By David Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH - After some research, Middleburgh village officials have decided to retain the ownership of Van Dyke alleyway and have also agreed to pave it next year.
Mayor Tim Knight announced the decision on Monday night. "After doing some research into the property and state law, Attorney (Fred) Mauhs and ZBA Chairman (John) Wingfield) and I came to the determination that 1. Yes, it is village-owned property, and 2. It would be cheaper to pave the alleyway than go through a legal proceeding in an attempt to abandon it." Last month, Rich and Heather Vilegi, owners of Middleburgh Hardware, which is next to the alleyway, said they wanted to take ownership of the property.
Mayor Knight said he spoke to the Vilegis and they "have offered to peel back the existing alleyway by six inches and to smooth it out for now and the village is going to get quotes to pave it next year."
In July 2019, the village agreed to "bare minimum maintenance" on the alley between the hardware store and Cullen's bakery. The Vilegis attended the August 4 village board meeting and gave their reasons for assuming full ownership of the alleyway.
Mr. Vilegi said his parents, the prior owners of the hardware store, and he and his wife, have plowed and filled potholes as well as they could. Mr. Vilegi called it a "pothole heaven."
DPW streets superintendent Cole Keyser said it is difficult to get the village truck in the alleyway to do any work.
Mr. Wingfield said the land has to be abandoned in order for the village to allow ownership and a public hearing would be needed before any action could be taken.
Mr. Mauhs suggested studying the issue before taking any action and a meeting was held earlier this month.
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