OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - October 15, 2024

Town Board — Tuesday, October 15, 2024
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateTuesday, October 15, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:47:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of October 15th, 2024.

0:17

If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:32

And to the Republic for which it stands.

0:35

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

0:41

And if we could remain standing for a moment of silence as we uh pray for the return of the hostages from Gaza, we pray for peace in the Middle East as we're in such uh turmoil in our world today, and we uh pray for all of those defending our freedoms and our rights.

1:06

Thank you.

1:07

Please be seated.

1:13

Start with introductions to my right.

1:15

Good evening, Diana Quas, Town Clerk.

1:18

Luciana Howitt, Councilwoman.

1:20

Supervisor Red Lacterman, Deputy Supervisor Serge US Basito.

1:25

Councilman Patrick Murphy.

1:27

Councilwoman Susan Siegel.

1:29

David Jen, Acting Town Attorney.

1:32

Dave Paganelli, Highway Superintendent.

1:35

Okay.

1:36

For reports for the town.

1:37

Uh, first, I'd like to thank everyone uh who attended our October 7th Memorial out front.

1:43

Uh we were very well represented by our local clergy.

1:46

Uh we had a nice showing from town residents, and uh thank you for coming to share and uh support and pray.

1:56

Um we also uh this this past weekend we had our Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at the Jefferson Valley Mall.

2:03

Very well attended, uh really really good uh festival and car show.

2:09

So uh congratulations to the chamber on a fantastic event.

2:14

Uh and today I uh was at a uh press conference meeting over in Rockland County.

2:21

Uh we have had uh one point two million uh 1.25 million dollars secured uh so far through from the federal government for part of the uh Hallex Mills Sewer Project.

2:33

I think that brings us up to a total of about uh 1.325 million.

2:39

Uh and we will keep pushing on that so we could get phase one working when we can.

2:45

Uh we have a bunch of upcoming events um on uh the 16th, which is tomorrow at the uh in front of the police station.

2:55

We will have our textile tire, e-waste and paint drop off uh from 7.30 a.m.

3:03

to 2.30 p.m.

3:04

So you could hit it on your way out of work.

3:06

Uh we will always have the paint now when we're doing the other uh waste drop-offs.

3:12

Uh we will have our veterans advisory committee meeting tomorrow night at the Albert A.

3:16

Capolini Community and Cultural Center in room 104 at 7 p.m.

3:22

Uh on Friday, we will have the mobile shredder, and that will be from 10 a.m.

3:28

to 1 p.m.

3:29

And there's a change of location this time.

3:31

We were doing it at the Shrub Oak Park.

3:34

Now it will be done at the JV Mall.

3:36

This will give better access.

3:38

The last time it was uh so well attended that it created uh traffic hazard throughout that whole area, and uh we've reworked it to make that a much safer uh and easier experience.

3:50

But please expect lines.

3:52

Uh if you have your stuff in the back of your car, remove all clips and binders.

3:57

Uh no solid books can go through it, but they'll uh you pop your trunk, they'll take it out, dump it, give you back your boxes, and we'll be able to uh get everyone processed pretty quickly through that.

4:10

Um later on that day at 1 p.m.

4:13

right here at town hall is a senior advisory meeting.

4:16

Um a couple of activities in the evening.

4:19

We have the nightmare on Bank Street.

4:21

Uh that's at Club Fit starting at 6 p.m.

4:24

That is a paid event.

4:25

They are selling tickets online, uh, but you could find it through our town calendar and see their uh see their flyer and the website to uh sign up for that.

4:35

Uh we'll have two showings of Annie Kids at the Yorktown stage, both 7:30 p.m.

4:41

Friday and at noon on Saturday.

4:45

Uh if you uh want to do something before the Saturday matinee, the Yorktown High School Music Booster's annual tag sale will be happening uh from 9 a.m.

4:55

to 2 p.m.

4:55

at the high school.

4:57

Uh they usually have a lot of great kid things.

5:00

I know we brought my goddaughter there once.

5:01

She picked up a whole bunch of books.

5:02

Uh fantastic uh little uh booster that they do there.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health█████████████████████████████████████████41%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Libraries████████8%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Water And Wastewater Management█████5%
Historic Preservation████4%
Traffic Safety███3%
Environmental Protection██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - October 15, 2024

The Town Board of Yorktown held a public meeting on October 15, 2024, to address a range of administrative and policy matters. The meeting included updates from the Supervisor, a presentation from the John C. Hart Memorial Library, public comments, and a lengthy public hearing on proposed amendments to the town's water fluoridation law. Key decisions included the adoption of traffic safety measures and the deferral of a resolution regarding consulting services for the Field Home adaptive reuse project.

Supervisor's Report

  • Supervisor Lacterman reported on community events, including the October 7th Memorial and the Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival, and announced $1.25 million in federal funding secured for the Hallex Mills Sewer Project, bringing the total to approximately $1.325 million.
  • Upcoming events were listed: textile/ewaste/paint drop-off (October 16), Veterans Advisory Committee meeting (October 16), mobile shredder at JV Mall (October 18), Senior Advisory meeting (October 18), and Halloween events.
  • Supervisor Lacterman noted that an extra work session is scheduled for October 22 at 6:30 p.m.

Presentations

  • Yvonne Czech, Director of the John C. Hart Memorial Library, presented an annual update on library services. She reviewed building upgrades (elevator, roof repair, LED lighting, renovated community room, new study cubicles funded by ARPA), program highlights (1,054 programs in the past year, including teen tech help, college prep, senior services, summer reading program with 1,013 student sign-ups), and future plans (digital experience expansion, teen area, carpet/shelving updates funded by a state construction grant). The library has ranked in the top five of Westchester County for circulation.
  • The Town's Poet Laureate, John F. McMullen, had his poem "The Greatest Generation" read in his absence by a stand-in.

Courtesy of the Floor and Public Comments

  • Multiple residents spoke on various topics. Mark Lieberman praised Councilman Esposito's remarks on immigrants and noted safety concerns at a construction site on Hill Boulevard.
  • Howard Gould expressed support for the proposed apartments at 800 Main Street but noted the high rental prices.
  • Sarah Wilson inquired about the status of the Field Home RFP process and thanked Highway Superintendent Paganelli for new signs on London Road.
  • Dan Strauss commented on traffic issues, criticizing the effectiveness of stop signs and the frequency of board meetings; he also discussed the traffic study for 800 East Main Street.
  • Brian Seites raised concerns about contamination in the organic yard waste facility (plastics, etc.) and traffic safety on Amazon Road (speed humps and blind curves).
  • Joanne Sillick criticized the Supervisor and Councilwoman Howitt over alleged conflicts of interest related to the Navajo Project, citing an ethics board opinion.
  • Giovanni Mistracchio thanked the board for repaving Pinesbridge Road, noted a communication merit badge requirement for Scouts, and welcomed new Scouts to Troop 38 Shrub Oak.

Discussion Items and Public Hearings

  • Traffic Amendments: The board held a public hearing on a local law to amend Chapter 275 (Vehicles and Traffic) regarding a restricted left turn at the Downing Fields upper commuter lot (Route 202). Public comments supported the measure, and the hearing was closed; the law was adopted unanimously.
  • Seasonal No Parking: A public hearing was held to consider seasonal no-parking on Cooper Street, Haymaker Drive, and Veterans Road for snow removal. After discussion, the board split the proposal: Cooper Street and Haymaker Drive were approved, but Veterans Road was tabled for further study on emergency vehicle access. The hearing was then closed.
  • Stop Signs: A public hearing was held to add full stops at several intersections: Springhurst Street/South Deerfield, Strawberry Road/Foothill Street, Mountain Road/Perry Street, Spruce Street/Judy Road, Ellen Lane/Sherry Drive, and East Main Street (southeast corner). Residents expressed mixed views; the hearing was closed and the law was adopted unanimously.
  • Water Fluoridation Amendment: The board conducted a lengthy public hearing on a proposed local law to amend Chapter 280, replacing the requirement for fluoridation with a board resolution. Over 20 residents spoke for and against. The hearing was closed after more than three hours, with written comments accepted until October 22. The board will vote on the amendment at the next meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted: Restricted left turn at Downing Fields lot (no left turn onto Route 202).
  • Adopted: Seasonal no-parking on Cooper Street (both sides for 200 feet from East Main Street) and Haymaker Drive (north side from Ridge Street to end).
  • Adopted: Stop signs at Springhurst Street/South Deerfield, Strawberry Road/Foothill Street, Mountain Road/Perry Street, Spruce Street/Judy Road, Ellen Lane/Sherry Drive, and East Main Street (southeast corner).
  • Tabled: Seasonal no-parking on Veterans Road (north side from Maple Hill Street to Greenwood Street) pending further review.
  • Deferred: Resolution authorizing an agreement with Gregory Dietrich Preservation Consulting to assist with the Field Home adaptive reuse process. The item was postponed to the next meeting (October 22) after Councilwoman Siegel requested time to review the proposed agreement.
  • Approved: Budget transfers and other administrative resolutions, including the French Hill water tank rehabilitation bid awarded to Pittsburgh Tank and Tower ($556,250).
  • Next Steps: Public hearing on water fluoridation remains open for written comment until October 22; board vote scheduled for October 22 work session.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of October 15th, 2024. If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. And to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all. And if we could remain standing for a moment of silence as we uh pray for the return of the hostages from Gaza, we pray for peace in the Middle East as we're in such uh turmoil in our world today, and we uh pray for all of those defending our freedoms and our rights. Thank you. Please be seated. Start with introductions to my right. Good evening, Diana Quas, Town Clerk. Luciana Howitt, Councilwoman. Supervisor Red Lacterman, Deputy Supervisor Serge US Basito. Councilman Patrick Murphy. Councilwoman Susan Siegel. David Jen, Acting Town Attorney. Dave Paganelli, Highway Superintendent. Okay. For reports for the town. Uh, first, I'd like to thank everyone uh who attended our October 7th Memorial out front. Uh we were very well represented by our local clergy. Uh we had a nice showing from town residents, and uh thank you for coming to share and uh support and pray. Um we also uh this this past weekend we had our Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival at the Jefferson Valley Mall. Very well attended, uh really really good uh festival and car show. So uh congratulations to the chamber on a fantastic event. Uh and today I uh was at a uh press conference meeting over in Rockland County. Uh we have had uh one point two million uh 1.25 million dollars secured uh so far through from the federal government for part of the uh Hallex Mills Sewer Project. I think that brings us up to a total of about uh 1.325 million. Uh and we will keep pushing on that so we could get phase one working when we can. Uh we have a bunch of upcoming events um on uh the 16th, which is tomorrow at the uh in front of the police station. We will have our textile tire, e-waste and paint drop off uh from 7.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. So you could hit it on your way out of work. Uh we will always have the paint now when we're doing the other uh waste drop-offs. Uh we will have our veterans advisory committee meeting tomorrow night at the Albert A. Capolini Community and Cultural Center in room 104 at 7 p.m. Uh on Friday, we will have the mobile shredder, and that will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. And there's a change of location this time. We were doing it at the Shrub Oak Park. Now it will be done at the JV Mall. This will give better access. The last time it was uh so well attended that it created uh traffic hazard throughout that whole area, and uh we've reworked it to make that a much safer uh and easier experience. But please expect lines. Uh if you have your stuff in the back of your car, remove all clips and binders. Uh no solid books can go through it, but they'll uh you pop your trunk, they'll take it out, dump it, give you back your boxes, and we'll be able to uh get everyone processed pretty quickly through that. Um later on that day at 1 p.m. right here at town hall is a senior advisory meeting. Um a couple of activities in the evening. We have the nightmare on Bank Street. Uh that's at Club Fit starting at 6 p.m. That is a paid event.

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