The Cornwall-on-Hudson Village Board has reviewed its proposed budget extensively and following a public hearing on Monday, January 27, proceeded to approve the 2025-26 spending plan. There was no public comment on the budget.

The general fund is about $5.1 million while the water fund stands at about $3.3 million. The amount to be raised by taxes is just under $2.9 million. The budget includes salary increases for CSEA and PBA employees as contracts are still under negotiation. It also includes 50 percent raises for the mayor and trustees which won’t go into effect until the April reorganization meeting.

Village Board salaries have not kept up with time, Mayor James A. Gagliano said, noting “they have basically remained flat for decades” with just slight increases. The mayor’s salary increases from $20,000 to $30,000, Gagliano said. Trustee Bill Braine said that he has not heard any public objections to the salary increases.

The budget remains under the 1.0067 percent state-mandated tax cap.

In board comments, Braine said he had noticed a significant increase – 28 percent – in the police salary line, but after speaking to the treasurer and Chief Dixon, understood that it prepares for not only a new police contract, but also longevity/step increases. Gagliano added that the village has also added some “increased details” for officers at large public events hosted in the community.

Closing out the budget discussion, the mayor noted that Cornwall-on-Hudson is a very small community, the mayor said he knows the overall budget “sounds like a lot of money”.

“It is a lot of money,” he said, “but think of it this way. New York State just presented its budget of $252 billion. We’re small, small, small, but that includes the $3 million on the water side of the house.”

As for that CSEA contract, the board has submitted an offer to the CSEA employees which Gagliano said they agreed to in principle but still requires membership approval. The three-year contract was to be effective Feb. 1 subject to their agreement and ratification.

In other business from the board’s January 27 meeting:
Parking. A public hearing remains open to allow members of the public to weigh in, but the Cornwall-on-Hudson Board of Trustees has come to an agreement with residents regarding parking on Churchill Street. Parking will be prohibited on the west side of Churchill Street from Spruce Street south 65 feet, as well as from Spruce Street south from 90 feet continuing through 185 feet. The hearing is expected to be closed after the board’s February business meeting, and action taken at that point.

Spectrum. A resolution was approved agreeing to a 15-year franchise renewal agreement with Spectrum Northeast, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications. Prior to adopting the resolution, the board held a public hearing on the matter; there was none.

Safety violation. The building inspector has been conducting fire safety evaluations of private and commercial businesses, as well as village facilities. Inspector Manny Carmona has noted a number of violations to the kitchen of the Cornwall-on-Hudson firehouse. Some of the equipment dates back to the 1980s. The current hood and fire suppression systems over the stove don’t meet the state fire code. Department of Public Works Superintendent David Halvorsen is in the process of seeking three quotes and estimates the cost will be about $24,000. The goal is to have the stove functional in time for the Easter breakfast, the fire department’s biggest fundraiser outside of the summer fair.

Armistead. Last year, the Cornwall Yacht Club donated a sign to the village which highlights the Hudson River wreck of the Armistead, a ship built during WWI. The vessel was part of a massive fleet of transatlantic ships required to move U.S. troops and supplies to Europe while facing attacks from German submarines. The Armistead was launched in 1919 and taken out of service in 1955 where it was intentionally grounded three years later. The wood of the ship has since rotted away, but the exoskeleton sits at the bottom of the Hudson River off the coast of Donahue Memorial Park. The board is still seeking a place to display the sign. The original plan to post it at the intersection of Grandview and Cornwall Avenues was not received well by residents. Discussions are ongoing.