Present: Mayor Frederick E. Nicholson
Trustee Charles Comer
Trustee Raymond Keenan
Trustee Douglas Baldwin
Trustee Alice M. Peckelis
Village Attorney Christopher Prior
Treasurer Laurence Tuck
Excused: Village Clerk Yvonne Whitcomb
Also present: Elisabeth Roberts, Patrick Griffin, Luigi Laricchia, Lillian Passani, John Maura, Jackie McGowan, Stuart Rosen
1. Acting Secretary
A. Minutes
On motion of Trustee Comer, seconded by Mayor Nicholson, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the reading of the minutes of the June 18, 2007 Board of Trustee meeting be and hereby are approved as corrected.
2. Treasurer
A. Abstract of Vouchers
On motion of Trustee Comer, seconded by Trustee Baldwin, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the Abstract of Audited Vouchers, dated July 16, 2007, for the General Fund, totaling $49,319.29, be and hereby is approved as prepared by Treasurer Tuck.
3. New Business
A. Village Hall
Mayor Nicholson discussed with the Board the possible construction of a new Village Hall on Village land. He stated he would solicit the recommendations of Village Building Inspector Joseph Saladino as to the viability of building off of Central Drive, as topography and vehicular access are a concern.
B. Hilltop Road- Water Runoff
Jackie McGowan, 31 Hilltop Road and Luigi Laricchia, 10 Sandy Hollow Lane, addressed the Board on the issue of water runoff on Hilltop Road after heavy rain. The Board considered several possible remedies: Belgian Block, a catch basin, re-grading. Mayor Nicholson will consult with Village Engineer Nicholas J. DeSantis and revisit this issue at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees on August 20, 2007.
C. Nassau RX Prescription Discount Card
The Board discussed the merits of promoting the NassauRx Prescription Discount Card on the Village of Baxter Estate’s website. Clerk Whitcomb will contact the Village webmaster to establish a link to the Nassau County website.
4. Old Business
A. Trustee Keenan-Emergency Management
Trustee Keenan announced that he had obtained the Emergency Management
Radio from Greg Caronia, Nassau County Director for Emergency Preparedness and received instruction on its use. The radio has been installed at the Village Hall so as to be on hand in case of an emergency when no other means of communication is available. Trustee Keenan demonstrated how to use and maintain the radio. Every Village in Nassau County will be provided with an emergency radio which will be monitored by Nassau County twenty four hours a day.
Trustee Keenan advised the Board that the Village should review and set long term plans for emergency situations. He stated he would review the various options available and consult with Robert Weitzner, Mayor of the Village of Port Washington North.
B. Central Drive-Water Runoff
On motion of Mayor Nicholson, seconded by Trustee Keenan, it was unanimously RESOLVED that Village Engineer Nicholas J. DeSantis draft an amended proposal to repair the stormwater conduit traversing the Wagner property from the Locust Avenue catch basin to Central Drive and to control water runoff on Central Drive and that bids be received for same not to exceed the amount approved in the Annual Budget of the Village of Baxter Estates adopted on April 16, 2007.
C. Catch Basins
Mayor Nicholson will review with Clerk Whitcomb the status of bids received for the cleaning of Village Catch Basins
D. Building Moratorium
Trustee Comer presented his recommendations to the Board on the revision of the zoning code of the Village of Baxter Estates.
A Special Meeting will be held on August 8, 2007 at 8:00am at the Village Hall, 2 Harbor Road, to review and propose final amendments to the Code of the Village of Baxter Estates prior to the expiration of Local Law 3 of 2007.
E. Trustee Baldwin-Pool safety
Trustee Baldwin informed the Board that he had met with Building Inspector Joseph Saladino to discuss changes in the New York State Residential Building Code regarding swimming pools, requiring pool alarms for pools constructed or modified after December 14, 2006. Village Attorney Christopher Prior will contact New York State Code authorities to consider whether the Village requires State approval to enact a Local Law applying these same safety codes to all pools, existing and newly constructed.
F. Building Department Report
Trustee Baldwin gave his report on the Building Department for the month of June 2007. He stated that the construction of the new single-family residence at 50 Sandy Hollow Road was progressing and passing regular building inspections by the Village Building Inspector.
G. Tree Report
Reza Khan paid a fine of $25.00 for Appearance Ticket 001-07, issued for violation of Sec 161-11, removal of a tree without a permit. The Board asked the Village Clerk to investigate the background of that violation resolution, which appears insufficient in light of the importance of trees in the Village.
H. Code Enforcer Report
The Board reviewed the report submitted by Village Code Enforcer Robert Rockelein for the period 6/16/07 to 7/15/07.
Various complaints were received regarding work performed at Locust Avenue and Tianderah Road, part of which is Village owned land.
Mayor Nicholson advised the Board that he had spoken with the Building Inspector and the Code Enforcer regarding the portion of Village right of way at the corner of Tianderah Road and Locust Avenue. The homeowner at 21 Locust Avenue cleared Village land of groundcover, trimmed branches and requested the removal of a tree. No tree removal permit was filed. The tree will remain on Village property. The Mayor stated the resulting lack of groundcover caused a problem with dirt washing out down to the creek. He stated that immediate action was needed and directed the Village Clerk to send a letter to the homeowner asking what he intends to do to remediate the problems caused by his actions.
The Board entered into Executive session.
Mayor Nicholson excused himself.
There being no further business before the Board, on motion of Trustee Comer, seconded by Trustee Baldwin, it was unanimously RESOLVED that the meeting be and hereby is adjourned at 10:45pm.
Elisabeth Roberts
Acting Secretary
