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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021_05_25 Town Board Minutes May 25, 2021 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORK SESSION OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD JOINTLY WITH THE VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT MAY 25, 2021, 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 PRESENT FROM THE VILLAGE OF LARCHMONT: Mayor Lorraine Walsh Trustee Carol Casazza Herman Trustee Peter Fanelli Trustee Sarah Bauer Trustee Brigid Brennan ALSO PRESENT: Christina Battalia, Town Clerk Stephen V. Altieri Connie Green O’Donnell, Deputy Town Administrator William Maker, Jr., Town Attorney CALL TO ORDER Additionally Present; Lindsey Luft Assistant to the Town Administrator On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, the joint worksession was unanimously opened by the Town Board. The Village Mayor then asked for a motion from her Board of Trustees to open the meeting. Mayor Walsh gave an introduction and then a brief history of the Commission. The Mayor noted some of the concerns addressed by the Village, adding that the focus of this evening is to move forward. A visual was shared which demonstrated some of the apportionment calculations under discussion, which the Village has previously shared with the Commission. The Mayor stated that there are two options for discussion before the Boards. One being a continued Commission that is acceptable to both Boards, and the creation of a District. Supervisor Seligson stated that a District would offer greater savings and greater flexibility. The Boards discussed the options, their concerns and preferences. The Boards addressed the language of the Advisory Committee. A revised version of the Advisory Committee language was distributed and discussed. Supervisor Seligson and Mayor Walsh, asked if there was enough agreeable language to move to the next steps in the creation of a District, and move to a full financial analysis of a District. It was noted that in order to move forward public meetings (at least one) would need to be held. Supervisor Seligson stated that there is a very short time frame to get State approval for a District, and the 1 May 25, 2021 Town of Mamaroneck would also need to address the creation of a District in their upcoming 2022 Budget preparation, particularly in applying the tax cap calculations. Trustee Casazza Herman suggested it would helpful for her Board to take a ten minute break so that the Village Board could talk, and then the Village Board made a motion to go into an Executive Session. The Town Board then discussed going into an executive session, then on motion by Councilman King, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, a it was unanimously agreed to enter into an Executive Session to discuss legal negotiations. EXECUTIVE SESSION Legal Negotiations The Board reconvened and had before them the latest version of the Advisory Committee language. Mayor Walsh stated that there is a mechanism, discussed by the Commission, whereby an Intermunicipal agreement, an Article 5G, could be utilized to restructure the Commission. Upon being asked by the Village Board, the Town responded that their primary interest is in moving toward an expanded District, but would consider a discussion of a reformatted Commission. The Village Board noted that a District might not address all the concerns of the Village, and that a restructured Commission might be a good compromise. Councilwoman Elkind Eney stated, and Councilman King concurred, that there is a third option, and that is for the Commission to dissolve, and both municipalities go their separate ways. Supervisor Seligson stated the next steps would be to look more deeply into the creation of the District from every angle, with a full analysis of the benefits and costs, for both municipalities. Mayor Walsh clarified the next steps; a few individuals, with different talents, will convene and gather additional financial information, receive hypotheticals from the insurance companies, receive comments from Board Members’ on the language of the Advisory Board, and put a timeline to paper for the legal requirements of creating a District. Mayor Walsh stated that this packet of information will be prepared for both Boards, and may be the appropriate time to receive public comment. The Boards’ noted that if there is not enough time to create a District in 2021, an agreement and budget discussions, to maintain the Commission through 2022, would be needed. Additionally, a move to dissolve the Commission completely, would take additional and extensive work. On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman King, the Town Board unanimously agreed to end their worksession. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilwoman Elkind Eney, seconded by Councilman King, the meeting was unanimously adjourned. ________________________________ Submitted by Christina Battalia, Town Clerk 2