YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y.—A theme of inclusivity and honor flowed through Tuesday’s Town Board meeting, as officials recognized local efforts and promoted community unity. In a separate matter, the board held off on making a decision to amend regulations for solar power generation systems and facilities.
Residents can visit yorktownny.granicus.com to watch the June 3 meeting, as well as other meetings. Recordings of meetings for other boards, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, can be found on yorktownny.gov.
Commemorating the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, Yorktown celebrates Pride Month in June as “both a celebration of love and authenticity and a call to action to confront inequality wherever it exists, support LGBTQ+ youth, and promote mental health, safety, and a sense of belonging.”
Supervisor Ed Lachterman said his own brother was an early leader at SUNY Stony Brook, advocating for gay rights. He said, “we are all just people” and believes in the “importance of inclusion, stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ community, and continue working toward a future where all people are valued and free to live as their true selves.”
Councilwoman Luciana Haughwout said she’d love to bring the concept of “The Human Library,” which according to its site, is designed to “build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. Race Amity, she said, does that every day for the local community.
The Town proclaimed Race Amity Day on June 8.
Founded in 2018 by Susan Cody and Irene Chenge, Race Amity of Northern Westchester and Putnam, has “become a beacon of hope and dialogue, hosting monthly educational forums, film screenings, and heartfelt discussions that promote inclusiveness, equity and justice.”
Cody stepped up to the podium, and said, “We’re very grateful” and said she was “moved” by the town proclamation.
Later, during the public comment period of the meeting, former Town Supervisor Illan Gilbert said the board’s conversations that evening reflected diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in action. He praised the proclamations issued during the meeting for embodying those values.
“There’s nothing wrong with DEI as a concept,” he said. “That is what you were all talking about tonight.”
A decision to adopt a negative declaration to amend Chapter 300-81.4 titled Solar Power Generation Systems and Facilities, was on the agenda, but Lachterman said he preferred to wait until the board received full comments from the Climate Smart Communities Task Force. He noted there are still lingering questions, particularly regarding a potential full ban.
With Flag Day approaching, the Town Board is encouraging residents to display the American flag “at their homes and businesses” on June 14 to “honor the American spirit, celebrate our history, and the foundational values we strive to uphold.”
The Yorktown Elks Lodge #2324 will hold its Flag Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on June 13. The event will highlight the evolution of the flag, from its inception to today. Councilmen Patrick Murphy and Sergio Esposito described the ceremony as impactful and educational.
During the public comment period of the meeting, resident Sarah Wilson spoke about the importance of properly displaying flags. This is an issue she brought up at the previous meeting and asked the board for updates on sharing guidelines on flag etiquette. Lachterman said he had spoken with the American Legion regarding the matter.
June 6, 1944, marked D-Day, the beginning of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, in World War II. On the 81st anniversary, Lachterman called on the town to “pause, reflect, and honor the men and women” who served. At the start of the night, Lachterman addressed a recent Honor Flight he and his wife went on. The non-profit organization transports American veterans, particularly those from WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War to the nation’s capital to visit memorials built in their honor. The trips are at no cost to veterans, and Lachterman called the experience an emotional one.
Women, throughout the country’s history, have “been among the patriots who have defended our land and liberty from every enemy.” Yorktown is encouraging people not just in town, but across the country and government officials “at every level to celebrate these women with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
Three eighth-grade girls at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School are working toward their Silver Award—the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can earn—by identifying a community issue, developing a plan, and acting. The students presented their project, “Second Life Puzzles,” to the Town Board—a puzzle reuse initiative focused on environmental and educational benefits.
Their plan includes providing a designated bookshelf at the library for community-donated puzzles, promoting free access and reducing waste. By giving puzzles a second life, the project emphasizes sustainability and encourages cognitive engagement.
The students also aim to educate the community on the benefits of doing puzzles, including improved fine motor skills, brain development, and hand-eye coordination. They expect to complete the project over the summer and into early fall. Lachterman suggested expanding the effort to include a local memory care facility, noting the therapeutic value puzzles can provide.
Library Director Yvonne Cech shared recent highlights at the John C. Hart Memorial Library, which ranks among the top five of Westchester County’s 38 public libraries. In 2024, Cech said the library recorded 376,764 borrowed items—an average of 11,000 items per day—the highest total to date.
Several improvements are underway, including upgrades to the adult and teen areas and the installation of three dual port EV charging stations as part of a countywide initiative. Museum passes are available online for library card holders. The library will be conducting a community survey, which Cech said will be available soon.
This year’s summer reading theme is “Color Our World.” The program kicks off on June 27 from 2-4 p.m., which also marks the last day of school. Last year, she said more than 2,000 people participated.
Resident Michael Hickin, who is running to serve as a Yorktown councilman, thanked the board for its handling of antisemitism. He was referring to the vandalism discovered last month at Patriot Skate Park behind Town Hall and the Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Track & Field. He said local officials were quick to respond and front and center, denouncing the actions. He cited the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado—where his daughter lives—as a reminder of the importance of taking such incidents seriously.
The board approved the creation of a staff assistant position for finance and administration within the water department. Michael Hecker, the water meter maintenance foreperson, was moved from Group XIV to Group XV, Step 5, with an annual salary of $95,922. Additionally, water maintenance foreperson James Waterhouse was moved from Group XIV to Group XV, Step 4, with a salary of $91,841.
The Town Board approved several resolutions at Tuesday’s meeting, including the reappointment of Peter Capek to the Board of Assessment Review. He will serve a five-year term ending in September 2029.
The board also authorized the supervisor to sign an agreement with LaBella Associates for professional consultant plan review services related to the Underhill Farm project, for a proposed fee of up to $12,500.
Additionally, a bid was awarded and the supervisor was authorized to execute a contract with Shadowbox Design Management for the installation of audiovisual equipment at the library, at a cost not to exceed $91,335.
Other resolutions can be found on the meeting agenda.
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