Town Board - Regular Meeting

ing in progress. Bedford Town Board meeting of Tuesday, January 6th, 2026. I would like to move that the board come out of executive session. Second. Uh all in favor? I I And just for the record, we uh went into executive session at 4:05 um for the purpose of interviews and an update on uh negotiations, union negotiations. We can now um do the pledge of allegiance. Please rise if you are able.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And I would like to welcome our new council member, Mijayorio. Welcome, Mitch. Thank you. I am delighted to be here.

Okay, we will um start with the annual organizational meeting and uh we start with new business uh to designate the official newspaper of the town of Bedford for notices and publications as um the recorder and the journal news. Will we be posting to both or is reporter primary um and journal news as So the reporters are primary but there are certain things we have to notice wider. So that's why we keep both. Okay. All right. But for the most part, most of what we notice will be in the will be in the recorder and they've achieved sufficient uh distribution to qualify for a noticing correct entity. Okay. Great. Thank you. Um do we have a motion to approve? So moved.

Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. Motion carries. Number two, we request uh for the board to approve the establishment of standard hours. Uh there's a memo attached. This is required um I think by civil service every year. Uh do we have a motion to approve? Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I I uh we have a request to authorize the town's membership in the New York Association of Towns. Now calling themselves Nyatt uh including the payment of the annual dues for $2,300 and authorization of supervisor to vote at the annual meeting on behalf of the town. We have a motion to approve. So moved. Second. All in favor? I. Motion carries.

Uh, and I think MIJ is going to the Association of Towns new board member training. I am there's also an annual meeting coming up in February um for anyone who wants to attend. Um, we have a a proposal to adopt a resolution regarding conference and seminars attendance um for public officials. Uh, this is a I guess a standard policy that I don't think had any changes this year. So, do we have a motion to approve? So, move. Second. All in favor? I.

Motion carries. Uh, we have a request from the Superintendent of Recreation and Parks, Chris Soy, to approve the proposed 2026 fee schedule for summer day camps, pool memberships, fees, facility use, platform, tennis court, uh, reservations. The, um, updated fee schedule is attached to the agenda. I had it printed out and now I don't know where it is. Um nothing significant. Was there anything from R and Parks advisory committee?

Um I would just say that you know there are some minimal uh increases across the board. There was one fee that actually did not change. Um and there was considerable uh conversation around the fees for the facilities to ensure that um with the increased usage that would the fees would support um the management and maintenance of those facilities but um very thoughtful in terms of you know understanding that everything's more expensive. Um, and we wanted to try to ensure that we could continue to provide the best services to our residents without having to raise the fees exorbitantly.

Fantastic. Good. And I know the Bedford Toast Community House just had the floors completely re refinished. Um, so that's another um reason why, you know, having adequate coverage of those fees um get good put to good use. Um, okay. Do we have a motion to approve? So move. Second. All in favor? I I. And then um we have a request to approve uh just the full list of 2026 um town of Bedford fee schedule, which I think for the most part is just those wreck and parks fees updated. There weren't a lot of other fees that changed. No, there's no other major updates.

Okay. So, we already approved it. We don't need to approve it again, but I'll just adopt the new fee schedule. I'll make a motion to adopt the new fee schedule as posted here. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? I. Motion carries. We request from controller Connealy to accept the renewal of the town's insurance coverage through Brown and Brown with Nimmer and Comp Alliance. Um the that information is there and I believe we got um a good rate on it this year. Um got a reduction from the past. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor?

I motion carries. We have a request um for the town board to authorize the paying of certain bills prior to the audit and um those are reviewed by um our finance leazison Bobby Picker and then approved um prior to the audit. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor? I I um for the financial policies and designations recommended by the comproller uh number one we have a request to approve the 2026 investment policy which is the same as the 2025 investment policy. Do I have a motion to approve? So move. Second. All in favor?

I I have a request to adopt a resolution approving the designated credit cards for payments and purchases for the year 2026. Do a motion to approve. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor? I I uh we have a request to designate the depositories uh the following resolutions in your packet to designate um the following banks as the depositories for funds and accounts of the town of Edford JP Morgan Chase Bank Webster's TD Bank and Orange Bank and Trust. Uh to designate the municipal investment consortium NClass as an additional depository and to authorize supervisor and board member Bobby Bicker and the controller to transact business with the designated deposiitories. Do I have a motion to approve? So move. Second. All in favor?

I I uh we have request to adopt a resolution authorizing that certain payments be made in advance of the audit and that members of the town board constitute an audit committee to audit bills and claims against town prior to payment and the finance department liaison Bobby Vidker will review vouchers prior to dispersement and present present to the board for approval. We have a motion to approve. So second. All in favor? I uh we have a request to adopt the updated mileage reimbursement rate. um for use of cars on town business, personal cars on the town business at the applicable 2026 IRS mileage rate. Do you have a motion to approve? So move. Second. All in favor? I.

Um regarding rates and agreements for consultants, contractors, and other services. We have had requests from various departments to approve proposed rates for the following um providers and to authorize a supervisor to enter into agreements for their services to the town in 2026. Uh number one, we have uh the retainer for Keenan Bean um to provide legal services as our town attorney. Um do we have request? Do we have a motion to approve? So move second. Uh all in favor? I I and I'll add uh it's not on here, but I think it was supposed to be a request to appoint Eric Gordon as our town attorney. Okay. Um for the year 2026. Uh do we have a motion to approve? I just made the motion.

Second. All in favor? I. Thank you very much. Um I'll make a motion to approve Atlantic Westchester HVAC maintenance rates for 20 425 Cherry Street um for the 2026 year. Second. All in favor? I I We have make a motion to approve James James Han Engineering as town's engineering consultant. Do we have a second? Second. All in favor? I

I um we have a motion to approve northeast uh Westchester special recreation um intermunicipal agreement um with our re parks department for special education special recreation services. Uh seconded by Becker. All in favor? I I um we have request to appoint Rosemary Donnelly as a court reporter uh with the following rates. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor? I. We have request to appoint precise translations or to approve precise translations as the court interpreter. Uh do we have a motion to approve? So moved.

Second. All in favor? I I uh request to approve Kimley Horn as a traffic consultant. So move. Second. All in favor? I. U. We have a motion to approve McHugh Studio Productions to do our video live stream support. Second. All in favor? I.

And um the following appointments uh basically I would like to um make the appointment of Lisa Burke as supervisor's chief of staff effective January 26 through December 31st, 2026. also like to um appoint Stephanie McCain as deputy supervisor effective January 1st, 2026 through December 31st, 2026. And um I don't think those need town board. I just announced that um we have a request to the board to reappoint Kevin Wind to serve as commissioner of public works and a legal discharge officer with a 2-year term expiring December 31st, 2027. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved.

Second. All in favor? I uh we have a request to appoint Linglu as deputy clerk through December 31, 2026. Do we we don't need to approve that? We just announced the town clerk would like to appoint Ling. Fabulous. She's doing a great job. Uh we request to appoint Alexander Wayan as register of vital statistics and Linglu as deputy register of vital statistics effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Do you have a motion to approve? So moved. Second.

All in favor? I that concludes our organizational meeting. Uh if there are any public comments, questions. Okay. I will adjourn the organizational meeting and open the business meeting for January 6, 2026. Um we have a request by controller or under the consent agenda. We have a request by controller Connealy to approve abstract of claims and paid priors in the amount of $884,724.30. We have a request from DPW Commissioner Win for the board to award the 2026 paving contract bid with KEK Construction CPS um for the year uh January 1, 226 through December 31st, 2026. And we have a request from DPW Commissioner Wyn for the board to award two wayfinding sign contracts to Gleno Supply Corps uh to furnish the signs and SWC for installation. Do we have a motion to approve the three items on the consent agenda?

So move second. And I'll just say the wayfinding is part of our dig grant project which um that funding comes from the county of Westchester and that will be to create signs. Wayfinding basically is directional signs for pedestrians and vehicles to find where's where to park, where to shop, um where to go in Bedford Hills. So that's part of that um downtown improvement project. Any questions? All in favor? I

I those three motions carry. Those three items carry. Um, under old business, we had discussed setting um we had discussed an amendment to a local law regarding um parking on public streets in residential districts and had heard from a number of residents regarding large vehicles um recreational vehicles and um had been proposed that we consider a change to the local law with respect to recreational vehicles. um what is up for discussion and conversation and then we could set a public hearing. Um would be a proposed law to add. Currently, um, the law 117-1D10 states that it is not it's not permitted to park a commercial vehicle or an industrial vehicle on any public street or town right ofway in a district zone residential or in any town owned, operated, and maintained public parking lots except if it's parked temporarily to provide a service to a nearby um business or dwelling. um a service delivery um that kind of thing and without a permit. The proposal would be to add recreational vehicles since um with respect to that law, it's usually because the commercial or industrial vehicles are large um blocking the street um causing it hard to see out of driveways. Um and you know that's not really appropriate to leave those parked on residential streets. Um, similarly, we've had the sentiment that having recreational vehicles parked on the streets um is causing a similar issue. This would also require amending the definition section to add recreational

vehicle. Um I think we consulted other definitions of this and the one that is printed on the agenda is up for conversation but it says any vehicle used or intended to be used as a conveyance upon public streets or highways including self-propelled and non self-propelled vehicles so designed constructed and reconstructed or added to by means of accessories as to permit the occupancy thereof as temporary dwelling or sleeping place for one or more persons having no foundation other than wheels, jacks, or skirting so arranged as to be integral with or portable by a wheeled vehicle. Um I think I put something about gross vehicle weight rating but it's not necessary for this discussion. So I'd like to open up to the board just for discussion. Um, I think it has become a concern that recreational vehicles should be um, parked on driveways or there should be a permit for that kind of vehicle to be parked on the streets. um because it, you know, it certainly makes people uncomfortable and can't see out of their driveways if there's a large vehicle um parked in front of their house um for, you know, a lot repeatedly. Um that's what we heard from many people in the public. Um and it is a common uh prohibition to occur in town laws uh throughout the county. There's several that don't allow recreational vehicles to be parked on streets without a permit. And so, um, it is up for discussion. Any comments?

I guess my only question is if there's been a discussion with respect to obtaining the parking permit, are there time frames, number of days, hours that we're going to reflect in this particular permit process or is it just whatever we have on file right now or for options? So, I think um creating a permit, I mean, I think if the law refers to an opportunity to obtain a permit, we could go and create a permit in the building department or in the probably the town clerk's office or would probably be more appropriate. Um, we could indicate uh

this is a daily, this is a whatever, right? you could indicate um without obtaining a parking permit for um commuter lot, which would be with the um with the parking bureau. Okay. Or um or um town clerk, okay, for um street parking. And then we we could um I don't think we have to put the parameters into the law, but we would at you know perhaps at the next meeting talk about what would go such a permit. Um if we do pass this in this form, you know, what would we create that would enable someone to park on a town street?

Perfect. Yeah. cuz I think um the definition is so broad of recreational vehicle here that it would include even very small um RVs. So a camper van um little airream which may be a visitor to someone's house or or even a large RV that just is your friend's coming to visit that doesn't fit in your driveway, you don't have a driveway. Um yeah certainly there should be an opportunity for um a permit to to be obtained and a defined time frame or given given time frame with a permit. Yeah. Would there be any need to restrict the time frame or

Yeah, there would I think we need to set parameters what the perimeter what the permit could allow because so without parameters whoever is issuing the permit wouldn't know how to enforce it, right? Somebody says I want to do it for two weeks a month. What you know what what are the limits on it? Um, so we need that. So, but we don't need that in the I don't think we need that in the local law, but we need direction for what what limit. So, maybe at the public hearing, we could also discuss.

Yeah, we could do a resolution saying what the parameters for the permit are. That's what that's how I think we'd adopt it. And then if you wanted to change it, if the board wanted to change it any time, they could just change that by resolution if they felt it wasn't long enough or too was becoming too long or um Sure. You know, whether it restricted had any other restrictions on Right. Right. Right. Um Okay. So, we can uh consider that um we could draft something before the next meeting or we could talk about it now. Um,

we'll set the public hearing. So, maybe before the public hearing is held, I we should probably have the parameters of the of the permit established. Okay. Before we adopt before the board considers adoption of the local law, right? So, we could talk about both in the public hearing. Um, but I would love to hear from the board on this topic um on this issue.

I mean, I think this is obviously pretty balanced and and thoughtful. I but I do think that the other half of this the public concern was regarding using the vehicle as a dwelling and this doesn't address that. So I'm curious about whether or not it can we are permitting um the RVs to be used as a dwelling on public or town property. Well, I think this would shut that down because No, it would include recreational vehicles not being parked on town streets without a permit. Are you saying with a permit could be used as a dwelling? Yes. So, like if they're if we're allowing them to park,

right, the permit could restrict could could have a restriction saying it can't be used as or as an overnight dwelling if it's parked on any town street or town property. That could be a um that could be a condition of the permit as well. Mhm. Could be a condition of the permit. So that that would or you know I mean the permit I mean if we're concerned about it being a dwelling or you know limit the number of nights somebody can use it as a dwelling. Um but I'm just wondering as we consider this if that's something we want to have a conversation about as well.

Right. It might be right. I mean, the other thing that isn't in our law that's in some other laws is um we were talking about this today like sleeping in vehicles in general. Um it does happen. Um sadly, you know,

it's a larger societal problem. Um I mean maybe someone just falls asleep in their car um for whatever reason, but there's also been instances of homeless people who are sleeping in cars often in our often but sometimes in our uh commuter lots and it's a question of whether that should also be added somewhere in our law um or we hope that they get a good night's sleep and move on. Um how how would you enforce that? How do we enforce that? I'm just like, how would you know if someone sleeping in the vehicles? Yeah. The police would have to guard vehicles. Yeah. No. Is that something they do now? No, they don't.

Yeah. I mean, they they don't enforce it before. They don't like Do they They do approach people in vehicles. Yeah. You know, they notice that someone is in a vehicle for an extended period of time or regularly. Um and you know not necessarily to enforce anything or to be punitive but also to ensure that someone is safe and doesn't need any additional support.

Right? When we have had people sleeping in vehicles on the lots there have been you know people don't feel comfortable because they're there like they might not want to park their car in the lot because they're afraid of the person. And and what the police have explained is certainly if someone is menacing or littering or you know not not behaving appropriately um they will tell them to leave or make them stop or take the appropriate action but just being in their car um they'll just check on them. They don't make them they don't make them leave. I mean there are also good reasons for people to be

sleeping in their cars briefly. You know you're taking a long trip. you're sitting and waiting for your car to charge. I mean, so I don't think we're looking again to, you know, for a gotcha situation, but I'm just curious about, you know, people being unhoused and using the recreational vehicle in particular for a place to sleep for an extended period of time specifically. Um, okay. So we could consider in the condition of the permit how long or if someone could be sleeping in the vehicle and maybe we won't address the the larger issue of sleeping

the larger issue of sleeping vehicles at this time because I think um that's an unfortunate situation but I'm not sure I want to as you said I I would imagine if you got off the train and you weren't in a condition to drive you might just fall asleep in your car and I wouldn't want you to get arrested for not driving state right

and and also So, some people may need to sleep in their vehicles for other reasons. Um, any other, you know, I I do want to address that this is, you know, you shouldn't be creating laws just for one incident. Um, and there is a that this has been brought to our attention. A lot of residents are upset that there's an RV parking on their street and so it has brought this up. Um, it is not an unreasonable law to pass. Um, and you know, I think it is there are definitely, you know, we can't find all the loopholes that I'm sure people will find. Um, there are other places to park or there are other ways to get around this. So, um, but, you know, we've had a lot of people kind of demanding that we do something. And I think most people if there was an RV with someone in it all day long every day parked in front of their house, they would not like it. Um

it's there are RV parks, there are places to go. Um there are uh service agencies that I think have offered to help the person who is um doing this and the services have not been accepted. So um we are not by any means trying to um make this an impossible situation for one person. Um there are other solutions there. But I think we are responding to something that a lot of residents are concerned about and that is a sort of a basic um law that's passed in a lot of communities. But it is not easy. Any other questions, comments? Okay. Do we have um a motion to set a public hearing on a draft local law to add recreation vehicles to chapter 1171D10 and to yeah we'll also draft a resolution regarding a permit

for um for when the next meeting January 20th uh at 6:15. So you want Okay. So, we'd have to get the draft of the local law to you this week, which we I can certainly do if you want to set it for that for the next meeting. So, yes. Okay. We want the permitting details too for the next meeting. I think we could have um sort of bullet list for the for the permit details um and discuss that and hear from the public on that as well. Does the town board have any ideas right now about how long the vehicles should be permitted to park? I guess that could be um if you have any ideas right now um helpful to

so that we could pull together that resolution. I mean for me one thing would be how many times can someone get a permit consecutively? So whether we issue it for one week or two weeks or daily how many times can you renew it consecutively? Right. So if it's 5 days up to 21 days up to two renewals. Yeah. You know, I don't really know, but I do think that would probably be a consideration.

Okay. I mean, maybe. Right. So I I would think if you're going to set a time period that you can't then consecutively get another week added on. Um there would be some kind of ultimate limit to how long that vehicle can park there. Yeah. And then they have to wait a certain number of period of days before they can get another permit, I would assume. So whatever the board thinks is an appropriate, you know, whether it's a week to visit, somebody's coming into town with a large RV going to park in front of their parents house with their kids and yeah, you know, use it as a sort of a temporary place to, you know, to not necessarily sleep, but to live in. How long should Right. Or to park to visit, right? So I mean I would say up to seven days.

Seven days. That's what I That was my intuition. Up to a week. Um I think we may require that a resident um applies for this permit. Yeah. Um

you know, similar to the construction law, it has to be related to a nearby um building or uh structure. So would it be that someone applies a resident may apply for this permit to have an a vehicle parked on their street or in the proximity of their um dwelling or their building. And then do we want to say whether I don't know if I feel very strongly about whether people are in it or not.

I'm sorry. You do or you don't? I don't. Okay. I don't have a strong opinion there. If it's someone applying for If they go through the process to me, Ellen, and they go through the right way and we set up the permitting process and to me they have every right to go in and out of their own RV. Um, again, not menacing, not causing any issues. Sure. Um, but if they're following the permitting process. Yeah. Okay. I mean, obviously there must there would be maybe some streets in town where this wouldn't be safe. Like you couldn't apply for the permit if you know would block traffic or uh Yes.

Right. That's what we discussed the last time where it was a safety issue and as long as that's accounted for in this somehow because there were streets that are too narrow where you you couldn't see around corners. I mean, yes, you have to abide by all other traffic laws, but you know, how do we account for for those other problems that could be created by a vehicle of this size? So, maybe it can be a safety issue. It's not necessarily always a safety issue. Exactly. Yes. Yes. That's what I'm saying. No, we could maybe we could have it reviewed. It's a clerk clerk permits and it's reviewed by the police and by DPW DPW superintendent to evaluate the safety of the situation. Yes. Similar to fences that are put up on you know.

So I I think it could also be um if there is no other like if the resident's applying and there's they have a driveway they could put it in that could be a factor in denying the permit. Mhm. So, another means up here cuz then they wouldn't need a permit if it's in their driveway. Right. Right. Is there a fee for the permit? That's what I was going to ask. Sounds like a review. Departments are reviewing it. So, there's probably some there's some cost associated with that. Yeah. I I don't know what the typical fee you have for something like a fence review or something like that. We could I don't know what a fence review is. Our firework permits are $250.

That's what I was That was the number I was going to go with was $ 250. No, that's way too high. That seems high. An alcohol permit is $50. 50 bucks. 50 seems reasonable. I would say that's 25. 25. 25. Mhm. Okay. We don't want to discourage people from getting the promise. We want to make sure they get it. Just a matter of It's to cover the administrative cost. That's what I was That's what it is. I don't think it needs to be something. No. 2535

Kevin when the superintendent is probably going to have to go out look at the street look at the size of the vehicle police will probably it might take right so $25 sounds reasonable um without right blocking the roadway based on police or DPW review um and then there was the question of whether or not it can be renewed and if so up to how many So, it's a 7-day permit. Um, 30 days before it could be renewed or that's, you know, whatever period you think is appropriate. So, sure, it could be

what if someone's staying for 10 days? I mean, I I don't think two weeks is terrible, but I just think after 14 days, then there needs to be, you know, some time, whether it's 30 days or more. I don't know. So, it could be a permit up to 14 days that could be renewed after a 30-day potentially. Call that hiatus, right?

Okay. We can also look at the permit um in some other uh localities just to see if there's anything we think about. Um I guess I think that's enough to give us something to work with. It's a good job. Yeah. I mean appreciate it. I guess the concern if someone is sleeping in it or staying in it are there is it are their lights on? Are they idling? like, you know, we wouldn't want it to become Oh, that's like a a problem. Um, we do have an anti-idling law, so these vehicles aren't supposed to idle. And residents are applying for this permit, so hopefully they want to be good neighbors. Right.

Right. Okay. Okay. Um, did we make the motion to set the public hearing? at the public hearing for January 20th at 6:15 p.m. Um, I'll make the motion. Do we have a second? I'll second. Any other comments? All in favor? I. Okay. Motion carries. Uh, under new business, we have a request to approve a contract with um, Evelyn Ryan for consulting uh, to evaluate and update the systems and processes in the town historian's office. Do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. Second.

Um, so this is um an opportunity. There are a lot of documents in the historian's office. There are um boxes and boxes of uh historical records and uh reports and artifacts and things that um uh I think we would really like to catalog and be able to understand you know how to organize. So there's a proposal um for Lynn who used to work for the Historical Society to kind of work on how the process that we're going to implement there um and kind of a plan forward that hopefully we could then have interns um and uh staff work on to implement over time. It's a lot of work um you know sending a lot of times we've sent documents out to be scanned and organized and brought back and it's hundreds of thousands of dollars. So, I think having Lynn um you know on this for a good rate uh help us with this process and system so that we can um get all of that stuff organized and know how to use it effectively is a really good use of um of this opportunity and the historians 2025 budget will be um was not spent. So, this is an opportunity to use that for that.

Um do we have I guess any questions, comments? Great idea. Okay. All in favor? I um we have a request for the board to appoint uh three members to the conservation board. Gent to reappoint Gentrin Falstrom, reappoint Alex Grodner, and uh appoint new member Lynn Becker. Um and to also appoint um Mary Hearnstat as an alternate or as an associate member, not alternate associate member. Uh do we have a motion to approve? So second. All in favor?

I we have a request for the board to appoint Ronald Yncans um to the wetlands control commission uh as a full member. I just fixed that. Um, these are all effective on their uh renewal dates on January 20th. Do I have a motion to uh appoint Ronald? So moved. Second. All in favor? I uh do we have a request for the board to reappoint Nylus Clingal to the planning board uh effective January 20th. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second. All in favor? I.

Um fantastic. So appreciative that all of those people are willing to serve. It's been fun interviewing um everybody, even those who are getting reappointed to catch up and um you know hear about what they're excited about doing in the year ahead. Um and finally, we have a presentation. Um with us, we have their chair of our open space acquisition committee, uh John Nita, who uh I think has a few things to say. Um John, if you want to come up. And we also um John is joined by Gus Creech who is a high school senior um who has worked on a video that we want to share with you. Um and I do have Gus's bio. So Gus, thanks for joining us and bringing um friends um and open space advocates. I assume Gus is a student journalist and the anchor and executive producer of tower broadcast news at the masters school. His reporting on local and campus issues has earned regional and national recognition, including the private school Journalism Association's journalist of the year award. Congratulations. Uh in addition to his work in journalism, Gus has uh interned with Bedford's Open Space Acquisition Committee and spent the past two summers working at Blue Hill Stone Barnes. This summer, he produced a short film focused on preserving local green space. And we are so thrilled to have you here. And John, I think you have some words, opening words about the open space acquisition committee.

Thank you very much. And I want to make sure will this go on when we hit the button or uh Okay, good.

Um well uh thank you and we appreciate the opportunity to make a little presentation today. Um uh and I will start with just a few words about where our committee is right now and where we're where we're heading. Uh, but we really want to put the focus onto Gus Creech and this very short video that he created and I'll talk about that in a moment. So, um, so in terms of where we are, I think it's completely clear that open space is more important than ever. Uh, in these times when the weather conditions are changing, we sometimes forget the quiet work that open space does for the town of Bedford. It protects our drinking water. It reduces flooding by absorbing storm water. It keeps Bedford cooler and greener, providing habitat for wildlife and pollinators. And it also helps to self safeguard the rural character and scenic landscapes that drew so many people to here in bed in Bedford to begin with. And it gives residents places to walk, run, and reset. So all continues to be very valuable. At the same time, Bedford, as as everybody knows, Bedford property values have risen dramatically since the pandemic, up more than 60%. And that means that preserving land by acquisition, has become much more expensive than it used to be. So our committee's focus is on getting more bang for the buck. And that means techniques like leveraging state matching grants, uh, partnering with local land trusts and local residents and other nonprofits, public private partnerships, and other kinds of methods that will allow us to permanently protect land in more creative and

cost-effective ways. The goal is still the same, preserving Bedford's natural resources and character, but the tools have to be smarter and more collaborative than ever. So, the short film you're about to see grew out of an opportunity, and thank you, Supervisor Calves, for making available to us and all the committees in the town the opportunity to create a short video to go onto the town's website to help residents understand what we do and why it matters. And our committee thought that creating a video was a very good idea. And we were very lucky to have a talented summer intern who could run with it. Gus Creech is the high school senior who wrote, shot, edited, and narrated this video that now appears on the town's website in the open space section. Um, Supervisor Calves has already introduced Gus, so I won't elaborate on that other than simply to add that he's more than just a top student journalist. He's also he works as a butcher uh at Stone Barnes in the summer in addition to being an intern for us. He's an all-around great guy. And I'd like to turn it over to Gus to uh present the video. Thank you.

Thank you, JOHN. YEAH. Thank you guys again for having me. Thank you, John, and everyone on the committee uh for giving me the opportunity uh to create this video. It was a great time and it was, you know, great to just see, uh, you know, the the land that we have here. Uh, made me grateful for it and, um, yeah, I'll just put it now. Well, thank you so much for doing it. We look forward to sharing it. Um,

here in Bedford, New York, preserving open space isn't just something we do. It's who we are. It's what makes our town such a special place today and for generations to come. It is the ongoing mission of the town of Bedford Open Space Acquisition. We're committed to protecting undeveloped land, working with land owners to create conservation easements, and partnering with area land trust safeguarding natural beauty, wildlife, and history. Having access to the Boston prison um has really changed my daily routine. It's introduced reintroduced nature and uh physical activity and access to the great house.

Every acre preserved means cleaner air, water, habitat, and more places for families to connect with nature. Not everybody has the privilege of being able to walk into an open space like this. And I think that this is one of many beautiful places we have in this surrounding area that we're really lucky for. And it's important to protect that and try and promote that anywhere else we can. I think a lot of people think of open spaces as being very secluded, very insular, and it's actually been the exact opposite for me. So, I actually think of community spaces or conservation as actually community building more than anything else.

We believe Bedford can be a national leader, a model for how a town just 40 miles from New York City can balance growth with preservation and thrive in the process. Together, we can keep Bedford's beauty alive for today and for tomorrow. Yeah. So, here are um all the other uh properties around the town of Bedford that have been preserved um by the Open Space Acquisition Committee. And um yeah, just to echo what John was saying, um uh preserving this land uh really helps benefit, you know, everything around us. And uh yeah, just thank you again for the opportunity to work on this.

Thank you so much. What a beautiful video. Really exciting. So happy to HAVE IT. THANK YOU. GREAT JOB. GREAT JOB. And uh yeah, hopefully we can inspire uh lots of visitors to I mean that was those are some great shots of Buckton Gorge. I love it. It's so beautiful. Um, yes. And and I see some of your friends are in the video, so that's good. Um, before we move on to our next agenda item, can we get a picture of maybe everybody up here with us? I mean, this is like the most young people we've probably ever had. All open space advocates, so we can claim they were here in favor of

video. Okay. Yeah, sure. Yeah, we'll be behind you. You guys want to stand up? And I'll I don't know. They might be taller than us even up here. All right, we can go down. Yeah, they're bigger than us.

Maybe we need to go. Soccer everybody. I don't think she's going to get the whole They're really tall. Oh my god.

Sounds like I'm not standing. on the trail.

Beautiful video. What a what a nice job. Guess it's with his pants. shots.

So, an item, one more item before we open for public comment. Um, I wanted to I forgot to put it on here. Sorry, I was back from vacation and lots of things were going on. Um, but I wanted to add a discussion of the liaison to each of the departments and committees and um consider uh the liaison roles that um I don't think we did this last year. We've had sort of loose or liaison roles, but I wanted to sort of formalize it. The liaison is really to just facilitate the flow of communication from the town board to the departments and departments back to the town board. Um it it should include periodic check-ins uh to maintain that connection. Um to serve just sort of as a point of contact. Um attend you know attend meetings. You don't have to attend every meeting, but attend meetings of the committees. um and you know offer guidance or or if they need advocacy or they need support from the board and if the board has some priorities that um you know the committees maybe want to know what's going on or if if the board has passed anything relevant to them or the departments to foster a working relationship and encourage also pro cross cross departmental collaboration cross um committee collaboration or even collaboration with the town board or or outside organizations um and then to facilitate information sharing Um again just sharing relevant town board priorities or decisions, bringing questions, feedback and issues um to the supervisor or to the board for discussion. Um and also help to facilitate updates um you know we put out a newsletter every Friday. Uh you know if if town board members are hearing what committees are doing or departments are doing from sort of more of the resident perspective than that sometimes the committees or the departments aren't thinking of it that way. there may be more information that could be shared um through our social

media, through our news flash, on the website, through the newsletter. Um so that's another thing to kind of keep top of mind as um you connect with committees or um department heads that oh there could be an FAQ that we could explain better, you know, or an event or an opportunity um you know, in addition to uh just the everyday, you know, what's going on. So, um, with that that in mind, um, I'd like to propose that we, and I think we we're all in agreement on this because I've sent it around to you, but like just to make sure I got it right, um, town board member Bitker would be the liazison to the finance and parking and to the historian um, and also to the committees of the prison relations advisory committee, Thrive Alliance, Veterans Advisory Committee, and the school districts. Uh board member uh Cataliato would be the liaison to DPW and the police and I think you would also requested assessor and receiver.

Yes. Um and that would also include the committees of board of assessment review, traffic safety working group and wireless facilities working group. Y

um council me town board member Iorio would be the leazison under the planning department and sustainability and energy director and also to um sort of related committees conservation board open space acquisition committee and town housing committee. Um, town board member McCain will be the leazison to building department personnel and recreation parks and also to the associated committees flag design task force reckon parks advisory committee Todd Pond's advisory committee and tree advisory board and while I don't have any specific committees uh listed I mean departments listed here I pretty much meet with all the departments all the time um more on a regular day-to-day basis Um, but there'll be lots of those um, committee meetings that I also go to and I'll also be the liazison to the Rev Up 250 coalition. Um, and just, you know, in case you didn't know, I also represent the town, a lot of outside organizations. So, I go to the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation. I'm on their executive committee. Westchester Municipal Officials Association, I'm also on their executive committee. the New York Association of Towns, the Westchester uh EMS and hold not for quarterly meetings with the not forprofits. So, um we all have a lot of meetings to go to. And two committees that aren't listed here for town board liaison, but I know the town clerk is involved with is the board of ethics and the cemetery committee. Um that she goes to those meetings and I also go to the cemetery meetings um most of the time. So, um any discussion? everyone agree and then hopefully we can have um maybe not at every board meeting updates on every committee and every department but um it would be good to have a regular flow of discussion as to what is going on with the committees from you know from the liaison or with the departments

if there's any major things or um policies that you know we need to talk about or change that we need to talk about that would be good to bring it here I think there's so much that goes on um that doesn't reach the town board meeting and and therefore the public until we have a contract to sign or a policy to change. But there's so much work going on all the time that um would be helpful to talk about um so that the public is aware of of all the work that's going on um all the time. So any comments, questions? I mean I know you except for MIJ all of you have been having a lot of these meetings and going to these committees. Um but to make it formalize a little more and have a little more reporting back um I think will be helpful.

Agreed. Yeah. Great. Okay. Fantastic. Um now is the opportunity for public comment. We didn't lose everybody um on the Zoom. Anyone wants to make public comment? Okay. next time. I'm sure we'll hear from them. Um, board member announcements. Uh, I just have one thing. Sure.

So, the Veterans Advisory Committee is open to the public and I wanted to mention that the meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month. The first meeting of the year is on January 14th, and this meeting is going to be at the Bedford Playhouse instead of the American Legion. They are going to be showing a movie. So, anybody who would like to join them, it is at 6:30 p.m. Thank you.

Anybody else? Um, we are, as I mentioned, the Rev Up 250 coalition is made up of many, many organizations throughout the town. and the um working on uh focusing on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War and Declaration of Independence. And part of that is going to be focused really on engagement. So, it's so nice to see young people here engaged. Um that's going to be a big part of the theme, civic engagement, youth engagement. um trying to really set a goal for all of the coalition members to increase participation in their organizations, volunteerism, um participation at community events. It's going to be a big part of our democracy message. So, um there is going to be a kickoff event um that is actually an adult event. So, it's that one's not about but it's for the coalition to announce their plans for the year, the calendar for the year. It's going to be a 1776 tavern night at historical hall and um there'll be sort of 1776 inspired music and costumes and there are there's actually been a lot of work going into creating some vignettes. There'll be some character actors that um John J. Homestead and the friends of John J. Homestead and uh Katona Classic Stage have been working on. So there will be they're calling tavern tales characters. John J will be there. Um his wife Sarah, uh Ben Franklin, Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia Continental Congressman. Uh Enoch Crosby, a revolutionary spy recruited by John J. a child of Bedford with comments on the burning of Bedford. And James Holmes, a prominent Bedford family um member. So, there'll be skits, they'll be interacting with the crowd, costumes

will be encouraged, and I think tickets are $30, so it should be and I think they're limited to 100. So, it should be a really fun event, and hopefully all our coalition partners will be there to share um what they have going on. Um and then in sort of in the same theme, uh the town is hosting a first responder information night on, uh January 22nd at the Bedford Hills Community House. will be serving pizza. I'm really encouraging anybody who's ever been interested in helping our ambulance or fire agencies in any way, shape, or form to please come and learn more about that. Um, these are all volunteer agencies that um protect life and property 24/7 throughout our very large geographic town. Um, and they do an amazing job and they could use more support, volunteers, um, and interest in what they do. So, we're hoping that people spread the word and come to that event. Um, and then as every year there is an educational seminar um for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Uh, this is hosted by Antioch Baptist Church and the Bedford Playhouse, the 39th annual. Um, there'll be a a film um and a discussion. There's a youth service project um going on at that same time at the playhouse and um encourage everyone to come and learn more. Any other announcements? Okay, there being no further business, this meeting is adjourned. Thanks for coming.