Frequently Asked Questions by Residents

Last Updated 2009.07.27

Upcoming/Recent Events
Farmer’s Market Opened - Sat, May 30th, 7:00am to 1:00pm, Memorial Plaza

Q: Do you know you can watch Board Meetings, School Meetings, and a number of other events live and recorded?
A: They are available via the PCTV76 website.

Q: What's going on with the run-down home at 55 Pleasant Avenue?
A: The County is considering donating the above dilapidated home for rehabilitation for middle class housing as managed by A-Home, a non-profit. The house would include an accessory apartment as well. This is allowed under Village Zoning ordinances (section 185-31). Currently, it's not on Village tax rolls and is an eye sore. So, this could be a win-win situation. There has been some local neighborhood negative feedback due to flood control and house size issues. This project is still in the planning phase.

Q: What is the status with Verizon FiOS TV service?
A: The board has been negotiating with Verizon almost on a daily basis as reported by the Mayor, and has requested the same deal offered to neighboring municipalities. Verizon has been extremely slow to respond. The Village TV station and other services are based on the tv fees, so it's important they are not cut. Once Verizon offers a "fair" amount, they will be welcomed into the community. Keep in mind, Verizon FiOS internet costs more than Cablevision's so I'm not sure it'll reduce everyone's cable costs.

Q: What is the status of the Church Street sidewalks?
A: At the Mon 5/18 board meeting, the board has hired a traffic engineering company (Adler) to look into the feasibility of sidewalks on Chruch Street. At the end of June 09, Adler should have their initial report ready. Board had been looking into what options exists from a traditional sidewalk to path.

Q: How can I ask a question?
A: Send an email to Ben Serebin. My email address is: ben "the @ symbol" serebin "dot" com.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Village Board Regular Board Meeting Agenda 04/27/09

[As received from Village announcement. See the comments field for my feedback from attending. -B en]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
8:00PM

Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Work Session, Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:00pm

Regular Meeting Monday, May 11, 2009 at 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Public Hearing
Continuation of a Public Hearing regarding a Local Law Amending Chapter 185 Zoning, Section 185-3 Definitions and Word Use and Section 185-19 Central Business A-1 District.

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-67-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-68-Approval of Minutes/April 6th and April 13th, 2009
Res. No. 2009-69-Approval to Use Roselle Park/Lions Club Horseshoe Tournament
Res. No. 2009-70-Approval of Service Agreement for Printers and PC’s
Res. No. 2009-71-Approval to Close Memorial Plaza for Memorial Day Celebrations
Res. No. 2009-72-Award of Bid for Janitorial Services
Res. No. 2009-73-Appointment to Planning Commission/Daniel Sweeney
Res. No. 2009-74-Appointment to Conservation Advisory Council-Jennifer Frawley
Res. No. 2009-75-Authorization to Sign Agreement with Peak 107.1 Music Festival
Res. No. 2009-76-Stipulation of Settlement-Planning Commission Escrow Fees & General Release of Claims
Res. No. 2009-77-Closing Various Aged Escrow Accounts
Res. No. 2009-78-Transferring Balance of Unallocated Escrow Funds to General
Fund Refund of Prior Years
Res. No. 2009-79-Closing Capital Project and Transferring Balance to Debt Service
Res. No. 2009-80-Establishing a Capital Reserve for Economic Development Purposes
Res. No. 2009-81-Adoption of 2009/10 Village Budget
Res. No. 2009-82-Approval of 2009/10 Water Rates
Res. No. 2009-83-Approval of 2009/10 Refuse Collection Rates
Res. No. 2009-84-Approval of 2009/10 Pool Rates
Res. No. 2009-85-Approval of Budget Amendments
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 04/27/09

[As received by email announcement from the Village. See the comments for my feedback from attending the meeting.]

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
Advice from Legal Counsel/Personnel Matters

7:30pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Update on Traffic Engineering Proposals/Church Street

Discussion Regarding Establishing a Capital Reserve For
Economic Development Purposes
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Village Board Work Session Agenda 04/20/09

[As received from Village. I've posted my observation feedback in the comments field. -Ben]

WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm Review of Tentative 2009-10 Village Budget

8:00pm Funding future Capital needs for off-street parking

8:30pm EXECUTIVE SESSION
PBA Negotiations
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Zoning Board of Appeals Amended Agenda 04/30/09

[As received from Village announcements. -Ben]

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
Thursday April 30, 2009
8:00 P.M.
Village Hall
80 Wheeler Avenue - 2nd floor
Pleasantville, New York.

AMENDED AGENDA
Case No. 2009-04– Mr. and Mrs. James Corey, 119 Pierce Drive, Pleasantville, New York- Proposal to construct new additions and associated improvements on-site in violation of section 185-36.B.(1) schedule I “bulk requirements”, regarding insufficient side yard setbacks and excessive building story height

*Case No. 2009-05 - Ms. Susan Manley - 45 Iroquois Road, Pleasantville, New York – Proposal to re-construct deteriorated retaining walls on-site in violation of section 185-36.B.(1) schedule I “bulk requirements” and 185-46.C.(2) “exceptions” regarding insufficient side yard setbacks and expansion of a pre-existing non-complying structure
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Monday, April 13, 2009

Village Board Work Session Agenda 4/13/09

[As received by Village email announcement. I will attend and post comments for this work session. The work session looks promising. -Ben]

VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
WORK SESSION
AGENDA
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009
80 WHEELER AVENUE
PLEASANTVILLE, NY 10570
7:00PM

7:00pm Miscellaneous Administrative Items
Request for survey authorization/watermain & drainage project Old Village area
Discussion regarding Bee-Line Paratransit bus donation

Trustee reports on Budget work sessions (modifications)

Funding future Capital needs for off-street parking

Energy initiatives-NYPA surveys

Request for crosswalk installation at Great Oak & Manville Road

Set work-sessions for:
Community discussion regarding Cable Franchise
Academy Street residents regarding BRS Day Camp
Update from Central Business Master Plan Committee

Upcoming Work Session: 5/5 A-Home presentation of plans to
renovate 55 Pleasant Avenue


8:00pm REGULAR BOARD MEETING
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Village Board Regular Meeting Agenda 4/13/09

[As received via Village email announcement. I'll be attending this meeting, and will post comments later tonight. -Ben]

REGULAR MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2009
8:00PM


Scheduled Meetings: All meetings are held at Village Hall, 80 Wheeler Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pleasantville, New York

Work Session, Monday, April 20, 2009 at 7:00pm

Regular Meeting Monday, April 27, 2009 at 8:00pm with a Work Session at 7:00pm

Oral Communication:
Census Bureau Community Update

Public Hearing
Fiscal Year 2009-10 Budget Presentation

Resolutions:
Res. No. 2009-52-Approval of Pre-Check Register
Res. No. 2009-53-Approval of Minutes/March 23, 2009
Res. No. 2009-54-Authorization to Close Wheeler Avenue from Bedford Road to Clinton Street/Senior Citizen Intergenerational Program
Res. No. 2009-55-Approval of SPCA Contract
Res. No. 2009-56-Approval of Cabaret License/ROCKNROE’S Pop Shop
Res. No. 2009-57-Approval of Budget Amendments
Res. No. 2009-58-Authorization to Sign Agreement with Westchester County/Transfer of Organic Waste
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Village Board Annual Organization Meeting Agenda 4/6/09

[Sorry for the delay in posting this, I became an Uncle this past week. -Ben]

ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
VILLAGE OF PLEASANTVILLE
VILLAGE HALL
80 WHEELER AVENUE - 2ND FLOOR
MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2009
7:30PM

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Mayor Elect Peter Scherer
Trustee Elect Jonathan Cunningham
Trustee Elect Stephen Lopez

RESOLUTIONS
Res. No. 2009-39-Official Mayoral Appointments
Res. No. 2009-40-Mayoral Appointments
Res. No. 2009-41-Appointments to Board, Commissions and Committees
Res. No. 2009-42-Schedule of Regular and Work Session Meeting 2006/07
Res. No. 2009-43-Procedure for Calling A Special Meeting
Res. No. 2009-44-Designation of Official Newspaper
Res. No. 2009-45-Authorized Signatories for Financial Transactions
Res. No. 2006-46-Designation of Bank Deposition for Village Funds
Res. No. 2006-47-Attendance at Conferences
Res. No. 2006-48-Setting the Rate for Mileage Reimbursement
Res. No. 2006-49-Investment Policy
Res. No. 2005-50-Advance Approval of Claims
Res. No. 2005-51-Purchasing Policy
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The Dunkin Donuts Corner (SPECIAL FEATURE) - Updated Last 2008.10.07

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Regular Announcements Below This - Scroll Down
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Tue 10/7 Update
Last week, Dunkin Donuts decided to hang up a traditional Dunkin Donuts sign violating the Signage Ordinance and the Architecture Review Board's agreement with the Donuts Donuts franchise owner, TBG. Numerous complaints were lodged with Village Hall and they demanded TBG immediately remove the illegal sign which they promptly did. TBG complained that the wood curved sign was taking too long, hence they broke the rules to advertise Dunkin Donuts.

Wed 9/10 Update
On Monday, 9/8 the Pleasantville Board of Trustees announced the following proposed amendments to the introductory local law 2008-181 which to summarize the major points improves upon the definition of what a restaurant is, prohibits drive-throughs for non-bank establishments, adds a new formula fast food establishment definition and restricts their establishment, and clarifies and restricts 1st floor permitted uses for professional services (e.g. legal services, architectural, brokerage firms, accounting, etc) in the central business districts. Public comment is open now. You can read the original document on the Village's website. Next public comment meeting is on the agenda for the Mon, October 27th meeting. Please provide feedback to the trustees and village administrator before then as well.

- Ben Serebin, Pleasantville Resident
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Hello Everyone,

The vast majority of the people I speak with are upset to hear about the planned Dunkin Donuts across from the Jacob Burns (2nd Dunkin Donuts in Pleasantville), so I realized it would be good if I had a special section dedicated to it. I'll update this area with Dunkin Donuts related issues which includes the business moratorium and ordinance changes.

This issue was caused by a ruling by the Pleasantville Building Inspector (Mike Testa) on 11/28/07 due to the lack of definition of the current zoning for a bakery (section 185:11, no definition of bakery), simplistic definition of a fast food restaurant (more than 8 seats with ready to consume food), "one hundred feet of the intersection" of any business street as per section 185-22 section 12 (a) [4], and "lack of applying the interpretation or conflict of the zoning and ordinances, the more restrictive language should apply" (section 185-59 section B). His consultation of a dictionary for defining what a bakery is should have been targeted to the board of trustees for clarification especially since most people would probably classify Dunkin Donuts as fast food (since the company labels it as such and so does the franchise owner). In essence, the application was a technique of a wolf in sheep's clothes. Challenges via a Zoning Board Appeal in section 185-55 or an article 78 to applications are required within 30 days, which was not available to me since I became aware of this after that period.

There is a solution that we can promote to prevent uncontrolled increases of fast food businesses and franchises in Pleasantville, and it's called Business Formula Ordinances (BFOs). To summarize the explanation of this, it means that each business would need to be to a certain degree unique and could not be cookie cutter like, e.g. same trademark, signage, tables, lighting, menus, uniforms, etc. The BFOs can be as restrictive (e.g. no businesses sharing trademarks, menus, signage, etc) or accommodating as desired (e.g. capping the # in an area or entire business district, such as up to 5 business allowed in the village sharing trademarks, menus, signage, etc). Traffic safety should also play a role in approving businesses in Pleasantville.

Read the following PDFs or websites just by clicking the links:
Original Building Permit Application filed by T.B.G. Food Acquisition Corp (aka Dunkin Donuts owner Manhattan based private equity firm The Beekman Group L.L.C.) on November 25, 2007. There are mistakes on the application and the identity of the signature of the owner is unknown even to Mike Testa (building inspector).

Background on The Beekman Group Private Equity Firm and TBG as per Westchester County Business Journal interview with John Troiano and Peter Marrinan. Peter has attended at least one Pleasantville meeting. Or read it on the Westchester County Business Journal website.

The Examiner Article of March 10, 2008 announcing the Pleasantville Downtown Business Moratorium and "know your Neighbor" highlight of Ben Serebin.

The New York Times Article on May 25, 2008 "Punching a Hole in Paradise" about the planned Dunkin Donuts and use of Formula Businesses. Interview with Mayor Bernard Gordon and Pleasantville Resident Ben Serebin. Or read it on the NY Times website.

Pleasantville Zoning Map of Business Districts (A1 & A2) Affected by Business Moratorium.

[Provided to Pleasantville Board of Trustees during May 19, 2008 meeting & Westchester County Legislator John Nonna who was present]
List of some Municipalities that have Implemented Formula Business Ordinances (e.g. Port Jefferson NY, Fairfield CT, Bristol RI, Chesapeake City MD, Nantucket MA, Portland ME, Ogunquit ME, Coronado CA, Pacific Grove CA, San Francisco CA, Sanibel FL, Sauslito CA, & York ME to name a few.

Formula Business Ordinance upheld by California Court of Appeals

[Provided to Pleasantville Board of Trustees during May 19, 2008 meeting & Westchester County Legislator John Nonna who was present]
Port Jefferson, NY (on Long Island) Business Formula Ordinance (BFO) Code (I've provided the exact sections that discuss the BFO.)

City of Portland, ME's BFO Code. This is a good example like the Port Jefferson, NY code.

Pleasantville, NY Local Law code for Signage as of Jan 2008

Dunkin Donuts Website Press Release announcing that Dunkin Donuts received the award of "Best Fast-Food Coffee" - maybe they are a fast food franchise company?

-Ben Serebin, Pleasantville Resident
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