Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium January 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM MINUTES

PRESENT: Supervisor George Hoehmann Councilman Jon Valentino Councilman Donald Franchino Councilman Robert Axelrod Town Clerk Lauren Wohl

ABSENT: Councilman Michael Graziano The Supervisor made a statement for the record that Co. Graziano is absent. He is having knee replacement surgery. He is excused and they wish him well. The Supervisor George Hoehmann declared the Town Board meeting opened. Assemblage saluted the flag. The Town Clerk read the roll call.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ~ Youth Police Academy POLICE DEPARTMENT MATTERS A member of the Clarkstown Police Department Administration will report.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC COMMENTS The Supervisor spoke regarding a number of actions the Town Board is taking tonight. There is a proposed Local Law that will increase the monetary penalties for violations of the Town's Zoning Code, Housing Standards, Rental Registry, and the failure to disclose all beneficial owners of residential Real Estate by LLCs.

The changes proposed are designed to increase the minimum penalties by an additional thousand dollars for all proposed sections of these codes. In addition, violators of the Town Code have the potential to be sentenced up to 15 days in jail. This past year, the Town has secured over $267,200.00 in Code Enforcement Penalties. In 2024, there was over $130,000.00. It has more than doubled.

We have continued to crack down on violators. There are a number of things we are doing with this, including the repeat Code Offender's Act. Co. Valentino is introducing this Act. This legislation will allow the Town Attorney's ability to pursue unlimited collection of Civil Compromised damages in Town Justice Court - particularly for repeat offenders. Co. Graziano will be proposing the Civil Fines Act of 2026.

This will increase fines for first offenders. A Public Hearing on this will be held on February 10, 2026. Co. Axelrod is introducing a resolution to create a position of Deputy Town Attorney for Code Enforcement. We are not adding another Attorney, we are designating Paul Chiaramonte, who is currently serving in a part time capacity. He will be taking on additional hours to heighten the focus.

The Code Enforcement Act of 2026 is being introduced by Co. Franchino where the Town is continuing to commit to hire three additional Code Enforcement Officers - one being bilingual Spanish speaking. We have the largest Town Code Enforcement in Rockland County with additional Code Enforcement Officers that we will be adding. It will be the largest in the Lower Hudson Valley (including some of the cities).

We are advancing our Code Enforcement Legislative package and sending a message. We had a very successful year, last year - enforcing our code. These actions and these public hearings strengthen our already impressive commitment for Code Enforcement. He would like to thank the members of the Town Board for their actions on this. The Public Hearings will be held on February 10, 2026.

The Supervisor asked if there are any comments from the Public regarding any of the resolutions or anything else. Steve Levine, Congers Mr. Levine believes that what the Town plans to do regarding Code Enforcement is exactly what our Town needs. People are hiding behind LLCs just as they do in New York City. They are bad actors. We need to up the penalties for Code Enforcement Violations.

Money is one thing, but putting people in jail seems to get people's attention. Mr. Levine spoke about a former Town owned property at 139 Massachusetts Avenue in Congers. He spoke regarding the history of this property to the new Councilman, Jon Valentino. He stated that the Town Administration at the time, was dealing with an uncooperative homeowner.

He felt that the Town Administration at the time was dragging their feet. Some members of the community had a federal court order that ordered the Town to clean up the site. Mr. Levine believes the property was sold at the end of 2025. He FOILed the bids on this property and/or the bid disclosures. Mr.

Levine stated that he will not have any conversations with the Town Council or the Town Attorney outside of public forum. The Supervisor stated that there is documentation and there was a Realtor involved. He believes that maybe what Mr. Levine was asking for was in the possession of the Realtor? There absolutely was a process with this. If Mr.

Levine does not want to meet with the Town Attorney alone, perhaps they can do a zoom call with Mr. Levine's Attorney and the Town Attorney. He does not believe what Mr. Levine completely accurate. There certainly is a full record of this public process that took place. It was done much earlier in 2025 and our Purchasing Department was involved. Let's stop the back and forth and set up a meeting with the Attorneys.

The Supervisor asked the Town Attorney, Kevin Conway to follow up with Mr. Levine. Al Osterlitz, New Citiy Mr. Osterlitz asked about the authorizations for the stipends for food scrap composting inspections, and street lighting inspections. The resolution reads annual payment. Mr. Osterlitz believes annual means recurring. This item is recurring. It was brought up last year and now we are discussing it again.

He objects to this. It is above and beyond the scope of what a person should do. He also questions number 26 and 27 on the agenda. Are we eliminating resolution #26? Are we hiring someone else? If so, what is the annual salary for that? Is 27 a Civil Service position? Is there a Town Hall calendar for the year 2026? There are no Town Board Meeting dates for the rest of the year on the Town's website.

The Supervisor stated that he is going to agree to disagree with Mr. Osterlitz regarding the stipend payment resolutions. The Town receives funding from Rockland Green. We are a pilot program Town for Food Scrap collection. There is a stipend for that position. The street lighting inspection is also a stipend position. It used to be a full time position in the Town.

The extra hours that need to be addressed to do this efficiently, is now done by stipend via the Highway Department. These are the most cost effective ways to get these programs completed. There have been and are Constituent Assistant Positions in the Town for many years. These titles were not recognized by the County of Rockland. It has been a long standing point of contention with the Town of Clarkstown.

There have been Chief of Staffs (Supervisor Gromack had several). After much research, our Town Attorney was able to find that if the Town had over 50,000 residents, there could be a Chief of Staff position. This occurs in many Towns. Mr. Moroni has been operating as Supervisor Hoehmann's Chief of Staff for many years. There is no raise in salary.

He is resigning his position as Constituent Assistant, and he is taking on the position as Chief of Staff. He has a title now from a legal perspective. Mr. Moroni is already retired. He is not accruing pension time. He is maintaining the same hours and salary. It is a well deserved title change. The Supervisor congratulated Mr. Moroni.

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (33-2026) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of December 18, 2025 and the Town Board Reorganization Meeting Minutes of January 6, 2026 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (34-2026) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled “A Local Law Amending Chapter 157 (Housing Standards), Sections 47, 55, 68, 76, 102 (Penalties for Offenses) and Chapter 290 (Zoning). Section 34 (Penalties for Offenses) of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown-To Clarify the Collection of Fines — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (35-2026) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled “A Local Law Amending Chapter 157 (Housing Standards), Sections 47, 55, 68, 76, 102 (Penalties for Offenses) and Chapter 290 (Zoning). Section 34 (Penalties for Offenses) of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown-To Increase the Amount of Fines — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (36-2026) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled, “A Local Law Amending Chapter 262 of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown” Concerning a Property Tax Exemption for Auxiliary Police — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (37-2026) - Amend Town Board Resolution No. 537-2025 (2026 Fee Schedule) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (38-2026) - Designating Delegate and Alternate to Attend Annual Business Meeting of the Association of Towns — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (39-2026) - Authorizing the Supervisor and the Chief of Police to Enter into an Agreement with the County of Rockland Regarding STOP-DWI Funds for Impaired Driving Enforcement Program Overtime — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (40-2026) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement for Implementing a Town Program to Promote Control of the Canadian Geese Population ($12,000 fee)

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (41-2026) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Execute Affordable Housing Restrictive Declaration of Covenant and Agreement Concerning Snow Church Realty Corp. Site Plan (Tax Map Designation 44.16-3-56) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (42-2026) - Establish an Escrow Account and Accepting the Proposal of AKRF, Inc. for a Traffic Impact Study on The Dells, Inc.Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (43-2026) - Establish an Escrow Account and Accepting the Proposal of AKRF, Inc. for a Traffic Impact Study on Rockland Hospitality Associates LLC — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #12: RESOLUTION No (44-2026) - Authorizing the Purchase of Software from Rec Technologies for the Parks and Recreation Department (Total Not to Exceed: $92,000/Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (45-2026) - Authorizing the Financing of the Acquisition of Software ($92,000 serial bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (46-2026) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding PAX 9 LLC Tax Map No. 59.11-1-37 (Total refund: $4,191.43)

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (47-2026) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding 201 Congress NY LLC Tax Map No. 57.65-1-8 (Total refund: $44,562.49)

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (48-2026) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding 30 9W LLC Tax Map No. 44.16-3-58 (Total refund: $5,981.07)

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (49-2026) - Advertising Bid #1-2026 -- Athletic and Recreation Supplies — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (50-2026) - Advertising Bid #2-2026 -- Swimming Pool Chemicals — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (51-2026) - Advertising Bid #3-2026 -- 2026 Roadway Resurfacing Program — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (52-2026) - Advertising Bid #4-2026 -- 2026 Concrete Curb and Sidewalk Replacement Project — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (53-2026) - Advertising Bid #5-2026 -- 407 Storms Road, Valley Cottage - Lead Abatement and Exterior Painting — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (54-2026) - Advertising Bid #6-2026 -- Overhead and Decorative Street Lighting Repairs — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (55-2026) - Granting Certificates of Registration to Perform Sewer Related Work — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (56-2026) - Authorize Stipends for Food Scrap Composting Locations Inspections — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (57-2026) - Authorize Stipends for Street Lighting Inspections — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #26: RESOLUTION No (58-2026) - Accepting the Resignation of Albert Moroni - Constituent Services Assistant - Supervisor's Office, Accepted and Retroactive to January 2, 2026 — Adopted as Amended

AGENDA ITEM #27: RESOLUTION No (59-2026) - Creating the Position of Chief of Staff (Town) - Supervisor's Office, Effective and Retroactive to December 23, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #28: RESOLUTION No (60-2026) - Appointing Albert Moroni to the Position of Chief of Staff (Town), Effective and Retroactive to January 2, 2026 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #29: RESOLUTION No (61-2026) - Appointing Brendan Curley to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer - Clarkstown Police Department (While Attending the Police Academy), Effective January 30, 2026 ($64,783/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #30: RESOLUTION No (62-2026) - Appointing Brendan Fee to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer (Pending Clearance from Rockland County Personnel) - Clarkstown Police Department, Effective January 30, 2026 ($71,988/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #31: RESOLUTION No (63-2026) - Appointing Christopher Walsh to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer - Clarkstown Police Department (While Attending the Police Academy), Effective January 30, 2026 ($64,783/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #32: RESOLUTION No (64-2026) - Appointing Drew Gauzza to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer - Clarkstown Police Department (While Attending the Police Academy), Effective January 30, 2026 ($64,783/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #33: RESOLUTION No (65-2026) - Appointing Kyle Teneyck to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer - Clarkstown Police Department (While Attending the Police Academy), Effective January 30, ,2026 ($64,783/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #34: RESOLUTION No (66-2026) - Appointing John Kolesar to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective January 14, 2026 ($21.48 per crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #35: RESOLUTION No (67-2026) - Appointing Virginia Lea to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective January 14, 2026 ($21.48 per crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #36: RESOLUTION No (68-2026) - Amending Resolution #563-2025 to Correct the Salary of Roy Sico , ITS Specialist - Information Technology Department (Corrected Annual Salary: $87,167)

AGENDA ITEM #37: RESOLUTION No (69-2026) - Creating the Position of Clerk-Typist (Spanish Speaking), Parks and Recreation Department, Effective and Retroactive to December 22, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #38: RESOLUTION No (70-2026) - Transferring Victoria Dauksza to the Office of the Town Justice, Effective and Retroactive to January 7, 2026 ($83,281/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #39: RESOLUTION No (71-2026) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Johnny Velez - Motor Equipment Operator II -- Town of Clarkstown Highway Department, Accepted and Retroactive to December 31, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #40: RESOLUTION No (72-2026) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Seth Needleman-Police Radio Dispatcher (CAD) - Police Department, Accepted and Retroactive to December 31, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #41: RESOLUTION No (73-2026) - Granting Leave to Thomas Isenbek, Effective and Retroactive to January 2, 2026 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #42: RESOLUTION No (74-2026) - Reclassifying the Position of Recreation Supervisor - Parks and Recreation Department to Senior Recreation Supervisor and Appointing Stephen Uhl (Provisional) to the Position of Senior Recreation Supervisor - Parks and Recreation Department, Effective and Retroactive to January 12, 2026 ($113,885/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #43: RESOLUTION No (75-2026) - Appointing Bonnie Werk to the Position of Member - Clarkstown Audit Committee, Term Effective and Retroactive to January 1, 2026 and Expire on December 31, 2028 (To serve without compensation.)

AGENDA ITEM #44: RESOLUTION No (76-2026) - Appointing Perry Kotzker to the Position of Member - Clarkstown Audit Committee, Term Effective and Retroactive to January 1, 2026 and Expire on December 31, 2027 (To serve without compensation.)

AGENDA ITEM #45: RESOLUTION No (77-2026) - Amending Res. No. 435-2024 to Increase the Salary of Paul S. Chiaramonte, Deputy Town Attorney, Since His Responsibilities Have Increased Because of Code Enforcement Efforts — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #46: RESOLUTION No (78-2026) - Re-committing Hiring Three Code Enforcement Officers Including One Spanish Speaking for the Building Department.Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #47: RESOLUTION No (79-2026) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Joseph Dwyer - Police Lieutenant - Police Department, Accepted January 22, 2026 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #48: RESOLUTION No (80-2026) - Appoint Alice Laschet to the Position of (Permanent) Police Lieutenant - Clarkstown Police Department, Effective January 22, 2026 ($233,221/ annual)

AGENDA ITEM #49: RESOLUTION No (81-2026) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled, “A Local Law Amending Chapter 247 (Solar Power) to Clarify the Regulation of Various Solar Systems”Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #50: RESOLUTION No (82-2026) - Adopting a Determination of Significance Under the Provisions of 6NYCRR PART 617 State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) for Rockland Country Day School Residential Subdivision Congers, New York — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #51: RESOLUTION No (83-2026) - Authorizing the Planning Board of the Town of Clarkstown to Apply Town Law Section 278 to the Rockland Country Day School Residential Subdivision (44.14-1-31.2 & 44.14-31.1) Congers, New York — Adopted

ADJOURNMENT At 7:49 PM, the Supervisor made a motion to close and adjourn this Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Valentino, seconded by Co. Axelrod. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl - Town Clerk UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.