Oscar Osorio Appointed Deputy Village Treasurer for the Village of Pelham and Public Hearing on Village’s Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to be Held on April 9, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.
By Joyce Farrell
At the March 26 Village of Pelham Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Russell Solomon congratulated Mayor Chance Mullen on being the Grand Marshall of the Sound Shore St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mamaroneck on March 24. Mayor Mullen thanked the organizers of the parade, thanked Trustee Solomon for being an aide, and said that they had a really good time.
Additionally, Mayor Mullen and Trustee Solomon thanked Village Administrator Chris Scelza for arranging a tour for the Board of the new site of the police and fire departments and of the Village Hall, which will hopefully be completed by September.
The Board then adopted Local Law 1 of 2024, repealing Chapter 28 of the Pelham Village Code entitled “Amusement Devices,” which applied to required establishments with coin-operated arcade machines to get a permit from the mayor for such machines and pay $750 per machine per year.
The Board also confirmed Mayor Mullen’s appointment of Oscar Osorio of Baldwin, NY, to the position of Deputy Village Treasurer, effective Monday, April 8, 2024, with a one-year probationary period. Osorio replaces Kieya Glaze, who submitted her letter of resignation, effective February 23, by letter dated January 24, 2024.
A discussion about the feasibility of tree legislation then followed. It is hoped that such legislation would ensure that when trees are removed, new trees are planted to maintain the Village’s tree canopy and to make sure that there are enough trees to absorb groundwater. Visit www.pelhamgov.com/AgendaCenter and click on the media icon next to March 26’s Regular Meeting to listen to the complete discussion.
Trustee Kim McGreal noted at the beginning of the Board of Trustees meeting on March 12 that there will be a new art installation in the Village and that the yellow art sculpture was relocated to the Pelham Art Center. She thanked the DPW for meeting with the Village Pelham Council on the Arts, the artist, and the Art Center to make this happen. She also mentioned that the town is gearing up for Juneteenth. Anyone who wants to volunteer on the committee or on that day should contact the Village or the Arts Council. Additionally, a summer concert series is being planned with new ideas for this summer.
Trustee Theresa Mohan reported that the Fire Department had fifty-four calls in February, including four structural fires. She also passed on a reminder from Fire Chief Robert Benkwitt, III to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and to make sure addresses are visible from the street. Additionally, Chief Benkwitt wanted to remind all businesses and multiple dwelling buildings that they must have a Knox Box on the premises. If they do not, they are urged to call the Fire Department. Finally, she reported that Chief Benkwitt had attended a virtual meeting of the Westchester County Stakeholders sponsored by the Westchester County Office of Emergency Management in February.
Village Administrator Scelza reported that the Village was not chosen for three grants but has other grants in progress, including the Westchester County Flood Mitigation Grant Program through the Westchester County Planning Department. Phase One of the grant is engineering and soft cost, while Phase Two is construction. Another grant given to the Village comes from the U.S. Congress Community Project Funding, which will be geared towards stormwater as well. Administrator Scelza also reminded residents that the DPW started Spring Leaf Collection on March 15 and will continue it through April 30th. Loose leaves can be placed curbside while all other organics must be bagged. Regular organic collection begins on May 1st and ends on October 9.
Both Heart and Soul Hospitality Business, Inc., d/b/ The Rail House, and ESG Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Sergio’s Restaurant requested special outdoor dining permits, which are subject to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). The Board directed the Deputy Village Clerk to refer the permits to the Village of Pelham Architectural Review Board. Additionally, since there are no other involved agencies, the Board will serve as the lead agency for the SEQRA review.
Out of concern for public safety, the Board approved the prohibition of parking at any time on the west side of Nyac Avenue from Boulevard to Second Street East.
The Board also authorized a Bond Anticipation Note to finance the costs of difference between the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) grant of $250,000.00 for the Village of Pelham and the total vehicle purchase price, which is estimated to be $2,000,000.00, for the purchase of a replacement aerial ladder truck for the Village of Pelham Fire Department.
Finally, the Board scheduled a public hearing on the Village’s tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 8:00 p.m.