Yorktown News 05.14.20

Vol. 9 No. 7 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, May 14, 2020

Real estate industry
adapts to pandemic

ough temporarily slowed,
agencies expect boom with

exodus from the city

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT tions and an uncertain future, the
STAFF WRITER
industry took a nose dive.

“Over the rst two and a half

Gathering restrictions alter Real estate agents who nor- to three weeks, the market pretty
graduation events
mally look to spring for a boost much stopped,” said Lou Car-

in home listings have turned dillo of Keller Williams in Ma-

to technology for a new way to hopac. “People were concerned,

sell houses and list properties in but they didn’t know what to ex-

the face a pandemic that put the pect. So people stopped looking

state, and their pro ts, on pause. at houses on the market.”

Districts continue to plan despite uncertainties “In March we were doing Real estate agents are seeing a

tremendously well just as an in- decline in sales compared to the

dustry. Our numbers were up, same time last year in Westches-

BY KATHERINE BORCHERT However, Governor Andrew School Principal Vince DiGrandi our pending properties that were ter County, but some found Put-
STAFF WRITER Cuomo announced on Monday, said.
May 11, that the state will allow in contract and properties that nam County wasn’t hit as hard.
e North Salem School Dis- low-risk businesses and recre- In a video sent to families on
trict su ered a blow last week ational activities to resume, spe- May 4, the district announced we’re selling were up. It was a “As far as the market, just sta-
after it announced plans to hold ci cally saying drive-in theaters graduation for its 103 seniors
high school graduation at the could open, making it all the more would be held at the drive-in very active market,” Aaron Velez tistically, of course the markets
Four Brothers Drive-In in Ame- likely North Salem could move theater on June 22, followed by a
nia. forward with its plans. movie and pizza. of Houlihan Lawrence Somers are going to be down right now.

While the news was being cele- “We’re obviously taking it as a e district signed a contract said. “ en, of course, the ex- Westchester County, as far as
brated by seniors and their parents positive if drive-in movie theaters with the venue but faced backlash
and quickly caught the attention are open, we would hope that that after it learned the state may not ecutive order came down on the what has gone into contract ver-
of national media outlets due to means since we’re renting that allow the gathering to happen.
the district’s creativity, the state’s facility, that we’ll be able to hold 16th. It stated that the real estate sus this year to last year, is prob-
restrictions on gatherings cast a graduation at the drive-in facility “We are working with state and
long shadow on the idea. in New York,” North Salem High industry was nonessential and it ably o about 40 percent where
SEE GRADUATION PAGE 3
prevented Realtors from engag- Putnam County is not,” said

ing in in-person activities with Joan Mancini of Mancini Realty.

clients. at was the main issue “ ey are just about even where

with conducting business, is it’s a they were. I think it’s just about

very personal business.” SEE REAL ESTATE PAGE 3
But due to COVID-19 restric-

CLASSIFIEDS 31 NOW MORE THAN
LEGAL NOTICES 24 EVER, THERE’S NO
LEISURE 24 PLACE LIKE HOME.
OPINION
SPORTS 8 We are leveraging the latest technology to
20 provide virtual home showings of beautiful
homes right from the comfort of yours.
COLORING PAGES
• Zoom Meetings • Virtual Showings
Grab the crayons! • GoPro Home Inspections • Drive By Appraisals
pgs 16-17 • Virtual Notarizations • Curbside Closings

DOUGLAS DILL

Associate Real Estate Broker
Yorktown Brokerage

M 914.671.7730 O 914.962.4900 ext. 140

[email protected]
DouglasDillHomes.com

WISHING E VERYONE HE ALTH AND SAFET Y.

Page 2 – Yorktown News Thursday, May 14, 2020

The Staff Former Arlington superintendent
tapped to lead Lakeland
EDITORIAL TEAM
JODI WEINBERGER BY KATHERINE BORCHERT gate us through the pandemic cri- nancial management skills and a Dr. Brendan Lyons
STAFF WRITER sis,” said Lakeland School Board background in curriculum and in-
EDITOR: 914-302-5830 President Mike Daly. “Similarly, struction both as an administrator pleted his doctoral work in Edu-
[email protected] e Lakeland School Board Dr. Lyons is dedicated to building and classroom teacher. cational Leadership at Seton Hall
announced its decision to hire Dr. a superior learning environment University.
BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER Brendan Lyons as its new super- and has the experience and en- As Superintendent,he has over-
SPORTS EDITOR: 914-302-5628 intendent at a board meeting on thusiasm to move Lakeland for- seen a $215 million annual oper- “I am honored and excited to
[email protected] Tuesday, May 5. ward, especially in a challenging ating budget and has supervised join the Lakeland Central School
new world where we face many four assistant superintendents and District as its next superintendent.
ADVERTISING TEAM e decision comes after an uncertainties from COVID-19, 11 building principals. He has also
LISA KAIN eight-month search. including lost instructional time, made contributions to the district is is an outstanding commu-
emotional challenges and budget which include implementing a nity that places the best interests
914-351-2424 Lyons will take over for Dr. reductions.” strategic planning process and of students at the center of all its
[email protected] George Stone on July 1. Stone an- developed an equity initiative that decisions,” Lyons said. “I look for-
nounced last year that he would Lyons will earn an annual salary has examined student disciplinary ward to fully immersing myself in
PAUL FORHAN be retiring after serving 10 years of $260,000 under a three-year practices, course enrollment, and learning about the district and the
914-202-2392 at the helm. contract. grading. people in it. I also want to thank
[email protected] the board of education for their
CORINNE STANTON “We are grateful for Dr. Stone’s Lyons has had a 25-year career Lyons earned his Bachelor’s trust in me to lead after such a
845-621-4049 leadership and commitment to in the Arlington School Dis- degree in History from the Uni- well-respected superintendent as
[email protected] the Lakeland community over the trict and began as a social studies versity of South Carolina, and Dr. Stone.”
JENNIFER CONNELLY years. He has been instrumental in teacher before rising through the both his Master’s degree in Social
917-446-7757 strengthening the district’s mis- ranks and appointed as Arlington Studies Education. He received He said that he doesn’t wish to
[email protected] sion of providing all students with School Superintendent in 2013. his Administrative Certi cate make any extreme changes to the
BRUCE HELLER the opportunity for success and He brings to the district strong from SUNY New Paltz and com- district after coming into the posi-
914-202-2941 has more recently helped navi- tion.
[email protected]
SHELLEY KILCOYNE We’ll Be Your “First and foremost, Lakeland
Personal CFO is a fantastic district,” Lyons said.
CO-FOUNDER “My vision is not to come in and
914-924-9122 A trusted partner who make any great changes in Lake-
[email protected] delivers clear solutions to land, it’s already a fantastic school
GABRIELLE BILIK reach your financial goals district and Dr. Stone has done a
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE/DESIGNER great job over the last 10 years.”
[email protected] so you can focus more on
enjoying the pleasures in life. He added that he brings expe-
PRODUCTION TEAM rience to the table, as Superinten-
TABITHA PEARSON MARSHALL It’s not just about knowing dent of Arlington for seven years,
where you want to go, he has overseen 11 buildings and
CREATIVE DIRECTOR will now take over overseeing
PHOTOGRAPHER it’s being able to plan how Lakeland’s eight.
you’re going to get there.
[email protected] Lyons said that he looks for-
CHRISTINA ROSE • Investing ward to meeting and getting to
• Retirement Planning know people in the district.
ASST PRODUCTION MANAGER • Financial Planning
DESIGNER “I’m excited to walk the halls
of the schools and get a feel for
[email protected] each of the schools, get to know
the students and teachers and just
EXECUTIVE TEAM get to know the community,” Ly-
BRETT FREEMAN ons said.
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Thursday, May 14, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 3

GRADUATION auditorium that would be used REAL ESTATE
for the graduation walk.”
FROM PAGE 1 FROM PAGE 1

He added that it is necessary

local o cials to get approval. Ob- for everyone will have to move where you’re living, how it im-

viously this is just in the planning forward with “tempered expecta- pacted you.”

stages right now,” said DiGrandi. tions” and any nal decisions will With the stay-at-home order,

“We signed a contract, but we be dependent on if they have per- agents found people were hesi-

know that this is a month and a mission to proceed. tant to list their homes for sale.

half away, with the hope we’ll be Stone referenced North Salem’s “ e pandemic has created

able to do something.” plans, saying the gathering might a shortage of inventory which

He said that despite limitations work for that town because of its has de nitely impacted busi-

on gathering size, he hopes that by smaller graduating class. Lake- ness,” said Marcie Nolletti of

June 22,restrictions will be relaxed land’s is about double in size. Coldwell Banker. “ ere are also

enough to allow the event to hap- He added that students pro- many guidelines that must be

pen. vided feedback that they did not followed, but of course people

“ is is not something we can want to hold their ceremony at still need to buy or sell homes.

plan a week before,” DiGrandi the mall and safety consultants Guidelines can be followed and

said. “We plan graduation months advised against using school elds. business can still be conducted.

in advance, so, similarly, we have e Katonah-Lewisboro and People are now looking at their

a two-month turnaround. is is Somers school districts are work- current living situations and

an idea that came to us and we’re ing with parents and students to nding that they would like to sure everyone by taking extra an exodus from the city. People

working with everybody we need gather input to help formulate move to homes that have bigger precaution. Hand sanitizer is a want to have more room. ey

to to make sure we follow what- their plans. oor plans or larger yards. Home popular and well-received gift.” don’t want to live in high-rise

ever guidelines that we need. We Like many other students, the is becoming a key word and it Larry Zacks of Re/Max in apartment buildings, they don’t

hope that by June 22 or early July, seniors at John Jay High School has impacted so many people’s Somers saw an increase in the want to be stuck having to take

social distancing guidelines are in Cross River—from Katonah lives.” number of houses sold just be- an elevator with strangers. Hav-

such that we can get this o the and Lewisboro as well as parts of e hope, however, is that real fore the stay-at-home orders ing your own space is now go-

ground. Handing a diploma to a North Salem and Pound Ridge— estate agents can use technology took e ect and people rushed to ing to be even more desirable,”

kid, to me, I have a problem doing await news of their senior prom to help home sellers and buyers get into contract before nones- Zacks said.

it virtually. I would rather do it in and graduation ceremonies. A feel safe while the industry re- sential businesses shut down. He added that after restric-

person. ey’ve worked for years team led by Principal Steven Si- covers. “We’ve been stymied by the tions lift, people will still be

(for this moment).” ciliano and including seniors, “Now, more than ever, social quarantine during the highest working from home, so they will

e high school is in the pro- parents and educators has been media is so important,” said Deb time period. Now it’s starting to seek comfortable spaces to make

cess of pre-recording the national conferring online to fashion solu- Bravoco of Coldwell Banker in loosen up and as we’ve started to their home base.

anthem and ceremony speeches to tions that meet social-distancing Yorktown. “I’ve been posting adapt to selling virtually,” Zacks Mazzola echoed those senti-

show on the big screen. and other virus-imposed restric- virtual showings of listings on said, “we’ve been utilizing videos ments and said the pent-up buy-

North Salem was the rst in tions. Siciliano “will be making an all social media outlets. e pho- to show the interior of the home er demand will drive the spring

Halston Media’s coverage area to announcement soon,” Katonah- tographer makes a beautiful and and the exterior. So, a picture is and summer market.

announce graduation plans, put- Lewisboro Schools Superinten- impactful virtual tour. Unlike worth 1,000 words; you could “Once we begin to reopen

ting the pressure on other districts. dent Andrew Selesnick said last your conventional photograph, say a video is worth 10,000 business, the state will see a

School leaders are brainstorming week. it’s a 360-degree image that words. Unfortunately, we didn’t surge of new listings and equally

safe alternatives to the traditional Yorktown Superintendent Ron shows an entire room.” know this was coming to plan as many buyers making o ers,”

pomp and circumstance while Hattar and Somers High School Before the pandemic, vir- for it, although this has helped Mazzola said. “With interest

aware that the state will have the Principal Mark Bayer said dis- tual walkthroughs were used to propel our industry decades rates still low and the pandemic

nal say. tricts are still brainstorming. pique buyer interest, but it’s now faster. Necessity is the mother of deeply a ecting the city dwell-

On Monday, May 11, Lakeland “While it might be di erent,we become the standard way to tour invention and it became a neces- ers, this has created an impetus

Superintendent Dr. George Stone will make it special and memo- a property. sity to operate in this manner.” for the big move to the suburbs.

announced that after feedback rable for all our seniors and their “Virtual tours and walk- Elizabeth Boucher of Houli- ose who were considering it

from the community, the district families,” Bayer promised. throughs, primarily used prior han Lawrence in Katonah also seem more committed to nd-

has decided to hold graduation Bayer said the district hopes to to the epidemic as a way for said the stay-at-home orders ing their new suburban life-

ceremonies at auditoriums in each have safe events to celebrate se- buyers to ‘see’ the property on- didn’t leave much time to pre- style.”

of the high schools. niors leading up to graduation and line before coming for a view- pare, but the real estate o ce Boucher said the market will

“Our current plan is now presented a number of options for ing, have now become the pri- adapted quickly. continue to thrive despite main-

to hold the ceremonies at the students to provide feedback on. mary way for buyers to see the “We had no time to prepare ly operating virtually as of now.

schools, in the auditorium at He also took into consideration property,” said Hope Mazzola for this change but were able to “With low inventory, and not

Lakeland and the Performing things like yearbook distribution, of William Raveis in Katonah. pivot quickly because Houlihan a lot of homes anticipated com-

Arts Center at Walter Panas with prom and senior sports awards. “We are unable to perform Lawrence already had many ing on in the near future, we

students and their parents com- “I am heartbroken that the walkthroughs for closings and tools in place that work virtu- should expect steady pricing,”

ing in one at a time, receiving typical celebratory events that all closings occur virtually, as ally,” Boucher said. “Within Boucher said. “Despite the fact

their diploma, having pictures mark the end of your formal well. e closings I had these days we were holding our of- that buyers are often only see-

taken and then exiting,” Stone education in the Somers Central last few weeks were facilitated ce meetings remotely, ensur- ing properties virtually, online

said. “Other activities may also School District will need to be by hiring the home inspector to ing that our agents were well- or through Facebook or Zoom,

be planned, but this will be the re-imagined or possibly canceled,” conduct the walkthrough. I was informed on the laws, how we they are putting in o ers and of-

most important event. Keep in Bayer wrote in a letter to students. not present at the property, nor could conduct business under ten competing at all price levels.

mind that there is still an order “While there is much uncertainty at the closing. It has de nitely the law and how to protect the Multiple o ers are happening at

to keep gatherings very small, so about what the coming weeks and taken some of the celebration health and safety of our clients. all price points.”

there would be only a few dis- months will bring, I want you to out of the event, but new buyers Communication was and con- “ ere’s pent-up demand and

tinguished guests allowed in for know that we are committed to are happy to be in their homes.” tinues to be imperative as these that’s what we all feel, to be quite

the ceremony. All of the students honoring you, and all you have ac- So showings are still taking are unprecedented times. We honest,” Velez said. “ ere was a

walking would be live-streamed complished, in the very best ways place, but without the agent and learned about how to use dif- huge buyer base at the end of

so that relatives and friends can we can. While alternative plans, with restrictions for potential ferent apps and programs in or- February. We were selling a lot

watch and also videotape. en, delays, and postponements may buyers, too. der to communicate with each of homes. e average sale prices

along with various remarks, a - never make up for the loss of the “Buyers are limited to two at other and our clients.” were going up. We were selling

nal graduation video would also traditional celebrations that were a time wearing full PPE, mask, ere may be an upside, how- more homes than we were last

be produced. is would allow scheduled for May and June, our gloves and booties. ey are ever, for real estate agents in the year, and then this came. So that

us to have students walk but in a hope is to reschedule these events asked to take them with them suburbs. Many expect a boom in demand necessarily changed, so

safe and orderly way. e school while maintaining their signi - when they leave,” Mazzola said. sales as people look to relocate our anticipation is because our

community and parents could be cance as the momentous occa- “Everyone’s a little nervous from the city and other crowded sold activity is relatively stable,

involved in decorating the front sions that mark this important about having strangers in their areas. we’ll see an in ux once our in-

of the schools and possibly the time in your lives.” homes, so we’re trying to reas- “What we expect to see is dustry is back.”

Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, May 14, 2020

Egg-citing news! Happy 100th Birthday!

Town officials helped
Rowena “Jackie”

Lodes celebrate her
100th Birthday last
week in Shrub Oak.

PHOTO COURTESY OF
SUPERVISOR MATT SLATER

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA SOMMOVIGO

Franco Lino Sommovigo, 6, a first grader at Ben
Franklin Elementary School, won first place in the
Yorktown Recreation Department’s egg decorating
contest. His parents Jessica and Steven Sommovigo
and siblings Sophia, Isabella, and Steven are very
proud!

Lung Cancer is a
Silent Killer

What you need to know about a lifesaving screening…

Ask the Doctor Q: Why is it important to be screened for lung cancer? able to make tiny incisions, so there’s less bleeding and
A: Lung cancer is a silent killer. In its early stages, it has pain for the patient. At NWH, we also offer advanced
Darren Rohan, MD, FACS no symptoms and can spread without warning. That’s ablation techniques, which use image guidance to insert
Westchester Regional Director, why lung cancer screening for people who are high-risk a needle through the skin into the tumor. Other options
Thoracic Surgery Program is so important: They often feel perfectly healthy. Often, include burning or freezing the tumor; or stereotactic
Northern Westchester Hospital people don’t develop symptoms until the disease has radiosurgery, which uses radiation without an incision.
either spread or grown too large to cure. Research shows Q: What if surgery is too risky for the patient?
Learn more about that if a person’s lung cancer is detected at an earlier A: Some patients have advanced lung disease, very bad
Dr. Rohan, visit stage, their ve-year survival rate can increase from four emphysema, or heart disease, and surgery is too risky. If
nwhroboticsurgery.org/ percent to fty- ve percent, according to the American the patient is too high-risk, the cancer is too advanced
DrRohan Lung Association. or the patient doesn’t want surgery, an option is
Q: Who is considered high-risk? immunotherapy, a newer treatment. Immunotherapy is
A: If you currently smoke or have a long history of a targeted treatment that revs up the immune system so
smoking, you may be considered high-risk. Of course, it’s better able to ght the cancer. It’s been remarkably
even lifetime non-smokers sometimes get lung cancer. effective. I have patients who are in complete remission.
Exposure to second-hand smoke, asbestos, or a family It’s a wonderful advancement in the treatment of lung
history of lung cancer can all increase risk. For the safest cancer. As part of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute,
approach, speak to your doctor about any of the above we’re able to expand our ability to bring top-rated cancer
risk factors. If your physician recommends a lung cancer specialists, state-of-the-art technology, leading-edge
screening, don’t delay. clinical trials and a full range of support programs so
Q: How are patients screened and treated? community members can get the best cancer care right
A: Patients are screened with a noninvasive low-dose near home, in Westchester. Patients who want the most
CT scan, which only takes a minute. It’s a very sensitive advanced cancer care don’t need to travel to NYC.
test for diagnosing lung cancer. If the cancer is in the Q: Are marijuana smokers or those who vape at risk?
early stages, the most advanced treatment option is A: While researchers still don’t know the precise risks
minimally invasive robotic surgery, which enables me for long-term marijuana smokers or those who vape,
to move surgical instruments more precisely, so I’m not any type of inhalation is not a good thing and could
damaging healthy surrounding tissue. In addition, I’m increase your risk.

Thursday, May 14, 2020 Yorktown News – Page 5

EXTERIOR PAINT SALE

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Go to wallauer.com to Print Coupon

Valid at participating Wallauer retail stores for 25% off retailer suggested price per gallon.
Only on exterior Arborcoat , MoorGard, MoorGlo,Moorlite. Limited to one per customer . Not

valid with any other offer . Expires May 25th,2020

Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, May 14, 2020

Tribute to
healthcare workers

On April 9, several local re, police and EMS departments paid
tribute to the healthcare workers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson
Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor.

Participating departments included:
Continental Village Fire Department, Peekskill Fire Depart-
ment,Peekskill EMS,Peekskill Police Department,Putnam County
Sheri s O ce, Lake Mohegan Fire Department, Mohegan EMS,
Cortlandt EMS, Putnam Valley Fire Department, Somers Fire
Department, New York State Police, Buchanan Fire Department,
Westchester County Police, Garrison EMS, Mobile Life EMS,
EMStar, Ossining Fire Department and Croton Fire Department.

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