Dobbs Ferry trustees approve series of resolutions including RECE renewal, shared-HR study, forestry grant IMA and comprehensive plan contract

The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on Jan. 14 approved multiple resolutions and personnel actions, ranging from intermunicipal agreements to consultant contracts and routine payroll adjustments. The board recorded unanimous approval on each item during the meeting.

Key actions approved

- Renewal of the county records-sharing agreement (RECE/Wiki): The board authorized the village administrator to execute a renewal of an intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for use of the county's Wiki system to transmit and store criminal records, fingerprints and related law-enforcement data. Motion: Trustee Rosen Asher; second: Trustee Patino. The measure "passes unanimously."

- Declaration of intent to apply for the New York State Department of State Local Government Efficiency Grant Program (shared HR feasibility study): The board voted to declare its intent to partner with Elmsford, Tuckahoe, Scarsdale? (transcript said Scribe Brook), and Irvington to seek a grant to fund a feasibility study on a shared human resources function. The vote authorized the village to pursue an application but did not obligate local matching funds until award. Motion: Trustee Rosen Asher; second: Trustee Patino. Passed unanimously.

- Forestry grant intermunicipal agreement (Hastings and Irvington): The board authorized entering an intermunicipal agreement with Hastings and Irvington after the village received a federal forestry grant. The village's awarded share is $34,860 and requires a matching contribution not to exceed $42,220; Hastings will lead the project. Motion: Trustee Galen; second: Trustee Sullivan. Passed unanimously.

- Establish comprehensive plan committee and engage Nelson ey Pope for planning services: Trustees voted to establish a committee to guide a village comprehensive plan update and to retain Nelson ey Pope (consultant) to perform professional planning services in connection with the plan at a cost of $76,500. Village planner Valerie Manastra described the proposed schedule as roughly 12 to 18 months with public workshops and subsequent SEQRA review as needed. Motion to create the committee: Trustee Patino; second Trustee Galen. Motion to engage Nelson ey Pope: Trustee Sullivan; second Trustee Rosenberg. Both passed unanimously.

- Parklet program extension through 2025: Trustees extended the parklet/park-lift program through the 2025 season and directed staff to update program documents and license agreements to address winter use, safety and building-department review. Motion: Trustee Sullivan; second Trustee Galen. Passed unanimously.

- New York Forward video stipends: The board approved one-time stipends of $200 each to Ed Namor and Terrence Taylor Smelly to compensate them for producing a video used in the village's New York Forward grant application. Motion: Trustee Kalin; second Trustee Rosenberg. Passed unanimously.

- Personnel and payroll items: The board approved a retroactive salary increase for Daniel Gardner, Parks Maintenance Foreman, to $102,757 effective June 1, 2024; and a step increase for Village Clerk Darlene Manning to $71,340.21. Motions and seconds recorded; both passed unanimously.

- Approval of audit of claims: The village treasurer's recommended audit of claims was approved by unanimous vote.

The mayor and trustees asked for follow-up reporting on several items, including an end-of-project report for the forestry grant, updated cost details for the CDBG sidewalk projects (see separate article), and scheduling of public workshops for the comprehensive plan process. No votes failed or were tabled; the meeting record shows unanimous passage on the listed items.

Several presenters and staff answered trustee questions during discussion: Valerie Manastra, village planner, explained the comprehensive-plan scope and the role of SEQRA and a possible GEIS if the plan triggers significant zoning or density changes; the village noted a separate SEQRA/public-hearing process will follow draft plan work.

The meeting also included appointments and committee updates: Laurie Kelly was appointed to an ad hoc sustainability committee, and trustees announced the Human Rights and Diversity Committee would meet the following day.