Two debate for village trustee posts

MILLBROOK — Eighteen residents attended Monday night’s debate between two candidates running for village trustee, held on Oct. 22, at Village Hall. In total, four candidates are vying for two open seats. They are Republican Kyle Van De Water, an incumbent, Democrat Tim Collopy — both of whom debated — and Republican Cathy Doro and Democrat Kevin McGrain— who opted not to debate.

After brief one-minute introductions, the debate began. The League of Women Voters of the Mid-Hudson Region and The Millerton News cosponsored the event, which was moderated by the League’s Jolanda Jansen. The media questioner was Millerton News Millbrook reporter Judith O’Hara Balfe.

Van De Water won the coin toss, which meant he started first. He told the audience he had served for one-and-a-half years on the Village Board already, first filling an appointment and then running for an unexpired term. He called the debate “very important” and stressed it would be cordial, unlike national politics.

“My priorities,” he said, “are fixing roads in the village, I want to keep taxes down and I’m writing a new comprehensive plan for the village.”

Collopy spoke next. He said he’s lived in the village for 13 years, and was a trustee from mid-2014 to mid-2016.

“I advocate for more open communication between residents and the board,” he said, “I believe a trustee’s primary responsibility is to provide financial oversight. I think that’s lacking and I hope to address that tonight.”

Two students from Millbrook High School submitted questions, which were read by Jansen. The first related to the water district, and its warning not to drink village water after the system is flushed.

Collopy said VRI is in charge of water quality, and that the village is going through “major upgrades” to its system to provide “additional levels of protection.” But, he said, it’s expensive, between $1 million and $2 million for the entire retrofit and upgrade.

“We do need to do it,” Collopy said, adding New York state last year announced $3 million in grant dollars he hopes could allay some of the village’s costs.

Van De Water, however, said he’s somewhat wary of grants.

“Grants are good, but remember, whenever the state does grants,” the money comes from taxpayers.

They both agreed, when asked, that trash collection should remain private, unwilling to allocate village money to the expense.

Van De Water praised the village police, fire and highway departments as did Collopy, who said that with aging demographics the village is quickly “losing volunteers” who man some services, like EMS (Emergency Medical Services). Ambulance coverage is a key issue in Millbrook.

The Democratic candidate suggested Millbrook work with other municipalities to share services and costs for EMS coverage.

A question from the audience had to do with the comprehensive plan, which is in the midst of an update. Van De Water chairs that committee.

“The comprehensive plan is absolutely necessary,” he said. He responded to the question by saying that he’s not planning on getting the county’s approval, though he is hoping to make use of its resources.

Collopy said he’s “not too excited about the comprehensive plan.” The last one, he said, was in 1987, which he said quickly became outdated and irrelevant. “I don’t know what the benefit is.”

As far as the effort to increase tourism, Van De Water suggested making the village less restrictive so as to invite more businesses in the village center. He said some laws are “antiquated” and make it “very difficult for businesses to open here.” One example was parking restrictions.

“They have to go through an appeals process to get approved, and it takes time and money and discourages business,” he said.

Both men said the bed and breakfasts in town are well run and help with tourism. Neither was in favor of boutique hotels, which were suggested at a recent Dutchess County Tourism meeting.

Regarding improved communication with residents, both candidates praised the village website.

“It’s a good tool,” said Collopy, “for getting information out to people.”

Van De Water mentioned the village app and public access Channel 22. He said he’d “love to have Village Board meetings televised, however we can’t find a volunteer” to run the camera.

When asked about the incident in which gay pride flags were torn down from village businesses, both said they didn’t think that act was indicative of the village being a closed community.

“It does not reflect the village,” said Van De Water. “I believe the people of this community are very open-minded.”

Asked to prioritize the village’s top three issues, Collopy said replacing the trash cans in the village, enhancing police enforcement and mandating alternate side of street parking at community events. Van De Water said paving the village roads, keeping taxes to a minimum and completing the comprehensive plan.

Bennett College was addressed. Collopy said he’s not satisfied with how it’s been handled, calling it an “eyesore” and saying he was frustrated with how long it’s taking for the Thorne LLC to complete plans to update the property.

“Four-and-a-half years later we have an eyesore with barb wire and no one knows the plan,” he said. “Sure, we can take legal action, but I think we need to [think of how much] the Thornes contribute because they’ve done so much for the community.”

He suggested a representative from Thorne LLC attend monthly Village Board meetings. He also said he’s “only interested in the destruction of the building.”

Van De Water said “it’s going to be beautiful when it does happen.” He said he can envision a trail between the Thorne Building and Bennett that attracts residents and visitors alike. He added he was “very happy those taxes were paid” on the property.

They also addressed the Thorne Building. Van De Water said it’s “integral and so important to the community,” and was part of why the village incorporated originally.

Collopy, however, said upgrades to the building will cost an estimated $10 million, furnishing the building another $1 million and operating expenses are “undetermined.

“The village can’t afford” getting it up to code and then committing to it in perpetuity, he added. He recommended giving the Thorne LLC a limited time frame, and if it can’t get the project completed, to tear it down and make a park.

Van De Water’s message to voters: he doesn’t want to grow government, and with it, taxes.

Collopy’s message: it takes an experienced person to provide financial oversight in running the village.

Both men are hoping their messages will translate to votes on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

The debate is running on Channel 22. It can also be viewed online, at www.villageofmillbrookny.com. Spectrum Channel 6 also televised the debate.