Resident Calls for Acoustical Engineer for Town Hall Facilities
By Stephen E. Lipken
Town of Pelham Supervisor Theresa Mohan convened the August 3rd Board meeting, beginning with Public Comment from resident Edward Doty, Chester Park. “I wanted to commend the Council for commissioning a study of the facilities that the Town owns,” Doty began. “I think that it is very important. It’s been overdue and I am pleased to see it. However, I did not see anything that addressed the acoustical problems in this room. I urge the Council to consider an acoustical engineer.”
“You are 100% right,” Mohan replied. “We will be bringing in an acoustical engineer. In the plan that we will be coming up with, we will be putting acoustic boards in between the panels that you won’t see.” Mohan added that the back wall will be an acoustical wall, plus sound deafening flooring for the floor.
Mohan went on to say that an elevator is being considered; the question is where to put it. Mohan averred that an architect informed her that an elevator on the side of the building would cost $600,000. A preliminary plan would be to move all services to the first floor.
During Town Council Reports, Deputy Supervisor/Councilmember Maura Curtin noted that ambulance operations were performing well financially, with revenues outpacing expenditures. “So, ambulance revenue has generated 65% of the annual budget, ahead of August. Our fuel expenses are up 40% since March and our new ambulance is expected to be delivered at the end of the month.”
Councilmember Kristen Burke named the new Court Clerk, Bruno Barbosa, who is covering vehicle, traffic and Criminal Court dockets.
Mohan presented the 2026 Adopted Budget: Appropriations: $7,835,504.05; Less Estimated Revenues: $3,588,977.68; Less Expended Balances and Appropriated Reserves: $350,000; Amount to be Raised by Tax: $3,896,526.37.
Two Resolutions were passed: the first amending the Town Personnel Handbook regarding personal leave and sick leave; the second, Harris Local Government proposed financial software upgrades for a first-year additional cost of $9,986.26, including $4,487.26 in recurring annual charges, while allowing the Town to retain its existing system.
Before going into Executive Session, Mohan acknowledged the passing of William D. Clements, 86, who passed away on July 19th.