Board of Trustees Meeting
Okay. Good evening, and welcome to the July 18 regular meeting of the Courtlandt on Hudson Board of Trustees. I'm mayor Brian Pugh. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, liberty, and justice for all. We proceed to the first order of business, the approval of that treasurer.
Thank you, mayor. I'm just gonna the total for the warrant report is as follows. The General Fund is $228,647.14. The Water Fund, $6,573.64. The Sewer Fund, $3,585.14. The Capital Fund, $68,280.71. The Trust Fund, $2,416.27. And the Debt Fund for $63,232.68 for a grand total of $372,735.58.
Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Second. Motion by Trustee Simon, second by Trustee Gulali. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Responses to questions submitted via email manager.
Then we proceed to correspondence. First item is a draft letter from the village manager seeking, an comment, I guess, or
seeking to conduct a neighborhood survey on parking restrictions in the Harmon area. Yes. Thank you, mayor. So as we've discussed at a couple work sessions in the recent few months, we are looking to conduct another survey of the area, Benedict Boulevard, Hastings Avenue, Young Avenue, areas where we currently have a residential parking permit system in place on some blocks and just regular no parking restrictions on other blocks. My office continues to receive comments, questions, complaints from neighbors in those areas who, you know, want no restrictions, want restrictions just not for residents, want you know, the it runs the gamut of things that are are requested. So we figured the best solution was to conduct another survey and see if we can try and make things easier for residents and businesses by having a uniform restriction, you know, ruling in that area. So that is what we're looking to do here. And that would be four hours? That is correct. So it's currently four hours on the opposite side of South Riverside for, Wayne Street and Clinton Street. And so we'd be looking to do that on the other on the other side of South Riverside.
Manager, just I wanted to point out that as these issues have come up in the last last months few months this year, from time to time, people have noted that we were we were making some decisions based on pre COVID survey data. So I think the idea of getting fresh perspective from all the folks that live there in in 2022 makes a lot of sense. So I think it's it's good to go forward with that. And although you articulate in the in the in the memo the idea in the letter, the idea of the four hour uniform delay, in case anyone is listening or whoever's listening out there, I wanted to I wanted to underscore there's nothing pending or planned. There's no legislation, you know, that we're, planning on introducing, you know, the day that this goes out or anything. This is really an effort to to try to get as much input from the public as possible. And so and just a clarification,
just this will go to the residents. Will will businesses have the opportunity to respond as well? The ones adjacent to Benedict Boulevard, that was our plan, would be involved in this as well since they are impacted by whatever change, if any, we were to make on Benedict. That's excellent. Thank you.
I hope to get it out, you know, either by the end of this week or early next week. Yeah. Great. Thank you. And will this be complemented by a code red call? We'll do a call to the immediate area so that they're aware that this is coming in the mail. Yes.
Yes. It I mean, people wouldn't be able to respond by if we don't the system is not set up to, like, you know, press 1 if you agree.
a letter in their mail, what should they do? They should reach out to my office, and we'll get them. Okay. Yeah. I would also note it's I I noticed there's no specific deadline for responding to the survey. I think that the fact that it's summertime and people have different traveling schedules, I think that that's a good idea. Let's keep it open for a while and see how much Yeah. I mean, we will have to put a deadline in there at some yeah. At some point. Yeah. So I mean but we I mean, we can wait until Labor Day or something like that. Yeah. Yep. So because you're you're correct. A lot of people are Right. Not in town. Opposed to a ten day turnaround. Correct. I think Yeah. I think, you know, something in the six week range, I think, is pretty fair. Yes.
letter from the rotary. Okay. So I received an email from Sewer Wang, the rotary club president, looking to reserve their usual space for the annual car show at the train station. Mhmm. Nothing's changed. Right? Nope. They're still gonna use the daily section, and they're planning on doing their parade again this year. Good.
Some people are big fans of the parade? Yes. Okay. Harry Chapin. So we need a motion to No, sorry. Go ahead. Yes. Do I have a motion to So move. Yes. Do I have a second? Motion by Trustee Simon, second by Trustee Rosales. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay.
Next item is from Jud Raymaker of the Harry Chapin Run, requesting the village's support for this year's event. It's traditionally been the village's role to not to provide the overtime for this event for free. We don't usually charge them as we do with our other events. So if the board would like to continue with that, you know, make a resolution to that effect.
Alright. One motion. Do we have a second? Second. Motion by Trustee, Trustee Horowitz. Sorry, I'm looking at Sherry's.
Motion by trustee Colla, second by trustee Simon. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. And then lastly, under correspondence, we received
a letter from New York State detailing our second allotment of the ARPA funds. So much like last year, we're getting pretty much the same amount. It's just 2¢ less, $415,126.95. So that should be coming, I would guess, sometime very soon. If we haven't we haven't gotten it yet. Correct? I haven't seen it. No. Last year, we got it in August. Okay. So hopefully, in the next couple weeks, it will arrive.
It's a tremendous source of relief, but also Absolutely. Now a serious decisions we'll have to make as we Yes. Look for a future with less revenue from traditional sources and also without the ARPA money to purchase over. So we have public comment on agenda items only at this time. Anyone wishing to comment on agenda items? Please approach the podium. You do not have an agenda item to speak to. There will be a comment on non agenda items towards the end of the meeting. Alright. Seeing no one wishing to comment on agenda items, we proceed to the proposed resolutions.
Whereas Westchester County fire and mutual aid plan has recently been amended and approved by the state of New York. Now therefore be it resolved that the village of Cortlandt Hudson approves participation by the Cortlandt Hudson fire department in the Westchester County fire mutual aid plan as amended from time to time and further certifies to Westchester County through its commissioner of emergency services that it shall comply with the provisions of the plan. And be it further resolved that there are no resolutions in effect that restrict outside service and training by the Croton and Hudson Fire Department. And be it further resolved, there are currently no limitations, conditions, or restrictions on the fire agency from providing prompt assistance, and the commissioner of emergency services shall be notified in writing if any such limitations are imposed subsequent to the adoption of this resolution. And be it further resolved that the Cortlandt Hudson fire department shall respond to all calls for assistance from another fire agency through the Westchester County Emergency Communications Center, also known as sixty control. And be it further resolved that the village of Cortlandt Hudson hereby acknowledges and accepts its financial responsibility pursuant to applicable law. And be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution shall be filed with the Westchester County Commissioner of Emergency Services.
Mayor, it's, you know, particularly in a region where virtually all, except few exceptions of our fire departments are volunteer. The, the mutual aid plan is really the cornerstone of effective, fire, service. So, we look forward to continuing this. It's been it's gone on many years now, and, I'm glad we'll be able to continue it.
I would just reinforce what Trustee Simon said, and that this is a continuation of our current policy.
Whereas the village of Cortlandt Hudson was awarded $5,000 through the Public Employer Risk Management Association to reimburse the Cortlandt Hudson fire department for the purchase of a personal protective equipment washer. And whereas this award requires a contract between the village of Cortlandt Hudson and Perma be executed so that funds may be distributed. Now therefore be it resolved that the village manager is hereby authorized to execute the contract with Perma for a grant in the amount of $5,000 to reimburse the Cortlandt Hudson fire department for the purchase of a personal protective equipment washer.
So moved. Do I have a second motion by Trustee Simon, second by Trustee Rosales. Discussion?
Mayor, this reads as a as as a washer, but it could also read really one of the principal ways that that fire departments can avoid cancer and other diseases. And and studies and data have shown such connection between the chemicals that firefighters pick up in the normal course of their duties and resulting diseases that and prompt and regular washing of all materials is one of the ways that you you fight that. And this kind of modern equipment that we're going to get is, I think, very helpful towards that cause.
Yes. And just to add that this replaces a previous gear washer, which they had, that was about 20 old. And so this will do the job more efficiently, quicker, so that they can wash more sets of gear in a shorter amount of time. So it's really a very important investment as Trustee Simon said. Manager, any idea where
purchase price? No. So the purchase price was about $16,000. And so, Perma is reimbursing 5,000 Okay. Of So the remainder we took from funding that we had in in the previous year budget. Okay. Good. When you say funding, you mean from gen our our funds. Yeah. Correct. Yes. From the from the villages. Yeah. From the money that was in the fire department budget lines.
Resolution c. I did did you guys vote? Don't know. Oh, sorry. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Okay. The
entrance. And whereas the village is serving as a sponsor agency for the grant, which requires no expenditure of village funds. And whereas Bergman Associates of Albany, New York has been retained as a consultant for design engineering services. Now therefore, be it resolved that the village managers hereby authorized to execute supplemental consultant agreement with Bergman Associates for design engineering services for the restoration of the Van Cortlandt Manor entrance project.
Do I have a second? Second. Motion by Trustee Horwitz, second by Trustee Simon. Discussion?
This is just really, I think, a pro form a thing because we're I'm not sure what the exact wording is, but we We're the responsible party for
Yes. Managing the finances. Right? So Correct. So this we had previously signed an agreement with Bergman last year for the same services. That agreement ended, and so they're looking to renew.
And I would just add, it's a very good project, and it's the kind of project that visitors to Van Cortlandt will be able to see the results right away, whether in terms of parking, bathroom facilities, you know, things of that, and general mobility issues as well. So I think it's it's good to be the sponsor. Listen, I'm looking forward to them doing a great job.
Okay. Whereas Veterans Memorial Park is a public park owned and maintained by the village of Cortlandt Hudson, and whereas the park contains a monument dedicated to Cortlandt residents who lost their lives while fighting an American war featuring flags of the United States Armed Forces, And whereas the monument serves as a gathering place for the public to thank, honor, and celebrate the lives of all who served. And whereas the village is seeking to install two additional flagpoles at the Veterans Memorial Park Monument. And whereas the estimated cost of purchasing and installation for the two flagpoles is $3,235.50. And whereas funding for this expense was not included in the twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three general fund budget. Now therefore, be it resolved that the village board authorizes the village treasurer to transfer $3,235.50 from contingency account a 19904000 to the following account, a 85104000 community putification.
Do I have a motion? So moved. Do I have a second? Motion by Trustee Simon, second by Trustee Gulalia. Discussion?
plans for these flagpoles, are they replacement or are they No, so these will be these will be two additional poles. They'll be added on the sides of the existing flag poles. This this request was brought to us by the American Legion post five zero five, and they're looking to add a pole for the Space Force flag, which currently is sharing a pole with one of the other branches. And because you can't you need to have an odd number. So otherwise, it will not be symmetrical. So we're gonna add another flag pole and put the POW flag in the middle, and then have the six branches, three on each side. So that's the Excellent. That's the plan. Make
at some point. Yes. Yeah. Hopefully, it will be done and ready before Veterans Day, and then we can maybe do something in conjunction.
Yep. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Very good. Alright. Public comment on non agenda items. May I have vote for resolution? Oh, sorry. Yes. The sorry. This is an important one. E. Yes. C. Okay. Thank you. Whereas the village code for the village of Cortlandt Hudson was originally codified in 1990,
and whereas the village desires a comprehensive review with the village code to ensure that all fines, legislation, and references are up to date and in line with New York state and neighboring communities, And whereas the villages received a preliminary quote for codification services, including an editorial and legal analysis of the village code from general code of Rochester, New York in the amount of $6,400. And whereas such analysis has not been completed since the original codification project, and whereas funding for this expense was not included in the twenty twenty two, twenty twenty three general fund budget. Now therefore be it resolved that the village board authorizes the village treasurer to transfer $6,400 from contingency account a 19904000 to the following account, A1420.4000 Law.
Do I have a motion? So move. Second. Motion by Trustee Goelie, second by Trustee Simon. Discussion? I'd like to just say that
in case anybody is is thinking that this is is some way of changing the policy or the zoning, it's not about that. It's about eliminating inconsistencies that have perhaps occurred over a period of time since 1990 when one section of the law gets updated and it actually refers to another section which doesn't get updated. So they, there are things that are inconsistent possibly. And so this is just a thorough examination from beginning to end to see that each of the things that refers to another area is consistent with the other area and it's not changing zoning policy, is it? I
think that's well stated by Trustee Willey. Actually, I also think that this is we're we're allocating a relatively small amount of funding. This is gonna save us a great deal of money over the long term because if we were working on on an important project and found out that in the middle or more likely towards the end that there were other aspects of the code that were creating issues or inconsistencies or something that, we might have banned or prohibited in, you know, thirty or forty years ago, we would then have to, start this process just for that individual item. So getting, getting this, reviewed and in in many ways, cleaned in the codification process, I think is a very helpful thing over the long period of time.
So just to continue on what Trustees Gollelli and Simon said, I think one of the best features of this will be that it will not only tell us certain areas where, based on a review of our neighboring communities, where we might look to change, whether they're fine structures or sort violations, that sort of thing. It's also going to give us information on areas in state law which may have changed in the past thirty two years. You know, we may not know if a certain section of state law has changed. And if we're referencing in our code, then it's, you know, it needs to be fixed. So those are, you know, two things in addition to what was already mentioned that will be good with this project. And as you said, it is actually a reasonable I feel a reasonable cost for such a large undertaking.
Well, we would allocate at least that amount on an individual item in terms of staff time and other related costs.
have we used General Code before? Yes. General Code is the company that did the original codification, and so we've used them for the past thirty two years. Yep.
their site. Correct. They're they're they host our code. Yes. And most municipalities use them in in the state of New York. Yeah.
And again, not to belabor it, but it works. The search engine works very well. For a municipal code, which has got a certain amount of density and a certain amount of government ease, It's fairly user friendly when you're looking for something or trying to understand how individual provisions relate to larger policy issues. Great.
All All in favor? Aye. Very good. Right. Public comment on non agenda items. Members of the public wishing to speak on any item. Each person has five minutes. Please state your name and address.
You have to yeah. It would be best to speak into the microphone. Thank you.
Okay. My name is Sydney Bergstrom. My address is 228 Hessian Hills Road. Hello. My 14 year old son, Finn, and my husband, Aaron Lamar, who I married just two weeks ago after being together for over ten years, live at 228 Hessian Hills Road. When I recently sent out our wedding invitations for out of town family and friends, I included a historical description of Croton and shared the many reasons why we came to call this place home. And so today, very briefly, I want to share our personal experiences as a family in Croton and why the cell phone tower being proposed by Homelandt Towers is so incredibly destructive to us personally. I was a newly divorced mother working full time as an editor when Aaron and I first started dating and planning a life together. At the time, my son, Finn, and I lived in a Sunset Park Brooklyn apartment behind an auto body paint shop where we with stood the noxious smell of chemicals and the noise of equipment. As a single mother with no support from family nor from my ex husband, I could not afford to move. Aaron, by contrast, grew up on a small farm in Northern California and could not fathom maintaining his mental health while living in a city like New York. Luckily, we found Croton On Hudson in 2014 and knew the property was the right place for us as soon as we saw it. Finn and I could escape the noise and the pollution of the city. We could raise our family in a quiet patch of forest in Croton. One of the earliest and most treasured memories I have of us during those early years of is of Aaron and his father who built a tree house for Finn.
That same tree house would look down on the proposed self cell tower site should it be built. At the time, we had thought that buying property adjacent to one of the village main water systems, which had obviously been planned and built to minimize disruption to the landscape neighborhood, would reduce our risk of having to deal with builders who would not respect the character of the area. And we ourselves have taken great pains to preserve the natural aesthetic of the surrounding land, keeping the majority of our property in its natural state and working only with native plants and trees. Erin works for Project Renewal, one of New York City's largest nonprofit organizations providing health care and job training housing for the homeless, and I now work from home as a professional editor and a ghost writer. The very nature of my job requires hours of solitude and quiet so that I can concentrate and write with little distraction. Homelandt's proposed 2,400 square foot fenced compound would be about a 100 feet from our property line and less than 180 feet from our house. We will have a direct view of the compound, and because it is uphill from us, the idea of hiding such a large installation with landscaping is unrealistic. Using Homelandt site plan, we have done our own line of sight tests and even with leaves on the trees, we will look out on industrial equipment. Imagine what it will look like after the leaves have fallen. The removal of trees for the access road will further expose everything. This doesn't factor in the noise from the generators or other supporting equipment that would also be on-site. I ask you to please visit the tower at the Croton-Harmon Train Station and imagine it being within direct sight of your living room.
The noise of the equipment can often be heard over the trains at the station and the constant thrum of the highway. Like many Americans, our family's financial future is based on the value of our home. I have never had the benefit of financial support from my family. Aaron's father, Rolf, spent a significant portion of his youth in an orphanage in Mount Vernon. His mother, Kathy, who just walked in, was abandoned as an infant and abandoned again in high school by the family who had raised her in poverty. Kathy and Ralph have worked their entire lives. He is a social worker, and she is an educator for the disabled. They built their home in California with the help of neighbors. Aaron and I had always envisioned that we would one day move back into his family home in Northern California, but just over a year ago, we instead convinced Kathy and Rolf to sell their land and their home and move here to Croton, which they did. This is how strongly we feel about the community, our roots here, and our future. Allowing this project to move forward would have a profound psychological, emotional, and financial impact on our family, and I respectfully ask the board to reconsider this proposal from advancing any further. And as you can see, my family is here, Aaron, my husband Finn, my 14 year old son, Kathy, and Ralph, my in laws. Thank you.
Good evening. My name is Aaron Lamar. When the sales representative of Homelandt Towers said last week that our property, 228 Hessian Hills, would have a direct view of the site and that only a few neighbors in this situation would make for a pretty good site selection, it sounded like the village would only have to sacrifice the aesthetics, tranquility, and property values of a few of its residents. The truth is this project impacts more than just my family and those of our neighbors. It also affects the property values and aesthetics of many homes throughout the Mount Airy neighborhood, as we've heard talking to our neighbors. The proposed tower would be visible from multiple locations in the village, including the Hudson National Golf Course, as the sales rep from Homeland noted in the last working session. The proposed install would be within half a mile of the protected Croton Arboretum and less than half a mile from the Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, which hosts both pre k and kindergarten classes. It would also be next to one of Croton's two main water pumping stations and the Con Ed power lines. For a village working to promote itself as being green, this project directly contradicts that mission statement and those of multiple village committees. Many trees would be cut down, and the proposed site will be will block a proposed village trail that appears on the village's own trail maps. Because of the because the power lines create a relatively human and noise free path, our neighborhood is a thoroughfare for animals, and we often see barred owls, turkeys, foxes, coyotes, and even bobcats and bears. The noise of the industrial equipment will disrupt this environment. While the negative health effects caused by cell tower radiation can be debated, one thing is sure, insurance companies
specifically do not cover such health related risks from those towers. This could leave Croton fill the village of Croton in future generations potentially liable. This proposal was not solicited by the village, but instead was brought forward by Homelandt Towers. So the slight site selection process itself was driven by Homeland. Their interest is low cost installations and low barrier for approval. No alternative locations, colocations or solutions to the village's technical issues were discussed. Since when do we allow companies to drive highly sensitive local processes and decide which options are considered and which ones are left off the table? Who gets to decide how we upgrade and integrate new technologies into our communities and at what cost? Should it be telecoms whose primary interest is making a profit for shareholders, or should it be elected officials who know our communities and whose primary interest should be the health, safety, privacy, security, and well-being of its citizens? Those reasons and many more too long to cite in five minutes, I urge you to table this project immediately. As you are all probably aware, we started a petition this weekend. We have 80 signatures. We expect many more. Thank you for your time.
Good evening. I'm Renee. I live at 233 Hessian Hills Road. I'm here this evening because I would like to ask or I am asking, actually, that the balloon test for the proposed August date be delayed till the fall. In the fall, the leaves will be down and will give all of us the ability to really understand what it will look like for the significant part of our year. So I hope that you all will agree to that, and that can get postponed when all the leaves are down for all of us to really understand visual impact. Thank you.
My name is Georgianna, and I live at 233 Hessian Hills Road. I'm asking also in addition to the balloon test being moved. I also ask that the footprint of the cell tower be marked out, preferably taped. In addition, the access road be taped out. That'll help the board. It'll help everyone decide you know, to visualize what this impact is. In addition to that, I think, given that this is an industrial site, there's going to be a lot more than just a 30 by 80 foot property disruption. All the trees that are impacted should also be marked out. And once that happens, I think this will really help the board see that this is just not something that has no impact at all.
Others wishing to comment? All right. If no one else wishes to comment, we will conclude public comment on non agenda items. Very good. All right. Sir? Okay. Alright. Approval of minutes.
I'm Ed Riely from Truesdale Drive. A couple of things. There's one member of this board who is a rather lonely voice who speaks up for what I call the beauty of Croton. Actually, she's not here tonight, so I can talk about it. Whereas the board doesn't care. The rest of them don't seem to care. Whether it's a cell tower, whether it's the construction of a diesel electric shop that's twice the size of the old one and much taller, and the board seems to be afraid of higher authority. Why you should be afraid or respect higher authority in this state? I have no idea. We've had six six well, Democrats, by the way. Six statewide executive officers, including three governors, go to jail in this state. The controller, two attorney generals, a lieutenant governor. Why you should respect and be afraid of these people? I don't know. But whether it be a cell tower or that that huge expansion of the railroad in harm in Harmon, the light pollution that gives off, whether it be this terrible idea of solar panels in a solar parking lot, in in a bird sanctuary. Think about that. Really bright. When and and across, by the way, behind Saint Augustine, they're gonna build another set of solar panels over there. Think about this. This is really the you know, Democrats rightfully so in this village have been accused of two things. The urbanization the urbanization of Croton and the uglification of Croton many times for ideological reasons,
especially in light of the failure of the extreme environmental movement in terms of providing fuel to Europe, to The United States, to the world, screwing up our food supply. Everything that people say and the savings and the power should be looked at and audited by an honest auditor. Whether it be the impact, the environmental impact of your solar panels, whether it be the housing you put in here in Croton, everything should be audited because we cannot take what you and what the state says on prima facie value. We just can't. And I still and I will never understand your timidity in the face of corrupt state legislators, corrupt executives in this state just because they're a higher authority. The only thing I can think of is Croton has had a pattern of where their mayors have moved up. Not saying this mayor. I'm not. Where the mayors have moved up the pecking order in state jobs, whether it be appointed jobs, commissions, etcetera, but there was always a salary involved. Maybe that's it. People want to keep their noses clean. But it's time you step out and watch out for us because you're gonna be gone, and we're gonna have to live with what you do. The second thing is we now have a 9.1 inflation rate. It's probably because of the stuff they took out in the nineties. It's probably close to 15%. So everything you do and right now, you're flushed with cash because the feds gave it to the state, the state gave it to you. Next year, they'll be broke. This state has a habit of being in deficit when the federal government or Bill Gates doesn't bail them out. Everything you do from this point forward should be to relieve the pressure on your taxpayers,
to encourage the growth of business, and to save money. Because hard times are here, and I believe they're gonna get worse if predictions are correct. Thank you.
Thank you. Alright. Proceed to the approval of minutes. Thank you for everyone for your comments.
Any changes to the I had no changes. No changes. Okay.
I had just a spelling. Okay. On page 30, lines six and eight, where stolen is misspelled. It's s t o l e n, not double l. That's it. All I found. Hardly worth talking about.
Motion by Trustee Simon, second by Trustee Rosales. All in favor? Aye. All right. We proceed to reports. Trustee Rosales.
I had the opportunity to be with Trustee Simon at last week's Zoning Board of Appeals, where we listened to a number of cases that came up. It was an interesting opportunity to hear what, what's been going on in terms of the additional dwelling units in the in the village and how we harmonize these, these structures. And I look forward to participating on the next one. That's it for now.
Thank you, mayor. I was pleased to just be an attendant last week at the Con Ed meeting on Grand Street. I thought it went very well. We had both businesses on Grand and residents on Grand represented. I thought the questions were very good. I think Con Ed folks, I I think, are putting together a necessary project. Obviously, it's important to replace our infrastructure. I I was taken with the idea that that the plastics are are going to last a very long time. I I asked my question was asking the con ed team when when you would replace them again once you put them in there. And and and they said it could last for a very, very, very long time. So we'll we'll hope to see if that's correct. So I think the project looks good on paper, and and the the commitments we seem to have from the Con Ed folks are are what we're looking for. Practice is the key and, you know, I I know that the manager and his team will be will be as all of us will be will be watching it on a day to day basis as it plays out. Secondly, also last week, began the process of working with miss Mancini and with our our bike and pedestrian committee chair, Matt Matt Arnold, on the safe streets and roads for all, federal application. All the work that we've done previously in Croton, whether it's housing, planning, zoning, anything that we've done on transportation or mobility, all help in terms of that project, and we'll be feeding into it. So I wanted to thank Emily in advance for for the great work she's doing as sort of being the captain of that, that whole process. The, later
in in in the week, last week, our local chamber, Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber, had their monthly meeting. I was able to update them on cats and other village news, and we got very positive feedback from everyone on that. Since we mentioned the rotary with respect to the car show, I should mention that subsequent to that email, Sewer Wang's term as president has now concluded and did a great job for three years, and we congratulated him on that at our meeting last week. And our our new Rotary President is, Janine Valenti, who is a longtime Croton resident and a great volunteer on, in a number of areas. I know she's gonna do a fantastic job as well. I attended, the planning board. I'll yield eventually to my,
actually returning, the bond to them or adopting a resolution to do so. A new efforts with, with a new shed at the at our sales school, which I think is gonna be a great addition. And and they did their their what necessary for their work on the on the proposed project at 1380 Albany. So it was a it was a good meeting, and and I was I was glad to be there. And all those things are moving forward. On last but not least, at the on July 14, the the cannabis board had had one of their board meetings. I was able to attend that online. They issued the regulations for the issuance of licenses to of the affected communities. So now that in in addition to allocating a large sum of funding for that purpose, they've they've now, in effect, put out the proposed application requirements for communities that have been negatively affected by the war on drugs. And so, for example, the application itself asks for background on how you were affected or other close family members, but also looking for business experience. And so we're, it's step by step, you know, very slow, but deliberative process moving forward. So we'll continue to monitor those. And that's it. Thank you. Thank you.
I would like to also concur with Trustee Simon about the Con Ed meeting that was held with regard to the proposed changes on Grand Street or work to be done on Grand Street. We were he and I and manager Healy were here in this room, the three of us, and there were four Con Ed people. And I believe there were three just three citizens, residents who came. So I guess my question was, I know it was broadcast on seventy eight, and I do we have any sense of how many people actually were able to listen in on that? Because I think the Con Ed people did a very, very good job explaining what they were going to do, how they were going to do it, how they were going to cover their bases in difficult situations. And it was and for a lot of people that are gonna be affected by this, it was a shame to miss it. But since only three residents were actually here, I'm wondering if we have any sense of how how well it was heard.
I don't believe we can get statistics like that. We definitely can't for those on the TV. We used to be able to with the stream, but I think when we switched from Earth Channel to Champ, we don't have that ability anymore. So I don't think I can provide that. But, you know, I mean, we can send it out. We plan on doing a reminder email this towards the end of the week, so we can They can go back on channel 78 and or they can find it. The video is available on the website. Yes. So I would urge anybody who lives in the affected area to do that because I thought Con Ed actually did it.
The four people that they had here did an excellent job. And if you didn't hear it in person or that night, it it was worthwhile hearing. And now it's been postponed one week, so you still have some time to see what's coming coming ahead. I would I mentioned it last time in my reports, but the the brush obstructing the view of the Croton Hudson River from Croton Landing Walk and Elliot Way has gotten even more reduced. DPW continues to work on that. Some people have noted that there was an obstruction in the of the view as you go through the picture tunnel that's been removed. They've done it was a lot of work and it looks really fantastic now. So I I'm congratulating them again because they've continued the work and and that's not easy work and it's all going to grow back. So it's going to be a continuing thing. And DPW superintendent Frank Balbi, manager Healy and myself took a preliminary walk or visit to Govea to look at the possibility of community garden area at the site. And we identified one area that we thought was possible. We will be talking with the people that are interested in creating the community garden there. And there are different groups that would like to do that and we will be pursuing that. But we did take the preliminary step of identifying one area. I participated in a Con Ed call today
with regard to preparing for the heat wave that is about to descend on us. The rest of this week and I guess into next week, we're going to be facing 90 degrees plus and high humidity and possibly some bad effects in the Con Ed area. So they they outlined their plans and their preparation for these problems and how to move ahead in the event that those happened. In that regard, I'd just like to say to everybody, it is going to be really, really hot. And when you look to see and hear about what's happening in Europe with the the heat and everything, you you gotta be careful. Take take take care. In the next eight to ten days, it's gonna be really, really hot. So that's all I have. Thank you.
Okay. Thank you, deputy mayor. Alright. First, a bit of housekeeping. I'd like to appoint the following individuals to the hundred twenty fifth anniversary committee. There may be some additional appointments, but I think it's important that the committee be assembled as soon as possible so it can get begin its work. Nicole Bell Derise and sorry. Oh, Judy, I will just email it to you. Okay? Nicole Bell Derives, our own village historian, Mark Cheshire, Alana Fraccia, my apologies if that's not the correct pronunciation, which almost certainly is not, Joel Gingold, Eleanor Quai, Nancy Lebow, Carrie Senna, Matilda Weeks, and Chair of our Police Advisory Committee, Carolyn Whiting. And Trustee Kelleherjee has already volunteered to be one of the trustee liaisons to this committee. It is the remaining host is open to anyone else. Okay. Alright. With Trustee Simon moving first on that, Trustee Simon is the second liaison. Alright. Trustee
a it's quad I'm it's I don't have my one hundred and twenty fifth file with me, but it's quadra quasi Quadra qui centennial. Oh, boy.
Oh, sorry. I would like to speak briefly to some of the concerns shared over the course of public comment. I definitely appreciate those living with the uncertainty of this proposal in their neighborhood with regards to the cell phone tower, and I can absolutely understand the desire to have it rejected entirely outright. But there is a potential benefit to the community, and we have to weigh the benefit against the burden, and that requires a more thorough analysis to determine the extent of the impact it's gonna have on the neighborhood and the possible benefit it could have for the larger community. For that reason, I very much appreciate the suggestions of the folks with ideas about how exactly we should be examining those impacts, and we will definitely keep you informed as the process moves along. In terms of other, let's say, broadly construed environmental issues in the community, I mean, Croton-Harmon shops have obvious obviously have existed for a very long time. Now, course, they've been expanded. But may village attorney, correct me if I'm wrong, but the public authority's law, specifically the state legislature in its wisdom, has specifically exempted
the Metropolitan Transportation Authority from local zoning. Correct. They do not have to come to the village. They do not require any permits or approvals from the village. So there is no opportunity to say no because they don't need any approvals from the village.
you. So just continuing on what Trustee Golly said about Con Edison, just a reminder that the library serves as our designated cooling center, and so they are open most evenings, I believe, until 09:00. You can either give them a call or check their website for exact hours, but they are you know, have air conditioning and are have, you know, computers. They're a good place to to hang out if you need a place to cool down. If there was a power outage or any sort of event that necessitated it, the village's community room would also open as a cooling center if it if required. We have we have a generator here, so if there was a power outage, we'd be able to to open for the community. I just wanted to let the community know about two upcoming events that we've set dates for now. The village wide tag sale will be September 17, I believe. Yes. September 17, and registration will be coming out shortly for that. And the second annual fall fest has been scheduled for October 1. So we're looking forward to having another fun event this year. And then finally, just a reminder with the warmer weather that village residents under village and state law are required to have their dogs licensed. And so, you know, we many residents do comply with this law, but for those who may not be aware of it, any dog over the age of four months is required to have a license from the village, and it's $15 for the year. So all you need to do is just come into the office, you bring your rabies paperwork, your your dog's rabies vaccination paperwork with you, and you'll get the license, and you'll be you'll be all set. And the license allows you to get a free permit to the dog park, and the, you know, the dog is allowed to walk in on the the walkway at at Croton Landing. So it's and we'll keep you in in good graces with the village. That's all, mayor.
Very good. Alright. Any reports from okay. Very good. Mayor. Alright. Nothing else to discuss, for tonight anyway. Do I have a motion to close? No. We need Oh, yes. Exactly. Do I have a motion to No. No. Thank Thank you, attorney. Unfortunately, will not be we actually do have something to discuss. But do I have a motion to enter into an executive session to discuss a matter concerning a specific member of the village staff? I have a motion from Trustee Rosales. Do I have a second? Second from trustee Golly. All in favor? I I Are you adjourning them Yeah. We're not coming back. Yeah. Correct. So you should also Okay. Now do I adjourn following the executive session? Or are we just amending building the packing? Okay. Alright. So just the motion was for both the executive session and to adjourn. We're closing. We're we're done with the meeting. Both. It's both those things. Motion for both. Correct. Yes. Thank you, Judy.
Thank you. Have a good night.