Millbrook names engineers for wastewater plant upgrade

MILLBROOK — Following a brief discussion, the Village Trustees named the engineering firm Tighe and Bond of Rhinebeck, New York to design an upgrade for the village wastewater treatment plant. The decision was unanimously approved at the regular meeting on Wednesday, May 8.

The present wastewater treatment system is now 50 years old and is plagued by overflow problems needing correction. The trustees have noted at past meetings that there is an opportunity for the town to upgrade the facility and make it resilient to serve the community into the future.

Village officials will next meet with Tighe and Bond personnel to work out details of the project agreement. The engineering work is expected to be done within the next two months.

Later in the meeting, Scott Osborn of VRI water utility services for Millbrook’s water and wastewater systems, reported on ongoing maintenance work at the wastewater treatment plant. Workers are cleaning the sludge grinders now, and it takes six months for the sludge to dry at the present plant.

Instances of residents discharging water, plowed snow or property debris onto town roadways came under discussion.

Town counsel Ian MacDonald advised that the village should consider tightening existing code. At present, he explained, residents are prevented from discharging water from their own property onto someone else’s.

Mayor Tim Collopy suggested an update to code to keep residents from negatively impacting roads, although present regulations mandate that residents keep sidewalks clear and roads in front of their homes free of debris.

The sidewalk project is nearly completed, Trustee Mike Herzog reported, and later added that he will report next month on possible installation of LED streetlights.

Poultry will be discussed at a future trustees meeting. Deputy Major Peter Doro reported that several village residents have spoken with him about their wish to keep chickens. At present, he noted, chickens and roosters are not permitted. He will research further and report at a future meeting.