Millerton, North East to explore shared public works services

MILLERTON — Village trustees are expected to begin talks with Town of North East officials about sharing highway department and public works services.

Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek reported to trustees during their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 28, that she had discussed the idea earlier that day with town officials and Dutchess County Commissioner of Public Works Bob Balkind. The conversation centered around the town’s impending search for a new Highway Superintendent after the sudden passing of Bob Stevens in March after 28 years in the role.

Najdek said part of that conversation had to do with the potential to share some highway services between the town and the village, saying both municipalities are in a place to think about doing things differently while key roles remain officially vacant.

“This is really the first step in figuring out how we move forward,” Najdek said. “I think both the village and the town are in a position right now to do something maybe a little different.”

Village trustees appointed Police Chief Joe Olenik to head up the village’s Department of Public Works in September 2025 on an interim basis after Peter Dellaghelfa resigned from the role. Olenik has been leading both the public works department and the police department since.

Najdek said officials are not considering a complete merger of the departments, but merely seeking to explore how some services can be shared to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Balkind has offered to assist the town and the village in these discussions, Najdek said.

A date has not yet been set for the joint workshop meeting of the village and town boards, but officials expect the talks to begin in the coming weeks.

Trustees finished the April 28 meeting by voting to hire James Horton as a laborer for the village Department of Public Works.

Earlier in the meeting, trustees approved a temporary suspension of Millerton’s alcohol open container ban within Eddie Collins Memorial Park during the planned 175th anniversary celebration.

Additionally, trustees unanimously approved a resolution that would allow sales and consumption of alcoholic beverages during village-sponsored events within Eddie Collins Memorial Park from July 9 to July 19. Najdek explained the resolution would allow vendors to more easily obtain one-day alcohol sales permits from the state for the event.

Officials said alcohol sales and consumption will be limited to a cordoned area of the park and outside beverages will be prohibited. Hard liquor will not be sold, Najdek said. Vendors, including Roe-Jan Brewing and Willa, will be selling canned beer, ciders and seltzers at the park during the planned celebration.

Following that approval, trustees approved the use of a $4,000 anonymous donation to help fund the 175th anniversary celebration.

The Village of Millerton’s 175th anniversary party will be a 10-day celebration of the anniversary of the arrival of the New York & Harlem Railroad in 1851.