September 22, 2020
A work session was held by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020, via Zoom and available to be viewed through the YouTube link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnyFstcqshRUfoPSgKucQuA?view_as=subscriber
on the Village website: www.villageofbabylonny.gov
On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Silvestri and unanimously carried, the meeting opened at 7:04 p.m. On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Adams and unanimously carried, the Board entered into executive session at 7:13 p.m. to discuss current litigation and adjourned the work session. On the motion of Trustee Silvestri, seconded by Trustee Bencivenga and unanimously carried, the executive session ended at 8:01 p.m.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BABYLON
WAS HELD VIA ZOOM
Available to be viewed through the YOUTUBE LINK:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnyFstcqshRUfoPSgKucQuA?view_as=subscriber
ON THE VILLAGE OF BABYLON WEBSITE:
ON TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
PRESENT:
Mayor Ralph Scordino
Trustee Tony Davida
Trustee Mary Adams
Trustee Robyn Silvestri
Trustee Dominic Bencivenga
Attorney Gerard Glass
Regular meeting of the Board of Trustees opened at 8:02 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Trustee Davida.
Mayor Scordino commented that Village meetings are still being held virtually due to the Governor extending the suspension of in-person meetings until October. Depending on whether or not the Governor extends it again will determine if our next meeting can be held in Village Hall.
On the motion of Mayor Scordino, seconded by Trustee Davida and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2020 regular meeting of the Board of Trustees and dispense with the reading of the same.
The Village Clerk read the letter from the Fire Department dated September 16, 2020:
At the regular monthly meeting of the Fire Council held September 15, 2020, the Fire Council took the following actions and we await your approval:
Accepted as an Active Member following Completion of Probationary Period:
Melissa Bynon -EMS Member Phoenix Hose Co. No. 1
Accepted as a Probationary Member:
Gabrielle Ferraro – EMS Member Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1
Placed on Sick Leave:
George Burke effective July 24, 2020
William Bender IV effective August 13, 2020
Richard Nixon effective August 22, 2020
Changed Status from Active to Senior Inactive:
Ramon Accetella - Phoenix Hose Co. No. 1
Aaron Stein - Phoenix Hose Co. No. 1
On the motion of Trustee Davida, seconded by Trustee Adams and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to accept the Fire Department actions as read.
On the motion of Trustee Bencivenga, seconded by Trustee Silvestri and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to grant permission to Michael Durso/Friends of Michael Durso to maintain temporary signs at various addresses in the Village from September 26th to November 3rd, 2020 regarding the upcoming election on November 3rd, 2020.
Trustee Bencivenga reported that he has been working with the team at the Golf Course and resolving some of the irrigation issues. It is still to be determined if the Village Cup will be held this year.
On the motion of Trustee Davida, seconded by Trustee Adams and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon is the Lead Agency regarding proposed Local Law #8 of 2019, originally heard on October 8, 2019, regarding Chapter 153, Fences & Hedges
and therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees has determined this action will not have an adverse impact on the environment.
On the motion of Trustee Davida, seconded by Trustee Adams and unanimously carried,
WHEREAS a Public Hearing was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2019,
BE IT HEREBY ENACTED that the following Local Law, originally proposed as Local Law #8 of 2019, is HEREBY ADOPTED as:
Local Law 3 of 2020, amending Chapter 153, Fences and Hedges
In Favor: Opposed:
Mayor Scordino X _______
Trustee Davida X _______
Trustee Adams X _______
Trustee Silvestri X _______
Trustee Bencivenga X _______
**This Local Law is effective upon filing with the Secretary of State**
On the motion of Trustee Davida, seconded by Trustee Adams and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to authorize the Mayor to execute a one (1) year extension and amendment to the existing full-time and part-time Department of Public Works Collective Bargaining Agreements with CSEA, Local 1000 AFSCME, AFL-CIO.
Trustee Davida reported that Gibbons Pools has been working on repairs to the three-foot section of the pool and also reminded residents that the annual S.T.O.P. program will be held this Saturday, September 26th, from 9:00 AM to Noon, with the SHRED portion from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
On the motion of Trustee Adams, seconded by Trustee Davida and unanimously carried, the Board passed the following resolution designating the Board of Trustees as the Lead Agency pursuant to SEQRA for the Jumpstart Suffolk Project within the Village of Babylon:
The Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Babylon, duly convened, does hereby declare as follows:
WHEREAS the Board is considering participation in the County’s Jumpstart Suffolk Project which will provide funding to the Village for the Restoration of Argyle Falls (hereinafter the “Proposed Action”);
and,
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees reviewed this proposed action and preliminarily determined that the same is an Unlisted action; and
WHEREAS coordinated review of an Unlisted action is optional, and was not undertaken by the Board of Trustees;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees:
THAT, the Board of Trustees hereby designates itself as lead agency pursuant to the implementing regulations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act with respect to the proposed action, and
THAT, this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Aye: Nay:
Mayor Scordino X ____
Trustee Davida X ____
Trustee Adams X ____
Trustee Silvestri X ____
Trustee Bencivenga X ____
On the motion of Trustee Adams, seconded by Trustee Davida and unanimously carried, the Board passed the following resolution adopting a negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA for the Jumpstart Suffolk Project within the Village of Babylon:
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon, duly convened, does hereby declare as follows:
WHEREAS, the Board is considering participation in the Jumpstart Suffolk Project which will provide funding to the Village for the Restoration of Argyle Falls (hereinafter the “Proposed Action”) and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees declared itself, by Resolution, the lead agency for the proposed action, pursuant to the implementing regulations of the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and,
WHEREAS the Board of Trustees, as lead agency, has caused to be prepared the attached Short Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to evaluate potential significant adverse environmental impacts associated with the proposed action, and has reviewed the aforesaid Short EAF and agrees with the contents thereof;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees:
THAT, the Board of Trustees, as lead agency for the action contemplated herein, after review of the proposed action hereby determines that the above project is an Unlisted action; and,
THAT, based upon the information contained in the Short EAF and other relevant information before the Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees, as lead agency for the action contemplated herein, and after due deliberation, review and analysis, hereby determines that the proposed action will not result in significant adverse impacts to the environment, and hereby adopts a Negative Declaration for the proposed action; and,
THAT, this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Aye: Nay:
Mayor Scordino X ____
Trustee Davida X ____
Trustee Adams X ____
Trustee Silvestri X ____
Trustee Bencivenga X ____
On the motion of Trustee Adams, seconded by Trustee Davida and unanimously carried, the Board passed the following resolution accepting funding from the County of Suffolk pursuant to the Jumpstart Suffolk Program for the Restoration of Argyle Falls Project and authorizing the Mayor to enter into an Easement Agreement and an Inter-Municipal Agreement with the County of Suffolk:
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Babylon, duly convened, does hereby declare as follows:
WHEREAS, under the Jumpstart Suffolk Program, the County of Suffolk has approved funding to the Village for the Restoration of Argyle Falls; and,
WHEREAS, the execution of an inter-municipal agreement and an easement agreement with the County of Suffolk will be necessary to receive the Program funding; and,
WHEREAS, the Board finds that the Project will improve Village infrastructure;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees:
THAT, the Mayor and Village Attorney are authorized to negotiate and execute an intermunicipal agreement and an easement agreement with the County of Suffolk for the purpose of receiving the funds; and,
THAT, this resolution shall take effect immediately.
Aye: Nay:
Mayor Scordino X ____
Trustee Davida X ____
Trustee Adams X ____
Trustee Silvestri X ____
Trustee Bencivenga X ____
Trustee Adams reported that the Saturdays in the Park activities are going very well and there have been many pickle ball teams participating.
On the motion of Trustee Silvestri, seconded by Trustee Bencivenga and unanimously carried, it was
RESOLVED to approve the following warrant for September 22, 2020:
General Account: $ 240,117.10
Conklin House: $ 0.00
TOTAL GENERAL FUND: $ 240,117.10
Trust Fund: $ 0.00
TOTAL: $ 240,117.10
Trustee Silvestri commented that there will be a bike parade this Saturday beginning at the Park Avenue park with bike safety check-ups and a bike safety workshop. Also coming up, the Conklin House will be hosting a Magic of Composting workshop and noted that they will be composting for the Conklin House gardens next year. The Apples & Arts Festival will include a digital art show. See the Conklin House Facebook page for more details.
The Mayor made the following announcement:
Village of Babylon Offices will be closed and there will be no rubbish or garbage pick-up on Monday, October 12th, 2020, in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday. Residents should not put rubbish or recycling out to the curb on holidays.
The Mayor reminded all to continue to practice social distancing and wear masks to help keep the number of coronavirus cases as low as they have been and to stay safe. He wished all a nice fall season.
Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
_______________________
Village Clerk
** For attachments contact the Village Clerk’s Office