MILLERTON — Parents and children streamed onto Century Boulevard on Saturday, April 19, to board six hay wagons assembled in front of the Millerton Fire Department that would take them to Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
There was a hint of rain in the air. A few sprinkles came and went as families lined up to board the wagons, and there was plenty of talk of the 70-degree temperature.
The Millerton Fire Department hosted the event, and Kelly Roger, treasurer and a fire police captain, recalled how in past years the Easter egg hunt unluckily came with rain and even snow.
Once everyone was on board, the wagons, pulled by tractors, headed up North Maple Avenue to Beilke Road then to Route 22.
A sizable crowd was already waiting at the park, where open spaces had been sprinkled with plastic eggs filled with candy and prizes. The hunt was organized by age groups with every category including a couple of golden eggs, which came with a big prize-filled basket.
Millerton Fire Department’s Kelly Roger climbed a hay wagon as families gathered for the start of the department’s egg hunt event on Saturday, April 19. Roger points to the Little League field that is covered with brightly colored eggs.Photo by John Coston
Sebastian Romualdo, 8, and his sister, Estefania, 4, of Millerton, each found a treasured golden egg.
Once the fields had been scoured for the eggs, parents and children settled down to pore over their treasure and do some trading. Others enjoyed a hot dog, courtesy of the Millerton Fire Department.
Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27
One village official is particularly invested in seeing the process move forward. Caroline Farr-Killmer, the village’s fire project manager, has been working closely with Mayor Jenn Najdek and the Board of Trustees to oversee every phase of the recovery. She has coordinated contractors and engineers, tracked inventory losses, and ensured compliance with building codes.
Mayor Jenn Najdek noted in a Monday, Oct. 27, meeting of the village's Board of Trustees that air quality management is one of the aspects of demolition that contributes to the price tag.Photo by Aly Morrissey
“This milestone is a significant one,” Farr-Killmer said. “It has been a work in progress that individuals have poured a lot of their time and effort into.” She acknowledged that while it may have seemed like progress was slow, this process required thoughtful and thorough management. “It is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I am grateful for the team effort put in by all of those involved.”
In the weeks after the fire, Farr-Killmer visited the charred building almost daily and documented damage to the structure and inventory. She said the fire itself was only the beginning, and pointed out that navigating insurance, rebuilding plans and deadlines have been hidden challenges.
The demolition marks the first physical step toward rebuilding. Farr-Killmer and Village leaders are developing plans for two replacement facilities — one for the Highway Department and another for the Water Department, designed to meet modern building codes and accommodate future needs.
“For the Village, it means we are starting from scratch, but things will continue to run smoothly, efficiently and effectively,” Farr-Killmer said.
With demolition underway, the Village of Millerton will begin a new chapter — one that will be complemented by the upcoming renovations that are planned at Eddie Collins Memorial Park. Construction for that major project, which will include a short-course Olympic pool and pool house, is scheduled to begin in July 2026 after the 175th celebration.
