HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023_12_20 Town Board Minutes o
_ ��9_1_ Town of Mamaroneck
// Town Board Minutes
m Wednesday, December 20, 2023, Courtroom, Second Floor of
n Town Center 5:00 PM
FOUNDED 1661
PRESENT: Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor
Abby Katz, Councilwoman
Sabrina Fiddelman, Councilwoman
Robin Nichinsky, Councilwoman
ABSENT: Jeffery L. King, Councilman
ALSO PRESENT: Allison May, Town Clerk
Meredith S. Robson, Town Administrator
Connie Green O'Donnell, Deputy Town Administrator
William Maker Jr., Town Attorney
Tracy Yogman, Town Comptroller
5:00 PM THE TOWN BOARD WORK SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
The Work Session of the Town Board was called to order by Town Supervisor Elkind Eney.
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, the Work Session
unanimously opened at 5:04 p.m.
WORK SESSION ITEMS
1. Discussion - 2024 Proposed Town Board Meeting Dates
The Board decided to set most of the dates for the Town Board's 2024 meeting
schedule at next month's re-organization meeting; however, the January meeting
dates need to be set tonight. Town Supervisor Elkind Eney recommended meeting on
January 10th for the organizational meeting and January 24th for the first regular
meeting of the year.
2. OUT OF ORDER: Discussion - Acceptance of Donation to the Town of
Mamaroneck - Virginia McGuire Foundation
Mr. Ralph Engel was in attendance to discuss the generous donation of trees to the
Town from the Virginia McGuire Foundation. Administrator Robson noted that Town
staff is working to determine the tree planting locations. Mr. Engel shared that he had
confirmed with the Corporate Trustee, Bank of America, that they are willing to accept
the planting of as many trees as possible for the $55,000 grant, rather than holding
the Town to specifically 110 trees.
3. OUT OF ORDER: Discussion - Strip of Land Adjacent to the Building at 16
North Chatsworth Avenue
Town Attorney William Maker, Jr. reminded the Board that a title search had
uncovered that the strip of land lying between the building at 16 North Chatsworth
Avenue and the Town of Mamaroneck's Memorial Park is owned by the County of
Westchester, not the Town. The County has offered to sell the strip to the Town,
Town Board
December 20, 2023
however, the 16 North Chatsworth Corporation (owner of 16 North Chatsworth) is
interested in purchasing the land. The Town does not need to own the land, the Town
simply needs to ensure access to the pipes below the strip of land and access to
Memorial Park. The 16 North Chatsworth Corporation is amenable to granting an
easement to the Town if the Town waives its right to purchase the strip from the
County.
Attorney Maker pointed out that the agreement would be recorded in order to provide
public notice of the arrangement. (It is likely that the 16 North Chatsworth Corporation
will acquire the strip forthwith; however, delays are possible. By recording this
agreement, the Town will not lose sight of 16 North Chatsworth Corporation's
obligation). The 16 North Chatsworth Corporation has signed the agreement.
4. Award of Bid - TA-23-12 - Battery Powered Mower
The Town recently completed bid procurement for the purchase of a battery powered
zero-turn mower. The new mower will aid the Town's Highway Department in
maintaining the grass throughout the various Town parks and properties. The
purchase includes all necessary accessories, including a high-speed battery charger,
to facilitate operation by the Highway Department parks maintenance crew. The
submitted total price of $26,297 is fully contained within the available balance
allocated to the capital project.
5. Request for Executive Session
Moved by Councilwoman Katz seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, the
Town Board entered into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation, as
well as the employment history of a particular individual, and the potential sale
of land.
Carried
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilman Fiddelman, the Town
Board unanimously agreed to resume the Work Session.
Carried
6. Updates
Supervisor Elkind Eney shared that complying with the Governor's pro-housing
community program will enhance the Town's chances to obtain certain New York
State grants. The Town Supervisor stated that we need to determine what we need to
do to comply with the requirements of the program and if they are something by which
the Town can abide.
Supervisor Elkind Eney provided an update on the Westchester Joint Water Works
situation and noted that she was recently asked to present to the Westchester County
Board of Legislators.
Attorney William Maker provided an update on in rem foreclosure using Minnesota as
an example. Attorney Maker highlighted that municipalities are not entitled to make a
profit on an in rem foreclosure, according to the US Supreme Court.
The Town Supervisor and Town Administrator recently met with members of the
Sustainability Collaborative and asked the Collaborative to work on EV chargers, solar
grant programs, a grant application on the Town's climate vulnerability assessment, to
review the Climate Smart Community task force, and to work on various other tasks
important to the Town.
Town Clerk May shared the Tree Law emails that the Town had received since the
November 15th meeting, including emails from Michael Gottfried and Brian Lobel.
Town Board
December 20, 2023
7. Additions to Regular Meeting Agenda
8:00 PM TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING
The Town Board meeting convened in the Courtroom Located on the second floor of the
Town Center. The Public was to view the meeting on cable access television (Optimum 76/
Fios 35) or on LMCMedia.org
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Town Board was called to order by Supervisor Elkind Eney at
8:02 p.m. (Councilwoman Robin Nichinsky joined just prior to the start of the meeting at 8:00
p.m.)
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
Welcome to the December 20, 2023, meeting of the Town Board of the Town of
Mamaroneck. The Town Board met today for a Work Session in Conference Room A,
starting at 5:00 p.m., which is open to the Public.
I am pleased to report that Westchester Joint Water Works has been awarded $30 million
dollars through the NYS intermunicipal grant program funded by the Environmental Bond Act
toward the construction of the $138 million water filtration plant required to be built by the
state and federal government. This is great news in helping the three municipalities (Town of
Mamaroneck, Village of Mamaroneck, Town/Village of Harrison) pay for the plant.
On December 14th, I attended a press conference held at the Community Resource Center
(CRC)jointly by State Senators Shelley Mayer and Pete Harkham in support of Senator
Mayer's proposed legislation to create a cabinet level Office of Flooding Prevention and
Mitigation for NYS and Senator Harkham's proposed legislation to establish $500 million in
annual funding for state water-related resiliency projects. Flooding, and it's devastating
effects, is the most pressing issue in our community. State Senator Shelley Mayer has been
a tireless champion for us on this issue.
The last two weeks were filled with Holiday Activities! Among them were Christmas Tree
Lightings, Menorah Lightings (I even got to be a candle at one of them), Holiday parties for
LMC Media, the Veterans, the Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Center, and the Town
Staff, among others. There was also `Breakfast with Santa' and `Skate with Santa' at the
Rink and the Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department hosted a drive-thru Toy Drive. Although
it was exhausting at times, I have to say that we live in a wonderful community that really
knows how to celebrate. I want to wish those who celebrate a very Merry Christmas and to
all, a happy healthy New Year!
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
The following Notice of Public Hearing is entered into the record as follows:
1. 2024 Preliminary Budget
The following Notice of Public Hearing is entered into the record as follows:
PRELIMINARY 2024 TOWN BUDGET and
PRELIMINARY TOWN OF MAMARONECK FIRE DISTRICT #1 BUDGET
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that pursuant to Section 130 of the Town Law of the
State of New York, the Town Board and the Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a
public hearing Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 8:00 PM, to consider the Town's
Preliminary Budget and the Mamaroneck Fire District Preliminary Budget for the
calendar year commencing January 1 , 2024, and ending December 31 , 2024.
The 2024 Preliminary Budget can be viewed on the Town's website,
https://www.townofmamaroneckny.org.
Town Board
December 20, 2023
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the proposed salaries of the members of the
Town Board are as follows: Supervisor, $42,243 Town Board (4) $6,759 each and the
proposed salary for the Town Clerk is $109,926 and the Town Justices (2) $23,656
each.
You may also view the meeting on local municipal access television (Cablevision 75,
76, 77 or Verizon 34, 35, 36) or on LMC Media's website, https://lmcmedia.org/.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK
Published November 24, 2023
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman
the Public Hearing was unanimously reopened.
Carried
The Town Administrator Meredith Robson and Comptroller Tracy Yogman presented
the changes made since the Preliminary Budget was presented on December 6th
See Attachment A.
Supervisor Elkind Eney thanked Administrator Robson and Comptroller Yogman for
their work on the 2024 budget.
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz
the Public Hearing was unanimously closed.
Carried
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz
the Town's Budget and the Mamaroneck Fire District Budget for the calendar
year commencing January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, was
approved.
Carried
RESIDENT COMMENTS
Supervisor Elkind Eney asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Town Board
and there was no one.
AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK
1. OUT OF ORDER: Consideration of Settlement Authorization
Town Administrator Robson introduced this settlement with Save the Sound, which
relates to our sewer system and has been three years in the making. This settlement
agreement includes four municipalities: the Town of Mamaroneck, Village of
Larchmont, City of New Rochelle, and Village of Pelham Manor.
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Nichinsky, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the Settlement Agreement
with Save the Sound, Inc. and Atlantic Clam Farms of Connecticut and hereby
authorizes the Town Administrator to execute the agreement and any related
documents necessary to carry out its implementation. Carried
Town Board
December 20, 2023
BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS
1. Call to Order
Commissioner Elkind Eney called the Meeting to order, then on motion of
Commissioner Fiddelman and seconded by Commissioner Katz the Board of Fire
Commissioners was unanimously declared open.
Present were the following Members of the Commission:
Commissioner: Jaine Elkind Eney
Commissioner: Abby Katz
Commissioner: Sabrina Fiddelman
Commissioner: Robin Nichinsky
2. Fire Claims
Moved by Commissioner Katz, seconded by Commissioner Fiddelman, it was
RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners hereby approves the
attached list of fire claims.
See Attachment B.
Carried
3. Other Fire Department Business
There being no further business to come before the Fire Commission, on motion of
Commissioner Fiddelman, Seconded by Commissioner Katz, the Commission
unanimously adjourned and the Town Board reconvened.
AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK
2. OUT OF ORDER: 2024 Proposed January Town Board Meeting Dates
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the January Town Board
meetings of January 10th and January 24th and establishes the January 10th
meeting as the 2024 re-organizational meeting.
Carried
3. Authorization - Strip of Land Adjacent to the Building at 16 North Chatsworth
Avenue
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the agreement with 16 North
Chatsworth to waive the Town's right to purchase the strip of land adjacent to
the building at 16 North Chatsworth, under the condition that the Town is
granted an easement and hereby authorizes the Town Administrator to execute
the agreement and any related documents necessary to carry out its
implementation.
Carried
Town Board
December 20, 2023
4. Acceptance of Donation to the Town of Mamaroneck - Virginia McGuire
Foundation
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby accepts the generous donation of
$55,000 from the Virginia McGuire Foundation to the Town of Mamaroneck to be
used for planting 100 trees along the Town's streets and 10 on Town property
as outlined in the attached letter from Vlad Boguslayskiy, except that, if the
$55,000 is not sufficient to cover the cost of purchasing and planting all 110
trees, it will be used to plant as many as reasonably possible.
Carried
5. Award of Bid - TA-23-12 - Battery Powered Mower
Moved by Councilwoman Fiddelman, seconded by Councilwoman Katz, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby awards the bid for the Battery Powered
Mower received and opened on December 15, 2024, to Argento & Sons, Inc. in
the amount of$26,297 and hereby authorizes the Town Administrator to
execute the agreement and any related documents necessary to carry out its
implementation.
Carried
Note, Councilmember Nichinsky left the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
6. Salary Authorization - Highway Department
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the appointment of Darion
Arango to the position of Motor Equipment Operator(MEO) I at an annual salary
of$67,594, effective December 24, 2023.
Carried
REPORTS OF MINUTES
1. Report of Minutes of November 8, 2023, December 5, 2023, and December 6,
2023
Moved by Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, it was
RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the minutes of the Town
Board Meetings of November 8, 2023, December 5, 2023, and December 6, 2023,
as attached.
Carried
REPORTS OF THE COUNCIL
Councilwoman Katz
• Councilwoman Katz said that she had enjoyed serving here for the past twelve years.
Councilwoman Katz thanked the residents of the Town of Mamaroneck for voting for
her and allowing her to serve on the Town Board.
Town Board
December 20, 2023
Councilwoman Fiddelman
• Thanked Councilwoman Katz for her twelve years of service to this community and
also for being a role model.
• Councilwoman Fiddelman said that Councilwoman Katz's counsel would be missed
by many.
• Donated to three different toy drives and a coat drive.
• Attended a Summit meeting, where County Executive George Latimer presented on
the Westchester County Budget. It was the first in-person meeting in three years. The
next Larchmont Mamaroneck Summit meeting will be held at 8 a.m. at Westchester
Jewish Center on January 9th, where they will feature a local's guide to aging well.
Please register in advance.
• Wished everyone a happy new year!
ADJOURNMENT
The Town Supervisor closed the meeting in honor of Abby Katz. The Town Supervisor
stated, "I want to close this meeting in honor of Deputy Supervisor Abby Katz. Abby has
served on this Board for 12 years, since January of 2012, having been appointed Deputy
Town Supervisor in January of 2022. In her tenure, she has served as liaison to all of the
land-use boards as well as the Library Board, LMC Media Board of Control and her beloved
Traffic Committee. Her attention to detail is much appreciated, especially at budget time
when she can often be heard to say, "use the fund balance!!"
On a personal note, I have never been on this Board without Abby—we started at the same
time. She has been an invaluable advisor, confidante, colleague, and friend—she certainly
tells it like it is. I will miss her.. well, maybe not when she yells!"
On motion of Councilwoman Katz, seconded by Councilwoman Fiddelman, the
meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:34p.m.
Carried
REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING - January 10, 2024
Submitted by
Allison May, Town Clerk
Town Board
December 20, 2023
Attachment A
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,---'--- - - . 2024 Budget Proposed for - _,-
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- Adoption
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Public Hearing December 20,2023
-4111.116-
' > LegaleinkLent $ 244,000
UPDATES TO TIIE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR ADOPTION
___ _____________
> Property Tax Levy $ 237,200
> Appropriated Fund Balance 130 125
Total Revenue Increase $361,325
> Cable services 26,400
> Medical Ins rate increase 96 925
Total Expense Increase $3117,325
-------- - ____-- ---,--
, _
Town Board
December 20, 2023
Attachment A (Cont'd)
2024 LEVY and TAX
TOWN RESIDENTS
Average Assessed Value = 2023 2024 2024 2024
S1,537,000 ADOPTED TENTATIVE PRELIMINARY UPDATED
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET PRELIMINARY
BUDGET
TAX LEVY $30,180,305 $31,956,000 $31,650,770 $31,887,970
TAX LEVY INCREASE % 3.84% 5.88% 4.87% 5.66% IIIII
IN
TAX RATE 5.596923 5.483881 5.433764 5.480271
TAX RATE % (2.11%) (2.07%) (2.96%) (2.13%)
Increase/(Decrease)
Tax for Average Home $7,880 $8,429 $8,352 $8,423
Tax Increase for Average $402 $544 $467 $539
Home
Tax Increase 5.38% 6.91% 5.93% 6.84%
2o24TAl(EI
VILLAGE RESIDENTS
General Fund [I] and Ambulance ISM
Average Assessed Value = 2023 2024 2024 2024
31,537,000 ADOPTED TENTATIVE PRELIMINARY UPDATED
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET PRELIMINARY
BUDGET
MI TAX RATE .599176 .592927 .585357 .585357
1111
TAX RATE % Increase (5,7%) (1.04%) (2.3%) (2.3%)
Tax for Average Home $S44 $911 $900 $900
Tax Increase for Average $13 $67 $56 $56
Home
Tax Increase 1.56% 7.9% 6.6% 6.60/0
Town Board
December 20, 2023
Attachment B
Town of Mamaroneck
From: Tracy Yogman -Town Comptroller 1
Re: Fire Claims
Date: December 20, 2023
The following Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department claims have been certified by Chief Thomas Broderick and submitted to the
Comptroller's Office for payment:
VENDOR DESCRIPTION Amount
Amazon.Com File cabinet $ 76.80
Bound Tree Medical,LLC Gauze sponge sterile,medical supplies-EMS, 1,150.59
Champion Elevator Maintenance for December 2023 209.83
Chatsworth Cleaners Uniform cleaning-November 2023 231.33
Con Edison Fire HQ gas svc 10/26/23-11/28/23 899.02
Dival Safety Equipment Inc Calibration gas-gas meters 309.74
Embassy Cleaners Dry cleaning 11/4/23 9.50
T-shirt,clothing-N Aubrey,shorts&sweatpants-Bigam,shirts-
Galls,LLC Cassidy,clothing-Owen,Lt clothing-Houghtaling,Lt-Brady 285.84
Galls,LLC Ianella-flashlight,Plachta-winter hats.Aubryn-uniform clothes 460.55
Galls,LLC Clothing-Karnsmtob,clothing-Cassidy,twill cap&hats,belt,shirts 387.24
Grainger Paint makers&hand cleaners,fuel stablizer 168.37
Hi-Tech Fire&Safety LTO-Tails Outer Shell(6),Pants Outer shell(6) 18,048.60
Hubbinette Cowell Associates Enhanced Cancer Policy 1/24-1/25 8,275.00
Motorola Solutions Inc Batteries&antennas 4,085.24
Optimum Cable services for 11/23-12/22/23 257.80
Rapp,Alexander Reimbursement-clothes for Ben Plachta 55.90
Ready Refresh by Nestle Water Cooler rental and paper fee 10/19-11/18/23 208.95
Sound Shore Pest Control Exterminating Services 11/29/23 70.00
UniFirst Corp Cleaning supplies 11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 504.92
United Overhead Door Corp Repaired garage door 467.75
Villa Maria Pizza Food for Radio Communications Drill 6/7/2023 148.37
Villa Maria Pizza Food for Fast Response Ground Ladder Drill 9/29/23 88.39
Villa Maria Pizza Food for Rope/Mechanical Advantage Systems 10/25/23 37.10
Village Pizza&Pasta Food for Truck OPS/Search Drill 12/6/23 139.65
Village Pizza&Pasta Food for Fast Drill 12/6/23 56.85
WJWW 6'Metered Fire Service 10/26-11/25/23 37.00
Total $ 36,670.33
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