Village Board discusses sidewalks, trees, grants

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Village Board’s November meeting addressed holiday concerns, which were reported on in the Nov. 25 issue of The Millerton News. Below is a rundown of the other items the trustees discussed at that November meeting.

There is currently an opening on the police force, noted Sgt. Jared Witt. For more information, contact the Millbrook Police Department.

The Village Highway Supervisor Bob Collocola reported that he received $150 for the old plow at auction. The highway crew has been busy making repairs after several storms. It has also been picking up the flower barrels on Franklin Avenue, four had to be disposed of, he said. Collocola said he will look into purchasing new barrels made of resin or another more sustainable material. Fall is always busy with leaf blowing and leaf pickup, he added, although soon it will be time for snow plowing.

The Highway Department undertook the responsibility of setting up the many small Christmas trees displayed along Franklin Avenue around Thanksgiving; soon enough the board will talk about when to remove the trees.

Trustees Vicky Contino and Buffy Arbogast worked with the Millbrook Business Association (MBA), which decorated the trees this year with MBA volunteers.

Mayor Tim Collopy advertised for bids to repair of the retaining wall on Harts Village Road.

Deputy Mayor Michael Herzog asked that a resolution be made to allow the village to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)from the county for money to repair village sidewalks. The village was awaiting an estimate on how much that will cost. CDBGs typically max out at $150,000 per municipality.

There was further discussion on bnb’s, and whether the village needs to update its zoning code for such businesses. Also, the board discussed if a local law is needed or needs to be amended, if a special permit is required to operate bnb’s,  and what the proper process is for collecting taxes for those sorts of businesses in the village.

Herzog reported on the Shade Tree Committee. At the time there were three members: himself,  Collocola and former Trustee and current MBA President Kevin McGrane. The committee wanted two more non-voting members, and was accepting applications through Village Hall.

The Shade Tree Committee inspects trees that might be hazardous. When asked, they will examine a tree; determine if a tree could be saved or must come down; and if a tree is within 25 feet of the center of the road. The village is considered the “manager” of trees located within its confines. When in doubt, an arborist is called in to make a final decision.

Millbrook has long been a Tree City designee, so the work done by the committee is considered important. It usually replaces between three to five dead trees per year.

Village meetings are recorded and can be viewed online, at www.villageofmillbrookny.com, as can individual department reports.

A Village Board meeting was held Dec. 8; look for more on that meeting in a future issue of The Millerton News.