North Salem Town Board Meeting – September 30, 2025

The Town of North Salem Town Board held a regular meeting and worksession on September 30, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Town Meeting Hall and via Zoom. The meeting included the presentation of the 2024 audit findings, discussions on a revaluation proposal, historical markers, and a 250th anniversary fireworks display, along with the adoption of multiple resolutions. The board also addressed routine consent items and financial authorizations.

Consent Calendar

• Authorized Compensatory Time Pay Rate – Approved a pay rate of $49.50 per hour for the Assistant to the Highway Superintendent and Chief of Police for work performed outside usual business hours in the Justice Court. (Resolution 1)
• Reappointed Members to Conservation Advisory Council – Reappointed Holly Thompson and Virginia Tate to terms expiring October 31, 2027. (Resolutions 2 and 3)
• Appointed New Members to Conservation Advisory Council – Appointed Jennifer Landers (term to October 31, 2027) and Mary Christine Basil (term to October 31, 2026). (Resolutions 4 and 5)
• Acknowledged Resignation from Recreation Advisory Committee – Accepted the resignation of Jamie Roche, effective September 12, 2025, and appointed her as an ad hoc member. (Resolution 6)
• Accepted 2024 Audit Findings – Approved the audit report as presented by Cooper Arias, LLP, including the Justice Court records. (Resolution 7)
• Released Bond for 235 Mills Road – Released a $1,000 bond for a driveway opening permit. (Resolution 8)
• Released Building Department Engineering Escrows – Released escrows for 39 Delancey Road ($750), 321 Hardscrabble Road ($1,000), and 441 Hardscrabble Road ($812.50). (Resolutions 9, 10, 11)
• Granted Waivers of Application Processing Restrictive Law – Extended waivers for 2 Brookside Lane (to January 24, 2026) and 113 Mills Road (to January 24, 2026, contingent on receipt of $2,500 escrow). (Resolutions 12 and 13)
• Authorized CREST Grant Applications for Delancey Hall Renovations – Approved applications for $100,000 from the NYS Assembly (Resolution 14) and $100,000 from the NYS Senate (Resolution 15).
• Set Public Hearing for Stop Sign on Stephen Road – Scheduled a public hearing for October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM to amend Chapter 220 (Vehicles and Traffic) to add a stop sign at the intersection of Stephen Road and Valeria Circle. (Resolution 18)
• Authorized Refund for Recreation Programs – Approved a $178 refund to Gillian Kirby. (Resolution 19)
• Authorized Supervisor to Sign Recreation Programming Service Agreements – Approved multiple agreements for recreation courses. (Resolution 20)
• Authorized Payment to Warren Lucas – Approved reimbursement of $4,095.31 for moving costs associated with the Delancey Hall project; Supervisor Lucas abstained. (Resolution 17)
• Authorized Payment to Tundra Contracting Group, Inc. – Approved payment of $44,461.91 for contract work on Delancey Hall. (Resolution 22)

Discussion Items

• 2024 Audit Findings Presentation – Andrew J. Arias, CPA of Cooper Arias, LLP, presented the audit. The General Fund fund balance decreased by $96,000 (outperforming budget by $213,000), with an unassigned fund balance of $3.03 million (37% of the subsequent year's budget). The Highway Fund increased by $50,000. The Peach Lake Sewer District fund balance reached $1.01 million (169% of budget). Arias recommended establishing a capital reserve for the sewer district to manage potential large expenses. The board discussed the need to clean up old stale data checks and escrow funds totaling $118,000 from 2014. No formal action was taken on these recommendations.
• Tyler Revaluation Proposal – Assessor Karen explained the need for a reappraisal to maintain assessments at 100% of market value, citing a current equalization rate of 92.5%. The proposed contract with Tyler Technologies for $85,000 would update the assessment roll for 2026 (effective for the 2027 tax year). The board expressed support, noting the investment from the 2017 reassessment would be lost if not maintained. A motion to adopt the contract (Resolution 21) passed after amending the valuation date to July 1, 2026.
• Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Markers – Gail Pantezzi, Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, proposed installing National Park Service markers along the route of the French expeditionary forces through North Salem in 1781 and 1782. The markers cost approximately $54 each. Board members debated the number of markers (10 vs. 6) and potential confusion. Councilmember Susie expressed opposition to more signs, suggesting people do not pay attention. The board agreed in principle to proceed with about six markers, with placement to be coordinated with the Highway Department.
• Revolutionary North Salem 250 Fireworks Display – Susie, chair of the celebratory committee, reported on proposals for a fireworks display on June 20, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Three proposals ranged from $12,000 to $20,000; adding music or drones increased costs. The proposed site is the middle/high school fields, with concerns about fire risk during dry conditions and noise affecting nearby horse farms. The board expressed general support and authorized continued pursuit of the event, with a budget of up to $20,000. A final contract will be brought back for approval.
• Delancey Hall Windows – Supervisor Lucas updated the board on window repair work. The contractor recommended repairing windows on site (at $100/hour per window) rather than removing and sending them out, to avoid damaging interior walls. The board informally agreed to this approach.
• Parking and Traffic Concerns on Route 121 – Councilmember Roland raised issues about parking in front of 121 Restaurant and near the auto shop, which obstructs visibility at a curve. The board discussed installing no-parking signs; the restaurant owner had indicated acceptance. The matter was referred to the Highway Department for implementation.

Key Outcomes

• Croton Falls Plan Adoption Rescinded – The board initially voted on Resolution 16 to adopt the Croton Falls Plan supplement and make a SEQR negative declaration. However, upon realizing the plan did not include a proposed zoning map change (rezoning a residential parcel in the GB district), and that the action would constitute spot zoning, the board voted to rescind the resolution. The plan will be revisited after the zoning issue is reconciled.
• Approved Tyler Technologies Contract – Resolution 21 was adopted (all in favor) to authorize the Supervisor to sign the $85,000 reappraisal agreement, with the valuation date corrected to July 1, 2026.
• Authorized CREST Grant Applications – Two resolutions (14 and 15) were adopted to apply for $100,000 grants from the NYS Assembly and Senate for Delancey Hall renovations.
• Set Public Hearing for Stop Sign – October 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM was set for a public hearing on adding a stop sign at Stephen Road and Valeria Circle.
• All other consent resolutions adopted unanimously – including appointments, waivers, escrow releases, and payments.