Yorktown Town Board Meeting and Preliminary Budget Hearing - December 2, 2025

The Town of Yorktown held a regular board meeting on December 2, 2025, beginning at approximately 6:30 PM. The meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. Supervisor Ed Lacterman proclaimed December 7, 2025 as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The primary agenda item was a public hearing on the proposed 2026 preliminary budget, followed by public comments, board discussion, and the adoption of several resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of the 2026 preliminary budget (total $75,392,541, with a 0% increase in the town tax levy, but increases in water, garbage, and EMS taxes).
• Approval of a stormwater control facility maintenance agreement with SDML Realty LLC (Dunkin Donuts) at 3735 Crom Pond Road.
• Release of remaining balance ($265.92) for review of the Underhill Farms condominium building at 360 Underhill Avenue.
• Award of bid for maintenance of air conditioners to CARICO heating and cooling.
• Authorization of a budget transfer to the refuse and recycling department.
• Approval of vacation carryover (24 hours) for Sgt. Rapasarda.
• Authorization of a two-year agreement with Automated Control Logic for 24-hour on-call HVAC monitoring at the John C. Hart Memorial Library.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Larry Killian (Yorktown Heights resident): Expressed concern about declining commercial real estate values and suggested investing in solar panels to generate revenue. Criticized the budget document for inaccuracies (assessed value graph not reflecting JV Mall tax cert loss, lack of inclusion of tax cert impacts in projections). Noted a 21% increase in sewer rates ($116) and argued sales tax projections were too optimistic. Called for more specific long-range projections and realistic modeling.
• Sarah Wilson (Yorktown resident): Asked about the refuse tax increase (2.6% attributed to rep use) and the impact of a 2.7% population decline. Inquired about opportunities to reduce solid waste costs via better waste handling.
• Lynn Briggs (Chair, Yorktown Heritage Preservation Commission): Requested that the Town Board convene a work session on January 13, 2026 to select priority 2026 programs and events for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Noted no funds were set aside in the 2026 budget for the commemoration, though previous resolutions supported it. Highlighted the town's historic role and past grassroots efforts.
• Lanny (former Town Supervisor): Voiced concern about the budget pattern (0% seven years, then 7%, back to 0%) and argued it was not realistic. Supported solar at Granite Knolls for revenue and advocated for funding and promotion of the 250th anniversary. Stated that the budget should explicitly account for assessed value losses from tax certs and that long-range projections need improvement.

Discussion Items

• Several board members and Controller Janelle McNeil responded to public comments. Supervisor Lacterman acknowledged the assessed value challenges and agreed to correct the graph. He defended the zero percent increase as a necessary relief for residents, noting that one-time savings from medical costs and recovering assessed value enabled it. Councilwoman Sergio Esposito noted the town's improved commercial vacancy rate (from 400,000 sq ft to 85-90% full).
• Controller Janelle McNeil explained that the sales tax projection (6% increase) was a conservative estimate based on past trends, and that the budget had been carefully reviewed line by line. She stated that the refuse increase was driven by a 60% outside service contract. On the 250th anniversary, she said funding would be transferred once events and costs are finalized. She defended the zero percent increase as a pass-through of prior year savings to taxpayers.
• Councilwoman Susan raised several issues: the assessed value graph inconsistency, the need to collect legal review fees from developers, frustration with slow progress on sewer district consolidation, and questioning the salary increase for elected officials (3% routine vs. 10% adjustment). She suggested cutting the $60,000 PR firm contract and expressed concern that revenues were inflated. She also noted that the fund balance was being used to cover operating expenses rather than capital improvements.
• Board members responded that salary increases were part of a broader effort to bring all town salaries in line with surrounding municipalities after years of stagnation. They emphasized that sewer consolidation is complex, requiring state guidance and careful handling of existing debt. Supervisor Lacterman argued that using fund balance for operations gives back to taxpayers.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: The 2026 preliminary budget was adopted. The motion passed with a vote of all in favor except one "nay" (Councilwoman Susan). The budget totals $75,392,541 with a 0% increase in the town tax levy, though water, garbage, and EMS taxes increase.
• Resolutions: All consent calendar resolutions were adopted unanimously.
• Directives: The supervisor agreed to schedule a work session on January 13, 2026 with the Heritage Preservation Commission to plan 250th anniversary events. The controller was directed to correct the assessed value graph in the budget document.
• Next Steps: The board will continue working on sewer district consolidation and revenue enhancements. The public was reminded of the holiday lights parade on December 6, 2025.