A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, NY was held on Monday, October 20, 2003 at the Municipal Building, Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520.
The following officials were present:
Mayor Elliott Trustee Grant
Trustee Schmidt Trustee Wiegman
Village Attorney Waldman Treasurer Reardon
Manager Herbek
Late: Trustee McCarthy – (8:30pm)
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Elliott called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM. Everyone joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS:
On a motion by Trustee Schmidt, seconded by Trustee Grant, the vouchers were approved unanimously as follows, subject to review by the Audit Committee
General Fund $ 31,929.43
Water Fund 618.65
Capital Fund 25,540.35
Trust & Agency 688.00
Total $ 58,776.43
3. CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Stu Greenbaum, Mount Airy Road, re: Sunday Morning Football-use of fields. Mr. Greenbaum asks, on behalf of a group of local residents and school district residents who play touch football in a regular Sunday morning game, that one field be made available to them on a rotating basis.
Discussion: Manager Herbek read a response to Mr. Greenbaum’s letter from the Parks and Recreation Dept. Superintendent, Susan Menz saying that there are some other fields that might be made available – Vassallo Park, Duck Pond field and some others; the Dept. will try to meet the needs of the group with an appropriate field in the village.
b. Kevin McManus, Advisory Board on the Visual Environment, re: RFP for new Village Logo. The VEB is providing the Board with a copy of the RFP it developed to design a new Village Logo.
Discussion: Manager Herbek explained that the Village Board had asked the VEB to take a look at the old logo, make a recommendation on whether to keep it and, if not, proceed with developing a new logo. The VEB has developed a RFP (request for proposal) to get assistance in doing this. The Village staff are reviewing it and trying to get a list of company’s that might be approached with this RFP. Trustee Schmidt said he wants to make sure that the Village owns the logo after it is developed and not the company. Trustee Grant would like to let local residents know that the RFP is being put out and if interested, take a look at it and possibly provide some ideas. Trustee Wiegman agreed with both suggestions.
c. Nancy Kennedy, Coldwell Banker/Perry Kennedy, re: request for zoning change on Brook Street. On behalf of her client, Joan Dorien of 23 Brook St., Ms. Kennedy is requesting a zoning change from C-2 to RB.
Discussion: Manager Herbek stated that this would be an up-zoning. The matter was referred to the Planning Board for a recommendation. Trustee Grant stated that Nance Shatzkin, President of the Croton Housing Network, concurred with this proposed rezoning.
d. Carol-Ann & Alfred Pucci, Hastings Ave., re: Brown Water in Harmon. The Puccis are asking that there be coordination between the Village and Con Ed so that water mains and gas lines are replaced at the same time.
Discussion: Manager Herbek stated that the Village will do its best on this suggestion but Con Ed doesn’t always know when certain work needs to take place.
4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Erica Kolbrenner, Arlington Ave. Ms. Kolbrenner read a letter about the repercussions of the sidewalk renewal plan. She is against the Village method for accomplishing this. The contractors have no regard for the healthy trees in the pathway of the sidewalk. A tree fell down on 10/15 in the Cleveland Ave. area, it fell over a house; she took a picture of it – it is the same tree she had photographed in early May. The entire root system of the tree was undermined. Healthy roots were shown in the picture and were cut off in building the sidewalks; there must be a better way to repair sidewalks without jeopardizing healthy trees. Croton is a place that values its trees, but this program is disregarding the saving of trees. She has a grievance with the rate
at which trees are being cut down. Many trees have white ‘X’s on them signifying they will be cut down, many seemingly healthy trees. She would like to have someone with more expertise look at these trees. Mayor Elliott said we could get an arborist to look at the trees to be cut; also involve the CAC. Manager Herbek said that the contractor felt that some sidewalks could be built around the tree. He cited a particular instance in which the property owner wanted some trees down as part of the sidewalk improvement but neighbors intervened and the trees were saved. Mr. Herbek said Dan O’Connor looked at the particular tree in question on Cleveland Drive which fell down. A lot of these trees are of maximum age; we plant more trees every year than we take down. Mayor Elliott stated that most of these trees were planted after the elms were dying from Dutch Elm disease; we don’t like to take down trees anywhere in the village. Manager Herbek will
take a look at the situation and refer it to the CAC. Trustee Schmidt said we should further discuss this with the contractor because often roots do need to be planed down in putting in sidewalks, maybe we could put some new trees on the private property side of the sidewalk. Mayor Elliott pointed out that we plant mixed varieties as well to avoid diseases that affect a particular species.
Stuart Geenbaum, Mt. Airy Rd. Mr. Greenbaum spoke about the one-touch football game about which he wrote the letter discussed earlier. He thanked Village Board for consideration of the problem and appreciates the accommodation. Many friendships have come from this game over the years. He pointed out that they need a certain size and the Duck Pond field would not be sufficiently large. They do not play flag football.
5. RESOLUTIONS:
a. Authorizing Village Manager to sign the letter of agreement with Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, P.C. for services provided by the Village Attorney.
On motion of TRUSTEE GRANT, seconded by TRUSTEE WIEGMAN, the
following resolution was adopted unanimously (4-0) by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York:
WHEREAS, the Village has appointed Seymour Waldman of the firm Vladeck, Waldman, Elias & Engelhard, P.C. as the Village Attorney; and
WHEREAS, the firm has provided the Village with an updated fee schedule to accurately reflect the current charges for partners, associates, law clerks, senior paralegals, and paralegals; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board of Trustees hereby accepts the current fee schedule as outlined in the October 10, 2003 letter to the Village Treasurer from Seymour Waldman,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the letter agreeing to the current fee schedule.
Discussion: Trustee Grant said the Village gave many many thanks to Mr. Waldman for years and years of work for the Village.
b. Authorizing Village Manager to sign letter of agreement for Arnold & Porter for services provided by the firm.
On motion of TRUSTEE SCHMIDT, seconded by TRUSTEE WIEGMAN, the
following resolution was adopted unanimously (4-0) by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York:
WHEREAS, the Village has appointed the firm Arnold & Porter as the Village Council for the Metro Enviro litigation; and
WHEREAS, the firm has provided the Village with an updated fee schedule to accurately reflect the current charges for partners, associates, law clerks, senior paralegals, and paralegals; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board of Trustees hereby accepts the current fee schedule as outlined in the October 20, 2003 letter to the Village Treasurer from Michael B. Gerrard,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Village Manager is hereby authorized to sign the letter agreeing to the current fee schedule.
Discussion: Trustee Grant asked how much had been paid to them to date. Manager Herbek said it was about $330,000. Trustee Grant asked if that included printing costs. Mr. Herbek said he was not sure but will inform the Trustees.
c. Resolution to authorize replacement of repeaters for the Fire Department pagers.
On motion of TRUSTEE WIEGMAN, seconded by TRUSTEE GRANT, the
following resolution was adopted unanimously (4-0) by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York:
WHEREAS, the Village Fire Chief has identified an emergency situation with respect to the fire department’s communications equipment; and
WHEREAS, the Fire Chief reports that a significant number of fire calls go un-announced on the Village’s pager system due to faulty repeater equipment; and
WHEREAS, funds for the new radio equipment exist in the 2003-2004 Capital Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Village Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Village Fire Chief to purchase the necessary radio equipment from METROCOM Wireless, Inc. on an EMERGENCY basis.
Discussion: Manager Herbek asked for approval on emergency basis. Trustee Schmidt asked if the new equipment would work with their current pagers; to make sure of that. Trustee Grant stated it is an emergency situation; they are missing calls.
(Trustee McCarthy arrived)
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
On a motion by Trustee Wiegman, seconded by Trustee Grant, the minutes of the Meeting of September 15, 2003 were approved as amended by a 4-0-1 vote with Mayor Elliott abstaining.
On a motion by Trustee Wiegman, seconded by Trustee Schmidt, the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees on September 17, 2003, were approved as amended by a unanimous vote.
On a motion by Trustee Grant, seconded by Trustee Schmidt, the minutes of the Meeting of October 7, 2003 were unanimously approved as amended.
7. REPORTS:
Manager Herbek: The next work session is scheduled for October 27th at 7:30 PM. The Goblin Walk is on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2 pm starting the Municipal Building.
Treasurer Reardon: Radio meter readers will be installed on Lounsbury tomorrow
Trustee Wiegman: Westchester County rent guidelines board have a meeting coming up. We should alert the Bari Manor representatives. Trustee Grant suggested also Ms. Garrett, the Croton Housing Network and Tom Burniston. The Water Control Commission has an opening. Stu Greenbaum is stepping down after years of excellent service to the WCC. The vacancy will be advertised. The NY Public Interest Research Group has a fuel buyers group for purchasing gas or oil. Information is at nypirg.org/fbg for saving on home heating. Treasure Reardon stated that he had forgotten to announce that Croton has been awarded an electric car for free by NYPIR. The NYS Power Authority wants to park two cars at the station for use by their employees when they come to the station so
in return they are awarding us an electric car.
Trustee McCarthy: Congratulations to Mr. Reardon on getting a free car.
Trustee Schmidt: He discussed the fees from Skatepark with Recreation Dept. They did ok on revenues but have no idea yet on expenses. The Chamber of Commerce is integrating with the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber which will provide our community with greater opportunities. He has also observed a change in the number of cars parking in the Van Wyck I parking lot so our steps have already improved the situation.
Trustee Grant: Comprehensive Plan Committee is continuing on and beginning the discussion of the zoning changes that will need to be made in conjunction with the approved Plan
Mayor Elliott: After discussion with the other Trustees, he stated that the fence on Hunter Place will remain as it is for now.
On a motion by Trustee Schmidt, seconded by Trustee Wiegman, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Ann H. Gallelli, Secretary
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Village Clerk
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