MONTICELLO — The Village Board of Monticello swore in new Board Members during their Re-Organizational meeting on April 3.

Village Clerk Janine Gandy swore in the three newly elected members at the beginning of the meeting.

Rochelle Massey, the first Black mayor of the Village of Monticello and the second female mayor in the Village’s 220-year history. She is replacing former mayor George Nikolados.

Next to be sworn in was Theodore Hutchins, who is taking the seat formerly held by Carmen Rue.

Following him was Janice Davis who was sworn in as a new Trustee, taking the place of Michael Banks.

During the Mayor’s appointments, it was also established that the Sullivan County Democrat will be the Official Newspaper of the Village of Monticello.

Attorney talks  Resolutions

Village Attorney Michael Sussman, who was present at the meeting, read off a resolution pertaining to a local law.

He said that this is a local law poised to expand the residency qualification for the Associate Village Justice in the Village of Monticello.

It was detailed by Sussman that Village Law Section 3-300 requires a person serving as Village Justice to reside within the Village.

“Whereas the Village Board of Trustees believes that altering the residence requirement shall permit it to consider a broader field of candidates for the position of the Associate Village Justice,” explained Sussman, “and to ensure the selection of a highly qualified candidate for this position.”

It was described that, whereas the alteration of this limitation for this and only this position shall not deprive any worthy resident of the Village consideration for this appointment.

“It is hereby resolved that the Village of Monticello Board of Trustees shall be authorized and empowered to select as Associate Village Justice a person who resides outside the Village of Monticello and within the County of Sullivan,” read Sussman. “Be it further resolved that the Village Clerk shall forthwith schedule a public hearing with regard to this local law.”

“Be it further resolved that this local law shall become effective as soon as the Board of Trustees adopts it following a Public Hearing, and files it with the State of New York.”

He said that this was a resolution put before the Board for its consideration.

Following the board’s unanimous approval, Town Clerk Janine Gandy set the Public Hearing date for Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m.

A second resolution

Some time later, he read aloud another full resolution.

This was a resolution pertaining to an application for a Traffic Study and Crosswalk Funding for East Broadway and Route 42 through Sullivan County.

This resolution was unanimously approved by the Village Board.

He urged the audience to listen carefully as some may be affected by this resolution so they are in the know about what the Village Board is trying to do.

He stated that members of the community both directly, and through County Legislator Terry Blosser-Bernardo, have reportedly advised the Mayor and members of the Board of a pressing hazard and danger to public health and safety.

Mountain Food at 286 Broadway was described as a traffic-heavy destination of the Village of Monticello.

“On the East Broadway side opposite Mountain Food, there are hundreds of housing units with families and children,” explained Sussman. “Many of whom walk to Mountain Food, particularly during the summer months. East Broadway is a busy village-owned thoroughfare at that point, with a double-yellow line located within the Village of Monticello.”

He explained that there are no crosswalks between the housing developments and Mountain Food.

He said this can cause a hazardous situation at this location.

He detailed that drivers and pedestrians have a duty, at all times, to keep a look out for one another. It was then explained that New York State Law Section 1151 gives pedestrians the right-of-way at intersections through marked and unmarked crossways. There, vehicles must stop for a pedestrian at the crosswalk when a pedestrian is anywhere on their side of the road.

He explained that it is hereby resolved that:

1. The Village Highway Department promptly create a crosswalk on the Village-owned portion of East Broadway allowing access to those wishing to safely cross the roadway and shop at Mountain Food and other stores on that side of East Broadway.

2. Said crosswalk should be shown in an attached photo and is a photo from one of the neighboring communities. Said crosswalk should be accompanied by signs of the sort [a Yield Sign] which is prominently placed in the roadway, alerting cars to the situation.

3. The Village Manager is hereby authorized to apply for a Federal grant supporting a study to identify ways and means of improving safety on the Village-portion of East Broadway. And for funds to implement the results of such study and to cooperate with representatives with the County, State and Federal representatives in improving the safety of all roadways owned by the Village and serving Village residents.

“The Village Manager is also authorized to work with the Sullivan County Planning Department and participate in a communities grant program,” read Sussman. “This grant shall be used to develop a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure master plan for the county.”

He said that he believes there is also an addition to this relating to [Route] 42. [There is reportedly] an issue with crosswalks needed on Route 42 which the Manager is also instructed to work on with the Highway Department. This was a friendly addition made.

“When you have an issue, write this. When you believe safety is in peril please come to the Village Board,” stressed Sussman. “This Board is going to be an active board responding to your concerns, but we need to know what they are. There’s not going to be a barrier between your concerns and the issues the Board takes up.”