Amenia Economic Development Committee agrees on initial goals

Amenia Economic Development Committee agrees on initial goals
Town Hall on Route 22 in Amenia.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Two weeks after its organizational meeting, the Economic Development Committee met on Monday, Feb. 3, to discuss what would be their major goals for 2025.

Following far-reaching discussion, three priorities were identified: cell tower, shortage of parking, and farmers’ market development.

“The nice thing about a farmers’ market is it draws people from all over,” chairman Ken Topolsky said.

“How do we build community? Who and what make up the community?” were initial discussion questions posed by Topolsky.

To explore answers, Topolsky suggested meeting with the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee and collaborating in a series of meetings at various locations throughout the town to measure current demographics and gather residents’ opinions.

“No one in the town knows who we are,” Topolsky said.

Committee discussion focused on how to catalyze economic progress and the committee’s role and limitations the committee will face with fundraising efforts. To gain clarity on fundraising guidelines, the town attorney will be consulted.

Latest News

Governor Hochul implements temporary statewide burn ban

The LED sign in front of Amenia's Town Hall on Route 22 warns passing motorists of the current temporary burn ban, in effect from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15.

Photo by Nathan Miller

A statewide burn ban is in effect as of Thursday, Oct. 2, the New York State Governor's office announced in a press release.

The temporary ban is in effect until at least Oct. 15, and the statement released by the governor's office said the restrictions will be re-evaluated prior to the Oct. 15 deadline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 76 Sharon Rd., Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford’s Haunted Fortress gearing up for opening day

Volunteers were hard at work putting the finishing touches on the crucial creepy decorations for the Haunted Fortress of Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Nathan Miller

STANFORD — Greg Arent led a devoted team of volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 28, in a final push to prepare Stanford’s Haunted Fortress for opening day.

Final touches included cleaning the bottomless pit, scrubbing the pirate ship, raking the graveyard and dressing the dolls. By 2 p.m., about 20 volunteers had assembled to creepify the beloved local landmark.

Keep ReadingShow less
North East winery stalls amid zoning review

John King stands at the site of his would-be winery and event space, which has stalled amid the Town’s years-long zoning review

Photo by Aly Morrissey

NORTH EAST — For John and Kristen King, moving to the countryside and raising their children on a vineyard was the ultimate dream. But after purchasing a 36-acre property in Millerton and trying to make their vision financially sustainable, that dream now hangs in the balance amid a years-long zoning review in a town that’s prioritizing a thorough process over expedition.

One family’s vision

Keep ReadingShow less