Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium March 25, 2025 at 7:00 PM MINUTES

PRESENT: Supervisor George Hoehmann Councilman Mark Licker Councilman Michael Graziano Councilman Donald Franchino Councilman Robert Axelrod Town Clerk Lauren Wohl

ABSENT: The Supervisor George Hoehmann declared the Town Board meeting opened. Assemblage saluted the flag. The Town Clerk read the roll call.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ~ Annmarie Smith, International Women's Month POLICE DEPARTMENT MATTERS A member of Clarkstown Police Department Administration will report.

PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC HEARING #1: PH-1.

RESOLUTION No (150-2025) - Adopting a Local Law Amending Chapter 290-21(D) (2) (Bulk Regulation Exceptions) of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown – Amendment to Wetland Regulations — Adopted

PUBLIC HEARING #2: PH-2.

RESOLUTION No (151-2025) - Adopting a Local Law Amending Chapter 290-20 (I)(5) (Additional Bulk Regulations) of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown— Agriculture & Agritourism Use Parking Requirements — Adopted

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC COMMENTS Al Osterlitz, New City He asked about Resolution 175-2025 and 176-2025. The two positions that are being created. What is the dollar amounts for grade 15 and 27? He is assuming that the Assessing Aid will assist He would like to know what a Litter Control Agent does? He asked if they are going to be picking up litter on Burda Lane in New City.

The Supervisor said, yes, that is exactly what they will be doing. Steven Levine, Congers The Director of DEFM stated that they are doing more projects "in house." The Town as a municipality should move forward with that. Whenever a municipality hires consultants to do work, it costs the municipality a lot more money and you do not get the job done the way you want.

The advantage of doing it in house - they are familiar with the team, they have institutional knowledge. You cannot give that to a consultant. If the Town needs to hire additional staff to do the job in house, in the long run, it is saving the Town money. He heard we had a problem with massage parlors in Clarkstown. In NYC, they closed down a lot of the massage parlors with Zoning.

They put a task force together to push them out of midtown Manhattan. Jackie Dreschler, Valley Cottage She is concerned about Resolutions 159-2025. Retaining an additional contractor for Turf Field at Zukor Park. She disagrees with the amount of money that is being devoted towards this. She would like the job as Litter Control Agent. She is opposed to the CHPY project since 2012.

At the moment, there are challenges and delays. Canada is willing to pull the plug on energy to New York, due to the Tariff situation. She believes that exactly what will happen. Tobin Chacko, Nanuet Mr. Chacko wanted to ask about Grace Baptist Church. He would like to know if the Town is going to notify the public as to what is expected. Do they still plan on meeting to discuss this property in April?

He understands that they are reviewing a number of proposals. Is this still the plan? Susan Bloom, Nanuet On March 11, 2025, she spoke to the Town Board regarding minutes from the January 21, 2025 Town Board Meeting. It referred to discussions regarding the Grace Baptist Church property as well as other locations. The day after the meeting, the minutes were deleted.

Regarding tonight's agenda - How are there procuring contracts on the agenda, when she understands there is no Director of Purchasing. She "recalls" the Town Budget requires a Director of Purchasing. She stated that the Town only has a Purchasing 1 employee. She is not required to conduct procurement procedures. She cannot say definitively that the Town has hired a Director of Purchasing.

When she searched the 2025 Town Budget, she was directed to a press release - stating that the Clarkstown Supervisor announced a New Digital Platform called Accountable Clarkstown. This digital platform doesn't exist. There is no Accountable Clarktown Logo on the website as indicated in the Press Release. There are several Bids and Proposals on the agenda tonight.

How many bids and proposals did the Town receive in response to those items? Who was on the evaluation committee? How specifically are the chosen contractors providing for the best value for the Town. Emily King, New City She would like to state that the religious exemption law that she believes the Supervisor is referring to - is not a Democratic / Republican issue.

It is a sensible development - talking about water, sewer and trees. These are things that Clarkstown is very good at protecting against a very powerful lobby - to build whatever they want on whatever they have. We all need to work together to protect Clarkstown and Rockland County from rampant development. Jackie Dreschler, Valley Cottage She is aware that the Supervisor spoke with former Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski.

So did she. Rockland County needs a carve out from what is being proposed from Governor Hochul. We are in a unique situation regarding our resources. Especially water. We cannot support any type of over development that is being proposed. The Supervisor responded to the Public Comments. Mr. Noto, Town Assessor stated the salary for the Assessing Aid would be low to mid $40,000. It is an entry level position.

The Supervisor stated that the Town had a Litter Control Agent. The individual died under the Former Highway Superintendent Wayne Ballard. The position was never filled and eliminated. The Town of Clarkstown has many complaints regarding litter. We need a dedicated staff person for this position. This position will fall under the Highway Department.

They will have Laborers that will be assigned to assist with the litter. We need to get this filled sooner than later so we can address the litter issues in our Town. They will also interface with Keep Rockland Beautiful. The Highway Department does the best job they can, but we need to make sure the sponsored Town roads are clean. The Supervisor thanked Mr. Levine on his comments regarding the building.

He agrees with him regarding the Consultants vs Employees. Some of the finishing in the building will be done ourselves. The Supervisor stated that we have some employees on our DEFM staff that went over to the old Vanderbilt Lumber property which is the old New City Train Station. Through the owners, we were able to collect some of the elements of the old building.

A Town employee who is a Carpenter was able to design and create some of the old Train Station - a display - including the Ticket Window, a portion of the roof and the door. We will hopefully have a display that will be placed somewhere in Town Hall. The Railroad ran from 1875 to 1939. It had not been in operation for over 80 years. We want to make sure we preserve some of it.

We saved over a million dollars doing some of the work ourselves. Regarding Resolution #159-2025 - this is for the Batting Cages. The Director of DEFM stated that it is part of the original project. It is just a different vendor. By hiring a vendor we actually save money - as compared to the original contract. The Supervisor responded to Mr.

Chacko - on or about April 24, 2025, there will be a meeting at the Town regarding Grace Baptist Church. The Supervisor responded to Ms. Bloom - the NYS Comptroller came and did a review on our Town. They have not been here in many years. They just completed their review and we passed with flying colors. Often, time reviews are prepared by the State Comptroller. This immediately leads to an audit.

The Reviewer from the State Comptroller's Office met with us and stated that they touched every department in our Town. They made very positive comments to us about our Purchasing office, our Comptroller's office, and all of our Department Heads. It was not a full Audit, and we are not going to brag about it.

The Auditor from Albany stated that it was the first time in 16 years that the review did not result in full Audit. Mr. Berdy in our Purchasing Department works very hard. The Supervisor is happy to set up a meeting with Ms. Bloom to discuss. We always go through three bids and always file NYS Rules to the letter. Kevin Conway spoke regarding Ms.

Bloom's concern with the minutes - the original minutes that were posted we done inadvertently because they are Executive Session minutes. The Executive Session Minutes are kept in the Town Clerk's Office. They are confidential by nature because they involve Purchasing issues, Personnel issues, Legal issues, and are not posted for the General Public. This is State Law and local Clarkstown Law.

They were not deleted, they were taken down off Public posting. The Supervisor thanked Ms. King for her comments. The Law was sponsored by the Democrats in Albany. The Democratic majority in both houses are speaking about this. He completely agrees with Ms. King - this should not be a patrician issue. He is glad to see so many new people that are engaging with the Democratic Committee - coming to meetings to speak.

He would hope they get to the Legislature - a Democratic majority there. Get them to take a stance on this with Albany. There is an assault on Local Zoning that is taking place. Everyone needs to get together, because if these bills pass, our local zoning goes out the window. He was a clergyman. He worked in a Not For Profit for 21 years.

We should do everything we can to help people - the disabled and those that need affordable housing. We cannot overrule local zoning. He is terrified to see what Governor Hochul who seems powerless to stoop her conference from running a muck with Local Laws. He is happy to meet with Ms. King separately to discuss. Both parties should get together to do something about this.

At 8:47 pm, the Supervisor made a motion to close and adjourn this Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Graziano, seconded by Co. Licker. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl - Town Clerk

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (152-2025) - Appointing Richard Von Ronn to the (Permanent) Position of Police Lieutenant - Clarkstown Police Department, Effective March 28, 2025 ($221,392/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (153-2025) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (154-2025) - Amending the Budget — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (155-2025) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled “A Local Law Amending Section 109-19 of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown”Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (156-2025) - Authorizing Execution and Acceptance of Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreements Regarding James Giordano Subdivision (Tax Map Designation No. 59.09-1- 2.11, Lot 1 & 59.09-1-2.12, Lot 2) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (157-2025) - Authorizing Acceptance of Drainage/Conservation Easements 200-204 Strawtown Rd LLC/Soshy Subdivision (Tax Map Designation No. 44.17-1-45) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (158-2025) - Authorizing Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement for Engineering Assessment Services for Lake Lucille Dam ($40,000 lump sum fee)

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (159-2025) - Authorizing the Director of Engineering and Facilities Management (DEFM) to Retain an Additional Contractor for the Zukor Park Turf Soccer Field Project (Total amount not to exceed: $34,500)

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (160-2025) - Adopting a Determination of Significance Under the Provisions of 6NYCRR Part 617 State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for Germonds Park Sports Complex Upgrade West Nyack, New York — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (161-2025) - Authorizing Refund of Land Disturbance Fees to Lighthaus LLC for Property Known as Tax Map No. 34.8-1-1(82-A-7) (Refund Amount: $250.00)

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (162-2025) - Awarding Bid #24-2024 -- Central Nyack Community Garden (Total proposed cost: $189,500.00 plus a $10,000.00 contingency (Rockland County Grant Funds))

AGENDA ITEM #12: RESOLUTION No (163-2025) - Awarding Bid #2-2025 -- Swimming Pool Chemicals — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (164-2025) - Awarding Bid #3-2025 -- Bus Transportation - Senior and Youth — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (165-2025) - Advertising RFP #8-2025 -- License to Operate Concession for The Congers Lake Trail Café Building — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (166-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari and Supreme Court Action Regarding OHR Torah Inc. Tax Map No. 43.5-1-2 (Total refund amount: $21,635.61)

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (167-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Extend an Amendment to the License Agreement with the Rockland County Radio Control Club to Utilize a Portion of the Capped Clarkstown Sanitary Landfill Site for Radio Control Model Airplane Airdrome — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (168-2025) - Granting Permission to The Nanuet Restaurant and Two Ladder Brewing to Dispense Alcoholic Beverages at the Nanuet Street Fair — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (169-2025) - Granting Permission to Wanna Sip LLC to Dispense Alcoholic Beverages at the Clarkstown Rotary Club Festival — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (170-2025) - Increasing the Hourly Salary of Custodial Worker Part Time - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management to $17.00 an Hour, Effective March 26, 2025 ($17.00/hourly)

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (171-2025) - Appointing Kim Lillo to the (Permanent) Position of Registry Clerk- Typist - Town Clerk's Office, Effective and Retroactive to March 18, 2025 ($98,099/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (172-2025) - Reappointing Arthur Smith to the Position of Member - Fire Board of Appeals, Term Effective and Retroactive to March 12, 2025 and Expire on March 11, 2028 ($1,010/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (173-2025) - Reappointing Richard Willows to the Position of Member - Fire Board of Appeals, Term Effective and Retroactive to February 27, 2025 and to Expire on February 26, 2028 ($1,010/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (174-2025) - Reappointing Edward Bertolino to the Position of Member - Planning Board, Term Effective May 15, 2025 and to Expire on May 14, 2032 ($6,822/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (175-2025) - Creating the Position of Assessing Aide (Grade 15) - Assessor's Office, Effective and Retroactive to March 11, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (176-2025) - Creating the Position of Litter Control Agent - Highway Department (Grade 27), Effective and Retroactive to March 11, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #26: RESOLUTION No (177-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Matthew Stalter - School Crossing Guard - Police Department, Accepted, Effective and Retroactive to March 19, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #27: RESOLUTION No (178-2025) - Appointing Mary O'Sullivan to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective March 26, 2025 ($21.48/crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #28: RESOLUTION No (179-2025) - Terminating Paul Youngelson, Custodial Worker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #29: RESOLUTION No (180-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of a No Parking Here to Corner Sign on Phillips Hill Road, New City — Adopted UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.