The Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster held a Regular Meeting on 21 June 2006 at Village Hall, 208 Main Street, Brewster, New York. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Deputy Mayor James Schoenig. Present were Trustee William Banks, Trustee Terri Stockburger, Trustee and Deputy Mayor James Schoenig, Engineer John Folchetti, Counsel Gary Kropkowski, Treasurer Mike Santos and Clerk Bernadette Martabano. Mayor Degnan was absent.
James Schoenig asks that we move to item #10 before Public Comment to accommodate Judge O’Rourke’s opinion on the matter.
Wright Risk Management, Worker’s Compensation Insurance provider, surveyed the Village of Brewster with a list of suggestions to make the Village a safer place to work. The court is given suggestions for a panic button, room for prisoners, etc. The Board of Trustees needs to respond to this survey.
An additional $750/month to accommodate another night of court to allow for more space.
Judge O’Rourke’s suggestion is to look for more space somewhere else in the evening. The Town of Southeast meets twice a week, along with other town meetings, the alternative of using that space would not be effective. We could eliminate one evening of traffic court and split the criminal calendar into two evenings. The problem is that it would increase the cost by approximately $3,500/year.
Can someone contact the District Attorney’s office on this? Mike Santos states that yes. This needs to be something done immediately, especially since there was an incident last night at the Carmel Town Hall which included injuries on some officers.
Neal Riley: Can we look into a long term solution that would include the Town of Southeast and the Village of Brewster using a joint facility?
Immediate, intermediate and long-range. It would take some time to implement an additional court night by notifying deputies, arranging calendars, etc. It could until September. Another alternative is to authorize an additional Village Judge.
James Schoenig states that we have 60 days to respond to the survey. It doesn’t mean it has to be implemented that soon. Judge O’Rourke says that splitting the criminal calendar into two evenings is acceptable for a temporary change. This is not solely my opinion, the District Attorney’s office and the Deputy’s office needs to approve this. Mike Santos agrees to contact Kevin Wright, on behalf of the Village of Brewster and the Board of Trustees. The board authorizes it.
1.Public Comment
Michelle Harvey – asks that there be speed bumps on her road. There is a bus stop on Meadow Lane, adjacent to Allview Road.
James Schoenig says that we were told once before that speed bumps were not safe for plowing and wasn’t given the permission in the past.
Yoshi asks that someone contact the Sheriff’s department to request a speed trap on that lane.
Jack Gress: I have two speed bumps that I use, and they are laid down with spikes and they are taken out during plow season. Not expensive, good rubber speed bumps. If you want a trial, I can loan you two.
William Banks: We need to see how we stand on this.
Christine Piccini: The constables are not going to be able to stop people from speeding in the Village? And while posting them at this particular corner, is a good idea. It is a problem that is endemic to the whole Village. Could we just have a call to any police officers, they could hand out speeding tickets all over the place.
Neal Riley: The constables can be a witness. If they have a gun, and take a license plate number, they can use that in the court of law.
James Schoenig: Can you call the Sheriff’s office? (to the clerk)
Michelle: It certainly slows down with the construction, but wanted to get my request in before the paving begins.
Jack Gress: A place in New Jersey didn’t put speed bumps, but put holes in the ground instead.
Denis Castelli: There are some men here to attend the taxi meeting tonight that was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. When will the next meeting be?
James Schoenig: I have no idea, when I see fit. I cannot reschedule right now.
2. Engineer’s Report
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby accepts the Engineer’s Report submitted 21 June 2006.
Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
060621 JRFA VOB Rezoning Committee Report June 2006.doc
060621 JRFA VOBCSD June 2006.doc
060621 JRFA VOBstormwaterPhaseII report June 2006.doc
060621 JRFA vobwwtpjune2006.doc
06621 JRFA Budget.xls
James Schoenig: When people get hooked up, will people have to pump their tanks and get them filled in at their expense?
John Folchetti: It depends on the cost and the agreed project with the lowest bidder.
3. Building Inspector’s Report – TABLED with a request to have Bruce Zarzeski at the next meeting.
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby tables the Building Inspector’s Report with a request to have Bruce Zarzeski at the next meeting of 5 July 2006.
Seconded by Teresa Stockburger. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
4. Waiver of Moratorium – the following residents are requesting a waiver of moratorium:
James Schoenig states that the moratorium will not be lifted until all homes are connected to the sewers and water, because there will be no additional water usage allowed based on NYC DEP regulations.
John Farrell – wishes to tell a prospective buyer that the property can be subdivided based on the exceeded amount of space allowed by a home, not necessarily getting the subdivision and building now.
Christine Piccini: As far as subdividing, you need to go to the building inspector for a packet, but according to ZBA and PB, there are factors in deciding and no one can say anything definitive until all of the sewers are online and the new Zoning Codes are implemented.
John Farrell: Is there any projection as to when everyone will be online?
John Folchetti: The plant schedule for start up during the month of August, with raw waste in September. The bid documents are being developed right now for house connections which will take a good 12 months. All the services, by our contract with the city, states that the connections should be completed 12 months after the start-up of the sewer plant.
John Farrell: So, subdivision is not asking to build, but it’s not contingent on that. So I should ask Bruce for the paperwork.
BOT: A subdivision is not subject to the building moratorium, contingent based on council’s review.
Requesting a waiver 18 X 32 x 52 high foot above ground pool on the property.
Yoshi: Asks if a fence is required?
Lonegan: Thinking of putting a fence at the end of the driveway. Should I write it on that plan? What about a deck on the pool? Do you see that being a problem?
William Banks: It does affect water. It might affect sewer.
John Folchetti: I know he will not discharge his pool into the sewer system and he will be buying the water from the Village. There is no applicability towards the moratorium here.
Yoshi makes a motion to approve the waiver. Teresa Stockburger seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent. This does not get sent to the planning board, it goes through Bruce.
Teresa Stockburger recuses herself from the board.
Rick Stockburger speaks of the waiver of 2005 which is over a year old. Neal Riley, the ZBA president was asking about the architectural plans, is the waiver still good, since the first waiver was done before we sent letters out. I would like to ask that the Board allow the waiver of moratorium allowed one year ago to stand. There have been no changes, except that the garage was moved up a little higher on the property.
Neal Riley – one of the things noted, was that the applicant changed designers; it noted that one of the variances was for total accessory use to increase 75% by the primary building on the lot. We were wondering whether the Board was aware of that, with implications of impervious surfaces, etc. Normally, it is limited to 20%, accessory use cannot exceed to primary residence, without a variance.
James Schoenig: The question for the Board is to ask if the plans affect the water flow. But the waiver does state that if the plans are approved, without changes.
Rick Stockburger: Yes. These are $8,000 worth of design plans which were requested by one designer, but a different architect submits a slightly different change, after the moratorium is approved on a slightly different plan, nothing has been changed on the slop sink.
James Schoenig: Yes, but people will go and change their plans from our approval to the time they arrive at the Planning Board, and they think it has been approved.
William Banks: I would accept these plans based on there were no changes on the slop sink and change of use or size. The only changes were very slight, which does not affect the waiver of moratorium.
Jack Gress: Is it correct, that the site plan isn’t needed for the moratorium? Then why should his change in the site plan affect the waiver of moratorium? You’re essentially giving him permission to go to the Planning Board based on what he stated.
James Schoenig makes a motion to keep the waiver of moratorium for Stockurger and send them to the Planning Board.
5. John Leather, John Imor comments regarding letter from the Village Clerk – Executive Session. – Executive Session
6. Parking Report for May 2006
Total Rented Spaces = 336
Total Monies Collected = $33,654.01
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby accepts the Parking Report for May, 2006.
Seconded by William Banks. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
7. Review April Correspondence Received and Sent James Schoenig makes a motion to accept the Correspondence Received and Sent.
Seconded by William Banks. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
8. Approval of vouchers payable for the month of June, 2006
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Treasurer to pay vouchers in the following amounts: General Fund: $71,526.49; Water Fund: $21,252.85; Sewer Fund: $109,651.95; Waste Water Capital Project: $1,088,611.38; Potable Water Capital Project: $39,184.63.
Seconded by Williams Banks. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
9. Parade Permit
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the Village Clerk to issue a Parade Permit to First Baptist Church for the 23rd day of June, 2006 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. along a route from North Main Street to Main Street to Merritt to Oak Street to Prospect Street to Wells Street to North Main Street ending at the First Baptist Church parking lot. The Church will be responsible for arranging parade route security with the Sheriff’s Department, and notifying the Brewster Fire Department. The streets along the parade route will not be closed as participants must stay on the sidewalk where sidewalks are available.
Seconded by William Banks. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
10. Worker’s Compensation Survey – policies and procedures for the Village employees.
Board motions to have the Clerk ask other similar villages for their policies and procedures manuals for comparison.
Board motions to ask the village clerk to call and write a letter to John Leather, uninsured outside contractor, to cease any personnel duties immediately until proof of insurance is brought forth. Teresa Stockburger seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent.
Workers Compensation issues of submitting C-2’s will be addressed by the Clerk and the Board of Trustees agree that a policies and procedures update should include these items.
Judge O’Rourke’s recommendations will be followed through with phone calls by Mike Santos. Dan Crawford will address the issues of the DPW. Alex Mancone is still working on the policies and procedures for the Constables.
Gary Kropkowski will look into the legal requirement for addressing the issues listed in the survey and write a letter to the Loss Control Specialist who sent the letter from Wright Risk Management.
11. Summer Hours
On a motion by James Schoenig, the duly constituted Board of Trustees of the Village of Brewster hereby authorizes the implementation of summer hours for the office staff at Village Hall. Whereas, the office staff will arrive at work one-half hour earlier each day of the week and leave work two and one-half hours earlier on Fridays commencing on the Friday before July 4th Holiday and ending on the Friday before Labor Day. With Village Hall not closing any earlier than 1:30 p.m. alternating front the front desk.
Seconded by William Banks. Ayes 4 Nays 0 Abstain 0 Absent 1
12. Public Comment
Denis Castelli asks that Frank Delcampo and Michelle Powers get proclamations for their upcoming retirement – samples included.
Teresa Stockburger makes a resolution to issue a certification of appreciation to Frank Delcampo and Michelle Powers, thanking them for their service to the Village of Brewster. James Schoenig seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent.
Christine Piccini: Asks if anyone went to the FOIL meeting that Mr. Freeman held at the Mahopac Library last week.
Mike Santos states that he did. It was an informational question and answer period. The VOB is in compliance. Also learned that e-mails are public record.
Also attended the Main Street Conference last week. A local municipality has the right as part of the Urban Renewal Program, that an existing building can freeze their assessments for 5 years during renovations, which encourages people to improve sub-standard values. It’s a local resolution/law.
Mike Santos speaks about radios for the Constables and a repeater that would be needed to operate the radios to communicate with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.
Alex Mancone states that the portable radio only reaches ¼ mile. A repeater is needed to communicate with the State Police, Sheriff’s Dept., and local Police. Nextel might be an alternative but there are too many dead spots and it is not as effective. The rental on a repeater with a fixed antenna would be a cost of $700/month for the lease on the equipment, which doesn’t include the cost of an FCC license. Eventually, sooner or later, we are going to have to have a vehicle. It’s probably cheaper to get some sort of vehicle, possibly leasing a vehicle under a New York State bid, or a used police car. Putting a repeater in the vehicle would allow communication. A mobile option operates at a lower power, which would eliminate the FCC licensing.
Yoshi Ito asks that the Board act on some solution tonight instead of waiting until another meeting discussing it again. Everything is in place for the Constable program, except for this repeater. If we buy a new police car, it would be used to be driven around the Village, but a constable sitting at the office, would be able to access that repeater for access? Yes.
Alex: A fully equipped police vehicle, with heavy duty suspension, lights, large alternator, for $21,000. These can be obtained from a state police department and sometimes can be leased with a payment option, approximately $400/month, which doesn’t include the insurance or the monthly use of the repeater.
I would like to get as much information on the options for cars and equipment and all the costs associated with that so that the Board can review and make a decision at the next Village meeting, July 5th.
Teresa Stockburger makes a motion to give Mayor Degnan permission to act on the best decision for cost purposes on a vehicle and repeater and all necessary equipment, policies, for the Village of Brewster Constables. William Banks seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent.
William Banks wants concrete numbers. If Mayor Degnan has them, fine. He can e-mail me with them, but I want to see them.
Jack Gress comments on the e-mail he sent to the Board requesting to be on the Planning Board for the Village of Brewster. Can Gary Kropkowski look into someone who is NOT a village resident, be on the Planning Board.
Yoshi Ito – tells Jack Gress to look into a different section. Any board member has to be a village resident. The Board of Trustees has the option of waiving the requirement, as long as you live in the County as a Board of Trustee member.
Gary Kropkowski will look into the options and a possible local-law and will e-mail the Board members.
13. Other Business
Neighborhood Preservation Law – handout – Board needs to review and it will be as a Public Hearing at the next meeting on July 5, 2006.
James Schoenig makes a motion to move into Executive Session. Teresa Stockburger seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent.
Teresa Stockburger makes a motion to exit Executive Session. William Banks seconds it. All in favor 4 ayes, 1 absent.
James Schoenig makes a motion to adjourn the meeting. Williams Banks seconds it. All in favor, 4 ayes, 1 absent.
11:30 p.m. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Bernadette Martabano, Village Clerk