Village Trustees propose change to allow county residents to sit on some committees

MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting on Tuesday, July 8, when it voted on a dozen resolutions that set the groundwork for the upcoming year.

Among those present was newly elected trustee Katie Cariello, who joined the board for the first public trustee meeting since her recent election.

As part of the annual housekeeping, several key positions were appointed or reappointed. Patti Lynch-VandeBogart was named temporary chair of the Planning Board and will serve until September 1, 2025. Village officials noted they will seek a new Planning Board Chair to fill the full term, which runs from July 2025 to June 2026.

An open seat on the Planning Board remains unfilled, though the board hopes to broaden its recruitment pool by adopting a new local law.

That proposed measure, referred to during the meeting as “Local Law X,” would allow both Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals members to live anywhere in Dutchess County — a departure from the current rule, which requires village residency. The goal, according to Village Mayor Jenn Najdek, is to attract a wider range of qualified candidates at a time when local participation has proved challenging.

A public hearing on the proposed law will be held during the trustees’ next meeting on Tuesday, July 29. Residents are encouraged to attend and offer input before the board moves forward with any vote.

Kelly Kilmer was appointed chair of the Zoning Board for the 2025–2026 term, while a five-year seat on that board remains open. Matt Hartzog was reappointed as Deputy Mayor, and Lisa Cope was reappointed as Clerk/Treasurer. Cope was also appointed as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the coming year.

Other routine resolutions included the naming of the Poughkeepsie Journal as the official village newspaper, approval of mileage and food reimbursements, and setting the schedule for monthly board meetings. Trustees also approved board member attendance at official conferences, continued authorization for certain check signers, and designated emergency interim successors: Deputy Mayor Matt Hartzog, followed by Trustee David Sherman.

Beyond the appointments and resolutions, the board noted the importance of their next meeting on July 29, which will include the village’s legal counsel and revisit ongoing discussions surrounding ICE. This upcoming session is a continuation of the previous meeting on the issue, and the board is prepared to hear directly from village residents on the matter.

Representatives from Oblong Books appeared before the board to discuss final preparations for their 50th anniversary celebration, which will take the form of an old-school block party on Saturday, August 9.

The event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South Center Street, was previously approved by the village, but the bookstore team came to provide updates on safety measures, street closures and logistics. Organizers expect a steady stream of foot traffic and will have food trucks on-site. South Center Street will be closed to vehicles for much of the day for the festivities.

Superintendent of Public Works Peter Dellaghelfa also gave a brief presentation outlining the department’s ongoing efforts to replace vehicle equipment lost in a recent fire. Dellaghelfa noted that the department needs trucks to assist with plowing, maintenance and daily operations.

The board passed a motion allowing the village to move forward with the purchase of a 2016 Dodge Ram Dump Truck, contingent on a successful inspection and a check of the truck’s emissions control system.