Town Board Receives Recovery Funds Spending Proposal

(October 14, 2022) – The Town Board received a proposed list of ideas from the public and an appointed task force for spending $3.7 million in pandemic recovery funds.

Road repairs and upgrades were among the top requests from survey respondents, and they are also at the top of the task force’s proposed spending request. Residents also asked for new streetscapes and bike lanes in downtown Yorktown Heights.

“We got really good ideas and great insight into what people were thinking. Some of the suggestions were fantastic,” said Supervisor Matt Slater.

The task force’s proposed spending included study pods for the library, street drainage improvements, lights at Downing Field, and security cameras at the community center.

“There are so many projects and you got to start somewhere…This is a perfect start,” said Councilman Sergio Esposito. “It’s based on a list that we polled from the public and it was in line with what we wanted. Let’s move forward.”

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was signed into law on March 11, 2021, and it provides aid to state, county and local governments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These are issues that have been here. It’s about time we got them done,” said Councilman Ed Lachterman.

The Town of Yorktown received a total of approximately $3.7 million in aid in two equal portions. This funding can only be spent as stipulated by ARPA, such as on infrastructure, public safety, and enhancements to Town services.

“They’re all laudable projects and equipment purchases,” said Councilman Tom Diana, who noted that mercury vapor lights used at some Town parks are no longer manufactured.

The Town received its first half of ARPA funds last year, and the second half this year.

“I think you guys did a great job. Not only listening to the public, but also spreading it throughout all of Yorktown,” said Councilwoman Luciana Haughwout.

The task force was comprised of Supervisor Slater; Comptroller Patricia Caporale; Councilman Tom Diana; Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli; and Richard Fon as a taxpayer representative.

The Town Comptroller will now begin procuring the goods and services.

Contact:  Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201 or mslater@yorktownny.org