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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026_03_04 Town Board Minutes o _ ��9_1_ Town of Mamaroneck // Town Board Minutes m Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Courtroom, Second Floor of n Town Center 5:00 PM FOUNDED 1661 PRESENT: Jaine Elkind Eney, Town Supervisor Jeffery L. King, Councilmember Darren Moss, Councilmember Andrew Regenstreich, Councilmember ABSENT: Robin Nichinsky, Councilmember ALSO PRESENT: Allison May, Town Clerk Meredith S. Robson, Town Administrator William Maker Jr., Town Attorney 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 Jaine Elkind Eney. Moved by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Regenstreich, the Town Board unanimously opened the Work Session at 5:01 p.m. Carried WORK SESSION ITEMS 1. Discussion - EV Charging Station Rates & Idling Fees Administrator Meredith Robson reported that she had re-circulated the most recent memorandum prepared by Town Engineer Robert Wasp regarding proposed rate increases for the Town's electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the implementation of a new "Idling Fee." The Administrator explained that, following discussion at the prior meeting, had also consulted with staff regarding which charging station locations, if any, should be subject to an overnight grace period based on their location and usage. Administrator Robson directed the Board to Mr. Wasp's follow-up correspondence dated February 26, 2026, which provided additional clarification. Supervisor Elkind Eney expressed concern about applying the proposed idling fee during overnight hours, particularly between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and asked whether relocating the Lot B charging stations might better accommodate overnight users while preserving charger availability during the day. Administrator Robson summarized that the Engineering Department had conducted a regional analysis of public EV charging station rates. The Town currently operated eight public EV charging ports across four charging stations, with a rate of $0.30 per kilowatt hour established under Local Law No. 3-2020. That rate had not been adjusted to reflect increased electrical supply and maintenance costs and was below the regional average of $0.44 per kilowatt hour. Based on its review, the Engineering Department recommended increasing the Town's rate to $0.40 per kilowatt hour, Town Board March 4, 2026 which would remain below the regional average while better reflecting the Town's operating costs, including electricity, data subscriptions, and maintenance. The Administrator further reported on the proposed implementation of an Idling Fee to address vehicles remaining connected after charging sessions were complete, which reduced charger availability for other users. The recommended structure was a $5.00 per hour fee, to begin after a 30-minute grace period following completion of a charging session. While the ChargePoint management portal allowed customization of the hours and days during which idle fees would apply, it did not permit different grace periods to be programmed. The proposed fee was consistent with neighboring municipalities, including Scarsdale and New Rochelle, and staff had not identified regional stations that limited the hours during which idle fees were assessed. Administrator Robson concluded by recommending that the Town Board approve the proposed increase to $0.40 per kilowatt hour and authorize implementation of the $5.00 per hour Idling Fee, as presented. 2. Discussion - Senior Citizen with Limited Income Exemptions Administrator Meredith Robson reported that the Town currently offered a Senior Citizen with Limited Income exemption for qualifying residents aged 65 and older. Administrator Robson explained that approximately 226 residential properties received the exemption based on household income at or below the maximum threshold of $58,399.99. In 2025, the exemption reduced the Town's taxable assessed value by approximately $61 ,000,000, resulting in an estimated annual tax impact of approximately $117,000. She noted that exemption calculations directly affected the Town's final assessment roll. Administrator Robson summarized a memorandum from Assessor Pamela Valenza outlining two permissible methods under Real Property Tax Law §467 for calculating income eligibility. The Town currently utilizes Method 1, the New York State default methodology, which includes untaxed Social Security benefits as part of household income. Under this method, Federal Adjusted Gross Income is adjusted by adding tax-exempt interest, subtracting taxable IRA distributions, adding the non-taxable portion of Social Security benefits, and applying applicable adjustments for medical expenses, prescription costs, residential health care expenses, and disallowed losses. Administrator Robson further explained that Westchester County had adopted the alternate New York State methodology, Method 2, which excluded untaxed Social Security benefits from the income calculation. The County implemented this method for its 2025 assessment roll, resulting in approximately 36 additional seniors qualifying for the exemption at the County level. Based on 2025 assessment data, aligning the Town's methodology with the County's would further reduce the Town's taxable assessed value by approximately $6,300,000, resulting in an estimated additional annual impact of approximately $15,200. Councilmembers King and Regenstreich expressed support for adopting Method 2 to align the Town's income calculation methodology with Westchester County's approach. Supervisor Elkind Eney also indicated support for the proposed change. Administrator Robson advised that if the Town Board chose to continue using Method 1 , no action would be required. However, if the Board wished to adopt Method 2 and exclude untaxed Social Security benefits from the income calculation, a local law would need to be drafted and adopted. 3. Discussion - Proposed Local Law "Setback Requirements for Air Conditioning Systems" Town Attorney Maker reported that the Building Inspector had advised that the Town's existing side and rear yard setback requirements for central air conditioning systems had become outdated as advances in technology had significantly reduced the noise generated by modern equipment. Town Attorney Maker explained that the current requirements were established in 2001 under Local Law No. 8-2001 , which added Town Board March 4, 2026 §240-59 to the Town Code and required central air conditioning units to comply with the setback requirements of the applicable zoning district, primarily to mitigate noise impacts on neighboring properties. Over the past twenty-five years, technological improvements had substantially reduced noise concerns associated with central air conditioning systems. As a result, the Zoning Board of Appeals had routinely granted variances from the setback requirements. In 2025 alone, 23 of the 80 variance applications heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals involved requests for relief from the setback requirements for central air conditioning systems. Town Attorney Maker noted that this pattern demonstrated a need to modernize the Town Code and reduce the number of variance applications. The Town Attorney presented a proposed local law that would amend §240-59 of the Code of the Town of Mamaroneck by adding a new subsection establishing a uniform five-foot side and rear yard setback requirement for central air conditioning systems, notwithstanding the underlying zoning district requirements. The proposed local law included a severability clause and would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State. Town Attorney Maker advised that, should the Town Board determine the proposal warranted further consideration, it should first be referred to the Planning Board for review and report pursuant to Town Code §240-92B before scheduling a public hearing. 4. Discussion - Policy for Compliance with the Notification Required in Connection with Disclosure of Disciplinary Records Town Attorney Maker reviewed a proposed policy required under New York Public Officers Law §87(6) governing notification to employees when disciplinary records are disclosed pursuant to a Freedom of Information Law request. Town Clerk May recommended removing the requirement that notification be sent by certified mail, noting that neither the Freedom of Information Law nor any related regulation requires certified mailing. Town Clerk May explained that requiring certified mail would create unnecessary administrative burdens for the Clerk's Office, increase costs to the Town, and provide no additional legal benefit. Councilmember Regenstreich observed that the proposed policy already stated that the Town was not obligated to ensure an employee's actual receipt of the notice. Following discussion, the Town Board agreed that notification should instead be provided by regular mail or email. 5. Executive Session Moved by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Moss, the Town Board agreed to enter into Executive Session to discuss potential litigation with the Village of Larchmont, the employment history of a particular person or persons, and collective negotiations pursuant to article fourteen of the civil service law. Carried Moved by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Moss, the Town Board unanimously agreed to resume the Regular Meeting. Carried 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 able to view the meeting on cable access television (Optimum 76/ Fios 35) or on LMCMedia.org. Town Board March 4, 2026 CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Town Board was called to order by Town Supervisor Elkind Eney at 8:18 p.m. The Town Supervisor noted that the Town Board met for a Work Session beginning at 5:00 p.m. this evening, which was open to the public. SUPERVISOR'S REPORT Welcome to the March 4, 2026, 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 pm, which was open to the Public. We have a couple of events coming up, this Saturday, March 7t", from 10 am — 1 pm, the Westchester County Shredder returns to the Maxwell Avenue Recycling Facility. Residents can bring up to four file-sized boxes of confidential papers per household for shredding. For more details, please see our homepage on the Town's website: townofmamaroneckny.gov Next Tuesday, March 10th, at 8 am at the Nautilus Diner, the monthly meeting of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit will host a panel of engineering experts and safety advocates to discuss principles of"Complete Streets," focusing on current local initiatives. Our own Town Engineer, Robert Wasp, is on the panel. This meeting includes breakfast and is $12, cash only. RSVP online at localsummitlm.org. RESIDENT COMMENTS Supervisor Elkind Eney asked if anyone in the audience wished to address the Town Board and there was no one. BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS 1. Call to Order Commissioner Elkind Eney called the Meeting to order, then on motion of Commissioner King, and seconded by Commissioner Regenstreich, the Board of Fire Commissioners was unanimously declared open. Present were the following Members of the Commission: Commissioner: Jaine Elkind Eney Commissioner: Jeffery L. King Commissioner: Darren Moss Commissioner: Andrew Regenstreich Carried 2. Fire Claims Moved by Commissioner King, seconded by Commissioner Moss, it was RESOLVED that the Board of Fire Commissioners hereby approves the fire claims in the amount of$807.40. Carried 3. Other Fire Department Business There being no further business to come before the Fire Commission, on motion of Commissioner King, and Seconded by Commissioner Regenstreich, the Commission unanimously adjourned and the Town Board reconvened. Carried Town Board March 4, 2026 AFFAIRS OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK 1. Consideration of EV Charging Station Rates & Idling Fees Moved by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Regenstreich, it was RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the proposed rate increases and authorizes the implementation of an "Idling Fee" for Town EV charging stations, as presented. Carried 2. Consideration of Proposed Local Law "Setback Requirements for Air Conditioning Systems" Moved by Councilmember Moss, seconded by Councilmember King, it was RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby refers the proposed law "Setback Requirements for Air-Conditioning Systems" to the Planning Board for its review and report. Carried 3. Consideration of Policy for Compliance with the Notification Required in Connection with Disclosure of Disciplinary Records Moved by Councilmember Regenstreich, seconded by Councilmember King, it was RESOLVED that the Town Board hereby approves the "Policy for Compliance with the Notification Required in Connection with Disclosure of Disciplinary Records"as presented, with one revision of removing the certified mail option. Carried 4. ITEM DEFERRED: Consideration of NEXUS Creative Agreement 5. Consideration of Senior Citizen with Limited Income Exemptions Moved by Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Regenstreich BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Mamaroneck hereby elects to adopt the alternate income calculation method authorized under New York State Real Property Tax Law§467, in following with Westchester County's practice, whereby untaxed Social Security benefits shall not be included in the calculation of income for purposes of determining eligibility for the Senior Citizens with Limited Income Real Property Tax Exemption; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this method shall apply to exemption applications filed for the next applicable assessment roll and thereafter, in accordance with New York State law; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Assessor is hereby authorized and directed to administer the exemption in accordance with this alternate method and any applicable provisions of New York State Real Property Tax Law. Carried REPORTS OF THE COUNCIL Councilmember King • Extended well wishes to Councilmember Nichinsky, who was absent due to illness, and expressed hope for her return at the March 18 meeting. • Reflected on the ongoing war overseas, noting that while it may seem distant to many, it directly affects families with loved ones serving in the military. Town Board March 4, 2026 • Expressed gratitude to members of the armed forces serving both at home and abroad and wished for their safe return. Councilmember Moss • Reported on his first meeting as the Town Board liaison to the Sustainability Collaborative and noted the group's enthusiasm and commitment to its work. • Shared that he would soon attend his first meeting as liaison to the Architectural Review Board and looked forward to working with its members. Councilmember Regenstreich • Echoed Councilmember King's remarks in support of members of the armed forces and acknowledged the sacrifices borne by military families. • Reflected on the Town Board's responsibilities, including maintaining fiscal stewardship, improving operational efficiency, strengthening the community, supporting seniors aging in place, and fostering an inclusive community. • Reported on attending his first meeting as the Town Board liaison to the Housing Authority and expressed his commitment to supporting its mission of promoting affordable housing opportunities. TOWN ATTORNEY'S REPORT Wished everyone who celebrates a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilmember King, seconded by Councilmember Moss, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Carried REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING - March 18, 2026 Respectfully submitted by Allison May, Town Clerk