Yorktown Town Board Meeting: Streetscape, E-Bikes, and Resolutions – July 21, 2026
Yorktown Town Board Meeting: July 21, 2026
The Yorktown Town Board met on July 21, 2026, to discuss a range of topics including e-bike safety, a proposed car wash, expansion of the downtown streetscape project, and to act on several resolutions. The meeting included public comments, board updates, and votes on routine items.
Consent Calendar
- Personnel and Appointments: Approved appointments of David Teshorn as automotive mechanic in the Highway Department; appointed Bill Ma (exempted from residency) and Rosanna Federico to the Accessibility Committee for three-year terms.
- Vehicle Disposal: Authorized scrapping or auction of a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer from the central garage.
- Special Use Permit Extension: Approved a one-year extension for the 7-Eleven gas station at 3451 Crompond Road.
- Retirement/Resignation Payouts: Authorized payments for unused time to retiring employees Robert Noble and Judy Garetto, and resigning employee Gino Argiro.
- Budget Transfers: Approved transfers for extraordinary legal services ($28,000), HVAC installation at Justice Court ($109,750), and payment to Beardsley Architects for the Field Home adaptive reuse permit.
- Bid Award: Awarded bid for basketball and volleyball court fencing at Tom Diana Park.
- Meeting Date Change: Moved the August 4, 2026, meeting to August 5, 2026, due to National Night Out.
- Water District Extension: Approved establishment of Extension No. 1 to the Yorktown Consolidated Water District, subject to permissive referendum.
- Consultant Agreement: Authorized the supervisor to execute an agreement with Douglas Fishman (radio frequency engineering consultant) to advise on updating the cell tower law (Town Code Section 300-59), at a cost not to exceed $5,000.
Public Comments & Testimony
- J. Copstein criticized the board for not providing the police department with enforcement tools for e-bikes and ATVs, and urged reevaluation of zoning for modern needs.
- Jan Mirchantani stressed the need to remind drivers of their responsibilities toward cyclists and e-bikes, and suggested using scouting organizations for education.
- Peter Cleary asked the supervisor when he first learned about the proposed car wash, and accused him of a snarky email response to a resident, calling for an apology.
- Mike Sheridan (Pine Grove Court) spoke on behalf of veterans, referencing a May 12, 2026 work session and urging the board to "honor all veterans at Veterans Field on Veterans Road."
- Sarah Wilson announced the 30th Yorktown Repair Cafe on July 25, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church.
- Michael Beaks raised safety concerns about e-bikes and ATVs, noting that parents often ride with children without helmets.
- Anthony Pachette argued the board is focused on the wrong danger: he listed five fatal car-related incidents in Yorktown over the past four years and urged the board to prioritize protected bike lanes and traffic calming over e-bike regulation. He also noted that some vehicles targeted by regulation are not e-bikes.
Discussion Items
- Board Updates and E-Bike Safety: Supervisor Ed provided updates on a pending letter to Hallex Mill district residents about septic system funding (to be sent soon), the EMS RFP (being sent out despite Councilwoman Susan's objections), scheduling of the 485B committee, sign law revision, and the cell tower law moratorium. He detailed ongoing e-bike safety efforts including police bike unit, school partnerships, and potential legislation beyond state law. Councilman Lonnie and Councilwoman Susan added comments on enforcement, education, and the need for regulations. Susan also reiterated her call for a policy on memorializing deceased residents.
- Car Wash Proposal: Council members addressed public concern about a car wash (zoned C3) proposed for Route 118. The supervisor stated it is an "as of right" use but requires permits; he learned about it about five weeks prior. Councilman Sergio expressed strong opposition, citing traffic and land-use issues. Councilwoman Susan expressed surprise that the board was not informed earlier about developer discussions dating back to fall.
- Granite Knolls Parking Lot Paving: Parks and Recreation Director Jim explained the decision to pave the parking lot in August due to asphalt plant schedules and park usage. He noted that pickleball players would lose 200 hours of court time but gain 400 net hours from new lights. Concerns were raised about stormwater plans and debris placement; Jim said DEP approvals were being addressed. Additional improvements include beach volleyball courts. A bench dedication for former councilman Tony Grasso was announced for August 11.
- Streetscape Expansion: Councilman Sergio presented a proposal to expand the streetscape RFP beyond Downing Drive and Veterans Road to include Commerce Street, Route 118, and additional connections for bike lanes and walkability. The plan envisions making Commerce Street one-way with on-street parking and bike lanes, connecting to existing trails and the commuter lot. Councilwoman Susan suggested including Veterans Road to Maple Hill and lower Commerce Street. The board discussed a phased approach. A motion to issue a new expanded RFP as soon as approved by a majority via email was made by Sergio, seconded by Ed. Voting: 4 in favor (Ed, Sergio, Lonnie, Pat), 1 opposed (Susan on process grounds, though she supported the RFP).
Key Outcomes
- Streetscape RFP: The board voted 4-1 to refer out a new, expanded RFP for a comprehensive downtown streetscape design, to be approved via email by majority.
- Cell Tower Consultant: Unanimously approved hiring Douglas Fishman (up to $5,000) to assist with updating the cell tower law.
- EMS RFP: The supervisor confirmed the RFP will be sent out despite Councilwoman Susan's objections.
- E-Bike Safety: Ongoing educational and enforcement efforts; board will consider sample legislation from other municipalities.
- Car Wash: No action taken; the proposal remains under review. Several board members expressed opposition.
- Granite Knolls Improvements: Parking lot paving and volleyball courts to proceed in August; bench dedication for Tony Grasso on August 11.
- Meeting Adjourned: The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the town board meeting of July twenty first, twenty twenty six. Uh if I if we could all uh stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. And if we could all remain standing for a moment of silence, um as we pray for those uh lives lost in uh the Middle East, and for all of our troops that are defending our freedoms and all of our first responders out there every day for our community. Adam Rodriguez, town attorney. Uh you can call them and register. It's nine one four seven six four three five three three. And what they do is they have uh they have buses that will be at Beaver Ridge, Jefferson Village, and the Mews. And it seems like most of the time they will either go to Walmart in the Courtland in Cortland Manor and shop right in Courtland Manor. And there is one week in the month where they uh do Trader Joe's uh in Yorktown and the Beach Shopping Center in Peakskill, but it's a free service for seniors. Uh they just need to register. You could call my office uh and uh speak with Cindy, just call Town Hall, extension uh 200, and she will help you out with that uh to give you the information, and we will put this up online as well. Uh we we did reach out to them today because they seem to have missed one of our uh major senior communities in uh Winward Oaks in Mohegan Lake. So we have actually, I'm sorry, in Shrub Oak, and we have asked them to try to see what they could do to add them to the list. So uh we will update that as soon as we can, and we will keep uh annoying them until they do it. So Ed, who is paying for this? If it's free. I'm sorry, did I miss something? It is it is called the Transportation Resources Access T R A. It's the former ride connect. This is what they've become now. Okay, that money is from the county or I believe it's a county program, yes. Thank you. Okay. Uh Lonnie? All right. Um for those who watched last week's meeting. I received a chuckle at the expense of the state of New Jersey. For those old enough, you'll remember in 1976 there was a television segment that year. Today's bicentennial moment. Tonight, I present today's America 250 moment or my semi-quincentious quincentennial minute. As we celebrate our nation's 250th anniversary, we honor New Jersey, the literal crossroads of the revolution. Five braid New Jersey and signed the Declaration of Independence, officially putting pen to paper on August 2nd, 1776. Among them were Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, no relation to John C. Hart, and Abraham Clark. New Jersey was the third state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, cementing its place in our founding foundations. On Christmas night in 1776, George Washington led his famous icy crossing of the Delaware River. This daring move led to the stunning morale boosting American victories in Trenton and Princeton. New Jersey's landscape holds the blood and resilience of our ancestors. The Continental Army spent two brutal winters in Morristown, and during conditions even harsher than those of Valley Forge. From the battlefield of Monmouth to the everyday citizens who fed the Army. New Jersey didn't just witness the fight for freedom. It helped shape it. New Jersey was the path taken by Rochambeau from here to the Battle of Yorktown. So just to clarify, contrary to my remarks of last week, I appreciate and I love New Jersey. Someone from New Jersey call you. No. It's out of like Governor Murphy over there. I think he called you and complained. I have a niece who lives in New Jersey.
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