Board Highlights February 10, 2025

Tree Committee Presentation

Tree Committee Chair Beverley Sherrid made a presentation at the Board of Trustees (BOT) Work Session describing the benefit of trees in our community and opportunities for resident engagement.  See HERE. The Tree Law was enacted in 2021 and there was a discussion about communication and enforcement.

Flood Update

Village Engineer Gino Frabasile reported that the Village had submitted the grant application for structural elevations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The future of this grant program may be uncertain due to developments in Washington.

Frabasile also announced that the $6.6 million NYS Green Resiliency Grant project was kicking off this week.  This project is 100% funded by the New York State.

He also reported on two current flood mitigation projects.  The first is river maintenance at the confluence in Columbus Park and the Rockland Avenue bridge.  The Village expects this project will cost approximately $1 million.  Frabasile reported that there is a considerable amount of debris and sediment clogging the rivers and a contractor is needed to clean it out and test it.  Ongoing future river maintenance will be done by Village staff. 

The second project is the drainage improvement project at Jefferson and Wood Avenues.  The upgrades will increase the storm capacity from a two year storm (currently) to the 100 year storm.  This project is estimated at $2.5 million with $1.45 million in Federal grant money.

Both projects are heavily dependent on reimbursable Federal grants and are included in the pending portion of the 100 Capital Projects.  (See article HERE.)

Overhaul of the Parks and Recreation Village Code

A lengthy conversation concluded with the BOT asking the Village Attorney to clarify the changes proposed to this section of the Code.  The changes are so significant that an entirely new Code section was drafted – rather than just updating the existing law.  Hours of operation were the topic of a significant discussion with members of the public making their opinions known.

New Building Inspector and Assistant Building Inspector

Village Manager Kathleen Gill introduced Scott Ransom (Building Inspector) and Luis Freire (Assistant Building Inspector).   Both are Village residents and former general contractors.  They are already at work and were warmly welcomed.  From all reports, they have a lot of work ahead. 

Community Garden at Harbor Island

Committee for the Environment (CFTE) Chairperson Kate Dehais spoke at the Work Session describing the progress for a 40 bed community garden at Harbor Island Park.  See HERE.

Some of the benefits of the garden include bringing people together in a common project, growing healthy food for community members including a portion of the beds dedicated to the Hunger Task Force food pantry, environmental stewardship and educational aspects for children and adults.  CFTE is looking at writing grants to help defray the initial costs to set up the garden as well as accepting donations made to the Village.  For more information please email: cfte@vomny.org.

Operating and Capital Budgets

It’s that time of the year again when the Village starts the budget process for the next fiscal year (2025-2026).  A logical beginning is to look at where the Village stands at this point in the current fiscal year.  Please see articles HERE and HERE.

Village Manager Kathleen Gill said that this year she would present a five-year capital plan along with the operating budget.

Residents Applaud Automatic Moratorium When Zoning Changes Reviewed

The BOT unanimously adopted PLL D-2025 to establish an automatic moratorium on Land Use Approvals while zoning changes are contemplated.  The law imposes a 90-day pause when the BOT is studying potential changes to the zoning code.  Residents in attendance from Washingtonville welcomed the initiative.