Town Expected to Approve New Fees, Endorse Leaf Mulching

In order to meet state fire code, residents will have to pay a $50 fee for inspections on all new propane tanks purchased and attached to homes, said Steven Fraietta, Bedford's building inspector.

The fee wouldn't apply to portable tanks such as those used for gas grills, but for larger tanks intended to heat pools or fuel stoves and generators. 

Residents who rushed out to after Tropical Storm Irene will also pony up fees not previously charged by the town—up to $250, depending on the size of the device. "We've been inundated with requests," said Fraietta. "It would only apply to whole-house generators. We need to make sure they are installed safely and within property setbacks," he said.

The approval for the new fees is the first item on Tuesday night's town board agenda.The board is also expected to pass a resolution which formally encourages residents to dispose of autumn's leaves through a mulch/composting method and previously endorsed by Supervisor Lee V.A. Roberts.

For its own properties, the town uses mowers which have the mulching attachment, but the process of picking up residents' leaves and disposing them occupies about six weeks of time for an average crew of 12 people, according to the town's public works department.

The resolution the board will vote upon tonight cites a reduction in costs of leaf removal, a reduction in DPW vehicle traffic and a reduction of flooding risk from storm drains clogged with leaves, among other reasons for approving the measure, which stops short of forcing residents to adopt the practice and simply encourages it.

The meeting will be preceded by a brief public hearing on a proposal to amend town code to allow farm stands to post signs advertising their markets off-property. Over the summer, Daisy Hill Farm’s Gwenn Brant learned that by advertising her farm’s fresh produce on hand-lettered signs, she had run afoul of Bedford building regulations. Planners approved and sent to the town board recommendations governing the signs’ number and size and time of display; the board's discussion on the matter begins at 7:45 p.m.

Also on the agenda:

• Announcement: American Jewish Committee selected the Town of Bedford to receive the Energy Independence Award. 
• Request from the Village of Mount Kisco that the Town of Bedford install a 15mph advisory speed sign at the northern end of Byram Lake Road.
• Approval of the October 21st Fair and Affordable Housing symposium as eligible for raining credits for members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals and notification of members of both boards they can attend at the Town’s expense.  
• Resignation of Richard Strongwater resignation from Bedford Wetlands Control Commission. 
• Request from Julie A. Stern request to join the Blue Mountain Housing Development Corp.
• Approval of Final Order in the matter of Extension No. 1 of the Old Post Road Water District to include tax parcel No. 84.11-1-10, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church.

The town board plans to continue its work in the development of the town budget in a Wednesday evening work session which begins at 7:30 p.m.