VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Draft Minutes

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster held a Regular Meeting on 3 January 2007 at Village Hall, 208 Main Street, Brewster, New York.  The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor John Degnan. 

Present:                                                                                    Absent:
Mayor: John Degnan
Deputy Mayor and Trustee: William Banks
Trustees; James Schoenig, Yoshihiko Ito, Terri Stockburger
Village Engineer: John Folchetti,
Village Counsel: Gary Kropkowski
Clerk & Temporary Treasurer: Peter Hansen

Pledge to flag.

  1. Public Comment
    1. Tom Sprague asked about the possibility of leasing his space at 31 Main St. to the Brewster Police Department.  Mayor Degnan indicated he would meet with Mr. Sprague to discuss further.
    2. Helena Frost questioned the inconsistent adjudication of guidelines for landlords.  Town Justice, Village Justice, and respective attorneys need to agree on the common legal regulations and particularly that they are +-enforced equally among legal landlords, illegal landlords, and all residents in the Town and Village.  Additionally the New York State code must be adhered to in any and all local ordinances.
    3. Tom Sprague questioned the changes in parking on Main Street since the Metro North project changes to configuration.  Mayor Degnan informed Tom that Metro North had added five spaces with 30 minute parking at no charge to consumers.  Mr. Sprague indicated the spaces were being taken up by waiting taxis not patrons.  Mayor Degnan indicated law enforcement would remedy that situation.
    4. Rick Stockburger raised his concerns about Taxi cab driving habits.  Chief Alex Mancone indicated the Brewster Police Department would soon be able to enforce Vehicle and Traffic Law to deal with any driver’s illegal, erratic, or dangerous behavior.

End Public Comment.

  1. Brewster Police Department update and action
    1. State Police dispatch procedure & protocol with members of State Police and County Sherriff – Representatives from New York State Police and Putnam County Sherriff’s department came before the Board of Trustees to express solidarity and support for the Brewster Police Department.  Additionally, law enforcement officers expressed their pleasure at having the additional manpower and offered to help in any way possible.  To begin the process the Board of Trustees will need to pass resolutions authorizing the BPD to meet with and develop communications procedures and protocol particularly as it relates to Emergency response (E-911).  The Brewster Police Department also needs to achieve state accreditation with the NYS Department of Criminal Justice.  Mayor Degnan directed the Village attorney to develop the necessary resolutions and thanked the law enforcers for all their help, support, and continued assistance in the past, present and future.
    2. Monthly Report – Alex Mancone delivered the monthly report to the Board.  Mayor Degnan motioned to accept, Terri Stockburger seconded.  Vote: 5 Ayes.
  2. Request for Waiver of Moratorium
    1. Tammany Hardwood Flooring
      1. Mr. Tammany and Paul Vinck spoke on behalf of Tammany Hardwood Floorings requested waiver.  Mr. Vinck stated he was not adding staff, would install flushless urinals, request a change of use, and discussed exterior site plan improvements.  The Mayor requested a good quality drawing and Mr. Tammany agreed to bring one in.  Waiver granted (5 AYES) based on the stipulations set forth on the Waiver document.  Referred to Planning Board.
    2. 571 N. Main - Mayor Degnan stated that the main concern of the board is to ensure that the occupants do not exceed the pre-planned and expected usage.
    1. James Nixon - Requests a waiver of moratorium for Venegas; request to revive previous proposal submitted and approved but approval is expired.  The Village engineer, John Folchetti requested a delay until January `7 to give him time to review the plans.  Mr. Nixon agreed.

 

    1. 538 N. Main - Formerly Louis' Pizza - severe fire damage, wants to rebuild and add a second floor but stay within current footprint.  Currently on septic located across the road from the property.  Putnam County Department of Health has jurisdiction on occupancy at the moment because sewer connection is not there.  John Folchetti indicated the second floor is probably not going to be allowed for occupancy due to likely flow increases.  The applicant stated the second floor would be for storage only.  Mr. Folchetti further stated that the Putnam County BOH needed to weigh in and it would be premature for the Board to grant a waiver until that occurred.  The applicant requested a deferral on the waiver until that time.
  1. Clock adjacent to Town Hall - Denis Castelli presented a rendition of the clock and indicated that Senator Leibell would be reimbursing the Village but that the Village would have to lay out the initial funds.  Clock could be $29K.  Mr.  Folchetti indicated that the bid limit for purchases of this type was $20K.  Unless Verdon Design Group was a state approved supplier.  Supplier needs to be contacted.  Senator Leibell needs to be contacted to find out if there is a member item for this action.  Trustee Ito asked if Senator Leibell would also reimburse the Village for carrying costs.  Board wishes to revisit the issue on Jan. 17th.

 

  1. New Business
    1. Trustee Stockburger spoke on the Trash Can bids and indicated that the Village does not appear to provide the entire sum for purchase.  Clerk to investigate budget line item.
    1. Tom Sprague expressed interest in the opening on the ZBA.  The Mayor asked Tom to send a letter in to that effect.

 

    1. Denis Castelli brought up the broken meters and poor pole placement related to parking spaces.  The board will ask the DPW to investigate.  The pole placement will likely have to wait for warmer weather.
  1. Trustee Banks motioned to Adjourn, Trustee Schoenig seconded Vote 5-0

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Brewster Hansen, Clerk