Oil spill status discussed at Millbrook village meeting

MILLBROOK — Residents who attended the regular Village Board meeting on Tuesday,  May 11, and have oil tanks buried on their property should be thinking about digging up the tanks after hearing more about the oil leak from the underground Village Hall fuel tanks. The oil seepage was discovered in April of last year and news on the spill keeps getting worse and more expensive.

An update on the extent of the leakage now estimates that contaminated soil from the leaking tanks stretches from the Village Hall under the driveway and garage of the Colomello property next door. Tests are now being conducted at the DeBonis property, the next house down the block.

“Where’s the money coming from?� asked Chris Colomello about the cost of the cleanup.

Mayor Laura Hurley responded that the current estimate is now $500,000 to $600,000 for the project, including engineering consultants, soil remediation, digging and filling and restoration. She explained that the board would discuss the insurance situation and the New York State Oil Spill Fund in executive session. Hurley promised to follow up on the regular supervision of the ongoing cleanup.

The contract with the Downing family to take over the renovation of the Thorne Building from the village also appeared on the evening’s agenda. After a meeting on Wednesday, May 5, with the Downings and the trustees, there was agreement on most points for a new lease, and Wednesday, May 12, was set as the target to sign the paperwork. Mike Downing observed that his legal expenses for the lease negotiations alone are approaching $10,000.

“We are being responsible and getting it right,� observed Hurley about the complicated process of transferring construction from public to private hands.

Following that portion of the meeting, the trustees met until 11 p.m. to approve the final language for the contract; however, the Downings’ attorney, Allan Rappleeyea, requested a week’s extension until May 19 for signing.

Village departments reported on their activities including skate boarding damage at the village band shell, 63 tickets written by the village police, the eventual need to drain and recoat the village water tower and higher than budgeted mortgage and sales tax receipts. At the request of Village Attorney Rebecca Valk, the board approved a short form State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) application and issued a negative declaration on the sewer repair project (meaning there is no negative environmental impact anticipated as a result of the project). Village meeting minutes from Wednesday,  Feb. 9, through Tuesday, April 27, were presented for trustee approval; however, it was agreed that the comments of all the trustees would not be ready until the next village meeting.

A tree removal contract was approved for three large, reportedly dangerous trees at the Thorne building, the Diemond residence on Route 343 and on Upper Maple. Bob Collocola was instructed to price out the cost of removing six large stumps in the village. The emergency ambulance contract with TC Hudson Valley Ambulance was also approved.

During the opportunity for trustee comments Deputy Mayor and Trustee Stan Morse talked about the activities of the trustees outside their regular meetings, and promised to reinstitute a quarterly newsletter on the activities of village government, as well as to update the village Web site.

Hurley brought up the undocumented tradition of reimbursing village taxpayers, who lack sewer and/or village water, for periodic septic cleaning and water pump purchase. She suggested that the village policy, which covers only 15 to 30 homes, be formalized.

“The village should provide a benefit to residents who pay taxes but do not have these services,� Hurley said.

During the public comment portion of the agenda, The Millerton News asked whether a date had been set to finish the hearing on the Bennett College demolition order, which was slated to begin on Thursday, April 29. Village Attorney Valk replied that no date has yet been determined due to the complication of coordinating witnesses and schedules of the parties. In response to the paper’s question about the missing trustee on the board, Hurley said she hoped that the position would be filled by the end of June.

The next Village Board meeting will be held in conjunction with the village Planning Board on Thursday,  May 27, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall.