Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium October 14, 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 mentioned how nice the Auditorium looks with new chairs. They are long overdue. Some of the old chairs were being held together with staples. The floor has also been fixed. There were some trip hazzards that were eliminated. The Supervisor thanked Robert Berdy and Mike Gianatasio, our Town Engineer and his staff for working on getting this project completed. 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 Clarkstown Police Department Administration will report.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC COMMENTS Supervisor Hoehmann opened the meeting up for Public Comments. Jane Rippa, Valley Cottage Ms. Rippa came to the Town Board Meeting in early September. Before that, she had attended a Traffic Board Meeting. Ms. Rippa submitted a 311 request for a 4 way Stop Sign at the intersection of Lake Road and Forest Glenn Road in Valley Cottage.

When she went to the Traffic Board Meeting, Chairman, John Fella stated that the Board is an "advisory" board and can only make recommendations. The Town Council and the Highway Department supersede them. She received a letter and then attended the September Town Board meeting. Mr. Fella mentioned in the letter that someone would be in contact with her.

He did mention that the intersection does not warrant a four way Stop Sign. She disagrees with this recommendation. They do recommend a 30 mph Speed Limit sign. There currently no speed limit on that road. She is concerned about the speeding. She would also like a Deer Sign positioned the opposite way. It has been over a month and no one has contacted her personally.

The Highway Department feels there are too many signs in the area already. The Supervisor stated that he will have the Highway Superintendent speak to Ms. Rippa, directly. Typically, the Traffic Safety Advisory Board would make a recommendation to the Town Board. Then the Town will proceed. In rare instances, the Town Board would go against the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory Board.

The Supervisor believes that the Town needs to get the Highway Superintendent involved. The Supervisor agrees that Stop Signs are effective for sight distance issues. The Highway Superintendent, the Town Supervisor, Co. Graziano and Al Moroni all need to get out to the site and agree/discuss what needs to be done. It is a deer crossing and it should be handled accordingly.

Steve Levine, Congers Resolutions #441 and #442 are to purchase Sanitary and Storm Sewer Inspection Systems. He thinks this will be a good tool for our Town Engineers. We will not have to rely on outside contractors. Our infrastructure is not getting younger. It is getting older and it will give us a heads up as to what is going on. Regarding items 42, 47, 48, 49 - this follows up to what Ms.

Rippa was speaking about. We need traffic devices to stop the speeding. Hopefully this can help, but many people do not seem to get the message. Hopefully these things will help, but if they do not work, we will look to our law enforcement officers to be more proactive. He is questioning the cost of the acquisition of land on 101 - 204 (The Depew House).

He thought that last year, the County of Rockland purchased this property which included thirty-two acres with the idea for Open Space. It is a Historic Home. What is Clarkstown buying or contributing to this? Will we now own it? Will there be a museum there? Why are we contributing $1 Million dollars for this property? The Supervisor responded: The Town and the County looked at this property, jointly, to purchase.

This is only an authorization - doing the bonding - the County made an error. The attorney that was handling this for the County at the time (appendix A) are in the documents that have been filed. They were supposed to purchase it for general municipal purposes. This was going to be managed jointly. The County bought it, in error, as Open Space Park Land.

The Town is doing the authorization, and the County has to go through a process - regarding this mistake. The mistake was made on how they acquired it. This was supposed to be done as a 61-39% share - just like we did with Cropsey Farm, on Little Tor Road, (many years ago). The Farm Alliance will be farming this place. They want to use the historic house for events there.

Since it has been purchased as Open Space Park Land, this is questionable. The County is still trying to sort it out. The County has to do an alienation process where they buy it back from themselves. Then, the Town can come in on the transaction. It will take approximately two years for this to take place. The Town is just doing the authorization so it is on record. Cropsey Farm was not purchased the same way.

We will try to mimic Cropsey - and manage it the same way. Al Osterlitz, New City Mr. Osterlitz would like to comment on the Town Social Media page as being used for political purposes. He would like to thank the Town for the new chairs in the auditorium. Mr. Osterlitz would like our Town Board to look into speed humps, to slow down the traffic, basically, so we do not have to put up so many stop signs.

The humps do not have to be huge. Every Board meeting, we are adding 2-3 Stop Signs and we never take them down. He feels that Speed Humps makes sense. Susan Bloom, Nanuet Ms. Bloom is referencing to #3 on the agenda. Refunding Serial Bonds - She believes Refunding is like Refinancing. The Town is not paying back the money entirely. You reference October 18, 2018.

The Bonds were issued on that day in the amount of $22,138,000.00 in Serial Bonds. We have an outstanding balance of $11,690,000.00. This is almost half of what were originally issued. According to the 2018 budget, the Town only budgeted for $11,774,545.00. This is half of what the Town is stating now. Where does the other half of this serial bond come from?

When you count the Bonds for 2018 that were appropriated, she reviewed it as $13,000,000.00. These numbers do not add up. She would like an explanation from the Town Comptroller as to why these numbers do not add up. Emily King, New City Question regarding #39 on the Agenda - Appointing Niles Davies to fill the unexpired term for a position on the Traffic Advisory Board. Last summer there was a traffic problem.

CHPE was on Route 9W working, a bus overturned on Route 304, and a film company was working on the Causeway, so it was closed. All the traffic was deterred to South Mountain Road and over the mountain on Central Highway. This caused a one mile traffic jam on South Mountain Road. We need a Traffic Advisory Board and members who will overlook these issues. Ms. King believes that Mr.

Niles Davies' family farm is the largest traffic problem in the Town of Clarkstown. As an Agro Tourist business, they have torn down 2 acres of their own trees to make parking lots across Route 304. People, children and strollers dodge traffic. She does not believe Mr. Davies should be on the Traffic Advisory Board. Jackie Drechsler, Valley Cottage Ms.

Drechsler would like to speak about traffic signs and humps in the roads. Humps are better than lumps. Lumps destroy cars and cause traffic issues. They have lovely humps in Nyack that slow cars down. Ms. Drechsler is concerned that the issue continues at Forest Glenn and Lake Road in Clarkstown. The School is there and the Fire Department is there, so something should be done. Ms.

Drechsler thanked the Town for the new seats in the auditorium. She has concerns about the budget. Authorizing an increase in the contract amount for site work enhancements at the Germonds Park Sports Complex of $655,000, with $235,000 for vendors - she believes there is a lot of funds being spent. Ms. Drechsler has noticed that the tax payers in Clarkstown spent over $17,000,000.

00 in interest for all of these bonds and for past bonds. She is concerned. Tom Atzel, President of West Nyack Little League Mr. Atzel would like to thank each member of the Town Board for the projects that were completed at the Germonds Complex. The West Nyack Little League has benefited from the Town's efforts tremendously. West Nyack host more tournaments than anyone in District 18. They take pride in doing that.

The League applied for NYS tournaments to be played at the West Nyack Little League Complex. When a team wins that tournament, they continue on to the Regional Tournament. If they win that Regional Tournament, they go on to the World Series. The League applied to host this for three year term. Eight of the top teams will be playing on the West Nyack fields.

There will be over 100 players and their families staying and shopping in Clarkstown for a week. The League will recommend lodging, restaurants, etc. for all of them. Little League administration indicated that the West Nyack fields were probably second in the state of New York. We would not have been awarded this bid to host this tournament if it were not for the work that was agreed upon by the Town of Clarkstown.

The Little League program appreciates our Town Board. They are proud to live in Clarkstown. The Supervisor stated - The Town received $1,655,000.00 in total grant funds. At the end of the project, they decided to put LED lights on the site. The walkways were interconnected along the fields at the site. People can go to Germonds and walk a loop.

If residents do not want to go to Congers Lake, they can go to Germonds Park to walk. These are investments in the future of Clarkstown. There has been 5,000 additional people that have moved into the Town, since COVID. New residents have chosen Clarktown for the pools, the schools, the soccer fields and the Police.

The Supervisor also stated that we have the highest Bond Rating of any Town in Rockland County, and one of the highest in the region. He stated to Ms. Bloom that if she has any questions regarding Bonding, he can have the Town Comptroller's Office address her questions and concerns. This can happen before the next Town Board Meeting. The Supervisor stated back to Mr.

Osterlitz - that he does not know of any situation where the Town uses its Social Media for Political purposes. There has been a lot of discussion regarding Speed Humps. This is why we have the Traffic Safety Board look into concerns. To Ms. King - Niles Davies was a Police Officer for 33 years. He has participated in intense training regarding traffic, road conditions and enforcement.

Niles Davies is more qualified than any other person we could place on the Traffic Board. We look for qualified members. He also wanted to recognize Bonnie Werk to the Planning Board. She is a VP of TD Bank. She raised her family here in Clarkstown and has been on many non-for-profit Boards. She knows the community and is sensitive to business needs.

The Supervisor believes this is the first time Clarkstown has two woman on the Planning Board at the same time. We are looking to diverse other Boards as well. The Supervisor stated that the Town will continue to look at the Traffic issues and work with the Traffic Advisory Board. The Supervisor addressed Ms.

Bloom one last time - The determination and the decision to refund a bond, is based upon a recommendation from the Town's Financial Advisor - to refund the Bond to get a better rate. When Noah Nadelson, our Financial Advisor sees an opportunity, he makes a recommendation to our Town. This was his recommendation, and this was brought forth to the Board.

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (436-2025) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2025 and the Town Board Meeting Minutes of September 25, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (437-2025) - Amending the Budget — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (438-2025) - Authorizing the Refunding of All or a Portion of Certain Outstanding Serial Bonds (Not to exceed $12,500,000 Refunding Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (440-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Accept a Grant from the State of New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to Participate in the Statewide Police Traffic Services Program — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (439-2025) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled “A Local Law Amending Chapter 290 (Zoning) of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown—Electric Vehicle Charging Stations”Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (441-2025) - Authorizing the Purchase of a New Sanitary and Storm Sewer Video Inspection System (Total cost not to exceed: $146,526.76 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (442-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Acquisition of a Video Inspection System for the Department of Engineering & Facilities Management ($147,000 Serial bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (443-2025) - Authorizing an Increase in the Contract Amount for Additional Site Work Enhancements Related to the Construction of the Germonds Park Sports Complex Upgrade (Increase cost by $655,000.00 (Reimbursed through grant funds.))

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (444-2025) - Amending Resolution No. 652-2024 Authorizing an Additional Vendor for the Germonds Park Sports Complex Upgrade Project (Total amount not to exceed: $235,000.00)

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (445-2025) - Authorizing Execution and Acceptance of Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement Regarding Snow Church Realty Site Plan (Tax Map Designation No. 44.16-3- 56) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (446-2025) - Authorizing Execution and Acceptance of Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreement Regarding McDonald’s Restaurant Site Plan (Tax Map Designation No. 43.11- 2-39 and Portion of 43.11-2-41) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #12: RESOLUTION No (447-2025) - Amend Resolution No. 308-2025 (Authorizing the Purchase of Audio Visual Display Upgrades for Clarkstown Police Department) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (448-2025) - Amend Resolution No. 346-2024 (Authorizing the Purchase of Furniture and Office Improvements Town Wide Facilities) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (449-2025) - Authorizing Expenses for Conference (Annual NYS Magistrates Association Conference) (Not to Exceed: $1,500.00)

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (450-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding HPT CW Properties Trust Tax Map No. 57.15-1-34 (Total refund: $73,676.29)

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (451-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding Nanuet Hotels LLC Trust Tax Map No. 57.15-1-34 (Total refund: $79,671.98)

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (452-2025) - Authorizing Settlement of Tax Certiorari Regarding SAIPH 618 LLC Trust Tax Map No. 34.17-1-28 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (453-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of the Acquisition of a Parcel of Land at 101 Old Route 304, Known as the Depew House ($1,168,920 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (454-2025) - Authorizing Acceptance of a Donation of Parcel to Town and the Town Attorney to Pursue Acquisition — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (455-2025) - Granting Permission to the Rockland Community Farm Network to Dispense Alcoholic Beverages at Cropsey Community Farm, New City, New York — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (456-2025) - Invoking Town Code Chapter 216-9(B) Maintenance of Vacant Properties — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (457-2025) - Appointing Darryl Draper (Permanent) (NY Helps Program) to the Position of Code Enforcement Officer II - Building Department, Effective and Retroactive to September 22, 2025 ($83,395/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (458-2025) - Appointing Linda Parrott to the (Permanent) Position of Senior Clerk- Typist - Building Department, Effective and Retroactive to September 22, 2025 ($48,942/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (459-2025) - Appointing Elizabeth Lafasciano to the Position of Clerk-Typist - Building Department, Effective and Retroactive to September 12, 2025 ($42,914/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (460-2025) - Appointing George McCormick (Permanent) (NY Helps Program) to the Position of Custodian I - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($46,520/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #26: RESOLUTION No (461-2025) - Appointing Jean Museau (Permanent) (NY Helps Program) to the Position of Custodian I - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($76,935/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #27: RESOLUTION No (462-2025) - Appointing Alexandra Pezzementi to the Position of Groundskeeper I - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($55,580/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #28: RESOLUTION No (463-2025) - Appointing Hector Sandoval to the Position of Senior Groundsworker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($48,567/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #29: RESOLUTION No (464-2025) - Appointing Damian Welsh to the Position of Senior Groundsworker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($48,567/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #30: RESOLUTION No (465-2025) - Appointing Angelo Joseph Zodda to the Position of Senior Groundskeeper - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management ($53,371/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #31: RESOLUTION No (466-2025) - Appointing Jean Armand to the Position of Custodial Worker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($46,974/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #32: RESOLUTION No (467-2025) - Appointing Aaron Alexander to the Position of Custodial Worker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management ($42,704/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #33: RESOLUTION No (468-2025) - Appointing Edgar Berrios to the Position of Custodial Worker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($42,704/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #34: RESOLUTION No (469-2025) - Appointing Bruce Brown to the Position of Custodial Worker - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective October 15, 2025 ($42,704/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #35: RESOLUTION No (470-2025) - Appointing Susan Weredyk to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective October 15, 2025 ($21.48 per crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #36: RESOLUTION No (471-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Douglas Katz - Member - Planning Board, Accepted Effective and Retroactive to September 26, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #37: RESOLUTION No (472-2025) - Appointing Bonnie Werk to the Position of Member - Planning Board, Term Effective October 15, 2025 and Expire on October 14, 2032 ($6,822/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #38: RESOLUTION No (473-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Howard Whitman - Member - Traffic Advisory Board, Accepted Effective and Retroactive to September 30, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #39: RESOLUTION No (474-2025) - Appointing Niles Davies to Fill the Unexpired Term of Howard Whitman in the Position of Member - Traffic Advisory Board, Term Effective October 20, 2025 and Expire on February 28, 2031 ($2,570/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #40: RESOLUTION No (475-2025) - Granting Kylie Culianos - Police Records a One Month Leave Extension, Effective October 1, 2025 to November 2, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #41: RESOLUTION No (476-2025) - Creating the Position of Principal Clerk-Typist - Justice Court, Effective and Retroactive to September 22, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #42: RESOLUTION No (477-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) R2-1 30MPH Speed Limit Sign on New Lake Road, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #43: RESOLUTION No (478-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of Two (2) W1-10d Curve Signs on Foxwood Road, West Nyack — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #44: RESOLUTION No (479-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of Two (2) Disability Hearing Impaired Signs on Foxwood Road, West Nyack — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #45: RESOLUTION No (480-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) Hidden Driveway Sign on Foxwood Road, West Nyack — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #46: RESOLUTION No (481-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) R1-1 Stop Sign with a Stop Line on Mayfield Street, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #47: RESOLUTION No (482-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) R1-1 Stop Sign with a Stop Line on Abbey Lane, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #48: RESOLUTION No (483-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of Two (2) W11-2 Pedestrian Crossing Sign with Supplemental Plaques AHEAD on New Lake Road, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #49: RESOLUTION No (484-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of a Pedestrian Crosswalk with Two (2) W11-2/W16-7P Pedestrian Signs with Arrow Plaques on Kings Highway, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #50: RESOLUTION No (485-2025) - Referring Zone Change Petition of Rockland Hospitality Associates, LLC for Parcels Designated on Clarkstown Tax Map as 64.10-2-1 and 64.10-2-2 (425 and 431 E. Route 59) Located in Nanuet from LIO to RS — Adopted

EXECUTIVE SESSION At 7:57 pm, the Supervisor made a motion to exit the Town Board Meeting and have the entire Town Board enter into an Executive Session. This was offered by Co. Graziano, seconded by Co. Franchino. All were in favor. The Board may move into Executive Session to discuss personnel, negotiations, and/or litigation matters.

ADJOURNMENT At 8:58 pm, the Supervisor made a motion to close and exit the Executive Session and end the Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Graziano, seconded by Co. Franchino. All were in agreement. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025.