Ballot mishap dealt with, tennis court repair bid accepted

MILLBROOK — The Wednesday, Oct. 20, meeting was held at the Millbrook firehouse and opened by Mayor Tim Collopy (D) at 6 p.m.

Earlier this year, two residents were appointed to fill vacant trustee positions on the Village Board: Buffy Arbogast (D) replaced Collopy when was he was elected mayor and Leslie Anson (NOP) replaced Kevin McGrane (D) when he resigned due to personal reasons.

The paperwork was submitted to Dutchess County Board of Elections (BOE) before it was informed of McGrane’s resignation, so the November ballot only lists one open trustee position when there are actually two.

Two candidates are running for the two trustee positions: Arbogast and Peter Doro (R).

The Village Board decided the fair response to this mix-up is for the runner-up in the election be appointed to the second vacant position while the winner will take the first vacant position. Both trustee positions will be up for election in November of 2022 for full four-year terms.

Monthly reports

Millbrook Fire Department (MFD) Chief Ted Bownas reported 60 EMS calls, including a brush and structure fire; there was one haz-mat call and nine flood calls. Of the EMS responses, Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) responded to 57 and MFD responded to three. Mutual Aid was given three times by the MFD; 12 times by EMS: mutual aid was also received, two times by the MFD and six times by EMS.

Parade of Lights is on!

Bownas and MFD President Matt Rochfort also noted that the Parade of Lights, which was canceled for the past two years because of the COVID pandemic, will take place this year. The mayor said later that John McDonald has offered to take charge of it.

Millbrook Police Department (MPD) Sgt. Jared Witt gave the MPD report. It issued 10 traffic tickets, seven parking tickets and handled 12 complaints. Three arrests were made, and court duty was performed twice. There was one DUI, one intoxicated juvenile and three orders of protection issued. There were two larcenies and four disorderly conducts, among other incidents.

Witt requested the village purchase two radar speed signs at a cost of $5,800; the board voted in favor of the purchases.

Commercial cannabis

A resolution for Local Law No. 6 of 2021 was requested, Opting Out of Licensing and Establishing Retail Cannabis Sites in the Village. The mayor and the four trustees all voted in favor of passing the law.

A public hearing was opened: there were no public comments and the hearing closed. Marijuana  will not be permitted to be sold commercially in the village.

Tennis court update

Anson reported that having achieved not only the original goal of $25,000, but with a second donation from the Tribute Garden Foundation a total of $28,709 was raised. The board approved Anson proceeding to accept the bid from Oval Tennis to resurface the courts next spring for $28,000.

The village is still accepting donations, as the cost may continue to rise between now and then. Any community member who would like to donate may go to www.villageofmillbrook.com/tennis for more information.

Two other companies showed interest: Sport Tech bid $68,000 for the project and American Sports Builders Association showed interest but didn’t enter an actual bid.

Highway update

Supervisor of Public Works Bob Collacola reported on all of the repairs his department has been making, included from recent storm activity. The new plow for the 2011 dump truck arrived. His crew repaired several catch basins around the village and painted all of the crosswalks on Franklin Avenue. He also advised that leaf pickup has begun.

The Highway Department  also assisted Millbrook Electric in fixing the street lights on Franklin Avenue that have not been working, and made a plan for all the wiring to be done for future repairs. A full list of the work being done by the Highway Department may be found on the village’s website,  www.villageofmillbrookny.com.

Trustee Vicki Contino reported that she is working with the MPD on “drive arounds,” and forming recommendations for the traffic codes with Sgt. Witt. She is also working with Millbrook Business Association (MBA) President Kevin McGrane on Christmas decorations and festivities, some of which may need funding support.

She said she identified possible government funding to help with repairs for the village’s retaining wall and is coordinating with the Town of Washington on electric vehicle charging stations.

Contino is working on the best use for the village’s American Rescue Act (ARA) funds. She also reviewed the Ethics Code with counsel at the New York Conference of Mayors, noting that Millbrook’s code appears to be consistent with the state’s mandates.

Block Grant

Deputy Mayor Mike Herzog discussed making a request for CDBG grant money for sidewalk repairs and replacements, as well as to repair the retaining walls. He proposed sending a letter of intent to the county with the ideas; a public hearing notice will follow.

Earlier in the meeting, County Legislator Deirdre Houston (R-25) offered to help the village with the required Community Block Grant (CDBG) application.

The next board meeting will be on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Millbrook firehouse.