Larchmont Board of Trustees Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Board of Trustees of the Village of Larchmont met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The meeting featured a special environmental award, a public hearing and vote on a convenience store moratorium, and a lengthy public hearing on the renewal of a special permit for locals (a dining and entertainment venue), followed by board deliberation and a vote to renew with modified conditions. Routine reports from village staff and trustees were also presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Moratorium public hearing: One speaker, Will Barnard (31 Manor Lane), expressed opposition to a proposed convenience store near his home, citing concerns about late-night activity and undesirability. No other public comments were made. The hearing was closed and the moratorium local law was adopted unanimously.
• Locals special permit public hearing: The hearing included extensive testimony:
  • Applicant's attorney (Maximilian Maholik): Argued that locals has not violated any decibel limits, has undertaken soundproofing, and proposed building a 13-foot decoupling wall on the second floor at their own cost to mitigate noise. He requested renewal of the permit under current allowances.
  • Peter Sherman (co-owner): Described efforts to mitigate noise (multiple layers of sound attenuation, sound-absorbing mats, police checks) and stated the neighbor has refused to agree on sound testing or mitigation options.
  • Jeff Sherman (family member): Noted that no noise citations have been issued based on objective decibel readings and accused the neighbor of wanting to shut down the business.
  • Shaney Sherman (co-owner): Denied allegations of picketing the neighbor's business and emotionally described the personal and financial stakes for her family, including caring for an elderly mother.
  • Neighbor's attorney (Helen Motch): Argued locals violated noise code and special permit conditions, and that the board should not renew the permit until meaningful soundproofing is demonstrated.
  • Justin Lau (acoustics consultant for neighbor): Testified that noise from locals was clearly audible and intelligible, that Larchmont's 62 dB limit is higher than WHO recommendations, and that proposed mitigation lacks engineering analysis.
  • Michelle Cirrillo (neighbor): Described two years of disruptive noise and vibrations affecting her and her son, and stated she does not want locals shut down but wants enforcement of noise regulations.
  • Michael Cerillo (business owner): Opposed renewal, arguing locals misrepresented its operations and has a pattern of noncompliance; urged board to uphold standards.
  • Lori Donna Thurlow (family member of neighbor): Clarified that the family supports live music but not amplified music until midnight; criticized the applicant's narrative and noted the original application did not mention amplified music.
  • Supporters of locals: Multiple speakers (Nicole Russo, Caroline Vance, Neil Herman, Ted Utz, Jay Miola, Rachel Durkitz Gelman, Ruth Pryor) testified about locals' community benefits, charity events, support for local musicians, and warned that non-renewal could harm downtown vitality and set a bad precedent for business. One speaker submitted photos of 16 vacant storefronts on Palmer and Post Roads.
  • Jules Del Vecchio (neighbor and property owner): Stated that promises of soundproofing were not kept, argued that renewing the permit would effectively evict his daughter and grandson from their apartment.

Discussion Items

• Award Presentation: The New York State Association of Conservation Commissions (NYSAC) presented the Marjorie Sachs Service Award to Marlene Colbert in recognition of her decades of environmental activism and service. Speeches were given by Simon Skolnik (NYSAC), Marlene Colbert, and State Assemblyman Steve Otis. The mayor also presented a village proclamation.
• Convenience Store Moratorium: The board held a public hearing and unanimously adopted Local Law to establish a village-wide moratorium on permit approvals for convenience stores, pending further study. No discussion of specific rules occurred.
• Locals Special Permit Renewal: After public testimony, the board deliberated. Mayor Bauer reviewed the original permit conditions (private, low-impact events, soundproofing) and cited evidence of violations: public events advertised with at-the-door ticket sales (listing 12 examples from fall 2025) and noise complaints from multiple neighbors, including a police-issued citation and fine. She proposed a partial renewal with conditions: no amplified sound or live music, events limited to 8 AM to 10 PM, and an opportunity for locals to work with a village-selected noise consultant to develop a plan for potential reinstatement of amplified sound. All trustees (Brennan, Finnelli, Post, Paret) concurred, citing misrepresentation in the original application and need to balance community benefits with resident quality of life. The motion was made and passed unanimously.
• Village Administrator Report: Stephen Altieri announced major road paving (1.57 linear miles at ~$370,000/mile), thanked DPW, and updated on lead line replacements and utility coordination. He also shared a personal note on the birth of his son.
• Police Chief Report: Chief reported on a successful arrest using new technology (license plate readers and cameras), a stolen vehicle recovery, and a vehicle trespass incident. He reminded residents to lock cars and remove valuables. Also covered leaf blower complaints (18 total, 6 summonses), bridge construction delay, and upcoming Light Up Larchmont event.
• Fire Chief Report: Chief highlighted live fire training with Rye FD, vehicle extrication training, an uptick in wire and odor calls due to high winds, and provided Thanksgiving fire safety tips.
• Trustee Reports: Trustees Finelli and Paret thanked organizers of the Ragamuffin Parade and Haunted House, noting 800 attendees and expenses for decorations. Several trustees wished a happy Thanksgiving.
• Agenda Items:
  • Approved transfer of $75,000 from General Fund to Capital Fund as deposit for a new fire tower ladder truck, pending contract approval.
  • Authorized the village administrator to execute the purchase contract and pay the deposit.
  • Accepted a $1,000 donation to the Larchmont Fire Department.
  • Approved bills for September/October totaling $140,709.49 and for the current period ($139,049 after backing out the fire truck deposit).

Key Outcomes

• Marjorie Sachs Service Award presented to Marlene Colbert.
• Moratorium on convenience stores adopted unanimously (no vote tally given, but voice vote was all 'Aye').
• Locals special permit renewal granted with modifications: Effective November 20, 2025, locals may operate for food service and private events only, with no amplified sound or live music, and events must end by 10 PM. The applicant may engage a village-approved noise consultant to develop a plan for future amplification. The board directed the village attorney to draft a written resolution for formal adoption at the December 1, 2025 meeting.
• Fire truck deposit transfer approved (voice vote unanimous).
• Fire truck contract execution authorized (voice vote unanimous).
• Fire department donation accepted (voice vote unanimous).
• Bills approved (voice vote unanimous).
• Meeting adjourned.