Village discusses HBO filming, sidewalks and cannabis law

MILLBROOK — Wednesday, Aug. 11, the Millbrook Village Board met at the firehouse for an in-person meeting, which will is now available on the village website, www.villageofmillbrookny.com.

Mayor Tim Collopy opened the meeting at 6 p.m. and quickly discussed the safety protocol for COVID; most wore masks.

Collopy said there were lessons to be learned going forward regarding filming in the village, following the HBO filming for “The White House Plumbers.”

The series stars Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, and took place earlier this month as well as last week. Collopy said it went well, but that plans will be made and contracts drawn to cover things like changing filming days, using equipment, assigning police coverage and for when a film company cancels production or moves it to another day, which can create problems. He suggested a $1,000 fee  to cover cancellation costs. 

He added the village learned from the experience and the new protocols will be put in place for future filming in the village.

Millbrook Business Association (MBA) President and former Trustee Kevin McGrane asked about Community Day, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18. At the meeting nothing had been confirmed, said the board, as plans will depend on the COVID pandemic.

Millbrook Fire Chief Ted Bownas gave his July report, which included 57 EMS calls, plus various other calls, some related to recent storms, which included downed wires and one flooding incident. 

Fire Department President Matt Rochfort also asked about Community Day, and if events would be scheduled, as the fire department planned to participate “in a big way.” The department will also have to wait and see, repeated the mayor, for what transpires with COVID-19 rates, government guidelines and mandates.

Police Sgt. Jared Witt followed with his July report from the Millbrook Police Department, which included traffic and parking tickets issued by his officers; a hit and run complaint; 11 road hazards; assists from other agencies, including four from the New York State Police, three from the fire department and 16 from the EMS. 

Highway Superintendent Robert Collocola presented his July report. His crew has repaired and replaced catch basins, cut and dug-out water mains and repaired and prepared roads for paving. They’ve also paved and done repairs on Valley Farm Road; it also had to shut off the water valves to do repair work in order to do paving on Reservoir Drive. 

Highway crews have also removed fallen trees from the jailhouse roof at the village garage. Warning signs for upcoming curves on roadways have been installed along with speed signs listing the legal speed at 20 mph on Nine Partners Lane have likewise been installed. 

Collocola  said the village assisted the town of Washington’s Department of Public Works in sealing Bangall Road. The town then assisted the village with roadside mowing on Nine Partners Lane. The village also repaired a drainage ditch on Weatherford Lane, and is continuing to fill potholes in the village as needed. 

Collocola said he has been in touch with Central Hudson about street light problems on Franklin Avenue. It turns out Central Hudson said it is not responsible, so the village will have to look for a way to repair or replace the damaged lights.

The tennis court funding campaign is going well; $23,609 has been raised thus far. One company said it would cost $27,000 to repave the courts, including a new fence. The original goal was to spend $26,000 to repair the tennis courts, but because the work won’t be done until next year, the village expects the price to go up. It may cost closer to $30,000, so more tax-deductible donations will be needed and can be made via the village website.

Trustee Vicky Contino has been looking into asset management and will finalize the details, with anything over $5,000 being recorded. She will make the data available for planning and to help obtain financial information.

Dutchess County Legislator Deirdre Houston (R-25) attended the meeting and spoke briefly about two grants Millbrook received from the county through the American Relief Act. The funds are being directed to the Millbrook Library and the Millbrook Hockey Association.

The mayor reported on the sidewalk repair and replacement project; $5,000 has been paid out so far for engineering advice. Bids must be sought for the actual work.

Collopy opened a discussion on the new cannabis law, which legalized adult-use recreational marijuana in the state. The board agreed it would prefer to opt out of allowing marijuana dispensaries and lounges in the village, but a public hearing is required. The village has to decide if it wants to opt out by the governor’s Dec. 31 deadline. If it opts out by that time, it can always opt back in; if it opts in, it cannot reverse its decision. 

For more on the new cannabis law, read this week’s front page or go to www.tricornernews.com.

The next Village Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Millbrook firehouse. This is a one-time change from the second Wednesday of the month due to a scheduling conflict with the firehouse.