Village Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
November 20, 2008
7:30 p.m.
The Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor, New York was held in the Village of Briarcliff Manor Village Hall, at 1111 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, New York of the 20th of November 2008 commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Present
William J. Vescio, Mayor
David Venditti, Deputy Mayor
Robert Mayer, Trustee
Elsie Smith, Trustee
Also Present
Ingrid Richards, Interim Village Manager
Christine Dennett, Village Clerk
Clinton Smith, Village Counsel
Absent
Gayle Waxenberg, Trustee
Public Hearing, Chapter 122, for appeal of consultant fees charged on land use applications
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Venditti, seconded by Trustee Smith, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing.
Presentation by Ray Marinaccio, Little League Commissioner
Mr. Ray Marinaccio, Little League Commissioner gave an overview of the 2008 season and requested use of the fields prior to opening day on April 18, 2009. He stated he would like to talk to the Board about McCrum Field drainage at some point.
Trustee Smith thanked Mr. Marinaccio for his hard work and asked how the parking worked out. She stated they should encourage the utilization of Schrade Road.
The Board had general discussion about field usage, scheduling and the field that will be built at The Club at Briarcliff Manor site.
Mr. Pat Maietta asked if there could be a joint venture between Little League and the Village to raise McCrum Field six inches to alleviate some of the flooding.
Mr. Clay Tiffany stated he’d like to know how many kids are playing baseball in the morning and then another sport in the afternoon, and are some playing three sports. He further stated there had been studies that kids are playing far too many sports resulting in injuries.
Board of Trustees Announcements by Trustee Smith
- Leaf pickup is in full swing. Please pile the leaves on the shoulder or lawn and not in the roadway.
- Be mindful of joggers, bikers, pedestrians and deer at dusk.
- The Pocket Park work has commenced and should be completed by early 2009.
- The Library construction is moving along nicely and should be near completion by December 15th. There will be a dedication ceremony in late February or early March 2009.
Village Managers Report by Interim Village Manager Richards
- The Village is seeking Election Inspectors for the Annual Village Election on March 18, 2009.
- Parking Permit sales will commence on December 8th.
- The Village Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.
- The 14th Annual Community Bonfire and Sing-A-Long will be on December 14th at 5:00pm
- Emergency Water Restrictions have been lifted.
Public Comments
Mr. Eric Ploen of 50 Tamarack Road asked about leaf pickup on Elm and Tamarack Roads. He further asked why the parking permit fee was increases by $200 and an explanation would have been helpful.
Mayor Vescio stated the Board announced the fee would be increased at public meetings. He stated the Village absorbed the valet cost the previous year and the cost should not be subsidized by the rest of the Village. He further stated the fee is comparable to many other communities and the next Manor Monthly will explain the increase. He stated the fee would be revisited next year after the completion of the construction.
Mr. Clay Tiffany of Hall Road asked the Board to let him know if they thought his statements were absurd or untrue. He asked what would be displayed in Law Park for the Holidays and why people putting leaves in the streets weren’t given summons. He stated the Village was persistently against people without money and never enacted any Section 8 housing.
Deputy Mayor Venditti stated a Federal Judge found specifically that the holiday display did not endorse any religion and the display was for the children to enjoy the holiday season.
Mr. Etzold of 526 Pleasantville Road stated he lives near the Department of Public Works and there was a persistent noise problem there. He stated work started there at 7:00am and sometimes earlier and the noise ordinance specifies work can’t begin until 8:00am and the Village was violating its own rules. He stated he sent a letter to Interim Village Manager Richards and because something has been a practice for 40 years doesn’t make it legal. He asked to see the rule that states they can violate the code and asked what can be done about it.
The Board asked what activities and noises Mr. Etzold was speaking about specifically.
Mr. Etzold stated the noise is primarily from the backup beepers and when they’re in the area where they load the trucks and store equipment.
Mayor Vescio stated the matter would be looked into.
Ms. Rosemary Herman of 518 Pleasantville Road stated the noise has broken windows in her home and being woken up at 6:00am is atrocious.
Pocantico Park Trail Project Grant Application
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Mayer, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor strongly supports the Pocantico Park Trail – North County Trailway Connection Project as it will help achieve the Village’s Open Space and Recreation Goal as stated in section 3.2.2 of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan; to “Maintain and Enhance the Village’s Open Space and Parklands for Active and Passive Enjoyment by Residents.”, and;
WHEREAS the SAFETEA-LU Recreational Trails Program administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Federal Highway Administration and NYS Department of Transportation provides a means of funding this project which is of significant value to the Briarcliff Manor and Westchester County community, and;
WHEREAS this project also furthers a goal of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP); to “Revitalize and improve existing recreation and open space resources”, and to “connect parks by developing bikeways and greenways that will provide linkages between open spaces, recreation areas, communities and business districts”, and;
WHEREAS the Village has a very capable staff who are able to support all of the procedural and professional requirements in undertaking, completing and maintaining this project, and;
WHEREAS the Village has completed a comprehensive Trails Study in June of 2006 and this project was determined to be the top priority to the Village and the Board of Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Interim Village Manager of the Village of Briarcliff Manor to file an application for funds from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in accordance with the provisions of the Recreational Trails Program, in an amount not to exceed $200,000, and upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a project agreement with the State for such financial assistance to this municipality for the Pocantico Park Trail – North County Trailway Connection Project and, if appropriate, a conservation easement to the deed of the assisted property.
Authorize Interim Village Manager to Approve Change Orders for the Library
Mayor Vescio stated Cathy Burkhard was instrumental during the Library Construction Project.
Deputy Mayor Venditti stated the Board received correspondence from someone out of the district stating how great the Library looked.
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Venditti, seconded by Trustee Smith, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees hereby approves the following change orders:
Change order FCI-19 in the amount of $8,500 for insulation of all exterior walls.
Change order FCI-20 in the amount of $700 for a structural bracket for exterior stairs.
Change order FCI-22 in the amount of $3,210 to do site work for the Village Library to provide an area for a sump pump.
Change order FCI-21 in the amount of $13,300 to do site work for the Village Library at North elevation including site stairs, modular block wall, rock swale with drainage pipe and extend concrete walls at basement of stairwell.
Change order EST-04 in the amount of $19,073 to supply and install Tel/Date wiring.
Change order FCI-18 in the amount of$7,900 to add mesa block to circular retaining wall.
Fire Department Membership
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Mayer, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the membership of Joseph Williams to the Scarborough Engine Company.
Upon motion by Trustee Mayer, seconded by Deputy Mayor Venditti, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby approves the membership of David Esch to the Scarborough Engine Company.
Schedule Public Hearing, Amendment to Chapter 122, For Appeal of Consultant Fees
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Venditti, seconded by Trustee Smith, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED that a Public hearing is scheduled for the December 4, 2008 Board of Trustees meeting to amend Chapter 122 for the appeal of consultant fees charged on land use applications.
Board Appointments
Mayor Vescio stated that Andrew Tung resigned from the Planning Board effective January 1, 2009 to pursue personal pursuits. He thanked him for his service and the Board would miss him and his expertise greatly.
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Mayer, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby makes the following appointment:
Edward Nolan as the Chairperson of the Planning Board for a term to expire on April 1, 2009.
Upon motion by Trustee Mayer, seconded by Deputy Mayor Venditti, the Board voted unanimously to approve the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Briarcliff Manor hereby makes the following appointment:
Robert Murray as a member of the Planning Board to fill the unexpired term of Andrew Tung to expire on April 1, 2012.
The Board is seeking volunteers for the Alternate Planning Board Member position and to replace Eva Taben on the Library Board.
Minutes
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Venditti, seconded by Trustee Smith, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of November 6, 2008 as amended.
Upon motion by Trustee Smith, seconded by Trustee Mayer, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of October 16, 2008 as amended.
Adjournment
Upon motion by Deputy Mayor Venditti, seconded by Trustee Smith, the Board voted unanimously to close the regular meeting at 8:30pm.
Respectfully Submitted By,
Christine Dennett
Village Clerk
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