Board Recap: Village Takes Next Step in Online Bill Payments

The Village Board took the next step in allowing residents to pay their water and electric bills online as well as with their credit cards by approving an agreement with Merchant Services, Inc. to handle the electronic payments at Monday's board meeting.

Trustee Ed Oppenheimer was the lone trustee to vote against it, saying that he wanted a different vendor to handle the payments and that the agreement did not specify a third-party assurance for online payments. The agreement, however, was passed with the stipulation that some sort of protection for resident payments be added into the contract.

"If it doesn't have that assurance, I think it's a disservice to the residents," Oppenheimer said.

In other news, Police Commissioner Charles Gennario noted that though it is the holiday season, it is also a time when criminals strike and burglarize homes. "Criminals shop too...in your homes and cars," Gennario said. He urged residents to keep valuables out of sight, use lights and alarms, and keep presents in the trunk of your car.

John Cameron and Jeff Greenfield, chairmen of the Mayor's annual golf outing that raises money for the RVC Community Fund, said this past outing was the most successful in its 24 year existence. The outing netted about $60,000, Cameron said. The RVC Community Fund is money collected from residents to help other village residents who are in financial trouble.

The Board also recognized the South Side High School girls soccer team, who won the New York State Class A championship. Members of the Sandel Senior Center's musical group also entertained the board and audience with their renditions of holiday songs and carols.