[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6105566,"mediaKeyId","2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5","parentId",2786178,"title","Dobbs Ferry trustees authorize event contracts, budget transfers, stormwater filing and join Westchester legal effort on Con Edison rate case","audioSeconds",2147,"startMs",1453000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5&start=1453&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5/thumbnail_1453000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105566/New-York/Dobbs-Ferry-trustees-authorize-event-contracts-budget-transfers-stormwater-filing-and-join-Westchester-legal-effort-on-Con-Edison-rate-case","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105566-d61d8da400f4cb834f24f42b6bb6e5ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147406&Signature=H9wdXIe8IPPUuQ882X7ZpuvxiAHGl1NEiCNrAqS0fR2lywXOB-1bn7wPywxWYFaA3C0GtJwhyj5FiRJ7BhOQ9JDDzaLRjrQn0q-pLAwIyLP-w7Cm7zTrE6gFFkYxLZ0Wxh0ctmZACuTiW7iAkj2QwR7~sI6ER-s9N7I4NQ-CAoGw-8lZfO4JeVp6ifiAhXrjudPQ0SEiLlwgyRZerW5Sgt7SmUOIS1ZyHy1-46ecCJB4MEv9WZ3vf41OCpjgjSLhmWavSWWAXRbgM0cKeTOcmxcvkj7IO41nELRddtY2LqMQ901noA213W1r3jdr5j0eP1CD-84g8cf3Z49~97iAqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Dobbs Ferry, NY","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Village of Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on March 25 approved a slate of contracts, donations and administrative actions and voted to participate in a coordinated Westchester effort to retain special counsel in Con Edison's electric and gas rate case.

The board unanimously authorized the village administrator to execute an information-technology support services contract (mover: Trustee Galen; seconder: Trustee Sullivan) and approved event contracts for two Waterfront Park markets: a June 14 pop-up artisan market with Phoenicia Flea (waiver of park and vendor fees; rain date June 15) and a seasonal vintage/antiques market produced by Wickers Creek Market. The Phoenicia Flea contract was presented as an annual partnership the village has hosted; trustees said the village would assume staffing costs for recreation, public works and police on event days.

Separately, trustees authorized retaining Joel Dichter of Dichter Law as special counsel to represent participating Westchester municipalities in Con Edison's rate case before the New York State Public Service Commission. The resolution discussed a contribution of $5,000 from Dobbs Ferry toward a pooled legal engagement; Rye Brook will coordinate payments and engagement logistics, the record shows. Trustees described the tactic as a way for Westchester municipalities to \"have a seat at the table\" during rate proceedings.

The board also:
- Accepted a donation from the Dobbs Ferry Youth Little League for a scoreboard valued at $11,100 and formally recorded the gift.
- Accepted donated food items tied to a \"Taste of Dobbs Ferry\" event (a $70 cheesecake and a $40 tray of items); trustees discussed policy for accepting donated goods and confirmed the invoices were presented with event documentation.
- Approved budget line transfers for the fire department (to reallocate funds among building maintenance, uniforms, protective gear) and for the police department (reallocating an unneeded salary line to equipment, radios and safety gear).
- Authorized the village administrator to execute and submit the village's annual MS4 stormwater report to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Approved the audit of claims as submitted by the village treasurer.
- Added and scheduled a public hearing on the 2025-26 proposed budget for April 8, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

Why it matters: The actions advance routine municipal operations (IT, event permitting, budget housekeeping, stormwater compliance) and reflect a deliberate inter-municipal strategy to influence a major utility rate case affecting Westchester ratepayers. The Con Edison item drew discussion about cost-sharing and who would be signatory to any engagement letter; trustees sought clarity that Rye Brook would coordinate payments and that terms would be specified in a formal engagement letter.

Trustees generally approved the items unanimously; the special counsel resolution and most contract approvals passed without recorded dissents. Where dollar amounts were discussed in motions (for example the scoreboard's $11,100 value), the board recorded those amounts in the motion language.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees Meeting 2025-03-26","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved event contracts, budget transfers, stormwater filing and a pooled legal engagement in the Con Edison rate case during the March 25 meeting.","taxTitle","Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County, New York","taxId",73089,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6105571,"Dobbs Ferry trustees approve Washington Avenue sidewalk cost increase, 5-1",1297,1082000,2379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5&start=1082&end=2379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5/thumbnail_1082000.jpg","/articles/6105571/New-York/Dobbs-Ferry-trustees-approve-Washington-Avenue-sidewalk-cost-increase-5-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105571-d91ad7450ede546d2c80ecdc291426ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147406&Signature=l8gH7VGxgCpiCszppl8jv72V4WwdGzMu3mo2aG06t0YTrTlyY-cafIMTLT79qXqKK8AnNuSQuUytxw3JZYrTEiOGKNJR6VecBqvwbOWdRNhmfjtByariYilyiLHpQt4H6azvVfzXy6DWGWuMD-LpGo-hgzFqXgDh60MdA46PWjO8r8GsXJiMjvqV6Ke2q5-gyYrvgcBT6FJ75Fx3M~7zh7QL4c7kTp95L~-3THIX1BIcPE3WMkoMmZhZbDAfD8rq97Mpl0lhGgTH7JXZtnKGwDTuEkqqW7Q2kZzMakHD6j3RBIVSPfO9ry7u2KpkYD36RCyEkFurhxzasZMDr-YwFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees voted 5-1 on March 25 to approve an increase in the cost for the Washington Avenue sidewalk project.

The measure, moved by Trustee Rosen Asher and seconded by Trustee Galen, passed with five trustees in favor and one opposed. The board did not identify the opposing trustee by name on the record; the recorded outcome was \"Motion passes 5 to 1.\" The vote followed public comment and a workshop discussion on project scope and tree removal.

The vote came after several residents urged the board to consider the environmental and short-term flooding impacts of removing century-old street trees for the project. At the public microphone, Alan Harris of 39 Rochambeau Avenue said he spoke \"on behalf of the trees\" and for \"the creatures in the trees,\" describing the trees as more than a neighborhood amenity. Patty Steinstein, who said she lives at 320 Am Bridal, told trustees that removing the trees could create short-term water problems on the street and suggested the board re-check cost estimates and deductions related to the trees. \"The wall they're building ... it's $34,000 more after they deduct for the trees,\" Steinstein said.

Trustees said the board had already discussed the project in a workshop session and heard from residents. When the motion was called, a trustee stated, without naming themselves, that they would vote against the measure; nevertheless the motion carried 5-1.

Why it matters: Washington Avenue is a village street where trees, sidewalks and drainage intersect with resident safety and project costs. Trustees approved the cost increase after weighing resident concerns and staff recommendations; the record shows both dissent and support among trustees.

The board did not adopt new conditions tied to the vote on the record. Trustees said the Washington Avenue item had been the subject of prior workshop-level review and public comment; they moved to finalize the contract increase at this meeting.

The village administrator and department staff previously presented project details during the workshop; residents asked the board to revisit engineering assumptions and ensure deductions for tree impacts were correctly applied.

The board did not specify a revised contract amount on the public motion record at the time of the vote, and no statutory citation was discussed in the motion.","The Village of Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees voted 5-1 to approve an increase in the Washington Avenue sidewalk project cost after resident comment and debate over tree removal and project estimates.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6105561,"Residents press Dobbs Ferry trustees on flooding, property maintenance, abandoned house and tree protection during public comment",859,500000,1359000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5&start=500&end=1359","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2786178-cf6bfa2af86e55f462505bb4b2ccbcd5/thumbnail_500000.jpg","/articles/6105561/New-York/Residents-press-Dobbs-Ferry-trustees-on-flooding-property-maintenance-abandoned-house-and-tree-protection-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105561-d885ec9c3836538112181c14ba694cdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147406&Signature=E3wBO76YLpXdZ8aNz4Jq7NPrJEHOkH64cD7gF5jlSuj~i-rSsW8AwGYRIHL4o0b97n89TK8uayeZh-O2GBBCtO~ah-aeMpRA3NXL0hjt77epcZ6QgNabuyMm5aH7scTP1BYjPqWyYODFA65jI0SS9lW87mLDCWcJuEeJmDkDZcR5vkxCAJMtTS3xnvHt7h0C2SGWpdy8TUrJIF5XbBn1SSS7aOGl3HIWYGxXMQN5-dc5kJQ5ctDkyA188KBPeSA6qLiVSg1dFQNWq~JrXHnZzZqpmw7A7VNAqLgjzyoSvuNm410wwpVMO7nAm4LZGfomUk0BqvJoUTo5H~krNAYRJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several Dobbs Ferry residents used the public comment period at the March 25 Board of Trustees meeting to press the village for action on local property and drainage problems and to urge caution on a variety of community issues.

Sam Giorgio, who identified himself as living at 28 South Field Avenue, told trustees that when it rains water flows from a new apartment building above Ramsey Road onto his property and patio. Giorgio said the village building inspector had visited multiple times and that a court appearance had not resolved the issue; he said the builder told him he had done some work but that the condition had \"gotten worse.\" Giorgio said the village building inspector advised him to get a lawyer; trustees and the administrator asked Giorgio to provide contact information so staff could follow up. \"They told me that he should stay out of it because he was in there when the building was built,\" Giorgio said of an earlier inspector visit.

Michelle Spagniello, who said she lives across the street from Giorgio on Southfield Avenue, told the board that water running down the hill onto the sidewalk creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and tenants. She also raised recurring maintenance problems at the Scaramella's mini-mall, saying the property owner does not regularly remove garbage, trim hedges or shovel snow; she said village staff had issued citations in the past but the violations reoccur.

Several residents raised the issue of a long-vacant property at 50 Southfield that they said is in poor condition and infested with vermin. Trustees explained that a local judge had deemed the property appropriate for a Supreme Court filing to remove property rights from the owner, and that the matter has moved into the New York State Supreme Court. The board encouraged residents to follow the court docket and noted the village prosecutor would check on the status.

Alan Harris of 39 Rochambeau Avenue warned residents about fraudulent emails purporting to be from ParkMobile and asked the village to include a notice in its newsletter and website. \"If you get emails from ParkMobile and they're saying, you know, you gotta contact us because your account's been suspended, be sure that it's them before you reply to that email,\" Harris said.

Other speakers urged the board to consider the ecological and short-term stormwater impacts of removing trees along Washington Avenue for sidewalk or wall work. Patty Steinstein asked trustees to check engineering assumptions and cost math, noting the potential for increased water issues if trees are removed.

Village administrators and staff told speakers they would follow up: the village administrator asked residents to provide contact information, said staff would coordinate with the building inspector and prosecutor, and offered to provide court dates to residents who wanted to attend proceedings.

Why it matters: The exchanges highlight recurring, address-specific public-works and public-safety concerns (drainage, sidewalk safety, property maintenance) and the role of village staff and the courts in resolving blight and infrastructure-related disputes.","Residents described repeated stormwater flooding at a Southfield Avenue property, raised maintenance and safety concerns at the Scaramella's mini-mall, reported an abandoned house at 50 Southfield awaiting New York State Supreme Court action, warned of ParkMobile phishing emails, and urged tree protections on Washington Avenue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dobbs Ferry trustees authorize event contracts, budget transfers, stormwater filing and join Westchester legal effort on Con Edison rate case

Dobbs Ferry trustees approve Washington Avenue sidewalk cost increase, 5-1

Residents press Dobbs Ferry trustees on flooding, property maintenance, abandoned house and tree protection during public comment