Dear Neighbors:

As we end climate week, I write to remind readers that the Village of Croton’s anti-idling fee will be going into effect on September 29, 2019. Excessive vehicle idling wastes gas, contributes to climate change and contributes to local air pollution

Westchester County has an F in air quality from the American Lung Association due to the amount of ozone pollution in the County. Tailpipe emissions are a major contributor to ozone pollution. Everyone can be affected by poor air quality. However, children and those with chronic respiratory problems are the most sensitive to ozone pollution in the air.

Over the past two summers, the Village has sought to encourage compliance with Westchester County’s 2009 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.

At the televised August 12th regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees, the Board adopted a $35 fine for anyone found to be idling a vehicle in excess of three minutes whenever the air temperature is above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Emergency vehicles are exempt from the provisions of the idling law. The full text of the relevant section of the Village Code, § 215-20.1 “Restrictions on idling of motor vehicles”, can be found on the Village’s website.

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.

Hopefully, we will all remember to limit our idling and few residents, if any will need to pay the $35. With some consideration, we will all breathe easier.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Decoding Village Agendas –   September 23, 2019

Work Session of the Village Board

7: 30 p.m.

 (Open to Public and Televised

a.      Update on the residential construction project along Piney Point Avenue.  The Manager will provide an update on the many steps and actions that have been taken since the September 16 Board meeting regarding the construction on two lots on Piney Point Avenue and a lot on Nordica Drive.   Stop Work orders, description of the violations, and plans for addressing the situation are included in the backup documents at :

https://crotononhudson.novusagenda.com/boardweb/Main.aspx

b.      Discussion on the recreational kayak program located at the Echo Canoe Launch.  John Clark, owner of the Hudson River Recreation program that operates the kayak rentals at Echo Canoe Launch site on the Croton River, will discuss with the Board his request to renew his contract with the Village which expires in the coming months.

c.       Presentation from Provident Design Engineering on the results of the traffic study conducted around the intersection of Grand Street and Old Post Road South. The Village engaged Provident in the Spring to conduct a traffic study of the Upper Village area around the “Dummy Light”. The Study focused on the operation of the intersection for both vehicles and pedestrians, including the potential impacts of different types of intersection traffic control.  This Traffic Impact Study uses standard Traffic Engineering methodology and has been prepared to document the findings and conclusions of the analysis that was undertaken to measure the traffic impacts associated with the existing and future conditions on the roadways.  The report provides 5 concept plans for the intersection which will be discussed by the Board.

d.      Discussion on the various traffic calming measures that have been implemented in the Village and future measures that can be undertaken.   The Board will review the  Bike Pedestrian Committee’s 5-year plan as well  a variety of possible traffic calming devices that might be considered.

Dear Neighbors:

This week we remember the 18th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack in American history. We should never forget the individuals who did not make it home that day and the thousands more who have perished due to 9/11 related illnesses in recent years.

The heroic actions of first-responders that day and every day are truly inspiring.  Few of the firefighters, police or ambulance crews could have imagined the full extent of the disaster that they would be responding to that day. They heard the call and they answered it.

Our local law enforcement and first-responders, whether volunteer or professional, are the same.  They too stand at the ready to answer the call, no matter how grave.

As Mayor, I firmly believe we need to give our first-responders the tools and training they need to face contemporary threats to public safety.  The Board of Trustees, the Village administration and I will work continuously to give those protecting our community the support they deserve.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh

Dear Neighbors:

This week we celebrated the Labor Day holiday, a day where families can enjoy the summer and reflect on the benefits secured by organized workers for all Americans. At the bargaining table and the ballot box, the labor movement helped secure rights many now take for granted.
That’s why I’m proud to have earned the support of the labor movement as I campaign for a second term as mayor of our Village.
This year, I’ve been endorsed by the Westchester Putnam Central Labor Body, AFL-CIO, which is comprised of affiliates from the American Federation of Musicians to Utility Workers Union of America, and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Westchester-Putnam, which represents more than two dozen construction unions. The Working Families Party, a party founded by a grassroots coalition of community organizations and union activists, has also placed my name on their ballot line for the November election.
I am humbled and honored to receive these affirmations from these representatives of workers in our community. I appreciate this recognition of my commitment to ensuring that working families have ample opportunities in the Village of Croton for good jobs, affordable homes and a healthy environment.
Sincerely,
Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear neighbor, Here is the 460th 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 – September 3, 2019

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

8:00 pm

(Open to Public – Televised)

NOTE:  This meeting is on a Tuesday due to Labor Day Holiday.

CORRECSPONDENCE:

1. Email from Toni Senecal Shea, owner of the Croton Tapsmith, requesting use of one parking space on September 8th and every Sunday thereafter to park a pizza oven truck.  Ms. Senecal would like to make this a weekly event which she feels would bring more visibility to the Upper Village area.
2. Letter from John Petronella, Acting Regional Director of the NYS DEC, regarding state efforts at the Croton River Gorge Unique Area. Mr.Petronella responds to a letter from Manager Janine King regarding steps the Croton River Task Force would like the DEC to take regarding the Unique Area on the Croton River.  He outlines steps the DEC is taking and acknowledges that further steps are likely needed in the future.  He states that the DEC defers to the County Dept. of Health in the matter of water testing.   Results of the testing done by the Village are included in the backup.  The most recent test on August 26  returned results that fall in the normal range.
3. Email from John Munson, Fire Council Secretary, regarding membership changes in the Croton Fire Department.  Mr. Munson informs the Board of the addition of two Active members and a change of one active member to social membership.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider awarding Bid #4-2019 for concrete curbing at various locations to Con-Tech Construction Technology Inc. of Carmel, New York, in the amount of $297,500.  Curb replacements are needed at various locations prior to schedule re-surfacing of the roads.  New curbs will also be needed as part of the redevelopment of the station parking lot where the former garage was located.  Three bids were received.
2. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to sign a contract addendum with Onsolve, LLC (dba Code Red) to add foreign language translation to existing services at a cost of $150 per year.  Onsolve LLC provides the Village with its emergency notification services. This is a new feature offered by Onsolve that was not included in the 2019/2020 Budget.
3. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2019-20 General Fund Budget in the amount of $39,351 for monies received from Con Edison to resurface roadways.  Con Ed recently did work in the area of Nordica and Truesdale which required restoration of the pavement.  In lieu of Con Ed performing the work, the Village is accepting payment from Con Ed for the restoration work.
4. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $74,000 to account for the premium received from the 2018 series bond.  The premium is being allocated to various Capital accounts.

OTHER: Consider a request from the Village Manager to hold an executive session to discuss matters of real property.