Public Meetings - Pleasantville, New York

Date Discrepancy Note: The provided context designates this summary for August 7, 2025. The source materials contain a conflict on the actual meeting date: the agenda lists Monday, July 14, 2025, while the transcript states Monday, July 15, 2025. The Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees held a work session to review the village's capital plan and debt schedule. Discussions covered the village's total indebtedness (approximately $9–10 million), the planned conversion of the pool bond anticipation note (BAN) to permanent financing, significant water infrastructure costs, and various capital and park improvement projects. No formal votes were taken. Discussion Items Capital Plan and Debt Service Overview The board reviewed the debt service schedule across the General, Water, and Refuse funds. The village's total outstanding debt stands at roughly $9–10 million, comprising $3.3 million in long-term debt and a $6 million BAN for the pool project (final cost $6.7 million). The General Fund debt service decreased by $55,000 in the prior year and is estimated to rise by $7,000 in the current year, with a projected $170,000 drop in FY 2029 absent new borrowing. Staff expressed a preference for converting the full BAN to permanent financing in October to begin paying down the debt, while acknowledging the board could choose to bond a smaller amount and use cash reserves to maintain fund balances preferred by bond rating agencies (e.g., Moody's). The recent preservation of tax-exempt status for municipal bonds was noted as a stabilizing factor. Water Infrastructure A $5–6 million water tank replacement project is the largest anticipated water fund expense. Federal grant applications (previously $5 million, reduced to $2.4 million, then cut to $0) have been resubmitted with support from Senator Schumer and Representative Lawler. The village will also face capital costs for the Millwood water plant, where it holds roughly a 19–20% share. A water rate study indicates that annual rate increases are necessary over the next decade to fund water main relining and other EPA-mandated infrastructure work. Other Capital Projects - Nana Hagen Brook project: $1.5 million in identified work, offset by a $500,000 grant from Restored Cousins. - Village Hall boiler replacement: $260,000 budgeted for the next fiscal year. - Nana Hagen Pond dredging: tentatively forecast at $750,000 for FY 2028. - Village Hall generator replacement: scheduled for 2029. Park and Field Improvements The board reviewed requests for Soldier's Park (backstop, fencing, batting cages) and discussed the ongoing school district initiative regarding a potential artificial turf field at Parkway. The board noted significant obstacles to a major overhaul of Parkway, including an estimated cost exceeding $20 million, site constraints (wetlands, high water table), neighborhood impacts, and the ineligibility of a village-owned site for state school aid. The school district is hosting a community forum on its facilities planning on July 29, 2025. Key Outcomes - The board will consult with fiscal advisors and bond counsel in August to finalize the decision on the pool BAN conversion amount and timing. - Staff will continue pursuing federal grants for the water tank replacement project. - The board will continue participating in discussions with the school district regarding athletic facilities at Parkway. - The work session concluded with a brief discussion of community feedback on a program registration process before adjourning to the regular public meeting at 8:00 PM.

This work session of the Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees covered a referendum petition on moving village elections, traffic safety in the Hopper Street parking lot, and an update on the school district fields/lights committee. An executive session was listed on the agenda. No formal resolutions or votes were taken. Note: The agenda and raw transcript identify the meeting as Monday, July 28, 2025, while the meeting timestamp provided for this summary is August 7, 2025. Discussion: Petition to Move Village Elections from March to November - The village reported receipt of a petition, submitted by Francesca Hegedis, seeking a public referendum to move village elections from March to November. - Hegedis stated the petition contains 523 signatures; 400 valid signatures are required. The village clerk’s office is validating signatures, with a result expected within a few days. - If at least 400 signatures are validated, the petition will be submitted to the county Board of Elections by August 4, which the board stated is required because the filing deadline is 90 days before the November election. - If the referendum appears on the November ballot and passes, current village officer terms that would expire in March 2026 would automatically be extended to November 2026. - The board framed this as a report only and did not take a position; trustees said the pros and cons would be debated in other forums. Discussion: Hopper Street Parking Lot One-Way Traffic - The village-owned lot adjacent to Hopper Street is currently signed as a one-way loop. A nearby resident reported that drivers routinely ignore the one-way route, creating safety hazards, and said his grandchildren were nearly struck by a wrong-way driver. - Village Engineer/DPW Superintendent Anthony Carr advised the drive aisle is wide enough to convert to two-way traffic, but board members expressed concern that two-way flow would increase chaos during school and event pickup, when parents stack cars and children walk through the lot. One member noted she had never personally observed wrong-way driving during events. - Trustees discussed alternatives to reinforce the existing one-way layout: angled parking spaces, pavement markings and stop lines, additional stop signs, speed humps similar to the middle school lot, and targeted enforcement. - There was also discussion of possible parking on one side of Hopper Street and concerns that larger vehicles and buses have difficulty turning at the lot entrance. - Board consensus was to keep the lot one-way and to pursue visual and physical measures — especially angled parking and clearer markings — to discourage wrong-way entry. Staff planned to relay these ideas back to the concerned neighbor and nearby Hopper Street residents before any decision. Discussion: School District Fields/Lights Committee Update - Trustee Jonathan Cunningham, who serves on the school district’s facilities committee, and the mayor provided an update. - The school district has stated that it needs a turf field with lights to allow two back-to-back games to continue into dark hours, citing later school schedules, bus availability, and a shortage of referees. The board noted this is the school district’s assertion, not a conclusion of the facilities committee. - The current issue was characterized as involving girls field hockey and girls lacrosse, with roughly 16 home games over two seasons and perhaps about eight games needing additional light. - The facilities committee has three subcommittees: fields/turf, Bedford Road Playground, and STEAM. Trustees said the committee has not drawn formal conclusions and is heavily sports-focused, with limited academic/arts representation; they also said they were not involved in planning the community forum scheduled for the following evening. - A scope of work with Woodard & Curran, the district’s engineers, is being developed. It would first evaluate whether Parkway Back is viable for a turf field given wet conditions, floodplain, and wetlands; then estimate costs to turf Parkway front/back if viable; and possibly consider a broader “clean slate” redesign of the entire Parkway property. - The board discussed financial constraints: artificial turf requires replacement every 10–15 years; the school district spent about $1.5 million in 2015 and was quoted about $4 million in 2024 for turf/track replacement; a hypothetical $10 million village bond could produce a 16–20% village tax increase, which trustees called the largest in village history; and the village cannot borrow $20 million while meeting infrastructure needs. - Trustees noted that 20–30% of school district residents live outside the village, so village taxpayers would bear the cost of improvements used heavily by school teams. They also noted state aid for a Parkway field appears unavailable, and that an ownership transfer of Parkway to the school district would face many practical and financial hurdles, though the board is open to discussing it. Executive Session - The agenda included an 8:30 p.m. executive session to discuss real property and contractual matters. No public discussion of the session was included in the transcript. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or resolutions were taken; this was a work session. - The board directed staff to continue validating the referendum petition and, if valid, to submit it to the county Board of Elections by August 4. - The board agreed to keep the Hopper Street lot one-way and to consider angled parking, pavement markings, stop signs, speed humps, and enforcement as anti-wrong-way measures, after consulting with neighbors. - The fields/lights item was informational; next steps include possible issuance of a Woodard & Curran scope of work and a community forum announced by the school district.

Note: The agenda and transcript for this meeting indicate the meeting took place on July 11, 2025, but per instructions the date is recorded as July 25, 2025. A brief special meeting of the Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees was held to approve several resolutions and a payment abstract, all related to the upcoming Pleasantville Music Festival scheduled for July 12, 2025. All resolutions were passed unanimously with minimal discussion. Consent Calendar - Res. No. 2025-232 – Approval of Payment of Claims FYE 2026: The Board approved the abstract of claims totaling $41,226.20 (General Fund). Unanimous vote. - Res. No. 2025-233 – Sponsorship Agreement with Wonder: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with Wonder for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. Unanimous vote. - Res. No. 2025-234 – Free Tickets for Caregivers: Approved free Pleasantville Music Festival tickets for caregivers accompanying individuals with disabilities attending the event. Unanimous vote. - Res. No. 2025-235 – No Parking Signs on Hopper Street: Authorized no parking signs and restrictions in the Hopper Street parking lot from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 12, 2025, and authorized the Police Chief to tow violating vehicles. Unanimous vote. - Res. No. 2025-236 – Discounted Tickets for Sponsors: Authorized a discounted ticket rate (reduction of $10 per adult ticket) for advertising and social media sponsors, effective July 4, 2025 to July 11, 2025. Unanimous vote. Public Comments & Testimony No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items - Pool Shade: A board member raised the issue of providing additional shade at the village pool (e.g., umbrellas) in response to community feedback. The board acknowledged the concern and indicated it would be looked into further. Key Outcomes - All five resolutions (2025-232 through 2025-236) were approved unanimously. - The board expressed intent to explore adding shade structures or umbrellas at the pool. - The meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting was announced for the following Monday.

The Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on July 1, 2025, beginning with a work session at 7:00 PM and the regular session at 8:00 PM, followed by an executive session. Key items included a presentation honoring student travelers through the Pleasantville International Association, a presentation on a public mural selected for Jackson Alley, a public hearing on a proposed stop-sign ordinance for Ashland Avenue and Nanahagen Road, and approval of eight resolutions covering financial transfers, claims payments, petty cash, a snow/ice control extension, a personnel promotion, and an amended declaration of restrictive covenants for a housing development. Additionally, the board received updates on the newly opened Pleasantville pool, the upcoming Music Festival, and a red-light camera bill advancing at the state level. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025. Consent Calendar - Res. 2025-225: Approved minutes of the June 9, 2025 regular meeting. - Res. 2025-226: Approved budget amendments for FYE 2025 totaling $26,977, transferring funds among accounts (e.g., $19,064 from Health Insurance to Police Overtime; $3,766 from Camp Part-Time to Camp Credit Card Fees). - Res. 2025-227: Approved payment of claims for FYE 2025 totaling $84,304.32 (General Fund $66,952.48; Water Fund $9,876.91; Capital Fund $4,991.21; Refuse Fund $2,483.72). - Res. 2025-228: Approved payment of claims for FYE 2026 totaling $525,370.46 (General Fund $454,961.90; Special Purpose Fund $424.00; Water Fund $40,672.99; Capital Fund $3,647.60; Refuse Fund $25,663.97). - Res. 2025-229: Established a petty cash fund of $7,500 for making change at the Pleasantville Music Festival front gate box office on July 12, 2025. - Res. 2025-230: Authorized amending and extending the NYSDOT Municipal Snow and Ice Control Agreement (Contract D014836) for a five-year period from 2024 to 2029. - Res. 2025-231 (renumbered): Promoted Vanessa Bongarzone to Recreation Leader, effective June 24, 2025, at a salary of $61,819, subject to a probationary period of 12 to 52 weeks. - Res. 2025-232: Authorized the Mayor or Village Administrator to execute an amended Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for 52 Depew Street/1 Vanderbilt Avenue, adjusting permissible rent and occupancy limits for 7 of the 71 units (deed-restricted as AFFH housing) under the Lighthouse Pleasantville LLC project. Public Comments & Testimony Public Hearing on Introductory Local Law 3 of 2025 (Stop Signs on Ashland Avenue and Nanahagen Road) - Terry Khan (co-chair of pedestrian committee) spoke in support, highlighting safety concerns for motorists, pedestrians, and students, and noting the intersection serves the school and the new pool. - Neil Chimachowski (2 Ridgewood Drive) expressed support for the stop signs as a first step, and urged the board to revisit adding sidewalks on Nanahagen Road, citing pedestrian demand and data from apps like Strava. He acknowledged the cost and disruption but asked what the community could do. - Peter Rogovan (70 Ashland Avenue) supported the stop signs, and requested moving the 15 mph school speed limit sign further south on Ashland, and designating certain areas as no-parking to improve visibility (e.g., on Nanahagen and the last 30-50 feet of Ashland near the country club driveway). - Chris Tumelty (Fort Orback Lane) supported the stop signs, asked for clarity on speed limit signage, and advocated for sidewalks on Nanahagen despite costs. - Kathleen Williamson (11 Sunnyside) noted she never saw the speed limit sign and supported better placement. - Joan Horton (50 Nanahagan Road) supported the stop signs but strongly opposed revisiting no-parking restrictions on Nanahagen, stating that previous public hearings had resolved the issue and that parked cars actually aid pedestrians by acting as chicanes to slow traffic. She also argued that the country club’s use as a school drop-off point violates a planned unit development agreement. - Chris Tumelty (Fort Orback Lane) shared a story of his kindergartner requesting speed bumps two years ago, illustrating persistent safety concerns. - Diana (via Zoom) reiterated support for the stop signs. - One email from Mark Orwell opposed the change, focusing on vehicular conditions and not addressing pedestrian safety. Discussion Items - Pleasantville International Travelers Ceremony: The board presented certificates and village bags to student travelers. Students shared their destinations and projects: Sarah Agabob (Palma de Mallorca, Spain – marine biology), Caroline Carthy (Rome, Italy – homestay, Italian classes), Avery (Spain – ecosystems and sustainability in Spanish), and one student already departed to Ghana. The Mayor commended the program and its impact on cultural understanding. - Public Art Mural Selection: Stuart Vance and Greg Nemick presented the winning mural design for Jackson Alley (on the back wall of Jacob Burns Film Center). The project originated with a community photo shoot using a green screen; the design features large colorful figures representing diverse village residents. 23 submissions were received from artists nationwide. After a public comment period, the Vance/Nemick proposal won by a 3-to-1 margin. Assemblywoman Mary Jane Shimsky secured a grant through the Westchester Arts Council. A community paint day is planned for late July/early August, with high school students and a recent college graduate assisting. The board praised the collaborative process. - Stop Sign Ordinance Discussion: The board explained the rationale for adding stop signs at the Ashland/Nanahagen intersection (near the country club and school), based on the pedestrian committee’s recommendation and village engineer Anthony Carr’s opinion. The public hearing was opened and, due to noticing requirements, will remain open until the July 14 meeting, when the board expects to close it and pass a resolution. All board members expressed unanimous support, noting only one negative email received. Supplementary discussion included speed limit sign placement, no-parking zones, and the feasibility of sidewalks on Nanahagen (estimated to cost millions and disrupt properties). - Red-Light Camera Legislation: Assemblywoman Mary Jane Shimsky reported that the state Assembly and Senate passed authorization legislation allowing Westchester County to install a red-light camera on the Saw Mill River Parkway in Pleasantville. The bill awaits the governor’s signature. The county has agreed to allocate one of its approved camera authorizations to the village. The board commended the effort as a significant step toward improving safety. - Pool Opening: The board celebrated the successful opening of the new Pleasantville pool over the weekend (June 28-29). Despite budget overruns, the pool was completed in 10 months, with a ribbon-cutting and first slide ride by community member Jim Kennedy. Large crowds enjoyed the free opening weekend. A shade canopy is on backorder and expected soon. The board acknowledged the contributions of Eric Morrissey, Mike Newman, Anthony Carr, and the design by Steve Roncunis. - Music Festival and Civic Space Concerts: The Pleasantville Music Festival will be held Saturday, July 12, 2025 (tickets via pleasantvillemusicfestival.com). The board announced three free outdoor concerts at the Civic Space, starting Saturday, June 28 (band: G Force, with Cousins Main Lobster food truck). The Civic Space is partially built and will eventually be expanded. Key Outcomes - Public Hearing Continued: The public hearing on Local Law 3 (stop signs) was opened and will be continued to the July 14, 2025 meeting, at which the board expects to close the hearing and adopt a resolution to install the stop signs. - Resolutions Approved: All eight resolutions (Minutes, Budget Amendments, Payment of Claims x2, Petty Cash, Snow/Ice Extension, Promotion, Amended DRC) were approved unanimously. - Red-Light Camera: The state authorization legislation is pending gubernatorial action; the board will monitor progress. - Next Steps: The board will consider additional traffic calming measures (e.g., speed limit sign relocation, no-parking evaluations) and continue planning for the mural community paint day. The pool shade canopy installation is pending. - Next Meeting: Monday, July 14, 2025, followed by an executive session.

The Village Board of Trustees held a work session on July 1, 2025, to discuss analysis of village codes regarding loading and unloading times, a progress update on Parkway Field, and other matters. The meeting also included an informal report on the recent opening of the renovated village pool. Discussion Items - Loading and Unloading Time Code Analysis: The board reviewed current code (123-5) which prohibits loading/unloading between 7 PM and 8 AM on any day and at any time on Sunday within residential zones (including residences in commercial zones). The board noted this effectively bans moving vans on Sundays, which was likely unintended. They have engaged BFJ Planning to research suburban municipal codes and propose amendments, focusing on adjusting time windows, zoning districts, or a combination. No final decision was made. - Parkway Field Progress Update: The board discussed an $85,000 increase in this year's park maintenance budget for intensive turf care. An outsourced aerator can now reach 8-inch depth (previously 3 inches), combined with expanded fertilizing and overseeding. However, the board declined to adopt chemical pest control or fertilizers, citing health concerns (e.g., dog seizures). The fields are currently looking good, but high school varsity and JV football, plus Dad's Club activities, cause significant wear. The school district has formed a Fields and Lights Subcommittee to explore options, including potential improvements at Parkway. Key topics included: feasibility of artificial turf at Parkway (front vs. back), drainage/floodplain issues (back portion is in a floodplain with mapped wetlands), parking constraints (reliance on Henkel lot), and cost estimates (turfing and lighting front field roughly $5–6 million, with recurring replacement costs every 10–15 years). The board discussed a possible joint study with the school via Order & Curren engineering, but funding responsibility is contested (village vs. school district). A proposal to shift Sunday organized sports from 11 AM to 9 AM was also noted, with neighbor concerns. - Pool Renovation Celebration: Trustees praised the successful opening of the renovated pool, highlighting zero-entry, improved layout, and positive community feedback. The ribbon-cutting took place on July 1, 2025. Key Outcomes - The board agreed to proceed with BFJ Planning’s analysis of loading/unloading time amendments, with recommendations expected at a future meeting. - Regarding Parkway Field, the board expressed preference for a phased study: first assess hydrology and drainage feasibility for the back field before considering broader artificial turf options. The scope of work for a consultant (Order & Curren) will be refined by the school-community subcommittee. No funding commitment was made by the village. - No formal votes were taken on any agenda items; decisions were deferred pending further analysis and subcommittee recommendations.

The Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on June 9, 2025, at 8:00 PM at Village Hall (80 Wheeler Ave, 2nd Floor). Trustee Nicole Asquith presided in the absence of Mayor Peter Scher. The board unanimously approved 19 resolutions covering budget amendments, payment of claims, a public hearing for a new stop intersection, sponsorship agreements for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival, an award for roadway paving, and personnel changes for parks groundskeepers. The meeting also featured announcements about the opening of the new village pool, a mural project, and other community events. Consent Calendar - Res. No. 2025-206: Approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 27, 2025. - Res. No. 2025-207: Approved budget amendments for FYE 2025 totaling $19,725 in the General Fund and $7,502 in the Water Fund. - Res. No. 2025-208: Approved payment of claims for FYE 2025 totaling $1,793,292.16, with $1,659,529.34 from the Capital Fund for the new pool. - Res. No. 2025-209: Approved payment of claims for FYE 2026 totaling $283,024.76. - Res. No. 2025-210: Scheduled a public hearing for June 23, 2025, to consider Intro. Local Law 3 of 2025 designating a stop-intersection at Ashland Avenue and Nanahagan Road. - Res. No. 2025-211: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with Goosefeathers for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-212: Authorized payment of $5,000 to Soup's on Entertainment as a talent buyer for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-213: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with Northwell Health for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-214: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with Tarrytown House Estate for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-215: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a vendor agreement for the Pleasantville Music Festival to participate in the Hudson River Festival. - Res. No. 2025-216: Awarded Bid 2025-02 Roadway Pavement Management Program to ELQ Industries, Inc. (base bid $279,530; base + alternates $352,198), the lowest bid received. - Res. No. 2025-217: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with ChargerGoGo Inc. for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-218: Authorized a title change for Brenden Gallagher from Motor Equipment Operator to full-time Parks Groundskeeper, CSEA Wage Schedule A, Step 6, at an annual salary of $90,224, effective June 10, 2025. - Res. No. 2025-220: Approved the promotion of Brendan Duane to full-time Parks Groundskeeper, CSEA Wage Schedule B, Step 3, at an annual salary of $76,816, effective June 10, 2025. - Res. No. 2025-219: Approved the promotion of Shawn Tiffany to full-time Parks Groundskeeper, CSEA Wage Schedule B, Step 3, at an annual salary of $76,816, effective June 10, 2025. - Res. No. 2025-221: Authorized a change order of $1,750 from PRM Electric, Inc. for electrical updates at Parkway Field for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-222: Authorized the Village Administrator to sign a sponsorship agreement with Penny Lick Ice Cream Company LLC for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival. - Res. No. 2025-223: Authorized no parking and restricted street access for the Pleasantville Music Festival on July 12, 2025, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Hopper Street, Village Lane, Elm Street, Pine Street, and Lincoln Avenue; also authorized no parking on Castleton Street for emergency personnel staging and authorized the Police Chief to tow violating vehicles. - Res. No. 2025-224: Authorized a perimeter for the Pleasantville Music Festival including Hopper Street, Village Lane, and Marble Avenue between them to prohibit unauthorized solicitation, peddling, and campaigning on July 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the meeting. Discussion Items - Announcements: Trustee Asquith announced the grand opening of the new village pool on Saturday, June 14 (weather permitting), with music, races, and splash contests; a community mural project on Jackson Alley with three finalist proposals seeking public feedback; the Pleasantville Music Festival on July 12 featuring a Taylor Swift tribute band and a Battle of the Bands winner; a summer concert series at the new civic space on June 28, July 26, and August 23 with food trucks; the opening of Roselle Playground later in the week; and recapped community events including Break the Hold's "Into the Light" walk and the Pleasantville Pride picnic. - Budget amendments: The two sets of payment claims (FYE 2025 and FYE 2026) were explained: one covers bills from the previous fiscal year ending May 31, 2025, and the other covers bills at the start of the new fiscal year. - Public hearing for stop intersection: Trustee Asquith noted that the proposed stop-intersection at Ashland Avenue and Nanahagan Road resulted from meetings with the Pedestrian Committee and residents to address a chaotic area with high pedestrian traffic. - Personnel changes: Superintendent of Parks Mike Newman advocated for park-specific titles; the changes (title change and promotions) make the positions more competitive for future hires. It was noted that residents have raised concerns about trash and maintenance in parks. - Roadway paving award: The low bid from ELQ Industries (a previous vendor) came in on budget per the village engineer's estimate. Key Outcomes - All 19 resolutions were adopted unanimously by voice vote. - The public hearing for Intro. Local Law 3 of 2025 (stop-intersection) will be held on June 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM at Village Hall.

The Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees held a work session on June 10, 2025, at Village Hall, chaired by a trustee filling in for Mayor Peter Scher who was on holiday. The meeting focused on two main topics: feedback from the New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) annual meeting and the selection process for a public art mural installation in Jackson Alley, funded by a grant from Arts Westchester. Public Comments & Testimony - Francesca (resident): Commented on the village's social media strategy, suggesting that Facebook posts can disable comments for informational purposes, as school districts do. She also inquired about feedback from NYCOM regarding upcoming elections, which the acting trustee deferred until Mayor Scher's return. She expressed a desire for more structured engagement and noted her experience managing social media for an organization. Discussion Items - NYCOM Annual Meeting Feedback: The acting trustee reported on sessions attended, including an Albany update, climate leadership for local governments, community solar for local leaders, and cybersecurity. A key session on leveraging social media for local impact emphasized that social media should not be used for debate or back-and-forth with residents, as it circumvents government protocol and creates a FOIL-able record. Recommendations included using Instagram primarily for visual storytelling (especially video, due to algorithm prioritization), creating a content calendar with weekly themes (e.g., events, public safety, parks, civic services), and posting at least once per weekday. The board discussed increasing post frequency, having trustees rotate creating short video previews of upcoming meeting topics, tagging other accounts (e.g., Chamber of Commerce), and pinning a post with contact information on Facebook. A book titled "The Social Media Playbook for City and County Managers" by Sam Toles was also mentioned. The board considered creating a single trustee email address for public inquiries. - Public Art Mural Installation: Three finalists were selected from proposals submitted by artists across New York State. The proposals are: 1. Stuart Vance (local): "Walking Village" theme featuring photographs of actual Pleasantville residents, revised to use the wall space more dynamically. 2. Katie Westmoreland: Floral theme, requested to incorporate native plants; praised for its dynamic use of space. 3. Brooklyn-based group: "Clothing Through Time" concept representing Pleasantville's history through garments, with added color and a movie-light motif after committee feedback; some concern about representation of indigenous clothing. The selection committee, including representatives from Jacob Burns Film Center and Arts Westchester, made recommendations for adjustments. Public feedback will be collected via email, with a deadline of June 19, 2025, and the committee will make the final decision. Arts Westchester asked that the process not be a public vote, but qualitative feedback is encouraged. Trustees expressed personal preferences: some favored the walking theme for its community connection, others questioned the relevance of the third proposal. - Other Updates: - Traffic light improvements: The new mast arm at Washington Avenue and Wheeler Avenue has been well-received; pedestrian signals are being adjusted. The contractor will return after July 4 for punch list items (panel replacements, cracked panels). A right-turn lane on Grant Street southbound may be discussed with the state DOT. - Pool construction: The slide is installed; lounge chairs are not yet placed. Staff will be allowed entry Wednesday/Thursday for setup. Snack bar details are pending. - Saw Mill red light camera: The county board passed an enabling resolution; state-level updates are pending activation in other areas. Key Outcomes - Public feedback call: The village will send out a call for public comments on the three mural proposals via email, Facebook, and Instagram, with a deadline of June 19, 2025. Feedback should be emailed to info@pleasantville-ny.gov. - Social media strategy: Trustees agreed to implement a content calendar for Instagram, with weekly themes and rotating trustee responsibilities for short preview videos. The Facebook page will be updated with pinned contact information. - Trustee email: A single email address for all trustees will be considered to streamline public inquiries. - Traffic signal follow-up: The Department of Public Works will approach the state DOT regarding the right-turn lane issue on Grant Street. - Saw Mill camera: The village will monitor state-level developments and continue follow-up.

This summary reflects the Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees regular meeting. While the agenda listed the meeting date as Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the assigned summary date is May 31, 2025. The meeting featured extensive public comment on the proposed redevelopment of 444 Bedford Road, the village's zoning and master plan, an election date change proposal, and several community announcements. The board unanimously adopted all 19 resolutions on the agenda. Consent Calendar - Res. 2025-187: Minutes of May 12, 2025, approved. - Res. 2025-188: FYE 2025 Budget Amendments ($12,690 in transfers, $610,045 in appropriations from fund balance for Manville Road Improvements and Pool Reconstruction, plus Water and Capital Fund adjustments). - Res. 2025-189: Established a $100 seasonal petty cash fund for pool change-making. - Res. 2025-190: FYE 2026 Management Salaries approved ($195,915 to $80,000 range). - Res. 2025-191 to 195: Approved sponsorship agreements for the 2025 Pleasantville Music Festival (RW Creations, Spectrum Designs, Best Wine Purveyors, Innov8tive, James Coleman Architecture). - Res. 2025-196: Approved payment of claims FYE 2025 ($582,916.92 total across all funds). - Res. 2025-197: Approved payment of claims FYE 2026 ($17,291.87 total). - Res. 2025-198: Approved a block party and street closure for Sarles Lane on June 14, 2025. - Res. 2025-199: Authorized amendment with Ambassador Event Productions for the Music Festival ($1,000). - Res. 2025-200: Authorized a $10 ticket discount for Hudson River Festival patrons. - Res. 2025-201: Authorized donation of two Music Festival tickets to ArtsWestchester. - Res. 2025-202: Authorized a supplemental tax refund ($278.73) to correct a 2024 tax certiorari resolution for 520 Bedford Road. - Res. 2025-203: Authorized closure of 18 capital accounts, transferring remaining balances. - Res. 2025-204: Approved a parade permit for the Break the Hold Foundation "Into the Light" Walk on June 8, 2025. - Res. 2025-205: Authorized road closures for the Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department annual parade on May 30, 2025. Public Comments & Testimony - Francesca Hagadis: Donated three chairs for the civic space. Urged the board to move forward on a referendum to switch village elections from March to November, noting the 90-day deadline to get on the ballot. Represented a group of former officials and active residents who favor putting the change to a vote. Mayor expressed significant misgivings about partisan politicization but agreed to research the process at the NYCOM conference. - Tierney (15 Grant St): Voiced concerns about the 444 Bedford Road project, specifically its density, design, safety, and construction hours (7am-7pm, including holidays). Requested stronger village oversight of materials and aesthetics. Board members explained the constraints of current zoning, the ARB process, market forces, and school enrollment data. - Tracy Spiegelman (26 Bruce St): Echoed concerns about the 7am construction start conflicting with school drop-off traffic. Board responded that evening end-time adjustments are more feasible than morning start-time changes. - Nancy Candee (12 Summit Place): Inquired about the future of the Methodist Church site (no update available). Raised concern over persistent illegal parking in fire zones and handicap spots. Board confirmed a significant increase in ticketing enforcement this year. - Bill Lenahan: Challenged the board's narrative of economic vitality, citing a decline in sales tax revenue. Mayor clarified the revenue is a county-level pool share. Bill argued permitted density under 2017 zoning could add hundreds more units to "soft sites," surpassing a tipping point, and expressed intent to vote against further projects. - Jonathan Cunningham (14 Highway Lane): Endorsed a broader community discussion on zoning, specifically affordable housing requirements, site line considerations, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR). Dismissed the 2017 Master Plan as outdated. Warned the board not to budget recurring expenses based on new tax revenues that could be reduced by future tax certiorari challenges. Advocated for negotiating "tax treaties" with developers to prevent budget shocks. Discussion Items - 444 Bedford Road & Zoning: The board fielded extensive questions on the proposal to convert the vacated Chase Bank building into 36 residential units. Board members defended the 2017 Master Plan's goals of downtown density, citing the housing crunch, positive traffic studies, low retail vacancy, and high apartment occupancy. The alternative use of the site (vacant office tower) was portrayed as having worse parking and traffic outcomes. - Construction Hours: Following public concerns about the 7am-7pm daily (including holidays) construction code, the board agreed to explore modifying the code. The evening end time (7pm) was identified as more likely to change than the morning start (7am) due to delivery logistics. - Election Date Change: Francesca Hagadis and Mayor debated moving from March to November. Mayor cited risks of partisan elections and higher costs; Hagadis argued for voter trust and participation. Mayor promised a report after the NYCOM conference. - Pool Grand Opening: Soft opening on June 13, grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 14, 2025. The pool will be free to all that weekend. - Community Announcements: Pleasantville Music Festival (July 12), Fire Department parade (May 30), Memorial Plaza concerts (June 28, July 26, August 23), and grants from the Climate Smart Task Force were announced. Key Outcomes - All 19 resolutions on the agenda were approved by unanimous voice vote. - The board will review the village code regulating construction hours (currently 7am-7pm, including holidays) in response to public concerns. - The mayor committed to researching the logistics and timeline for placing an election date change (March to November) on the ballot and will report findings from the NYCOM conference. - A community discussion regarding the 2017 Master Plan, zoning (FAR, site lines), and overall development vision will be organized by the board. - The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn into executive session on matters of real property.

Village Engineer and Superintendent of Public Works Anthony Carr presented an update on the lead service line inventory program, including progress to date, next steps for predictive modeling, costs, and future replacement requirements. Board members and a trustee discussed the village’s proactive approach versus waiting for regulatory changes. Discussion Items - Inventory status: As of May 2025, 24 lead service lines have been identified on the public side (village-owned from water main to curb stop) and 10 on the customer side (from curb stop into the house). Zero service lines have lead on both sides. There are 1,312 service lines with unknown material status that must be classified to zero by November 2027. - Field inspections: A total of 55 customer-side inspections were completed; 6 were confirmed as lead. Self-reporting by residents using scratch tests was encouraged but yielded few responses. - Predictive modeling: A subconsultant (Blue Conduit) is building a statistical model using records, assessments, and field data to assign materials to unknown lines. To achieve the required 95% confidence interval, 100 homes will be selected for “swordfishing” – inserting a probe into the service line to measure electrical resistance and determine material. If needed, an additional 50 homes may be inspected. Swordfishing is scheduled for July–August 2025, with modeling completion expected by September 2025. - Timeline: A complete inventory with zero unknowns must be submitted to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) by November 1, 2027. Simultaneously, a 10-year replacement plan (2027–2037) must be submitted, requiring on average 10% replacement per year of all lead and galvanized steel requiring replacement (GSLR) lines. - Budget: $246,000 has been approved for phases 1–6 (complete) and phase 7 (underway). For the next fiscal year (June 2025–May 2026), an additional $139,000–$189,000 is needed for phases 8–13, including the swordfishing, predictive modeling, annual notifications, and preparation of the replacement and sampling plans. Funds would come from the water fund. - Estimated replacement costs (public side only): Low estimate $325,000 (if no more lead found), likeliest $1.34 million (134 service lines at 5.3% lead rate), high estimate $2.4 million (196 service lines at 10% lead rate). Private side costs would likely double these figures if the village administers the entire replacement and back-charges homeowners. Homeowners have the option to hire their own contractor for the private side, but coordination challenges were noted. - Regulatory context: Carr noted that NYSDOH may introduce additional tap sampling requirements for schools and child care facilities, but guidance remains unclear. The EPA mandates apply nationwide, but there is uncertainty about enforcement and potential rule changes under the current administration. - Trustee comment: Trustee Johnny Ham expressed frustration that Pleasantville is being proactive while other municipalities may delay and later receive grants or avoid penalties. He suggested waiting and proceeding cautiously. Mayor Sheer acknowledged the concern but emphasized the village cannot willfully violate a federal drinking water mandate. - Next steps: Carr will obtain the list of 100 addresses for swordfishing and order water meters in advance. The board may authorize the expenditures in a future meeting. Quarterly updates were proposed. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken during the work session. The board heard the update and will consider authorizing the next phase of funding (up to $189,000) at a regular meeting. - The work session was followed by an executive session at 8:30 PM to discuss real property matters (no transcript provided).