Yorktown Town Board Meeting – June 4, 2024

The Yorktown Town Board held its regular evening meeting on June 4, 2024, at Town Hall. Supervisor Ed Lachterman presided, joined by Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito, Councilwoman Lugiana Howitt, Councilman Patrick Murphy, Town Clerk Diana Quas, Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli, and acting town attorney Christine Kager. The board heard department reports, issued proclamations, took public comment, discussed development proposals and road safety, and approved a series of resolutions, including a police body camera package and Route 118/Underhill Avenue intersection improvements.

Opening Reports & Announcements

• Supervisor Lachterman praised the response to the May 23 storm, noting Yorktown accounted for 75% of NYSEG's power outages and that nearly all power was restored by 1:30 p.m. He also highlighted Memorial Day ceremonies, the Trailway ribbon cutting, police swearing-in and promotions, and upcoming community events.
• Councilman Patrick Murphy congratulated the Yorktown High School lacrosse team on winning sectionals and regionals and advancing to the state semifinals. He also reminded residents of Relay for Life and the summer concert series.
• Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli reported that the department was behind on potholes because of simultaneous milling and paving. He described a major infrastructure collapse on Judy Road involving over 1,000 feet of failed pipe and urged residents to call 962-5781 to report potholes.

Proclamations

• The board proclaimed June 6, 2024, as the 80th anniversary of D-Day and encouraged residents to observe the day with programs honoring those who fought.
• The board recognized June as Pride Month, citing LGBTQ contributions and the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion. The proclamation also referenced a June 29 demonstration/celebration.
• A poem by Poet Laureate John F. McMullen was read.

Personnel & Appointments

• Approved moving Franz Rahm Cook to Group 10, Step 5 at a prorated salary of $61,951.93, effective June 3, 2024.
• Appointed Sindhu Palakal as library clerk at the John C. Hart Memorial Library at $54,990 annually.
• Appointed Jao Faustino to the Veterans Advisory Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Siegel questioned three resolutions: the $13,000 update of the 2018 Hallex Mills sewer report, the $478,495.90 police body camera purchase, and the Route 118/Underhill intersection improvements. She opposed the open-ended nature of the intersection resolution because the town would pay the remaining balance above the developer's cap and asked the board to hold it for more information and transparency.
• Larry Killian opposed tax incentives for unneeded commercial/retail space, citing the Jefferson Valley Mall tax cert judgment and declining assessed commercial property values. He asked for figures on town and school district givebacks.
• Sarah Wilson, a Yorktown resident, thanked the board for the Pride Month proclamation and invited everyone to the June 29 Pride Festival at Railroad Park from noon to 4 p.m. She asked if a Pride flag could be raised that day.
• Maura Gregory seconded Susan Siegel's comments, expressed concern about the lack of a cap on town expenses for the intersection project, and questioned obligations tied to the WCIDA application.
• Joanne Sillick asked whether there would be a public hearing for the proposed 254-unit project and recycling/transfer station near Whispering Pines, and asked for the developer/property owner's name.
• Mark Lieberman thanked the board for the D-Day proclamation and for honoring veterans at every meeting. He asked whether adding police body cameras would require additional staff.
• Dan Strauss complained about political signs, the proposed cell tower, and what he called an unfair development approval process. He urged residents to vote.
• Michael Kiernan, from Tubriana Lane, opposed the proposed 40,000-square-foot A-Track recycling center at 76 Route 6. He said Somers residents were not notified, and he cited risks to health, wetlands, water supply, traffic, and property values.
• Brian Silic asked for details about the proposed 254 units (unit mix, garages, clubhouse, pool, etc.) and said residents do not have enough information about the recycling plant.

Discussion Items

• Speed limits: Highway Superintendent Paganelli requested lowering speed limits on Rockwood Road, High Ridge, Hitching Post, Aqueduct Road, and Woodfield Court to 25 mph, after noting state law prohibits going below 25 except in school, hospital, or library zones. Underhill Road would be set at 30 mph from town to Overhill, 40 mph from Overhill to the Taconic Parkway, and 30 mph from the parkway to 129. The board planned to post a revised draft and bring it back for a public hearing/vote.
• Proposed transfer station/recycling center: Staff explained that the recycling/transfer station use is allowed in the light industrial zone under a code adopted around 2011. The applicant is in early planning board review, with Zoning Board interpretations already needed. A public informational hearing and later public hearing are expected. The proposal also includes parking for garbage trucks.
• Proposed 254-unit development: Staff said the property is currently single-family zoned and would need rezoning or an overlay district. The applicant has proposed access from Navajo Road and Route 6N and a sewer extension. The project is in its initial SEQRA steps; many details will emerge in later planning board review and public hearings. The board emphasized that starting the process is not approval of the project.
• Cell tower: Board members explained that federal law restricts local denial of cell towers, that the site was not chosen by the town, and that the application has been pending since around 2018. They planned to bring in an independent expert and hold future public presentations and hearings.
• Body cameras and police staffing: In response to Mark Lieberman's question, the board said an administrative lieutenant position was added, partially offset by giving back another position, to handle body camera processing. The body camera purchase would be funded from fund balance, with a $539,000 state grant also authorized.
• Hallex Mills Sewer District: Staff explained that the 2018 report was being updated for $13,000 because grant reviewers considered it out of date. The original study covered about 650 homes; the district was initially pared down, but the update is intended to revisit the full project with additional funding.
• Route 118/Underhill intersection: Board members spoke at length about the dangerous intersection, rear-end collisions, turning movements, and traffic backup near a blind hill. The proposed improvements add dedicated turn lanes and reconfigure the intersection. The board argued the town has a safety responsibility and is leveraging the developer's phase-one mitigation contribution. The developer will not receive a tax abatement and will pay full taxes from day one.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the parking lot and elevator modernization bid for the Albert A. Capolini Community and Cultural Center to Taconic Elevator Company, with a $92,750 budget transfer.
• Approved release of an erosion control bond for work at 3765 Cranberry Lane.
• Authorized an agreement with EDR to update the 2018 Hallex Mills report for $13,000.
• Authorized purchase of a Ford F250 pickup for the Sewer Department with a $59,000.61 budget transfer.
• Extended the bid for street and traffic signs for the Highway Department.
• Authorized purchase of a Ford F250 regular cab pickup for Parks and Recreation.
• Authorized a 60-month agreement for police body-worn cameras, cloud storage, and Tasers at a cost of $478,495.90, funded from the general fund balance, and authorized the supervisor to execute the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services LETECH grant paperwork in the amount of $539,000.
• Authorized an agreement with H2M Architects and Engineers for water main extensions on Brook Lane, Cecil Drive, and Deerhaunt Street at a cost of $14,900.
• Approved, by voice vote with no recorded opposition, authorizing expenditure of $543,324.40 for infrastructure improvements to the Route 118/Underhill Avenue intersection. A resident had earlier referenced a $143,000 figure; the resolution as read used $543,324.40. The developer will contribute a capped amount, and the town will cover the remaining balance, with no tax abatement.