Town Board - Regular Meeting

Evening. Welcome to the Bedford Town Board meeting of April 7th, 2026. I would like to make a motion that the uh town board come out of executive session. Second. All in favor? I. And we are going to start with 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 first thing on the agenda is a public hearing um to amend chapter 1104 and 1105 of the town code regarding real property tax exemptions to senior citizens. uh 65 and older whose income falls below stated thresholds and to amend the calculation of that income to include uh the IRA withdrawal amount beginning in the 2027 uh exemption application year and I believe this uh public hearing is a continuation of the hearing at the last meeting. So I'll just move that we open um the continuation of a hearing. Second. All in favor?

I. And um we have in the packet the um information sheet that our assessor Glestone um offered last time showing the sliding scale for these exemptions. Um that chart would be updated to include the new three um highest percentages that could be exempted. from the assessed value. Anything else to add? Thank you for joining us. Good evening. Thank you for joining us. Yes, you summed it up pretty good. I didn't really You stole my thunder a little bit, but

Okay, we can It's complicated, so we can hear it again.

Yeah, we're here to amend the laws for 65 and older, chapter 10, sections four and five. Our current law provides for a maximum of 50% for income less than 50,000 with a gradual sliding scale at 5% intervals to a minimum of 5% for income just under 58,400. That will remain in effect regardless. Uh the news the new proposed amended law would increase the tax exemption uh percent from 50 to 65 for income less than 47 with a sliding scale up to 50% for income of 50,000. So it's really just a tacking on the top of it. In addition, the local option is is is supervisor Calvis says taxable IRA distributions may be included to determine income eligibility. Judge Judge and Sebert has provided you a proposed local law adopting these income percentages and thresholds for the 2025 tenative role as well as providing the inclusion of taxable IRA uh distributions as income beginning with the 2027 tenative assessment. So what we have here is what I brought I gave to you last time. Um and uh no sense reading it again. You have it there. uh uh if if it passed and again you can consider it this year. You can look at this every year these things you have that at your discretion. Um local option one for the thresholds beginning with the 2026 assessment role. You can read those if your income is anywhere up to 46,9.99 and Jud and I worked on these tables so we're in sync. It's 65% off the value of your property. So very significant uh 47,000 to 48,000 60% 48,000 to 49 55 and I don't know why the state had a little gap there. If you

make between 49 to 50 you don't get anything. Still 50% but that's the way it that's the way it reads. So that's not me. So that's the law and then the rest is what exists. And um I can just arrow down right. All right. As we said last time, this hasn't changed the implications. Currently, we have 81. Uh we had about 50 a couple years ago. So, it is increasing this exemption, particularly with the IRA in include exclusion. That's why we want to include it. So, that could be a problem in years ahead. But right now, there's 50 seniors who make less than 47,000. Two in that next interval zero and the three. So, 55 of the 81. So for analysis purposes, I just said let's assume all of them make it.

So I'm a worst case scenario. Okay, I tell you.

So assuming all of the ones at 50% uh receive that amount, it's going to be $2.20 the tax impact for town taxes. Again, the schools and the counties would have to adopt this option. As far as I know, I think Stephanie brought it up last time. I think we're the only ones considering adopting this this year. Number of towns have adopted the taxable IRA inclusion, but uh that would be the tax impact and that's kind of like a worst case scenario. So the second option uh including IAS and this this is probably uh they start with FAGY the fedally adjusted gross income and they make uh inclusions or exclusions. So um you can read the top part that the second bullet down though at local option and that's what we're talking about today. Additional adjustments to FAGY that may be adopted inclusion of taxable IAS the default is the exclusion. So the last few years we've been excluding it when they changed the law to start with FIA. you used to have to get a copy of the person's total taxable uh their tax return all the end of year summary statements and very their investments and people used to go bonkers with us so I welcome the change people who don't file tax return we may have to still get a little intrusive but but it simplifies the process and and I would be in favor of both of these uh measures the tax implications oh just a couple of notes pensions annuities are already included in income. Although I already said that and if you don't file an income tax, you got to sign worksheets for non- filers. So, they got to give me like I'm a I'm their accountant, which I hate. Never like never like the county. Um anyways, if the local option is adopted to include taxable IRA

distributions as income in determining income eligibility for the lowincome senior agent exemption, the tax implication will be as follows. Approximately 14 seniors would lose the exemption entirely. Again, I have all this information, so I pulled everything out a few weeks last month and I ran the analysis. Eight seniors would be impacted. They'd still get it, but at a much lower percentage. So that's that's what we have on the table for tonight. So there would still be a considerable number that would still qualify. the original number was 14 of the A1 would lose it would not qualify even at the

right but again some of these exemption amounts are significant you know but some who get the aid are usually get like either a small amount or they don't have a lot of depends on your social security and other stuff you get but so yeah you're talking about impacting about 22 seniors and going forward those seniors who may have been eligible they would not be eligible so that's tough to predict Sure. It's hard to know how many would fall into this. Okay. Thank you. Oh, sure. Uh, do we have any comments from the public?

Okay. We did not receive any um since we posted the notice of this extended hearing. Do we have comments from the board or questions from the board or thoughts from the board on this? I mean, I think it's I think it's good that we decided um to not change the um IRA um this year and let people plan accordingly as we discussed. And I think it's it makes sense to do it next year this way. So,

okay. Yeah, I agree. I think it um because it pensions and annuities are included as income that is it it feels like it's the same kind of the same thing for people who have an IRA and different way of saving money for retirement but um very similar it feels like it levels the playing field for everybody and the intent is that these you know these incomes um should get the exemption um and if you're making more than that I guess it doesn't count everything but um seems seems like something we should consider since it will have an impact um going forward probably a significant impact as the assessor has said on exemptions. So we want to be counting that. Um thoughts on that? It's giving one year enough time.

I think that's more than enough time and you know I'm I'm glad that we will be including it and you know uh I believe that we're very generous for implementing this this year. Yeah. And other municipalities are adopting this this year. So we, you know, we are giving that extra space, you know, and not every town is doing that, right? Exactly. Okay. Um, well, I think the clarification is that other municipalities are implementing the IRA. That's what I'm saying. Right. But they are not implementing the 65 up to 65%. So, uh, our residents are really in a good position this year. Yes.

Okay. Uh I do think that it is um you know it's been made available at this opportunity to increase it for those with you know much with the lower income. Um and I think it's I think it's a good move for our seniors for those who um can benefit from this who are still in their homes. You know one of the things we hear a lot is that people want to move out of their homes. There aren't a lot of places to go that they can afford and they're comfortable in their homes. They feel safe there. um if they're you know we don't we don't have a lot of options for them to stay in the community and um and move somewhere else where it's more affordable. So this is you know one way to make them able to stay in their homes um with this exemption. So I think given the rising costs of a lot of things um you know adding these levels um to for those who are making these low income um ranges is a good thing.

Agreed. Okay. I guess we'll make um any there no one else um Ally has it showed up. Okay. So seeing there are no um public comments I'd like to make a motion to close the public hearing. Second. Um, any other comments on that? All in favor? I. And um would motion to approve the Yeah, I guess. Would do we have a motion to approve um the resolution to adopt uh this local law um with these two options? So moved. Second. Any further comments or discussion? All in favor? I.

Motion carries. Okay. And thank you, Assessor Girdlestone. Exemption applications are due by May 1st. Correct. Good. Exactly.

Okay. We'll move on to the consent agenda. Uh number one, we have a request by Controller Connealy to approve the abstract of claims and paid priors in the amount of $1,243,588.80. Number two, we have a request to adopt the resolution regarding settlement of litigation. Uh number three, we we have a request to adopt a resolution regarding a foil determination for an appeal filed by Ronald C. Greenland. Number four, we have a request to adopt a board adopt the resolution denying a hammer's foil appeal. Um, number five, we request by planning director Younglled to adopt a resolution approving storm water maintenance and access agreement 240 to 260 J Street Harvey School. Number six, we have request by the contract negotiation team to adopt a resolution regarding ratification of the white collar memorandum of agreement. Number seven, we have a request by police chief Padilla to authorize purchase of a hybrid 2026 police investigations vehicle including equipment and labor up to the amount approved in the capital 2026 capital budget. Number eight, request by um police chief video to approve the renewal of the Axon contract for bodywn cameras uh and conducted energy devices up to the amount designated in the 2026 capital plan. Um, number nine, we have request from DPW Commissioner Win to purchase a uh road grader for $379,500 from highway fund balance as the old road grader is very old and it's done its done its work. Number 10, a notification of the promotion for James Rose to the position of water maintenance for person effective March 30th, 2026. And number 11, notification of a promotion for uh Lawrence Machina to the position of assistant water maintenance board person effective March 31st, 2026. Do we have a motion to approve those 11 items on the consent

agenda? So good. Second. All in favor? I. Motion carries. Um the settlement of litigation uh was pretty vague, but it's a very sensitive lawsuit issue. Um it was filed in 2021 when there was an opportunity for um victims of uh abuse to file against um to to bring up claims. So it was related to incidences in the 1970s. Um there was um

police there was a police officer claims regarding the Bedford police. This case has been kind of ongoing since 21. Um the the plaintiff had passed away and there was a couple of complications. So this is a settlement related to that case um for $55,000. Um okay, moving on to new business. Uh we have a request to approve the appointment of Isabella PCL as senior office assistant in the building department. Third floor, 425 Cherry Street will be her new home away from home. uh uh effective on or about April 27th, 2026. Do we have a motion to approve? So moved. Second.

Any comments? Stephanie? Oh, what can I say? Um we're really excited to have you uh join the building department. And I think the innovation um and your character will really brighten up that part of the world. Um and you know, we're really looking forward to what you can do to support uh our residents and our realtors and everyone who does, you know, contractors who work with that department because um it is hard work and I know that you're going to be a great fit for that.

Yes, we are. I also just wanted to add that any work that Isabella has taken on for the town either predium contract seasonal she's done an amazing job and we're really lucky to have her in this position. So I'm really thrilled about this.

Great. And we are sad that she is leaving the position of Thrive coordinator um after uh she takes this position. However, um thank you for offering to help with that transition and we will be posting that position uh within the next couple of days um for community members who are interested in helping with the substance abuse and substance use prevention program um alliance thrive alliance. So uh and Belle's done a great job with that and um oh and we have a special guest. So, um, thank you. And we have building inspector, Alberta Sraco, here. Hi, Al.

Hello, everyone. Hello. Just wanted to thank the town board. Um, we are looking forward to having Isabella on the team. Uh, she is no stranger to the building department. We're looking forward to her helping us uh help the public. So, thank you so much. Okay. Thank you. All right. All in favor? I motion carries. All right. Congratulations, Isabelle. Thanks. I know you can't see her, but she's here. Okay. Smiling.

All right. Number two, we have a request by controller Connealy to approve budget transfers for the year ended December 31, 2025. Um, that information is in the packet. It's pretty straightforward. Do we have a motion to approve? So move second. All in favor?

I I motion carries. And then we have a request by controller canaly to approve closing out the list of completed capital projects. Uh that list is included in the packet. Um this was a very big task that I think has been hanging out there for quite some time to um remove close out a lot of the projects that have been going on over the last several years and uh make sure that the money um got spent or that um projects got done and got closed out properly and invoices are paid and um you know things have been checked off the list. So it's um it's an impressive long list of things that have been done. Um so thank you controller Connealy for undertaking to and your team for getting that done and all the department heads I think cooperated with you on that as well. So um do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. Second. Any discussion or questions? He's here. Okay. All in favor? I I motion carries. Uh we have a request by Town Park Whan to approve the Bedford Village Business Association's event and co-sponsorship application for sidewalk sales days. Um do we have a motion to approve? So move. Second. Um what are the dates? June. June 6th. That's right. Um great. And there are um some resources for traffic safety and pedestrian.

The resource will be Saturday for a police resource for crossings because that's the one day that there'll be some activity on the actual green. The other days there's no resource because the activity is just for the sidewalks and the states. Okay, great. Um all in favor? Motion carries. Uh we have a request by town clerk to approve an event application and co-sponsorship for St. Patrick's Carnival May 12th to the 17th. And uh do we have a motion to approve? So move. Second.

And any discussion? This includes co-sponsorship up to the full amount the town will will offer, which is uh $3,000 towards the resources. Um but it is many days and many resources. So, um that's covered by the um by the applicant. Yes. Okay. And um they'll be using the park as well, which is park for parking. I'll be there for parking. Okay. Um all in favor?

I motion carries. We have request from town clerk by for approval and event application for the use of lot 2 for Acme Neutral Ground Public Expo on June 6th, 2026. Um, do we have a motion to approve? So moved. We have a second. Second.

Okay. This is um no town resources required. Um, so the only town resources required for that are police though because it's not a co-sponsored event. It's between the police department and the or event organizer for it. Um, in the past this event has occurred on Allen Place. this year. Um the organizers want to try to use the farmers market to do it. I went out there and met with them and the farmers market um folks uh spoke with Comprroller Connealy who handles parking to see if we had any concerns about using the space for that and it sounds like everyone's in agreement that it should go well. Um there'll be no extended road closures needed to accommodate the event. So, we're hopeful and excited that it facilitates a really good event and um really helps the farmers market thrive even more than it already does that day.

Nice. Will they be putting up the no parking signs in advance of the event? Um well, the lot will the lot will already be shut for the farmers market that day. So, it'll be occurring with the farmers market. Oh, like in the same space as the farmers market and not the other side of the parking lot. It'll be it'll be to the to the side. They'll have a tent up there. Okay. Yeah. All right. Okay. Any questions, comments? All in favor? Carries.

Uh and now number seven, we have a request for the board to adopt the resolution authorizing a waiver of fees for certain applications to the zoning board of appeals. Uh involving corrected documents. Is that what involving the correct? What does this say? Oh, correction of dimminimous errors. So this um came about uh well I'll make a motion to approve. Do we have a second? Second. Okay. So this came about um you know someone was uh someone brought in in or gotten a variance for a um

some kind residential structure and they wanted to add on to it. the existing structure was grandfather, you know, it was non-conforming. It it was too close to the property line, but it was there and so they got a variance for the existing structure and it's the addition. Um what the zoning board always requires is that after they um before they get their CFO, uh they require a new survey to show um the actual foundation survey, right? Right. The um to confirm

or an asbuilt survey as survey, that's what it's called. and then they can get their CBO. Um, and I talked to the zoning board chair who said it it's not in, you know, it does happen that um, the asbuilt survey will be different from what the survey that they relied upon to do the project said. So whether it's an old survey they found in the files, perhaps new surveys are more accurate with new tools or something, I don't know, somebody in the old survey did it wrong. Um, so this requires them to go back to the zoning board with the old survey and the new survey and say we need to update the variance, right?

Um, it's, you know, I think it's it's something that happens fairly regularly. These are very small changes. It's, you know, it's a small update to the initial variance. Um, so it would be this resolution would be to sort of wave the fees and the the application process that um requires them to go back and make this update to the the variance,

right? Because it's because the variance is closed out, they technically need to file a new application. And in the past, we've required them to file an application fee to cover it, but we um after speaking with the building department, um determined that at least the there could be a waiver of the the fee in those cases where it was based on a survey that was incorrect and the the amount of uh the requested variance is is very small due to that error. So, so if the zoning board requires the asbuilt as part of the resolution for the variance, is it really close to No, they don't need it because they'll have the existing asbuilt already. They just need to change the the var they'll just I don't know if that's what you were asking, but

No, I was asking if it's part of the when they grant the variance in the resolution to grant the variance from what the DBA chair told me, they ask for the as survey to be like kind of filed with the resolution like it's part of the conditions of the variance. Well, a condition is you will provide an asbuilt survey confirming the location. Confirming the location. That's that's the condition and and that's the condition of granting the variance. So, okay. So, is it really closed out before they have the asbuilt? That's the position the building department has taken. So,

so this resolution is to wave the fee. we can continue to talk about how much of a new application it is versus an update. Um but this would be to wave the fee where it's relying on an old survey and the change is um uh uh resulting on reliance resulting from the reliance on inaccurate historical survey fee should be waved where the requested variance is less than one foot and is totally within the applicant's property with respect to any minimum setback requirement and is less than 10 square feet with respect to coverage requirements. Right. Um, okay. Any questions?

And it would only be if there's an expansion that's greater than what the variance was given. Obviously, if the survey was wrong to the benefit of the property owner, that that's that's fine. They're okay. But wouldn't they still need to update the variance to be accurate? No. Uh, but we typically haven't made them update the variance in that case if it as long as it's even if it was less, they would have had the variance to go bigger. Okay. They could come back in and move their house 6 in up more, I guess. more offensive that really wouldn't be make sense.

Right. Right. And it's also a reminder to I guess understand that when old surveys are being relied upon that the zoning board may not grant the you know there there may be a a wiggle room there that they need to um make sure they understand when they come back with the as bill that might be different. Um okay. So um did we have a second? Second. Okay. Any other questions? All right. All in favor? I I motion carries. Thank you.

All right. Number eight. We have a request to adopt a resolution to provide a letter of support to the New York State DOT to create a no passing zone on a portion of Route 22 to enhance public safety. There's a resolution in the packet. I'll make a motion to approve. Second.

So, this um is the area in front of the John J. Homestead. There's um you know the New York State is doing some significant renovations to the homestead John J homestead and um the friends of John J you know are involved in that and there's you know a lot that goes on there and um so there there we were asked um to kind of support this petition or this letter to um the DOT to ask that in front of the homestead in that stretch be made a no passing zone. Um there are and the resolution spells it out but there are a lot of visitors along this corridor between um Museum of Art, Carmore, the John J. Homestead, there's the Harvey School, people coming to use their fields and skating rink and facilities. Um, and there's a lot of, you know, there's just a lot bicyclists use that road and so people do tend to speed and pass and there's just there's a lot of people slowing down and looking for things and turning and so um making it a double yellow line um would be a better situation for that area so that um it sort of slows people down and doesn't allow for that passing. So, um this is a request just to send that letter to the Department of Transportation with this resolution um in the packet. Any questions, comments?

I think it's a great idea. Yeah. Thank you. It's not my idea, but So, I think it was a great idea that the um Homestead had. Um I also think, you know, as you said, it's a busy roadway. um you know, you do have uh young drivers on that road, uh you know, at the Harvey School going to and from, you know, whether it's Bedford or Connecticut. So, I think whatever we can do to make it safer or support it being more safe, I think is is great. Okay. All right. All in favor?

I motion carries. Thank you. Um on that on that uh strain of that that vein um 22 as you may have heard and we're working on a plan beyond that point um between Maple and Bedford Center Road will be essentially closed for a emergency cover repair that will begin on Monday the 13th which we were notified of late last week. So, there are lots of maps in the works and signage and detour routes. Um, smaller local roads will be closed to local traffic only so that they can't be used as cutthroughs or workarounds. Um, like Matthews Mill will be closed at 22 so that no one can turn down that road. Um, and on the other end will be local traffic only. Okay.

Um, Girdle Ridge Drive, um, Beaverdam Road, they will be local traffic. Hook Road um will be local traffic only to try to keep um those

the traffic that's passing through and needing to reroute the detours to stay on 121 um use 684, use um you know 35 and go differently. So there will be more information coming out. Um but we're working closely with the police and um highway and the first responders and and making sure everyone knows. The other DOT news is I got a phone call from Chris Berdick yesterday that the 2027 State Road paving list is out and Route 117 is on the list. So, um it's still a year away or more, but um thank you to everyone who um you know, I know that the board worked on the packet um the photographic evidence, the letters of support, the um and the community has been calling um you know, certainly Assembly Member Chris Berdick has been working very hard to um to get this on the list and to make sure there's funding for it. So, that is um it'll be from in Bedford. it'll be from Harris to Hill um in Bedford Hills. So that's the stretch that we really found was the most significant um to be repaved. So that is good news. Okay. Do we have any public comments? All right. Do we have any board member announcements?

I have one. Okay. Um I wanted to mention um Thrive thanks to partly to Isabella's participation. Um there is a project that the youth have been working on with Thrive for the three towns uh Lewisboro, Poundidge, and Bedford. It's at the Katona Museum of Art. They had an artist and residents working with youth creating abstract paintings that represent the relationship between mental health and substance abuse. Those are going to be debuting April 11th. And on April 17th, there is going to be a reception in the evening. Um it's planned. I'm not exactly sure where those paintings are going to be, but it's planned that they're going to be traveling throughout the community, so maybe to libraries and other places where they could be displayed. Um the artist in residence, her name is Allison Montana. Thank you. Great. Okay. The um coffee and conversation will be held here with Assembly Member Berdick, uh County Legislator Erica Pierce, um and myself, and anyone else who would like to join um at 6:30 next Tuesday, um anyone who wants to ask questions or hear updates from um local electeds. And um we're still plugging the RevUp studio student video contest um which is just a short 3 minute or less video that students can submit 8th grade to 12th grade of any of the schools um in our they're in our overlapping or intersecting in our districts um or in our schools in our town. and um they can win scholarship prizes, $250 to five of the submissions and $1,776 to the top one. And then these um short videos um that make some kind of commentary on America, democracy,

participation uh will be shown at the Bedford Playhouse on um May 14th. So we have a panel of people to come reflect upon these videos and it should be a really interesting conversation about um youth and what youth how youth feel about our country. Um so really encouraging people to encourage their students to apply um submit videos and um an audition.

Oh yeah, I totally went on auditions. And speaking of Rev Up, uh 1776 uh will be performed at the Bedford Historical Hall in June. Casting uh is happening right about now. Auditions are of we are auditioning people tomorrow uh at the community house between 7:00 and 9:30. There is a link um in the supervisor newsletter to sign up, but we will also gladly accept walk-ins. So, um, just saying or you can just swing by and audition now. Um, so, uh, tomorrow every Thursday between Exactly. Ally, did you want to, um, 7 to 9:30, uh, and, uh, you can always reach out to me if you have any questions.

Fun. That's great. That's part of the one of the Rev Up activities going on throughout the community. And, um, will be going on right before Fourth of July. Yes. And it's the only 1776 performance in Westchester County. So, you want to be a part of that?

Yes. Very nice. And I believe we have ordered the banners to go up on the light posts uh in the three hamlets, the Rev Up 250 banners. Taking a little longer than um we want, but they will be soon displayed um to show our Rev Up spirit. Okay. Anything else? There being no. Yes. I think in the vein of the performances, I think there's a performance on April 18th by some public servants. There is public servants acting on Katona Classic Stage. Correct.

Uh yes, thanks to Katona Classic Stage for inviting us to be in a reading of a play called Conscience. Uh and everyone's welcome to come and um watch us act. Um it's a lot of fun. Super fun. And we have a good time. I think the audience has I'll come to cheer you guys on. Thank you. Thank you. I'm not really sure how you got out of that mitch. I think I missed the memo or something. All right. There being no further business, uh, important business, this meeting is adjourned.