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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024_10_23 Town Board Minutes o _ ��9_1_ Town of Mamaroneck // Town Board Minutes m Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Conference Room D n First Floor of Town Center 7:00 PM FOUNDED 1661 PRESENT: Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor Sabrina Fiddelman, Councilmember Jeffery L. King, Councilmember Robin Nichinsky, Councilmember Anant Nambiar, Councilmember ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: Allison May, Town Clerk Meredith S. Robson, Town Administrator Tracy Yogman, Town Comptroller Marc Romero, Assistant to the Town Administrator 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 Councilmember Nichinsky, seconded by Councilmember Fiddelman, the Work Session unanimously opened at 7:03 p.m. WORK SESSION ITEMS 1. Budget - Ambulance Michael Liverzani, the Town's Ambulance District Administrator, introduced the idea of a lease that consolidates all equipment for 10 years. At the 5-year mark, all equipment would be replaced, including any necessary upgrades. This would cover 32 AEDs, 4 paramedic life packs, 4 paramodes, and 4 life power stretchers. The lease includes all data plans and locks in a fixed cost with no capital expenditures for 10 years. It also includes an option to opt out if the Board decides not to want to fund it in the future. The cost is cheaper than buying equipment twice in ten years. Striker Medical would finance the lease. Mr. Liverzani stated that the Town of Greenburg has been happy with a similar lease arrangement. The Ambulance District Administrator noted that our Town and Eastchester are the only EMS agencies in Westchester with per diem employees. A paramedic requires more training than that supplied in the Police and Fire Academy. Providing good service is a priority, and this needs to be studied further to ensure sustainability. Councilmember King asked about hourly rates and salary. The Ambulance District Administrator mentioned that other municipalities offer salary and full-time benefits, so our salary should be higher because we do not include benefits. Town Board October 23, 2024 2025 Performance Measures - The Ambulance District Administrator estimated 3,600 calls to be made in 2025. Fire Department estimates reduced calls to 1 ,275 Fire and EMS calls. Mr. Liverzani explained that EMS is a higher number because they cover all three municipalities. The Fire Department now only responds to more serious EMS calls. The Ambulance District Administrator has agreed to share all the supporting data with the Town Board. 2. OUT OF ORDER: Request for Executive Session Moved by Councilmember Fiddelman, seconded by Councilmember King, the Town Board agreed to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment history of a particular person. Carried Moved by Councilmember Nichinsky, seconded by Councilmember Nambiar, the Town Board unanimously agreed to resume the Regular Meeting. Carried 3. Budget - Fire Department Fire Chief Broderick explained that the $1 .5 million in capital has been allocated for a fire truck. The Town has ordered from Seagrave and will not be going back to KME. Pierce might be another viable option. The Fire Department confirmed that they have removed light towers and now use LED lights, and they also took off the ladder rack. The vehicle has no bells and whistles; it serves the function needed and is built for six people. The Fire Department's plan is to reduce the number of vehicles in the future. Signing and delivery is now a four-year process. Engine 36 will be put up for resale after the two new units arrive in May, as many departments are now turning to used vehicles due to the long timelines for new ones. The Board asked about buying from Saratoga or internationally. Chief Broderick explained that Saratoga was not a major manufacturer. He added that the Department had looked at Pierce, Rosenbauer, and Seagrave, but had avoided going back for a bid from Revgroup/KME. The ladder on order is a Seagrave, and the planned two new ladders are Seagrave. This ensures uniformity in buttons, parts, and muscle memory within the Department. The Board asked if some municipalities were going overseas for purchases. Chief Broderick explained that Rosenbauer makes European models, which are smaller trucks with shorter wheelbases designed for smaller streets and navigating tighter turns. Departmental Staffing - The need for a 15th firefighter is urgent and will cut down on overtime. The idea is to have three on any shift, with two as jumpers to cover holidays and sick leave. Currently, one firefighter is out on disability and not expected to return. NYS in the processing the retirement of that firefighter, but until that happens the department is naturally operating one person down and filling everything with overtime is necessary. The County can provide a Junior Man that is a jumper for $45 (verses the current cost of $75). The immediate need is to get that 15th firefighter and then review the situation again afterwards. This will help reduce the strain on current firefighters. Recruitment and Retention - Retention has been good, with 6 out of 36 staying on. There is natural attrition. In addition, some are looking to leave because they are no longer eligible for the Hommocks Park Apartments. However, recent recruits include several Town residents with houses, several from Pelham, and one from Larchmont. Another local recruit with a new baby may rejoin again later. About one third may drop out, then for those that remain getting through Fire 1 is the next hurdle. The Junior program for 16 to 17-year-olds is also promising. Town Board October 23, 2024 Upcoming Vote - A vote on the new rig is expected soon. The hope is to then seek Board and bond approval by February. 4. Updates Administrator Robson and Comptroller Yogman addressed the Board's concern that the 2025 budget was too high and the tax rate increase too large. They reworked the numbers: • Moved $1 million back to the fund balance for the pool, allowing time for design with grant funds before needing to bond for the pool work and appropriated out of fund balance. • Increased Mortgage and Sales Tax by $100,000 each. • Deferred/eliminated capital projects and other expenses totaling $438,900. See Attachment A. This decreased the tax levy by $2,970,100, maintaining the fund balance at 35%, though the budget is not structurally balanced. Fund balance appropriation totaled $2,481,200. Councilmember Nambiar questioned the $3 million sign garage, prompting the Board to revisit the project. Councilmember King emphasized the necessity of essential upgrades for safety and efficiency. Councilmember Nichinsky suggested renting an excavator for a year to lower the tax levy increase to 9.8%. Councilmember Nambiar also questioned the need to purchase a medium-sized dump truck. Removing the excavator would reduce the tax levy increase from 10.11% to 9.8% and the tax rate to 2.1%. Four members supported keeping the dump truck to avoid reducing services. Comptroller Yogman reviewed the 5-year projection. For recovery work following Ida, the Town used fund balance and received 90-100% in reimbursements from FEMA and NYS. Administrator Robson expressed concern about not replenishing that fund balance. Councilmember Nichinsky stated that her aim is for a tax levy increase under 10%. The Board discussed how Recreation affects the quality of life, so the Town must both invest and fix the Memorial Park playground. Councilmember King suggested more creativity and out-of-the-box thinking for Recreation. It was noted that this budget pushes projects out, but potentially these items need revisiting in 2026. Supervisor Elkind Eney expressed her interest in hosting more special events in the tb202Town which would be run by volunteers. Councilmember King inquired about the possibility of indoor tennis, noting the absence of both indoor tennis and any basketball court within the Town. ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Nambiar, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Carried NEXT BUDGET MEETING - (October 24, 2024) Submitted by Allison May, Town Clerk