Board Highlights April 14, 2025

PJ Trujillo Sworn in as Police Chief

To a packed room that included former Police Chief Sandy DiRuzza, PJ Trujillo was sworn in as Chief by Deputy Mayor Nora Lucas at the start of the Regular Board Meeting.  Trujillo made brief remarks thanking his family, the department and the Board of Trustees (BOT).  See HERE for a profile of PJ.

Presentation on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

Alicia Moore of the planning consulting firm AKRF made recommendations on how the Village should proceed to amend the Code for safe installation and oversight of BESS systems at both residential and commercial sites.  See HERE. The BOT had imposed a moratorium on these installations during the investigation phase for issues such as safety risks, specialty training for firefighters and floodplain issues. At the Regular Meeting the moratorium was extended to August 1.

The Auditors Report as of Fiscal Year End May 31, 2024

Explaining the delay for the issuance of this report as due to reporting issues dealing with federal funds, auditors Chris Kopf and Jeff Shaver presented an overview of the report.  They issued a “clean” report which is the best a municipality can receive.  Shaver did point out that the level of the Village’s “reserve” funds (approximately 32% of the total budget) as appropriate especially in light of the significant flooding events that occur in the Village.  In addition, it was clear that for both fiscal years ending in 2023 and 2024, significant federal aid helped balance the budget (FEMA and ARPA grant funds).  These inflows of money are non-recurring and impossible to predict.  See Report HERE.

Leaf Blowers Back on the Agenda

Trustee Maria DeRose started a lively discussion among the trustees about potential modifications to the leaf blower law.  The Village now bans gas-powered leaf blowers, and many are not following the law.  The Board committed to looking at other municipalities to see if there are changes they can make to the existing law to make it fairer and more enforceable.

Reconstitution of a Flood Committee

The BOT also discussed the mission of a newly constituted flood committee along with a call for volunteers.  The committee will consist of 7 members and interested residents should apply by contacting Village Hall.

Search for Change Application for Supportive Housing on Mount Pleasant

Village Manager Kathleen Gill, in response to a question from a resident, stated that the Building Inspector will reconsider the application and the referral to the Planning Board.