OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - November 18, 2025: Field Home Hotel, Code Changes, Public Hearings

Town Board — Tuesday, November 18, 2025
BodyYorktown, New York
SessionTown Board
DateTuesday, November 18, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:31:22

Transcript — Verbatim
0:05

Good evening and welcome to the town board meeting for November 18th, 2025.

0:10

If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:14

And uh Mr.

0:15

King, if you could uh lead us out, please.

0:24

And for which liberty and justice for all.

0:33

And if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence as we uh just pass uh Veterans Day as we think of all those who served with honor to fight for our rights and protect our country, and we also uh pray for our first responders and all of our uh citizens in Yorktown.

1:01

Thank you.

1:09

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

1:12

Good evening, Diana Quas, town clerk.

1:15

Good evening, Luciana Howitt, Councilwoman.

1:17

Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Sergio Esposito, Deputy Supervisor, Patrick Murphy, Councilman.

1:23

Susan Siegel, Councilwoman, Adam Rodriguez, Town Attorney.

1:28

Okay.

1:29

Um quick reports to the town.

1:33

Um last week I had the honor of joining uh several governmental colleagues on a trip to Israel and the West Bank that was sponsored by the Westchester Jewish Council.

1:45

It was a learning trip, and uh we learned a lot about the uh government, the history, the current reality on the ground, uh, and the grassroots groups working every day to build relationships and move towards coexistence in the Middle East.

2:00

Uh we also had the chance to see some of the progressive initiatives shaping the country's future.

2:05

Uh, in particular uh a capped land a capped landfill, similar to what we have at Croton Point, but on a uh probably uh four times or five times the size of it.

2:19

And uh it was an amazing, amazing trip.

2:22

Uh I uh I will be doing some slides on it and putting together a presentation, but uh it uh just something I wanted to share real quick on that.

2:35

Um we have a few things happening.

2:38

Um foremost, uh Cindy, can you stand up?

2:42

I have a new administrative assistant up in my office, uh Cindy Smith.

2:47

So if anyone needs her, and uh Cindy is very, very involved in the community, uh part of the food and security task force as well, and uh one of the uh organizers of the St.

3:03

Mary's Food Pantry.

3:04

So we appreciate all you do, Cindy, and welcome to the team.

3:08

Speaking of the food pantry, uh the Lions do their annual turkey drive.

3:13

They've already started.

3:14

The first uh drop off was at the Veterans Day Parade.

3:17

Uh they will be tomorrow at uh from 3 p.m.

3:21

to 6 30 p.m.

3:22

at Uncle Giuseppe's uh collecting turkeys, uh cash or any fixings for Thanksgiving dinner.

3:30

Uh Friday, November 21st, they'll be at the ACME in the Triangle Center from 3 to 6.30.

3:36

And then on Monday the 24th, their last uh drop offs will be at the gazebo uh from 10 a.m.

3:42

to 2 p.m.

3:44

And uh I think we are currently at about a hundred and seventy turkeys, and uh uh I believe St.

3:54

Mary's alone is expecting about 350 families, uh and and those turkeys will also be shared with the Presbyterian Food Bank.

4:03

So if any of you or anyone you know, you get your free turkey from your points at Shoprit or ACME, or just really want to help contribute to uh help the food and security.

4:13

Uh some great opportunities there.

4:16

Uh the uh Dave can't be here today, but he did tell me uh or give me a quick update.

4:23

I was there Friday uh as they were finishing the concrete.

4:27

Uh but the old Crom Pond Road, the bridge, uh the concrete is curing.

4:32

Uh the bridge will be uh delivered on uh uh November 24th.

4:39

They'll have to build up the walls, they'll have to connect the roads, they'll have to do some work.

4:44

Uh they should be done uh the second week in December with the stream work, possibly another week before the actual road is ready to go.

4:53

Uh but they have a uh a pretty good timeline and schedule and uh everything uh with the concrete looks to be going very well.

5:02

Uh a couple of things uh going on with our refuse and recycling.

5:06

Uh the Great Fall Cleanup uh as we have the Battle of Yorktown in the spring.

5:11

We have the Great Fall cleanup uh this Saturday, November 22nd.

5:16

If you're interested, you could stop by the refuse and recycling office behind the police station to register and to get supplies.

5:22

They'll give you bags, vests, uh garbage pickers.

5:26

So it's it's uh great way to help contribute to keep Yorktown clean.

5:32

And the same day, they the staff will also be doing e-waste paint textile and tire drop-off day, and that is uh from 7 30 a.m.

5:43

to 2 30 p.m.

5:45

right in front of the police station.

5:47

So if you went to the police uh department on 202, go down the far side closest to the building and just loop around in the lot and they'll have directionals there.

5:57

Uh they come right to your car, they take it out.

6:00

The beautiful thing for especially for paint.

6:02

Uh you do not have to open dry, put in all the sand.

6:06

They have a recycling program as long as it's in the original can and it's labeled.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations██████████████████████████████████34%
Parks and Recreation█████████████████17%
Economic Development████████████12%
Procedural████████8%
Public Engagement███████7%
Community Engagement████4%
Water And Wastewater Management███3%
Historic Preservation███3%
Environmental Protection███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Meeting - November 18, 2025

The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a presentation on the adaptive reuse of the historic Field Home as a boutique hotel, public hearings on a beverage container redemption center and recreation fee amendments, personnel actions, and numerous resolutions. The board also heard public comments critical of the Supervisor's campaign letter and congratulated newly elected officials.

Consent Calendar

  • Resignation and Appointments: Accepted resignation of Matthew Racine (Refuse & Recycling); appointed Judith Guerretto, Michelle Diaco (Senior Office Assistant PD), Alicia Valo Dos Años (Professional Assistant Court Clerk), and Nicholas Petroni (Motor Equipment Operator, Highway).
  • Budget Transfers: Approved transfer for water losses (approx. $X) due to water main breaks and tank work (French Hill tank).
  • Other Resolutions: Authorized Hanukkah celebration at Capellini Center (fee waived), temporary CO for Dunkin Donuts on Route 202, retirement/resignation payouts, release of drainage permit, budget transfers for highway garage, employee vacation buybacks, library renovation agreement, bid advertisement for t-shirts, release of retainage for pickleball court completion, auction of obsolete equipment, wetland delineation contract, police software agreement (Blue Voice, funded by LETAC grant), purchase of three used police vehicles (up to $90,000), Lake Mohegan aquatic pesticide treatment bid, water tank inspection contract, and water department equipment auction.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Michael Hickens criticized Supervisor Ed Lachterman for a letter on official stationary regarding the Navajo Fields project, calling it misleading and a misuse of public funds. He stated he would file an ethics complaint.
  • Howard Gould congratulated Supervisor Lachterman and Councilman Esposito on re-election and Councilwoman-elect Lanny Gilbert. He urged balanced development emphasizing preservation of town character, and praised the board's deliberative process.
  • Lanny Gilbert (incoming Councilman) thanked Councilwoman Luciana Howitt for a clean campaign and expressed eagerness to work with the board.

Discussion Items

  • Field Home Adaptive Reuse: Beardsley Architects presented a vision for a boutique hotel (23-35 rooms) with event space, dining, and spa, including a feasibility study. The team recommended proceeding to Phase 2 (developer outreach). Councilwoman Luciana Howitt questioned the value of hiring the same firm for Phase 2, given that many developers have their own teams. The board agreed to set up a staff meeting to discuss next steps, timeline, and cost estimates before committing.
  • Water Loss Transfer: Mike from the Water Department explained the need for a budget transfer due to water losses from tank work (French Hill tank) and main breaks. The board approved the transfer.

Public Hearings & Voting

  • Beverage Container Redemption Center (Zoning Amendment): Public hearing held. Several residents spoke in favor, citing convenience and environmental benefits; Councilman Esposito and others opposed on aesthetic and traffic grounds. The board voted 3-1 (with one nay) to amend Chapter 300 to add the definition, allowing such centers in the C4 (highway commercial) zone.
  • Recreation Fees Amendment (Chapters 321, 195): After extensive discussion, the board voted 3-1 to adopt the law, which clarifies that recreation fees apply to all site plans (including CR2, etc.) and shifts the fee schedule to the master fee schedule. Several amendments were made (e.g., changing “subdivision” to “site plan”). Councilwoman Siegel and Parks Commissioner Matt Tauber expressed concerns that the law remains ambiguous and does not adequately ensure fees are collected; they urged further refinement.
  • Crillo Tree/Stormwater Permit (436 E. Main St.): Approved 4-1 (Councilwoman Siegel voted no citing stormwater concerns on Wood Street).
  • Stony Street Applications (Joseph DiAlonso & Robert Cohen): Public hearings were opened and adjourned pending revised plans and DEP review.

Key Outcomes

  • Field Home Hotel: Board decided to hold a staff-level meeting with the architects to clarify Phase 2 scope, cost, and legal requirements before deciding on a consultant.
  • Beverage Container Redemption Center: Code amended to allow this use in C4 zones. (Vote: 3-1)
  • Recreation Fees: New law adopted, but further revisions are expected in early 2026. (Vote: 3-1)
  • Solar RFP: Resolution passed to issue an RFP for rooftop solar at the Capellini Center and Police/Court buildings, seeking both purchase and power purchase agreement options.
  • Tanto Irrigation LLC: Rezone and site plan approved for outdoor storage and maintenance garage on Front Street, with conditions including soundproofing and a decorative fence. (Unanimous)
  • Next Meeting: Scheduled for November 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM for the budget hearing.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the town board meeting for November 18th, 2025. If we could all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. And uh Mr. King, if you could uh lead us out, please. And for which liberty and justice for all. And if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence as we uh just pass uh Veterans Day as we think of all those who served with honor to fight for our rights and protect our country, and we also uh pray for our first responders and all of our uh citizens in Yorktown. Thank you. All right, we'll uh start with uh introductions to my right. Good evening, Diana Quas, town clerk. Good evening, Luciana Howitt, Councilwoman. Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Sergio Esposito, Deputy Supervisor, Patrick Murphy, Councilman. Susan Siegel, Councilwoman, Adam Rodriguez, Town Attorney. Okay. Um quick reports to the town. Um last week I had the honor of joining uh several governmental colleagues on a trip to Israel and the West Bank that was sponsored by the Westchester Jewish Council. It was a learning trip, and uh we learned a lot about the uh government, the history, the current reality on the ground, uh, and the grassroots groups working every day to build relationships and move towards coexistence in the Middle East. Uh we also had the chance to see some of the progressive initiatives shaping the country's future. Uh, in particular uh a capped land a capped landfill, similar to what we have at Croton Point, but on a uh probably uh four times or five times the size of it. And uh it was an amazing, amazing trip. Uh I uh I will be doing some slides on it and putting together a presentation, but uh it uh just something I wanted to share real quick on that. Um we have a few things happening. Um foremost, uh Cindy, can you stand up? I have a new administrative assistant up in my office, uh Cindy Smith. So if anyone needs her, and uh Cindy is very, very involved in the community, uh part of the food and security task force as well, and uh one of the uh organizers of the St. Mary's Food Pantry. So we appreciate all you do, Cindy, and welcome to the team. Speaking of the food pantry, uh the Lions do their annual turkey drive. They've already started. The first uh drop off was at the Veterans Day Parade. Uh they will be tomorrow at uh from 3 p.m. to 6 30 p.m. at Uncle Giuseppe's uh collecting turkeys, uh cash or any fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. Uh Friday, November 21st, they'll be at the ACME in the Triangle Center from 3 to 6.30. And then on Monday the 24th, their last uh drop offs will be at the gazebo uh from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. And uh I think we are currently at about a hundred and seventy turkeys, and uh uh I believe St. Mary's alone is expecting about 350 families, uh and and those turkeys will also be shared with the Presbyterian Food Bank. So if any of you or anyone you know, you get your free turkey from your points at Shoprit or ACME, or just really want to help contribute to uh help the food and security. Uh some great opportunities there. Uh the uh Dave can't be here today, but he did tell me uh or give me a quick update. I was there Friday uh as they were finishing the concrete. Uh but the old Crom Pond Road, the bridge, uh the concrete is curing. Uh the bridge will be uh delivered on uh uh November 24th. They'll have to build up the walls, they'll have to connect the roads, they'll have to do some work. Uh they should be done uh the second week in December with the stream work, possibly another week before the actual road is ready to go. Uh but they have a uh a pretty good timeline and schedule and uh everything uh with the concrete looks to be going very well. Uh a couple of things uh going on with our refuse and recycling. Uh the Great Fall Cleanup uh as we have the Battle of Yorktown in the spring. We have the Great Fall cleanup uh this Saturday, November 22nd. If you're interested, you could stop by the refuse and recycling office behind the police station to register and to get supplies.

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