Larchmont Board of Trustees Regular Meeting - October 20, 2025

The Larchmont Board of Trustees met on October 20, 2025, at Village Hall. Trustee Brennan was absent. The meeting included a public hearing on the renewal of the special permit for Locals (10538), a dining and entertainment establishment at 2128 Boston Post Road. The board also addressed infrastructure updates, public safety reports, and multiple resolutions. No decision was made on the special permit renewal; the public hearing was adjourned to November 17, 2025, to allow further testimony and review.

Public Hearing: Special Permit Renewal for Locals (2128 Boston Post Road)

The public hearing was opened at approximately 7:00 PM. The mayor stated the board would not make any decisions or statements that evening, only listen, and the hearing would be continued to November 17, 2025. Speakers were limited to three minutes each.

• Applicant’s Presentation (Josh Kimmerling, attorney for Locals):

  • Locals is a family-owned business with overwhelming community support, evidenced by a petition with over 500 signatures and hundreds of support letters.
  • The operation is compatible with other similar uses in the RC zoning district (e.g., Heritage 147, Bar Ada).
  • No violation of Village Code Section 195 (decibel limits) has ever been found. Police records from multiple dates (e.g., June 13, May 9, May 2, April 25, 2025) show no noise violations. Only two tickets were issued in two years; none were for decibel level violations.
  • The neighbor’s own sound consultant (Cerami) reports from May 16, 2025 and September 29, 2025 confirmed that measured decibel levels were below the code limit (e.g., 27–46 dB at 8 PM vs. allowable 70 dB).
  • Locals fully complies with all special permit conditions, including closed doors/windows, no amplified or live music outside, and private ticketed events.

• Peter (owner/operator of Locals):

  • Locals was created in response to community demand for an event space, hosting book signings, memorials, birthday parties, fundraisers, Girl Scout movie nights, etc.
  • Music is provided at the request of private event clients, not as a primary business model.
  • Emphasized Locals’ role as a community resource, including free space for fundraisers (e.g., Soul Writers raised $100,000 for Cancer Association).

• Opposition Presentation (Helen Motch, attorney for neighbor Jules Del Vecchio):

  • Argued that Locals misrepresented its intended use as “low intensity” and infrequent when obtaining the original permit, and instead has become a full-scale music venue.
  • Cited Village Code Section 381-510.2, which prohibits amplified noise or live music that escapes the premises and Section 195-1 (unreasonably loud, disturbing noise).
  • Noted that Locals has not taken effective sound mitigation; the neighbor’s sound consultant found a 20 dB increase (four times ambient) and intelligible lyrics inside the residence, plus felt vibrations.
  • The board is not obligated to renew the permit; Locals took a risk by buying property before the zoning change and failed to comply.

• Neighbor Testimony:

  • Michelle Cirillo (resident at 3 Post Alley): Described constant thumping, vibrations, and inability for her six-year-old son Christian to sleep. Her son now suffers from anxiety and will only sleep in her room. The noise started in January 2024, contradicting the “low intensity” promise. Decibel readers don’t capture low-frequency vibrations. She experienced harassment from Locals staff outside her business.
  • Jules Del Vecchio (Michelle’s father, building owner): Expressed dismay that Locals obtained a permit to operate seven days a week, 8 AM to midnight – a privilege no other venue has. Noted that a handshake promise of soundproofing was not fulfilled. His grandson now refuses to listen to music.
  • Lori Donna Cirillo Fannenbecker (Michelle’s sister): Witnessed noise, vibration, and smell of tobacco/marijuana; argued the village code protects residential quiet enjoyment and that Locals’ operations violate several sections (129-1, 381-39, 180).
  • Isabella Fannenbecker (Michelle’s niece, pediatric ICU nurse): Opposed renewal on health grounds; Christian’s sleep and anxiety are harmed; noted that larger venues like Forest Hills Stadium have a 10 PM curfew out of respect for neighbors.
  • Melissa Chavon (employee at Vision of Tomorrow): Reported smelling marijuana in the back parking lot and feeling unsafe.

• Public Comments in Support of Locals:

  • Shane Sherman (co-owner): Denied a smear campaign; the petition was only about permit renewal. Listed numerous community events including fundraisers, Girl Scouts, School of Rock. Locals is not open every night; typical public hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays until 3 PM except for private events.
  • Alison Goldman (125 Beach Avenue): Praised Locals for being a community asset; noted the area is cleaner and safer since Locals opened; disputed claims about marijuana and harassment.
  • John Feldman (music community member): Locals is a vital anchor for the Larchmont Music Festival and provides a venue for musicians.
  • Meredith (lifelong resident): Acknowledged noise is a challenge in a small town but urged not to let it harm a needed local business.
  • Brian Lee (Elm Avenue): Urged the board to find a solution (e.g., soundproofing) rather than a binary decision; suggested a holistic approach.
  • John Ferguson (118 Park Avenue): Cited the village’s own website promoting a vibrant downtown; Locals is a key part of that; someone purchased property in a commercial zone in reliance on the permit.
  • Cathy (Coolidge Street): echoed that the neighbors are not asking for closure, but for mitigation.
  • Joe Coughlin (former Larchmont resident): Said the issue is fixable if soundproofing is done as represented in 2023.

• Procedural Note: The mayor announced the hearing would be adjourned to November 17, 2025, at 7 PM, with the applicant allowed to speak first and respond. A sign-up sheet and strict three-minute time limit will be enforced.

Other Meeting Business

• Administrator’s Report:

  • Lead line replacement work nearly complete; paving expected in December. Hydrant flushing postponed to November due to DPW workload; postcards will be sent.

• Police Report (Lt. Nutson):

  • Coffee with a Cop at Stans was a success; detectives gave scam prevention talks to seniors and Halloween safety at nursery schools.
  • No Kings protest of 300–350 people on Saturday went smoothly.
  • New officer Deliana Ortiz completed field training; recruit Emmanuel R. is at Rockland County Academy.
  • New IT/Motorola Flex system led to 14 arrests in past three weeks; system is 80% operational.
  • Chatsworth Avenue Bridge construction may start next week (overnight 10 PM–5 AM); no work on Halloween.

• Fire Chief’s Report:

  • Responded to a lithium-ion battery fire (computer) on Oct 17; damage limited. Also a dryer fire with smoke in basement. Seasonal increase in gas odor/CO calls; encouraged inspections and working smoke/CO detectors.
  • Recognized members who completed Mount Desert Island Marathon.
  • Fire prevention education reached over 850 individuals year-to-date; provided fire extinguisher training, smoke trailer, and senior outreach.

• Trustee Reports:

  • Trustee Fennelli: Thanked Pete Bulger and recreation committee for successful Larchmont Day (~800 attendees). Upcoming Ragamuffin Parade and Haunted House on Saturday; urged Halloween safety.
  • Trustee D.P: Reminded residents to keep leaves out of gutters to prevent flooding during heavy rain.

• Resolutions Approved (all unanimous):

  1. Scheduled a public hearing for November 17, 2025, on a proposed moratorium on convenience store permits (six-month review).
  2. Accepted a $80,000 donation from a former firefighter’s estate for new SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) systems.
  3. Authorized agreement with Volt Post to install EV charging units on light posts at no cost to the village.
  4. Authorized agreement with National Solar Technologies to install solar panels on public buildings (funded by $275,000 Clean Energy grant).
  5. Authorized write-off of $7,243.60 in uncashed payroll checks and $85,001.94 in uncashed operating account checks (no net financial effect; funds held for claimants).
  6. Authorized application for State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program for multi-factor authentication hardware tokens.
  7. Authorized five-year intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for use of the firing range (saves rental fees).
  8. Extended professional services agreement with Russell “Rusty” Birdwell (recreation administrator), increasing contract limit from $30,000 to $60,000.

• Previous Work Session Approvals (summarized):

  • Purchase of storage sheds for Flint Park.
  • Upgrade of internet service for police cameras.
  • Grant disbursement agreement for HVAC system in Village Hall.
  • Appointment of Joseph Venetucci as enforcement official for building permits.
  • Temporary use of portable battery-operated lights at Alma Field for Larchmont-Mamaroneck Football Club practices (7:30–8:30 PM only, no games).
  • Purchase of Big Belly trash compactors for Flint Park.
  • Memorandum of Understanding with Larchmont Junior Soccer League for $175,000 donation toward Flint A & B field renovations.
  • Sponsorship agreement with Anna & Jack’s Treehouse for Larchmont Day.

• Approval of Minutes: Approved minutes of the regular meeting of September 29, 2025 (September 18 minutes not available).

• Approval of Bills: Vouchers totaling $598,205.59; bills paid off-list totaling $531,664.87 were confirmed.

• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearing on Locals special permit renewal continued to November 17, 2025, with no decision made.
• Public hearing on convenience store moratorium scheduled for November 17, 2025.
• Multiple resolutions approved (see above), including donations, contracts, grants, and administrative actions.
• Next regular meeting: November 17, 2025 (will include continued public hearing and the moratorium hearing).