Residents might think the Mayor and Council do not answer their questions, listen to their suggestions or take action without delay, but they learned at last night’s council meeting that when it comes to each other, they are willing to provide accommodations.
In response to questions from a borough resident, Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner said the regular meeting was changed from the fourth Thursday of the month to the evening before, Wednesday, to accommodate her, although, she said, she was not the one who suggested it.
The decision was made before any of the present council had been sworn into office last January, then approved by them unanimously at the reorganization meeting, with no reason for the change until it was asked by the resident at last night’s meeting.
Last night, Ms. Hohenleitner explained that prior to the reorganization meeting in January she knew she had an important commitment for her professional employment that would conflict with the April 27 meeting date. The incoming council also already knew they were going to elect Ms. Hohenleitner council president, one of whose duties includes conducting council meetings should the mayor not be able to attend. The councilwoman explained that the mayor has personal commitments which are also important and could keep her from attending a meeting four months hence. So it was suggested the meeting night be changed to ensure either the mayor or the council president would be present and able to conduct the meeting.
At last night’s meeting, Mrs. Hohenleitner indicated she did not think the change in date, which was advertised on the borough’s page, in the adopted resolution in January and on the borough calendar was an inconvenience to the residents, she noted the meeting room appeared to be full enough showing people were not severely affected by the change. There were approximately 20 people at the meeting and another dozen on ZOOM.
The borough attorney, Peg Schaeffer, also could not attend last night’s meeting because of a conflict with the Wednesday night date. Another attorney from her firm, Sarah Fitzpatrick, attended in her place.
No one on council responded to queries as to why they would then plan their meeting for the same night as the regular scheduled meetings of the Henry Hudson Regional Board of Education, especially in view of the importance of the regionalization issues the borough has been studying and has not reached any conclusion on for many months.
