Dear Neighbors:

Sen. Peter Harckham and Peekskill Mayor Andre Rainey invited me and other local leaders to the Mount Lebanon Church on Sunday to respond to a white supremacist sticker and other signs of hate that have shown up in the area in recent months.

The sticker was found last week on a store in Peekskill, plastered on top of the store’s pride sign.

Hatred anywhere is a threat to tolerance everywhere.  Thank you to Mayor Andre Rainey, Senator Peter Harckham, and the Mount Lebanon congregation for organizing such a strong united front against bigotry.

The troubled individual behind this act of vandalism should know that they have failed.  In trying to divide our communities, they have only succeeded in uniting us. We’ve learned the lessons of history: appeasement only emboldens extremists. We will not turn a blind eye towards prejudice and allow it to grow and spread.

In recent years, an embittered minority has lashed out in dramatic and sometimes deadly ways.  However, this small-minded bigot’s attempts to stir up hate will ultimately be useless in the face of a unified majority committed to equal rights and social justice.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear Neighbors:

Think global and act local has been a guiding principle for the environmental movement for decades. In keeping with this spirit, the Village of Croton adopted two environmental measures at Monday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees: 1) a local law to permit and regulate solar power generation systems and 2) an amendment to the master fee schedule to set a fine of $35 for vehicles idling in excess of three minutes (a violation of the County’s 2008 anti-idling law).

 

Solar power systems generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases or other air pollution while creating green-collar jobs for installers, and adding to property values for system owners. The local law adopted Monday incorporates solar regulations into the Zoning code and establish standards to empower citizens to use this important alternative energy source. Critically, it allows for and regulates non-rooftop based solar arrays, i.e.: ground-mounted systems and carport solar installations. I look forward to this new law encouraging further local investment in renewable power.

 

The Board also amended the master fee schedule to set a fine of $35 for violating the County’s anti-idling law. The County law limits the time any motor vehicle in Westchester County may idle to three minutes (while exempting, among others, electric vehicles, emergency vehicles and non-diesel vehicles operating in sub-freezing temperatures).

 

Discouraging idling, particularly during the summer is important, since automobiles are a major contributor to local air pollution. Westchester County has an F in air quality from the American Lung Association. Under the summer sun, tailpipe emissions sit and cook, worsening air quality and threatening public health-especially for sensitive groups such as people with heart and lung problems, the elderly and children.

 

Over the past two summers, the Village has sought to encourage compliance with Westchester County’s anti-idling law by educating the public through e-mail blasts, notices in the Village newsletter and by directing police to issue warnings to drivers caught idling. By adding a fine to our fee schedule, we empower our local police to collect a fine (equivalent to a parking ticket) for violating the County anti-idling law to further protect public health and our environment.

 

At the national level, we’ve seen a wrongheaded campaign driven by a mixture of self-interested industry actors and uninformed idealogues to reverse many hardwon environmental victories and deny the reality of critical environmental problems such as climate change. Our Village Board’s Democratic majority will continue, consistent with the interests and values of our community, to empower residents to take environmentally responsible steps and protect our local habitat.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear neighbor, Here is the 459th 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 19, 2019

Work Session of the Village Board

7: 30 p.m.

 (Open to Public and Televised

 

 

a.       Discussion on possible demonstration for the Love’em and Leave’em campaign.  The CAC’s Tree Committee will discuss a possible demonstration of how this can be done on individual lawns.

 

b.      Discussion on proposed Village-Wide Tag Sale event on September 21.   The Village is considering promoting individual tag sales throughout the Village on Saturday September 21 by advertising them and providing a map of the locations of the sales.

 

c.       Review of the results from the Harmon parking survey. A survey was sent to 134 residents of Hastings, Young and Oneida Avenues. 45 surveys were returned.  The survey asked about the residents’ perception of parking issues on their streets.  The Board will discuss the results.

 

d.      Discussion on residential parking permits for streets located near the train station and the Croton River and the steps necessary for implementation.   The Board will consider such parking permits for these streets which require NYS legislative approval.  They will review examples of existing authorizations in multiple cities or villages.

Dear Neighbors:

Think global and act local has been a guiding principle for the environmental movement for decades. In keeping with this spirit, the Village of Croton adopted two environmental measures at Monday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees: 1) a local law to permit and regulate solar power generation systems and 2) an amendment to the master fee schedule to set a fine of $35 for vehicles idling in excess of three minutes (a violation of the County’s 2008 anti-idling law).

Solar power systems generate electricity without producing greenhouse gases or other air pollution while creating green-collar jobs for installers, and adding to property values for system owners. The local law adopted Monday incorporates solar regulations into the Zoning code and establish standards to empower citizens to use this important alternative energy source. Critically, it allows for and regulates non-rooftop based solar arrays, i.e.: ground-mounted systems and carport solar installations. I look forward to this new law encouraging further local investment in renewable power.

The Board also amended the master fee schedule to set a fine of $35 for violating the County’s anti-idling law. The County law limits the time any motor vehicle in Westchester County may idle to three minutes (while exempting, among others, electric vehicles, emergency vehicles and non-diesel vehicles operating in sub-freezing temperatures).

Discouraging idling, particularly during the summer is important, since automobiles are a major contributor to local air pollution. Westchester County has an F in air quality from the American Lung Association. Under the summer sun, tailpipe emissions sit and cook, worsening air quality and threatening public health-especially for sensitive groups such as people with heart and lung problems, the elderly and children.

Over the past two summers, the Village has sought to encourage compliance with Westchester County’s anti-idling law by educating the public through e-mail blasts, notices in the Village newsletter and by directing police to issue warnings to drivers caught idling. By adding a fine to our fee schedule, we empower our local police to collect a fine (equivalent to a parking ticket) for violating the County anti-idling law to further protect public health and our environment.

At the national level, we’ve seen a wrongheaded campaign driven by a mixture of self-interested industry actors and uninformed idealogues to reverse many hardwon environmental victories and deny the reality of critical environmental problems such as climate change. Our Village Board’s Democratic majority will continue, consistent with the interests and values of our community, to empower residents to take environmentally responsible steps and protect our local habitat.
Sincerely,
Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear Neighbors, 

 

Recently the Village Board passed a resolution of support for the passage in the US House of Representatives of  HR.3409. This legislation is the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2019. In section 420 of the proposed bill, the establishment of barge anchorages in the Hudson River between New York and Kingston was prohibited.  This prohibition was championed by Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney among others.

The good news is that it was supported by a bipartisan majority of in the House of Representatives and passed.  It has moved on to the US Senate which has not yet taken it up.

Since 2016, when the Coast Guard first began considering opening 10 new barge locations with 43 new anchorage sites in this section of the Hudson River, the Village has been in the forefront of the effort to stop this plan.   The Village, as a member of the Historic Hudson River Towns (HHRT) has been active in the fight to stop it. I and three others from HHRT were asked to be part of an official Coast Guard Safety Assessment workshop in 2018. Since then, and as a result of our participation in that workshop, HHRT is involved in more detailed look at current operations in the Hudson River.  Representatives from the Maritime industry and recreational boating are also in this discussion. It remains to be seen how this committee will proceed in the future if the Senate version of HR 3409 is ultimately passed in the US Senate. However, the recent passage in the House of the Coast Guard Appropriations with the anchorage prohibition is a very positive step in the right direction.  

 

Ann Gallelli, Deputy Mayor

Dear neighbor, Here is the 458th 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 12, 2019

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

8:00 pm

(Open to Public – Televised)

 

 

 

PRESENTATION/OTHER: Presentation of Certificates of Merit to members of the AYSO United Croton Force soccer team.

 

CORRECSPONDENCE:

1. Email from John Munson, Fire Council Secretary, regarding membership changes in the Croton Fire Department.  As required,  Mr. Munson, on behalf of the Fire Council, is informing the Board of changes in the membership status of the department.
2. Letter from Jud Ramaker, Race Director, regarding the 39th Annual Harry Chapin Memorial Run Against Hunger on October 20, 2019.   Mr. Ramaker is informing the Board of the date of the next Run Against Hunger and asking for Village support from various Village departments.
3. Memo from Daniel O’Connor, Village Engineer, requesting an extension of a building permit for 3 Mt. Airy Road.  Village Engineer O’Connor recommends an extension to February 2020.

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider adoption of a Negative Declaration for SEQRA purposes in regards to Local Law Introductory No. 7 of 2019 to amend the Zoning Chapter of the Village Code to regulate the installation of solar arrays in certain zoning districts.  The Board is Lead Agency on this matter. It reviewed the Environmental Assessment Forms, parts 2 and 3, at its July meeting.  The results of that review is being finalized in this resolution with a Negative Declaration of Significance under SEQRA.
2. Consider adoption of a finding of consistency with the Village’s LWRP in regards to Local Law Introductory No. 7 of 2019 to amend the Zoning Chapter of the Village Code to regulate the installation of solar arrays in certain zoning districts.  The Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program requires a determination of consistency for this action by the Lead Agency.  The Waterfront Advisory Committee has recommended favorably.
3. Consider adoption of a resolution to acknowledge receipt of the 2019 Justice Court Audit.  As required by law, the Village must formally acknowledge receipt of the court office audit and forward it to the State.
4. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2019-20 General Fund Budget in the amount of $529 for insurance recovery monies.   This is money received from insurance for the replacement of a cracked window at Gouveia Park.
5. Consider amending the 2019-2020 Master Fee Schedule to set a fine for idling vehicles in excess of three minutes.  In Westchester County, car idling is prohibited for more than three minutes.  This would set a fine in the Village’s Master fee schedule of $250 for an infraction of the idling law.
6. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to sign an agreement with the New York State Department of Transportation for snow and ice removal services on state roadways for the period beginning July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2024.  NYS pays the Village for snow and ice removal services on certain state roads in the Village.  This agreement extends the contract  until July 2014 and estimates the reimbursement to the Village of  $31,7201.55 for the 2019/2020 season.

7. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an agreement with Louis Rinaldi, Inc. of Ossining, New York, for paving services in the amount of $450,000.  Annually, the Village performs paving on Village streets identified as in most need.  Louis Rinaldi Inc. has a paving contract with the Village of Ossining which allows other municipalities to piggyback on it.  The streets identified for paving work include Nordica, part of Truesdale, Cedar Lane, King, Sunset Trail, Riverview Trail and Brook Street.
8. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2019-20 General Fund and Water Fund budgets in the amount of $100,000 for decreased metered water sales and anticipated increased sales tax revenue.  This lowers the budgeted transfer to the General Fund from the Water Fund by $100,000 based on lower water usage which is expected to continue.  This resolution also increases the revenue in the General Fund by $100,000 from the recently passed increase in Sales tax in Westchester County.  The County has informed the Village to expect its share of the revenue from this tax to increase by $100,000 this year.
9. Consider amending the 2019-2020 Master Fee Schedule to set vendor fees for the Croton Oktoberfest event.   The Oktoberfest event is schedule for Saturday, October 5 in the Upper Village.  As this is a new event, the Village wishes to set vendor fees for it in the Master Fee schedule.  Fees would be $100 for a general vendor and $200 for a food/beverage vendor.
10. Consider authorizing the appointment of Corey Velardo to the rank of Police Sergeant as of August 13, 2019, at an annual salary of $130,879.  Chief Harper is recommending Office Velardo be promoted to Sergeant to fill a vacancy caused by a retirement.
11. Consider authorizing the appointment of John M. Broughal to the position of Police Officer as of August 13, 2019, at an annual salary of $63,049.  Mr. Broughal has been recommended by Chief Harper for one of two vacant positions.

Dear Neighbors:

At the last Board of Trustees meeting for the Village of Croton, it was reported that the Village was awarded additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The grant will be divided between seat belt enforcement and police traffic Safety enforcement by the Village of Croton’s Police Department.

Due to the good work the CPD accomplished under the grant during the past year, our award amount increased by over 40% this year.

Because of the continuous efforts of our Village staff, especially the Police Department, the Village of Croton also received the Gold Award for Community Traffic Safety last October. The Village was recognized for holding car seat checks, educational programs to facilitate safe driving and maintaining engineering initiatives to promote a safer traffic flow. The Village also received a special commendation for having zero pedestrian fatalities

Safe roads for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians is a priority for our Village. Last year, we instituted 25 MPH speed zones in certain areas of the Village along Cleveland Drive, Grand Street and Old Post Road. A new school speed zone was also added on Maple Street by the crosswalk for the Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School.  This year, we commissioned a traffic study for the Upper Village–the results of which will be forthcoming.

The Board of Trustees appreciates all the hard work that has gone in to keeping our streets safe.  We will continue to work with the staff, the citizen volunteers of the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee and wider community to continue to identify and manage risks to public safety on our roadways.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear Neighbors:

The Village recently asked the County to let our DPW trucks refuel in Croton Point Park. Unfortunately, the county turned down the request. We also reached out to the State to see if we could place the petroleum tanks on state land within the Village. After several months, we still have not received a response.

With no other options, the village board has voted to move the DPW fueling stations to the former skateboard park, located on Riverside and Rt. 129. No one is thrilled with this decision, least of all the board. A little history: Our existing below-ground fuel tanks, currently located at the train station, are close to their life expectancy, so they need to be replaced. If we stayed at the current location, they would not be allowed because the state and county have deemed the train station a Critical Environmental Area, which it wasn’t back when. Most of the available land the Village owns suffers from similar issues, that includes the DPW garage. Hence, the old skateboard park it is.

Although the state owns most of the land surrounding the site, as my colleague Ann Gallelli has stated, we are committed to doing whatever we can to spruce up the area with trees, plantings, maybe even art. If we’re honest, this spot has always been an eyesore. It was an ugly skateboard park, an ugly farmer’s market, and ugly when it sat empty. This is an opportunity to turn a bad situation into a good one.

Andy Simmons, Village Trustee