VILLAGE OF TIVOLI BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES
March 18, 2020
A meeting of the Village Board of Trustees was held on March 18, 2020 at the Historic Watts DePeyster Hall, Tivoli, NY. Mayor Griffith opened the regular meeting at 7:10 PM.
Present: Mayor Griffith, Deputy Mayor Majer, Trustee Ezrati, Trustee Schneider
Absent: Trustee Cole
Media: PANDA TV
Public: Tom Crisci, Sr., Pete Walsh
The Mayor asked all present at the meeting to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Clerk’s report included:
- Sale of 413 trash tags
- Two payrolls were processed
- Deputy Clerk has been busy with both Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeal projects
On a motion by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer, the February 19 regular meeting minutes, February 25 information session minutes, February 25 special meeting minutes, March 4 7:00 PM public hearing minutes, March 4 7:15 PM public hearing minutes, and March 4 special meeting minutes were approved, all in favor.
On a motion by Deputy Mayor Majer, and seconded by Trustee Schneider, the Treasurer’s Report for Abstract #10 totaling $83,536.39 was approved. Trustee Schneider moved that the bills be paid for the abstract as presented and Trustee Ezrati seconded the motion, all in favor.
Zoning Report
A Zoning Report was not provided.
Mayor Griffith summarized the agenda and opened the meeting for public comments on agenda items only; there was no comment.
RESOLUTION #13; Budget Modifications; motion made by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Trustee Schneider; all in favor.
The 2020-2021 Tentative Budget was presented to the Village Board.
The Village Board reviewed Part 2 of the EAF Regarding Tivoli fire Station Expansion, Lot Consolidation, and Local Law A (Proposed) of 2020 to Extend GB District and Amend the Zoning for Cultural Facilities and Municipal Uses.
Upon completion, the board reviewed Part 3 of the EAF.
There was a review of the LWRP recommendation from the Planning Board, who found consistency with the LWRP; Trustee Ezrati made a motion to accept their findings, seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer; all in favor. Mayor Griffith will sign the document.
RESOLUTION #14, Resolution Adopting SEQR Determination regarding Tivoli Fire Station Expansion, Lot Consolidation, and Local Law A (Proposed) of 2020; motion made by Trustee Schneider, seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer; all in favor.
RESOLUTION #15; Authorize Adoption of Local Law to Rezone a Portion on a Municipal Lot from R-15,000 District to General Business (GB) District, to Permit “Cultural Facilities” in the GB and R-15,000 Districts for Parcels with Frontage on Broadway, and to add “Municipal Use” as a Principal Use in All Zoning Districts; motion made by Deputy Mayor Majer, seconded by Trustee Ezrati; all in favor.
RESOLUTION #16; Determining application of Village Zoning laws to proposed firehouse expansion project; motion made by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Trustee Schneider; all in favor.
Motion was made by Trustee Schneider to modify Village Clerk’s Office hours from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM due to COVID-19, seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer; all in favor. These hours will begin Thursday, March 19, 2020.
A motion was made by Trustee Ezrati, seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer; all in favor; to set a special meeting for Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 7:00 PM on the tentative budget.
Trustee Reports:
Trustee Ezrati
Trustee Ezrati spoke about Penflex and the LOSAP program for the fire department.
Trustee Schneider
Court Report: Trustee Schneider read the contents of the report which was provided by Court Clerk McGarry; $2,917.00 was remitted to the Office of the State Comptroller.
Trustee Cole
Deputy Mayor Majer
Now is a good time to get out there and take a walk; be mindful of ticks. Trustee Ezrati added she has heard ducks and peepers.
Mayor Griffith
Mayor Griffith spoke of the postponement of village elections.
Also, sign-ups to receive the village information have increased.
With the corona virus, we all need to just go day by day. One day may be different from the next. They are doing their best; and the response needs to be not just local.
Mayor Griffith has participated daily on conference calls with the County Executive and the Department of Behavioral Health.
Although the Village of Tivoli has consistently been viewed as a distinct and magical place, these times now are challenging; and we are a small piece in a big world. We are a strong community. Any actions will be announced, and there will be more news to come.
Public Comment
Tom Crisci, Sr. notified the public that there is a No Opening Burning in effect from March 16 – May 14.
He went on to mention that the department has put in for a grant; they hope to hear a result in June or July.
He would like to push toward a no open burning at all. He can look for other laws that are in place; this law must be more stringent.
With present circumstances, firefighters will be suited differently. No one will be put in harm’s way; without first responders’ good health, no one will be able to respond.
There must be a notice if someone is ill in a home where the department is responding. The dispatcher will ask, even if someone is in self-quarantine. He urged people to please notify the dispatcher and fire department personnel if someone is ill in the premises where a call is from.
Mayor Griffith hopes in the future others will look back and the fault will lie in being over-reactive, not under-reactive to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tom Crisci, Sr. spoke of Tom Crisci, Jr. and Chief Hildenbrand, and provided his thanks to them for preparing the department and its’ members.
The TFD breakfast is postponed, however, will be rescheduled.
TFD non-essential meetings and activities are cancelled.
Pete Walsh questioned the burn ban; Tom Crisci, Sr. indicated that most people do not abide by the size of a permitted ban. He also added that clean wood must be used. He would like to look at the law in the future.
On a motion by Trustee Ezrati and seconded by Deputy Mayor Majer, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 PM, all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin L. Bruno
Village Clerk