Millerton Police: Bates calls for discussion on closing department

 MILLERTON — Should the village keep its police department or should it dissolve it? That was the question posed by Village Trustee Christine Bates at last week’s Village Board meeting, held on Monday, April 11.

Bates presented a written statement to be entered into the minutes during the public hearing on the budget. Her concern is whether the village should include the $100,000 expense of funding the police department in its 2017-18 budget. Trustee Debbie Middlebrook and Mayor Marty Markonic both said they didn’t feel the statement should be entered into the record at that time, in that manner, so Bates read her statement aloud into the minutes instead.

“Residents need to be involved in a public discussion of whether or not our village should continue to spend over $100,000 yearly on a part-time village police department — over 17 percent of our total expenditures this year,” she said. “Voters should consider whether this money might be better spent reducing village taxes or improving our village infrastructure — sidewalk replacement, road repairs, basketball courts and playground at Eddie Collins Field, restoring our Village Hall, a new swimming pool, lighting.”

The discussion that ensued questioned whether the expense of the police department could be blamed entirely for the spike in the village’s budget.

“I don’t think it’s the police that’s called for the budget to go up,” Middlebrook said. She cited health insurance as a primary reason.

“There are many reasons,” said Bates. “We have to think of ways to cut back services, which is what we’ve been doing. This year we survived because we sold some land. Last year we kept taxes low because we closed the pool. We’re kind of running out of options.”

“At some point in time, taxes may actually have to go up, because I think people expect a certain level of services in a community,” said Middlebrook.  

“I agree,” said Bates. “I think there needs to be a discussion about taxes and expenditures.

“As the year proceeds, we’ll have a  better handle on what our expenses will be next year,” she added. “I don’t think any one of us want to raise taxes.”

 “I don’t think anyone wants to raise taxes, but sometimes you have to. You can’t have public services without paying for them.” Middlebrook said, voicing her concern about a village without its own police force. “How do you propose to maintain the safety and security of village residents if we do away with this? That’s something that has to be brought up.”

 Bates said that’s why the public must get involved, and let the board know its feelings on the matter.

 When asked if she’s trying to call a referendum, Bates said “no.” She said she just wants a discussion about the police force before next year’s budget is drafted.

 According to Bates, Copake eliminated its police department three years ago, with few repercussions. She said Millbrook has also “drastically lowered” its police coverage.

 “That’s another alternative,” she said, adding it would cut rising costs — costs she said the town doesn’t adequately cover.

 Currently, the town of North East pays the village $22,500 yearly for police coverage. 

 “I don’t know that the town needs to give us more money,” said Middlebrook. “We looked at it and they’re paying a fair and equitable portion.”

 “It’s close,” added Markonic. “I think they should be paying around $26,000.”

 He continued that dissolving the police department might not be the best solution.

 “I’m all for cutting services that are not necessary — I think we did that in the beginning, with the water department, for example. But if we cut the police department, we would have to subsidize it with something else — it would end up being the county — and we would get less service for more money.

 “I just think that you’re so against the police department since this DWI thing, and that  should be brought into the conversation,” he added, referencing recent complaints against the police department for being too aggressive in handling DWI cases. “You have never said anything bad about the police department before.”

 “No, I have actually,” responded Bates.

 “Christine has made her statement,” said Trustee Stephen Waite. “I think it’s reasonable to look at everything.”

 “It’s reasonable to look at getting rid of the fire company, too,” said the mayor. “We have Sharon, Copake, Amenia, Pine Plains. It takes them 10 to 15 minutes to get here instead of five. It’s the same with the police. If there’s an emergency, what is so different about the police?”

 “It could be argued the same way,” agreed Middlebrook.

 “It’s a discussion we need to have,” reiterated Bates.