Yorktown Town Board Meeting - September 17, 2024

This meeting of the Yorktown Town Board covered supervisor's reports, public comments, public hearings on a noise ordinance amendment and a proposed zoning change for recycling facilities, and approval of several resolutions. The board heard strong opposition to a recycling center and debated whether to include construction noise in the new ordinance. The noise ordinance was passed, while the recycling hearing was continued for further review.

Reports & Announcements

• Supervisor Ed Lachterman reported on recent events: Grange Fair (despite rain), 9/11 remembrance ceremonies, Westchester Missile Officers Association dinner, a successful "Shed the Meds" event (first hour emptied bin twice, one person dropped off over 10 years of medication), and the two-year anniversary of highway worker Jake Accara's death (pushing for state law on work zone speeding cameras). He reminded residents to dispose of unused medications at the police station 24/7.
• Upcoming events: Feast of San Gennaro (Sept 18-22), library ribbon cutting for study cubes (Sept 20 at 11:30 a.m.), senior resource fair (Sept 24), voter registration days (Sept 28 and Oct 10), and an October 7th Memorial on Sept 30 (6:30-8:30 p.m. at Yorktown Community and Culture Center).
• Councilwoman Luciana Howie shared a personal story about unused prescription pills and urged safe disposal and locking up medications.
• Councilman Patrick Murphy highlighted improvements at the library (study cubes, community room) and the Garden Club of Yorktown’s project at Patriot Park (planting 500 shrubs, volunteer opportunities).
• Councilwoman Susan Siegel noted the 50th anniversary of New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), explained how to submit requests, and reminded residents to sign up for town email alerts. She also informed residents on Glen Rock Street that the water shut-off on Thursday for water main work was moved from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mark Lieberman expressed concern that new curbs on Glen Rock Street narrowed the road; he asked the highway department to measure and review.
• Howard Gould opposed the proposed recycling center, citing traffic, loss of trees, density, and community opposition. He commended the board for careful study.
• Larry Killian critiqued the Toll Brothers traffic study (data from 2022, omitted key intersections like Old Crompond and Pine Grove, peak analysis error using 5-6 p.m. instead of school dismissal time) and an electricity estimate that appeared to be for a single house instead of 118 units. He asked for a new study.
• Mary Jane Killian urged sustainable development requiring solar panels, heat pumps, and EV charging in new projects.
• Diane Glass requested postponement of the noise ordinance public hearing because she received the agenda at 5:32 p.m. and had no documentation. She also asked about a separate construction noise law.
• John Lovecchio opposed the recycling center, calling it inappropriate for a residential neighborhood, and questioned the 2012 zoning change that allowed it.
• Sarah Wilson updated on the Garden Club’s Patriot Park project (500 shrubs) and asked about the purchase of 47 mobile radios for the Highway Department, questioning whether old police radios could be reused.
• Charles O'Neill (Jefferson Village president) asked all opponents to stand; nearly all attendees stood. Ann O'Neill detailed health concerns from air pollution, traffic, and emergency response delays; she cited 1,000 units with average age 75. Dwayne Simmons asked if the board has the power to say no definitively. Joanne Silick presented petitions and noted that 1,513 people signed against the facility. Brian Silic argued the road infrastructure cannot support all current projects. John Cennabino noted a stream on the property flowing into Osceola Lake and eventually the Croton Reservoir. Attorney Dennis Lynch for the applicant stated that a zoning change would violate property rights and promised litigation. Pat Carlmy, the applicant, emphasized that the site is Planned Light Industrial and other uses (manufacturing, warehousing) would generate similar traffic; he offered to discuss compromises.
• Several other residents (Kim Crossey, Scott Morrow, John Novakio, Michael Kiernan, Steve Rivel, Howard Walter, etc.) spoke against the recycling center, citing traffic, health, environmental, and quality-of-life impacts.

Discussion Items

• Noise Ordinance (Peace and Good Order): The board debated whether to include construction noise in the current law or create separate ordinances for rock hammering, blasting, etc. Supervisor Lachterman and Councilwoman Howie favored separate laws to avoid ambiguity. Councilwoman Siegel argued construction noise should be covered. The board agreed to pass the current ordinance immediately and develop separate construction noise laws by December.
• Recycling Facility Zoning Amendment: The board held a public hearing on a proposed local law to remove recycling facilities as a permitted use in Planned Light Industrial districts. Extensive testimony was heard. Supervisor Lachterman clarified that the hearing focused on the zoning change, not the specific project. The board noted a traffic consultant's memo (Transpo Group) indicating that the proposed use (600 tons/day construction debris, 200 tons/day recycling) was far larger than what was contemplated when the use was added in 2012. The hearing was adjourned; the board will consider additional information and vote in the coming weeks.
• FBI Safe Streets Task Force MOU: Councilwoman Siegel questioned the part-time commitment of Detective Hannigan, potential overtime costs, and impact on staffing. Supervisor Lachterman said he would discuss with the police chief but supported the task force. The resolution was approved.

Resolutions Approved (all unanimously)

• Authorized supervisor to sign MOU with FBI for body-worn camera addendum for Westchester Safe Streets Task Force.
• Authorized purchase of 47 mobile radios and 2 base stations for Highway Department ($61,205.12) under Westchester County contract.
• Authorized agreements for structural repairs at archival records center (Jimmy Steele) and engineering services (Site Design Consultants) for drainage and steel column repairs.
• Authorized budget transfers for the above repairs ($ from general fund balance), for hosting Westchester Municipal Officers Association meeting (from contingency), and for water department equipment repairs.
• Authorized town clerk to advertise public hearings for: solar energy systems zoning amendment, battery energy storage moratorium, and extension of smokeshop moratorium.
• Approved the noise ordinance amendment (Peace and Good Order) as presented.

Key Outcomes

• The noise ordinance (Peace and Good Order) was passed.
• The public hearing on the recycling facility zoning amendment was continued; the board will announce a decision after reviewing additional data.
• All resolutions listed above were adopted.
• The board committed to drafting separate construction noise laws (including rock hammering and blasting) by December 2024.
• The supervisor will follow up on Glen Rock Street road width concern and discuss the task force MOU details with the police chief.