MBA trades updates on plans, activities

MILLERTON — Now that fall is in full swing, the Millerton Business Alliance (MBA) is bracing itself for this year’s Fall for Art festival, and sharing updates on upcoming village projects and plans. It met on Thursday, Oct. 3, to do so.

Townscape President Jeanne Vanecko reported that the village is in pretty good shape for Fall for Art. She added that James Hendrick, the owner of the former Saperstein’s building at 41 Main Street, said artists could show their work on one of the walls inside the building. Meanwhile, North East Community Center (NECC) Executive Director Christine Sergeant distributed information about the Hispanic Heritage Festival that will take place on South Center Street from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, the same day as Fall for Art.

Vanecko reported that Christmas decorations are expected to go up in the village on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and she reminded MBA members that a lot of work goes into this tradition, including laying out the lights, testing them and replacing faulty ones. Cathy Fenn suggested getting a couple of volunteers together to test the lights, perhaps one or two volunteers from NECC.

As an update on sidewalk regulations in the village, Bob Murphy said the MBA asked the village for a clear understanding of what merchants’ responsibilities are when opening a new business, particularly in terms of permits and building inspections. Among some of the regulations he’s uncovered, he said he learned that the first 5 feet of sidewalk in front of businesses must be maintained, open and passable at all times — the property owner’s responsibility. In terms of snow removal, Murphy said he sent a letter to the village to ask what can be expected from the village and what is expected from village merchants.

Presenting an update on Eddie Collins Memorial Field, Vanecko said a two-by-two model of the redesigned park was created and the Eddie Collins Memorial Field Revitalization Committee has been hosting informal presentations to give the public a glimpse of what’s to come. The first took place on Wednesday, Oct. 9; the second is on Sunday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex, at 28 Century Blvd. Additionally, Vanecko said a brochure was made with information about the project as well as a list of the top 10 questions related to it.

Visiting from McEnroe Organic Farm, Education Manager Alison Elliott talked about a project currently in the works to introduce recycling and composting in the village, which will include looking into a three-bin system for compost waste, recycling waste and landfill waste. The system will also have educational materials available to keep people informed as to which specific items can be placed in each bin.