Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000_05_03 Town Board Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK AND THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS HELD ON MAY 3, 2000 AT 8:15 PM IN THE COURT ROOM OF THE TOWN CENTER, 740 W. BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK PRESENT: Supervisor Valerie M. O'Keeffe Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner Councilwoman Judith A. Myers Councilman Ernest C. Odierna Councilwoman Nancy Seligson ALSO PRESENT: Patricia A. DiCioccio, Town Clerk Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator Charlene Indelicato, Town Attorney CONVENE WORK SESSION The Board convened into a Work Session at 5:30 PM in Conference Room A of the Town Center to discuss: Noise ordinance, commuter parking update, parking fines and Boards and Commissions. At 7:00 PM the Board reconvened into an Executive Session to discuss litigation. On motion duly made and seconded the Board adjourned to the Court Room. CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Town Board was called to order by Supervisor O'Keeffe at 8:25 PM, who then pointed out the location of exits. AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN 1. Set Public Hearing - Installation of Stop Signs - Harmon Drive/Revere Road The Administrator explained that the Traffic Committee, at their meeting of April 25, 2000, took up the issue of traffic on Harmon Drive. Specifically, this addresses the new Harmon Drive that runs from Weaver Street to Rockland Avenue in the Village of Mamaroneck. A number of residents of Harmon Drive appeared at the meeting and expressed concern with respect to the level of traffic and the speed of the traffic. There have been a series of accidents on Harmon Drive over the years including a vehicle related death in 1975. Councilwoman Myers said she had been at the meeting. It was a thoughtful process, the committee studied this matter trying to determine the best way to slow traffic and by placing a stop sign mid-point on the road seems a good way to accomplish this. The residents are quite worried, and a recent accident has caused even greater concern. The Supervisor said she had also spoken to residents in that area, seems a good solution. May 3, 2000 The Administrator continued that Harmon Drive is for the most part, a straight roadway that lends itself to excessive speed. At Weaver Street, the road parallels the New York State Thruway and the Metro North Railroad. Along this stretch of road there are no residential homes. Between the Girl Scout House and the Mamaroneck Village border the road is surrounded by residences. Harmon Drive is a very common and well traveled road that is used as a shortcut between Weaver Street and the Village of Mamaroneck. The Traffic Committee has been adamantly opposed to the use of stop signs as a means of controlling the speed of traffic. It is their belief that too many stop signs result in motorists eventually ignoring the stop sign. The Town Police Department has, in the past, used radar speed enforcement to control speed on Harmon Drive. Unfortunately, the Police Department cannot provide an unlimited level of enforcement needed on Harmon Drive. After much deliberation, the Traffic Committee has come to the conclusion that the unique nature of Harmon Drive lends itself to the use of stop signs to control traffic. The recommendation is to install stop signs in both directions on Harmon Drive at the intersection of Revere Road. In order to continue to consider this matter, the Board will need to set a public hearing. A hearing can be scheduled for May 17, 2000. On motion of Councilman Odierna, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby set the date for public hearing on the installation of stop signs on Harmon Drive and Revere Road for May 17, 2000 at 8:15 PM; and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk be authorized to publish the notice of said hearing in a newspaper appointed as an official source, and that notice be so posted. The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Seligson - Aye Odierna - Aye Myers - Aye Wittner - Aye O'Keeffe - Aye 2. Salary Authorizations Highway Department The Administrator requested authorization to hire Angelo Gualamo and Pietro Balsam as part time gardeners for Highway beginning April 1, 2000. On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilwoman Seligson, it was RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby authorize the payment of salaries to Angelo Gualamo at the rate of$12.50 per hour and Pietro Balsamo at a rate of$13.50 for their services as a part time gardeners The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Seligson - Aye Odierna - Aye Myers - Aye Wittner - Aye O'Keeffe - Aye 2 May 3, 2000 Recreation On motion of Councilwoman Wittner, seconded by Councilwoman Myers, it was RESOLVED, that as provided for in the 2000 Town Budget that the Town Board does hereby authorize the payment of salary to the following: Frank Miceli, Key Attendant, Hommocks Pool, $6/hour, effective April 28, 2000. The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Seligson - Aye Odierna - Aye Myers - Aye Wittner - Aye O'Keeffe - Aye Proclamation -Arbor Day The Supervisor said the Town has been proclaimed a Tree City and then read the following proclamation into the record: PROCLAMATION Arbor Day Tree City U.S.A. Award WHEREAS, 2000 marks the ninth year the Town of Mamaroneck has been recognized as a Tree City U.S.A. by the National Arbor Day Foundation; and WHEREAS, The Tree City U.S.A. award indicates that the Town of Mamaroneck takes its tree-care responsibilities seriously with an effective community forestry program; and WHEREAS, Trees make a world of difference in our communities. Trees have long been recognized for the beauty and value they lend to homes, neighborhoods, parks and business areas. At the same time, those trees conserve energy, help clean the air, protect rivers and streams, and provide a home for wildlife in our towns and cities. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Valerie Moore O'Keeffe, Supervisor, and members of the Town Council do hereby proclaim the month of May, 2000 as Arbor Day in the Town of Mamaroneck and urge all citizens to participate in programs and activities designed to furthering the establishment of trees in our community. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and caused the seal of the Town of Mamaroneck to be affixed this 3rd day of May 2000. Councilwoman Seligson said she was proud to be an Arbor Community, and our tree ordinance also serves as a model to others. Supervisor O'Keeffe then noted that the Board had previously agreed that nothing was to be put on the agenda without prior notice without voting. Since there was a request by Councilwoman Myers to add a resolution in support of the Million Mom March to be held on Mother's Day, a vote would have to be taken. 3 May 3, 2000 On motion of Councilwoman Myers, seconded by Councilwoman Wittner, it was unanimously approved to place the resolution supporting the Million Mom March on the agenda. Councilwoman Myers then read the resolution which supported the passing of laws on gun restriction. Supervisor O'Keeffe said she was in favor of gun control but had questions on supporting legislation for mechanisms on guns to prevent them from firing. She said she did not know enough about the subject but had heard trigger locks are not considered safe. Councilwoman Wittner questioned a phrase on killing humans, and requested it be clarified or reworded. Councilman Odierna said he did not have enough time to reflect on the resolution since he had only gotten a copy an hour ago, but he was in favor of the movement. Councilwoman Seligson said she supports the Mom's March, our country has suffered way too much killing. Following discussion it was decided to change the resolution, On motion of Councilwoman Myers, seconded by Councilwoman Seligson, the following resolution was adopted as amended: WHEREAS, the Million Mom March is a not-for-profit organization that will join mothers and others to march on the National Mall in Washington, DC on May 14, 2000 to call on all members of Congress to require stricter regulation of the gun industry; and WHEREAS, the Million Mom March calls on all officers of the law to assume a no-nonsense approach in enforcing existing gun laws and to join in their mutual crusade for stronger legislation; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Mamaroneck supports the Million Mom March on Mothers' Day 2000 and their mission of educating our children and our country about the life-threatening danger of guns; and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to our representatives in Congress, in the State Senate and State Assembly, the Governor of New York State, the Westchester County Executive and the Westchester County Board of Legislators. The above resolution was put to a roll call vote: Seligson - Aye Odierna - Aye Myers - Aye Wittner - Aye O'Keeffe - Aye ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Betty Miller, President of the Larchmont Gardens Civic Association, thanked the Board for adopting the Mom's March resolution and on being designated a Tree City. She said she had been approached by a former resident who wanted to donate dogwood trees in memory of his wife. He would also endow a fund to maintain the trees. 4 May 3, 2000 The Supervisor told her to contact the Administrator tomorrow and he would handle it. REPORTS OF COUNCIL Councilwoman Myers announced and congratulated Jan Northrup's nomination as President of the Larchmont Historical Society. Councilwoman Wittner said she had looked into the suggestion on obtaining mosquito eating fish. She said the species of fish is called Gabitia, there effectiveness appears unknown and is difficult to measure. She had spoken to DEC about where to get them and was told that Bergen County has been breeding them and using them for over 15 years. They have been borrowed by other Counties, but we would need a stocking permit. DEC said if we find a source they would help us breed and stock them. There was a conference call where someone said it would be a mistake to use the fish because they over-breed and become a nuisance. She found the subject fascinating. Councilwoman Wittner reported she had found out what `stills' meant in the fire reports. If there are enough men on hand at the fire house, they do not activate the alarm. The department has decided to change physicians for their checkups -they voted on Sound Shore. The Administrator said they would have to get Town Board approval before proceeding. Councilwoman Wittner said she had questioned it, they said it was in the budget therefore approval was not necessary. The Administrator said he would look into it but disagreed. Councilman Odierna said the Web Committee was close to deciding on how to proceed. There seems to be a consensus on using a boiler plate setup from one company combined with the graphic ability of another. Mr. Altieri said he found the technology intriguing. The Supervisor said the Board would be adjourning into a work session to discuss a potential sound ordinance and traffic. ADJOURNMENT The Supervisor said that the next scheduled meetings would be May 17, 2000 and June 7, 2000. On motion of Councilwoman Myers, seconded by Councilwoman Wittner the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM. The Town Board then adjourned into a Work Session to discuss a Sound Ordinance and Traffic. Submitted by Patricia A. DiCioccio, Town Clerk \\CLERKSERVER\SERVER\Documents\M i nutes\2000m i nfl05-03-00x.doc 5