MONTICELLO — At the previous Village Board meeting last month, Trustee John Barbarite renounced RUPCO’s 2025 Main Street application. He acknowledged that while this statement had some errors, he remains true to his rejection for resolution.

The Democrat previously reported that this proposed resolution would have authorized a letter backing RUPCO’s effort to obtain a $500,000 grant for a project that would include the addition of 12 residential apartments on Broadway.

Taking the opportunity to “correct the record”, Barbarite explained that his original statement about the Site Plan Review Process had allowed the project to proceed despite clear and direct non-compliance with municipal code provisions.

“That assertion was incorrect. My understanding at the time was based on information provided to me by the Village,” stated Barbarite. “It has since been clarified that no application for this project was ever received or approved by either the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Appeals. Attorney Richard Baum has confirmed that neither Board have reviewed or acted upon the application for this project.”

While he acknowledged and regretted the inaccuracies in his statement he stressed that his position on the matter remained unchanged [he is opposed to a resolution supporting additional grant funding for the project].

Monticello vices down on violations

The Village of Monticello is continuing to observe a concerning increase in traffic violations across the Village, according to Trustee Barbarite.

These violations include drivers exceeding posted speed limits, failing to yield to pedestrians, ignoring stop and yield signs and making improper right turns on red, whilst not coming to a complete stop.

“In light of these issues and out of concern for public safety, the Village Board has directed the Chief of Police of the Monticello Police Department (David Lindsay) to increase enforcement of traffic regulations,” said Barbarite.

The Board is also strongly reminding pedestrians to use sidewalks where available and to avoid walking in the roadway. On the flip side of the coin, bicycles and motorized vehicles (like lawnmowers), were stated to be “strictly prohibited” on sidewalks.

The Village is also implementing traffic calming measures to address speeding. Speed bumps are being installed to reduce average vehicle speeds, reduce cut-through traffic, and to create safer and wider streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and residents.

“These features act as a visible and tactful reminder to drivers to slow down and stay alert. Particularly in areas with children, elderly, and heavy foot traffic,” noted Barbarite.

Village Attorney
Michael Sussman added that there have been a significant increase in the number of citations issued to motorists in the last six months in the Village.

“An alarming number of those have involved individuals who are driving at ridiculous speeds on Village roadways,” noted Sussman. “[There is also] an alarming number linked to individuals who are with children not in seatbelts. Not sure who is going to be prosecuting these cases going forward but to the extent that this office has prosecuted them, I have very little sympathy for individuals engaging in those practices.”

Sussman also noted his reluctance to offer reductions to individuals engaging in such behavior. He also highlighted neighboring communities south and east of Monticello in which children are “killed on a week-to-week basis almost” in accidents caused by “terrible negligence”.

“We don’t want to have repetition of that here,” Sussman stressed.