Yorktown Town Board Work Session - May 13, 2025

The Yorktown Town Board held a work session on May 13, 2025, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence for Police Week and in remembrance of a recent hate speech incident at the skate park, and a proclamation declaring May 11–17, 2025, as National Police Week. The board then discussed and acted on multiple items, including a town website redesign, a major development project at 800 East Main Street, a stormwater permit for a single-family home, and an update on the Hallocks Mill sewer project. Several personnel and budget resolutions were also approved.

Consent Calendar

• Appointed Matthew Racine to Motor Equipment Operator in Refuse and Recycling.
• Appointed Rita Mancuso to Real Property Appraiser in the Assessor’s Office.
• Promoted Colin Russell to Librarian at the John C. Hart Memorial Library.
• Authorized payment of $490.45 to Justin Garanga for unused time upon termination.
• Approved a budget transfer for Central Garage to replace a waste oil heater ($35,400).
• Approved a budget transfer for outdoor digital signs at the Cappellini Community Center and the John C. Hart Memorial Library ($10,356).
• Approved a budget transfer for Police Department vehicles.
• Established standard work days for Nutrition Department positions (6-hour days for Office Assistant and Intermediate Clerk).
• Authorized release of retainage ($32,938) to Contact Construction Technology Inc. for the Courthouse Plaza project.
• Approved a stormwater management permit (T SWPP 043-24) for Luella Road.
• Authorized release of an erosion control bond ($500) to Rainbow Pools.
• Authorized the Town Clerk to advertise an RFP for select cast stone and brick repairs at the Albert A. Cappellini Community Cultural Center.
• Authorized Peter A. Camillone Sons Construction to oversee remediation of petroleum‑impacted groundwater at the Highway Department (up to $50,000).

Discussion Items

• Town Website Redesign: Robin Steinberg presented a detailed review of the current website, noting that its Drupal 7 platform is end‑of‑life and the current vendor (Civic Plus) is forcing a migration to a more expensive, less flexible template system. She recommended switching to GovStack, which offers comparable one‑time costs ($13,000) but lower annual maintenance ($6,200 vs. Civic Plus’s $12,828+), greater customization, and an ADA accessibility widget. The board expressed support for the recommendation.
• 800 East Main Street Project (AMS): Attorney Janet Garris presented the project, which seeks a zoning change to allow a four‑story, 55‑foot‑tall building in the RSP‑2 zone. The board discussed the Secretary’s Findings Statement, with Councilwoman Siegel objecting that the applicant had been allowed to comment on board members’ remarks. The board also debated recreation fees, sidewalk connectivity, senior housing needs, and the visual impact of four‑story buildings. After discussion, the board voted on three separate resolutions.
• 1552 Pain Street Stormwater Permit: Dan Milad presented a SWPP application for a single‑family home. The board referred it to the Planning Board for detailed review.
• Hallocks Mill Sewer Project: Dan Milad provided an update on plans to sewer approximately 184 parcels (including Hickory, Hemlock, and Sparkle Lake areas) using $10 million in East of Hudson funds and $1.2 million from a prior grant. The project would be split into phases to leverage remaining grants. A gravity‑based solution through town‑owned wetlands is proposed, but requires DEC approval. The board discussed the urgency of acting before costs rise further and the need for informal DEC discussions. Next steps include completing a map, plan, and report and potentially establishing the district by town board motion.

Key Outcomes

• 800 East Main Street – Adoption of Findings Statement: Motion carried with one abstention (Councilwoman Siegel).
• 800 East Main Street – Zoning Text Amendment (Height Change to 4 stories/55 feet): The vote was split; two board members opposed, two favored, and one expressed a desire to keep three stories. The motion passed with a majority (2–2? Though the supervisor declared it passed, but the transcript shows “Aye. No. No. Okay. No. None.” – indicating two “No” votes. The result is ambiguous but the amendment was adopted.)
• 800 East Main Street – Zoning Amendment (Change to RSP‑2): Motion carried with one opposed.
• 800 East Main Street – Zoning Map Amendment: Motion carried with one opposed.
• 1552 Pain Street Stormwater Permit: Referred to the Planning Board for review.
• Consent Calendar Items: All passed unanimously.
• Hallocks Mill Sewer Project: No formal vote; the board directed staff to proceed with a map, plan, and report and to seek informal DEC input on the wetland route.