Yorktown Town Board Meeting: May 7, 2024 – Proclamations, Navajo Fields, and Resolutions

The Town Board of Yorktown held a regular meeting on May 7, 2024, at 12:45 PM (transcript indicates evening). The meeting covered upcoming community events, multiple proclamations (Jewish American Heritage Month, Lupus Awareness Month, Mental Health Awareness Month), a police officer appointment, a major discussion on extending an overlay district to enable sewering and redevelopment along the Route 6 corridor, and a series of resolutions including the adoption of the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism and allocation of fund balance for capital projects.

Consent Calendar

• Appointed Brian Bennett as police officer effective May 20, 2024, at an annual salary of $62,732, contingent on medical and psychological exams and a probationary period of 12–52 weeks.
• Authorized the release of bonds: $1,400 erosion control bond to Joe Bellamy Construction Inc., and $1,000 performance bond to Yorktown Auto Body.
• Approved budget transfers for a comprehensive cyber assessment (O'Connor Davies) and cybersecurity enhancements.
• Authorized the annual review and commitment of general fund balance to specific projects (parks improvements, medical retirement obligations, and building repairs at the Albert A. Capolinian Community Cultural Center).
• Approved $375,000 transfer to the highway department capital project for renovation and addition to the highway garage.
• Authorized supervisor to sign a settlement release with Sedgwick/Verizon for damages to a highway dump truck caused by low-hanging wires.
• Released street opening permit ($16,000) to E Hansen Corp.
• Approved budget transfers for purchase of three trucks for the highway department.
• Authorized bid advertisement for construction of an addition to the highway garage.
• Approved agreement with Yorktown Grange ($6,500) for half-day summer camp program.
• Awarded concessions: McKnight Enterprises LLC ($1,500) for aquatic facilities, and O'Neal concessions ($300) for a food truck at Granite Knolls (includes adding electric to eliminate generator use).
• Approved change order ($300) for pool pump rebuild.
• Renewed agreement with CVR Associates Inc. for Section 8 housing inspections.
• Authorized intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for senior transportation services.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Siegel raised multiple questions: the Hunterbrook Pump Station I&I mitigation agreement (requesting details and FOIL documents); the status of Hallex Mill pump station plans (authorized in 2019, plans now being rewritten); apparent contradiction in Army Corps involvement between Underhill Farm and Toll Brothers projects; enforcement of code violations at Fieldstone Manor; an alleged Open Meetings Law violation regarding a $5,000 stipend approved without board discussion; and requested that courtesy of the floor be moved earlier in the agenda for resident convenience.
• Jay Copstein thanked the attorney for mentioning the May 23 ZBA public hearing on a waste transfer station on Route 6 and asked the supervisor to notify the Town of Somers about the meeting so affected residents can participate.
• Dan Strauss (58-year resident) reported that he arranged water for a garden club island using a spigot at Fryers, and that he contacted a trucking company (North American Van Lines) about illegal overnight parking, noting the truck owner claimed he had contacted police. He also reported garbage dumping on Granite Springs Road and offered to help clean up.
• Ken Belfer (Lake Mohegan advocate) reported on his trip to a Lake George conference, where he presented on the lake's aeration study and advocated for nutrient inactivation legislation. He also noted that Putnam Valley, Cortland, and North Salem have passed similar resolutions and that he is continuing studies with SUNY-ESF.
• Howard Gould (resident since 1999) praised Councilwoman Luciana for asking questions and urged civility in public discourse. He thanked the supervisor and board for transparency and mentioned his father's dementia, expressing gratitude for the supervisor's personal support.
• Anthony Pichette raised safety concerns about speeding on Veterans Road near the YCNS theater, the former Legion building, and the sports complex. He asked if the public traffic safety committee meetings could be open to the public, and inquired about the Kmart redevelopment (noting the Auster Properties deal fell through due to Kmart's lease price). He also asked about the status of a previously discussed apartment project at the Kmart site.

Discussion Items

• Navajo Fields Housing Project / Overlay District Extension: Town Attorney Mr. Grace presented a proposal to extend the existing Oscar Ola overlay district to include a 50-acre property at Navajo Fields. The overlay was originally left out, but sewering is critical for corridor revitalization. The project would bring sewers to the area, enabling redevelopment and improving Lake Osceola water quality. The board supported moving forward with setting a public hearing (at least 30 days out) to amend the legislation. Supervisor also expressed concern about a proposed waste transfer station at the former Tondor property (Tondor's) on Route 6, calling it a detriment to the corridor and noting strong community opposition; a ZBA public hearing is set for May 23 at 6:30 PM. Councilman Tagger (John) agreed that sewering is a huge benefit and that the project aligns with the overlay district's intent.
• Highway Garage Investment: During public comments, a speaker (likely former official) argued that investing in the current highway garage is ill-advised, citing an obsolete plant, equipment rotting outside, and the property being better used for downtown revitalization. He noted a prior $500,000 state demolition grant. The supervisor and highway superintendent defended the current investment (ventilation, heating, addition with showers and rest area) and confirmed the building will be named in honor of fallen worker Jake Arcara.
• Traffic Safety Committee: Highway Superintendent David Paganelli explained that the Traffic Safety Committee is an internal group (police officers, highway superintendent, board member, and a civilian expert). He noted the difficulty of scheduling meetings and suggested adding another civilian. He responded to Anthony's speeding concerns on Veterans Road, stating that buses should use Pinesbridge Road per site plan, and that the committee will consider the issue. He clarified that stop signs and speed bumps are not recommended for speed control. The board discussed possible transparency improvements.
• Kmart/Auster Properties & Downtown Revitalization: Supervisor reported that Auster Properties could not purchase the Kmart lease because Kmart renewed it. Instead, three national chains are coming, and Triangle Shopping Center is planning a major renovation (facades, sidewalks, etc.), prompting ACME to invest in a full internal renovation. The Jefferson Valley Mall is 87% occupied and gaining new restaurants (e.g., Lavaletta Pizza from Cortlandt).
• Army Corps Permits: Town Planner John Tagger clarified there is no contradiction between earlier statements and a recent memo to Toll Brothers: the Army Corps will not formally act without a formal application; the memo advised submitting a formal application to avoid delays. He noted that agencies (like DEP) typically do not begin detailed review until the SEQR process concludes.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted IHRA Working Definition of Anti-Semitism (non-binding) by unanimous vote. Resolution includes the 11 contemporary examples and directs town departments to use it as an educational resource.
• Set aside fund balance for projects: The board committed available general fund balance to capital projects including parks improvements, medical retirement obligations, and building repairs (especially pointing at the Community Cultural Center).
• Approved numerous resolutions (see Consent Calendar) by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
• Scheduled public hearing: For the extension of the Oscar Ola overlay district to include Navajo Fields property, to be set at the next meeting (minimum 30-day notice).
• Directed staff: To notify the Town of Somers about the May 23 ZBA hearing on the waste transfer station; to follow up on Veteran Road speeding with the Traffic Safety Committee; to explore striping at the Kmart shopping center via original site plan.
• Commitment to improve transparency: The board discussed but did not commit to moving courtesy of the floor earlier in the agenda or televising Traffic Safety Committee meetings; supervisor said he will consider it.