Montebello board schedules 2026 budget hearing, approves contracts, IT upgrades and handbook changes

The Village of Montebello Board of Trustees on Nov. 6 designated the Mayor’s revised proposal as the tentative 2026 budget, scheduled a public hearing on the budget and Local Law No. 2 of 2025 (on exceeding the state tax cap) for Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., and set a special meeting for Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. to vote on a final budget. Village Attorney Warren E. Berbit explained the timetable and the legal timing requirements that drove the scheduling; Deputy Mayor Stacy Caridi moved the scheduling resolution and Trustee Bruce Egenhauser seconded it. The motion carried unanimously.

The board approved a slate of vendor contracts and capital‑project actions funded in part from ARPA and LOC Draw funds. The board awarded Colliers Engineering and Design a $45,000 contract (plus reimbursables) to oversee the construction phase of the Rt. 59 frontage improvements; the Department of Transportation permit has been granted and contractor Cioffi is prepared to begin work. The board also accepted MFD Quality Construction Inc.’s low bid to rebuild the Village Hall parking lot and site improvements at $368,481, with payment coming from the ARPA grant.

Intergovernmental and routine service contracts were renewed or approved: the Town of Ramapo contract for highway and snow removal was renewed at a 5% increase to $433,630 per year, and weekly cleaning services with Vanguard Cleaning Services were approved at a combined $1,000 per month for Village Hall (including the Senior Center) and the Dr. Jeffrey Oppenheim Community Center.

The board approved multiple IT and facilities purchases and service contracts recommended by the clerk‑treasurer. Delaney Computer Services was authorized to replace village desktops and notebooks at a cost of $11,752.13 (to be paid from ARPA); the board also authorized Wi‑Fi upgrades budgeted for 2026 at $5,563.00 and the purchase of a new Dell PowerEdge R260 server at $11,508.53. The board approved a managed‑IT and cybersecurity services package (monthly gross amounts cited in the proposal totaled $4,578.20 for managed services and $628.28 for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, with discounts and credits shown in the proposal) to be included in the 2026 budget. On roll calls for several IT‑related resolutions Mayor Lance N. Millman recorded abstentions; one Wi‑Fi authorization drew one “no” vote from Trustee David Rose but the measures carried.

Personnel items included promoting Adam Gordon from part‑time building inspector to Building Inspector (full time) effective Jan. 1, 2026, at an annual salary of $85,000. The Board accepted Deputy Village Clerk Louise Renud’s resignation effective Nov. 28, 2025; the minutes note the Board did not wish to accept her resignation but understands she is relocating and declared Nov. 28, 2025, to be Louise Renud Day in the Village.

The board approved an updated Village of Montebello Employee Handbook and addendum clarifying retiree medical benefits and eligibility. The updates reiterate that retiree health coverage follows NYSHIP rules, require Medicare enrollment where Medicare is primary, and specify reimbursement policy for Medicare Part B premiums in certain circumstances. The handbook language also states a guiding principle that, absent compulsion by state or federal law, benefits already in place for current employees will not be prospectively diminished. The minutes cite six current individuals covered by the clarified rules.

Votes at a glance: 25‑130 — Schedule public hearing for 2026 budget and Local Law No. 2 of 2025 (motion: Deputy Mayor Stacy Caridi; second: Trustee Bruce Egenhauser) — carried unanimously. 25‑131 — Approve Oct. 22, 2025 minutes — carried. 25‑132 — Approve Abstract & Schedule of Claims ($48,626.77) — carried. 25‑133 — Approve Professional Fees abstract ($14,917.95) — carried. 25‑134 — Approve LOC Draw Fund claims ($50,192.21) — carried. 25‑135 — Colliers contract for Rt. 59 inspection ($45,000 + reimbursables) — carried. 25‑136 — Award Village Hall parking‑lot contract to MFD Quality Construction Inc. ($368,481) — carried. 25‑137 — Renew Town of Ramapo highway/snow contract ($433,630/year) — carried. 25‑138 — Park improvements at Kathryn Gorman Ponds Park to Christopher Meredith Landscaping ($25,000 ARPA) — carried. 25‑139 — Vanguard cleaning contract ($1,000/month) — carried. 25‑140 — Spence Engineering services for 2026 ($31,800/year) — carried. 25‑141 — Christopher Meredith landscaping services contract ($46,179/year) — carried. 25‑142 — Appoint Adam Gordon Building Inspector (F/T) at $85,000/year — carried. 25‑143 — Accept Deputy Village Clerk Louise Renud resignation effective Nov. 28, 2025 — carried. 25‑144 — Authorize replacement desktops/notebooks (Delaney) ($11,752.13; ARPA) — carried (Mayor abstained). 25‑145 — Authorize Wi‑Fi upgrades (Delaney) ($5,563; budget 2026) — carried (Mayor abstained; Trustee Rose no). 25‑146 — Authorize server purchase (Delaney) ($11,508.53) — carried (Mayor abstained). 25‑147 — Managed IT & cybersecurity services (Delaney) (net monthly figures in proposal) — carried (Mayor abstained). 25‑148 — Return $5,000 escrow for 25 Fant Farm Lane to Stonehedge Heights — carried. 25‑149 — Approve updated Employee Handbook and addendum (retiree benefits clarification) — carried.

What’s next: The Board will hold the public hearing on the tentative 2026 budget and Local Law No. 2 of 2025 on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., and it reconvened on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. to consider final adoption of the 2026 budget. Trustee Bruce Egenhauser also requested clarification on responsibility for cleanup after utility work — an operational follow‑up for staff.

(Reporting based on the meeting minutes prepared by Village Clerk‑Treasurer Joan Will and the resolutions recorded in the meeting minutes.)