M'burgh Survey Asks Residents About the Village of the Future

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - A survey in this quarter's water and sewer bills, asks Middleburgh residents what they want to see in the "village of the future."

The information gathered from the one-page questionnaire will help village officials pursue grant funding for needed improvements and additions in the village.

Questions include:

* How many years have you lived in the Village of Middleburgh?

* What street do you live on?

* What do you like most about the Village of Middleburgh?

* What are the Village of Middleburgh's greatest needs?

* Which of the following projects would you like the village to work on (check all that apply)? Replacing Main Street sidewalks. Replacing Railroad Avenue sidewalks. Extending municipal sewer lines. Building a new public works facility. Installing more crosswalks on Main Street. Making the village hall handicap accessible. Improving village parking (off-street). Planting more trees in public spaces. Improving public parks. Improving Main Street crosswalks. Replacing residential sidewalks. Improving village pool and facility. Building a new firehouse. Reducing residential speed limits.

The questionnaire is anonymous but does include a section to fill out if you are interested the joining a Village Grants Committee.

The completed surveys can be mailed to: the Village of Middleburgh, P.O. Box 789, Middleburgh, NY, 12122.

Mayor Tim Knight said the survey is being sent out "so that we can identify what you prioritize for the next five to 10 years as projects we should work towards.

The grants committee would include village board members, small business owners, and village residents.

Mayor Knights said, "I am looking forward to reading all of your responses in the coming weeks" and also thanked residents who completed the survey.

Village officials are seeking funding for sewer extension, Main Street improvements, and other projects but the village cannot afford them without outside funding. The village grants committee will also work with the county, SEEC, and a group from the Mohawk Valley.

The village needs to look for grants with small match or no-match amounts.

The survey is on the back of the Village of Middleburgh Winter Newsletter in the quarterly water and sewer bill mailed out this week.