HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009_08_21 Town Board Minutes MINUTES
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
TOWN OF MAMARONECK - FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 , 2009
The Special Town Board Meeting was called to order by motion of
Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner and seconded by Councilman David Fishman at
3:05 p.m.
Present: Absent:
Supervisor Valerie M. O'Keeffe Nancy Seligson
Councilwoman Phyllis Wittner
Councilman Ernest Odierna
Councilman David Fisher
Town Administrator Stephen V. Altieri
Supervisor O'Keeffe explained the reason for the meeting today: There would
not be enough Council people available next week to form a quorum.
Supervisor O'Keeffe said a letter dated August 11, 2009 from Mayor Liz Feld to
Supervisor O'Keeffe and the Town Board concerning the Town Assessor was
received on August 18, 2009. She referred to the Supervisor's letter of June 3,
2009, to Mayor Feld that extended the Assessor's function in the Village of
Larchmont until August 31, 2009.
She reported that Lee Kyriacou, Executive Director of ORPS, met with the Village
of Larchmont (see attachment) to discuss the cessation of the Village as an
assessing unit. The Town of Mamaroneck was not invited to that meeting.
The Supervisor has met with Mayor Feld who indicated that the Village of
Larchmont would like an IMA (Inter-municipal agreement) with the Town of
Mamaroneck re the abolishment of the Village as an assessing unit.
There followed discussion concerning Mayor Feld's August 11th letter to
determine what the Town Board wants to do on the subject of the Assessor.
Three alternatives were discussed:
• Dissolve the Village of Larchmont as an assessing unit and adopt the Town
roll
• If the Village of Larchmont wants to continue as an assessing unit, it should
make a contribution to the Town so that the Town can properly staff the office.
• Village of Larchmont remain an assessing unit and the Town of Mamaroneck
provide a "schedule of values" that the Assessor's office completes for the
assessment roll. The Town gives this to the Village of Larchmont, but the
Village of Larchmont assumes all the administrative functions
The Supervisor indicated that the Town will research to try to locate when and
how the Town Assessor also became the Assessor for the Village since there is
no legal requirement for the Town to provide assessment services for Village
taxes.
It was brought out that the Town of Mamaroneck does not provide as Assessor
for Village of Mamaroneck taxes. The Village of Mamaroneck has its own
Assessor. The Mamaroneck Town Assessor and her office are funded by the
Townwide fund which means Village of Mamaroneck residents are subsidizing
the assessment services the Town provides in the Village of Larchmont.
Councilman Fishman moved, seconded by Councilman Odierna, to go into
Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular person.
On motion of Councilman Odierna and seconded by Councilman Fishman, the
Executive Session ended and the Special Town Board Meeting resumed.
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Councilman Fishman suggested that Mayor Feld should be contacted to have
Village Trustee Josh Mandell who is a member of the Shared
Services/Consolidation Committee help with the Assessor situation. Town
Administrator Altieri indicated that in October work has to begin on the Larchmont
Village Assessment Roll so this matter must be resolved soon.
It was agreed that Councilman Fishman would call Trustee Mandell to assist in
clarifying the issues that the Village considers most important in resolving the
assessment matter and as a prelude to a meeting between the two municipalities
so that the assessment matter can come to a conclusion. Otherwise, the
Assessor will resign her duties as Village Assessor as of August 31, 2009.
It was noted that all positions in the Assessor's office are civil service positions.
It was agreed that the Town will either write and/or call Mayor Feld so that a
future meeting can be held. Supervisor O'Keeffe said that she would call Mayor
Feld over the weekend. Councilman Fishman would also write to Mayor Feld
asking for Trustee Mandell's assistance.
Upon motion of Councilman Fishman, seconded by Councilman Odierna
seconded the meeting was adjourned at 4 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Fran Antonelli
Secretary to
Town Supervisor Valerie M. O'Keeffe
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