Four New Village Police Officers
Appointed at Board of Trustees Meeting

By Stephen E. Lipken

Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen convened a Zoom Work Session of the Board of Trustees on January 11, beginning with discussion of the Fund Balance Policy and Capital Reserve Funds.

Village Administrator Chris Scelza delineated five categories: Non-Spendable; Restricted; Committed; Assigned and Unassigned Fund Balance.  “I went with the Government Finance Office’s recommendation of 16.67% Reserve which is roughly around $2.6 million dollars, representing two months of our operating expenses.  

“All Reserve Funds, a FB component are subject to Permissive Referendum, which means that we have to publish a Legal Notice, informing the taxpayers what the planned action is, subject to voter approval.”

Trustee Hanan Kamal Eldahry inquired if electrification savings (electric vehicles, chargers, etc.)  would go into Reserve Funds.  Scelza replied that there are two Capital Reserve Funds; Specific, “where you could say Fire Trucks, parking meters, etc. or Type, such as ‘Fire Fighting Equipment; Parking Permits.’”  

At the Regular Meeting, Trustee Russell Solomon commended residents for their generous donations to the victims of the January 9 Bronx Fordham Heights fire that claimed 17 lives.  Contributions are no longer being accepted but there is a monetary fund, Go Fund Me, Bronx Fire Relief Fund.

Four Resolutions were passed, authorizing the appointments of new Police Recruits: Anjolie Alexander, Kylie Hearle and Victor Torres. Richard Papa, Jr., is transferring from the Mount Vernon Police Department, becoming Police Officer 3rd Grade.

A provisional appointment of Muneeb Zia as Assistant to Village Administrator was announced.

Mullen then called for a Public Hearing on January 25 to pass a proposed Local Law to override the Real Property Tax Levy Limit of 2% for 2022,  established in General Municipal Law, Section 3-c.

Finally, the Board authorized purchasing a 2022 Ford Police Interceptor All Wheel Drive Utility Hybrid, costing $61,922.