Village Trustee Kevin McGrane resigns; sewer rates to increase

MILLBROOK — The regular monthly meeting of the Village Board was held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 19, at 6 p.m. due to the health crisis. Mayor Tim Collopy began the meeting with good news, stating that Millbrook resident and student James Maestri has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Millbrook Boy Scout Troop 32.

Trustee Mike Herzog introduced the Millbrook Police Reform and Modernization Plan Resolution, which the board adopted. The plan will be sent to the state comptroller in time for the April 1 deadline set by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order last year in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and resulting yearlong protests calling for social justice and police reform.

McGrane resigns

The mayor announced the resignation of Trustee Kevin McGrane. McGrane was elected to the board in 2018 and was slated to serve until Dec. 31, 2022. He has been absent due to health issues, only just recently participating at meetings. In consideration of his recuperation, McGrane plans to leave the Village Board and its numerous responsibilities, but he said he will remain active as president of the Millbrook Business Association (MBA), having been advised to take it slow. Collopy said McGrane will be sorely missed. The mayor expressed a wish to finish the budget process before searching for a new trustee to fill the position.

Village matters

The Public Employer Health Emergency Plan received board approval. It was brought about because of COVID-19 but will suffice for any future pandemic. 

The village and town sewer rates are to be increased from $7.75 per 1,000 gallons to $9 per 1,000 gallons. Customers who only have sewer service are currently charged based according to costs estimated per 5,000 gallons per quarter. Those charges will be increased to an estimated 6,300 gallons per quarter. 

The board said the village sewer plant will be the next large scale project to be improved. It reported that it has been operating in the red for at least the past year. The project will take place over the next several years; a report will be generated concerning what the exact needs are, for a cost of $5,000 to $7,000.

Several trust funds, including the Haight, the Lamont Christmas Tree and the Nine Partners Trust, which currently allow only the interest to be used, will join in a petition to the attorney general asking that the funds be allowed to be used for as close an amount in proximity to the original intent as possible. The total amount was less than $100,000. The board approved the move.

The mayor mentioned that he planned to attend the Town Board meeting held on Thursday, March 11, to learn more about the Migdale Castle project named Second Mountain by the applicant. He said his main concern is the village sewer and water facilities. 

Trustee Vickie Contino said she is researching electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in nearby municipalities, as well as possible state funding for fast charging systems. Contino is also looking into FEMA grants that could benefit the village. 

Trustee Buffy Arborgast is also looking into grants; she worked with Herzog on the police reform plan. 

The board granted permission to Town of Washington Recreation Director Chelsea Edson to hold tennis clinics at the village tennis courts this summer on weekday mornings. 

Collopy noted that any movement at the cell tower located atop the water tower will be due to T-Mobil replacing an antenna.

Budget hearing

A public hearing on the budget will be held on Wednesday, April 14, at 6 p.m.; the next regular Village Board business meeting will be on Wednesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held via Zoom; go to www.villageofmillbrookny.com, for more information.

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