Yorktown Town Board Work Session – June 9, 2026

The Yorktown Town Board held a work session on June 9, 2026, starting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day. The board handled personnel actions, discussed an emergency culvert replacement in Jefferson Village, heard presentations from Norwest Special Recreation and the town’s independent auditor, debated the town’s fund balance and capital planning, and voted on a series of resolutions. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Consent Calendar

• Personnel Actions: The board accepted the resignation of Anthony Trapalti from the Zoning Board of Appeals after approximately 20 years of volunteer service, expressing appreciation. The board appointed Janie Barrera as a maintenance worker/mason/motor equipment operator in the Highway Department at an annual salary of $70,919. The board appointed Matthew Fuller as a conditional police officer (eligible list #612780) effective June 24, 2026, at a contractual salary of $53,243, contingent on medical and psychological testing and Westchester County HR approval. The board designated Rachel Scorano as project lead for the ADP payroll system implementation, retroactive to January 1, 2026, with a temporary project stipend of $5,000 per year (prorated) until the system is fully implemented. All personnel resolutions passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Jefferson Village Emergency Culvert Replacement: Engineer John Correll described a failed corrugated metal pipe (4–8 feet deep) that must be replaced with PVC pipe. Work will be done in phases to maintain traffic flow, using sandbags to divert stormwater. Heather from the engineering department noted that the existing permit only covers dredging and general maintenance, not culvert replacement. The board agreed to handle the replacement under an administrative permit to expedite the process, given the emergency nature for approximately 1,500 residents. The board asked for plans and a bypass plan in writing. The highway superintendent confirmed a similar culvert was replaced in three hours earlier that day.
• Norwest Special Recreation Presentation: Director Ed McKay and Program Coordinator Stefan Rothstein presented on Norwest’s 53-year partnership with Yorktown. They serve residents with differing abilities (ages school-age to 70+) through 40 weeks of programming, including Special Olympics at Capolini Center and adult bowling at Jefferson Valley Lanes (up to 70 bowlers per week). In 2025, Yorktown residents received 7,477 hours of programming, funded by a $40,000 annual town contribution, equating to $5.42 per hour. The program also provides respite for caregivers. The board expressed strong support and noted the importance of including Norwest funding in the 2027 budget.
• 2025 Audit Review and Fund Balance Discussion: Alan Cassaif of PKF O’Connor Davies presented the 2025 financial audit. The town received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Key figures: General fund total fund balance $35,642,000, with unassigned fund balance of $24,073,000 (approximately 64% of 2026 appropriations). Revenues exceeded budget by $3.4 million, driven by sales tax and interest earnings; expenditures were under budget by $3.3 million. The highway fund balance is $3.3 million, special districts total $11.5 million, and capital projects fund is $110,000. Councilmember Susan Siegel questioned whether the town’s high fund balance could be used to accelerate capital projects, referencing deferred needs like HVAC and paving. Board member Lonnie and others defended the fund balance as necessary for emergencies (e.g., COVID, snowstorms, unexpected equipment failures) and noted that the town has already spent $7 million from fund balance in 2025 on capital projects (including pool renovation, roads, and technology). The controller explained that the town targets a 20% unassigned fund balance floor ($8 million) and that the 64% figure is before deducting encumbrances and planned expenditures. The board agreed to continue working on a five-year capital plan.
• Water District Extension: Paul presented a proposal to extend the Yorktown Consolidated Water District boundary to include 82 residential homes (64 in Glassbury, others on Croton Heights Road, White Horse Lane, and five on Hanover with access to a new main). The 77 homes currently pay out-of-district rates (double the in-district rate), a disparity the board deemed inequitable. The extension would lower their tap fee from $10,000 to $1,200 and allow them to pay the standard single rate, saving approximately $200 per year. The board expressed support and set a public hearing for July 7, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Resolutions (all passed unanimously):
  • Authorized change order #2 with INF Associates for EV charging station installation at John C. Hart Memorial Library ($56,367), with the cost partially covered by grants and Con Ed rebates.
  • Authorized budget transfers, agreements with Westchester County for senior nutrition programs, and a regional kitchen agreement with the town of Cortlandt.
  • Authorized bid advertisement for construction of a ramp and portico at Yorktown Town Hall.
  • Authorized release of an erosion control bond ($500) to Ashley Harris.
  • Authorized rebid for town justice court HVAC installation (previous bid rejected due to pricing and responsiveness issues).
  • Approved wetland/stormwater permits for 3776 Foothill Street (single-family home, state wetlands) and Trump Park residence (permit WP051-23).
  • Authorized the highway superintendent to apply for a $301,966 municipal waste reduction and recycling grant (for a horizontal grinder) and to purchase a 2026 Freightliner triaxle roll-off hoist ($243,073).
  • Authorized a water utility easement agreement with Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
  • Set public hearings: June 16, 2026, for a local law amending Chapter 102 (affordable housing); July 7, 2026, for a moratorium on telecommunications facilities; and July 7, 2026, for the proposed water district extension.
• Meeting adjourned following the resolutions.