Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium November 24, 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. POLICE DEPARTMENT MATTERS A member of the Clarkstown Police Department Administration will report.

PUBLIC HEARING The Supervisor explained the procedure for the two Public Hearing. He also wanted to call to everyone's attention that there is no resolution on tonight's agenda nor was there one planned to be on tonight's agenda or any future agenda related to mass public gatherings. There was never a proposal for any action.

This discussion originated at a prior Town Board Meeting where a resident came in and during the Public Comment portion of the meeting and raised some questions about safety and his ability to protest at the four corners. That back and forth exchange is included in the minutes that we will be voting on tonight, from the Meeting of November 6, 2025.

The Town has a compelling interest in insuring public safety relating to mass pubic gatherings for attendees and for the general public - at any location in the Town. We will always look at safety concerns with that.

A good deal of media interest has been generated regarding mass gatherings - specifically at the four corners of Route 59 and Middletown Road - based on comments made outside of a Town Board Meeting with one of the Councilman.

This specific location has been discussed due to Public Safety concerns related to the potential per vehicle impact and the difficulty of protecting against potential or accidental impact at this location. In fact, right near this location, the bank has had a vehicle drive into it twice. It has been misrepresented or over reported in the press.

There are some public safety concerns, not limited to citations issued or arrests made, but frankly about vehicle impact. In speaking with residents who have contacted the Supervisor's Office, he was startled when people indicated they are perfectly safe with these large protests because of the barriers that are put up. The police concluded that the barriers are set up to prevent people from going into the street....

not for preventing a vehicle from impacting people. There is a large number of people protesting. There has been a history of protesting at the four corners, we have never had the number like the last several protests. The Town is not taking any action. It was never proposed to limit anyone's ability to speak at the Four Corners.

However, we have asked the State Department of Transportation to look at ways to improve Public Safety, particularly with vehicles. We want to make sure people are not negatively impacted. We have reached out to Senator Bill Weber and our Assemblyman Patrick Carroll for State assistance with relationship with the Four Corners.

He would like to thank Senator Weber who is working on an upcoming meeting with the State DOT to address safety concerns. Not only will the Four Corners be looked at, but other areas of Route 304 will be reviewed. Unfortunately, Co. Carroll notified the Town and said he did not have the ability of setting up this meeting. The Supervisor is glad that everyone is here. The Town is not taking any action.

There never was a proposal. The Journal News actually reported that. In their follow-up article, when they spoke to the Supervisor, it was indicated there was never a proposal. The Town will take everyone's public comment. People speaking on the two Public Hearings will be allowed to speak. Then we will move with our Agenda.

PUBLIC HEARING #1: PH-1.

RESOLUTION No (489-2025) - Adopting a Local Law Entitled: “A Local Law Amending Chapter 290 (Zoning) of the Town Code and the Zoning Map of the Town of Clarkstown to Establish the Hamlet Center - Congers (HC-C), Valley Cottage (HC-VC) and West Nyack (HC-WN) Zoning Districts — Adopted

PUBLIC HEARING #2: PH-2.

RESOLUTION No (490-2025) - Adopting a Local Law Entitled: “A Local Law Amending Chapter 290 (Zoning) Of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations”Adopted

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC COMMENTS The Supervisor stated that before we have Public Comment. He would like to speak about

Agenda Item #1- Resolution # 491-2025. The applicant is here for Eberling Homes. He is asking Mr. Simoes to discuss this resolution. Eberling Homes - Mr. Simoes This property is located on 36 New Hempstead Road, adjacent to Eberling Drive. Tax Parcel - 43.14-3-48. The owner of this property came to the Planning Board with a seven lot subdivision and requested the use of Cluster Subdivision.

This is a state law that allows planning boards or municipalities - take a piece of property, calculate what they would be allowed, by right, and cluster them down on to one portion of the property so that you will preserve scenic and environmentally sensitive property. In this instance, the subdivision, cluster that was proposed reduced the physical disturbance from 4.2 acres to to 2.25 acres.

Two acres of land is left undisturbed, dedicated as open space, essentially park land. The difference in trees that would be removed would be on the standard subdivision plot, which would be 338 trees and with the cluster development it would be 171 trees. This is 1/2 the number of trees that would be taken down. It is a steep slope area and this is a concern.

The steepest area, near New Hempstead Road would be protected. Our Town Code requires that the Planning Board ask authorization of the Town Board to employ Cluster Subdivision. It has been used throughout the Town for decades. In the past it was called average density. This is a formality. The Planning Board has already done the Environmental Review.

The Environmental Impacts are not significant and further mitigated by Cluster Development. The Town Board needs to determine whether the Planning Board should use Clustering. The Applicant will report back to the Planning Board and move forward with that Plan. Cluster vs Standard. Standard would allow development across the entire property.

Ira Emmanuel - Attorney for the Eberling Project He was speaking also for the Engineers and Surveyors for the property. This is a project that is sponsored by the Rockland County Action Coalition. All seven of the homes that are proposed are going to be affordable homes. They will be affordable to someone with 80% of the area median income. When last calculated in 2024, it was $124, 240.

00 income for a family of four. This is housing that is intended for folks that are working, yet have some means. Housing in Clarkstown and Rockland is very, very expensive. If these homes were on the market, they would sell for excess of $750,000. Because of the grants that the RCAC has obtained, the sale price would be $350,000. This is the only way this could be made affordable for ordinary people.

These homes will be limited to first time homeowners. Resale prices will be restricted by a declaration that will be filed with Rockland County. We will provide this declaration to the Town Attorney for review. The homes will be about 2,000 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Common with what is in the Eberling area with R15. The lots will be smaller. 6500 and 100000 square feet lots.

We figured out how many homes we could get on the parcel under the R15 without any variances. This has met all of the requirements that the Town has. This came out to 7 homes, compressing them to the northern end of the site. Some impacts - Steep slopes on the central and southern portion of the site. We are able to avoid the steep slopes when we compressed them up to the north.

Instead of taking access off of New Hempstead Road (below the curve - across from the Rockland County Highway Department). We swapped this out for an entrance directly on Eberling. This is a much safer access. Mr. Simoes spoke about the open space that is being created with the cluster. It comes out to 68.7% of the site. More than 2/3 of the site will be protected with open space. The Supervisor asked Mr.

Emmanuel - How is the resale price restricted. How do we make sure there is no flipping of the property? Theresa Smith - Rockland County Housing Action Coalition We are a non housing profit organization in New City. Eberling Homes will have a thirty year deed restriction that will be monitored annually with each household. There will be regulatory agreements for each unit. The Supervisor asked why 30 years?

There is a significant amount of Federal, State and County money. Why would it not be allowed to continue? Ms. Smith stated that all deed restrictions are 30 years for the affordability factor. After 30 years, they will be able to sell it for market. The Supervisor again stated - "Why would we want that?"

He continued - if we are creating affordable housing - by definition - local hospitals and not for profit Executive Directors have come in to talk to him and asked him what can they do? This is why we put an affordability component across all zoning. We are requiring an affordability requirement because we are trying to respond to the need for workers.

Camp Venture, Venture Together, Jawanio, ARC of Rockland, Mental Health Association, People to People, Meals on Wheels. All of these are located in the Town of Clarkstown. We have the Top Not For Profits here in the County. They are all struggling for workers. These are seven homes that can be made available and potentially a family could live here, work here, and raise their family here.

Many are commuting from Dutchess County to work. here. His predecessor wanted to sell our Senior Complex, and the Supervisor fought him on it. If there is no HUD restriction, he would think this should be something that should be changed. We should not have an end date to affordable housing. There will always be a need for affordable housing. There is significant funding that is coming to this project. Ms.

Smith stated that they are getting about 1/2 of the total cost - for funding the project. The Supervisor stated that this is significant. He wants to see a deed restriction that should be in perpetuity - and very difficult to remove. Ira Emmanuel stated that we do not have to answer this right now and they can look into that. He does not know what the HUD regulations are.

They will take a look into this and get back to the Planning Board. The Supervisor stated that if the Town Board does not approve the Cluster Plan - the Standard Plan would be built. The Standard Plan has been approved. Mr. John Atzel - Survey and Engineer for the Site The Planning Board established and approved the Standard Plan (Yield Plan). However, they would like for the Town Board to approve the Cluster Plan.

This is how we establish our lot count. Some of the concepts of the Standard Plan - The Road has access from New Hempstead Road. It is a long road. Almost the entire site would have to be cleared and developed to produce these seven lots. Under the Cluster plan, access would be off of Eberling Drive. The length of the roadway would be significantly less.

The lots would be clustered up towards the north half of the site. Two acres on New Hempstead Road will remain natural. We will not be removing any trees or doing any grading. We will not use it for draining improvement or drainage mitigation. Less than half of the total trees on site, will be removed. It will remain natural. It will be dedicated to the Town as Open Space.

The Town will be able to do whatever they need/want to do with it (Ex. Conservation Easement). The Town will keep ownership of this. It will still be a Town Road. Mr. Emmanuel stated that if people take a look at the drawings on the Yield Plan, they will notice 8 Lots and on the Cluster Plan, they will see 9 Lots. We are not talking anything more than 7 homes.

On the Yield Plan - the 8th Lot, is the drainage lot that will be provided to the Town of Clarkstown. On the Cluster Plan, we will have the Drainage Lot and Open Space. This is why there is more than 7 Lots shown on each plan. Mr. Emmanuel used the diagram to explain. Clarkstown requires a reduction on runoff. The Supervisor stated that in terms of the drainage lot, is that the best location for it?

Have other lots been considered for that? Mr. Emmanuel stated that this is the bottom of the hill. Mr. Atzel stated that the drainage lot includes stormwater detention basin without falls going out to the municipal systems on Eberling Drive. The Yield Plan has a detention basin that is 16,000 square feet. The road is so much longer, with hard surface and pavement.

On the Cluster Plan, the Drainage Basin is about 8,000 square feet because we are reducing the area of the roadway by half. The Supervisor confirmed that the lot will be donated to the Town and will have conservation restrictions. It can never be developed and it will be dedicated to the Town and retain ownership. There is no plan for screens or plantings - it is not needed, according to Mr.

Atzel, it is a wooded lot. The Supervisor stated that we received a letter from a resident concerning the number of trees that will be cut. Can there be a tree plan if we were to approve the Cluster Subdivision? Mr. Emmanuel said we can look into that. Atzel indicated the excavating is limited to the north end of the site. Co.

Graziano asked if they reconfigured the retention basin to satisfy a homeowner that is located next to the original map. That was confirmed. Co. Graziano asked about the mosquito situation, especially in the Summer time. Atzel indicated that it will be a dry drainage basin. The only time there will be water in it, is after a rain storm.

The Supervisor stated that this is not the water retention basin that was built across the Palisades Mall. It is not a pond. This basin is like the one the Town put in at Germonds Park. It collects the water and then it releases the water over a time period. There will be grass and other vegetation on it. It will be diverted into a catch basin. The lots vary in sizes - 6,500 square feet to 12,000 square feet.

The Supervisor stated that this went to the Planning Board who approved the Standard Plan. The Road will come off of New Hempstead Road and they will develop the entire lot. Under NYS Law, they have asked for the average density, Cluster Subdivision. Legally we cannot allow consideration for the Affordable Housing portion of this development. What's before us tonight?

Do we allow them to Cluster and develop less of the property? With this, some property will be neutered and the Town will get open space and forever be protected from being developed. The Town Attorney stated that yes, this is the case. Co. Axelrod confirmed that regardless of the cluster, each home will be approximately 2,000 square feet. That does not change?

The Supervisor asked if the Town does not go ahead with the Cluster, is this still a project that would be developed? Mr. Emmanuel stated that, "Frankly, we have not considered that possibility." The Supervisor asked if there is anyone from the Public who wishes to speak about the Eberling project: Dawn L. Coffey 21 Eberling Drive Read a letter into the record.

To: Clarkstown Town Clerk and Town Board Date: November 23, 2025 Dear Town Clerk and Members of the Town Board, My name is Dawn Coffey, and I am the owner of 21 Eberling Drive. My family has resided on our property directly adjacent to the proposed development site for more than forty-two years.

I have lived in Rockland County for most of my life and have served this community for twenty-eight years as a public-school teacher. This is not merely where I live; it is a landscape, neighborhood, and community to which I have devoted decades of care, stewardship, and investment. I write to express my deep and unequivocal concerns regarding the proposed cluster plan for the Eberling Homes Project.

Based on the environmental, historical, hydrological, aesthetic, and economic impacts outlined below, I respectfully urge the Town Board to deny the cluster plan and to instead require a more responsible, balanced layout, specifically, the yield plan. The Cluster Plan Concentrates Harm and Does Not Constitute True Preservation. The cluster plan concentrates all seven proposed homes into a 2.

2-acre portion of the parcel- the section situated directly behind my home and the homes of my neighbors while leaving the rest of the 4.2-acre property untouched. This area contains mature woodland that has remained largely undisturbed for more than seventy years. Although the cluster plan has been presented as “environmentally beneficial,” this characterization is misleading.

True open-space preservation requires that preserved land be ecologically meaningful, publicly visible, or publicly accessible. Here, the preserved land is none of those things. Instead, the cluster configuration requires the clear-cutting of 171 mature trees, dramatically altering the natural hydrology, slope stability, and ecological function of the site.

It shifts environmental and aesthetic burdens onto a small number of existing homeowners, rather than distributing impact in a fair and balanced manner. This is not environmental preservation in my opinion, but the displacement of environmental harm onto immediately adjacent residents. Severe Flooding Risks and Inadequate Hydrological Review. Eberling Drive residents have had a long history of chronic flooding.

All of my neighbors on Eberling including myself have suffered through numerous flooding events over the years. My basement has flooded repeatedly for more than four decades, including during the major storm events of December 2023 and January 2024. These floods caused extensive damage, financial loss, and long-term disruption to daily life.

Under the proposed cluster plan, a 5,000-square-foot infiltration tank would be constructed directly up against my property line precisely where groundwater tends to accumulate and where natural drainage already struggles. Without a full comprehensive hydrological analysis, it is impossible to accurately assess the risks this infrastructure poses.

Failure, overflow, or miscalculation could result in catastrophic consequences for my home and neighboring properties. Wildlife Habitat Loss and Ecosystem Fragmentation The wooded portion of this land is not empty or incidental as it is a long-established ecosystem supporting a diverse array of wildlife.

Cutting 171 mature trees will not merely remove vegetation; it will permanently fragment one of the few remaining ecosystems in this direct area, disrupting species movement, eliminating nesting sites, destroying food sources, and reducing overall biodiversity. Ecosystem fragmentation is widely recognized as one of the most harmful and irreversible environmental impacts of development.

Both the cluster plan and the yield plan would affect wildlife to some degree, but the cluster plan intensifies that impact dramatically by concentrating land disturbance in a single, ecologically rich zone. The yield plan, by distributing development more evenly, would reduce the extent of habitat destruction and preserve far more of the natural woodland structure.

Historical Significance of the Eberling Property The Eberling family first migrated from Germany to New City in 1849. This property is not simply undeveloped land; it is part of the historical landscape of New City. The parcel traces back to 1893, when it was purchased at auction by John Eberling, a member of one of the early families who helped shape our community.

The remaining woodland reflects a continuity of land use that has endured for more than 130 years. Property Value Impacts The proposed cluster plan places an intense concentration of development-seven new homes, significant grading, and a massive infiltration structure immediately next to my home.

The loss of mature trees, loss of privacy, alteration of natural views, increased flooding risk, and increased density of structures will almost certainly diminish the value of my home and others along our property line.

Real estate markets consistently demonstrate that proximity to large drainage structures, loss of wooded buffers, increased stormwater vulnerability, and abrupt changes in density correlate with lower residential property values. As a longtime homeowner and taxpayer, the potential devaluation of my home due to this planning decision is deeply troubling.

The Yield Plan Is More Balanced, Safer, and More Aligned with the Character of the Neighborhood The yield plan distributes development across the entire parcel, preserves more trees, maintains natural drainage patterns, protects slope stability, and integrates more harmoniously with surrounding homes. It also reduces aesthetic disruption and mitigates many of the risks posed by the cluster configuration.

The yield plan is not simply a preference but in my opinion it is a safer, fairer, and more environmentally responsible alternative. I fully support the goal of creating affordable housing in Rockland County. However, this must be accomplished in a manner that is environmentally sound, historically respectful, hydrologically safe, and equitable to the residents who already live here.

For all of the reasons stated above, I respectfully and strongly urge the Town Board to deny the cluster plan and protect the historical, environmental, and residential integrity of this community. Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our residents and our shared environment.

The Supervisor asked if there was anyone else that wanted to speak regarding Eberling Drive. Amy Levitsky, 1 Vernon Drive, New City Her yard faces 200 feet from the new affordable housing. She is here tonight to address the systemic failure of planning that is creating a public safety crisis on North Main Street and I am asking you, our elected leaders to intervene.

The appointed Planning Board is reviewing a least four major projects along this corridor. Eberling Drive Homes, New City Senior Housing, Shopping Center and a large school as if each one exists in a separate world. This piece mail review which ignores the combined traffic nightmare these projects will create, is an advocation of the Town's duty under state and environmental law.

The most recent example is the school at 67 North Main Street in New City. The Zoning Board of Appeals is being asked to have a massive parking variance that will flood our residential streets. This is to approve an unproven traffic plan on the road that is already at its breaking point. This is not just an inconvenience, it is a foreseeable Public Safety failure.

This dangerous situation is a direct result of a broken process that your Boards are following and is allowed to continue due to a lack of leadership from the top. Supervisor Hoehmann and members of the Council, your appointees are favoring developer convenience over residents safety and this is happening on your watch. We are asking you tonight, as elected leaders to lead.

Direct your Planning Department to immediately commission a comprehensive, cumulative traffic study for the entire North Main Street corridor and declare a moratorium on all new project approvals in that area until we have all the facts. Do not allow your appointed Boards to continue to make decisions that endanger our community. Please do the job we elected you to do and protect our safety and quality of life.

This ongoing failure of governing leaves us with urgent and serious questions about your Administration's policies and its commitment to our safety. Therefore, she would like to ask the Board directly three questions: 1. The Planning Board, which you appoint has reviewed at least four major projects along North Main Street, along North Main Street, in a piece meal fashion, without ever studying the traffic impact.

As the Town's elected leaders, what is your plan to address the systemic failure and when will you direct your Boards to stop approving projects on this corridor until a comprehensive, cumulative traffic study is complete? 2. You, the Town Council, are the authors of the Zoning Code that designates this area as a professional office zone, to buffer residential neighborhoods.

Your appointed Zoning Board of Appeals is considering a use variance, that would shatter that buffer. Is it the official policy of this council to allow your own zoning protection be dismantled? If not, what action will you take to enforce the integrity of the laws you create? 3.

The daily parking and traffic dangers that will result from these combined developments are obvious to every resident here as the officials are ultimately responsible for public health and safety. Are you prepared to accept the liability when this unstudied congestion leads to a serious accident or blocks a fire truck from reaching a home? Rick Tannenbaum, Mountainview Ave.

, Valley Cottage He has a question along the lines of what the Supervisor was raising about the fairness about the discount on the houses. We all pay taxes based on the value of our home. When we pay our taxes, we pay based on a full value of our houses. Mr. Emmanuel is talking about a $750,000 home selling for $350,000. How does this get assessed? How does it get taxed?

Is it fair to the people who are not on these plans to pay full taxes, while these people have the benefit of paying discounts on houses for thirty years? He understands there is an affordable housing issue in the Town. He does not believe seven units will make much of a difference. He does not know that this project would happen - but for the clustering - the infrastructure costs are too high to make it happen.

It seems to him that there is a bit of an inequity in providing the plan. It sounds like the Schriever Lane Plan. The Clustering there with the discounted houses that got scrapped. It all seems unfair. The RFP for the County - for the Sain Building - has some restrictions about Eberling Drive. Has this plan considered that might interfere with the development of the Sain property.

Jackie Dreschler, Valley Cottage Her sister and herself go to many Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings. She comes frequently to the Town Board Meetings. Repeatedly, we have the issue of over development and land being parceled together so that you can get more on it. Now we have the cluster. It's not just cluster building. Everyone is saying this cluster building is preserving land.

We do not know that it is truly preserving land and when you look at the land on the side - it supposed to be two acres to the Town. This is supposed to be opened space land? Open space land sometimes becomes other things. The Rockland Country Day School Open Space property is now something else. How is this going to be preserved and who exactly benefits from this piece of land?

She is very concerned, not in just Clarkstown. There is no "thing" as cumulative effects. We all know what traffic is like in this area. She does not live next to something that is about to be built. She feels for the people who have lived in the area for generations. Chaim Maline, 11 Eberling Drive, New City He understands that there has been seven houses that have been approved.

We will build seven houses, but squish them all into one space. This area has not been developed. It has been discussed over the years. Due to the sloping, it has been very expensive. He believes this is something that is not going to happen. This cluster plan is a back door into getting the amount of homes that would normally fit on the whole thing.

It would make the same or close to the same amount of profit being made. As far as affordable? To have this plan pushed forward - the sloping has been brought up in the past. Environmental impact is zero? He has not seen any Environmental Impact report at all. He has seen water in his basement. If we get water in our basements what kind of recourse do the people on that small strip of land have?

He has been living here for six years, but one of the selling points about moving there was the forest in his backyard. If we don't do the cluster plan, they will do the other plan? He bets that if that happens, they will not do any plan. It's too expensive. There is too much of a disturbance. The Town does not want a street coming out on New Hempstead Road. The Supervisor asked Mr.

Simoes to close the public comment. Mr. Simoes stated that in terms of land being dedicated as open space, it would be dedicated Park Land. The County did review this. They recommended that in addition to the Open Space dedication, there will be a Conservation Easement. You would have County involvement.

With Open Space and a dedicated Park land, only the State Legislature can change it to anything other than Park Land. They are taking a Conservation Easement on top of this. Not only the State Legislature, but the County Legislature. The only other thing is to leave it in a natural state. It will be very protected by being deemed open space. This will be dedicated automatically Park Land. Not recreational purposes.

The cluster needs to stay in a natural state. Mr. Simoes stated that there is a restriction that they are putting in. The cluster will restrict the size of the homes. The standard option will not restrict. With the Standard option, you can have 3500 - 4000 square foot homes. Tree removal - One half of the property will be disturbed and the other half will not be disturbed.

It is the same in both standard or the cluster. Drainage was reviewed by our Town Engineer and his Deputy. According to the Town Engineers, there was a 10% reduction in flooding. Traffic is studied cumulatively. As each product comes before the Planning Board, it has to account with all the traffic that is proposed from any previous development and any anticipated development.

Use variances are strictly hard to come by. Schools are allowed by right on Main Street. We have a school on South Main Street. We had St. Augustine's School in the past. When we changed the zone, we carried the same uses across. They have always been allowed. Again, traffic is done cumulatively. They will have to upgrade the traffic signals throughout North Main Street.

Any projects on South Main Street will have to upgrade traffic signals too. Technology has changed with AI. If you go to any traffic light within the Town, mostly all the lights have loops in the ground. Those are obsolete. People think there are cameras on top of all the traffic lights. It is a camera that sees the entire intersection. They can be connected to AI and improve traffic flow.

With ShopRite, there will be a significant improvement on Main Street and close their access points. Mr. Simoes stated that there will be improvements all along Main Street. The Town will pay for upgrades on the lights and we will have a system that will be functioning properly. Mr. Simoes is not sure how the assessment will work. Assessment should never factor into a decision of a Board.

Does it get full value or not? He is not sure. Does this impact the Sain Building? Mr. Simoes is not sure. The Planning Board approved the Standard Plan. In order to get this far, they needed to get to this point. Before you ask for a cluster, you must be confident that you would approve the standard plan before you ask for a cluster. No variances. The Standard Plan is something that they can take back.

The property owner will want to make money on this property. They will want to sell this development. They have been trying for years. The Supervisor stated that you need to say yes to the cluster or if we reject it, then it is the standard plan. You can authorized the Planning Board to do the cluster. We can ask them to look at an alternative in the cluster.

Maybe try to preserve more of the trees, plant additional trees. This is always an option for the Board. Trees that will be removed but there will be replanted trees. Maybe we can make sure this is more vegetated. The Supervisor asked to see how long all of this could be done. Mr. Simoes stated, realistically, maybe a month. Mr.

Emmanuel stated that what is before the Board is whether they will allow the Planning Board to approve the cluster plan or something similar to it. You are not here authorizing or approving a subdivision. Assuming you approve it, clustering is a good idea. We think it should be used here so go ahead and do it. Maybe it is this plan. Maybe it is something different. That is what your Planning Board is for.

The Supervisor stated that he is well aware of what needs to be done. The Supervisor stated that he was on the Planning Board before he was a Councilman. He was President of the Rockland Planning Federation for a number of years. He is well aware of what this is.

The Supervisor stated that there are questions that came up tonight that he would like answers to: The Deed restrictions - he was unaware there was a time limit. Since there is a great deal of public funds being administered, he would like clarity on that. He does not think it is wise to have an end date. He wants it in perpetuity.

The Supervisor did not get an answer whether or not this project will be built if they deny the cluster. He has to believe that the answer is yes. It is going to be built regardless if it is standard or cluster. He wants an answer. The Supervisor wants either the Planning Board to have a public hearing, or the applicant and the Planning Board look into this quickly.

We can potentially approve this - if we are going to approve it at our December meeting. What else can be done to mitigate the impacts for these residents. Mr. Kevin Conway, Town Attorney - He stated that he disagrees with Mr. Emmanuel.

This Board has the right to have the applicant to come back and provide us with additional information to determine what the cluster will be - not just a cluster, but the cluster that is being proposed. This Board has a right to know that if it is going to be a cluster, what it exactly will look like. This Board has the authority to have the applicant come back and answer all questions.

The Supervisor does not want to delay this. Those are a couple of legitimate questions based on what he heard tonight. There is impact on these residents. Is there a way to save trees? I do not think this is cumbersome to the applicant. Co. Graziano stated to Mr. Emmanuel - he did a project on Wells Avenue in Congers. You agreed to plant additional trees on a pharamaceutical site.

To date, there are no new trees that were replaced. We could not hold the applicant to plant new trees, because the applicant went bankrupt. Co. Graziano wants to see funds allocated and bonded - to make sure we get trees planted again. The Supervisor stated that we can do conservation easements in the back of people's properties where they cannot take the trees down.

We want to reduce the impact as much as we can for these residents. The Supervisor stated that he has to believe that Mr. Emmanuel and the applicant went in on this in good faith, as well as the Planning Board did. 1. The Supervisor wants the answer to the deed restriction. 2. Are you going to build this if it is a standard plan or not? The people that own this are selling it. They have property rights.

The Town cannot arbitrarily say that this land cannot be developed. We can say it can be developed in accordance with the zoning. Zoning allows for seven lots here. The Planning Board stated that they will approve a standard plan. That is in the bank. It is now on record at the Planning Board, and now here, at the Town Board Meeting - at a Public Hearing with well over 100 people in attendance.

It will be in the minutes, forever, in the history of the Town. In two months, two years, or twenty years, the standard plan can be developed. There is no way the Town can ever step in. If we do, we will lose money in a law suit. The Supervisor would like to bring this back to the December 2025 Town Board Meeting. Co. Axelrod questioned Ms. Coffey if she would be ok with the standard plan. Ms.

Coffey answered that yes, she would be ok with the standard. The vacancy rate is 1% in Clarkstown. We need more affordable housing. It is very unfortunate that it has to be developed at all, and she wished she could have purchased the land. Trust me. I would have purchased this land and kept this beautiful piece of parcel. This land turned over twice and sold for $500,000. We still do not know who purchased it.

Then it was sold for $1.2 million to the Town. On the South side of the property, there is a law office in the corner. There is another building that has some therapists. They do not live there, and she is fine with the standard plan. This land is not even visible to the public. The real entrance to this property, which is not a great entrance, is New Hempstead Road.

The Town Engineer was not aware of the flooding issues for over forty years in her house. After all of this is developed, whether the Standard Plan or Cluster Plan, what will happen if she gets a pool in her basement? Who will be held responsible? Who will pay for the damage to her property? The Supervisor would like to continue the Public Hearing to the December 18, 2025 at the 12:00 p.m. Town Board Meeting.

This gives time for Mr. Emmanuel and Mr. Simoes to work on the questions that are being asked. He asked the Town Clerk to expedite any FOIL request that Mr. Emmanuel has filed.

PUBLIC COMMENT 11/24/2025 TB Meeting The Supervisor reiterated - for those that were not here - no resolution was or is planned for tonight. We have concluded our business for tonight. There never was a proposal for any action regarding limiting protestors at the “four corners (Route 59 and Middletown Road, Nanuet, NY).

This discussion originated at a Town Board Meeting based upon a resident attending that meeting who raised question about his safety and his ability to protest at the four corners intersection. The Town has a compelling interest in ensuring safety related to mass and public gatherings, both for the attendees and the general public.

The Town does not have any proposal to implement any curbs on any protests at the four corners or anywhere else. Media interest in this story is generated some interest. There have been some issues that have been raised. There are a number of folks, including residents and non-residents that have contacted the Town who have made statements that they felt completely safe based upon the barricades that were put up.

According to the Clarkstown Police, Operations Plan - the barricades were used to keep people from entering the street. The barricades will not prevent vehicles from hitting people. This specific location has been discussed as public safety concerns that were related to vehicle impact. Things were raised in the media, such as no arrests and no tickets being given.

There is still a concern that people have done in the past about what we are doing to keep people safe? We have had instances right at this location, at the bank, where twice within a two month period, an individual drove through the bank. As a result of the questions that have come up - the Town has reached out to State Senator Bill Weber, and Assemblyman Patrick Carroll.

A meeting has been organized where NYS Department of Transportation to address a number of safety concerns - not just at the four corners. We will take a look at that and see what the State can do since it is their road. We may be able to look at more permanent barriers that may make it safer for people in attendance. Keep in mind, while there has been, on occasion, larger numbers.

We are seeing an uptick with the Palestinian Protest. In the past year there have been about 1500 to 2000 people, and on some recent protests, 3000-4000 people. These are much larger numbers that are spread out on all four corners, which has not always been the case. We are grateful to Senator Weber who was able to coordinate a meeting with NYS DOT.

We did not get a positive response with that from Assemblyman Patrick Carroll. We will now open it up to the public. (Interested parties signed in when they arrived to tonight’s meeting) Amy Greenspan, West Nyack Ms. Greenspan stated that she is not going to get into constitutional rights. For a vital community, you want citizen participation. You want people to be civically involved.

You have seen a number of people participate over these last couple of months because a number of people are concerned about what is going on in our country. She is not seeing this as a Republican vs Democratic issue. She thinks we are in a unique time in history where it is about democracy vs authoritarianism. A number of people who love this Town, live in this Town, and value this Town, are feeling the same way.

We are sharing our voices to be part of history. She commends the Town Board and its Administrators. The Police Department has been extraordinarily helpful to us. For Corners has a long history of a location of public expression. Emily King, New City Ms. King was at the meeting where Mr. Brennan came to complain about not having his own private corner at the four corners. The Police Chief was very calm about it.

The Police kept their cool. She recalls how the Supervisor talked about the cost of Police overtime. She does not care for fireworks. We hear them every Saturday from Boulder Stadium. She knows that on July 4 th there is many hours of Police Overtime. When you talk about the Police overtime at the four corners, it was $38,000 for the entire year, including three major protests and regular ones on Saturdays.

This figure was misrepresented by Co. Franchino as being one event. What is the budget of Police Overtime? Almost $1 Million for the year. This $38,000 is 4% of an entire year, for the Police to care about the safety of Taxpayers. If we are not Clarkstown Tax Payers, we are Rockland County Tax Payers. Police work 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

There have not been any altercations or accidents and anybody physically harmed. Local businesses in the area were asked if the protests were adversely affecting their businesses and they all said, NO. Jacob Tannenbaum, Tappan He thanked the Supervisor and the Board for not taking action tonight. It is so important to all of us, that our civil rights are protected.

That is why we are outside on Route 59 every weekend with signs and that is why many of us are here tonight. Thank you for protecting these rights, because that is your most sacred and important duty as being an elected official. This is the most critical thing you can do for us tonight - protecting our rights.

Daniel Gnoutcheff, Valley Cottage He appreciates that there was no formal proposal tonight and there is no plan for proposals. He appreciates the focus on pedestrian safety on Route 59. If that is sincere, that is good news. Safety has nothing to do with protesting, it is something that needs to happen anyway. This should be an issue that is considered separate.

There are legitimate concerns that members of this Board made about these protests. They are irresponsible. He wants the Board to understand that the reason why this site is so important is not just because of its history, but it is because it is so busy. This is the busiest intersection in the County. We do not spend all of these hours of our lives, chanting and holding signs just to amuse ourselves.

We do it because we have a thing to say. If there is no one around to hear us, there is no point. To propose to relocate these events to a quieter space, where we will not bother anyone, is to gravely misunderstand the purpose of these events. It is true that our protests have grown considerably in size versus those in the past. That does not in any way provide grounds for changing or restricting them in any way.

It is really the opposite. Many of these are your constituents that are discovering that they have something to say and they must say it. Some of the Councilman’s comments raise serious concern and are examples of why we need to protest. Emily Remensperger, Spring Valley She is here just to support her neighbors and their right to protest at the four corners in Nanuet.

Chris Frahme, West Nyack He thanked the Supervisor and the Council for allowing an audience. He quoted Mark Twain, who said, it does not matter if the whole country is wrong, something is right. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move your job is to plant yourself the tree beside the river of truth in saying no, you move.

Before he began to attend the weekly rallies at the four corners, he wanted to move out of Rockland County. After renting a house in Nanuet for eight years, he purchased a house in a neighborhood that quickly made it clear that he was a political minority. He was met with hostility. Neighbors would come onto his lawn and replace his campaign signs with their own. He felt trapped, surrounded and isolated.

When he joined the hands-off protest in April 2025, the isolation was shattered by the cheers and chants of car horns, blaring through the four corners. For the first time in the ten years that he was living here, he felt a tangible form of community.

The people he joins with every week use this invaluable forum, as a way to check in on each other, the needs of the larger community, and brainstorm on ideas to do more. To his civic leaders here tonight - is this not what you want for your community? There has been criticism nationwide of these demonstrations, not being real protests.

They are informative, scheduled for convenience, but no disruptive occupations with a hard set of demands. For those that want to silence these peaceful rallies, ask yourself, if you would like to get some real protest out at the four corners? If you move to silence us or relocate us, his reply is NO. You move. If you want to add your voice to mine, you know where to find me.

If the day comes where someone wants to be seen leading Captain America away in handcuffs, be his guest. Nieve O’Hara, Tappan She grew up in Rockland County. Her first protest as a teenager was at four corners, protesting the Iraq War. Many years later, she returned here to raise her child who is eight years old. She has brought her to four corners. She makes a sign and she protests.

The next generation of an involved citizen. I would not bring her there if I do not think it is safe enough. She has encountered many protesters there. There is plenty of space there for them. They are on a specific corner with Police presence. Nobody is infringing on their right to protest. She has seen this every time she has been there. She appreciates the Town Boards attention tonight.

It is something that is very important to us. Sylke Jackson, Central Nyack She is very glad to hear the Town is taking this off the table. Her concern was about the message of communication. The fact that there are a lot of people out there showing up, a lot of your constituents. Her hope is that the elected officials are listening. Rather than this is a problem, getting politicized....

many of the elected official here tonight are republican. Maybe a lot of the protesters are democratic, representing all of us. We need to make sure you are listening. They have asked for public space at a meeting with the Supervisor. That did not work out. Central Nyack, great communications, but did not follow through. She hopes the Town Board will make their constituents feel listened to.

She does not want them to feel displaced. Peggy Kurtz, Upper Nyack, Clarkstown She is glad to hear that there is no plans to limit the protest. Just to review, Board members have publicly discussed different options. It appeared to be aimed at restricting the protest. They mentioned to move the protests to Sunday mornings at 8:00 AM., or to move it to a more remote location.

Another thing that was publicly discussed by a Board member is to require a permit for liability insurance, even though neither is required by local law. Requiring these would be arbitrary. The problems that were sited, have shifted constantly. Safety is important. There is a record of 60 years of peaceful protest at this corner. The protest organizers make this a priority.

They have worked closely with the police department from the beginning. We hear of your safety concerns but we want to make sure nothing obstructs the protests. The community must be allowed to weigh in on any changes that are being considered. Counter to protest and Police overtime, obstructing traffic, stores losing business are also the Town’s concerns.

A group of them have canvased the stores and were told that stores are gaining business with the protests. Some businesses reported parking issues. In response, we agreed to address that concern. It is important to them to support the businesses. We feel freedom of speech is essential now, more than ever. We ask that you protect our right to protest.

Suzanne Barclay, Orangeburg She is one of the regular weekly protesters. She realizes that protesting makes some people uncomfortable. She wanted to tell everyone a little about themselves. They are not an anonymous crowd. They live in Rockland. They own or rent and some pay taxes here. Our children went to school here. They shop locally and many have businesses in Rockland. Many volunteer for organizations.

They are your constituents, your neighbors, and colleagues. Some of them have collaborated with you with projects. They are not outside agitators. They are not paid by anyone. We do not protest to pressure democrats to object to anything that republicans are doing. We protest because we care what is going wrong in this country. Concerns include defunding SNAP and USAID and letting people go hungry.

People are disappearing with ICE without due process. We are concerned about making voting more difficult and elections less secure. Cuts to Universities and Research Institutions, while Medical and Agriculture research are declining. We are concerned about the human tragedy of Ukraine and Gaza. Reductions to Medicaid will reduce the number of people that see doctors.

Federal troops are getting deployed to cities and there are cancellations of Naturalization Ceremonies here in Rockland. We come out every week, rain or shine to speak truth and to power our residents. She is relieved to hear that no actions are planned. If there are any concerns, please continue to talk to us. We are there every week. We appreciate the opportunity to talk with you.

Heather Hurley, Pearl River She is here tonight to submit a letter from James K. Riley, Attorney at Law, 145 Franklin Avenue Pearl River, New York 10965. 845-653-1722. irirprny@gmail.com <mailto:irirprny@gmail.com>. He is a member of the New York Bar Association Committee on Civil Rights. A complete copy of this letter was submitted to the Town Board and is file in the Office of the Clarkstown Town Clerk.

This letter is in regards to having the Town protection of Constitutional Rights. At the four corners, Public Forum to urge the Town of Clarkstown to act with the greatest caution and reservation if in the future it elects to pursue any Local Law, ordinance, policy, or other regulation of the free speech public forum which has historically existed and continues to be utilized at the four corners in Nanuet.

This letter is presented on behalf of numerous associations and individuals including but not limited to the Dominican Sister’s of Sparkill, The Phyllis B. Frank Pride Center of Rockland County among others.

As an organizer who has been present for most of the 41 Saturday protests since February 2025, she would personally like to thank the members of the Clarkstown Police Department for their open communication with our organizer and for always keeping safety a priority.

Regarding the amount of overtime that was mentioned by Supervisor Hoehmann and Councilman Franchino, the amount of overtime was quoted at $40,000 per day. She submitted a FOIL request to the Clarkstown Police Department on November 21 st . The information that was returned to her was total dollar amount and compensation amount totaling $11,066.

41 for three dates of National Protests held between April and October 2025. That is a large difference. There have been zero citations during these protests and the misinformation by some members of the Board, needs to stop. Thank you to the Clarkstown Police Department and we look forward to working with them in the future.

Kris Sweeney, Pearl River She would like to thank the Clarkstown Police Department who have always been professional. They respect all of the protestors and the counter protestors. Thank you to the protestors who have protested over several months in 2025. Many have taken de- escalation training. She would like to address Co. Franchino - about false statements he made on a radio show.

As elected officials, you are obligated to tell the truth, with the intent with safety in mind. You are harming safety by not telling the truth. You are saying things are happening, when they are not happening. Facts matter. It is not $40,000 a day in overtime. Businesses are positive, protestors spend money, there is no issues with people attempting to use bathrooms. The protests are one hour.

The three larger ones have been two hours. The incident at the bank has nothing to do with protesting. She will defend anyone’s right to protest without restrictions as long as it is peaceful. This is the definition of the first amendment. The orange barriers were placed at the site three times during the forty protests. Invite the regular protestors to the DOT meetings.

She would question the Israel/Gaza protest number of 1500+. She has never seen that number of people at the four corners. Pascale Jean Gilles, Nyack She would like to thank Clarkstown Police Department for their support. Your presence has been reassuring to many that are present.

Assemblyman Carroll mentioned in a letter, to have the State Police Patrol the four corners so we can eliminate the problem of Police Overtime. She looks forward to working with them as well because safety is our priority. Rockland Indivisible’s goal is to make sure everyone is safe. We tell people all the time that if we cannot keep you safe, we cannot protest.

When there are larger protests, we have monitors who wear blue vests and green vests in the crowd. These are people who are trained in de-escalation. This is why we work with CPD. She takes issue with Co. Graziano and some of his statements that he made at Civic Association meetings in Central Nyack.

He stated that they all should be joining the Fire Department or doing something else opposing using our constitutional right to protest. We can do both. She serves on her Village Board. There are many of us who volunteer. We are on the eve of the 250 Anniversary of this country. Freedom of Speech is just as important today as it was then. Thomas Paine wrote about it in Common Sense.

Hamilton, Madison - everyone wrote about it. Our Country is protected. Thank you for not pushing this forward. Thank you to Assemblyman Carroll who mentioned that we should be working with State Police to eliminate the problem with overtime. Cheryl Stroud, Central Nyack Her contribution is small. Everyone has said what she wanted to say.

Thank you for not bringing the proposal forward and to publicly state that there would never be one. She would like to speak about the barriers. This is something that should be investigated. It feels like a long-term issue. What will it do to the road, the street, or the sidewalk?

We, the organizers, have put in place for the participants - they have been trained, they wear vests, they carry walkie talkies, there is a central person to communicate. They walk up and down the sidewalks. If people feel uncomfortable, they come to them quickly. Perhaps we can use the Auxiliary Police who is trained in crowd control, traffic control, and group control. Perhaps we can use their help.

They are volunteers - rather than pay the overtime to the CPD? We are all on the same page - we want the protests safe. Please sit down and talk to us. Marc Pessin, Wesley Hills Mr. Pessin knows the Supervisor from the Rockland Country Day School. Mr. Pessin taught there and the Supervisor volunteered by teaching a government class there. They were also on the Martin Luther King Board together.

They both agreed that they do need to preserve democracy. He is not here, tonight, to talk about this council not taking his rights away. Given the first amendment, he has a right to demonstrate, where and when he wants. No permit can take that away from anyone. Half the audience left, but there are still 200 people left.

He asked the remaining people - raise your hand if nothing should change at four corners - we all should have the right to protest. We are not here to ask for our rights, we are here to say do not take our rights away, because there will be an opposite reaction if this happens. Thank you to all the people who came out tonight to protect our rights to demonstrate.

Renaud Bleeker, Village of Haverstraw He has been at the protest at least 20 times since April. They are safe and never had any incidents. There was one individual with a Trump sign. He stands on his own corner. There is so many people. The reason why the protests have swelled is because people are upset with what is happening in our democracy.

We would like to think that the Town Board Members would feel the same way. What is going on in Washington is appalling. There are so many protesters now. We encourage people to join. He did not think it was effective until some people wanted to cancel them. Police Overtime is the price we pay for our rights to the first amendment.

Alan Levin, Tompkin Cove He is grateful that the item is not on the table and will not be going forward. He takes the Supervisor’s word for it. What he thinks is true is that the Town Board believes in the rule of law and you believe in due process. You also believe people should not be killed without due process. He is inviting the Town Board to come out and stand with them because that is what we are about.

He does not understand why the Town Board has not come already. Richard Sena, Haverstraw He would like to ask the Board, clearly and on the record. Was the Town of Clarkstown told by the White House or by anyone else, to shut down the protests on the four corners? The Supervisor responded, NO. A gentleman came to the November 6 th Town Board Meeting and raised an issue about safety.

That is what started this conversation. Co. Franchino had separate conversations with people out in the public. Nobody called the Supervisor. He will ask the Town Board directly, yes or no....Did you hear from Congressman Lawler’s Office, The White House, The Federal Government, to ask us to shut down any protest? Each Councilman answered, NO. Richard Sena stated that they do not believe them.

The Supervisor stated - A resident came to a meeting and raised question. There was a discussion. At that time, there were other things discussed. A Torah Parade was also discussed at that same meeting. There were questions that were also raised about the Police Overtime. It was $38,000 for a little over a year and one half of overtime.

The main driver of the Police overtime seems to be the setting up of the barriers. The state is underfunding the DOT, and has been for over a decade, back to Governor Cuomo’s time. We area pushing the state, through former Assemblyman Zebrowski - for a safety study - the state roads in Clarkstown are abysmal. We have paved over 2/3 of the Town roads in ten years.

We put the Town on a significant paving cycle, and we invested 100 million dollars into infrastructure in the last 10 years in the Town of Clarkstown. Please, have the State have a similar interest in the Town of Clarkstown. We have safety studies on route 303 and route 304. Why? Because there have been over 20 people that have been killed in less than 10 years on those roads.

The State is doing a horrendous job in terms of safety. This is why this was brought up at the meeting. Just add this to the list of what the State is not doing. The traffic on Route 304 is a sight killer because they are underfunding in Rockland County. They are underfunding across the entire state. It has been going on for over ten years.

To make this other than a safety concerns at that corner, which we are not responsible for - it is a state road. That is what was brought up. Mr. Sena stated that he knows he and the Supervisor do not share the same politics, but he has always respected him. He is trying to understand what is happening at the four corners. Also, your decision with term limits.

He stated that this is why we do not believe the Supervisor. He stated that he trusted the Supervisor but now he is disappointed in him. Cass McVety, Congers Ms. McVety is an Art Educator. She thanked Clarkstown for having the four corners stay. Ms. McVety feels her proposal was ignored - to keep the Art Studio at the Rockland Country Day School. She lives across the street from the former School. Ms.

McVety belongs to every art organization that you could name. She is happy now to be part of the protest. Ms. McVety helped save the Hopper House, the John Green House (which she is still working on). She wants that building to stay. She can afford to keep the Art Studio. She can fix it. She is asking the Town to please listen to her proposal. The Supervisor asked Mr.

Maroni, his Chief of Staff to set up a meeting with Ms. McVety to discuss the Art Studio at the Rockland Country Day School. Ms. McVety thanked the Supervisor. Silas Edan, Valley Cottage Silas is a student at Nyack High School. He thanked the Board for not taking action at the four corners. He came to speak about the number of people that come out to protest.

The accident at the bank has nothing to do with the protests. $36,000 in overtime for a year and a half, is a small price to pay for first amendment rights. We come out with our right to speak and demonstrate against anyone or for a cause. This Town Board should never take any action to restrict those rights. We will not accept action to restrict our protest. Jeff Glaser, Nanuet Mr.

Glaser stated that he came with crafted words to say tonight. He and Co. Franchino dug holes together at Highview Park over 35 years ago. He has 45 years of history in Nanuet and almost all of them have been terrific. Perception becomes reality. There are people here tonight that have a different perception of this Board than this Board has for itself.

One of the things that makes me say that we referred to our first amendment rights, but that right is articulated in the first amendment as Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech of the people - abridging is the word he wants to get to. It is an 18 th Century, high vocabulary word, that in today’s words, means to curtail, restrict, or diminish.

These folks do not want their rights curtailed, restricted or diminished. That essential right is part of American democracy. It is what we can understand because we live it every day. A lot has been said as to what the Town has committed to. It was never planned. He is not sure everyone believes the Supervisor or the Town Board all of the time.

He wants to offer an option - forget about what you did not want to do or will not do - what you can do - is defend democracy. Jackie Drechsler, Valley Cottage It seems tonight that she brought a few friends with her. Usually there is just four or five of us here. Tonight there were at least 200 people. The founding fathers of our country included a few items into our Constitution.

The Rights to gather, free speech, free press, and the rights to protest. Based on a concerned citizen, Mr. Matthew Brennan (not here tonight), for his fear for his safety. The Town Supervisor suggested several different options. Mr. Brennan came more than once to a meeting. It was mentioned that the corner should only be for Veterans or pro Trump people, that protesters be moved to another site at a different time.

The issue of the Palestine/Israel protest really has nothing to do with this. She knows that they are safe and conduct themselves very well, and the police presence has been wonderful. She thanked the local police for coming and support safety. She believes that the CPD is wonderful. We will not be moved and we will not be silent. We are bottom up grass roots, you are top down governmental.

She wonders, who at the top has pushed this Board to try to silence us? This was happening. You may think that it is not happening, but that is the way we feel. It is very good that you pulled the plug - to prevent the people’s right to protest. We the people have used our right to protest this. Remember this for the future. We will not be removed or restricted. We will hold you to this. It is on the record.

Finally, as an active member of Food and Water Watch - an organization that mobilizes and takes action to protect food, water and climate - Food and Water Watch oppose any effort by the Town Board to restrict the right to free speech. They have played an active role in preserving Rockland’s water quality and advocates for stronger regulations and protections to protect Rockland residents.

We have been able to due to strong support from the Rockland Community speaking out. The Community deserves the right to continue, demonstrate, and exercise free speech. The Town Board must listen to the residents and make sure our right to demonstrate is protected.

Jocelyn Decrescenzo, Vally Cottage Our Constitutional rights, ratified in 1791 - The First Amendment, as part of the Bill of Rights states verbdom - Congress should make no law respecting an establishment of Religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of or abridging the Freedom of Speech or the Press, or the Right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Paraphrased Mozart - You take away one thing and the whole things falls apart. For Mozart it was one note played high and clear above all others. That one note, being taken away would have meant the collapse of the entire composition. We have a similar situation here in Clarkstown. Is this Town Board more insightful, and more powerful than Congress and our Constitution? I think not.

You all took an Oath of Office which includes supporting the US and State Constitutions as a legal requirement to ensure that you will faithfully discharge the duties of your office. Please look carefully at the paddle fan (they distributed at the meeting - it is on file in the Town Clerk’s Office).

The hands represent unity and strength, the black boarder - similar to the boarder of death notices worldwide, represents the current events, leading to our democracy. The thin red line is what this Town Board is attempting to cross - you will not succeed. Ms.

Decrescenzo continued - You were speaking about perpetuity regarding parkland for the people - she believes the four corners should be dedicated - in perpetuity as the protest location in Rockland. It is safe and visible. They appreciate everyone that supports them in every way. They will be heard. Jerry Craush, Piermont Mr. Craush is the make your own sign person and a regular at the four corners.

He has a picture that recently appeared in the Rockland Journal News of protesters that were protesting in 1967. They were protesting the Vietnam War. He remembers those years well. Neighbors fought with harsh words back then too. There was bitter battles and some of those battles are still being fought today.

Rockland is able to uphold the principles - with all king of issues, people have a right to speak - to be heard and seen. They stuck with that through some very hard times and they will too. Paul Marsh, Spring Valley They have been here for 50 years and have watched the demonstrations and have always been impressed by the Town, the Police and the Participants. They keep it peaceful.

He has one philosophical question - If a government entity can make a time and place and decide the time and place, then you really do not have a peaceful demonstration. They could put you anywhere...not this particular Board. Marla Greene, Nanuet Ms. Greene read the Lohud articles. She believes they are here because they do not believe it. Ms. Green still does not believe it.

However, she is taking the Supervisor at his word. They did not just protest the first amendment rights on the four corners on No Kings Day. They protested the facts of the "Big Ugly Bill" and the fact that Medicare Premiums for Part B are over $200 for the first time. They also protested the increase in energy prices, the cut to SNAP benefits...everything the Government is doing.

This is going to affect how Rockland residents spend their money. The more that goes to having to pay for a necessity, takes away from spending it elsewhere. What will happen to our taxes? That’s another problem that we were protesting. Yes, it was about the first amendment, but it was also about our finances. We get wrong facts from D.C. every day. We do not need that from everyone here.

La Tanya Watkins, Spring Valley Ms. Watkins is a local business owner in New City and she thinks it is great that the Town Board has decided not to take any action on the large protest gatherings at the four corners. She is asking the room to pay attention - When did you ever have little brother go to big brother for a review or a report for a decision that little brother can make for themselves?

Why do they need permission to make decisions for what they need? Let the DOT make the decision on the safety or lack there of at four corners, so the Town does not have to. Why did big brother make us do this? We did not do it. Why ask the DOT, who has nothing to do with this issue...because someone came and felt unsafe? Why announce this issue to the DOT so that no one can say that the Town Council did this?

She is asking everyone to pay attention. Kevin Oscarlece, Valley Cottage As a resident of Clarkstown, he is recently concerned at the recent attacks on his Constitutional right of to Free Speech and to peacefully assembly. At the same time, I am not surprised, we have seen this before. His grandfather used to tell him about the times he fought the fascists in the liberation of Europe.

Fascists know full well of what they are doing - immorally, coward and vile. Fascism is stripped of its power when good people find the urge and need to organize and speak out in opposition. Fascists fear this and they must move to suppress the rights of people to protest. He stated that they see the Town Board’s efforts to suppress their rights as they resist fascism in Rockland. They refuse to be silenced.

They do not ask permission to protest. They will not apologize if their protests are inconveniencing you. We also keep ourselves safe. We do not need the police to do that. Finally, we will obey in advance. Steven Levine, Congers Yes, there has been a perception.

He is glad the Supervisor and members of the Town Board has cleared up some of the perceptions that this may have been organized by the head of the Republican Party in D.C., because Congressman Lawler said something regarding public safety. We can all agree that Public Safety is not an issue here. The real issue is our first amendment rights, to speak, address the government, and rights to assemble.

He has full faith with the members of the Clarkstown Police Department. They know how to protect everyone, counter protestors, and yes, maybe there is an additional time in overtime. New York City deals with it all the time. There are all kinds of demonstrations going on. They deal with it and put it in the budget. It is not going to be a deal breaker on the budget.

His grandmother would tell him what it was like living in the authoritarian government, before she came here. How they created rules and laws - one of the things they did was limit the rights of the people, to speak freely and have free press, to assemble, to address their grievances. It eventually got really bad so his grandparents immigrated to America. Had they not, he would not be here.

They wanted a better life for their sons and their grandchildren. His relatives liberated Europe from those people and saw the horrors of where his grandparents came from. His grandmother always told him to be on guard - they never thought it would happen in Germany. We thought good people and the military would step up. It did not work. It is not a Conservative, Republican or Democratic issue.

This is an American issue. - The preservation of our Democracy. History is a great teacher. His uncles and father saw the horrors. We need and do support the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Carol Bowman, Pomona Ms. Bowman is in support of everyone who has come there to talk. She is grateful to the Board for listening to what people had to say. Safety is a concern from the Town Board for the protestor’s safety.

As a woman, the history of their rights being taken away because of safety - rings very poorly. She stated that we can take care of our own safety. They have always been taking care of their own safety. Our rights are being stripped from state to state. We can take care of ourselves. Mark Dery, South Nyack He feels that Co. Franchino knowingly perpetrated falsehoods or he has spoken in ignorance.

It was either $38,000 per protest or it was not. It was an elderly man distracted by the protest, or it was not. There were no protests when the accidents at the bank happened. He is asking the Board to censure Co. Franchino or inflict a cost knowingly spreading falsehoods. If we are concerned about safety, the Town needs to be equally concerned about motorists that are trying to run down protestors.

If you’re worrying about police overtime, worry about the force that is protecting Congressman Lawler. Joe Gravania, Company owner He owns a media company that works with Republicans, Democrats, Conservatives. He witnessed what took place at the All King’s Protest. It was a was a disgrace. Not the message..just what took place. People were double parking in fire lanes and handicapped spots. People could not shop.

He witnessed people in the street that day that almost got hit by cars. People were in costumes and surround sound systems. It was not a protest. It was an event. He thinks the Board should consider the following: In the future - if someone wants to put on a protest on a Saturday (almost every weekend here), they should have to put up a bond of some kind. Whether it be $5,000, $10,000? He is a history major.

There is nothing in the Constitution that states that this Board can not ask for a bond. You get a permit and you post the bond. After the event is safe, no one gets hurt, they clean up, then they get their bond back. If they do not abide by the bond, they lose their bond. Noone is stopping the protest. If anyone in this room states that this Board wants to impinge is not thinking safety.

He watched two people - one elderly person and one child - almost get hit by a car that day, by inches. One guy slammed his breaks while others were dressed in costumes in the street. That is crazy. He wrote a 36 page Thesis in college on this subject. Who cares about Democratic or Republican issues? It’s about the safety. It is about ecommerce as well.

If there are stores in the shopping center, that is not ecommerce - that is real business. People have the right to shop safely, park in handicap spots if necessary, and purchase what they need in these shopping centers. Al Osterlitz, New City You just heard what not voting causes. This past election, 70% of the local people did not vote. This is what you get when you do not vote. You all need to come out and vote.

2026 is an election year. Everyone on the Town Board is up for election. Don’t just protest on the four corners. Go out, carry petitions and get signatures. He believes that voting is more important than standing at the four corners to protest. We have the right to protest our views at the four corners or Maple Avenue.

I’m sure this Board does not want us marching up and down on Main Street in New City instead of the four corners. David Spatz, Valley Cottage In so many parking lots in New York City, there are electric charging stations, under really tall buildings. He does not understand why our Fire Inspectors are coming to their conclusion. Hannah Kirk, Valley Cottage She does not have anything new to say.

She would like to use her time to show that any potential efforts to delay this portion of the meeting from any of us, was not successful. We are still here, and still have things to say, even if we are repeating ourselves. She echoes everyone’s thanks to the Police Department for all they do, all the time. One thing she does not like to do, or will not do is thank an Elected Official for doing their job.

Further, she does not believe in thanking them for solving problems that they directly cause. She believes everyone hit a lot of great points. Trust can be lost, Mr. Supervisor. You have learned this lesson many times. Ms. Kirk believes that the Supervisor lied. She believes that there is no turning back. She believes the Town Board was laughing at things being said tonight.

We believe there are serious situations that were discussed tonight and she believes the Board does not think so. David Lindner, Piermont He has been attending the protests since the summer 2025. It has been a great experience for him. He cares about what goes on in this country and his community. He has cared about every event and every possible threat to our democracy. What is important to him is everyday life.

He is encouraging people that drive by the protests, to get out and talk to him. Division got really deep in 2016. He approached the one person who was a Trump supporter and took a picture with him. This was a wonderful moment for him. Ms. Hartley, Valley Cottage She has lived here for 3 and one half years.

When she was in the military, they learned from day one, through the end of her military career, it was their duty to disobey unlawful orders. She realizes that the Supervisor indicated that this was never on the agenda. Statements that have been made to the press by Council members makes them take action. Illegal orders are meant not to be followed.

She thanked the Supervisor that this was not on the agenda and she hopes it will not become on the agenda in the future. Regarding safety - if it is the issue - why do we not install bike lanes? We should increase public transportation in the County. Crime is increasing in this Town. Safety is getting worse in our community. We do not require where and when we can assemble to be safe.

The Supervisor stated: He wanted to thank everyone for their comments. He wanted to reiterate and put on the record, that we are not taking any action. They do not plan on taking any action, and will be talking with the State Department of Transportation about a variety of issues, including safety on Route 59 at this intersection amongst other things.

He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and thanked them all for coming.

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (491-2025) - Authorizing the Planning Board of the Town of Clarkstown to Apply Town Law Section 278 to the Eberling Homes Subdivision (Map 43.14-3-48) — Tabled

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (492-2025) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of October 14, 2025 and the Town Board Meeting Minutes of November 6, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (493-2025) - Amending the Budget — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (494-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with Rev. David Lothrop to Serve as Police Chaplain ($ 15,000 annual)

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (495-2025) - Authorizing Agreement with Stuart G. Rasch, M.D. BCEM, to Act as Police Surgeon (Not to exceed $10,000 annual)

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (496-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with Tilcon New York for the Police Department to Use Tilcon Property for Sniper Training — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (497-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with Tilcon New York for the Police Department to Use Tilcon Property for Blasting Training — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (498-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with the County of Rockland to Provide Maintenance and Upkeep for Certain Park and Ride Lots — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (499-2025) - Authorizing Supervisor to Retain the Law Firm of Brown & Weinraub, PLLC to Provide Legislative and Regulatory Representation as NYS Government Affairs Counsel for the Town of Clarkstown ($4,166.67 monthly plus disbursements)

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (500-2025) - Authorizing Supervisor to Retain the Law Firm of Brown & Weinraub, PLLC to Provide Federal Lobbying Services on Behalf of the Town of Clarkstown ($3,333.33 monthly plus disbursements)

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (501-2025) - Authorizing an Access, License and Indemnity Agreement between Veolia Water New York Inc. and the Town of Clarkstown — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #12: RESOLUTION No (502-2025) - Authorizing Additional Funds for the "Miscellaneous Minor Building Improvement Projects” Capital Account ($250,000 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (503-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Miscellaneous Minor Improvements to Various Town Buildings (Capital account line H8777 409 0 100 24). ($250,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (504-2025) - Authorizing Additional Funds for Capital Account for "Miscellaneous Minor Improvements" Projects ($250,000 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (505-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Miscellaneous Minor Improvements to Various Town Buildings (Capital account line H8777 409 0 100 23) ($250,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (506-2025) - Authorizing the Director of the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management to Retain the Services of a Pool Contractor for Lake Nanuet (Total cost not to exceed: $26,000.00 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (507-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Improvements to the Lake Nanuet Pool Facility ($26,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (508-2025) - Authorizing Execution and Acceptance of Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement Regarding SMC Realty LLC Subdivision Lots #1 & 3 (Tax Map Designation No.59.10-1-29.1 & 59.10-1-29.3) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (509-2025) - Accepting Deed for Road Widening SMC Realty LLC Subdivision (59.10-1-29) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (510-2025) - Awarding Bid #6-2025 -- Refuse Pick-up Service - Town Facilities — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (511-2025) - Advertising Bid #19-2025 -- Phase II - Aquatics Improvements Project at Lake Lucille — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (512-2025) - Advertising Bid #20-2025 -- Purchase of Vehicles for Various Town Departments (Not Including the Highway Department) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (513-2025) - Advertising Bid #21-2025 -- Crum Creek Road Detention Pond Restoration — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (514-2025) - Advertising Bid #22-2025 -- Traphagen Lead Abatement and Exterior Painting — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (515-2025) - Granting Certificates of Registration to Perform Sewer Related Work — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #26: RESOLUTION No (516-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding Anthony Coscia Tax Map No. 43.19-3-1 (Total refund: $6,262.39)

AGENDA ITEM #27: RESOLUTION No (517-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding 334 South Middletown Road Corp. Tax Map No. 63.16-3-39 (Total refund: $598.29)

AGENDA ITEM #28: RESOLUTION No (518-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding C & M 345 N. Main LLC Tax Map No. 34.19-1-6 (Total refund: $9,247.21)

AGENDA ITEM #29: RESOLUTION No (519-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding Gisondi Family Limited Partnership Tax Map No. 43.11-2-5 (Total refund: $11,739.47)

AGENDA ITEM #30: RESOLUTION No (520-2025) - Designating SAS Electrical Inspection as an Additional Electrical Code Inspection Agency, to Provide Electrical Supplemental and Alternative Inspection Capability to the Town of Clarkstown — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #31: RESOLUTION No (521-2025) - Authorizing Expenses for Conference (2025 NYS Highway Safety Symposium) (No Charge/Covered by Grant)

AGENDA ITEM #32: RESOLUTION No (522-2025) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Robert F. Shine, Jr. - Police Officer - Police Department, Accepted, Effective and Retroactive to November 14, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #33: RESOLUTION No (523-2025) - Appointing Michele Morris (Permanent) to the Position of Planning/GML Assistant - Planning Department, Effective and Retroactive to November 17, 2025 (No change in salary.)

AGENDA ITEM #34: RESOLUTION No (524-2025) - Appointing John F. Walsh, Jr. (Provisional) to the Position of Recreation Supervisor - Recreation and Parks Department, Effective and Retroactive to October 20, 2025 ($103,090/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #35: RESOLUTION No (525-2025) - Appointing Garabet Karakoulian to the (Permanent) Position of Assistant Director, Facilities Management - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective and Retroactive to September 10, 2025 ($119,104/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #36: RESOLUTION No (526-2025) - Reappointing Susan Farese to the Position of Member - Architectural Historic Review Board, Effective Janauary 1, 2026 and Expire on December 31, 2032 ($4,000/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #37: RESOLUTION No (527-2025) - Reappointing Anastasia Culianos to the Position of Member - Assessment Review Board, Effective and Retroactive to October 1, 2025 and Expire on September 30, 2030 (Per diem rate of $175., per attendance)

AGENDA ITEM #38: RESOLUTION No (528-2025) - Reappointing Roxanne Perrone to the Position of Member - Planning Board, Term Effective January 3, 2026 and Expire on January 2, 2033 ($6,822/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #39: RESOLUTION No (529-2025) - Creating the Position of Clerk-Typist (Part Time) - Police Records, Effective and Retroactive to October 28, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #40: RESOLUTION No (530-2025) - Appointing Kathleen Kivlehan to the Position of Clerk-Typist (Part Time) - Police Department, Effective December 9, 2025 ($21.54/hourly)

ADJOURNMENT At 10:56 PM the Supervisor made a motion to close and adjourn this Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Licker, seconded by Co. Axelrod. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Noon.