Town Board
12-22-2020
CLOSED SESSION
Personnel: Highway ad Parks
Negotiations
REGULAR SESSION
1. Appointments
Recycling/Central Garage/Building Maintenance. Philip Marino a retired Chief of Operations in NYC’s Sanitation Department, was appointed General Foreman in charge of these three departments at an annual salary of $90,159, plus a $763.12/per day stipend for overseeing building maintenance duties.
Parks & Recreation. An assistant superintendent was hired.
Highway. A laborer was hired.
2. Thompson & Bender Report
(See Town Board 5-19-2020 and 6-16-2020.) The company, hired to promote Yorktown, reported on its August thru November activities, primarily the creation of the Destination Yorktown campaign. Company representatives walked the board through its outreach efforts and the placement of its press releases. The town’s target audience is atterating businesses who want to relocate from New York City. The board was impressed with the metrics and said it looked forward to continuing work with the firm.. Supervisor Slater noted that as a result of the campaign, he had received calls from Manhattan firms thinking of relocating but that “we didn’t have buildings big enough for them.”
The board was impressed with the report and said it looked forward to continuing to work with the company.
3. Alliance for Safe Kids
As a result of Councilwoman Roker’s reaching out to County Legislator Gashi, Mr. Gashi, working with County Legislator Smith, was able to obtain an $18,000 grant for the group. Tricy Cushner, head of ASK, explained that the funds could only be used for programs and not staff, asked the board for a $15,000 “service contract” that could be used to pay staff through the spring/summer. She said that the group could get an additional $50,000 in funds, but again, only for programs, and that a staff person was needed to coordinate/organize/carry out these programs. The group wants to undertake a Youth Mental Health Services & Diversity Equity and Inclusion Education and Action program.
The board was supportive of the group and will ask the comptroller and town attorney to work on a contract.
4. Bridge NY Project
Town Engineer Quinn advised the board that Veterans Road will be closed the week of January 4. The closure will not affect Solaris or the medical building. The project should take about 10-12 weeks to complete.
Work on the Hill Boulevard culvert, which will lead to closing off the road at Route 6, is expected to begin the last week in January/;first week in February.
5. Fluoridation
In a 4-1 vote with Councilman Diana voting no, the board approved a resolution to proceed with the fluoridation project at an additional cost of $40,338. The funds will come from the water district’s fund balance. The additional cost of the project was reduced from $70,000 by eliminating $30,000 from an “additional work allowance” in the original contract. The project was expected to be completed by March but it may take until May to complete. If that happens, the contractor will not ask for any additional money. The proj4ect needs to be completed in May when the grant expires.
6.Vehicles and Traffic
The board referred out a draft local law to establish no parking on Commerce Street from the Route 202 intersection to the fire house and on White Hill Road from Mohanisc Avenue to Hunterbrook Road.
7. Zombie properties
(See Town Board 9-22-2020.) The board referred out a draft local law that would require the mortgage holders of unoccupied residential and commercial properties that are in default to their lenders to register on a semi annual basis with the town, paying a $500 fee, and hiring a property manager to oversee and secure the property.
8. Bridle Ridge Affordable Housing
(See Town Board 7-21-2020.) At the request of Ken Belfer, chairman of the Community Housing Board, the board passed a resolution exercising its right of first refusal to the 2-bedroom condominium that became available for sale when its owner died. The Housing Board will now be able to sell the unit, for about $125,000, to an income eligible person on its 500+ person waiting list. The potential buyer, selected by lottery, must also meet occupancy standards for a 2-bedroom unit. In response to a question from Councilwoman Roker, Mr. Belfer said he anticipated no problem selling the unit.
9. Lake Mohegan
At the request of Ken Belfer, head of the Mohegan Lake Improvement Dstrict, the town voted to advertise an RFP to apply chemicals to the lake this coming spring. The RFP will include three possible treatments.
Mr. Belfer also advised the board to expect additional RFPs in January that would address long term measures designed to improve lake conditions.
10. Miscellaneous resolutions
Food truck. The board authorized the supervisor to sign a license with Carol’s Kitchen to park a food truck in the commuter lot adjacent to town hall for $400/month. The license runs through December, 2021.
Nor-West. (See Town Board 11-10-2020.) The board authorized the supervisor to sign an agreement paying the organization $38,232 for 2021.
Insurance. The board authorized the supervisor to sign an agreement with Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services to provide insurance coverage for 2021. (The amount was not disclosed.)
Senior Services. The 2006 Ford van will be sold at auction.