The Village of Pelham’s Inaugural Meeting in the New Municipal Center
by Joyce Farrell
The Village of Pelham’s Board of Trustees held its first meeting at its new facility at 200 Fifth Avenue, the new Municipal Center. Past and present elected officials from the Village and the Town of Pelham were in attendance, as well as State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. Village Mayor Chance Mullen began the meeting by acknowledging the hard work of all those who made the new center possible.
About the building’s location, Mayor Mullen noted that it is “in the almost-exact geographic center of the Village, almost perfectly equidistant between our borders, north and south, and between our borders, east and west. For the first time in our Village’s history, the Board will do its work in a building that is truly accessible to everyone – in every sense.” Speaking about the room in which the Board was meeting, Mayor Mullen mentioned that it is designed so that it can be used in many different ways, “Tables stored in that closet can come out if we want to use it as a classroom. It’s equipped with a wireless microphone system, programmable lights, high-end speakers in the ceiling, [and] screens and monitors that will soon be available so that everyone can see.” The dais was even custom-designed and built with wheels so that it can be removed from the room, enabling the space to be used for other things such as book readings or performances. The room’s most notable feature according to Mayor Mullen is its large windows in the back, which “were chosen so that from the outside, this room would appear, in the architect’s words, ‘like a lantern in the night’ – not just to invoke admiration, but to invite participation, engagement, welcoming all those who pass by.”
In her report, Trustee Theresa Mohan noted that the fire department moved its headquarters to its new location, the Municipal Center, on December 17 and is very happy to be there.
Mayor Mullen reported that since former County Executive Geroge Latimer is now a United States Representative, there will be a special election for a new County Executive on February 11. Mayor Mullen encouraged all to get out to vote when the election takes place. He also mentioned that since the new County Executive will be elected solely to finish Latimer’s term, the position will also be on the ballot in the general election in November.
Also, Mayor Mullen reported that he, Trustee Krystal Howell, and DPW General Foreman Robert Giustino met with Jim Lofgren, Pelham’s new President of the Chamber of Commerce regarding what should be funded by a grant awarded to the Village, the application for which was a partnership between the Village and the Chamber. Among the things being considered are replacing the 35-year-old Village holiday wreaths, modernizing the Village’s parking meters, and funding grants applied for by local businesses to have their facades improved.
Additionally, Mayor Mullen reported that he and others who belong to NYCOM (New York Conference of Mayors) and the Westchester Municipal Officials Association will be lobbying Albany for legislative changes that they’d like to see.
Finally, the Board authorized a resolution for payment to the City of New Rochelle for training expenses for Police Officer Resignation/Reinstatement.