MONTICELLO — The Village Board of Monticello passed two local laws at its regular board meeting last week, both amending Chapter 200 of Village Code.

Proposed Local Law number 19 Amends Section 200-13 and prohibits the hanging of clothing or laundry from windows, porch railings, and fences. It would also restrict window air conditioners in the B-2 Core Business Zone.

The amendment for Local Law Number 20 would add regulations for tree removal and yard waste, which Village Deputy Mayor John Barbarite explained was for safety issues.

“When a large tree is very close to the road we want a permit to be obtained and we want to make sure the contractor is qualified to do the job [of removal],” explained Barbarite. “[We also want the contractor to ensure] all the brush and debris is cleared and taken out.”

He exampled of some instances in which contractors have been taking down trees on one property and then dumping the debris on empty lots in the village.

This accumulation of debris and brush then creates a fire hazard and creates a situation in which the pileup becomes dens for animals. Some of these animals could potentially transmit rabies and disease, according to Barbarite.

This local law addition will now require contractors of large tree removals to check with the Highway Superintendent (Jay Sherb) to ensure wires aren’t involved.

If said street (that the large tree is close to) has to be shut down then coordination must be done with the village to prevent risk from injuries.

“A lot of these contractors are individual workers, two or three people. Not NYSEG when they come out and they have full crews with traffic control. We want to make sure that’s all taken care of,” stated Barbarite. “We also want to make sure that whatever debris they dump, they properly dispose of it—either chip it or cart it out.”

During the public hearing session, Monticello resident Mattie Andrews raised the question on how such work will be monitored by the village.

“Is the homeowner responsible for notifying the village or is the contractor responsible?” asked Anderson.

Barbarite responded that it’s always the property owner’s responsibility for any work done on their property.

With nobody for or against the proposed Local Law Number 19 during the public hearing, the motion to adopt was made by Trustee Gordon Jenkins and seconded by Trustee Janice Davis with all board members, barring Trustee Theodore Hutchins who abstained, being in favor.

The motion to adopt Local Law Number 20 was made by Hutchins with a second by Jenkins, with all board members voting in favor.

Highway Superintendent, Police Chief give updates

Barbarite relayed his understanding that the Village of Monticello has an individual capable of installing the long-discussed speed bumps but they cannot all be installed in one shot unless they’re put out for an official bid.

Because of this, he floated the idea of only installing two speed bumps.

Highway Superintendent Jay Sherb told Barbarite that they could start whenever Prestige Paving can “do it” and that they could arrange around it.

“I’ve locked down several options on each street of where the speed bumps can legally go. I was kind of waiting for the board to say [where],” explained Sherb.

Although Barbarite had given his approval on the locations for the speed bumps, he wanted the approval of the other four members, which Village Mayor Rochelle Massey and Jenkins stated that they were “good” with.

Sherb laid out the potential streets to have speed bumps, being Spring Street and Park Avenue.

After some discussion and back-and-forth with Sherb, the board decided to have one bump on Park Avenue, one bump on Spring Street, and one on Waverly Avenue.

Barbarite later told Police Chief David Lindsay of the board’s discussion over lack of attention at pedestrian crossings, along with bicycles and scooters on sidewalks.

“To be honest, I haven’t seen any improvement [in the situation] over the last year,” Barbarite said to Lindsay. “Several board members, we discussed, think it’s a priority. We’d like to get a better take on how you view it.”

Lindsay responded that he’s looking into it and sending a couple of officers to a class to clarify what scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes are allowed both on and off the road and the sidewalks.

“[They’re also learning] what other requirements there are for them. Whether that be helmets, age restrictions and matters of that nature,” stated Lindsay. “It’s a very convoluted law in the State [of New York] because the state hasn’t caught up to it yet, but we’re figuring it out.”

Pertaining to the pedestrians and crosswalk situation, Lindsay confirmed that they will continue to work on it, citing a shortage of manpower. When asked whether any tickets had been issued for failure to yield at crosswalks, Lindsay noted that there hadn’t been any, though there were tickets for school bus violations.

Barbarite checked with Sherb on putting signs on three uncontrolled crosswalks on Broadway stating to yield to pedestrians. Lindsay responded that Broadway is under state jurisdiction, but two specific locations—Lakewood Avenue and near the grocery store by the Mountain Mall—fall within the village’s control. He said he would verify with DPW in the morning.

Turning the topic to Constables, Barbarite asked Lindsay how many they had and their hours. Lindsay confirmed two: one that’s assigned to the court who works one day a week and another assigned to parking, traffic control and other issues around PD such as computer work.

Lindsay also mentioned that Village Manager James Snowden and himself discussed hiring a third constable and will be interviewing someone.