Tax Cap: In a unanimous vote, the Board adopted a resolution indicating its intent to exceed the New York State tax cap when adopting the 2025 budget. As required by state law, there will be a public hearing on the decision on November to 19. The hearing on the 2025 budget will be December 3.
Supervisor Lachterman explained that given rising costs, the town had no choice but to exceed the cap. (Note: Although the cap is generally said to be 2%, the actual cap percentage, which is the total tax levy for all 27 of the town’s separate taxing districts, is set by the state and is based on the town’s previous year’s budget.) Town Comptroller Gennelle MacNeil explained how the tax cap does not determine what the actual tax rates will be in 2025. As the supervisor is still preparing the 2025 budget, there was no mention of what those tax rates might be. But it was explained that the only way the town could stay within the tax cap and still cover its expenses would be to reduce services.
AMS development (800 East Main Street). The public hearing was a continuation of the September 3 public hearing on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and was devoted mostly to how the proposed development would address traffic on Route 6. In a video simulation, the applicant explained how the proposed traffic lights on Route 6 and East Main Street, plus extending the back up lane on Route 6 for cars waiting to make a left turn onto East Main Street, would improve traffic on Route 6. For more details about the traffic mitigation plan, and to see the simulation, scroll to 1:15 minutes on the meeting video.
https://yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1873
On other issues relating to the project,
- The applicant indicated he was now considering reducing the number of units from 185 to 180 and that the buildings would utilize the same footprint as the existing office buildings that would be demolished. He rejected the142 unit option discussed in the DEIS as not economically feasible given the cost of the proposed improvements. (The cost of the two traffic lights was estimated at $1 million.)
- In response to comments from the public, the applicant rejected the possibility of switching from an age restricted development to one that was open to all age groups, explaining that the project was specifically designed for the senior market
- In lieu of a pump station to handle the project’s sewage, and which would have to be maintained by the town, the applicant will review the possibility of constructing a gravity sewage line that would connect to an existing trunk line under Route 6 .
The hearing was closed, with a 10 day written comment period left open. By law, the applicant now has 45 days to submit a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that will respond to all the comments submitted during the two DEIS hearings. By mutual consent, the 45 days can be extended.
CREST grant. At issue was how to spend a $100,000 grant the town received through the efforts of State Senator Peter Harckham. Although no final decision was made, and department heads and residents were encouraged to submit suggestions on how the money could be used, the Board appeared to support installing digital signs at the Capellini Community Center and the library that would announce upcoming events at both locations.
Additional Town Board Meeting. The Board will hold an additional meeting on Tuesday, October 22 with the open session beginning at 6:30pm. The work session meeting will be to discuss several issues involving the Parks & Recreation Department, although other town issues may be added to the agenda.
AAA carting. Although the item was listed on the agenda, there was no actual discussion. Phil Marino, the head of the town’s Refuse & Recycling Department, explained that there had been an issue about the recycling routes but that the issue had been resolved so that there was no need for the discussion. There was no mention of what, if any changes, might be made to the schedule.