Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974_12_18 Town Board Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK, HELD DECEMBER 18th, 1974 IN THE AUDITORIUM 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 Helwig Deputy Supervisor Vandernoot Councilman Bloom Councilman White Councilman McMillan Absent: None Also Present: Mrs. Brewer - Deputy Clerk Mr. Johnston - Town Attorney Mrs. Dallara - Deputy Clerk Mr. Aitchison - Superintendent of Highways Mr. DeLuca - Comptroller Mr. Elfreich - Town Engineer ADOPTION OF 1975 BUDGET The Supervisor reviewed the reduced budget referring particu- larly to pages 6 and 7, the $123,990. reduction in appropria- tions and the reduction of the total tax levy to $3,062,715. For the information of those present, she also recited the reduc- tions in the Town Wide, Part Town or Town Outside Villages, and Special District budgets. Further she noted that when the Board was working on reducing the budget, it had contacted the Library to see if there was any chance of reducing the ap- propriation requested -- but to no avail and lastly, she called attention to the reduction in General Town full time staff from 23 in 1971 to 21 in 1975. Mr. Vandernoot noted that during the hearing there had been many requests for eliminating personnel, salary increases and benefits, and even services which were not absolutely es- sential -- and that although very serious attention had been given to these requests, there simply had not been that much "fat" to cut due to the diligent efforts to reduce their requests all of the Department Heads had made in reply to the Town Board's request. Mr. Bloom observed that the percentage increase was now down from the original 16% to between 9 and 10% and that part of the reason it could not be reduced further was that less Federal Revenue Sharing Funds would be received than had been anticipated. - 1 Mr. McMillan added that he felt the Board should be relatively pleased with what it had accomplished inasmuch as everything that could possibly be deleted from the budget had been with what remained being that which simply must remain. Mr. Bloom then requested that the record show the Board's appreciation of the many fine, helpful and constructive sug gestions offered by the citizens, and most particularly the presentation prepared and furnished by Mr. Arnold Biederman. Since there were no further comments or questions by the mem- bers of the Board, the Chair then invited anyone present who wished to speak to address the Board -- whereupon Mrs. Shultz inquired about the Federal Revenue Sharing Funds and their ap- plication in the 1975 budget; Mr. Biederman urged because of the need for far greater cutting and the apparent lack of citizen participation and interest, that a year-round financial advisory citizen budget committee be formed to work with the Board; and Dr. Grant strongly seconding Mr. Biederman's suggestion, stressed that such a committee was indeed needed but that it should not be appointed by the Board as it would t hen become a tool of the Board and defeat its purpose. In connection therewith, both the Supervisor and Councilman Bloom offered some thoughts as to the possibility of using an organization that already had a budget committee structure such as the League since it now had male members -- or the Garden Club -- or possibly a Civic Association such as the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association which for many years had a budget committee that worked on and went over every item in the en- tire budget annually. These suggestions were termed unacceptable by Dr. Grant who catagorized all such organizations as "pressure groups" exist- ing only for one particular purpose. Mrs.Shultz then said she felt that everyone could benefit from a continuing year-round study of the operation of all departments which led to the dis- cussion's conclusion with a suggestion by the Supervisor and approved by the Board to have the various Department Heads present their Department's Annual Report with slides, pro- gram descriptions and explanations, etc. at Town Board meet- ings as had been done by Recreation with both the Fire and Police Departments scheduled early in the New Year. Mrs. Helwig then inquired as to the Board's pleasure on the adoption, whereupon the Deputy Supervisor moved the adoption of the Preliminary Budget, as amended and herewith presented, as the 1975 Annual Budget. This motion was sec- onded by Councilman McMillan and the following resolution duly adopted by unanimous vote of the Board, all members thereof being present and voting aye: WHEREAS, this Town Board has met on Novem- ber 20th at the time and place specified in the Notice of Public Hearing on the adoption of a Preliminary Budget for 1975 and has heard all persons desiring to be heard thereon; - 2 - and WHEREAS, the Preliminary Budget as adopted on November 20th has been modified as of this date by the following: 1 . An $18,270. reduction in the General Town or Town Wide Appropriations; 2. A $32, 100. reduction in Part Town or Town Outside Villages Appro- priations; 3. A $49,000. reduction in Highway Ap- propriations; 4. A $7,770. reduction in the Park Dis- trict Appropriations; 5. An $18,300. reduction in the Fire District Appropriations; This was offset by an increase of $6,000. in the Federal Revenue Sharing Town Wide Ap- propriation and an increase of $1 ,250. in the Town Outside Villages -- which is offset by an increase in Estimated Revenues in Fed- eral Revenue Sharing of $6,000. in Town Wide ard $1 ,250. in Town Outside Villages; and lastly, an increase of $6,500. in Unex- pended Balance in the Garbage District. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that this Board does hereby adopt such Preliminary Budget as hereinabove modified as the Annual Budget of this Town for the fiscal year beginning on the first (1st) day of January, 1975, and that such budget as so adopted be en- tered in detail in the minutes of the proceedings of this Town Board; (Budget herewith inserted) and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of this Town shall prepare and certify, in duplicate, copies of said Annual Budget as adopted by this Board, to- gether with the estimates, if any, adopted pur- suant to section 202-a, subd. 2 of the Town Law, and deliver one (1) copy thereof to the Supervisor of this Town to be presented by her to the County Board of Legislators of this County; - 3 - and be it further RESOLVED, that for the fiscal year 1975 the sum hereinafter set forth in the attached bud- get be levied, assessed, and collected upon the taxable properties in the Town of Mamar- oneck outside of the Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck (Part Town), the properties of the several districts and the several par- cels of taxable property, franchise and as- sessments, 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 be it 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 61 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 "Ex- hibit A", the several sums set forth opposite each such parcel or lot of land on such state- ment as and for unpaid water charges 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" . NEW BUSINESS 1 . Appointment of Town Clerk Mrs. Dorothy Miller The Supervisor with great pleasure presented for appointment as Town Clerk, the name of Mrs. Dorothy Miller, requesting Councilman Bloom to speak about her background and the par- ticular qualifications so aptly and ably fitting her to fill the post so sadly vacated by the untimely death of Mr. Gronberg. Mr. Bloom, after saying that obviously it was almost un- thinkable to be naming someone to fill the shoes of Charley Gronberg, briefly reviewed Mrs. Miller's resume, pointing to the excellency of her candidacy for several reasons -- one being her life-long residency in the Village of Mamaroneck, another her ten-year experience with the New York State De- partment of Health - and another and perhaps as important as any, her cheerful personable manner which would carry on the good will Charley had contributed to the Town for the past twenty-nine years in this Chair! And hence, it is indeed with much pleasure that I place her - 4 - name in nomination for the appointment to take office on Jan- uary 9th, 1975 when she will be available. And thereupon since there were no further nominations, on Councilman Bloom's motion, seconded by Councilman Mc- Millan, the following resolution was offered: RESOLVED, that Dorothy Sands Miller of 510 Center Street, Mamaroneck, be and she here- by is appointed Town Clerk of the Town of Ma- maroneck, effective as of January 9th, 1975 and to serve for the unexpired portion of the term of office of the late Town Clerk, Charles J. Gronberg, or until December 31st, 1975, subje ct to the further provisions of sub-section 5 of Section 64 of the Town Law, to-wit: "She shall hold office until the com- mencement of the calendar year next succeeding the first annual election at which this vacancy may be filled." Upon roll call, the vote was announced as unanimous, all mem- bers of the Board being present and voting "Aye", and the ap- pointment of Mrs. Dorothy Sands Miller as.Town Clerk of the Town of Mamaroneck, effective as of January 9th, 1975, there- upon duly declared. 2. Engineer's Request for Authorization to Release 10% Retained Percentage for Contract No. 74-6, Excavation Backfill Asphalt and Drains - Air Structure-- Manny Equipment Co. (Bond No. N-4242639) Pursuant to memorandum herewith presented and ordered re- ceived and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman Vandernoot, it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes re- lease of a 10% retained percentage to Manny Equip- ment Co. , Inc. on Contract No. 74-6 for Excava- tion, Backfill, Asphalt and Drains at the Air Struc- ture project in lieu of Maintenance Bond in the amount of $2,337.00, as approved by the Town Attorney. (Bond No. N-4242639 Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company). 3. Engineer's Request for Authorization to Release 10% Retained Percentage for Contract No. 74-7, for Concrete and Masonry Work - Air Structure Arra Construction Co. , Inc. (Bond No. 008158) Pursuant to memorandum herewith presented and ordered re- ceived and filed for the record, on motion by Councilman Bloom, seconded by Councilman Vandernoot, it was unanimously - 5 - RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes release of a 10% retained percentage to Arra Construction Co. , Inc. on Contract No. 74-7 for Concrete and Masonry Work at the Air Structure project in lieu of Maintenance Bcnd in the amout of $3,815.00, as approved by the Town Attorney. (International Fidelity Insur- ance Company -- Bond No. 008158). 4. Comptroller's Request for Authorization for Blanket Resolution to Cover All Budget Transfers for Fiscal Year 1974 Pursuant to the Comptroller's memorandum of December 17th heroimith presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Councilman McMillan and seconded by the Deputy Super- visor , it was unanimously RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the Comptroller to make all transfers of funds within the 1974 budget necessary to close out the books for the end of the fiscal year 1974. 5. Assescr's Request to Engage Appraiser for Certiorari Block 914 - Parcels 1 , 15 and 331 - Boston Post Road & Fenimore Road , Village of Mamaroneck A memorandum addressed to the Board by the Assessor under date of December 17th, 1974 herewith presented was ordered received and filed for the record. Pursuant thereto following a rather lengthy discussion as to whether or not the School Board should share in the cost of engaging an appraiser in reply to the Chair's quary as to the Board's pleasure, on a motion by Mr. White, seconded by Mr. Bloom, the following resolution was adopted by a majority vote of 4 ayes with the Supervisor abstaining from voting since she was not clear as to whether a School Board couLd share this expense legally. RESOLVED, that this Board hereby authorizes the Assessor to engage the services of a pro- fessional Appriaiser from the firm of Edward F. Hallahan Inc. at a fee not to exceed the sum of $2,000. in connection with the Certiorari Pro- ceedings on the premises known as Block 914, Parcels 1 , 15 and 331 located at the corner of Boston Post Raod and Fenimore Road in the Village of Mamaroneck provided that the School District will share the cost of the appraisal. COMMUNICATIONS 1 . PSC Notice re Proposed Changes in Rates New York Telephone Company - 6 - f The aforesaid Notice was presented and following the Attorney's ''-fig report of the Commission's action suspending use of the pro- posed rates pending public hearing, ordered received and filed for the record. REPORTS The Supervisor -- 1 . Report on Application of Mayer of Westchester, Inc. to Larchmont Village Board of Appeals The Supervisor reported with reference to the above that Mr. Maggini, Chairman or the Planning Board, tp whom the matter had been referred, advised in a memorandum addressed to her by him today and herewith presented and ordered received and filed, that since the Town would not be hurt in any way there seemed no need to file any objection. Not on Agenda 2. Death of Julian Cargill Mrs. Helwig noted with deep regret the passing of Julian Car- gill, a long-time and extremely distinguished resident of the Town before moving to Florida some years ago -- adding that a note would be forwarded to his daughter with deepest sym- pathy and condolences to her at this very difficult time. Not on Agenda Mr. McMillan -- 1 Sale of Christmas Trees Mr. McMillan called attention to the annual Jay Cee Sale of Christmas Trees -- requesting all who could to patronize the lot. The Town Attorney -- 1 . Report on Con Ed's Reduction in Special Franchise Assessment The Attorney reported that the Assessor and he had discussed the recent reduction in Con Ed's Special Franchise Assess- ment of $603,511 . at some length. He further said that both Mr. Doyle and he strongly felt that all of the affected munici- palities should oppose this action at the Albany level but that it should be done in unison. To this end, he said that Mr. Doyle had drafted a letter to be forwarded to each in order to ascertain its disposition in the matter and that a further re- port would be made just as soon as possible. - 7 - 387 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned at 9:-45 p.m. to reconvene on January 8th, 1975. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS The meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners was con- vened immediately upon the adjournment of the Town Board meeting. 1. Claims Pursuant to memorandum addressed to the Commission by the Deputy Comptroller under date of December 17th, 1974 here- with presented and ordered received and filed, on motion by Commissioner Bloom and seconded by Commissioner White, 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: R. G. Brewer, Inc. $ 17.48 McGuire Bros. , Inc. 20.00 Signacon Controls, Inc. 92.00 Suburban Comm. , Inc. 52.00 Total $181.48 2. Report Commissioner Bloom presented the Fire Report for the month of November, 1974 which was herewith ordered re- ceived and filed for the record. 3. The Fire Chief Chief Santoro presented the Junior Member of the Fire Com- mission with his Official Badge--one of the happy things he had to do before leaving office. Commissioner McMillan ex- pressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chief and further congratulated him on his achievements while in office, which were indeed many and varied. - 8 - 3$8 Mrs. Helwig and the other Commissioners joined Commis- sioner McMillan in expressing their thanks and gratitude to the Chief and in wishing him well in the future. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the meeting, on motion duly made and seconded, it was declared adjourned at 9:55 p.m. , to reconvene on January 8th, 1975. 0- o _ Deputy lerk - 9 -