Yorktown News 03.24.22

Vol. 11 No. 1 Visit TapIntoYorktown.net for the latest news. Thursday, March 24, 2022

Granite Garden of Hope gets $3,500
Knolls solar grant from Yorktown Elks
project moves
BY JESSICA EINTERZ
forward STAFF WRITER

Former supervisor e Garden of Hope is PHOTO: JESSICA EINTERZ
protests its development about neighbors helping
neighbors. Completely Elks Club member Steven Brawitsch, Elks Club secretary Richard DeSilva, Elks Club chaplain
BY BRIAN MARSCHHAUSER run by volunteers, the Mary DeSilva, Garden of Hope director Paul Silverman, Town Supervisor Matt Slater, and Garden
EDITOR garden is used to provide of Hope volunteer Janet Morra
fresh produce to local
e sports complex at Granite Knolls Park food pantries for people
may soon be home to a solar system that in- in need.
cludes a carport and ground-mounted panels.
In that spirit, the Yor-
e public hearing on the project, which is ktown’s Elks Lodge gave
being proposed by the town, is scheduled for a $3,500 grant to the
the Yorktown Planning Board’s meeting on Garden of Hope on Fri-
Monday, April 25. day, March 18. e grant
will be used to buy more
In late 2020, the town reached an agree- plants, seeds, and fenc-
ment with HESP Solar on a 25-year lease. ing.
Details of the agreement, including the com-
pensation that Yorktown will receive, were Richard DeSilva, a
not immediately provided before press time. member of Yorktown’s
However, the town previously estimated it Elks Lodge, said he
would receive about $100,000 a year. wanted to give the Gar-
den of Hope the grant
e deal allows the company to build a so- because of their work
lar carport over the existing parking lot area. within the community.
A ground-mounted solar array is also sched-
uled to be built near the park’s Stoney Street “One of the gentlemen
from Knights of Colum-
SEE SOLAR PROJECT PAGE 4 bus told me about this

SEE GRANT PAGE 4

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BUSINESS & REAL ESTATE 31

CLASSIFIEDS 30

LEGAL NOTICES 28

LEISURE 27
OPINION
10 SPORTS

SPORTS 23 Spring season previews

pg 23

Thursday, March 24, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 2

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Thursday, March 24, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 3

YORKTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Twin sisters win computing award

BY NICK TRUJILLO ral network, so what we did before but

STAFF WRITER instead to classify multiple arrhythmias.

We also created a generative adversarial

High school science research programs network to create arti cial ECGs to en-

allow students the opportunity to deeply large the data set,” Ella said.

explore a topic they are passionate about For the coding aspect of their project,

while developing many skills. For some, the Chees said that they learned Python

their work is recognized on a regional from a course, and that their dad, a com-

and national level through numerous puter engineer for IBM, gave them a lot

competitions and award quali cations. of guidance.

Ella and Iva Chee, twin sisters and se- rough the science-research program,

niors at Yorktown High School, won the students have the opportunity to apply

National Center for Women & Informa- for multiple competitions, such as the

tion Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations Westchester Science & Engineer Fair

in Computing award for the Hudson Val- (WESEF) and the Tri-County Science

ley region. ey were recognized for their & Technology Fair, both of which Iva

years of work researching cardiovascular and Ella won third place in last year. Paul

diseases and creating models to identify Rubeo, science teacher and co-teacher

arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. in the science research program, encour-

“Despite all of the di culties we had aged the sisters to apply for the NCWIT

with science research, especially because award.

it was virtual for a lot of the time with “It was de nitely satisfying when it all

virtual competitions, it taught us a lot worked out,” Iva said.

about research and being able to read eir three years of cumulative re-

journal articles well, being able to pres- search allowed the sisters to explore their

ent and make presentations,” Ella said. passions as they look forward to college.

“Overall, it’s been a very bene cial expe- Ella said she has always been fascinated

rience.” by biology and computer science and

Regional winners of the NCWIT AIC would like to continue her studies of car-

award, like the Chee sisters, earn recogni- diovascular disease from either eld. Iva

tion at a local awards event, an engraved would like to continue the initial idea of

award, scholarship and internship op- YHS seniors Iva and Ella Chee combatting problems in the environment
portunities, induction into a computing as an environmental engineer.
community network, and other various PHOTO COURTESY OF ELLA CHEE
“With models and deep learning, one

prizes like computing resources, gadgets, thing we learned in this project is that

and more. “We went into deep learning kind of ducting the research and executing their it can be used in so many applications.

Originally, when the Chee sisters because that was the only option we had, project under Covid. ere’s de nitely a use for that in terms

started their science research journey as but then we started enjoying it a lot as “We probably wouldn’t have done it if of models of climate change,” Iva said.

sophomores, they wanted to research an we worked with it,” Ella said. “We had a she didn’t encourage us to,” Iva said. e sisters are undecided on where

environmental problem with their proj- di erent experience with it, but it’s still e sisters developed a neural network they will attend college, but have sent out

ect, such as climate change or pollution. at the same time been rewarding. It was that successfully identi ed arrhythmias applications to many prestigious universi-

eir project’s focus switched when they nice to see all that hard work translated from an electrocardiogram (ECG), spe- ties, including Boston University; Boston

found a mentor with a focus on cardiol- into results.” ci cally atrial brillation, an irregular, College; Tufts University; Northeastern

ogy and planned on studying at a lab in e sisters credit their friend and class- and very rapid heartbeat, from a 30-sec- University; UMass Boston; Massachu-

Manhattan like their older brother had mate, Maya Karintholil, with convincing ond ECG. is past year, they expanded setts Institute of Technology; University

with his project, but the Covid-19 pan- them to stick with the science-research upon their early research. of California, Berkeley; and University of

demic halted those plans. program despite the di culties of con- “We developed a convolutional neu- California, San Diego.

WESTCHESTER SICKLE CELL OUTREACH

Founder honored as community leader

BY NICK TRUJILLO those with Sickle Cell Disease, and thanks to meditation sessions, and discussions with Jacqueline Baker
STAFF WRITER her advocacy I was able to help Westchester other people a ected by Sickle Cell.
Medical Center procure equipment for life
Yorktown resident Jacqueline Baker saving blood treatments,” Harckham said in “We want the patients to be able to be not
founded Westchester Sickle Cell Outreach a press release. so dependent on opioid drugs so that’s why
as a way to o er support for people who we want to do holistic,” Baker told Yorktown
have the disease and their a ected family Baker, a former elementary school teacher News in September. “We can’t replace
members. Her work in community support of 35 years in Westchester, founded WSCO medicine, but we do want them to be able to
garnered regional recognition from state Sen. in September. Both of her adult sons have care of themselves at home.”
Pete Harckham. dealt with Sickle Cell Disease throughout
their lives, and her 8-year-old grandchild has Baker is also an active member of the
In recognition of Black History Month, the sickle cell trait. Peekskill NAACP, advocating for local civic
Harckham honored Baker with New York engagement with her involvement in the
State Commendation Award. e ceremony WSCO provides monthly support Peekskill Chapter of the Westchester Black
took place virtually on Feb. 21. groups for people a ected by the disease, Women Political Caucus. Baker served as
educational resources for holistic treatments, an ambassador for Support Connection’s
“Jacqueline Baker has done so much to help nutrition classes, cooking classes, yoga classes, Support-A-Walk in 2021.

Page 4 – Yorktown News Thursday, March 24, 2022

SOLAR PROJECT I feel like the parent of the ence as the solar plan was being
thing. You want your child to discussed.
FROM PAGE 1
“I can’t believe you’re even
entrance. considering this,” Grace told the
Attorneys for HESP Solar es- board from his seat. “It’s disgust-
ing.”
timated that construction would
take 170 days to complete. It Grace continued to rail

would result in the removal of stay pretty. You don’t want it to against the project when he took
106 trees, 65 of which are a pro- his turn at the podium to repre-
tected class under Yorktown’s sent Slice Pizza, which is seek-
code. e company plans to re- ing a variance for the size of its

plant 38 evergreen trees on the grow up to be the ugly duckling.’ sign.
property, which would also help “My blood’s boiling,” Grace
screen the panels from the road.
said. “I can’t imagine, after all
e construction schedule the grief, and all the work, and

worried Patrick Cumiskey, who –Michael Grace all the painstaking stu we went
is the vice-chair of the town’s Former Town Supervisor through [to build] one of the
Parks and Recreation Commis- most beautiful parks probably in

sion. HESP Solar proposes to Westchester County, and you’re

use the over ow parking area to the solar developer to plan its lar applications and we’ve been Grace had spearheaded e orts putting this crap up on there?

stage its equipment. Addition- construction between Novem- consistent with the messaging to create the park. Using money It’s unbelievable. And for what?

ally, the company would shut ber and March, which is a slower that we want to make it as invis- the town received from a pipe- Money.

down a portion of the main season for sports. ible as possible,” said Planning line company in exchange for “I feel like the parent of the

parking lot during construc- e Planning Board also Board Chair Rich Fon. use of its land, the Town Board thing,” Grace added. “You want

tion. Cumiskey called the plan raised concerns about the vis- Yorktown broke ground on awarded a nearly $4 million bid your child to stay pretty. You

“impossible,” saying parking is ibility of the solar panels from the Granite Knolls recreation to build the park in June 2017. don’t want it to grow up to be

already di cult at the park. the road. In some of the render- complex in December 2017, Grace, a lawyer who often the ugly duckling.”

“We cannot operate that facil- ings, the system is visible from in the nal days of Michael represents developers that have Grace promised to continue

ity with three levels of parking Stoney Street. Grace’s six-year tenure as York- business before the Planning protesting the project at a later

out,” Cumiskey said. He asked “We’ve had a bunch of so- town town supervisor. For years, Board, was sitting in the audi- date.

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ed some nancial help,” DeSilva
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get a grant for them…because NOW AND
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“We’re very excited that with
the help of the Elks and other
wonderful organizations, we can
keep going here,” Silverman said.

Silverman also said that the
garden’s harvest in 2021 was
more successful than he original-
ly anticipated and is projecting a
higher amount this year.

“ is is our rst year…and we
had very low expectations,” Sil-
verman said. “We exceeded ex-
pectations and produced and dis-
tributed a ton of food. Now with
the new footprint, we hope to
triple that this year. Our goal is to
get in the neighborhood of three
tons of fresh produce that will be
distributed to all of the pantries.”

Janet Morra, a volunteer for
the Garden of Hope, said that
working in the garden has been
both educational and rewarding.

“ ere’s a lot to learn and it’s
just so satisfying to make a di er-
ence,” Morra said. “It’s fascinat-
ing how much good spirit people
have. During bad times, they
come together and I feel like it’s
very encouraging and hopeful.”

Everyone is invited to volun-
teer, regardless of their gardening
experience level. e Garden of
Hope’s launch day is 11 a.m-4
p.m. on Saturday, May 7.

Thursday, March 24, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 5

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Page 6 – Yorktown News Thursday, March 24, 2022

YORKTOWN TOWN BOARD

Organization seeks donations for new trail signs

BY JESSICA EINTERZ grant that the committee was volved.
STAFF WRITER given isn’t enough to fund the en- “ is great asset will be added

tirety of their plan. to the Granite Knolls Sports

e Yorktown Trail Town “ e grant is only 50% of the Complex o of Stoney Street,”

Committee is seeking a hike in project costs,” Siegel said. “I’m Slater added, “and we are very,

donations. here to ask the community for very excited to see this come to

e committee plans to add donations so we can nance the fruition.”

new signs to ve trailhead rest of the project.” Councilman Tom Diana said

signs, but is looking for addi- e committee needs about that following the opening of the

tional funding through dona- $2,000 to nish the project. Do- playground, a sensory garden will

tions from the community. nations can be made at york- also open.

Susan Siegel, a former town towntrailtown.org or by sending “ e sensory garden is going

supervisor, spoke on behalf a check to Yorktown Trail Town to be open to everyone, as is the

of the committee during the Committee, Inc., 1452 White playground,” Diana said. “But it’s

Town Board’s meeting on Hill Road, Yorktown Heights, open to our vets, it’s open to our

Tuesday, March 15. She said N.Y. 10598. seniors, it’s open to anybody who

that e Yorktown Trail Town Siegel acknowledged that a lot wants to just go in the sensory

Committee had recently re- of people may not know about garden and sit and read a book,

ceived a grant and shared how the town’s trails, but stressed the check out the sights, have a cup

the money will be spent. importance of charity. She also of co ee, whatever the case might

“ e Trail Town Committee promoted the trailways as an asset be. It’s really going to be a beauti-

has just received another grant to the community. ful thing and great for the whole

from the Hudson Valley Gre- “We know during the pandem- community.”

enway,” Siegel said. “ is is our ic, people discovered the trails.

third grant related to trails.” ey are one of Yorktown’s won- HUDSON VALLEY HONOR

is $2,900 grant will be derful assets…and many of them FLIGHT

used to install a combination of are very easy to walk. You don’t e sky’s the limit for the up-

signs at the access point to the have to be a hiker. I mean, and I’m coming Hudson Valley Honor

trails, known as trailhead signs, 82, anybody can walk those trails.” Flight.

that will tell visitors where the Town Supervisor Matt Slater Hudson Valley Honor Flight

trails lead to and what other said that the trails in Yorktown are provides veterans with an airplane

trails they link to, gateway-type valuable and should be explored. ride to Washington, D.C. at no

signs at the Granite Knolls “It’s a great natural asset,”Slater cost to them. For non-veterans

Sports Complex and Wood- said. “If you haven’t had a chance who are accompanying a veteran,

lands/Legacy Field that will to get out of our trails, it’s a great the price per ticket is $500.

help visitors nd the trailheads place for kids, it’s a great place for “I am really excited to share that

within the complex, and signs adults, it’s a great place for seniors. the Hudson Valley Honor Flight

An example of a sign that will be produced by the Yorktown Trail on two town roads that will di- It really is special that we have this is taking o this spring,” Slater
Town Committee.
rect drivers to the parking areas natural resource…It’s just great to said. One is out of Stuart Airport

for nearby trails. see this continuing and continue and the other is out of Westches-

Siegel, however, said the to recognize some of the natural ter County Airport. “We will be

assets that we have here.” partnering with Hudson Valley

Honor Flight. Yorktown will be

INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND essentially the host for their gath-

Yorktown is taking a swing at erings leading up to the ight. It

creating an inclusive playground. is a life changing experience. I get

e playground was set to goosebumps just thinking about

open on Monday, March 21, the experience.”

in Granite Knolls Park. It was Slater also said that he’s hop-

built using a $250,000 state ing for the community to get in-

grant that was secured by Sen. volved. “ ey get a rst-class tour

Pete Harckham in 2019. e of Washington, D.C. and they get

Covid-19 pandemic stalled the treated like the heroes they are,”

playground’s production. Slater said. “[ ere will be] police

Town Supervisor Matt Slat- escorts throughout the city. e

We offer an integrative er said that he was excited for veteran pre- ight check-in is on
approach to wellness.
the grand opening of the play- Saturday, May 7. It’s going to be
Our nutrition, fitness, and self care packages
are tailored to help you find balance while ground and shared how much held at the Capellini Center. Our
improving your overall physical health.
work it took to create it. Town Board is going to reach out
We offer mobile or on-site services
ALPHA FITNESS 360 at several partner locations. “ is has been a long time to a lot of our troops and sports

Ask about your Servicing Putnam and Westchester coming. We’re very excited organizations. We really want
FREE Discovery
about it,” Slater said. “A lot of to give them a great welcome to
Session!
work and e ort has gone into Yorktown because they’re coming

this. We’ve had many conversa- from all over the Hudson Valley.

tions about this playground… e very least we can do is show

We’ve had some great advocates. our appreciation. We’re [going to]

Ours Parks and Rec Commis- share more information about the

sion, obviously, has been in- program in the coming weeks.”

Anthony Fasciglione Owner/Trainer Contact Us
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Thursday, March 24, 2022 Yorktown News – Page 7

Yorktown Teen Center relaunches

‘Hoop Challenge’ basketball tournament takes place March 25

BY JOSIAH WIEDENHEFT basketball tournament will be can open continuously through Yorktown Teen Center’s mission to come to, where they can
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
open to middle schoolers, high the end of the year. If the need remains the same, unaltered socialize and hopefully establish

schoolers and adults and will is there, we will also be open by the challenges of Covid-19. friendships and create a spirit of

e sound of shouting and feature prizes for the winners certain nights in the summer; In Matsa’s words, the center is giving back.”

laughter lled the gym at the of each category as well as pizza that’s what we’ve always done.” here “to provide a positive and

Community & Cultural Center and refreshments for all. rough all of this, the safe environment for the teens

on Friday, March 11, as a large Registration begins for the

group gathered at the Yorktown Hoops Challenge begins at

Teen Center for the rst time in 6 p.m. Middle schoolers will NOW OPEN

almost two years. After having compete at 6:30, high schoolers
shut their doors in 2020 due at 8, and adults at 8:30. e
to the Covid-19 pandemic, cost to enter is $5 per student
the Teen Center is now in the and $10 per adult. Email

process of reopening to provide [email protected] for more

a safe and fun environment for information.

the town’s youth. “I’m hoping with this

Melissa Montaruli, the reemergence and with the Your Family Car Care Center!
center’s vice president, said the basketball, many will sign up

organization’s mission is to and we’ll be back in business to

provide “a safe environment, serve the teens,” said Matsa, “as I For over 20 years, Joe Ferone of Proper Service has been
where [the youth] are not think they should be served.”

hanging out on the streets or In addition to the gym, the serving the community, creating relationships,

in the park, especially in the Teen Center also provides other and building a remarkable company with
an amazing team of employees!
evening.” resources to the youth who make

“It gives them a place that’s it, in Montaruli’s words, their

their own,” said Yorktown Town “basement away from home.”

Councilman Ed Lachterman, e center’s space also includes Find out why Joe Ferone of Proper Service needs to be
the Town Board’s liaison to a pool table, as well as computer
the center. “ e pandemic— and an Xbox for the teens to YOUR Go-To Automotive Service Center!

with people not going out, not game together. Matsa also

gathering, not meeting—really mentioned that the center has

derailed that.” provided homework help in the

As a result of Covid-19, the past as well as lessons on helping

center closed its doors for two others and giving back to the

years and was unable to ful ll community.

its intended mission in the ough theTeen Center,in the

town. However, they now hope past, has been open Wednesday

to come back just as strong as and ursday evenings as well as

before. Fridays, they’re starting with just

“Our regular members [from Fridays for now and will wait to

before the pandemic] grew up a see how things work out before

bit, went on to other things,”said committing to any other times.

Perry Matsa, one of the center’s is is dependent, in part, on

original founders, “but there are volunteer availability.

new kids coming.” “We certainly need volunteers,”

Indeed, every Friday, the gym Matsa said. “Nobody is paid…

is once again full of teens. “It’s so All of us are volunteers.”

nice to hear them laughing and Looking toward the future, LOCATIONS:
having a good time” Montaruli Matsa anticipates the Hoop Baldwin Place • 44 Route 118 • (845) 628-7900
said. Challenge as an event that will

is reopening will also bring the Teen Center back onto Croton Falls • 1 Center St • (914) 769-3206
be marked by the return of the radar again. White Plains • 105 Fulton Street • (914) 428-7185
the center’s annual “Hoop “[It’s] a big deal,” she said,

Challenge,” which will take “that will get us going, and then

place on Friday, March 25. is there can be regularity, and we

I’m hoping with this FORMERLY Joe Ferone
reemergence and with the OWNER
basketball, many will sign up
and we’ll be back in business to

serve the teens.’

–Perry Matsa
Yorktown Teen Center

Visit us at www.ProperService.com

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