Millerton highway crew ready for winter after fire and yearlong rebuild

MILLERTON — Winter may not officially begin until Dec. 21, but snow has already arrived in Millerton. The early snowfall comes after nearly a year of rebuilding following a February fire that destroyed the village’s highway and water structure, along with all of its snow removal equipment. That long recovery makes this winter’s readiness especially significant for the village.

The Village Highway Department is the small but mighty crew that keeps the roads and sidewalks safe, and not only do crew members feel prepared for the colder months, they’ve already been tested by several early-season snowfalls.

“Now we finally have all the proper equipment that we need,” said Jim Milton, a longtime member of the village’s Highway and Fire Departments. “That’s all thanks to this man right here,” he added, gesturing toward Highway Superintendent Joe Olenik.

Olenik, who also serves as Millerton’s police chief, stepped into the role of highway superintendent at the end of September. While this will be his first winter leading the department, he brings extensive knowledge of the village and has a close working relationship with the crew.

“Joe has been a great help and has given us the opportunity to be more prepared,” said William J. Clark, who joined the department a year and a half ago. “Even after the fire and having to work out of a temporary space, we were able to get back up and running fairly quickly.”

Milton said every vehicle currently in use by the department is new, after the fire destroyed nearly everything housed in the building. In the months that followed, the village relied on borrowed equipment from the county and neighboring municipalities, including the towns of Ancram and Amenia.

During one of this season’s first storms, Clark said conditions became especially challenging due to slush and freezing. “Our first storm wasn’t too crazy, but because of the slush, it gets pretty dicey having to go back and scrape,” he said.

Navigating those conditions requires coordination and trust among the crew. Olenik praised the department’s teamwork, a sentiment echoed by crew members.

Clark and Milton agreed, saying the crew regularly puts their heads together to develop a plan and respond efficiently — often before the first flake hits the ground. That planning extends beyond equipment and manpower, and deciding which roads to plow first isn’t an exact science.

Olenik said the department remains flexible and works to clear all “village-dedicated roads.” He added, “All roads are important to clear to allow emergency vehicle response for fire and EMS vehicles and school buses.”

Olenik also noted the importance of intermunicipal cooperation, saying it is reassuring to have support from the Town Highway Department when needed. He said that Bob Stevens, the town’s highway superintendent, has been a valuable resource.

When storms hit, timing is often dictated by safety rather than the clock.

“It’s really dependent upon conditions and how safe the roads are,” Clark said, noting that crews are often out in the middle of the night or early pre-dawn hours if conditions warrant it. “It’s just part of the job — it’s what we do!”

While the crew is a positive group, fueled by jokes and wisecracks, the job carries very real risks. During winter storms, workers face limited visibility, hidden road hazards, fatigue and long shifts, slippery roads and challenges of operating large and heavy equipment.

One of the most preventable hazards is other drivers on the road. The department reminds drivers to slow down, give plows space and adhere to the seasonal overnight parking ban, which allows crews to clear the roads more efficiently.

There is no fixed snowfall amount that triggers a response from the department. Olenik said they are “flexible based on staffing, storm severity, and real-time conditions.”

The highway department is made up of Jim Milton, Spencer Parks, William J. Clark, and Joe Olenik.