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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1943_09_01 Town Board Minutes REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD TOWN OF MAMARONECK, NEW YORK HELD SEPTEMBER 1, 1943 In the Council Room of the Weaver Street Firehouse , Town of Mamaroneck, New York. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Mandeville at 8 p.m. (Eastern War Time) . Present: Supervisor Mandeville Councilman Brewer , Griffin and Stiner Absent : Councilman Keeler The presence was also noted of Town Clerk Payne , Attorney Delius , Assessor Smith, Comptroller Orsino, Town Engineer & Supt. of Highways Foote, and Alexander Finson, Clerk to the Supervisor. The minutes of the meeting of August 18, 1943 were approved with corrections. The Supervisor asked if there was anyone present who wished to appear before the Board. Mr. John J. Sweedler appeared and stated that he was doing so on behalf of his clients , Mr. & Mrs. Philip Drexler , to submit an offer of $500 for the purchase of the following described tax liens , for the years 1940 to 1942 inclusive: Date Year St.Co.T. School Special Exp.& Pen. Total Accrued Amount of of District Tax assess- to date of Tax Int.on Due Sale LEVY Taxes ments Sale Lien Tax Lien 1941 1940 92.72 39.72 151.39 34.81 318.64 89.22 407.86 1942 1941 93.61 38.42 146.34 34.15 312. 52 50.00 362.52 1943 1942 96.52 39.79 141.32 34.07 311.70 12.47 324.17 Totals $282.85 117.93 439.05 103.03 942.86 151.69 1094.55 He ,stated that his clients had once before negotiated for the purchase of the liens on the same property and their offer had. been turned down. That after a careful study of the condition of the property the lots would prove to be quite expensive if his clients paid more than $500 for the liens. There was some further discussion during which Supervisor Mandeville presented the complete file on the matter. It was decided to defer action until later in the meeting so that the members of the Board could go over the details in connection with the proposal. The Supervisor asked if there was anyone else who wished to appear before the Board. There being no one he asked the Town Clerk to open the bids received in response to the legal notice which appeared in the Daily Times on August 200 1943• The Town Clerk presented the affidavit of publication of the public notice calling for bids for the sale of Block 132, Parcel 339 formerly described as Section 1, Block 51, Lots 12, 13 , 14, 16, on the assessment nap of the Town of Mamaroneck. -" The bid first opened was signed by T. Roosevelt Allen, on behalf of Joseph Scarano of 616 Fifth Avenue , Larchmont, which bid showed a net offer of $275. A certified check in this amount accompanied the bid. The second bid opened was signed by Philip Guglielmo, 612 Fifth Avenue , Larchmont , which showed a net offer of $350. Bank money orders totaling this amount accompanied the bid. The Supervisor asked if there were any other bids. There being none , he stated that it was in order to consider the proposals before the Board. On Motion by Councilman Brewer , seconded by Councilman Stiner , it was upon roll call , unanimously RESOLVED, that the award be made to the highest bidder, Philip Guglielmo, and that the Town At- torney be directed to prepare a deed for the con- veyance of the property described. The Supervisor requested the Town Clerk to proceed with the reading of communications. Town Clerk Payne advised that Police Chief Yerick had asked that the Town Board be informed that Police Commissioner Johnson would be out of. town until September 14, 1943 and that they both would attend the Town Board meeting on September 15, 1943 , to discuss the parking situation along Richbell Road. The report of the Receiver of Taxes for the month of August, 1943 was received and order filed. The Supervisor announced that in accordance with Councilman Griffin' s suggestion at the last meeting, Mr. Edward J. Glick and Mr. George Freedman, the Town ' s auditors , had been invited to attend this meeting and that they were present to discuss the annual audit of the Town' s records for the year 1942. The gentlemen became seated at the table and the Supervisor asked what procedure the members wished to follow. It was first de- cided that each member would ask questions in turn, and later it was decided that each of the recommendations , item by item, offered by the Auditors be considered. There was a lengthy discussion and following a thorough ex- amination of the recommendations , it was on motion by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Stiner , upon roll tali , unanimously resolved - WHEREAS , certain recommendations have been made by the Town's auditors , Glick-Freedman; and WHEREAS, full discussion has been held giving complete consideration to the said recommenda- tions; NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor be and he hereby is authorized to direct that the Town' s records be adjusted as follows: RESOLVED, that the "Partial Payment on Tax Arrears" account in the amount of $37.12 be transferred to the General Town Surplus ac- count; FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sum of $109405.24 due to the Special Assessment Fund from the Capital Fund be cancelled. FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Capital Fund books be adjusted as follows: 1. Charge -" Surplus (Capital) - $1,400.44 Credit - Reserve for Bond Redemptions - $1 ,400.44 2. Charge - Special Assessment Fund - $10 ,405.24 Credit - Surplus (Capital) - $10 ,405.24 3. Charge - Amortization of Capital Improvements - $1,584.35 Credit- Surplus 1,584.35 ms The Supervisor suggested that the meeting proceed with the reports of committees. Councilman Griffin stated that it was too early for the re- port of the Department of Public welfare for the month of August. He stated there would be nothing to report for the Department of Parks until the next meeting is held. He presented and read the statement of bank balances as of 9 o'clock, September 1 , 1943 , which showed total funds available of $255,004.11. Also a report of the claims audited and paid by the Comp- troller , from August 18 to August 31, 1943, which were ordered filed. Councilman Griffin reported that there were a number of arrears of old franchise taxes on the books which, in his opinion, were uncollectable and therefore should be cancelled. He said that an effort was made some years ago to see what could be done about collecting these taxes and if some connection could be established between the old companies and the present telephone and telegraph companies , but this could not be done , except for the American Telephone & Telegraph Co. That this company denied that it knew any- thing about these old taxes and would not pay same. Further, they claim, that they are paying and have been paying current franchise taxes. He added that there was no way of substantiating these claims of the Town other than by the old boot; records , and in so far as these taxes are entirely pbsoltte and there is no possibility of ever col- lecting them, and in most instances there never will be any further taxes assessed against these companies because they have been out of business for many years , he recommended that a resolution be adopted directing the Tax Receiver to cancel same on the records of the Town; the total amount of the entire lot of taxes being $2,604.47. Upon motion duly made by Councilman Griffin, seconded by Councilman Stiner, it was upon roll call unanimously RESOLVED, that the following franchise taxes appearing upon the arrears records of the Town of Mamaroneck and which appear to be uncollectable , be cancelled: American Rapid Telegraph Co, American Union Telegraph Co. 1883 Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Co. 1881-2-3 N.Y. & New England Telephone Co. 1890 to 1909 Shore Line Elec. Ry. 1921 to 1924 Postal Telephone & Telegraph Co. 18888 to 1916 United Lines Telephone Co. Councilman Griffin reported that he had made a trip over to West Brookside Drive to inspect the stone wall and the rip-rap work along the Sheldrake River, and that he found that a splendid job had been done. Councilman Stiner stated that there was nothing to report but progress on matters in connection with drains and sanitation. Amount $161.03 , 69.60 259.21 344.30^ 1499.30 249. 25 21.%8 On personnel, he stated that he wished to report that word had been received from Mr. Edward J. Donovan , Personnel Officer, that the temporary position of Miss Mondello had been classified as Junior Stenographer until the end of this year. Councilman Brewer stated that there was nothing to report for his departments. The Town Attorney reported that he had a request from the County Attorney concerning two items of outstanding taxes which appear in the records of the office of the Commissioner of Finance of West- chester County. These items are as follows : o (1) Book I , Mamaroneck, page 265, Lot 213 Grand Park, Brown property , sold 10/20/1874 to Town of Mamaroneck for 1,000 years , $5.28 plus penalties and interest; (2) Book I, Mamaroneck, page 273 , Lot 213 Grand Park, Brown property, west of railroad, sold 3/30/1874 to Town of Mamaroneck for 1 ,000 years , $6.53 plus penalties and interest; The Town Attorney further reported that the Receiver of Taxes had advised him that no record of such taxes appears in the tax arrears of the Town and thereupon, it was on motion of Councilman Brewer, seconded by Councilman Griffin, unanimously RESOLVED, that the foregoing taxes or tax leases , appearing on the records of the County Commissioner of Finance, be cancelled and that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the County Com- missioner of Finance and to the County Attorney. The Supervisor again asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the Board. There being no one , he suggested that the Board proceed to consider the offer submitted by hr. Sweedler on behalf of his clients. Following discussion, it was decided not to accept the offer as submitted by Mr. Sweedler and the Supervisor was authorized to negotiate for a better proposition. The Supervisor informed the Board that the Village of Yamaroneck had put one of their employees in charge of the Hommocks Golf Club to collect fees for the property account, and that they had indicated that they are desirous of making some move towards the dis- posal of the property. He suggested that if the property is to be sold that it be auctioned off by some auctioneer from the County. The Supervisor also reported that the highways are in good shape , that the equipment was being overhauled, and that the work was being completed along the Sheldrake River. At 10-45 p.m. the Board ly resolve)9 to adjourn.