Millwood Matters

Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard and Steve Mantero at ribbon cutting ceremony
May 9, 2008
by Gene Nadel

Final Needs Asessment Report on Hot Topic

Anticipation runs high among residents of the Millwood Fire District community as independent, outside Fire Consultant John Nickerson of JLN Associates prepares to present his long awaited “Needs Assessment Study” report to the public at the next meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday night, May 19th.

The meeting, which is expected to draw a significant attendance, will take place in the Assembly Room at New Castle Town Hall.
In addition to covering long range future needs of the District, the study is expected to provide anxiously awaited comments on current needs including recommendations regarding construction of a proposed new Fire Station #1 in the center of Millwood.

As quoted from the BOFC website, “After a 12-year search, the Millwood Fire District acquired a 9-acre property 700 feet east of Station #1 in downtown Millwood in 2007. This property, called Realis,” is the preferred location for a much needed new firehouse. The District’s current plan, approved 4-1 by the 2007 Board of Fire Commissioners, calls for a 19,900 square foot firehouse with six truck bays. The size and other features may change pending the results of ...” the study referred to above.

Over the past weeks, Mr. Nickerson and his associates have been diligently gathering pertinent facts and information regarding the fire district, and have been meeting with various Town, Fire District, and Fire Company officials as well as other interested individuals and groups. A detailed 22 page questionnaire was distributed to the public and made available on the BOFC website indicating the scope of the consultant’s review and soliciting comments from concerned parties.

After receiving the consultant’s report, as well as measuring public reaction, the BOFC will consider the recommendations, whatever they may be. With respect specifically to the new firehouse plans—whether as presently proposed or in some revised form—must still pass through additional procedural requirements including, among others, review and approval by the New Castle Planning Board.

This column welcomes constructive comments from the public.

New Shopping in Millwood

Recent days have seen a spurt in new retail activity in the Millwood hamlet. Last Saturday, New Castle Town Supervisor Barbara Gerrard literally “cut the ribbon” marking the recent opening of two new stores in the Millwood Town Plaza (the Spaccarelli Shopping Center across from Rocky’s and Millwood Hardware).

Matero, a fine jewelry and design firm operated by owners Steve and Sue Matero, has moved to Millwood after 13 successful years in Katonah. In addition to featuring opportunities for original design ideas, Matero offers an impressive array of fine jewelry items. It also provides skilled repair services for all types of related products.

Loungerie, a well-stocked vendor of women’s intimate apparel, is an 18 year veteran of Millwood retailing, having moved from its prior location over by Firehouse #1. Owner Carol Piedmont, who looks forward to continuing her relationships with former customers, is particularly pleased with the spacious feeling of her new quarters and the fact that the new store offers wheelchair accessibility for customer convenience.

The Dry Cleaning establishment in the Town Plaza grouping has also recently changed hands. Evergreen Cleaners, the new operators, have announced extended hours and, according to manager/owner Danny Sohn, will be offering pick up and delivery services.

The opening of HOOPS, a sports equipment supplier, in a portion of the space previously occupied by the motorcycle shop on Routes 100/133 (opposite Millwood Lumber) was recently noted in this column and efforts apparently continue to fill the balance of that space.

Local children, and some parents as well, still remain hopeful that (by some miracle, perhaps) before summer rolls around some type of ice cream shoppe might appear in the old Millwood Rairoad Station.

But better not count on that one.