Yorktown Special Town Board Meeting - July 28, 2025

A special meeting of the Yorktown Town Board was held on July 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM. The board addressed a public hearing on zoning amendments for microbreweries and micro-distilleries, approved personnel actions, discussed several resolutions including bid awards and contract piggybacking, and engaged in a detailed discussion about paving plans for town roads and parking lots.

Consent Calendar

• Public Hearing on Zoning Amendment (Chapter 300, Section 300-21C 17A5): The board held a public hearing to consider adding a new section regarding microbreweries and micro-distilleries. A motion was made, seconded, and all voted in favor, effectively adopting the amendment.
• Personnel Action: Authorized the termination of employee #301205 from town employment effective July 29, 2025, due to a non-occupational disability after an absence exceeding one year, pursuant to New York State Civil Law Section 73. Motion carried unanimously.
• Assessor's Office: Authorized Gary Link, sole assessor, to attend the 2025 New York State Assessors Fall Conference in Lake George, New York.
• Police Department Budget Transfer: Approved a budget transfer from committed fund balance for law enforcement building maintenance to fund stair repairs at the rear entrance of the Yorktown Police Department.
• Town Attorney's Office: Authorized providing contact information and electronic fund payment instructions to Vertical Bridge Acquisitions LLC for rent payments associated with the cell tower site at the Yorktown Police Department (lease transfer).
• Municipal Endorsement: Approved a letter of endorsement for the proposed Town Lake Reservation Nature Playscape.
• Water Department Vehicle Purchase: Authorized the purchase of one 2024 F-250 XL Super Cab vehicle off the County of Onondaga police and administrative vehicle contract, using funds from the water district's equipment vehicle line.

Discussion Items

• Building and Maintenance Resolutions: Two items were discussed: (1) authorizing a bid to be advertised for air conditioning services, and (2) authorizing the town supervisor to sign an agreement with CK Plumbing and Heating, piggybacking on the Village of Ausning's bid for plumbing services. Councilwoman Susan questioned the process, noting that on July 8 the board had rejected plumbing bids and that she had not been provided with sufficient information about why the piggybacked bid was preferable. The supervisor explained that department heads research available bids, and the CK bid was $25 less per hour than the previously rejected bids. Susan requested that such information be shared with the board before votes are taken. The board did not separate the items; all resolutions were voted on together.
• Award of Bid for Brian J. Slavin Aquatic Facility Site Improvements: The town received bids from four companies. USA Construction was deemed unresponsive (bid below material cost). ADI (Aquatic Dynamics Inc.) was notified by letter on July 10, 2025, that it did not meet qualifications of a responsible bidder; ADI responded on July 14, 2025, but did not adequately address concerns. The board resolved to reject ADI's bid and award the contract to Ray Palmer Associates Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder in the amount of $738,000. The supervisor is authorized to execute the agreement. Councilwoman Susan again expressed concern that she was not provided with the information about the rejection before the vote, stating she had to request it herself.
• Paving Plan Discussion: Dave (highway department) presented a paving plan for the upcoming season, including additional work at the Downing Park commuter lot (upper fields) and the pavilion area parking. Councilwoman Susan noted that during a recent senior event, cars had to park on grass, creating unsafe conditions. The supervisor indicated that an additional 20% would be needed to expand parking. There was discussion about installing conduit for future lighting, but Dave noted that the work is a two-inch overlay and adding conduit would require an engineer and additional expense. The board discussed the need for additional funding beyond the current paving budget (which had been increased from $250,000 to $1.2 million, plus CHIPS funds). The supervisor noted that the original intent was to use fund balance surpluses from audits to fund paving without affecting the tax cap. A list of paving projects totaling approximately $8 million over four years was referenced, but the supervisor acknowledged that the board would need to decide on priorities. Councilwoman Susan asked about coordination with the school district regarding paving of school fields and access roads. Dave confirmed that the school district is not contributing additional money. The board agreed to review the detailed list and decide on additional funding.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Zoning Amendment: Added new section 300-21C 17A5 regarding microbreweries and micro-distilleries (unanimous).
• Approved Personnel Termination: Employee #301205 separated from service effective July 29, 2025 (unanimous).
• Approved All Resolutions: The board voted on a single motion covering all remaining resolutions (assessor conference, air conditioning bid authorization, CK Plumbing agreement, police budget transfer, town attorney cell tower, municipal endorsement, aquatic facility bid award, and water department vehicle purchase). The motion was seconded and passed with all in favor, though Councilwoman Susan's questions were noted.
• Paving Next Steps: Dave (highway) will provide the full paving list to all board members. The board will consider additional funding for paving at a future meeting or work session, with a focus on the Downing Park parking lot and other priority roads. The supervisor emphasized that any additional funding would come from fund balance to avoid impacting the tax cap.

Adjournment

• A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and carried unanimously. The meeting concluded at approximately 5:45 PM.