AMENIA — A number of projects achieved forward momentum at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, August 1, whether by unanimous vote of approval or by report and discussion.
The project to construct a new town garage saw unanimous approval of a resolution to use the services of Hudson Cultural Services to complete an archeological and environmental study of the intended Lakeville Road garage site. Eight bids were received. The Town Board agreed to award the contract to Hudson Services, the lowest bidder, at $5,620.
The area to be studied measures 5 acres, but the focus will be on the area to be disturbed by the construction of the town garage and salt storage shed to determine environmental impact. The archeological phase of testing will dig test pits to determine presence of artifacts that if found, will be sent for laboratory testing and dating.
Also important to the town garage project was the opening of the six bids received from engineering firms hoping to be selected to complete the design phase. Copies of the bid packets were distributed to board members for their review and future discussion.
Beekman Park Pavilion
Architect Tracy Salladay presented her plans for renovations to improve the function of the Beekman Park Pavilion, under consideration since December 2023. Finding the present covered seating area to be adequate in size, Salladay suggested improved lighting and perhaps enclosing the seating area.
Options that would affect the cost of changes to the food preparation area are driven by whether the kitchen will prepare food on site or offer prepared foods that are pre-packaged.
To gain kitchen space, Salladay suggested closing one of the two concession windows.
The restrooms and equipment storage room would need significant changes. Plumbing does not meet current code requirements, Salladay said.
For the building’s exterior, Salladay recommended replacing the current vinyl siding on the gables with corrugated metal.
To councilwoman Rosanna Hamm’s question about who would be expected to use the renovated pavilion, Recreation Director Katie Sterk-Grassi replied that it would be used by the soccer and baseball programs, with those programs paying fees for use. She pointed out the importance to the community of vital recreation programs.
Town of Amenia Website
Summarizing responses to a recent survey he had created to measure residents’ impressions of the town’s official website, finance director Charlie Miller told the Town Board that comments have been coming in over the past two years.
There were 67 responses to the on-line questionnaire, with 45% of respondents indicating that they visit the town website at least once a week. 76% of those responding said that they use the town’s events calendar. 91% of users said that they experience difficulty in using the current site, with 50% finding it hard to navigate. 82% said that they would be likely to sign up if the town offered an alerts/announcements feature.
In general local people want an easy search function, emergency notices, and a simplified menu. Some asked for summaries of current projects and a more detailed calendar of events.
The next step, Miller said, would be for him to create a “scope of work,” an outline of the skeletal framework and then to obtain quotes from vendors.
Miller said that it will be important to select the vendor in the next 60 days before the present contract with Dutchess County, the current provider, expires.
“If we had a better website, we could reach a wider audience,” Town Supervisor Leo Blackman observed.
New Town Hall sign
Presenting a brief report on options for a new Town of Amenia Town Hall sign, Miller reviewed alternative design options for a new LED electronic sign to be placed close to Route 22 just south of the Town Hall driveway near the southern parking lot.
The sign itself with installation would be estimated to cost between $39,000 and $45,000, depending on the size variables and desired resolution. The LED electronic component would allow for messages to be posted on the sign, including upcoming meetings.
Noting that funding is already in place for the needed engineering study, Miller said that funds for the engineering aspect are already in place in the town’s engineering budget.
"They had this in mind from last year," girls varsity head coach Les Funk of Pine Plains said. Funk said the young team wanted the sectional title and "never gave up," until they won it Wednesday, March 5, at Mount Saint Mary College.Photo by Nathan Miller
Naveah Rennie, no 34 of Pine Plains, was the Bombers' dominant scorer, racking up 20 points by the end of the matchup against S.S. Seward Institute during the Section IX Class C finals at Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday, March 5.Photo by Nathan Miller
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC