Yorktown Town Board Meeting - March 17, 2026 (St. Patrick's Day)

The Town Board of Yorktown held its regular meeting on March 17, 2026 at approximately 7:00 PM in the Town Board Room. The meeting included reports from the Supervisor and council members, a retirement proclamation, presentations on communication software and the Field Home adaptive reuse, discussion of several local laws, public comment, and a vote on a zoning amendment for solar power generation systems. Numerous routine resolutions were approved via a consent vote.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved a block of 15 resolutions covering: authorized use and fee waiver for the Albert A. Cappellini Community Center on April 12, 2026 for Lights of Tomorrow; award of bid for ultraviolet lamp replacements and disinfection system parts at the water pollution control plant; upgrade of audiovisual equipment and closed captioning services (awarded to GNG Technologies Inc., Northvale, NJ, with annual support renewal of $800); authorization to advertise public hearings (wetland permit for Trump Park, temporary certificates of occupancy, stormwater management permit for 3771 Perry Street, amended special use permit for Mobil gas station at 3205 Crom Pond Road); payment of unused time to retired library employee Deborah Serrano; transfer of funds for that payout; three-year environmental liability insurance policy with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (not to exceed $75,000); funding agreement with Westchester County for senior transportation services (up to $3,237); and a billing data accuracy analysis agreement with Rayburn Consulting ($9,675).

Supervisor’s Report

• Supervisor Ed Lacterman reported: a complimentary bus will leave the VFW Hall at 8:30 AM on March 26 (a Wednesday?) for Vietnam Memorial Day in Albany, with free breakfast/lunch and a Senate resolution; a roundtable on EMS services will be held on March 30 at 7:00 PM at Cortlandt Town Hall, noting that local volunteer ambulance corps (YVAC, LMVAC) are currently fully staffed but always seeking volunteers; a Holocaust Remembrance event with speaker Joe Gossler on April 16 at 6:00 PM in the Town Board Room; and camp registration opened that day with a few spots remaining in Lakeland and near capacity for travel camp.
• Councilman Patrick Murphy extended condolences to the family of Frank Ridico (a young volunteer firefighter who passed away) and announced a library event—“One Country, One Read”—on April 25 at 3:00 PM at Yonkers Public Library with author Stacy (Samuel Adams book), with a local Zoom option.
• Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito announced upcoming legislation: a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) law (referred out at prior meeting) to speed up business/house openings while ensuring life/safety; a Knox Box law (to lower required height from 8–12 feet to between 2 and 6 feet) to improve firefighter access; and an outdoor dining law to streamline permits for sidewalk seating. He also noted he met with the Fire Advisory Board the prior evening.
• Councilwoman Susan Siegel introduced an affordable housing set-aside law drafted by the Housing Committee, to be discussed at the April 14 work session. She also raised a dispute over a $140,000 CREST grant from Senator Harkham: $75,000 is to go to Unicorn Contracting (developer of Underhill Farms) per a 4‑1 board vote in May 2025, leaving $65,000; she argued milling/paving and sidewalks not included in the original bid will cost over $83,000, requiring general fund money. A debate ensued between Siegel and Lacterman over financing for sewer pump station upgrades, with Siegel advocating borrowing now (bond anticipation note) to avoid cost escalation, and Lacterman cautioning against burdensome borrowing given federal reimbursement delays. Councilman Lonnie Gilbert suggested bringing in bond counsel for a definitive path forward.
• Councilman Lonnie Gilbert proposed adding “old business/new business” to the agenda to streamline reports and public comment timing.
• Councilman Patrick Murphy praised the recent Mohegan Lake St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Proclamation & Personnel

• The board honored John Taggater, retiring after 28 years as Director of Planning, with a proclamation declaring March 20, 2026 as John Taggater Day in Yorktown. Taggater expressed gratitude and noted he won several planning awards (sign ordinance manual, railroad station, Patriot Park, farmland overlay district).
• Appointments: Doug Erickson was appointed to the Tree Advisory Committee; Robin Steinberg was appointed Provisional Director of Planning effective March 23, 2026 at $160,000 annually (motioned, seconded, approved unanimously). The board also authorized a consulting agreement with John Taggater for up to 18 hours/week at $105/hour for six months (motioned, seconded, approved unanimously).

Discussion Items

• GoGov Communication Software: Samantha Lockell presented a town-branded mobile app and notification/citizen request platform. The system allows push alerts, email, text, phone calls for emergencies, and a request management module. Pricing is $16,000 annually for both modules (plus $50,000 credits for texts/calls that roll over). Lockell noted no implementation fees. The board discussed comparisons with Code Red and Civic Plus. Supervisor asked Robin Steinberg, Marissa (web staff) to evaluate options and report back. The town also announced that Marissa (Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Rec) will take over website management after Steinberg’s promotion.
• Field Home Adaptive Reuse – Phase 2: The board approved (motioned, seconded, all in favor) an agreement with BLC Associates for $68,500 to market the Field Home site as a boutique hotel with event space. Phase 2 includes targeted outreach, tours, a website, and aiming for letters of intent. Councilwoman Siegel requested a six-month time limit on marketing. Supervisor Lacterman noted the town may take possession of the building if no user found, while Siegel expressed concerns about the town being a landlord. Taggater cited an option to auction if necessary.
• Streetscape RFP for Downing Drive and Veterans Road: The board approved advertising the RFP for design services for streetscape improvements (lighting, landscaping, bike lane striping, and linkage signage to the North County Trail). Costs have increased since initial ARPA funding was diverted. The motion passed unanimously.
• Proposed Local Law – Chapter 130 (Knox Box): Deputy Supervisor Esposito outlined changes: all commercial occupancies must have a Knox Box (not just those with fire alarms); height lowered to between 2 and 6 feet; provisions for elevators and removal of fire inspector signatures from orders (all electronic). He also clarified the fire departments will not hold master keys (liability). The board referred the law out for a red-line version after Esposito described minor changes from the Fire Advisory Board meeting the prior night. Motion carried.
• Proposed Local Law – Chapter 219 (Peddling and Solicitation): Esposito called this a full revamp of a 35-year-old law, adding a “do-not-knock” registry and standardizing hours (9:30 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday–Saturday). Councilwoman Siegel asked for a red-line version; Esposito noted the changes were significant. Referred out for comment. Motion carried.
• Proposed Local Law – Chapter 240 (Sewers and Septic Systems): The law simplifies operation/maintenance (O&M) collection by moving to a uniform sewer rent based on water consumption (estimated $2.50–$3.00 per 1,000 gallons) for properties connected to the Peekskill plant, replacing multiple special districts. A minimum charge for 13,000 gallons will cover snowbirds. Siegel submitted editing suggestions and questioned a “buy-in charge” clause; Esposito defended it as a fair mechanism for properties that later connect. The law was referred out with a red-line version. Motion passed.
• Proposed Local Law – Chapter 300 (Solar Power Generation Systems): This zoning amendment bans large-scale, ground-mounted solar arrays in residential districts, with exceptions for rooftop and small systems. It grandfathers the Jacob Road solar project (with community solar benefits and no battery storage), and removes the Dell Avenue project (applicant confirmed no longer interested). Councilwoman Siegel and Councilman Gilbert voted against, arguing the ban is too broad and the grandfathering inconsistent with earlier moratorium statements. The law passed 3 to 2 (Supervisor Lacterman, Councilmen Murphy and Esposito in favor; Siegel and Gilbert opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Doug Erickson (resident, new Tree Advisory Committee member) thanked the board for its work on the cell tower (Granite Springs) and for the opportunity to serve.
• Michael Hickens praised the board’s decision to defeat the Granite Springs cell tower, stating it proved “you can fight City Hall” and renewed community spirit.
• Jan Mirchandani thanked the board for denying the wetlands permit for the cell tower, urged rededication of the site as parkland (noted it remains parkland per Attorney Rodriguez), and advocated for an updated comprehensive plan to guide growth and prevent sprawl.
• Karen Erickson thanked the board for being open to residents’ research and input throughout the cell tower process.
• Vic Tozo Shrubok noted that meeting reruns were not appearing on TV due to a power outage; she also raised concerns about landlord issues and suggested a state-level complaint hotline.
• Michael Beeks asked about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Downing Street and Route 118, especially with increased traffic from Yorktown Green. Councilwoman Siegel mentioned a pedestrian-activated light would need DOT approval and could be pursued via grants.
• Maria (last name not given) thanked the board for listening to residents on the cell tower, urging stronger code provisions to prevent industrial structures in residential neighborhoods.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Consent resolutions, advertising of RFPs for streetscape and Field Home adaptive reuse phase 2, and referral of Knox Box, peddling/solicitation, and sewer laws for red-line versions.
• Passed (3–2): Solar law amendment banning large-scale ground-mounted systems in residential districts, with grandfathering for Jacob Road and removal of Dell project. Councilmembers Siegel and Gilbert opposed.
• Appointments: Doug Erickson to Tree Advisory Committee; Robin Steinberg as Provisional Director of Planning; John Taggater as planning consultant.
• Next steps: The board will evaluate GoGov and other communication software, continue discussions on sewer financing, and hold public hearings on the temporary CO law and other matters on April 7 and April 14.