Tentative Budget Discussed at Pelham Manor Board Meeting
By Stephen E. Lipken
Pelham Manor Mayor Jennifer Monachino Lapey opened the March 9th Board of Trustees meeting, mentioning that a public education campaign by American Automobile Association (AAA) Northeast Community Outreach Program was initiated in Village Hall, “Road Safety Starts with You.”
“We are also visited Siwanoy and Prospect Hill schools to speak to the children about pedestrian safety, crossing streets properly, especially bicycle safety,” Lapey added.
Fire Chief Michael Greco stated that Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs, coordinating with NYS Fire, FDNY and Westchester County Department of Emergency Services are planning to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States on July 4th.
The Fire Department also participated in “Read Across America” at the Prospect Hill School, with firefighters Santino Esposito, Alfonso Migliarini and Nicholas Senerchia.
According to Village Manager Lindsey Luft, the Department of Public Works (DPW) was quite active in February with two significant snowstorms. “We repaired four streetlights, repaired a traffic light and patched some potholes. We also attended a Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council meeting.” The Board adopted the Fire and DPW Reports.
Luft reviewed the Tentative Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27: the Allowable Tax Levy Increase, 2.86%, $430,308; Proposed Tentative Tax Levy Increase, 2.85%, $430,030; Homestead Tax Levy, $12,424,590; Change from FY 25-26, $642,609, 5.45%; Non-Homestead Tax Levy, $3,069,792; and Change from FY 25-26, $163,788, 5.64%.
“We replaced a fire engine in 2023. Solar panels have been added to Village Hall, plus sanitary sewer upgrades. We are strategically replacing our light vehicles, including our police vehicles and hotbox. Our Catch Basin Cleaner will be arriving next month.
Luft concluded that $80,000 was allotted for paving as well as $26,000 for Cyber Security.