OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - August 8, 2024: Fluoride, Recycling, Zoning, and More

Town Board — Thursday, August 8, 2024
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateThursday, August 8, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:17:27

Transcript — Verbatim
0:13

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh August 8th, 2024 board meeting.

0:19

If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:24

I would like uh our Purple Heart recipient uh Brian Sillick to lead today in honor of yesterday being Purple Heart Day.

0:34

Ryan, can you hear me?

0:37

Lorraine, can you let Brian know to lead the pledge?

0:49

I didn't bring my hat.

0:51

Okay.

0:52

We we we recognize a Purple Heart with that.

0:55

I knew you do that.

0:56

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic.

1:09

It's for all.

1:10

And if you could all remain standing, please, as we do remember those who served in our military.

1:16

Uh you know, all gave some, some gave all.

1:20

Our Purple Heart veterans uh hold a special spot as all that have served our country, and we will also uh pray for our first responders and uh all of those who helped their community.

1:41

Amen.

1:42

Thank you.

1:42

Thank you seated crowded compared to that seat.

1:55

Uh we will start with uh introductions to my right.

1:59

Good evening, Diana Quasta, town clerk.

2:02

Supervisor Red Lachterman, Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito, Patrick Murphy, Town Council.

2:08

Susan Siegel, councilwoman.

2:11

Christine Kager, I'm filling in for Adam Rodriguez as a town attorney tonight.

2:16

Dave Paganelli, Yorktown Highway Superintendent.

2:19

And I'll also point out uh in the third row back, Ryan Lee, who's an intern with my office this year doing some governmental studies going into his senior year in Yorktown High School.

2:35

All right.

2:36

Um reports for the town.

2:40

I'll try to keep things fairly brief, just some things that we went that we had this past week.

2:46

Uh some things coming up.

2:48

Something really great uh on the uh 23rd.

2:51

Uh Assemblyman Slater came up and we recognized uh a New York historical business that's right here in Yorktown, which was reliable oil.

3:02

Uh so they were recognized, I believe it's over a hundred years in business at this point.

3:07

Started with ice and kerosene, and has they've moved their way up through uh through the years.

3:15

Uh really a great Yorktown story is the Mastro family uh is from Yorktown.

3:21

Uh all the kids born and raised.

3:23

Uh we've my family's been using them since 1972, uh, when my when my in-laws moved on to Summit Street and ran out of oil, and their oil company at the time said, Well, we we could be there sometime next week.

3:39

And uh they hung up the phone, reliable, uh was very reliable.

3:44

They called and said, Can you help us?

3:45

They were they were there within 20 minutes, uh, gave them their oil, and my father-in-law said, We will never use another company while you guys are in business.

3:55

And to this day, we have three houses in Yorktown that are all using my my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, and myself, and we will keep doing that.

4:05

Great to support a local business, and congratulations to the Mastros on that recognition.

4:10

Um I also uh attended the Yorktown Summer Swim Team A meet on the 25th.

4:19

And that was actually talk about bringing back memories.

4:22

Uh my daughter was on that team.

4:25

Uh it was it's been over 20 years since since she was, and I was uh at the pool for that.

4:32

Uh a special shout out to their diving coach, Beth Keir, who has been there since my daughter was there.

4:38

Uh, she's also our swim coach for uh Yorktown high school.

4:43

And I thank Jim for inviting me.

4:45

Jim actually swam on the Yorktown swim team with my daughter many, many years ago.

4:50

So uh it was great to see that.

4:53

Unfortunately, they had a third place finish this year in the championships, but uh the kids had a ton of fun, which is really what it's all about.

5:02

Um we had uh the retirement of Craig Scotola, one of our uh sergeants in the Yorktown Police Department.

5:10

Uh Craig has been very, very instrumental in the upgrade of our communication systems in the um in the police department.

5:19

I believe even Jay Copstein gives him a thumbs up on his knowledge.

5:23

Uh so that's you know, a very high high vote of confidence.

5:27

Uh we're gonna miss you, Craig.

5:28

Uh he's not going anywhere though.

5:30

He is local.

5:31

His dad's a member of the Yorktown Lions and uh a real good Yorktown family, and it's very nice uh to see Craig finish his career with Yorktown and and move on to some other things he wanted to do, and we wish you luck.

5:44

Uh we also uh on August 2nd uh not that it was in Yorktown, but uh Congressman Lawler uh had a uh press conference at the Westchester Medical Center, which I actually went to.

5:57

It was an introduction to a law that enables people going through in vitro fertilization to receive a tax credit.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health████████████12%
Zoning Regulations████████████12%
Waste Management███████████11%
Procedural██████████10%
Public Engagement████████8%
Water And Wastewater Management████████8%
Noise Ordinance███████7%
Public Hearings██████6%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - August 8, 2024

The Yorktown Town Board met on the evening of August 8, 2024, for a regular meeting that included reports from town officials, discussion of several major policy items, and public hearings. Key topics included the long-delayed fluoride fluoridation plant, a proposed zoning amendment to remove the recycling facility use, a new ATV law, a pet care facility ordinance, and a revised noise ordinance. The board also approved personnel changes, bid awards, and the Section 8 housing plan.

Consent Calendar

  • Personnel Appointments & Resignations: Appointed Thomas Murphy as police sergeant, Sarafina Bravo as senior account clerk, Ryan Hurd as motor equipment operator, and reappointed Jean Zapia to the library board. Accepted resignations from Christy Embler, Nancy Milanay (with tribute from planning director John Tagator), and Mary Ann Cronk (rescinded previous appointment).
  • Bid Awards: Awarded tree removal services to New England Property Maintenance ($ low bidder) and awarded highway garage addition construction (grant-funded $375,000 plus $375,000 from highway fund balance). Awarded residential refuse and recycling collection bid to Triple A Carting for initial two-year term with three one-year renewal options (board member Susan Siegel abstained, not having been part of bid discussions).
  • Other Resolutions: Approved payment for unused time for separation, authorized erosion control bond releases, approved sole source purchase for water pollution control plant parts, authorized agreement with East of Hudson Watershed Corporation for stormwater retrofit plan, and approved duplicate tax refunds.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Fluoride: Many residents spoke for and against fluoridation. Supporters cited decades of scientific consensus and public health benefits (e.g., Mel Tanzman, Susan Siegel, Dr. Tegmeyer's letter). Opponents raised concerns about fluoride as a neurotoxin, lack of individual choice, and potential health risks (e.g., Maureen Stark, Claudia Laraya, Lonnie). Several speakers requested a new public hearing and more transparency.
  • Recycling Facility (Triple A): Multiple residents (Charles O'Neill, Howard Gould, Jay Copstein, others) expressed concerns about traffic, noise, safety, and the scale of the proposed recycling center on Route 6, noting 432 trucks per day estimates and potential impacts on neighborhoods.
  • Garbage Collection: Carla Geldman and others criticized the town's practice of having residents call the contractor for complaints, urging the town to oversee contracts directly.
  • ADA Ramp: Mel Tanzman raised the non-compliance of the ramp into the meeting room, asking for remediation and accountability.
  • Welcome to New Councilwoman: Several speakers welcomed Susan Siegel to the board.
  • Other: Comments on traffic, cell tower, overlay districts, solar panels, and the town's response to public input.

Discussion Items

  • Fluoride Fluoridation Plant: Supervisor Lachterman and board members discussed the history of the plant, $940,000 in grants, contractual obligations, and current readiness. The board heard from councilwoman Susan Siegel (strongly supportive) and councilman Sergio Esposito (mixed, citing pending court case). Supervisor Lachterman stated he would honor the town's legal and contractual obligations and turn on the plant once the final equipment is tested, despite opposition. The decision was not put to a vote but was announced as an administrative decision.
  • Recycling Facility Zoning Amendment: The board discussed a proposed local law to delete the permitted use of recycling centers in light industrial zones (Section 94 C 10). Supervisor Lachterman and councilman Sergio Esposito expressed concern over the scale of proposed operations (up to 800 tons/day). The board voted unanimously to refer the amendment to planning boards and set a public hearing for September 17, 2024.
  • Pet Care Facility Zoning: The board held a public hearing on a proposed local law to allow pet daycare by special permit in C3, C4, and OB districts, with limited overnight boarding on detached, five-acre properties. Councilwoman Susan Siegel raised questions about definitions, noise, and waste disposal. After public comment (none against), the board voted unanimously to adopt the law.
  • Noise Ordinance: The board opened a public hearing on the revised noise ordinance. Diane Glass (resident) testified about six weeks of rock hammering from a nearby construction site, requesting restrictions on weekends and holidays for high-decibel work. Councilwoman Susan Siegel suggested clarifying decibel thresholds and formatting. The board decided to adjourn the hearing and bring back a revised version for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Fluoride Plant: Supervisor Lachterman announced he will direct the plant to be turned on as soon as final monitoring equipment is installed and tested, citing contractual obligations and town law. No board vote was taken.
  • Recycling Zoning: Unanimously voted to refer the zoning amendment to advisory boards and set a public hearing for September 17, 2024.
  • ATV Law: Unanimously adopted the local law prohibiting ATVs and dirt bikes on town roads and property.
  • Pet Care Facility: Unanimously adopted the local law allowing pet daycare with special permit.
  • Noise Ordinance: Public hearing adjourned; further revisions to be prepared.
  • Section 8 Housing Plan: Unanimously adopted the five-year plan and annual certifications for the Housing Choice Voucher program.
  • Garbage Contract: Awarded to Triple A Carting (lowest responsible bidder) for two-year initial term with three one-year renewal options; councilwoman Susan Siegel abstained.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh August 8th, 2024 board meeting. If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I would like uh our Purple Heart recipient uh Brian Sillick to lead today in honor of yesterday being Purple Heart Day. Ryan, can you hear me? Lorraine, can you let Brian know to lead the pledge? I didn't bring my hat. Okay. We we we recognize a Purple Heart with that. I knew you do that. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America to the Republic. It's for all. And if you could all remain standing, please, as we do remember those who served in our military. Uh you know, all gave some, some gave all. Our Purple Heart veterans uh hold a special spot as all that have served our country, and we will also uh pray for our first responders and uh all of those who helped their community. Amen. Thank you. Thank you seated crowded compared to that seat. Uh we will start with uh introductions to my right. Good evening, Diana Quasta, town clerk. Supervisor Red Lachterman, Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito, Patrick Murphy, Town Council. Susan Siegel, councilwoman. Christine Kager, I'm filling in for Adam Rodriguez as a town attorney tonight. Dave Paganelli, Yorktown Highway Superintendent. And I'll also point out uh in the third row back, Ryan Lee, who's an intern with my office this year doing some governmental studies going into his senior year in Yorktown High School. All right. Um reports for the town. I'll try to keep things fairly brief, just some things that we went that we had this past week. Uh some things coming up. Something really great uh on the uh 23rd. Uh Assemblyman Slater came up and we recognized uh a New York historical business that's right here in Yorktown, which was reliable oil. Uh so they were recognized, I believe it's over a hundred years in business at this point. Started with ice and kerosene, and has they've moved their way up through uh through the years. Uh really a great Yorktown story is the Mastro family uh is from Yorktown. Uh all the kids born and raised. Uh we've my family's been using them since 1972, uh, when my when my in-laws moved on to Summit Street and ran out of oil, and their oil company at the time said, Well, we we could be there sometime next week. And uh they hung up the phone, reliable, uh was very reliable. They called and said, Can you help us? They were they were there within 20 minutes, uh, gave them their oil, and my father-in-law said, We will never use another company while you guys are in business. And to this day, we have three houses in Yorktown that are all using my my mother-in-law, my brother-in-law, and myself, and we will keep doing that. Great to support a local business, and congratulations to the Mastros on that recognition. Um I also uh attended the Yorktown Summer Swim Team A meet on the 25th. And that was actually talk about bringing back memories. Uh my daughter was on that team. Uh it was it's been over 20 years since since she was, and I was uh at the pool for that. Uh a special shout out to their diving coach, Beth Keir, who has been there since my daughter was there. Uh, she's also our swim coach for uh Yorktown high school. And I thank Jim for inviting me. Jim actually swam on the Yorktown swim team with my daughter many, many years ago. So uh it was great to see that. Unfortunately, they had a third place finish this year in the championships, but uh the kids had a ton of fun, which is really what it's all about.

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