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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973_12_12 Town Board Regular Minutes 4 ') MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, HELD DECEMBER 12th, 1973, IN THE COUNCIL ROOM OF THE WEAVER STREET FIREHOUSE, WEAVER STREET, TOWN OF MAMARONECK. CALL TO ORDER The Supervisor called the meeting to order at 8:15 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Supervisor Helwig Councilman Vandernoot Councilman Bloom Councilman White Councilman McMillan Absent: None Also. Present: Mr. Gronberg - Town Clerk Mrs. Brewer - Deputy Clerk Mr. Johnston - Town Attorney Mr. Aitchison - Highway Superintendent Mr. Leddy - Conservation Director APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the regular meeting of October 17th, 1973 were presented and on motion duly made and seconded, approved as amended. PUBLIC HEARING - 1974 Preliminary Budget On motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that the hearing be and it hereby 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 Supervisor outlined the hearing procedure requesting each per- son who spoke to identify himself for purposes of the record. Mrs. Helwig stated that the Board had further studied the Budget following its adoption on November 21st and briefly reviewed the budget as now presented, with Councilman Vandernoot, at her request, summarizing the salaries and contracts, particularly noting the addition of the new dental plan, the floating holiday, the cost of living adjustment and increments where due. In responsett o_the Supervisor's invitation, the following persons were heard on the budget but not actually speaking in, any case- as either in favor of or in opposition to its adoption. Mrs. Margaret Shultz - 25 Alden Road Mrs. Shultz asked the cost of the dental plan and was joined by Mr. Shultz who pointed out to the Board that some of these plans could be very very costly. Councilman Vandernoot replied, defining the plan as minimal and thanked Mr. Shultz for his warning, advising him that the Board was well aware of the potential costs of other than this minimal coverage. - 1 - a 4-4 Mrs. Maria Russell - 26 Mountain Avenue Mrs. Russell again questioned the placement of the cost of the Electronic Accounting Machine in Part Town rather than General Town since its use would service all residents. The Supervisor replied that her point was being noted although the machine's major service would be to residents of the Village of Larchmont and Unincorporated Area. Mrs. Peggy Snyder - 31 Seton Road Mrs. Snyder asked whether all 103 employees were covered by con- tracts and how many were Civil Service. Mr. Vandernoot replied explaining that all elected officials, some appointed officials, part-time personnel and one or two other ap- pointed employees were not Civil Service and not members of the C.S.E.A. Mr. George H. Carl, Sr. - 76 North Chatsworth Avenue Mr. Carl spoke about the extremely high costs of the fringe benefits -- asking whether anything could be done about them? He particularly referred to the Police Department and the costs of schooling, etc. Both Mrs. Helwig and Mr. Vandernoot spoke to this, both agreeing that the costs were indeed high with Mr. Vandernoot adding that these benefits were part of the contract negotiations and would certainly be kept in mind when the contract talks resumed in 1974 for the coming contracts. Mrs. Shultz - III Mrs. Shultz then inquired about Per Capita State Aid and also why some Districts showed decreases. The Supervisor replied, reviewing the procedures for State Aid allotment which was based solely on the State Aid Formula and thus explained how the decreases referred to had occurred. Mrs. Marlene Kolbert - 27 Shadow Lane, Larchmont Mrs. Kolbert spoke at some length on Town-wide recreation, address- ing herself to the Commission's recommended revisions in the Revenue Portion of the 1974 Budget as herewith presented and ordered received and filed for the record. She expressed her concern about the pro- posed fee increases and resultant possible non-availability of the pool to certain of the Town's children. Following Councilman White's detailed explanation and review of the proposed fee structure and reasons therefor, a group of residents including Mr. Arnold Biederman, Mrs. Libby Moroff, Mrs. Terry Schwartz- man, Mrs. Helen Schena, Mrs. Marie Wolf, Mrs. Susan Newman, Mrs. Mar- garet Shultz and Mrs. Peggy Snyder discussed recreation programs, costs, etc. with the Board, offering suggestions and particularly emphasizing that such facilities should be available for all children. Mrs. Selma Grissom - 126 Richbell Road Mrs. Grissom of C.A.P. stated with reference to this point, that her organization saw to it that this facility was available to any dis- advantaged children and urged that C.A.P. be contacted in all such instances. - 2 - . 4 Al Mr. Edward F. X. Ryan, Jr. - 32 Garden Road W. Mr. Ryan stated that he would like more detail on the following items although he did thank the Board for the detail it had fur- nished. 1st - He inquired about the occurrence of a number of balances in this year's balance asking what they were? IIIMr. DeLuca, at Mrs. Helwig's request, replied explaining the procedure for closing the books at the end of the fiscal year and noting that all of this information was available in the annual report of the Supervisor published in full yearly in conformance with law. 2nd - He asked whether there was an efficiency method to control this surplus which would eliminate it from the tax levy? Mr. Bloom answered stating that all surplus was used to reduce the following year's levy. 3rd - He asked whether the method used of looking at what had been spent was adequate -- noting the Supervisor's salary, the audit, insurance, the Town Council and Deputy Supervisor as items of question. Mr. Bloom spoke to the Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor III and Town Council items, the Town Clerk and Attorney to insurance. Mr. Ronald G. Crawford - 20 Manor Lane, Larchmont Mr.. Crawford spoke on behalf of the schools, requesting continuing support of the Hommocks ' program instituted this Fall which the Supervisor assured him was provided. In reply to further questions about the Police Department costs and the addition of two new men, Chief Barasch, at the Supervisor 's request, stated that vandalism had doubled during the first ten months of this year and the arrest rate had tripled, which he said justifies the two additional men this coming year. Without these two men, the Chief commented, our Police Department would find its coverage of our Town's almost 6 square miles "a little thin." In reply to questions as to what was being done to combat the rising vandalism, the Chief described the job being done by individual officers supervising recreation for teen-agers who might other- , wise be vandals and the Supervisor cited the after-school program Illat Hommocks and the High School Open House, both Town supported, and a tentative project of the Paid Firefighters to provide and supervise minibiking in enclosed areas. Mr. Ned Purves' commendation of the Community Beautification Pro- gram, Mr. Otto Scheuble's remarks re the road repair work being performed by the highway forces, Mrs. Newman's observations re the - 3 - use of the property in back of the Court House and Mrs. Mariette Williams ' requests for assistance for Life Center were noted for the record. A question by Mr. Biederman as to whether study and consider- ation was being given to the possible coordination or consoli- dation of the Village of Larchmont and Town Police Departments was answered by Mr. Hanlon, Police Commissioner, who reported that the Joint Committee was presently studying the matter with Mr. Vincent La Fleur of the Bureau of Municipal Police. Councilman Vandernoot then suggested in order to give the Town Board an opportunity for further study and review of the Budget prior to its adoption that action be deferred until the next meeting of the Board on December 19th, 1973 which he thereupon so moved. Councilman Bloom seconded the motion which was un- animously so ordered. OLD BUSINESS 1. Report on Bids - Electronic Accounting Machine Following Councilman Vandernoot's report on the opening of bids at 10:00 a.m. on December 5th in the presence of the Sup- ervisor, the Town Clerk, the Comptroller and himself, on motion by him and seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby accepts the bid of the low bidder, to-wit that of Burroughs Corporation in the amount of $25,656.01 for furnishing to the Town of Mamaroneck one (1) Electronic Accounting Computer in accordance with the specifications set forth in the Notice for Bids, and be it further RESOLVED, that all bid bonds or checks accompanying said bids be returned to all except the successful bidder. Mr. Biederman, upon recognition, inquired in view of the fast changes occurring in this type of machine today whether con- sideration had been given to leasing such equipment. In reply Councilman Vandernoot stated that it had, but that in view of the lack of saving in costs over the years and the fact that the Burroughs ' machine was a new one with provisions for adjustment to meet new developments, the Board had felt it more economical and better investment-wise to purchase. NEW BUSINESS 1. Bond Resolution Following a brief explanation of the reasons for the Bond Sale, the following resolution was offered by Councilman Vandernoot, who moved its adoption, seconded by Councilman Bloom to wit: -4- 4 ,1 RESOLUTION DATED December 12th ,1973 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CONSOLIDATION AND SALE OF $518,500 SERIAL BONDS OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK, HERE- TOFORE SEPARATELY AUTHORIZED FOR VARIOUS TOWN PURPOSES. BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York, as follows: Section 1. Of the $285,000 serial bonds authorized by a bond and capital note resolution dated December 18, 1968, for the original improvement and embellishment of the Hommocks Area for park and recreation purposes, there shall be issued and sold $198,000 serial bonds, which shall mature $28,000 in 1974, $30,000 in each of the years 1975 and 1976, $35,000 in each of the years 1977 and 1978, and $40,000 in 1979, and shall be consolidated with other issues of bonds of said Town as hereinafter authorized. It is hereby deter- mined that the period of probable usefulness of the afore- said specific object or purpose is ten years, pursuant to subdivision 19(c) of paragraph of a Section 11.00 of tie Local Finance Law, computed from February 13, 1969, the date of the first bond anticipation note issued therefor. It is hereby further determined that funds of said Town available from a source other than the proceeds of the bonds or bond anticipation notes were used on February 11, 1971, February 11, 1972 and February 9, 1973, in the amounts of $27,000, $30,000 and $30,000, respectively, to reduce the principal amount of bond anticipation notes of said Town outstanding • for the aforesaid specific object or purpose. Section 2. Of the $138,500 serial bonds authorized by a bond resolution dated January 21, 1970, for the acquisition of certain real property as the site for municipal buildings and other town purposes, there shall be issued and sold $118, 500 serial bonds, which shall mature $7,500 in 1974, $11,000 in each of the years 1975 to 1984, both inclusive, and $1,000 in 1985, and shall be consolidated with other issues of bonds of said Town as hereinafter authorized. It is hereby deter- mined that the period of probable usefulness of tie aforesaid specific object or purpose is thirty-years, pursuant to sub- division 21(a) of paragraph of Section 11.00 of the Local Fin- ance Law, computed from February 27, 1970, the date of the first bond anticipation note issued therefor. It is hereby further determined that funds of said Town available from a source other than the proceeds of the bonds or bond anticipation notes were used on February 25, 1972 and February 23, 1973 in the amount of $10,000 each, to reduce the principal amount of bond antici- pation notes of said Town outstanding for the aforesaid specific object or purpose. Section 3. Of the $220,000 serial bonds authorized by a bond resolution dated October 1, 1969, as amended on July 8, 1970, for the construction of a sewer system to serve an Extension of Sewer District No. 1, to be known as Section "S"-'' of said District, there shall be issued and sold $202,000 serial bonds, which shall mature $8,000 in 1974, $9,000 in each of the years 1975 to 1985, both inclusive and $5,000 in each of the years 1986 to 2004, both inclusive, and shall be consolidated with other issues of bonds of said Town as hereinafter authorized. It is hereby determined that the period of probable usefulness of the aforesaid specific object or purpose is forty years, pursuant to subdivision 4 of paragraph a of Section 11.00 of the Local Finance Law, computed from October 28, 1969, the date of the first bond anticipation note issued therefor. It is hereby further determined that funds - 5 - 1 1C) of said Town available from a source other than the proceeds of the bonds or bond anticipation notes were used on October 28, 1971, October 27, 1972 and October 26, 1973 in the amount of $6,000 each, to reduce the principal amount of bond antici- pation notes of said Town outstanding for the aforesaid specific object or purpose. Section 4. The $518,500 serial bonds described in the pre- ambles hereof, shall each be designated substantially PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT (SERIAL) BOND, 1973, shall be dated November 1, 1973, shall be of the denomination of $5,000 each, except bond numbered 1 of the denomination of $3,500, shall be numbered from 1 to 104, both inclusive, and shall mature in numerical order in the amount of $43,500 on February 1, 1974, $50,000 on February 1 in each of the years 1975 and 1976, $55,000 on February 1 in each of the=-years 1977 and 1978, $60,000 on February 1, 1979, $20,000 on February 1 in each of the years 1980 to 1984, both inclusive, $10,000 on Feb- ruary 1, 1985, and $5,000 on February 1 in each of the years 1986 to 2004, both inclusive, with interest thereon payable February 1, 1974 and semi-annually thereafter on August 1 and February 1. Such bonds shall bear interest at such rate as may be necessary to sell the same, which rate shall be determined in the manner provided in Section 59.00 of the Local Finance Law. Such bonds shall be in bearer coupon form with the privilege of conversion into bonds registered as to both principal and interest, and shall be payable as to both principal and interest in lawful moneyvof the United States of America at The County Trust Company, in .Mam- aroneck, New York, which by contract is the paying agent of the issuer. The aforesaid maturities constitute the aggregate of the individual maturities of each separate issue, which individual mat- urities are prescribed in the preceding sections hereof. Such bonds shall be signed in the name of said Town of Mamaroneck, New York, by its Supervisor, and a facsimile of its corporate seal shall be imprinted thereon and attested by its Town Clerk, and the interest coupons shall bear the facsimile signature of said Supervisor. II/ Section 5. All other matters, except as provided herein re- lating to such bonds, shall be determined by the Supervisor. Such bonds shall contain substantially the recital of validity clause provided for in Section 52.00 of the Local Finance Law and shall otherwise be in such form and contain such recitals, in addition to those required by Section 51.00 of the Local Finance Law, as the Supervisor shall determine. Section 6. The faith and credit of said Town of Mamaroneck, New York, are hereby irrevocably pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same respectively become due and payable. An annual appropriation shall be made in each year sufficient to pay the principal of and interest'mn such bonds becoming due and payable in such year. Section 7. The powers and duties of advertising such bonds for sale, conducting the sale and awarding the bonds, are here- by delegated to the Supervisor, who shall advertise such bonds for-sale, conduct the sale arriaward the bonds in such manner as he shall deem best for the interests of said Town, provided, how- ever, that in the exercise of these delegated powers, he shall comply fully with the provisions of the Local Finance Law and any order or rule of the State Comptroller applicable to the sale of municipal bonds. The receipt of the Supervisor shall be a full acquittance to the purchaser of such bonds, who shall not be obliged to see to the application of the purchase money. Section 8. This resolution shall take effect immediately. The question of the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote on roll call, which resulted as follows : t - 6 - .;.'V y Supervisor Helwig VOTING Aye Councilman Vandernoot VOTING Aye Councilman Bloom VOTING Aye • Councilman White VOTING Aye Councilman McMillan VOTING Aye The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted. 2. Salary Authorizations a) Recreation Pursuant to memoranda addressed to the Board by the Superintendent of Recreation under dates of November 29th, December 4th, 7th, and 11th, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman Vandernoot, the following resolution was adopted unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes Recreation Personnel salaries for the Basket- ball Program as set forth here below in accord- ance with the recommendation of the Commission: Effective Name Position Salary Date William Celestino Sr. Rec. Leader $24. per session 12-1-73 Irwin M. Davidson " " " " It +I +I It Frank Friscia " II " +' � +I +t ++ Roy O'Neill // It I/ II +' �� ++ II I+ David Vaughn " // " '+ '� ++ +I +I Howard Jordan Rec. Assistant $ 5. " " 12-8-73 Ed Corfino Rec. Assistant 5. " " 12-8-73 James Roxbury " " " 5. " " 12-8-73 James Iantorno " " " 5. " " 12-8-73 Michael J. Sudano Sr. Rec. Leader $24. " " 12-1-73 b) Senior Stenographer Supervisor's Office Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Board by the Comptroller under date of December 10th, 1973 herewith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Councilman Bloom, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the provisional appointment of Mrs. Evelyn Dallara as a Senior Steno- grapher in the Supervisor's office, effective as of December 10th, 1973 and to be compensated at the rate of $7,730.00 per annum. COMMUNICATIONS 1. Letter Mayor Goldsmith re Appointment - Library Board The Supervisor presented a letter addressed to her by Mayor Goldsmith under date of December 5th, 1973 reporting the appointment of Mr. Harold B. Gores to the Larchmont Library Board of Trustees by the Village Board at its December 3rd meeting, which was herewith ordered received and filed. - 7 - 2. P.S.C. Notice re The New Rochelle Water Company The Attorney presented a Notice from the P.S.C. stating that a hearing would be held on December 18th, 1973 on the New Rochelle Water Company's request for approval to effecuate tariff changes, which was herewith ordered received and filed. 3. P.S.C. Proposal for order restricting certain uses of Electrical Energy The Attorney presented a P.S.C. Proposal for order restricting certain uses of Electrical Energy as set forth therein in view of the present energy crisis which was referred to the newspaper reporter for full coverage and to.Mr. Michael Tripicco of the School Staff for consideration of any possible reduction in office lighting. REPORTS The Town Clerk -- The Clerk presented the following reports which were ordered received and filed: Report of Receiver of Taxes and Assess- ments for the month of November, 1973. Report of the Building and Plumbing Inspector for the month of November, 1973. Report of the Westchester Shore Humane Society and Municipal Dog Patrol for November, 1973. Certified copy of the Statement of Canvass and Decision of Canvass for the Town of Mamaroneck - General Election November 6, 1973. The Councilman -- Mr. White -- Mr. White recited a complaint received from a lady who spoke on behalf of neighbors dissatisfied with bus service for school children, inquiring whether there were other such complaints? Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Wittner attested to the truth of these complaints re Beechmont Bus Company adding that a letter from the Town officially might be of some help. The Town Attorney -- 1. Reports a) School District participation in All Certiorari Proceedings The Attorney reported he had been advised that the School District Attorney would be an active participant in all future certiorari proceedings. - 8 - $ . b) Larchmont League of Women Voters participation in Guadagnola Suit Mr. Johnston reported receipt of advice from the Larchmont League of its active participation in the Guadagnola Action pending against the Zoning Board of Appeals. 2. Fix Date for Public Hearing on Local Law #3-1973 The Attorney presented the proposed Local Law #3-1973 as recommended by the Building Inspector explaining that its adoption would empower the Building Inspector to explore the restrictions set forth therein without recourse to the County as presently required, and requested the Board to fix a date for the necessary hearing thereon. Whereupon, on motion by Councilman Vandernoot, seconded by Councilman McMillan, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby fixes the date of January 2nd, 1974 for Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law #3-1973, which thereupon shall become Local Law #1-1974 and authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to publish in the official newspaper of the Town of Mamaroneck, The Daily Times, the necessary Legal Notice therefor as required by law. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned at 11:15 p.m. , to reconvene on December 19th, 1973. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS The meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was convened immediately upon the adjournment of the Town Board Meeting. 1. Reports Commissioner Bloom presented the following reports which were herewith ordered received and filed: Fire Report for the month of November, 1973. Fire Chief's Report of Number of Alarms in 1973 in the Murdock Woods=Griffin Avenue and Old White Plains Road area of the Town. 2. Communications Pursuant to a letter dated December 11th, 1973 addressed to the Fire Commissioner by the Secretary of the Fire Department here- with presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Commissioner Vandernoot, it was unanimously - 9 - 1w9 RESOLVED, that this Commission hereby approves the election of the following Fire Department Officers for the year 1974 and offers its hearty congratulations and best wishes for the coming year to each: Joseph V, Santoro - Chief Michael A. Acocella, Jr. - First Deputy Chief Walter D. Rickert - Second Deputy Chief Arthur M. Brown - Secretary Augustus R. Funck - Financial Secretary Ira Freireich - Treasurer Dr. Lincoln Stulik - Surgeon Monsignor George F. Bardes - Chaplain Carl Tortorella - Sergeant-at-Arms ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting it was declared adjourned at 11:20 p.m. , to reconvene on December 19th, 1973. f Town C. erk