Public Meetings - North Salem, New York

The Town Board met in person and via Zoom on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Town Meeting Hall, 66 June Road. The board honored retiring Lt. Neil Caputo, approved February 2025 reports and a lengthy list of resolutions, set 2025 Day Camp dates and fees, adopted an amended Community Center usage policy, and discussed East of Hudson Watershed Corporation finances and board/committee vacancies. Retirement Proclamation - The board presented a proclamation honoring Lt. Neil Caputo, who served 43 years as a North Salem police officer after being appointed on December 14, 1982, and rose to sergeant and then lieutenant on September 27, 2016. - The proclamation also recognized his 45-plus years as a volunteer with the North Salem Fire Department since September 10, 1979, his service as an EMT with the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and his full-time work as Westchester County Fire Coordinator. - The board proclaimed March 11, 2025 as "Neil Caputo Day" in North Salem and wished him well in retirement. Agenda Resolutions - Approved the February 2025 monthly reports of the Building Inspector, Highway Department, Planning Board (financial), Police Department, Receiver of Taxes, Recreation, Supervisor, and Town Clerk. - Approved payment of town bills totaling $222,403 and highway bills totaling $103,750.37. - Authorized promotions of Michael Castellano and Sal Ravallo to part-time police lieutenants at $52.15 per hour, effective April 6, 2025. - Authorized the supervisor to sign the Westchester County Health Department application for the 2025 permit to operate the public water supply for Town Hall/Library and to pay the $130 annual fee. - Authorized inclusion of the North Salem Tax Office information insert in the 2025 April state, county, and town tax bills. - Authorized NYS DOT snow and ice adjustment calculation worksheets and a five-year municipal snow and ice contract extension. The effective date was corrected during discussion to July 1, 2024, with expiration June 30, 2029. - Authorized the supervisor to sign the Westchester County Shared Services distribution agreement. - Authorized an AriaFiltra inspection/maintenance agreement for the filtration system at Peach Lake Environmental Center for $27,250, paid by New York City DEP. The board removed the proposal date from the resolution and referenced proposal number OPP2331189. - Accepted an increased Verizon Wireless removal bond from $45,000 to $60,000 for the facility at 39 Delancey Road, based on the March 5, 2025 Planning Board referral and town engineer's recommendation. - Appointed Town Clerk Maria C. Halusko as a marriage officer for a term ending December 31, 2027. - Amended the standard schedule of fees to add a $25 one-day marriage officiant license fee. - Waived the local $17.50 marriage license fee for active-duty military personnel, with the state waiving its $22.50 fee. - Authorized the Town Clerk to apply for a 2025-26 NYS Archives Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant of up to $75,000 for a records vault at the North Salem Community Center. - Authorized Deputy Town Clerk Andrea Akeesian to attend the NYS Town Clerks Association Conference in Syracuse from April 27-30, 2025, with conference, hotel, and mileage expenses totaling up to the amounts in the resolution. - Approved the request from St. James Episcopal Church to hold a march in support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 16, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with police road closure and overflow parking at the courthouse. - Approved Crystal Blue Cleaning Service agreements for deep cleaning and for recurring per-visit cleaning of the Justice Court and Police Department. - Released a $484.37 building-department engineering escrow for 6 Lost Pond Lane, payable to Henry D'Auria. - Approved a $170 refund to Cassie Gilchrist for return of a 2024-25 fall parking permit. Discussion Items - Day Camp Fees: Recreation staff recommended a $1-per-day tuition increase, making 10-day sessions $750 and the July 4 holiday-week session $675, with non-resident fees $70 higher and a $60 early-bird discount for registration/payment by April 1. Registration will open first for residents and school district residents, then for non-residents. The board approved Session 1 June 30-July 11, Session 2 July 14-25, and Session 3 July 28-August 8. Enrollment discussion noted 411 paid sessions in 2024 by 276 unique campers, down from 529 sessions in 2023; unavoidable operating costs are $152,000, with busing costing about $81,000. Staff and board discussed exploring school-district buses to reduce future costs. - Community Center Policy: The board adopted the amended policy for the North Salem Community Center at 3 Owens Road, last amended September 12, 2023, with revisions dated February 27, 2025. The changes codify alcohol-use limits and give the facility director authority to manage traffic and notify attendees when adult-level content is being hosted. The board also heard about a sold-out free concert by Whirlwind at the center and the launch of monthly programming. - East of Hudson Watershed Corporation: A board member who served as EOHWC treasurer explained the corporation's history, including NYC DEP's $37.4 million contribution, county WQIP funds, phosphorus-reduction targets (North Salem's target is 19.7 kilograms; total bubble-compliance target is 459 kilograms per five-year cycle), and completed projects. He expressed concern that the next five-year compliance cycle is not fully funded, estimating $30-40 million needed versus about $15 million available, and noted that North Salem schools have not undertaken eligible parking-lot projects even though schools are MS4 permittees without numeric targets. - Board/Committee Status: The board reviewed its liaison list, removed the Open Space and Mountain Lakes Committees (with open space work to be handled through the comprehensive plan update process), and identified missing or vacant posts including the Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Assessment Review, Historic Preservation Commission, Planning Board, and Town Housing Board. Vin Farrell, who had submitted a resignation from Capital Planning, asked to rescind it because he is remaining in North Salem as a renter. - Additional Discussion: The board noted rising Con Edison delivery charges in northern Westchester, from 5.9 cents per kilowatt-hour four years ago to over 14 cents with ancillary charges, and discussed possible engagement with the Public Service Commission. Key Outcomes - All resolutions before the board were approved by voice vote with no recorded opposition; no roll-call tally appears in the transcript. - The board set 2025 Day Camp dates and fees with an April 1 early-bird deadline, adopted the revised Community Center policy, and approved the police lieutenant promotions. - The board directed continued work on EOHWC funding advocacy, committee liaison updates, and paperless/accounting-system improvements.

The Town of North Salem Planning Board met on March 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM in a hybrid in-person and Zoom meeting. The board addressed several applications, including approvals for a solar array, a wireless facility renewal and bond increase, a two-lot subdivision, and carried over a public hearing. A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to a work session on proposed short-term rental regulations. Consent Calendar - Financial Report for February 2025: Approved unanimously. - Minutes of February 5, 2025: Approved unanimously. - Minutes of February 19, 2025 (if done): Approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were heard during this meeting. Discussion Items - Grant Road LLC (658 Grant Rd.) Public Hearing: The board voted to carry over the public hearing to the April 2025 meeting. - Harkins Residence Ground Solar Array (338 Hardscrabble Rd.): The board approved an amended site development plan, noting that modifications to the plan (based on the November 14 plan) should be completed before mylars are prepared. - Verizon Wireless (39 Delancey Rd.): The board approved a permit renewal, conditional use, and site plan approvals. Separately, the board resolved to recommend to the Town Board that the removal bond be increased from $45,000 to $60,000 based on the town engineer's review. - Hawley Road LLC (234 Hawley Rd.): The board approved a preliminary subdivision plat for a two-lot residential subdivision. - APC Group (4 Hardscrabble Rd.): The board reviewed memos from the planning consultant and town engineer. A key concern was that proposed parking for a new lot could encroach into required setbacks. The applicant was asked to explore shifting the house or driveway to provide adequate on-site parking outside of yard setbacks. Discussions also covered filing of NOIs and MS4 acceptance; the board deferred final action pending further design work. - McGing (133 Mills Rd.): The applicant presented a stormwater management plan to contain all runoff on the McGing property, addressing previous disturbances on a neighboring property. The board discussed unresolved legal issues with the neighbor and the need to coordinate with the neighbor's attorney. No vote was taken; the applicant was asked to continue engineering and await resolution of the property access question. - Site Visit Update - Fischer (6 Cottage Lane): Board members reported on a site visit. They raised concerns about the proposed widening of a building that would reduce the already narrow separation from an adjacent structure (potentially violating fire safety codes) and the need for a variance. The board will wait for a formal application to address these issues. - Short-Term Rentals Work Session: The board held a lengthy discussion on draft short-term rental regulations, reviewing provisions including: - Zoning districts where short-term rentals would be allowed; the board leaned toward permitting them in all residential zones (R1/2, R1, R2, R4) and some commercial districts, but will seek Town Board direction. - A proposed limit of 90 days per calendar year and 13 weekends for short-term rentals. - A requirement that a new owner must hold the property for two years before applying for a short-term rental permit. - Parking standards: the planning board would determine minimum off-street parking on a case-by-case basis, with the condition that advertising must reflect available parking. - Prohibition of meals or food service beyond what a typical family would have. - Annual fire safety inspections and carbon monoxide/smoke detector requirements. - Rule that if a property has more than one dwelling unit (e.g., an accessory apartment), at most one unit may be used for short-term rental, and the owner must occupy one unit. - The board agreed to present a preliminary draft to the Town Board at its first meeting in April 2025 for general direction, avoiding detailed line-by-line review. Key Outcomes - Grant Road LLC public hearing carried over to April 2, 2025. - Harkins solar array approved (motion carried unanimously). - Verizon Wireless permit renewal and bond increase approved (motions carried unanimously). - Hawley Road preliminary plat approved (motion carried unanimously). - APC Group and McGing applications held for further review; no votes taken. - Short-term rental draft to be refined and presented to the Town Board in April. - Next meetings: Work session scheduled for March 19, 2025 (likely canceled); regular meeting on April 2, 2025.

The Town of North Salem Town Board held a regular meeting and worksession on February 25, 2025, at 7:00 PM following an executive session on personnel. The board addressed a wide range of administrative resolutions, discussed revisions to the North Salem Community Center Usage Policy, set a public hearing on a proposed alarms local law, and heard council member expressions of support for residents concerned about federal funding cuts and immigration enforcement. Several resolutions were adopted unanimously, and one item was tabled for further revision. Consent Calendar - Resolution 2: Acknowledged receipt of the resignation of Police Officer Neil Caputo, effective March 15, 2025, after 42 years of service. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 3: Authorized a step increase for Highway employee Justin Conley to $42.27 per hour, effective February 15, 2025, per the Highway Superintendent's recommendation. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 10: Authorized the supervisor to sign a pest control agreement with Terminix for quarterly service at the Three Owls Road building from March 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026, at a cost of $1,055 per quarter. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 11: Authorized the supervisor to sign an agreement with Island Tech Services for purchase and installation of a vehicle-mounted Panasonic Toughbook laptop for the Police Department at a cost of $5,638. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 12: Authorized a refund of a $250 security deposit to Elev8 Woodbridge LLC dba Oak Lane Tennis Club after no damage was found. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 13: Amended Resolution 46-25 to authorize the supervisor to sign 2025 Recreation Programming agreements for a variety of programs including camps, fitness classes, and workshops. (Approved unanimously) - Resolution 14: Authorized an expense of $660 to Integrated Technical Systems for the annual subscription fee for the parking meters at the Croton Falls train station. (Approved unanimously) Discussion Items Community Concerns Councilwoman Catherine opened the meeting by stating that many residents are anxious about potential losses of federal benefits (Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, SNAP, HEAP) and the situation of undocumented community members. She urged that the board be accessible and supportive. Supervisor Warren affirmed an open-door policy but noted the board is apolitical and limited in what it can do; he also mentioned having received calls from concerned residents. The board agreed that residents should not hesitate to contact them. North Salem Community Center Usage Policy (Worksession) The board discussed extensive proposed revisions to the Community Center Usage Policy, last updated 18 months ago. Recreation Superintendent Lauren Cassese presented changes, including a map update, late fees for missing payment deadlines, and clarifications to fire regulations (theater seating limit). The most contentious point was a new provision to allow the town to restrict programming that includes nudity, sexual content, or drug use, or that could connote a detrimental image. Councilwoman Catherine worried about over-regulating art, while others felt the town should be able to protect minor patrons and avoid complaints. Various members suggested using a disclosure form or "adult content" warning rather than outright prohibition. It was also noted that the sound carries throughout the building, making it difficult to separate adult rehearsals from children's programs. Supervisor Warren agreed to work with Lauren and Councilwoman Catherine on revised wording. The policy adoption was tabled until the next meeting. The board also discussed a separate item: a proposed coffee/tea bar for the senior room at the Community Center, funded from money already committed for a senior kitchen. Supervisor Warren showed a concept sketch with a built-in sink, dishwasher, and refrigerator; an open design was favored. The concept was approved in principle, with final design to be refined. Proposed Alarms Local Law (Resolution 9) The board set a public hearing for March 25, 2025, on a local law adding Chapter 27 (Alarms) to the Town Code. Discussion included: - Councilwoman Catherine questioned how false alarm data would be tracked; the Fire District had previously indicated it could provide records, but a later FOIL request revealed that the county dispatch system cannot distinguish false alarms from legitimate ones. The Rollings Fire District (which serves North Salem) reportedly has its own reporting system. - The board decided to ask the Fire District for a formal resolution committing to provide data, and also to consider including the Volunteer Ambulance Corps in the law. Supervisor Warren noted the proposed 60-day grace period for unpermitted systems may be unrealistic; the public hearing will allow further input. - The resolution to set the public hearing was approved unanimously (with the March 25 date). Key Outcomes - Resolutions Adopted (all unanimous): - Executive session (personnel) (Resolution 1) - Resignation acknowledgment (Resolution 2) - Salary increase for highway employee (Resolution 3) - Authorization of alcoholic beverage consumption for a specific event at the Community Center, with an amendment changing the limit from two to three glasses of wine (Resolution 5) - Adoption of Ethics Committee Procedures (Resolution 6) — after correcting a typo and a substantive issue (changing "determine" to "recommend" regarding findings) - Authorization of MOU with Sustainable Westchester for technical assistance on solar installation at the Highway Garage (Resolution 7) — Councilwoman Catherine abstained due to her role on Sustainable Westchester's executive board. - Authorization of independent contractor agreement with Amy Kendel for social media support for the Climate Smart Community Leadership Committee (Resolution 8) — with a typo correction and addition of a signature line. - Setting of public hearing for the alarms local law (Resolution 9) - Annual pest control agreement with Terminix (Resolution 10) - Purchase and installation of police vehicle laptop from Island Tech Services (Resolution 11) - Refund of security deposit to Oak Lane Tennis Club (Resolution 12) - Amendment of recreation programming agreements (Resolution 13) - Subscription fee for Croton Falls parking meters to Integrated Technical Systems (Resolution 14) - Tabled: The amended North Salem Community Center Usage Policy was not adopted; the board requested revised wording on adult content provisions and will revisit at the March meeting. - Next Steps: - Supervisor Warren to work with Lauren Cassese and Councilwoman Catherine on Community Center policy revisions. - The board will ask the Fire District for a resolution committing to provide false alarm data before the public hearing. - Public hearing on the alarms local law scheduled for March 25, 2025. - The senior room coffee/tea bar concept to be finalized with design details.