Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1961_02_15 Town Board Minutes `" 1 S -MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, HELD FEBRUARY 15th, 1961, IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET, TOWN OF MAMARONECK. PRESENT. Supervisor Burchell Councilman Santoro Councilman Kane - Councilman Brush Councilwoman Helwig ABSENT; None ALSO PRESENT. Mr. Gronberg - Town Clerk Mr. Delius - Town Attorney Mr. Kellogg - Town Engineer Mr. Orsino - Receiver of Taxes Mrs. Brewer - Secretary CALL TO ORDER The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 8815 p.m. and due to the large number of persons present, immediately adjourned to the auditorium. _ Upon reconvening and finding that the large delegation present was from Larchmont Acres, the Board, by common consent, directed that the matters concerning this group be taken under consideration at this time, prior to proceeding with the regular order of business. For the information of all present and for purposes of the record, the Supervisor then read a letter addressed to him by James E. Renson, President of the Larchmont Acres Tenants Association, under date of February 10th, 1961, calling to the Board's atten- tion the prevailing conditions at Larchmont Acres Apartments, described therein as "the general deterioration and inadequate maintenance of the buildings and grounds of this 384 family hous- ing accommodation during the past eleven months", which was ordered received and placed on file. Following the presentation of this letter, in the absence of Mr. Renson, the Board heard Mr. James Johnson, who spoke at length on behalf of the tenants of building 7, and others from the group speaking on behalf of all of the tenants. The Supervisor then explained that the Town had no local ordi- nances relating to such matters as the provision of essential services in a privately-owned multiple dwelling. However, he further stated that the Town would be glad to assist in everyway possible in presenting a plea for relief to the County Board of Health and the Rent Control Board, the agencies having juris- diction over such matters. To this end, he suggested that a small meeting be held with the Town Attorney, Councilman Kane, representatives of the 717 Tenants Association and of the owners, so that both sides of the matter could be heard and considered and the best course of action to be followed determined. This suggestion was agreeable to all concerned and the Su- pervisor directed to arrange for such a meeting to be held in his office at 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, February 19th. Mr. Edmund J. Miller, also a tenant of Larchmont Acres, then requested permission to address the Board, and spoke - - at some length presenting an earnest plea for the widening of Richbell Road and the removal of the banked snow along both sides of this street. He called attention to parking, traffic , and fire hazards under present conditions and cited the amount of taxes paid to the Town by this relatively small but densely populated area, stating that he felt this more than justified this request. Following discussion and a detailed review of the procedure the Highway Department followed in removing snow and plow- ing the streets throughout the unincorporated area of the Town, Supervisor Burchell advised that Councilman Santoro and he would confer with the Highway Superintendent in the morning to see what could be done to effect relief to the existing conditions on Richbell Road. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Miller thanked the Board for its time and courtesy on behalf of the Larchmont Acres Tenants Asso- ciation, and the meeting thereupon adjourned to the Council Room and immediately reconvened. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of January 4th, 1961, were approved as submitted. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the meeting. NEW BUSINESS 1. Appointment--Zoning Board of Appeals Councilman.Kane advised the Board of the expiration of Mr. Sobel's term of office on the Zoning Board on February 19th, and after highly commending his past service, recommended _ his reappointment for a second term of office. Whereupon, on his motion, which was seconded by Council- woman Helwig, it was unanimously RESOLVED that Laurence J. Sobel of 31 Howell Avenue, Town, be and he hereby is reappointed ` 1 a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Mamaroneck, to serve for a five—year term of of- fice, starting February 20th, 1961 and terminating February 19th, 1966. The Clerk was directed to so notify Mr. Sobel and the Zoning Board of Appeals and to express to Mr. Sobel the Board's ap- preciation for his fine service in the past and his willingness to continue to so serve the Town. 2. Authorization of Transfer of Funds in 1960 Budget The Clerk presented a memorandum from the Comptroller requesting the Board's authorization for the transfer of funds within the 1960 budget as stated therein, which was ordered received and filed. Whereupon, on motion by Councilman Brush and seconded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the transfer of funds within the 1960 budget by departments is hereby authorized as follows- General Town District From To Department of Town Offices Supplies 107. 61 Department of Elections Labor 84. 38 Supplies 33. 23 Rental of Polls 225. 22 Department of Receiver of Taxes Receiver of Taxes 64. 37 Supplies 64. 37 Department of Assessor Appraisals 332. 80 Printing Assessment Maps 64. 13 Supplies 332. 80 Traveling & Car Expense 64. 13 Department of Justices of the Peace Court Steno Services 40. 19 Supplies 40. 19 Department of Engineer Traveling Expense 3. 01 Supplies 3. 01 Department of Recreation Wages 55.73 Supplies 393.70 Field Maintenance Supplies 260. 81 Pre School Play School 710. 24 72-L Department of Miscellaneous Publishing Notices 9. 26 Shade Tree Fund 167. 76 Humane Society Contract 158. 50 Outside Villages District Department of Police Sergeants 303. 14 -- Patrolmen 303. 14 Supplies 789. 63 Telephone 349.40 Light, Gas, Water 102, 06 Camera & Fingerprint Supplies 68. 38 Traffic Signals & Signs 51. 66 General Equipment 12. 17 Automotive Equipment 345. 96 Auto Maintenance 26. 21 Social Security Taxes 483.42 Insurance 1, 828.89 Retirement Fund Contributions 415.49 Department of Building & Plumbing Supplies 8.77 Traveling Expense 6. 72 Garbage District No. 1 Department of Sanitation Gas, Oil, Tires 296. 22 Insurance 541. 98 Dump Maintenance 92.49 Social Security Taxes 153. 27 Fire District No. 1 Fire Department Light, Gas, Water 48. 84 Gas & Oil 149. 68 Telephone & Alarm System 198. 52 Clothing 137. 85 Fire Inspection Expenses 176.47 Contributions, Retirement System 314. 32 Social Security Taxes 201. 37 Radio System 201. 37 Park District No. 1 Department of Parks Laborers 595. 52 Light, Water, Phone 128. 17 Gas, Oil, Equipment Repairs 26. 38 Supplies, Materials 793. 37 Social Security Taxes 135. 24 Real Estate Taxes 8. 06 Insurance 100. 00 723 COMMUNICATIONS 1. Letter from Jerome N. Wanshel--Lester Place The Clerk read a letter addressed to the Board by Jerome N. Wanshel, Attorney, representing a group of owners and ten- ants on Lester Place, petitioning priority for the plowing of Lester Place, more frequent patroling by police cars, en- forcement of the no-parking restrictions, the installation of an additional street light, and the widening of the access to - the street. Following discussion and after hearing Mr. Wanshel speak on each item, it was directed that the requests contained in this communication be referred as follows for study and re- port. 1- Plowing to the Highway Superintendent; 2- Increase of police patrol, enforcement of no-parking restrictions, and the in- stallation of an additional street light to the Police Commission; 3- Widening of access to Lester Place through use of vacant land to the Town Engineer. COMMUNICATIONS (Not on Agenda) 1. Board of Police Commissioners--Expense Authorization The Clerk presented a request from the Commission for the authorization of the expenses of three officers to attend the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Conference, and thereupon, on motion by Courclman Brush and seconded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the expenditure of a sum not to ex- ceed $10. 00 to cover the expenses of three officers to attend a meeting of the Metropolitan Law En- forcement Conference at Manhattan College on Feb- ruary 18th, 1961; said expenditure to be paid from the proper line item of the 1961 Police Department budget. 2. Board of Police Commissioners--Report, Junior Licenses With reference to a request from the White Plains Common Council for support of legislation banning junior licenses, referred to the Police Commission for study at the last meet- ing of the Board, the Clerk read the following report, ad- dressed to the Board by that Commission under date of _. February 13th, 1961; "At a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners on February 11, the resolution of the Common Council of the City of White Plains with respect to junior licenses was discussed. It was our interpretation that this resolution would pro- hibit all junior operators' licenses in Westchester County and would, therefore, restrict operation of a motor ve- hicle to persons eighteen years of age or over. This would not, however, be our recommendation. The members of this Board and Chief Yerick were unan- imous in the opinion that the present provisions which al- low operation of a motor vehicle by persons seventeen years of age who have approved driver's education should be continued, such driver's education to be providedeither through established public school courses or approved com- mercial driving schools. This provision has acted as an incentive in the past for young people to complete such courses, and the advan- tages of their doing so have been amply demonstrated. It is our belief that the resolution as written would remove this incentive and decrease participation in drivers' edu- cation. In all other respects we are in agreement with the intent of the resolution and recommend your support of it." In connection with this request, the Supervisor informed the Board that the Board of Supervisors, at its meeting on Mon- day, had directed the Clerk to obtain information and com- ment from Police Chiefs throughout Westchester County and Nassau County, where a similar law had been,passed last year, before it took any action on the matter. The Board ordered the report received and filed and took no action on the matter at this time. 3. Approval of Highway Agreement; Upon presentation of the Highway Agreement for the year 1961 for approval, it was, on motion by Council Santoro and seconded by Councilman Kane, unanimously RESOLVED that this Board hereby approves the Highway Agreement as presented for the year 1961. REPORTS The Town Clerk -- The Clerk presented the following reports which were ordered received and placed on file; Report of the Westchester Shore Humane Society for the month of January, 1961. Report of the Town Clerk for the month of January, 1961, 727 The Supervisor 1. Traffic Light at New Harmon Drive and Weaver Street The Supervisor read the following letter addressed to him by W. J. Hurlihe, Traffic Engineer, New York,State De- partment of Public Works, in reply to request for signali- zation at the intersection of New Harmon Drive and Wea- ver Street. "We have your letter of January 3, 1961 with respect to signalization at the Route 125, new Harmon Drive intersection in your town,' The Traffic Supervisor of the State Police and our Traffic Engineer are both in agreement that the poor sight distance in entering Route 125 from Har- mon Drive and not the amount of traffic make sig- nalization advisable and both have made their views clear to the Traffic Commission. The Commission does not believe that signalization is warranted and further believes that if the Town was really con- cerned they would request that Harmon Drive be made one-way eastbound. Although the case is not closed by the Commission action is at a standstill." Despite this decision, it was the unanimous opinion of the Board that real need existed for a light at this intersection and that, following further study, another request be presented to the Traffic Commission. 2, Proposed Amendment (Library) The Supervisor presented a communication from the Board of Trustees of the Village of Larchmont, enclosing copy of an act to amend the Education Law in relation to appropriations for Library contracts, and requesting that the Board recom- mend passage thereof. Following discussion, it was directed that the Supervisor and Town Attorney meet with the Mayor and Village Attorney to discuss possible revision of certain aspects of this bill as drafted before recommending its passage. 3. Telephone Booth at Station (Town Sidej With reference to the Town's request for provision of public telephone service at the New Haven station in the Village of Larchmont near the Town Park exit of the tunnel, the Super- visor read a copy of a letter addressed by the Telephone Company to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Larch- mont, requesting its approval of such installation in accor- dance with the conditions stipulated therein, which was or- dered received and filed. 72.9 Councilman Santoro -- 1. Snow Plowing Councilman Santoro supplemented the remarks he had made earlier in the evening referring to snow plowing by pre- senting a detailed account of the procedure on the night of the last snow storm. He described the work of the Highway Department and the Police and Fire Departments, paying to each the highest public tribute for the job performed. The Board expressed its pride in these departments and re- quested the Supervisor to write, on its behalf, to express to the men in these departments, the Board's appreciation of their service to the Town. Councilman Kane -- 1. Supplementary Phone at Police Headquarters In line with the matters just discussed by Councilman San- toro, Councilman Kane suggested that thought be given to installing a supplementary phone at Police Headquarters to facilitate handling the great volume of calls coming in there at such times. Councilman Brush -- Councilman Brush stated that he had no report other than that pertaining to Fire Commission matters. Councilwoman Helwig -- 1. Recreation Commission Councilwoman Helwig presented, with special recognition to Mr. Warner, Mrs. Steffans and the Superintendent of Rec- reation, a copy of the "Rules of Procedure - Policies - and Calendar" of the Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Commis- sion, which was ordered received and placed on file. 2. Report of Annual Meeting--Association of Towns For the benefit of those who were unable to attend, Council- woman Helwig presented a report of the proceedings at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Towns in Buffalo. She also called attention to a matter presented at a legisla- tive session pertaining to mandatory referendums in Special Districts, which she suggested the Board oppose, andwhich was referred to the attention of the Town Attorney for fol- low-up and action if needed. 731 The Town Attorney -- 1. Electric Companies Collusive Bidding The Attorney presented a letter from the National Institute of Municipal Law Officers referring to the matter of collusive bidding by electric companies, which was re- ferred to the Town Engineer for investigation with regard to previous purchase of electrical items by the Town. Z. Appraisal of Block 510, Parcel 100 In connection with the certiorari proceedings on the prop- erty known as Block 510, Parcel 100 and owned by Dr. Israel Weinraub, the Attorney reported that Mr. Percy Bibas had been engaged as expert appraisor in accordance with the resolution adopted by the Board at its December 7th, 1960 meeting. OTHER BUSINESS 1, Mr. Viggo Borgen Mr. Viggo Borgen, real estate broker, appeared before the Board at this time to submit an offer of $2, 500. 00 for his client, Adam Sumetz, for the purchase of the Town-owned property known as Block 104, Parcel 551. Upon the Supervisor's advice that no offer for less than $3, O00. 00, the upset price fixed for this property following its appraisal, Mr. Borgen stated that his client was willing to submit his offer at this price, The Town Attorney then referred to Dr. Haralambie's con- cern in the sale of this property, and upon Mr. Borgen's as- surance that his client and Dr. Haralambie had consulted and were in agreement, Mr. Borgen agreed to the Attorney's request to submit this offer in writing with a consent from Dr. Haralambie contained therein. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, it was declared adjourned at 9:45 p.m. , to reconvene on March 1st, 1961. 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 Commissioner Brush presented the following claims of the Fire Department, 'which had been audited by the Comp- troller and approved by the Fire Chief, and on his motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Kane, it was unan- imously RESOLVED that the following claims be and they hereby are approved, and the Supervisor and Comptroller be and they hereby are authorized to pay the same out of the budget for the Fire Departments Chatsworth Oil Co, $ 213, 07 Charles F. McCullough 49. 50 N.Y. Telephone Co, 47, 85 West, Cty, Publishers 2,85 Total -- $ 313. Z7 Z. Reports There were no reports to be presented at this meeting, 3. . Communications There were no communications to be presented at this meeting. 4, Other Business 1. Purchase of Fire Whistle and Control Cabinet The Fire Chief requested the Commission to authorize publication of notice for bids for the purchase of a new fire whistle and control cabinet as provided for in the 1961 budget, and thereupon on motion by Commissioner Brush and seconded by Commissioner Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners be and he hereby is au- thorized to publish a notice for bids, to be publicly opened and read aloud at the regular meeting of the Town Board at 8.15 p.m, on March 15th, 1961, for furnishing to the Town of Mamaroneck one (1) Manual Wound Fire Whistle Transmitter and one (11, Manual Ground- ing Type Control Cabinet, in accordance withthe specifications on file in the Office of the Town Clerk. 2. Fire Alarm System--Larchmont Acres Commissioner Brush reported that the Town Attorney 7 had been notified by the 63rd Realty Corporation that the alarm system at Larchmont Acres had been disconnected in compliance with his re- quest at the direction of this Commission, The Fire Chief advised that he would check on this matter, 3. Snow Plowing at Larchmont Acres The Fire Chief stated that with regard to the matter of snow plowing at Larchmont Acres, the responsibility for plowing and cleaning the circle access roads to the various buildings was not that of the Town but of the apartment management. He further stated that he made this statement only be- cause of the recent publicity in the local press regard- ing the fire hazard at the apartment due to the condition of these private access roads. 4. Adjournment There being no further business to come before this meeting, it was declared adjourned at 9.55 p.m. , to reconvene on March 1st, 1961. T n erk