Month: August 2016

Decoding Village Agendas – August 22, 2016

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Below is the latest installment of Decoding Village Agendas, an annotated guide to the agendas for Village meetings prepared by Trustee Ann Gallelli.  To subscribe, write her at: anngallelli@gmail.com

Dear neighbor, Here is the 334th installment of Decoding Village Agendas to keep Croton residents informed of the actions of the Village Board at their meetings. I continue to add recipients to this email update on agendas so you may be receiving it for the first time. I enjoy getting your feedback and hope to continue to hear from you. If you do not wish to receive these periodic email updates from me, please reply to this email and your name will be removed from the email list.
Ann Gallelli

Decoding Village Agendas –   August 22, 2016

Work Session of the Village Board

7: 30 p.m.

 (Open to Public and Televised)

 

 

  1. Discussion of creating a Village Towing Law that would strengthen enforcement for people who repeatedly fail to respond to parking summones issued for violations of parking orders, rules and regulations at the Croton-Harmon train station.  The proposed change to the law would authorize the Police Chief, in his discretion, to immobilize or tow vehicles, with three or more unanswered parking summons, located at any Village operated parking lot or from public streets.  Towing or immobilization would be at the owner’s expense.  There would be an additional $100. Administrative fee.
  2. Review of affordable housing ordinances passed by Westchester County municipalities and discussion of a potential affordable housing ordinance for the Village.  The Board will review the County’s proposed Model Ordinance.  This ordinance was proposed as part of the steps taken in response to the County settlement in the 2009 Affordable Housing lawsuit.  Several municipalities have passed their own versions of the Model Ordinance which the Board will review and discuss.  The ordinances to be reviewed and compared are from Hastings-on-Hudson, Town of New Castle, Town of North Salem, Town of Pound Ridge, Irvington and  Rye Brook.
  3. Discussion of increasing the starting salary rates of Village seasonal employees.   Under the standards that apply to a Village, non-exempt Village employees must be paid at least $7.25/hour.  Currently 11 part-time seasonal employees earn under $9/hour.  The cost of increasing these positions to $9/hour would be $1,021.50 annually. Currently 26 part-time employees get paid $10/hour up to $13.25.  50+ seasonal employees earn from $9/hour to $9.75/hour. If all seasonal employees earning less than $9.75 were brought to that level, the net increase would be $10.294.88. Most seasonal employees work in one of the following four capacities, Silver Lake lifeguards, Day Camp and Tiny Tots Camp, Gate attendants, DPW and Parks labor.

Brian Pugh: Energizing Croton

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Brian Pugh 8-18-2016 FB LTE Image.pngTo The Editor:
The Village of Croton has long partnered with Energize New York’s “Energize Croton” campaign to provide homeowners and businesses with information about how they can make energy saving improvements to their homes.  Starting on September 1, New York State will be increasing the interest rates for these home energy efficiency upgrades.
Working with Energize Croton can make your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, save money, increase the value of your home, and reduce your carbon footprint.  Energize will arrange for a free energy (or low cost) audit and connect homeowners with qualified contractors and fair financing.
If you sign with a contractor of your choosing by August 31st, you will still receive the 10% consumer rebate and the interest rate for the financing of the project will remain at 3.49%. After September 1st, the 10% consumer rebate is going away and the interest rates for financing will be 4.99% to 6.99% for most homeowners.
Even after this deadline, energy efficiency projects are still a good idea–but those that can act now should to get the best possible deal.
Dozens of residents have already made their homes more efficient, economical and environmentally friendly by working with Energize Croton.  Those who are interested in joining them should contact Energize’s Lauren Brois at 914-302-7300 ext 8102.
Brian Pugh

Ann Gallelli: Tell the USCG to “Deep Six” Hudson River Oil Barge Proposal

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Ann Gallelli 8-18-2016 FB LTE Image.pngTo the Editor,
Is the Hudson River going to become a floating oil storage facility and floating fuel pipeline?

Recently, and unexpectedly, Hudson River municipalities became aware that the United States Coast Guard is considering a proposal to add 10 commercial/industrial barge anchorage locations in the Hudson River between Yonkers and Kingston. These would accommodate 43 barges.

Closest to us are proposed anchorages in the Hudson off Montrose and by Tompkins Cove Others are off Yonkers and Dobbs Ferry.

The Village Board passed a resolution of objection to the proposal at its last meeting. To the extent that our Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) can help influence the outcome we should do what we can to influence the NYS Dept. of State which administers the Coastal Zone Act and its policies.

The purpose of the industry-proposed anchorages is to provide “waiting space” for barges along the river as they move to deliver and pickup cargos. Much of this cargo is the volatile Bakken oil from North Dakota being exported to overseas customers.
Beyond the obvious scenic and aesthetic impacts, other impacts could be severe. The anchorages would be adjacent to the main shipping channel increasing the potential for collisions and fuel spills. Recreational boaters in the Hudson River would be forced around these sites into the busy main channels or into the shallower water closer to shore creating safety issues for them. Unmanned and unlit fuel-loaded barges could be navigational and security hazards. This is not an exhaustive list of potential problems but it highlights the problems which need to be studied.

For everyone and every “River town” that has worked hard to restore the Hudson and reclaim our riverfront, this is a slap in the face.

As my colleague Trustee Brian Pugh wrote last week, the Coast Guard is only accepting comments until Sept. 7. Submit your comments athttp://www.regulations.gov using the USCG-2016-0132 docket number at the site.

Ann Gallelli

Brian Pugh: Community Action to Protect Our River

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8-11-2016 FB LTE (BP)

To The Editor,

The US Coast Guard proposes that sites in the Hudson River from Yonkers to Kingston serve as “anchorage grounds,” what have been described as “parking lots” for commercial ships, as reported in last week’s Gazette.  As a river community, Croton is particularly affected by this proposal.

Riverkeeper, the nonprofit environmental watchdog, has expressed concerns about the impact of the anchorage grounds with regards to:  the danger presented by crude oil to the river; “scarring” of the riverbed habitat by anchors and anchor chains; and noise and light pollution.

On the basis of public safety and aesthetics, the Town of Cortlandt has passed a resolution of opposition to the plan and has requested a public hearing on the issue.

Residents still have time to make their voices heard. The federal government is currently taking comments on the anchorage plan at regulations.gov (Docket ID: USCG-2016-0132).  Comments are due September 7, 2016.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh

Ann Gallelli: Making Progress in Harmon

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8-11-2016 FB LTE (AG)

To the editor,

Last week many of us saw the foundation starting to be laid at 379 South Riverside Ave. ( former Nappy’s) for a new mixed use building approved under the 2013 Harmon zoning law amendment.

Soon we will see a new three story building with apartments above commercial on the first floor. This type of development, sometimes called Transit Oriented Development or TOD, has become very popular in other Westchester municipalities providing much needed housing in areas that are walkable to commuting trains and shopping.

People living in these mixed use buildings help the local businesses by providing a base of customers within their neighborhood.

While the Village eventually defeated a lawsuit launched by a small group, it was at cost to Village taxpayers of $479,000 in legal fees and two years of delayed implementation, Croton is beginning to see its results and joining other municipalities in enabling this much sought after type of housing.

Unfortunately, many of the Croton United Party’s leaders opposed this rezoning–including our current Mayor when he was a Trustee and one of their candidates this year. However, I believe that the recent site plan applications in Harmon utilizing the amended zoning and the current construction point to an economic revitalization for this area.

With the completion of the building at 379 South Riverside Ave, it will be a model for other similar development in the Harmon/South Riverside area. I look forward to it.

Ann Gallelli

 

The value of diversity

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diversity2016

 

Dear Neighbors,

It’s been only twice in the last 30 years that we’ve had an all-male Village Board. Some may ask “What’s the big deal?” Well, 30 years ago the answer probably would have been “nothing.” But decades of research tell us that diversity in organizations enhances their performance. The lack of it encourages insular thinking, void of perspective and vision.

So why is it that the Croton United Party, the “diverse coalition of Croton residents,” is unable to find a woman candidate for their slate of nominees for Village Board?

30 years on and women still run households. But also sit on boards, lead companies, and now can be nominated for the presidency of the United States.

Diversity brings creativity, innovation, & sometimes even compromise.

Do we really now want the all-male board that the Croton United Party is offering who would all think the same way?

The majority Croton United Party is already keeping us stagnant regarding the Village minimum wage and a past-its-prime Village fire truck. Not to mention the lost opportunity for household savings with Community Choice Aggregation. Let’s not go from stagnant to backward.

The Croton Democratic Party is proud to offer the effective, forward-thinking, & balanced slate of Trustee Ann Gallelli & Trustee Brian Pugh.

It really does take a village.

Sincerely,

Dianne Dowling, Secretary, Croton Democratic Party

Brian Pugh on the community microgrid

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Brian PughCroton Village TrusteeTo the Editor:

At the last Village Board Work Session, we discussed the findings of the feasibility study for a possible community microgrid–a local energy grid that can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously to serve as an emergency back up.

Representatives from Hitachi Consulting, which prepared the feasibility study with a grant from NYSERSDA, reported that a microgrid would be economically and technically feasible.

In non-emergency situations, when the regular power grid is in operation, the microgrid’s  resources will be optimized to meet electric demand across the entire electric system. The proposed microgrid would provide power to eight critical “nodes” including the municipal building so that they can continue to provide services to residents in an emergency.

According to the Hitachi consultants, the microgrid, by combining federal tax incentives and the energy savings from distributed generation resources, could be economically viable even in the absence of any additional grants.  This calculation does NOT consider the benefits of increased reliability in an emergency.

Key issues remain unresolved, such as the ownership structure for the microgrid.  Since these issues are so important and another Sandy could stike at any time, it’s important that we start early and work methodically. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board to moving this project forward and making our village more resilient and sustainable.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh

Ann Gallelli on working together for our neighborhoods

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Ann Gallelli Croton Village TrusteeTo the editor,

Residents of Scenic Drive West and Scenic Ridge are seeing a long-time neighborhood anomaly  in transition to becoming consistent with its surroundings

The Hendry building, a stand-alone large and vacant office building at 120 Scenic Drive West, is currently being demolished to eventually become two single family houses.

The building was built at a time when the entire  area around it was zoned for office use.  No other buildings were ever developed there .   About fifteen years ago  the area was rezoned for residential use  except for the Hendry building.  Thirty plus single family homes. Known as Westwind,  were built along two new streets – Scenic Drive West and Newton Court.  The Hendry Building remained – alone and empty.

For the past two years or more, the Village has worked with the prospective owner of the property to enable this change to take place through re-zoning the property to residential.  Both past and current Boards  supported and enabled this change to come about which will benefit both the neighborhood and the Village.

 

Ann Gallelli

DIVERSE COALITION ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR  ANN GALLELLI & BRIAN PUGH FOR CROTON BOARD

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(Croton-on-Hudson, NY) – Ann Gallelli and Brian Pugh, who are running as a slate for two seats on the Croton Village Board of Trustees which are up for election this year, have won the support of the Democratic Party, the Women’s Equality Party, Working Families Party, and the Independence Party. They will be appearing on the ballot lines of all four parties in November.

“The Women’s Equality Party is proud to support candidates, like Ann Gallelli and Brian Pugh, who share our values and our vision for a fair New York for both women and men.  As we prepare to elect our first woman president this year, we particularly appreciate the qualities Ann Gallelli and Brian Pugh bring to the ticket as active and respected members of their communities who will bring positive change to Croton residents,” said Rachel Gold, Acting Chair of the Women’s Equality Party.

“The Independence party is results-oriented and non-ideological.  We endorse Democrats and Republicans.  We have chosen to endorse Ann Gallelli and Brian Pugh because they are proven, pragmatic problem-solvers.  I particularly applaud their support for 100% renewable energy for the community through the Westchester Power program,” said John Sarcone, Independence Party Coordinator for Northern Westchester.

“Having served conscientiously on both the Planning and Village Boards, Ann is a seasoned veteran of local government and familiar with Croton’s zoning and housing issues. As a sitting member of the Village Board and a recent graduate of Fordham Law School, Brian Pugh has the training to understand the issues facing the Village and be an effective advocate,” said Patrick Welsh Westchester-Putnam Working Families Party Chair, “It was clear from their interview with the endorsement committee of the WFP that they represent the values of working families. On behalf of all citizens who value these same goals, I urge you to vote for Ann Gallelli and Brian Pugh on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th.”

Ann Gallelli is a 40-year village resident, has served on the board of trustees since 2006 and is former Chair of the Croton Planning Board.  Brian Pugh is a native of the Village of Croton, works at a solar training nonprofit in Westchester and helped organize the 2011 referendum campaign that moved village elections from March to November—he was first elected to the Village Board in 2014.