A regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Cortlandt was conducted on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 in the Vincent F. Nyberg meeting room of the Cortlandt Town Hall, located at One Heady Street, Cortlandt Manor, NY (10567) with the following elected officials and appointed staff members in attendance:
LINDA D. PUGLISI Supervisor
JOSEPH D. CERRETO Councilmember
FRANCIS X. FARRELL Councilmember
ANN LINDAU Councilmember
JOHN E. SLOAN Councilmember
Also present:
JO-ANN DYCKMAN Town Clerk
THOMAS F. WOOD, ESQ. Town Attorney
GLENN CESTARO Comptroller
EDWARD VERGANO Director, DOTS
JEFF TKACS Co-Director, DES
KATHLEEN BURLESON DES, Recreation
PETER McMILLAN Purchasing Director
CLAUDIA VAHEY Human Res. Director
CATHERINE M. HOFFMAN Deputy Town Clerk
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Supervisor Puglisi called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
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Councilman Joe Cerreto, who had been overseas serving with the Army Reserve Corps, led everyone in attendance in a pledge to the flag.
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SUPERVISOR’S REPORTS on PROJECTS and ISSUES.
A presentation was made by Councilmember Farrell and Supervisor Puglisi to John Gilbert, who was selected as Employee of the Quarter. He has been employed by Cortlandt for 12 ½ years, recently promoted to the position of Recreation Repairman in DES/Parks, and was selected by his peers for this award. He was presented with a Certificate of Award as well as a gift certificate to the Paramount Center for Performing Arts.
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Laura Lee Keating, Town Historian, stated that on March 23rd there would be a celebration entitled Fight for Freedom, 1777 as part of the 225th anniversary of the American Revolution, a nationwide celebration initiated by the National Park Service. There will be troop demonstrations and skirmish re-enactions giving an overview of what happened in Cortlandt during this historic era. In the evening there will be a dinner at Colonial Terrace. For any questions you may contact the Supervisor’s office or the Cortlandt Historical Society.
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Supervisor Puglisi stated that over the course of the last month we have lost three friends of the Cortlandt community, very important intellectual leaders of the community.
One is Russell Lea, Vice-Chairman of the Veteran’ s Council, who worked diligently for that organization; Mr. Mitchell Berensen, owner of Springvale Apartments, affordable units for senior citizens. He believed strongly in providing such housing, as well as equality for all; Mr. Al Myers, an extremely active member of our community in the past who was very instrumental in helping residents become involved in public service, died within the last week in Florida where he resided.
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Supervisor Puglisi extended thanks to the City of Peekskill and Village of Buchanan for hosting St. Patrick’s Day parades for our communities. They are to be applauded for their efforts in bringing this activity to the residents every year.
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Even though there is a difficult economy on the national level, Town finances are in excellent shape. There were still excellent services and programs for residents; new projects which are continuously planned. There are no layoffs and vacancies that occur are being filled. There is a healthy fund balance of surplus, almost Twelve Million Dollars worth, but solid fiscal approaches to our finances continue to be conservative in order to plan and save for emergencies and for our future.
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On a roll call attendance by Town Clerk Jo-Ann Dyckman all Town Board members indicated their presence.
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Councilmember Ann Lindau reminded everyone of the Peekskill/Cortlandt Chamber of Commerce business seminar scheduled at Colonial Terrace on Thursday, March 21st.
She reported on her attendance at a meeting of the Joint Water Works on water conservation possibilities which we will have to deal with this summer. She suggested that we start conserving now to perhaps lessen the severity of the situation this summer.
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Councilmember John Sloan said if the water situation gets serious the Town Board will pass a resolution containing water restrictions.
He echoed the remarks with regard to the historic celebration, saying he is looking forward to the parade and all of the other commemorative activities.
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Councilmember Frank Farrell reported that a letter is on the agenda tonight from the Supervisor to all federal officials regarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Since Westchester is a relatively wealthy county, the federal government is considering reducing our funding. We are reminding the federal government that, although we may live in a wealthy county, not all neighborhoods are wealthy; not
everyone in the County is wealthy and these monies are sorely needed for many projects. Over the years they have been applied towards many sewage, drainage projects and we feel that this money allocation should not be shifted elsewhere.
The skate park at the Community Center on Westbrook Drive has turned out to be much more popular with young people than had been anticipated which has caused the Town Board to consider the implementation of passes, IDs and the charging of a fee to provide for security and maintenance of the equipment. Anyone who lives in Cortlandt will be eligible for the ID card, as well as children of the Lakeland and Croton School Districts. It is hoped that these measures will provide for a safer venue and more control.
Councilmember Farrell commented on the passing of Al Myers who had encouraged him to become involved in politics, saying he had helped him a great deal.
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Councilmember Cerreto also remarked that people should attend the Revolutionary War commemoration on Saturday saying they are outstanding events.
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Councilmembers Sloan and Cerreto moved the minutes of the Special Meeting of February 5, 2002 and Regular Meeting of February 12, 2002 be approved as presented by Town Clerk Jo-Ann Dyckman. ALL VOTED AYE.
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HEARING of CITIZENS, (agenda items only)
None.
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None.
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Councilmember Cerreto moved that the following reports be received and ordered filed, seconded by Councilmember Lindau:
January, 2002 - DOTS/ Water Division, DES/Senior Division.
February, 2002 - DES,/Senior Division, DOTS/Water Division, Purchasing Department,
Town Justices, Receiver of Taxes, Town Clerk.
There was no discussion; ALL VOTED AYE.
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Correspondence:
Councilmember Lindau moved that the following items be received and filed and the resolutions adopted, as indicated:
Report from DES regarding parking issues on Cedar Knoll Lane, Brook Lane and Meadowsweet Road. (Walter Panas High School).
RESOLUTION NO. 102–02 – RE: Authorize DES to install “No parking, Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:00 pm” signs. During the Hearing of Citizens (second) potion of the meeting the following action was taken - AMENDED to “during school hours/days only.)
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RESOLUTION NO. 103–02 – RE: Authorize DES to install “School Zone” and “Drive Slow” signs on Croton Avenue in the area of Walter Panas High School.
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REPORT FROM Planning on the scope of a traffic study and property owned by Ginsberg Development.
There was no discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Correspondence:
Councilmember Farrell moved the following documents be received and ordered filed, amended and referred, as indicated:
Petition from Scott Campbell requesting parcel located at 1 Lockwood Drive be placed back into the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District. Forward, also, to Westchester County Board of Legislators.
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Petition from Richard Brown requesting parcels located at 58 and 60 Oregon Road be placed back into the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District. Forward, also, to Westchester County Board of Legislators.
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AMENDED to include: Petition from Robert Benz for property known as 10 Hampton Place.
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Letter from Debbie Policastro regarding road conditions at South Hill Road. Refer, also, to DES.
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Petition from residents of Raymond Street advising of poor condition of that roadway. Refer, also, to DES.
There was no discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Sloan moved that the following documents be received and ordered filed and the resolutions be adopted, as indicated:
Letter from Audry Griffin requesting “No Parking” signs on Hillcrest Drive. Refer, also, to DES.
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Letter from Lincoln Titus Elementary School parents to the Lakeland Board of Education regarding traffic flow issues at the school.
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Letter from Supervisor Puglisi to NYS Dept. of Transportation regarding improvements on Route 6 in the area of Lexington Avenue.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi thanked the Town of Yorktown for their cooperation in working at this intersection. The State Police, Town of Yorktown and Westchester County Police Departments are on duty on key weekends to keep the traffic flow going.
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Status report from the Planning Division of DOTS and a letter from Scenic Hudson regarding the Hudson Highlands Gateway Task Force.
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Letter from Road Surface Management System regarding a Summer Intern Project.
RESOLUTION NO. 104-02 – RE: Authorize implementation of program.
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Request from the Town of Rye for mutual support urging Westchester County to keep the Playland Ice Skating Casino open to the general public, and authorize same.
RESOLUTION NO. 105-02 – RE: Urge Westchester County to keep Playland Ice Skating Casino open to the general public.
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Letter from William Balter requesting the Town Board grant cluster authorization for property known as Jacob HillCrossing. Refer to DOTS/Planning.
There was no additional discussion; ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Cerreto moved that the following items be received and ordered filed, seconded by Councilmember Lindau:
Town Sewer Master Plan prepared by DOTS.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi a copy of the Sewer Master Plan and said there had been a presentation at one of the recent Town Board work sessions. The Town Engineer is prioritizing areas of the community that are in desperate need of sewers.
Ed Vergano said if there are any questions he would be happy to answer them. Efforts were made to prioritize certain areas and offer people a logical way to extend sewer service in those areas that are currently in desperate need of service.
Supervisor Puglisi said this report will parallel what is going on with the Town wide Master Plan review and the Sustainable Development Coalition with Peekskill and Yorktown. At the same time the CAC is working on strengthening our environmental laws.
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Letter from Supervisor Puglisi to New York State DEC. requesting the remaining reimbursement from the Brownfield funds for reclamation at Overlook in Verplanck.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi said some cleanup was necessary on land the Town had purchased adjacent to the Hudson River in Verplanck. Diesel fuel was found when blacktop was being broken up and some reclamation was necessary. We had to expend funds in the amount of about $500,000 to date. Last year we received $250,000 in reimbursement through the Brownfield Fund via New York State and, hopefully, this request will result in the amounts due us this fiscal year.
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Letter from the Verplanck Preservation Committee regarding new Brownfield cleanup legislation.
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Letter from Supervisor Puglisi to federal officials requesting funding assistance for pool renovations at the Veteran’s facility in Montrose.
Discussion: The pool is in dire need of repairs and this request may assist the VA in getting the funding necessary to enable the pool’s use for our veterans and community.
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Letter from the Supervisor to federal officials opposing proposed cuts to the CDBG funding for Westchester County municipalities.
Discussion: These funds are very important for our Town, used for infrastructure improvements, recreations projects, programs for our mentally and physically challenged individuals. Many of these projects would not be able to be completed without this source of funding.
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Resolutions – (All resolutions adopted at this board meeting are to be found in full text affixed to the end of this document.)
Councilmember Lindau moved that the following resolutions be adopted, including amendments, seconded by Councilmember Farrell:
RESOLUTION NO. 106–02 – RE: Authorize employment contracts for certain department managers and deputies. AMENDED to “remove the Personnel Director from the contract.”
Discussion: Councilmember Sloan asked if it was clear what the amendment was. Supervisor Puglisi stated the Board had been given a memo this evening recommending the removal of the Personnel Director from the contract.
Councilmember Farrell said he, in addition, would recommend the removal of the Co-Director of DES from the resolution and it was determined that a second vote would be necessary to effect this.
A poll of the board by the Town Clerk on an amendment to remove the Personnel Director from the resolution was, as follows:
Councilman Sloan Aye,
Councilman Cerreto Aye,
Supervisor Puglisi Aye,
Councilwoman Lindau Aye,
Councilman Farrell Aye.
The motion, as amended, was declared adopted.
Discussion: Councilmember Sloan asked for clarification when Supervisor Puglisi said the board would now vote on the additional amendment. The motion that was just voted on included all the other contracts except Personnel Manager. This vote would now be on Councilman Farrell’s recommendation to delete the Co-Director of DES, as follows: RESOLUTION NO. 106-02 – AMENDED to “remove the Co-Director DES.”
Councilmember Farrell moved to adopt that amendment, seconded by Councilmember Cerreto. A polled vote of the board was, as follows:
Councilman Sloan No,
Councilman Cerreto Aye,
Supervisor Puglisi No,
Councilwoman Lindau No,
Councilman Farrell Aye.
The resolution was declared failed.
Supervisor Puglisi stated that the amendment regarding the Co-Director of DES stays on the agenda for the contract to be approved. A vote to approve the contract including the Co-Director of DES on motion made by Councilmember Lindau and seconded by Councilmember Farrell was, as follows
Councilman Sloan Aye,
Councilman Cerreto No,
Supervisor Puglisi Aye,
Councilman Farrell No,
Councilwoman Lindau Aye.
The resolution was declared adopted as AMENDED.
Councilmembers Lindau and Farrell moved that the following resolution be adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 107–02 – RE: Appoint Kenneth Verschoor Jr. as laborer in DES.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi stated that Mr. Verschoor has worked in DES as a seasonal laborer for a while now and is highly recommended by department managers for permanent employment.
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
Mr. Verschoor, who was present in the audience, was introduced by the Supervisor.
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Councilmember Farrell moved that the following resolutions be adopted, seconded by Councilmember Sloan:
RESOLUTION NO. 108–02 – RE: Appoint three seasonals in the Department of Environmental Services.
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RESOLUTION NO. 109–02 – RE: Appoint members to the Cortlandt Veterans Committee.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi noted that this is a very active committee chaired by Fremont Reif with Councilman Joe Cerreto as Honorary Chairman One of the things planned this year by the Veterans Committee is the preparation of a booklet which gives a condensed biography and photograph of each member to be dispensed throughout the community.
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RESOLUTION NO. 110–02 – RE: Reappoint members to the Conservation Advisory Council and appoint a new member to fill a vacancy.
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RESOLUTION NO. 111–02 – RE: Amend and update the Master Plan membership list.
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RESOLUTION NO. 112–02 – RE: Authorize the preparation of an Intermunicipal Agreement with Lakeland School District with respect to proposed tennis court repairs and construction, subject to certain conditions.
There was no additional discussion; ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Sloan moved the following resolutions be adopted, seconded by Councilmember Cerreto:
RESOLUTION NO. 113–02 – RE: Authorize a Stipulation of Settlement in the matter of Bleakley vs. Town of Cortlandt.
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RESOLUTION NO. 114–02 – RE: Direct DES managers to conduct an audit of commercial trash pickup and submit report to the Town Board within thirty (30) days.
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RESOLUTION NO. 115–02 – RE: Authorize establishing a Tax Certiorari Designated Fund.
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RESOLUTION NO. 116-02 – RE: Authorize the settlement of a tax certiorari proceeding.
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RESOLUTION NO. 117–02 – RE: Authorize the Director of DOTS to advertise invitations to bid for the Conklin East Sewer District.
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RESOLUTION NO. 118–02 – RE: Notify billboard property owners advising them of August 2002 deadline to remove billboards in accordance with Town Code No. 245-9.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi stated that seven years ago the Town Board passed a new Sign Ordinance saying that seven years would be given the property owners to phase them out. She said there are many sources of venues to market businesses and this is one we don’t need in our community any longer.
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Cerreto moved for adoption of the following resolutions, seconded by Councilmember Lindau:
RESOLUTION NO. 119-02 – RE: Support keeping the Crugers Post Office open and forward to the Postmaster General.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi said a number of residents of the Crugers have communicated with her office requesting her to lobby the postal service to keep the Crugers Post Office open.
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RESOLUTION NO. 120-02 – RE: Designate polling locations for 2002.
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RESOLUTION NO. 121-02 – RE: Authorize the Receiver of Taxes to collect the unpaid 2001 water rents on the 2002 General tax bills.
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RESOLUTION NO. 122-02 – RE: Authorize a License Agreement with the Croton Cortlandt Center for the Arts for matching grant funds.
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RESOLUTION NO. 123-02 – RE: Schedule a Public Hearing for April 16, 2002 to consider a Local Law increasing the recreation fees per lot as well as on site plans and special permit projects.
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RESOLUTION NO. 124-02 – RE: Schedule a Public Hearing for April 16, 2002 to consider a Local Law permitting the use of “In Lieu of Tax Agreements.”
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Cerreto moved for adoption of the following resolution, seconded by Councilmember Lindau:
RESOLUTION NO. 125-02 – RE: Accept two passbooks in the amounts of $160,000 and $20,000 as security required by Planning Board Resolution No. 22-01 for property known as Little Flower Estates.
There was no discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Councilmember Lindau moved to add the following items of business to the agenda, seconded by Councilmember Farrell:
Letter dated March 14, 2002 from Jack Gaffney requesting support for Westchester County Crime Stoppers.
RESOLUTION NO. 126-02 – RE: Authorize a donation in the amount of $1,000 to the Westchester County Crime Stoppers.
Discussion: Supervisor Puglisi thanked former Supervisor Gaffney for his request on behalf of the Crime Stoppers, saying it aids police departments in the County in their fight against crime.
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Discussion: We have been working with three other area municipalities to coordinate efforts in the challenge and fight against the Millennium Pipeline issue.
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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None.
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None.
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None.
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HEARING of CITIZENS, (second)
Mohegan Lake, NY
Subject: Sexual abuse and its devastating effects on victim. Request for
additional police.
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Speaker: Marilyn Elle
2A Adrian Court
Member, Citizens’ Awareness Network and Safe Energy Coalition
Subject: Supports resolution put forth by River Keeper calling for shut down of
Indian Point. Distributed packet of materials to board.
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37 Meadowsweet Road
Subject: Asked for revised “No Parking” signs on Meadowsweet Road.
After discussion by the Town Board and recommendation of the Town Attorney, Councilmember Farrell moved that the following resolution by amended as indicated, with Councilmember Sloan giving the motion a second:
RESOLUTION NO. 102–02 – RE: AMENDED to “during school hours/days only.”
There was no additional discussion: ALL VOTED AYE.
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Speaker: Warren Citrone
218 Locust Avenue
Subject: Proposed River Keeper Resolution. Suggest obtaining rebuttal material
from Entergy. Also, consider Buchanan’s resolution in support of keeping
facility open.
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218 Locust Avenue
Subject: Proposed River Keeper Resolution.
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218 Locust Avenue
Subject: Support River Keeper Resolution.
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Supervisor Puglisi advised that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Russell Lea, Mitchell Berenson and Al Myers, saying they were very important to the Cortlandt community and would be very much missed. She asked that all in attendance stand in silence in respect to their memory.
Councilmember Sloan moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:40 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Cerreto.
Respectfully submitted,
JO-ANN DYCKMAN,
Town Clerk