HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020_11_09 Town Board Minutes
November 9, 2020
MINUTES OF THE WORKSESSION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF
MAMARONECK HELD NOVEMBER 9, 2020 BEGINNING AT 6:00 PM.
PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 202.1, SUSPENSION OF LAW
ALLOWING THE ATTENDANCE OF MEETINGS TELEPHONICALLY OR OTHER SIMILAR
SERVICE:
Article 7 of the Public Officers Law, to the extent necessary to permit any public body to meet
and take such actions authorized by the law without permitting in public in-person access to
meetings and authorizing such meetings to be held remotely by conference call or similar
service, provided that the public has the ability to view or listen to such proceeding and that
such meetings are recorded and later transcribed;
PRESENT: Supervisor Nancy Seligson
Councilwoman Abby Katz
Councilwoman Jaine Elkind Eney
Councilwoman Sabrina Fiddelman
Councilman Jeffery L. King
ALSO PRESENT: Christina Battalia, Town Clerk
Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator
Connie Green O’Donnell, Deputy Town Administrator
William Maker, Jr., Town Attorney
CALL TO ORDER - WORK SESSION
Additionally Present: Lindsey Luft Assistant to the Town Administrator
On motion of Councilman King, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, the Work Session was unanimously
opened at 6:00 p.m.
Discussion – Rock Removal Law
Mr. Maker provided a detailed memo outlining the changes in the current draft. Per the Town Board’s
question from the last meeting, Mr. Maker provided the following analysis:
There are 3,140 improved or buildable lots in the residential districts of the unincorporated area.
Of these there are:
671 that are 6,000 square feet or less
345 that are between 6,000 and 7,500 square feet, and
641 that are between 7,500 and 10,000 square feet, for a total of 1,657 improved or buildable lots equal to
or less than 10,000 square feet.
Mr. Altieri provided an alternative by suggesting to not limit quantity but limit time. Some Town Board
members thought this was an effective solution; others still favored no rock removal in the smaller lot
sizes.
The Town Board asked that Rich Polcari come to the next Town Board Worksession on November 23 to
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review the next draft with the Town Board. The public hearing would then be scheduled for December 2.
ADDED ITEM
Set Date for Next Town Board Worksession
On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded my Councilwoman Fiddelman, it was
RESOLVED, that the Mamaroneck Town Board does hereby set the next Town Board
Worksession for November 23, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
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November 9, 2020
Discussion – Larchmont Mamaroneck Joint Garbage Disposal Commission
The Town Board received a Commission budget analysis with the following four scenarios, a) Backdoor
Collection – Current Budget b) Curbside Collection – Town Only c) Extended Garbage District – Backdoor
d) Extended Garbage District – Curbside. Mr. Altieri explained the four scenarios. Mr. Altieri stated that the
creation of a District has tax cap implications, adding that a call is scheduled with the State Comptroller to
alert them of this potential change. The next step is discussion with the Village of Larchmont as to their
inclination for moving toward a District, moving to once a week pickup and moving to curbside pick.
Update – Sewer System Improvement Project
The Town Board reviewed a detailed memo from Mr. Altieri dated November 6, 2020. Phase 1 of the
project is coming to a close, and plans are to move forward with Phase 2. The Town Board reviewed a
financial schedule prepared by the Town Comptroller outlining expenditures to date, and the amount of
grant funds received.
Hommocks Sewer Agreement
Mr. Maker explained that he is still in discussions with the Village of Mamaroneck on this agreement. He is
working to ensure that the language of the agreement makes it clear that any new sewer lines in the future
would be solely the responsibility of the Village of Mamaroneck. Mr. Maker anticipates that the Village of
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Mamaroneck will have a revised agreement for review at their meeting on November 10.
Review – Recreation Commission Resolution
The Recreation Commission has prepared a resolution which suggests the Town “retain an independent
consultant to provide a report as to both the likely costs and the efficacy of exercising the Town’s eminent
domain powers to appropriate the Hampshire Country Club.” The Town Board thinks it is premature to
exercise eminent domain while litigation is still going on. Additionally, they are unsure of the cost of
development, especially without a specific plan or vision for the site.
“Some members of the Town Board thought they had previously discussed and authorized utilizing a
consultant to determine a plan for the site. The Town Clerk offered to do a search on the Minutes for any
previous discussion.”
Review – COVID Response – Suspension of Laws
The Town Board reviewed the current suspensions and determined that at this moment no change was
needed.
Update – Love Your Food
The Town Board reviewed a detailed memo from Lindsey Luft, outlining the status of the grant initiative.
Amendments are being made due to COVID. Requests and approvals have been received from the
Department of Environmental Conservation for the amendments to continue the initiative. The funding and
Town expenditures remain the same, as does the timeline.
Human Rights Committee (HRC)
Councilwoman Fiddelman recapped previous Town Board discussions on the request from the HRC to
recreate the Committee under the Town Government. The Town Board reviewed the responses from the
Committee that were put forth to them by the Board. The Town Board does not feel the responses fully
addressed their questions, specifically addressing a clear purpose and mission. Additionally, the Town
would like to focus on the Racial Equity Task Force and not focus their energies somewhere else.
Housing Authority
Councilwoman Fiddelman reported that the Authority selected Melissa Kaplan as their Chair. The Authority
has asked whether they can sign on with the Mamaroneck Housing Coalition. The Authority also raised the
question as to whether, with respect to the Tiers, they could raise the current minimum of twenty five
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November 9, 2020
percent Section 8 occupants at the Hommocks Apartments. The Authority is looking at additional ways they
can be more proactive with affordable housing in our community. The Town Board is open to reviewing the
Tiers, but would like to review financials, to make sure the Authority remains solvent through any changes.
The Town Board suggested that Anna Danoy join the Board for a further discussion and at the same time
have Mr. Altieri prepare financials.
Appointments – Boards and Commissions
There was no discussion, but Supervisor Seligson and Councilwoman Elkind Eney advised the Town Board
that they each will have an individual to recommend to the Town Board for a possible appointment.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, the meeting was unanimously
adjourned.
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Submitted by
Christina Battalia, Town Clerk
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