YORKTOWN, N.Y. — Town Hall was packed with grateful Jefferson Village residents on Tuesday to cheer on and thank fellow community members whose quick thinking and selflessness saved a life during a bad fire in the Jefferson Village complex late last month. The work session ran shorter than the previous three meetings and featured a number of discussion items, including solar law and tree inventory. Residents can visit yorktownny.granicus.com to watch the April 8 meeting and all others.
On March 28, Chris Perez, a Carmel resident and postal worker, was delivering mail at the Jefferson Village complex when he spotted flames and smoke. He quickly realized someone was in one of the homes, and he acted fast—a choice that helped save a life. Along with Perez, Ed Hammond (who was not present at the meeting), Elyce Koenig, and Rene Lopez put themselves in harm’s way to help their community.
Koenig was knocking on doors to warn her neighbors of the fire. Chief of Police Robert Noble said she was “like Paul Revere.” Lopez, who lives in Mahopac, has been a landscaper in the complex for three decades. He told Yorktown News that when Perez warned him of the fire, he didn’t think twice. He knew he had to step in.
Noble said during the meeting that his department “can’t thank you enough for being in the right place at the right time,” adding that they put themselves at risk “to make things happen.”
Councilman Sergio Esposito said “not all heroes wear capes,” and other town officials pointed to the idea that, oftentimes, it’s residents and everyday community members who are the ones ready to drop everything to help their neighbors.
Everyone honored received a certificate from the Town Board, a special congressional recognition from Congressman Mike Lawler’s office, and a certificate of merit from Assemblyman Matt Slater’s office. They’ve also earned gratitude and praise from the police department and local fire departments.
After 30 years of service to the town, Thomas Gallello has retired. He most recently worked at the John C. Hart Memorial Library, and to honor and celebrate his dedication, Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman read a proclamation. He cited Gallello’s “attention to detail” and said his efforts played an “essential role in maintaining the quality and functionality of our public spaces.”
Library Director Yvonne Cech thanked Gallello for his “total devotion to the library,” and added that “anything we’ve ever asked him, he did with a smile.”
The April 8 work session included six items, including Hill Boulevard drainage piping, raised by Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli. Lachterman stressed the importance of moving forward. The board also addressed a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for 2258 Saw Mill River Road, a rezoning request for Foothill Street, and a SWPPP application and tree permit for 1825–29 Teatown Road. It also discussed solar law and heard from Keith Schepart of the Tree Conservation Advisory Commission on tree inventory.
Frank Rendina was appointed to the Sewer Department’s position of sewer maintenance foreman. The role is a civil service title with an annual salary of $86,483. The appointment will be effective as of April 21.
The board adopted a policy for digital records and retention and a policy on the release of employee-related information under the Freedom of Information Law. Per the agenda, FOIL requires the town to “engage in a specific analysis of whether documents are to be released under the obligations contained within the statutory guidelines.”
Councilwoman Susan Siegel had questions about the sensory garden, but the other four board members voted in favor, authorizing the supervisor to sign an agreement with Site Design Consulting, PE, PLLC, to provide engineering services for a proposed sensory garden.
There were a handful of other resolutions adopted by the board.
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