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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973_04_04 Town Board Regular Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, HELD APRIL 4th, 1973, IN THE COUNCIL, ROOM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET, TOWN OF MAMARONECK. CALL TO ORDER The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Supervisor Helwig Councilman Faiola Councilman Bloom Councilman White Absent: Councilman Vandernoot Also Present: Mr. Gronberg - Town Clerk Mrs. Brewer - Deputy Clerk Mr. Johnston - Town Attorney Mr. Elfreich - Town Engineer APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of March 21st, 1973 were presented and on motion duly made and seconded, approved as submitted. NEW BUSINESS 1. Salary Authorizations for: a) Recreation Pursuant to memorandum of the Superintendent of Recreation under date of March 28th, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Council- man White, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that as recommended by the Recreation Commission, this Board hereby authorizes that Mark Citrone, Frank Perri and John Perri, be and they hereby are engaged as Recreation Attendants, effective April 1st, 1973, and each to be compen- sated at the rate of $2.00 per hour. b) Tax Office Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Board by the Comptroller under date of April 3rd, 1973, on motion by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that Erik Vieux be and he hereby is engaged as Intermediate Clerk to work part- time as needed in the office of the Receiver - 1 - of Taxes, effective April 2nd, 1973 and to be compensated at the rate of $3.25 per hour. 2. Authorization for Payment of Emergency Overtime Compensation for: a) Police Pursuant to memorandum of the Police Commission under date of March 19th, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Faiola, seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that as approved by the Board of Police Commissioners, this Board hereby author- izes payment of Emergency Overtime Compensation to the following officers of the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department for the number of hours set forth for each covering the period from February 21st to March 19th, 1973: Name Hours Min. Sgt. Greenstein 3 Det. Sgt. Perritano 12 30 Pt1. Carden 3 Fuller 8 " Gerardi 8 " Mosiello 8 " Munch 1 30 " Passafume 2 30 " Thompson 2 Total 48 30 b) Fire Pursuant to memorandum of the Fire Chief under date of March 23rd, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman White, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that as approved by the Fire Chief, this Board hereby authorizes payment of Emergency Overtime Compensation to the following Firemen of the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department for the number of hours set forth for each covering the period from February 24th to March 23rd, 1973: Name Hours Lieut. L. Testa 2 " S. Garofalo 24k Fireman N. Soriano 2 " C. Mirande 14 H. Newman 2 " R. Baron 4 Total 48z 2 _ ,-j 3. Authorization for Transfer of Funds for: a) $5,000. Sewer District No. 1 Settlement Lenox Construction Claim Pursuant to the memorandum addressed to the Board by the Comptroller under date of April 3rd, 1973, and in accordance with the resolution authorizing the Town Attorney to settle this claim as adopted at the last meeting of the Board, a motion to authorize the requested transfer was offered by Councilman Faiola and seconded by Councilman White. At this time Councilman Bloom stated he felt the record should show, for the information of the many persons present this evening, that the Town had withheld $3,500. from the Lenox Construction Corporation so. that the actual settlement of this claim in the sum of $1,500. was indeed a good one. And thereupon, in reply to the Chair's question as to the Board's pleasure, the following resolution was adopted by unani- mous vote: RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the following transfer of funds within the 1973 budget for settlement of the Lenox Construction Corporation litigation in connection with the contract for construction of the Griffen Avenue Sewer: From Sewer District #1 Surplus $5,000.00 To A/C 5120.4 Contractual Expenses $5,000.00 (a/c 403 Sewer Construction Costs) b) $2,470. Fire District No. 1 Platform for Emergency Generator Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Board by the Comptroller under date of April 3rd, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman Faiola, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the following transfer of funds within the 1973 budget and surplus funds: From Fire District #1 Surplus $2,470.00 To A/C 3410.2 Equipment $2,470.00 (a/c 207 Emergency Generator) 4. Report of Highway Superintendent Road Materials 1973-74 For informational purposes the report of the Superintendent of Highways on the opening of bids for materials to be used on - 3 - Town roads for the period of April 1st, 1973 through March 31st, 1974 and award of contract was herewith presented and ordered received and filed. 5. Authorization for Installation of Traffic Light on Weaver Street, Opposite Fire House The Supervisor stated that she would like to recommend to the Board that the Town be authorized to file the necessary appli- cation forms for a Permit from the State Department of Transporta- tion for the installation of a flashing yellow beacon on the stone wall lining the curve on the right hand side of northbound traffic on Weaver Street so as to slow down traffic along the curve before it reaches Sts. John and Paul School pedestrians crossing from the school or Heather Lane to Maple Hill Drive -- noting only the single installation had been recommended since site lines for the southbound traffic were satisfactory. She explained that this authorization was only the first of the several steps necessary to get the procedure in motion, where- upon on a motion offered by Councilman White and seconded by Councilman Faiola, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the -Board of Police Commissioners . be and it hereby is authorized to file with the State Department of Transportation, the necessary application forms for a permit to install a flash- ing yellow beacon on the wall on the northbound traffic side of Weaver Street approximately 100 feet north from the intersection of Myrtle Boulevard and Weaver Street. At this time upon recognition, Dr. William DiScipio of 40 Myrtle Boulevard, after explaining that the rear yard of his property bordered Weaver Street on this curve, questioned whether such an installation would be sufficient to provide adequate safety for the road at this curve. He advised the Board that he had written Messrs. R. M. Gardeski and James McGovern of the State Department of Transportation requesting the Department's assist- ance because of his intense concern since in the five months he had resided at this address, he had witnessed severe accidents, reports of which he had obtained from the Police Department and forwarded with his letters. In answer to Mrs. Helwig's question as to whether it would be possible to have copies of this correspondence for the Board's and Traffic Commission's study, he replied that it would although he noted that this correspondence wasa one-way one only at this time since as yet he had not received any replies. He also stressed that more warning devices and adequate light- ing were urgently needed on the entire length of this curve up from its intersection with Myrtle Boulevard to Maple Hill Drive, past Sts. John & Paul School and Heather Lane on the right and Edgewood and Hillside Avenues on the left. Further he noted the extremely hazardous location of the light pole in front of the wall bordering the School on the extremely narrow right-of- way at this point -- raising a question as to any possibility of removal. Dr. DiScipio also explained that his main concern was his re- quest of the installation of a guard rail along the southbound side of the street from Edgewood Avenue to the intersection in order to prevent a car from crashing down into his or his - 4 - neighbor's back yards. The matters of insufficient lighting and location of the pole were referred to the Engineer for his immediate attention since, as the Supervisor explained to Dr. DiScipio, the Town was presently engaged in improvement of its lighting either by changing the type of fixture to increase light or installing additional fixtures where necessary. In connection with this lighting improvement, a Mr. Conlon, resident of Myrtle Boulevard requested that attention be given to that street directly in front of his premises which he described as utterly black, which was also directed to the attention of the Engineer. Mrs. Franc Roggeri of 49 Sheldrake Avenue inquired whether anything further had happened on the traffic light on Forest Avenue, stating that she understood a second survey was to be or had been made. Mrs. Helwig stated that she believed the question as to the sur- vey had been as to when it had been made (at what time) since the traffic count when it had been done had not warranted a light, and further she believed that a final compromise had been reached in the installation of the flashing lights. This led to a further question by Dr. DiScipio with regard to the heavy truck traffic on Myrtle Boulevard, which he said was prohibited by a posted sign east of Weaver Street, but which did not seem to be enforced. He asked whether this kind of traffic could be banned or limited legally west of Weaver Street, and in reply was advised by the Supervisor that she believed it could provided an adequate alternate route was provided with Councilman Faiola adding that he believed the limitation was restricted to weight and suggesting that this question be referred to the Traffic Commission, which was thereupon so directed. Councilman White then asked the Engineer whether he had any in- formation as to Con Ed's timetable on repaving Myrtle Boulevard? Mr. Elfreich replied that Mr. Aitchison has advised him that it was now scheduled within the month. Mrs. Judy Raab, 102 Edgewood Avenue, inquired about her letter concerning the Edgewood Avenue onto North Chatsworth Avenue problem, which Mrs. Helwig said she had answered today. Mrs. Joel Schwartzman, 145 North Chatsworth Avenue, brought to the Board's attention two problems as follows : 1st - that of cars hugging the right hand side of the road on North Chatsworth opposite Lafayette when turning thereon from Edgewood, and where she said she was sure the Board would remember a child had been killed sometime back while riding a bicycle. To alleviate this, she recom- mended that a white line with a cross-hatch fill-in be painted along the right hand side of the road so as to prevent cars from hugging the right hand edge and put them well out to the left when turning right onto North Chatsworth Avenue at this point. Councilman White stated that he drove this route every day and considered this to be an excellent suggestion and one which he would certainly recommend be implemented. - 5 - 2nd - that with regard to the requested Forest Avenue light, whether it might not be wise to request Mr. Mannix's aid instead of just remaining supine in the light of the State's determination? In reply, Mrs. Helwig said she was sure Mrs. Schwartzman would remember that the Town had not been supine about this request, but had persisted and obtained the flashing signals and in addition had requested studies by the Automobile Association as well as the studies made by the State, and further noted that many changes in the interest of safety had also been made by our own Traffic Commission. 6. Authorization for Transfer of 3' Reserve Strip at Rear of Block 210, Parcel 630 to Owner Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Supervisor by the Assessor under date of April 2nd, 1973 recommending transfer of 3' Reserve Strip Parcel 630 as approved by the Town Attorney, herewith presented and ordered received and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Faiola, seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the Supervisor to execute on behalf of the Town of Mamaroneck, a Quit Claim deed for a 3' x 51.29 strip of land across the rear of the premises known as Block 210, Parcel 630 on the Tax Assess- ment Map of the Town of Mamaroneck, to Daniel K. Lukas and Wife, owners of the aforesaid property. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Letter, Frank Claps Request for Recycling Area At the Supervisor's request, the Clerk read into the record the following letter addressed to the Board by Frank Claps on behalf of the local landscape gardeners on April 2nd, 1973: "I would like to know what the Board intends doing about providing a dump or recycling area for the land- scape gardener? The cost as it is today is rather expensive to remove our rubbish to another community. To have the customer pay us for bagging it is more costly. Every community around provides dumping or recycling stations for the landscape gardener. In White Plains it's free dumping, Pelham, free dumping, Yonkers, free dumping, Eastchester, free dumping, New Rochelle and the Village of Mamaroneck there are very expensive fees. But in most all communities the dumping is restricted to rubbish collected within the community. I feel the landscape gardener provides a needed and an important service to the residents of the Town of Mamaroneck. This Board in the past has bent over backwards so to speak upon occasion for other industries and I think that we should receive the same kind of considerations 6 - and I strongly feel that you are not meeting the needs of the residents of our community in this area. The material landscaper handles is not solid waste, it is material that can be recycled. In providing a dump for the landscaper it would mean • great savings to our customers and residents, also • savings to the Town itself. The Town trucks would have much less to handle. I feel the landscape gardener has received unjust treatment and it's time for the Board to act and to meet the needs of the taxpayers and residents of our community. As a taxpayer and businessman of our community I want action taken now -- and I think that this type of action would truly meet the needs of the taxpayer and residents of our community. Thank you for your consideration." The Supervisor stated that she would like to review this matter briefly because a different and difficult situation for the landscapers had resulted from the closing of the dump at Hommocks. She said she agreed this had increased rubbish col- lection for the Town and that both Mr. Aitchison and Mr. Leddy were interested in the possibility of the development of a re- cycling site such as had been requested. She concluded her remarks by saying that she did not think the Board could do anything tonight but certainly hoped that some action could be taken in the near future. Mr. Claps stated that he hoped a solution could be reached in the very immediate future since time was now of the essence and that if not, a sizeable cost increase was involved which would have to be passed on to the customers who were Town residents. In reply to a question, Mr. Claps explained that the Landscape Gardeners Association covered the lower half of the County, hit that he was speaking specifically in his letter about the local gardeners. He mentioned further that the Association was work- ing with Mr. Pound of the County on a proposal the details of which he was not free to disclose at this time, stating however that should something concrete actually evolve from this proposal, it might be that the facility requested this evening would not be needed. In speaking of a local facility, the Supervisor pointed out that one of the problems would of course be supervision and in reply to a query by Councilman Faiola as to licensing gardeners, Mr. Claps stated that he believed this should be done and that if any individual violated the conditions of his license, he should immediately have his license suspended. Councilman Faiola then inquired whether there might be some to y of providing an area in the Premium River marshland area, to which the Supervisor replied that certainly this should be looked into carefully along with possible other sites which might be available for such purpose. 2. Letter, Mamaroneck Schools - Request for Use of Voting Machines Pursuant to the request of the Mamaroneck Schools for the use of voting machines for school elections 'to be May 2d, -as - 7 - set forth in letter of March 30th, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman White, seconded by Councilman Faiola, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby grants the request of the Board of Education for the use of voting machines on Wednesday, May 2nd, 1973. 3. Notice of Meeting - Zoning Board of Appeals, Village of Larchmont A notice of meeting before the Larchmont Village Zoning Board of Appeals to be held on Wednesday, April 18th, 1973, herewith presented was ordered received and filed upon the Attorney's advice of requiring no action by this Board. OTHER BUSINESS (Not on Agenda) 1. Mr. Vincent Ciardullo - 118 Laurel Avenue Mr. Ciardullo inquired as to the status of the requested installation of a drainage pipe from the foot of the Cabot Road area under the New York State Thruway and railroad tracks. The Supervisor briefly reviewed the present status explaining that although the Thruway had as yet not agreed to the financing of its share, Mr. Tone of the M.T.A. which had approved the project was still hopeful that the Thruway Authority would agree to a sum sufficient to make the installation possible. 2. Mrs. Theodore Shultz - 25 Alden Road Mrs. Shultz inquired whether there were any further developments on the traffic light installation requested on U.S. 1 in front of the High School? Mrs. Helwig replied that she had received no further information as of this date. REPORTS The Town Clerk -- The Clerk presented the following reports which were ordered received and filed: Report of the Town Clerk for the month of March 1973. Report of the Receiver of Taxes and Assessments for the month of March 1973. Report of the Building and Plumbing Inspector for the month of March 1973. Report of the Municipal Dog Patrol for the month of March 1973. Report of the Westchester Shore Humane Society, Inc. for the month of March 1973. 8 - Westchester Joint Water Works Financial Statements as of December 31st, 1972 which were available for inspection by any interested party in the Clerk's Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In connection therewith, the Supervisor noted a small improvement this year, the loss being $16,000, rather than $20,000. The Supervisor -- 1. Reconnaissance Report Sheldrake River Upon Mrs. Helwig's request, the Engineer presented the Summary of the Reconnaissance Report prepared by him at the Supervisor's request which read as follows: "This study: was conducted to determine whether or not a more detailed report is warranted. A favorable cost benefit ratio of 1.08 was established for a structural improvement and 1.6 for a non-structural improvement. However, the cost to the Federal Government for either improvement would exceed the one million dol- lar limitation as allowed under Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948. The project should therefore be studied under the recent congressional resolution for the study of streams in Westchester County. Assuming a similar cost benefit ratio would be established the Federal Government would proceed with the project. " The Supervisor noted that an encouraging thing in this Report was that although the revised estimate was still in excess of the allowable, it had reduced the prior estimate by $1,000,0OD . from 2.6 to 1.5 million and advised that she had written to the Department of Environmental Conservation to request advice as to the next steps the Town should take -- adding that she hoped the present Omnibus Bill presently before the Congress would pass and thus permit action for small flood control projects. The Councilmen -- Mr. Faiola -- 1. Apportionment In Councilman Vandernoot's absence, Councilman Faiola presented the following apportionment and thereupon on his motion, seconded by Councilman White, the following resolution was unanimously adopted: WHEREAS, the Assessor has presented petition for the correction of the assessment roll for certain years pursuant to the provisions of Section 557, Article 16 of the Westchester County Tax Law; and WHEREAS, after due consideration this Board finds it desirable to grant said petition for the correction of said assessment roll; 9 - NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the assessment roll of 1972-1973, taxes of 1973, which shows property now appearing on the rolls as follows: Block Parcel Name Land Imp. Total 910 155 T & C Builders, Inc. $14,800. -- $14,800. be corrected as follows in accordance with the provisions of subdivision 5 of Section 557: Block Parcel Name Land Imp. Total 910 155 T & C Builders, Inc. $12,400. -- $12,400 . 910 180 Anthony J. Giovanni 2,400. -- 2,400. & W. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned at 9:05 p.m. , to reconvene on April 18th, 1973. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS The meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was convened immediately upon the adjournment of the Town Board meeting. 1. Claims Upon presentation for authorization of payment by Commissioner Faiola and on his motion, seconded by Commissioner Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the following Fire Department claims as audited by the Comptroller and ap- proved by the Fire Chief are hereby approved, and the Supervisor and Comptroller hereby authorized to pay the same out of the Fire Department budget: Vincent Ceruzzi $ 200.00 Con Edison 181.71 East Coast Wholesalers, Inc. 16.00 Excelsior Garage & Machine Works, Inc. 850.88 Excelsior Garage & Machine Works, Inc. 628.00 Exxon Company, U.S.A. 73.89 Frank's Fuel, Inc. 104.62 Frank's Fuel, Inc. 104.18 New York Telephone Company 9.84 New York Telephone Company 175.72 New York Telephone Company 161.07 Robert's 806.15 Sanborn Map Company, Inc. 135.00 - Total $3,447.06 - 10 - 2. Reports Commissioner Faiola presented the Fire Report for the month of March 1973 which was ordered received and filed for the record. Commissioner Faiola remarked at this time that he would like to comment on the increase in activity by the volunteers and to highly commend the new Chief on the fantastic job he was doing. 3. Communications Pursuant to a letter herewith presented by Commissioner Faiola requesting permission for the Volunteers to conduct its annual solicitation of funds, on his motion, seconded by Commissioner White, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby grants permission to the Volunteer Firemen of the Town of Mamaroneck to erect signs and solicit funds for their Annual Fund Raising Drive in the Fire District. 4. Other Business (Not on Agenda) a) Painting of Fire House It was reported that the paint job on the Fire House had been checked and it was definitely felt that Diamond-Do-All - owed the Town a new paint job. b) The Fire Chief The Chief thanked the Board for its resolution of thanks to Mr. Corriveau, the gentleman who had assisted so greatly at the recent accident on the Thruway and reported that the injured man was improving but was still in the New Rochelle Hospital. 5. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned at 9:15 p.m. , to reconvene on April 18th, 1973. Tow gerk - 11 -