Town Board Discusses Auctions of Town Owned Properties, and Extends Retirement Incentive

The Yorktown Town Board held a brief special meeting on August 31 to consider amending local law relating to a retirement incentive program for eligible town employees, as well as approve revised policy on medical benefits for elected officials, and approve hiring an auctioneer.

It was originally voted that the retirement incentive program would take effect on September 1 and there would be a 60-day window for the five employees to retire. But because there was a wide range of when they wanted to retire, a new effective date was put in.

"We wanted to give them the option of what works best for them," Siegel said.

All five employees would now have until December 31 to retire.

Town board members passed a resolution to clarify the policy regarding medical benefits. They made it clear it would apply to full-time and part-time employees, who would have medical, dental and vision benefits.

In addition, they hired a professional auctioneer, at no cost to the town. Haroff Auction & Realty, Inc. will conduct an auction of town owned property on Wednesday, September 29 at 11 a.m. A seminar, for those interested in bidding will be held on Monday, September 27. The following week, the town will approve all actions. No bids are final until approved by the town, Siegel said. There are 11 parcels up for auction, 10 of which were acquired by foreclosures.

The town board passed the resolution in 4-1, with Nick Bianco casting the opposing vote. He said he was in favor of hiring an auctioneer, but voted against because the properties were not referred out to the Open Space Committee.

Siegel said if the town keeps acquiring places, it becomes a burden and added responsibility to maintenance.

Board members reviewed the contract regarding 563 Underhill Avenue. The property did not close because there were outstanding liens. Supervisor Susan Siegel said that the Water Department Superintendent David Rambo had told her the town does not need the property.

The Yorktown fall festival and street fair will be held on October 9-12, and there are three banners in town advertising the event, which beginning September 1 will be legally placed, as approved by the town board. They are located at the intersection of Rt. 202 and Commerce Street, at the Yorktown Heights Fire Station, and the off ramp exit of the Taconic Parkway in Jefferson Valley.

Town attorney Jeannette Koster updated the board on what she has changed. In November and December of 2009, the previous board had approved cell phone tower leases by STC5, LLC, which should have been made a subject to permissive referendum, but were not. After speaking to the company's attorney, they acknowledged the leases would still go by the current law, but added that they would be subject to a permissive referendum.

The Town Board immediately went into an executive session to discuss the employment of particular individuals and litigation.

The next town board meeting is Tuesday, September 7 at the Teatown Reservation.