Millerton renews emergency declaration for burned Water Dept.

MILLERTON — A State of Emergency notice posted to the Village of Millerton website on Thursday, July 3, referenced “a fire at the Village Highway Garage” and stated, “such conditions threaten the public safety of the citizens and residents of the Village of Millerton.”

Mayor Jenn Najdek clarified that the document is in reference to the February incident and that there was no new fire — the alert was simply a renewal of a 30-day emergency declaration approved by the Village Board in March.

“One of our two village wells is still not functioning due to damage from the original fire,” Najdek explained. “Typically, we alternate both wells, and the concern is overuse on the well mechanics.” If the current well fails, the village may face the expensive and logistically challenging task of trucking in water.

She explained that declaring a State of Emergency allows the village to respond more quickly to emergency infrastructure needs, such as hiring contractors or engineers, without going through the full public bidding process. The second well is expected to be operational by the end of the month.

Mayor Najdek also reassured residents that the village’s water supply remains safe.

“We are continually monitoring and testing the water, and we have not had any issues of contamination due to the fire,” she said. The village remains in regular communication with the Dutchess County Department of Health.