Yorktown Town Board Work Session - February 20, 2024

The Yorktown Town Board held a work session on February 20, 2024, addressing personnel actions, multiple resolutions, a restrictive covenant for the Soundview House, a wetland permit, and public comments. The meeting also included reports from the town supervisor, council members, the new assistant curator, and a detailed update from New York State Assemblyman Matt Slater on the state budget and legislative priorities.

Consent Calendar

• Personnel Actions: Approved the following unanimously: authorization for the deputy supervisor to execute a pay scale agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association for a temporary water maintenance worker; appointment of Theresa Delaney as assessment clerk, Carla Esposito as office assistant (automotive systems) in the building department, Nicholas Fasci as senior automotive mechanic, and Anthony Verdi as automotive mechanic.
• Resolutions: Approved unanimously (with Councilman Patrick Murphy recusing on the tree bank item due to a family interest): budget transfer of $2,000 from parks and recreation to the sewer department for alarm service; amendment of Resolution 65 of 2024 for an on-call engineering agreement with Site Design Consultants (not to exceed $5,000); authorization for the town clerk and deputy clerk to attend the 2024 International Institute of Municipal Clerks Region One Annual Meeting; authorization for the supervisor to sign a service agreement with Granicus Inc. for webcasting; authorization for the town clerk to advertise a bid for rehabilitation of pickleball courts at Granite Knolls; extension of services/fee schedule for recording and broadcasting services for Tom SiAngela and Carrie Vigilante; authorization for the deputy supervisor to execute an agreement with NCI Emergency Response Answering Service for 2024; and release of $1,900 from the tree bank fund for tree planting at the Garden of Hope in Willow Park.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Siegel questioned the hiring of Gregory Dietrich Preservation Consulting, noting that earlier the board had selected Historical Perspectives Inc. and Thayer Riley Wilson Architecture & Preservation for similar work. She asked why Thayer Riley was not used again and whether the board had discussed this in executive session. She also asked for the full text of the restrictive covenant for Soundview House, the status of fluoride software, and the reason for pickleball court repairs (noting the courts were new).
• Jay Copstein requested that responses to previously referred memoranda on solar and vape shop moratoriums be put on the agenda for a public hearing at the next meeting, citing urgency.

Discussion Items

• Supervisor’s Report: Acting Supervisor Ed Lacterman announced cancellation of the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting for February, encouraged veterans to join the committee, and congratulated the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Department on its 102nd award dinner, highlighting three 50-year and one 25-year members. He reported a third “death by dealer” arrest (fatal overdose traced to a dealer) and reminded the public of the “Hope Not Handcuffs” addiction program. He also promoted the American Legion Post 1009’s 105th anniversary open house on March 15, 2024.
• Councilman Reports: Councilman Patrick Murphy noted that the school district passed Propositions 1 and 2 overwhelmingly. Councilman Sergio Esposito announced a grand opening for Sushi Express in Yorktown Heights and reported attending the Association of Towns meetings where he attended four to five seminars daily.
• Soundview House Restrictive Covenant: Acting Supervisor Lacterman presented a compromise after previous debate over landmarking the Soundview House. The restrictive covenant with Underhill Soundview LLC prohibits demolition of the main building, stone walls, entry drive, and pond without town board approval; rehabilitation requires planning board and town approval. The covenant survives future property sales. The board then approved three associated resolutions: (1) a contract with Gregory Dietrich Preservation Consulting for on-call historic/cultural resource planning; (2) a $6,200 cultural resource review for the Underhill Farm Project (reimbursed by the applicant); and (3) authorization to enter into the restrictive covenant agreement. All passed unanimously, with Patrick Murphy recusing.
• New Assistant Curator Introduction: Amy Swan was introduced as the new assistant curator of the Yorktown Museum. She outlined plans for digital archives, QR codes for exhibits, children’s interactive materials, photo contests, expanded research room access, social media outreach, gift shop improvements, and a celebration for the museum’s 60th birthday in 2026.
• Poet Laureate: John (poet laureate) read a poem about the upcoming local elections, calling for respect and focus on issues.
• Wetland Permit 3167 Lincoln: Architect Gabrielle Selman presented a proposal for a 14x14 deck on an existing house within wetland jurisdiction, including new “elephant foot” footings to address water table concerns. The conservation board had not yet provided comments. The board set a public hearing for March 12, 2024.
• Mohegan Lake Update: Ken Belfour reported on Lake Day 2024 (July 13, rain date July 14), ongoing algae monitoring, aeration system operation, and efforts to obtain a DEC permit for a probiotic bacteria treatment to reduce muck. He noted that DEC was slow to respond but is now engaged after assistance from Senator Harkum’s office.
• Assemblyman Matt Slater’s Report: Slater provided a state budget overview ($235 billion). Key points: the governor’s proposal cuts state aid for over 50% of school districts; Yorktown schools would see a $352,000 decrease; CHIPS funding for local roads would be cut by $60 million (he advocated for a $200 million increase); veteran services funding cut by $2.5 million (expected to be restored); AIM funding flat; and a $2.4 billion allocation for migrant housing (with an additional $500 million requested). He highlighted the “pro-housing community” executive order requiring municipalities to meet certain criteria to access $650 million in state grants. Slater also discussed his legislative initiatives: a death by dealer bill (A7985), a sober housing task force, property tax exemptions for child care facilities, and an increase in the IRA/non-public pension exemption threshold for seniors (from $20,000 to $100,000). He mentioned securing $5.2 million for Route 202 paving and a $75,000 grant for the Yorktown Volunteer Fire Department.

Key Outcomes

• All personnel appointments and routine resolutions were approved unanimously.
• The three Soundview House-related resolutions (Gregory Dietrich contracts and restrictive covenant) were approved unanimously (Patrick Murphy recused).
• A public hearing for wetland permit 3167 Lincoln was scheduled for March 12, 2024.
• Responses to public comments: John (planning) explained that Gregory Dietrich was hired because Thayer Riley was no longer available; Jim (parks) stated the pickleball court repair/rebuild is needed due to lack of drainage and cracking, and a bid will be sought; fluoride software completion remains pending; the solar and vape moratorium discussions will be advanced to a public hearing.
• The board acknowledged the updates from Ken Belfour and Assemblyman Slater without formal action.