On the agenda: Millerton Town Board Minutes 8-5-26 — Flock camera (Aug 5)

Town of North East
Town Board Workshop Meeting
Millerton, New York
August 5, 2026, at 5:30 P.M.
Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

SUPERVISOR KENNAN
COUNCILMAN MAYVILLE
COUNCILWOMAN MORRISON
COUNCILWOMAN WINKLER
COUNCILWOMAN COLE

HERE
HERE
HERE
HERE
HERE

Acceptance of Agenda
Motion made to accept the agenda by Councilmember Mayville and seconded by
Councilmember Morrison. Votes taken.
AYES- 5 (Kennan, Mayville, Morrison, Winkler, Cole)
NAYS- 0
Supervisor’s Comments
Respectfully paused to note the passing of two of our Town residents. Sam Busselle, who was a
constant presence at Town Board meetings, a passionate advocate of affordable housing
initiatives, co-founder of the North East Community Center, and instrumental in the start of the
Tri-Town Coalition. We are, along with the whole town, saddened as well by the accidental
death of two-year old Ollie Rhea.
The open position for Highway Superintendent has been posted online on the Town Website,
Facebook and listed on Indeed as well as at the library and on the Town Clerk’s board. The
deadline for applications is this Friday, the 7th of August.
A meeting is scheduled for our Health Insurance provider in anticipation of rising costs. It’s
important to investigate while early in the next budget season.
We have been formally notified of our recertification as a Pro-Housing Community.
The County will be starting new sidewalk installations along North Maple Avenue, from the
Route 44 traffic light to North Highland Street.
We are still looking for solutions to our EMS challenges. Empress shared a quarterly activity log
with call numbers and destinations. Since the letter to the County-911 Dispatch was sent, there
have been no dispatches outside of North East to Pine Plains.
Dutchess County transportation Council is doing a traffic count of pedestrians and bikes this year
on the Rail Trail south of Main Street. This can be helpful in terms of knowing numbers of use of
the Rail Trail and it has been suggested that they count north of Bielke road intersection.
Board Discussion
Councilmember Mayville asked about pro-rating costs back to the taxpayers if the ambulance is
out of the area and unable to provide service to the Town. Councilmember Morrison agreed.
Councilmember Winkler wondered what was meant, in the Empress activity log, by the phrase
“response arrangement without obligation.” The Supervisor offered to ask Rob Stuck, Executive
Director of Empress, and noted that our contract is to be renewed next year.
Councilmember Mayville asked for any update on the discussions with Northwell. The
Supervisor said that there was nothing concrete to update, but we now have two companies in the
area that provide EMS services. Discussion followed on the need for more EMTs and
paramedics and local school’s focus on providing more careers pathways.
Update on possible grant applications
The Climate Smart grant application for solar on the Highway Garage was too ambitious, and
due in a short period of time. There are other possibilities for grants. We might benefit from
hiring of a grant writer. Councilmember Cole brought up an alternative option to consider. A
Power Purchase Agreement requires no installation cost, and the solar array would be owned by
another company, who would be responsible for maintenance and operations. The Town would
just pay the agreed upon price for the energy.
Board approval of appointment to ZBA
The Personnel Committee reported that they interviewed a candidate for a remaining unexpired
term from today until 12/31/27 on the ZBA. Joseph Frydl seemed excited and knowledgeable
about our issues.

Town of North East
Town Board
Millerton, New York
Aug 5, 2026, at 5:30 P.M.
Motion to approve Joseph Frydl for the term that expires 12/31/27 was made by Councilmember
Mayville and seconded by Councilmember Winkler. Votes taken.
AYES- 5 (Kennan, Mayville, Morrison, Winkler, Cole)
NAYS- 0
The Town Clerk will contact Mr. Frydl and file his Oath of Office.
Discussion of new Town Hall re-design
The Supervisor and Councilmember Winkler met earlier today with some Department heads of
the Town to discuss the redesign of the new Town Hall. There were several constructive
suggestions. The next step is to work with architects and get back to the Board.
Approval of 284 Agreement with Highway Department
Joshua Schultz presented a draft 284 Agreement earlier this year. He has since been in touch
with contractors who can do the more permanent repairs. This updated contract aligns with the
lowest bidder. This Agreement asks to set aside an amount not over the sum of $100,000. For
permanent hot mix asphalt improvements on Merwin Road, commencing from Rudd Pond Road
for a distance of .7 miles, as well as on Taylor Road, between Indian Lake Road and leading to
the CT State line, for a distance of .7 miles.
A motion to accept the 284 Agreement was made by Councilmember Morrison and seconded by
Councilmember Mayville. Roll Call.
SUPERVISOR KENNAN
COUNCILMAN MAYVILLE
COUNCILWOMAN MORRISON
COUNCILWOMAN WINKLER
COUNCILWOMAN COLE

AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE
AYE

The Board signed three copies. One for the Town Clerk to file, one to send to Dutchess County
Public Works Commissioner, and one for the Highway Garage office.
Board member Comments
Councilmember Mayville discussed the mandate for Department heads to perform staff
evaluations.
He also raised the need for volunteers within our emergency and fire districts.
Councilmember Morrison asked about tax incentives as incentive for volunteer firemen and
reflection in the Budget if Town staff need training opportunities, (due to evaluations).
Councilmember Winkler asked about timeline for continuing review of Town codes with a
newly formed Zoning Review Committee.
Councilmember Cole reminded the Board of the commercial district letter written and waiting to
alert property owners to new changes in their district zoning code.
Councilmember Winkler brought up interest in regulating Flock cameras installed within the
Town.
Adjournment

Motion to adjourn was made by Councilmember Mayville and seconded by Councilmember
Morrison. Votes taken.
AYES- 5 (Kennan, Mayville, Morrison, Winkler, Cole)
NAYS- 0

The Board adjourned at 6:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/: Elizabeth Strauss, Town Clerk
For verbatim information please refer to recorded video on the Town website.
APPROVED: September 10. 2026

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