Town of North Salem Town Board Regular Meeting/Worksession – April 8, 2025

The Town Board met in person and via Zoom on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. After a 6:00 pm executive session, the board convened the regular meeting/worksession at 7:30 pm at Town Meeting Hall, 66 June Road. The board discussed major policy and infrastructure items and adopted a series of resolutions, nearly all by unanimous voice vote.

Executive Session

• The board voted unanimously to enter executive session for board interviews, legal advice of counsel, and contracts.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bob Coch, a resident of Cotswold Drive, asked which person would be the point of contact during the DeLancey Hall assessment; the board confirmed Catherine Daniels.
• Mr. Sweeney, participating remotely, asked about an existing Airbnb on Bogtown Road and whether it would be allowed under the proposed short-term rental rules. He expressed concern about enforcement, parties, garbage, and the ability to hold owners accountable for renter behavior. Board members and counsel responded that the permit could be revoked based on incident reports and that owners would need to comply with occupancy, parking, and registration requirements.

Discussion Items

• DeLancey Hall Renovations: The board reviewed the deteriorating condition of DeLancey Hall, including a rotten center post and sills, and approved a proposal from Lothrup Associates Architects D.P.C. to assess the exterior siding, trim, doors, and windows at a cost not to exceed $9,500. The report is intended to guide repairs and preserve the historic integrity of the building.
• MS-4 Compliance: George Palmer of Hahn Engineering reviewed the new five-year NYS DEC MS4 permit, which became effective January 3, 2024. The town is a heightened MS4 in the East Hudson watershed. The draft 2025 Stormwater Management Plan will be posted for a 30-day public comment period. The discussion covered the six minimum measures, record keeping, inspections, septic pump-out data, and the cost of stormwater compliance. Supervisor Lucas said the state should press New York City to address the financial burden on watershed towns.
• Short-Term Rentals: The Planning Board presented a preliminary draft amendment to Chapter 250 of the zoning code. The proposed approach is to regulate short-term rentals rather than prohibit them, requiring a two-year owner residency before applying, a special use permit tied to the person, permit terms, safety inspections, a rental period of fewer than 30 consecutive days, and no more than 90 rental days per calendar year. Board members generally supported the approach but asked for a clearer definition and discussed enforcement, RV and ATV restrictions, minimum-stay feasibility, and permit revocability. The Planning Board will continue refining the draft.
• Croton Falls Sewer District EAF: The board discussed the draft environmental assessment form Part 1 for the Croton Falls Sewer District and its connection to a WIA/CWSRF grant application. After extended discussion, the board agreed to amend the language to describe stage one as the business district sewer installation and stage two as the extension of the district to residences, and to remove the words 'are failing' from a recital about septic systems and cesspools. The board then approved the amended EAF and declared itself lead agency.
• Electric Vehicle Purchase: Supervisor Lucas reported that the town has $15,000 from NYSERDA to apply toward an electric vehicle. The Building Department has requested a second vehicle, and the supervisor will obtain pricing and return with options.
• Solar RFP – Highway Garage: The board discussed the draft RFP for a rooftop solar installation on the Highway Garage. Funding includes $175,000 from NYSERTA, $100,000 from a Crest grant, and $130,000 from the investment tax credit. The proposed array is about 150 kilowatts and is expected to offset power use at the Highway Garage, Town Hall, and Community Center. The RFP is being finalized with Sustainable Westchester and will go out to bid shortly.
• North Salem Town Annex Roof: The board discussed roof conditions at the Town Annex after shingles were lost. Bids will be solicited and brought back to the board.
• Credit Card Policy: Councilman Martin Aronchek presented a revised credit card policy incorporating state Comptroller standards. The policy was adopted by the board.

Consent Calendar

The following routine approvals and actions were taken by unanimous voice vote unless otherwise noted:

• Approved town bills totaling $272,490.18 and highway bills totaling $525.72.
• Approved minutes from the February 11, 2025 and February 25, 2025 meetings, with minor grammatical corrections.
• Accepted the March 2025 monthly reports from the Building Inspector, Highway Department, Planning Board, Police Department, Receiver of Taxes, Recreation, Supervisor, and Town Clerk.
• Accepted the resignation of office assistant Audrey Wilson, effective March 26, 2025.
• Acknowledged the resignation of Steve Rankel from the Conservation Advisory Council, effective April 9, 2025, and appointed him as ex-officio member through December 31, 2025.
• Appointed Christopher S. Beehan as part-time police officer at $46.23 per hour, effective May 1, 2025, with a probationary period of not less than 12 weeks and not more than 52 weeks.
• Appointed Jinx Remsen as seasonal office assistant at $22.38 per hour from April 9 through July 29, 2025.
• Appointed Jack Newman as a volunteer intern in the Building Department from April 9 through June 30, 2025.
• Appointed Gabriel Rias as volunteer leader of the 2025 men’s soccer league.
• Reappointed Marjorie Subalak and Richard Stewart to the Architectural Review Board for terms expiring April 14, 2028.
• Reappointed Skip Floor as an ad hoc member of the Recreation Advisory Committee for a term expiring April 24, 2028.
• Reappointed Anthony Navarro to the Town Housing Board for a term expiring April 14, 2028, and appointed him as chair.
• Approved a $8,494 budget modification for court office furnishings from a New York State Unified Court System grant.
• Authorized Maureen Kennedy to attend the Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit on May 15, 2025, at a cost of $65.
• Released a $1,000 bond to Fabiola Menzini for a driveway opening permit at 17 Sun Valley Drive.
• Adopted the North Salem Credit Card Policy.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign the Beyond the Gravestone agreement for June Cemetery headstone repair.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign an amended intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for the $125,000 CDBG-funded Croton Falls Community Green Space improvements.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign a 15-year Metropolitan Regional Radio System access agreement with the MTA.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign the Westchester County Parks permit for Camp Hemlock for June 1 through September 1.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign the Sustainable Westchester MOU related to the Community Choice Aggregation program.
• Authorized the supervisor to sign 14 recreation programming service agreements.
• Approved the North Salem Artisanal Farmers Market special events permit for the Croton Falls Commuter Park.
• Supported the Peach Lake Environmental Coalition’s submission of environmental permit packages for treatment of up to 70 acres of Peach Lake with ProcellaCOR to control Eurasian watermilfoil.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved the DeLancey Hall assessment agreement with Lothrup Associates at a cost not to exceed $9,500.
• The board adopted the credit card policy and authorized the supervisor to execute multiple agreements, including the Beyond the Gravestone headstone repair, Westchester County, MTA, Camp Hemlock, Sustainable Westchester, and recreation programming agreements.
• The board declared itself lead agency for the Croton Falls Sewer District and approved the amended EAF Part 1 for circulation to involved agencies.
• The MS4 draft Stormwater Management Plan is to be posted for 30 days of public comment before finalization.
• The short-term rental draft will be revised by the Planning Board and brought back for further review.
• The supervisor will seek electric vehicle pricing and bids for the Town Annex roof; the solar RFP will proceed to bid.