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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Work Session - August 11, 2026: Proclamation for WWII Veteran's 100th Birthday and Routine Resolutions

Town Board — Tuesday, August 11, 2026

BodyYorktown, New York

SessionTown Board

DateTuesday, August 11, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 18:09

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Good evening and welcome to the August 11th Town Board Work Session.

0:10

If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and I would like to ask our hundred-year-old World War II veteran Joe Pettett to start us off.

0:24

And to the Republic for which it stands, individual liberty and justice for our own.

0:38

As we remember those who have served our country honorably and have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

0:45

I know we just passed uh Purple Heart Day.

0:49

We've had um uh we've had many military come through, and uh we understand that when you join the military, you don't know what's happening.

1:00

You're signing a blank check that uh they could cash at any time, uh, up to and including your life.

1:07

And we pray to God that uh our military are kept safe as well as all of our first responders and people that that work for the better of their communities.

1:21

Thank you.

1:31

Thank you.

1:36

So I would like to start.

1:44

Um I'd like to start the work session with a proclamation uh honoring Joseph W.

2:01

Pettit on his 100th birthday, which was this past Sunday, I believe, Joe, the ninth.

2:07

August 9th, yes.

2:08

Yes, sir.

2:09

Why don't you come up to the to the podium so you could say a couple words if you'd like?

2:13

You don't look a hundred, man.

2:14

Are you sure you have ID?

2:17

So let me let me Joe Joe, let me read this and then uh any comments you'd like.

2:22

Whereas Joseph W.

2:23

Pettit was born on August 9th, 1926 in New York City, and will celebrate the remarkable milestone of his 100th birthday, marking a century of patriotism, dedication, and service.

2:34

And whereas Joseph was raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx, where he developed the values of hard work, integrity, and commitment that would guide him throughout his life.

2:44

And whereas in May 1944, at the age of 17, Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy, completing specialized training in the United States Navy Anti-Aircraft School at Price Neck, Rhode Island, and subsequently completing advanced combat training with the United States Marine Corps, earning distinction by achieving the second highest markmanship score and being awarded the Sniper Metal Badge.

3:11

End.

3:11

Whereas in November 1944, Joseph was assigned to a United States Navy Construction Battalion Regiment and promoted to Petty Officer Third Class before deploying to the Pacific Theater.

3:24

And whereas during World War II, he served alongside the United States Marine Division on the islands of Saipan and Tanain in the mid in the uh Mariana Islands until the conclusion of the war in September 1945, after which he continued his service at the Marine Prisoner of War Camp on Saipan, guarding Japanese prisoners of war and assisting in rebuilding roads, bridges, and buildings, helping to restore peace and stability to the region.

3:53

And whereas Joseph was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in April 1946 after faithfully serving his nation and through the opportunities afforded by the GI Bill, Joseph returned home and completed his high school education and attended Iona College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951.

4:12

And whereas in May 1968, he married the lovers of his life, Madeline Kelly, beginning a devoted partnership centered on faith, family, and shared values, raising five children, four sons and one daughter, and being blessed with a granddaughter, Caitlin.

4:28

And whereas Joseph enjoyed a distinguished 45-year career as a manager with the insurance specialty company, retiring at the age of 77 after decades of professional excellence and dedication, dedicated service.

4:43

And whereas throughout his century of life, Joseph has exemplified the highest ideals of military service, civic responsibility, perseverance, humility, and devotion to family, serving as an inspiration to all generations.

5:00

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Edward A.

5:03

Lacterman, supervisor, along with the town board of the town of Yorktown, honored Joseph W.

5:08

Pettit upon the extraordinary celebration of his hundredth birthday, and do hereby proclaim August 9th, 2026 as Joseph W.

5:18

Pettit Day in the town of Yorktown and express profound gratitude for his distinguished military service during World War II, his enduring legacy of courage, honor, and dedication.

5:43

Now, Joe, I know that I gave you a copy of this on Saturday.

5:47

But at your party, but I have another one that your family could have.

5:50

But can you uh any words you want to say?

5:54

Well, I would say uh we who have served those who now serve and those who will serve in the armed forces of the United States of America, take three vows that we will all follow until the good Lord calls us home.

6:09

They are duty honor country.

6:12

God bless America.

6:14

God bless you, Joe.

6:24

Thank you.

6:34

Well, I've been working out since 46.

6:39

Yeah.

6:39

You have ID on you?

6:40

Because I still don't believe it.

6:42

I mean, you know, you want an ID.

6:46

Thank you.

6:49

Thank you.

6:50

Thank you.

6:51

Oh hi.

6:55

Thank you.

6:55

Thank you.

6:59

Oh, thanks, Ed.

7:00

Oh, got the friend.

7:02

Yeah.

7:02

It's a an honor and a pleasure.

7:04

Thank you.

7:05

Thank you.

7:06

Okay.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████████████████████████████████████45%

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████████████26%

Public Safety███████████████15%

Arts And Culture█████████9%

Personnel Matters█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Yorktown Town Board Work Session - August 11, 2026

The Town Board of Yorktown held a work session on August 11, 2026, beginning at approximately 7:30 PM. The meeting featured a proclamation honoring World War II veteran Joseph W. Pettit on his 100th birthday, a brief discussion about the lack of substantive agenda items for the work session, and approval of several routine resolutions. The meeting ended with announcements of upcoming community events.

Proclamation: Joseph W. Pettit's 100th Birthday

Supervisor Edward A. Lacterman read a proclamation declaring August 9, 2026 as "Joseph W. Pettit Day" in the town of Yorktown. Joseph Pettit, born August 9, 1926, enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 in May 1944, served in the Pacific Theater with a Navy Construction Battalion alongside the U.S. Marine Division on Saipan and Tinian, and was honorably discharged in April 1946. He later earned a BA from Iona College, had a 45-year career, and raised five children. Pettit spoke briefly, stating, "We who have served … take three vows … duty, honor, country."

Discussion: Lack of Substantive Agenda Items

Councilmember Susan (last name not given) expressed surprise that the work session agenda contained only the proclamation and resolutions, with no discussion items for pending issues such as the noise law, a $100,000 CREST grant for public safety, the comprehensive plan update, the Hunterbrook pump station consent order, the cell tower law, and the e-bike issue. She noted that postponing these items to September would lead to longer meetings.
Supervisor Lacterman responded that some items (cell tower, e-bikes, comprehensive plan) are in progress with research or scheduled future sessions, and that August is a difficult month for volunteer availability. He suggested Susan could have asked him directly for updates.

Resolutions

All resolutions were approved unanimously (motion, second, all in favor). Items included:
- Authorizing two staff members to attend the 2026 New York State Assessors Fall Conference in Austining, NY.
- Payment of $20,669.80 for extraordinary legal services to Murtork, Hasso, Venditti, and Castro Blanco, LLP, with a budget transfer.
- Budget transfer for purchase of drainage project materials to replace aged corrugated metal pipes.
- Purchase of one 2018 John Deere 310 LEP backhoe loader for $38,300 from the water department.
- Release of $500 escrow deposit for completed work at 546 Luella Road (highway department).
- Appointment of Stefania Longo Buco as conditional senior office assistant (police department) at an annual salary of $74,352, effective August 31, 2026, contingent on drug test and county approval, with a 12–52 week probation.
- Authorizing program director to attend HUD workshop on August 12, 2026 in New York City (Section 8 Housing).
- Bond release of $12,020 for completed work at 3849 Foothill Street (engineering).

Upcoming Events (Announcements)

"A Musical Journey Through Yorktown's Revolutionary Past" on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM at the First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown, free admission.
Final concert in the Lions concert series on August 23, 2026, featuring a tribute to the military, followed by a fireworks display to celebrate the Rev 250.

The meeting adjourned after the announcements.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the August 11th Town Board Work Session. If we could all rise for the Pledge of Allegiance, and I would like to ask our hundred-year-old World War II veteran Joe Pettett to start us off. And to the Republic for which it stands, individual liberty and justice for our own. As we remember those who have served our country honorably and have paid the ultimate sacrifice. I know we just passed uh Purple Heart Day. We've had um uh we've had many military come through, and uh we understand that when you join the military, you don't know what's happening. You're signing a blank check that uh they could cash at any time, uh, up to and including your life. And we pray to God that uh our military are kept safe as well as all of our first responders and people that that work for the better of their communities. Thank you. Thank you. So I would like to start. Um I'd like to start the work session with a proclamation uh honoring Joseph W. Pettit on his 100th birthday, which was this past Sunday, I believe, Joe, the ninth. August 9th, yes. Yes, sir. Why don't you come up to the to the podium so you could say a couple words if you'd like? You don't look a hundred, man. Are you sure you have ID? So let me let me Joe Joe, let me read this and then uh any comments you'd like. Whereas Joseph W. Pettit was born on August 9th, 1926 in New York City, and will celebrate the remarkable milestone of his 100th birthday, marking a century of patriotism, dedication, and service. And whereas Joseph was raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx, where he developed the values of hard work, integrity, and commitment that would guide him throughout his life. And whereas in May 1944, at the age of 17, Joseph enlisted in the United States Navy, completing specialized training in the United States Navy Anti-Aircraft School at Price Neck, Rhode Island, and subsequently completing advanced combat training with the United States Marine Corps, earning distinction by achieving the second highest markmanship score and being awarded the Sniper Metal Badge. End. Whereas in November 1944, Joseph was assigned to a United States Navy Construction Battalion Regiment and promoted to Petty Officer Third Class before deploying to the Pacific Theater. And whereas during World War II, he served alongside the United States Marine Division on the islands of Saipan and Tanain in the mid in the uh Mariana Islands until the conclusion of the war in September 1945, after which he continued his service at the Marine Prisoner of War Camp on Saipan, guarding Japanese prisoners of war and assisting in rebuilding roads, bridges, and buildings, helping to restore peace and stability to the region. And whereas Joseph was honorably discharged from the United States Navy in April 1946 after faithfully serving his nation and through the opportunities afforded by the GI Bill, Joseph returned home and completed his high school education and attended Iona College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951. And whereas in May 1968, he married the lovers of his life, Madeline Kelly, beginning a devoted partnership centered on faith, family, and shared values, raising five children, four sons and one daughter, and being blessed with a granddaughter, Caitlin. And whereas Joseph enjoyed a distinguished 45-year career as a manager with the insurance specialty company, retiring at the age of 77 after decades of professional excellence and dedication, dedicated service. And whereas throughout his century of life, Joseph has exemplified the highest ideals of military service, civic responsibility, perseverance, humility, and devotion to family, serving as an inspiration to all generations. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Edward A. Lacterman, supervisor, along with the town board of the town of Yorktown, honored Joseph W. Pettit upon the extraordinary celebration of his hundredth birthday, and do hereby proclaim August 9th, 2026 as Joseph W. Pettit Day in the town of Yorktown and express profound gratitude for his distinguished military service during World War II, his enduring legacy of courage, honor, and dedication. Now, Joe, I know that I gave you a copy of this on Saturday. But at your party, but I have another one that your family could have. But can you uh any words you want to say? Well, I would say uh we who have served those who now serve and those who will serve in the armed forces of the United States of America, take three vows that we will all follow until the good Lord calls us home. They are duty honor country. God bless America. God bless you, Joe. Thank you. Well, I've been working out since 46. Yeah. You have ID on you? Because I still don't believe it. I mean, you know, you want an ID. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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