Rye Brook trustees approve appointments, program fees, donations and several resolutions at Jan. 14 meeting — votes at a glance

The following summarizes formal actions taken by the Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees at the Jan. 14, 2025 meeting. All recorded roll-call votes listed below were unanimous (Trustee Epstein, Trustee Fisher, Trustee Heizer, Trustee Merlino and Mayor Klein voted yes) unless otherwise noted.

- Resolution 1 — Permanent appointment: Jessica Cogutieri was appointed to the position of Senior Office Assistant/Office Manager effective Jan. 15, 2025, at an annual salary of $54,007.23, subject to civil service procedures. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2 — License agreement: Authorized a license allowing the owners of 235 Iron Hill Avenue to maintain a portion of proposed entry steps that may encroach into the right-of-way, subject to required Zoning Board of Appeals and Architectural Review Board approvals and other conditions. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 3 — Contingent appointment: Matthew Sherf (also referenced as Scharf in the meeting) was conditionally appointed to the position of police officer, subject to civil service procedures; the effective start date in the offer letter is estimated Feb. 17, 2025, with an annual salary noted as $64,696. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 4 — Consultant award (Brook Lane stormwater): Authorized acceptance of the proposal from Ramble Emeritus Engineering Solutions Inc. (estimated $100,000) to perform engineering services for a potential stormwater drainage modification project in the Brook Lane/Blind Brook area; funds to be advanced from the FY25–26 general fund consultant account pending reimbursement by a state grant (described in the meeting as a New York State Homes Community Renewal resilient investments program/RISK). Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 5 — Donation acceptance: The Board accepted a donation of a ping-pong table (estimated value $300) from Joyce Askerazy for placement at village senior facilities. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 6 — License and fee schedule modification: Board approved adding two after-school programs to the village fee schedule — “My First Lemonade Stand” and “Budding Entrepreneurs” — each with a fee of $180; outside contractors will receive 75% of program fees (village retains 25%). Outcome: approved.

- Resolution (Local Government Efficiency Grant intent): The board declared its intent to apply as lead applicant for a New York State Department of State Local Government Efficiency grant to study the feasibility of a shared human resources director/department with neighboring municipalities (identified in the meeting as Elmsford, Dobbs Ferry, [name transcribed as "Tahoe" in the record], and Irvington). Outcome: approved.

- Emergency authorization — Fire Engine 14 repairs: Approve emergency repair purchase with Hendrickson Truck Center (Islandia, NY) to return Engine 14 to service under General Municipal Law emergency procurement provisions; staff reported the truck has been out of service since mid-November and an estimated repair cost near $30,000 was discussed. Outcome: approved.

- Minutes approval: The board approved minutes for July 9 and July 23, 2024, as amended (one trustee asked to be marked absent for July 23). Outcome: approved.

For motions where a specific mover and seconder were not identified in the transcript, the minutes record the motion and a second were made; the board conducted roll-call votes consistent with the village’s practice. Several agenda items included follow-up directions to staff (for example, obtaining required ZBA/ARB approvals, advancing consultant invoices pending reimbursement, and reporting back to the board on vehicle repair costs and timelines).