Citizens for an Informed Yorktown

 

Town Board

January 22, 2013

 

1. Courtesy of the Floor

a. Senior club transportation money.  On behalf of the AARP senior club, Gil Kaufmann asked when the Town would be releasing the money to the clubs so that they could begin to contract with the bus companies for their planned trips. In response, Supervisor Grace said that the issue would be put on the agenda for next week’s work session.

 

b. Parks. Walt Daniels, speaking on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Open Space, announced that April 4 has been set for this years I Love My Parks Day. More information about planned activities will be forthcoming.

 

2. Appointments

The Board appointed Jeannette Koster as Town Attorney at a salary of $110,000. She will serve at the pleasure of the Board or until the January after the next biennial town election.

 

3. Retirements

Two long time employees were presented with certificates of appreciation on their retirement. Fran Perito who has worked full time as a civilian in the Police Department for 15 years and many years before that in other departments as a part time employee, and Leola Sprecht who has worked 21 years as a driver and all around helper for the senior nutrition program.

 

4. Advertise for bids

The Board advertised for a chemical additive to the salt brine that the Highway Department uses.

 

5. Fluoride Informational Hearing

Supervisor Grace opened the hearing by explaining that prior to expending capital funds to upgrade the fluoride injection equipment at both the Catkskill and Amawalk water treatment plants, Councilman Paganelli, who is the Town’s representative to the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works (NWJWW) felt that, in the spirit of open government, the Board should hear what the public had to say on the issue.

 

Under a Town law passed in 1965, the Town is obligated to add fluoride to its water supply.

 

Westchester County Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, several area dentists and residents spoke in support of the Town continuing to fluoridate its water. Only one person, a resident of Croton-on-Hudson, spoke against fluoridation. Several members of the Board and Town Clerk Roker also read or summarized correspondence, pro and con, that had been sent to the Board.

 

Matthew Geho, the operations director of the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works explained that based on estimates received from the district’s engineering consultant,  the cost of upgrading the fluoride injection system at the Amawalk plant will be about $93,000.  The cost for the equipment at the Catskill plant is still be determined, as additional work will be needed to deal with the building’s ventilation system.   Councilman Paganelli estimated that the cost for both facilities could run between $150,000 - $250,000.

 

The annual cost of the fluoride chemical is about $23,000/year.

 

The Board closed the hearing and voted 3-1, with Councilman Paganelli voting no and Councilman Bianco not present, to continue to add fluoride to the Town’s water supply.