Dear neighbor, Here is the 537th 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 – April 26, 2021

 Special Meeting of the Village Board

6:00 pm

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a.      Consider adoption of the 2021-2022 Village Budget for the fiscal year commencing June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.  The total appropriation for Fiscal Year 2021/2022 is $18,868,054 with $12,340,998 to be raised by taxes, meeting the Tax Levy Cap.  The proposed tax rate is $271.956 per 1000 of assessed valuation. This translates to an increase of $7.225 per 1000 or a 2.73% increase. 

b.      Consider the addition of past due receivables to the tax bills for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

c.       Consider adoption of the Master Fee Schedule for 2021-22.  On an annual basis, the Board updates its Fee Schedule for various permits, activities, licenses, etc.

d.      Consider authorizing the Mayor to sign the Tax Warrant for the collection of taxes for the period commencing June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2022.

This is the celebration of John Habib’s life, recorded at Senasqua Park in Croton on Hudson, NY on April 11, 2021. If you’d like to honor John and his life of service to others, please go to http://www.JohnHabibMemorialScholarship.com and read about his wonderful life and support the scholarship established in his memory.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 536thinstallment 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 – April 19, 2021

Work Session Meeting

5:00 pm

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

6:00 pm

(Zoom )

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WORK SESSION:

1. Review of Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22.

https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/village-treasurer/pages/proposed-budget-fiscal-year-2021-2022

REGULAR MEETING

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.     Letter from Kathleen Ferguson-Tusa of the Croton Historical Society regarding the recent relocation of the society offices.   Ms. Ferguson-Tusa thanks the DPW for their work in remodeling the Society’s new space in the Municipal Building and aiding in the successful move.b.     Memo from Daniel O’Connor, Village Engineer, regarding a building permit extension request at 38 Nordica Drive.  The Village Engineer recommends a 6-month extension of the building permit due to  applicants request based on escalating costs.c.     Memo from Daniel O’Connor, Village Engineer, regarding a building permit extension request at 145 Benedict Blvd.   Village Engineer recommends an extension to September, 2021 due to Covid related issues in construction.d.     Email from Jim Steinberg of the Croton-Harmon Booster Club requesting permission to hang posters at Firefighters Field.  The posters would feature senior student athlete softball players and would be removed at the end of the season.e.     Email from Marie Considine, Executive Director of NAMI Westchester, requesting permission to display ribbons in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.  Ms. Considine requests permission for NAMI to place ribbons supporting mental health in key areas of the Village during the month of May.  This has been approved in the past but was not done last year due to Covid.f.      Draft version of a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblywoman Sandy Galef regarding the Croton Gorge Unique Area.  This proposed draft addresses problems resulting from the Croton Gorge Unique Area having become a popular destination over past summers.  It proposes: 1.Establishing a no-fee permit system for the Unique Area similar to the one currently in place at Peekamoose Blue Hole, which is administered by the DEC, to avoid overcrowding.2. Authorizing resident-only parking along Truesdale Drive in Croton-on-Hudson, to discourage people attempting to reach the river from the Croton side from trespassing through private residential property along that street. Resident-only parking is a form of structural de-escalation since it enables the village to deter trespassers using parking enforcement officers ticketing vehicles rather than armed police officers confronting trespassing individuals.3. Fully funding the stewardship program for the Croton Gorge Unique area. This is a state property under the administration of the DEC. The state is responsible for its management. The stewardship is an inexpensive intervention that has so far shown great promise in encouraging the safe use of the area. 4. Deploying sufficient park rangers to adequately enforce the regulations governing the Croton Gorge Unique area. Despite the new regulations adopted in 2016, frequent and flagrant violations, including consumption of alcohol and littering, were widely reported in recent years. PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:a.     Consider approving the Croton-on-Hudson Fire Department members in the Length of Service Award Program for 2020 and authorizing its posting for 30 days.  The list of Fire Department members to receive Length of Service benefits must be approved and posted by the Board of Trustees before final approval.b.     Consider scheduling a public hearing on the special permit application from Regan Development Corporation for a proposed multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street for May 3, 2021, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.   This sets the date for a public hearing. The proposed Special Permit would allow two, 2-story buildings with 33 1,2,and 3 bedroom apartments. c.     Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory 3 of 2021 to amend Section 230-44, Signs, of the Zoning Chapter of the Village Code to modify provisions related to signage in residential zoning districts for May 17, 2021, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.  This sets the date for a public hearing. The modifications to the law pertain to signs on residential properties and would permit three signs on lawns and eliminate the time restriction.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 532nd 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 – April 5, 2021

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

6:00 pm

(Zoom )

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PRESENTATION: Presentation of Certificate of Recognition to Missy Corvinus for her service to the Recreation Advisory Committee.  Missy Corvinus has been a long-time member of the Recreation Advisory Committee and has been serving as Chair for the past several years. The RAC provides the Village Board with advice on items referred to them as well as suggestions for the Village’s recreation programming. 

PUBLIC HEARING:    Continuation of Public Hearing on Tentative 2021-2022 Village Budget

The proposed 2021/22 budget calls for a 3.82% increase in the tax rate.   This does not comply with the NYS Tax Levy Cap. This year’s allowable limit is $12,341,899, an increase of $412,549 over last year.  The proposed levy for the 21/22 FY is $12,474,070 which is $132,171 over the allowable limit. The median assessed property in the Village would pay $149 more in taxes.   

Non-tax revenue is down $2,187,047 from the prior year. Last year, in anticipation of pandemic related   loss of revenue, the Board cut $415,388 in expenses.  The 2021/22 proposed budget cuts an additional $365,810 over and above last year’s cuts.

The complete detailed budget documents are available on the Village website, www.crotononhudson-ny.gov.  CLICK on the Budget Public Hearing Notice in the center of the Home Page.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Email from the Trees for Tribs – Hudson River Estuary Program regarding the planting of trees at Black Rock Park. The Conservation Advisory Committee applied for free tree saplings from DEC.  The email confirms that it was approved and that approximately 80 saplings will be planted on the weekend on May 22.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider declaring the Village Board as Lead Agency under SEQRA for the review process of the proposed multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street, and referring the special permit application and CAF to the Waterfront Advisory Committee for a recommendation of consistency with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP).  This would begin the SEQRA processing for the proposed residential buildings at the corner of Municipal Place and Maple, the former Katz property.
2. Acknowledge receipt of an amended special permit application from Hudson National Golf Club for modifications to their maintenance area and consider determining that the Proposed Action 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, as well as the Westchester County Planning Board.  This initiates the processing of an amended special permit at the golf club for work that was previously done at a maintenance area.
3. Consider proclaiming April 30 as Arbor Day in the Village of Croton-on-Hudson.  Croton has been a recognized Tree City by the National Arbor Foundation since 1984.  
4. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to take all action prescribed by law to collect such unpaid taxes by the sale of taxes or tax liens pursuant to Section 1455 of the Real Property Tax Laws of the State of New York and setting the date for the tax lien sale for the Village of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, as May 4, 2021.  The total of the unpaid taxes subject to this action is $444,739.36.
5. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to process a tax refund in the amount of $457.99 for the property located at 144 Benedict Blvd. (designated on the tax maps as Section 79.13, Block 003, Lot 066) due to the settlement of a SCAR petition. As a result of a settlement of a petition to the Court of Assessment Review (SCAR), the petitioner’s assessed valuation was lowered resulting in a refund.
6. Consider adoption of the revised Master Plan document from the Bicycle Pedestrian Committee.  The original BPC Master Plan, adopted in 2009, has been updated by the BPC to reflect changes since then.  It was reviewed with the Board at a work session in March and revised accordingly.  The resolution states that the updated BPC Master Plan “shall be utilized when possible by the Village Board and staff as another planning tool when considering future projects.”
7. Consider acknowledging receipt of Local Law Introductory 3 of 2021 to amend Section 230, Zoning, of the Village Code to permit lawn signs without time restrictions in the residential zoning districts of the Village, declaring the Village as Lead Agency under SEQRA, issuing the EAF and CAF and referring the draft law and other documentation to the Village Planning Board, Waterfront Advisory Committee and Westchester County Planning Board in accordance with Village and County law. This would be the first step in amending the referenced zoning law regarding temporary signs on private property in residential districts, removing the temporary sign permit fee.
8. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an agreement with Duff & Phelps LLC of Morristown, New Jersey, for consulting services related to GASB 34 for the compiling of a fixed asset accounting ledger in the amount of $2,625.  The Government Accounting Standards Board requires an accounting of fixed assets.  This was last done in the Village in 2014 and requires updating.
9. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $4,000 for the construction of new docks at the Senasqua Boat Basin.  New docks are needed as determined by the Parks foreman and DPW Superintendent.
10. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to make an interfund transfer in the amount of $3,000 to cover the costs of videoconferencing and other related expenses.  Funds would be transferred from the Publicity account to cover the costs of the Village’s ZOOM subscription.
11. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to serve as the approver of all budget modifications associated with monies received from insurance recoveries for all funds of the Village. If approved, the Village Manager would be authorized to approve monies recovered from insurance without the need for a Board resolution.  The following four (4) resolutions, all regarding insurance recoveries,  will be withdrawn if this resolution is approved.
12. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $2,389.65 for monies received for insurance recovery.
13. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $647.26 for monies received for insurance recovery.
14. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $6,728.72 for monies received for insurance recovery.
15. Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2020-2021 General Fund Budget in the amount of $537.96 for monies received for insurance recovery.