Ending 27 year drought, Murphy announces DEC approval for new Yorktown sewer hook-ups

YORKTOWN, NY - For decades, thousands of residents in Yorktown have paid sewer taxes, yet were prohibited by law from hooking up to the sewer district. Senator Terrence Murphy wants residents to know that is all about to change.

Today, Murphy, joined by Yorktown Supervisor Michael Grace, local officials and citizens who have been influential in the effort to bring sanitary sewerage systems to Yorktown, announced Yorktown's approval to finally issue new permits in the Hallocks Mill Sewer District.

"Even with many facing failing residential septic systems, the town was for years limited to only emergency hook-ups," Senator Murphy said. "We're hitting for the cycle on clean water! This year, after passing my Westchester Clean Water Act and earmarking significant funds in the state budget for wastewater treatment and clean water projects, today, the Hallock's Mill Sewer District will be issuing new permits for permanent hookups."

In May, Supervisor Grace successfully obtained permission to issue a limited number of permits, the first to be issued in 27 years. Today's announcement verified that the Town has successfully had its State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit amended to allow for permits to continue to be issued in the Hallock's Mill Sewer District.

"More than a decade ago, $10 million was set aside to bring hundreds of homes who pay sewer taxes the services they deserve with a hook up to the town's sewage treatment," Grace said. "Politics, administrative red tape and bureaucracy stymied this effort, but in the past four years, we have made major headway. Now, un-sewered homeowners can finally bring sewerage infrastructure to their streets."

"This effort was years in the making during my time as a Councilman and would not have been accomplished without the work of some great people like Supervisor Grace, Council members Greg Bernard, Tom Diana, my former colleague Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli, 'The Sewer Chick' Cathy D'Amato and many others," Murphy added.

Both Bernard and Diana said they were proud to have fought through the roadblocks and red tape to finally make sewers a reality. "Residents can begin contacting Town Hall for more information on the hook-up process," Diana said.

Mary Capoccia, the supervisor's confidential secretary, said "Every once in a while it is nice to be recognized for all the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes to bring projects to fruition. The town administration has been proud to partner with the County, the State and New York City DEP to make progress where others fell short."