Board of Trustees
Village of Tarrytown
Regular Meeting No. 20
December 3, 2007 8:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Fixell presiding; Trustees Basher, Butler, Hoyt, McGee, McGovern, and Zollo; Village Administrator McCabe; Village Engineer McGarvey; Village Treasurer Hart; Chief of Police Brown; Recreation Supervisor Arduino; Village Attorney Shumejda; Village Clerk Booth
The meeting began with the Pledge to the Flag.
REPORTS
Mayor Fixell read his letter addressed to all Tarrytown residents which will be mailed as follows:
“As virtually all Tarrytowners are now aware, on the morning of November 24, a fire broke out in the home located at 119 Cobb Lane. The home’s owners were away at the time, so it is not known for how long the fire burned before being noticed by neighbors who notified the police. Within minutes of the call coming in, Tarrytown’s volunteer firefighters arrived on the scene and began to battle what had become, by then, a serious blaze. Following standard procedures, firefighters entered the house, searched for residents and, drawing on the approximately 3,500 gallons of water contained on their trucks and another 3,000 gallons brought in on a Pocantico Hills fire department truck, began to douse the flames using their interior hoses. At the same time, other firefighters began the task of
hooking up the trucks to fire hydrants to provide the water that would be needed to continue the fight once the water on the trucks ran out.
It is at this point that what had begun as a standard operation ran into unexpected problems. Firefighters first found that the hydrant located on the property did not operate, and then encountered 4 more hydrants that could not be used – the closest one was inaccessible, one was out of service, another had low pressure, and the hose connection on the fourth one along Broadway was broken. Firefighters were finally able to hook up to two properly working hydrants along Broadway and Wilson Park Drive, though the fire department estimated that there was a gap of approximately 5 minutes when water was unavailable.
The answer to the question of how this could have occurred stems from the complicated and unusual arrangement of private roads and property in the area. Village employees, who annually flush the hydrant system and water mains on public roads, do not undertake these actions on private property, and since Cobb Lane and Wilson Park Drive were known to be private, the hydrant system there was not being checked. Unfortunately, the homeowners in the area, much like myself, the Board of Trustees, the Fire Department and nearly every other resident of Tarrytown, were unaware of this situation, and they did not know that they were responsible for the hydrants on their property. Complicating things further is that the lower portion of Cobb Lane, where two of the hydrants were located, was only just determined to be
publicly owned.
Regardless of the origins of this problem, once we became aware of it, one thing became clear – the situation cannot continue as is, and, consequently, the village has taken responsibility for every hydrant along all roads. In addition, we immediately put together a task force comprised of myself, the Fire Department Chiefs, Dominic Morabito Jr., Pat Derivan, and Mike Coffey, Trustees Doug Zollo and Bobby Hoyt, Village Administrator Steve McCabe, Village Engineer Mike McGarvey and Police Chief Scott Brown, to develop a plan of action. Based on the work of the task force, outlined below are the specific corrective actions the village either has taken already or will take shortly.
1) A new “full response” plan was immediately put into place by the Fire Department for the Cobb Lane area that ensures the availability of adequate water and other resources.
2) On November 28, the hydrant with the broken hose connection was repaired and put back in service.
3) On November 30, a new hydrant was installed on Wilson Park Drive near the intersection with Cobb Lane
4) The inaccessible hydrant on Cobb Lane was found to be working and has now been made accessible.
5) Every hydrant along 6 private roads in the village has now been checked and, except for the two on Cobb Lane and one on Oak Avenue that are now tagged as out-of-service, all were found to be working. Steps are being taken for replacement of the three remaining non-functioning hydrants.
6) The Fire Department is fully aware of all out-of-service hydrants, and all Fire Department vehicles are now equipped with maps of the village’s water supply system, including the location of all hydrants.
7) Tarrytown has engaged a private firm that within the next few weeks will individually test every hydrant in the village, including those along private roads and within condominiums and co-ops. Test results will be available to the public, and if repairs are needed, they will be implemented promptly.
8) Each year, the village will test every hydrant along all roads. Condominiums, co-ops and other commercial properties will be required to test their internal systems annually and certify to the village that they are in good working order.
9) The village attorney will take the necessary actions to legally transfer the control of the hydrant systems along all private roads to the village
10) The village will institute a formal procedure to ensure that written notice of any hydrant problems identified by the Department of Public Works or the Water Department will be sent to both the Police and Fire Departments, and repairs, if needed, will be implemented promptly.
11) The village will undertake an analysis of the entire hydrant system to ensure that it is as effective and efficient as possible.
Before closing I want to make two final statements.
First, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire Village of Tarrytown, I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the Blumin family on the serious damage their home incurred.
Second, I want to thank the Tarrytown Fire Department for the remarkable and heroic work they performed during the fire. They faced extraordinarily difficult circumstances and handled a daunting situation both professionally and courageously. We are all extremely fortunate to be served by such a talented and dedicated group of volunteers.”
Mayor Fixell also stated that upon the announcement of Village Administrator McCabe’s retirement, a search committee has been formed to find Mr. McCabe’s successor. The committee includes Don Marra, the former Irvington Administrator and Susan Crucy Burkhardt, former Tarrytown Trustee. William Burnette was the third member who is unable to continue. We are diligently looking for the third member for this committee. In the meantime, they have begun their work.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 17, 2007 REGARDING THE FIREFIGHTERS’ PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: SPEAKERS HAVE 5 MINUTES BEFORE YIELDING TO THE NEXT PERSON: THEN 3 MINUTES FOR ADDITONAL COMMENTS
Mayor Fixell questioned whether anyone wished to address the Board on any matter. No one appeared.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ATTORNEY TO PREPARE A NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ACQUISITION, BY EMINENT DOMAIN, OF A PORTION OF A PARKING LOT OWNED BY SOLOMON LODGE #196 (MASONS’ LODGE), LOCATED AT 17-19 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET, TARRYTOWN, NY
Mayor Fixell asked Administrator McCabe to explain:
Administrator McCabe stated that it was suggested to the Village that the possibility of a Municipal lot on property owned by the Masonic Lodge be considered. We met with the Masons’ Board of Directors early this year to discuss the possibility. They invited us to make a proposal to them in which we did. Based on an appraisal, we made an offer that was established as fair market value. We awaited a response from the Masons and did not receive one. Mr. McCabe recommended to the Board the possibility of taking the property by eminent domain (forcing the sale). The Board of Trustees still stands ready to meet and negotiate with the Masons. It’s been determined that we have no choice but to engage in this process and then move forward.
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby authorizes the Village Attorney to prepare a notice of public hearing for the acquisition, by eminent domain, of a portion of a parking lot owned by Solomon’s Lodge #196 (Masons’ Lodge), located at 17-19 South Washington Street, Tarrytown, NY
RESOLUTION TO DECLARE EMERGENCY
Trustee Hoyt moved, seconded by Trustee McGee, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby declares an emergency concerning the water main at the intersection of Rte. 9 and Cobb Lane which requires immediate repairs to be undertaken.
CONSIDERATION OF A REVISED RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE JOINT SUBMITSSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR STATE FUNDING TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSOLIDATING THE TARRYTOWN, SLEEPY HOLLOW AND BRIARCLIFF MANOR WATER DEPARTMENTS
Trustee McGee moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby authorizes the submission of a joint application by the Village of Tarrytown, the Village of Sleepy Hollow, and the Village of Briarcliff Manor for funding up to $225,000, with an up to $22,500 local match shared 33%, 33%, and 33% by the three Villages to the NY State Department of State “shared municipal services initiative” program to conduct a feasibility study with respect to consolidating the Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Briarcliff Manor Water Departments.
RESOLUTION – FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL CHANGES
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown approves the following Fire Department personnel changes recommended at the November 20, 2007 Board of Fire Wardens meeting: Memberships: Eugene Cardonero was approved to Active membership of Conqueror Hook & Ladder Company; Greg Eagan was approved to Active membership of Riverside Hose Company. Thomas Buchanan has been dropped from the Active Roll of Hope Hose Company due to non-residence.
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FROM THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH TO THE NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF STATE UNDER THE “SHARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES INCENTIVE” GRANT PROGRAM, ALLOWING TECHNOLOGICAL DATA SHARING BETWEEN THE TOWN OF GREENBURGH AND ITS INCORPORATED VILLAGES
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
Whereas, the New York State Department of State has established the Shared Municipal Services Incentive (SMSI) Grant Program allowing two or more municipalities or agencies to cover costs associated with shared services, cooperative agreements, data transfers, and to eliminate redundancies between such agencies through technological means; and
Whereas, the Village of Tarrytown is desirous to make improvements to the current sharing and transfer of data with the Town, and
Whereas, the Village of Tarrytown realizes that a successful grant, and the subsequent result of sharing resources between Town and Village, would greatly promote advancement through the use of technology, lessening the amount of redundancy, and at the same time, creating municipal efficiency; and
Whereas, this grant will require a 10% matching of awarded funds to be provided, solely, by the Town of Greenburgh and not placing any burden upon the Village’s financial resources;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Village Board of the Village of Tarrytown hereby authorizes the submission, by the Town of Greenburgh, of an application to the New York State Department of State for the 2007-2008 Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Program to promote, through technology, the inter-municipal sharing of data and services between the Town and Village.
CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE VILLAGE’S SPONSORSHIP OF AN APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY FOR STATE FUNDING FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FUND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN “ARTS IN THE PARK – PUBLIC PARK INITIATIVE GUIDELINES” PROGRAM IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee McGovern, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby approves a resolution in support of the Village’s sponsorship of an application on behalf of Westchester County for State Funding from the Environmental Protection Fund for the development of an “Arts in the Park – Public Park Initiative” Guidelines program in the amount of $100,000.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON NOVEMBER 19, 2007
Trustee McGee moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried that the following be approved: Approved: 7-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby approves the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on November 19, 2007 as submitted by the Village Clerk.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON NOVEMBER 27, 2007
Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, that the following be approved. Motion carried, all voting “aye” with exception of Trustee Basher who abstained. Approved: 6-0
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown hereby approves the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees held on November 27, 2007 as submitted by the Village Clerk.
APPROVAL OF AUDITED VOUCHERS #10
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee McGovern, and unanimously carried that the following resolution be approved:
RESOLVED: The following Abstract bearing No. 10, dated November 27, 2007 containing Vouchers No. 002049 through No. 002181 is hereby ordered paid in the
following amounts as presented:
General $ 128,010.22
Water 115,703.15
Capital 1,832,334.56
Library 8,549.03
Trust & Agency 107,334.01
Total $ 2,191,930.97
The Board was polled all voting “aye” with the exception of Trustee McGee who abstained from Voucher Numbers 002128, 002129, 002168, and 002169 and Trustee Hoyt who abstained from Voucher Number 002153. Motion carried 7-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee Butler, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Carol A. Booth
Village Clerk
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