William T. Stone, Jr. Appointed
Part Time Village Fire Chief
By Stephen E. Lipken
Village of Pelham Mayor Edward Hotchkiss administered the Oath of Office to Fire Chief William T. Stone, Jr. at the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, November 3 in Village Hall.
Wife Lori, nephew Dennis Marino and fellow Village firefighters observed the ceremony. A New Rochelle firefighter since 1973, Stone rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Fire Chief in 1989 until retiring in 1998. Stone currently coaches football and baseball at Harrison Central School District.
Fire Department Liaison Greg Breskin added that Stone served as Consultant for Town of Harrison Fire Department Management Systems.
A Special Citation was presented to Fire Lieutenant James DiNapoli, appointed Acting Chief on September 21 to replace Fire Chief Lawrence Cohen; Hotchkiss expressed his appreciation to DiNapoli “for your efforts during the past eight weeks.”
Village Administrator Robert Yamuder proudly announced that the Village of Pelham Police Department received a Pedestrian Safety Citation from the American Automobile Association (AAA) for “Fatality Free Pedestrian Safety” for the past nine years and an AAA Gold Award, presented to communities demonstrating a superior effort in addressing local traffic safety issues.
Yamuder went on to say that the Village saved $860 in Calcium Chloride (road salt) purchases by buying in bulk with other communities, getting two pallets for the price of one. Yamuder reported that the Federal Transit Authority parking lot project has begun and posted notice to permit holders in Lot 7 to park off the street during the day. (For further information, call Village Hall at 914-738-2015.)
In the Mayor’s Report, Hotchkiss urged residents on Seventh Street, Seventh Avenue and Sixth Street to submit affidavits regarding flooding in order to be eligible for a $125,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Department of Homeland Security grant. Mayor Hotchkiss reminded residents that leaf collection season ends December 15 and admonished residents not to park over leaves—it is a fire hazard.
Hotchkiss relayed the good news that sales tax receipts total $210,000; the Village budgeted $203,000, gaining $7,000.
Trustee Breskin noted that Fire Department volunteers have completed Emergency Rope Certification; as part of their requirements “They must dive out of a window blindfolded.” Breskin added that plans for the new Fire House are available electronically.
Mayor Hotchkiss conveyed the grim news that United Water rates may increase by 20 percent, approved by the Public Service Commission. There will be a Public Hearing regarding this issue . A law firm contesting the increase has been hired by nine municipalities.
Discussion then turned to placement of new park benches. Trustee Laura Morris stated that 18 benches have been installed, with 11 more to go. Plans call for a series of 9 benches in three groups of three each. Hotchkiss commented that benches were against trees and not intruding on sidewalks.
Plans for final placement of all benches will not be implemented until spring, due to Department of Public Works (DPW) fall and winter schedules.
