Federal funding for Millerton’s wastewater project is finalized

MILLERTON — After years of uncertainty, village officials announced Monday that nearly $1 million in federal funding is now finalized and available for the joint Millerton-North East wastewater project, clearing the way for the next phase of engineering work.

The $959,752 grant, secured by Congressman Pat Ryan and administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will fully fund the project’s engineering design, according to Erin Moore, vice president of Tighe & Bond, the engineering and consulting firm leading the effort. The news was shared as trustees convened Monday, Jan. 12, for their monthly workshop meeting.

Moore said she received the final grant agreement by email on Dec. 31, 2025, officially closing out the federal approval process. She said the funding will pay for all of the engineering design work and allow the project to move to its next phase. “It was a very happy email to receive, and now our focus is accessing those funds,” she said.

The entire North East Town Board joined the village meeting to hear the presentation.

“I have to take my hat off to everyone working on this,” said North East Supervisor Chris Kennan, noting that the work on the project, particularly related to financing, has been complicated. “Tracking every dollar — where it’s allocated, where it goes and who’s responsible — requires an extraordinary level of detail. We’re very grateful for the work that’s being done.”

After the presentation, the board postponed the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process for renovations at Veterans Park. Required by the state, the SEQR process examines potential environmental, social or economic impacts of the renovations, and the board will first seek comments from the Dutchess County Planning Department before beginning the review.

The renovations to Veteran’s Park are being funded by a Community Development Block Grant awarded in 2024. Village officials previously secured an extension on the grant and the construction is expected to wrap up by Memorial Day. Mayor Jenn Najdek said she doesn’t expect the delay to significantly affect the construction timeline.

Trustees also postponed discussion of a local law to formally establish a village tree committee, a group that has been in development for several months. The board will meet with legal counsel to review a proposed committee description before bringing the matter back for discussion and scheduling a public hearing.

The village also approved the resignation of Deputy Clerk Emerald Havelin, who will step down from her role effective Jan. 29 to spend more time with family. Joshua Schultz, a member of the Planning Board, also resigned, effective Jan. 12. His term was scheduled through the end of 2029. The board voted to replace Schultz permanently with alternate Planning Board member Ata Secilmis.