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Village Board of Trustees Minutes 4/18/2011
                                                                Board of Trustees
                                                                Village of Tarrytown
                                                                Regular Meeting  No. 4
                                                                April 18, 2011

PRESENT:  Deputy Mayor Basher presiding; Trustees Butler, Hoyt, McGee, McGovern and Zollo; Administrator Blau; Treasurer Hart; Village Attorney Shumejda; Village Clerk Booth

ABSENT:  Mayor Fixell

The meeting began with the Pledge to the Flag.

Deputy Mayor Basher wished the public a Happy Passover and a Happy Easter.

REPORTS

Trustee Zollo stated that on May 1st from noon to 3 p.m., the Washington Engine Fire Company, Tower Ladder 78 will host a Fire Safety Day and the firehouse will be open to the public.  There will be food and drinks as well as firehouse tours, fire extinguisher and apparatus demos.  Fire Safety Day is designed to raise awareness on how to become a volunteer firefighter in the Fire Department and to learn about fire safety in the home.

Deputy Mayor Basher stated that on Saturday, April 30th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be two events going on at Patriots Park; YMCA Healthy Kids Day and Rotary’s Rubber Ducky Derby Day.  There will be food, music and booths and the duck races start at noon.  Rubber ducks are available to purchase and race down the mighty Andres Brook.  

Trustee Hoyt thanked everyone for coming out to our annual Easter Egg Hunt this past Saturday.  It was a great time; a lot of children came out.  He thanked the Recreation Department and the Recreation Council.

Trustee Butler stated that the Village is having a Village-Wide Clean Up on April 30th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  The Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council and the Sleepy Hollow Environmental Advisory Council are co-sponsoring the annual Village Clean-up, organized by Sean Roach.  It ends in time to attend the Rubber Ducky Derby.  We encourage all residents to join in to keep our villages clean and green.  Meet in Patriots Park at 8:30 a.m.  The Village will supply gloves and bags; but if you have gloves, bring them with you.  Coffee Labs is donating vouchers for a cup of coffee for all who attend.

Changes and/or Additions to the Agenda – Deputy Mayor Basher stated that Item No. 8 will be removed from tonight’s agenda regarding the removal and replacement of concrete apron at Riverside Hose Company.  

VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Telephones – On Thursday afternoon, the process of installing new phones at Village Hall, the Police Department, Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department commenced.  According to the company from whom the Village is leasing the phone system and who has been our phone provider for years, the installation was to be a simple process of unplugging the existing system and plugging in the new system.  However, that is not what has occurred.  Especially at the sites that are not at Depot Plaza.  We anticipate that it should take another few days before the system is completely functional.  People have called and have only reached a busy signal.  We apologize for any inconvenience and ask for your continued patience.  If you get a busy signal, you can call any office at Village Hall and leave a message and we will get the message to the person you are trying to contact.
Solar Panels – Staff met today with the contractor who is installing the solar panel system on the Village Hall.  They anticipate installation of the system in late May or early June.  In addition, I am working with the solar panel consultant, the contractor and NYSERDA to obtain approval to install a small solar panel system on the Senior Center.  The bid came in lower than the grant and the funds required by the Village as a match.  We are attempting to use the remaining funds on the Senior Center.  The grant does not allow a larger system on the Village Hall and we attempted to locate another viable Village building to utilize the remaining grant funds.

CONTINUATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR AND DISCUSS THE VILLAGE’S TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012

Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee McGee, and unanimously carried, that the hearing be opened.

Lori Semeraro, 205 Martling Avenue, questioned budget items on library overtime; union contracts; legislative board and administrator subscriptions, publications, seminars and website; village clerk code updates; central building office repairs and supplies; general overtime; equipment and postage machines; police civilian/clerical personnel; registrar for vital statistics; recreation playgrounds/concerts; and celebrations/fireworks.  Ms. Semeraro asked what budget items were adjusted in the tentative budget that reduced the tax increase from 6.17% to 4.7%.   Administrator Blau stated that he will send that information to her.

George Gasparini, Paulding Avenue, stated the following:
  • Will the solar panels generate electricity?   Administrator Blau stated that it will reduce the electrical load at Village Hall.
  • Is the current electrical outlets/lighting at Village Hall energy efficient?  Administrator Blau stated that they are energy efficient.  After an energy audit of all the Village buildings, we are making minor changes to Village Hall, such as installing motion detectors.  For example, when you enter the bathroom, the lights go on and when you leave, the lights go off.
  • He believes that the Fire Department should have what they need for safety, but pointed out in the 2008 budget, in one day; over $30,000 was spent at AAA and within two months, there were purchases at Sam’s Club for approximately $10,000.  He asked the Board if they knew what these purchases were for.  Administrator Blau stated that every invoice is reviewed by the Treasurer.   
  • He believes in order to get a better handle on expenses; the budget should include specific budget lines to know exactly what the expenses are for.
  • He believes the income from the water department should sustain the water department for repairs and maintenance.  In the last three budgets, money was transferred from the water fund to the general fund where it gets lost.   That’s less money in the water fund to preserve our precious water.
Trustee Zollo moved, seconded by Trustee McGovern, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:   Approved: 6-0

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown does hereby close the public hearing on the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.  SPEAKERS HAVE FIVE (5) MINUTES BEFORE YIELDING TO THE NEXT SPEAKER; THEN THREE (3) MINUTES FOR ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jim Ciliberti, 471 Martling Avenue, stated that in July of 2007, he purchased a memorial tree from the Village which was planted at Pierson Park in honor of his brother who was a Korean War Veteran.  A few months later, a landscaper
working for the developer told him that the tree had to be moved because they were raising the road level.  The landscaper assured him that the tree would only be moved this one time and he agreed for the tree to be relocated in the
circle at the end of West Main Street.   He then read in a local newspaper that some trees in Pierson Park were being removed due to the Hudson Harbor development.  In November of 2010, he met with Mr. Blau regarding his brother’s
memorial tree and he was told that the tree had to be cut down.  Trustee Butler stated that Board has not made a decision to remove that tree.   In December of 2010, he received a letter from Mr. Blau stating that the tree was not going
to be touched until a decision was made.  He would like to hear from this Board that his brother’s memorial tree is going to live and stay where it is.

Steve Wilgermein, 330 S. Broadway, stated the following:
  • The DPW Foreman was suspended with pay on February 4, 2011; 73 days ago.  According to Section 75, a hearing has to be conducted within 90 days.  Administrator Blau stated that the matter has been extended by the hearing officer.
  • He asked if East West Fire Apparatus Consultants will receive a fine or a penalty with respect to the Riverside Hose truck not able to get into their garage.  Administrator Blau stated that he has asked for reports from Riverside Hose Company, East West Fire Apparatus Consultants and Crimson, the truck manufacturer, to assess the information to determine possible fault, if at all.
  • He believes if the Board is looking into a Fire Commissioner, we are looking at an expense between $150,000 and $200,000.   With this economy, could we afford to go into this direction?  Deputy Mayor Basher stated that the position was discussed with the Fire Wardens.  The Board has not had a discussion beyond that it was an idea as a possible part-time position with no benefits.  No decision will be made by the Board without input from the Board of Fire Wardens.
  • He asked about the process of approving vouchers.
Lori Semeraro, 205 Martling Avenue, stated the following:
  • She read comments from the October Board of Trustees Work Session regarding trees at Pierson Park.  Deputy Mayor Basher stated that Mr. Ciliberti’s memorial tree is not being removed.  Ms. Semeraro asked about the other memorial trees.  Administrator Blau stated that all the other owners of the memorial trees were notified after the fact that they were being removed due to the Hudson Harbor development and that they will be able to pick new memorial trees and a new location for their memorial trees.
  • She didn’t see under revenue in the budget the 2% the Village gets from the insurance company for the fire department.  Administrator Blau stated that it goes directly to the Fire Department.
  • If it is found that the Riverside Hose Fire Company’s truck was built to spec and the problem was the spec, will the East West Fire Apparatus Consultant be paying for the modifications needed to fix the problem.  Administrator Blau stated once the information is obtained from all parties and reviewed by the Board, we will then turn it over to our attorney to see what our legal options are available to us.
Patrick Derivan, Franklin Courts, stated that the Riverside Hose Fire Company did not purposely build a truck that did not fit in our firehouse.  The height of the garage door is 119 inches and the height of the truck right now is 116
inches.  Due to the incline of the driveway, it doesn’t fit. The height of the trucks from the three lowest bidders all came in under the119 inches footprint of the door; the problem is the incline.  He is working with Trustee Zollo,
Administrator Blau and Village Engineer McGarvey on rectifying the problem as fast as we can.

Jim Ciliberti, 471 Martling Avenue, stated the following:
  • Asked if the Board was familiar with the Village Code on Trees, Chapter 281.  It mentions that you need a tree permit to cut a tree and asked if Hudson Harbor applied for any permits to cut the trees.  Administrator Blau stated that tree removal on the Hudson Harbor property is under the control of the Planning Board.
  • He thanked the Board for their time and for the decision they made tonight.
ARBOR DAY RESOLUTION

Trustee Butler moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:  Approved: 6-0

WHEREAS, in 1872 J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees; and

WHEREAS, this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, Arbor Day is observed throughout the nation and the world; and

WHEREAS, trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife; and

WHEREAS, trees are renewable resources giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires and countless other wood products; and

WHEREAS, trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community; and

WHEREAS, trees are a source of joy and spiritual renewal; and

WHEREAS, the Village of Tarrytown has been recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation for 29 years and the Village desires to continue its tree-planting ways.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown does hereby proclaim April 29, 2011~ as “ARBOR DAY” in the Village of Tarrytown, and urges all citizens to support efforts to care for  
trees and woodlands in the Village and to support the Village’s forestry program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees urges all citizens in the Village to plant trees to improve the community and to promote the well-being of present and future generations.

ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EMS) CUSTOMER AGREEMENT

Trustee Hoyt moved, seconded by Trustee Butler, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:  Approved: 6-0

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown does hereby authorize and direct the Village Administrator to execute a service agreement through Enterprise Management System, between Digital Payment
Technologies Corp (DPT) and the Village of Tarrytown for the purchase and operation of two Parking Meter Pay Stations at the McKeel Avenue Parking Lot and the new parking lot under development on South Washington Street.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE 2010 TARRYTOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICE AWARD (PENSION) PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING QUALIFYING POINTS RECEIVED

Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, that the following be approved.  Motion carried, all voting “aye” with the exception of Trustees Hoyt and McGee who abstained.  Approved:  4-0-2

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown does hereby acknowledge receipt of the Tarrytown Volunteer Fire Department 2010 annual report of points achieved by respective members of the Fire Department for qualification for Village contribution to the Fire Department members service award program, which report shall be posted for public inspection and comment for 30 days prior to Board of Trustees’ consideration of approving submission of the report to the pension fund underwriter, subject to final sign-off by the Mayor.

SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING – PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS

Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee Hoyt, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:  Approved: 6-0

        BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Tarrytown does hereby schedule a Public Hearing for the regular meeting of May 2, 2011, to hear and discuss a proposed amendment to the Code of the Village of Tarrytown, Chapter 221, entitled, “Parks and Recreation Areas” in order to create a restriction regarding the hours the Village watershed properties shall be closed to the public.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON APRIL 4, 2011

Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee McGee, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:  Approved: 6-0

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 April 4, 2011 as submitted by the Village Clerk.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HELD ON APRIL 8, 2011

Trustee Zollo moved, seconded by Trustee McGee, that the following be approved.  Motion carried, all voting “aye” with the exception of Trustees Butler and McGovern who abstained.  Approved:  4-0-2

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 April 8, 2011 as submitted by the Village Administrator.

APPROVAL OF AUDITED VOUCHERS NO. 003369 THROUGH NO. 003554

Trustee Zollo moved, seconded by Trustee McGovern, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:  Approved: 6-0

BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Trustees hereby approves the Audited Vouchers No. 003369 through No. 003554 is hereby ordered paid in the following amounts:

General                 $       384,382.64
Water                              68,876.82
Capital                            11,309.85
Library                              4,507.91
Trust & Agency                                1,241.60
Total                        $      470,318.82

The Board was polled all voting “aye” with the exception of Trustee McGee who abstained from Voucher Numbers 00370, 003371, 003372, 003485, 003416, 003502, 003503, and 003504; Trustee Hoyt who abstained from Voucher Numbers 003475 and 003385; and Deputy Mayor Basher who abstained from Voucher Number 003400.   Motion carried.  6-0

ADJOURNMENT

Trustee Hoyt moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:30 p.m.


Carol A. Booth
Village Clerk