Town of Bedford

The agenda for the meeting included a Public Hearing regarding an amendment to Local Law §117-1 D(10) to prohibit recreational vehicle parking on public streets in residential districts without a permit, which was a continuation of a hearing from January 20, 2026. Presentations included the Annual Report from the Police Chief and an update from the Conservation Board regarding the Mayor's Monarch Pledge 2026. The Consent Agenda involved approving an Abstract of Claims and Paid Priors totaling $1,455,387.11, granting a tax payment extension for seniors until May 7, 2026, and acknowledging delinquent water accounts for Mount Kisco. New Business items included setting a public hearing for March 17, 2026, to consider amendments to the Real Property Tax Exemption for senior citizens, approving the appointment of Vanessa Perez as an Office Assistant in the Town Court Office, approving the 2026 Agreement with Friends of John Jay Homestead for the Farmers Market use of Lot 2, seeking approval to execute an Order Form for implementing an Online Vital Records Platform, requesting approval to submit an NYS Archives Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LRGMIF) Grant Application, setting a public hearing for March 17, 2026, to amend the Town Code regarding the Board of Ethics membership requirement, and requesting the appointment of a Housing Policy Work Group.

The agenda for the meeting included a Public Hearing concerning an amendment to Local Law §117 -1 D(10) regarding recreational vehicle parking restrictions, which is a continuation from a previous hearing on 1/20/26. Presentations scheduled involve the Annual Report from Police Chief Melvin Padilla and an update from the Conservation Board regarding the Mayor's Monarch Pledge 2026. The Consent Agenda covers approving the Abstract of Claims, granting a tax payment extension for seniors, and acknowledging delinquent water accounts. New Business items include setting a public hearing for amending real property tax exemptions for senior citizens, approving an appointment for an Office Assistant in the Town Court, approving an agreement with Friends of John Jay Homestead for a Farmers Market, approving an order form for an Online Vital Records Platform, submitting a Grant Application to the NYS Archives, setting a public hearing for amending the requirement for Board of Ethics membership, and appointing a Housing Policy Work Group.

The meeting agenda includes a public hearing to continue the discussion on an amendment to Local Law §117-1 D(10) regarding prohibiting Recreational Vehicle parking on public streets in residential districts and in public parking lots without a permit, and defining Recreational Vehicle in §125-3. A presentation is scheduled from the DPW Commissioner on winter storm management. The consent agenda covers the acceptance of various monthly reports for January 2026 and a request for the Town Board to approve a retainer agreement for outside counsel for a Zoning Board of Appeals appeal proceeding. Old business items include declaring Lead Agency for a SEQRA review related to the Rte 117 Pathway, a request for fee waivers for affordable housing construction/refurbishment by Blue Mountain Housing Corporation, seeking a further extension of a Temporary Certificate of Compliance for Chabad of Bedford, accepting the revised Capital Plan for 2026 through 2035, and approving the purchase of a 2027 shuttle bus. New business involves re-appointing Chairs for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board, appointing an Alternate Member to the Planning Board, and approving a contract for Economic Development Consulting.

Key discussions included the announcement of the Town Board liaison and the introduction of new members. Reports from recent Town Board meetings covered departmental end-of-year statistics, including building department complaints and violations, and updates on the Hudson Valley greenway potentially connecting through Katonah. Other topics involved the Open Space committee's video release and assignments for monitoring upcoming ZBA and Planning Board meetings. The board reviewed grant progress for the Hudson River Estuarine State Grant and the DEC grant for open space purchase. The board addressed suggested updates to the Tree Ordinance, planning for a hike in partnership with the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for the Bedford RevUp celebration, budgeting for a new Rain Garden sign, considering support for a county-wide gas leaf blower ban, organizing efforts for vine cutting, and drafting a suggestion for the creation of a Climate Resiliency Committee. Preparations were also made for the River Keeper Sweep event in May.

This document outlines the Town of Bedford's proposed Capital Plan for the 2026-2035 period, detailing anticipated departmental needs and projected spending over the next decade. The plan focuses on significant investments including major improvements to the Town's three pools, upgrades for the Crusher Road Highway Yard, essential water infrastructure enhancements, and roadway paving, alongside various equipment purchases and other infrastructure improvements. Financially, the plan anticipates an additional $38,220,269 in debt, which is considered manageable and designed to ensure fiscal compliance and absorption of future debt service obligations without impairing the New York State Property Tax Cap.