Dear neighbor, Here is the 512thinstallment 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 – November 4, 2020

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

6 pm

(Zoom )

This meeting is on WEDNESDAY

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CORRESPONDENCE:

a.  Email from John Munson, Fire Council Secretary, regarding membership changes in the fire department.   Mr. Munson updates the Village on new members and changes in current members status as required. 

b. Inter-Municipal Agreement from Westchester County Refuse Disposal District No. 1 for Residential Food Scrap Transportation & Disposal Program.  Westchester County is offering an Inter-Municipal Agreement to municipalities for the purpose of collecting and disposing food scraps.  Under the IMA, the Village would determine the method of collection which must be in 64-gallong “Toters”.  The County would collect and transport the collected food scraps at no charge to the Village.

c. Email from Rose Cappa announcing Vincent Duffy has been accepted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame Class of 2020.   The County’s Senior Hall of Fame, Vince Duffy, has been accepted.  A ceremony will be held on December 4, 2020.

d. Email from Joseph Martinelli, adjutant of Fox-Eklof American Legion Post 505, regarding Veterans Day ceremony.  The Fox-Ekloff Post has decided to make this year’s Veterans’ Day ceremony very low key.  Those who wish can meet at 5-corners at 11 am.  However, Mr. Martinelli provides information on the Stand Up For Veterans movement in NYS to occur at 7 pm on November 11.  Everyone is encouraged to open their window or door and play the national anthem so others can hear. 

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

a.      Consider scheduling a public hearing to consider the adoption of Local Law Introductory No. 7 of 2020 to create a new Chapter 158, Masks and Face-Coverings, in the Code of the Village of Croton-on-Hudson for November 16, 2020, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.   The proposed law, similar to  a New Castle law, and based on several Executive Orders by the Governor of NYS, would require face coverings on both public and private property when 6 foot distancing cannot be maintained.  

b.      Consider scheduling a public hearing on the special use permit application from Ralph Rossi and Philip Spagnoli for the construction of a multi-residential building at 25 S. Riverside Avenue for December 7, 2020, at 6 PM via Zoom videoconference.  This calls for a Public Hearing on the proposal for a 39- residential unit building at the site of the former Croton Hardware building.

c.       Consider declaring the Board of Trustees to be lead agency under SEQRA for the amended special use permit application and the new special use permit application from the Hudson National Golf Club for the club use of the reduced property and the tier 3 solar energy project, respectively, and refer such applications to the Waterfront Advisory Committee for review.   This application requires amendments to several existing permits.  After receiving no objections from the Planning Board, the Board of Trustees would become the Lead Agency in conducting the SEQRA review of the many aspects of this application. The Waterfront Advisory Committee must determine whether the proposal is consistent with the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) and make a recommendation to the Village Board.

d.      Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to process a tax refund in the amount of $737.27 for the property located at 13 Wood Road (designated on the tax maps as Section 68.17, Block 003, Lot 050) due to a clerical error made in the increase in assessment.  This is a correction of the error.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 511th 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 –   October 26, 2020

Work Session of the Village Board

6:00 p.m.

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Back up documents to agenda items can be found under Agendas on the Village website.

a.      Discussion on revised proposal from the Conservation Advisory Council to limit the use of leaf blowers within the Village.   The CAC has submitted an updated proposal regarding gas-powered leaf blowers in response to comments received on their earlier submission.  It recommends a longer time frame for implementation along with citizen education on their use and benefits of alternatives.  The new proposed guidelines would ban them from May – October in 2021, January – October in 2022, and year round in 2023.

b.      Discussion of a request for relief from payment of taxes before the issuance of a building permit as permitted under § 86-9(I) of the Village Code.   A house on Thompson Avenue has past due taxes.  The owners inherited it and are in the process of some expensive repairs required to sell it.  They request that an agreement with the Village to postpone paying the taxes until the expenses of the repair are completed and the house sold, when they will pay in full.  With completed repairs they estimate the house assessment will be very positive for the Village and a neighborhood improvement.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 510thinstallment 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 – October 19, 2020

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

(Zoom )

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PRESENTATION:  

1. Presentation by John Dullaghan, Director of Government Affairs for Altice USA, regarding the August 2020 Optimum service outages.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Revised proposal from the Conservation Advisory Council to limit the use of leaf blowers within the Village.   The CAC has submitted an updated proposal regarding gas-powered leaf blowers in response to comments received on their earlier submission.  It recommends a longer time frame for implementation along with citizen education on their use and benefits of alternatives.  The new proposed guidelines would ban them from May – October in 2021, January – October in 2022, and year round in 2023.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider authorizing the Village Justice Court to apply for a grant in the 2020-2021 Justice Court Assistance Program.  The court will be applying for a grant to cover costs associated with PPE clothing and accessories for use in court as well as protective changes at the entrance to the courtroom.
2. Consider authorizing Village personnel to perform a cleanup of the property located at 117 North Riverside Avenue and to place the cost for such cleanup as a lien upon the property if not paid.  After failure to respond to notices from the Village, the property will be cleaned up and costs invoiced to the owner or added to the property taxes.
3. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $95,000 to account for monies received from the sale of surplus property.  The Village sold an unimproved property located outside the village in the Town of Cortlandt.  This money is now being reflected in the budget.
4. Acknowledge receipt of special permit application from Marco Ordonez, of M & J Auto Repair Corp., to operate a motor vehicle repair garage at 485 S. Riverside Avenue, refer such application to the Planning Board for review and schedule a Public Hearing on November 16, 2020, at 6 PM, to consider the request for a special permit.  This use requires a special permit in its C2 zone.  The Board is taking the first step in referring it to the Planning Board and scheduling a public hearing.
5. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute Change Order 1 from Michels Pipe Service for the water main infrastructure project in the amount of $11,619.10.  This additional amount is for replacement of a curb box and valves not included in the original work contract.
6. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute the Electrical Services Agreement with Sustainable Westchester at the enclosed rates for the Community Choice Aggregation program for the period of January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2022.   The new rates at 7.405 cents for residential renewable and 6.749 cents for stand residential are lower than the current rates under the prior contract.
7. Consider declaring the Board of Trustees to be lead agency under SEQRA for the amended special use permit application from Ralph Rossi and Philip Spagnoli for the construction of a multi-residential building at 25 S. Riverside Avenue and refer such application to the Waterfront Advisory Committee for review.    After referral to the Planning Board, Zoning Board and County Planning Board, tno objections were received.  The Village Board can therefore declare itself Lead Agency under SEQRA on this proposal.  The proposal itself has been downsized since its initial submission.  It is now calling for 39 units (26 -1BR, 13 – 2BR, including 4 affordable units) in a building of 42,000 square feet.  The previous proposal was for a 54,000 square foot building.  The next step is for the WAC to make a Determination of Consistency with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).
8. Consider adoption of a resolution to acknowledge receipt of the 2020 Justice Court Audit.  Justice Courts are required to conduct an audit and provide it to the NYS Office of Court Administration.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 509thinstallment 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 – October 5, 2020

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

6:00 pm

(Zoom )

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PRESENTATION:

1. Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week 2020.   The proclamation declares October 4 – 10 as Fire Prevention Week.  The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention week is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen”.
2. Presentation by Jasmine Graham of Westchester Power on the upcoming Community Choice Aggregation program renewal.  The presentation will show the results of the bid process for energy resulting from Westchester Power’s recent bid process.  Constellation Energy won the bid with an 18 month rate of 7.405 cents for green supply(residential).  Notification letters will be sent out to Croton residents on November 4 and the Opt-out period will extend from November 9 to December 9.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Email from Toni Senecal Shea requesting a time extension for the outdoor sidewalk seating program and to place the pizza oven on the street on October 31.  Ms. Shea, owner of Tapsmith, asks that outdoor sidewalk seating be extended to the end of the year. Additionally, as Tapsmith is teaming with the Croton Caring Committee to be a drop off site through October and a collection site on October 31, she requests permission to have a pizza oven on the sidewalk on October 31.
2. Email from Stephen Campbell of New York Power Authority regarding a Notice of Proposed Rule Making – Increase Production Rates.   The Village is being notified of increased production rates of 7.49% over 2020 rates.  The letter attributes this to the closing of Indian Point #3.  There will be a comment period from October 14 to December 14 prior to a final determination.
3. Bid Summary Sheet from Village Bond Sale on September 30, 2020.   The Village issued $2,609,990 of bonds for various capital projects.  The bid summary sheet shows effective rates between 1.56655% and 1.79000%.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

a.      Consider determining that the Proposed Action (Hudson National Golf Club application for a subdivision of its property to create a separate 15-acre lot to be leased for a solar array, an application for an amended special permit for the Club use on the reduced property, and site plan and special permit for the proposed tier 3 solar energy) is an Unlisted Action under SEQRA, declaring the Village Board’s intent to be Lead Agency under SEQRA, and referring the necessary documents to the Village Planning Board as required by law, and the Westchester County Planning Board.   Hudson National Golf Course has submitted an application for a subdivision of its property to create a 15-acre sot to be leased for a solar array.  The golf course received its initial special permit in 1994.  It was later amended in 199.  The resolution calls for the Board of Trustees  to declare itself Lead Agency for the purposes of the State Environmental Review process.

To the editor, 

 Congratulations to the Croton Coalition Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse on a job well done.  Of course, this job is never really done, but the Coalition has reached the end of its two 5-year federal grants to increase awareness of alcohol and drug abuse and take steps to address it.

During these past 10+ years, the Coalition brought together 12 sectors of residents including businesses, medical professionals, educators, students, fraternal groups, religious affiliations, local government, and police. The Village government acted as the Coalition’s fiscal agent with regarding to managing and reporting on the $125,000 yearly grant.

 Led in recent years by Coordinator, Laurie Dean, the Coalition can point to many accomplishments. Prior to Laurie, Ginny Loughlin served in that position.  Several of these accomplishments are well known such as the annual Vassallo Fest, five mandated surveys for 8^th, 10^th and12th graders in the schools, several Town Halls on vaping, addiction and alcohol, Drug Take Back Days at Croton Commons, among others.  The Coalition’s annual signature event, the Candlelight Vigil, organized by high school teens themselves, was a time for reflection and understanding.  Additionally, the Coalition sponsored training for responsible alcohol sales and serving, known as TIPS, for area stores and bars/restaurants. Croton Police are now certified to continue this training into the future.  A series of 6 postcards providing information on marijuana, was designed thru the Croton Coalition and won national recognition.  It is now used by other coalitions across the country.

While the grant has run out, the Coalition has left a positive record in Croton as much for bringing diverse groups together as for its specific mission of education about drug and alcohol abuse.  

Thank you to all who participated over the last 10 years.   

Ann Gallelli, Deputy Mayor

To The Editor:

I am happy to report that, despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson had its Aa2 bond rating affirmed by Moody’s investor services.  The Village has maintained an Aa2 rating since 2011 when it increased from A1.

Bond ratings are independent opinions on the creditworthiness of a bond issuer. They are for bond issuers, like local governments, what credit scores are for individuals. Just as credit bureaus evaluate a person’s income and debt, bond rating agencies will look at an issuer’s finances to determine its ability to repay its obligations. A stronger rating, indicating lower risk, is associated with a lower interest rate.

Bonds rated A or higher by Moody’s, as Croton’s are, are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. Croton-on-Hudson shared this strong Aa2 rating with other villages in the region, including Ardsley, Briarcliff Manor, Dobbs Ferry, Ossining and Pleasantville.

The Village’s unchanged rating, in the face of the challenges of the pandemic, is a testament to the fiscal management of the Village’s staff and the Board of Trustees.  

After the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, the Board worked with the staff to reduce the operating expense budget by $415,388, cutting 40+ line items, and the capital budget by $4,701,675 from the tentative budget.  At the most recent meeting of the Board, we authorized the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $329,298.75 to account for reduced revenues and expenditures due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The Board of Trustees is committed to protecting taxpayers and preserving the fiscal strength of our Village, so that the village government continues to have the resources necessary to serve the public.  We are prepared to make additional adjustments as necessary to accommodate changing economic circumstances.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor

To the Editor

The hallmark of a good public servant is the ability to listen, to communicate, to understand both sides of an argument. Not everyone is blessed with such qualities. Len Simon is. That’s why I’m so happy he’s running for Croton Village Trustee.

I’ve known Len now for a few years, and he will gladly sit down with anyone to discuss the issues that are important to Croton. Better yet, he actually knows what he’s talking about. As an adviser to local governments, he’s spent decades helping small villages and towns negotiate through both boom times and busts—both of which bring their own set of unique problems. That means Len would begin his tenure with more knowledge about what works and what doesn’t than most government officials.

Len is also a devoted Crotonite, having joined the fire department and the zoning board. Adding an interesting wrinkle to his resume, Len, a presidential history buff, volunteers as a docent at FDR’s Hyde Park. He’s a man of intellect, kindness, and decency.

But again, what I like most about Len is his ability to listen. He will hear you out. He will craft compromises. He will always do what he feels best for Croton and his neighbors.

Andy Simmons

Village of Croton Trustee

To the Editor:

A great football coach used to say “The Future Is Now”! That’s good advice for Croton as we all take a close look at electric vehicles.

Our own Croton 100 is helping to lead the way. They sponsored Celebrate National Drive Electric Week last weekend at Vassallo Park on Saturday and Senasqua Park on Sunday where Croton could meet the owners of electric vehicles (EV) and see several models on display.

EVs will be important as we head towards a zero-emissions vehicle standard.

Fourteen states have already adopted zero-emission vehicles laws. Last week Governor Gavin Newsom of California required by Executive Order that all new cars and passenger trucks sales be zero-emission by 2035.

And last Friday our Senator Pete Harckham introduced legislation, requiring all in-state sales of new cars and trucks to be zero emissions by 2035 and medium and heavy-duty trucks by 2045. So when it comes to zero-emissions vehicles, the future will be here before we know it!

Fortunately here at home, there are dedicated folks working hard to get us to that goal, including Croton 100. Trustee Andy Simmon’s recent excellent letter in the Gazette outlined the cash rebates and incentives available for purchase of an EV, which added up to a potential of $12,000 total savings off MSRP for the local purchase of a Nissan Leaf.

Trustee Simmons also summarized all the operational savings resulting from EV ownership.

Mayor Brian Pugh also reported in last week’s Gazette that our Village has achieved a Silver Climate Smart rating from the Department of Environmental
Conservation thanks to our Sustainability Committee, led by Lindsay Audin. The Village has also been replacing older fleet vehicles with electric ones through attrition. That transition to EVs will continue over time, and eventually include trucks, once manufacturers start producing EVs matching the Village’s needs.

Future Croton will be filled with EVs of all kinds. Croton 100, the Sustainability Committee, our Village government and our whole community working towards that common purpose will get us there. It’s going to be a great trip – I’m glad to be along for the ride!

Len Simon
Democratic Candidate
Croton Board of Trustees