The Board of Trustees opened its March 25 meeting with a public hearing on the proposed 2026-27 village budget — and not a single resident showed up to comment. The real fireworks came during the second hearing, on Local Law No. 3, a sweeping zoning code cleanup that would, among other things, change the minimum distance for chicken coops from a previous standard that could be interpreted as 50 feet down to 15 feet from property lines, and set the number of fowl allowed at ten on properties of .3 acres.
Resident Matthew Rubenstein addresses the Board Of Trustees during discussion of proposed changes to backyard chicken rules.
Resident Matthew Rubenstein addresses the Board Of Trustees during discussion of proposed changes to backyard chicken rules.
Truesdale Drive resident Matthew Rubenstein delivered a pointed critique. He told the board that allowing ten fowl on properties of .3 acres is "way too many" and that reducing the coop setback to 15 feet is "too close," describing clouds of dust drifting from a neighbor's coop onto his property. Rubenstein also raised concerns about bird flu, arguing that having coops close to neighbors' homes poses a health risk, and called the coops "ugly, smelly and dusty," questioning why the rules were being changed so substantially. 50:52▶ The board also heard from Ed Riely, who blasted the village's legislative priorities list, arguing that the infrastructure cannot support charging of zero-emission school buses, citing concerns about battery depreciation and replacement costs, and questioning the state's ability to run a health care program. 64:15▶ Village Manager Bryan Healy reported that Dobbs Park renovations won't be finished by opening day. He also reported that tree removal at Quaker Bridge is complete but the project remains stalled awaiting Army Corps of Engineers approval; the rental registry page is live and notices have been sent to properties flagged as potential rentals; the Village is finalizing Hotel and Motel Occupancy tax forms; and DPW will begin site work at Gouveia Park next week. Healy also advised that residents with village tax exemptions that aren't on the Town of Cortlandt roll need to file with the Town by May 1 to keep them. In other business, the board approved a contract with USG Water Solutions for assessment of the Upper North Highland Water Storage Tank ($4,800), adopted the village's 2026 Legislative Program and Project Priorities, and authorized the village manager to approve three change orders totaling $111,467.20 for the Van Cortlandt Manor Entrance Project. All resolutions passed on 5-0 votes.