Yorktown Town Board Meeting – March 19, 2024

The Yorktown Town Board held a lengthy public meeting on March 19, 2024, covering multiple public hearings, committee reports, and resolutions. Key topics included a stormwater retrofit project, proposed local laws regulating ATVs and e-bikes, and amendments to the town ethics code. The meeting featured reports from the town supervisor, council members, and New York State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, along with extensive public comment.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stormwater Retrofit Project (East of Hudson Watershed Corp.): Residents raised concerns about tree clearing without permits, noise, light pollution from the proposed basin, and a temporary project sign. The town acknowledged permitting errors and committed to installing vegetative screening and addressing neighbor concerns. The contractor was directed to remove wood chips and restore the site with native plantings.
• ATV and E-Bike Law: A large number of speakers addressed the proposed local law. Key positions:
  • Support for separating e-bikes from ATVs (many speakers, including trail committee members and cyclists).
  • Support for banning ATVs on all town property (trail committee, residents, and the victim of an ATV incident).
  • Need for stronger penalties, impoundment, and enforcement (former police officer, residents reporting dangerous riding).
  • Concern about e-bike safety and speed (some residents, cyclists argued for class-based regulation).
  • Support for clear definitions and police input (Trail Conference, local experts).
• Ethics Law Amendments: Multiple speakers urged stronger transparency, independence of the ethics board, and retention of the word "indirect" in conflict-of-interest definitions. The ethics board chair requested that the town attorney be required to recuse in cases involving board members and that the board be allowed to hire outside counsel. Several residents criticized the proposed changes as weakening the current code.

Discussion Items

• Supervisor’s Report: The supervisor noted a successful senior citizens meeting on colon cancer screening, the St. Patrick’s Day luncheon, and the Kenny Scroy Act of Kindness Day fundraiser (over $1,500 raised for two charities). He also announced that a priest would fund the preservation and relocation of the chapel on the Soundview property.
• Councilmember Reports: Councilman Esposito highlighted the new turf field at Legacy Woodlands Park (with concussion-prevention padding), the reopening of the courthouse steps, and local restaurant openings. He also noted the upcoming Maple Weekend and Eagle Scout ceremonies.
• Assemblymember Dana Levenberg Report: She discussed her solar canopy legislation (inspired by Yorktown), housing bills (comprehensive plan updates, needs assessment), and state budget priorities including road funding ($1.5 billion for local roads), school aid (rejecting governor’s cuts), universal school meals, and pension improvements for public employees. She also responded to a resident’s question about electric school bus mandates, acknowledging infrastructure and funding challenges.
• Town Clerk’s Report: Diana Kwas outlined changes to voting districts (four districts relocated) and upcoming election dates (presidential primary April 2, special election April 16, etc.).
• Arbor Day Committee: Larry Klein presented a $600 budget request for Arbor Day (April 26) and asked for a $600 annual allocation. The board expressed support.
• Climate Smart Community Task Force: Sarah Wilson and Paul Mossworth reported on an energy audit (no cost to town via NYSERDA and grants), a solar RFP, and electric vehicle charger grants. They also noted a $76,250 DOE grant for energy efficiency.
• Proclamations: The board proclaimed March 21 as Down Syndrome Awareness Day (with "Rock Your Socks" campaign) and March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
• Ethics Law Discussion: Town board members debated the inclusion of the word "indirect," the role of the town attorney, confidentiality of disclosure statements, and the need for transparency. Councilman Esposito argued that public disclosure of personal financial details could invite fraud, while others emphasized the importance of transparency. The ethics board chair suggested a recusal mechanism for the town attorney when conflicts arise.

Key Outcomes

• Stormwater Retrofit Permits Approved: The board granted wetland and tree permits for the East of Hudson project after the contractor acknowledged prior work without permits. The contractor agreed to install screening for neighbors and remove the temporary sign after construction.
• ATV/E-Bike Law Public Hearing Closed: The board decided to separate e-bikes from ATVs in the law, incorporate police and highway superintendent input, and return with a revised draft. No vote was taken on the current proposal.
• Ethics Law Public Hearing Closed: The board committed to reviewing all comments and producing a red-line version. No immediate amendments were adopted, but the board agreed to consider the ethics board’s suggestions, including mandatory recusal of the town attorney when a board member is involved.
• Adopted Resolutions: The board unanimously approved a consent agenda including:
  • Authorization to scrap a 2008 Crown Victoria.
  • Energy audit contract with Daylight Savings Company (no cost to town).
  • Agreement for sewer pipe repair in Hunterbrook and Halex Mills.
  • Preventive maintenance contract for water pollution control plant equipment.
  • Budget transfers for computer equipment (ARPA funds) and workers’ compensation claims.
  • Release of erosion control bond for Springhurst Street.
  • Award of bids for asphalt, temporary traffic lights, pool pump rebuild, and traffic study review.
  • Agreement for DWI enforcement detail with Westchester County ($10,000).
  • Modification of senior account clerk job classification (salary increase per CSEA MOU).
  • Engineering services agreement for Croton Heights Road water main installation.
• Appointment: William Ritchie was appointed to the Veterans Advisory Board.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:45 a.m. on March 20, 2024.