Hinchey, Barrett visit Millbrook Village Water Department to present grants

Hinchey, Barrett visit Millbrook Village Water Department to present grants

From left: Village of Millbrook Trustee Vicky Contino, Village of Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy, state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, VRI Environmental Services plant manager Scott Osborne, District 106 Assemblymember Didi Barrett, and Village of Millbrook Trustee Patrick Murphy hold giant facsimile checks in celebration of the $250,000 that Hinchey and Barrett secured for the rehabilitation of Millbrook’s wastewater pumping system.

Judith O’Hara Balfe

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy, along with Millbrook Village Board trustees Vicky Contino and Patrick Murphy, greeted state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and District 106 Assemblymember Didi Barrett at the Millbrook Village Water Department Thursday, March 7, to celebrate the $125,000 grants each has awarded to the Village.

The joint amount of $250,000 will go toward helping to replace the South Millbrook wastewater pump station; the present equipment at the pump station has reached the end of its useful life.

Pump stations are vital in averting sewage system backups, which can cause contamination that can lead to public health problems.

In hilly sites such as Millbrook and many other areas, stations need powerful pumping systems in order to elevate wastewater to higher levels, properly reaching the treatment centers for processing. Site modifications to position the pump above the existing floodplain are planned.

“Across New York State, the cost to replace and repair our aging water and wastewater infrastructure can be an astronomical burden for communities, and its incumbent upon our state to support municipalities like Millbrook in making these critical upgrades,” said Hinchey.

“Safe wastewater service for local homes and businesses translate to savings for residents,” Hinchey said.

Barrett, holding a large blue facsimile of a check, added that “water and sewer infrastructure is critical to addressing many of the priorities of our region, including housing, economic development and health and wellness.”

She, too, noted that replacing the pump station in Millbrook “will improve public health and save taxpayer dollars.”

Contino, who worked on obtaining the grants and has expertise on the state budget process, noted: “Pump station state and federal grant programs often aren’t suited to small locality needs no matter how urgent. So, though we explored applying for a state hazard mitigation grant, it wasn’t a fit for us.

“Thanks to the skilled advocacy of the VOM’s behalf, Senator Hinchey and Assemblymember Barrett were able to direct the $125,000 each of state budget funds to our pump station a and generator project, enabling us to ensure uninterrupted, environmentally sound sewer service to south Millbrook.”

Collopy thanked Barrett and Hinchey for their work in securing the grant money. He noted that the money provided not only for the replacement of the 25-year-old pump, but also for the installation of a backup generator on-site to ensure its continuous operation, even during power outages.

“People usually don’t want to consider repairs to a sewer system (until it fails!), so I appreciate the foresight shown by the Senator and Assemblymember in coming to our aid for this key infrastructure investment. Thank you!”

VRI Environmental Services plant manager noted, “Replacing aging infrastructure in the Village of Millbrook Wastewater Treatment System has been part of our focus for many years.” He continued, “This new pump station will allow for more efficient operation and maintenance and serve the Village for several decades.”

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less