Vol. 11 No. 34 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, November 10, 2022
Yorktown officials announce proposed $65.4 million budget
YPD to add tra c o cer; budget hearing set for Dec. 6
BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA medical services, but not re- review the budget as proposed, He emphasized the increase in PHOTO: SOPHIA CASELNOVA
STAFF WRITER fuse, the total bill would come to and the preliminary budget was costs of operational necessities,
$1,853.74, which is down $25.59 completed and led in the o ce including diesel fuel, road salt, as- Town officials at the Yorktown
e average assessed home- from this year. of the Town Clerk. phalt, construction material, and Police Department
owner in Yorktown is expected to sewer plant chemicals.
pay an additional $110.85 in mu- It’s important to note that mu- e proposed budget would al- we see in this town are based upon
nicipal taxes next year, including nicipal taxes make up just 12% of low for the addition of personnel e investment in the York- tra c,” Noble said. “We’re spread
utilities and garbage, according to a homeowner’s total property tax for the Yorktown Police Depart- town Police Department will add thin trying to keep these roads
the town’s tentative 2023 budget. bill.In the 2021 town/county bud- ment. another position to the tra c unit safe,and I can now allocate anoth-
get year and the 2021/22 school to better serve the community on er police o cer to spend roughly
at is a 4.89 percent increase year, the average assessed home- “ is year’s budget proposal will local roadways. Recently, there 80% of their time focused on traf-
from 2022. owner in the Yorktown Central reduce both the town’s tax levy and has been an in ux of tra c safety
School District paid $10,206.17 tax rate for the second time in the concerns being presented at town c safety issues to make our roads
is is based on a tentative in school taxes. In Lakeland, that past three years,” Slater said. “ e board meetings. just a little bit safer.”
$65.4 million 2023 municipal number was $10,601.17. e proposed 2023 budget will also al-
budget, which increased by 3.4% county tax bill for the average as- low us to invest in our police de- “ e Yorktown Tra c Safety A public hearing will be held
or $2.24 million from the 2022 sessed homeowner was $1,360.26. partment by hiring an additional Committee handles things on a by the Town Board on Dec. 6.
budget. o cer speci cally to expand our monthly basis to try to keep all of
Along with water, emergency tra c unit.” our residents safe, and with only e budget is available to any in-
According to the tentative medical services and garbage one o cer out there it’s tough, but terested person during the Town
budget document, the town’s pick-up, the average assessed e municipal budget funds we get it done,”said Deputy Town Clerk’s regular o ce hours begin-
total 2023 tax levy would be homeowner would pay $2,378.87, a variety of infrastructure-based Supervisor Tom Diana. “Now ning Nov. 14.
$21,753,737, which is down which is 4.89 percent more than needs such as re and EMS de- we’re going to be able to get it
$109,724 or 1.13% from the 2022 this year. Much of that municipal partments, city water, refuse and done better. Yorktown leads from e board must adopt a budget
levy. For every $1,000 of assessed tax increase is coming from the recycling services, the Highway the front, and we are going to lead by Dec. 31.
valuation, a homeowner’s mu- refuse district, where the average Department, and other commu- to keep our people safe.”
nicipal property tax bill, not in- assessed homeowner is paying an nity features such as the library.
cluding water, garbage and emer- additional $117.46 or 5.54%. According to Police Chief
gency medical services, would be “It has certainly been a tumul- Robert Noble, he has been ask-
$165.78. is means that for the e tentative budget was pro- tuous few years for our commu- ing annually for another position
average assessed home of $10,000 posed by Town Supervisor Matt nity, but together we’ve tackled to open in the tra c unit as York-
(assessment is di erent from ac- Slater on Oct. 27, at a press con- each chapter of hardship together, town has 40 square miles to cover
tual market value), that property ference outside the Yorktown Po- and we’ve done it successfully,”ex- and serve.
owner would owe $1,657.83 in lice Department. plained Slater.“With national and
municipal taxes. global in ation at record levels, we “I’m glad to see that this board
e Town Board met with its are facing a new set of challenges made it happen this year, and by
With water and emergency department heads to discuss and within town government.” and large most of the complaints
This edition of Yorktown News went to press before the Nov. 8 election results were available. Please visit TapIntoYorktown.net to view our full election coverage.
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Page 2 – Yorktown News TOWN GREEN Thursday, November 10, 2022
The Staff Diaper Drive Saturday, Dec. 10. You do not 32 Triangle Center in Yorktown Yorktown Veterans
have to be present at the drawing Heights. Day Parade
EDITORIAL TEAM
TOM WALOGORSKY Through Dec. 10 to win. Veterans Day Sunday Nov. 13, from 2 - 3
EDITOR: 914-302-5830
[email protected] Genesis Jewelers is hosting Your donation will make a
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SPORTS EDITOR to support the Westchester children under the age of four Join in for the annual
[email protected]
County Diaper Bank, with a in Westchester live in or below Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Yorktown Veterans Day Parade,
VIM WILKINSON
SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR goal of collecting 12,000 diapers. poverty. e goal is to help To be held at Pinesbridge and let’s honor Yorktown’s
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Anyone who brings a donation get clean diapers to families Monument, located in Railroad Veterans together. All Veterans
ADVERTISING TEAM
PAUL FORHAN will be eligible to win a $50 that struggle to a ord them in Park 1826 Commerce Street, and Veterans Groups (and
(914) 806-3951 Genesis Jewelers Gift Card! Westchester. Yorktown Heights. their immediate families)
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Winner will be announced on Genesis Jewelers is located at may assemble at the Lakeland
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(914) 486-7608 High School main parking
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lot from 1 - 2 p.m. Bring your
LISA KAIN
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Thursday, November 10, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 3
Harnessing ‘We have to let
the power of those who are
kindness to being bullied
change lives know that they
are worth so
BY JESSICA JAFET shock—and for the rest of my much, that it
does get better—
CONTRIBUTING WRITER life I will be wondering what I and they will
never be alone.’
could have done to save him, and
Sandy Lundy-Resnick
A simple gesture like a high- I am seriously going to dedicate Founder of Shane’s Imagine-Nation
ve or a warm smile can have my life to making sure that nev-
a powerful e ect on another er happens to any other kid; no
person’s emotional state—and child should be in such pain.”
ordinary people can be agents A few days following that
of change. Spreading this mes- devastating event, a neighbor
sage is one of the objectives of and her young son (who was
Shane’s Imagine-Nation, a non- unaware of what had happened
pro t organization that was to Shane) stopped by Resnick’s
founded by Sandy Lundy-Resn- home, as she explained, and the
ick, whose goal is to make “kind young boy said, “a really nice boy
the new cool.” lives here; he is the only one who
e Pawling resident who is nice to me and every day he
speaks at community and school gives me a high- ve on the bus,” Sandy Lundy-
events, and has written a picture referring to Shane. Resnick spreads
book for young children, is on a her anti-bullying
mission to empower young peo- At that moment, the realiza- message at
ple with the awareness that each tion of the impact that a small school and
act of tenderness can have, hit
individual has the tools (and the the grieving mother in a pro- community
responsibility) to make the world found way. She has since devot- events.
a better place—all the while rec- ed herself to motivating people
ognizing their own great worth. to be kind to themselves and to
Whether a child has been a bully others, and urges them to stand
or has been bullied themselves, up and speak out when someone
Resnick is determined to change is being targeted.
the conversation and help foster At her presentations and
self-esteem. And since this type discussions around the region,
of abuse is not limited to just Resnick, a former high school
children at school, the tireless teacher, hands out keychains
advocate is seeking to reinforce with inspirational a rmations
the message that bullying in any like “I believe in me,” or “Good
form, including among adults, is things are coming my way;”
not acceptable. messages that could be applied
“We need to recognize that to the student or passed along to
people showing kindness is the someone else in their lives.
norm—as opposed to something As for a community’s respon-
that is isolated on the news as a sibility, which includes school
special thing—and when some- sta , families, friends— and re-
one has experienced bullying, ally all of us, she said, it is im-
they need to report it to some- perative that kids and adults are
one who will take action,” she encouraged to come forward PHOTOS COURTESY OF SANDY LUNDY-RESNICK
said. when they learn of bullying be-
haviors that might be taking a Shane’s Imagine-Nation, founded in honor
When community members toll on someone. of Shane Resnick, shows that even simple
or schools fail to act, the results gestures of kindness can have a profound effect.
can be tragic—something that “Some kids report it to their
Resnick knows all too well. parents who think it is none of
Her 11-year-old son, Shane, their business and they should
took his own life in 2018 after just stay out of it,” Resnick add-
being bullied. His mother shared ed. “But we have to make bullies
that she was unaware of his pain, understand the impact that it has
as there were no warning signs. on kids and we have to let those
e youngest of three boys had who are being bullied know that
a passion for Broadway musi- they are worth so much, that it
cals, an interest that was later does get better—and they will
revealed to have been used by never be alone.”
bullies to taunt him.
“If this can happen to me, it For more information,
literally can happen to anyone,” visit www.shanesimaginenation.
Resnick said. “It was a complete org
Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, November 10, 2022
Thursday, November 10, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 5
Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, November 10, 2022
Contact Us
Yorktown News is located at 118 N. Bedford Road, Suite 100, Mount Kisco, NY 10549. You can GREEN waste in our land lls.
contact us at 914-302-5830 or email [email protected]. Please set aside your unwant-
FROM PAGE 2
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022
10:00am - 6:00pm ed shoes in a plastic bag for col-
SHOP LOCAL — SHOP SMALL from local residents. e Lions’ lection. You can drop them o
HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS AT THE GRANGE! goal is to surpass last year’s to- at St Joseph’s Church in Somers
Uniqu Vendor Presentin Han -Crafte , tal of 77 turkeys. However, they the weekend of November 12
Han -Curate , Distinctiv Good & Gifts
need the public’s help to achieve and 13, or simply contact the
Putnam Valley Grange Hall
128 Mill Street • Putnam Valley, NY that goal. Knights of Columbus to arrange
A few local supermarkets are a pickup. Contact: Frank 914-
providing free turkeys to those 391-4801 or Rocco 914-556-
shoppers who spent over $300: 6121. ank you so much for
Acme is $300; Shop Rite is helping those in need.
$400. e Lions would like you Organic Yard Waste
to consider donating those free
turkeys (or others) to our annual Facility Is Open
drive. e Lions are also accept-
ing hams and turkey breasts. Yorktown’s Organic Yard
To make the collection easy, Waste Facility, 2200 Greenwood
the Lions have arranged two tur- St., Yorktown Heights
key drop o days. e rst will e town of Yorktown has
be on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1 to “closed the loop on recycling”
3 p.m. at the Lakeland Admin- with the collection, processing,
istration Building in Shrub Oak. and giving-back of organic yard
Look for the Lions cooking hot waste. e Organic Yard Waste
dogs for the Veterans’ Day pa- Facility is available, without
rade participants. e second charge, to Yorktown residents
turkey drop o day is urs- delivering organic yard waste
day, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 in vehicles without commercial
p.m. at the Jack Devito Veter- license plates. Proof of residency
ans’ Memorial Field Gazebo on is required. In addition, residents
Veterans’ Road. Please go to the can help themselves to wood
Lions’ website: www.yorktown- chips. is facility is also the
Carpet lions.com to register your do- depot for biodegradable paper
nation. All donors will receive a leaf bags, branches, logs, and
donation acknowledgment that Christmas trees collected
may be used for tax purposes. by Yorktown’s Refuse and
Hardwood e Yorktown Lions will de- Recycling, Parks, and Highway
liver the turkeys to the Mildred departments.
DUSTLESS Strang Middle School and to Wolf Conservation
Floor Refinishing St. Mary’s Church on Route 6.
Luxury Vinyl Plank Teams of volunteers will then Center holds after-
organize turkey baskets – with school program
Tile all the trimmings. e turkey
baskets will then be distributed
0% Financing to local families. If you are not row your child to the
Available!
able to donate a turkey, ham, or wolves during the Wolf Con-
turkey breast, you may make a servation Center’s nature-based
monetary donation at the York- after school program, Wildlife
town Lions website www.york- Explorers! e weekly sessions,
townlions.com o ered for Grades 2-5, run
Area Rugs Knights of through Dec. 8, and allow chil-
dren to fully immerse themselves
Columbus Council in the wild outdoors and better
6205 appreciate healthy ecosystems.
e program includes oppor-
H20 Proof tunities for your child to:
Laminate
• Learn all about wolves: Wolf
SOLES4SOULS SHOE DRIVE 101.
e Knights of Columbus • Discover the various animals
Council 6205, Somers is run- living in Northeast forests coy-
Blinds ning a Soles4Souls Shoe Drive otes, foxes, bobcats, and more!
to help the needy. ey will be • Create crafts using natural
collecting gently used shoes dur- materials.
$100 OFF $250 OFF ing the next few weeks and ask • Play a unique game of hide
Any purchase of $999 or more. Any purchase of $2,000 or more. you to help them make an im- and seek using tracking and te-
Coupons must be present at the time of Coupons must be present at the time of pact on poverty and the people lemetry tools that real wolf bi-
purchase. Some restrictions may apply. purchase. Some restrictions may apply.
Cannot be combined with any other offer. Cannot be combined with any other offer. who need their help. eir ef- ologists use in the eld!
Excludes labor. Excludes labor. forts will help provide disaster • Create plaster paw prints
relief and support for homeless from real tracks in the eld.
kids throughout the United ey’re great for show and tell!
States and around the world. • Learn how to set wildlife
With the weather starting to cameras and capture photos of
get cooler, now is a perfect time elusive animals.
to clear out your closet. Tennis • Cook delicious snacks over a
shoes, loafers, lace-ups, boots, camp re.
246 Route 52 Carmel, NY • www.kennyscarpetone.com • 845-225-4330 heels... if they are in good condi- For more information, visit
MON-FRI: 9 AM-6 PM • LATE NIGHT ON THURS EVE BY APPT ONLY • SAT: 9 AM-4 PM tion, they will be accepted. e nywolf.org.
Photos for illustrative purposes only. ©2017 Carpet One Floor & Home. All Rights Reserved shoes you no longer need can
make a big di erence for a needy SEE GREEN PAGE 28
family and prevent adding to the
Thursday, November 10, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 7
Tree Conservation Advisory Commission is fighting for forests
BY SOPHIA CASELNOVA wide program that works to re- perwork with Town Engineer the property before any are cut donations to Arbor Day.
STAFF WRITER forest the state’s tributaries. Dan Ciarcia, making sure the down or replaced. e commission meets on
trees do not exceed size limita-
Yorktown’s forest life is be- Written into Chapter 270 of tions. People can volunteer to help the third Wednesday of every
ing protected by the town’s Tree the town code is the tree ordi- the commission with projects month at 6 p.m. in the water
Conservation Advisory Com- nance for residents and incom- “Before you cut down trees and events around the town, in- department of the Town Hall.
mission and you can help. ing commercial proprietors to on your property, please check cluding planting trees through- Meetings are open to members
follow and learn how to treat the our town code and call our engi- out the hamlets and building of the public.
e Yorktown Tree Conser- forest. neering department to nd out and installing deer exclosures to
vation Advisory Commission, a what you need a permit for and protect the trees from wildlife. To learn more information
committee of volunteers, works Until eleven years ago, the what you don’t,” said Deputy about the tree ordinance in Yor-
to conserve and manage the town was the only municipality Town Supervisor Tom Diana, “What we’re hoping for is ktown and how it might apply
town-wide forest. in the county without an ordi- liaison to the commission. “ is to have the money to organize to your property, visit https://
nance. e ordinance is divided way, you’re well-informed on the events where people can volun- ecode360.com/6853047
To date, the commission aids into two parts: residential and procedures and code in place.” teer their time to help with tree
in the conservation of the town’s commercial. planting, deer exclosures, and To contact the engineering
trees through a tree ordinance, e commercial section speci- evasive tree removal,” said Keith department, call 914-962-5722
Forest Management plans, a tree e residential section of the es the calculations and surveys Schephart, I.S.A certi ed arbor- x219
nursery at Willow Park, partici- ordinance de nes the necessary which developers are required ist and member of the commit-
pation in Arbor Day, its involve- steps that homeowners need to to conduct. Surveys include tee. To learn more, visit https://www.
ment with Tree City USA as take if they want to cut down identifying the species, the size, yorktownny.org/bc/tcac
well as Trees for Tribs, a state- trees on their property. is in- and the health, of the trees on Contributions to the commis-
cludes ling the necessary pa- sion can also be made through
Yorktown schools show Board appreciation
BY GINO DE ANGELIS meeting on Monday, Oct. 24. much they are appreciated. with this board I am genuinely meeting that week, the recogni-
STAFF WRITER Superintendent Ron Hattar “On behalf of the district of- impressed by their commitment to tion had to wait. e presenta-
ce team and administrative sta , the children of Yorktown,”he said. tion ended with a slideshow
e Yorktown Central School gave a presentation highlighting showing the many events that
Districted celebrated School Board the work that the district’s board we say thank you to the Yorktown School Board Recognition the board both facilitates and at-
Recognition Week at its regular does for the children and families Central School District Board week took place from Oct. 17 to tends.
of Yorktown and explained how of Education. In my experiences 21, but since there was no board
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email at [email protected]. We also offer our clients a free ad design service. For more information, call Brett Freeman at 845-208-8151.
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