Yorktown Town Board Meeting – March 4, 2026

The Yorktown Town Board met on March 4, 2026, at the Albert A. Caprini Community and Cultural Center. The meeting included a supervisor's report, board discussions on affordable housing, EMS funding, solar law, sewer rates, and a public hearing on a proposed 130‑foot cell tower at 62 Granite Springs Road. Several proclamations were issued, and the board accepted a retirement. The public hearing on the cell tower was closed with a five‑day comment period.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of retirement letter for John Taggater (Planning Department) with appreciation for 28 years of service.
• Authorization for professional consulting services for plan review of an age‑restricted multifamily building at 800 East Main Street.
• Refund of $625 to Beth Ryan for a zoning application fee.
• Authorization for town employees to attend the 2026 PERMA conference.
• Budget transfer of $156,000 from general fund balance to highway department for supplies and materials (salt).
• Payment of unused time to retiring employee Richard Flacco.
• Authorization for Parks and Recreation to execute county health permits for pool concessions.
• Award of bid for pool pump and motor rebuild at Juniper Lake Aquatic Facility.
• Authorization for a home rule request supporting Assembly Bill A06519 and Senate Bill S07802 (Jake’s Law) for photo speed violation monitoring in work zones.
• Authorization for a change order to add a laserfiche web portal to the town website (up to $500).
• Authorization for the supervisor to sign a CREST Grant preliminary application for Sparkle Lake Playground Restoration.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Howard Gould praised first responders and suggested adding “health” to the town motto “Progress with Preservation.”
• John Capabasso supported youth sports and the T‑Bar restaurant, and asked about open space tax collections.
• Jan Mirchandani corrected conflation of tax exemption laws (485B vs. 421A) and noted Uncle Giuseppe’s did not receive 485B.
• Doug Erickson supported Knox boxes and thanked councilman Esposito.
• Michael Hickens, a member of the Yorktown Community Housing Board, urged creation of an advisory committee for 485B reform and suggested using potential tax revenue to improve baseball fields on Route 202.
• Several residents spoke in opposition to the cell tower during the public hearing (see below).

Discussion Items

• Supervisor’s Report: Announced two new part‑time fire inspectors who will monitor fire lanes and issue tickets. Noted a future public hearing on sewer water rates to move to a usage‑based charge. Reported working on an EMS roundtable with state legislators. Presented Jake’s Law (work zone speed cameras) in honor of Jake Okara, a speeding victim. Thanked town crews for storm response. Corrected an earlier conflation of 485B and 421A tax exemptions.
• Affordable Housing: Councilwoman Siegel noted the Community Housing Board submitted a draft affordable housing set‑aside law; the board had approved 446 housing units over two‑three years, none affordable, with Underhill Farms one‑bedroom rent at $3,500. She urged a work session.
• Solar Law: Siegel expressed concern that the board circulated a revised solar law without discussing the version from the January 20 public hearing. Supervisor Lacterman explained the only change was removal of a Dell Avenue project because the developer lost interest.
• Sewer Pump Stations: Siegel pressed for proceeding with a $4.8 million grant (80% of cost) for pump station upgrades. Lacterman noted waiting for bond counsel to avoid taxpayer interest costs.
• EMS Funding: Siegel accused the board of delaying a consultant study for ambulance corps funding; she cited existing studies and noted the board had discussed a resolution on February 10. Lacterman and others countered that they wanted to gather more information and avoid fear‑mongering; they noted a fly car program and that ambulance corps are currently functioning. Councilman Gilbert supported a roundtable with state and county representatives.
• Knox Boxes: Councilman Esposito announced he would introduce an amended law for Knox box placement to expedite fire response.
• Temporary Certificates of Occupancy: Esposito plans to introduce a law allowing businesses to open sooner with accountability for completing final work.
• Noise Law: Siegel requested tweaks to address low‑frequency noise, referencing the T‑Bar. Esposito said he is waiting for the T‑Bar’s sound professional findings.

Proclamations

• Women’s History Month (March 2026) – accepted by Councilwoman Siegel.
• Irish American Heritage Month (March 2026) – accepted by Councilman Murphy for his mother.
• Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March 2026) – presented to Brian Dunn.
• World Down Syndrome Awareness Day (March 21, 2026) – accepted by Anna (mother of Gianna) who promoted Gigi’s Playhouse events.
• National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29, 2026) – presented to Brian Silic, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient.

Public Hearing: Cell Tower at 62 Granite Springs Road

• Applicant’s Presentation (Robert Gardioso, Homeland Towers): The proposed 130‑foot monopole would be on a town‑owned parcel (parkland partially alienated). The site is 400 feet from the nearest home. The access drive crosses a wetland buffer but not the wetland itself. The tower would host Verizon equipment and provide free space for emergency services. A $25,000 fee would be provided for fire department equipment. The applicant argued that small‑cell alternatives would require 18 50‑foot poles in residential areas (e.g., on cul‑de‑sacs), which is more intrusive. They submitted property value studies, RF exposure reports, and environmental analyses. The State Historic Preservation Office found no adverse effects. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred that with construction limits (Oct 1 – Mar 31) there would be no impact on endangered species. The applicant offered a pre‑construction environmental survey.
• Public Opposition (multiple speakers): Residents argued the tower would devalue property (10% reduction within ¼ mile), harm the Class 1 wetland and buffer, disrupt wildlife (snapping turtles, bog turtles), destroy 84 trees, introduce industrial use into a residential/agricultural area, and that the 2021 survey used to justify need was flawed (only 933 of 36,000 respondents, self‑selecting). They said small cells could fill localized gaps without a large tower. They questioned the need for emergency services, citing recent incidents where 911 worked fine. They noted the Conservation Board, Planning Board, Tree Commission, and ABACA all recommended denial or expressed serious concerns. Several speakers challenged the wetland delineation done in November (non‑growing season) and urged an independent seasonal study.
• Applicant’s Rebuttal: The attorney stated that Verizon provided capacity data showing a gap, confirmed by the town’s consultant. He dismissed anecdotal claims and said the mitigation plan is adequate. He noted that Verizon is already on the Quinlan Street tower (1.3 miles away) but that site is overloaded.
• Board Action: The public hearing was closed, but written comments will be accepted for five days. The board will deliberate and make a decision publicly.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously (with one “no” vote on the retirement resolution, noted humorously).
• Cell Tower Public Hearing: Closed; comment period open until March 9, 2026. No vote taken.
• Future Actions: The board will continue discussing affordable housing, EMS funding, sewer pump station financing, solar law revisions, Knox boxes, and TCO law at upcoming work sessions.
• Proclamations: All issued by the supervisor.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned after resolutions.