OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - June 18, 2024

Town Board — Tuesday, June 18, 2024
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateTuesday, June 18, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:35:46

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the town board meeting for June 18th, 2024.

0:13

Can we all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance?

0:20

And the first veteran I see, Brian, can you lead us in the uh Pledge of Allegiance, please?

0:30

He wants to put away his glasses first.

0:43

Under God, individual with liberty and justice for all.

0:48

Okay, and if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence, please.

0:52

As remember all of those who serve our country and serve our communities, our military are first responders, and uh we ask for God to keep them close.

1:10

Thank you.

1:11

Amen.

1:18

Okay, uh introduction starting to my right.

1:21

Good evening, Diana Quast, town clerk.

1:24

Supervisor Ed Lackcherman.

1:25

Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito.

1:27

Councilwoman Luciana Howe.

1:30

Councilman Patrick Murphy.

1:31

Adam Rodriguez, town attorney.

1:33

Dave Paganelli, highway superintendent.

1:36

Okay.

1:38

I'll go through uh the reports fairly quickly.

1:42

Um June 8th, we had two dedications.

1:45

We had uh Granite Knowles Park, uh which a lot of our people from Jefferson Village know all about, as you guys got that uh petition signed uh helping to move that forward with the help of our town clerk, uh Diana Quast.

1:58

And then uh right after that we went down to East Main Street, and uh both the park and East Main Street were dedicated in memory of Tom Diana, uh both being special in his uh in his heart and uh holding a special Tom holding a special place also in the heart of Yorktown.

2:16

Um we also today at uh Teetown uh T Town decided they wanted to plant an oak tree, a swamp oak in Tommy's honor.

2:26

It's a tree that uh lasts somewhere in the area of 300 years.

2:31

So it'll definitely be a permanent uh addition to to Tea Town, and uh it was a very nice uh quiet ceremony there today for that, and uh uh we really appreciate uh the people at T Town for thinking of Tom and getting that done as well.

2:47

Uh there was uh Con Edison Municipal Inf Information Exchange uh this past week down in White Plains uh that I had gone to.

2:56

They shared a lot of different information on uh things coming up with power, with gas, with uh solar.

3:04

Uh they just had a large array.

3:06

They're looking into some different things.

3:08

Uh there's a lot of pushback from our municipal uh leaders on the solar bat of the uh the large-scale solar and the battery backup.

3:18

So we need some some definite uh uh thought process put into it from the people in Con Ed and the people that are trying to bring this power to the grid.

3:28

Uh but we are concerned about the safety.

3:31

We enacted, for those of you that weren't here, we enacted a moratorium on it uh in our last meeting, and we will uh be further addressing that through some code review that I'll talk about a little later.

3:44

Um place, uh little restaurant next door used to be Firsey's, celebrated one year on the 12th, which was very nice.

3:52

They had some vendors there that were local businesses in the community.

3:58

Wonderful young couple, the Yorktown residents that that live that own that and work there as well.

4:04

Uh nice place to visit, and congratulations to them on passing one year.

4:08

It's a very, very hard mark for a restaurant to hit nowadays, unfortunately.

4:13

Uh on the 14th, I missed one of my favorite things, which is the elks went to JOC for their flag day celebration.

4:22

Uh for those of you that do not know about the Elks, they are very, very steeped in the tradition of the flag of Americanism, and they have a terrific ceremony which celebrates the evolution of our flags uh from the don't tread on me flag all the way up to the current flag.

4:42

Uh and they do a wonderful, wonderful celebration.

4:45

And uh I thank them for sharing that with the people at JOC.

4:49

I've done it with them at uh the well, the old field home.

4:53

I think it's now Yorktown rehab.

5:00

We've done it at the Country House and a few other places in conjunction with them, the Lions and the Sons of the American Legion.

5:05

And they just do a top-notch uh presentation.

5:08

So thank you for that.

5:10

Uh we had relay for life later that night.

5:13

They unfortunately got uh rained on a little bit, but uh uh the Thanksmark.

5:21

Uh the um Club Fit over in Jefferson Valley was nice enough to open up their facility to put them in there in the gym, and they had the survivor dinner upstairs, so the rain didn't really affect uh anything other than the traffic and them having to move across town.

5:38

Uh but uh from what I understand uh I was there for a little while, but very successful, and we're glad that uh they were able to do something this year and not not be in the rain.

5:49

Um yesterday, yeah, yesterday, she uh I was uh very very uh thrilled to go to the graduating class of the first universal pre-K right up here in Yorktown.

6:03

It was the first in northern Westchester, and uh the Universal Pre-K, so you know, is a uh uh pre pre-kindergarten.

6:11

It's paid for by the state.

6:14

Uh children are or can go in there on a uh need well on a first come first serve basis, or it goes into a raffle or lottery if there are too many.

6:24

Uh Matt Slater's daughter Elizabeth was actually one of the graduates.

6:28

It was it was a very, very uh nice touching thing.

6:32

So a lot of local kids from the community helping our parents.

6:35

Uh right now the uh the child care is expensive.

6:39

And uh to have that available, and uh Lakeland is rolling theirs out this year.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Zoning Regulations███████████████████19%
Traffic Safety███████7%
Public Hearings██████6%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Waste Management████4%
Environmental Protection████4%
Procedural███3%
Historic Preservation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - June 18, 2024

This regular town board meeting convened on June 18, 2024, at 7:30 PM. The meeting included presentations of community events, discussion of zoning code amendments, multiple public comments on several proposed developments, and approval of various resolutions.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mark Lieberman voiced opposition to Enbridge's Project Maple (Algonquin gas pipeline expansion) and urged the board to reject the project, citing environmental and health concerns. He noted that neighboring towns and several elected officials have already come out against it.
  • Mara Zidens expressed concerns about speeding on Hallex Mill Road and requested increased enforcement and traffic calming measures, referencing a 2021 traffic study that she said yielded no results.
  • Jay (unidentified last name) as a liaison to boards and commissions clarified the role of town board liaisons, stating they should not interfere with board decisions.
  • Michael Kiernan (Somers resident) opposed the proposed A-Track Recycling Center (which he called a waste transfer station) adjacent to Somers, noting lack of notice to Somers homeowners and impacts on residential neighborhoods and wetlands.
  • Jack Renzulli (Jefferson Village resident) opposed rezoning the Route 6 corridor for 250 new housing units, citing overwhelmed roadways, emergency services, and the inability of Lake Asciola to absorb additional stormwater runoff.
  • Karen Erickson opposed the proposed cell tower on Granite Springs Road, disputing claims that the site was not parkland and arguing the process lacked transparency.
  • Doug Erickson similarly opposed the cell tower, criticizing the board for citing federal mandates and stating that the true driver is a private tower company seeking profit.
  • Howard Gould expressed general opposition to multiple developments, citing traffic, safety, and environmental impacts.
  • Mark Quillinan opposed the 254-unit housing proposal near Lake Asciola, highlighting flood risks and inadequate stormwater management.
  • Charles O'Neill (JOC president, Jefferson Village resident) opposed the housing development, emphasizing flooding from Lake Asciola and inadequate drainage.
  • Dan Strauss opposed the housing units, cell tower, and transfer station, and criticized the town for lack of code enforcement and for allowing ground-mounted solar projects before the moratorium.
  • Dwayne Simmons urged the board to prioritize residents' quality of life over developer proposals, expressing concern about the cumulative impact on the community.
  • Juan Russi (Jefferson Valley resident) opposed the housing project, citing flooding and traffic dangers, and noted otters in Lake Asciola as evidence of its health.
  • Bob Delgardo asked for assurance that the board has residents' backs and will fight for them.
  • Joanne Sillick warned against the overlay district changes, claiming the board has final authority and should reject the 254-unit project.

Discussion Items

  • Zoning Code Review: The board discussed a comprehensive review of the town code to clarify ambiguities, update definitions (e.g., transfer station, product transfer facility), and address issues raised by recent proposals. Supervisor Ed Lachterman and Planning Director John Tageter outlined areas needing revision, including light industrial zones, battery storage, noise standards, and setbacks. The board aims to complete the light industrial review by September 2024.
  • Project Clarifications: Town Attorney Adam Rodriguez and Supervisor Lachterman clarified the status of multiple projects: the proposed Navajo Road recycling facility is not before the board (only a zoning interpretation was heard), the 254-unit concept is not a formal application, and the Hill Boulevard/Ascola overlay district hearing is separate. They emphasized that property owners have rights and that projects undergo multiple reviews.
  • Cell Tower on Granite Springs Road: Councilman Sergio Esposito explained that the tower proposal originated from a 2021 Westchester County-funded cell service study, not a federal mandate. He acknowledged public concerns but noted federal protections for telecommunications infrastructure. The board plans to bring in a consultant to discuss alternatives before the alienation of parkland proceeds.
  • Traffic and Speed Limits: Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli reported that a 2019 study for Hallex Mill Road produced options (dead end, one-way), but state cooperation has been difficult. The board adopted a resolution lowering speed limits on several roads to 25 mph (Aqueduct Road, Hitching Post, Woodfield Court, High Ridge Road, Rockwood Road, Baptist Church Road). Maura Zidens urged similar reductions on all residential streets.
  • Lake Asciola and Flooding: Multiple board members acknowledged the lake's flooding issues but cited ownership constraints (private lake bed association, state-owned culverts) that limit town intervention. Councilman Esposito and others noted ongoing efforts with property owners and state agencies to improve water flow.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved Resolution: Lowering speed limits to 25 mph on Aqueduct Road, Hitching Post, Woodfield Court, High Ridge Road, Rockwood Road, and Baptist Church Road (motion carried, all in favor).
  • Approved Resolutions (Consent Calendar): Authorized payment of unused time for retiring employee Margaret Grotia; authorized budget transfers for John C. Hart Memorial Library; released street opening and driveway permits (Willoughby Way); extended the bid for t-shirts and uniforms for one year (Empire Printing); authorized police officer attendance at a conference (July 14-16); authorized intermunicipal agreement with Westchester County for police academy instructor; authorized purchase of two used police vehicles from Park Ford ($50,000 total) and equipment installation ($27,020.72); set public hearing date for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher five-year plan (Thursday, August 8, 2024); appointed Anna Marie Mandara as probationary intermediate clerk; authorized advertisement for tree removal services bid; rescheduled August 6, 2024 town board meeting to August 8, 2024 due to National Night Out; set public hearing dates for July 16, 2024 for Toll Brothers rezoning application (118 age-restricted townhouses on Catherine Street) and for Town of Yorktown's stormwater management/wetland/tree permit for geotubes for dredging sediment dewatering.
  • All resolutions passed unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the town board meeting for June 18th, 2024. Can we all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance? And the first veteran I see, Brian, can you lead us in the uh Pledge of Allegiance, please? He wants to put away his glasses first. Under God, individual with liberty and justice for all. Okay, and if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence, please. As remember all of those who serve our country and serve our communities, our military are first responders, and uh we ask for God to keep them close. Thank you. Amen. Okay, uh introduction starting to my right. Good evening, Diana Quast, town clerk. Supervisor Ed Lackcherman. Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito. Councilwoman Luciana Howe. Councilman Patrick Murphy. Adam Rodriguez, town attorney. Dave Paganelli, highway superintendent. Okay. I'll go through uh the reports fairly quickly. Um June 8th, we had two dedications. We had uh Granite Knowles Park, uh which a lot of our people from Jefferson Village know all about, as you guys got that uh petition signed uh helping to move that forward with the help of our town clerk, uh Diana Quast. And then uh right after that we went down to East Main Street, and uh both the park and East Main Street were dedicated in memory of Tom Diana, uh both being special in his uh in his heart and uh holding a special Tom holding a special place also in the heart of Yorktown. Um we also today at uh Teetown uh T Town decided they wanted to plant an oak tree, a swamp oak in Tommy's honor. It's a tree that uh lasts somewhere in the area of 300 years. So it'll definitely be a permanent uh addition to to Tea Town, and uh it was a very nice uh quiet ceremony there today for that, and uh uh we really appreciate uh the people at T Town for thinking of Tom and getting that done as well. Uh there was uh Con Edison Municipal Inf Information Exchange uh this past week down in White Plains uh that I had gone to. They shared a lot of different information on uh things coming up with power, with gas, with uh solar. Uh they just had a large array. They're looking into some different things. Uh there's a lot of pushback from our municipal uh leaders on the solar bat of the uh the large-scale solar and the battery backup. So we need some some definite uh uh thought process put into it from the people in Con Ed and the people that are trying to bring this power to the grid. Uh but we are concerned about the safety. We enacted, for those of you that weren't here, we enacted a moratorium on it uh in our last meeting, and we will uh be further addressing that through some code review that I'll talk about a little later. Um place, uh little restaurant next door used to be Firsey's, celebrated one year on the 12th, which was very nice. They had some vendors there that were local businesses in the community. Wonderful young couple, the Yorktown residents that that live that own that and work there as well. Uh nice place to visit, and congratulations to them on passing one year. It's a very, very hard mark for a restaurant to hit nowadays, unfortunately. Uh on the 14th, I missed one of my favorite things, which is the elks went to JOC for their flag day celebration. Uh for those of you that do not know about the Elks, they are very, very steeped in the tradition of the flag of Americanism, and they have a terrific ceremony which celebrates the evolution of our flags uh from the don't tread on me flag all the way up to the current flag. Uh and they do a wonderful, wonderful celebration. And uh I thank them for sharing that with the people at JOC. I've done it with them at uh the well, the old field home. I think it's now Yorktown rehab. We've done it at the Country House and a few other places in conjunction with them, the Lions and the Sons of the American Legion. And they just do a top-notch uh presentation. So thank you for that. Uh we had relay for life later that night. They unfortunately got uh rained on a little bit, but uh uh the Thanksmark. Uh the um Club Fit over in Jefferson Valley was nice enough to open up their facility to put them in there in the gym, and they had the survivor dinner upstairs, so the rain didn't really affect uh anything other than the traffic and them having to move across town.

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