February 2010

Board Authorizes Request for Proposal to Develop Village-Owned Property

By Stephen E. Lipken

The Village of Pelham Board of Trustees authorized a $10,000 Request for Proposal (RFP) to develop Village-owned property from 3rd Street to Lincoln Avenue between 4th and 5th Avenues at their meeting on Tuesday, January 19, chaired by Mayor Edward Hotchkiss.

According to the Resolution, “Such a development could increase tax base, retail demand for Village merchants, provide a new state-of –the art firehouse and improve the Village Downtown appearance.”

Trustee Mia Homan objected, remarking that a Marbury Corners property owner is offering to pay taxes for the first year for anyone purchasing his unit. “With pension costs rising and Governor David Paterson cutting our assistance, the timing isn’t good,” Homan added.

“Our budget is $11 million dollars, with $1 million in reserve,” Hotchkiss replied. With the declining economy, mortgage, sales tax revenues plus rising Police and Firefighter pensions, the shortfall has to be made up by either increasing taxes or dipping into our reserves. The sale of this property to developers at $2 million dollars would be an unbelievable shot of cash.” The Resolution passed 5-1, with Trustee Homan dissenting.

The Board approved another RFP to advertise and accept bids for Contract 2010-01, Garbage, Trash, Recycling and Organic Waste Collection. Cost-cutting measures were discussed, such as eliminating rear residence pickup, going to curbside only and recycling every other week.

A Public Hearing was set for Tuesday, February 2 to amend Local Law to increase Cold War Veterans real property tax exemption, with extension to cooperative apartments and property held in trust for benefit of a veteran. Administrator Robert Yamuder noted there are 10 eligible veterans in the Village and that it would double their small amount.
Building Inspector Len Russo reported that the concrete wall backing Pelham Medical Group (PMG) is finished and needs back fill. A drainage system has been installed to prevent water buildup in the slope, reducing heaving in freezing weather.

Russo went on to say that the Pelham Picture House has submitted plans for interior renovation, which is an $800,000 stand alone project and not part of a zoning application.

During Public Comment, Pelham Manor resident Susan Saputo said that her daughter Ashley, 15 was scared by a man making “threatening gestures” from his car as she walked by the High School at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 16. Saputo added that the Police did not charge the man as he did not leave his vehicle or touch her daughter.

Saputo then documented the heavy congestion on Wolfs Lane and Franklin when parents pick up students. “It is chaos. I was parked on the side by Parkway and saw double-parked cars on my left, bumper to bumper. My ultimate dream is to have a traffic light and crossing guard. Pupils dart across Wolfs Lane to get to the cars.”

Hotchkiss stressed that students and parents should program Police Department numbers into their speed dial cell phones; Village PD is 914-738-2000; Pelham Manor PD, 914-738-1000.

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