INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF
PIERMONT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
June 16, 2026
Present: Mayor Nathan Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Mark
Blomquist, Trustee Jeff Gordon, Trustee Kate McCabe, Trustee Michael Wright,
Dennis Michaels - Village Attorney, and Jennifer DeYorgi Maher Village
Clerk-Treasurer.
Mayor Nathan Mitchell called the meeting to order
and led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item #1 Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Trustee McCabe made a motion to approve the minutes
for June 2, 2026. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright and carried with a
vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Item #2 Approval Of Warrant
Trustee Blomquist made a motion to approve Warrant
#052526 in the amount of $85,329.62 and Warrant #061626 in the amount of
$835,024.99 for a grand total of $920,354.61. The motion was seconded by
Trustee Gordon and carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Item #3 Department Reports
Police Department - Chief Hurley stated that
during the month of June there is a total of 70 summonses being issued, and 414
incident reports were completed. Of these incidents, 64 occurred in Grand View,
with the remaining 358 taking place in Piermont.
Fire Department – 1st Fire Chief Goswick
stated that the Piermont Fire Department responded to 169 calls. He also
informed the Board that the Department went to Lake George, where the Piermont
Fire Department’s ladder truck earned First Place statewide, and the Department
received Second Place for Dress Uniform in the Fire Service competition. Chief
Goswick advised the Board that he received a text message from Phil Griffin
regarding a parking issue behind Otto’s. He explained that approximately a year
and a half ago, he, Police Chief Hurley, and Building Inspector Charles Schaub
inspected the rear of the property, where the Fire Department’s sprinkler
connection is located. At that time, a no-parking area was painted below the
sprinkler connection. Chief Goswick stated that valet vehicles had recently
been parked against the building and directly across from the fire hydrant,
creating an obstruction. He reviewed the required parking clearance from a
hydrant and provided photographs of the parked vehicles to the Board.
Chief Goswick stated that he notified the Village
Fire Inspector and the Piermont Police Department and received permission from
Phil Griffin to have the vehicles towed. He emphasized that the rear of the
building should be designated as a fire lane to ensure emergency access for the
ladder truck. He further recommended that all fire zones in the Village be
properly marked as “Fire Zone – No Parking” rather than simply “No Parking”,
noting that proper signage would allow vehicles to be ticketed or towed when
necessary. Chief Goswick stated that he met with Otto’s valet staff and manager
the day before the meeting and discussed alternative valet parking locations.
He reiterated that the entire rear section of the property should be designated
as a fire lane.
Mayor Mitchell stated that the area is located on
private property and explained that the Piermont Police Department is currently
unable to issue parking tickets because it is designated only as a no-parking
zone. He stated that if the area were designated as a fire zone, enforcement
would be permitted. Police Chief Hurley stated that while the designation is
not currently addressed in Village Code, enforcement action may still be taken
if vehicles create a safety hazard, such as blocking access to a fire hydrant.
Chief Goswick added that he and Chief Hurley reviewed the Orangetown Code and
suggested the Village review it. Village Attorney Dennis Michaels reiterated
that, as discussed at previous meetings, enforcement on private property
requires the property owner’s request or authorization.
Mayor Mitchell stated that the Village intends to
enter into a signed agreement with Phil Griffin authorizing the Piermont Police
Department to issue parking tickets for illegally parked vehicles and vehicles
parked in designated fire zones on the property. He stated that he would follow
up with Mr. Griffin regarding the agreement.
Building Department – Building Inspector
Charles Schaub stated that he spoke with David Kaliff from Otto’s regarding the
ongoing parking issues. David explained that one of the problems is that the
valet company frequently sends different employees. Building Inspector Schaub
stated that he contacted the valet company directly, explained the situation,
and advised them that the current practices cannot continue. Building Inspector
Schaub reported that the Town of Orangetown has identified approximately 1,400
properties for review as part of its parkland assessment. He stated that Town
representatives visited the Village to inspect the property below the trail. He
noted that Slattery’s had cleaned up the property, allowing sufficient access
for emergency vehicles. He explained that, years ago, the Planning Board
requested adequate space to ensure that ambulances and other emergency vehicles
could access and turn around on the property. Building Inspector Schaub stated
that Orangetown questioned why the area had been so extensively cleared and was
informed that the work was completed to maintain emergency vehicle access.
Mayor Mitchell stated that the property is part of the Clark Rail Trail system
and is owned by the Town of Orangetown. Mayor Mitchell and Building Inspector
Schaub discussed the Village Green property and Orangetown’s involvement.
Building Inspector Schaub explained the ownership of the Village Green property
located at the end of the trail.
Mayor Mitchell asked whether Building Inspector
Schaub had reviewed the General Municipal Law (GML) referral from Orangetown
regarding 145 Tweed Boulevard. Building Inspector Schaub responded that he had
not yet reviewed it. Mayor Mitchell expressed concerns regarding erosion
control and stormwater management at the property and stated that he intended
to discuss with the Board whether the Village should submit a letter to the
Town of Orangetown discussing its concerns. Building Inspector Schaub stated
that he and Village Engineer Bart Rodi would prepare a letter for Orangetown.
Village Attorney Dennis Michaels explained the General Municipal Law (GML)
referral process, noting that multiple municipal departments may provide
comments or opinions on a GML referral. Mayor Mitchell stated that he would
first like to start with the opinions of Building Inspector Schaub and Village
Engineer Bart Rodi.
Department of Public – Superintendent Tom Temple was
not present.
Item #4 Old Business
Village Clerk-Treasurer - Stated that she forwarded
an email to the Mayor and Board from Hank Hovorka from TWK Market for them to
review. She stated that Usha Wright notified her that Dr. Phil Tierno is
resigning from the ZBA.
Mayor Mitchell had old business to discuss.
Deputy Mayor Blomquist had no old business to
discuss. Trustee Gordon had no old business to discuss.
Trustee McCabe had no old business to discuss.
Trustee Wright had no old business to discuss.
Item #5 New Business
Village Clerk-Treasurer stated that Village taxes
are due by June 30 without penalty. She also reminded the Board that, during
the summer months, only one Board of Trustees meeting will be held in both July
and August. She informed the Board the MS4 interns are working in the Village,
they have been working with the Village Engineer Bart Rodi and Building
Inspector Charles Schaub. She informed the Board that she received an email
from Peter Metzler regarding the Village’s noise regulations. She also advised
the Board that she received a letter from Thomas Hughes addressed to the Mayor
and Board of Trustees.
Mayor Mitchell reported that a member of the
Transportation and Parking Commission had resigned. He stated that he would
like to appoint Charlie Redmen to fill the unexpired term of Paul Kadin. Mayor
Mitchell requested the Board’s authorization to issue a Request for Proposals
(RFP) for a vendor to provide vending machines at four Village locations:
Goswick Pavilion, the Boathouse at the end of the Pier, the Skating Pond, and
the Train Station.
Trustee Gordon made a motion to authorize the
issuance of an RFP for vending machines at Goswick Pavilion, the Boat House at
the end of the Pier, the Skating Pond and the Train Station. The motion was
seconded by Trustee McCabe and carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Mayor Mitchell stated that the construction fence
surrounding the triangle lot is in the process of being removed. He stated that
the owner of the open space outside the wooden-fenced portion of the property
has granted permission for volunteers to clean up the area. He noted that a
sign-up sheet is available for those interested in participating. Mayor
Mitchell also reported that the owner of the Paper Place and Spruce Street
properties has scheduled June 29, 2026, as the date for repaving those streets.
Deputy Mayor Blomquist had no new business to
discuss. Trustee Gordon had no new business to discuss.
Trustee McCabe had no new business to discuss.
Trustee Wright asked, “why is the wooden fence on
the triangle lot across the street only on a section of the property?” Mayor
Mitchell stated because that is the section that the developers own.
Item #6 Public Comment
None
Item #7 Request From William Hickey To Have
The DPW Garage Dedicated To His Father John W. Hickey
William Hickey spoke about his family’s long history
in the Village of Piermont and noted that he is a life member of the Piermont
Fire Department. William Hickey discussed the history of the original
Department of Public Works (DPW) garage and noted that his father served as the
Village’s Superintendent of Public Works for many years. Mr. Hickey reiterated
his desire to preserve the Hickey family’s legacy in the Village and ensure
that its history is not forgotten. He requested that the Department of Public
Works (DPW) garage be dedicated in honor of his father, John W. Hickey. He
stated that he has obtained approximately 20 signatures on a petition
supporting the request.
Mayor Mitchell stated that the Village’s Capital
Budget includes funding to replace the roof of the DPW garage. He noted that
once the renovations are complete, the Village could hold a dedication
ceremony. Mayor Mitchell further stated that having two dedications for the
same family within one year may be excessive. However, he added that dedicating
the DPW garage in honor of John W. Hickey “makes a lot of sense” to him.
Trustee Gordon made a motion to dedicate the DPW
Garage in honor of John W. Hickey. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright
and carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Item #8 Request From William Hickey To Have The Piermont
Police Department Dedicated To His Great Grandfather James Hickey Who Was The
First Constable In The Village Of Piermont In The Early 1900’s
William Hickey spoke about his great-grandfather’s
history in the Village of Piermont, noting that he passed away on January 17,
1917, at the age of 59. He discussed his family’s long-standing roots in
Rockland County, stating that his great-grandfather served as a Rockland County
Sheriff and was a member of the Empire Hose Company. Mayor Mitchell stated that
he would be happy to work with Police Chief Hurley on a future dedication.
However, he reiterated his position that one dedication per family per year is
appropriate.
Item #9 Review Parking For Otto’s Restaurant
Mayor Mitchell addressed the issue of vehicles being
parked in the fire zones behind Otto’s with Mr. David Kaliff. Mr. Kaliff
apologized for the incidents that occurred over the weekend, stating that the
Police Department has his contact information and that he is always available
if issues arise. Mr. Kaliff reviewed the off-street parking available for his
customers, explaining that the property has 25 parking spaces associated with
it, including 22 grandfathered spaces and three spaces that he previously
agreed to provide to the Village at the request of former Mayor Tucker. Those
three spaces consist of two standard parking spaces and one handicapped space,
which he considers part of the property’s overall parking inventory. Mr. Kaliff
stated that he is also in discussions with the library and Pamaya Red regarding
additional parking arrangements. He reviewed the restaurant’s seating capacity,
including indoor dining, outdoor seating, and the bar area, noting that not all
seating areas are utilized simultaneously. He stated that the Rockland County
Department of Health permits a maximum occupancy of 180 patrons, including outdoor
seating, but that the restaurant typically serves approximately 80 guests on
Wednesdays and Thursdays and between 125 and 175 guests on Fridays. He added
that while approximately 500 people dined at the restaurant on Mother’s Day,
they arrived in shifts throughout the day rather than all at once. Mr. Kaliff
stated that the restaurant’s typical hours are 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on
weekdays and 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends. He believes there is
generally sufficient parking available, with Sundays presenting the greatest
challenge, and offered to review point-of-sale data to demonstrate customer
traffic patterns.
Mayor Mitchell confirmed that the Department of
Health’s permitted occupancy of 180 which includes outdoor seating. He
questioned how the restaurant could have approximately 300 seats when the
Department of Health only permits 180 occupants. Mr. Kaliff responded that
while the physical seating may exceed 180, the restaurant cannot legally exceed
the Department of Health’s occupancy limit. He stated that operating beyond the
permitted occupancy would be illegal and could result in enforcement action by
the Department of Health. Mayor Mitchell and Mr. Kaliff discussed the property’s
grandfathered parking spaces, including the history of the property, its
previous owners, and prior uses that resulted in the grandfathered status. Mr.
Kaliff also discussed the property tax, stating that he pays approximately
$36,000 annually in Village taxes and has made donations to the Village. He
emphasized that the grandfathered parking spaces were part of the property when
he purchased it. The discussion continued regarding the illegal parking that
occurred over the weekend. Mr. Kaliff stated the incident as an isolated
occurrence and stated that he had already spoken with the restaurant managers,
valets, and the valet company, making it clear that vehicles may not be left in
the fire zones behind the building, as the area is not a parking lot. Mayor
Mitchell stated that Mr. Phil Griffin had provided photographs documenting the
illegally parked vehicles and stated that he does not want cars parked in the
fire zones. Mayor Mitchell stated he wants to meet with Building Inspector
Charles Schaub and Mr. Kaliff to walk the property and establish an accurate
count of available parking spaces. He also stated that if Mr. Kaliff has
agreements with neighboring property owners to provide additional parking,
copies of those agreements should be submitted to the Village to be kept on
file.
Mayor Mitchell again questioned the number of
grandfathered parking spaces. Mr. Kaliff reiterated that the property has 22
grandfathered spaces and that the three spaces previously provided to the
Village bring the total parking inventory to 25 spaces. He stated that his goal
is to secure a total of 60 parking spaces and that he will continue discussions
with the library regarding additional parking opportunities. Mayor Mitchell
thanked Mr. Kaliff for attending the meeting. He stated that he intends to
research the property’s grandfathered parking rights and reiterated his desire
to establish a definitive parking count, taking into consideration the
restaurant’s valet operations.
Item #10 Resolution To Authorize The Mayor To
Enter Into An Agreement With The County Of Rockland On Behalf Of The RCDAO LEAD
Program In Which The Piermont Police Department Will Receive $5,000.00 For
Participation In The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program Project
Connect
Trustee Gordon made a motion to authorize the Mayor
Mitchell to enter into an agreement with the County of Rockland on behalf of
the RCDAO LEAD Program in which the Piermont Police Department will receive
$5,000.00 for participation in the Law enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program
Project Connect. The motion was seconded by Trustee McCabe and carried with a
vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Item #11 Review Draft Of Proposed Local Law To
Establish A Landscaper Registry As A New Article IX Of Village Code Chapter 154
(Property Maintenance) And Schedule A Public Hearing
Trustee Gordon stated that he did not see a
provision in the proposed Landscaper Registry requiring proof of insurance.
Trustee Wright asked whether insurance is required by Rockland County for
contractors. Village Attorney Dennis Michaels stated that insurance is required
for home improvement contractors but was unsure whether Rockland County
requires insurance for landscapers. Building Inspector Charles Schaub explained
that under County law, all contractors performing residential work must be
licensed. He stated that for commercial properties, only plumbers,
electricians, and HVAC contractors are required to hold a Rockland County
license. He added that contractors working on commercial properties are
required to carry insurance, but they are not required to obtain a Rockland
County contractor’s license. He also explained the distinction between
residential and commercial properties, including how multiple dwellings are
classified.
Trustee Wright asked if there should be something in
the agreement that defines commercial property vs. residential property. Mayor
Mitchell stated that Building Inspector Charles Schuab is making the
distinction between residential landscapers and commercial landscapers vs.
working on commercial or residential properties. He stated that he did not
believe such a distinction was necessary in the proposed local law because its
purpose is to establish a landscaper registry. Village Attorney Michaels stated
that if the Village attempted to address all those distinctions within the
local law, it would expand from a two-and-a-half-page local law into a much
more extensive code. He explained that the purpose of the registry is simply to
maintain a record of landscapers operating within the Village. He added that
the registry could serve as a first step toward the future adoption of
additional local laws addressing landscaping issues, such as gas-powered leaf
blowers, and emphasized that the registry is not intended to replace the
Rockland County Consumer Protection licensing requirements. Trustee Wright
asked how the Village would know whether a landscaper was registered. Building
Inspector Charles Schaub responded that the Building Department would verify
registration through inspections and suggested issuing bumper stickers to
registered landscapers for identification. Mayor Mitchell expressed concern
that many landscapers operate multiple vehicles, making a single bumper sticker
impractical. Building Inspector Schaub suggested charging a fee for additional
stickers to accommodate multiple vehicles. Mayor Mitchell directed the Village
Attorney to amend the proposed local law to include a provision stating that
insurance coverage will be verified.
Trustee Blomquist made a motion to schedule proposed
Public Hearing Local Law to establish a Landscaper Registry as a new Article IX
of Village Code Chapter 154 (Property Maintenance). The motion was seconded by
Trustee Wright and carried with a vote of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Item #12 Review Cyber Security Proposal From VJ
Networks For The Village Of Piermont
Moved to July 14, 2026, Village Board Meeting.
Item #13 Adjournment
Trustee Gordon made a motion at 8:05 p.m. to adjourn
the meeting. The motion was seconded by Trustee Wright and carried with a vote
of 5 ayes and 0 nays.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer DeYorgi Maher
Clerk-Treasurer
