DRAFT MINUTES
VILLAGE OF BREWSTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster held a Regular Meeting on 15 November 2006 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 were Mayor John Degnan, Deputy Mayor and Trustee James Schoenig, Trustees William Banks, Yoshihiko Ito, and Terri Stockburger, Village Engineer John Folchetti, Village Counsel Gary Kropkowski, Treasurer Mike Santos and Clerk Peter Hansen.
Pledge to flag.
Regular Meeting
Mayor Degnan made a motion to convene a regular meeting. Mr. Banks seconded. Approved by voice vote.
Mr. Ito discussed the clerk appointment and conveyed his desire for board approval on the Mayor’s assignment of Peter Hansen as Clerk. Mr. Degnan indicated that the Clerk was sworn in at 08:30 November 13th as has officially been in that capacity since then.
Mr. Ito made a motion in favor of Peter Hansen assuming the position of Clerk effective November 13th, 2006. Mr. Banks seconded. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Motion was made for regular meeting adjournment. Seconded by Mr. Banks. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Public Hearing
Mayor Degnan made a motion to convene a Public Hearing for the building moratorium extension. Seconded by Mr. Banks. Carried by voice vote.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Public Hearing to hear public comment on a Proposed Extension of the Building Moratorium. The Public Hearing is scheduled to be held at Village Hall, 208 East Main Street, Brewster NY 10509 on Wednesday, 15 November 2006 at 7:30 PM or as soon thereafter as is practicable, and will be followed immediately thereafter by the Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees.
Public comment:
Mr. Gress asked about changes in the past resolution, if any. Ms. Piccini asked about fences over six feet which might be misinterpreted Mayor Degnan instructed Village Attorney Gary Kropkowski to modify the language to specifically address the fence question. Nick Lovallo mentioned a fence a neighbor put up that appears to be on the property line. A discussion ensued regarding the Building Inspector enforcement of the moratorium law which includes fences. The Building Inspector will be reminded that no fences may be built during the building moratorium either.
Motion to close Public Hearing by Mayor Degnan, Second by Mr. Banks. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Motion to open Public Hearing regarding Rental Registration law by Mayor Degnan. Second by Mr. Banks. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster will hold a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees, and a Public Hearing on a Proposed Amendment to Chapter 72 of the Village Code, Housing Maintenance. The Public Hearing is scheduled to be held at Village Hall, 208 East Main Street, Brewster, NY 10509 on Wednesday, 15 November 2006 at 7:30 PM or as soon thereafter as is practicable.
Public comment:
Mr. Ito began by discussing the apparent inconsistencies between Village Law and State Law. The Village Court Justices have deferred to State Law as it has the precedents. Marc Anderson asked for a copy of the State Code. Further discussion indicated that the matter would be tabled until such time as a meeting may be noticed after the December 4th Village Organizational Meeting.
Mayor Degnan Motion to close Public Hearing. Trustee Stockburger second. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
By Order of the Board of Trustees.
1. Public Comment
John Bergstrom is concerned about signs with Spanish as the first language. The signs are not within Village boundaries. Mayor Degnan indicated the Village has no authority outside its boundaries.
There being no further Public Comment, period closed.
2. Engineer’s Report
John Folchetti opened with the news that the Village has successfully obtained another $25,000 grant from NYDoS and NYDEC for NYC watershed related initiatives. Mayor Degnan requested that the 3.9 tons of refuse picked up along the East Branch of the Croton River be documented for NYC DEC. Mr. Folchetti indicated that information is captured and records are being kept of all catch basin and street waste/silt and debris removal. Mayor Degnan indicated the WWTP was receiving an abundant amount of grease from the few existing properties hooked in. A grease trap inspection program is being initiated with the cooperation of the Code Enforcement Officer, Bldg. Inspector, and Mr. Folchetti or his agent. First infraction will likely be a warning. Further infractions will be subject to fines.
Mayor Degnan motioned to accept Engineers report. Seconded by Mr. Banks. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
3. Village Attorney with Resolution for new Water Rates.
A discussion ensued including board members and members of the public of past billing errors, past meter errors, rate changes, NYS law, neighboring water districts, total volume produced at well-head, total cost of ownership, lack of revenue generation, Revenue Anticipation Notes, costs of borrowing, meter and billing audits, cash flow, periodic billing, level rates, threshold billing, dual rate billing (current and future rates), and the goal of a fair and equitable solution to residents and the Village Water District. Further research will be done on usage audits, fixed costs v. variable costs, and bolstering trust in the accuracy of the readings. Resolution tabled for further action after December 4th Organizational Meeting.
4. Resolution to pay vouchers toward Holiday Caroling & Lighting Festival
RESOLVED, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to pay the invoices submitted by the Coalition for a Better Brewster relating to advertising and other expenses for the annual Holiday Caroling & Lighting Festival to be held on Main street 2 December 2006 up to a total not to exceed five hundred dollars from General Fund account A7550.4 “Celebrations”.
Motion made by: Mayor Degnan. Seconded by: T. Stockburger. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
5. Pay November vouchers
RESOLVED, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to pay the invoices detailed on the attached voucher list.
Motion made by: Mayor Degnan. Seconded by: T. Stockburger. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
6. Parade Permit for Holiday Caroling & Lighting Festival
RESOLVED, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Clerk to issue a Parade Permit to the Coalition for a Better Brewster for the annual Holiday Caroling & Lighting Festival to be held on Main street 2 December 2006 from 4 PM to 6PM EST on that portion of Main Street from the Train Station to the Walter Brewster House.
Motion made by: Mayor Degnan. Seconded by: T. Stockburger. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
7. Request for Waiver of Moratorium
- Fernando Contrais, 6 Eastview, plans and Bruce’s Inspection report
Granted.
- Linda & Steve Alongo, 571 North Main, ppd from 1 Nov – not present
- John Jordan, 867 Route 22, not present 1 Nov – not present
8. Chief of Constables Report
Chief Mancone presented the October Constables report. This information was received positively by the board and every indication is that the Constables are a welcome addition to Brewster Village life. Mr. Schoenig moved to accept the constable’s report. Seconded by T. Stockburger. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
9. Trustee Ito on NYCOM membership
Mr. Ito presented the potential benefits and trumpeted past evaluations of the NYCOM organization and program. The membership dues are $1,200 per year running by our fiscal year, June 1 thru May 31. The Village will have to pay for the full year now and the next year sometime after June 1st.
Motion made by: Mr. Ito Seconded by: Mr. Banks. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
10. Trustee Ito on Minutes
Trustee Ito proposes putting the minutes before the board for approval and especially wants to recognize members of the public by name who invest their time in commenting on Village affairs. General agreement was reached that the minutes would be provided to each trustee to review and comment. The Clerk will maintain the minutes and publish them in a timely fashion for public access.
11. Resolution to allow Coalition for a Better Brewster to hold Farmers’ Market in 2007
Motion made by: Mayor Degnan. Seconded by: T. Stockburger. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
12. New Business
Christine Piccini notified the Board of some meeting date changes and asked they be public noticed. Board concurred and instructed Clerk to do same.
The Board appointed Rick Stockburger to fill the open position on the Planning Board by unanimous consent. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Snow Emergency Parking date discrepancy between Village and State. Village attorney is instructed to work with Parking Commissioner to resolve discrepancies. Effort will be made to accommodate violators dependent on weather conditions.
Mr. Banks moved to authorize the purchase of a white board for the meeting room. T. Stockburger seconded. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
13. Public Comment
Mr. Gress asked about MS-4. Mayor Degnan said the Village was well aware of it and actively working toward compliance.
14. Executive Session – Contract negotiations on 50 Main Street
15. Motion to reconvene regular meeting seconded and passed unanimously.
Mr. Kropkowski asked for the board’s concurrence on infestation remediation expenditure to be recouped by fines and penalties. Motion to accept by T. Stockburger. Second by Mr. Schoenig, Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Motion was made by Mayor Degnan and Seconded by Mr. Banks to extend local law 2 of 2004 continuing the building moratorium for a further period of one year from November 15, 2006 through November 16, 2007. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Voucher Approval
On a motion by Mayor Degnan the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Clerk/Treasurer to pay November, 2006 vouchers totaling as follows:
a. A Fund: $89,128.92
b. F Fund: $25,687.13
c. G Fund $35,639.29
d. H10 WW Capital Fund: $769,869.62
e. H9 PW Capital Fund: $553,821.89
Total - $1,474,146.81
Seconded by Bill Banks
Ayes: 5 Nays: Abstain: Absent:
Motion is made by T. Stockburger to authorize Mayor Degnan to negotiate and sell the Village’s interest in 50 Main Street to Putnam County Community Fund for an amount not less than expenditures, costs, and disbursements already expended. Mr. Banks Seconded. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye
Motion to Adjourn by Mayor Degnan, second by Mr. Ito. Vote - Mayor Degnan: Aye, Mr. Banks: Aye, Ms. Stockburger: Aye, Mr. Ito: Aye, Mr. Schoenig: Aye.
Attachments:
Constable’s Report
Engineer’s Report
