Demolition of fire-damaged Water Dept. building planned

MILLERTON — The Village Board has signed a contract with a restoration company to begin demolition nearly five months after a devastating fire destroyed the Village of Millerton’s combined Highway and Water Department building.

The company, BELFOR Property Restoration — a nationally recognized firm specializing in disaster recovery — will take on the long-anticipated task of clearing the damaged structure. While no firm start date has been set, Caroline Farr-Killmer, who serves as the village’s Planning and Zoning Board secretary and has taken on the role of fire project manager, said demolition could begin as early as the next few weeks, pending estimates and logistical coordination. Farr-Killmer has played a key role in the recovery effort, handling much of the behind-the-scenes work since the February blaze.

The fire, which broke out in the early morning hours of Feb. 3 during a snowstorm, destroyed the shared-use facility and the equipment housed inside. The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, although it has been confirmed by investigators that it was not arson.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the village declared a state of emergency and began working through insurance assessments and inventory recovery. “It’s been a long process, and one we knew wouldn’t be quick,” said Farr-Killmer. “This isn’t something you can rush. There are environmental regulations, safety procedures and a lot of paperwork. But we finally have a demo company and that’s a good step forward.” Village officials want the public to feel assured that Millerton is “in good hands,” with much of the hard work happening out of sight.

Once the site is cleared, the village will begin planning for reconstruction — though this time, two separate buildings will be erected: one for the highway department and one for water operations. The separation is required under Dutchess County Department of Health regulations due to the presence of a municipal water well on site.

In the months since the fire, officials have worked to reassure residents that the village’s water supply remains safe and unaffected. Weekly testing is conducted by VRI Environmental Services, and results are reported to the Department of Health.

“Even though the building is gone, our water operations are still being handled with care and oversight,” said Farr-Killmer, who has led much of the recovery effort.

Once demolition begins, the area will be fully secured with fencing, especially given its proximity to Eddie Collins Park, where children and families frequently gather. Farr-Killmer stressed that the site will be treated as a construction zone and closed to the public during the process.

“It’s right next to where kids play, so safety is at the top of our list,” she said. “There will be no access to the site, and the restoration company will be taking full measures to ensure it’s sealed off.” Farr-Killmer added, “We know people want to see something happening, and we do too,” said Farr-Killmer. “This is just the beginning, but it’s a very important step.”