Town Board, October 22, 2024

Fluoridation.  The meeting resulted in the end of fluoridation in Yorktown, at least while the current Board is in office.  In a 3-1 vote, the Board adopted the local law that gives the Town Board the authority to decide, by resolution  and without holding a public hearing, whether or not to fluoridate the town’s water supply. And, in a separate 3-1 vote, the Board approved a resolution supporting Supervisor Lachterman’s  September 26  “preliminary suspension” 

• on the grounds that it was an emergency
• it did not violate the NYS Public Health Law because it was not a “discontinuance,” the term used in the law
• announced the town’s intent to discontinue fluoridation as of January 21, 2025.

The resolution I proposed that would have required the reactivation of fluoridation while the town complied with the 90 day prior termination notice required in the Public Health Law died when my motion did not get a second

Parks and Recreation Issues

Sensory Garden at Granite Knolls. In 2023, the Town received a $50,000 grant to create the garden. The project was on the Board’s agenda for a status update. After Ana Mandara, the resident who has been spearheading this project for several years, gave a presentation of the  overall concept, Matt Talbert, Chairman of the Recreation Commission advised the Board that despite numerous outreach attempts, there had been no contact between the residents planning the project and the Commission.  At present, there are no firm plans for the garden. While some Board members had some issues with specific aspects of the plan, including its location, there was general support for the concept.  Supervisor Lachterman directed Jim Martorano, Parks & Rec superintendent to take charge of the project, put together a team and have a plan ready by January/February to present to the Town Board.

Cross Court Pickle Ball.  A for-profit company that operates an indoor pickle ball facility in Hawthorne presented a conceptual plan to build a similar facility in Downing Park in a public/private partnership.  The new building would include courts for pickle ball and pedal ball, a relatively new but growing sport, as well as facilities for food. The plan would include the relocation of the existing maintenance building that would be rebuilt and the provision for additional parking.  The Board expressed interest in the idea and directed  Cross Court to continue discussions on a refined plan with the Rec Commission.

Granite Knolls solar canopy over parking lot. The issue was whether to revive the plan that died last year due to problems with the vendor. Although the issue was raised as a solar project, the main issue was the need to pave the existing lot: who would do it and how it could be paved and meet DEP stormwater requirements.  Supervisor Lachterman made it clear that he, along with Councilmen Esposito and Haughwout were opposed to any solar canopy that they believed would either ugly or would have a negative visual impact. Councilman Murphy was not present. I had no problem with going out for an RFP for solar canopies on town owned property. Supervisor Lachteman said that a canopy over the parking lot at Shrub Oak park might not be feasible because the site is subject to flooding. 

AED defibrillators. The Board agreed to purchase a defibrillator, along with a security box, for Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Park and a second AED for Granite Knolls.

Solar moratorium. The Board passed the second six month moratorium in a unanimous  vote.  The Board rejected the suggestion that the moratorium exempt large scale rooftop installations on commercial property like the one being proposed at Curry Honda on Route 202.  Planning Director Tegeder explained that because the roofs at the JV Mall and Staples Center were flat, their solar panels were not visible. But, because Curry Honda’s roof  was sloped, its panels would be visible, to some extent, from Route 202 and from Old Crompond Road. 

Field Home. In a 3-1 vote, the Board approved hiring preservation consultant Gregory Dietrich to assist the Planning Department prepare and distribute an RFP (request for proposal) soliciting interest in the adaptive reuse of the building. I voted against the resolution because I believed  that with some minor edits the recent draft from the Planning Department was acceptable and that involving Mr. Dietrich, without any time requirement, would delay the project.

Hunterbrook sewers.  The Board voted to advertise for bids for CCTV work in the Hunterbrook sewer district. The work is required as part of a 2019 settlement with the NYS DEC and would identify where stormwater is entering the sewer lines which can overwhelm the capacity at the pump station to treat incoming sewage. The estimated potential cost of the project, which will be paid for by the property owners in the district, was not  known. 

Railroad station. The Board voted to advertise for bids for a food concession in the station (packaged food only). A similar bid in 2021 failed twice to generate any proposals.  There was a discussion over whether installing a restroom, either in the building or adjacent to it, would make the building more attractive to potential concessionaires.