Demolition of fire-damaged Water Dept. building planned

Demolition of fire-damaged Water Dept. building planned

Demolition of Millerton’s damaged Highway and Water Department building could begin as early as the next few weeks.

Aly Morrissey

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.”

Latest News

Village will not pursue local ICE law; police say they will cooperate with federal agencies

Village of Millerton and Town of North East residents crowded into the NorthEast-Millerton Library annex to have their voices heard on police policies regarding immigration enforcement for the Tuesday, July 29, Village Trustees meeting.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — After a packed public meeting brought immigration enforcement to the forefront of village politics on Tuesday, July 29, trustees signaled they will not pursue a proposed local law aimed at limiting police cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Local police, for their part, said they would fully cooperate with federal agencies — including ICE — tempering hopes for the kind of change some residents had called for.

Keep ReadingShow less
Deputies respond to downtown Amenia political dispute

Kimberly Travis, right, during the early days of her daily "No kings" anti-Trump administration protests at downtown Amenia's Fountain Square in front of the Bank of Millbrook on Saturday, July 5. Travis has become a regular fixture on downtown Amenia after weeks of the daily protests.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputies broke up a political dispute between two Amenia residents at Fountain Square in downtown Amenia on Tuesday, July 15.

Kimberly Travis of Amenia was conducting her daily “No Kings” anti-Trump administration protest at Fountain Square at 1:15 p.m. when Jamie Deines of Amenia, a candidate for Town Board in the Nov. 4 election, approached her.

Keep ReadingShow less
East Twin Lake
finds new hope 
as hydrilla fades

Gregory Bugbee, associate scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), where he heads the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS), was a guest speaker at the Aug. 2 annual meeting of the Twin Lakes Association.

Debra A. Aleksinas

SALISBURY— A fierce and costly battle to halt the spread of hydrilla in East Twin Lake may have finally paid off.

All but three remaining small patches, one near the shoreline at O’Hara’s Landing Marina and two others in deeper water as boats exit the marina and head out, have been destroyed by this summer’s treatment with the aquatic herbicide fluridone, which began on May 20. None of the remaining plants are thriving.

Keep ReadingShow less
Oblong Books to celebrate 50 years with block party bash

Dick Hermans in the Oblong Bookstore on Millerton's Main Street in 1985.

Photo provided

MILLERTON — To celebrate its golden milestone, Oblong Books is throwing a “good old-fashioned block party” this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South Center Street in Millerton. The free, family-friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, raffles and entertainment for all ages.

While the festivities mark 50 years since the founding of Oblong Books, co-owner Suzanna Hermans sees the party as something more. “We want to celebrate our friends, neighbors and generations of customers who have kept us here for 50 years,” she said. “It’s a thank-you to the people of Millerton, in particular, without whom we’d never be here.”

Keep ReadingShow less