full text responses to yorktown news interview

Let’s start with your background, qualifications and inspirations—both inside and outside of government.
What inspired you to run for office?

My name is Ed Lachterman, and I have been honored to serve in Yorktown government for the past ten years — eight as a councilman and the last two as your Town Supervisor. Before that, I built a career in the hospitality industry, starting as a busboy and working my way up to Director of Operations. I’ve managed six restaurants, overseen more than 30 managers and 500 employees, and been responsible for a $125 million operation.

I left the restaurant industry when my mother needed help during her cancer treatments and began working with at-risk youth in a residential treatment center. There, I created a culinary arts training program that helped young people build life skills and confidence.

Community service has always been part of who I am. I’ve been a proud Yorktown Lion for 13 years, a founding member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 1099, and a volunteer with organizations such as ASK, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, My Brother Vinny, and United for the Troops. I’ve also served on the board of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, working closely with our business community.

My love of working with people and solving problems inspired me to run for office. That passion was reinforced when I went through the process of building a home in Yorktown — and experienced firsthand the amount of red tape residents face. It showed me how my professional and personal background had prepared me to help others navigate and improve local government.

Among the issues raised at the debate were infrastructure, development, preserving green space and affordable housing:

a. How do these issues intersect, and how can you maximize the opportunities while avoiding pitfalls like cost and what some characterize as overdevelopment?

Yorktown's motto is Progress with Preservation and I have used that as my North Star guiding decisions throughout my tenure. Suburban communities across New York are all facing new challenges that need bold leadership that protects the character of our community while enhancing our local economy through smart growth initiatives. For years the Town has worked with applicants to address infrastructure needs, such as the Route 202 improvements by Lowe's, as well as the work being done at the intersection of Route 118 and Underhill Avenue - with the applicant paying the vast majority of the costs but partnering with local and state government. Similarly, we continue to protect our green spaces by establishing and utilizing our Tree Bank which has resulted in the planting of more than 100 trees for community benefit. Meanwhile, in the last four years alone we invested $3.4 million to enhance our local parks with more to come.

b. Is the town’s zoning code up to date to handle modern needs? If not, how do you fix it?

Our zoning code was outdated which is why the Town implemented Overlay Zones. This tool, which was identified in the Town's Master Plan and approved with bipartisan support (then Councilwoman Alice Roker), was called a model for towns to implement by the Business Council of Westchester. It allows the Town Board to include projects within two designated districts and gives the Planning Board flexibility to make each project the best possible fit for Yorktown.

One success story is Underhill Farms, a once-vacant school property that paid no taxes, with condemned outbuildings and a deteriorating mansion. The redevelopment will bring in $1 million in new taxes, add housing, and deliver needed infrastructure upgrades like roads, stormwater management, and sidewalks — while preserving the historic mansion. This project was a turning point for revitalizing the Yorktown Heights hamlet.

c. How will the town pay to update aging infrastructure that is not part of any new developments?

The Town has been paying for needed infrastructure projects that were not part of any new development. Since 2021 we have spent more than $9.4 million to increase the local paving schedule. That is $3 million more than the nine years combined. Our $3.4 million to enhance our parks has included enhancements to our two Town pools, new lights at Downing Field, turf replacement at Legacy Field and improvements to Shrub Oak stream. Our Police Department has benefited from major improvements to their facility and a $1 million investment to enhance their communication and radio system. Lastly, the Town has been relining our water mains and upgrading pump stations. This has been made possible by proper financial management of Town funds coupled with grants from our partners on the state federal level. By safeguarding taxpayer dollars appropriately, we will continue to make smart investments to address our infrastructure needs regardless of any new developments.

d. Are you concerned about traffic? How do you propose to address it?

Growth inevitably brings more traffic, but for too long, Yorktown has borne the burden of regional traffic without seeing our own infrastructure modernized. Attracting development allows us to fund road improvements, lighting upgrades, and other modernization efforts without massive tax hikes. It is also important to remind residents that the Town has hired its own traffic consultant to examine and evaluate the traffic studies that are provided to the Town Board and Planning Board. This step has ensured the Town's interests are further protected.

e. Downtown revitalization: What are your priorities for Yorktown Heights, Shrub Oak and the other hamlets?

The successful revitalization of the Heights Hamlet has been one of my greatest achievements during my tenure on the Town Board. Now, with Underhill Farms on the verge of completion, a once-vacant school property that paid no taxes, with condemned outbuildings and a deteriorating mansion, has been transformed and will bring in $1 million in new taxes, add housing, and deliver needed infrastructure upgrades like roads, stormwater management, and sidewalks — while preserving the historic mansion. This project was a turning point for revitalizing the Yorktown Heights hamlet.

Then you look at the Yorktown Green. This was once a desolate embarrassment that would welcome our residents and neighbors daily. Now, we have turned this chronically blighted shopping center into a bright vibrant economic center. We see the ripple effect these projects are having with the $10 million renovation of the Triangle Center and there's more to come.

Looking ahead we have been working on the Downing Road streetscaping project in the Heights. This will help beautify the Heights hamlet, increase pedestrian safety and hopefully connect the North County Trailway to the heart of the Heights. In addition, we have initiated a Downtown Revitalization Grant application for Shrub Oak as we look to enhance and beautify this hamlet in a similar way. Of course, we can't talk about Shrub Oak without talking about the dilapidated Shrub Oak Tire Center and I have reengage the owner of the property to learn of his vision for its future.

Green energy: Are moratoria on battery farms and solar farms the way to go?

Large scale battery storage systems continue to be debated across our region and throughout New York. The moratorium is necessary until safety can be assured for our residents. The Town Board continues to examine its current solar law. This is a more complicated issue of honoring our motto of Progress with Preservation. While I support solar energy, and we are in the process of issuing an RFP for solar on the roofs of town buildings, we have to make sure large scale solar farms are not being constructed on inappropriate properties.

Can the town do more to conserve energy—and if battery or solar are part of the answer, how do these help local residents versus power companies selling energy for use elsewhere?

The Town has a strong track record when it comes to protecting our environment and combating climate change. That's why we were named a Climate Smart Community and we continue to work on these important initiatives. As part of our certification, the Task Force completed a Greenhouse Gas Inventory that examined the amount of energy the Town consumes. As a result we have taken common sense steps to reduce energy consumption such as LED light bulbs, LED lights at our fields and heat pumps at Town Hall. Furthermore, the Town always looks to Sustainable Westchester to provide opportunities for our residents to benefit financially from solar energy projects through community solar initiatives that has reduced participant utility bills by 10%.

Explain the overlay law in layman’s terms and tell how it needs to be modified.

This tool, which was identified in the Town's Master Plan and approved with bipartisan support, was called a model for towns to implement by the Business Council of Westchester. It allows the Town Board to include projects within two designated districts and gives the Planning Board flexibility to make each project the best possible fit for Yorktown.

Do you believe tax exemptions for developers are a net plus or net minus?

Let's be clear: there have only been eight projects that have qualified and received the Town's 485-B tax abatement. These applicants also happen to be among the town's largest employers, such as Lowe's and Caremount, and there have been no residential developments that have benefited. This program, which is a state program that the town previously opted into, does cut taxes for these projects, but phases in their increase in taxes based upon specific enhancements to their property. This tool has proven to attract cornerstone projects that our Town has tremendously benefited from.

Offer a specific example to support your argument.

BJs Gas, Caremount, Mohegan Audi, Trader Joe's, Lowe's and Coco Farms have all benefited from the 485B program. All of these have either replaced a chronically blighted piece of our community, such as the abandoned hotel, and have provided invaluable goods, services and jobs that our residents have been asking for years. But if you want one clear example: Trader Joe's. The 485B program helped attract this national store right to our community. If my opponent wants to get rid of 485B she will get rid of Trader Joe's and never attract a business like it during her tenure proving how shortsighted and uninformed she truly is.

Will Yorktown need to raise taxes again, and if so, would you support it?

Raising taxes is also the last option when crafting any budget. I do not like to raise taxes, but just running my business or crafting my household budget, certain expenses go up leaving no other choice. For example, our insurance rates have doubled over the last five years just like countless others. This leaves us with the choice of cutting services or raising taxes. I will always fight to protect Yorktown's taxpayers, always put them first and always respect them.

What can you do to draw more residents into the process at Town Board meetings?

I always welcome resident feedback at town board meetings but I also remind residents they don't have to wait for a meeting to raise an issue. I work everyday for Yorktown as do my colleagues on the Town Board. Furthermore our Departments work everyday as well. If there are issues residents can raise them at any point and we will always prioritize their needs and try to get them a suitable answer to their inquiry.

Finally, why should Yorktowners vote for you?

I am proud of Yorktown’s progress and even prouder to serve the people who make this community so special. I have an extensive record of success and a vision to ensure Yorktown remains the greatest place to live, raise a family, open a business and be part of a great community. Together, we’ve restored confidence, encouraged responsible growth, and strengthened our local economy. I am excited about our future and humbly ask for your vote again this November.