Mt. Kisco Eyeing Change to Village Manager Residency Requirement
Mount Kisco Mayor Michael Cindrich revealed last week the village board is considering changing its local law to allow nonresidents to be appointed permanent village manager.
Cindrich said the law restricting the village manager’s post to Mount Kisco residents may be hindering the board’s search for a replacement for James Palmer, who left his post in June to take a similar position in Bronxville.
“We may be limiting the pool of candidates,” Cindrich said.
If the village board agrees to change the law, a public hearing would need to be held prior to passing any legislation.
Former New Castle and Ossining administrator Jerry Faiella has been filling in as village manager on an interim basis.
Although Cindrich said the village has “a good pool of candidates,” the manager should be the best possible candidate.
Police Merger Talks Continue
Cindrich said work was continuing to potentially consolidate the village police department with the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. Village Attorney Whitney Singleton and county officials are working on the language of a potential intermunicipal agreement between the two entities, he said.
Talks between the county and the village have been ongoing for nearly three years.
A consolidation of police services would save Mount Kisco an estimated $2.4 million over the first five years of an agreement, Cindrich has said.
No current village police officers would lose their jobs under a consolidation.
Grunthal Returning
At its Sept. 2 meeting, the village board voted unanimously to appoint former trustee Peter Grunthal as an alternate planning board member. Grunthal, who will serve a three-year term, was on the village board for seven years before deciding against another re-election bid in 2010.
In a May letter to village trustees, Grunthal stated he was been active with many village committees, including the Conservation Advisory Council and serving as chairman of the Mount Kisco Finance Committee. He is currently chairman of the Byram Lake Committee.
Cindrich said it can sometimes be difficult for the planning board to have a quorum for various reasons. The planning board’s August meeting was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.
