Background:
Several members of the CFC though that it would be useful to meet with Mayor Don Briggs, Millbrook’s mayor to discuss issues that involve the schools and the village of Millbrook.  The following is a summary of the discussion.  The meeting took place on May 15, 2003 in the Village Hall.  Attendees were Mayor Don Briggs; CFC members Jerry Baker, Scott Meyers, Bill Mihans, Catherine Trott, James Tyger, and Joan Welling.
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The Millbrook Central School District is an overlapping tax district with the Village of Millbrook.  In addition, the District uses a portion of the two buildings owned by the Village.  The meeting was held to understand the Mayor’s vision for these buildings, gain any historical insight into the School District facilities (Mayor Briggs served on the School Board in the l980’s and l990’s) and to develop awareness of future plans that the Village might have that would impact the School District.  The following summarizes our discussions:

• The vision for the Thorne Building is for it to be a multi-cultural center, which is self supporting.  A foundation for the Thorne Building is anticipated.  The School District could continue to lease space at the Thorne as they currently do.  The District pays $14,000 for the 2,050 square foot of administrative space.

• The Millbrook Free Library is considering forming a special tax district, which would encompass the Town of Washington.  Apparently their finances have been impacted by the poor investment climate.  If it occurs, this will add another entity looking for funding from property taxes.

• The Mayor had spoken with Michael Mahoney about partnering on developing a second road into the high school from Church Street and seeking grant money.  He feels a second entrance to the school is necessary for safety, considering that currently there are 1,000 people at the end of a dead end road.
 

• There is no desire to sell the Village Hall back to the School District.  However, the gym is available to children of the School District into perpetuity.  In addition, the Village/Town Recreation Department is renovating the bowling alley in the basement.  Possibly this too could be used by Millbrook Central School students.

• Mayor’s recollections of history of School District facilities:  1) there is a spring running under the high school gym which results in the warping of the floor 2) historically looked into a second floor at the high school and the architect at the time said it did not make much sense 3) the track, built by volunteers, is too short.

• The Mayor’s view on additions to the School District was that the community would support strategic additions.

• Water pressure at Alden and sidewalks are the School District’s responsibility.  The Village property ends at Alden Acres, anything after that is School District property and is the responsibility of the District.

• Brief discussion about the vacant science building at Bennett and whether it would be worth considering for the School District.  It has been vacant for 30 years.