When the Town of Montgomery lost its police chief, so did the Village of Maybrook. Arnold “Butch” Amthor retired from his town post as of Aug. 1. His last day with the Maybrook Police Dept. is July 30.

“God speed and good luck,” Maybrook Trustee James Barnett said at Monday’s Village board meeting as the board accepted Amthor’s letter of retirement was accepted unanimously and with deep regrets.

Barnett’s thoughts were echoed by all participating in the teleconference meeting, including second-in-charge Police Sgt. Michael Maresca, Trustees Kevin Greany and Daryl Capozzoli, Village Clerk Tina Johnson and DPW Supt. Matt Thorp.

“You are always welcome back,” Deputy Mayor Robert Pritchard said as Mayor Dennis Leary added: “We appreciate everything you’ve done.”
Amthor has been named deputy Police Chief in the City of Newburgh, which he will lead with Town of Wallkill Police Lt. Robert McLymore. Newburgh currently has no chief.

Amthor came to both the Town of Montgomery and Maybrook in 2007 from his prior stint with Newburgh as deputy chief.

Amthor said he would have preferred to stay as Maybrook part-time chief, but his new duties in Newburgh will require his “full, undivided attention”.

With Maybrook chief-less come July 30, the village board went into executive session to discuss the situation. No action was taken in that session nor when the board came back into session, only to adjourn the meeting.

Grant for sewer work
In other business, the board voted unanimously to sign a contract with the Orange County Community Development Dept. to accept an $85,000 grant to finance sewer re-linings. The grant is part of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Black Grant (CDBG) program to develop viable urban communities by providing a suitable living environment, among other goals.

“This is great news,” Mayor Leahy said. “Eighty-five thousand is a lot of money.”

Maybrook DPW Supt. Matt Thorp has warned that the length of hot, dry weather could mean water restrictions, if it continues.

“With the heat and no rain run-off,” he said, “we are keeping an eye on our water levels.”

The village water supply is a series of wells. Thorp warned that Maybrook might have go to restrictions, like the Town of Wallkill, which recently issued voluntary water restrictions.

The village has received CDBG grants for sewer re-lining for several years. Village engineer Sean Hoffman said Maybrook has an “incredible track record” with the county, which has meant an increase in this latest grant. But before board authorization to sign the grant contract, authorization was also needed on two new village policies, required by new HUD regulations. Both policies — one that provides the village with an official affirmative action plan and one that outlines a more specific anti-excessive force by police — passed unanimously.

Eagle project
In lighter action, the board noted progress on his Eagle Scout project by Aidan Duran. The Scout, a member of Troop 236, had hoped to begin working on his project to paint the fire hydrants in the village by now, but Covid-19 restrictions had forced a delay. Aidan has now begun work and the board wished him great success.

The Boy Scout Troop 236 Band has seen its parade/performance schedule nearly wiped out by virus restrictions. But it has been practicing recently and hopes to perform in two events in September.
“It was a sight to see,” said Deputy Mayor Pritchard as he noted he saw the band practicing, “especially with everything going on.”

The next Village Board meeting, the only one in August, is set for the 7 p.m., Mon., Aug. 24, as another teleconference virtual meeting but that could change if virus recovery efforts permit.