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Village Board of Trustees Minutes 4/16/2012
                                        Board of Trustees
                                                        Village of Tarrytown
                                                        Regular Meeting No. 4
                                                        April 16, 2012
                                                        8:00 p.m.

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

The meeting began with the Pledge to the Flag.

REPORTS

Mayor Fixell reported on the following:
  • Saturday, April 28th, the Village will celebrate Arbor Day.  The celebration will be held at the Lyndhurst Estate.  The Village of Tarrytown will also celebrate its 30th year of being a “Tree City USA” Village.  Lyndhurst welcomes the public at no cost for a tour and a celebration.
  • Saturday, April 21st is the Village-Wide Cleanup Day.  Meet at Patriots Park from 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Tarrytown Third Friday is starting up again on this Friday with its theme, Earth Day.
Trustee McGee reported on the following:
  • This weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the Warner Library will hold their Spring Book Sale from the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.  This fundraiser helps support a lot of the programming that is done at the Library.
  • The Warner Library is conducting a Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 24th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  If you are interested in donating, please call 631-7734 to make an appointment.
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

H Bridge – I had previously reported on the replacement of the curbing on ramps of the H-Bridge.  That work was completed a month and a half ago and the contractor is now completing the curb work on the portion of the bridge that crosses the tracks.  The work should be completed by the end of the week.  

Use of Vac-All truck – a question was posed at the last meeting regarding the use of the Vac-All truck and where the material that is placed in the holding tank is disposed of.  I am working on completing a report in answer to the questions.  Once I have completed the report, I can then comment on the questions posed.

CONTINUATION OF A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR AND DISCUSS THE VILLAGE’S TENTATIVE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012-2013

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

Administrator Blau presented a power point Budget Presentation for the Tentative Budget FY 2012-2013 and read the following letter:

“In my capacity as Budget Officer for the Village, it is my responsibility to work with the department heads and especially the Village Treasurer in the development of the tentative budget.  The department heads provide a budget proposal for their respective departments which is utilized in the development of the tentative budget document.  At numerous staff meetings prior to the submission of their budgets, the department heads were informed that the Village was working with a 2% tax levy cap for the first year, that this would be a difficult budget year and that the Village Treasurer and I would be looking to the department heads for any areas where cuts could be made in their budgets.  No budget submitted by the department heads included any staffing modifications and thus it was up to me, as Budget Officer, to include staffing modifications if I felt the modifications were necessary.  Based upon past experience, I am aware that asking department heads for staffing modifications, especially layoffs, is not an effective use of time.  I have never received a listing of possible staffing modifications, department heads attempt to fully utilize their staff members and often do not believe that their operation can work effectively absent all of their staff and it is a difficult decision making process.  In the case at hand, I included the staffing modifications in the tentative budget document and then informed the respective department heads of the decision and informed them that I would be contacting the impacted staff members.  Thus, if a staff member did not hear anything about a staffing modification from their department heads, it was because the department head was abiding by my direction.

Staffing modifications, such as those in the tentative budget, are not decided upon in a vacuum and the choice is not made lightly.  In the tentative budget, I evaluated the staff in each department and the impact of the staffing modifications and based thereon, I included some staffing changes in the tentative budget for consideration by the Board of Trustees.  When I evaluated the staffing modifications, which included a review of 12 positions, I analyzed the positions and not the people in those positions for my review.  The decision making process associated with the staffing modifications in the tentative budget did not include an evaluation of whether that particular person in the position is doing a good job or bad job, a review of their absences or anything specific to a staff member.  I cannot say to the Board of Trustees, the department heads or the general public that there will be no impact upon service delivery in the Village should the staffing modifications in the budget be adopted, because Tarrytown is not heavily staffed where there are many employees available to address the void created by the layoff of a staff member or a change from full time to part time.  

I would also like to take this opportunity to address a question that was posed to me regarding the hiring of a Superintendent of Public Works when the tentative budget included possible staffing modifications, including a layoff.  The current budget includes funding for the position of Assistant General Foreman, a position that was not in previous budgets for a number of years.  The Village interviewed to fill that position in November 2011.  Based upon a number of meetings with the Board of Trustees after the November interviews, it was ultimately determined that the Village would also interview candidates for the position of Superintendent of Public Works, based upon a question as to whether filling the Assistant General Foreman position would really help to address issues arising in the Department of Public Works.  Those interviews occurred in February and an appointment was made to the Superintendent’s position on April 4.  It was a difficult decision, knowing that there were staffing modifications in the tentative budget, but the Board of Trustees is tasked with the responsibility of making difficult decisions in order to make the operation of the Village of Tarrytown more efficient and effective.  My job is to assist the Board with this task, and ultimately it was decided by the Board of Trustees that it was in the best interest of the Village, the Village residents and the staff in the Department of Public Works that a Superintendent be hired.  The funding included in the current budget for the Assistant General Foremen covered that portion of the Superintendents position paid out of the General Fund, with the remainder to be paid from the Water Fund which has no impact upon the tax rate.  I cannot tell you that there is no budgetary impact on the General Fund with the hiring of the Superintendent.  There are additional costs for the health insurance, which are also divided between the General Fund and Water Fund.  The impact of the employment of the Superintendent in the tentative budget is $14,770.”

Budget Hearing Comments

John Stiloski, 54 Walnut Street stated the following:
  • The Village has $100,000 for the Tarrytown Lakes Trail, but when it comes to life and safety, we don’t have money for a police dispatcher.  Mayor Fixell stated that we are restricted under the State law imposed on Westchester County to have a police officer in Police Headquarters at all times with a dispatcher.  The police officer on duty with the assistance of the Lieutenants’ and the Chief of Police will be dispatching.  The cost for the Tarrytown Lakes is a one-time charge to match a grant to improve the trails at the lakes.
Pat Russell, CSEA Labor Relations Specialist, CSEA is very concerned by the proposal to eliminate the police dispatcher position and reduce the senior recreation leader position to part-time.  She urged the Board to take another look at the budget and find a way to restore these positions.  Mayor Fixell stated that the Board is still in discussions with the tentative budget process and that it is a very difficult and painful part of the budget process.  Aside from facing a 2% tax levy cap, we are dealing with loss of assessibles and pension costs, which we have no control.  The difficult part is that the Village faces these issues during our budget process year after year.  The item noted in regards to the trails grant is a one-time cost.  His earlier point was that they are two very different cost factors to a budget and are not interchangeable.

Eleanor Miscioscia, Storm Street, asked if the Board did not recently appoint a part-time parking enforcement officer, could the dispatcher position be saved.  Administrator Blau stated that the parking enforcement officer position actually generates revenue for the Village.

Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo, and unanimously carried, that the following resolution be approved:   Approved: 7-0

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 2012-2013.

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

Murat Turk, TVAC member (inactive), asked if TVAC is an independent organization, why does the sexual harassment policy cover letter state to sign and return to Village Administrator Blau.  Attorney Shumejda stated that the sexual harassment policy has that provision in there that TVAC is subject to the Village’s policy and that the only connection TVAC has with the Village is through the service awards program which the voters approved some years ago.  Mr. Turk asked if TVAC fails to follow the sexual harassment policy, who is responsible?  Attorney Shumejda stated that it is an issue to be resolved by the TVAC’s Board of Directors since they are separately incorporated.

Darrell Lindsay, Laborer for the Village of Tarrytown, stated the following:
  • DPW workers cannot trust the Board of Trustees and feel that DPW workers have been put down, degraded, lied to and deceived.
  • What are the qualifications for the position of Superintendent of Public Works?  Administrator Blau stated that there is a job description that the Village established when they hired Benny Salanitro, the first Superintendent of Public Works, which was approved by the County.  The Village can either hire off a civil service list or hire by transfer, which would be to hire a person who serves as a Superintendent of Public Works in another community. In either case, the hire must adhere to the job description of Superintendent of Public Works.
  • The Village has now taken away all the promotional opportunities within DPW.  Mayor Fixell stated that this is one of the impacts of hiring a Superintendent of Public Works.
Peter Lombardi, 33 Main Street, asked why the Sanitation Department has a foreman, but the Highway doesn’t.  Administrator Blau stated that with the hiring of the new Superintendent of Public Works, he will and the Village will be looking at everything at Public Works, including that issue.

Sean Roach, Sleepy Hollow resident and member of TVAC, stated that he is very proud of TVAC volunteers for all the work they do for the community and thanked Trustee Hoyt who is an active member of TVAC.  He doesn’t believe their service to the community has been recognized recently.  They do a great job and they should be
proud of the volunteer work performed along with the volunteer fire department and the police department, who are always the first responders at all emergencies.  They all do a great job.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
John Stiloski, 54 Walnut Street, asked the following:
  • Status on his questions at the last meeting regarding the organic yard waste station.  Administrator Blau stated that he noted at the beginning of the meeting that he is conducting an investigation and when it is complete, he will provide that information to him.
  • He has a concern with the former Fire Chief who purchased over $330,000 from a place which is not on state bid, purchased items that are grossly over-charged and were not put out to bid.  Mayor Fixell stated that this issue is currently being investigated.
  • Asked Administrator Blau where the old air packs were.  Administrator Blau stated that they are at AAA.
  • Stated that the Treasurer does not have control of the fire department spending and does not follow the procurement policy.
Peter Lombardi, 33 Main Street, asked if it was correct that the new Superintendent has the Village vehicle that was previously used by the Administrator’s and whether he will drive back and forth to work from Beacon and whether Administrator Blau purchased his own vehicle.  Administrator Blau stated that was correct.

Murat Turk, TVAC member (inactive), asked if a member of TVAC sexually harassed a patient while transporting, would the Village be responsible or would it be TVAC’s responsibility.   Attorney Shumejda stated that it would be TVAC’s responsibility to review, investigate and enforce the policy.

Darrell Lindsay, Laborer for the Village of Tarrytown, asked the following:
  • How is the Village saving money and going green if the Superintendent will be refilling his gas tank at the Village garage for his commute from Beacon to Tarrytown.   Trustee Butler asked if there was a gas log when a Village vehicle gets gas.  Administrator Blau stated in order to get gas at the Village garage, you need a key which is directly associated with a specific Village vehicle and it generates a computer report which will state the amount of gas used for each vehicle.
  • The DPW workers don’t like it when the public states incorrect information about their safety and their work.   He would prefer the public go to the DPW workers to obtain correct answers.  Trustee Butler stated that the Village, as a whole, believes that the DPW workers are doing a good job.  He stated that he believes that the Board feels that the DPW workers are doing a great job; however they feel that there can be better leadership.  Trustee Basher stated that some of the negative comments stated about the workers at DPW are to embarrass the Village Board.  Trustee Basher stated that he has full faith in the Highway Department and that they are following the policies and procedures established.  Mr. Lindsay thanked them for their praise.
William McGuire, CSEA President, MEO with the Highway Department, stated the following:
  • He appreciates the kind words from the Board, but he doesn’t understand if we are doing a great job, why the Board didn’t hire from within the department to give workers with 20 plus years a promotion.  
  • The workers at DPW were over looked when the Board hired the new staff person for the water department position.  He feels the workers could have been trained for that position.  
  • He agrees with the Superintendent position; but instead of looking to hire an Assistant General Foreman, he feels a Highway Foreman would have been the better way to go.
Eleanor Miscioscia, Storm Street, stated that the new Superintendent has to come from Beacon in the middle of the night when there is an emergency.  She felt if the Board
hired within, it would have boosted the DPW workers’ morale.  Trustee Basher asked Administrator Blau if anyone at DPW had the credentials to apply for the Superintendent of Public Works.  Administrator Blau stated no.  Trustee Basher stated that he is in favor of the Superintendent position so that the Superintendent can completely focus his attention on the needs of the entire Department of Public Works department.

John Chebetar, Sleepy Hollow resident, asked if the new Superintendent of Public Works has all the required safety training.  Administrator Blau stated that he has taken all the training courses that were offered in City of Peekskill and where he isn’t up to speed on courses that we have offered, he will be taking those courses as soon as he gets here.  Mr. Chebetar asked if the General Foreman’s salary will be reduced.  Mayor Fixell stated that the General Foreman’s salary will remain the same.

Lori Semeraro, 205 Martling Avenue, asked the following questions:
  • Why did we appoint a Village Assessor when the Assessor duty is included in the job description of the Village Clerk?
  • The Board approved a voucher for AAA in the amount of $340,000.  She asked what that was for.  Administrator Blau stated that it was for purchases related to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant.  She asked if the purchases went out to bid.  Administrator Blau stated that he will be investigating all of the purchases and will assess compliance with the Village’s Procurement Policy.
  • If there has been a new liaison appointed to the Ambulance Corp.   Mayor Fixell stated that no decision has been made.
  • Where is the money coming from to afford the new Superintendent of Public Works position?  Mayor Fixell stated that there is money in the budget from the funded position in the current budget for Assistant General Foreman; another portion comes out of the Water Department, and a salary reduction of the Village Engineer’s position.   There is a $14,000 increase for the position’s total cost to the Village.
ADJOURNMENT

Trustee McGovern moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo and unanimously carried that the Regular Meeting be adjourned prematurely due to Trustee Basher not feeling well at 9:50 p.m. and the Board will finish the Village business at a later date.



   

Carol A. Booth
Village Clerk