Pelham Fire Lieutenant DeSimone Promoted to Fire Captain; Welsh Speaks at Work Session

By Stephen E. Lipken

Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen called the Tuesday, March 8th  Work Session to order, immediately introducing Guest Speaker Dan Welsh, Program Director, Westchester Power.

Welsh outlined the Sustainable Westchester Program, beginning with Community Energy, encompassing Westchester Power; Community Solar; Electrification Solutions, including Energy Smart Homes; Clean Transportation Project; Grid Efficiency, Electric Conversion. 

“Sustainable Westchester is preparing to launch an exciting, new Solar Credit offering that will promote guaranteed savings to participating households and small businesses.  The offering prioritizes delivery of Solar Credit savings to low-to-moderate income households with those enrolled in the existing utility’s low-income assistance program…

“Your first step is to amend your local Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) enabling law to add the Solar Credit offering to accompany the Supply offering.  For more information contact Leo Wiegman, Director of Solar Programs at leo@sustainablewestchester.org.

“Current Westchester Power rates residents in Con Ed territory are fixed through

• 100% Renewable Supply=7.41 cents/kWh

• Standard Supply= 6.75 cents/kWh,” Welsh said.

Welsh emphasized that consumers could come in to the ESCO program, opt out anytime and come back in.

Beginning the Regular Meeting, Mayor Mullen made a special trip to the Fire House to swear in promoted Fire Captain Philip DeSimone.

Returning to the meeting, Mullen supervised the passing of Local Law No. 4 of 2022, amending Chapter 73 of the Pelham Village Code, “Real Estate Tax Exemptions” to increase the Real Property Tax Exemption Caps for Military Veterans as permitted under NYS Law.

Resolution Pursuant to the General Municipal Law, the Westchester County Administrative Code and Village of Pelham Code, Amendments to Chapter 98-106.3 creates incentives for public parking, especially applying to Pelham House, according to Mullen.

Lot coverage can be expanded 100% if Village Board determines that development includes public parking, improving access by convenience of indoor parking; permitting only six 3-bedroom units lessens impact on the schools.

The Resolution will be sent to the Planning Board.