Village trustees focus on fire aftermath

MILLERTON — Mayor Jenn Najdek updated Village trustees on Monday, Feb. 24, about the continued work by town staff and outside consultants and engineers in the aftermath of the catastrophic Feb. 3 fire at the Water Department that destroyed the building and all its contents.

The scene at the building on Route 22 remains off-limits as investigators continue work to determine the cause of the blaze that destroyed two police vehicles along with highway trucks, including plow vehicles, mowers and tools and left the building gutted.
Najdek and others at Village Hall have been meeting with insurance representatives and the mayor said the Village already has received one insurance-claim payment.

The mayor also reported that the Village and the Town of North East have been discussing a possible plan to utilize the old Town Garage on South Center Street as a semi-permanent home for the department for the next couple of years.

“We would have to likely rent it from the Town,” she said, noting that it still would be a better option than being housed in trailers. The old North East Town Garage is a 100-year old, 5,700 square foot cinder block building that was replaced by a new 12,720 square foot building on Route 22 that opened last September.

Village Police Chief Joe Olenik informed the trustees at their board meeting that the Town of Pine Plains has provided Millerton with a loaner car and that he had serviced it with new tires and brakes.

Najdek reported that town officials are pricing new vehicles for the Department of Public Works and the Police Department.
A 30-day State of Emergency that was declared following the fire was extended for another 30 days.

The building is slated for demolition once the scene is cleared.

The Board heard a report from Trustee Dave Sherman on a plan to submit an application for a Community Development Block Grant to replace sidewalks on North Center and Church Streets. The old sidewalks would be replaced to become compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Trustees unanimously voted to apply for a $199,000 grant.

Trustees also discussed the upcoming budget cycle that begins in March and typically culminates in April. They heard health insurance costs for employees are expected to increase by 8% per employee. After budget workshops are held by the Board, a public hearing would be scheduled before adopting a budget.