Dear neighbor, Here is the 477th 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 –   January 27, 2020

Work Session of the Village Board

7: 30 p.m.

 (Open to Public and Televised

 

 

NOTE:  The overviews of the operations of the following departments are part of a continuing process begun in early January whereby Board members and the public can become fully acquainted with the various responsibilities of the respective departments.  Departmental activities are directly related to budget requests.  The upcoming 2020/2021 Fiscal Year Budget is in the early stages of being developed and will be presented in mid-March.

 

1. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Public Works Department.
2. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Parking Department.
3. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Treasurer’s Office.
4. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Village Clerk’s Office.
5. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Village Manager’s Office.

This is great, thank you! Thank you! Thank you for the information.

Dear Neighbors:

I am writing to remind readers that the deadline for 2020  health insurance coverage through the NYS healthcare marketplace, New York State of Health, is Friday, January 31st.  The web site for the NY State of Health is: nystateofhealth.ny.gov

NY State of Health is a regulated insurance exchange meant to provide insurance coverage for individuals not covered by an employer’s insurance, Medicare or another plan.

Hundreds of residents of the Village of Croton are not insured, according to the Census.  The majority of these uninsured residents are native born US citizens. Most are children and young adults.

Health insurance protects from unexpected, high medical costs. Insurance also means free preventive care, like vaccines, screenings, and check-ups.

Please remind your family and friends to make sure they have health insurance coverage.

For assistance with enrollment, you can contact the NY State of Health’s helpline 1-855-355-5777. The helpline is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear neighbor, Here is the 476th 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 – January 21, 2020

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

8:00 pm

(Open to Public – Televised)

 

 

NOTE:  This Regular meeting is on a Tuesday due to  Martin Luther King Day holiday.

 

 

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1. Public hearing to consider adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2020 to override the property tax cap.  Since the inception of the Property Tax Levy Cap in NYS in 2012, it is necessary for each municipality to pass a law to allow it to override the Tax Cap in the event unforeseen circumstances require it.  A penalty would be imposed if the tax levy is exceeded without the passage of this law.

 

CORRESPONENCE:

1. Letter from Michelle Minoff, Director of Community Engagement at Temple Israel of Northern Westchester, thanking the Village Board and staff for the Community Hanukkah Celebration.  Ms. Minoff thanked the Village and said it was a meaningful event for everyone.
2. Croton Point Avenue Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project Updates:

 

Email from Orietta Trocard, Regional Local Projects Manager for NYSDOT, regarding additional funding for the Croton Point Avenue Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project.  The letter from the NYSDOT notifies the Village of receiving $750,000 for the project in addition to the $250,000 previous allotted to it by the DOT.

 

Letter from Gabriela Paladino, President of Paladino Concrete Creations Corp., regarding the bid pricing for the Croton Point Avenue Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project.   The letter extends the hold time on their bid price until March 3, 2020.

 

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider scheduling a Public Hearing to amend Chapter 197 of the Village Code, Streets and Sidewalks, to prohibit signage in the Village’s right-of-way for Monday, February 3, 2020, at 8 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building.    The proposed Local Law would prohibit posting of signs, flyers, etc. as specified in Section 197-8 below:

197-8. Posting notices and the scattering/placing/tossing of advertisements.

No person shall place, post, affix, or otherwise put up any written, printed, or painted sign or notice on

any of the trees, poles, walls, fences or buildings on or along any of the streets, rights-of-way or public

places in said Village, nor scatter, place, or throw any advertisements or notices nor cause the same to be scattered, placed, or thrown along or in any of the streets, rights-of-way or public places in said Village.

 

5. Consider scheduling a Public Hearing to consider Local Law Introductory No. 9 of 2019 and Local Law Introductory No. 10 of 2019 to amend Chapter 230 of the Village Code, Zoning, with regards to the Municipal Place Gateway area for Monday, February 3, 2020, at 8 PM in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building.  The Village Board is calling for a Public Hearing on Local Laws Introductory No. 9 and No. 10 regarding zoning modifications in the Municipal Place Gateway area.  As a result of input from a prior Public Hearing, some changes made in the substance of the law, specifically a reduction in the Floor Area Ratio from .8 to .5. requiring another public hearing.

Dear Neighbors:

 

I believe it’s important for the public to understand how their tax dollars are used.  Similarly, I think our Board of Trustees of the Village of Croton should have a firm grasp on the departments we are charged with overseeing.

 

Since the start of the new year, the Board has been meeting with the heads of our Village departments to review their operations at our work sessions.  So far, the Board has met with the heads of Engineering, Recreation, Croton EMS, the Volunteer Fire Department and the Police Department.

 

Copies of their presentations are available on the Village website and video of these presentations are part of our regular meeting archive. Also at my recommendation, the Village Departments now issue quarterly reports that are posted to each Department’s page at www.crotononhudson-ny.gov.

 

Over the last two budgets, the Board of Trustees and I have kept tax levy growth to a total of less than 1%.  We have reduced village indebtedness. We have continued to run budget surpluses. We have maintained a robust Aa2 credit rating.

 

It’s truly impressive what our volunteers and professional staff do for our Village with the resources they have.

 

Our Village Board of Trustees is committed to controlling property taxes to keep the Village of Croton a place middle class families can afford.  At the same time, we will continue to support our Village’s workforce to keep delivering the level of services residents expect and preserve our community’s quality of life.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Pugh, Mayor

 

Dear neighbor, Here is the 475th 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 –   January 13, 2020

Work Session of the Village Board

7: 30 p.m.

 (Open to Public and Televised

 

1. Discussion of proposal from Morning Glory Markets for a farmers market at Senasqua Park.    A proposal from Pasquale Le Draoulec for seasonal market at Senasqua Park running for 25 Sundays from June to November.   The terms and parameters for such a market will be discussed.
2. Update on the Croton Point Avenue Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project.  The Village Manager will provide an update on this project with information on discussions with the NYS DOT regarding its future.
3. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Fire Department. Members of the Fire Department will go over in detail the totality of its operations to increase Board understanding and in preparation for the upcoming budget.
4. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the EMS Department.  Members of the Croton EMS will go over its operation to increase Board understanding and in preparation for the upcoming budget.
5. Overview of the day-to-day operations of the Police Department.  Members of the Police Department will go over its operations to increase Board understanding and in preparation for the upcoming budget.
6. Further review of Local Law Introductory 9 of 2019.   The Board will continue its discussion of the proposed zoning amendment.  All backup documents for the proposed amendment are available at the Village website, click on Minutes and Agendas.

Dear Neighbors:

All eighth grade students in the Village of Croton are invited to participate in a statewide essay contest, organized by the NY Conference of Mayors (NYCOM), addressing the topic, “If I Were Mayor, I Would..”

Essays must be between 350-500 words. Only one essay may be submitted per student. Essayists should make sure their plans are consistent with the legal powers of a Village Mayor in New York State.

Three winning essays will be selected. The first place winner will receive $150, second place $75 and third place $50. The first place winner along with his/her parents, teacher and mayor will be invited to and recognized at our Annual Meeting at the Sagamore Hotel in Bolton Landing.

Please visit the NYCOM website (nycom.org) for more information about the contest.

Brian Pugh, Mayor

Dear neighbor, Here is the 474th 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 – January 6, 2020

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

8:00 pm

(Open to Public – Televised)

 

 

NOTE:  This Regular meeting will be preceded, at 7:30 pm, by a Work Session.

 

Work Session Agenda

1. Further discussion of a potential spring event in the Upper Village.  The Board will discuss the parameters for a Spring Jazz event in the upper village including day of the week, actual dates, logistical requirements and overtime costs.

 

 

Regular Meeting Agenda

 

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

1. Public Hearing to amend Chapter 197 of the Village Code, Streets and Sidewalks, to reduce the number of hours provided to property owners to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice and to revise the list of sidewalks cleared by the Village.  Existing code requires clearing of sidewalks within 18 hours of the end of snowfall.  The revision would require clearing within 12 hours of the end of snowfall.

 

 

CORRESPONENCE:

1. Letter from Janet Calano, representing Mr. & Mrs. S. Grilli of 93 Lexington Drive, requesting a refund of Zoning Board of Appeals fees.  Due to unusual circumstances regarding past construction at this residence, documentation for which was not immediately available due to the length of time passed (circa 1936) and unavailability of records, the Grilli’s needed to obtain a variance from the ZBA and also a Certificate of Occupancy.  The Village Engineer recommends returning the variance fee but not the CO fee.  Alternatively, he suggests retaining a small portion of the variance fee due to the office work that was involved.
2. Letter from Janine King, Village Manager, regarding her date of retirement and the transition to a new Manager for the Village.  Village Manager King informs the Board of her intention to retire as of July 6, 2020.
3. Letter from John Petronella, Acting Regional Director of the NYS DEC, regarding state efforts at the Croton River Gorge Unique Area.  A request from the Friends of Croton Gorge Unique Area  for a funding contribution for an stewardship program at the DEC controlled Unique area be considered.  The NY/NJ Stewardship program has agreed to train stewards for onsite work at the Unique area (located in the Town of Cortlandt on the South side of the Croton River).  The cost of the program for the upcoming season would be $36,000.  Over $8,000 has been raised to date with an additional contribution of $10,000 from the Town of Cortlandt.  It is hope that the DEC will also provide funding as well as the Town of Ossining.   Currently the Village provides police patrols on the Croton River and maintains a boat for that purpose.

 

 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

2024. Consider ratification of the Croton Police Association Memorandum of Agreement and authorizing the Village Manager to execute the agreement.  This authorizes the Manager to move ahead with finalizing a contract with the Police Association.  The length of the agreement covers 5 years, ending on May 31, 2024.
2025. Consider the appointment of Edwin Jandres to the position of Police Officer effective January 7, 2020, pending approval of the Westchester County Department of Human Resources, at a salary of $63,048.28, pending ratification of the new Croton Police Association collective bargaining agreement. After extensive search and interviewing Chief Harper is recommending the hiring of Mr. Jandres for the one unfilled position in the Croton Police Dept..  He currently serves as an police officer in the City of Newburgh and has completed the training program.
2026. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2019-2020 General Fund Budget in the amount of $1,277.61 for monies received from insurance recovery. The recovery money is from storm damage to a fence and equipment at Sunset Park.
2027. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to establish a capital account for the purpose of holding funds for opportunities to reduce the Village’s greenhouse gas emissions. In recognizing the irreparable harm of climate change to our community, nation and planet. The Village is creating a Capital fund dedicated to funding opportunities that will reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  O that end, 50% of the income from the solar installation at the DPW site will be dedicated to this fund annually.
2028. Consider scheduling a public hearing for Tuesday, January 21, at 8 p.m. in the Georgianna Grant Meeting Room of the Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building to consider adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 1 of 2020 to override the property tax cap. Since 2012, when the Tax Levy Cap legislation passed in NYS, it has been necessary for taxing entities to pass an override law to cover the eventuality of not meeting the NYS Tax Levy Cap.  Each year the Village has done so.  However, the Village has always met the Tax Cap requirement. The Tax Cap requirement is that the levy increase be no more than 2% or the rate of inflation, whichever is less.  At budget time, assuming the Village meets the cap requirements again, this legislation will be rescinded.

Dear Neighbors:

Thank you to our Village of Croton first-responders in the Croton Police Department, the Volunteer Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Service for protecting our community over the holidays.  

 

Our first-responders serve our community throughout the year.  However, their dedication really stands out during the holidays. At a time when the rest of gather with family and friends, our police, firefighters and ambulance crews, stand at the ready.  Sometimes, volunteers are literally called from the table to help a neighbor in need. 

 

As Mayor, I would like to express appreciation on behalf of the Village of Croton for the service of our first-responders Particularly in light of recent tragedies in neighboring communities, I think we all should be grateful for everything our first-responders, professional and volunteer, do to keep our Village safe.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Pugh, Mayor