Resident’s questions on the 2020-2021 Pelham Manor village budget were answered Monday during the virtual board of trustees meeting.

As in prior meetings, village officials practiced social distancing and strict sanitation routines throughout the meeting in accordance with both Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive orders and related advice regarding the pandemic. Only a few members of the board were present at the meeting in order to keep the population density of the room low.

Inquiries on the budget included the necessity to buy new patrol cars and garbage trucks and the increase in funding for sidewalk maintenance from $25,000 to $75,000.

The new purchases of garbage trucks and patrol cars were necessary because the current models are dated, according to Village Manager John Pierpont. The jump in spending on sidewalk repair was necessary to protect community members, he said.

The board, following more updated and revised guidance, has decided to keep the system in place where residents can email and call in about questions regarding the budget. The questions can be submitted via email on the village website. In order to allow the public to formulate questions, the budget can be found on the village website as well. Additionally, at the next board meeting on April 27 at 8:15 p.m., a conference call will be put in place where residents can call in with questions that will be answered live during the meeting.

Mayor Jennifer Monachino Lapey took time to recognize losses in the greater Westchester community caused by Covid-19 brought to her attention by the county executive. County Executive George Latimer reported the deaths of three people who had performed exceptional work within their communities: Glenn Bellitto, a member of the Eastchester Town Board; Richard Brodsky, a former New York State assemblyman, and Billy Sullivan, a detective in the Yonkers Police Department.

While Assemblyman Brodsky was originally suspected to have died from the virus, later evidence suggested he had a heart attack. Flags will be flying at half staff at all county facilities in recognition of all the people who have lost their lives due to Covid-19 in Westchester County.

The mayor also talked about the the passing of Tom Imperato due to reasons unrelated to the virus. Imperato was a member of the Pelham Civic Association and a trustee on the Pelham Board of Education.

Imperato’s full obituary can be read here.