Work Session meeting held by the Town Board,
Town of Yorktown on August 8, 2006 held at
Yorktown Town Hall, Yorktown Heights, NY
Present: Linda G. Cooper, Supervisor
James Martorano, Councilman
Nicholas Bianco, Councilman
Matthew Metz, Councilman
Louis Campisi, Councilman
Alice E. Roker, Town Clerk
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:00 p.m., Councilman Bianco moved, seconded by Councilman Martorano, to move into Executive Session to discuss the employment of a particular person. At 8:00 p.m., Councilman Campisi moved, seconded by Councilman Metz, to move out of Executive Session and proceed with the Work Session.
WORK SESSION
Supervisor Linda G. Cooper called the meeting to order. Town Attorney Kevin Sweeny was also present.
YORKTOWN COALITION FOR DRUG FREE YOUTH
Joan Valenstein was present to discuss with the Board the extension of contract with student assistant services for coalition coordinator, Cathy Adler. Members of the Coalition handed the Town Board a their latest publication, Let’s Talk which teaches parents how to communicate with their children concerning drugs and alcohol. The Board also received a list of the Coalition’s Accomplishments including conducting training seminars for local alcohol-vending companies. Supervisor Cooper stated that Mrs. Adler was hired using grant money. The Coalition has applied for a grant to continue the program in 2007, but funding for this year will run out in September. She asked the Town Board to consider funding the program from September
through the end of the year, and then at budget time consider funding the program for 2007 in the event the grant is not approved. Lieutenant Richard Mallon and Officer Sean Lewis, that the Police Department could not have been as successful as it has been in shedding light on the issue of teenagers using alcohol and drugs if they had not had the help of Mrs. Adler who coordinates a lot of educational seminars. Former Police Officer Arte Landers echoed Officer Lewis’ and Lt. Mallon’s comments.
The Town Board agreed to place a resolution on the next agenda supporting this request.
SECTION 8 ANNUAL PLAN
Colette Rodgers, Director Section 8 Rental Assitance was present to discuss with the Board the Annual Section 8 Plan. Her program remains unchanged. There are 152 people in the program, 172 are on the waiting list.
TAX REFUNDS
Elfriede Schmid, Receiver of Taxes was present to discuss with the Board the procedure for processing tax refunds. According to State Law, if a property owner’s taxes are not paid by due date, they must incur a penalty. The Board spoke of Mr. & Mrs. Coupe, residents of Yorktown who incurred a penalty after a tax service erroneously paid their taxes and no bill was sent to their home. There was discussion amongst several members of the Board as to whether penalty should have been imposed since the taxes had been paid. According to Mrs. Schmid, the tax service has agreed to pay the Coupe’s penalty.
NOISE ORDINANCE AND MAINTENANCE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
Kevin Sweeny, Town Attorney and Joseph Hughes, the Code Enforcement Officer for the Building Department reviewed draft legislation with the Board concerning a proposed noise ordinance and tougher ordinance for maintenance of private property.
The initial discussion concerned Mr. Hughes questioning as to who would certify that a tree is dead and how would they make that determination if they could not go on private property. Councilman Bianco stated that a search warrant could be applied for if the situation appeared to be harmful. The homeowner making the complaint would pay for the arborist.
The Town Board will place this item on the next agenda for a public hearing on September 5th.
The draft noise ordinance would be revised to include recommendations from Joe Hughes and members of the Town Board. It will be sent to the Board for a possible public hearing on September 19th.
SEWER AND WATER
Supervisor Cooper stated that the Water Department needed more time to work on the draft legislation regarding backflow prevention requirements for water systems and grease cleaning protocols for sewer lines.
REQUEST TO SHARE PARKING ON TOWN LAND
Dennis Tompkins, owner of Yorktown Glass was present to discuss with the Board his request to share parking spots for the North County Trailway. The Town Board approved this with the provision that Mr. Tompkins work on a garden project near his business on land owned by the Town of Yorktown.
LEGISLATION: LAND USE, ZONING CODES
John Tegeder, Director of Planning discussed a proposed amendment to the zoning code as a result of work on the Comprehensive Plan. Thee proposal includes adding banks as a main use in Office Districts; removing Bed and Breakfast Establishments as a permitted main use in a Country Commercial District and adding in day care as a permitted use in C3 and C4 requiring a special permit. Also, a clarification in the C2-R district; Section 300-21 (10)(a) (2) Residential apartments, provided that each apartment is limited to two bedrooms per unit, no more than 1,000 sq. feet per unit and above a first floor commercial use.
The Board agreed to advertise a public hearing for these amendment at its next meeting.
Mr. Tegeder also discussed Revised Planned Design Overlay District language with the board. The Board wanted Mr. Tegeder to provide them with additional information before this was scheduled for a public hearing.
TOWN BOARD MEETING AGENDA
The Board discussed the August 15, 2006 Town Board meeting agenda.
ADJOURN
Upon motion by Councilman Campisi, seconded by Councilman Metz and carried, the meeting was adjourned.
Alice E. Roker
Town Clerk
Town of Yorktown
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