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NEW CASTLE, N.Y. -- The Millwood Task Force met Thursday evening at the Millwood Firehouse #2 on Route 134, to discuss many different issues concerning the Hamlet of Millwood. Agenda items included the safety of the roads, the use of the former Millwood Swim Club property, planning for downtown Millwood, and a new usage of the Amsterdam Carriage House.
Myra Alfreds, of Glenwood Road, brought up the issue of condition and safety on the town roads.
This is has been issue on the minds of those who live in Millwood for an awfully long time, Alfreds said. There have been two serious incidents in the Town of Millwood since Ive lived here. Its not safe to walk down Route 100, which is in essence the only street into Millwood.
Barbara Gerrard, New Castle supervisor, was in attendance and responded that Rt. 100 is a state road and the issue of safety has been a recurring issue with the New York State Department of Transportation.
"We have from time to time gotten on their case and were certainly willing to lobby on your behalf, Gerrard said. We have worked with [Assemblyman] Bob Castelli and [State Senator] Suzi Oppenheimer on getting Rt. 133, Rt. 134 and Rt. 117 repaved. Weve tried desperately but they too are hit with the state has no money.'
The task force also discussed the Millwood Swim Club property, which has lay dormant for two years. It has become an unsafe place for nearby residents, according to Millwood's Aditti and Raj Datta, while the water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the plants have become overgrown, making the area an eyesore.
The property, which is owned by private families, has approached the Town of New Castle asking if they can create a connection there for neighborhood residents to the walking trail network.
We suggested we get the county involved because the trail network is owned by the county, Gerrard said. Wed be willing to take legacy money if the county would do some really nice refurbishing of the area. Its still a work in progress but thats what were trying to accomplish.
According to the task force, the Millwood downtown area is in planning to be cleaned up and revitalized, adding new sidewalks and improving crosswalks to make the area more accessible. Signage will be added as well to indicate an entrance to Millwood.
The task force also addressed a new usage for the Amsterdam Carriage House as a storage unit for town items, such as archived files that are currently located at a water pump station on Bedford Road and for the parks and recreation machines that are used to maintain the Amsterdam Park.
The Amsterdam project is at an estimated cost of $140,000, said Gerrard. We already did the asbestos removal and that was a big part of it. In addition, it was announced that the outside of the building will be restored and preserved to its original condition.
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