OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - April 1, 2025

Town Board — Tuesday, April 1, 2025
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateTuesday, April 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:05:27

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of April 1st, 2025.

0:14

If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:20

We have uh three of our Mohegan fire commissioners here.

0:22

If you guys could lead us off the flags of America, under God, individual liberty and justice for all.

0:37

And if we could remain standing for a moment of silence.

0:41

Uh, and I'd like to like you all to keep in your hearts uh Anthony Fama, who passed away last week.

0:47

Uh Anthony was a veteran, his uh wife Maria, very involved uh with our seniors, uh both here and with the church.

0:56

Uh and then we will also say a prayer for all of our first responders and military out there defending our freedoms.

1:08

Amen.

1:09

Thank you.

1:17

All right, we'll start with introductions to my right.

1:20

Good evening, Diana Quast, Town Clerk.

1:22

Good evening, Johnna Howitt, Councilwoman.

1:25

Supervisor Red Lachterman.

1:26

Sergio Esposito, Deputy Supervisor.

1:29

Good evening, Patrick Murphy, Councilman.

1:31

Good evening, Susan Siegel, Councilwoman.

1:34

Uh good evening, Adam Rodriguez, town attorney.

1:37

Do you want to introduce I was gonna wait for you and then?

1:40

Oh thank you.

1:41

You can't I forgot her name already.

1:45

Alzheimer's is the son of a gun, but you're always meeting new people on a positive note.

1:50

Dave Paganelli Highway Superintendent.

1:53

It was a bad joke.

1:54

Um the highway superintendent's right is uh Katie Krahulick, uh, an associate from our firm who just joined us.

2:00

She's gonna be observing and uh meeting all you want people this evening.

2:04

Very good.

2:06

Uh so for reports for the town.

2:09

Uh uh first I want to thank uh the gentleman sitting to my left, Sergio Esposito.

2:15

Uh on Saturday, I was down county and uh received a call about some down wires over 202.

2:22

Uh we were having some trouble getting the uh well the utilities were here.

2:27

We were having trouble getting the uh cable companies here, the communication companies.

2:32

Uh Sergio uh was on top of it keeping me posted.

2:38

Uh what took a really long time, uh would actually was actually short compared to what they were telling us to begin with.

2:46

Uh I think finally, what time did they get there?

2:48

About 7 30, 8 o'clock.

2:50

Uh it was the yeah, they got there about 6 30, say about 7 o'clock, yeah, something like that.

2:54

And uh Sergio was able to keep on that, and uh I thank you for making my day a little easier and dealing with all of that.

3:02

Um we had a lot of stuff going on.

3:04

I'll talk about one of the openings I went to or give Sergio the other.

3:07

Uh uh Fit Pilates and Wellness, right across from Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church.

3:11

Wonderful place.

3:12

Uh really, really nice job they did there, and uh we wish them a lot of success.

3:18

Um Friday uh I got to spend uh the morning over at the library uh for uh Tommy's retirement.

3:26

Um Tom worked 30 years with the library, well, with the town, uh I think the last 13 with the library.

3:36

Uh and it was uh uh it was a wonderful, wonderful send-off.

3:40

Uh Tom Galelo, good luck.

3:41

I know we'll see you.

3:42

I didn't know we'd uh if we'd see him tonight.

3:44

I have his proclamation, so we'll get him in next week, hopefully.

3:48

Um I also after that went over and there was a very important press conference, uh, and I want to mention it because uh a law is being introduced.

3:58

Uh Matt Slater is bringing it in, and I it has a lot of uh a lot of uh bipartisan support.

4:06

Basically, it was for victims of domestic violence.

4:10

If they live in any type of housing situation where it's like a lottery system, New York State right now allows them to break their lease with no penalty, but it makes them go to the bottom of the lottery, or or have to reapply again.

4:29

And what happens with this is people are forced to stay in a place that could be very traumatic and could have been the scene of something very traumatic as well, uh, as was in the case with this family that that he uh was there with him.

4:44

So if you see that coming along, make sure you voice your support to uh Matt, to Pete Harcombe, to Dana Levenberg, and anyone you may know in Albany to try to get that passed because I think this is a uh a very important uh aspect.

5:01

Um we had our Vietnam Veterans Day celebration on Saturday, but Wednesday the uh the um veterans of foreign war of the FW Post had a send-off for them.

5:16

Uh some a busload of Vietnam veterans went up to Albany uh where they were uh they were treated to lunch by Senator Harcom.

5:24

They went to uh they went to the chambers, there was a proclamation read, and they were recognized in the way they have to.

5:31

Do we have any Vietnam veterans in the room today?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management█████████████████████21%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Community Engagement██████6%
Environmental Protection██████6%
Public Engagement████4%
Capital Planning████4%
Taxation████4%
Solar Power Generation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - April 1, 2025

The Yorktown Town Board met on April 1, 2025, at 12:45 PM (local time) for a regular meeting. The agenda included reports from town officials, presentations on community events, a detailed discussion on sewer rate consolidation, public comments on various topics, and approval of numerous resolutions and appointments.

Consent Calendar

  • Accepted resignation from Ryan Heard in the refuse and recycling department, effective March 28, 2025.
  • Appointed Jason Vitetta as librarian I at the John C. Hart Memorial Library.
  • Appointed Kevin Kessner as senior automotive mechanic in the refuse and recycling department.
  • Appointed Kathleen Macy to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
  • Approved highway department resolutions including an agreement for soil removal and remedial services, budget transfers for traffic control and park improvements, and approval for police and Mohegan Lake Improvement District attendance at conferences.
  • Authorized letter of support for state bills regarding nutrient inactivation for water quality.
  • Deemed obsolete police equipment for auction.
  • Approved extension of the chief of police employment agreement through December 31, 2026.
  • Set public hearings on April 15, 2025, for snow/ice removal amendments, traffic stop addition, stormwater management permits, and on May 6, 2025, for accessory dwelling units, battery energy storage systems, and tree permits.
  • Authorized bid for library audiovisual equipment.
  • Approved amendment for engineering services for waterline cleaning.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Larry Killian: Argued that the 485B tax incentive has not brought new jobs or tax revenue, citing examples like BJ's and Uncle Giuseppe's. He urged a comprehensive review of the program.
  • J. Copstein: Opposed grandfathering for two solar developers under the new solar law, stating it would be an unnecessary gift. Also criticized political comments made by a candidate at a previous meeting.
  • Sarah Wilson: Reported federal funding cuts to food assistance programs, affecting local food banks. Encouraged donations and support for the Garden of Hope at Willow Park.
  • Dan Strauss: Questioned the difference between an ADU and an addition, asked about the status of a $1 million grant for paving Downing Drive, and reiterated opposition to large-scale solar in residential zones. Also raised concerns about illegal parking in fire zones.
  • Howard Gould: Emphasized freedom of speech and community involvement, appreciating the board's outreach.
  • Randy Pratt: Opposed grandfathering solar projects, stating developers signed agreements to abide by new laws. Also highlighted fire zone parking violations.
  • Jan Merchandani: Supported no grandfathering, noted WIC/SNAP use at farmers markets, and thanked the town for Vietnam Veterans Recognition.

Discussion Items

  • Sewer Rate Consolidation: Dan, the town's engineer, presented a plan to consolidate the 13 existing sewer districts into two (PeekSkill O&M and Yorktown Sewer District). The goal is equitable operation and maintenance cost allocation. Current patchwork includes varying rates ($1.20/thousand gallons for Halleck's Mill, $1.50 for others) and inequities. The estimated PeekSkill O&M levy is $750,000 annually for 2026. Options discussed include a mix of property tax and water usage fees. The board must adopt a resolution by May 1, 2025, for the 2026 tax roll.
  • Solar Law Moratorium: The moratorium expired March 31, 2025. The board discussed extending it for a short period while finalizing new legislation. Councilwoman Susan Siegel and several public speakers opposed grandfathering existing applicants, who had signed waivers agreeing to new rules.
  • Battery Storage Public Hearing: Scheduled for May 6, 2025. A state webinar on fire safety is set for May 7, 2025.
  • Halleck's Mill Sewer Issues: Update on pump stations and grant applications. Estimated cost $20.3 million, with $10 million from EFC and $1.2 million from federal appropriations. The board explored gravity-fed options for Sparkle Lake to reduce costs.
  • 485B Tax Incentive: Councilwoman Siegel corrected a prior statement: property owners can have both a tax cert and 485B incentive. Supervisor Lachterman defended the program as a tax incentive that brings jobs and new tax revenue.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved the Girl Scouts' request to place scarecrows on light poles in Shrub Oak from October 19 to November 2, 2025.
  • Recognized April as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month with a proclamation presented to Brian.
  • Appointed Kathleen Macy to the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee.
  • Directed staff to pursue sewer rate consolidation, with further discussions at the April 8 work session.
  • Extended the chief of police contract through 2026.
  • Set multiple public hearings for April 15 and May 6, 2025.
  • The board will continue work on the new solar law, including a possible short moratorium extension.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the uh town board meeting of April 1st, 2025. If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. We have uh three of our Mohegan fire commissioners here. If you guys could lead us off the flags of America, under God, individual liberty and justice for all. And if we could remain standing for a moment of silence. Uh, and I'd like to like you all to keep in your hearts uh Anthony Fama, who passed away last week. Uh Anthony was a veteran, his uh wife Maria, very involved uh with our seniors, uh both here and with the church. Uh and then we will also say a prayer for all of our first responders and military out there defending our freedoms. Amen. Thank you. All right, we'll start with introductions to my right. Good evening, Diana Quast, Town Clerk. Good evening, Johnna Howitt, Councilwoman. Supervisor Red Lachterman. Sergio Esposito, Deputy Supervisor. Good evening, Patrick Murphy, Councilman. Good evening, Susan Siegel, Councilwoman. Uh good evening, Adam Rodriguez, town attorney. Do you want to introduce I was gonna wait for you and then? Oh thank you. You can't I forgot her name already. Alzheimer's is the son of a gun, but you're always meeting new people on a positive note. Dave Paganelli Highway Superintendent. It was a bad joke. Um the highway superintendent's right is uh Katie Krahulick, uh, an associate from our firm who just joined us. She's gonna be observing and uh meeting all you want people this evening. Very good. Uh so for reports for the town. Uh uh first I want to thank uh the gentleman sitting to my left, Sergio Esposito. Uh on Saturday, I was down county and uh received a call about some down wires over 202. Uh we were having some trouble getting the uh well the utilities were here. We were having trouble getting the uh cable companies here, the communication companies. Uh Sergio uh was on top of it keeping me posted. Uh what took a really long time, uh would actually was actually short compared to what they were telling us to begin with. Uh I think finally, what time did they get there? About 7 30, 8 o'clock. Uh it was the yeah, they got there about 6 30, say about 7 o'clock, yeah, something like that. And uh Sergio was able to keep on that, and uh I thank you for making my day a little easier and dealing with all of that. Um we had a lot of stuff going on. I'll talk about one of the openings I went to or give Sergio the other. Uh uh Fit Pilates and Wellness, right across from Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church. Wonderful place. Uh really, really nice job they did there, and uh we wish them a lot of success. Um Friday uh I got to spend uh the morning over at the library uh for uh Tommy's retirement. Um Tom worked 30 years with the library, well, with the town, uh I think the last 13 with the library. Uh and it was uh uh it was a wonderful, wonderful send-off. Uh Tom Galelo, good luck. I know we'll see you. I didn't know we'd uh if we'd see him tonight. I have his proclamation, so we'll get him in next week, hopefully.

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