Yorktown Town Board Meeting - June 16, 2026
Yorktown Town Board Meeting - June 16, 2026
The Yorktown Town Board met on June 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM to discuss a range of topics including code enforcement, retirement of the police chief, proposed new local laws, and a public hearing on affordable housing set-asides. The meeting included reports from board members, public comments, and multiple votes.
Consent Calendar
- The board acknowledged the retirement of Police Chief Robert Noble and appointed Justin Foley as Police Chief, Mark Rapasarda as Police Captain, and Michael Woodard as Police Lieutenant, all effective June 29, 2026, with probationary periods of not less than 12 nor more than 52 weeks.
- Authorized a change order for the library roof repair ($6,700).
- Approved a three-year intergovernmental agreement for cyber shared services with the county at no cost to the town.
- Processed budget transfers for the water department: $79,657.56 from water capital project fees and $73,734.31 from meter fees to be deposited into the capital projects fund for future water system improvements.
- Extended bids for tree removal, traffic light maintenance, street light maintenance, and stone/gravel/concrete materials.
- Acknowledged the filing of the independent auditor's report for December 31, 2025, and accepted the audit of the Justice Court.
- Set a public hearing for a proposed local law to amend zoning regarding the Commercial Regional Center Special District (mall).
- Authorized partial releases of erosion control bonds for Underhill Soundview LLC ($20,000), Paul Dumont ($500), and Lauren Gazzola ($500).
- Approved the record of activities for state pension reporting.
Public Comments & Testimony
- J. Copstein supported a capital needs plan and Ridge Street culvert replacement, noting the culvert was damaged since Hurricane Floyd in 1999.
- Carl Gilbert and Mike Sheridan (veterans) expressed concerns about the naming of Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field. Gilbert clarified that Jack DeVito was an era veteran, not a combat veteran, and criticized statements by Councilman Murphy. Sheridan thanked the town for veteran services but criticized the board for silencing veterans at a prior work session and raised issues about enforcement of veterans' parking spots, suggesting the town accepts inadequate proof of veteran status.
- Alex Virgo (career firefighter/paramedic) urged an open and independent study of the EMS system, including all options such as combining the two volunteer corps and moving dispatch to the county (60 Control) for emergency medical dispatch. He stated that both volunteer corps have asked for tax money but want independence kept off the table.
- Mara Gregory complained about the cold temperature in the meeting room.
- Ken Balfour reminded about Lake Day at Mohegan on July 11-12.
- Larry Killian opposed 485B tax breaks, citing examples like Uncle G's and Yorktown Green that got breaks despite not needing them. He argued the Lakeland schools never signed on and that the tax reductions cost taxpayers millions. He called for a review of whether 485B was ever needed.
- Reverend Lane Cobb (Interfaith Council) read a letter from multiple religious leaders supporting the affordable housing set-aside law, stating it is a moral duty and that safe, affordable housing is a human right.
- Pam Parker shared her personal story of benefiting from affordable housing in Yorktown after divorce and how it allowed her to stay in the community.
- Judy (speaker) described three examples of people unable to afford housing in Yorktown—a skilled professional, a young family outbid on homes, and a man who moved in with elderly parents—and urged proactive steps.
- Tom Fister discussed the "missing middle" and noted that HUD-allowable rents have skyrocketed, making it hard for people earning $70,000/year to afford even a $1,800/month rental.
- Pastor Christopher Chantelow argued that Yorktown previously had a set-aside law that was effective and should be reinstated, noting the town was once a leader in affordable housing.
- Maura Gregory (community housing board) shared personal anecdotes about her adult children moving away due to lack of affordable housing and urged passage of the set-aside law.
- Ken Belfer (housing board since 1994) addressed legal history: the consent decree from a 2010 lawsuit requires fair and affirmative marketing; he warned against creating a local preference that could conflict with county policies and risk losing $10 million in county funds. He cited two recent resales of affordable homes that went to Yorktown residents without local preference.
- Sarah Wilson (chair of community housing board) presented data showing 26.5% of Yorktown households (3,851 out of 14,555) are Alice (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or below poverty. She showed that without a set-aside, 45 affordable units were lost in recent developments (AMS, Jefferson Valley, Underhill Farms, Toll Brothers, Halleck Square).
Discussion Items
- Fire Lane and Handicapped Parking Fines: Supervisor proposed increasing fines from $50 to $100 for fire lane violations and $100 to $150 for handicapped parking violations, and including veterans and Purple Heart spaces if legally possible. Councilwoman Siegel expressed concern about the impact on taxpayers but supported enforcement. The item was referred out for legal review.
- Apprenticeship Programs for Town Contracts: The board discussed a proposed local law to require apprenticeship programs for town contracts over $500,000. Supporters (e.g., Supervisor) argued it supports the workforce and blue-collar jobs; opponents (Councilwoman Siegel) worried it would reduce the pool of bidders and increase costs. The law was referred out for a public hearing.
- Kiosk Information System: Town Clerk Diana Quas and IT staff presented a proposal to install indoor kiosks (about $6,900 each) for public information, events, directions, and possibly bill payment. Two indoor units plus software would total ~$26,000 with $54 annual fee per unit. Outdoor units would be more expensive. Board discussed functionality, multilingual support, and integration with the website. Councilwoman Siegel requested improved website search first. The board agreed to have a video presentation.
- EMS Study: Alex Virgo’s comments sparked discussion. Supervisor Ed emphasized keeping all options on the table and noted he had conversations with stakeholders. Councilwoman Siegel wanted to avoid delaying the current RFP for an ambulance district, which she saw as a near-term funding solution for the volunteer corps. The board acknowledged the need for accountability and a comprehensive study.
- 485B Tax Break: Councilwoman Siegel asked when the guidelines for the 485B review committee would be produced and whether meetings would be public. Supervisor noted the committee should meet soon and that Cindy was arranging a date. The issue was under old business.
- Affordable Housing Set-Aside Public Hearing: The hearing was opened and closed after extensive testimony (see Public Comments). The board discussed income limits (80% AMI for ownership, 60% for rental), the possibility of raising them to capture workforce housing, the rounding method (round down vs. up), and whether to include local preferences. Councilman Esposito expressed concerns about the impact on developers and constitutional issues. Councilman Murphy defended the need for affordability. Supervisor Lockerman noted the board needed time to mull over options and potentially reopen the hearing if changes are made. The hearing was closed by motion.
- Old Business: Councilwoman Siegel provided updates on three code enforcement cases: Fieldstone Manor (Catucci property) – stop work order issued, 30 days to vacate illegal parking lot; Navajo sports facility – multiple violations; Hunterbrook Road tree farm – violations under investigation. She cautioned that these are litigation matters.
Key Outcomes
- Police Chief Retirement and Appointments: Accepted Chief Robert Noble’s retirement with appreciation. Appointed Justin Foley as Police Chief, Mark Rapasarda as Police Captain, and Michael Woodard as Police Lieutenant, all effective June 29, 2026, with 12–52 week probationary periods.
- Apprenticeship Law: Referred out for a public hearing after a 4-1 vote (Councilwoman Siegel opposed).
- Fire Lane/Handicapped Fine Increase: Referred out for legal review and potential inclusion of veteran and Purple Heart spaces.
- Affordable Housing Set-Aside Public Hearing: Closed. The board will deliberate and may bring back amended language requiring a new hearing.
- Kiosk Proposal: Continued for further presentation.
- Resolutions: All consent items passed unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to our June 16th, 2026 town board meeting. If we could all uh rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led today by Chief Robert Noble. Congratulations. And to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence, as we remember, our first uh responders are veterans. Uh and I would also uh indulge uh to ask you for a special prayer for my mother-in-law Rose, who is in the hospital now fighting a couple of uh issues thank you introductions to my right. Good evening, Diana Quas, town clerk. Patrick Murphy, town councilman. Supervisor Ed Lacterman. Deputy Supervisor Sergio Esposito, Councilwoman Susan Siegel. Uh do we have a town attorney back here? So Adam Rodriguez, our town attorney is here as well. Um reports uh from the town. Uh I'm gonna uh make mine quick and I've asked our board to do so as well. Um I just want to make sure that our residents know uh we have hired, as I've spoken in the past, about uh uh fire inspectors and code enforcement part-time, where we have now been uh heavily enforcing fire zone violations. Uh and as I move forward with this, we will try to even bring in more part-timers. Uh at this point, there were there have been in the last couple of weeks about 90 violations given out. Uh our biggest issue with fire zone violations, other than blocking fire vehicles from being able to get into a fire, is that it becomes very dangerous for people, especially children, walking off of a sidewalk behind a car and coming out into the roadway to the parking lot to cross over. Uh I've seen way too many uh dangerous situations where someone's zipping past, and uh it could be a very, very uh tragic situation. So we will keep up on that. I've also instructed them to look at the handicapped parking spots in the in the uh in the town. And also uh we will be talking later about proposed legislation to uh increase the fines from where they are at as well. Uh just a reminder that our uh town buildings will be closed on Friday for Juneteenth, which is a holiday in our town and national holiday at this point. Uh we do have uh uh well we did have on Saturday uh the American Legion where I saw the outgoing commander Carl here. Uh they did their uh flag burnings of retirement ceremony, which uh is a great ceremony. It's uh unfortunately I had to miss this one. It was the first one in uh I think the last seven or eight years that I've missed, but uh Carl, thank you in the post for for keeping that uh tradition. And uh, you know, I know we uh did we well maybe later you could let us know how many flags you retired, but I know it's usually in the hundreds. Um so uh there's that, and we will hear a little bit later. Uh you know, so sort of some bittersweet news about the upcoming retirement of our chief of police. Uh and he will be up here uh spending a little time with us for uh an unbelievable career in the town of Yorktown. So uh I will pass it on at this point. Lottie. I will just uh add on Saturday. There was a wonderful event over but behind the firehouse or right alongside the flag burnings. Um there was a uh uh GG's playhouse had a one-mile walk, and it was uh an inspiring to see families and all people from the town and out of town participating. Uh as to everything else, I defer to you, Ed uh, and I wish your mother-in-law all the best. Thank you, Lottie. And I think it's important. So for those of you that don't know, GG's Playhouse uh uh works with children with down syndrome. That's Anna Mandira, and she works with our clerk's office and uh an amazing young lady herself and uh was recently recognized by New York State. Okay, just a few items. Um I just want to pick up on something that was said, I think it was at the last meeting when the question was raised again about the naming of the Jack DeVito Veterans Veterans Field. Um comment was made about the town board in 2015, was looking to change that name, and of the five of us, I was the only one on the board at that time. I didn't remember what happened then, so I looked at the town minutes. Um on July 28th, the minutes say the issue was race and veterans raised the issue, and the supervisor Michael Grace said that he would make sure that the field was always referred to as the Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field, and the minutes of November 25th, 24th, 2015, have a reference to that, and again, it's just called the Jack Devito Memorial Veterans Memorial Field. So there was no discussion in 2015 about changing the name. Um I also want to give an update on fluoride. If anybody didn't see the notice, the federal court of appeals in the 9th district vacated the order from 2024 when the judge um the judge said that uh that that fluoride was a danger, and that was the just and it was that judge's decision that um led this town board to cancel and uh stop the fluoridation. What the judge what the court of appeals said is they remanded it back to the same district judge who has to deal with a first trial, which did not include that controversial information.
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