Village Board gets department reports, preps to ask county for $150,000

MILLBROOK — Repairs in the village was one of the topics discussed during the Village Board’s last meeting of 2021 on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Mayor Tim Collopy opened the meeting held at the Millbrook firehouse at 6 p.m.

Dutchess County Legislator Deirdre Houston (R-25) was present, and reported the county has passed its 2022 budget as presented by County Executive Marc Molinaro.

The mayor’s wife, Cecilia Collopy, reported on the Parade of Lights, which she spearheaded. It went smoothly and was well attended. She thanked the many volunteers while noting the strengths and weaknesses to better plan for future parades.

Reports were given from the Millbrook Fire Department (MFD) and Rescue Squad by Fire Chief Ted Bownas. There were a total of 89 incidents in November, including  a car accident, 60 EMS calls, one furnace malfunction, a hazardous condition call  and one carbon monoxide call. Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP) responded to 58 calls; MFD and the Rescue Squad handled eight calls, and its members responded to 40 calls. Mutual Aid was given on three fire calls and nine EMS calls. Mutual Aid was received on one fire call and one EMS call.

Millbrook Police Department (MPD) Sgt. Jared Witt gave his November department report. There were 129 incidents, with the MPD assisting the New York State Police (NYSP) twice;  the Millbrook Fire Department eight times and its EMS 17 times; the MPD had nine record requests; five domestic incidents; four animal complaints; three Town of Washington (TOW) Court assignments; and five calls to the Millbrook Central School District.

Highway Superintendent Bob Collacola also presented a report that included his department installing 80 Christmas trees and holiday decorations throughout the village, including the Nativity at the Village Green.

The highway crew also installed sanders on its dump truck; completed an in-house repair on its backhoe; installed a stainless steel plate on the body of the 2011 dump truck to provide reinforcement where there was rust damage; picked up fallen leaves; and salted the roads after a recent snowfall.

Workers also cleaned village streets and moved the dog station at the Thorne Building on Franklin Avenue. Collacola said he has found a person who will be available to be on call for the Highway Department if needed.

The Building Department submitted a report that stated it issued nine building permits; one sign permit; one certificate of occupancy (CO); and one municipal search, which brought in $2,742 in fees in November.

The report also noted that both the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and the Planning Board are working on an ongoing project at Russell Knolls.

The mayor stated that the Retaining Wall Project is out for bid and responses were due back that month.

There was also a proposal to upgrade the rear of Marona’s Market; The Millbrook Restoration Board agreed to help. Approval was pending an independent appraisal and final approval and payment were expected in November.

It was also reported that there had been movement on the Flagler monument that was damaged in a car accident in 2020. The insurance reimbursed the village for the full cost of the repair, which was estimated to be $9,760 by Gnazzo Company.

Collopy also said that  AT&T requested to add antennas to the cell tower on top of the water tower, which is under preliminary discussion. It needs  to go through a technical review and an agreement is required with VRI & Delaware Engineering, said Collopy.

Other trustee reports came from Deputy Mayor Mike Herzog; he will be working with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County in Millbrook on the Climate Smart Resiliency Plan to gain village certification, for no cost. He also reported there are minor changes being made to the Shade Tree Policy.

VRI Plant Manager Scott Osborn said he’s been working with Trustee Leslie Anson and Deputy Mayor Herzog on upgrading the Water and Sewer Codes; they hoped to have the final wording for the code by December.

Herzog related that a Community Development Block Grant application has been submitted to Dutchess County requesting funds to help repair and/or replace some of the sidewalks in the village. Block grants give up to $150,000 per community for specific infrastructure projects based on a priority list.

Trustee Buffy Arbogast said she’s working on the Town of Washington Comprehensive Plan. Meeting dates for that project will be listed on the village and town websites.

Trustee Vickie Contino said the Christmas decorations totaled about $1,500, which will be paid by the HNL fund.

Anson thanked the Village Board for the opportunity to serve; it was her last meeting as a trustee as newly-elected Trustee Peter Doro was sworn in at the Jan. 5 reorganization meeting at the Millbrook firehouse. There was also a regular board meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 12.