Solar: The Board scheduled a public hearing for January 20th on proposed amendments to the Solar Law. The critical changes would:
- Ban large scale ground mounted solar farms in ALL residential zones. (They’re currently prohibited as a main use in commercial zones.)
- Grandfather two pending solar farm applications in residential zones that have been on hold since the 2024 moratoriums that did not include a grandfathering provision. These projects would have to comply with revised site plan conditions regarding setbacks, screening, etc.
A resident requested that when the town posts proposed legislation on the web site that includes amendments, the proposed changes in the existing law should be highlighted. The Town Clerk said she would look into the issue.
In a separate solar issue, Councilwoman Siegel said she anticipated some Board discussions later this month regarding plans to install solar panels on the roofs of town buildings.
Cell Tower. (See Town Board December 16, 2025.) In response to questions from a resident, the Board explained that no decisions have been made regarding the proposed cell tower on Granite Springs Road and that the adjourned public hearing will be reconvened on February 3rd.
Amawalk Reservoir. Supervisor Lachterman provided on update on issues involving the future of the reservoir, one of the two sources for Yorktown’s drinking water. In order to addresse a PFAS contamination, the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works is exploring two options: making a connection to New ork City’s Delaware system or adding a carbon filtration system at the reservoir. The water supply currently meets federal and state PFAS requirements.
Hallocks Mill Sewers. Supervisor Lachterman announced that he had received a phone call indicating that a federal appropriation bill included $1.25 million for the project and that he anticipated that the bill would be signed shortly. (Note: The town is still waiting to contact the DEC for permission to route the sewers through the state regulated Gomer wetlands. The rerouting would reduce the cost of the project.)
2026 Agendas. Both Councilwoman Siegel and Councilman Esposito discussed issues that they would like to see the Board address this year.
Food vending machines. The Board awarded a contract to a company that will install vending machines in the AACCC. Preliminary locations being considered are outside the gym and near the Parks Department office. The town would receive 36% of the machines’ gross revenue.
Organizational resolutions. The Board approved a series of routine resolutions that need to be approved each year. All are listed in the agenda. There was discussion only about two:
- The time for the annual budget meeting was changed from 6:30pm to 7pm.
- The Board rejected Councilwoman Siegel’s suggestion that the Board return to having four meetings a month, two regular meetings and two work sessions, so that more issues could be covered in a timely manner.
Fluoridation. Councilwoman Siegel asked the Board to revisit its2024 termination of fluoridation based on a new study that showed that fluoridation did not result in a loss of cognitive ability for children in the United States. In response, the Board held to its previous position that it would not revisit fluoridation until there was further information from the EPA.
The following issues were raised during the public comment portion of the meeting.
485b tax incentive. Several residents reminded the Board of comments made last year about the need to take a fresh look at the tax incentive law.
Route 118/Underhill Avenue intersection. (See Planning board, December 22, 2025.) Questions were asked about any town plans to construct the additional two pedestrian crosswalks. Supervisor Lachterman said that improvements in the Yorktown Heights Overlay District will be included in a grant application the town is working on but he did not specify what improvements were being proposed.
Police software. (See Town Board, December 16, 2025) In response to a resident’s comment that more transparency was needed before the Board proceeded with a major expense, Councilmen Esposito and Murphy defended the purchase as being in the best interests of the department and town. The resident’s concern was the haste with which the decision was made and which left the public with many unanswered questions.
For a video of the meeting click
yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=2053