Dear neighbor, Here is the 556th 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 25, 2021 

Work Session of the Village Board

7:30 p.m. 

1.    Discussion on the zoning amendment petition received for 1380 Albany Post Road.  The applicant, Matra Group, is requesting zoning amendments that would permit a mixed-use building on 2 parcels totaling 1.6 acres at 1380 Albany Post Road.  It is in a O-1 Limited Office Zone.  They are asking for a zoning amendment that would permit retail, banks, personal service establishments, showrooms and residential by special permit.

2.    Review of options for future location of Croton EMS.  Due to mold and health related issues, the EMS has been temporarily relocated to the Harmon Firehouse.  The Board will consider long-run solutions for EMS including 1) a renovation of its Wayne Street facility,2) a tear down and newly built facility at the Wayne Street location, 3) staying in the Harmon Firehouse where currently, temporarily located, or 4) moving EMS to Grand Street firehouse and oving Chemical Engine Company to Harmon Firehouse.

3.    Update on residential parking situation in Harmon.  In late 2019, at the request of the Village, the NYS Legislature approved a residential parking permit system for Young and Hastings Avenues in Harmon.  This is required for parking systems on public streets.  It was approved but not implemented.  A second survey was conducted in May 2021 with varying results depend on the sections of the relevant streets.  The Board will discuss whether to proceed with a residential parking system for this area; including required parking permits and time frames applying to residents of Young and Hastings.

4.    Discussion on sidewalk safety enforcement and future improvement programs.  The Bicycle Pedestrian Committee has submitted suggestions for speeding up sidewalk repair and enhancing it in the Village.  According to their Committee’s 2019 survey, sidewalk conditions were a source of concern by more than 1/3 of its respondents. Their suggestions include code enforcement, financing, work contracted out, and time frames.

Dear neighbor, Here is the 555^th 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 18, 2021

Regular Meeting of the Village Board

7:00 pm

Municipal Building

PUBLIC HEARING:

1.      Public Hearing to amend Chapter 160 of the Village Code, Noise, to establish regulations on gas-powered leaf blowers. The proposed regulations would prohibit use of gas-powered leaf blowers from June 1 to August 31, 2022 and January 1 to March 31, 2023.  It provides for temporary exemptions to be granted for properties in RA-40 and RA-60 zones by the Village Manager.   As well as for special storm related emergencies. 

2.      Public Hearing to consider the special permit applications for Hudson National Golf Club for the Club use on the reduced property and the proposed tier 3 solar energy use.  The proposal would use a portion of the golf club property for solar arrays and it requires amendment of the existing golf club special permit as well as for the proposed solar array installation.  Extensive backup materials are available on the Village website. Click on Projects & Initiatives from Homepage.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSISTENCY REVIEW OF HUDSON NATIONAL GOLF COURSE SPECIAL PERMIT APPLICATION FOR SOLAR ARRAY MATRIX PROPOSAL  The Board will complete Part 2 of the SEQRA Environmental Impact form as well as complete the Consistency Review required under the Village’s Local Waterfront Impact Program (LWRP).  The Board has received positive recommendations  on both from the Planning Board and from the Waterfront Advisory Committee.

PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS:

1.      Consider scheduling a Public Hearing on granting a Special Use Permit to “The Dessertist” for November 3rd, 2021, at 7:00 PM.  The Dessertist is proposing to move  its business to Croton Point Avenue below the current location of the Green Growler and become a wholesale business.  This requires a special permit as this is located in a LI-zoned district.

2.      Consider affirmation of an executed agreement with Northwind Kennel of Bedford, New York, for the purposes of providing shelter for lost dogs at a cost of $1,500 for the period of July 1, 2021, through July 1, 2026.2All municipalities that issue dog licenses in NYS are required to either have their own shelter for such dogs or contract with such a shelter.  This is a 5-year contract ending in July 2026.

3.      Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to transfer money from the General Fund to the Capital Fund, and amend the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget and Capital Fund Budget in the amount of $9,552 for purchase of additional equipment for the new fire engine 118.  This is for extrication spreaders used in motor vehicle accidents.  It was not included in the original cost.    

4.      Consider authorizing the Village Treasurer to amend the 2021-2022 General Fund Budget in the amount of $15,000 for renovations of the Harmon Firehouse Ready Room for use by Croton Emergency Medical Services.  The Croton EMS will be  temporarily housed in the Harmon  Firehouse due to their current location having mold issues.  This amount covers the necessary renovations to accommodate the EMS until a new permanent site is determined.

Dear Neighbors:

In effort to protect its workforce & the public and ensure the continued delivery of vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village of Croton-on-Hudson has reached agreements with its two labor unions establishing a vaccination & testing policy. The Board of Trustees ratified these agreements at its regular meeting on Monday.

The agreements between the Village and Teamsters Local 456 and the Croton Police Association will require all employees provide proof of being fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, OR be tested weekly for COVID-19.

The emergence of the highly contagious delta variant of COVID-19 has made these additional safeguards necessary. While infection rates have fallen in recent weeks, as of this writing, there are still many times more confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Village than there were at the same time last year. A vaccination and testing program is a necessary workplace safety measure and will help to ensure reliable government services as the pandemic continues.

Our Village workforce makes sure that our community is safe, clean and open for business. I truly appreciate the labor unions partnering with the Village adminstration to keep Croton workers and the larger community protected.

Sincerely,

Brian Pugh, Mayor