Memories on Main Street
Photo by Kaitlin Lyle
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MILLBROOK — A high volume of stormwater is flowing into the village wastewater treatment plant, a village-wide problem described in a recent announcement from the office of Mayor Peter Doro.
The overflow problem has been ongoing and has now reached a point where a solution is needed. The stormwater must be eliminated from the inflow as the wastewater system cannot handle it, and the practice does not conform to current state regulations.
The village’s wastewater operator, VRI, has been measuring and documenting the problem. When the weather is dry, they report that the wastewater treatment plant can handle what comes its way. But, when it rains, inflow often exceeds operating capacity.
The suspected source of the stormwater flow may be found in sump pumps and downspouts discharging into the sewer system.
The mayor’s announcement urges that anyone with a sump pump or downspout connected to the sewer line, or if anyone does not know, simply contact Village Hall and make an appointment for a free inspection. There will be no penalty and village officials will work with the resident to find a solution.
On the other hand, if a resident or business ignores the situation, the village will need to bear the expense of study and investigation to find the offending sump pumps and downspouts. Penalty will be levied and the person responsible will bear the expense of the systems being disconnected.
The mayor’s announcement invites cooperation in resolving this issue.
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The Amenia Zoning Board of Appeals is expected to vote on Nov. 3 on a resolution allowing area variances for duplexes that were recently constructed at 8 and 14 Powder House Road.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — A handful of residents offered comments during public hearings on lot size variances for two Powder House Road duplex rental properties at the Monday, Oct. 6, meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Representing the applicants for the two properties at 8 and 14 Powder House Road was Joshua Mackey of Mackey Butts and Whalen LLP of Millbrook.
A previous application that had described multi-family units was withdrawn in August by the applicants who downsized the number of units to two-family duplexes, each with two bedrooms, being built on the two lots, one on each lot.
Building official Mike Segelken reported that both lots have town water and health department approval for their septic systems.
Comments from neighboring residents centered on concerns about dense housing affecting the community and the neighborhood. Parking plans were also of concern, residents noting the proximity of the buildings to the road and seeking assurance that tenant parking will not be allowed between the buildings and the road.
Discussion ensued about confusion over interpretation of existing code regulations.
After the close of the two hearings, the ZBA discussed the residents’ comments and their own views of the applications.
ZBA attorney Robert Stout agreed to draft resolutions for each of the two lots to be voted on at the next ZBA meeting scheduled for Monday, Nov. 3.
“It’s pretty straightforward,” said ZBA member James Wright. “They’ve done all that they needed to do. They had building permits.” Wright spoke of the local shortage of rental units.
“Codes are open to interpretation,” Segelken said. “The code needs to be updated.”
“It’s difficult when it’s not clear,” ZBA chairman Terry Metcalfe agreed in regard to the code.
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Local author pens crime thriller
Oct 15, 2025
Photo by Leila Hawken
Acclaimed local author Terrence McCauley presented a book talk at the Amenia Free Library on Wednesday, Oct. 8. He spoke about the research and writing of his latest work, “The Twilight Town: A Dallas ’63 Novel.”
MILLERTON — Village residents with questions about their water bills, meters or usage are invited to attend a help session with Trustee Katie Cariello, Village Clerk Lisa Cope and Deputy Clerk Emerald Havelin on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex. The event offers residents a chance to get answers and assistance in person.
Cariello said the idea for the session grew out of a recent Village Board meeting. “We had discussed the new online payment system, and I thought it would be great to celebrate this new process by helping residents learn how to pay their bills online — and to simply get to know one another,” she said.
She added that the library was “very kind to offer the space,” noting that it already serves as a central gathering place for the community.
Cariello said she’s looking forward to meeting residents face-to-face. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with our neighbors and make sure everyone feels comfortable navigating the new system.”
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