Town Board: Yorktown Stage and Winery Lawsuit

The August 3 Town Board meeting was held at the Hilltop Hanover Farm in front of a big crowd, comprised mostly of members of the civil service employee union.

Supervisor Susan Siegel wanted to clear up the rumors circulating that the Yorktown Stage would be shut down. She said she didn't know why the Yorktown Stage producer Barry Liebman said the town wanted to close the theatre.

"We are working diligently to keep it at hand," Siegel said. "At no time was closing at discussion."

Siegel said the contract for a new lease was supposed to be signed on July 31, and a day before that Liebman told the board he would not sign the lease because he wanted more changes. Siegel said the town board would give him a final extension of one week to sign the lease, and that their main concern was to "protect the interest and safety" of the Yorktown residents and not the Yorktown Stage owner.

Councilman Terrence Murphy also assured the public that no one on the town board was in favor of shutting down the Yorktown Stage.

On another issue, Councilman Nick Bianco addressed the public about the federal civil-rights lawsuit brought by the Mohegan Lake Winery at St. George owner and one-time congressional candidate, Thomas DeChiaro, who accused town officials of corruption.

The $30 million lawsuit was dismissed in 2009, and on Friday, July 30 a three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling, Bianco said. The court concluded that DeChiaro had no valid claims and did not put forward evidence of conspiracy, he said.

"Nobody is above the law no matter how much money they have," Bianco said. "I will not be bullied."

He said the lawsuit's purpose was to intimidate, defame and bully.

Bianco and former town councilman Louis Campisi were named in the suit along with former Supervisor Linda Cooper, environmental inspector Bruce Barber, planner John Tegeder, building inspector Bill Gregory and former county Legislator George Oros. The Town of Yorktown and Westchester County were also named.

As the next order of business, Siegel opened the meeting to comments from the audience.

Nancy Augustowski took the opportunity to let the public know about the ongoing "Circle of Life" exhibit at the Yorktown Museum, which would be on display through November.

Dan Taylor, of Shrub Oak, addressed his concern over the land, which the Shrub Oak Athletic Club would donate to the town. He said he wanted to see that land undeveloped and proposed that it could be donated to the Park Committee. Siegel told him the 1/8 acre, which is donated to the town, will not be developed. 

Bob Giordano, of Yorktown, addressed the town board and said that the Yorktown Stage was supposed to provide reports during their 10-year contract, but never did so. He said he hoped someone would "look over their shoulders" if the Town Board extended their three-year contract. Siegel said the Yorktown Stage lease would be subject to permissive referendum. 

Another resident, Howard Frank, spoke about the renovations done to the John C. Hart Library, and more specifically on the project to replace the library boilers. He told the board members the contractors could apply for rebates through Con Ed which could save some money. Siegel assured him she would look at the e-mail he had sent board members.

Keith Kuttruf, president of the CSEA, civil service employee union, said they have been without a contract since January 2009 and it was time to move forward. Siegel assured him the town board wanted to resolve the problem.

In the public hearing, the board voted on and approved the proposed law to repeal and replace Chapter 15- the building and fire code administration; as well as Chapter 130- fire prevention. They also voted on and approved the proposed New York State retirement incentive plan, where town employees had the choice of retiring early for which they could receive up to three years if additional credit on their retirement.

The retirement incentive would be extended to the following positions- assistant water superintendent, water meter maintenance foreperson, water maintenance foreperson, senior office assistant, and MEO/stock clerk. Siegel said tentatively four of those positions would not be filled, which could save the town $294,000.

The final town board agenda can be found here on the town's website.

The next public session meeting will be held on September 7 at Teatown, inside of the main building, at 6 p.m.