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 of Pelham

Posted on , by Maura Curtin

Town Update Fall 2024

Town Update Fall 2024

Happy Fall, Pelham! As the leaves begin to change and we embrace the beauty of autumn, we wanted to share the latest news and updates from the town council.. From community celebrations and upcoming programming to grant announcements and information on town services, this edition highlights what’s happening in Pelham. Enjoy the season! 🍁

Pelham Civics Fall Gala

Town Supervisor Dan McLaughlin and Pelham resident Tina Constable will be honored by the Pelham Civic Association as the 2024 Persons of the Year at their Fall Gala on Friday October 25th at the Surf Club. This Pelham tradition brings every corner of the Pelham community together for a night of dinner, cocktails, friends, and fun while honoring our Persons of the Year for all they have given to our community. Tickets are available now. For more information, please contact Fall Gala Chairman, Maurice Owen-Michaane (t) 917-842-5552 (e) [email protected]

The Pelham Children’s Center is hosting its annual Pumpkin Festival Fundraiser on  Saturday October 19th from 9am-2pm with a kids fun run at 9:30am at the Daronco Townhouse and Gazebo lawn Featuring a Kids’ Fun Run – Face painting – Balloon animals – Inflatable slides – Obstacle Course – Pie Eating Contests and a Book Sale, buy a ticket and get as many books as will fit in your bag!  Click here  for more information and to register.

The Annual Town Halloween Parade will take place on Saturday October 26th at 4pm. The parade will assemble at the Pelham Art Center on Fiifth Ave and walk down to the Daronco Townhouse. The event will feature Music by Zev, arts & crafts + Hot dogs and treats! Rain date is Sunday October 26th.

Town Grant Update:

The Town of Pelham has achieved a new designation under NYSERDA’s Clean Energy Communities program and has been awarded a $30k grant to be used on clean energy initiatives that directly affect greenhouse gas reduction like energy efficient upgrades to municipal buildings, adding solar, installing EV charging stations or planting trees.

The $287k grant awarded to the Town by former Senator Biaggi in 2022 for the Daronco Townhouse has been executed by DASNY and now the plan for the renovations can move forward as part of a larger master plan for the site of the Townhouse and Town Hall.

In 2018, a $325,000 grant from former Senator Klein was awarded to install an elevator in the town hall. However, the project could not proceed due to the 24-hour operation of the Village of Pelham police station located on the first floor. Installing the elevator would have required temporary power outages, which were not feasible for the police station’s continuous operations. The grant was brought to the attention of Senator Fernandez’s office, and with their assistance, the funding was reinstated and extended until August 2027.

EMS

Supervisor McLaughlin, Deputy Supervisor Szymanski, and Gene Ianuzzi, our Pelham Resident EMS expert and members of the EMS team attended the senior meeting on June 24 to discuss emergency services and answer any questions our seniors had .

August Statistics: 95

Pelham: 41

Pelham Manor: 46

I-95: 2

Hutch: 5

  • Average response time for the ambulance and flycar was under 4.8 minutes . 
  • The on-scene time (the time the crew spends treating a patient on-scene) was 18.47 minutes.
  • Transportation time average was 12.92 minutes.   
  • Turnaround time (the EMS cannot be released to come back until there is a report from the hospital) was an average of 29.80 minutes which is a significant improvement over the last two months.

Six-month statistics will be reviewed and analyzed by the Quality Improvement Committee.  They are as follows:

  • Average response time for the ambulance and flycar was under 5 minutes. 
  • The on-scene time  (the time the crew spends treating a patient on-scene) was 18.47 minutes.
  • Transportation time average was 12.80 minutes.   
  • Turnaround time (the EMS cannot be released to come back until there is a report from the hospital) was an average of 28.7 minutes which is a significant improvement over the last two months.

The Courts

The Town of Pelham Court sits regularly on Wednesday mornings for Civil Cases/Village & Town Ordinances/Parking and Moving Violations, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 20 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY.

Criminal Matters – The Pelham Town Court hears cases for all crimes committed in the Villages of Pelham and Pelham Manor.  These matters are prosecuted by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.  Cases are heard on Thursday evenings beginning at 6:00 PM at 20 Fifth Avenue Pelham, NY.  Arraignments, hearings and trials are scheduled as necessary.

For additional information or any questions about the courts, please visit the website here.

The Library

On Thursday, October 10th– The Board of Elections will be at the Library helping voters fill out voter registration forms, absentee ballot applications, and early vote by mail applications. However, all forms must be left with the Board of Elections 

personnel in order to be returned to their office to be processed. Election day is Tuesday, Nov 5th!

Tuesday, October 1 to Saturday, October 21st

The Town of Pelham Public Library is proud to partner with United Way for a coat drive this year. United Way is seeking coats (new or gently used) and accessories (new hats, gloves, and socks). All genders and sizes are accepted. A box is located at the Library by the Carol Place entrance where you can leave your new or gently used donations between 

Managing your career in changing times- Westchester Library System Career Coaching Services presents a free, in-person seminar: “Managing Your Career in Changing Times.” Join this six-week seminar facilitated by a professional career coach to clarify your career direction, explore career alternatives, and learn about the latest job search trends in resumes, interviewing, and LinkedIn. This six-week seminar meets in-person once a week for 90 minutes beginning in October, concluding with an individual career coaching session. A virtual orientation with the career coach is required prior to the seminar, and you are expected to attend all six sessions. This event takes place in person at the Library and registration is required. Please click here to register. For more information about this program please call Career Coaching Services at 914-231-3238, or email [email protected].

Outdoor Story Time at the Library is Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:30-11 am- Story Time is designed to enhance early literacy skills and features diverse children’s books in which all children can see themselves represented… plus singing, dancing & fun! Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Story Time will be held outdoors throughout the year, but will be canceled on days when the temperature is above 90° or if it is raining.

K-Day 2024 – The Pelham Public Library issued 119 kids their first library cards on K-Day, a special day when Pelham kindergarteners receive their first library cards. More than 360 people visited the Library on Saturday, September 21st for the big event. In addition, 15 adults and older children signed up for new library cards. More than 550 books were checked out that day.  Activities included a petting zoo and arts and crafts. 

Sept 28th the Friends of the Pelham Library celebrated Booktoberfest– where for one night only the Library lawn became a biergarten —and over 200 attendees  sampled beers from around the world, while enjoying German nibbles, and one lucky winner – Rebecca Scott was the recipient of  a great raffle prize -two tickets to a 2025 Novel Night Dinner of your choice!  The bi-annual event was hosted by Friends of the Town of Pelham Public Library. Novel night is slated for October 4th 2025!

You can find more information by  visiting the library’s website

Recreation

The Pelham Senior Citizen Club meets weekly on Mondays from 1-4pm at the Daronco Townhouse. Participate in meetings, bingo, cards, casino trips and other special events. There is a minimal monthly refreshment collected.

The Town of Pelham in partnership with The Pelham Village and Pelham Manor Police Departments keep a list of senior citizens and residents with special needs who reside in the Village of Pelham and Pelham Manor. This list provides us with important contact information that we can access in the event of adverse weather or power emergencies, such as hurricanes and winter storms. With this information we will be able to contact these residents during emergencies to check on their well-being. Please note contacts should be family members, friends, and neighbors. All of your information will be kept confidential. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Carolyn Veith at the Senior Citizen Advocate Office (914) 738-5004.

Pickleball is happening at Julianne’s Tennis Court. In order to play you must purchase a permit- here’s the link.  Once you have purchased your permit you can then make reservations by clicking here (this also applies to tennis) 

Pickleball is happening at Julianne’s Tennis Court. In order to play you must purchase a permit- here’s the link.  Once you have purchased your permit you can then make reservations by clicking here (this also applies to tennis) 

Did you know?

Your dog is required to have a  license. 

Dog Licenses are available at the Town Clerk’s Office for Village of Pelham residents. The requirements for the license are (1) Village of Pelham Resident, (2) updated paperwork on the  dog, which should include current rabies information and proof of neutered/spayed, (3) Owners I.D. An application can be printed at home and brought to the clerk’s office. Please call the clerk’s office with any questions (914) 738-0777.

Note- Pelham Manor residents must go to the Village Clerk for the  Village of Pelham Manor at 4 Penfield Place to acquire a Dog license. If you have any questions please call Pelham Manor (914) 738-8820.

Important upcoming dates:

Monday, October 7th at 7pm – Town Council Meeting, 2nd floor of Town Hall 34 Fifth Ave.

Thursday, October 10th – Town Budget Workshop, 2nd floor of Town Hall 34 Fifth Ave.

Monday, November 4th at 7pm –  Town Council Meeting, 2nd floor of Town Hall 34 Fifth Ave.