Town Board - Regular Meeting

TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING Town Hall Auditorium June 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM MINUTES

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

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

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ~ Youth Academy Graduation

PUBLIC HEARING

PUBLIC HEARING #1: PH-1.

RESOLUTION No (272-2025) - Authorizing the Continuation of a Public Hearing on a Proposed Local Law Entitled, “A Local Law Amending Chapter 262 of the Town Code of the Town of Clarkstown concerning Prorated Exemption and Expansion to Certain Military Veterans”Adopted

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL

PUBLIC COMMENTS Most residents in the audience were present for issues concerning Schriever Lane in New City. Some were also present about misinformation regarding EMS and Paramedics. The Supervisor and the Town Board listened to the residents who live in and around Schriever Lane, New City. The Supervisor stressed some points that he would like to make regarding Schriever Lane, New City.

Supervisor Hoehmann wants to state that the Town is NOT conducting a Zone Change. "There is NO Zone Change." The land is zoned R-15, which means the developer (the people purchasing the property), as of right, can develop (they say) 17 homes on the property. That is not a zone change. It is not high density. They may submit two different options.

They are asking for a Cluster Sub-Division or Average Density - where they would Cluster the building down. They eventually may need to request a decision from the Town on that Board. They have not yet submitted a proposal to the Town Planning Board. They have come to the Town's Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). The Town Planner, Joe Simoes will speak regarding the property.

The Supervisor stated that he and the entire Town Board have serious concerns about the wetlands on this property. In addition to this, there was a Civic Association regarding this property (in the past) that has opposed development on this property for many years due to wetlands. The Town Board is well aware of that fact. Residents have spoke regarding water issues in the past.

However, property owners have property rights. We cannot just deny the development. Just like you cannot put a deck on your house if the zoning does not allow it. As of right, they have 14 acres. Mr. Simoes will get into the specifics. They are "claiming" 10 of their acres can be developed. This would produce about 17 homes. They have to prove that upon an application.

The bigger issue that is being mixed into this potential development .....the Town has NOTHING to do with. That is the affordability part of this application. There is a meeting, tentatively June 10th - (rescheduled to July 15th). The Supervisor went to the County Executive and our Legislator for the area and demanded that the County speak with the residents.

At the last Town Board Meeting, people stated that they do not want this affordable housing here. They are getting significant subsidies from Rockland County and New York State, and if this is approved, they want to make affordable housing - single family homes. This is through the Home Ownership Program. That is not an entity of the Town. The program belongs to the County of Rockland.

It is a program that Governor Hochul is pushing at the State level, to bring about affordable housing in the suburbs. The Town of Clarkstown cannot say yes or no to that. If the developer wants to do that, they can. We have voiced our concerns already. The Supervisor is instructing the residents to voice their concerns to the County as well.

He is encouraging everyone to attend the meetings with the County Executive, Staff, and the Legislature. They are the ones proposing Affordable Housing. The Town cannot say yes or no. He wanted to stress that if this plan passes all the necessary requirements, only then, it will come before the Town Planning Board.

The developer would have to prove that they CAN develop this land in a standard plan before it reaches the Planning Board. They then can make a second request which would consider a Cluster or an Subdivision. The Cluster Subdivision would then specify - as of right, you can build whatever number of houses on this property, based upon the wetlands, based upon the engineering reports etc.

You can then propose to Cluster them and then ask the Town Board for approval. This is the only point at which the Town Board could get involved - to allow them to cluster the homes from stand-alone single family homes to Town Homes. Understand that the Town has significant concerns about the drainage and other issues with this property. They will have to prove their case.

They have to reduce runoff by 10% and meet the entire Environmental Review that determines exactly how many houses can be built. Please understand - they are not changing the zoning. Facts matter. The Supervisor stated that he has concerns and every one of the Town Board members have spoken to him with serious concerns about the water drainage problem at that site.

Joe Simoes, Town Planner - In terms of the process, this application has been before the Town staff for about a year. It is State law that the Town is able to exercise the cluster option when they look at single family home options. A standard plan is brought to the Town and has to meet every aspect of zoning.

They have to fully engineer a plan and show how they would build the number of units they think they are entitled to. That includes roads and detention basins. We are the only Town in Rockland County that requires an additional 10% reduction in runoff. That has to be shown in the standard plan. They started off with 24 homes.

They came to TAC and the developer that some of these units would not be approved due to the amount of wetlands. You're crossing a stream, you are filling in too much wet lands etc...We thought that from the very beginning - this is not something the developer will be able to get through. So they moved it down to 22 units.

NYS Environmental Laws changed in the beginning of the year, and now buffer zones need to be considered, thus, the project ended up with 17 residences. It is consistent with the current zoning. It has 15,000 square feet - with deductions for wetlands. It is not Mr. Simoess judgment, or his staff's judgment. So they have met the minimum requirements. The Plan will go to the Planning Board.

There will be a public hearing at the Planning Board. The Board would have to decide if it is approved or not. Are these houses situated in a way that it would not effect the wetlands? Will there be any issues for the homeowners? Not only for the old homeowners, but for the new homeowners of the 17 units. No one wants anyone to have flooded basements.

The Planning Board needs to look at the Plan - is it something they would approve, and secondly - the applicant reached out to the NYS DEC. The Town still has to distribute these plans to the NYS DEC. The State needs to tell us officially that the applicant has an environmental plan that the State would allow to be developed. They will have to explain that this would not impact the environment.

Then they have to decide if they want to cluster down the development. If the developer submits the Standard Plan, access to this the site would be connected through Cedarcraft Lane, New City. The Cluster Plan has access to the homes only from Schriever Lane, New City. Councilman Licker wanted to know if any of the proposed homes are in the Buffer Zone? Mr.

Simoes responded that yes, the Standard Plan shows homes in the buffer area (the adjacent area). The Supervisor stated that the Planning Board would have to decide whether that is acceptable or not. Mr. Simoes stated that Town needs confirmation from the NYS Department of Conservation - directly. This is something that the Board would have to weigh. Mr.

Simoes stated - On the staff level and the technical level, the application meets the criteria. This is why we have a Planning Board. Now the Planning Board needs to look at the Plan and see if it is viable. If the Standard Plan is accepted, the next step would be to review the applicant's request to cluster the buildings down. 17 units are being requested on smaller lots - 8,000 to 9.000 square feet.

We have used clustering throughout the Town for a long time. It used to be called "Average Density." Mr. Simoes stated, Waters Edge and Thornwood Estates are examples - however those are on R-40 district, and R-22 district so their lots are on 13,000 square feet. Fulle Drive in Valley Cottage is considered "Average Density" - some of those lots are on larger or smaller square feet.

The Supervisor stated that the Town owned complex on Mountainview is another example. The Supervisor wants to be clear - the Planning Board has to determine that they can build whatever they can build and then at that point, they can Petition for a Cluster Subdivision. At that point, the Planning Board can either agree or disagree. The Town Board has to give authority on allowing the Clustering.

These are the smaller lots. The Town Board has always agreed with the Planning Board regarding "clustering." It helps to protect the environment. If the Town Board decides to disagree with the Planning Board, you are stating that the Standard Plan is something you would approve. If it gets to the Town Board to decide, it will be either one or the other. Mr.

Simoes stated, in terms of the review, DEC has looked at these plans, they have in theory accepted what the applicant has provided them in terms of the 17 units. That will be a factor when the Planning Board decides if there are 17 viable units in the Standard Plan. The Cluster will shrink the development down and preserve the rest of the property. The rest of the land will be dedicated open space.

We can add a conservation easement on that and/or add as many protections as possible. The land will most likely be dedicated to the Town as open space parkland, deeded. You would need an act of the State Legislature to change that. Standard Plan - 17 homes - situated across 6.1 acres - 1.5 acres of roads, driveways, homes Cluster Plan - 17 dwellings - situated across 3.9 acres -1.

1 acres of roads, driveways Existing drainage plus another 10% above the threshold (our Town Code) You still need a detention basin, that will take all the flooding and runoff - this will have to remain on the site The property is 2.81 acres of Wetlands. There is an adjacent buffer around that Wetlands.

If the Planning Board deems that the Cluster and the Standard Plan is acceptable, and they are willing to support the cluster, it would come to the Town Board. The only decision the Town Board would have is Standard or Cluster. It is not a question on yes or no regarding the development. The Town Board will not be able to even decide if the lots are viable or not. The Town Board will say yes or no.

You can cluster because it is presumably better for the environment. Again, that is up to the Town Board. If the cluster is accepted, the Planning Board will have a public hearing regarding preliminary approval. Mr. Simoes continued to explain the process once the project gets to the Planning Board. The Planning Board and the Town Board cannot consider any of the Affordable Housing component. Mr. Simoes agreed.

The sale purchase, marketing, development, of the property itself is not the responsibility of the Planning Board. It is not a consideration. They decide how many homes can or cannot be built here, and whether the clustering of the homes down is a better option than the Standard Plan. It has been proposed that the Cluster has side by side single family Townhouses with a common wall between them.

They would have a zero lot line. Each home would have its own property. 16 of those types of buildings (eight sets of two) and one single family home. That is the plan that is trying to be submitted to the Planning Board. The Supervisor is encouraging everyone who is concerned, to go to Rockland County and ask your questions about the Affordable portion of this project.

He asked his staff to get names of all that have an interest in this development. The Supervisor stated again, that the Affordable component has absolutely nothing to do with the Town. The Supervisor stated that the developer indicated that they are receiving State and County subsidies....some of which was already received. He indicated that the residents must deal with the County.

That has nothing to do with the Town. The Town cannot say yes or no to that. The Supervisor stated that frankly he believes that this is likely a project that he does not think can be developed if they do not receive the subsidy. This is a conversation that everyone should be having with the County Executive and the Legislature.

The Supervisor will make sure everyone with concerns will be invited to the Rockland County meeting. This is where everyone needs to bring up their concerns with the Affordable Housing piece. Please keep in mind that this is not even before the Town Planning Board. It has a very long way to go. They have not filed a formal application. They went to TAC, and at some point, they may file with the Planning Board.

At that point, that's when the Public Hearing process and the Public output will be heard. Not on the affordable housing component. Under Federal Law, it is not something that we can consider. We can not say we just do not want it. The Supervisor's main concern is the Wetlands. There is some real concern about wetlands on this property.

The Supervisor has some real doubts that a developer can get 17 homes on that property. He does not know if the Planning Board will buy what the developer is trying to sell them. He encouraged everyone to sign in so they can get invited to the meeting with the County Executives Office, so they can voice their concerns. Public Comments - Schriever Lane Patrick J.

McNamara - 66 Schriever Lane He is a third generation as a resident of Schriever Lane, he is extremely concerned by the proposed development. Regarding stating intentions of the developer - He referred to a narrative summary which is on file - - A Cluster Subdivision dimensional requirements of the Zoning Code maybe bypassed in whole or in part.

The narrative summary was filed and signed by the Attorney on behalf of the petitioner - The Rockland County Housing Action Committee. He would also like to point out - which primarily pertains to rentals rather than sales. The RHAC may not be the best outfit for the sale and development of homes. Governor Hochul and her wisdom has sought 100,000 units of affordable housing - the 17 units proposed here would be .

01% of the goal. This would be a 100% chance of a reduction quality of life of those living on or around Schriever Lane. The Non-Clustered plan per the DECs email is not under serious consideration. The cluster development is getting pushed forward. The Supervisor stated that this is not how the law works. The Board must determine that a Standard Plan works, then they can push for a Cluster Plan.

If a standard plan was not identified, and a cluster was done, it would be grounds for an immediate lawsuit. Under the Cluster Plan - there would be a horseshoe pavement - 100% of this would be on Schriever Lane. Jeremy Erlich - Elyse Drive If the Clustering is approved, what is to prevent the developer to go in and ask for a Clustering again? Can anything be done to prevent this from happening again?

You mention that the Town Board does not have anything to say, buy you did address the fact that the Clustering will come before you. What can you share with us that the Board will not approve Clustering so we do not have to deal with it once or a second time. The Supervisor stated that if a Cluster was approved, the rest of the land becomes fallow. It becomes open space dedicated to the municipality.

There would be a Conservation Easement placed on the rest of the land. We could not mow it, use it for recreation space - it is open space - vacant land. In addition to that, the Town will do a "Restrictive Covenant" - this will cap it - at its development potential. Nothing could go forward. This was done a few years ago at the Palisades Mall. Deed restrictions could also be placed on the property.

The Supervisor continued - we do not have an application before us. If he or any other member of the Town Board states NO to a Cluster Subdivision before an application even comes in, we could be sued and lose in Federal Court. He can say that he has concerns about the Wetlands and he has real concerns about if they can build what they are talking about building.

No Board in advance can say they are not going to approve a project. This is not permitted under the NYS Constitution or the Federal Constitution. The Supervisor again stated that every member of the Town Board has significant concerns about the wetland. The Developer can say what they want. They still have to prove their case.

The Supervisor has concerns that they are going into the wetlands and they are going into the buffer zones. The DEC may have said ok...they will need to prove their case before the Planning Board. The Supervisor stressed that the meeting the residents need to attend about the Affordable Housing part of this development is at the Rockland County Executive's Office.

Everyone that is interested, needs to sign up and go speak to the County and Legislature Holstein's' office about their concerns. The Supervisor is going to request that everyone that signs up to attend this meeting, gets invited. Virginia Barrett, Elinor Place, New City She lives on the next block over from Schriever Lane.

When you speak of the wetlands issue - is that part of the Demerast Kill tributary that comes through? The Demerest Kill tributary that runs underneath the professional building that butts into Elinor Place is notorious for flooding. The overflow of water goes all behind our homes. Her backyard butts the vacant land that we are talking about.

John Dineen, 36 Carolina Drive, New City Do we know if this company has purchased the land? Did they purchase it? Do they own it? They are getting money from NY State and Rockland County? Has this been confirmed? If this goes through - and there are 17 houses (cluster or not), does the purchase price effect the taxable base?

Do we collect less money from those houses, than we did with a house around the corner on an R-15 lot? Michael Sperlazza, Elyse Drive To the extent that this one day may come before the Planning Board, besides the Wetland issue, what extent does the Planning Board consider the effects of having this potential cluster housing - Traffic Pattern...Utilities. He looks at Schriever Lane as almost a private road.

It is an extremely narrow road and to have significant residents there - we already have people who cut through. They cut through, speeding through, right in front of his home. To have all these new cars, and new traffic, come through - its a safety hazard. Beyond the wetlands - this will be a real problem. To what extent does the Planning Board consider that - if an applicant comes before them.

Will this be a factor in deciding to grant an approval? Maurice Duarte, 77 Carolina Drive, New City He has been living in Rockland for five years after moving from Manhattan. How is this project going to affect the value of our current single family homes? Everyone is afraid to ask this question. Homeowners, Real Estate Agents, Restaurants etc.

When you look at Facebook and Social Media - everything that is circulating - it goes from low income, to affordable housing. Color it anyway you want. How is it going to effect our values? We have all worked so hard to get here. Now we are here worried about who is going to come in. He knows - he does Real Estate - he is aware of the 80/20 rule in Real Estate, he is aware of the poor/door idea in Real Estate.

There are articles in the New York Times explaining all of this. We want what is best for our children, and our children's children. At 8:45 PM Supervisor ended the Public Comments on Schriever Lane, New City. The Supervisor wanted to be careful incase there is a potential lawsuit. Regarding Mr. Duarte - his concerns are things that you would bring up with the funding agencies as concerns.

It is not something that the Town legally, under Federal Housing laws, can do. The County can make a determination if they think this is an appropriate location to continue the funding. The Supervisor stated that residents can have conversations with them. Mr. Simoes responded to some of the questions: In terms of Demerest Kill - there is a flood plane on the property.

It so happens that the flood plane is totally contained in the wetland. A stream, the flood plane is almost nested in the wetland, and then the 100 foot adjacent area. In terms of impact, if we are preserving the wetland (the stream and the flood plane). There are deductions in terms of development - you need a minimum lot area.

The Planning Department will send notices out to anyone who would like to be invited to the Planning Board Meetings and the Public Hearing. 845-639- 2070. Please call to make sure you are signed up. You may also email Planning@Clarkstown.gov. Anyone who signs up will be sent a notice. In terms of property value, affordability is not a factor.

In terms of marketing or in terms of who it is sold to, that is not something we can consider. We CAN, under SEQA consider Community Character. Does the property fit the "character" of the neighborhood?" That is going to do with architecture. Ordinarily, the Planning Board does not deal with architecture.

Here, because you are putting two homes together, he will be advising the Board - we want to see the architecture to see how they fit in. That is a factor. This can directly relate to property values and does it fit with the neighborhood. We cannot consider who the homes are sold to. Traffic and utilities are part of the list that we have on our environmental assessment form.

It is 17 homes - the Board can consider traffic at any instance. If there are more street lights that need to be added, we will have to add. This is all part of the development process. The funding for the development needs to be addressed to Rockland County. Town Assessor, John Noto Assessed value - based on home sale and based on reduced area sites. Assessments are always based on Market Value of the homes.

In this case, you will have deed restrictions, covenants and so forth. This will limit the value of the homes. They should be about $406,000. The assessments would be based on this. Without seeing what the project is, it will certainly be restricted. There may be increases over time....and these could change the value. The Assessment will follow this.

The Supervisor stated that most of the homes in this neighborhood, are older homes. They are not newer homes. Mr. Noto stated that the Assessments were set in 1985. They are equalized to full value or market value through the state equalization rate or specifically the residential assessment ratio which is .1944 for this year.

That equalizes the market value and from our perspective, all the grievances that we have had (over 1,000 this year) - that holds up really well in terms of value. It is equalized to what the value is today. Yet, the value of those homes are restricted. This caps what you can assess it at.

Town Attorney, Kevin Conway spoke - it is not a permissive item for the Planning Board or the Town Board to who they might sell to. It is the same thing for the value of the home. No difference if this was a religious application. He has been to many Boards, outside of Clarkstown, on behalf of applicants. You are not permitted to get up and say if the religious application is approved, it comes off of the Tax Roll.

That hurts everyone. It is the same difference here - whatever the assessed value would be or the values pursuant to the funding. If they receive money from the State or County, it is not an appropriate factor for the Board or the Planning Board to consider - cluster or not. He is going to ask no further comments or questions regarding this. This can effect a future application by this applicant. We can be sued.

Lance Eagle, 8 Carlton Court Is it the subsidized value that we get the tax amount off of? Or is it the value the individual homeowner will end up paying? For the value of the home, is it important that it fits that dynamic of the area? We really need to think about this. The Supervisor stated that it is something that they need to bring up at the Rockland County meeting....they are the ones giving the subsidy.

------------------------------- The Supervisor stated that there are questions that have come up with Rockland Paramedics and Emergency Medical Services. The Supervisor wanted to clarify some questions and concerns. We are going to have our Dispatch Coordinator and our EMS Manager Officer - go through - what has been discussed. He wants to recognize all of his first responders that are here.

There is NO CUT IN EMS SERVICES. NONE Last October we went to Priority Medical Dispatch. There has been a 30% reduction in call volume. We are now moving to another phase of proving services. Better response time. They have asked us for additional funding and what that looks like is additional vehicles. They will split their medics into single Fly Cars.

Instead of having two medics, in one vehicle, we will use the Ambulance Corps or the Police Substations, or a pre designated place where a second medic will be set. Through priority medical dispatch, based upon the call, triaged through the Police Department - they are confident that they will be able to dispatch two medics. There is no cut. We are not dropping services.

Do we need to add more medics during certain hours? Are there hours where there are less medics? This may be necessary. We are not doing any of that. We are going to single fly cars. We are going to do what many other counties are doing. Based that there are not enough medics to go around, we have been told that this will dramatically increase response time.

If a medic is responding to an incident in Nanuet, they will be based in Nanuet. If there is a need for a second medic, there will be a West Nyack medic sent. The Supervisor received a phone call yesterday. He told the individual to set up a meeting to discuss. The next thing he knew he saw social media - stating that we are dropping a medic. That is not and was never the case.

The Town is not cutting medic services. We are going to single fly cars and will be giving additional funding with new cars. The Town of Clarkstown has fully funded medic services. We have given a 3% increase to all ambulance corps. Jason DiSalvo - Head of Dispatch and Detective Dan Maloney - Emergency Management Office are here to discuss. In October 2024, they switched over to a new company for EM dispatch.

This allows the Dispatcher to triage the calls using a strict protocol based on a program that was derived by our medical director. This has led to a 30.57% reduction in Paramedic Responses. This leads to 2,164 calls that they did not go on. We believe that the four Fly Cars will be able to help manage the resources better.

If we treat the travel like we do the patrol cars, with single officers, we will be effectively dispatch them more efficiently. This will then lead to an increase in response time. The Supervisor stated that there is a lot of data and he would be happy to share it. From the time frame that they started - Oct 1, 2024 to June 1, 2025, there was a total of 7,079 dispatches.

Out of that, 2,164 were reduced for paramedic response through our Apco program. 1,298 of those calls that were deemed needing paramedics, were cancelled by the Ambulances that were on the scene. We think with the reduction on the paramedic dispatches, and splitting their four cars up, will absolutely allow the Dispatchers to dispatch them more effectively.

Nothing is stopping a Dispatcher from sending two paramedics to a call if the Dispatcher feels that it is a "hot" call. The Supervisor stated that there are concerns that he and his staff have as a misuse of the system, by some of the larger entities in the Town. Some Nursing Homes and Urgent Cares will automatically call a Paramedic or an Ambulance Corp for a regular transport. That is something that is separate.

We have data on that as well. We think there is an over utilization by providers. Why are we sending medics to Crystal Run which frankly they have doctors and medical staff there. Many Nursing Homes in the Town that have Doctors on staff, call the medics. We should not be sending medics - lights and sirens for a broken ankle. Let's send two medics when we need to send two medics.

The consensus is that the new system is working. A drop in calls by over 30% is great. Other Towns have very similar savings. Over utilization in mutual aid....We are sending New City, Nanuet and West Nyack to go into North Rockland for mutual aid often and this is a concern. Mr.

DiSalvo stated that if one of our trucks is being taken out of Town, the Dispatcher then has to call for Mutual Aid (Ramapo or Orangetown). A good chunk of their calls are to Haverstraw, West Haverstraw, Garnerville area. The Supervisor has asked Supervisor Phillips to have a meeting with the Clarkstown Emergency Dispatch, and our Emergency Operational Officer.

We need to figure out what is going on in North Rockland. They need to put the resources themselves up there so Clarkstown is not sending all of our medics out. That includes Medic 3 - 53 times to the North Rockland area. The Supervisor stated that this has been a significant drain on our system. When people come into the Town looking for additional funding for the Ambulance Corps, this will all be discussed.

We have been dealing with Rockland Paramedic Service - which is our provider. We fully funded them. Three of the five Towns fully funded Rockland Paramedics Service (our provider) for this budget year. Two Towns did not. The Supervisor's understanding that both of these Towns are fully funding for the remaining of the year and likely beyond. Rockland Paramedics stated they are expanding their contract with Ramapo.

The Supervisor stated that the Town has hired an outside Consulting firm to take a look at these programs. Dan Maloney - Emergency Operations Officer Detective Maloney has been researching all of this with other counties (Dutchess, Orange, Westchester). This is the model that they follow. Each medic will be in individual fly cars. This will double the response rate of the vehicles.

This is how the Police Department operates. The decision to do this was not made overnight or behind close doors. They has been meetings with the Supervisor for quite some time. There was transparency throughout all of this - the entire time. Carol Ackerman, New City She is a long term Volunteer with New City Ambulance. She is a Paramedic with more than thirty years of experience with EMS.

We currently have four Ambulance Corps in our Town. We have four Paramedics and two vehicles that cover the Town of Clarkstown. She would like to thank the Board for not moving forward with the Paramedic cut. The decision showed responsiveness. She stated that facts matter. Ms.

Ackerman stated that they were informed yesterday at 3 pm that one medic would be cut from the two medic unit at the New City Ambulance Corp. She is deeply concerned at the abrupt restructuring made without any input from any Ambulance Corp in our Town. These are operational changes with real consequences. They are made without consulting the people who live and breath this work.

We are asking for a 90 day pause on changes to Clarkstown EMS, while they work together to resolve the challenges we are currently facing. We are the front line experts. We know this Town, your neighborhoods, your traffic patterns, your friends, your children. We've taken them to the hospital. They know what works and they know what puts patients at risk.

The changes that the Town is making may look good on paper, and they may very well be great, but field reality is different. We served through the pandemic. We showed up when everything shut down. We were not essential workers. We put on PPE and entered homes with COVID. We put our lives and our families at risk to protect this community.

To make major decisions on our system now, without including the volunteers EMS and the EMTs, is a deep disservice - to our sacrifice and our service. Moral and retention are already fragile. Across the country, EMS recruitment has declined drastically. Decisions made behind closed doors only drive more people away. If you want to protect the system, which we want to do, we need to protect the people in it.

We are taxpayers too. We help fund this Town. We are not outsiders asking for special treatment. We are invested citizens who deserve a voice in how the system is run. Finally, we have earned a seat at this table. If Clarkstown is serious about delivering the best EMS to its residents, bring your four Ambulance Corps together to the table with your Operational Emergency Management Team.

We all know each other and we all work together. Let us help you shape a plan that works for patience, providers, and the entire Town. Ms. Ackerman thanked the Town Board for their time. The Supervisor wanted to clarify that we are not cutting a medic. We are talking about Fly Cars. Please tell me that two medics in New City, being called on mutual aid to Haverstraw, makes sense.

New City Ambulance Corp, Nanuet Ambulance Corp, Nyack Ambulance Corp and Spring Hill have already met with the Town's staff, multiple times, and one of the things that was discussed was how we should take more of a fly car approach to speed response time. How are two medics, screaming lights and sirens, from West Nyack to a call in Nanuet, making any sense.

We have a system that has been in place since October where we do priority medical dispatch - where we can send a second medic immediately. The Supervisor stated that purchasing the vehicles will probably will not take place until September. That's approximately 90 days. The Supervisor stated that he does not know what has been discussed. He asked for a phone call back. He did not receive one.

The Town is not cutting a medic. Ms. Gonzalez - New City She has been here for eight years. She worked in NYC as a Medic since 2008. She loves this profession. The problem is that we are the black sheep of Essential Services. She worked for a hospital who saw the need for higher compensation in order to maintain the quality of care. They understand the cost of running.

We have one of the best Paramedic Services that she has seen in a very long time. What was relayed to them, was due to cuts in the Town, EMS was getting cuts. They were obviously misinformed. She is concerned about the need for medics at night - especially in Nursing Homes. She is willing to pay more taxes to have adequate response time. The Supervisor stated that the Town of Ramapo did not fully fund RPS.

They funded them for six months. There was a discussion of Paramedic Services being picked up by Rockland County. This is not happening. RPS is saying they cannot provide the level of service unless we get fully funded. They are making their own decisions. There is no cut. The Town has not cut RPS's budget. The Town paid for a vehicle for RPS and every Ambulance Corp has always gotten an increase.

Going forward, we will have active discussions. He is told Ramapo is going to single medics. Some of this is internal situations with RPS, and some of it is beyond that. The Supervisor asked the Town Board if there has ever been a discussion about cutting paramedic services? They all answered, NO. The Supervisor stated that he does not know what the future holds. Does the County take it on, Do the Towns take it on?

He can tell his residents that we spend 8 million dollars on their Ambulance Corp and 2 and 1/2 million dollars on their Paramedics. That's the facts. It is expensive. We value it. We have not changed the funding - it has only gone up. Dr. William Greenhut, - Paramedic Services He is an Emergency Medical Physician. He is the medical director for multiple EMS agencies. This is not a very con traversal subject.

We all appreciate EMS and know they are a valuable resource for our communities. These people work incredibly hard. They cover for each other constantly. Any indication of a "cut" will be met with this reaction. The anxiety that they will lose support is tough. We have witnessed it. Decreased membership, loss of Rockland Mobile Care, Paramedics going to the Nursing Homes.

Priority dispatched has reduced the reliance on the over-reliance. As a Physician in a hospital, we call 911 to the hospital to transport hospital patients to another hospital. If we have lack of emergency transport, we need to call Clarktown or Orangetown Police Department to get a medic dispatched to the hospital. They take that patient - they do not complain. The come faster than the private transport.

The issue is that we are removing a paramedic from the County. We are not losing a paramedic overnight, but we do lose one overnight when we send them out of the County. He wanted to express his thanks to all of the EMS, EMTs, Paramedics, and the Town Board for their continued support.

Sometimes the Paramedics do need to go to Urgent Care, and we do need Paramedics on private ambulances to respond to the Nursing Homes - he's hoping that the Supervisor is working with Rockland County for this support. The Supervisor wanted to thank everyone for their service. Again - we are not cutting a medic. No one from the Town Board discussed anything about cutting the budget for RPS.

There have been a lot of changes. Contracts will be negotiated again for next year - over the next couple of months. Going to single Fly Cars will fix a problem. This is not a cut. Rosey Roamtree (name spelling?), New City Ambulance She went from the Junior Corp, to Senior Corp, EMT, and then a Paramedic. She worked for Rockland Paramedic Services full time - primarily at the Medic 3 Station in New City.

She worked 10 years as a Medic. Currently she is an Emergency Medicine Attending Physician, A Medical Director for multiple Busy Advance Life Support EMS agencies, and she is Board Certified in both Emergency Medicine and Emergency Medical Services. She has worked in the dual Fly Car model (RPS current system), as well as single paramedic with an EMT and a Transporting Ambulance.

A single paramedic responding either in an Ambulance or Fly Car, does not offer the patient the best chance of a positive outcome. Critically ill and injured patients need treatments in minutes. When a paramedic arriving on scene, and needs to perform a life saving intervention, such as a breathing tube.

They cannot afford to wait for a 47 square mile town to wait for a cardiac monitor, establishing an IV, drawing up and administer meds, ventilating the patient, and stabilizing the patient's airway. Waiting for backup should be a rare, unfortunate occurrence on a busy shift. This should not be the standard care. The dual paramedic fly car system has worked well for many years in Rockland County.

Contemporary evidence research shows that response time have little to no impact on patient outcome for the majority of EMS responses. The Supervisor asked Mr. DiSalvo and Mr. Maloney to reiterate how the Priority Medical Dispatch works: When there is a call that requires two medics, they will be dispatched immediately. Mr. DiSalvo stated that we can have the system advise the dispatchers, depending on the protocol.

It is a very strict protocol, driven system that we ask systematic questions, that determine the outcome of the dispatch. We can absolutely tailor it to tell us if one or two medics are needed. This will all be done with our consultation with our medical director and the paramedics - just like they did when the system was implemented.

The Supervisor stated that we spoke to everyone about going to priority medical dispatch. It has reduced calls by over 30%. We can send two medics when there is a protocol for this. It is going to happen in about two to three months. We need to acquire vehicles, outfit them, and then enhance the protocol.

This all came with discussions with out private consultant and was discussed with every single Ambulance Corp last year. There was a conversation that Police Officer Pete Walker met with all of the Ambulance Corps. If that is not the case, we will find out. Detective Maloney: We rely heavily on Dispatchers to know what to do.

They need to know where the cars are, where the medics are, and know how to dispatch to needed calls. Mathematically speaking, you are not losing a medic with additional fly cars. You still have 4 medics and 4 vehicles. The Police ride solo all the time. We do not send one officer to a shooting or to a domestic. Two Police Officers partner up and go together. We never want to loose a medic.

If this was misinformation that came out, it did not come from us. It did not come from Det. Maloney, Jason DiSalvo (Dispatch), and it certainly did not come from the Town Board. The Supervisor asked Detective Maloney to set up a meeting with New City Leadership within the next two weeks. We will work through this process - going to the single Fly Cars. This is the same concept of our Police.

If there is a serious incident, we are sending everyone....all four paramedics. Now, we can not do it because they are in different quadrants of the Town. How does it make sense to have two medics in a vehicle, when two medics can get there in two vehicles? We will also take requests on budget reviews for next year. Every corp received a 3% increase this year. We have done increases every year.

Not every Town has done that. We will continue to work with the corps. He thanked everyone for coming out tonight. Al Osterlitz, New City Mr. Osterlitz would like to ask about resolution #274-2025 - Intermunicipal Agreement with Rockland County regarding Sidewalks along County roads. Which roads? Are they going to be concrete? The sidewalks in his Ward 1 are in terrible shape.

The roads are extremely narrow - they should be concrete sidewalks. How much is the Town going to contribute to these sidewalks? Steve Levine, Congers He would like clarification on resolution #281-2025 - Granting Access Easement regarding Mulberry Hill Subdivision. Also, resolution #290-2025 which includes a two hour parking signs on Maple Avenue in New City. Do we have a parking problem on Maple Avenue.

Also, he stated that anything we can do to help our Veterans, we need to do. Susan Bloom, Nanuet At the conclusion of tonight's meeting, the Clarkstown Tax payers will have to pay in excess of $6.3 for serial bonds that the Town Board has issued for things that are not emergencies. They are predictable items - road resurfacing, police vehicles, trucks for the highway department, turf fields...to name a few.

In addition to paying $6.3 million dollars with our taxes, we will also be paying the added expenses of interest on these bonds. This system is not financially sound. Mr. Jeff Lee, President of the Nanuet Little League He is asking for support for placing turf at the Nanuet Baseball Field. This spring along, we have had over 25 inches of rain which has taken a serious toll on their season.

They have had to cancel countless games, practices and tournaments. The children are missing out and the families are getting frustrated. Other fields in the Town have also already been turf. They are holding up great and drain quickly. They are safe and playable almost immediately after a storm. We believe it is time that our fields get the same upgrades. This will make our fields safe and reliable.

He thanked the Town Board for their time and continued support. The Supervisor responded - To Mr. Osterlitz - it has been yet to be determined if there is additional. One sidewalk that the County will fund is in West Nyack, along Strawtown Road. From the Four Corners up to Kenbar. This will be concrete.

This is part of an overall County program to do sidewalks in every Legislative District and we are waiting to hear back from the others. It is open ended - we do not know what this will entail. The County will be paying for them. The County does not take care of sidewalks or curbs. The Town maintains them and repairs them when they break. The Town also plows them. Concrete is more expensive than asphalt. To Mr.

Levine - Regarding Res. #281-2025 This is for a maintenance of an easement- Stormwater maintenance agreement. Regarding Res#290 - The two hours parking on Maple Avenue has come at the request from some businesses. There seems to be a parking problem over there. To Ms. Bloom - You are talking about capital improvements. He does not know many governments that do not bond for capital improvements.

It is a standard across local government. We do capital improvements in our budget. We also have the highest bond rating in any Town in the Lower Hudson Valley. The State Comptroller gave us a good review in terms of the financial management of the Town. To Mr. Lee - The Supervisor thanked him for his comments. He believes the entire Board will be voting for the Turf Fields in Nanuet.

He is excited to see this happen. West Nyack is done, Nanuet will be done, New City did not want the Turf fields. We decided to do some upgrades there - internal paving by the Highway Department. We actually have a full loop where people can walk along Zukor Park. They are a few weeks ahead of schedule in West Nyack. Once we start Nanuet, it will take approximately six weeks to complete.

The Police Department, three pools and the turf ball fields are three reasons why people move to Clarkstown. People's assessments increase as soon as a house is sold. We want people attracted to buy here in Clarkstown. The final reason is the schools. People move here for their children to receive an excellent education. So, bonding is an investment in our future.

RESOLUTIONS

AGENDA ITEM #1: RESOLUTION No (273-2025) - Amending the Budget — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #2: RESOLUTION No (274-2025) - Authorizing Execution and Acceptance of Stormwater Control Facility Maintenance Agreements Regarding Sirois Subdivision Lot 1 (Tax Map Designation No. 44.15-1- 38.2) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #3: RESOLUTION No (275-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement with the County of Rockland for the Purpose of Constructing Sidewalks along County Roads — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #4: RESOLUTION No (276-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with the County of Rockland for Reimbursement of Certain Salary Costs for Members of the Rockland County Intelligence Center (RCIC) and the Regional Investigative Resource Center (RIRC) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #5: RESOLUTION No (277-2025) - Authorizing the Director of the Department of Engineering and Facilities Management (DEFM) to Retain the Services of Applied Landscape Technologies for the Installation of New Synthetic Turf Infields and Site Upgrades at Lake Nanuet Park (Total amount not to exceed: $661,335.84 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #6: RESOLUTION No (278-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Installation of New Synthetic Turf Infields and Site Upgrades at Lake Nanuet Park ($662,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #7: RESOLUTION No (279-2025) - Authorizing the Purchase of Materials for Emergency Pavement Replacement in the Lake Nanuet Parking Lot (Total Amount: $30,229.36 (Serial Bonds))

AGENDA ITEM #8: RESOLUTION No (280-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of the Costs of Improvements to Lake Nanuet Parking Lot ($31,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #9: RESOLUTION No (281-2025) - Granting an Access Easement Regarding Mulberry Hill Subdivision (52.20-1-98.8) — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #10: RESOLUTION No (282-2025) - Authorizing Agreement – AKRF for Signal System Inventory and Conditions Assessment (Fees Shall Not Exceed: $32,000/Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #11: RESOLUTION No (283-2025) - Authorizing the Financing of a Traffic Signal System and Inventory and Conditions Assessment ($32,000 Serial Bonds)

AGENDA ITEM #12: 12. Withdrawn

AGENDA ITEM #13: RESOLUTION No (284-2025) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Nicholas LaFasciano - Police Sergeant (Detective) - Police Department, Accepted and Retroactive to May 31, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #14: RESOLUTION No (285-2025) - Accepting the Resignation (by Retirement) of Robert Gaglione - Motor Equipment Operator II - Highway Department, Accepted and Retroactive to May 31, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #15: RESOLUTION No (286-2025) - Appointing Eric Roemish to the Permanent Position of Police Radio Dispatcher (CAD) - Police Department, Effective June 4, 2025 ($72,301/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #16: RESOLUTION No (287-2025) - Appointing Howard Whitman to the Position of Member - Traffic Advisory Board, Term Effective and Retroactive to June 2, 2025 and Expire on February 28, 2031 ($2570/annual)

AGENDA ITEM #17: RESOLUTION No (288-2025) - Appointing Victoria Henry to the Position Clerk - Part Time - Parks and Recreation Department, Effective June 3, 2025 ($20.00/hourly)

AGENDA ITEM #18: RESOLUTION No (289-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) W1-2L and One (1) W1-2R Curve Signs on Argow Place, West Nyack — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #19: RESOLUTION No (290-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of 2 Hour Parking Signs on Maple Avenue, New City — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #20: RESOLUTION No (291-2025) - Authorizing the Installation of One (1) R1-1 Stop Sign with a Stop Line on Deertrack Lane, Valley Cottage — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #21: RESOLUTION No (292-2025) - Accepting the Town Board Meeting Minutes of May 20, 2025 — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #22: RESOLUTION No (293-2025) - Authorizing the Supervisor to Enter into an Agreement with the County of Rockland as Subrecipient for Administering a Community Development Block Grant — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #23: RESOLUTION No (294-2025) - Granting Permission to Wanna Sip LLC to Dispense Alcoholic Beverages at the New City Street Fair — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #24: RESOLUTION No (295-2025) - Granting Permission to the Rockland Community Farm Network to Dispense Alcoholic Beverages at Cropsey Community Farm, New City, New York — Adopted

AGENDA ITEM #25: RESOLUTION No (296-2025) - Waiving the Notice Requirement in Section 110-b of the New York State ABC Law with Respect to a Liquor License for Two Ladders Brewing Company LLC (747 W. Nyack Road, Unit 5 West Nyack, NY 10994) — Adopted

ADJOURNMENT At 9:48 PM, the Supervisor made a motion to close and adjourn the Town Board Meeting. This was offered by Co. Licker, seconded by Co. Graziano. All were in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Lauren Marie Wohl - Town Clerk All Minutes of the Clarkstown Middlewood Housing Development Fund Company and the Clarktown Housing Development Fund Company Inc. will be on file in the Town Clerk's Office.

SPECIAL MEETING The Board of Directors of the Clarkstown Middlewood Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. will meet immediately after the Town Board Meeting. The Board of Directors of the Clarkstown Housing Development Fund Company, Inc. will meet immediately after the Town Board Meeting. UPCOMING MEETING Next Town Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24, 2025.