TOWN OF ORANGETOWN
REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015
This Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:40 p.m. Supervisor Stewart presided and Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk, called the Roll. Present were:
Councilman Denis Troy
Councilman Thomas Diviny
Councilman Thomas Morr
Councilman Paul Valentine
Also present: Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk
Rose Maiorano, Sr. Account Clerk/Deputy Clerk
Gerri Orlik, Deputy Clerk
John Edwards, Town Attorney
Teresa Kenny, First Deputy Town Attorney
Denise Sullivan, Deputy Town Attorney
Jeff Bencik, Finance Director
Joseph Moran, Commissioner of DEME
Robert Simon, Receiver of Taxes
John Giardiello, Director of OBZPAE
Aric Gorton, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation
Kevin Nulty, Police Chief
Allan Ryff, Deputy Supervisor
Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Supervisor’s Confidential Assistant
Mary Cardenas, Town Historian
Anthony Bevelacqua, IT Specialist
Matthew Lenihan, Computer Operator
Ronnie Cummings led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: Tappan Zee High School Junior – Julie Bartels
INVOCATION: Msgr. Jack O’Keefe, St. Margaret’s Church
BENEDICTION: Rabbi Daniel Pernick, Beth Am Temple
“GOD BLESS AMERICA” & “DON’T YOU WORRY CHILD/SAVE THE WORLD”:
Tappan Zee High School a Capella Group – “The Tzers”
Supervisor Stewart made the following appointments:
- Jeffrey Bencik, Finance Director
- Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Assistant to the Supervisor
- Allan Ryff, Deputy Supervisor
STATE OF THE TOWN: Supervisor Andrew Stewart
The Town Board and the Town Clerk wished the residents and visitors a Happy Healthy New Year. They thanked the employees for their hard work and they look forward to working together, for the residents of Orangetown.
Supervisor Stewart acknowledged the presence of Thom Kleiner, former Town Supervisor, and representatives from the offices of Senator David Carlucci and Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
The Town Board took a recess.
RESOLUTION NO. 1 OFFICIAL UNDERTAKING/ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Director of Finance, Jeff Bencik, to approve Official Undertaking, to be filed in the Rockland County Clerk’s Office, for elected and appointed officials, officers and employees, as the Town Board may require for the faithful performance of their duties and the prompt and proper account for paying over all money received by said employees in their official capacities.
Ayes: Councilpersons Troy, Morr, Diviny, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 2 2015/MARRIAGE OFFICERS
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Valentine and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the following are designated as Marriage Officers, effective January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015, at no salary.
Supervisor Andrew Stewart Councilman Denis Troy
Councilman Thomas F. Diviny Councilman Thomas Morr
Councilman Paul Valentine Town Clerk, Charlotte Madigan
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Valentine, Troy, Morr
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 3 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Town Board designates The Our Town as the official newspaper, for the Town of Orangetown, pursuant to NYS Town Law Section 64 (11).
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 4 NEWSPAPERS/ADDITIONAL NOTICES
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that for the purposes of additional notices, the Town Board designates the Journal News, for any notices of the Town Board and any other official Board of the Town of Orangetown. Publication of such bids and notices shall be at the discretion of the Town of Orangetown.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
RESOLUTION NO. 5 2015 BANKING DEPOSITORIES
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the following banks are designated as the banking depository, for the Town of Orangetown: J.P. Morgan Chase; First Niagara; and TD Bank
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 6 2015 RECEIVER OF TAXES BANKING DEPOSITORIES
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the following banks are designated as the banking depository, for the Receiver of Taxes: Sterling National Bank and J.P. Morgan Chase
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 7 AMEND/TOWN’S PROCUREMENT TRAVEL POLICY
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Town’s Procurement and Travel policy is hereby amended to reflect a mileage reimbursement rate of $0.575 cents per mile as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 8 APPROVE/2015 TOWN BOARD MEETING CALENDAR/FEB-DEC
Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the following 2015 Town Board Calendar for the months of February 2015 thru December 2015 is hereby approved:
02/03/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
02/10/15 RTBM/Audit
03/03/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
03/10/15 RTBM/Audit
03/24/15 Workshop
04/14/15 RTBM/Audit
04/21/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
04/28/15 RTBM/Audit
05/05/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
05/12/15 RTBM/Audit
05/19/15 Workshop
06/02/15 RTBM/Audit
06/09/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
RESOLUTION NO. 8 – Continued
06/16/15 RTBM/Audit
07/07/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
07/14/15 RTBM/Audit
08/04/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
08/11/15 RTBM/Audit
09/01/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
09/09/15 (Wed) RTBM/Audit (7th Labor Day)
09/15/15 Workshop
09/29/15 RTBM/Audit
10/06/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
10/13/15 RTBM/Audit
10/20/15 Workshop
10/27/15 RTBM/Audit
11/04/15 (Wed) Police Commission/Finance/Workshop (3rd Election Day)
11/10/15 RTBM/Audit
11/17/15 Workshop
12/01/15 RTBM/Audit
12/08/15 Police Commission/Finance/Workshop
Police Commission/Finance Meetings will be shared starting at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Workshop; Town Board Workshop Meetings will start at 8:00 pm and Regular Town Board/Audit Meetings will begin at 7:30 pm. All meetings are on Tuesdays, except where indicated.
Ayes: Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 9 AUTHORIZE EXTENSION AGREEMENT/WILSON, ELSER, ET AL., NEW YORK STATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS REPRESENTATION FOR 2015
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves the extension of an agreement with the law firm of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP (“Counsel”) to serve as Government Affairs Counsel, to the Town in New York State, for the period January 1, 2015 through and including December 31, 2015, at a cost of $4,000.00 per month, plus actual ancillary expenses that may be incurred; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute a letter agreement with Counsel consistent herewith.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 10 RESIGNATION/JAMES DODGE/ACABOR
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that James L. Dodge, Vice Chair of the Architecture & Community Appearance Board of Review (ACABOR) has resigned after twelve (12) years of service.
RESOLUTION NO. 10 – Continued
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Supervisor and Town Board accept his resignation and thank James Dodge for his dedication and commitment to ACABOR.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 11 APPOINT/KENECK SKIBINSKI CHIEF OPERATOR GRADE 3 PERMANENT
Councilman Morr offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that Keneck Skibinski has been appointed to the position of Chief Operator, Grade 3 (Wastewater), from Rockland County EL #14067, permanent, effective, January 14, 2015.
Ayes: Councilpersons Morr, Troy, Diviny, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 12 APPOINT/STEPHANIE TASSELLO PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT CLERK
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Human Resources Coordinator, rescind resolution No. 460 from 10/7/2014 and appoint Stephanie Tassello to the position of Principal Account Clerk, Grade 15, Step 1 at a salary of $62,659.00, provisionally, effective November 13, 2014. The collective bargaining Agreement between the Town and the CSEA shall be amended to include the new position in Schedule “B-1”.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Diviny, Troy, Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 13 AUTHORIZE/PAY UTILITY BILLS
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Valentine and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, that the Finance Office is hereby authorized to pay utility bills prior to a Town Board Audit, to avoid late payment charges.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Valentine, Troy Diviny, Morr
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 14 PAY VOUCHERS
Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 14 – Continued
RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Finance Director, Jeff Bencik, the Finance Office is hereby authorized to pay vouchers for the General Fund, Town Outside Village, Blue Hill, Broadacres, Highway, Sewer, Capital Projects, Risk Retention, and Special Parking Funds for a total amount of $1,316,581.01.
Ayes: Councilpersons Diviny, Morr, Troy, Valentine
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 15 AUTHORIZE/LAND USE BOARDS/AIR EMISSIONS CONSULTANTS/TRINITY CONSULTANTS/TRIUMVIRATE ENVIRONMENTAL
Under new business, Councilman Valentine offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, the Town Board gives permission to the Land Use Boards to hire Trinity Consultants and/or Triumvirate Environmental, as recommended by the DEC, as Air Emissions Consultants, with costs to be paid by the applicant.
Ayes: Councilpersons Valentine, Troy, Diviny, Morr
Supervisor Stewart
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 16 ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION LEGAL COUNSEL/PERSONNEL QUESTION
In attendance, at this Executive Session, were Supervisor Stewart, Councilmen Troy, Diviny, Morr, and Valentine, Charlotte Madigan, John Edwards, Teresa Kenny, and Jeff Bencik.
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Morr and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, at 9:05 p.m., the Town Board entered Executive Session for legal counsel regarding a personnel question. Supervisor Stewart said no further votes will be taken.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Morr, Troy, Diviny, Valentine
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 17 REENTERED REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, at 9:28 p.m., the Town Board re-entered the Re-Organizational Meeting.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 18 ADJOURNMENT/MEMORY
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLUTION NO. 18 – Continued
RESOLVED, the Town Board adjourned in memory of the two NYPD officers murdered in the line of duty, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
* * *
RESOLUTION NO. 19 ADJOURNMENT/MEMORY
Supervisor Stewart offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:
RESOLVED, at 9:33 p.m., the Town Board adjourned in memory Marie Liberati, wife of retired Orangetown officer and resident of Pearl River.
Ayes: Supervisor Stewart
Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Morr, Valentine
Noes: None
____________________________________
Charlotte Madigan, Town Clerk
INVOCATION: Msgr. Jack O’Keefe, St. Margaret’s Church
Let us bow our heads and pray.
Our Father and our God, as we stand at the beginning of a new year, we confess our need of your presence and guidance as we face the future. We each have our hopes and expectations for the year ahead, but you alone knows what it holds for us and you can give us the strength and wisdom we need to meet all its challenges. So homily we pray that you help us by your saving hands and to trust you and seek you with all our lives in 2015. In the midst of life’s inevitable disappointments help us to turn to you for the stability and comfort we need. In the midst of life’s uncertainties in the days ahead, assure us of the certainties of your unchanging love. In the midst of life’s temptations, in the pull of our own stubborn self-will, help us not to lose our way and to have courage to do what is right regardless of the course. We pray for our nation during these difficult times and for all those seeking to bring justice and peace to our troubled world. We especially pray for those who serve in the armed-forces of our country. We thank them for their commitment to defend our freedoms, even at the cost of their own lives. Be with their families and assure them of your love and our concern. Protect and defend all who serve our Towns, our Counties, our Cities, our States, especially all Police Officers, Firefighters, Emergency Service Personnel and those who work in occupations dedicated to the care of others. Bring our divided nation together and give us vision of what you want us to be. Console and strengthen all who have suffered in anyway this past year, especially those who faced financial difficulties, a challenging illness or the death of loved ones. As we look over the past year, we thank you for the goodness toward us far beyond what we have deserved. May we never presume our past blessings or forget your versatility toward us, but instead lead us to a New Year and a deeper commitment to you as the foundation and center of our lives. We ask this in God’s name. Amen.
BENEDICTION: Rabbi Daniel Pernick, Beth Am Temple
This afternoon, the second longest serving Governor in New York State history, was laid to rest. Together with Thomas Dewey and George Pataki, Mario Cuomo served the people of New York as Governor, for 12 years. Only Nelson Rockefeller served longer, at just under 15 years. Whether, we view ourselves as a Democrat, or Republican, a Conservative or Progressor, as Governor Cuomo called himself, we all recognize that these leaders share a commitment to serving the public. All of them could have pursued more lucrative careers. All of them went into politics believing that they could make a positive difference in the lives of the people of the State of New York. As we gather tonight to swear in our Town officials to reorganize the Town, although it sounds like the Town is pretty well organized already, we also stride to rededicate ourselves to the ideas for which Governor Cuomo, Pataki, Rockefeller and Dewey served. Those of us here tonight, in this room, especially understand the sacrifices which are made by devoted public servants. We understand that contrary to public belief, most men and women who go into politics do for the right reasons, regardless of their political party. There is a time to fight for our cause but there is also a time to comprise. Business maybe the art of the deal, but politics is the art of the negotiations. When people disagree, it does not mean one is necessarily right and the other is necessarily wrong, that one is honorable and the other is dishonorable. Politics is not the struggle of good versus evil, but rather, the effort to serve our constituents as effectively and efficiently as possible. May the officials of the Town of Orangetown be blessed in their work and may their work serve to bless the residents and businesses, which call the Town of Orangetown home. Amen.