Dear neighbor, Here is the 539th 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 –   May 24, 2021

Work Session of the Village Board

6:00 p.m.

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1.       Consider the appointment of Daniel Tucker to the position of Village Treasurer effective August 2, 2021, at an annual salary of $115,000. 

2.       Discussion on improvements to the Village Cable Access Channel and meeting broadcasts.  Software used for operating the tv station has expired and is no longer functional.  Bryan Healy proposes utilizing new software from G and G Technologies at $9,458.

3.       Discussion on proposed bocce courts at Black Rock Park.  The proposed courts would be located at the northern end of the park.

4.       Review of possible dog park locations in Village parks.   The Board will review two sketches, included in the backup documents, prepared by DPW Superintendent Balbi, for possible locations at Croton Landing Park and Gouveia Park.

5.       Discussion on amending the Village Code to permit limited non-resident access to Village parks and recreational areas.  Discussion will be on a proposal to establish a specific number of non-resident park permits.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 538thinstallment 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 – May 17, 2021

 Regular Meeting of the Village Board

5:30 pm

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PUBLIC HEARING:

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.  The modifications to the sign law are meant to clarify what constitutes a temporary sign.  Residential properties, may have up to 3 signs, no more than 6 square feet in size and non-illuminated, which are no longer classified as temporary signs.

PRESENTATION:OTHER

George Latimer, Westchester County Executive, presents an update on county government.

CORRESPONDENCE:

a.  Email from Joseph Martinelli, American Legion Post 505 Adjutant, regarding this year’s Memorial Day Ceremony.  Post 505 is planning a ceremony on 5 Corners on Monday, May 31 at 11 am.  (Rain location is Holy Name of Mary gym.)  They will comply with all Covid safeguards.

b.      Email from Maria Slippen, chair of the Recreation Advisory Committee, regarding recommendations for Black Rock Dog Park.  The RAC puts forth its recommendation regarding Black Rock Dog Park as follows:

 1. Revise hours from the current Friday to Monday 10-4 and Tuesday through Thursday 8-11 and 4-7 to a consistent Monday through Saturday 8-8 and Sunday 10-2. 

  2. We reiterate our previous recommendation to open the Dog Park to school district residents (with proof of dog registration in the town and for a fee).

  3. We also suggest that parking rules at the park be clarified (sticker/ parking pass/village resident/school district resident) to avoid confusion.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

a.      Consider adoption of a Negative Declaration for SEQRA purposes and a finding of consistency with the Village’s LWRP in regards to the special use permit application from Regan Development Corporation for a proposed multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street.  At a recent meeting, the Board reviewed both the EAF Part 2 and the Coastal Assessment form for SEQRA and LWRP compliance.  Based on that review, they directed that the above referenced resolution be put on the agenda for adoption.

b.      Consider the issuance of a special permit to Regan Development Corporation for the construction of a multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street.  Following a recommendation from the Planning Board, the resolution calls for approval of the special permit subject to several conditions regarding traffic and pedestrian issues.

c.       Consider authorizing the Village Attorney to execute the proposed tax certiorari settlement for 1280 Albany Post Road for the years 2015-2020.  The property involved is the Sky View Nursing Home.  The settlement calls for the Village to reimburse them in the amount of $93,804 with $44,551.67 being taken from the Contingency account.

d.        Consider awarding Bid 01-2021 for tree trimming and removal services to Golden’s Tree Service of Montrose, New York, for the period beginning June 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022.  Four bids were received.  Golden’s was the lowest and is recommended by DPW Superintendent Balbi at a total of $70,500.

e.     Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory 4 of 2021 to amend Chapter 197 of the Village Code, Streets and Sidewalks, to include an appeals process for the removal of snow and ice on sidewalks, for June 7, 2021, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.    The proposed change to the law specifies a process for a property owner to appeal the Village charge for snow removal.  A public hearing would be scheduled.

f.         Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory 5 of 2021 to amend Chapter 70 of the Village Code, Alarm Systems, to update the appeals process for contesting denial, suspension, revocation or charges, for June 7, 2021, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.   A public hearing would be held to update the Alarms code to provide for an appeals process if an alarm permit is denied.

g.       Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute an agreement for EMT services with the Mid-Hudson Ambulance District for the period beginning June 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022.  MHAD provides supplemental help, as needed to the Croton EMS.  This would extend the contract for another year at the rate of $25./hour.

h.      Consider scheduling a public hearing on the Village’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding application, for June 7, 2021, at 6 PM, via Zoom videoconference.  The Village intends to apply for CBDG funds for four proposed projects.  A public hearing on the merits of the proposed projects is required.  The four proposed projects are: Improvements of the Brook Street parking area, Replacement of Dobbs Park playground equipment, Replacement of retaining wall on Grand Street, Replacement of sidewalk on South Riverside Avenue between Oneida and Bungalow Road.

i.        Consider awarding Bid 02-2021 for the purchase of a plug-in hybrid vehicle to Tasca Ford of Berlin, Connecticut, at a price of $33,930.30.   The vehicle would be used by Parking Enforcement.

j.        Consider scheduling a public hearing on Local Law Introductory 6 of 2021 to amend Chapter 168 of the Village Code , Parks & Recreation Areas, to clarify the prohibition on dogs in parks, for June 21,2021, at 6 pm, via ZOOM videoconference.  This calls for a public hearing on the proposed amendment which would allow leashed dogs to be walked in Black Rock Park during the same hours as the dogs are permitted in the designated dog park.

Scholarship fund information from: http://johnhabibmemorialscholarship.com/

John Habib epitomized the best in what a Colgate University graduate should be.  He was intelligent, caring and above all, sought to help his fellow women and men.  He spent his life in service to that idea.  In furtherance of that legacy, the John L. Habib Memorial Scholarship for International Studies will assist worthy Colgate students in achieving their academic goals.

During his years at Colgate and beyond, John Habib epitomized the benefits of a liberal arts education generally, and of a Colgate education in particular.  Academically, John was passionate about international affairs, political science, ethics and world peace. He majored in International Relations and Political Science and participated in the Geneva Study Group and in a Washington, DC political science January term, each of which further fueled his passion for international relations. Outside the classroom, he was a lifelong athlete and played varsity baseball at Colgate and was president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and a participant in the Big Brother-Big Sister program throughout college.

After college, John attended Emory Law School and was Editor-in-Chief of the Emory International Law Review.  Following law school, he had a varied career that, at various times, involved practicing law in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ; acting as general counsel and then president of a consumer products company; and establishing his own law firm in Abu Dhabi. He took leadership roles in a number of international trade organizations and chambers of commerce promoting trade in the MENA region.

After many years living in the Middle East and meeting and marrying his wife and legal partner, Tanya, he returned to his home town of Croton on Hudson, NY, where they opened yet another law practice. But John’s need to do service led him to create the Croton Business Council, to support the Village’s business community and eventually to run for elective office in Croton as a Trustee. John was very proud to serve the village where he had grown up and used every opportunity to leave his mark on the broader Hudson Valley area of NY, a place near and dear to his heart no matter where his travels took him. 

This of course is only a small fraction of who John was as a person. He never lost sight of the fact that he was, first and foremost, a husband, a son, brother and nephew, as well as a father to his foster son, Shadi, whom he helped support through a series of medical treatments when Shadi was young and then made possible a college education for Shadi in the United States. John valued human connection and cared deeply about people, not just those he knew but also all those he hadn’t gotten to know yet. Not surprisingly, he had countless friends around the globe spanning all phases of his life. When he spoke with you, he made you feel like you were the center of the universe. 

Above all else, John loved life, deeply and sincerely, and invariably had a smile on his face and something positive to say.  While John left us too soon, we can think of nothing better than to have his spirit carry on through a scholarship that honors his memory and legacy.

To donate, visit: http://johnhabibmemorialscholarship.com/

Dear neighbor, Here is the 538thinstallment 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 – May 3, 2021

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

6:00 pm

(Zoom )

.

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PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Public Hearing on the special permit application from Regan Development Corporation for a proposed multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street.  Regan Development has applied for a Special Permit to construct at 33-unit apartment complex at this location.  It would consist of 11 1-BR, 11 2BR, and 11 3BR units.  The Village-owned  property was previously the subject of a Village-initiated RFP process in which the Regan Development was selected.

PRESENTATION/OTHER:

1. Review of the Environment Assessment Form Part II and the Village’s Local Waterfront
   Revitalization Program policies by the Village Board to determine consistency related to the special use permit application from Regan Development Corporation for a proposed multi-residential building at 41-51 Maple Street.  As part of the SEQRA review process, the Village Board is required to review the Environmental Assessment Form for the project.  The Board must also determine the project’s consistency with the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) by review the Coastal Assessment Form.

CORRESPONDENCE:

1. Letter from Kelly Turturro, Regional Director for New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, regarding funding for this year’s Croton River Stewards program.   The Village is copied on this letter to the NYNJ Trail Conference indicating the DEC’s intent to support the Croton River Stewards program and will contribute $20,000 to the program costs.
2. Letter from George Latimer, County Executive, and municipal leaders requesting changes to the Croton Gorge Unique Area.   This letter to the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation requests that the DEC implement a registration/reservation system to control the number of visitors to the Croton Gorge Unique Area which belongs to the DEC.  It is co-signed by Supervisors Puglisi and Levenberg as well as Mayor Pugh.

c.     Memorandum from Chief of Police John Nikitopoulos regarding the new police patch designfor the Croton-on-Hudson Police Department.  As called for in Action #14 of the recentlyapproved Police Reform Plan, the Department has spent considerable time in evaluating potentialnew patch designs and have reached agreement on a design which features the American eagle.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1. Consider adoption of a resolution which rejects bigotry, ignorance and hate, in all of its forms.   This resolution is in response to the recent escalating verbal abuse and vicious, physical assaults on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.  It encompasses all targeted, victimized and scapegoated populations.
2. Consider authorizing the Village Manager to execute a renewal agreement with SeamlessDocs of New York, New York, for the hosting of online Village forms for the period of June 1, 2021, through May 31, 2022, at a cost of $3,300.   SeamlessDocs provides the support for forms and payments for the Village’s Recreation, Treasurer and Village Clerk Offices.