By David Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh village officials have received a strong direction on which ways to seek grants for improvements.
The village placed 500 questionnaires in the February water and sewer bill and received 43 back. While that may not sound like a great return, the 7.8 percent return rate is more than twice the national direct mail response of three percent, Mayor Tim Knight told village board members last week. He noted that three of these surveys were left blank but their comments were incorporated in the needs and projects section of the report. With the surveys, officials sought input on what priorities residents suggested for the village in the future. Village officials hope to use some of the information to apply for state and federal grants for much needed updates and advancements that the village may not be able to afford without outside funding.
The Mayor noted that the surveys included a list of 14 specific projects. Some residents checked off all 14 while others marked on off only one or two.
Of the 14 projects, improving the village pool came in first with 222 responses or 55 percent of the responses received. Mayor Knight noted that the village is already moving the updating of the pool.
Coming in second was extending the sewer lines with 19 responses or 47.5 percent of the responses. Third and fourth were: replacing residential sidewalks and improving village parking, both with 15 responses or 37.5 percent. Mayor Knight noted that the village continues to replace sidewalks and the village will be adding parking when the village takes ownership of the "chalet" building on Railroad Avenue and transforms the property into a parking lot.
Residents also cited the following projects:
* Replacing Main Street sidewalks, 12 responses or 30 percent.
* Making the village hall accessible, 12 responses, or 30 percent.
* Improving Main Street crosswalk, 12 responses or 30 percent.
* Reducing speed limits, 10 responses or 25 percent.
* Installing more crosswalks, nine responses or 22.5 percent.
* Planting more trees, nine responses or 22.5 percent.
* Building a new firehouse, eight responses or 20 percent.
* Replacing Railroad Avenue sidewalks, seven responses or 17.5 percent.
* Improving public parks, six responses or 15 percent.
* Building a new DPW facility, five responses or 12.5 percent.
Residents also suggested the following projects for the village:
* Install more handicapped accessible parking.
* Greater speed enforcement.
* Install more basketball courts.
* No multi-family units.
* Street repairs.
* Invest in water infrastructure.
. DPW head Cole Keyser, noting the number of water main leaks repaired by the village this winter, said this needs to be addressed and should be a high priority. The village is getting close to where the leaks cannot be fixed.
* Offer garbage pick-up.
* Develop a village vision.
* Appoint a village constable.
* Extend the Clauverwie sidewalks to Indian Acres. Mayor Knight said that this has been looked into.
* Repair the Clauverwie sidewalks.
* Remove the parking meters.
* More benches on Main Street.
* A stop light at Clauverwie and Main Street.
* Turn the Depot into a music venue.
* Buy a street cleaning machine.
* Reduce water and sewer costs.
* Repair the Straub Lane bridge.
* Extend the sidewalks on Maple Avenue.
* Extend the sidewalks on Scribner Avenue.
* Replace the sidewalks on Scribner.
* Improve streetlights.
* Advertise village events.
* Improve water drainage.
* Plant more flowers.
* Increase village taxes.
* Traffic control for events.
In addition, residents, property owners, and business owners were asked to serve on a village grants committee, which will be appointed by the village board in April.
Volunteers include: Karen Brathauer, Patty Paser, Nathan Searles, James Snyder, David Avitabile, Candy Reynolds-Cummings, Susan London, and Sara Masterson.
The committee will probably meet two or three times, Mayor Knight said.
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