Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964_04_01 Town Board Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, HELD APRIL 1, 1964 IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIRE- HOUSE, WEAVER STREET, TOWN OF MAMARONECK. CALL TO ORDER The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 8:15 P. m. ROLL CALL Present: Supervisor Burchell Councilman Kane Councilman Brush Councilwoman Helwig Councilman Quadrine Absent: None Also Present: Mr. Gronberg - Town Clerk Mr. Johnston - Town Attorney Mrs. Brewer - Secretary Mr. Kellogg - Town Engineer Mr. Paonessa - Building Inspector Mr. Altieri - Comptroller APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of the regular meetings of February 19 and March 5 and the special meeting of February 27, 1964 were approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARING - Appeal from Denial of Sign Application First Westchester National Bank On motion by Councilman Kane, seconded by Council- woman Helwig, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the public hearing be and it hereby is declared open. The Clerk submitted the affidavit of publication of the no- tice of hearing for the record, and the Supervisor, follow- ing a brief review of the application for permit to erect a sign on the north wall of the building, together with the Building Inspector's denial thereof and application for ap- peal from said denial, recognized Mr. Charles B. Fisher, Executive Vice President of the First Westchester National Bank, who was appearing for the applicant. Mr. Fisher addressed the Board on behalf of the ap- plicant, stating that there were four points he had been re- quested to bring to the Board's attention which, in the opin- ion of the applicant warranted reversal of the Building In- spector's decision, which, with the Board's permission, he - 1- then presented as follows: 1) that signs such as requested identified all of the 18 branches of the bank; that a bank sign was not in the category of a retail business sign since it ser- ved solely for location purposes, and that the pro- posed sign would in no way be detrimental to the general character of the neighborhood; 2) that since the building was located on what was vir- tually a corner plot, it had two "fronts" or "faces" and thus the proposed location of the sign above the entrance on the north side of the building raised a question of interpretation of the "front" or "face" side; 3) that in this particular instance, a sign 7-feet in height was required since a sign conforming to the 3-foot height requirement of the Ordinance would be entirely obscured by the "Finast" sign and would therefore serve no purpose whatsoever; 4) that the proposed sign would not obscure any win- dow nor in any way be unesthetic in appearance. In concluding his remarks, Mr. Fisher stated that it was the feeling of the applicant that it would suffer considerable hardship if permission were not granted for the erection of the proposed sign and he therefore requested the Board's favorable consideration and approval of the appeal. The Supervisor then asked whether any of the members of the Board had any questions - or whether anyone present wished to speak either in favor of or in opposition to the ap- plication. Whereupon, Councilwoman Helwig inquired whether it was not a fact that the applicant had been granted a permit for a "free-standing" sign, which was to be double-faced and would therefore be visible both from Weaver Street and the Post Road? Mr. Fisher replied that this was true. A question was also raised as to the illumination of the proposed sign by Mr. John C. Richmond of 42 Elkan Road. And thereupon following some further discussion and the Building Inspector's assurrance that the requirements for signs had been reviewed in detail with the architect, en- gineer and builder prior to the beginning of construction, since no one else wished to be heard, on motion by Coun- cilman Brush, seconded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously —. RESOLVED, that the public hearing be and it now is declared closed. Whereupon, since on query by the Supervisor, the Board was ready for the question, on motion by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilwoman Helwig, it was unanimously -2- - 7-�"3 RESOLVED, that this Board affirms the decision of the Building Inspector denying a permit to the First Westchester National Bank for the installation of a wall sign on the building located on the Boston Post Road on property known as Block 410, Parcel 463 on the Tax Assessment Map of the Town of Ma- maroneck. PUBLIC HEARING - Petition for the Extension of Sewer District No. 1 On motion by Councilman Kane, seconded by Councilman Brush, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the public hearing be and it here- by is declared open. The Clerk presented for the record the affidavits of publication and posting of the notice of hearing in accordance with law, and the Engineer, at the Supervisor's request, briefly reviewed the history of the petition. He pointed out that the petition had been filed at the suggestion of the Planning Board upon application of Mr. William Shroder, builder, for approval of a subdivision on the Basso property (being purchased by said Shroder) so that the proposed subdivision could be served by sewers rather than septic tanks. It was also pointed out that the rate of reduction or "drop" in the bonded indebtedness of Sewer District No. 1, coupled with the increased assessment from the 19 homes on Griffen Avenue (location of the proposed extension) and the 30 addi- tional homes in the proposed development, would make any tax increase resulting from the bonding of the estimated $132, 000. cost of the proposed extension a nominal one. The Supervisor then recognized a group of approximately 20 residents of the Prince Willows area, who were present this evening because of their intense interest in obtaining sewers in this area. He extended the Board's welcome to the group, stating that it would be glad to hear them following a brief re- view of the Town's efforts in behalf of providing sewers in the Prince Willows area in the intervening time. He recalled the 1956 hearing on the petition for sewers in the Prince Willows area, which requested either the extension of the existing Sewer District No. 1 to include Prince Willows, or the creation of a new Sewer District, which petition was denied at that time due, in the case of creating a new District, to the prohibitive cost to the residents of the district, and, in the case of extending the existing Sewer District No. 1, to the strong protests voiced by the residents of the district to the tax increase necessary to finance such extension. He further stated that the present Town Engineer, Mr. Kel- logg, at the Board's request, had reviewed and studied the Prince Willows proposal since becomming affiliated with the Town in late 1960, and he also recounted for the information of those attending the hearing, the several recent conferences -3- held with residents of the area. At these meetings, the County's position that the Prince Willows area should be sewered into the main Mamaroneck trunk rather than the Shel- drake trunk because of the drainage of that area (which was op- posite to that of the proposed extension area) and the question- able capacity of the latter trunk to accommodate the Prince Willows sewage load, was explained and discussed in detail and the memoranda and communications between the Engineer and the County establishing these facts and herein presented were ordered filed as a part of the record of this hearing. Also ordered filed as part of the record was a letter ad- dressed to the County Executive by the Supervisor under date of March 31, 1964, herein presented by him for the informa- tion of those present, and a letter addressed to the Town Board by Mr. Herbert Stoller, President of The Stonewall Associa- tion, dated March 31, 1964, protesting consideration of any se- wer extension in the Town which did not include their area. The following residents of the Prince Willows area were then heard, all of whom strongly expressed their concern over the fact that the subject area was not included in the proposed extension: Morton S. Levin - Old White Plains Road Jesse Rothman - 16 Doris Road Dr. Reuven K. Snyderman - 17 Stonewall Lane Harry Ekizian - 8 Prince Willows Lane Emanuel S. Warschauer - 30 Doris Lane Herbert M. Iselin - 1181 Old White Plains Road Dr. Walter Berdon - 3 Prince Willows Lane Irwin Klein - 2 Stonewall Lane Mrs. Morton S. Levin - Old White Plains Road James A. Donnelly, Jr. - 4 Wagon Wheel Road Mr. Donnelly stated that while he did not suffer himself with any difficulty from his septic tank, he did speak in sympathy with his neighbors who did -- and in favor generally speaking of sewers in preference to septic tanks in any area throughout the Town. Also heard was: Mr. John Antonelli of the Westchester County Health Department, who answered questions addressed to him by both some of the residents of the Prince Wil- lows area and by the Town Engineer and members of the Board. -4- Follwing this since upon the Supervisor's inquiry no one else wished to be heard, on motion by Councilman Kane, seconded by Councilman Brush, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the hearing be and it hereby is declared closed. And thereupon following a motion to approve the petition which was offered by Councilman Kane but died when not seconded, after some further discussion, on motion by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilwoman Helwig, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that decision on the petition be and it hereby is reserved. OLD BUSINESS 1. Report - Bids for Tires & Tubes Pursuant to recommendation of the Comptroller and Engineer herewith presented and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Kane, seconded by Council- man Brush, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby awards the bids for furnishing,tires (tubes to accompany tires) to the Town of Mamaroneck for the year 1964 to the low bidder in each instance as follows: Bidder - S. Levitan, Inc. Size Ply Rayon Nylon 6. 70 x 15 4 $ -------- $ 11. 02 7. 50 x 14 4' -------- 11. 02 4. 00 x 8 6 7. 43 ----- 4. 00 x 12 4 7. 06 ----- 13.-00 x 24 l2 ------- 142. 88 8. 25 x 20 10 40. 16 44. 18 9. 00 x 20 10 48. 42 53. 26 10. 00 x 20 12 61. 41 67. 55 11. 00 x 20 12 72. 33 79. 56 Bidder -Sound Tire & Supply Co. Inc. 6. 00 x 13 4 9. 46 9. 70 6. 50 x 13 4 10. 07 10. 32 6. 70 x 15 4 ------ 12. 92 (Police Patrol) 6. 70 x 15 4 11. 75 12. 04 (Regular) 7. 50 x 14 4 11. 75 12. 04 6. 00 x 16 6 13. 14 13. 92 7. 50 x 20 10 34. 94 37. 01 Bidder - General Tire Service 6. 70 x 15 4 14. 77 ---- (Police Patrol) -5- Bidder - General Tire Service (con't) Size Ply Rayon Nylon 5. 00 x 16 4 $ ---- $ 10. 97 Bidder - Mamaroneck Tire 5. 00 x 16 4 9. 76 ---- 2. Fixing of Date for Public Hearing Suburban Town Law The Supervisor presented a letter addressed to the Councilmen and Supervisor by Mrs. Rhoda Greenberg of the League of Women Voters of Larchmont under date of March 28, 1964, endorsing the adoption of The Suburban Town Law for the Town of Mamaroneck, which was here- with ordered received and filed. Since the Board was interested in the possible adoption of this Law, following some discussion as to the timing of this matter, on motion by Councilwoman Helwig, sec- onded by Councilman Quadrine, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hold a public hearing on the matter of the adoption of The Suburban Town Law for the Town of Mamaroneck on the evening of its first regular meeting in May, Wednesday, May - 6, 1964, in the Council Room of the Weaver Street Firehouse at 8:15 p. m. , and that the Town Clerk be and he hereby is authorized to publish the nec- essary notice therefor in the official newspaper of the Town of Mamaroneck, The Daily Times, in ac- cordance with law. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the meeting. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Letter from The Westchester Lighthouse (Solicitation of Funds) The Clerk presented a letter addressed to the Town Council by Robert Buechner, Public Information Dir- ector of The Westchester Lighthouse under date of March 23, 1964, informing the Town of its plan to so- licit funds by placing canisters in business establish- ments in the Town during the month of April, which was herewith ordered received and filed with direction to the Clerk:to acknowledge the communication, thank- ing Mr. Buechner for his courtesy in so notifying the T own. -6 - 2. Letter from Larchmont Gardens Civic Association (Nature Center Presentation) For the Board's information, the Cl erk presented the following letter addressed to the Town Board by Joseph A. Kanehann, Secretary of the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association under date of March 9, 1964, which was herewith ordered received and filed: "At the February 19, 1964 meeting of the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association, Mrs. Christine Helwig made a presentation concerning the use of the county- donated land as a nature study center. It was the con- sensus of the members that Mrs. Helwig and her Com- mittee did an outstanding job. Our Association was im- pressed with the presentation and voted unanimously to support in principle the creation of a nature center. " 3. Request for Expense Authorization Board of Police Commissioners - (Not on Agenda) Pursuant to request of the Police Commission herewith presented and filed, on motion by Councilman Brush, sec- onded by Councilwoman Helwig, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the expenditure from the proper item in the 1964 Po- lice Department budget of not to exceed the sum of $10. 00 to cover the expenses incurred by Chief Yerick and one other officer while attending a meeting of the Law Enforcement Committee of the Metropolitan Regional Council to be held at Darien, Connecticut on Wednesday, April 8, 1964. 4. Request for Deposit of Surplus Funds (Not on Agenda) Pursuant to request of the Comptroller herewith pre- sented and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the Supervisor be and he hereby is authorized to deposit in the duly designated depositories of the Town of Mamaroneck, an amount not to exceed the sum of $800, 000. 00 for a period of 6 months at not less than 4% interest. REPORTS The Town Clerk -- The Clerk presented the following reports which were or- dered received and filed: Report of the Building and Plumbing Inspector for the month of March, 1964. -7- Report of the Receiver of Taxes and Assessments for the month of March, 1964. Affidavit of publication of the notice of adoption of the resolution authorizing the issuance of capital notes in connection with construction of the Town Garage. The Supervisor -- -.-: 1. Recommendation for Appointment to Library Board of Trustees With reference to the vacancy existing in one of the two seats on the Larchmont Public Library Board of Trustees filled by unincorporated area residents pur- suant to the Education Law, the Supervisor presented a brief resume of the qualifications of Ross M. Legler of 36 Lansdowne Drive for appointment to such post, requesting authorization to submit this recommenda- tion to the Larchmont Village Board of Trustees if it be the pleasure of the Board. Whereupon, on motion by Councilwoman Helwig, sec- onded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby recom- mends to the Board of Trustees of the Village of Larchmont, the appointment of Ross M. Legler of 36 Lansdowne Drive, Town, as a member of the Library Board of Trustees of the Larchmont Public Library. Councilwoman Helwig -- 1. Recreation Councilwoman Helwig reported an attendance of about 17 adults and 30 young persons at the official opening of the tennis courts at Memorial Park today. She also briefly described the activities of a Boy Scout Troup 7 conservation project in the County strip and inquired whether the subject area could be posted immediately for dumping inview of this type of ac- tivity project. It was directed that the area be so posted and the Board also requested Councilwoman Helwig to address a letter to Troop 7 on its behalf expressing the Board's appreciation for their fine work in cleaning-up this area. Councilman Kane -- Councilman Kane stated that he had no report at this time. -8- 1q,Is Councilman Brush -- Councilman Brush stated that he had no report other than that pertaining to Fire matters. Councilman Quadrine -- Councilman Quadrine stated that he had no report to pre- ' sent at this time. The Town Attorney -- 1. Settlement of Claim Mary E. Franklin In accordance with the Attorney's recommendation for settlement of the claim of Mary E. Franklin vs. the Town of Mamaroneck, on motion by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilman Kane, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes pay- ment of the claim of Mary E. Franklin vs. the Town of Mamaroneck in the amount of $50. 00 for damages to her car under Town policy containing a $50. 00 deductible property damage clause. The Town Engineer -- 1. Acceptance of Extension of Maxwell as Public Street or Highway Pursuant to the Engineer's request in connection with construction of the new Highway Garage and upon the At- torney's recommendation, the following resolution was offered on motion by Councilman Brush, seconded by Councilwoman Helwig: RESOLVED, that this Board hereby accepts that parcel of land hereinafter described as a public street or highway of the Town of Mamaroneck: ALL those certain plots, pieces or parcels of land, lying and being in the Town of Mamaroneck, County of Westchester and State of New York, known and distinguished as portions of Parcels 28F and 28E, Sheet No. 8 on a certain map en- titled, "Westchester County Park Commission Map of lands to be acquired for the Pelham- Port Chester Parkway, Westchester County, N. Y. , " said map prepared by Charles A. Hol- lister, C. E. and Surveyor, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. , dated May 17, 1926 and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Westchester (Division of Land Records) on August 16, 1926 as Map No. 2744, and which said premises are more par- ticularly bounded and described as follows:- -9- ..................... BEGINNING at a point formed by the inter- section of the division line between Parcels 23C and 28F as drawn on the aforesaid filed map, with the northerly line of those parcels, which point is also the southeasterly corner of the southerly end of Maxwell Avenue as shown on the aforementioned filed map; thence through parcels 28F, then 28C, and around the boun- daries of the parcel hereinafter described, the following courses: S 3 -37'-00" W - 33. 99 feet to a point in parcel 28F; thence N 88 -23'-50" W - 28. 41 feet to a point in parcel 28C; thence N 60 -011-40" W - 45. 39 feet to the division line between the parcel herein described and lands of the New York State Thruway Au- thority; thence N 31 -18'-00" E - 44. 02 feet along said division line and along said lands of the New York State Thruway Authority to a point; thence S 60 -Ol '-40" E - 54. 24 feet along the northerly boundary of the property herein described, to the point and place of BEGINNING. Upon roll call, the vote was as follows: Councilwoman Helwig - Aye Councilman Kane - Abstained from voting Supervisor Burchell - Aye Councilman Brush - Aye Councilman Quadrine - Aye The resolution was therefore declared duly adopted. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Mr. Rudolph Novak Mr. Novak stated that he was present this evening in connection with his sign problem, advising that he was now ready to submit a design for a sign to the Building Inspector and inquiring whether he could proceed under his prior application or whether he must submit a new application. Following some discussion, the Board advised that, if upon submission of the new design for a sign, a var- iance for its erection was necessary, a new applica- tion must then be filed. Mr. Novak thanked the Board, stating that he would proceed accordingly. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meet- ing, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared ad- journed at 10:10 p. m. , to reconvene on April 15, 1964. -10- 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 Fire Department __-- claims for approval and payment, and thereupon on his motion, seconded by Commissioner Kane, it was unan- imously RESOLVED, that the Fire Department claims as audited by the Comptroller and approved by the Fire Chief, are hereby approved, and the Super- visor and Comptroller authorized to pay the same out of the budget for the Fire Department: Atlantic Service Center $ 20. 00 R. G. Brewer, Inc. 6. 82 Con Edison 5. 00 Barney Epstein, Inc. 200. 25 Mobil Oil Company 66. 15 New York Telephone Co. 93. 15 West. Jt. Water Works 18. 24 Total $ 409. 61 2. Reports Commissioner Brush presented the Fire Report for the month of March, 1964 which was ordered received and filed. 3. Communications There were no communications. 4. Other Business 1. Truck Break-down The Supervisor requested a report concerning the axle break on one of the trucks, which the Chief stated would be submitted as soon as estimates, etc. were obtained. 5. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was de- clared adjourned at 10:15 p. m. , to reconvene on April 15, 1964. ✓` To' Cl rk v -11-