Town of Pelham 2025 Proposed Budget: Town Budget Memo 2025 In recent discussions, the Town Council carefully reviewed and ultimately voted to break the tax cap to present the 2025 town budget. This decision was not made lightly, but it was necessary to cover critical increases in costs that affect the community’s essential services and operational needs. To provide context, the 2024 budget appropriations were $6,703,375.16, with revenues of $3,364,559.48, resulting in a need to raise $3,338,815.68 through taxes. For 2025, the town’s total appropriations have increased to $7,182,220.84, with projected revenues of $3,254,981.29. To help offset this, $280,000 is being drawn from the town’s fund reserve, but the amount to be raised by taxes will still increase to $3,647,239.55—a necessary rise to maintain vital town operations and improvements. Key areas requiring this additional funding include: Police Facility Renovation: $100,000 is being earmarked for capital improvements for our town hall which are critical to maintain and upgrade the facilities when the Village of Pelham Police department relocates to the new Village Municipal center in 2025. We are also actively seeking grant money to assist us with the costs of this necessary project. Ambulance Contract: Includes an increase by $64,000 – This is a contractual expense for timely, quality emergency medical services for all residents. Library Budget: Includes an Increase of  $54,000 – Supporting our library services, a community hub for education and resources, remains a priority for the town. Insurance: Rising costs include a medical insurance increase of 10% and a liability Insurance increase of 15% Mandated Retirement and Employment Benefits: Increased by $44,500 – As mandated costs rise, meeting these obligations is essential to support our employees’ future financial security. The impact taxpayers can expect is as follows: 2024 Tax on a home assessed at 1 Million  was $754.78 (homestead) 2025 Tax on a home assessed at 1 Million is $777.37 (homestead) The increase is $22.59 The Town Council will hold a budget hearing on Monday, December 2nd at 7pm on the 2nd floor of Town Hall. All residents are invited to review the preliminary budget and be heard during public comment. Preliminary Budget 2025  

Town Board Update

 

 

 

Town of Pelham Board Update

November 2022

 

Dear Pelham Friends and Neighbors:

What a busy Fall it has been in the Town of Pelham! Our Recreation Department programs have been in full swing, with Recreation Soccer’s Pelham Cup taking place two weeks ago on a beautiful autumn day; our adult pickleball program has been standing room only; and our Halloween Parade on Halloween-eve was a smashing (pumpkin) success! The Pelham Town Library continues to provide its tremendous programming: from outdoor story time, to adult cardio dance classes—there is something for community members of all ages!

 

This past Saturday, we honored Pelham’s veterans at Veterans Park with the American Legion. We are grateful for Joe Durnin for leading the services in honor of all those who proudly serve(d) our country.   

 

On October 18, 2022, the Recreation Department bestowed the John Marshall Award to Nick Senerchia. The Marshall Award is presented to an individual who has made a special contribution to Pelham Recreation or Recreation-sponsored programs. The Award was established in honor of Dr. John Marshall, a noted resident of Pelham who was well known for his love of Pelham and sports as a spectator, participant and coach. 

 

The Town has engaged in an Request for Proposal (RFP) for its Emergency Medical Services.  This is the result of a Town-wide committee that has been meeting regularly to discuss the need for improvements with response times for our Fly-Car and back-up ambulatory services.  The Town is grateful for the collaboration with Village of Pelham and Pelham Manor police, fire and other officials in seeking improvements to our services. At our last Board meeting on November 7, 2022, the RFP and a Certificate of Need application were both approved. The RFP will be posted shortly. 

 

On Saturday November 26th, the Town of Pelham is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for its Second Annual Winter Wonderland Celebration to take place at the Gazebo and other locations along Fifth Avenue and Wolf’s Lane.  In addition, the Town will be hosting its Tree Lighting Ceremony that evening.  Details on these events can be found on the Town of Pelham website.

 

On Monday December 19th, the Town will be hosting the annual Menorah Lighting with the local Chabad. More details on this event will be posted shortly.

 

And finally, budget season is upon us.  The Town of Pelham’s preliminary budget is available at the Town Clerk’s Office. A public meeting on the budget will take place on December 5, 2022 in Town Hall, and will be voted on at that meeting, or if necessary, at a meeting to take place on December 19, 2022.  The Town of Pelham is proud to announce that it is financially very sound, coming in under budget last year and only minimally increasing its budget from last year. We invite anyone in the community to come to our December 5th public hearing if they have any questions.

 

Other Town Updates

 

Recreation

Winter Youth and Adult Programs

Please check out the Pelham Recreation website for our amazing winter youth and adult programs:

 

Ballroom Dance, Basketball Clinic/Hoop it up, Basketball League (for elementary schools), Chess, Cougar Boot Camp, Dance, Flag Football, Karate, Tennis, Pickleball, Running Club, Soccer with Malcolm, Theatre Arts, Tiny Feet, Tiny Tiger, Volleyball/Ladies Volleyball

 

Senior Citizens Activities

The Senior Citizens Club has been very active. In addition to weekly meetings (set forth below), they recently took a trip via bus to a local Casino. Club membership is free, and there are many activities, meetings, card games, bingo, and special events. With coffee and tea being served.  The Club’s schedule is as follows: 

  • Senior Citizen Club Meeting(Main Room), Monday / 1:00PM – 4:00 PM
  • Senior Exercise(Main Room), Tuesdays and Thursdays / 10:00AM – 11:00 AM
  • Senior Cards(Main Room), Wednesdays and Fridays / 1:00PM – 4:00 PM
  • Yoga (Main Room), Friday: 10:00AM – 11:00AM  

This class consists of various forms of yoga exercises designed for Seniors.

 

Library

The Town Board is proud to announce that Catherine Campbell was elected to serve as President of the Town of Pelham Public Library Board of Trustees for the next two years. Catherine has been an active member of the Board since 2014. She replaces Terrence Mullan who joined the Board in 2015 and served as President from 2017-2022. Terrence will remain on the Board as a trustee until December 2022.  The Board is extremely grateful for Terry’s years of service and dedication to the Pelham Library, and is looking forward to working with Catherine over the next two years.

 

Check out the Town of Pelham Public Library’s website and calendar for some of the amazing upcoming programs and events, including story time, author talks, JLP Story Time & Crafts, So Let’s Sew, Cardio Dance Class, and more!

 

Courts

The Town court is fully operational, hearing both criminal and vehicle and traffic cases in-person. Please see the Town website for court dates and times, and for any future updates.

 

Clerk’s Office

Some of the services available at the Clerk’s Office include disabled parking permits, available for Village of Pelham residents and dog licenses, available for Village of Pelham residents. Further information can be found on the Clerk’s website. Village of Pelham Manor residents must go to Village of Pelham Manor (Village Clerk at 4 Penfield Place) to acquire a Disabled permit and Dog license.

Pelham Empress Fly Car

For the month of October 2022, the average response time for the units backing up the fly car was 8:39.  

Calls in the Village of Pelham: 53

Calls in Pelham Manor: 25

Mutual Aid: 1

Calls on the Hutchinson River Pkwy: 6

Calls on: I-95 1

 

As noted above, the Town is submitting an RFP to determine whether other options are available for our emergency Fly Car and for back-up ambulatory services.

 

Pelham Sustainability Efforts

The Town of Pelham is once again sponsoring the Clean Heating and Cooling Campaign, organized by Sustainable Westchester. Details on upcoming campaign are forthcoming. Please check out our website for any updates relating to the Campaign, and the Sustainable Westchester website for details on other Energy Smart homes: https://sustainablewestchester.org/pelham/

Pelham Town Historian

Town Historian Art Scinta continues his hard work of bringing Pelham’s rich history to life. Please visit the Town of Pelham Historian webpage, as well as the Town Historian Facebook page.

 

Next Town Board Meeting

 

The next Town Board meeting will take place on Monday December 5, 2022 at 7pm at Town Hall, where we will be holding a public hearing on the 2023 Preliminary Budget.  Please see our Town website for all updates.  

 

We hope you have a wonderful, healthy and happy Thanksgiving Holiday, and enjoy the upcoming holiday events!

 

Sincerely,

 

Dan McLaughlin, Supervisor

Rae Szymanski, Deputy Supervisor

Kristen Burke, Councilwoman

Maura Curtin, Councilwoman

Kara McLoughlin, Councilwoman