Joseph Arico

The meeting addressed several resolutions concerning purchasing and agreements. The board awarded Bid 2165 for senior citizens parking lot improvements to Pioneer Landscaping and Asphalt Paving, authorizing the supervisor to sign the agreement. The parks department received authorization to purchase an agricultural tractor from Store Tractor Company. Furthermore, four agreements were approved with Landscape Structures Incorporated for sports court improvements at Burwinkel Park, Armory Park, and Merchants Road Park, and for ball field improvements at Mauritius Road Park.

The Board of Zoning Appeals hearing addressed multiple variance requests. Key discussions involved variances for a shed and an outdoor kitchen at 18 No Lane, including reducing side yard distances and total side yards, with arguments focused on neighborhood conformity and the minor nature of the dimensional changes requested. Another case concerned variances for a proposed accessory apartment addition at 812 Halleck Inc., requesting reduction in required parking, buffer yard setback, and rear yard setback, citing building limitations and plans for accessibility upgrades. A third variance request addressed reducing the minimum front yard setback for an existing front portico addition. Finally, a request for variances related to building a rear detached garage, including reducing side yards and increasing paved surface area, was reviewed, with concerns raised by an audience member regarding potential environmental impact on a pollinator garden. The board also addressed an adjournment for a previous case.

The meeting opened with introductions of town government advisers from the planning department and the Department of Environment and Waterways, followed by an explanation of the board's role in granting variances and special exceptions based on five mandatory criteria and a balancing test. Discussions covered several cases involving variance requests: Case 19288 for 521 Property Management LLC was adjourned to February 10, 2026. Case 19435 for Brett Little sought a variance to reduce the front yard setback for an existing fence on a corner lot. Case 19436 for Chaz Smithtown LLC requested several variances related to increasing the size and height of ground and wall signs for a proposed restaurant renovation. Case 19437 for GPG 410 Lake Avenue LLC sought a variance to permit a wall sign to project above the building wall for a wine bar and restaurant. Case 19438 for Anthony Gomez requested variances to reduce minimum front yard and side yard setbacks for proposed additions to a residential property.

The Town Board meeting included discussions and actions related to planning and development matters. Two site plans were reviewed: one for Pristine Properties Mitsubishi concerning the expansion of an existing motor vehicle showroom with conditions related to permitting, tree preservation, and lighting; and another for Rivercap New York involving the demolition of two buildings and construction of a larger structure, subject to seven conditions including permits and DOT approval. The board also held a public hearing regarding the adoption of a six-month moratorium on battery energy storage systems due to public safety concerns related to lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the board addressed several resolutions, including approval for contract awards, bid advertisements (yard waste processing, steel stock, pavement management), changes to collective bargaining agreements concerning job titles, and settlement matters for the Comac Public Library and personnel issues. Public comments were heard concerning rezoning impacts from a potential regional freight yard and opposition to an assisted living facility proposal near Bull Run Farms.

The Board of Appeals hearing addressed several applications requiring variances. Key discussions included an application from WSI Properties Inc/Globecom seeking to increase the maximum height of an accessory structure (a satellite antenna) from 18 feet to 46.5 feet, citing the existing satellite farm location and precedent for similar large antennas. Another application from Vasco Holdings LLC sought variances to increase the number of wall signs from one to two, permit a wall sign not facing a public street, and address setbacks related to a proposed addition and existing deck for a property zoned Neighborhood Business (NB). A third major case involved Richard Avignon requesting multiple variances for a proposed first-floor addition, portico, and deck, specifically concerning front yard and side yard setbacks, noting an existing deck variance that may have been recorded incorrectly. The board also discussed the precedent set by granting similar variances in the neighborhood, particularly concerning front yard setbacks for additions in residential zones.