Millbrook discusses 2024 goals at annual reorg meeting

MILLBROOK — The Village of Millbrook Board of Trustees covered several areas in its reorganization meeting Wednesday, Jan. 3, including approving the appointments of Frank Redl on the Planning Board and Mark Vila for the Planning Board of Appeals, with both terms running until Dec. 31, 2028.

Mayor Tim Collopy and the Board of Trustees agreed on a policy developed for the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB 57): The goal of the village is to achieve and maintain a minimum unassigned fund balance in the general fund at fiscal year-end of 25% of the subsequent year’s budgeted expenditures to protect against cash flow shortfalls related to timing of projected revenue receipts and to maintain a budget stabilization commitment.

The village clerk presented an updated building permit fee schedule, which will be posted on the village website. Committees and committee members were named, and all were approved with no changes and are listed on the website.

The Rules of Procedure were discussed, as were advance notice of claims, mileage allowance (government standard), and attendance at school and conferences allowed with prior permission and timely notice given.

In discussing goals for 2024, Collopy stated that he’d like to see phases one and two of the sidewalk project finished, and to submit a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) request to cover phases three and four. He’d also like to identify single pad replacements to be done by the Highway Department and to hire a contractor to grind other marginal sidewalk eruptions.

Other goals included starting the wastewater treatment plant upgrade; to pave Washington Avenue with oil and stone, and perhaps Maple Avenue also, with allocated CHIPS funding. Trees should be trimmed along Franklin Avenue in the business district.

The last item on the mayor’s list of goals was to paint the interior of Village Hall. The board agreed, but several board members also felt that there is a need for a heating and cooling center in the village for use during power outages and in emergencies. They felt that because of the space and the fact that there is kitchen on the premises, the Millbrook Firehouse would be the ideal place. This goal would be contingent on acquiring grant money for the generator(s), which would be needed.