Meeting Overview

 

TOWN OF ORANGETOWN

REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2011

This Town Board Meeting was opened at 7:33 p.m.  Supervisor Whalen presided and the Deputy Town Clerk called the Roll.  Present were:

Councilman Denis Troy

Councilwoman Nancy Low-Hogan

Councilman Michael Maturo

Councilman Thomas Diviny

Also present:   Teresa Accetta-Pugh, Deputy Town Clerk

John Edwards, Town Attorney

AnnMarie Hahr, Executive Assistant to the Supervisor

Charles Richardson, Director of Finance

James Dean, Superintendent of Highways

Robert Simon, Receiver of Taxes

John Giardiello, Director of OBZPAE

The Town Board led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

Mary Cardenas, Town Historian, spoke about the traveling exhibit, “Down to the Hudson:  The Sparkill Creek”.  The exhibit gives a history of this creek that starts and ends in Orangetown.  The exhibit will travel to schools, libraries and the County offices.

 

The Town Board presented a Proclamation to the Blauvelt Lions Leo Club for all their involvement in community service projects.  The Leos are involved in park and local road cleanups; cooking and feeding the homeless; midnight and breakfast runs to New York City; food drives for local pantries; charity fund raisers; and blood drives and flu clinics.

Summary of Public Comments:

Mike Mandel, Pearl River, said $500 a month car stipend to the Commissioner of DEME is disgraceful.  He is in favor of eliminating the use of all Town vehicles.  He commended the Town Board and Larry Costello for the golf course renovations being under budget.

Eileen Larkin, Palisades, asked the Town Board to reconsider the $500 stipend for the Commissioner of DEME.  She is against overriding the 2% tax cap.  All departments and the unions have to make concessions.

Larry Vail, Tappan and member of ACABOR, recommended building project plans be reviewed by ACABOR early in the application process.

JoAnne Hodges, Pearl River, is concerned with students walking to school, without sidewalks, along Townline Road.

Watson Morgan, Blauvelt, spoke about the RPC chapel using existing utility poles instead of putting up temporary poles.  He, also, said a summons should be issued to anyone who puts leaves on the streets.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 570                                          CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilwoman Low-Hogan and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the public portion is hereby closed.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Maturo, Low-Hogan, Troy, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 571                                          APPROVE AID/SHOWMOBILE ROTARY CLUB OF PEARL RIVER/SHARED CHRISTMAS

 

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

Resolution No. 571 – Continued

RESOLVED, that aid to the Rotary Club of Pearl River, for use of the Showmobile, sound system, personnel to operate same, trash receptacles, barricades and rental of two-port-o-johns to be used for the annual “Share Christmas and Holiday” program to be held on Friday, December 9, 2011, with a rain date of December 16, 2011 is hereby approved.  The requesting organization will provide a certificate of insurance listing the Town of Orangetown as additionally insured and pay the rental fee of $350.00.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Maturo, Diviny, Troy, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 572                                          ADOPT-A-ROAD/PEARL RIVER TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Adopt A Road application submitted by the Pearl River Teachers Association, for the section of East Central Avenue between the Shop Rite entrance and Oriole Street, and Colonial Court is hereby approved.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Maturo, Low-Hogan, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 573                                          APPOINT COURT CONSTABLE GERALDINE CONWAY

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that Geraldine M. Conway is hereby appointed to the position of Court Constable( pt) in the Justice Department, from eligible list # 07132/ 61-613, salary $20. per hour, effective October 26, 2011.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Low-Hogan, Maturo

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 574                                          APPOINT INFORMATION SERVICES

& EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST ANTHONY BEVELACQUA

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that provisional employee, Anthony Bevelacqua, is hereby appointed to permanent, in the title of Information Services & Equipment Specialist (Network System), from Eligible List Number 11005/11005, effective October 12, 2011.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Low-Hogan, Maturo

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 575                                          APPOINT REAL PROPERTY VALUATION ASSISTANT             HUGH DAVIES

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

Resolution No. 575 – Continued

RESOLVED, that provisional employee, Hugh J. Davies, is hereby appointed to permanent, in the title of Real Property Valuation Assistant, from Eligible List Number 11045/ 69-194, effective October 12, 2011.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Low-Hogan, Maturo

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 576                                          SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE BLAUVELT VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that a public hearing for November 9, 2011 at 8:05 PM is scheduled to authorize the Supervisor to sign a contract between the Town of Orangetown and the Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Maturo, Low-Hogan, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 577                                          APPROVE EASEMENT/622 ROUTE 303/SUNCAP PROPERTIES GROUP

Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the Town Attorney’s Office, the Department of Environmental Management and Engineering and the Superintendent of Highways, the Supervisor is hereby authorized to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the acceptance of the Sanitary Sewer Easement for 622 Route 303, Suncap Properties Group.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Diviny, Maturo, Troy, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 578                                          APPROVE CHANGES/2012 TENTATIVE BUDGET

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that following changes to the 2012 Tentative Budget are hereby approved:

 

	Account #		Tentative	Preliminary	Change
Perm Staff Corrections
Justice	A.1110	011	$   180,797	$   178,064	$   (2,733)
Assessor	A.1355	011	$   260,199	$   260,609	$        410
Engineer	A.1440	011	$   312,380	$   313,841	$     1,461
Building Maint	A.1620	011	$   295,747	$   295,508	$      (239)
Park Maint	A.7110	011	$   487,060	$   489,101	$     2,041
Blue Hill	E.7250	011	$   684,016	$   684,373	$        357
Broadacres	ER.7251	011	$   163,332	$   165,512	$     2,180
Sewer Plant	G.8130	011	$1,546,952	$ 1,554,077	$     7,125
Total					$   10,602
PT Staff Correction
Fire Prev	B.3621	013	$     23,000	$     41,778	$   18,778
Debt Changes
Landfill Interest	V.9710	700	$     45,300	$     39,354	$   (5,946)
Blue Hill Interest	E.9710	700	$     59,325	$     40,482	$  (18,843)
EFC Principal	V.9790	600	$1,170,000	$ 1,260,000	$   90,000
EFC Interest	V.9790	700	$   989,030	$ 1,048,856	$   59,826
EFC Fees	V.1380	457	$   125,000	$   115,000	$  (10,000)
					$ 115,037
Expenditure Reductions
Snow Chemicals	D.5142	449	$   400,000	$   355,000	$  (45,000)
Soc Sec/Medicare	9030	800	$2,028,000	$ 1,984,500	$  (43,500)
MTA Tax	1980	457	$   106,310	$     97,110	$   (9,200)
Risk  /Insurance	1910	457	$1,102,000	$ 1,011,000	$  (91,000)
Audit	1310	457	$   103,540	$     98,900	$   (4,640)
Crossing Guards	B.3126	019	$   165,000	$   150,000	$  (15,000)
Outside Counsel	A.1420	457	$   133,575	$   125,000	$   (8,575)
IT Training	A.1682	441	$       6,000	$            –	$   (6,000)
Street Lighting	B.5182	455	$   450,000	$   442,000	$   (8,000)
					$(230,915)
Revenue Increases
Town Clerk Licenses	A.2590		$     23,000	$     30,000	$     7,000
Fire Inspections	B.1561		$     45,000	$     63,000	$   18,000
Property Tax Int. & Penalty	1090		$     55,000	$     80,000	$   25,000
					$   50,000

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Low-Hogan, Maturo

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 579                                          SET PUBLIC HEARING DATE LOCAL LAW OVERRIDING 2% TAX CAP

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that a public hearing is scheduled for November 9, 2011, 8:00 p.m. to approve a local law overriding the 2% tax cap.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Maturo, Low-Hogan, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 580                                          APPROVE CONTRACT/O’CONNOR, DAVIES, MUNNS & DOBBINS/AUDIT SERVICES

                                               

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that a three year contract, with O’Connor Davies, Munns &Dobbins, et al., for audit services for fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013, at a cost of $98,900.00 per year (This is the same cost as for 2010) is hereby approved.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Maturo, Troy, Low-Hogan, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

 

* * *

 

 

RESOLUTION NO. 581                                                      ACCEPT MINUTES

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Diviny and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the September 27, 2011 Regular Town Board Meeting, Audit Meeting and Executive Session minutes; and October 4, 2011 Police Commission and Executive Session minutes are hereby accepted.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Diviny, Low-Hogan, Maturo

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 582                                          2012 PRELIMINARY BUDGET RECEIVED AND FILED

 

Councilman Troy offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Supervisor Whalen and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the 2012 Preliminary Budget is received and filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Troy, Low-Hogan, Maturo, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 583                                          AMEND RESOLUTION NO. 441/2011 PUBLIC HEARING/2012 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

Councilwoman Low-Hogan offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that Town Board Resolution No. 441/2011is hereby amended to set the public hearing on the Preliminary Budget for 8:10 pm on November 9th to be held at Town Hall, Orangeburg, New York.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the Town Board may by resolution adopt a final budget, either accepting or amending the Preliminary Budget and said budget may become the legally adopted budget for the Town of Orangetown for the year commencing January 1, 2012.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Low-Hogan, Troy, Maturo, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

 

RESOLUTION NO. 584                                          TOWN COUNCIL/SUPPORT CHRIST CHURCH RESTORATION GRANT

Under new business, Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilwoman Low-Hogan and was unanimously adopted:

 

            WHEREAS, the Town Council recognizes Orangetown’s rich historical status and wishes to protect our historical assets for future generations,

WHEREAS, Sparkill’s Christ Church received widespread publicity for its 2010 published history “Freely Given, documenting the Church’s 1848 founding by famed architect Charles Babcock and its seminal status of Episcopalian representation in Rockland County,

WHEREAS, the Town Council recognizes the inherent value of historical recognition to our community understands of the present and our connection to the region,

Resolution No. 584 – Continued

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council supports and endorses the application of Christ Episcopal Church in Sparkill for the Restoration of Christ Church Phase 1 Environmental Protection Fund grant and furthermore directs the Town Supervisor to submit to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation a supporting letter to this effect.

 

Ayes:               Councilpersons Maturo, Low-Hogan, Troy, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 585                                          ENTERED AUDIT

Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Town Board entered the Audit Meeting at 9:10 p.m.

Aye:                Councilpersons Diviny, Maturo, Troy, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 586                                          PAY VOUCHERS

Councilman Diviny offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Maturo and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that 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 in the amount of $614,790.72.

Ayes:               Councilpersons Diviny, Maturo, Troy, Low-Hogan

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

* * *

RESOLUTION NO. 587                                          ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION

Councilman Maturo offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Town Board entered Executive Session at 9:15 p.m.

Aye:                Councilpersons Maturo, Troy, Low-Hogan, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

 

Resolution Nos. 588 and 589 see Executive Session.

 

RESOLUTION NO. 590                                          ADJOURNMENT/MEMORY

Councilwoman Low-Hogan offered the following resolution, which was seconded by Councilman Troy and was unanimously adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Town Board adjourned, in memory of Ennio Munno, Pearl River; Dorothy Robinson, Pearl River; Louis Badalato, Pearl River; Benjamin Lawson, Jr, Piermont; Dawn Nostrand Finn, Blauvelt; Andrew Klopchin, Nyack; William Raftery, Jr, Pearl River; John Duffy, Blauvelt; Thomas Kitson, Sparkill and James Finnegan, Pearl River ; at 10:03 p.m.

Aye:                Councilpersons Low-Hogan, Troy, Maturo, Diviny

Supervisor Whalen

Noes:               None

____________________________________

Teresa Accetta-Pugh, Deputy Town Clerk