Town of North Salem Regular Meeting/Worksession – September 8, 2026

The Town Board met on September 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM following an initial executive session for legal advice and personnel matters. The meeting covered resolutions for bill payments, budget discussions, expense authorizations for infrastructure projects, a public hearing date for parking code amendments, and personnel appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of minutes from the July 28, 2026 Regular Meeting/Worksession.
• Approval of monthly reports for August 2026 from the Building Inspector, Highway Department, Planning Board, Police Department, Receiver of Taxes, Recreation, Supervisor, and Town Clerk.

Discussion Items

• Budget and Bill Payment Process: Supervisor Warren and board members discussed recurring issues with line-items showing insufficient funds (pink slips) when overall budget balances were adequate. The debate centered on the level of detail in state-mandated accounting codes, the need for budget transfers, and the timeline for processing vouchers. It was agreed that part-time staffer Judy would handle detailed coding under guidance, and department heads would receive view-only system access to monitor their lines.
• Resolution #5 – AriaFiltra Expense ($6,789.16): Authorized purchase of valves for Peach Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant, with 100% reimbursement from New York City DEP. A negative balance on the designated line was noted; Supervisor Warren stated that reimbursement would correct it.
• Resolution #6 – Radwell Expense (up to $5,000): Authorized purchase of a used variable speed blower VFD (opened box) for Peach Lake, not reimbursed. Discussion included the need to adjust funds from other lines to cover a negative balance.
• Resolution #7 – Hach Company Agreement ($4,816): Authorized annual service of a turbidity cleaning module for Peach Lake WWTP, fully reimbursed by DEP. The charge line was specified as 050-8130.455.
• Resolution #8 – Set Public Hearing on Parking Local Law: The board set a public hearing for September 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM to consider rescinding Local Law #3-2026 and amending Chapter 220 (Vehicles and Traffic) regarding parking restrictions on certain roads. Members expressed frustration with DOT's refusal to install signs and raised broader traffic safety concerns, including on Route 22 in Croton Falls.
• Resolution #10 – WRT Expense ($117,510): Authorized purchase and installation of uranium removal portable exchange system at Sunset Ridge Water District. The expense will be funded through a capital account; a budget modification resolution will be presented at the next meeting.
• Resolution #13 – Personnel Appointments: Jalen J. Balding was appointed as a part-time police officer at an hourly rate of $47.62 effective September 9, 2026 (probationary period 12–52 weeks). Also, a third annual step increase of $1,000 for Assessment Assistant Alexia Vasilio, effective September 1, 2026, was approved.
• Worksession Item – Auxiliary Heating Solutions for Delancey Hall: This agenda item was not discussed; the board deferred it.

Key Outcomes

• Approved payment of town bills totaling $1,997 and highway bills totaling $49,635.36.
• Authorized a tax refund of $1,243 to NAS Road Holdings LLC (two parcels).
• Approved expenses for AriaFiltra, Radwell, Hach Company, and WRT as detailed above.
• Set a public hearing for September 22, 2026 regarding parking code amendments.
• Authorized opening a new bank account at Beacon Bank (formerly Putnam County Savings Bank) for in-lieu-of-parkland and recreation scholarship deposits.
• Approved budget transfers moving funds from Supervisor contractual line to cover office supplies ($1,553), unallocated insurance ($663), legal expenses ($46.14), and vehicle maintenance ($2,000).
• All monthly departmental reports were accepted as delivered.
• The meeting was recessed for a second executive session (legal advice) and then adjourned.