Here's a look at what went on during the Tarrytown Board of Trustees' April 5 meeting. The Board meets every other Monday at 8 p.m.

One Tarrytown Resident Shows Up for Budget Hearing

The village's tentative budget was posted online for the first time this year, giving more residents a chance to review the proposals before the budget is enacted later this month. Despite the increased access, only one resident showed up Monday night for the first of two planned budget hearings.

That resident, Lori Semeraro, was the one who pushed village officials to post the draft budget on the web.

"I'm very happy that this year, the budget is on the village's website prior to the hearing," she said.

Semeraro wants village officials to reopen negotiations with public employee unions and talk down the 3.5 percent pay increase mandated by union contracts.

It wouldn't be unprecedented in the area; Scarsdale and Edgemont teachers agreed to a one percent decrease in their raises and other municipalities are currently in negotiations with union officials.

But Mayor Drew Fixell said it was unlikely fix.

"There are discussions going on with the unions, but there's little will by the [Civil Service Employees Association] and [Police Benevolent Association] to reopen negotiations," he said.

Semeraro asked if village departments could cut back on office supplies, for which the budget proposes almost $84,000. She also questioned $27,700 in appropriations for subscriptions to trade magazines and dues for municipal organizations.

The Martling Avenue resident also renewed her call for the Board to record its bi-monthly work sessions and post the video online. Officials tend to engage in more debate during the sessions than in official meetings, which are largely scenes of rubber-stamping policy that has already been mulled over.

"Since a lot of your discussions happen in the work sessions, it would be nice for the public to be able to see it and know what's going on," Semeraro said.

The public hearing on the draft budget will continue at the Board's April 19 meeting. State law requires that public discussion be closed no later than April 20.

You can review the draft budget here.

Village Officials Sworn in, Reappointed; No New Hires

The Board held its semi-annual organizational meeting Monday night, in which a number of village officials, both paid and volunteer, were reappointed for new terms. All of the positions were filled by incumbents.

Trustees Tom Basher, Mary McGee, and Robert Hoyt were sworn in by Mayor Drew Fixell for new two-year terms after running unopposed in the March 16 village elections.

"This is not a position I take lightly, and I thank the residents of the village for entrusting me with another two-year term," said Basher, who was also reappointed as Deputy Mayor.

McGee and Hoyt were reinstated to positions on the Ethics and Parks and Recreation committees, respectively.

Fixell also reappointed a number of board and committee chairs to one-year terms, including spots on the Planning and Zoning Boards and Environmental and Waterfront Advisory Committees.

The village clerk, attorney, justice, historian, and assessor all were reinstated.

Fixell took the opportunity to recognize the staff's work.

"The employees and volunteers spend enormous amounts of time and effort doing this work and making the village a wonderful place to live," the mayor said.

Water Woes an Opportunity for Equipment Upgrade

Tarrytown's backup water source, the New Croton Aqueduct, will be shut down by New York City environmental officials for maintenance in May. That wouldn't be much of an issue, but the village's main water source, the Catskill Aqueduct, also being shut down "for an extended period" beginning in October.

So village officials are taking the opportunity to update the 55-year old plumbing system that brings the Croton Aqueduct's water into the village. According to a deal approved Monday night, New York City will provide the labor and Tarrytown will provide $346,000 worth of equipment for the upgrades.

"We need to move forward to ensure a consistent source of water for our residents," Village Administrator Michael Blau said.

Third Friday Contract Approved

The Board Monday approved a $12,000 contract with Angel Rafter, owner of A Nu Toy Store on Main Street, and Fiona Galloway of Web Sight Marketing to organize the village's Third Friday festivities.

Third Friday begins April 16 and continues on the third Friday of each month through November, bringing music, vendors, and family entertainment to Main Street and Broadway.

Rafter and Galloway are taking over after consulting firm Cappa Crucy & Co. stepped down as the event's organizer last year, citing a lack of funding.

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Also on Monday, the Board observed a moment of silence for William Luney, a former Zoning Board Chairman who passed away April 3 at the age of 80.