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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Town of North Salem Town Board Meeting – September 22, 2026

Town Board & Boards — Tuesday, September 22, 2026
BodyNorth Salem, New York
SessionTown Board & Boards
DateTuesday, September 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:32:06

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Well, it was Andrew's work.

0:01

All right,

Speaker 2

0:02

so why is Zoom not up on the screen now?

Speaker 1

0:05

That's a different problem.

0:08

Is the TV on?

Speaker 2

0:10

It was.

Unassigned speaker

0:11

I think it's a good one.

Speaker 2

0:11

I turned um.

Speaker 1

0:13

Well, my video isn't on either.

0:14

So that's a

Unassigned speaker

0:16

great

Speaker 1

0:17

recording.

0:17

That's okay.

0:20

HPHD camera.

Unassigned speaker

0:24

Well,

Speaker 1

0:24

I don't the camera isn't showing up on here.

0:30

That'll

Unassigned speaker

0:31

do it.

Speaker 1

0:38

Okay.

Speaker 3

0:42

That way.

Speaker 1

0:43

It's still not up there, right?

Speaker 3

0:46

Right.

Speaker 1

0:53

That's on.

0:59

Oh, it is up there.

1:00

It was.

1:01

Oh, it's not up

Unassigned speaker

1:02

there.

Speaker 1

1:03

Somebody did something.

1:06

Okay, so Andrew, that's your presentation right up there.

1:09

We have it all figured out for you.

1:11

Unstable network connection.

Unassigned speaker

1:13

I

Speaker 2

1:14

have my i copy rebound.

1:16

Is the ethernet plugged

Unassigned speaker

1:17

in?

Speaker 1

1:18

Yep.

1:21

Little bandwidth.

1:22

No.

Speaker 2

1:23

It shouldn't be if it's connected to the Ethernet cable, isn't that direct to the

Speaker 1

1:27

should.

1:28

No have a problem.

Unassigned speaker

1:40

Okay.

Speaker 2

1:52

You need to switch the camera to this one, please.

Speaker 1

1:56

Yeah.

1:57

That wasn't my problem at the moment.

Unassigned speaker

2:03

Well,

Speaker 1

2:03

that was the one I was at on here anyway.

Speaker 4

2:15

She just wants you to pin

Unassigned speaker

2:17

that.

Speaker 1

2:20

Isn't that the one you want?

2:21

That's interesting.

2:22

Oh, I see.

2:23

You you want this one?

Unassigned speaker

2:26

And pin the end.

Speaker 1

2:32

Uh Ed Pin, does that make it?

2:35

Um

Unassigned speaker

2:38

I

Speaker 1

2:38

don't know what else.

2:40

Okay.

2:45

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety███████████████████19%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%
Environmental Protection██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis█████████9%
Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%
Public Engagement████████8%
Procedural█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Town of North Salem Town Board Meeting – September 22, 2026

The Town Board met on September 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM for a public hearing, worksession, and regular meeting. The agenda included a presentation of the 2025 audit findings, a public hearing on proposed parking restrictions, discussions on tree removal code amendments, accessory dwelling units, and bond anticipation note renewal, followed by approval of numerous resolutions.

Presentation – 2025 Audit Findings

Andrew J. Arias of Cooper Arias LLP presented the audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The town received an unmodified opinion. Key points: the general fund outperformed its budget by $597,000 (7%), driven by sales tax ($88,000 over), mortgage tax ($116,000 over), and building permits ($75,000 over). Unassigned fund balance was $3.20 million, 36% of the subsequent year’s budget. The highway fund balance decreased $176,000 but outperformed its budget by $100,000 due to CHIPS revenues. Peach Lake Sewer District fund balance is $976,000 (168% of the next year’s budget); the board may consider establishing a capital reserve. Management letter comments included three recurring items, notably an old $128,000 escrow balance from 20–30 years ago.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Robert Kerwin (852 Peach Lake Road) spoke against the proposed local law restricting parking on Peach Lake Road (Route 121). He questioned the necessity (citing only one Sunday a month of heavy traffic), the $75,000 cost reported in the newspaper, and the lack of resident consultation. He urged traffic calming measures instead. Board members responded that the intersection is unsafe, with many complaints, and that the police chief recommended a tow‑away zone to improve enforcement.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing – Local Law Amending Chapter 220 (Parking Restrictions): The hearing was held to consider rescinding Local Law 3‑2026 and adopting a new law adding time‑limited parking restrictions on Peach Lake Road (Route 121). Emails from Chief Thomas Halley (requesting Saturday‑Sunday restrictions and a tow‑away zone) and from Councilmember Warren (with technical comments) were read. After public input, the board kept the hearing open for further refinement, particularly regarding the need for full no‑parking versus time limits.

  • Tree Removal Code Amendments (Chapter 189): The Planning Board presented a draft revision to simplify tree removal permits. Minor permits would be handled administratively by the Building Inspector, and a clearance form would document removals. Debate centered on whether dead/diseased trees require an arborist certification. The board held the item over for further review, with Councilmember Peter suggesting the Building Inspector could decide when an arborist report is needed.

  • Plus‑One ADU Program: The board discussed the state’s program offering up to $125,000 per accessory dwelling unit. They considered becoming a local administrator but decided to gather information from other municipalities before proceeding.

  • Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) Renewal: Warren outlined the need to renew a BAN due November 5, 2026, totaling approximately $2.4 million for several capital projects (Delancey Hall, water districts, roof repairs, etc.). A formal resolution will be brought at the next meeting. Councilmember Cynthia noted a conflict with the Capital Planning Committee’s draft plan and requested the document be withdrawn from the public record.

  • Route 22 Closure: The board discussed the upcoming closure of Route 22 at Valeria’s Circle for culvert repair (8–10 weeks). A detour plan is being finalized with NYSDOT; local roads may be blocked to prevent cut‑through traffic.

Key Outcomes (Resolutions Approved)

  • Minutes: Approved the minutes of August 11 and August 25, 2026.
  • Resolution 1: Appointed Sean T.S. Visito as full‑time maintenance mechanic at $49/hour, effective October 13 (unanimous).
  • Resolution 2: Accepted the 2025 audit findings as presented by Cooper Arias (unanimous).
  • Resolution 3: Awarded the Delancey Hall floor refinishing bid to Salem Landscaping and Maintenance, Inc. for $20,800 (unanimous).
  • Resolution 4: Amended Resolution 260‑26 to authorize an ACH transfer of $12,332.37 to Field Future Foundation (pass‑through from a state grant) (unanimous).
  • Resolution 5: Authorized the Supervisor to seek bids for the Lobdell House porch repair using the Han Engineering bid package (unanimous).
  • Resolution 6 (Postponed): The railing modification from Somers Metal Works was postponed after an email raised concerns about the scope.
  • Resolution 7: Authorized payment of $4,987.70 to Radwell for a variable‑speed drive blower for the Peach Lake WWTP (unanimous).
  • Resolution 8: Authorized payment of $17,543.39 to Tundra Contracting Group for the painting contract (unanimous).
  • Resolution 9: Authorized final payment of $100,000 to Opal Energy for the solar array (unanimous; subject to verification of generation data).
  • Resolution 10: Authorized the Supervisor to apply for a NYS Senate CREST grant for emergency generators at 66 and 250 June Road (unanimous).
  • Resolution 11: Authorized the Supervisor to seek mini‑bids for a 2027 Chevrolet Blazer EV (unanimous).
  • Resolution 12: Authorized expense of $29,740 to Fleet Pump & Service Group for a replacement SBR mixer for Peach Lake WWTP (unanimous).
  • Resolution 13: Authorized a $50,000 budget modification in the Peach Lake Sewer District for emergency repairs (unanimous).
  • Resolution 14: Authorized the Supervisor to sign an agreement with Salem Roofing, Inc. for gutter installation at the Peach Lake plant ($2,200) (unanimous).
  • Resolution 15: Amended (rescinded and replaced) Resolution 286‑26 to correct budget transfer account codes (unanimous).
  • Resolution 16: Authorized a budget transfer of $344.26 to cover an escrow deficiency in the McCague matter (unanimous).
  • Resolution 18: Authorized use of school facilities for men’s basketball (unanimous).
  • Resolution 19: Authorized a $3,000 transfer from the T‑85 Recreation Scholarship Fund to parks and recreation revenues (unanimous).
  • Resolution 20: Authorized the Supervisor to sign agreements for 30 recreation programs (unanimous).
  • Resolution 21: Authorized a budget modification for the electric vehicle purchase (unanimous).
  • Resolution 22: Authorized the Supervisor to send correspondence and plans to the Westchester County Department of Health for the proposed Croton Falls sewer district (unanimous).
  • Resolution 23: Authorized an agreement with Griffin Gravestone Conservation, LLC for mile marker repair ($800) (unanimous).
  • Parking Refund: Approved a $14 refund to Richard Kakamisi for an overpayment at the town parking meter (unanimous).

Meeting Transcript

Well, it was Andrew's work. All right, so why is Zoom not up on the screen now? That's a different problem. Is the TV on? It was. I think it's a good one. I turned um. Well, my video isn't on either. So that's a great recording. That's okay. HPHD camera. Well, I don't the camera isn't showing up on here. That'll do it. Okay. That way. It's still not up there, right? Right. That's on. Oh, it is up there. It was. Oh, it's not up there. Somebody did something. Okay, so Andrew, that's your presentation right up there. We have it all figured out for you. Unstable network connection. I have my i copy rebound. Is the ethernet plugged in? Yep. Little bandwidth. No. It shouldn't be if it's connected to the Ethernet cable, isn't that direct to the should. No have a problem. Okay. You need to switch the camera to this one, please. Yeah. That wasn't my problem at the moment. Well, that was the one I was at on here anyway. She just wants you to pin that. Isn't that the one you want?

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