Here's a look at what happened at Tuesday night's Sleepy Hollow Board of Trustees meeting.
Mayor’s Comments
Mayor Ken Wray openedthe meeting by praising last weekend’s street fair for Swim Across the Hudson for being fun and calm events without a single complaint or incident. Several trustees echoed his sentiments saying “the street fair keeps getting better and better" and “it was the best one we ever had.” Village Administrator Anthony Giaccio credited the events’ success to thorough planning.
Wray went on to congratulate DPW worker Brian Anzovino on the birth of a son and welcomed “the new member of our community.”
Sleepy Hollow Donates to Flood Stricken Communities
Fire Chief John Korzelius said the fire departments of Sleepy Hollow, Chappaqua, Millwood and others collected a great deal of food, clothing, baby supplies, water and other necessities for the Catskill town of Prattsville which was decimated by Hurricane Irene.
“Their Beekman Avenue is completely wiped out. Everything on Main Street has to be demolished,” said Korzelius. “These people have nothing.”
On September 11, fire trucks from the various villages caravanned two-and-a-half hours north to distribute the supplies. The trucks were so full, according to Korzelius “there was only room left over for the driver.”
“Our fire trucks were headed south to help out on September 11 ten years ago. This year they headed north to help out in another disaster,”said Wray.
Korzelius said there is still an opportunity to donate food, cleaning supplies and pet food this week at the Sleepy Hollow Fire House. He thanked everyone who donated and urged residents to visit http://www.sleepyhollowfd.org/ to view photos and get more information.
Later in the meeting, the Board approved a resolution to “sell” a fully-equipped Sleepy Hollow police car for the sum of $1.00 to the town of Owego whose police cars were destroyed by flooding. The 1999 Ford Crown Victoria police car was already declared surplus.
“We’ll even raise the dollar and deliver it with a full tank of gas,” said Wray.
Public Comments
Joe Foley of 126 Valley Street asked the Village to identify the source of constantly running water on Valley Street and to unclog the drains on the street.
“The water has been running down the street for one year,” he said. “You need to do something before the winter when it will turn to ice.”
DPW foreman Richie Gross responded that his department has been trying to identify the source of the water which he believes may be coming from an underground spring since there is no chlorine in the water which would be present if it were coming from a broken main. He said his crew would vacuum the drains which are too small to handle demand.
“The pipes are 100 years old and are probably only 12 inches. We need 46 inch pipes,” he said.
Water Restriction Still in Place
Gross and Trustee Barbara Carr pointed out that the Village is still under a water restriction since New York City shut down the water supply due to heavy rain and debris.
Later in the meeting Trustee David Schroedel suggested that the board offer an explanation to residents as to the why the village is often under water restrictions.
“It’s not us,” said Administrator Giaccio, “It’s the City who shuts down our water supply.”
Wray agreed to add the item to a future work session.
Trustee Reports
Schroedel reported on the Sleepy Hollow Ambulance Corp saying that only members with special key fobs will have access to ambulances and that any member processing village-owned equipment must return it by September 20 for inventory and reapply for membership. After that date, the missing gear will be reported to the police.
Trustee Bruce Campbell reported that $30 thousand has already been raised in sponsorship for the Haunted Hayride and credited resident Bill Hammer for being the driving force behind the successful fundraising.
Campbell also reported that he is working with Tarrytown to create a joint public access television channel. Six proposals have already been received. The channel will be funded in part by cable television franchise fees paid to the village. Campbell will make a presentation to the board about the project at next week’s work session.
Trustee Tommy Caposella reported that curb and catch basin repairs are still being made due to hurricane damage and that the ball fields remain closed. Village islands have been planted with seasonal mums.
Trustee Karin Wompa said the efforts to save the Village post office yielded more than 500 signatures on a petition at the street fair alone and that residents and nonresidents may add their signatures at local businesses displaying a “Save the Post Office” sign, at the Warner Library and online at www.sleepyhollowny.gov.
Trustee Evelyn Stupel noted that seven cases were heard in the most recent housing court and that $176,600 in judgements have been levied to date. September 23 is the next housing court date.
Administrators Report
Administrator Giaccio announced the Westchester County has paid for and installed a new fence at Kingsland Point Park and that are looking at making repair to the sea wall.
He noted that the Village is still seeking more Halloween sponsors and that it seems to be easier to get money this year, despite the economy.
Resolutions
The Board passed resolutions allowing the following:
* a two percent salary increase for several employees, including Administrator Giaccio
* the submission of grant application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for confined space training for 15-20 experienced firefighters
* the submission of a grant application to FEMA for the purchase of a thermal imaging camera used to detect fired behind walls
* the submission of a grant application to FEMA for the purchase turn out gear for seven junior members of the fire department
* the reimbursement of $35,175 to the Tarrytown Union Free School District for security improvements from U.S. Department of Justice grant
* the issuance of two bonds totaling nearly nine million dollars for the acquisition of new police cars, fire department furnishings (does not include a new fire truck), a new street sweeper and park renovations
* acceptance of the resignation of DPW employee Francisco Leonardo for “personal obligations”
* approval of street procession on October 1 sponsored by the Saint Teresa of Avila Church
* approval of block party on Farrington Avenue on October 22
Old Business
Trustee Caposella said he had received numerous complaints about broken parking meters. Police Chief Greg Camp acknowledged that a number of meters do not work, noting that the meters were purchased used from White Plains.
Mayor Wray said cars parked at broken meters should not be ticketed. “A broken meter is a free ride.”
The Village has ordered a new Muni Meter which should arrive by the end of the month, according to Administrator Giaccio. “That should free-up some meters which work to replace those that don’t.”
Public Comments
Valley Street resident Joe Foley complained of trash on Beekman Avenue dropped by people who hang-out on the sidewalk in front of the “bodegas.”
“We do have an ordinance against littering,” he said. “Beekman Avenue is hideous. I am ashamed to walk down there. The store owners should be ticketed. It shouldn’t only be the village’s responsibility.”
Editor's Note: the Web site for the fire department was incorrect in the original version of this report. It is http://www.sleepyhollowfd.org/
