Meeting Date : January 15, 2014
Download Minutes : Download File

A meeting of the Village Board of Trustees was held on January 15, 2014 at the American Legion, Tivoli Commons, NY. Mayor Cranna called the meeting to order at 7:04 pm.

Present: Mayor Cranna, Deputy Mayor Griffith, Trustee Ezrati, Trustee Bruno, Trustee Schneider, Attorney Christine Chale and Steven Roberts of PANDA.

Public: Micki Strawinski, Leslie Hill, David Cleaveland.

The Mayor asked all present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

On a motion by Deputy Mayor Griffith, seconded by Trustee Schneider, the rules were suspended so that the public could address the Board on agenda items only. There were no comments. On a motion by Deputy Mayor Griffith and seconded by Trustee Bruno, the

Board returned to regular business.

The Clerk’s report included:

  • Sale of 627 trash tags
  • Two payrolls
  • Continuing collection on 476 water/sewer bills
  • Village Offices closed on January 20

Mayor Cranna presented the minutes of the special meeting for December 23, 2013. On a motion by Trustee Schneider, seconded by Trustee Bruno, the minutes were approved, all in favor.

Mayor Cranna presented the minutes of the regular meeting for December 18, 2013. On a motion by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Deputy Mayor Griffith, the minutes were approved, all in favor.

On a motion by Deputy Mayor Griffith, seconded by Trustee Schneider, the Treasurer’s Report for Abstract 8, dated January 15, 2014, in the amount of $34,536.84 was approved. Trustee Schneider moved that the bills be paid as presented and Trustee Ezrati seconded the motion, all in favor.

Zoning Report – Trustee Ezrati

  • Zoning Officer closed out two building permits
  • Issued a building permit for a shed and a fence
  • Zoning Officer responded to a complaint about a fence at 33 Broadway. The residents were informed they need to go before the Planning Board.

Trustee Ezrati stated that it would be good to go over the intermunicipal agreement that the Village has with the Town of Red Hook regarding the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Dutchess County Legislator Micki Strawinski addressed the Board. She would like to advocate for the Village of Tivoli in the future regarding grants from Dutchess County. She asked the Board to contact her if she can be of any assistance. Mayor Cranna stated that he declared a State of Emergency because of water main breaks in the Village last week. There were three breaks and/or leaks in four days. The Mayor thanked the DPW staff for their work to repair those leaks in the extreme cold. These breaks are a big concern to the Board and Superintendent Simmons. The Dutchess County Water and Waste Water Authority made a presentation to the Board last month to see what resources the Village can tap into. They will be coming in to do a review of our system to see how they can assist. Mayor Cranna thanked Mayor Blundell and the Village of Red Hook for loaning us their back hoe during one of the breaks. The main cost to the taxpayers for these breaks was the overtime paid to the DPW.

Mayor Cranna presented the Holiday schedule for 2014. On a motion by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Trustee Schneider, the schedule was approved, all in favor.

Mayor Cranna presented the Justice Court schedule for 2014. On a motion by Deputy Mayor Griffith, seconded by Trustee Bruno, the schedule was approved, all in favor.

Mayor Cranna stated that Thyssenkrupp Elevator Company has been given the go ahead to start repairs to the elevator in Village Hall. The work should begin soon.

The next regular meeting will take place on February 19, 2014 at 7:00pm at the American Legion. The workshop will be held at 6:00pm before the meeting. There will be a workshop on February 12, 2014 at the American Legion at 6:00pm.

Trustee Reports:

Deputy Mayor Griffith

  •  Well Report
  •  Water Report
    • o No violations in water quality report
    • o DPW did a good job during the water main breaks in adverse conditions
  •  Community Garden
    • February 1, 2014 is the deadline to submit your name for a plot
    • Email tivolicommunitygarden@gmail to express interest in a plot or ask questions
    • Twenty 8X12 plots are available in Memorial Park
    • $30 fee for fencing and maintenance
    • Raised beds for this year
    • If necessary, a lottery will be held to determine participants
    • Consider sharing a plot
    • Must be a Tivoli resident, but not necessarily a property owner
    • If you are someone with acreage and can have a garden, you are urged to do that rather than taking a plot to make room for someone who is renting and does not have a back yard.

Trustee Ezrati

  • LOSAP
    • Process has begun to determine number of points for members of the Fire Dept for Service Award
    • Watching investment returns from Royal Bank of Canada
  • Planning Board has had a bit of a respite
  • ZRC
    • Completed their work
    • Will be sent to Village Attorney to see about converting to local law
    • Looked at home occupations

Trustee Bruno

  • Winterfest was a success
  • The craft fair at Winterfest went well
  • Skate ramp will be going up in Memorial Park
  • Reminder about the Mason’s monthly breakfasts and a roast beef dinner in February at the American Legion

Trustee Schneider

  • Shared Services Study Committee met this morning and reviewed proposals from candidates. Responses to RFPs were reviewed. Candidate interviews will be at the end of January.
  • Court Report – Fines collected for Village: $863.00

Public comments centered on snow plowing, sidewalks, zoning and garbage.

On a motion by Deputy Mayor Griffith, and seconded by Trustee Schneider, the meeting was adjourned at 7:46 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Claire Roff

Deputy Village Clerk