Village Board talks about water, trash and New Year’s Eve

MILLBROOK — Mayor Rodney Brown opened the regular second meeting of the month of September. The first order of business was about a retaining wall that has been up for discussion recently. The wall on Dineen Road is in need of repair. A guard rail near the retaining wall was requested to be moved several feet by property owner Dominick Molella, to make his property more accessible. That was done, but the retaining wall near the guard rail needs repair, which the board said will also likely be done. It noted, though, that the two projects are separate. 

The board then discussed the fact that due to all of the work needed over the past several years to update and secure the village’s water source, rates may have to be raised on village water and sewer usage. The board will look into the feasibility of using bond anticipation notes (BANs) or bonds to finance the work. First the mayor will check with the bank on possible plans of action.

The revisions for the sign code are in the final stages and will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting.

Also up for consideration, Trustees Mike Herzog and Kevin McGrane have been working with Village Attorney Josh Mackey in reviewing and revising the shade tree bylaws.

It was noted that since the  meeting on Sept. 10, no new  signs have been spotted. There are limitations on what may be permitted as signage, handbills and posters. The mayor said he has been in discussion with Police Officer Jared Witt about installing cameras at busy intersections in the village to record who may be posting the signs. That idea has mixed reviews from citizens. Also, churches are rallying around the anti-hate movement.

Trustee Tim Collopy talked about the dyna-filter that weighs 15 tons, and still has to be moved around after it arrives in Millbrook. The filter was purchased for the municipal water filtration system; it will be arriving from out of state. 

Collopy also said he asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) to look at the Flagler Monument and possible roundabout; the DOT wants a formal letter requesting the inspection first.

Collopy attended an active shooter seminar. He said the class was advised to run, hide then fight in an emergency. He also noted that the law is not focused on victims, but on taking down the shooter.

Trash cans on Franklin Avenue have been a cause for concern because they tend to overflow. Some people use them to throw away household trash. Collopy said he is looking into the problem. He said Arrowsmith Forge could make a lid, with an opening of six or seven inches, that locks. He added that Welsh Sanitation is agreeable to locking and unlocking the devices. The village will try the lids on two trash cans to see how they work.

Herzog took a five-session course on trees, and will also attend a course on protecting water as the Farm and Home Center.

The solar field across from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies was discussed. Although there are some plantings around the site, they do not hide the solar field from view. The board  said it will check to see what else is being done, as its approval states the field cannot be visible to passing motorists.

The street paving on Merritt Avenue near the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been completed. There is now a ramp and handicapped parking spaces there. 

The mayor announced that Millbrook will once again be hosting New Year’s Eve-Millbrook, an annual event it held for a number of years in the  past. McGrane will be in charge of coordinating the multi-faceted event.