Public Hearing
During the continuation of the , Sunny McLean who runs Community Media on Hudson, lobbied the Board for additional funds to support her operation. Mayor Ken Wray said her request, and others like it, will be discussed at the next work session.
Bill Payments
The Board approved bill payments totaling $165,203, including a charge for road salt, which prompted a discussion about the money saved on road salt due to the mild winter. Public Works General Foreman Richie Gross reported that the village had saved $30,000 in unused salt and $30,000 in overtime costs. The recent salt delivery was preordered based on seasonal estimates. The salt will be stored for use next year.
Trustee Reports
Trustee Barbara Carr, who has replaced David Schroedel as chair of the Finance committee, said a detailed review of the budget showed that water and sanitation costs exceed the revenue that is coming in. "We will be recommending an increase in both areas," said Carr.
New Trustee Susan MacFarlane, who now heads the Parks and Recreation committee, said she has conducted a review of all parks to identify necessary maintenance. She reminded the public of park clean-up days scheduled as follows:
- April 21, Street Clean-Up in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow
- April 22, Horan's Landing
- April 28, Kingsland Point Park
- May 5, Douglas Park
(Stay tuned for a Patch round-up with more details on all these clean-up days.)
Trustee Bruce Campbell reported on continuing efforts to develop a joint Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow community television station. He presented a proposal by Pleasantville to produce content for one year and consult on the construction and organization of the Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow production facilities as an initial step in getting the project started. He asked that $10,000 seed money for the project be restored to the budget.
Trustee Evelyn Stupel reported that 12 cases were heard at the most recent Housing Court on March 22 and $8,000 in fines collected.
Stupel also reported that 14 new garbage cans have been installed on Beekman Avenue and reminded residents that these cans are not intended for household garbage. In addition, yard waste must be bagged in paper bags on place on the curb for collection by 6:45 a.m. on Monday mornings.
New trustee Jennifer Lobato-Church said spots are still available on the Police Advisory Committee and urged citizens to contact Village Hall if they wish to join.
Administrator's Report
Administrator Anthony Giaccio said the Route 9 Streetscape Project, which was to have been started last summer, is in limbo because $200,000 promised by Westchester County for the project has not materialized. The money, which was to have come from a Community Development Block Grant, is on hold because the federal government which provides the money to the county for distribution has withheld it, pending the outcome of the fair housing lawsuit against Westchester County.
To resurrect the project, which is also funded by a $750,000 grant from the New York State DOT, Gicaccio said he is looking into retaining the person who originally designed the project for the County to complete the project on behalf of the village.
The may soon be occupied. The final certificate of occupancy (CO) is expected to be issued by the end of the month.
Giaccio as restitution for damage done to the Hudson River environment. The money is earmarked by the Fish and Wildlife Agency to specifically restore organisms that live on the bottom of the river, including mussels and oysters.
Giaccio says he plans to ask for a portion of the funds to introduce an oyster farm to the cove at Kingsland Point Park, fund an environmental education center at the Bathhouse, and for Pocantico River shoreline stabilization. According to Gicaccio, oysters are a keystone species that attracts other organisms and contribute to the overall health of the river. But, he added, "They are not for human consumption."
Resolutions
The Board passed a resolution to , in part because the rules for the new law are still being determined by New York State, according to Mayor Wray.
"Given the unknowns, we are voting to override this as other villages are doing," said Wray.
"We are trying to stay within the two percent property tax increase, but voting to protect ourselves in case of emergency," said Trustee MacFarlane.
New Business
Village architect Sean McCarthy gave a brief presentation about the which is now before the Planning Board. He provided initial concept drawings from 2009 to the Board as well as the most recent and dramatically different plans.
"It looks very similar to the second phase of Hudson Harbor," said Trustee Stupel.
McCarthy said the Planning Board asked the developer to modify the design because it was too similar to Hudson Harbor.
"I think they saw that Hudson Harbor was having success selling their units," said McCarthy.
The new plans are for a slightly smaller building that makes better use of river site lines. The Board must determine if the new plans are in keeping with design guidelines originally established for the project.
The meeting ended with Mayor Wray reading a letter of thanks to the Sleepy Hollow Ambulance Corps from a grateful patient who praised the volunteers for their caring, reassuring manner and swift response.
