Yorktown Town Board Meeting - January 6, 2026: New Year Priorities, Fluoride Debate, and Infrastructure Updates
Yorktown Town Board Meeting - January 6, 2026
The Yorktown Town Board held its first meeting of the year on January 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM (start was delayed, adjourned around 8:20 PM based on comments). The meeting included a moment of silence for two community members, a proclamation reaffirming the definition of anti-Semitism, and a wide-ranging discussion of priorities for the year ahead, including fluoride, solar, sewers, a cell tower, and public safety technology. Several resolutions were passed, including approval of a vending machine contract, a dam inspection report, pesticide treatments for Lake Mohegan, and organizational resolutions.
Consent Calendar
- Resignation of Richard Falcone (assistant building inspector) and retirement of Deborah Serrano (library) accepted.
- John Campabasso reappointed to recreation committee (7-year term).
- Proclamation reaffirming the definition of anti-Semitism and rejecting all forms of bigotry, hatred, or discrimination adopted unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jan Mirchendani (Yorktown Heights): Urged the board to re-evaluate the 485-B tax incentive law, noting the town had lost $1.7 million in revenue. Also criticized the developer of Underhill Farms for rolling back on four crosswalks originally agreed upon, given high rents ($3,485 for a one-bedroom, $4,500 for a two-bedroom).
- Sarah Wilson (Yorktown Heights): Promoted the upcoming Yorktown Repair Cafe (January 17, 2026) and the Martin Luther King Jr. "Beyond the Dream" event (January 19, 2026). Noted that almost 2,000 items have been repaired with a 70% success rate.
- Larry Killian (Yorktown Heights): Requested that the December version of the proposed Solar Law show changes in red (e.g., Section F1 prohibition in residential zones and Section L grandfathering). Also asked for an update on the RFP for solar projects, including whether Granite Knolls would be included. Expressed opposition to 485-B policy, stating it should be scrapped.
- Dan Strauss (nearly 60-year resident): Thanked highway and refuse/recycle departments. Opposed large-scale ground-mounted solar arrays in residential zones and grandfathering. Opposed the proposed cell tower at Granite Spring Road (across from Crystal Lake), calling it "outrageous." Urged more frequent meetings and shorter initial presentations to allow more public input.
- Michael Hickens (Yorktown resident): Commented on fluoridation, noting that a judge's injunction was not against fluoridation itself but directed the EPA to study more. Asked for clarification on where the town stands and when a decision will be reached.
- Ken Belfer (O'Hegan Lake): Updated on Lake Mohegan algae treatments, including a pending permit for the standard product and exploration of ultrasound technology as a pilot. Also noted active state legislation on nutrient inactivation using alum.
- Anthony Pichette (Yorktown resident): Criticized the process around the Motorola police technology project, saying the public was asked to accept a $700,000+ expenditure without a clear explanation. Asked for full public explanation before major spending decisions. Also urged the board to reconsider paving the gravel parking area at Granite Knolls, arguing it would increase speed near the playground, and suggested using funds for playground repairs instead.
- James Mecca (President of Village 8 in Jefferson Village): Thanked Supervisor Lacterman and Councilman Esposito for prompt help with a Con Edison permit issue during a December cold snap that left some condos without heat and hot water. Also thanked the building department.
Discussion Items
- Supervisor's Report (Ed Lacterman):
- Temporary lines on Underhill were repainted after the previous job failed due to snowfall.
- Northern Westchester Joint Waterworks received $1.2 million from 3M and $197,000 from DuPont in a PFAS settlement. Two treatment options being considered: new pipe to Delaware system or pressurized tanks using activated charcoal. Concerns about AMWAC salinity issues.
- Additional $1.25 million for the Hallex Mills sewer system obtained through congressional appropriations (thanks to Senators and Congressman Lawler). Three phases of project continue.
- Albany passed tax credit recommendations, but many lack implementation details; will be reviewed with the assessor.
- Recreation programs starting soon; Sparkle Lake Clubhouse undergoing renovations (painting, floors).
- Councilman Patrick Murphy: Expressed commitment to teamwork and transparency. Promoted the upcoming Polar Bear Plunge, but said he would not participate.
- Councilwoman Susan Siegel:
- Listed priorities: solar public hearing (January 20), adaptive reuse of Field Home, 118 Underhill Avenue intersection upgrades (two crosswalks eliminated), reexamination of 485-B law (noting $1.7 million lost to school district alone), four sewer issues (creating O&M district for Peckskill districts since 2023, Hallex Mills extension since 2016, spending $5.8 million for pump station upgrades, Hunter Brook issues since 2019), noise law (related to T-bar restaurant), sign law, affordable housing (no affordable units among 446 new units approved; rents at Underhill Farms are $3,485 one-bedroom, $4,500 two-bedroom), capital budget planning, long-term funding for volunteer ambulance corps, steep slopes review.
- Presented new study on fluoride and IQ (published Nov 2025 in Science Advances) that found cognitive benefits or no harmful effects in US communities at Yorktown's fluoridation level. Asked board to reconsider reopening the fluoride question. Later clarified that study is relevant to Yorktown.
- Supervisor Lacterman responded: The board's earlier decision was based on a federal court ruling (judge directed EPA to study more), not a study. He said if the EPA or judge changes the ruling, the town could revisit. He accused Siegel of misrepresenting how the board handled it.
- Councilman Sergio Esposito: Thanked voters. Highlighted: grand opening of Dunkin Donuts on Route 202, health and wellness fair (Jan 10, 2026), IT upgrades for police department (transforming PD), sound law tweaks, streetscaping, comprehensive plan, supporting small businesses. Suggested that reports to the town take too long (noted it was 7:54 PM and courtesy of the floor had not started).
- Councilwoman (last name unclear): Acknowledged Tommy Diana and Frank McVetty. Promoted Support Connections comedy show at Elks (Jan 25, 2026) and library programs.
- Supervisor Lacterman also noted: Streetscape grant pre-submission due Jan 15, 2026; will share draft with board. Comprehensive plan: planning board meeting on path forward. 118 Underhill intersection is part of streetscape grant.
- Councilman Esposito clarified the Motorola police technology decision: the current system is aging out, and a consortium of departments is forming to get a better deal. The system will be server-based (not cloud) to avoid vendor lock-in. The old database will remain; only pertinent info transferred. He noted that if they waited, the cost would increase by about $500,000.
- Supervisor Lacterman on cell tower: will post site selection survey and letter on town website. Hearing has not been closed; will reconvene on February 3, 2026. He said he has not decided.
- Supervisor Lacterman on 485-B: He contacted former incentive board members; few can serve. He advocated for a nonpartisan group of business and real estate professionals. He argued that the school district could have opted out but chose to support the incentive. He disputed that developers would have built without the incentive, saying you can't know what they would do.
- Councilwoman Siegel responded: The town board made the decision to cut crosswalks from four to two, not the planning board or DOT. She said the supervisor's reasons about mast posts were red herrings; the town wanted to limit cost. She asked to see the grant application specifics.
- Councilman Esposito on the cell tower: He has not decided and hears both pros and cons. Weighed the need for cell service (example: a resident had a heart attack and the call was made possible by cellular service) against fears. He analogized to the Lake Mohegan algae treatment dilemma.
Key Outcomes
- Approved: Request for proposals for vending machine services at Albert A. Capolini Community and Cultural Center awarded to Distributing Vending Corp Inc. (36% of gross revenue).
- Approved: Budget transfer of $44,000 for parks department for a dam inspection report at Sparkle Lake (required every 10 years; currently overdue).
- Approved: Contract with Stahl Holdings LLC for Lake Mohegan aquatic pesticide treatments (not to exceed $58,985).
- Approved: Public hearing date for proposed local law amending solar zoning regulations set for January 20, 2026.
- Approved: Purchase of one 2026 Kenworth T480 tandem axle garbage truck for $315,735 from refuse and recycling budget.
- Approved: Organizational resolutions including mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile, blanket authority for contracts up to $12,500 (not to exceed $50,000 annually), designation of official newspapers, and 2026 meeting dates. Note: Budget hearing time was changed from 6:30 PM back to 7:00 PM (a compromise suggested by Councilman Murphy and seconded by Councilwoman Siegel).
- The board agreed to reconvene the cell tower hearing on February 3, 2026.
- Multiple issues (sewer districts, capital budget, noise law, sign law, affordable housing, ambulance corps funding, steep slopes) were discussed but no votes were taken; they are expected to appear on future agendas.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the January 6, 2026 town board meeting, our first of the year. If we could all stand for our Pledge of Allegiance. Dan, would you lead us? To the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. It was a two-year anniversary of the passing of Tom Diana, who we uh we sorely miss in our town. Um if we could have that uh that moment of silence in Tommy's honor, as well as uh a friend of Tom's uh Francis McVetty, who passed away recently and was uh buried today. Thank you. And uh Francis was also a member of our senior advisory committee. All right, introductions. Good evening, Diana Quas, town clerk. Good evening, Patrick Murphy, town council. Town supervisor Ed Lacterman. Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito. Susan Siegel councilwoman. And if uh you wouldn't, if you would uh bear with me, I just want to say something quickly. It's my first time here. Uh okay. Did you want to wait for report to the town or I could do that as well. That'd be great. Thanks, Ani. Uh our attorney could not be here today uh due to a medical uh issue, uh, but I am going to call him in so we do have legal counsel on just in case. Um let me give you my uh report to the town, and then I'll do that while our officials go. Uh the temporary lines that were on underhill were just redone today. I know uh if you've drove it, you will notice that you would notice that they had faded rather quickly. Uh and the paint that they had put over the old lines uh had come up with the first snowstorm because it was done right on top of a snowstorm. So uh they did uh they did take care of it today. Uh looks like they did a great job. I haven't driven up it yet. They just finished this evening, and uh it's definitely a lot more uh visible uh as I could see it from my office window. Uh recently, the Northern Westchester Joint Waterworks uh it was given a settlement for uh PFAS, uh which is polyfloral alkali substances in the water. Uh 1.2 million came from 3M and 197,000 from DuPont. Uh there are two other pending lawsuits, uh and the money here will go into engineering fees and uh to f to figure out the treatments, and in addition, there they are looking at two different solutions for the PFAS as the law will be changing. We do conform with the laws right now, but uh eventually there will be a federal and a state change that are going to be very aggressive. Uh the um the two things that we're looking at are uh a new pipe to the Delaware system or pressurized uh tanks that strip the PFAS using activated charcoal. Uh there are concerns with AMWAC being a good supply in the next hundred years due to the salinity issues. So uh right now it it looks like the one that uh the board of the Northern Western Joint Waterworks wants to look at is the pipe from the Delaware system that would come across 35 and hook up into the AMLOC plant and take care of all of the issues that we're having there. Uh in our efforts to uh work on getting grant money for the sewer system uh for Hallex Mills. Uh I received a phone call earlier today that uh the Congress has passed an appropriations bill. Uh that both uh both of our New York State Senators and Congressman Lawler were on board uh to get us an additional 1.25 million dollars, and they feel that will be signed shortly. Uh and then uh they will we will also be looking again as we have three phases of that project to to go with. So we're looking to try to hopefully get another submission this year. Um there are also some available some some newly, I'm gonna say available tax credits, but uh really what Albany did was they passed some recommendations without really ways to look at them for the communities, and some of them are very far-reaching. Um tax credits. Uh we will uh I've spoken with our assessor, we'll be looking at these, and he will come in and talk to the town board about them. So we'll know as soon as we can uh what would be feasible for our community. Uh recreation programs are going to be starting this coming week. You may want to go to the town website to check them out and sign up. Uh there are things for kids to seniors and everyone in between. Uh so that's really uh a great uh great opportunity. Uh although one of the areas uh that the some of those uh some of those programs run in is the Sparkle Lake Clubhouse, and that will actually be undergoing renovations.
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