MONTICELLO — A resolution by the Village of Monticello Board on Tuesday to authorize the purchase of a security systems upgrade for the Justice Court turned into a lecture by new trustee Rochelle Massey.

She implied there was a double standard when past African Americans board members made decisions versus when Caucasians on today's village board make procurement decisions.

Her comments came in connection with an item on Tuesday's agenda to authorize the purchase of some 32 security cameras at a cost of $12,395, funded by a grant from New York State.

“One person put in a bid and there's supposed to be three (bids) so we should not be talking about this,” Massey said. “It's a system for 32 cameras... that's insane. Regardless, if it's a grant, it's still taxpayer money. That's not making any sense. It's our responsibility as a board to oversee what they do. If they are going to fill out procurement forms, fill it out right ... who checks this stuff? We need checks and balances people. I'm sorry people.”

Mayor Doug Solomon said “nothing to be sorry about” and made a motion to table the resolution to correct the procurement concern raised by Massey.

The board then passed a motion to table it.

Massey, though, wasn't done.

“Mr. (James) Snowden (former Code Enforcement Officer), Mr. (Gordon) Jenkins (former Mayor), Mr. Theodore Hutchins (former trustee) ... they got in trouble for not getting three bids.”

Actually, in August of 2014, then-Village Mayor Gordon Jenkins and Building Inspector James Snowden were arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges, including bribe receiving, criminal mischief, and two counts of conspiracy, both felonies, as well as misdemeanors of three counts of official misconduct, criminal nuisance, and, under state Environmental Conservation Law, endangering public health or safety, according to a front page story in the August 15 Democrat.

The two officials were arrested and taken to the Sullivan County Courthouse to face charges related to the demolition of the old village court building, reports said.

Jenkins pleaded guilty to three misdemeanors in 2015, including criminal mischief, resolving the felony bribery charges.

“I'm pissed off now,” Massey said. “Black people do things one way and the Caucasians do it a different way and it's hypocracy.”

Later on in public comment at Tuesday's meeting, Jenkins echoed Massey's thoughts about the bidding process and race. “I went to jail by saying I didn't have bids.”

Massey further asserted that there's been a pattern in the village of not soliciting three bids for goods and services.

Other board members declined to comment about Massey's concerns regarding racial bias.

TREASURER SEARCH

Regarding the search for a replacement for departing Village Treasurer Melissa DeMarmels, there is reportedly a short list of candidates to replace her to get the municipality through the upcoming budget season.

One of the candidates has not yet been revealed, but another candidate is David G. Komatz, who ran unsuccessfully last November in his bid to replace County Treasurer Nancy Buck.

Komatz, visibly lobbying for the position after Tuesday's board meeting, said in an interview that he wants the job.

The board did go into executive session for “personnel matters” on Tuesday and then also scheduled a subsequent meeting to go into executive session next week, also for personnel.

Solomon would not reveal whether the executive sessions were about the treasurer search but did say the board needs to find a treasurer “soon.”

SLEEPY HOLLOW/TENANTS PROTECTION PLAN

Village Code Enforcement Officer Ron Singer announced that he is working on a draft “tenants protection plan” that he would like the board to review for the possibility of adding it to the village code in the future.

He said this was motivated in part by the recent conduct of the new owners of Sleepy Hollow apartments - Denver-based The Monroe Group - which in March relocated some tenants to local motels while the company did renovations.

“Sleepy Hollow is undergoing an extensive rehabilitation with both exterior and interior updates, including building a new leasing office and community center with kitchen and computer lab,” according to The Monroe Group website. The company purchased the 229-unit, Section 8 complex in November, according to James Munn, director of operations for Sleepy Hollow.

“We started renovating units about four weeks ago,” said James Munn, director of operations at Sleepy Hollow. “There were some problems that we resolved. We relocated tenants to motels and we are changing our whole plan.”

The Monroe Group has a portfolio of more than 50 multi-unit properties with over 5,000 units in 16 states. Sleepy Hollow is its only property listed in New York State.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther confirmed yesterday that some tenants had complained to her office directly in recent weeks about the relocations, including one Monticello school employee who was concerned about students who were relocated. She added that some other tenants who contacted her office also feared retribution by the owners and wanted to remain anonymous. Gunther said the tenants told her they were forced to be out of their apartments for two weeks. “It's just not right,” Gunther said.

The Monroe Group's spokesperson, Lynn Haner, apologized for the inconvience to the tenants and said the company is submitting a new renovation plan to the village for review.

In other board action, the Highway Department said it was looking for four people to hire for $12.75 per hour to help clean up in the Village during the Spring/Summer season. Village Manager David Sager also announced that this weekend (April 21-22) is the Spring Litter Pluck in honor of Earth day. The event, held Saturday and Sunday, will run from 9am through 2 pm kicking off at the Ted Stroebele Community Center at 10 Jefferson Street. Gloves, bags, “pluckers” and refreshments will be provided.