A uniformed police officer was on the scene at last night's Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees work session, presumably to head-off any backlash from Saturday's Democratic Caucus when a group of would-be participants were shut out of the minute-long proceedings.

About 20 people sat side-by-side at the meeting, an apparent show of support for Frank Occhipinti, former head of the Democratic Party, and Donald Caetano, prospective trustee candidate, who waited their turn to speak while the Board moved swiftly through other business.  

A public hearing on the village water reservoir project was opened and closed without comment and bill payments and previous meeting minutes were approved.

Occhipinti was first to the microphone during the time allotment for public comments. He took the opportunity to chastise the Board for the manner in which the Democratic Caucus was conducted.  

"How does a Caucus last one minute," he asked. "This is disgusting. It's a farce.  Our people entered on time."

Occhipinti said he wanted his comments to serve as a formal Freedom of Information (FOIL) request for the video tapes at the senior center where the Caucus took place, adding, "I am going to the Justice Department." He also accused Janet Gandolfo of conflict of interest for her dual roles as village attorney and Caucus Chair positions.

Mayor Ken Wray said complaints about the Caucus should be directed to the Westchester Board of Elections, not village government, and that FOIL requests should be made in writing to the village clerk.

Caetano also described the Caucus as a "big fraud."

"You ignored all those people who came there to vote," said Caetano. "I wish to be a candidate. I can promise you if I get on the ballot I will work hard for the Village of Sleepy Hollow."  Caetano later added that he went to the Board of Elections and has retained a lawyer. "I'm going to fight it."

Following Caetano, an enraged Sean Roach, a Sleepy Hollow Independent candidate for trustee, took the microphone to "condemn" disparaging comments he said were attributed to Gandolfo on Patch. She had called into question Caetano's marriage as well as residential status, in comments that were subsequently removed from the site.

"I hope she apologizes. This is disgusting," he said. "I love this village, but if this is the way it's going to be, I don't even want to run for trustee."

With that, the Board moved on to other business, prompting the swift departure of the Occhipinti-Caetano supporters.

"I guess they are really interested in village government," commented Mayor Wray.

Interestingly, after other business was concluded (see below), Anna Lopez, a social worker and community organizer who said she has worked closely and effectively with the current administration, offered a public apology to the Board. 

"I am sorry," she said. "Two people have manipulated our community [referring to Sleepy Hollow's Spanish-speaking residents] and attempted to show division and pretend that this administration is not working." 

She added that she was "sad" that the community members didn't stay for the rest of the meeting. 

"No one has benefitted more from this administration than the poor community. I apologize. This is not the Wild West."

Other Business

Trustee Reports

Based on personal experience, Trustee David Schroedel urged everyone to clean their dryer vents, calling them a significant fire hazard.

Trustee Bruce Campbell reported that a Citizens Advisory Committee is being considered for the Recreation Department and that the Community Access TV committee will be touring the Pleasantville facility on Tuesday as a precursor to possible collaboration.

Trustee Tom Capossela said brush pick-up will continue on Mondays, water meter readings will begin on Feb. 1, and TNT baseball sign-up is on Saturday.

Trustee Karin Wompa said two new EMTs have been recruited and additional personnel have been trained in CPR and First Aid. The village calendar is now in the mail to all residents. Wompa also announced that the "Facade Improvement" program has been expanded and encouraged everyone to refer to the village calendar for more details.

Trustee Evelyn Stupel said 18 cases are on the Housing Court docket and that 26 maintenance violations were issued in January.

Administrator's Report

Village Administrator Anthony Giaccio said employees will be trained in preventing trips and falls as well as CPR and First Aid, and Devries Park fencing will be installed.

Resolutions

The Board passed a resolution identifying the village's nine election districts, which were recently redrawn by the Westchester County Board of Elections.

The changes are significant, for example, all of Philipse Manor is now in district 6 and will vote at the Hudson Valley Writer's Center; the Van Tassel Apartments are now incorporated in District 5 and will vote at the James Galgano Senior Center. 

A complete list of the new voting districts will be posted on the village web site:  www.sleepyhollowny.gov.

Communications

Village Clerk Paula McCarthy announced that Tax Grievance Day is Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Village Hall and that a shredding machine will be outside the hall on Saturday, Feb. 18 for public use.

Editor's Note: This article has been revised to expand the description of a comment by Sean Roach, independent candidate for a seat on the Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees, at the meeting.