Dobbs Ferry Committees:

The descriptions herein of the functions of Committees, Boards and Commissions are strictly unofficial, and are intended to be an informal help for residents who may want to volunteer their time and talent for the benefit of their community. These informal descriptions are not intended to be definitive, nor to replace or augment the Village Code. For official information on the functioning of Committees, Boards and Commissions, please consult the Village Code.
Prepared by the Nominating Committee, Village of Dobbs Ferry.

Dobbs Ferry Beautification Committee
Back to Top

Purpose: The Beautification Committee was established to maintain/improve the aesthetic appearance of the Village. The Committee designs and maintains seasonal plantings in specific areas throughout the Village. It also assists with holiday decorations and generally works towards improving the appearance of the Village.

Membership
1. Members are appointed by the Board of Trustees for a one year term.
2. Membership is not restricted to a specific number, but attempts are made to maintain the number of members to a workable, functioning group.
3. Dependability and dedication are the prime requirements. Members should be physically able to weed, water and maintain garden sites. Gardening knowledge is not necessary, but a strong desire to learn is supported.
4. One trustee is designated as liaison to the Board.

Meetings
Meetings are monthly. They usually take place on the 1st Wednesday or Thursday of the month at the Village Hall, at 7:30PM. During the growing season, members have weekly assignments to maintain the planted areas.

Conservation Advisory Board ( CAB)
Back to Top

The Conservation Advisory Board:
Evaluates specific environmental concerns and impacts of development on natural features;
Advises the Village in the development, management and protection of its natural resources;
Reviews environmental impact statements of proposed development projects in the Village;
Drafts natural resource protection legislation, e.g. steep slopes law, tree protection law, etc.
Researches, develops and updates local and natural resource inventories to be used by the Planning Board in their review. (Completed Local Open Space Inventory in 1999)

Ethics Board
Back to Top

The bipartisan Village Ethics Board consists of five residents of Dobbs Ferry, appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Board of Trustees. One member must be an elected or appointed Village Officer or employee. Terms are for five years. The Board elects its own Chair, and meets whenever called by the Chair. No more than two members of any political party may be on the Board at the same time.
The Board has jurisdiction only over Village officers and employees.
The Board conducts investigations and hearings and recommends disciplinary action for violation of the Village Code of Ethics.
The Board also can grant waivers of the Code of Ethics, can recommend changes to the Code and gives advisory opinions on the Code; the Board reviews all disclosure statements by Village officers and employees; it provides ethical training and education to them; and it issues an annual report to the public.

Dobbs Ferry Village Library Board of Trustees

Back to Top

The Library Board of Trustees manages the Dobbs Ferry Public Library. The Board is responsible for providing and maintaining a public library in Dobbs Ferry.
The Trustees have all the powers of trustees of a New York State Educational Institution as defined in the NY State Education Law, and are subject to that law.
The Board consists of nine members, appointed by the Village Board of Trustees. Each member serves a five year term. No village trustee or other village officer can be a member of the Library Board.
By law, the Board must meet at least quarterly, but in fact meets monthly from September to June.

Historical Committee
Back to Top


No current description for Historical Committee

Housing Board of Appeals
Back to Top

The Housing Board of Appeals normally hears and determines appeals on housing violations. However, it is empowered to hear all appeals relative to the enforcement of the Village Code. The Housing Board of Appeals is empowered to charge and collect reasonable fees and to make its own rules regarding the appeals process. It is authorized by law to subpoena witnesses, records and such other information as may be relevant to the matter at issue, administer oaths, compel testimony, prescribe penalties and make orders necessary to ensure compliance with the Village Code. It may retain a formal Hearing Officer and make findings of fact and conclusions concerning its investigations. It may conduct its hearings without regard to legal rules of evidence.
The Housing Board of Appeals consists of five members, appointed by the Village Board of Trustees.
The Village Board endeavors to keep membership balanced between owners and occupants of housing and between housing professionals and ordinary citizens.
Each member serves a two year term. (This is done as in practice, but no provision is made in the Village Code)
The terms of the members are staggered so that one or two tenures expire each year.
The Board meets as needed, at the call of the Village Code Enforcement Officer or Village Administrator.

Nominating Committee

Back to Top

The purpose of the Village Nominating Committee is to seek out, interview residents of the village who are interested in serving the community on a Board, Commission, or Committee and to submit the names of qualified, interested residents to the Village Board of Trustees for Consideration. The decisions on appointments ultimately lies with the Village Board of Trustees.
The Nominating Committee will recommend persons deemed qualified on the basis of their experience, training and other qualifications for appointment by the Board without regard to age, sex, or political affiliation.
The Nominating Committee is non-partisan. There are 18 members from all parts of the Village (2 from each 9 election districts) and all with different backgrounds and experiences. Members are appointed annually by the Village Board for a one year term. The members agree to rotate as Chairperson for one year. The Committee meets every second Wednesday of the month in the DF Village Court at 8 p.m. where interview of candidates for the various 14 active Village Boards, commissions and Committee take place.
The interviews consist of the prospective volunteer telling the Committee his/her particular interest in serving the community and the various members asking related needed information about his/her possible role in the position desired. A resume is requested. After the interview, the Committee discusses and votes to recommend or to refer the Candidates and another position at a later time. The nominating Committee maintains a file of interested candidates and responds to openings on the different Boards, Commissions and Committees by forwarding the names to the Village Board of Trustees.

Parks and Recreation Commission
Back to Top

The Parks and Recreation Commission reviews and evaluates Dobbs Ferry recreation programs.
It establishes fee schedules, park concession policies and recreation program priorities. The Commission gives public consideration of, and holds hearings on, suggestions, ideas and comments from residents and local organizations concerning recreation programs, plans, activities and priorities. The Commission also is responsible for development of cooperative relationships with schools and civic and community groups concerned with recreation.
It develops good sportsmanship codes and safety programs in the use of recreation facilities, and has other powers given to it from time to time by the Village Board.
The Commission has the duty of annual submission of the expense and capital budget for entire the Village Recreation Department.
The daily operation of the Village Recreation Department is accomplished by the Supervisor of the Recreation Department.
The Commission consists of seven members, appointed by the Village Board of Trustees. Each member serves a five year term.
The members elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and other officers as needed, all to serve until the end of their term as Commission members. Members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms as Chair, Vice-Chair or Secretary.
The Commission must meet monthly.

Senior Advocacy Committee
Back to Top

The Senior Advocacy Committee, sometimes called the Across the Generations Committee, has two primary responsibilities:
1. To advise Village government on the un-met needs of senior citizens of the Village, and to advocate for them.
2. To assist in coordinating, with the Parks and Recreation Commission, activities for senior citizens and for all members of the Dobbs Ferry community.
The number of members of this committee is set from time to time by the Mayor.
The committee meets once a month, or more often if necessary.

The Traffic Committee
Back to Top

Continuously studies the circulation of traffic within the Village and advises the Mayor and Board of Trustees as to its improvement; Advises the Mayor and Board of Trustees as to placement of traffic control devices, vehicular and pedestrian safety issues, and matters concerning the Metro North Railroad; advises the Mayor and Board of Trustees on all matters affecting streets and sidewalks; Regularly hears public requests and comments on issues of vehicular and pedestrian safety and Metro North operations from Village residents and advises the Mayor and Board of Trustees as to the appropriate response.
The Traffic Committee has six (6) members, one of whom must be the chief of Police or his/her representative, and one of whom must be the Village Metro North Liaison.
The traffic Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month or as scheduled by the Chair.



Dobbs Ferry Youth Services Council (YSC)
Back to Top