OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - April 30, 2024

Town Board — Tuesday, April 30, 2024
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateTuesday, April 30, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:15:01

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of April 30th, 2024.

0:13

If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:18

Diane?

0:22

Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:27

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

0:34

If we could have a uh moment of silence, as we remember our first responders, our uh military, those who keep us safe every day, and uh we we uh wish for uh peaceful resolution to all of the um ongoing strife within the world and uh an end to hate, uh especially with the increase of anti-Semitism out there right now.

1:09

Thank you.

1:18

All right, introduction starting on my right.

1:21

Good evening, Diana Quas, Town Clerk, Supervisor Ed Lacterman, Councilman Sergio Esposito, Councilwoman Luciana Howitt.

1:31

Councilman Patrick Murphy Adam Rodriguez, town attorney.

1:37

All right, we will uh run into our reports.

1:40

Um does still say deputy supervisor, but as of 6 30 this evening, it uh has been certified.

1:50

So please make note.

1:53

Thank you.

1:54

Congratulations, Ed.

1:55

Thank you.

1:56

Uh, please make note when we get to the resolutions that anything that does say deputy supervisor will be revised to Reed's supervisor uh in the official minutes.

2:07

Uh so I thank all that came out and voted in the election on April 16th and through the early voting.

2:16

It was actually quite vigorous for a special election uh with almost 8,000 votes cast.

2:22

Uh I think in the last election in November it was uh 11,000.

2:26

So it was a it was a nice number for a very odd time to have a uh election.

2:32

And we thank all who exercised their constitutional right to get out there and vote.

2:37

Uh we had uh we want to say congratulations to uh Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance and Mohegan Lake Volunteer Ambulance.

2:44

They had their annual brunches on consecutive Sundays uh with their new line officers coming in.

2:50

Uh Mohegan Lake, I mean sorry, uh Yvax celebrated their 61st year in operation.

2:57

So some excellent, excellent things there, and we thank them for their service.

3:01

Uh we had the Battle of Yorktown on the 19th or 20th, 20th, I think, of uh April.

3:09

And uh Yorktowners collected approximately 11.1 tons of garbage.

3:16

So we're only about three tons behind Dan Strauss's uh record for the year.

3:22

Um we also had our mobile shredder on the 26th, which uh servers served 233 cars for 3.82 tons of paper that was shredded to for recycling.

3:37

Uh we that same day later we had our Arbor Day celebration.

3:40

We have some lovely art around the room uh that was painted by our fourth and fifth graders or drawn.

3:46

So actually one of the winning ones, our first place uh on uh which is right over here by the clerk's office, was actually painted and has texture and almost a 3D look to it, some amazing work by uh these uh young ladies and gentlemen that were working on it.

4:05

Uh we did have Fam Jam, but I'm gonna leave that for Patrick to talk about.

4:09

Uh Saturday night was the Lakeland uh uh foundation for excellence dinner.

4:14

Uh very well uh attended over at Elevate on Front Street.

4:20

Nice time uh was had uh and uh they did a wonderful job there.

4:24

Great place to look at if you if you need an event.

4:27

And the Chamber of Commerce had their springfest and car show on Sunday, which was also very, very well attended.

4:34

Uh had a park all the way by Macy's, uh, and and we got there pretty uh pretty early in the day.

4:41

Uh a couple things upcoming.

4:44

May 1st.

4:45

We have a job fair at the Capolini Center.

4:48

That's tomorrow from 10 a.m.

4:50

to 2 p.m.

4:51

There will be we're doing it in conjunction with Westchester County and the Chamber of Commerce.

5:00

There will be, I think, 40 different employers there, including trade unions and uh corrections.

5:04

So it should be uh a great opportunity if you know anyone out there looking, and there will also be retail opportunities for people looking for some part-time work, kids, kids coming home from from uh college, as well as uh seniors who want to supplement a little bit.

5:21

Uh May is also Jewish American Heritage Month.

5:24

We will be doing a uh resolution on the 7th for that.

5:29

Uh but on May 8th, part of part of that which falls uh for Yan Hoshoa, which is uh Holocaust Remembrance.

5:37

We will be doing our Holocaust Remembrance event here at Town Hall, 7 p.m.

5:42

Our speaker will be Annie Leeser uh Kleinhouse.

5:46

Uh she was of I believe Belgium descent, and she will tell her story of uh having to leave Belgium and come to uh go to another part of Europe and her survival through the Holocaust.

6:00

So uh a very nice story, uh interesting, I should say.

6:05

Not that not that the Holocaust stories are nice, but it's a it's a it's a story of survival, which is uh uh amazing.

6:12

Uh so please uh feel free to be here for that.

6:16

Uh they're usually very well attended, and we will also have um uh that televised live on TV.

6:26

And then uh May 11th at 10 a.m.

6:29

Uh there will be the renaming of Granite Knowles Park in honor of Tom Diana.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████19%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Traffic Safety████████████12%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Public Hearings████████8%
Procedural███████7%
Code Enforcement█████5%
Parks and Recreation████4%
Water And Wastewater Management████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - April 30, 2024

The Yorktown Town Board held a regular meeting on April 30, 2024, at Town Hall. The meeting included reports from board members, a presentation on the upcoming Rochambeau Festival, two public hearings on proposed local laws (commercial vehicle parking and speed limit reductions), personnel actions, public comments on a variety of local issues, and approval of numerous resolutions. The meeting was adjourned after approximately two hours.

Consent Calendar

  • Personnel Resolutions: Approved promotions and appointments including:
    • Stefan Lennox promoted to Maintenance Mechanic (Refuse & Recycling)
    • Luke Tester appointed Motor Equipment Operator (Refuse & Recycling)
    • Marissa Licto appointed Assistant Superintendent of Recreation (Parks & Recreation)
    • Thomas Dunn appointed to the Board of Assessment Review (unexpired term)
    • Serafina Bravo received a $5,000 annual stipend for preparing NYC DEP reconciliation
    • Tamara Hyman promoted to Senior Library Clerk at John C. Hart Memorial Library, effective June 1
  • Other Resolutions (approved by voice vote):
    • Authorized bid advertisement for elevator modernization at the Albert A. Cappellini Community and Cultural Center
    • Approved a one-year bid extension for town vehicle repairs with Yorktown Auto Body
    • Released an erosion control bond for work at 2420 Orchard View Court ($500)
    • Authorized budget transfers for payment to East of Hudson Watershed Corporation (2023 pond maintenance), cash payments for retiring employees (Kim Penner, Michael Samuels), MTA communication project ($16,745), and pickleball court rehabilitation at Granite Knolls
    • Closed capital project for HH Library bathroom renovation
    • Released retainage for Town Hall entry project ($9,650.55 to A. DeVito & Son)
    • Authorized bid for VoIP phone system upgrade and security camera cabling
    • Released a street opening permit to Fritz's Landscaping
    • Awarded bid for pickleball court rehabilitation to DeRosa Sports Construction, Inc.
    • Authorized a historic analysis review for the Field Home mansion (Toll Brothers project)
    • Authorized police attendance at FBI Eastern Regional Conference (June 3-5, 2024)
    • Approved additional $4,060 for Pace Scheduler add-on features for YPD scheduling
    • Authorized bid for residential refuse and recycling collection and disposal
    • Authorized supervisor to request bill numbers from NYS Legislature for parkland alienation at 109 Granite Springs Road (cell tower)
    • Approved settlement of tax assessment challenges (2020-2023) for Jefferson Valley Mall parcels

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Public Hearing 1: Commercial Vehicle Parking – Proposed amendment to Chapter 275 to prohibit parking commercial vehicles on the service road near the golf course. Resident Jay Copstein expressed concern that the language could be interpreted as allowing unregistered commercial vehicles. Town Attorney Adam Rodriguez proposed a modification clarifying that vehicles must be properly registered, fixed-plated, and engaged in delivery or services to the golf course. Residents Mark Lieberman and Dan Strauss raised safety concerns about fire truck access and enforcement. The board decided to adjourn the hearing, post the revised language, and vote at a later meeting.
  • Public Hearing 2: Speed Limit Reductions – Proposed law to reduce speed limits on Underhill Avenue (from 40 to 30 mph) and on several other roads (Aqueduct Road, Hitchin Post, Woodfield Court, High Ridge Road, Baptist Church Road, Wood Street Hill) from 30 to 20 mph. Residents questioned enforcement, signage, and the legality of such reductions. Jay Copstein cited state vehicle and traffic law limiting towns to 25 mph minimum. Town Attorney Rodriguez said he would research the issue. Resident Martin Costello requested extending the 20 mph zone further north on Underhill Avenue past Anna Court. The public hearing was closed, and the matter was referred to the attorney for review.
  • Courtesy of the Floor (Public Comments):
    • Sam Rosenfeld asked about inequities in water usage charges and sewer taxes, noting a report he had submitted.
    • Martin Costello expressed concerns about the Underhill Farm (Unicorn) development: tree removal, lack of DEP and Army Corps permits, potential ground disturbance, and requested an environmental consultant site visit.
    • Susan Siegel requested updates on sewer district inequities, infrastructure projects (Hunterbrook Pump Station), and code enforcement at Fieldstone Manor (unpermitted apartment conversions).
    • Lynn Briggs (Chair, YHPC) asked the board to stop ground disturbance at Underhill Farm, citing potential archaeological artifacts from the Rochambeau encampment. She stated the approved archaeological monitoring plan was inadequate.
    • Matt Talbert (Chair, Parks and Recreation) noted that the alienation of parkland at 109 Granite Springs Road (cell tower) had not been reviewed by the Parks and Rec Commission and requested it be sent back for review.
    • Dan Strauss commented on tree removal, meeting start times, and the town's event-focused culture.
    • Anthony Pichette reported personal experience with sign vandalism during the election cycle and asked the board to address the divisiveness.

Discussion Items

  • Presentation: Lynn Briggs presented the two-day Rochambeau Festival (May 18-19, 2024) at the Yorktown Grange, featuring immersive Revolutionary War history, oxen, Hussar, encampments, lectures, bus tours, and a Never Forget Garden groundbreaking. The board expressed support and promised promotion.
  • Commercial Vehicle Parking: Board discussed enforcement options (towing, ticketing) and the need for signage. Supervisor stated that the town has tried contacting truck owners, but vehicles are often leased. The law aims to provide enforcement tools.
  • Speed Limit Reductions: Debate over whether the town can set 20 mph limits. Town Attorney advised he would review state law. Board also discussed proper signage and advance warning. The request to extend the 20 mph zone on Underhill was referred to the traffic safety committee.
  • Underhill Farm Development: Councilman John (presumably) responded to public comments: the developer has a tree permit for a limited area, is not removing stumps, and is compliant with inspections. DEP and Army Corps permits are pending (typical for post-planning approval). He stated that the planning board's SEQRA review found no sufficient evidence of a Rochambeau encampment on the site, and that shovel tests had been conducted without finding artifacts. The board committed to monitoring.
  • Sewer and Water Issues: Supervisor acknowledged the sewer district inequities and said he is working with the assessor to consolidate districts. He noted that five pump stations are being reworked, and the Hallex Mills sewer extension is stalled due to funding constraints. He also mentioned issues with the fluoride treatment plant and regulatory surprises.
  • Code Enforcement (Fieldstone Manor): Supervisor stated he has spoken with the building inspector and that violations are being addressed; fees are doubled for unpermitted work.
  • Parkland Alienation (109 Granite Springs Road): Supervisor agreed to send the matter back to the Parks and Rec Commission for review, as requested by Matt Talbert.
  • Sign Vandalism: Board members condemned the vandalism and urged civility. Supervisor Lacterman and Councilwoman Howitt emphasized that party affiliation should not divide the community, and that personal attacks are unacceptable.

Key Outcomes

  • Public hearing on commercial vehicle parking closed; revised law to be posted and voted on at a future meeting.
  • Public hearing on speed limit reductions closed; referred to town attorney for research on legality; traffic safety committee to consider extension of 20 mph zone on Underhill Avenue.
  • Personnel resolutions approved as listed in Consent Calendar.
  • Resolution to authorize supervisor to request bill numbers for parkland alienation at 109 Granite Springs Road (cell tower) approved.
  • Resolution approving tax assessment settlement for Jefferson Valley Mall parcels approved.
  • All other resolutions listed in Consent Calendar were approved by voice vote.
  • Board directed staff to follow up on sewer district consolidation, code enforcement at Fieldstone Manor, and archaeological monitoring at Underhill Farm.
  • Board affirmed commitment to starting meetings on time and to addressing community concerns raised during public comments.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of April 30th, 2024. If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. Diane? Of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all. If we could have a uh moment of silence, as we remember our first responders, our uh military, those who keep us safe every day, and uh we we uh wish for uh peaceful resolution to all of the um ongoing strife within the world and uh an end to hate, uh especially with the increase of anti-Semitism out there right now. Thank you. All right, introduction starting on my right. Good evening, Diana Quas, Town Clerk, Supervisor Ed Lacterman, Councilman Sergio Esposito, Councilwoman Luciana Howitt. Councilman Patrick Murphy Adam Rodriguez, town attorney. All right, we will uh run into our reports. Um does still say deputy supervisor, but as of 6 30 this evening, it uh has been certified. So please make note. Thank you. Congratulations, Ed. Thank you. Uh, please make note when we get to the resolutions that anything that does say deputy supervisor will be revised to Reed's supervisor uh in the official minutes. Uh so I thank all that came out and voted in the election on April 16th and through the early voting. It was actually quite vigorous for a special election uh with almost 8,000 votes cast. Uh I think in the last election in November it was uh 11,000. So it was a it was a nice number for a very odd time to have a uh election. And we thank all who exercised their constitutional right to get out there and vote. Uh we had uh we want to say congratulations to uh Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance and Mohegan Lake Volunteer Ambulance. They had their annual brunches on consecutive Sundays uh with their new line officers coming in. Uh Mohegan Lake, I mean sorry, uh Yvax celebrated their 61st year in operation. So some excellent, excellent things there, and we thank them for their service. Uh we had the Battle of Yorktown on the 19th or 20th, 20th, I think, of uh April. And uh Yorktowners collected approximately 11.1 tons of garbage. So we're only about three tons behind Dan Strauss's uh record for the year. Um we also had our mobile shredder on the 26th, which uh servers served 233 cars for 3.82 tons of paper that was shredded to for recycling. Uh we that same day later we had our Arbor Day celebration. We have some lovely art around the room uh that was painted by our fourth and fifth graders or drawn. So actually one of the winning ones, our first place uh on uh which is right over here by the clerk's office, was actually painted and has texture and almost a 3D look to it, some amazing work by uh these uh young ladies and gentlemen that were working on it. Uh we did have Fam Jam, but I'm gonna leave that for Patrick to talk about. Uh Saturday night was the Lakeland uh uh foundation for excellence dinner. Uh very well uh attended over at Elevate on Front Street. Nice time uh was had uh and uh they did a wonderful job there. Great place to look at if you if you need an event. And the Chamber of Commerce had their springfest and car show on Sunday, which was also very, very well attended. Uh had a park all the way by Macy's, uh, and and we got there pretty uh pretty early in the day. Uh a couple things upcoming. May 1st. We have a job fair at the Capolini Center. That's tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be we're doing it in conjunction with Westchester County and the Chamber of Commerce. There will be, I think, 40 different employers there, including trade unions and uh corrections. So it should be uh a great opportunity if you know anyone out there looking, and there will also be retail opportunities for people looking for some part-time work, kids, kids coming home from from uh college, as well as uh seniors who want to supplement a little bit. Uh May is also Jewish American Heritage Month. We will be doing a uh resolution on the 7th for that.

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