Sewer Rent law. (See Town Board, February 10, 2026) In a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Esposito voting no, the Board approved amendments to the Sewer Rent Law that will change the way revenue is collected to pay for the operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses for the 8,200 properties connected to the Hallocks Mill and Peekskill sewer systems. The new system, which will be based solely on water consumption, with a surcharge per 1,000 gallons on the water bill, will replace the existing system that has evolved over the years but which has different collection methodologies for the town’s 13 sewer districts.
The financial impact of the change will vary for residents, depending on what sewer district they’re in and how much water they consume; while the sewer tax for three districts will be totally eliminated and reduced in other districts, the surcharge on their water bill will likely increase. Councilman Esposito opposed the amendments because he said he lacked information on how many property owners would either gain or lose from the change. For the other Board members, the issue was fairness with all property owners being taxed the same way.
Any change in the current sewer rent change, which currently is $1.50/1,000 gallons for some properties in the Peekskill system (but not all properties connected to the Peekskill system pay a water surcharge) or $1.20/1,000 gallons for the Hallocks Mill system will come later this year, and will likely be part of the 2027 budget. The changes will be made by resolution to the Master Fee Schedule.
Lock Box. In a unanimous vote, the Board adopted amendments to the law that requires the owners of commercial property to have a special box with keys to the building/s that can be accessed by first responders. The amendments, suggested by the town’s fire commissioners, were designed to make access to the lock box easier for first responders.
Jefferson Valley Mall. The Board discussed the need to change the list of allowed uses in the mall zone to permit indoor recreation uses. The need has arisen as the owner of the former Sears site has leases pending for a portion of the second floor space for child centered uses, e.g., laser tag, virtual reality and ninja activities, and possible additional uses for the remaining unleased first floor, e.g., golf simulation. The problem is that unlike some of the existing recreation uses in the mall that are on temporary leases, the proposed uses would entail long term leases which are not technically permitted uses under the existing code.
The Board appeared to support the intended use and directed the Planning Department to work on an appropriate definition and standards for “indoor recreation uses.”
Explaining that leases for the space had already been negotiated before the zoning issue was raised, the applicant asked the Board to act as quickly as possible to enact the needed amendments to the Zoning Code.
Legal fees. The Board transferred $39,531 from the General Fund fund balance to the legal department to cover outside legal fees. Councilwoman Siegel noted that some of the funds were needed to pay for a growing number of lawsuits.
Sewer pump station grant. The Board authorized the supervisor to sign a two year extension to a $5.8 million DEC grant to upgrade 5 pump stations. Councilwoman Siegel noted that while the grant was awarded in 2021 to cover 80% of a $7.2 million project, no work had been done by the time the grant was due to expire this month. Plans for one pump station were sent to the Department of Health for approval about two months ago and the town is still waiting for DOH approval; plans for the remaining four pump stations are still being prepared.
Granite Knolls fencing. The Board authorized advertising for bids for fencing at the existing basketball court and the new abutting volleyball court.
ARPA (Covid) funds. Councilwoman Siegel reported on how the town has used the $3.7 million it received in 2021. About 46% of the money went to the water department for the cement relining and water meter projects, painting the French Hill water tank and new equipment. A summary of how the money was spent is available by contacting the councilwoman directly.
EMS reminder. There will be a joint meeting on May 28th with members of the Cortlandt Town Board and the town’s two volunteer ambulance corps to discuss the VACs ongoing need for future financial assistance. The meeting, at the library, is at 6:30pm and is open to the public,
For a video of the meeting, check the town’s web site.