Board Highlights April 28, 2025

Building Moratorium Considered

Trustee Maria DeRose asked for input from her fellow Board of Trustees (BOT) members to start the process.  Mayor Sharon Torres stated she was in favor of a moratorium and having the building codes align with stormwater considerations and parking issues.  She would like to see all of the issues pulled together into one study.  Village Manager Kathleen Gill proposed hiring a planning consultant to do the work and expected it would take approximately 3 months to complete.  The topic is expected to be on the May 12th Work Session Agenda.

Ad Hoc Committee for Civic Center Proposal

Mayor Torres asked Gill to prepare a description of the volunteer committee’s charges.  It is expected that one of their primary tasks will be to publicize opportunities to inform the community and gather their input on what is expected to be an ambitious project encompassing several Village-owned properties to provide a new Police Department, Courthouse, Village offices and affordable housing.

Restaurant Special Permit Process

Village Attorney Robert Spolzino drafted Proposed Local Law M to streamline the process that is currently described as cumbersome, expensive and time consuming.  The review process will continue.

Scope of Board of Architectural Review (BAR)

The BOT is undertaking a review of the Village Code in order to update the standards that require review of project applications that must obtain approval from the BAR.  Before proceeding Trustee Nora Lucas wanted to hear from the members of the BAR to gather their recommendations.  See Memo HERE.

New Grant Writer Hired

Gill issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a grant writer to help the Village find and obtain grant money.  Although 11 responses were received only 2 had experience in writing NYS grant applications which Gill stated was important.  She identified and recommended a firm.  See RFP Reply HERE. Torres said the Village expects to apply for (and receive) more grant money than they had in the past which will help pay for important projects especially for flood control.

Village Budget Adopted

The BOT voted unanimously to approve the 2025-2026 budget (see Article HERE). The tax increase exceeds the “tax cap.”  The BOT thanked the staff for their hard work and Trustee Dan Kushnick remarked that this budget does not stop progress in the Village as projects are moving forward.

Flood Mitigation Committee (FMC)

A resolution to create the Flood Mitigation Committee (see HERE) was unanimously adopted by the BOT.  Seven resident volunteers will be appointed, and their work will include identifying potential solutions to flooding and educating residents in green infrastructure and nature based solutions.  Interested residents should apply to the Village Clerk by sending a letter of interest and resume.

Public Comments on Melbourne Ave Sub-Division

Several residents came before the BOT to express their concerns about the Melbourne Avenue sub-division which was recently approved by the Planning Board.  (See Article HERE for more information on the process at the Planning Board.)  Some speakers pleaded with the BOT to give the land use boards the tools they need to be able to deny applications that were detrimental to a neighborhood.  Flooding issues on Melbourne Avenue have increased over recent years and many residents experience significant flooding in their homes.

New Land Use Counsel Appointed

In an item added to the agenda at the last minute the BOT approved Harris Beach as legal counsel to the land use boards (Zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Board and Harbor Coastal Zone Management Commission).

RFP for Restaurant at Harbor Island Park

Citing a need for revenue and the desirability of providing food at Harbor Island Park, Gill will issue two RFPs: one for a casual seasonal food provider during the summer and the second for a restaurant.  The RFPs are meant to see if there is a level of interest from the business community.  The BOT agreed and Gill pointed out that issuing the RFPs does not commit the Village to moving forward on either one.

Rats are Back

Tim O’Connor addressed the BOT and referred to a video he had emailed them earlier to demonstrate that rats (both dead and alive) are all over Washingtonville and, presumably, adjacent neighborhoods.  O’Connor cited open garbage bags on the streets as being a primary attraction for vermin.  Gill reported she had reached out to Public Works and Code Enforcement to continue rat control efforts.  Other residents echoed O’Connor’s concerns and stated that since the rats have established burrows in the area, the effort to eradicate the rats will take more than enforcing Village code that requires trash to be placed in containers.