Bronxville trustees approve annual appointments, override tax cap and back new tree‑planting program

Mayor Mary Marvin opened the April 14 meeting of the Bronxville Board of Trustees and led a series of annual housekeeping actions before the board moved to budget and capital matters.

The board voted unanimously to accept a package of annual appointments and customary annual actions for one‑year and multi‑year terms, then approved a separate resolution to memorialize the village’s annual administrative authorities, including a newly added fund‑balance policy. Village Administrator James Palmer said the mileage reimbursement rate had been updated to 70 cents per mile, “as identified by the IRS.”

Why it matters: the annual appointments set the roster of officials, boards and volunteers who make permitting, planning and local services decisions for the coming year, while the fund‑balance policy provides a formal place in policy documents for how the village manages reserves.

Budget and tax cap override

The board opened the public hearing on the 2025–26 tentative budget and made the full budget document available both online and in Village Hall. Treasurer Lori Boss and Administrator Palmer described projected revenues and appropriations and answered questions about major drivers of the proposed budget. Using the figures presented to the board, the village’s median tax‑bill increase for a home with a full value of $2,800,000 was described as $417.40; for a home at $1,510,000 the estimated increase was $232.93. Total appropriations were presented as just over $21 million, and non‑property tax revenues were budgeted at roughly $7.0 million, led by sales tax and parking revenues.

Palmer and Boss told trustees that employee benefit costs — primarily retirement bills the village receives from the state and rising workers‑comp and liability premiums — were the largest drivers of the proposed levy increase. The board left the budget hearing open for public comment; the administration proposed and the board agreed to reconvene the hearing and adopt the budget at a special session to be scheduled before the May 1 filing deadline.

Separately, the board adopted a local resolution to override the state tax‑cap rule. The board majority said they sought the override because the retirement and benefit bills the state imposes on municipalities exceeded the increase allowed under the cap and could not be absorbed within a 2% cap level. A roll‑call for the override recorded the measure as adopted by the trustees present at the meeting.

Tree‑planting program, Arbor Day and donations

Trustees approved a supplemental resolution to proceed with a tree‑planting program in partnership with the Bronxville Historical Conservancy. The resolution authorizes the mayor and village administrator to form an ad‑hoc advisory group that will include representatives of the Conservancy and the village Green Committee to work through program details over the summer. The resolution text as presented authorizes a village commitment of $25,000 toward the planting program; the resolution also thanks the Conservancy for committing $75,000. (Speakers during the meeting referred at different times to both a village $75,000 commitment and a $25,000 commitment; the adopted resolution text specifies $25,000 from the village.) Trustee Fredericksen said the program is intended to replenish street‑tree canopy lost to storms and age and to encourage private donations as memorials.

The board also proclaimed April 25 as Arbor Day in the village and accepted a donation of dogwood trees from the Working Gardeners for planting behind the village tennis courts; the board set a dedication date to be announced.

Capital, equipment and other approvals

Trustees approved several smaller capital and operating items discussed at the meeting: purchase orders for two hybrid police vehicles (an accelerated purchase to take advantage of available inventory), authorization to buy a police department drone using technology grant funds (purchase price stated as $14,065), and a request to hire outside counsel and join other Westchester municipalities in objecting to a Con Edison rate petition before the New York State Public Service Commission. Administrator Palmer said the cost sharing for the rate‑case representation had dropped for Bronxville as many municipalities signed on; the village’s approximate contribution at the time of the meeting was described as about $2,600.

Appointments and staff

Trustees appointed Thomas Marzello as assistant village administrator and welcomed him at the meeting. The board also approved minutes and routine items on the consent agenda.

Infrastructure, water and drainage updates

Administrator Palmer reported the village does not own its water supply; Veolia (formerly SUEZ/Aquarian/United Water) operates it. The village had received reports of discolored water the prior week. Veolia did an investigation and did not find a break; Palmer said hydrant flushing and sediment disturbance in spring can also cause temporary turbidity and that Veolia is required to file an annual water‑quality report with the Department of Health. He advised residents to call Veolia or Village Hall with complaints and noted the village will post the water‑quality report link on its website.

On drainage, trustees discussed continuing work on the Crawford Drainage Basin project (in cooperation with the town of Eastchester) to address neighborhood flooding at the ends of Alder, Grove, Dusenberry and Bridal. The board scheduled a meeting with the consulting engineer to walk impacted neighbors through immediate improvement options including sanitary sewer work and a smaller detention area in the wooded portion of Crawford Park (the Meadows).

Other community items

Trustees noted downtown paving and striping work is complete, handicap stall striping and a few crosswalks remain, and the on‑street outdoor‑dining program was set to begin April 15. Mayor Marvin and trustees also reported community events: a women’s club centennial, an Iona University gala recognizing a donation from NYP Westchester and the hiring of Iona graduates by NYP, the farmers market opening May 10, and selection of Dr. George Eunice as grand marshal for the 2025 Memorial Day parade. The board observed the recent death of longtime business and chamber leader Leah Caro and announced a commemoration.

Public comment and litigation notice

During public comment, resident and attorney James Maxiner told the board he had been authorized to proceed with an Article 78 challenge to a zoning board decision involving fence and wall height interpretation. Village counsel cautioned trustees not to comment because the matter is pending litigation.

Votes at a glance

- Annual appointments package and annual actions (omnibus) — approved (motion passed by voice vote). - Resolution memorializing annual actions including fund‑balance policy — approved (voice vote). - Opened public hearing on 2025–26 budget; hearing left open for written comments through April 23 and a special adoption session to be scheduled before May 1 — public hearing opened; adoption pending. - Local law/resolution to override the state tax cap — adopted by roll call (trustees present voted in favor). - Acceptance of Working Gardeners’ donation of dogwoods — approved (voice vote). - Purchase of two hybrid police vehicles (capital plan) — approved (motion passed). - Authorization to join Westchester municipal challenge to Con Edison rate petition and retain counsel — approved (motion passed); village contribution described in meeting as roughly $2,600 after cost‑sharing. - Arbor Day proclamation (April 25) — adopted (voice vote). - Resolution to proceed with Bronxville Historical Conservancy tree‑planting partnership and village commitment of $25,000 (Conservancy $75,000) — approved (voice vote). - Purchase of police drone (technology grant funds), $14,065 — approved (voice vote). - Appointment of Thomas Marzello as assistant village administrator — approved (voice vote).

Ending

The meeting closed after final public comments. Trustees said they will reconvene in May for the regular meeting and schedule a budget‑adoption session before the May 1 filing deadline. Administrator Palmer said the village will post follow‑up material, including the water‑quality report link and the proposed tree‑planting project documents, on the village website.

Sources and quotation provenance: direct quotes and figures are drawn from remarks by Mayor Mary Marvin, Village Administrator James Palmer and Treasurer Lori Boss during the April 14, 2025 Bronxville Board of Trustees meeting. See provenance entries.