Solar Law. (See Town Board, January 6, 2026) The Board opened and closed the public hearing on amendments to the law but left open a two week period for written comments to allow the Planning Board and Climate Smart Task Force time to submit comments. Most speakers either opposed the outright ban on large scale ground mounted solar installations in residential zones or supported the ban but opposed the grandfathering provision. The owner of the Jacob Road site advised the Board that if the law is approved, a revised plan for the Jacob Road project will be able to accommodate a trail connection in a different location.
Supervisor Lachterman said he supported the grandfathering provision and rejected the suggestion made at a previous meeting by Councilwoman Siegel that the installations be allowed or rejected based on a case by case review by the Town Board prior to any Planning Board site review. Councilman Esposito said he was “inclined” to oppose grandfathering but still had an open mind. And he suggested that sites with existing working farms be exempted from he ban. In response, Councilwoman Siegel explained that farms are in residential zones and that Yorktown does not have a separate zoning category for farms. Councilmen Gilbert and Murphy did not indicate their position on the law.
Granite Springs Cell Tower. (See Town Board, December 16, 2025) The Board passed a resolution to hire an RF consultant to review various aspects of the Homeland application – but only after the Board had an opportunity to review and approve the scope of what the consultant would be asked to review. That scope would include whether smaller towers (aka DAS) were a suitable alternative to the proposed 130 foot mono pole. It was also noted that the town will have its environmental consultant review the wetland delineation and also the tower’s impact on wildlife.
In response to comments from the public that questioned the independence of the consultant the town expects to hire, Supervisor Lachterman advised residents that based on the consultant’s prior work, he would be independent and dismissed the need to seek quotes from other RF consultants.
The hearing will be reconvened on February 3.
Road salt. The Board approved a $143,000 transfer from the General Fund fund balance to the Highway Fund to cover the cost of purchasing more road salt.
Hallocks Mill Sewer Extension. (See Town Board, January 6, 2026) Councilwoman Siegel clarified and updated Supervisor Lachterman’s comment noting that as of this week, the Senate had not yet voted on the House approved appropriation bill that included $1.25 million for the sewer project.
The following issues were raised during Public Comment:
485b Tax Incentive. Some residents again asked the Board to take a fresh look at whether the incentive is still needed and/or if it should be revised. Supervisor Lachterman and Councilman Esposito defended the incentive, as is, saying that the town could not know if the incentive made a difference in where a business decided to locate; some residents pointed to Cortlandt which has seen additional commercial development without offering a tax incentive.
Meeting agendas. Calling attention to the fact that the final agenda for Town Board meetings is often not available until shortly before the meeting, and that the agendas for some advisory boards are not available, a resident reminded the Board that according to the Open Meetings Law, agendas for all town boards should be made available to the public at last 24 hours before the meeting.
Volunteer Board openings. Supervisor Lachterman and Councilwoman Siegel reminded residents about openings on the following volunteer boards: Planning, Zoning, Conservation, Housing and Tree Commission. Interested residents should send their resumes to his assistant at csmith@yorktownny.gov.
For a video of the meeting click: yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=2061