VILLAGE of GREENWOOD LAKE

BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2023

 

VILLAGE OF GREENWOOD LAKE

PO BOX 7, 18 CHURCH STREET

GREENWOOD LAKE, NY 10925

 

Mayor Matthew Buckley called to order the Village Board Meeting at 7:40 pm on November 20, 2023, for the Village of Greenwood Lake located at 18 Church Street in Greenwood Lake, NY.

 

The following persons were present:

  • Mayor Mathew Buckley
  • Deputy Mayor Kelli Kelm (via video conference)
  • Trustee Nancy Clifford
  • Trustee Chad Sellier
  • Attorney John Buckheit
  • Trustee Thomas Howley

 

 

MAYOR’S REPORT/ANNOUNCEMENTS

Veteran’s Day: The mayor spoke at the ceremony on Saturday the 11th.  He also thanked all veterans. 

Thank you to Brendan Kolesar and his mom Joan for the donation of filing cabinets and desks from Mark Erickson at Pep Boys.  

Thank you to all those that entered the Haunt the Lake Competition, which raised $150 in memory of Jack Rader for the GWL Food Pantry. 1st Prize went to the Ryan Family and 2nd Prize to Boula Family.

Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 121 for Tree Donation and our parks crew for digging hole for new tree and laying out electrical. Also thank you to White Tail Tree Service.  The mayor also sends condolences to Dave’s family.

Thank you to all those that donated to our Holiday Lighted Path. We received over $2,800 in donations.

Thank you to Greenwood Lake Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood Lake Elks, and Jersey Paddle Boards who generously donated $500 each for the horse and buggy rides to be free at the Holiday Festival.

Dedication of Senior Center to Jack Rader will happen at 1pm on Saturday.  Thank you to Tony Donato for making the sign.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Joseph Lombardo – asking for consideration for plumbing, heating, and cooling services.

Parlon Capital Portfolio 1 (Courtney Sales) – expressing concern and displeasure with the decision of the Building Inspector to contact tenants directly informing them of the condemnation of certain buildings.  Mr. Sales would still like to move forward with his renovation plans for his property located at 3 Court Avenue.

Joe Mazur – American Legion Veteran’s Day service to be held on November 11, 2023, at 11am.

Cameron Gomas – letter of resignation as full-time police officer.

Richard Tveter – letter of resignation as part-time police officer.

Orange County Department of Planning – recommending Local Determination for the Karen’s Kitchen site plan.

Email from Christine Frank – asking late fees to be waived for water bill 318122.

Jeanelle Ruiz Piazza-Santos & Christopher Pizza-Santos – requesting a reduction/elimination of Air BNB fine.

Town of Warwick – Local Law No. 8 creating a Sanfordville Road Senior Housing District and other minor modifications.

 

VISITING OFFICIAL REPORTS: 

Floyd DeAngelo wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

 

REPORTS OF BOARDS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS

 

MAYOR’S OFFICE:

 

POLICE DEPARTMENT: Sergeant Gayler reported the following for October 2023:

 

COMPLAINTS: 1172

ARRESTS: 6

TRAFFIC SUMMONSES: 182

PARKING SUMMONSES: 0

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS: 3

 

She also requested that residents contact the Police Department directly instead of posting on Facebook.

 

PARKS DEPARTMENT:

  • Took down flowers
  • Removed banners and flags
  • Set up Terror Trail
  • Installed fall decorations
  • Hung snowflakes
  • Started leaf cleanup
  • planted new village Christmas Tree
  • Watered plants
  • Picked up garbage village-wide
  • Mowed fields
  • Winterized beach bathrooms
  • Picked up free file cabinets and new desks for the Building Department from Pep Boys in Chester

 

 

DPW: Deputy Commissioner Bill Roe reported that the DWP is getting truck and sanders ready for winter.

 

WATER DEPARTMENT:

For the months of OCT/NOV the department is pleased to report that current well production is continuing to easily meet all usage demands for water. With all seasonal systems and services being shut off and winterized, we will be cutting back on well production in order to keep pumps and equipment running more consistently in the cold weather.  We are continuing to work closely with Delaware Engineering on the capital improvement project. The pilot system is finally operational. We are now taking samples and monitoring its performance to give the engineers feedback on the effectiveness of Iron/Manganese removal and its loading capacities. Our Soda Ash system is also now fully operational and presenting a lot of problems with clogging in the chem feed lines and pump. 50-pound bags are mixed with water to produce a slurry that is not cooperating with our application. I will be discussing alternatives with our chemical treatment specialist and presenting options and solutions to this issue with the health department. With colder weather approaching, our current system for pH adjustment just isn’t going to work. Speaking of pH adjustment. The department is pleased to report that the village has passed another round of Lead & Copper testing. Since the reintroduction of Orthophosphate, the village is back in full health department compliance for Lead’s & Copper’s. Our fourth quarter results are in for Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids and the village is in full compliance for those as well.

 

COMMISSION REPORTS

Trustee Clifford: Seniors have an increase in attendance including yoga classes, Zumba classes, and trips.  The Chamber invites the Mayor and Board to their annual mixer at Emerald Point on December 12th. The Chamber also asked that the Holiday Festival next year be moved to the first week of December and not the same day as Small Business Saturday. November 21, 2023, there will an Ecumenical Service at Grace Lutheran Church.  The menorah lighting will take place on December 7, 2023, at Winstanley Park. Casino Night to benefit the Centennial was a success.  The Warwick Dispatch will publish a 24-page supplement in celebration of the Centennial.

Trustee Howley: discussed the speeding complaints in the village.  He encouraged everyone to slow down.

Trustee Kelm:  The School Board met last Monday– congratulations to all staff member who earned tenure.  Greenwood Lake Library fees are being waved in lieu of a donation to the Greenwood Lake Food Pantry. Their next board meeting will be Janualry 18, 2024. Trustee Kelm also thanked everyone for their continued support.

Trustee Sellier: This report is for the month of October. The building department took in $10,970 in month of October highlighted by building permits and fines for short-term rentals operating without a permit.  The Planning Board met in October; there were three applicants—American Tower has two applications—one for Verizon and one for Dish. Both were granted.  Benjamin’s Steakhouse’s public hearing is still open.  Karen’s Café’s application was continued.

Attorney Report – John Buckheit confidential written report submitted.

Clerk’s Report- Katheleen Holder:  Village Taxes have been re-levied to Orange County.  Water bills will be re-levied in February.

 

Lake Commission: Floyd DeAngelo and Matt Veth reported that the next meeting will be held on December 20, 2023, at the Greenwood Lake Senior Center.  The Commission is busy seeking Request for Proposals for hydro raking which will be paid for with grant money.

 

OLD BUSINESS

Planning and Zoning Boards: The Village is in the process of forming a combined Planning/Zoning Board and also a Comprehensive Plan Committee.

Golf Carts: The Board is in the processing of researching and developing a new local law which will hopefully be in effect by spring time.

Waterstone Sidewalk: The mayor has been working with engineers on trying to get an actual cart to see if the project is financially feasible.

Water Plant: The water plant is in need of major repairs. Mayor Buckley and Phil Landru, our water operator, are discussing with our current engineers a timeline for the project as no progress has been made.

Comprehensive Plan: A committee will be selected and interviewed for this project. Mayor Buckley expressed his concern that a Village Planner would be helpful but costly.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Village Attorney: The Village Board interviewed Brian Nugent as our new Village Attorney.

Farmer’s Market Grant: The Village applied for a grant with the help of Karen Wintrow, Peter Hall, and Chelsea Whittaker, to make some improvements to the Farmers Market site.

Village Wide Speeding problems: to be addressed by the Board and Police Chief along with a committee which has not yet been formed.

 

EVENTS:       

  • Community Center: Tue 4-6pm 2-5th grades, 6-8pm 6-8th grade
  • Zoning Board Meeting – Thursday, December 21st – 7:30 pm, Village Hall
  • Menorah Lighting – December 7th at 5:30 pm.
  • Planning Board Meeting – Thursday, December 7th – 7:30 pm, Village Hall
  • Holiday Festival – Saturday, November 25th – Ben Winstanley Park
  • Gift Card Bingo – Friday, December 1st – 7:00 pm, American Legion

 

PRIVILIGE OF THE FLOOR:

Ed Krull, 659 Jersey Avenue, Greenwood Lake, NY commented on the restriction on Airbnb’s and hopes it will be revisited in the Village’s zoning code changes.  He also discussed the code changes and hopes that changes will be favorable and will help fill some of the empty storefronts in the village.

 

Manny Tirado, 76 Murray Road, Greenwood Lake, NY asked if meetings could be livestreamed; he was advised hat meetings are livestreamed on Facebook as well as on the village’s YouTube channel,

Tatyana Fedorenko, 2 Wilson Street, Greenwood Lake, NY asked if a missing sign and missing gate at the Park and Ride could be replaced.

 

APPROVAL TO PAY ALL AUDITED BILLS:

Motion made by Trustee Howley and seconded by Trustee Clifford. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion to approve minutes from the October 19, 2023, Board Meeting made by Trustee Clifford and seconded by Trustee Howley. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution #31 authorizing the Village Election to take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Senior Center located at 132 Windermere Ave, Greenwood Lake, NY for the hours of 12 pm – 9 pm. Motioned by Trustee Sellier and seconded by Trustee Kelm. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #32 authorizing the mayor to sign the agreement with Orange County Office of the Aging for the Senior Dining Program. Motioned by Trustee Clifford and seconded by Trustee Sellier. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #33 authorizing appointment of Feerick Nugent MacCartney as legal counsel to the Village of Greenwood Lake. Motioned by Trustee Howley and seconded by Trustee Sellier. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #34 Authorizes the Mayor to sign the Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) with the Village of Florida in regards to leaf pick up at a rate of $ 3,500.00 per month. Motioned by Trustee Clifford and seconded by Trustee Howley. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #35 approving the Holiday Calendar for 2024. Motioned by Trustee Howley and seconded by Trustee Sellier. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #36 authorizing the Village Clerk to waive the late fee on water bill number 318122. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Resolution #37 Authorizes the Village Clerk to waive the $1,000.00 AirBnb fine on property 310-8-81. Resolution was offered but not a viable motion; no trustee proposed motion or seconded.

 

 

BUDGET TRANSFERS & AMENDMENTS:

 

FROM TO AMOUNT
A.1440.400-Village Engineering Fees A.1440.282 – Village Engineering 17A Sidewalk Project $13,785.00
A.1440.400-Village Engineering Fees A.1440.326 – Village Engineering Waterstone Sidewalk $326.25
A.7620.401 – Concert Series in Park A.7550.400 – Celebrations Contractual $2500.00

Motioned by Trustee Clifford and seconded by Trustee Howley. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Motioned to adjourn Village Board Meeting by Trustee Sellier at 8:39 pm and seconded by Trustee Howley. 5 Ayes- Mayor Buckley, Trustee Sellier, Trustee Clifford, Trustee Howley, and Trustee Kelm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted by

 

Katheleen Holder

Village Clerk/Treasurer

 

The next meeting will be December 18, 2023, 6:30pm Workshop followed by a 7:30pm Village Board Meeting preceded by Public Hearings at 6:00 pm & 6:15 pm at the Courthouse on Waterstone Road, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.