SPECIAL NOTE: The next Town Board meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, August 4 in order not to conflict with the Tuesday, August 5 Police National Day Out event.
2024 Audit. In a presentation on the town’s 2024 audit, the town’s outside auditor stated that the town was in good financial health. Most of the questions from the Board focused on the $24 million fund balance available in the town’s General Fund’s that can be used for town wide projects like drainage, road paving, improvements to parks and buildings, etc. Councilwoman Siegel, noting that $24 million represented a very healthy 65% of the General Fund’s annual budget, repeated her suggestion that the Board develop a list of projects to spend some of the money on needed projects. Supervisor Lachterman said that the issue would be discussed at budget time and that the town would look for grants for some of the projects. (See Grant Writer below)
Later in the meeting, after the Public Comment portion of the agenda, Councilman Esposito chided the public for not saying something positive about the good job the Board had done handling the town’s finances.
A copy of the audit is online at https://www.yorktownny.gov/sites/default/files/fileattachments/comptroller/page/2857/final_2024_town_of_yorktown_fs.pdf
Zoning change to allow microbreweries. The Board closed the hearing to amend the zoning ordinance to allow microbreweries with a tasting room in the zone that includes Front St. There were no comments during the hearing. Because the Board left open a five day written period in order to allow time to receive comments from outside agencies and town boards, the vote to approve the change was put off. As the brewery owner is anxious to begin renovating the space, the Board indicated that it could approve the change at a special Board meeting that may be needed before the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 4 to vote on a different matter.
Community Center repair. The Board awarded a bid for $230,000 to repair the coping on the front of the building. Because the exterior of the building is a local landmark, the town’s Heritage Preservation Commission will have to issue a Certificate of Appropriateness for the work to assure that the work respects the historic integrity of the building.
Grant writer. In a 4-1 vote, the Board extended the current contract with G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing for another year at a cost of $50,000. Councilwoman Siegel voted against the extension based on a lack of reporting from the consultant. In a related issue, she said that the Board should be more involved in deciding what grants the town should apply for, specifically citing early indications that the town may be considering applying for a grant for a new community center. The grant consultant is expected to be present at a future Board meeting.
Sewer pump station upgrades. The Board authorized the supervisor to sign a contract with the state Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) for the $5.7 million grant for the upgrade of five pump stations. Councilwoman Siegel again requested documentation that the EFC had approved a change in the original grant; instead of all the money being used to rehab four pump stations in the Hallocks Mill Sewer District, $1.1 million will now be used to rehab the Farmwalk pump station with is in the Osceola Sewer District which is part of the Peekskill Sanitary Sewer District. The town engineer explained that by revising the plans for the Hallocks Mill stations, the town’s consultant was able to leverage the grant to include the Farmwalk station.
Public Comment
As often occurs at Board meetings, some of the most interesting parts of the meeting occur during the Public Comment period when residents have three minutes to ask questions or make comments and Board members have unlimited time to respond. Below are only some of the issues raised. Other issues included the general use of overlay zones, how sewer improvements are funded, cost for pool passes, bus service, the location of electric charging stations in front of the library and when a permit is required for a food establishment to have outdoor seating.
Navajo Fields. Several people spoke in opposition to the plan. One speaker criticized the supervisor for allowing the applicant’s attorney to stand next to the Board table during the hearing. Another resident commented on the suggestion made at a previous meeting that Board members should recuse themselves from certain discussions and votes.
Solar Law. Supervisor Lachteman said the Board would discuss the proposed changes to the law at its August 12 meeting.
Emergency alerts. Residents were reminded to sign up for the town’s free Nixle program, run out of the police department, that provides text and email alerts for road closings, water main breaks, etc., but does not provide voice alerts. Other emergency services such as the use of the library and AACCC during periods of extreme heat were noted.
Sign up for Nixle is available at: https://local.nixle.com/tip/yorktown-police-department/
Stairs from Devito field to Acme parking lot. The supervisor will contact the owner of the Acme shopping center about installing lights on the steps from the field to the parking lot.
A video of the meeting is available at
yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=1982