YORKTOWN, N.Y. — Beginning with the July 1 billing cycle, Yorktown residents will see a 75-cent increase per 1,000 gallons in their water rates, raising the cost from $7.15 to $7.90. As previously reported by Yorktown News, the increase is due to Northern Westchester Join Water Works raising its rates to the town. 2019 was the last time residents saw an increase in water rates.
For minimum users—those using up to 9,000 gallons—the increase amounts to $6.75 per billing cycle, or $20.25 per year. Residents using 21,000 gallons will see their bill rise about $16 per billing cycle, totaling approximately $47 annually. The Water Department bills Yorktowners three times a year, every four months. A capital projects fee of 20 cents per 1,000 gallons will also be introduced. Minimum usage will see an increase of $1.80 per billing cycle, or $5.40 per year. Users of 21,000 gallons will see their bill rise by $4.20 per billing cycle, adding $12.60 annually. Additionally, a $5-meter rental fee per billing cycle to support meter maintenance will be implemented.
All in all, the Water Department said minimum users of 9,000 gallons will have a total increase in their bill of $40.65 per year, and users of 21,000 gallons will have a total increase in their bill of about $75 per year.
During its March 4 meeting, the Town Board approved the water rate increase and adopted an updated Master Fee Schedule. The revised schedule reflects changes to non-compliance meter testing fees, as well as commercial and residential meter testing costs.
The board also adopted a law to curb the sale of tobacco and vapor-related products while limiting the concentration of tobacco retailers in town. The law prohibits new smoke and vape shops from opening within 1,500 feet of schools, parks, houses of worship, daycare centers, senior housing developments and medical buildings, among others.
There are currently two vape shops operating in Yorktown, one located on Route 6 near Tom Thumb Nursery School and the other, next door to Game Day Grille on Commerce Street, though Supervisor Ed Lachterman said at a February board meeting that one may be losing its lease. (He did not specify which.)
The law is designed to make it very difficult, and unlikely, for new vape or smoke shops to open up in town.
Jenis Serraino has been appointed as a provisional senior office assistant in the comptroller’s office, starting March 10. The civil service job has an annual salary of $65,148.
Mark Williams has been appointed caretaker at the John C. Hart Memorial Library, a civil service position with an annual salary of $72,141. His start date is March 31.
The town extended the contract through the end of the year with its public relations firm, Thompson & Bender, for community branding and communications service, to not exceed $60,000.
During the public comment period, former town supervisor Ilan Gilbert said during his term the board tried to pursue marketing in hopes of promoting the town’s work while preserving the community’s local farms and rural atmosphere.
“I just hope that it’s utilized for the purposes that it was originally envisioned, promoting the town, letting people know what a wonderful town Yorktown is,” he said. “Let’s continue moving the town forward in a very positive way, but also, let’s maintain the preservation of the beautiful aspects of this town,” adding that it's why “most of us moved up here.”
Lachterman said that the town “has been using Thompson & Bender to talk about all the great things” in Yorktown, adding that the company has a “very, very big footprint” and that the town “will keep utilizing their services to push forward Yorktown being a great place to live, work and own a business.”
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