Millwood Matters

June 20, 2008
by Gene Nadel

+ Needs assessment report Monday, June 23
+ Town board discusses Millwood site design plan
+ Old Putnam RR line speaker at library Thursday, June 26

At last, needs assessment report for Fire District
A lively session is anticipated this coming Monday evening, June 23rd, at the Millwood Board of Fire Commissioners’ monthly meeting when JLN Associates, the independent consultants retained by the BOFC, is scheduled to present the long awaited needs assessment report. While specific details of the evening’s agenda had not yet been released at press time, it is expected that following the Consultant’s formal presentation and additional comments by the Commissioners, the floor will be opened for questions and further discussion from the public. Whether copies of the report will be available in print or on the fire district website prior to Monday’s meeting is also to be determined.
The substance of the report should provide the BOFC, as well as the public at large, with guide lines for current and future development in responding to essential firematic needs. Much interest, of course, is focused on advice with respect to the size of the District’s proposed new firehouse. While there have been various delays in reaching this stage, they will have been well justified if the consultant’s recommendations produce a viable plan acceptable to officials, the Town, the fire company and taxpayers.
We look forward to Monday’s meeting and hope for the best!

Progress on Millwood Area Plan
The Millwood site design plan was on the town board’s work session agenda this past Wednesday, June 18. The board was very interested in exploring the possibility of realigning Schuman Road, which they saw as the solution to an otherwise dangerous and confusing traffic pattern. Joanne Meder, the town’s consultant to the planning board, will seek comments from the town board, planning board and Millwood Task Force and assemble a timetable and cost estimate for the proposed work.

The board also reported in its work session that once again New York State’s Office of Real Property Services (“ORPS”) recommended denial of our segmented rate appeal.

The old Putnam Line

A reminder that this Thursday June 26th is the multi-media presentation at the Chappaqua Library by local author Joe Schiavone on “The Old Put: Gone, But Not Forgotten.” It should be an entertaining evening for rail fans, history buffs and any and all others. That’s 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, June 26th at the Library!

Gene Nadel has lived in Millwood since 1968. He is a member of the Millwood Task Force and its liaison to the New Castle Town Board.