Speed limits drop, water bills rise in Millbrook

MILLBROOK — While the Wednesday, Jan. 10, meeting of the Millbrook Village Board did not achieve its goal of voting on a resolution on short-term rentals (STR), the trustees did pass a resolution to lower the villagewide speed limit laws to 25 mph.

The new speed limit does not apply to Franklin Avenue, which is state-owned.

“Since half of the new signs are for traffic turning from Franklin, we will await implementation until DOT [New York State Department of Transportation] responds to my request to lower the speed limit on Franklin to 25 mph, which is expected in the next few months,” Mayor Tim Collopy wrote in his monthly newsletter.

A yellow notice will be posted above signs with the new speed limit, calling attention to the change.

The trustees voted to accept a proposed $20 per water meter fixed charge to each quarterly bill in addition to the $7.50 per 1,000 gallons of water used. This additional charge is effective immediately and will show up in the January bill. This is necessary to prevent a projected shortfall in the water revenues this fiscal year.

It was also noted that the Town of Washington (TOW) will not be leasing the Guertin Gym for its recreation department, though it had done that for several years.

The lease would have covered the cost of heat, light and maintenance over the year, but TOW wanted to pay only that portion of the contract when youth basketball is in play.

The period of December through April eats up 80% of the annual heating costs, so the village would be operating at a loss. Therefore, it was decided not to continue the contract and the gym is being closed. It can be opened for groups willing to pay the operating costs.

Also, a note from Collopy stated that the need for blood donations is critical. Eligible residents are asked to consider donating blood at one of the Red Cross blood drives held throughout Dutchess County, including at the Millbrook firehouse, 20 Front St. Pre-registration is required through www.redcrossblood.org and the next drives at the Firehouse are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13, and Friday, March 1.

The next village meeting will be held Wednesday, Feb. 14, at 6 p.m. at the firehouse, at which time another public hearing will be held on local STR laws, and a vote will most likely take place at that time, 6 p.m. at the Millbrook firehouse.