Dobbs Ferry trustees approve promotions, budget adjustments and hire consultant after village manager announces retirement

Dobbs Ferry '2/24/2026 — The Village of Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to approve personnel changes, budget adjustments tied to state and federal grants, a tax‑related settlement and a professional services contract to assist with the village administrator search after the administrator announced his retirement.

Mayor Nell opened the meeting and presided over the promotion of Police Officer Julius Derevynek to police sergeant. Mayor Nell read a biographical summary provided by Chief Rivera and administered the oath of office; Derevynek responded, "I do." The board then voted to appoint him, recorded as unanimous in the meeting (6-0).

Why it matters: The board moved several personnel actions during the meeting, signaling a near‑term turnover in the village administration and changes in public‑safety staffing.

The board authorized a tax certiorari settlement with Dischner Beacon Hill Estates Cooperative Inc., described in the record as covering multiple years with a total stated amount of $52,625.76. Trustees also approved budget amendments that staff said increase both revenue and matching expenditures because the items are reimbursed by state and federal grants (for example, storm sewer repairs were reimbursed by external grant funds). Separate budget transfers to true up overexpended lines were also approved; staff characterized those transfers as net zero adjustments.

On personnel compensation, the trustees approved a step increase for court clerk Tracy Foley after staff confirmed the position is covered under the local union contract. The board also approved a mayor‑introduced salary increase for the building inspector (Dan); the administration later stated the new salary will be $166,402, effective retroactive to June 1, 2025, and said the amount was previously budgeted.

Rob, the village administrator, told the board he will retire and that he and the mayor and trustees have mutually agreed he will remain employed through July 2026 under his existing contract. To assist with the search for a successor, the board authorized a professional services agreement with Mara Municipal Consulting for the recruitment work; the contract amount discussed in the meeting was $22,250 and the board approved the authorization unanimously.

Other business: the board appointed members to a new public art committee (Madge Scott, Robin Costello and Christina, of the Hudson River Museum) and adopted a set of 2026 board goals and priorities that the mayor said had been circulated in advance. The board also approved extended hours at Memorial Park to accommodate Dobbs Ferry Youth Little League for Friday, May 15 and a Saturday in May 2026 (the record did not clearly capture the exact Saturday date); staff noted the code generally requires park closure within 30 minutes of sundown unless the event is village‑sponsored and discussed temporary lighting for play under lights.

Votes at a glance - Appointment: Police Sergeant Julius Derevynek — approved (recorded as 6-0). - Tax certiorari settlement with Dischner Beacon Hill Estates Cooperative Inc. — approved (vote noted as 6 in favor); total stated in the record: $52,625.76. - Budget amendments (grant‑funded increases) — approved (unanimous). - Budget transfers (net zero adjustments) — approved (unanimous). - Step increase for court clerk Tracy Foley — approved (6-0). - Salary increase for building inspector (Dan) to $166,402, retroactive to 06/01/2025 — approved (unanimous); administration said amount was previously budgeted. - Professional services agreement with Mara Municipal Consulting for administrator search — approved (unanimous); contract amount referenced: $22,250. - Adoption of 2026 board of trustees goals and priorities — approved (unanimous). - Extended Memorial Park hours for Youth Little League (Friday, May 15 and an unclear Saturday in May 2026) — approved (unanimous).

What the board said: Mayor Nell repeatedly framed votes as routine or tied to prior budget planning and described the administrator search as a mayoral priority given Rob's announced retirement. Staff explained that several budget increases are fully matched by state and federal grant revenue and that transfers are net zero adjustments.

Next steps: The administration will move forward with the consultant to run the recruitment process for the village administrator and will schedule the Project Mover bike‑program presentation for a future meeting after the presenter failed to join the Zoom session. The board announced a budget workshop for March 9 at 10 a.m. (public, no comment period).