Kelsey defends new Solid Waste Department

MILLBROOK — Dutchess County Legislator Michael Kelsey (District 25), whose territory includes Millbrook, Washington, Amenia, Stanford and Pleasant Valley, showed up recently, at both the town of Washington and village of Millbrook meetings, to report on the activities of the county Legislature.

Despite combining departments to save money at the end of last year, the Dutchess County Legislature has been forced by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to create a new Solid Waste Department in order to renew the operating license of the Dutchess County Resource Recovery facility in Poughkeepsie. Kelsey estimated that if the DEC shut down the plant it would cost the county an additional $2 million a month. He said he hopes the $150,000 in expenses associated with the new department can be offset by revenues associated with licensing and fines.

Pawn shops

County budget trimming last year also eliminated the consumer affairs department, so now the responsibility for regulating pawn shops has been handed over to the health department. Kelsey pointed out that this is especially important in times of escalating prices for precious metals.

Bus service

Because there is no local bus service north of Route 44 in northeast Dutchess County, the Legislature is moving to hire a mobility manager to facilitate transportation connections for senior citizens and people with disabilities. The manager will work out of the North East Community Center in Millerton.

Infirmary collapse

Kelsey commented on the demolition of the eastern wing of the old infirmary after the roof collapsed and said that “something” will be done by the county to the remaining structures this year. Although renovations were begun in 2007, the project was never completed. The most likely use would be to expand the government center, Kelsey said, which might include moving the county’s mental health department from LaGrange back to Millbrook.

Redistricting

In response to Millbrook Mayor Laura Hurley’s question about county redistricting, Kelsey explained that the Republican chairman of the Legislature, Robert Rolison, would soon appoint an advisory legislative committee to redraw the county legislative districts once 2010 census information is available. Petitions for candidates are due on Thursday, June 9, and Kelsey said he hopes the redistricting work can be completed in time for this year’s election season. What is not known at this time is whether the actual number of districts will be decreased.

Kelsey also talked about the Tick Task Force and the upcoming Thursday,  April 14, Tick Borne Disease Trivia Contest. Alliteration aside, Hurley, who has had Lyme disease three times, reminded those at the village meeting that infected ticks are a serious health issue in Dutchess County.