The Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees meeting took on a circus-like atmosphere last night when would-be trustee candidate insisted on speaking out-of-turn and berating the Board for even considering a possible working relationship with Pleasantville on a community television station.
"Bruce Campbell, you should be ashamed of yourself. We can do this ourselves," said Caetano. Campbell heads the communication committee charged with developing a joint community television station with Tarrytown.
The rant ended with Mayor Ken Wray accusing Caetano of "political posturing" and threatening to have him removed from the meeting.
Caetano also said he objected to the presence on the Police Advisory Board of "a couple of people who don't live here and are not tax payers."
"There is value in working with others," said Wray. "I am not afraid or suspicious of non-resident's opinions and I have no intention of adding a residency requirement to this committee." The Police Advisory Board members are appointed by the Mayor and have no decision-making power.
During the public comments period Mario Bellanich inquired about the status of the .
"I believe we are getting the money we are supposed to get to make the program self-sustaining," said Wray. "We'll have a full accounting at the end of the school year."
In other business, the Board passed a resolution allowing Village Attorney Janet Gandolfo to defend the village against three lawsuits involving the Sleepy Hollow Police Department.
Two were filed by Dafon Blacknall for incidents which allegedly occurred on Feb. 18, 2011 and April 19, 2011. Blacknall is well-known to the Sleepy Hollow justice court where he appeared last August in handcuffs after being arrested the week prior on what prosecutors said was his 20th pending criminal charge.
Another suit was filed by Joseph Mahon for an incident which allegedly occurred on Oct. 29, 2011.
Bill Payments
The board approved bill payments of $574,000, which included $78,000 for a new street sweeper, which will be put into use as soon as its license plates arrive.
Mayor's Announcements
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will present the final piece of its environmental impact statement on the at a public meeting on Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m. at Sleepy Hollow Senior Center. The findings specifically relate to potential contamination of the Hudson River and recommended remediation.
Wray thanked for bringing the Super Bowl Trophy to Sleepy Hollow last week and making it available for people to see and touch. The trophy also visited Sleepy Hollow four years ago when the Giants won the Super Bowl.
Trustee Reports
Trustee Evelyn Stupel said the village is strictly enforcing the ordinance against littering and routinely issuing tickets.
"I've gotten a number of calls about garbage and other things like mattresses being put out on the wrong day," said Stupel. "It's unsightly."
Stupel reminded the public that the earliest garbage should be put out for collection is 6 p.m. the day before pick-up.
Next Housing Court date is Thursday, March 22.
The and plans for the will be discussed at the next Planning Board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16.
Administrator's Report
- Westchester County has provided printed flyers on recycling rules which the village will mail to all residents.
- A leak in roof on Village Hall resulted in a mold problem. The mold is being addressed and the leak repaired.
- A Muni Meter has been installed on the Beekman Ave. lot and will be operational soon.
- March 11 is the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Clerk's Report
- The Westchester County Mobile shredder will in Sleepy Hollow on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the parking lot across from Village Hall.
- Tuesday, Feb. 21 is Tax Grievance Day and 27 grievances have already been submitted.
- Cards will be mailed to residents to clarify their new voting location.
- A new restaurant has submitted an application for 60 Clinton Street.
Resolutions
- The Board approved the annual Memorial Parade, which will be held on May 28 at 9 a.m. and the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 11.
- The Board agreed to ask the State Legislature to allow the town of Greenburgh and the its villages to collect a new three percent hotel occupancy tax, one-sixth of which will be set aside for tourism and economic development. The village does not have the power to enact such a tax.
- The Board adjourned for executive session to discuss matters of possible litigation and returned to pass a resoultion allowing Gandolfo to be paid out of her retainer with the Village to defend it against the lawsuits filed by Blacknell and Mahon.
