Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium August 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM MINUTES

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

ABSENT: Councilman Donald Franchino 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 The Supervisor asked to take (Res. #401-2025) out of sequence. He announced the hiring of Joe Caruso as a new Police Officer for the Town of Clarkstown. It is a temporary position as he will need to complete the Police Academy. He comes from a family of law enforcement. His uncle was a Clarktown Police Officer for many years.

The Supervisor and the Town Board congratulated him and wished him well at the Police Academy. Steve Levine, Congers Mr. Levine is questioning the funds in Res #384-2025. Are we hiring a Planner to analyze what is the best use of the funds?

He would like to commend the Town Board - Law Enforcement Agencies, and Regulatory Agencies for the swift action regarding the Day School Nursery in the commercial building on Maple Avenue, New City. When one deals with fire protection, you realize that the most vulnerable populations are the very young and the very old. He has no idea what the owners of this building were thinking.

Placing the little ones in a cellar is not conducive to human occupancy. What if there was a fire? This could have been a disaster of a great magnitude. Thank you all - law enforcement and Rockland County employees included. Al Osterlitz, New City, He would like to ask about Res. #382-2025. He would like an explanation regarding the funding. He would also like an explanation on #383-2025 regarding the funding.

We are authorizing the hiring of an outside firm. He believes we purchased the equipment to do this two years ago. Why are we not doing this in house? Regarding Res #385, #386, #387 are also bonds. Res. #388-2025 - is this the cost of the HVAC repairs? What improvements are going on at Rockland Country Day School? Are we making it more habitable? Also, why did we change the date of the September Town Board Meeting?

Laura Bidon, New City She would like to thank the Police Department for a noise disturbance that was resolved at 3:00 AM, in her neighborhood. She also has a question regarding the Rockland Country Day School. She would like to know more about the resolution to subdivide a portion of the property.

Patrick McNamara, New City He has questions regarding the 55 Schriever Lane development in New City that the County (Ed Day) has decided to assist the developer with funds.....To the extent that the Board is legally able - would you please comment on any further development that the Board is aware of?

Has the Board or the Town Government in general received any further contact from the developer - or the Rockland Affordable Housing Coalition? Has the County contacted the Town of Clarkstown in any official capacity - letting them know if any further action has been taken on 55 Schriever Lane? Is the Town aware of any material development from any parties?

Susan Bloom, Nanuet Is it possible to have Chief Wanamaker's statistics included in the minutes? She would like to be able to look at the statistics at another time. Regarding #381-2025 - We are expecting changes from the Rockland County Commission of Planning. Is it possible to see those changes before the law is voted on? She is interested in what the Town is financing with the $50,000 in construction materials?

What exactly are we paying for? Regarding Res #383-2025 - $44,750 for our surveying service? This is not a capital improvement, but a service. We should be able to pay for that without borrowing additional money. Regarding Rockland Country Day School - in the minutes from August 13, 2024, we paid $9,500 that was borrowed money for a different company to do surveying of that same school.

In addition, we borrowed $40,000 for surveying equipment. Why does it need to be surveyed twice - plus we purchased equipment. Why are we not doing this in-house? The Supervisor responded to Mr. McNamara - The Town received the same letter that the residents received from the County Executive, Ed Day. This changed the signal in the County's position on this project.

The Supervisor stated that this is NOT a project, in his opinion, that would ever happen without the funding that is coming from the State agency and the County of Rockland. This was a piece of property that was looked at by the committee that the Town had put together 25-30 years ago on Open Space.

It was determined that this property was NOT a candidate to be purchased at that time, during the deliberations by the citizen group that had made recommendations to the Town Board, It was not viewed as a property that should be protected at that point, - because many did not think it could be developed - due to wetlands on the property. The Town received the same letter that Ed Day sent out.

We have not had any follow-up. The Supervisor asked the Planning Administrator, Joe Simoes if his office has heard from anyone regarding this? Is there a project that has been submitted at this point? If this project were to move forward, the only role of the Town Board would have would be to decide if a cluster subdivision should be built there or to keep it average density.

The Planning Office would have to decide if there could be a certain number of houses to be built there. Then, they can petition to do a cluster subdivision, where they could be put together as Townhomes. The letter that was sent out by Mr. Day's office was not what was reported to him and other members of the County. Joe Simoes responded, no. They received the same letter from the County.

That is the only correspondence that they have. There is no new development. Nothing has been filed with the Planning Department. The next step in the process would be filing a proposed subdivision which they would distribute under the State Environmental Quality Review Act. We would need to get all the agency comments and have a Public Hearing in front of the Planning Board.

The Planning Board would have to determine how many lots are in fact something they would approve, before recommending a cluster. We are not there yet. They have not applied and have not yet reached out about applying. All that the residents and the Town have received is the letter signed by Ed Day, County Executive, indicating they are going to assist with funding the development.

Mark Licker, Ward Officer stated that he never saw this letter and wanted to know what it said. Mr. Simoes stated that the letter thanked the residents for coming to a meeting with Ed Day. It stated some opinions about the property and Mr. Day indicated that the County were going to pursue the application - assisting with the funding. The County punted the situation back to the Town of Clarkstown.

The project needs millions of dollars of subsidies from the state for the affordable housing portion as well as funding assistance from Rockland County. They plan to contribute. The owners of this property - The Rapkin/Ross Family - have owned this for generations and they have been trying to sell it on and off throughout the years. He recalls this occurring twenty plus years ago.

The Supervisor was on the Planning Board at the time. It was looked at as a property that was very difficult to build on. It is wetlands and they were looking for too much money - trying to sell it. Mr. Simoes agreed that this is exactly what has transpired. This would have to go to the Planning Board - to see if the number of lots being proposed are actually approvable.

The developer has not returned with any updates. And YES, the letter was punted to the Town from the Rockland County Executive's office. Mr. Simoes continued that assistance and funding is not a consideration with the Planning Board. They just decide if the property is processed and approved properly. The Planning Board will decide if the developer has met all requirements.

The Supervisor stated that in order to get a Cluster Subdivision, they have to establish that the standard plan of the subdivision (single family houses), could be permitted to be built according to Local Laws and the new NYS Wetland regulations that was recently established and passed. This is something that the Planning Board will evaluate. What is the number that could be built there?

At that point they will decide if will be clustered or not. At what point will it be decided if anything at all can be built there? In addition, Mr. Simoes stated that there is a flood plane on the property. When residents are too close to a Flood Plane, there are issues. The Planning Board will have to weigh that. Even if something is legally allowed, by letter of the law....that is why we have a Planning Board.

They have the authority to say whether this is something that can be built on - or not. Having a house or homes, in an adjacent area, close to wetlands and close to a flood plane - how will this actually pan out? The developer is proposing 17 lots. They first need to establish that they can get a standard plan. Then and only then can they request a Cluster Subdivision. This is a long process. Mr.

Simoes repeated the entire process again. The Supervisor stated that if this project does move forward, presented to the Planning Board, and they establish a standard plan of whatever number of units, then they request a cluster subdivision, that is when the Town Board weighs in. The Town Board will then make a determination based on recommendations - there will be a Public Hearing - listening to the residents.

It is not common, but it has happened, where the Town Board rejects a recommendation for a cluster subdivision. This has a long way to go. There are other agencies - Rockland County Planning Department, Drainage Agency, NYS DEC - they all would have to weigh in on the approval process when and if necessary. They have not submitted anything. Again, there is no formal proposal before the Town.

Joe Simoes stated that the last time he was in communication with the developer regarding this project was at the July 15, 2025 meeting at the Ed Day - Rockland County Legislature's Office. The Supervisor stated that if and when a proposal comes in, the Town will contact all that have left their contact information with them regarding this project. The Town will let everyone know.

He suggests that after something comes in, everyone go back and speak to the Rockland County Legislature and Ed Day once they receive communication. To Mr. Levine - Mike Gianatasio, Director of Engineering Facility Management spoke regarding Rockland Country Day School. We are doing survey services for RCDS because we need a licensed Surveyor to subdivide the property for boundary layout, among other things.

We did purchase survey equipment. We use it for all our Civil Engineering purposes. We received proposals from Engineering Companies for RCDS and we will be able to do all the Civil Engineering work in-house. We solicited proposals. Atzl was the lowest proposal and we decided to go with them. We built the New City Warehouse on First Street.

The material that we are purchasing has to do with the interior of the warehouse - metal framing, doors, sheet rock, hardwood, plywood etc. The warehouse will be up and running within the next two months. All in, we are at about $1.900,000.00. This also includes additional parking for the Police Department. M&M Construction is doing the labor part. We are trying to do as much in house as possible.

The Supervisor stated that when the Town started the Downtown project in New City, we were told it was going to cost 14-15 million dollars. It wound up being $31,000,000.00. The project got out of control and the outside Engineering firms were adding more and more to the project. Since Mr. Gianatasio has been working with the Supervisor, he has never been over budget.

The project in West Nyack was a $25 million dollar project. The Town is coming in at less than half of that number and ahead of schedule. Mr. Gianatasio continued - Regarding resolution #388-2025 - The HVAC units are very old and they are at end of useful life. We are losing a lot of energy using them and they are not cooling efficiently anymore. The Town went with the lowest bidder.

HVAC at Zukor, Pascack and Central Nyack will all be improved. The Public Hearing for the Local Law regarding the Hamlet Center changes for Valley Cottage, Congers and West Nyack. There are changes regarding parking. This will be on the agenda for the September 9, 2025 Town Board Meeting. The Supervisor stated that we are recognizing what is there, removing some of the overlays, and get a clear zoning map. Mr.

Simoes explained the process and what will be discussed at the September 9th meeting.

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (378-2025) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2025 and Special Town Board Meeting Minutes of July 31, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (379-2025) - Amending the Budget — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (380-2025) - Changing the Date of Town Board Meeting Scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025 to Thursday, September 25, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (381-2025) - Setting a Public Hearing on a Proposed 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

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (382-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Construction Materials for the Town ($50,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (383-2025) - Authorizing the Director of Engineering & Facilities Management (DEFM) to Retain Atzl, Nasher & Zigler, P.C., to Provide Professional Land Surveying Services (Total amount not to exceed: $44,750.00 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (384-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of the Planning Improvements to Rockland Country Day School ($45,000 Serial Bond)

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (385-2025) - Awarding Bid #16-2025 -- HVAC Upgrades for Gymnasium at Pascack Community Center (Total proposed cost: $109,167.00 plus a 10% contingency (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (386-2025) - Awarding Bid #17-2025 – HVAC Upgrades for Office Area at Central Nyack Community Center (Total proposed cost: $39,000.00 plus a 10% contingency (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (387-2025) - Award Bid #18-2025 – HVAC Upgrades for Office Area at Zukor Community Center (Total proposed cost: $50,337.00 plus a 10% contingency (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (388-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of the HVAC Improvements at Various Town Community Centers ($220,000 Serial Bond)

AGENDA ITEM #12: RESOLUTION No (389-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with the County of Rockland for Partial Reimbursement of Police Overtime Costs for Counter Terrorism Training `Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (390-2025) - Authorizing the Chief of Police of the Clarkstown Police Department to Sign an Equitable Sharing Agreement with the Drug Enforcement Administration Westchester County Task Force — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (391-2025) - Authorizing the Chief of Police of the Clarkstown Police Department to Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Capitol Police for Law Enforcement Support — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (392-2025) - Amending Resolution (#661-2024) Regarding GBR Two Crosfield Limited Liability Company, Resolution (#662-2024) Regarding FB Nanuet Strip Mall LLC and Resolution (#663-2024) Regarding FB Nanuet Strip Mall LLC — Adopted as Amended

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (393-2025) - Authorize the Transfer of Property to the New York State Department of Transportation for a Pedestrian Improvement Project located at 18 S. Route 303, Congers, NY Tax Map No. 44.20-1-2 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (394-2025) - Authorizing Refund of Building Permit Fees to Hoontos LLC. for Property Known as 1 Cindy Lane, Central Nyack, NY Tax Map No. 59.19-1-20 (120-A-72) (Total Refund Amount: $6,107.00)

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (395-2025) - Invoking Town Code Chapter 216-9(B) Maintenance of Vacant Properties — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (396-2025) - Creating the Position of Senior Clerk-Typist (Spanish-Speaking) - Justice Court, Effective and Retroactive to July 25, 2025 and Appointing Angelica Ordonez to the Permanent Position of Senior Clerk-Typist (Spanish-Speaking) - Justice Court, Effective and Retroactive to August 18, 2025 (No change in currentl salary.)

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (397-2025) - Appointing Sungeun Park to the (Permanent) (NY Helps Program) Position of Engineer III - Department of Engineering and Facilities Management, Effective and Retroactive to August 6, 2025 ($98,056/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (398-2025) - Appointing Rosa Lema Morales to the (Permanent - NY Helps) Position of Principal Payroll Clerk (Grade 24) - Town Comptroller's Office, Effective and Retroactive to August 18, 2025 ($79,794/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (399-2025) - Appointing Yuna Yang to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective September 2, 2025 ($21.48 per crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (400-2025) - Appointing Alexa Farese to the Position of Crossing Guard (Substitute) - Police Department, Effective September 2, 2025 ($21.48 per crossing)

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (401-2025) - Appointing Joseph Caruso to the Position of (Temporary) Police Officer - Clarkstown Police Department (While Attending the Police Academy), Effective August 25, 2025 ($63,203/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (402-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Antonia Sambevski - Clerk-Typist - Building Department, Accepted on August 22, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #26: RESOLUTION No (403-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Nicholas Windman - Member - Traffic Advisory Board, Effective and Retroactive to August 12, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #27: RESOLUTION No (404-2025) - Accepting the Separation of Employment of Danielle Dominianni - Clerk (Seasonal) - Town Clerk, Accepted Effective and Retroactive to August 12, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #28: RESOLUTION No (405-2025) - Accepting the Resignation of Michele Dominianni - Clerk (Seasonal) - Town Clerk, Accepted Effective and Retroactive to August 12, 2025 — Adopted

EXECUTIVE SESSION The Board may move into Executive Session to discuss personnel, negotiations, and/or litigation matters.

ADJOURNMENT At 8:36 pm, the Supervisor made a motion to exit the Executive Session and adjourn the Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Axelrod, seconded by Co. Graziano. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl - Town Clerk UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.