries. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Manager, would you like to briefly explain,
the impact of the moratorium? Yeah. So thank you, mayor. So the moratorium is as it says, is a temporary measure. It's in effect for a set period of time, which I believe we said was Six. Six months? Six months. Yes. Three month extension. Right? Correct. It could be extended if the board so desired, or it could actually if we make regulations, we could end the moratorium early if if you're satisfied with what you've adopted. But it the the temporary pause is to give the board a chance to review the existing zoning based on the changing regulations of the, office of cannabis management and the changes in definitions that have occurred since the original legislation was, you know, the since the state, signed the original law in 2021. So, you know, we have been monitoring this, but as anyone who has also been monitoring it knows, the state has continued to change things even up to, as recently as February of this year. So, you know, this just gives us a chance to pause any new applications, allow the board to have a conversation without the possibility of a new application coming in. And, you know, when the moratorium ends, you'll be in a better spot to have, you know, the zoning that you want for those businesses.
K. All in favor of, opening the public hearing? Aye. Aye. Aye. Alright. The public hearing on local law nine of 2026 is open. Anyone wishing to speak on this topic, this is your opportunity. Please approach the podium and state your name and address.
Ed Riely from, Truesdale Drive. Quite frankly, I'm shocked. I thought this place would be packed packed in outrage of what the village allowed to happen with the institution of pot pot wholesale store number one replacing an ice cream store, near a school, whatever the state's stupid definition of that may be, which is pretty preposterous, and a church in a residential neighborhood. The village board allowed this to happen. There's no question about that. Three people on this village board were enthusiastic for this pot store. The pathetic negotiations that with that owner and potential owner of that store were pathetic and secret. That's the terrible part. Secret. So that people in that neighborhood who are overtaxed anyhow, and I mean not in terms of literal taxation, but because they're in that commercial area with high traffic area anyhow affecting the immediate note neighborhoods, were not allowed to, develop opposition at store and support those two trustees, I believe, that oppose this, pot dispensary. That's a very, medical term. It's a freaking pot store. Right? It's a
hallucinator hallucinatory drugstore, especially aimed at young people and minors. So not only do I am I opposed to that positioning that store there, I think the performance of public officials, elected officials, the people on the planning board too who didn't have the courage to say, you know what? I don't care what the results are on the planning board. I'm gonna vote against this. Not one of those people in the planning board who have some integrity, that planning board has some integrity, said no. I'm gonna vote against this. Not one of them. They talk this and that, both both sides of their mouth. Let's change the hours a little bit. Total lack of integrity, total lack of encourage, I believe. And that goes double for the village board. Pathetic handling. I don't know what the what the legal rights of this village has for this moratorium. My my bet is. And he dispensed her with money and a good lawyer. They had a very good lawyer. He made fools of the planning board and you
could probably beat this moratorium. And this model, the model that was used to develop pot store number one, I believe, will be the model used to develop any other pot store in Croton. So this was a total failure of Croton government. And this act tonight is not even closing the barn door. You're sort of, you know, putting a chair in front of the barn door that any strong horse can break out or break in. In this case, the horse is gone. So the whole thing that you're doing tonight is a very, very questionable value. So this was a monumental failure, and it was a a sort of a incredible imposition on the people of that neighborhood who are already over are already overburdened with the amount of commercial activity in that area, which is which is understandable. But not this type of commercial activity. This is exploitation. So, plus all the phony traffic studies, the parking studies, they're all malarkey that the lawyer presented, but you bought it. You bought all five courses of that meal. So it was pathetic to watch, and this is a pathetic little little act of embarrassment, but that's what it is, a pathetic act of embarrassment. So this is a shame on Croton. It's a shame on the citizens of Croton, the fact that there are only a handful of people in this audience. You know, usually get about five people in the audience. But when there's something that's important, you know, I would have thought the whole neighborhood would have turned out. One thing you're welcome to do, I'm gonna pick at this place. First, I'm gonna pick at the current owner because I believe he's sort of a sleazebag. Right? I don't and I don't believe his figures on the amount of graphic he gets and the value of his store, etcetera, etcetera.
But and and if you wanna pick at this with me or pick it on your own, you're welcome to do this. A total failure of local government. And let me remind you this. Of all the governments we have, and we have too many, we have too many levels of government for everything under the sun, too many levels of taxation. You are the most important. You are a legislative body, a legal a, the body that's closest to the people, the most important, and the ones ones that's supposed to shout out and protect their interests. You failed us. Thank you.
Hi. I'm Gwen. I live right now on Mountain Trail. I've lived in Croton since 1953. Long term, I love it here. I wouldn't call anybody pathetic. I don't like name calling, to be honest. Kinda takes the speaker down a notch. I don't have a problem with the moratorium. My question is and I don't have a problem with a dispensary. They're normally I haven't been to this dispensary, but I've been many to many all around The United States. Normally, you go in, you share your license and ID. You might not have been there. You share your license, your ID, you prove that you're 21 or older. That's that's fair. Doesn't matter where it is. Anyway, six month moratorium. I don't have a problem with that either, but you mentioned that or it might be lengthened. If the six month moratorium was being changed to a nine month or one year, would there be another meeting on it? That's kind of my question about this. To be honest, that wasn't why I came here tonight. I came here for something else. But since this came up, I thought, let me ask you a question about it. And I'm gonna say one more time, I love Croton. There you go. Thank you. Thank you.
Yeah. Yes. I believe and the attorney can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the law says that the board would, pass a resolution to extend the the moratorium.
That is correct. Yep.
Alright. Further comments on local law nine of 2026? Okay. This is, okay. Well, do I have a motion to close the public hearing on local law nine of twenty twenty six?
Motion by trustee Simons, second by trustee Nicholson. All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Whereas the village board is desirous of conducting a review of existing zoning for cannabis dispensaries and whereas a moratorium on future dispensary applications has been proposed to allow the board time to conduct this review. And whereas local law introductory number nine of 2026 has been drafted for such purposes. And whereas a public hearing on local law introductory number nine of 2026 was opened and closed on 06/17/2026. Whereas the village board has determined that the adoption of local law introductory number nine of 2026 be a type two action under the state environmental quality review act requiring no environmental review. Now therefore be it resolved that the village board of trustees hereby adopts local law introductory number nine of 2026 to amend chapter 99 cannabis of the village code to establish a temporary moratorium on cannabis dispensaries, which upon adoption becomes local law number eight of 2026.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Discussion.
I think this moratorium is is a a great idea. And, you know, I as I mentioned, where there's typically one dispensary in a market, a second, potentially a third, and and more follow. So this gives our village and the board an opportunity to take a step back and revisit the zoning, and get more legal, you know, guidance and advice around our options. So, you know, my my I'm I'm glad we're doing this. And, you know, my only ask is, you know, let's let's get it scheduled so we can have the the discussion.
Yep. And I would just add on to that getting as as close as we can to an ironclad map is is what I think the the real virtue of the moratorium is so that we can you know, understanding that, know, our friends in Albany at the cannabis office, you know, tend to change things from time to time. But if we can get as firm as possible an understanding of of what we what our what our opportunities are in terms of defining what the zone is and and keeping that as the zone, I I think we'll be much better off as we go forward.
And do, you know, just add on to get additional feedback from the public and understanding, you know, now now that we understand what the rules are from the state and, you know, working with the parameters of the OCM and then getting the weigh in from the public about locations will be and hours and everything that we have the ability to impact in our zoning. It it will be a good exercise. So Mhmm. I look forward to it. I'd like to ask that we talk a little bit about what the next steps look like. So we are going to the more we're we're it looks like we're going down the path of of entering this moratorium or imposing this moratorium, whatever the right word is. But then what does realistically, what does that look like? Like, what are our next steps? What can the public expect to hear from us next? How are we gonna do what we're doing on our end? What does that research look like? And then how are we gonna keep people informed about what's happening? There's obviously a in spite of the fact that the room is not, you know, standing room only tonight, I do think people are very interested in this. And so I think the more information we can share right now about what that that looks like, what we're gonna do next, that would be helpful. Not only for the pub that would be helpful for me as well as I assume for the public. Sure. I mean, I'll be working with the attorney and with the planner and with the engineer to develop the materials that the board will need to
have, like the maps and the and the current, state laws. And I have it tentatively scheduled for the July 22 work session. So, you know, that gives us a little more than a month to get that material together. And it will it will be on a work session agenda. The materials will be available to the public before the meeting, you know, and we can go go from that discussion. Right? I mean, it's gonna depend on what you know, how far we wanna go when changing things that will determine what actions follow from that from that meeting. But it is zoning, so it will require That's what was gonna ask about. Yeah. It will require a Seeker review, I I assume, you know, the with the change in the laws, but, I mean, I still I still think that's subject to Seeker. -Mm -Yes. Yes. Yeah. So, yeah, so there will it will be a little bit of a lengthy process, right, because you have to send it to the county and send it to the WAC and, you know, send it to the planning board. And so, you know, all of those all of those agencies get to provide their comments back to this board. There has to be a public hearing on any changes. So, you know, so once we come to a decision on what, if anything, we wanna change, you you have about a two month process from that point until you could potentially adopt the adopt the law. Mhmm. The referral to the county alone is thirty days or
as soon as they send their comments. So we usually like to pad into the schedule that full thirty days to give them an opportunity to return their comments to you. Mhmm. We're also closely with with Valerie, the planner's help, we are closely monitoring the latest legal challenges, and, I always recommend to municipalities don't be the first one out of the gate, but follow follow the people coming out of the gate to see what's defensible. Time, place, manner is is usually the phrasing that they use, reasonable time, place, manner restrictions. So we'd like to present, Valerie and I would like to present a zoning code amendment that is defensible and clear and concise and and it is to the advantage of the public in general.
Yeah. It's just frustrating because they keep moving the goalpost. They do. And, you know, with that happening, it's just it's difficult just to stay time, place, manner and not wanna challenge them more on that. So looking forward to having that discussion. I also see peak skill expanding beyond retail and offering, is it growers or distribution?
They they have they have I saw that they've issued some or they've approved some basically, some, like, nonpublic businesses. Right. Right? So they're, like, wholesale distributors or something like that. Right. So, you know, we have a law on that? You don't have the authority under the state statute to regulate
anything except the dispensaries and the on place consumption. So you have a zoning code which would require that type of business to be in a particular zone. Obviously not next door to a church and it's it's a commercial use, but the, statutory law does not permit you to deny or approve a license for that kind of operation.
So in our zoning code, those types of uses would be regulated to the light industrial. Correct. Yeah.
Okay. Right. If we can just have that discussion as well, if the board is open to that, to include that in. Sure. You know? So Because I think if that were to pop up Right. With those businesses. I think the public would Sure. Yeah.
Thank you. Attorney, can can we, in effect, adopt the map as part of our zoning code amendment?
But, that is what we're going to be studying. We're we're going to be studying, the locations of the particular uses in question. We're gonna be studying the mechanism by which, you approve a license to location. We're looking at all the options to see the best way to move forward for everyone's benefit. So it's clear for the applicants, it's clear for the public, it's clear for visitors and residents alike.
K. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Alright. Responses to questions submitted via email manager.
Very good. Alright. We are now on to public comment on agenda items. Anyone wishing to comment on any agenda item, this is your opportunity. And, in light of some of the public interest, I'll highlight a relatively recent addition to the poor, to the agenda, which would be correspondence, which would be the memo from the village manager summarizing the village board's request for the conservation advisory council on the topic of gas powered leaf blowers. I know there are people here who are probably interested in that topic, and, you can comment on it during, agenda items. Agenda items are open.
My name is Pete Drexler. I live at 215 Half Moon Bay Drive. I understand we're we're going to discuss the banning of gas powered leaf blowers in Croton. Is that what we're talking about now? I understand that, well, since the law was passed, you've exempted Half Moon Bay, and we still have gasoline powered leaf blowers. And they're a nuisance to us as much as they are to the other village residents. They chase away land of wildlife, birds, small animals, chase away humans when they're in the area because they're very loud and very, very smelly. And I'm hoping you'll give consideration to lifting that exemption of Half Moon Bay and allow or force the landscapers there to use electric leaf blowers. So that's that's basically what I'm what I'm, talking about, and hope you consider that.
Ed Riely from Truesdale Drive. We're addressing the pot store you invited into Croton. Just to to refresh people's memory, Croton had an option to opt out of pot stores, and some of the the best run villages in the county of Westchester opted out of those stores. Unfortunately, for the minority population, some of the some of the towns, villages, cities with the largest minority population opted into those stores. I would, and not only one, multiple stores. I would direct them to the women of Harlem who protested the state authorizing, several pot stores legal along, 1 25th Street. And they protest protested the the fact that the, state government and city government did not enforce their laws against illegal pot, in the first place. So the state was considering, and they're probably there by now, two or three pot stores legal when they already had seven or more pot stores illegal. So the village of Croton had an op an a opportunity to opt out like an adult, but I believe they did it for two reasons. One, Croton has this fascination with what I call Brooklyn cool. And I'm not talking about the minority populations of Brooklyn. I'm talking about people wander into Brooklyn. They're cool. They're they're, well educated. They have a lot of money, many more artistic, and then they drift up to Hudson Valley, and they're welcome here, as is anybody else is welcome here. But some of their values suck, and one of them is bringing drugs and illegal drugs with them or encouraging them. And, so this pot store was cool. And because this village board was a totally left wing village board at one time, you thought and you felt that it had to be cool. You had to have pot. The second reason, and this is a pathetic reason,
is you thought you'd get a lot of tax revenue out of this. And that came up in the conversation when this was first considered. That's disgusting. Right? To to take tax revenue. I know it's done on other products too. But to introduce new products and the atmosphere that goes with this so you can collect a couple more bucks in taxes. You can't pay for these freaking elections you have. These elections ten day in advance when three people vote per day. You can pay for that with the tax you're gonna raise on this store. So that was a pathetic reason, which is unsaid, for inviting that. One, being cool, and two, raising tax revenue. So this decision was made by the board at that time. I have a question which I hope the village attorney or perhaps the village manager will answer at afterwards is this there's one chance for the, population of the village of Croton to weigh on in this, and that's the way it should have been handled. If you wanna bring something like that in so controversial, you don't sneak it in. Don't tell anybody about it. Lose the paperwork, which is pathetic. Lose the paperwork, and then it's adopted. You can have a referendum. Now there's two types of referendum. There's a binding referendum, and there's an instructional referendum. It only takes a couple of 100 people to put a referendum on the ballot, and they can't do anything about it. The authorities that run this show here can't do anything about it. A permissive referendum or guidance referendum. My question to the authorities here here, the lawyer and the the village manager, is in fact a referendum can a referendum overturn the decision of a board to invite them in in the first place?
If we can't, that's pathetic in itself. It's very indicative of the way the state is run. Now the second part of this is the Brooklyn party, as I call them, and that's 25% of the Democratic party or more, probably a third, is for the legalization of all drugs. Now that's what make it so despicable when, Democrats that run these cities bring these drugs into minority neighborhoods because they don't wanna arrest perpetrators who may be 50% black or some other minority. They don't like arresting people, but they turn around. And when they authorize pot stores, they give precedent to people with criminal histories to manage the store, sorta like their bail policy. You know, let rapists and murderers go, the, you know, state policy on that. So it's sorta like it's sort of indicative of the way the state and a a large portion of the Democratic party run things. So not only are gonna introduce drugs into the community legally. Right? We know they're here, but we're gonna encourage that. And we're gonna encourage past perpetrators to be the managers of these stores. So this is once again a Brooklyn model, which is copied from the European model, which the eventual model in Europe was legalization of all drugs. Thank you. Thank you.
I'm Gwen Cianfaglione, Mountain Trail. I feel like it's point counterpoint, but yeah. Don't bring illegal drugs into Croton. Don't do it. Fentanyl kills. Heroin, Coke. I don't think any of those should be illegally brought into Croton, and I don't think that the cannabis dispensaries sell any of those. They're they they're required to obtain their cannabis from other locations where it's tested, it's clean, it's safer. You know that you're not poisoning. I I know I'm not being poisoned when I buy it, and I know if I share it with someone else, I'm not worried that I'm killing them either. The cannabis cannabis dispensaries and the bodega pot stores are very different things. And I would just like to make that point clear. This isn't they're not the same thing. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Thank you.
Hi. Wesley Blount, 35 Young Avenue. I came here tonight, I I and I'm very sorry because I probably should have paid more attention earlier to this. But when we've been when my mother and I saw that the moratorium was proposed, part of it to me was just a no brainer that, of course, there should be a moratorium. But, you know, I'm I'm kind of shocked to discover that we've already let the horse out of the barn, as they say. I didn't think we'd have to have a discussion about dispensaries in Croton. I thought it was kind of, you know, clear that there would be a large public sentiment that said no. And I'm a little distressed that, you know, that the horse is out of the barn and that we're kind of backtracking to try to figure out what to do now about it. I hope that you will, as you've discussed, and I'm grateful for the discussion because it's sort of clarified what's happening. But I will hope that if you consider that really trying to solicit public opinion on this and try to really sort out what we can do about this. The idea even of those warehouse dispensary warehouse distribution centers, like, the mind reels.
I understand, you know, there is an interest in this. It has been the thing to me is that the whole discussion of legalizing pot in the state of New York has been kind of a mess from the word go and there that we've fallen into this again, I like as you said that the cannabis department from the state just cannot seem either to get its act together and to give proper definitions of things. I just want to be clear that we do this thoughtfully and really take into account, public opinions on this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Alright. Does anyone else wish to comment on agenda items? To be clear, this is on any agenda item, not just the public hearings that were held previously.
Alright. Seeing no one else wishing to comment, we proceed to the consent. No.
You've you've used your time, sir. Yes. Thank you. Yes. Alright. We proceed to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion? Report. Oh, sorry. Report from the manager.
Thank you. Okay. So I wanted to start off with Summerfest. It was a great time for everybody that was here on June 7. I wanted to say thank you especially to Laurie Weisz who organized the event for us. We had more than a 140 vendors, which is our biggest number as far as since we've since we've been hosting it at least. You know, big thanks also to the recreation department for planning our parade, for DPW for doing the setup and the cleanup, you know, a lot of them were here for, you know, twelve plus hours, to the police for all the work that they did in keeping everyone safe and, well, every basically, everybody that came either whether they were participants or, you know, or vendors, everybody being here made it a made it a great day. So and everybody was a little panicked at 12:30 when it started to rain, but it turned out just fine. So
Manager, I I did wanna add that I I thought the two hundred and fiftieth aspect was embraced by by almost everyone in the parade as well as a lot of the vendors as well. And so I think that was Good. Yeah. Now the I I know the definitely the parade marchers were more in the spirit, so that was nice.
Onto the leaf blowers, in terms of our current current law, engineering has been addressing complaints as they've been coming in. Since June 1, eight violations have been issued. So, you know, feel free to if you if you wanna report a violation during business hours, call the engineering department. Outside business hours, call the police department, please. So we are preparing as I'm sure the entire metropolitan area is for the parade tomorrow in New York City. We are expecting a very large crowd at the train station tomorrow. So I would encourage people who have the opportunity to work from home if you're in going if you normally go into Manana, maybe you wanna work from home tomorrow because I think the parking lot is gonna be very busy. So we have we're gonna have multiple parking enforcement officers on duty down there and, you know, we will be deploying the overflow parking areas for the daily for the daily parking. You know, Metro North put out an advisory earlier today, which we've shared that they will be having extra trains in the morning, so you can check their website or the app to see what the additional trains that are being that are being scheduled to try to get everybody. They're estimating 3,000,000 people going to the parade tomorrow. Wow. They're not not all the them are going through Croton-Harmon Right. But there will be there will be a lot of people going to the parade. So The ring bell. So that yeah. So we're we'll be we will be prepared for that.
Expecting some bad weather tomorrow too.
know. That's hopefully, that will be People will care much at all. I don't think I don't think it'll do Yeah. Then. No. No. I'm gonna hope the enthusiasm.
In terms of the Half Moon Bay Bridge, things are progressing, and we have meetings scheduled next week with our engineers with the Metro North Railroad and with the DOT to, you know, get status updates and give status updates. So we're moving full steam ahead on that. The duck pond, people may have noticed that it is looking a little green. Unfortunately, some of the parts in the compressor for the air raider have stopped working. So we have the parts on order, so hopefully they will get here and be replaced as soon as possible. But if you you do see it, we are aware and we're, you know, working on it as as quickly as possible. It sounds familiar.
Yeah.
There was a request for closed captioning on our on our livestream. So I did get a proposal from our live stream company. The cost to add that on is $1,375 for the year. So I would recommend that we we do that. It would not it would only be on the live stream. It it doesn't add closed captioning if you're watching on channel seventy eight. I don't think we have too many people that are still watching on TV, but if you it it would just be available on the the livestream on the website.
You can turn on closed captioning on your personal on your personal television.
It's $1,375 for this year and then because we're Oh, sure. We're a little into this year already going forward, would be $1,500
Yeah. So so I'll move forward with that. We should have we have the funding available in the publicity line, so that's okay. And to be clear under the ADA, we'll have to have that by 2028 anyway or Yes. That is correct. Yes. Yeah. So we're just kind of They did extend the deadline, but the deadline is still there. Yes. So we were gonna have to do it at one point anyway, so as we were just saying, Con Edison is expecting some severe weather tomorrow, so we did have a conference call with them to discuss their preparations. So just, you know, be prepared. There could be some severe weather in the afternoon, but if any anything happens, we'll be we'll be prepared for that as well. Cleveland Drive, the repaving work is scheduled for the week of July 13. It's gonna take about six days. It will be three days of milling and then three days of paving. So just as a reminder, that is going from Gottwald Circle up Cleveland to 5 Corners. It's going to do Old Post South from 5, from 5 Corners to the high school. Then we it's gonna continue on Cleveland up to Gerstein Street, and then go from Gerstein on Gerstein Street from Cleveland to Wood Road, and then on Wood Road from Gerstein to Maple Street. So they have quite a bit of paving to do. It'll be very nice when it's done. Yeah. There will be a little inconvenience as the paving work goes on. So we'll be reaching out to everybody just to give them updated schedules as we get a little closer. We will be coordinating with the summer camp at CET to make sure that, you know, drop off and pick up is as seamless as possible. And I'll also be in touch with the library and Asbury in case they have to use the cemetery, you know, just so that we can make sure everybody's on the same on the same page. So
Govea Park. So as some people know, we did start work up there and then it was paused because there was a bald eagles nest that was located. So we've gotten some additional guidance from the DEC that has basically advised us that we have to wait until, the beginning of September before the work can resume in the park that the eagle season goes from January to August. So, we'll be monitoring that, and, hopefully, the the eagle the buffer zone for an eagle's nest is about 330 feet. So there are some areas at the north end of the park that are outside that buffer zone that we could potentially do some work in. So, superintendent Balbi and I are reviewing that, and if not, we'll resume in the fall. Also, at the last board meeting, there was a resolution that was adopted regarding the seeker for the work at the park. Since the new law was adopted, that work is now considered a type two under under the new law. And so at the next meeting, we're gonna have I'll have a resolution basically rescinding that resolution, and then we'll we'll proceed with it as a as a type two. Can you explain what that means? Yeah. I was just gonna say that seat type two doesn't I'll let I'll let the attorney. Yeah. I'm sure. With
the with the changes, that came with the, the adoption of the budget, the governor signed into law amendments directly to the statute itself, the, environmental conservation law, New York State. So one of the new provisions of the law, not regulation, is to, include, certain projects under certain parameters as type two, which means those actions taken are no longer subject to environmental review under the state law, environmental conservation law. So this would be an example of a project that now qualifies just by virtue of the conditions of the action you're taking as a type two action. And it would be exempt from SEC. Yes. It's no longer subject to environmental review under SEC. Right.
So That's actually a nice idea. We're here watch the eagles in the park. Usually, you have to install those before the nesting season starts. Yeah.
It is something maybe for next year. Yeah. It's great. So it's a nice idea. I do know that. Okay. And then just lastly, the offices are closed on Friday for Juneteenth. So I did send out a robocall for the southern end of the village reminding them that recycling is being picked up tomorrow. So if you're South Of 129, get your recycling out tonight.
That's it. Thank you, manager. Yep. Thank you. Alright. We proceed to the consent agenda. Do I have a motion on the consent agenda?
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Would you like to discuss any of the items? Yes. Okay.
Thank you. I I I did wanna just point out, for those that are interested in the factory floor of government, the quarterly reports are are something I highly recommend. Each one of our departments is is working hard on our behalf, and yet we don't always know exactly what they're doing. But if you take even just a glance at the ones that interest you or hopefully all of them, they're all relatively short, it gives you a very good sense of what what the day to day work of, all the hardworking men and women, that, make up our workforce are doing on our behalf. So, I I wanna thank them for Thank you. For the quarterly reports and encourage everyone to take a look at them. Mhmm.
Thank you. So the, the summary of leaf blower discussion that was added today on the agenda. Well, first, thank you for pulling the summary together from our work session. I mean, there was we had a lot of discussion around it. So thank you, manager, for kind of synthesizing it and putting it together. My question is when when I when I was discussing it, I didn't assume that everything we were saying would go all of it would go to the CAC, that maybe there are some things that another expert group would be evaluating. You know? It it does seem to be a lot to put on the CAC. I mean, I I think you all know their willingness and and, you know, I'm sure they're very capable, but it it's a lot. Areas of appropriate fines and penalties and other examples for municipalities. You know, I wasn't sure if that's something that we should be exploring with our planner or lawyers. So that's one question is are are there is are there anything that perhaps we could remove from here and, you know, give to other partners that might have different expertise and perspective and access to different data points. And then the other question is, I know when we had the discussion, I had asked if we could create a structure around, like, the stakeholder process early. So that might have been missed in here, you know, just including a stakeholder committee to get input on from local landscapers, HOA property managers, DPW staff, and, you know, business associations, athletic field managers, you know, things like that, like having a a stakeholder group.
So I I I put that as number eight. It does it says the c the CAC should solicit solicit comments from local stakeholders. And, I mean, you could obviously change that if you wanna make it something more explicit, but I did Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah. Okay.
So I agree with what trustee Nachtaler was saying. This feels like an incredible project for the CAC, which I know we kept talking about referring it to them, and I'm excited to get their input on it. But this feels just, you know, with the addition of this memo to the agenda, I happen to look at the CAC agenda from last night's meeting, and they're doing a lot. And there's a very you know, they're just one of the 12 items on their agenda is this item. I just wanna I guess I just wanna understand how they're gonna tackle this and how we can help them. Because what we really want is to make the right decision based on the information they're giving us. And my god, I don't know how they're gonna get their arms around this information in a way based on I don't know how many people are exactly are on that committee or how many people are on the subcommittee that's heading this up. But are we gonna give them access to the attorney or the planner or what what that are they just gonna do Google searches? Like, I guess I wanna understand how this is all gonna go down because it feels like, a lot. Or maybe we can, you know, help that is this is this list I I understand it's a list one to 12. Is it is that a suggested prioritization of the items on this list? I guess I just I feel like this made me have more questions than answers about it. Then the other so that's question number one. The other thing is this was a late addition to the agenda, so I didn't have a whole lot of time to digest it. And also, it appears on the electronic
agenda. So when you click into the agenda, it shows up as core it shows up. But if you go to the website and look at the agenda, it didn't update that part of it. That's an email. We don't update that after it goes out. Oh, it's not a it's not a web page? It's it's the email agenda. So when that go that goes out on Monday, and then that's a static. So there's also in the past, we had talked about updating. So, like, at the top, it says okay. I don't know what the back end of the website looks like, but it feels like that's something that unless you if you just go to the website and look at the agenda, you wouldn't know that this had been added. Like, I certainly wouldn't have if if I were just looking at website. As you know, our website is eight years old and is being updated. Do think that there somehow, it would like, by the volume of emails about leaf blowers that we are all receiving, like, this is a popular topic. So I think that people I just wish that we had been able to let people know that. Also, we had talked about if things are added to the agenda late, which I'm not a huge fan of just because then, as I said, I don't really have time to read and digest them before the meeting if they're added same day. If there's some way to notate at the top of the whichever part of the agenda we have control over, just flag that this has been added. So if you do happen to at 06:00, look at the agenda before you're coming to the meeting, you know that this has been added. So you're not being alerted. Because even if you walk in the room and look at this paper, there's no way you know that that has been added. So just from in terms of letting people know what is on the agenda, whether or not it's a hot topic. I just I would like people to be able to know that. So that's two totally different things. The fur the second one it sounds like we Yeah. You know, we've addressed. But the first one I would like to go back to because I just don't maybe the CAC is gonna be like this is cool. We got it. But I don't if I were on that committee, I would be in the chair, I would be like, oh my god. I'd be panicking a little bit. So
how are we helping them, guiding them, supporting them in this work that we're asking them for? Well, you know, it was members of this board felt it was important that we take up the topic. It was the consensus of the board that we refer it to the CAC. We had a work session. I think it's important to make sure, you know, and if the manager has the I know he's good at reading the resolutions, maybe even has the stamina to read this whole thing into the record, especially for anyone who might be watching at home. But, you know, this is the one step in a very long process. Right? And my view is, ideally, I think, would be to get this done tonight. If not tonight, then at our next work session and get it onto the CAC's agenda and let the you know, if they feel they have concerns about specific items and there needs to be a dialogue about that, you know, it it's not our place to say no on their behalf. You know, I don't wanna not speculate Yeah. No. No. I'm not suggesting that we say no. I'm just suggesting that, you know No. We we we should provide them support, absolutely. If That's there what I'm saying. But if there, are specific items that they have concerns about, we can, you know, take that off. You know? Well, in the it's their recommendation at the end of the day, and they can say, we look you know, the board made this referral. This specific item, we did not have the capacity to address, and it's really up to the board to make a decision on this. I mean, at the end of the day, it's up to the board to make a decision on all of this. Right? And, to trustee Nachtaler's
point slash question about the involvement of stakeholders, that is part of the memo. But if we think that there was a stakeholder that was not included, we can reach out to them. Mhmm.
Yeah. Just a little bit, you know, the mayor and I are both liaisons. I was gonna ask that Matthew's liaison. We did have a preview conversation last night. You know, they they hadn't received the memo yet, so they hadn't seen in detail yet what we were asking them, but they kinda had seen the watched the work So, I mean, they are ready to roll their sleeves up. They had done a lot of research when we first did the seasonal leaf blower ban. So they're ready to create this committee is particularly good at creating subcommittees. They would That help from the agenda. So their their plan is to create a subcommittee of three or four people to really tackle the variety of callouts and questions that we have, but I do love the idea of them having access from a research perspective of the planner. Because before, when we looked at the leaf blower band, we didn't have a planner, so now we do. So to have them be able to, you know, kind of offload some of that research would probably be very, very helpful to them and I think they would be, you know, happy.
Or maybe some of it already exists and has been done by other communities. Yes. You know, our planner is Right. Very skilled. Yes. So she may be able to knock off a couple of these right off the bat. Mhmm. But I want them to have be able to have that conversation. Because I think what they're gonna give us great feedback, but Mhmm. You the first thing is how long is this gonna take? And when I look at this list, I'm thinking, my god. Yeah. Think that that's the biggest impact is that it's
especially looking at it now, I mean, we had a certain idea for a time frame back in the work session. I think we just need to be recognized what we're asking and Mhmm. Be
Mhmm. Yeah. Or if they come back to you and say, this is gonna take two years for us to do, hypothetically Mhmm. You know, then you could say, alright, well, maybe we need to whittle this down to get it in a more timely fashion. Right? So
Or just another option is we don't only refer to them, we we parse things out. I mean, I don't I don't know. Is there a benefit only to refer something to one group versus potentially, okay, you you take this, you know, lawyers take this, planner you take this, and then
there's somebody leading the charge and pulling it all together. Well, that at the end of the day, that's us. Right? Like, the lawyer the rec the recommendation is just gonna be a memo. Right? And we'll look at it. Our attorneys will look at it. I'm sure our planners will look at it. Wish I thought about it. Would this be subject to secret or no?
At at any rate, there would be a public hearing. And as I was saying, we can make as many, we do as much outreach as we want when it's our time. But I the consensus of the board was to go to the CAC. And I'm a big believer in what is sometimes known as the single negotiating text. And I think that a memo from the CAC would be a good starting point.
Generally, it's going to be an amendment to your noise provisions, the peace and good order section of your code. So it is, subject to secret, but clearly would not be Yeah. Required to do any analysis.
It would be a type two. I was gonna say, I think I think the last one was a type two. When we put the when we put the original restrictions in, I think it was a type two. Yeah.
Many of our other I'm sorry. No. No. No. Please. Many of our other communities are, taking a look at bans and taking a look at, further limitations and the lifting of, these exemptions. So it's it's good to get the input from the CAC, of course. And, if if they reach out and they need assistance, I know Valerie has a very good staff behind her, and they are very adept at general code and looking through and finding what the latest is. So if if needs be, then Yeah. Coordination is available just upon a request. Mhmm.
You know, I was just gonna add the the specific points in the manager's memo are not dissimilar from the process that the the CAC followed, four years ago, and and actually very similar. And and I remember I'm I'm not one of the liaisons and wasn't four years ago, but, you know, certainly we're on the receiving end. And I I remember a couple of instances in which they came to us, and then we said, this is wonderful. Could you take a second look at something else? And so I think I think the process works very well with giving them a broad outline of the kinds of information that, we think they should evaluate. And then they'll come to us, and then we'll see what happens. So it's a multistep process, which is why it took us, it took us quite a while to to get to the first iteration of the, of the code. And, maybe maybe it'll be a little quicker this time, but we'll see.
And I I don't wanna add to the this list, but when a recommendation comes back, I guess, at what point could we look or talk discuss battery storage infrastructure and how, you know, that's managed.
That's a I mean, battery storage is you know, we have battery storage, right, covered in our code already. I mean, what you're discuss describing there is, I guess, individual
Yeah. Let let me think about that. Right. Mean, because at at at that point, it's well, the attorney seems to have a thought. No. I just, I'm trying to make the connection between Well, because the very one I'm just saying if The CA six don't know how many households, but if we have a large percentage of households that are now shifting to having lithium ion batteries and having to, charge them and store them just you know, I feel like we're gonna need an education effort around Oh. How to properly manage that, dispose of that. You know, that's where I'm going with that. Prepare our first responders for what the
Yeah. You mean from the increased use of e powered Batteries.
Of, like, e e powered life blowers and e powered Yeah. Right. I mean, we already have a lot of that in the between e bikes and and people that already use electric blowers and electric cars. Right? I mean, you know, I I tell you the fire department has done numerous trainings on on that stuff over the years. Right. But it doesn't hurt to do a a reminder campaign for sure, but I don't want people to think that we don't have Right. Yeah. We we've we've done stuff on that. Right. Yeah. I mean, if laid the groundwork in specific if it scales up just Mhmm. Just to keep a note that we probably need to do more education. Yeah. And it is a good reminder to never never throw those batteries in the in the regular trash because they will explode and cause a fire in the back of I the garbage would So Yeah. Yes.
You'd be surprised that Yeah. Yep. I mean, in terms from a regulatory perspective. Right? Like, we have the zoning code, but that's meant for, like, a battery energy storage system that's like a, for lack of a better word, a quasi utility function. I mean, that also covers, a home system as well that's, like, meant to be a backup generator, but that's kind of what our regulatory authority is about. I mean, which is not to say that these aren't regulated. They're just regulated by different entities. I mean, from a consumer product liability and safety perspective. I mean, not least of all, probably the most prolific, lithium ion battery is a phone battery, and they those have definitely caused fires. So I think the point is well taken to educate the public about their safe disposal. That's good. Yeah. At the risk of being redundant, can I ask the manager to just read the memo just so anyone listening has an opportunity to be familiar with it given the pub level of public interest? It also happens to be only a page. Reverty is the soul of wit. And just to make sure that we haven't left anything out. Should get a glass of water. I mean, sorry.
Written The mayor is just prepping me for having to read the '19 bond reading. The bond reading That's what we have. We're bond reading list. Thank you. Okay. The village board of trustees discussed the existing regulations regarding the use of gas powered leaf blowers at the work session held on 05/27/2026. In referring the various correspondence received to the conservation advisory council for their review, the village board also asked the CAC to consider the following items. One, the CAC should establish a time frame that they will submit their recommendation to the village board of trustees, e g, the recommendation will be submitted within three months of initial discussion. Two, the CAC should research how other municipalities of similar size and population in Westchester County regulate gas powered leaf blowers and take note of differences. Three, the CAC should consider population density and tree canopy coverage in our village compared to other municipalities in Westchester County. Four, the CAC should review enforcement efforts in the municipalities that have established more stringent gas powered leaf blower regulations and learn how successful those have been. Five, the CAC should consider the appropriate fines and penalties that could be codified for any violations. Six, the CAC should determine whether there should be any regulations for other gas powered equipment, e g gas powered generators to recharge batteries. Seven, the CAC should balance quality of life concerns with economic concerns for residents and local landscapers. Eight, the CAC should solicit comments from local stakeholders, area businesses and landscapers, large property owners, environmental organizations, etcetera. Nine, the CAC should consider hosting a public forum either in person or virtual solicit feedback from residents on potential changes to the gas powered leaf blower regulations. 10, the CAC should review specifications and pricing for gas powered leaf blowers and battery powered leaf blowers as part of their evaluation.
11, if the CAC determines to recommend a change in the existing regulations, a phase in period should be built into the recommendation. EG, the law takes effect twelve months after adoption. 12, the CAC should ensure that any recommendation is harmonized with existing policies from other levels of government, state, county, town, especially in relation to the New York State Climate Leadership Community Protection Act.
I I do think that giving them the guidance potentially in the mem memo that, you know, if they do need support,
that that that is Yeah. In in fact, perhaps put that as a oh, the final line. Should the conservation advisory council need technical support Please reach out. Or guidance, reach out to the village manager. Yeah.
And this might be included in in these incentives for electric leaf blowers? I mean, you know, I guess in in evaluating whether any other municipalities have had any type of incentive program. Or
Just a disincentive,
usually. It's just a disincentive. Well, I think that I don't know if that law was adopted. No. It it's pending the governor's signature, which could come between now and anytime between now and the end of the year. So there would be a there would be a state program. So it would potentially potentially. Yes. Which goes back to item number 12. Mhmm. Right.
Yeah. And like I said before, the difficulty is that, generally, this has to go in your peace and good order because it's impossible to evaluate the impact on the the fumes and the generation of greenhouse gases. It's impossible for you as a local municipality. So really you were you were constrained, unfortunately, to put this in peace and good order based upon the noise element. So it's it's difficult, but it's it's good if we can get the, governor to sign this incentive, and I think that that will go a long way to helping Mhmm. With the greenhouse gas and the emissions problem.
And, you know, we bring this refers specifically to CLCPA and, policy harmonization in the context, implicitly, I would say, but I'm making it explicit here in the context of incentives. Right? We have the potential, the bill that was passed but not yet signed, for incent incentives, direct direction to establish that program explicitly in the statute. There is also very far down the well, a few years down the road now, the potential the creation of the cap and invest program, which would create limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the state in theory, have a system of permits for the emission of greenhouse gases and directing the funds, the proceeds raised from the issuance of those permits to mitigation programs. Now that's highly speculative at this time because there's not a draft regulation available, but you could imagine one of those programs being rebates for electric lawn equipment just as you might have rebates for electric cars or any other number of items. But that goes back to policy harmonization. Right. Attorney, this is do not feel the need to answer on this. I think this might be better discussed when when we receive recommendations from the CAC. But as a hypothetical, is this something you could put in the zoning code and therefore the board would go through a full secret on it?
If you were going to ban the use on a district by district basis, you'd you'd need a valid you know, I'm just spitballing here. You'd need a a valued basis in order to determine which districts would be impacted. But, generally as I had spoken before, the the constraint is it it's a noise ordinance, and that makes it the most difficult, and I know your other Rivertown communities are finding it difficult, to enforce because it has to be enforced under the noise ordinance to your local justice court and that's criminal court. So it's it's very difficult to, to bring an injunctive action or to to haul someone into court to actually face face the music because, because of the constraints of your justice court and the jurisdiction of your justice court. So it is an ongoing, problem and has I I have to say I'm appearing on the fifth appearance tomorrow at the justice court calendar to try to enforce a single violation and the individual has not shown up yet. So it isn't the kind of thing where you can you can issue a warrant. It doesn't rise to that level. So it is a problem and the CAC will advise you that your fellow communities are having trouble as well. So it is a topic we frequently talk about at the New York Conference of Mayors and also our BOC meetings and, Waimoa. And so we have to just keep bringing it up to look at a logical way, a defensible way to enforce it. It's it's unfortunate.
Situation is true with the partial ban. Right? So right now, we have a partial ban. Right? We have a Correct. Right? So Yeah. So right now, we are giving people violations. They are paying a fine. Correct. If they don't pay that fine, then
you're saying that the consequences are They still have to they still it's they get an appearance ticket, so they have to go to court no matter why. Yes.
So the example that you were sharing with someone not showing up Yes. That that's where it gets but we couldn't take we couldn't lean off of people's taxes. No. No. Right? No. No. Because you have to adjudicate
Mhmm. In order to get to the penalty phase, and that that is the difficulty. There are circumstances. We know that this particular landscaper that violated, a few months ago, is now in compliance. So perhaps he was think he's thinking no harm, no fail. To go now. Yeah. No. I don't have to And just to be clear, this is not in our court. Right. Right. No. It is not. Yes. I do not prosecute in your local court. I it's a different community. Yeah.
Just a question, for the attorney. Even though Seeker is not required for this, or or I should say the the environmental review process is not required because it would be a type two. There's nothing that precludes us from completing the EAF part one.
For noise ordinance? Yeah. No. You can certainly So if the board wanted to complete the form and go through the process of of the part one, there's nothing that precludes that. You could you could do that. Yes. But again, it's a noise ordinance, so you're it's really it it's very difficult. Yeah. Okay. And I've said enough.
Is there any basis for making the standard kind of seeker referrals, in the absence of a seeker action?
No. There there would be no basis to refer a a simple, ordinance, peace and good order type ordinance to any of the to any of the usual cast of characters that really would because they would say it's a matter of local concern
Yep. Which is sort of the That's what the county says for most things anyway. Usually, what happens is Fair enough.
Okay. Any any changes to the memo beyond what we did discussed in terms of, making it clear that the manager was here to connect the CAC with any resources that they might need? Well, manager, with your addition, you'll do your best to keep it still at one page, I think. It'll it'll shrink
shrink the font. It'll make it a little bit. Make everyone feel better. Yeah. Can I ask a question though? So we did receive an email at 04:20 today that was on this topic, which is what made me think back to it. Was that were was that sent through the agenda?
No. Com public comments have to be received by noon to be on the agenda. So if it came at if it came at four
No. No. Well, look, does that go directly to all of us? This looks like it was received at it was forwarded to us at this afternoon, but it looks like it was received at nine.
Yeah. So that's on the agenda. It's it's there. Jeannette, could you scroll up to public comments? Yeah. See public comment agenda.
it gets attached to the agenda. And it's made part of the record, so Judy will add it to the minutes.
There were questions submitted by email. There was there were no questions. That was a public comment.
There was a time when we the manager provided a brief oral summary of the comments received, but
No one was happy with that. You know, people wanted it verbatim, which we can't accommodate, so this was compromised.
Okay. Discussion on other items in the consent agenda.
Well, I mean, I the other the only thing I wanna point out is that when earlier this year, maybe it was in December, we when we went to the for a tour of the DPW facility, we talked about the dog the potential to have dog control services at the DPW facility, and there was an area there that for a variety of reasons was not, that we could consider in the future using. But so it just it came back to front of mind when I saw that we were going to be engaging with Buchanan for that.
Yeah. It's actually it's a yeah. It's the opposite. So Buchanan is engaging.
So we have it we have it set up. Okay. It can only be up to a twenty four hour period. Okay. Right? And then it's that space that we talked about when we're
Use our dog control services. And then our agreement with our current shelter provider is expiring actually at the end of this month. So I'm currently in negotiations to switch to a different different shelter for reasons that I'm not gonna get into right now.
But, yeah, so hopefully I'll have we can use our area for up to twenty four hours so that if somebody the chances of a dog being unclaimed in the village for more than twenty four hours is like virtually none. Mhmm. But by law, we have to have a contract with the shelter. So that's that's what we have to do. But we would hold the dog for up to twenty four hours, and then if we still have the dog for over twenty four hours, it would go to the go to the shelter.
Or or you could send it home with me.
can put that in a minute. Multifaceted and I lost my dog a year ago, so I'm I'm looking to fill the space. I
I just wanted to say on item, b six. So the the con ed work, the police overtime of 38,000. I know this was in your backup. I just wanted to say for the public that Con Ed is reimbursing us Correct. For that. So I just wanted to which is great. Yeah. Yep. On that, manager, do we,
could you just refresh us if we do we have a date of conclusion on the old old post North work for Con Edman?
Good luck. I I believe the original it was supposed to go for eight weeks Yeah. Which I think puts us at the end of June. Okay. But I haven't gotten an update from them recently. So I will I will try to do that. Seems like it's it's progressing very well. It it's definitely progressing. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. So but we're still waiting for them to pave Baton Road from last year. So, you know, it takes them takes them a little time. So
K. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Great. Alright. We proceed to proposed resolutions.
Okay. Get ready, everyone. Water. Woah. Sure. I have to read them all. You have to open them all. Okay. So I'm going to read the beginning the synopsis, I'll call it at the beginning, and then I will read the the two whereas' and the be it resolved. I'm not gonna read the whole thing. Aw. Yeah. I'm for we will we will literally be here till midnight. We can order pizza. Okay. So a resolution authorizing the issuance of $80,258 in bonds of the village of in Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the purchase of EMS equipment for emergency medical services in and for said village, whereas all conditions precedent to the financing of the object or purpose here and after described, including compliance with the provisions of the state environmental quality review act have been performed. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project, now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. And it follows for ten secondtions.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nora Nicholson.
We have to do a call vote. Sorry. I have to do a roll call vote. Yep. Okay. Yes. It's It's fine. Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. Resolution authorizing the issuance of $256,163 bonds of the village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of engineering and design costs for the parking lot at Croton-Harmon Train Station in and for said Village. Whereas all conditions precedent to the financing of the object or purpose here and after described, including compliance with the provisions of the state environmental quality review act have been performed and whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project, and therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. A resolution authorizing the issuance of an aggregate $86,100 bonds of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of various police capital projects in and for said Village. Whereas the capital projects here and after described as proposed have been determined to be type two actions pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Converse Conservation promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have any significant adverse effect on the environment and whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slibin? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye.
Resolution authorizing the issuance of a hundred and seventy five thousand two hundred and seventy five dollars bonds of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the purchase of replacement vehicles for the police department in in in Forest Said village. Whereas the capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project, now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slibod? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye.
Resolution authorizing the issuance of $41,000 bonds of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the shoreline resiliency planning at Senasqua Park in and for said Village. Whereas all conditions precedent to the financing of the object or purpose seen after described, including compliance with the provisions of the state environmental quality review act have been performed. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. A resolution authorizing the issuance of 71,750 bonds of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the purchase of a village manager car in and for said Village. Where Whereas the capital projects here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, and whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project. Now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Oh, sorry. Sorry. Nachtaler. Trustee Stacey Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. Sorry about that. It's tricky.
Just gets me from a to b. Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum improvements to fire stations in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of 58 $558,113 and authorizing the issuance of $558,113 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas capital project herein after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment, and whereas it is now desired to authorize financing thereof. Now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Cortlandt, Hutchinson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Mayor Pugh. Aye. Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum the upgrade of the air conditioning system in the Department of Public Works garage for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of a $117,875 and authorizing the issuance of a $117,875 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas capital projects herein after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum, the Brook Street drainage project in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $1,519,525 and authorizing the issuance of $1,519,525 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas the capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Maria Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. A resolution authorizing subject for missive referendum the issuance of $92,250 bonds to the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the purchase of a command car replacement for the fire department in and for said Village. Whereas all conditions precedent to the financing of the object or purpose here and after described, including compliance with the provisions of the state environmental quality review act have been performed. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project, now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westridge County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Mayor Pugh. Aye. A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum the purchase of police communication and tech equipment for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, and a maximum estimated cost of $712,603 and authorizing the issuance of $712,623, serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas the capital project herein after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye.
A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum the issuance of $256,250 bonds to the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York to pay the cost of the reconstruction of the Farrington Road steps in and for said Village. Whereas all conditions precedent to the financing of the object or purpose here and after described, including compliance with the provisions of the state environmental quality review act have been performed, and whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing of such capital project, now therefore be it resolved by the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye.
I'm sensing a pattern here. I'm just I'm just gonna point that out.
A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum excuse me, permissive referendum the purchase of a firefighting vehicle equipment and apparatus for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $219,350 and authorizing the issuance of $219,350 serial bonds of said village to pay the costs thereof. Whereas the capital project herein after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Mayor Pugh. Aye.
A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum, the reconstruction of Half Moon Bay Bridge in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $1,250,000 and authorizing the issuance of $1,250,000 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas the capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Maria Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Brian Pugh? Aye. Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum the reconstruction of roads throughout and in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $910,000 and authorizing the issuance of $910,000 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof. Now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees at the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have the motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye.
Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum construction of sidewalk improvements at Municipal Place in South Riverside and pedestrian and safety improvements in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $779,246 and authorizing the issuance of $779,246 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas capital project herein after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof. Now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Mayor Pugh. Aye. A resolution authorizing subject permissive referendum construction of traffic safety improvements in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of a $138,375 and authorizing the issuance of a $138,375 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas the capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state the type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. And whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Brian Pugh? Aye. A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum, municipal building improvements for the engineering department office for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $84,050 and authorizing the issuance of $84,050 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas the capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be it resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows. Do I have a motion? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Mayor Pugh. Aye.
A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum improvements to park security in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, and a maximum estimated cost of $101,250 and authorizing the issuance of sorry. That's a typo here. Should be $51,250. Okay. Sorry. I'm gonna start again. Resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum improvements to park security in and for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $51,250 and authorizing issuance of $51,250 serial bonds of said village to pay part of the cost thereof. Whereas capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, promulgated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Or as it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Aye. Trustee Slippen. Aye. Trustee Nachtaler. Aye. Trustee Nicholson. Aye. Trustee Simon. Aye. Brian Pugh. Aye. Last one. A resolution authorizing subject to permissive referendum the purchase of Department of Public Works equipment for the village of Croton-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York at a maximum estimated cost of $492,000 and authorizing the issuance of $492,000 serial bonds of said village to pay the cost thereof. Whereas capital project here and after described as proposed has been determined to be a type two action pursuant to the regulations of the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, propagated pursuant to the state environmental quality review act, which regulations state that type two actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. Whereas it is now desired to authorize the financing thereof, now therefore be resolved by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the total voting strength of the board of trustees of the village of Perdent And Hudson, Westchester County, New York as follows.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Trustee Slippen? Aye. Trustee Nachtaler? Aye. Trustee Nicholson? Aye. Trustee Simon? Aye. Mayor Pugh? Aye. I'll just say before we move on to the remainder of the resolutions, the bond resolutions, for the most part, are for the full cost of the project just in case for whatever reason grant funding falls through or we don't get it from the count, whatever it might be. Mhmm. So, you know, for example, the South Riverside And Municipal Place sidewalks were for 779,000, but we know that we're getting, you know, money from both the state and the county for that project. So it's just kind of a fail safe. But we Thank you. We should be borrowing less than what what the amount's listed. Mhmm. Thank
Alright. Very good. I'll keep going. Okay. Whereas the village board of trustees supports the development of affordable housing in the village of Croton-on-Hudson, and whereas under the direction of the village board, village the manager studied the possibility of adding preferences for certain occupations for new affordable housing units to the village code. And whereas data has been provided by the PACE Land Use Law Center and Housing Action Council that confirmed that the emergency services occupation and medical services occupation in the nine county region of New York City is sufficiently diverse to permit these preferences. And whereas local law instructor number five of 2026 has been drafted to add certain occupational preferences for affordable housing units. And whereas on 02/12/2026, the village board of trustees declared itself lead agency for CEQA purposes. Whereas on 04/08/2026, the village board of trustees undertook the process and review described in detail in parts two and three of the short EAF determination of significance attached to tier two. And whereas the village board held the public hearing to consider local law introductory number five of 2026, which was opened and closed on 04/08/2026. And whereas the village board has received a recommendation of consistency from the Waterfront Advisory Committee with the village's local waterfront revitalization program. Whereas the village board must make its own determination of consistency with the LWRP policy standards and conditions. And whereas on 04/08/2026, the village board reviewed the LWRP policy standards and conditions. Now therefore be it resolved as follows. The village board of trustees determines that after reviewing the LWRP policy standards and conditions, none were found to be applicable for the proposed action. And be it further resolved that based upon the above, the village board of trustees confirms its determination that the proposed action to add certain occupational preferences for affordable housing units complies with the policy standards and conditions
set forth in the village's LWRP, and be it further resolved that the village board of trustees hereby issues and adopts the EAF parts two and three determination of significance attached tier two adopts a negative declaration in connection with this action and be it further resolved that the village board of trustees hereby adopts local law introduction number five of 2026 to amend chapter two thirty zoning to add certain occupational preferences for affordable housing units, which upon adoption becomes local law number nine of 2026.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Oh, well, mayor, I I would just comment that I'm very grateful that and and happy that we're we're doing this. If you wanna divide work into sort of three categories, regular work, continuous improvement, and and breakthrough efforts. I think this is a breakthrough effort. I give you, as our leader, you know, great, great credit for initiating this process, which we've been at now for about a year. And I think this puts us in in a in a great position to to move forward in our in any future affordable housing units with the our our first responders and as well as as emergency medical folks as well. So I think it's it's it's something that is, I think, leadership on on the part of the of the village. I think other other communities will will look at what we've done. But I think most importantly, this will be incredibly valuable for our the the folks that get the opportunity to participate in the housing. So I'm I'm very grateful that we've done this.
Agree. I made this a pioneering effort, you know, really from the vision and of a citizen's idea. I think the mayor will speak to that. But, you know, just from a a citizen's idea of how we could offer more housing opportunities to our first responders and really digging in and seeing how this is possible, and this is thanks to our attorneys to really and the manager for doing the research to determine that this was something that the village could do. It is a really pioneering effort. So this is a very big deal. I am delighted to be able to vote for this this evening. It has been a long time
coming. And by the way, I didn't I'll add. A few times, we were told no. Oh. And and and that's that that also, I I think, you know, shows a certain amount of grit that we we kept going back and and working with the data and working with the law and making sure that all of the objectives that are necessary in the housing field could be met simultaneously. And that's that's, I think, the the nice touch that we have here.
Yeah. I know we said we'd continue looking at any new data that comes in around teachers. Mhmm. Yep. So I know it probably won't stop here. You know, there'll be more professions, hopefully, down the road that we can explore as well. Right? Thank you.
Yes. Absolutely. And as trustee Nicholson alluded to, this did is the product product of a suggestion from a citizen. It is now, believe it or not, more than six almost six years since we received that, to speak to, what trustee Simon said of, the the rocky road that brought us here, but it came from Tony Gaglioli, who sadly passed away in March of last year, but it was at his, eightieth birthday party, organized by, the fire department, his fire company. And, Tony was a former chief and former building inspector, and this was his eightieth birthday party. And he said, you know, mayor, I know you don't have a gift, but the one thing that I really like is for you to do something for the volunteer firefighters. He said, I know that, you know, you can't do a local preference, but I think you should really do something specifically for first responders. And we were able to, through an extensive process, finally get it there. So thank you, manager. I
I I remember a time also when we had just gotten delivery of a of a new engine for the for the fire department. And the the members of the department were saying, this is great, but what we really need is housing. So so this is this is making good on that that commitment that that we made at that point. So
do we have some type of plan? Like, this is a big deal Mhmm. Not only for us, but for all of our first responders. Mhmm. Do we have a plan for sharing this good news locally and beyond?
I think we should publicize it when the law becomes effective when it's filed with the secretary of state's office. Yeah. And then, particularly when there's a property that is subject to it, I mean, that's when we're going to go
yes. The the marketing comes into play Yeah. At that point. So it again, it's not a local preference, but as I like to say with anything, the record it's it's based on the record and the evidence was was there countywide with the need for housing for this these occupations. So I I do give kudos to the village for persevering and getting this done.
Whereas the village of Croton-on-Hudson has contracted with area tow companies to provide roadside and vehicle towing services on an as needed basis. Whereas on 04/07/2026, the village of Croton-on-Hudson issued a request for proposals for these towing and roadside services. Whereas on 05/07/2026, four responses were received and opened. And whereas chief of police, John Nikitopoulos, has recommended awarding the contract to Lupo Ossining Auto Body of Croton-on-Hudson, New York. Now therefore be it resolved that the board of trustees hereby authorizes the village manager to award the contract for roadside and vehicle towing services to Lupo Ossining Auto Body of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, beginning 06/01/2020 through 05/31/2027.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Discussion?
So this is a little bit of a change from the way we've done this in the past. Previously, we've had tow contracts with multiple companies, and they've been on a rotation service, you know, based on some of research that we've been doing. You know, there were other communities that would have just one contractor, and that contractor would pay to be the preferred, towing contractor for the for those types of services. So, you know, we put out an RFP as the resolution said earlier this spring. The four towing companies responded to it. You know, Lopo Ossining had the highest offer, you know, $15,000 to be our tow contractor. The chief and I met with them. You know, they have sufficient equipment. They have sufficient staff. They can you know, if we get a three car accident, let's say, they can supply enough vehicles no. Enough tow trucks to remove all the vehicles. So the chief was satisfied that they would be able to do the work. You know, the contract has a provision that if there's more than two times that they're not able to respond, we are able to terminate the contract. Because, obviously, if there's an accident and a road is closed, time is of the essence to clean it up and get the road reopened. So, you know, so far that as it said, they've they started on June 1. You know, things have been going well, so we'll continue to monitor it and see if this is how we wanna move forward. But, you know, it did seem like a more beneficial, way to contract for the village.
Very good. Alright. All in favor? Aye. Aye.
Whereas the village of Croton-on-Hudson contracts with a tree service provider in order to aid in the trimming and removal of village owned trees, and whereas on 04/30/2026, the village of Cortlandt And Hudson advertised bid number three of 2026 for the tree trimming and removal contract. And whereas on 05/18/2026, two sealed bids were received and opened. Whereas the lowest responsible bid was submitted by New England Property Maintenance of Mayapac, New York at the rate of $46,000. Whereas Frank Balbi, superintendent of public works, has recommended awarding to the lowest bidder. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the board of trustees hereby authorizes the village manager to award the contract for tree trimming and removal services to New England property maintenance of Mayapack, New York beginning 06/01/2026 through 05/31/2027.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
So this is the same tree contractor that we've had for the past couple of years. DPW has been very satisfied with their work, so we're happy that they came in as our low bidder for this, and we look forward to continuing with them.
on 04/30/2026, The Village published bid number 42026 for the 2026 lawn maintenance program. And whereas on 05/18/2026, the village received one bid for the 2026 lawn maintenance program, which includes spring cleanup, mowing, and trimming for selected village parks, fields, and other properties. And where the low bidder was La Teja Contractors and Landscaping Inc of Ossining, New York in the amount of $70,170. And whereas the bid amount has increased from previous years due to a combination of two additional months being included in the contract, the use of gas powered leaf blowers being prohibited, and the addition of the Gottwold Circle Islands to the list of areas to be maintained. And whereas Frank Balbi, superintendent of public works, has recommended that the bid be awarded to Leticia Contractors and Land Landscaping Inc, and therefore be it resolved that the village manager is hereby authorized to award the bid for the village's lawn maintenance program to La Teja Contractors and Landscaping Inc in the amount of $70,170 beginning 06/01/2026 through 05/31/2027, and be it further resolved that the village treasurer is authorized to transfer $23,685 from contingency account a 19904000 to the following account, 71104000 contractual $23,685.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Discussion?
Well, just, mayor, credit to superintendent Balbi and and the DPW team and, of course, the manager and also La Teja for ensuring that we had the the battery powered leaf blowers built into the contract both to our team for for having that as a requirement and for Latasia for stepping up stepping up to the plate and showing that it can be done. So and I and I hope that other other other folks are looking at that in terms of feasibility.
That's a good question. I think it honestly, it was probably because of the prohibition on the on the use of leaf blowers. So, I mean, that's well, we looked back at the last time we did this. We got, I believe, it was five bids. So, you know, we've got it we've got it more bids in the past. I think, you know, La Teja is our current contractor, so they obviously wanted to Yeah. Wanted to bid on it. Yeah. But I guess the other contractors you know, I don't know. We haven't asked them, but, you know, I'm speculating that it was it was because of that. Right. Yeah. Because it's still new and growing. Yeah. They may not wanna they may not wanted to have purchased the equipment. Mhmm. You know, there there could be a number of Big job. I mean Yeah. Mean, some of stuff Bouvet is 16 acres. Right? So there's a lot to clean there. Yeah. So And what did we budget for this? What was our line item budget for this? So it was we had budgeted the same amount that the previous contract was, which was the about 46,000. Okay. So that that's that's what the 23,000
budget amendment is. That's the difference between the the two numbers.
So that's what my next question was gonna be. What was what did it cost us to require it? And it sounds like it was about.
Yeah. So I mean that $25,000. Well, so the $23,006.80 was the That's right. Combination. The extra months. Yeah. Right. So the it was about again, these are not exact figures Right. But it was about $10,000 for the extra months. Mhmm. It was about $10,000 for the leaf blowers and then it was about the $3,000 for the extra islands that were added. Okay. Yeah.
And this is, you know, we had kind of a deep conversation at the CAC last night, one of the issues was the Gotwall circle and why that hadn't been mowed yet. So this is kind of the reason why Yeah. I mean, wasn't in the contract. It wasn't in the contract. So
there was some discussion about that today. Okay. DPW says that they did mow it last week, they said that they themselves mowed it. So I know that people on the CAC don't agree with that, but they say that they did mow it. Oh. So but in any regard, it is going to be mowed going Yes. Mowed going forward in the contract, which is good. Yeah. And I also think, you know,
we know the burden of all of our green green area on our DPWs. So to be able to give two additional months of service Yeah. Will be for the betterment of the entire village.
Whereas flooding issues along Brook Street have existed for many years in the village, and whereas in 2023, the village board of trustees adopted resolution one forty two dash 2023 to accept the proposal from D and B engineers to conduct an updated drainage study along the Brook Street drainage basin. Whereas the study has been completed and a preferred alternate has been selected to improve drainage along Brook Street and Terrace Place, whereas the village has received funding for this project from Westchester County in the amount of $701,000, whereas D and B engineers has now provided a proposal to move forward with the design services for this project in the amount of $90,500. Whereas Frank Balbi, superintendent of public works, has reviewed the proposal and recommended moving forward with the scope of work. Now therefore be it resolved that the village board hereby authorizes the village manager to accept the proposal from D and B Engineers in the amount of $90,500 for design services related to the Brook Street drainage project.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson.
Flooding issues along Brook Street have existed for many years in the village, and whereas the village has been working with D and B engineers to develop plans to improve drainage along Brook Street and Terrace Place. Whereas the village has received funding from this project from Westchester County in the amount of $701,000. And whereas as this project is included on the village's hazard mitigation plan, it is eligible for low interest financing from New York State through New York State hazard mitigation revolving loan fund program. And whereas receiving funds from this program will result in a cost savings to residents compared to bonding the cost of the work. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the village board hereby authorizes the village manager to submit application to the New York State hazard mitigation revolving loan fund program for $701,000 for the Brook Street drainage improvements projects.
Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. Discussion?
Yeah. Pretty much as it says, you know, the the bond market, we don't know what the rates will be in the fall, but the you know, they're somewhere between 34%, and the revolving loan program is a 1% interest rate. So
Well, just for actually both letter f and letter g, thank the county for their their support of this as well as Valerie Monastra wearing her grant writer hat Yes. For as opposed to her planner hat. Although, actually, wearing both hats, but, she was very, very important to this process. She looks good in hats. Yeah.
K. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Alright. We proceed to public comment on non agent items. Anyone wishing to speak on any topic, this is your opportunity. Please state your name and address. Everyone has five minutes.
Hi. Dave from Farrington Road. Thank you for this time to speak. First, I want to applaud the actions taken by the village in the latest law and maintenance program contract. That's a huge first step in the right direction for public health and leadership by example. Good work. Next, I wanna talk about an overlooked group of people when it comes to the gasoline powered leaf blower debate. The people slinging 25 pounds of oil, gas, and dirty, smelly, old fashioned two stroke engine on their backs. In most cases, it's low in low income landscape workers who are exposed to air pollution and noise from leaf blowers at close range over sustained periods of time. Gas powered lawn care has been linked to debilitating health issues like cancer, asthma, health disease, and hearing loss. So unsurprisingly, it's the less well off who face the brunt of those health insults day in, day out. That's just the start of it. They also emit hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, which mix mix with sunlight to create ground level ozone, which can cause airway constriction, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath, emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma. Carbon monoxide exposure can cause both mild and serious effects from headache, dizziness, weakness, and nausea to vomiting, disorientation, or worse. Then there's the fine particulates, the p the PM 2.5, which lodge deep inside the lungs causing or exacerbating asthma and other respiratory problems and increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia, and heart failure. The manufacturers don't deny this and advise people people to use their blowers in a well ventilated area among other things. I'll give you all a copy.
First, workers inhale high concentrations of all of this, and then when it's blown away, it doesn't disappear. Away means towards other people. It enters houses, workplaces, and schools through open windows. Larger particulates can float in the air for hours to days, and fine particulates stay suspended in the air we breathe for as long as a week or more. Their concentrations decline over distance, but leaf blowers and other gas tools are constantly adding more day after day throughout the town. Exposure to elevated PM levels over the long term can reduce the life expectancy by several years. All these health impacts are even more serious for children, the elderly, people with preexisting conditions, and of course, those who operate them. The operators of gas leaf blowers are exposed to the same long list of health risks as residents, but at much higher levels. Their risk of developing cancer is potentially double. Landscape workers face unequal burdens cleaning our yards and parks and often with limited economic options. Requiring their employers to switch to cleaner equipment is a matter of basic equity, workplace safety, public health, and environmental justice, and it's long overdue. Do you think those landscaping business owners pay for the health insurance of their crew? If not, who pays? We all pay in the end. Higher insurance premiums, public tax money goes to pay health care. Their families pay, having to see them sick all the time or sick for the last time. Only the landscaping company owners benefit from gas leaf blowers, but they're not the ones using them, are they? They hire people for that dirty work. Why should we let the the owner of a landscaping company decide how much pollution our children breathe at school, how much we breathe in our own homes, so they can make a better profit?
I don't think so. That's not good enough. The landscaping industry should not dictate public health. That's not the behavior of a New York state clean energy community or a New York State eco award winning town. We're asking for a year round ban on gasoline powered leaf blowers with no exemptions and strict enforcement. This is a quality of life issue. Noise and emissions. Quiet, clean. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you. Thank you.
Hi. My name is Judy Rayer at 3 Gerstein Street in Croton. I have a letter that is written by, Shem Guibbory, who is, he lives at 45 Brook Street, and this is in regards to the dog park, Black Rock Dog Park. Can can you hear me? Yeah. Yes. Trustees, mister mayor, mister Healy, fellow residents, I am Shem Gibbery, and I live with Anne de Maire and our dog, Luigi, at 45 Brook Street. We appreciate Judy Rayer reading our statement as we have both professional commitments tonight. We want a moment here to thank Capriccio owners, Mike and Rob, Maccia, for their consideration and support of dog owners in Croton through the donation of a new bench at Black Rock Dog Park. Anne and I have lived in Croton since 2023, and our dog, Luigi, thrives from his runs and play at Black Rock Dog Park. We take him five to seven times a week. Our property is small and vertical, hence the dog park is an essential feature of his life. Most of the Croton Parks do not even permit dogs to enter even when leashed. Black Rock Dog Park serves an essential need. We favor the modest expansion of weekend hours, Saturday especially, to open at 9AM and close as late as possible. When do dogs bark? I have been taking note of when dogs bark at the park. The biggest barker is a small but persistent dog who lives upstream and across the river on the other side. Most dogs at the dark dog park ignore him, but sometimes they reply back and bark back. Other times, dogs in the park reply to or call out to neighbor dogs being walked along Quaker Bridge Road above the park. And there is one regular dog at the dog park who, with his booming voice, announces his presence when he gets out of the car.
We should have compassion for neighbors when one's ear is sensitively attuned to a certain sound. Even ten seconds of barking can seem an eternity. All this is fine and nice. However, are you aware that some dog owners stay away from the park for fear of bullying and imitate intimidation? Three different times this year when I when I told dog owners owners on the on the walk how wonderful the dog park is, each owner said they do not want to face being bullied or harassed by neighbors of the dog park. I myself has have experienced the threatening physical postures, use of a bullhorn, and threats of police intimidation from one particular neighbor on more than one occasion. More recently, aggressive harassment by a particular park ranger has ruined the day for a number of Croton residents. Why is bullying and aggression tolerated at all? Is it being encouraged? If so, why our experience with the Croton Police is that they are soft spoken and respectful? Why is this particular park ranger behaving differently? Is he practicing for an ICE interview?
Here are some simple suggestions that can help. Communicate first. Inform new buyers or renters their right to access our wonderful Croton resources that are unique in Westchester County and the need for modest fees and licensing. We all know moving is overwhelming. Do we really expect new residents to read pages and pages of the village code to see what licenses one might need for dogs to run and play. Consolidate. One of our Croton friends who uses the park regularly pointed out that it would be light work to vibe code a software program that would consolidate the many multiple actions taken by the recreation department in licensing Croton facilities. Expand for fees. Many of us use many of us users know of individuals who live in nearby towns who would gladly pay a $100 per year to have access to Black Rock Park dog park. Worried about too many people, experiment on a trial basis and offer five places or so. Tie it into an awareness campaign, put in a poop bag dispenser, a couple of other amenities, and see what happens. Most important, educate and instruct the park rangers that their first action should be to respectfully inform and invite both Croton residents and those who may occasionally come from other towns to participate in being part of an organized friendly community by registering their dogs and themselves because it facilitates safety in a number of ways. Does the village of Croton On Hudson need to add to the bullying and aggression that is all around us in the world? Thank you for your attention and consideration. Shem Guibbory.
Good evening. Jason Laguna, Old Post Road North. I'm in favor of a complete, gas leaf blower ban in the town of Croton On Hudson, both residential and village use alike. These gas leaf blowers affect the quality of life of all village residents. Toxic fumes abound that travel for hundreds of feet, choking residents as they try and enjoy their time on their properties and in the town itself. The noise pollution. Noise pollution is an understatement. It is a droning auditory scourge that's akin to medieval torture methods. This isn't a single place in the village where you won't there isn't a single place in the village where you won't hear its droning. Whether 20 feet away or 200, the droning sound rings throughout the hills, disturbing residents and preventing a specific quality of life that people moved here for. Battery and electric options are significantly easier on the ears, a whisper in comparison. The temporary ban is not working and the exemptions make the ban non existent in areas where people have obtained a permit for their properties over one acre.
The gas ban won't affect landscapers wages or ability to perform their duties. Most landscapers have already obtained battery and electric equipment that is comparable to its gasoline counterparts, although they do not use it. The toxic nature of modern landscape culture is also to blame here. Not every single leaf and particle needs to be blown off a property, but for some reason, many landscapers feel this is necessary, causing increasingly prolonged use of gas blowers. Rakes and tarps then using electric battery is the most efficient method. I've seen too many landscape companies improperly using gas blowers. I've been using gas blowers for close to two decades. Three years ago, I switched to battery equipment for my own landscaping company, including including battery powered blowers. The reason for this was to show that gas blowers are not necessary. And also for my own well-being too. You know, it's it's a pleasure to use electric.
And I service properties from an eighth of an acre to close to two acres, and it it's not difficult, including for fall cleanup. Once again, quality of life. These gas blowers go all day long spewing noxious two stroke fumes that even make it difficult for me to work and jettisoning plumes of dust and dirt into the air. Beautiful mornings are interrupted by the widespread deafening tones of this equipment. It takes away from the the enjoyment of the natural world around us. It doesn't just makes it doesn't make sense for these machines to be used when there are are alternatives. And people forget this. Gas leaf blowers were introduced to The United States in the early seventies. You know, before that, they were using corded equipment in combination with tarps and rakes. It really is effective, it's just we've forgotten it. I also see the importance of reassuring those who have concerns about a complete gas leaf blower ban in our village. Like if everyone kinda understands and feels heard and seen, then, you know, it's that's what a village is all about. So let's move forward and away from antiquated
practices, which are disrupting and sickening the people of this village.
I'm Gwen Cianfaglione. I'm on Mountain Trail right now. I grew up in Croton my whole life. I know I already said that. I lived across the street from the Black Rock Dog Park from 1958 to the year 2000. And I was a member of Black Rock for all those years. The swimming club, it was a private swimming club. It was open to all. It was open to all. The number of people who went there from the village was minimal. The majority of people who went there, and sometimes the place was very crowded, were from Quaker Bridge Road and across the street. Quaker Ridge, parts of Ossining, nicer. It was a nice community. I do go to the Croton Dog Park, not as often as I would like. There aren't that many people going there. There's when I go there, there might be three, four, five other people at one time. It is very quiet, like you said. The dogs there for the most part are not barking. You do, though, hear a small dog across this across on the other side of the river barking its head off almost the whole time that you're there. You just ignore it. I have on occasion, not often, but if a dog at the park is barking, there's a house across the street that's rapping on things. Every time if a dog barks once, then you hear a loud rapping. I don't care about it. What I would like to see, though, because it's a great park, I also go to a great park over in Yorktown that's open to anybody and everybody. You don't have to live there. You don't have to join it. You don't have to do anything. And there also, there might only be, five, six people at a time that are there, but it's a group of nice people. I do a lot of house sitting in the area. I take care of people's dogs.
Some of them live off Mount Airy. They would love to be able to go to the Croton Dog Park, but depending on their address, they're not considered village. They could drive, like, five or ten minutes, whatever. I don't wanna take this away from them. And go swimming at Silver Lake, but they can't drive two minutes to take their dog into the dog park. That doesn't make sense to me. It it just doesn't make sense to me. So if I'm house sitting for them and take caring taking care of their dog, I can't take their dog down to the dog park, which I would love to do. They would love to do. They would love to meet me there with my dog so that we could our dogs could play together. But I I would love to see when I grew up in Croton all these years, it was not a a closed community, and it didn't feel that way, but does feel that way now. And it kinda breaks my heart. I would love to see the dog park open to other people, nonresidents. Let them I I know people that would be more than happy to pay a $100 or something like that to be able to go to the dog park. And it's not like they're gonna be there twenty four seven. They're gonna you know, just to be able to use it and to get more use out of the dog park. It'd be a great way for the for the village to make some money, and it would be a a great way for other people too to be able to enjoy the village and see how nice and warm and friendly the people here are instead of all Sofia. You could live right across the street from the river, right over the bridge, if you can get over the bridge
one day. You could live right over there and and not be able to use the dog park that's right across the street from you. That's kinda silly. Oh, right across the river from you, I should say. Anyway, thank you for listening. And please, I hope that you will consider opening it up to some other people, to nonresidents.
Hi. I'm Anne Dimock, 42 Whelan Avenue. I'm here to, ask you to consider expanding the dog parts hours on weekends. Saturdays and Sundays are busy days for a lot of people. You're cramming all of your errands, your family visiting, the sports games, all of that is going on Saturday and Sunday. And by the time you wanna take your pup out for a nice long exercise session, it's 03:45, and you can't go to the dog park then. And I don't. But it would really be great to open it up for later hours to 06:00 or even 08:00. And especially during the months when daylight savings time is in operation. Because when the sun is out, that's when we wanna go to the dog park. So I encourage you to really consider a modest expansion of the hours where we can take our dogs. I have a I have a pretty active dog, and the dog park is is important for her well-being and mine too. And it's funny. We go there, and we're often the only people there. So there are so sometimes it's hard for me to understand why this is so objectionable because I'm just there by myself with my dog, and we would welcome other people because my dog is very social. But it's quiet. There there is not a lot of action through many hours of the day. And when there is and if my dog is is not behaving well, we police our dogs. I I take my dog out. You know? If she's just not she's out of sorts and not being nice, we go. Okay? I also just wanna comment that I was a witness to some of the unpleasantness with the new park ranger, just within the last, I think, week and a half. I came right at the point where he had dismissed several people. And he challenged my ability to be there, but I was able to produce my parks and recreation card and the sticker that said my dog was registered and and vaccinated. And it was you know, he he was okay once I showed him my credentials. But he was unnecessarily aggressive and defensive, which I think maybe goes to lack of training of of what his role is there. But it felt very bad that the other people were dismissed quite rudely. And I just wanna say that really did happen. I was there and I saw it. So the dog park is a is a valuable resource for us. And I live on a very busy street. I can't let my dog run anywhere. My dog is even though I have an invisible fence, my dog is the type that's gonna jump it.
So we really need the dog park. My dog's very energetic. That's her release where we go. And the weekends are busy times, so please think about expanding the hours. Those days are filled with other activities, and it seems rather arbitrary that we have to all go home at 04:00 on Saturdays and Sundays rather than the the Monday through Friday times. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hi. My name is Margaret Conner. I live on 36 Grant Street. I also have a dog and have been involved with the dog park. First of all, I'd like to say, as I said before, the world has changed. People, value their dogs much more, wanna treat their dogs better. Okay? The people from Brooklyn, The Bronx I'm from The Bronx. I've been here since '92. They all have dog parks. So if you're thinking about your the value of your home, dog parks add. I've been at the dog park when people who are looking at houses come down and wanna look at the dog park. What is it like? And so that's a matter. Secondly, it's time to throw us a bone. I mean, honestly. We're out there asking what, Capriccio to get us benches? I mean, honestly. There's really very little maintenance of that park. Okay? And there's it hasn't been thought about how to make it better because we're so begging just for time. It should be opened the same as every other park in the community. Okay? That's my position. I'm sorry if you guys are only looking for a couple hours. I wanna be treated like the regular the other parks. It's time. Just throw us a bone. And finally, there's things that can be done. I mean, it's a very simple park. Doesn't even have poop bags, but I we go as you say, we police yourself. I go around and I hang poop bags. I bought chairs down there. We do those kind of things because we're not being supported by by our village. And finally, this is just a little one to add to the people. I have a big dog. His name is Stanley Kowalski, and he looks like him. Okay?
So and when Stanley's mister Stanley's misbehaving, he goes home. We know Stanley has an issue when he gets overexcited. Okay? Things can be done to make that park more popular. There should be a place for small dogs. Poor Stanley's eighty five pounds, you know, and he doesn't even know what he's doing. So we can improve it. It is also very valuable if you're worrying about your property values. Okay? The world now wants, dispensaries. The world wants tattoo parlors. The world wants that. They want different things. So we have not kept up with the dog world. I'm sorry. And, again, just throw us a bone, please. Thank
No. No. I'm I'm I'm sorry. It's it's one one comment per speaker.
Correct. It it you you have the five minutes to cover all any topics you want. Mhmm.
Ed Riely from Truesdale Drive. Like to mention the boycott of CVS Pharmacy continues. CVS is the major corporate proponent of abortion medication in The United States in cooperation with the federal government as run by the Democratic Party. They have flooded The United States with these abortion pills. Anybody can get these pills. Anybody can use them on anybody else. Last night last time I was here, I read you a partial list of predators, both women and men, giving those abortion pills to unsuspecting women and girls to force the abortion of their children. The latest one is from Louisiana. This father got these pills from out of state, usually New York or California, and gave them to his daughter who was 17 years old. These pills are supposed to kill children between eight and ten weeks, and the government keeps allowing more and more, further and further into pregnancy. And because they're all over the place and people are storing these, the the government itself is urging people to store these and is storing them themselves. This guy gave his daughter an abortion pill, the abortion pills, at twenty three twenty three weeks gestation. At twenty three weeks, if a child is born in this case, this child is born alive. You have a forty percent chance of surviving if the child is born at twenty four at twenty three weeks. So this child is alive now, thankfully, attempted to be killed by its by her father. Not the father of the child, her father. Now as I've read before, this is going on throughout The United States Because
the Democrats control this state and control the media, you'll never hear anything about this until something explodes. I'm gonna try and light the fuse. And next time, I'll read another 20 names of of girls that were affected in the same way. Also, I'd to point out that among this is June. June should be Puerto Rican American month and traditionally has been. Saint Saint John the Baptist Day is Puerto Rican parade day. They took that away from Puerto Ricans. Puerto Ricans are Americans, by the way. They've been Americans since 1898. More Americans than we are than you are. Among the other things, this is from the county board of legislators. It's also Caribbean American month. And because your flagpole out here, which is basically the gay rights flagpole controlled by a progressive committee, the worst managed committee in the village, they control the flagpole. So there should be a Caribbean American flag up there. There should be a Puerto Rican flag up there, but there's not because it's controlled by this committee. And I would I would wanna know, perhaps the village manager can can answer this. You have a transgender flag up there. And to half the people in The United States, that means something
bad. Bad. It means about 10 or 15 things that are very bad. So one, is that the village's flag? Is that a village flag put up and it's a not American flag. It's a flag of an international sexual movement. It's not an American flag. Is was that put up by the village? Is that a village flag? Now the previous flag you had, which was a rainbow flag, I believe, was a village flag. But the question before the house is, should one radical committee, which doesn't follow the rules, the committee rules, that this board of trustees set down by having an agenda, allowing public comment, producing a document, directing public comment, and has liaison from this board and doesn't follow the rules. Should they control the flagpole out here? I say no. Item two. If we're gonna honor people in different months, everybody's flag should be run up that flagpole and not be turned by this small little powerful group. Last item I'd like to address in the is the question of these gas powered leaf blowers. I suggest that the committee call in and hear from the landscapers, these evil landscapers, most of whom are Hispanic. And you start with the people you just gave tickets to, and then you start with the village contractor who just had a charge $25,000 more a year because of, these laws. Thank you. Thank you. Hi.
John Sasso, Morningside Drive. I'm not gonna remind you that we have the only dog park that closes at 04:00 on weekends in Westchester County, and explanation of that is beyond. I live on Morningside Drive. Houses are close together, and we talk about the noise from the dog park. I'm down there every day playing bocce, and the only dog we hear is across the river. There's a noise ordinance. They can cut lawns and use leaf blowers until 06:00, but you can't have your dog bark in the dog park at four from two and four and 06:00. So it makes no sense, And you're all people who make sense. So try to make sense of that to people who own dogs and really wanna get down there. And we've talked about the fact that there are train conductors and nurses who try to get down there before 04:00, and then they're village residents. They wanna use the park. So just if it's being something that's reconsidered again at some point, I hope you take that into consideration. Next, I have a suggestion that the non agenda items are not the last thing in the agenda at night. Rather than have everybody sit through all of things that are they're nuts and bolts of running the village, Move it up so people you'd have more people here. It's torturous. You're gonna sit here for two hours on these uncomfortable chairs waiting for your turn to say some brief message, and I think it's not considerate. I don't know why it's done that way. You would think you're trying to discourage people from being here. So I would think you ought to consider moving it up. And the other final thing I have, I guess it was about a year ago when
the proposal for we all know that dispensaries are allowed now in New York and all across the country. And it was proposed to put one down to Shoprite Plaza, and it was denied. And the people I know, everybody said people have common sense. It's not for Croton. If we can avoid it, let's avoid it. It comes up again, and I think people were relying on the fact that it was you couldn't have it at ShopRite. You're sure not gonna have it in the most prominent corner as you enter the village. And yet it got through the planning board. It got through the village board somehow or whoever made that final decision. People are very disappointed at the lack of sensitivity to the the whole idea of it. And I think they just feel that people aren't being responsive. And now there's this moratorium, which is, like, after the fact as everybody's talked about. So I think you ought to try to get the horse back in the barn somehow. But there's a will, there's a way. But that corner is the worst spot you could have for a a dispensary. Everybody knows it. And it's not that you can not have it, but of all the places to have it, really. So that that's my point. Thank you. Thank you.
Alright. Anyone else wishing to comment on any items? Does not have to be an agenda item. Alright. Seeing no one else wishing to comment, we proceed to reports. Trustee Slippen.
Thank you everybody for waiting out in said uncomfortable chairs to to share your comments with us. You know, I know we do a lot of talking about the dog park. I appreciate you guys coming with your comments and continuing the conversation. I believe the I I don't know how we left this last time. The people came and asked for the hours to be extended. The recreation advisory committee asked that, and the the answer is that the that decision lies with the manager is where that Expanding the hours. Correct. Yes. Right. Okay. Yep. But I think that this is a conversation that's gonna continue. So Yeah. I I I sorry not to interrupt you. No. I'm I'm inviting you to. Please.
I appreciate everyone's comments. I welcome them to continue. At this point, I don't think that I am planning to change the hours for this year. There's a lot of things that are going on in that area with regards to the construction, and we'll we'll take it into consideration for next year as we get ready to review the review the dog park. You know, the the question on, allowing school district residents, that's a separate question that the board can can consider.
Alright. So I'm Yeah. I guess I guess I'm it this is I don't I'm in favor of considering that. You know, we're here. There are several topics that come up over and over and over again for us, and dog park is one of them, and leaf blower is one of them. And, you know, I've you know, as well as traffic concerns, you know, I know this is not really the typical way to do my remarks, but I just feel like we have in the last several weeks or months, you know, we haven't had a we haven't had a regular meeting in a while, but the same topics keep coming up again and again. I'm grateful for the community conversations that we're able to facilitate, facilitate, the the ones ones that that we we have have around around the traffic issues, whether it's formal meetings that are held by Zoom or it's smaller meetings with people who once a change is made have a concern, I think it's important conversations to have. We can't always make everybody satisfied, but I think we can always hear what residents have to say and try to find some type of resolution that doesn't make, you you know, that that is somewhere in the middle. And I think that's where you have varying degrees of success, in that, area. I'm happy that we had the conversation that we've gotten the leaf blower conversation to where it was. We got a lot of comments. The and now it's being referred to the CAC in a very robust way. You know, I think that that is a good model for how we can move forward on other things. I know that the village board has talked about the dog park. This the rec advisory committee has talked about the dog park. You know, I I think
I'm grateful for all the comments, but I I, you know, I think that there are ways to be having more constructive conversations along, you know, along the lines of what we're doing with some of the traffic situations. You know, we just had the meeting this week. Was that this week about Old Post Road? Last week. Last week. This week feels long. And it's only Wednesday. But, you know, as and in that process, there there were there's a presentation. There are comments given. There's gonna be follow-up done. You know, I think that it's a there is a model for how to have to be framing these conversations, not just around these big infrastructure projects, but maybe around some of the smaller ones. I don't have an answer, but I do think that residents wanna be heard and and not just heard, they want action to be taken regarding what they're saying. The answer can't just be a blanket yes, but I I would like to feel like, you know, we're coming to compromise on some topics. So thank you for coming and talking and, you know, progress is slow, but I it it is gratifying when progress feels like it's happening. We were all at the ribbon cutting at Dobbs earlier today. I will are you checking my time? I thought I I saw I'm kidding. I'm kidding.
I'm just joking. We were all at Dobbs earlier today. I won't I'm sure everyone's gonna talk about it, but it was beautiful ceremony. That was a great example of how community input, impacted the outcome of a process. So thank you to everybody who made that happen. Especially huge shout out when I spoke today. I did not specifically say thank you to the to the parks team who work on that as well as the recreation and everyone else. So huge shout out to Jean Bouchard and his team who really make the parks work, all the parks work every day. I wanted to thank the police for the I don't think we talked about this at a meeting yet since it happened, the loud music across the river. Anyway, I just wanted to thank the police because I was awakened in the middle of the night by it. I believe there might have been a comment. I think there was a was there like a pub like, did the public tip the police off? I don't know exactly how that happened, but I think somebody tipped Correct. I think there was a so it was a great example of somebody say somebody having information going to the police and then the mystery being solved. So thank you to all those people who've now made it so that when it's not 90 degrees outside sleep again. Sleep with my windows open and not be texting the manager at five in the morning. Summerfest was fabulous. It was it was super crowded and super well attended. I learned today as a result of an email that the parade was the theme of the parade was the two hundred and the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the of the country. I I didn't I missed that somehow, but I would like us to get that message out because there were people. I think I said in a comment to you, I knew that
trustee Simon was wearing a very patriotic Thank you. Tie. And that would all make sense. Thank you. I remembered it. But anyway, you know, so I mean, I think that if there is some way to let people know that, because I it was certainly and my bad. It was news to me today when I found that out. So I think that I would like to be able to share that so that the people in the community who have are raising that concern, I think Yeah. We heard from one person, but I think other people are asking that question. So I think if there's any way we can highlight that, that would be great. I wanna just give a shout out to the arboretum. They had a their one of their end their have a couple year trail walks. The trails look amazing if people have not been to the arboretum. It's in pristine condition, better condition than I've seen it in years and years. So thank you to that committee that works tirelessly. They also sponsor Boy Scout projects every year, you know, the Eagle Scout projects. It's just great. Arts and Humanities Advisory Committee this past weekend held their first event at the common space in Maple Commons, which was really fabulous. It was about it was months and months and months to make that happen. I know it was not as well attended as they would have liked, but it was a some type of I don't know. I think it was a sketch class that I think for and, trustee Nicholson, I meant to tell you this. I think four teens came to this. So it was not only a great win for the committee and for the use of this public space that has not been utilized in this way up to this point, but it was also
a great activity for for some of the younger people in our community which we're always looking for. And then finally, I just wanna say that the police advisory committee is meeting tomorrow and one of the topics on their it's been the meeting the committee has been weaned down to fewer meetings per year, but they're gearing up for their big annual survey which is part of the police reform. I think that was part one of the items that they were tasked with. And this year, specifically because of all the interest in the camera different types of cameras that are all over the village, and we talked about this at a meeting before, there's gonna be a a quest there there gonna be quest a question or two added to the survey regarding the cameras, which will give people a mechanism to ask their questions or voice their concerns, which I know a lot of people have. So I'm really excited that that committee is taking that on in that way. And I'm sure we'll share lots more information about the survey. I don't remember exact later in the I don't remember exactly when it October. Comes Oh, it's October. Okay. Yeah. But so they're gonna start working on that now. And that's all I have. Thank you.
Blessings. Thank you. Blessings. Yes, I wanna thank everybody who came out this evening. I see a lot of new faces that both I've never met, and, thank you for having the courage to speak out. I really appreciate everyone's voices. On the dog park issue, I'm I'm just curious. I don't know why we only have one dog park in the village. So, you know, if there's an opportunity for us to have that discussion, if there are other locations as well to consider that where we can expand it, dogs, big dogs, and maybe, you know, something to consider. We've got building and construction going on and adding, you know, housing. Maybe we can speak with one of those contractors who might be willing to put in a dog park in the village, as a give back. So, you know, just just a thought. And I'm also open to, as trustee Slippen said, discussing, expanding, you know, who can access the park, as well. And I know you mentioned, manager, that you would consider expanding the hours or having that discussion toward the end of the year. Correct. Right? For 2027. So that would be great. And then, on the moratorium, thank you for speaking. I know I'm looking forward to having those discussions, and thank you, Lori Lee. I know there was a question here about a referendum. Could that change anything? My understanding was, no. Once you opt in, you can't opt out. That's correct. Yeah. So that that's what I thought. Thank you for that. Summerfest was amazing. I saw so many people from the village, outside the village. I mean, it was just incredible. So manager and DPW and everyone that worked on it, all the vendors, it was it was fantastic. So thank you.
I know there was a question around, can we have more two hundred and fiftieth flags around the village? And I know we talked with the manager today and more will be coming, you know, to dial up the presence of our country's two fiftieth birthday, especially as we come to July 4. I know I'm seeing a lot of flags along Riverside, which is really nice, very patriotic. So welcome, you know, some more around the two fiftieth celebration. Regarding the idea committee, so the board of trustees recently adopted new guidelines for committees that require an agenda be posted before the meeting as well as minutes, and the idea committee did have an agenda posted and the minutes posted in their last meeting. So I have confidence that they will continue doing that. And I wanted to just give a shout out for the Juneteenth event that the idea committee is, has put together. So that's this Friday at The Grand at 05:30PM. There'll be a short film, thirty minutes, on the history of slavery in New York, followed by a really interesting panel discussion and then an open mic. So I welcome, you know, the community, everybody to join. Sounds great. And then, just wanted to say last night, I attended the zoning board of appeals meeting. Both deputy mayor Simon and myself are liaisons to the zoning board and planning board. And if anybody was following that, there was on the agenda interpretation of a 1931 law, that was written in very different context. Back then, the world was very different, and it was around fowl and, domestic animals and setback of penned animals. And, I just wanna say that the board, while the zoning board made a decision on how they interpret that law currently,
this village board is spending time revisiting that law. Included in that is how many pups somebody could have in their home and dogs and rabbits. So, you know, we, are digging into that, and we'll be reviewing that. And I know Lori Lee, you'll be a big help to us on that. And Valerie's partnering. And Valerie. Yes. So, we are working on that. So that's my update. Thanks. Thanks. Thank you. I decided to wear a patriotic outfit this evening. It's it's America's two hundred and fiftieth birthday. I do appreciate everyone coming out. Just a little bit on process, you know, we have, work sessions. We only schedule one work session a month. And at the work sessions is kind of where we get to have the opportunity. The public doesn't, speak at those work sessions, but that's when we have opportunity to really dig into initiatives and what we're doing and what is sort of upcoming. So, you know, for example, next week, we're going into a work session. We have about four or five topics that we are going to be discussing in detail at that work session. We have a laundry list of things for our next several work sessions, including the dog park and have it allowing nonresidents to be able to use school district residents to be able to use the dog park. So that is something that is on this, you know, at times, and I know it is frustrating. It it is glacial speed that we're working on, but, you know, we all are kind of tied to the calendar that we have and the meeting schedule that we have. So I just want to, you know, reinforce that we are listening. A couple of things that I just wanna point out. Something I saw on Facebook today and a speaker mentioned earlier, we did not not approve the dispensary at ShopRate. The applicant came to us, the board of trustees. We had some conversation around it. It was actually a preliminary conversation because they were trying to get an application with the state. We sent a positive recommendation for that dispensary, at down at ShopRite. Their lease fell through. So it was not the village that stopped that dispensary at ShopRite.
Personally, I had some concerns about traffic down there, and I think that based on the conversation that we had with with that applicant, we did get make some progress with the owner of the ShopRite parking lot that has made things better at ShopRite parking lot based on, the actions that we took. So I think it was a valuable conversation, but I just wanna be clear that was not a we did not stop that establishment from opening in Croton. Couple things just from my committee. We had a really robust conversation at the CAC last night. They are doing fantastic work. Really many, many thanks to the garden club who worked on the small garden at Dobbs in one of the beds there and replanted that for our beautiful ribbon cutting today, which was, as Maria said, fantastic. They also have the trails committee out there, and they are working on our trails and beautifying those and pulling invasives and really doing an incredible job of maintaining. We had the clean committee out at Silver Lake Park. They picked up 1,500 pounds of garbage from Silver Lake Park, which is a record for the clean committee. All volunteer effort and really many, many thanks to them. So, you know, that that was sort of our conversations. I think they are ready to go with the gas blowers and really rolling up their sleeves to work on that issue. We are very close. You know, we talked about a dark sky ordinance here in the village. And, again, you've gotta have some distance on these things. I think we talked about this probably a year ago. We referred that to the CAC. They are close to making a recommendation to the village board on that front. So we will eventually see that at a work session,
probably not until mid fall. So it's gonna take some time for that. Also, the RAC, I just wanna acknowledge the recreation advisory committee and their work on Dobbs Park and on all of the parks and just sort of keeping keeping things, you know, keeping things up front in the DPW's minds of all of the various things that need to happen because we are getting ready for the most exciting season in Croton, which is summer. So I just wanna give a notice that Silver Lake is open for weekends now, and Friday night concert series starts next week. That's
all I got. Thank you. Good. Well, thank you. Well, you know, in actuality, we have not been able to give trustee reports since May 20, So there's a bunch of stuff to catch up on. First and foremost, welcome, Lori Lee. It's your first your first session at a board of trustees meeting.
I Thank was I visited you for a work session. Yeah. Thank you for being here. In March. Glad you're here. Glad you're Yeah.
So a bunch of stuff. First of all, trustee Nicholson and I as liaisons to the school system are involved in in a task force that's been put together with our our support, the school support on getting the schools involved in our composting program. And we'll our first session was actually May 20, and we'll we'll be meeting again soon. We're getting great help from mothers out front, which are part of the task force. And I'm just pleased to let everyone know that Keiko Niccolini, who was the architect of our original food scrap recycling program, will be helping out as well. So I'm just very glad on that. On May 25, of course, we had a wonderful Memorial Day. So I wanted to thank the Fox Eklof post five zero five for a wonderful ceremony. On May 31, I traveled to all the way to Newburgh to meet with Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, part of the governor's office to for their annual meeting, but also for my real purpose was to talk to them a little bit about our New York forward process, and and they were they were they were pleased to hear that. On May 28, we we did a, I think, a wonderful ribbon cutting for Cloth and Curate, that wonderful shop on on Old Post South. And I wanted to thank Laurie Weisz for our community and business liaison for doing a great job in pulling that together, but also congratulate Kristen Abaddeusatyllo and Amy Capelli for they've been there now about six months, and and they seem to be fitting right in and doing doing great work there. So congratulations to Cloth and Curate. Everyone go visit Cloth and Curate. And our sustainability committee met on May 31, and as always,
a bunch of issues are EV charging, our train station solar array, DPW solar, balcony solar, which is very interesting article in today's New York Times, all about balcony solar. I won't say much more about it now, but but it is it is something that we we may get to take a look at here in here in Croton. The on June 3, our New York Planning Federation I'm sorry. Westchester Municipal Planning Federation gave their planning award to our own chairman, Rob Luntz, of our planning board. So congratulations to chairman Luntz. And also the the the village received an award for its South Riverside zoning efforts, and most of us were were there at it. It was just a just a wonderful evening. Also, it was great to to travel ninety seconds from Croton to to to the Windrose to which is a a great place for meetings. So I wanted to just thank everyone involved in that. On June 5, our our Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber did their annual scholarship awards. They give a scholarship award to one student for every high school. And Favio was the recipient of the of the chamber award and an outstanding young man, Accomplishments within school and also outside of school. Too lengthy to mention here tonight. He's heading to Lehi, so all the best to him. I accepted the the scholarship award on his behalf because he was involved in another event at at school. So congratulations to Favio. On June 6, we had our yacht club commissioning day, and I was honored to participate with the mayor. And congratulations to the club for their really selfless work in restoring all of the infrastructure that was so terribly damaged during the extensive storms that we had by ice. So it was
it was great to be there, I guess, a week ago, Saturday. On on June 12, as been alluded to earlier, Trustee Slippen and I and manager and the superintendent met with some of the Gottwald Circle residents. And I wanted to thank pastor Justin Johnson from All Saints Lutheran for his presence and his participation. I think we got some very good ideas in that meeting, and I know we'll all be following up. On June 13 this past Saturday, our heart committee had a wonderful ceremony at PVC honoring coach Don Dobney for his lifetime of service, not only to the schools, but to the community. He's longtime president of the lions, head of our welcome wagon for many years. It was just a joy to to see him honored that way and and to see not only his children, but his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. So thank you to Carolyn Whiting and Joe Streany and Lauren Cuccia for from the heart committee for doing such a great job. And they filled a big chunk of the PVC Gym, and there were there were some basketball in honor of the coach, there were some basketball clinics earlier that day. Our all Bis Croton, our ABC group, met just yesterday with with folks. Tons of activity. I encourage everyone to visit their website and see all the great things that they're doing. As as trustee Nachtaler said, our zoning board, I think, did the best that they could in in trying to sort out the meaning of both the the distance issue in terms of animals and and the and and animals and fowl definitions themselves. It's tricky, and and it clearly is something that has to be resolved here at at the at the board level. So I'm grateful for their efforts. And and I think, manager, it's it's on our work session for next week. The Yes. Yes. Very good. So we'll look forward to grappling with that. And last but not least, just a couple of thoughts. I I'm I happen to have the lofty position of the sustainability
chairman for the Westchester Municipal Officials Association. As part of that, the group has got me looking into data centers and all that those mean. And they are here in our lives, both just like computers are in our lives. AI is artificial intelligence is in our lives, and, and data centers are is something that I think we're all gonna have to grapple with. And I just wanted to point out in case folks are not aware that the legislature has passed, the responsible data center development act. And ironically, we started our meeting talking about a moratorium this evening, and and this is in fact, another moratorium. It requires the legislation that passed the legislature requires environmental impact assessments and new rate classes for electricity and water usage and labor protections on the development of data centers. But most specifically, it includes a one year statewide moratorium on new data center permits for what's called hyperscale facilities with a peak load of over 20 megawatts. And most of the ones that folks are concerned with are in that 20 and above megawatts level. Not clear yet whether the governor is gonna sign the bill. She has a good amount of time to make that decision, but it's it's something whether it's near us or other places in the state, it's something that I think is something that we need to give some consideration to. Our our local our I'm sorry. Not local. Our state PSC has also got a a procedure going on to sort of develop some some some rules and and regulations on on how how data centers ought to be managed. And I think, ultimately, it it it becomes a question of of regulatory approach and and how how the state is going to determine both regulation and how these data centers impact with with our with our with our individual communities, whether there be benefits or or other other difficulties that that could emerge. So just wanted to lay that out there and and just say I'll be keeping an eye on this on behalf of Womoa, and we'll we'll report back on on any anything interesting that that happens and certainly developments that occur close to us as well. So I just want to lay that out as a as a start, and I'll be back with some more data center information from time to time.
Alright. Well, I wanna thank everyone that spoke out this evening on a variety of topics. I know that there was a suggestion made with regards to the placement of public comment on non agenda items. We will definitely consider that as we review our rules of procedure in advance of our next organizing meeting towards the end of the year. But I will note that we had four opportunities for public comment on different issues in this agenda. The two public hearings, public comment on agenda items, and so I would not say that public comment on non agenda items is deprioritized. The point is to prioritize public comment as it relates to matters that are presently before the board so that the board can hear from the public in advance of making a decision in this particular in a in a given meeting on that topic. But we're open to suggestion, and we can definitely revisit how we structure these meetings, going into our organizing meeting. Speaking of, community members, weighing in and, providing their expertise. I wanna welcome Corey Cummings with the board's ascent to the village's sustainability committee, where he is an engineer, one of the many talented individuals that wanna serve our community. So with the board's ascent, I'd like to appoint him to the committee. So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. All favor? Aye. And I know that a number of people have responded to our call for volunteers. The applications are being reviewed. Hoping to make a few appointments at our at the start or end of our next work session next week. And, again, on the point of outstanding people making contributions to our community, Patti Buchanan of Croton one hundred was who you may know from our Croton one hundred quilt in the hall was
recognized today given an award by the Federated Conservationist of Westchester County, and, I presented her a proclamation in, from on behalf of the village in recognition of, her service to our community. So congratulations to Patty. And, finally, I feel like I would be remiss in not noting that it was six years ago this week, that the US Supreme Court in Bostock versus Clayton County recognized gendered gendered expression as protected under the Civil Rights Act, and, that was a six three ruling. The majority opinion was actually authored by justice Neil Gorsuch, appointed by president Trump, and, I would like to read a brief excerpt from that. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions that it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision exactly what title seven prohibits. Those who adopted the Civil Rights Act may not have anticipated their work would lead to this particular result, but the limits of the drafters imagination supply no reason to ignore the law's demands. Only the written law excuse me. Only the written word is the law, and all persons are entitled to its benefit. So in that spirit, I say happy pride, happy Juneteenth, and for that matter, happy Father's Day. Happy Father's Well said. Alright. Thank you. Do I have a motion to close the meeting? So moved. Second. Motion by trustee Simon, second by trustee Nicholson. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.