Town Board

2/13/2018

 

CLOSED SESSION

Volunteer Board interviews

 

OPEN SESSION

1. Traffic light at Hanover & Moseman Rd.

Highway Superintendent Paganelli explained he needs about $55,000 to replace the light that was damaged last fall. While the light still works, it is less visible for cars heading north on Hanover.  The cost is not covered by the town’s insurance policy. Councilman Roker said that as the damage took place last October, replacing it now could not constitute an “emergency” and that the town would have to either advertise for bids or, if available, purchase the new light off state contract.  A resolution to proceed will be placed on the 2/20/18 agenda.

 

2. YCCC

 Patricia DeMarsh, YCCC office manager, gave the board an overview of the building’s usage, including space used by the town, ongoing annual rentals and one shot rentals.  Use of the building for this last category has been increasing with over 100 rentals last year.  In response to a question from Councilman Patel about rental rates for non profit groups and ad hoc requests to have the rental charge waived, Ms. DeMarsh said she had some ideas about a consistent policy and would be available to discuss the matter with the board at a future date.

 

3. Landmarks Preservation Commission

Members of the Commission met with the board to give them an overview of the group’s accomplishments. Commission chairwoman Lynn Briggs explained that the town now has 31 “houses of distinction” and 14 landmarked properties.  She said that the signs identifying the latter group are about 20 years old and asked for $14,000 to replace them.   Regarding the Zino Barn, she said that some of the materials, like roof slate and stones, were saved and can be sold to raise money for the restored barn to be relocated to Railroad Park. She added that the group will be looking into how the restored barn could be used.  She also asked for a regular budget line to fund the group’s work. 

 

4. Illington Road parkland alienation

(See Town Board, 6/13/17, 4/26/2016.) It was explained that the state legislature could not act on the previous alienation request because the required public hearing had not been held. As a result, the process has to start over again and the Saunders family is still interested in purchasing a portion of the site that abuts its property while the cemetery would remain in town ownership but with the right of the Saunders family to maintain the cemetery.  The board supports the alienation and will refer out the issue so that a value of the land could be determined. A public hearing will have to be scheduled.

 

5. Mohanisc Trailway

(See Town Board 6/6/2017.) On behalf of the Yorktown Trail Town Committee, Jane Daniels updated the board on the project’s status explaining what needed to be done next was a community informational meeting to be led by the acting executive director of the Hudson Valley Greenway and a public hearing on a new wetland  permit that would only address the wetland issue. She explained that the objections to the project voiced by two homeowners at last year’s wetland public hearing have been addressed, e.g., that a 100’ barrier of invasive multiflora shrubs between the trail and the rear of abutting properties would safeguard the property owners from potential child kidnappers and that the second homeowner who objected actually did not abut the trailway. Ms. Daniels also advised the board that the property needed to designed “parkland” so that the trailway could be maintained by the NY/NJ Trail Conference.  The board will refer out a new wetland  permit application to the Conservation. (Note: Susan Siegel, the person writing this summary, is a member of Yorktown Trial Town Committee.)

 

6. DEP wetlands request for Croton Reservoir

A biologist with the NYC DEP advised the board of the need to do a pilot study that will introduce a chemical into two coves along the reservoir’s perimeter designed to eradicate an invasive plant that could negatively impact water  quality.  Because of the plant’s fragility, it cannot be harvested. The chemical has been used successfully in other parts of the county and is not considered toxic.  The chemical is already being used downstream in parts of the Croton River.  At issue was whether the permit could be granted administratively by the town engineer or, if the town board had to hold a public hearing on the request. While Councilman Roker initially said she wanted to do more research about the chemical before deciding, in a separate unrelated agenda item later in the meeting, a member of the Croton Conservation Board advised the board that the village has had no issue with the chemical treatment.  The application will be referred out at the next board meeting.

 

7. 1447 Delaware Road/stormwater permit

In order the build a house on the lot which will be on a septic system, the county DOH is requiring that the owner address drainage coming onto the property so that the runoff won’t interfere with the septic system. Based on a 2009 letter, the owner wants to run a drainage pipe through a paper street and then into a catch basin.  Last year, the former town attorney said that the town would not allow the connection. As an alternative, the town engineer suggested the owner contain the runoff by constructing an underground retention system. The board appeared not to like the idea of the proposed use of the paper road plan and suggested that the property owner come back with an alternative plan for capturing stormwater.

 

8. 517 Giordano Drive/stormwater permit

The property owner’s plan for an addition and a patio will involve moving more than 200 cubic yards of fill and therefore needs a Town Board approved permit.  The owner’s landscape architect reviewed the proposed plan that will capture stormwater runoff and actually decrease runoff currently finding its way into the street.   The board was pleased with the plan and will refer out the application at its next meeting.

 

9. 1515 Journeys End road/Notice of violation

Town Engineer Quinn advised the board that about two dozen trees had been removed without a tree permit or a wetlands permit. Some of the trees measured up to 30” in diameter.  The owner has since applied for the required permits and paid the required double fee and also presented a restoration plan that calls for planting 20 new trees, plus deer resistant shrubs.  The applications will be referred out at the next board meeting.

 

10. 2018 meeting schedule

With some minor changes, the board adopted its 2018 meeting scheduled. At the suggestion of Councilwoman Roker who wanted to encourage seniors to attend board meetings, one meeting will be held at Jefferson Village.  And, in a compromise, thee starting time for the non town hall meetings will be 5:30, as opposed to the previous 6pm start time, but later than 5pm which Councilman Lachterman felt would be difficult for people coming from work.

 

11. Town Board liaisons

Supervisor Gilbere  announced board liaison appointments to the town’s various advisory boards. When he announced his name as liaison to the Chamber of Commerce, Councilman Diana, last year’s liaison, objected and said that the Chamber president had  specifically requested that he be liaison. In response, Supervisor Gilbert said that the decision was up to the Town Board, not the Chamber.  Councilman Diana also objected to the supervisor being the liaison to the Rec Commission; in response, the supervisor advised Mr. Diana that he was free to attend commission meetings. The full list of liasisons should be posted on the town’s web site.  It was not immediately clear if Councilwoman Roker agreed to pass up being liaison to the Teen Center at the request of Councilman Lachterman who wanted to retain the position.)

 

12. Town’s television government channel

In an item not on the agenda, Councilman Roker said she would like to see more information on the town’s government channel, including broadcasting meetings of the town’s advisory boards.  After a brief discussion, the board asked her to draw up a budget for her plan as it would require additional funds to pay for the services of the cameraman who records the meetings.

 

13. Additional town committees

In an item not on the agenda, Supervisor Gilbert proposed creating two new town advisory committees

n  Substance Abuse and Mental Health, to work with existing community groups

n  Economic and Business Revitalization. In response to Councilman Lachterman’s comment that the town already had a 485b business advisory committee, the supervisor noted that that committee was limited in scope and he preferred a more inclusive committee.

Resolutions creating both committees are anticipated for the next board meeting along with an outreach for residents interested in serving on the committees.