VILLAGE OF PELHAM

BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2004, 8:00 PM

VILLAGE HALL - 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NY

MINUTES

1.                  Call Public Meeting To Order

2.                  Pledge of Allegiance

3.                  Mayor’s Report

4.                  Trustees’ Reports

5.                  Village Administrator’s Report

6.                  Public Comment

                                                                                                                          Approximate

                                                                                                                                      StartingTime

      #       Agenda Items:                                                                                             of Discussion

* Next meeting of the Board of Trustees – 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2004

Agenda is subject to change until the night of the meeting.

MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE VILLAGE OF PELHAM BOARD OF TRUSTEES

VILLAGE HALL, 195 SPARKS AVENUE, PELHAM, NEW YORK

September 21, 2004

Mayor Michael J. Clain called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m., and the pledge of allegiance followed.

The following members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) were present:

Mayor Michael J. Clain, Trustees Ciro Greco, Mia Homan, Edward Hotchkiss, David Merrick, Peter Potocki and Michael Rozycki.

Village staff attending the meeting were:

Village Administrator Richard Slingerland, and Fire Chief Robert Glover.

Item #3 – Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Clain reported on the following matters:

• The Sandford Boulevard settlement is proceeding.
• The Village made a non-binding proposal to the Post Office for new space in the Downtown.

Item #4 – Trustees’ Reports:

Trustee Potocki reported on the issue of resident parking in driveways and overhanging the sidewalk, and that those present had discussed the alternatives to be explored by the Village.

Trustee Rozycki reported on the following matters:

·        That the Village staff had met with the County’s CDBG team and toured the Village to discuss projects to submit as an application for next year’s grant cycle.

·        He gave a report on the status and update of the Village’s Auditors audit on the 2003-2004 Fiscal Year.

·        He thanked David Coldrick for his hard work over the 2 years with the Village, and welcomed Shirley Brown as his replacement.

Trustee Homan reported on the following matters:

·        The 9/11 Memorial in Harmon Park

·        The status of the CBA negotiations with the CSEA

·        The Village’s review and hope to help the residents on the no parking in driveways overhanging sidewalks

Trustee Hotchkiss reported on the following matters:

·        That there would be a presentation on the new website at the next meeting

·        That the Mayor had charged him and Trustee Rozycki to report on the Village’s financial investments, and they would be making a report soon.

·        He reported on complaints he had received that Suburban’s crews mix the garbage and recycling together, and ruin the recycling bins by throwing them

Item #5 – Village Administrator’s Report:

Administrator Slingerland had reported on the need to go with the second low bidder Joken, Inc., on the hydrant replacement, because the low-bidder United Water was too busy; that the Village was researching the renewal for two more years with Suburban Carting and that he would contact the Village’s consultant Great Forest; and that the Village’s paving contract would be proceeding soon. The Village Administrator also introduced a new item of business, for the Board to adopt the base assessment proportions.

Item #5 – Public Comment:

Mr. and Mrs. Carciano, landlords of 508 7^th Avenue, complained about the continuous flooding of 7^th Avenue, including three times over the past few weeks.  Mayor Clain explained that the Village is seeking to solve the problem for all the flood areas of the Village.  The issue was raised and discussed about taxes and assessments.

Denise Delaney of 4^th Avenue commented on the garbage contract renewal, and suggested the Village consider once-a-week garbage pickup.

Richard Altobelli commented about parking meters and tickets, and suggested a ticket amnesty program; he commented that he had heard a lot of complaints about the Architectural Review Board being too difficult; and he suggested the Village look into the 911 emergency dispatch, since the call-routing to White Plains could delay or slow responses, but that his main concern was the long delay in response for a woman who had been hurt in church.

John Cassone of 7^th Avenue commented there are 43 communities who participate in 911 and they are not all dispatched by Westchester County Control, but all have experienced responses being dispatched to the wrong location.  The Board also discussed the Town’s plan to change the ambulance service to a fly-car owned by the Town and staffed by an Empress Ambulance employee.

Item #7 – Presentation of Ladder Truck Specifications to purchase a new Aerial Ladder Fire Apparatus.

Fire Chief Robert Glover explained the Village has to replace its 1975 Hook & Ladder as it is 30 years old, the body is rusting out, and NFPA standards recommend 25 years maximum for a first-line ladder truck.  He explained the process of the review committee to research and prepare specifications for the new truck, and that the new truck has to fit into the firehouse.  Board members questioned some of the specifications, including the need for a stainless steel cab, and a local service provider within 25 miles of Pelham.  On finishing their discussion, on the motion of Trustee Greco, seconded by Trustee Merrick, the Board moved unanimously to authorize the issuance of bids on the new ladder truck.

Item #8 -- Authorization of a subscriber agreement with the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR). 

The Board discussed this matter, including the issue of underwriting risk that falls to the municipalities.  The Board raised questions and asked Trustee Hotchkiss and Administrator Slingerland to confirm the reinsurance, confirm the Village’s responsibility, and confirm NYMIR’s rating as an insurance provider.  In the meantime, they agreed to authorize the contract with NYMIR.  On the motion of Trustee Homan, seconded by Trustee Merrick, the Board voted unanimously to request more information on the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal.

Item # 9 – Authorizing the Site Plan application by Pelham Collision for a Façade change at 75 Lincoln Avenue.

The Board reviewed the report from the ARB, including their objections to authorizing stucco facing Lincoln Avenue.  Based on the information submitted with the application, the stucco would last longer than brick repair, that the applicant would cut out and repair the rotting and spalling sections of brick, and then the stucco mesh and material would be attached to the building itself.  The Board reviewed the applicants information, and discussed the review process.  Upon completing their review, the Board decided to refer the application back to the ARB for a report and recommendation, and the Mayor guaranteed a decision, one way or the other, at the next Board of Trustees meeting.

Item #10 – Old Business/New Business:

Adopting the Base Assessment Proportions for the Village of Pelham for the 2005 Village Tax Year.

Richard Altobelli suggested eliminating the homestead provisions of the assessments, and the Board commented they would look into the matter.

After discussion and on the motion of Trustee Merrick, seconded by Trustee Rozycki, the following resolution was adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham by vote of seven in favor, none opposed, as follows:

RESOLUTION

ADOPTING THE BASE ASSESSMENT PROPORTIONS

FOR THE VILLAGE OF PELHAM

FOR THE 2005 VILLAGE TAX YEAR

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham hereby adopts the 2004 Adjusted Base Proportions using the 2003 Reference Roll for the Village of Pelham on the request and recommendation of the Assessor, at the rates of 82.872620  for Homestead, and 17.127380 for Non-Homestead; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor, the Village Treasurer and the Assessor are authorized to take the necessary and appropriate steps to effect this action.

Item #11 -- Approval of accounts payable and authorization of payment:

After discussion and on the motion of Trustee Rozycki, seconded by Trustee Merrick, the following resolution was adopted unanimously by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Pelham by vote of seven in favor, none opposed, as follows:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5-524 of the New York State Village Law, the Board of Trustees shall audit all claims against the Village.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees after audit of the following claims, authorizes payment for services rendered and materials received, for the following items that have been submitted to the Treasurer's Office for payment and authorized by the Village Administrator:

Fund Name:                                                               Amount

General Fund                                                        $130,032.40

Water Fund                                                                   $710.00

Capital Projects Fund                                               $2,551.00

Trust and Agency Fund                                                    $0.00

H3 Fund                                                                           $99.90

                                               Grand Total             $133,723.30

* remove check #3231 in the amount of $41.25 for more info     -$41.25

                                               Rvsd. Grand Total  $133,682.05

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, that this Board hereby approves payment of the above mentioned claims and authorizes payment thereof, subject to review and approval by Trustee Mike Rozycki or Trustee Mia Homan prior to payment.

Item #13 – Motion to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.

On the motion of Trustee Merrick, seconded by Trustee Homan, the Board voted unanimously by a vote of seven in favor, none opposed, to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel issues.

Item #14 – Adjournment.

There was no further business, and on the motion of Trustee Rozycki, seconded by Trustee Potocki, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Slingerland

Administrator/Deputy Clerk