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YORKTOWN, N.Y. A long-awaited meeting between Yorktown Citizens for a DPW and the Yorktown Town Board is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Yorktown Town Hall.
Members of the group, which includes several former town supervisors, will make their case to the board and the public. They contend that eliminating the highway superintendent as an elected position will save Yorktown money and give the Town Board greater control over decision-making in the Highway Department.
Last week, Renee Fogarty, speaking on behalf of Yorktown Citizens for a DPW, once again accused the Town Board of deliberately trying to block the proposal from being presented to voters. Before a referendum can be held in November, a public hearing is required, and a vote by the board before Sept. 1.
"It's been obvious by your statements and tactics that you've already made up your mind," Fogarty said. "It's a sad day for the people of Yorktown when their own elected officials won't trust them to know what's in their own best interests."
However, board members insisted they are open-minded about the proposal, although Supervisor Michael Grace took exception to the tactics of Yorktown Citizens for a DPW.
"Nobody is blocking democracy. Nobody is prejudging anything," Grace said. "A DPW is not the issue. The issue is, do we abolish the highway superintendent as an elected official. A DPW can be done without abolishing that position. I don't think it's prudent to just do a knee-jerk reaction. There are serious issues that need serious discussion."
"Anything that saves money for Yorktown, I'm for," said Town Board member Nick Bianco. "I know the passion some people have had on this issue for 40 years. I still don't see where it will save any money. I hope the people that are firmly for it bring their facts."
Town Board member Vishnu Patel said he supported a DPW, saying, "Everybody has a right to vote. Let them decide."
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