HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_12_16 Town Board Regular Minutes DEC. 1 6 698 d
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE TOWN BOARD AND BOARD OF
FIRE COMMISSIONERS OF THE TOWN
OF MAMARONECK, HELD ON THE 16TH
DAY OF DECEMBER 1987 IN THE
COURT ROOM OF THE TOWN CENTER,
740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD,
MAMARONECK, NEW YORK
CONVENE REGULAR MEETING
The Regular Meeting of the Town Board was called to order by
Supervisor Battalia at 8 :20 p.m. in the Court Room.
Present were the following members of the Board:
Supervisor Dolores A. Battalia
Councilman Thomas R. Amlicke
Councilwoman Caroline Silverstone
Councilman Lawrence A. Lerman
Councilman Stephen C. Chapin
Also present were:
Patricia A. DiCioccio, Town Clerk
Carol A. Acocella, Deputy Town Clerk
Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator
Edward M. Lieberman, Counsel to the Town
P. Thomas Leddy, Highway Superintendent
Carmine DeLuca, Town Comptroller
CALL TO ATTENTION
Supervisor Battalia pointed out to those assembled the location of
exits as required by law for public gatherings.
At this time the Regular Order of the Agenda was changed and the
Supervisor called upon Councilwoman Silverstone to read the
following proclamation in honor of Councilman Lerman:
Councilman Chapin then read the following proclamation in honor of
Councilman Amlicke:
At this time the Supervisor asked if anyone wished to address the
Board. Ex-Supervisor Joseph Vandernoot stated that he wished to
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thank Tom and Larry for their service to the Town and although he
did not know Larry well, he is aware of the efficient Councilman
he has been. He added that he has known Tom for a long time and
felt he has saved citizens of this Town countless dollars. He
went on to state that both these men will be missed.
Dr. Alan Mason added his thanks and seconded the resolutions.
A resident, speaking on behalf of the Cable TV Board of Control,
thanked Councilman Amlicke for all his work on behalf of the
residents.
Supervisor Battalia presented gifts from the Town Staff to
Councilmen Amlicke and Lerman. She also read a letter from David
Klein stating that although he could not be present, he wished to
join friends and neighbors in thanking Councilmen Amlicke and
Lerman for all their efforts on behalf of the residents of the
Town of Mamaroneck.
At this time Councilman Amlicke stated that, after eighteen years
of service to the Town, he wished to make a few comments: " I
began thinking of why I wished to run for a third term, especially
since the past four years have been stressful in trying to meet
all my obligations. I really could not come up with a complete
answer though there were some answers. One was that there may be
a defect in my character due to the fact that once I become
involved in something and truly care about it, I do not know how
to let go. Another was that I really felt if I retired, I would
not know what to say after spending eighteen years in service to
my community and, ' lo and behold, as I thought about what I wished
to say tonight I found out I was right. I felt that perhaps I
should review the changes that have taken place within the last
eighteen years and my involvement in them, but decided that this
would take too long and be too boring. Furthermore there are so
many new problems in the community today that we really should not
concentrate on past problems, but should be concentrating on the
really difficult problems that face us in the days ahead. I wish
to say to the Board members and the new members on the Board, that
I do not envy them during the next few years. They will have
their hands full with so many major problems confronting this
community, the Weaver Street bridge, sewer projects, group homes ,
the homeless, the Duck Pond, etcetera. I wish all of you luck and
wisdom in the world so that you will be able to handle them in the
best possible way for the betterment of our community. I wish to
thank the people of this Town for permitting me to be their
councilman for the last eight years. I especially wish to thank
the people in the Unincorporated Area because they gave me a vote
of confidence in the last election. The Unincorporated Area,
whether one realizes it or not, is the area we govern and they
made me the number one councilman so I came out first in the
councilman's race, at least in the Unincorporated Area. This was
a tremendous satisfaction since in the two previous times that I
ran, I never came in as number one in the Unincorporated Area. I
really wish to thank the people for giving me this honor as I
retire. My family wanted me to especially thank the Republicans
in the Village of Mamaroneck for my retirement. It appears that
not many of them came out to vote. As a matter of fact in past
campaigns we have had, it was the Village of Mamaroneck that
Republicans looked to, to find extra votes to ensure they were
elected, and I cannot remember one election where the Republican
council candidates did not run one and two. This time voter
turnout was so bad that we ran three and four. Even two years ago
when the Republicans lost, they still won in the Village of
Mamaroneck and those districts came out three or four hundred
votes higher two years ago, when the turnout was poor.
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There is even a question as to whether or not the vote count of
Judge King, who ran unopposed this time, is as high as the lowest
councilman candidate who won for the Democrats. We had one very
big problem this time, not many Republicans decided to vote. In
closing, I would just like to say that I intend during the next
year to take a sabbatical and to devote a lot more time to my
family. I have not had much opportunity to spend time with them.
I will be standing on the sidelines watching what this Town Board
does and does not do, so I will not be silent. For someone who
really did not know what to say, I have said enough. Thanks to
all who came tonight, such good old friends for being here. I
spoke to my daughter last night and mentioned to her that when I
reach this point I just was not sure of how to say good-bye after
eighteen years of service to the community. Since she has just
returned from Italy, she told me to just say 'ciao' and so I say
to you 'ciao' . "
Councilman Lerman stated that it had been a pleasure to serve the
community for the past four years as councilman and it will be a
pleasure to stop serving the community for the next four years. He
pointed out that although it is exciting and really a lot of fun
to run for office, it also entails a great deal of work and many
hours each week, and is often thankless. He emphasized that he
was mentioning this not so much for himself but rather for his
colleagues, those sitting there tonight, those who have sat in the
past, and those who will continue to serve the community. He also
commented that regardless of party affiliation, each council
member has served his best for the party and all are dedicated to
keeping this community a splendid place in which to live. He
noted that all are deserving of support, past, present and future,
and mentioned that is was not difficult to say good-bye since he
would still be around. Councilman Lerman then concluded that he
wished to make one motion, that his fellow councilman who is also
serving his last regular meeting this evening has spent a good
deal of time and attention with regard to conservation, and in
recognition of this fact, he moved that Councilman Amlicke be
appointed a commissioner emeritus of the Conservation Advisory
Commission. Councilwoman Silverstone seconded the motion which
was unanimously approved.
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Battalia at 8 :40
p.m. in the Court Room.
Present were the following members of the Commission:
Commissioner Dolores A. Battalia
Commissioner Caroline Silverstone
Commissioner Thomas R. Amlicke
Commissioner Lawrence A. Lerman
Commissioner Stephen C. Chapin
1. Fire Claims
Commissioner Silverstone presented fire claims for authorization
of payment and on her motion, seconded by Commissioner Lerman, it
was unanimously
RESOLVED, that this Commission hereby
authorizes payment of the following Fire
Department claims as approved by the Fire
Chief and audited by the Comptroller's Office:
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DEC. 1 6 ,m87
369
Raymond A. Baron $ 132 .48
Bernard J. Callahan 5.50
Frank Claps 200.00
Highpoint Marketing Corp. 34.75
Lawrence Heat & Power Corp. 544 .44
Portronix 308 .20
Portronix 8 . 00
RAD 295.07
$1,528.44
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before this Commission, on
motion by Commissioner Amlicke, seconded by Commissioner Chapin,
it was unanimously declared that this meeting be adjourned.
RECONVENE REGULAR MEETING
At this time, the Regular Meeting of the Town Board was called to
order by Supervisor Battalia at 8 :46 p.m. in the Court Room.
AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN
1. Final Adoption of 1988 Budget
The Town Administrator explained that on December 2, 1987, the
Board held the required public hearing to consider the 1988
Town Budget and also authorized certain adjustments at that
time. He explained further that the first adjustment includes
an appropriation of $5,800 for the hiring of one additional
school guard to assist with traffic control at Central and the
second adjustment was to incorporate an additional $300 into
the Police Department budget for the purpose of purchasing a
TTY machine for the hearing-impaired.
Councilwoman Silverstone commended the Administrator for
producing the budget and added that the Board should pat
themselves on the back for keeping the budget increase in
taxes under 6% this year.
The Supervisor mentioned that Nassau County and the Scarsdale
School District are suing The Empire Plan, and asked the
Administrator to comment on this. Mr. Altieri informed the
Board that the Courts granted a stay for the implementation of
the increase but no one is quite certain about what will
happen. He reported that at a meeting with the Village
Officials Association last weekend, there was a discussion
with a consultant who handles group insurance plans and who
stated that maybe Blue Cross/Blue Shield would walk out of the
plan, which would not be very helpful. In conclusion he said
that some communities have paid their bills while other have
not.
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Thereafter, on motion by Councilman Lerman, seconded by
Councilman Amlicke, the following resolution was adopted by
unanimous vote of the Board:
WHEREAS, this Town Board has met on
December 2nd at the time and place
specified in the Notice of Public Hearing
on the adoption of a Preliminary Budget
for 1988 and has heard all persons desiring
to be heard thereon; and
WHEREAS, the Preliminary Budget as submitted
to this Board on December 2nd has been
modified as of this date;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that this Board does hereby adopt
such Preliminary Budget as modified, as the
Annual Budget of this Town for the fiscal
year beginning on the first (1st) day of
January 1988 , and that such budget as so
adopted be entered in detail in the minutes
of the proceedings of this Town Board;
and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of this Town
shall prepare and certify, in duplicate,
copies of said Annual Budget as adopted by
this Town Board, together with the estimates ,
if any, adopted pursuant to section 202-a,
subdivision 2 of the Town Law, and deliver
one (1) copy thereof to the to the Clerk of
the County Board of Legislators of this County;
and it is further
RESOLVED, that for the fiscal year 1987 , the
sum hereinafter set forth in the attached
Budget be levied, assessed, and collected
upon the taxable properties in the Town of
Mamaroneck outside of the Villages of
Larchmont and Mamaroneck (Part Town) , the
properties of the several districts and the
several parcels of taxable property, franchise
and assessments , and persons within the Town
and within such special districts , be
extended on the tax roll of the Town of
Mamaroneck against each of the several parcels
affected by such assessments, or parts thereof;
and it is further
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of
Chapter 654 of the laws of 1927 as amended,
and the provisions of Article 12 of Chapter
6 of the Consolidated Laws, known as the
Town Law, as amended, there be levied against
the several lots and parcels of land contained
upon the Statement hereto annexed and marked
"Exhibit A," the several sums set forth
opposite each such parcel or lot of land on
such statement as and for unpaid water charges
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due upon said lots or parcels, which said sums
shall be placed in a separate column of the
tax roll of the Town of Mamaroneck under the
name "Water Rents. "
Dolores A. Battalia VOTING Aye
Caroline Silverstone VOTING Aye
Thomas R. Amlicke VOTING Aye
Lawrence A. Lerman VOTING Aye
Stephen C. Chapin VOTING Aye
2. Authorization - Hommocks Recreation Complex
The Administrator explained that the Board had been presented
with schematic drawings and updated cost estimates for the
proposed Hommocks Recreation Complex project which
incorporates improvements to the ice rink and pool. He added
that the estimated cost is approximately 1.6 million which is
an increase over the previous estimate of 1.4 million and if
the Board wished to move forward the next step would be to
authorize preparation of bidding.
Councilman Lerman asked what the increase was attributed to
and Mr. Altieri responded that after review of the operating
costs and capital investment for the bubble, alternate
coverings for the rink were looked into. He went on to say
that they visited an ice rink in Baltimore where this
technology was utilized and it has many advantages such as
eliminating operating costs related to the compressors and
reducing electrical costs, but, he concluded, essentially the
increased cost is related to the tension membranes (roof) .
Councilman Chapin suggested that we consider bidding this
project in parts since with an estimate of 1.6 we may receive
bids substantially above these numbers and we would not have
time to re-bid. He asked if maybe it would make sense to bid
the rink and facility separately. The Administrator remarked
that this is what occurred when the Town Center was bid on and
that the project was estimated one week before the bids and
when they came in they were about one million over estimate.
Councilman Chapin asked if we had time to begin the process
for construction to take place in March and Mr. Altieri
replied that if the architect is cooperative we would bid the .
project the second week in January, allow specification to
stay out for 30 days, we need 10 days to evaluate bids and can
then make a recommendation at the second meeting in February
or first meeting in March.
Thereafter, on motion by Councilman Lerman, seconded by
Councilman Amlicke, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that this Board hereby
authorizes the Town Administrator to
prepare specifications and advertise
for bids for the Hommocks Recreation
Complex project with construction to
begin no later than March 1988 .
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DEC. a61987
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3. Authorization - Engineering Services Agreement-Mamaroneck
Sewer District Major Rehabilitation
Since pages 1 and 3 of this agreement were missing, this item
was heldover to a special meeting of December 22nd.
4. Authorization - Coastal Zone Management Program Agreement
The Administrator explained that the New York Department of
State awarded the Town and Village of Larchmont a grant in the
amount of $25,000 to conduct the Premium River Feasibility
Study as part of the Town and Village's Coastal Zone
Management plan and that the scope of the study is correct.
Thereafter, on motion by Councilman Lerman, seconded by
Councilman Amlicke, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby
authorizes the Town Administrator to
execute the agreement between the Town
and New York State for the Department
of State Coastal Management Program
Agreement Federal Grant Number:
NA-82-AA-D-CZO68
5. Update - Weaver Street Bridge
The Administrator stated that the Bridge would be closed
sometime in February of 1988 and reopened in November of 1988 ,
with additional work to be completed by June of 1989 which
would not require the closing of Weaver Street. He outlined
the detour routes and added that the DOT has incorporated into
their contract a penalty clause which will require the
contractor to pay $500 each day beyond November 19, 1988 if
the Bridge is not reopened by this date. He went on to say
that the contractor cannot close the Bridge until he is
actually ready to begin work and that the DOT has agreed to
hold informational meetings with residents, Town officials and
all interested parties and has also agreed to install
additional signs to notify motorists of detour routes.
Mr. Altieri went on to say that the outstanding issue at this
time is funding for the Town and Village of Larchmont to cover
costs of placing police officers at two or three key
intersections during commuter hours, the State has denied our
request for this funding.
The Administrator explained further that the State will
construct a protected pedestrian bridge at the construction
site for crossing on foot. Councilman Lerman asked about
emergency vehicles to which Mr. Altieri replied that they
would be cut off from the Railroad Bridge right from the
beginning of construction but would be able to use Harmon
Drive for about two weeks.
Mr. Altieri concluded that the biggest problem at this point
appeared to be that of overtime for traffic officers.
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DEC. 1 6 e
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Supervisor Battalia commented that when this was originally
set to occur two years ago, emergency departments were meeting
and queried whether these meetings were taking place now.
The Administrator responded that they had been in touch with
the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont and that all those
groups will be invited to the informational meeting. He
reported that the Village of Mamaroneck and Town had worked
out mutual aid as well as the Village of Larchmont and the
Town but that the police are not that affected.
Councilwoman Silverstone replied that she had requested the
Administrator to ask the Traffic Committee to look over a
number of items on Rockland Avenue since she believes that a
lot of excessive speeding takes place and this may be a good
area for police to carry out their selective enforcement. She
also asked if some repairs could be made to the Weaver Street
Bridge now since it seems that pieces of wood have disappeared
and the roadway is very bumpy.
Councilman Lerman mentioned that this will be a major
inconvenience to the community and we had to ensure that VAC,
the police and fire departments have the best possible
arrangements for use of their services.
Further discussion ensued with the Administrator explaining
that one problem is that Metro North refuses to change their
schedule and another will be traffic control at the Weaver and
Palmer intersection. The Supervisor suggested setting up a
meeting one afternoon at 4 :00 p.m. with school officials,
police, fire and VAC. Councilmen Amlicke and Chapin both
voiced concern about fire department and VAC coverage with the
Bridge closing.
Ex-Councilman Bloom stated that with the Bridge closed at the
time of presidential elections, there would be a problem with
voters getting to polls since the election boundaries had
changed last year and he felt it would be appropriate to
request changing district lines once again The Town Clerk
remarked that the changes were made by the Federal Government
and she did not think they would allow changes but she would
try to find an alternate site if possible.
6 . Authorization - Change of Civil Service Status-Building
Department
As per memo from the Town Administrator explaining that the
Town had authorized the hiring of William Jakubowski as
Building and Plumbing Inspector for the Town on a provisional
basis and since he has now completed and scored number one on
the civil service examination, he recommended that the Board
appoint him permanently. Mr. Altieri reported that the
Building Inspector has performed well, has developed a good
rapport with the staff and residents of the community and has
developed new procedures to streamline the operation of the
Building Department.
Thereafter, on motion by Councilman Amlicke, seconded by
Councilwoman Silverstone, it was unanimously
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DEC, 1 6 1987
RESOLVED, that this Town Board hereby
appoints William Jakubowski as Building
and Plumbing Inspector for the Town of
Mamaroneck on a permanent basis in view
of the fact that he has successfully
completed the Civil Service examination
for this position and furthermore has
scored number one on the Westchester
County eligibility list for Building
and Plumbing Inspector.
7. Salary Authorization - Recreation
Pursuant to memos from William Zimmermann, Superintendent of
Recreation and on motion by Councilman Lerman, seconded by
Councilman Amlicke, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that as provided for in the
1987 Town Budget, authorization is
hereby granted for payment of salary
to the following:
Marc Levitt, Recreation Assistant,
Youth Hockey, $3 .50/hour, effective
12/19/87;
Richard Gill, Recreation Assistant,
Youth Hockey, $9 .00/hour, effective
12/19/87;
Thomas Kirkpatrick, Alternate Lifeguard,
Hommocks Pool, $3 .50/hour, effective 12/18/87;
Susan Ladin, Temporary Office Help, $5 .50/
hour, effective 12/18/87;
Russell Wolff, Referee, Youth Hockey Program;
$9/hour, effective 12/19/87.
8 . Authorization - Snow Removal Contract-Westchester County
Mr. Altieri reported that the contract is for County roads
located within the Town, which constitute a total mileage of
1.6 miles for Palmer Avenue and Murray Avenue. Thereafter, on
motion by Councilman Chapin, seconded by Councilman Lerman, it
was unanimously unanimously
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby
authorizes the Town Administrator to
execute an agreement between the Town
and the County of Westchester for snow
removal and ice control on County roads
located within the Unincorporated Area
of the Town of Mamaroneck.
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9 . Report of Bids - a) Diesel Fuel
b) Highway Department Uniforms
c) Cleaning of Police Uniforms .
Mr. Altieri enumerated that the Town had received bids for the
above-mentioned items and recommended contracts as per his
memo.
a) Diesel Fuel
On motion by Councilman Amlicke, seconded by Councilwoman
Silverstone, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, that this Board hereby accepts
the bid of the lowest responsible bidder
and authorizes the Town Administrator to
enter into contract with Lawrence Heat
and Power of Mamaroneck, New York, to
supply diesel fuel to the Town.
b) Highway Department Uniforms
The Administrator asked the Board not to consider this
item at this time.
c) Cleaning of Police Uniforms
On motion by Councilman Lerman, seconded by Councilman
Amlicke, with Councilwoman Silverstone and Councilman
Chapin voting aye and Supervisor Battalia abstaining,
it was
RESOLVED, that this Board hereby accepts
the bid of the lowest responsible bidder
and authorizes the Town Administrator to
enter into contract with Flamingo Cleaners
of Larchmont, New York for the cleaning
of police uniforms for the Town.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
There were no written communications to come before the Board at
this time.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dr. C. Alan Mason reported that the Beechmont Bus Company has been
spilling diesel fuel when making the turn on Rockland Avenue,
which make very slippery conditions and requested that Mr. Altieri
check with the Bus Company.
Supervisor Battalia asked Mr. Altieri about the status of the Duck
Pond dredging, to which he replied that he would have a report
from Malcolm Pirnie some time next week.
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THE TOWN CLERK
Regular Reports
The Town Clerk presented the report from the Building Department
for the months of October and November, and for the Town Clerk' s
office for the month of November.
THE SUPERVISOR
No Reports
REPORTS OF THE COUNCIL
Councilman Amlicke reported that he had attended his last meeting
of the Cable TV Board of Control where they had a $30,000 item in
the budget kept as surplus funds for taxes. He explained that
this was done because UA Columbia pays their taxes under protest
and in the event that taxes had to be refunded the money would be
there. He further explained that there is now a proposal to put
these monies into a reserve fund, which he believed should not be
done because it may sway the decision of the courts in the amount
of refund if it is decided.
Councilwoman Silverstone commented that she had received a call
from the Garden Club with a request that they be allowed to plant
some trees in the new parking area the Coughlin Group had
purchased. She suggested they have a meeting with Joan Williams
and Jack Coughlin to discuss this.
Councilwoman Silverstone mentioned that she had a call from a
resident regarding the purchase of piece of property that may be
owned by the Town. It was decided that this be discussed in
executive session.
Councilman Chapin stated that every Saturday he goes to Dunkin
Donuts and that the lot is filthy with litter which is spread over
the entire neighborhood, and that the carpet store is also a mess.
He felt that fines and enforcement are inadequate.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of October 21, 1987 and November 4, 1987 were approved
as corrected.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Town Board, on
motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was declared adjourned
in memory of Richard Haviland who worked for the Highway
Department and James Knox, a long-time employee of the Police
Department. The meeting was adjourned at 9 :58 p.m. and the Board
then convened into Executive Session.
Patricia A. DiCioccio
Town Clerk
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