Village Board meets: Ambulance sale earns $79K, budget hearing is April 13

MILLBROOK — The March meeting of the Millbrook Village Board opened at 6 p.m. at the Millbrook firehouse.

Mayor Tim Collopy asked for a moment of silence in honor of recently-deceased Frank Viacava, a retired member of the Millbrook fire department and former assistant chief.

Collopy then moved onto general business, including the monthly report from Fire Chief Ted Bownas, for the month of February. There were three motor vehicle accidents reported; one vehicle fire; and two structure fires.

There were 41 EMS calls logged; 38 with NDP; and two with the MFD Rescue Squad;  Mutual Aid was provided to the fire department twice; and EMS was provided twice; Mutual Aid was received once by the fire department and twice by EMS.

The Millbrook Police Department (MPD) gave its monthly report for February next. That included six  traffic tickets issued; eight disabled vehicles assisted; six assists with the New York State Police; two assists with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office; seven assists with the Millbrook fire department; 16 assists with Millbrook EMS; two shifts providing security at the Town of Washington Court; five responses to the Millbrook Central School District along with 14 school security checks.

Highway Department Supervisor Bob Collacola gave his February report. His crew removed downed tree limbs on Maple and Haight avenues; installed a new Tree City sign for the village; repaired pot holes and catch basins.

The department also repaired a sander in house and worked on a drainage repair at Bennett and Exmore streets.

Four snow events were reported since the last Village Board meeting, totaling 16 for the winter season.

Village Clerk Sarah Witt gave her report, first sharing news on certificates issued  by the Building Department: eight building permits; five Certificates of Occupancy; two Certificates of Compliance; and three Municipal Searches. The total in Building Department fees for February came to $1,040.

Witt also put on her treasurer’s hat and gave the report for that department, which can be seen online, at www.villageofmillbrookny.com.

AT&T wants added antennas

The mayor reported that AT&T has requested that antennas be added to the water tower. It’s being discussed with Delaware Engineering to ascertain if doing so would impact the infrastructure.

Collopy said that the fire department’s older ambulance was sold for $79,000, which will be deposited into the Apparatus Reserve. The sole purpose of that fund is to be used to purchase the next vehicle for the fire department.

COVID tests; turkey vultures

The board noted there are masks and COVID test kits reserved at Village Hall.

The USDA visited Millbrook on Saturday, March 20, to assess the problem of turkey vultures and to make  recommendations for dealing with the issue.

Budget update

The village budget is being worked on by the mayor, the board and department heads, to be ready by May.

The mayor said he will post all relevant information about the fiscal plan in the village’s April newsletter for the public to review prior to the mandated public hearing on the budget. That hearing is planned for the next Village Board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m. in person at the firehouse.

The Village Board plans to vote on the budget at that meeting; the budget will then go into effect on June 1.

Village meetings may be seen live on Cable Access Channel 22 and are also posted shortly afterward on YouTube. For more information, go to www.villageofmillbrookny.com.