Residents were invited to an open house on Saturday, May 4, at the current town garage in Wassaic to view conceptual plans for a new town garage. Finance official Charlie Miller, left, and Highway Department Superintendent Megan Chamberlin were present to show visitors the challenges of the old building and describe plans for an expanded, modern facility.
WASSAIC — Residents were invited to the Town Garage on Borden Lane in Wassaic for an open house on Saturday, May 4. Doughnuts and coffee accompanied a tour of the facility to point out its worsening conditions and provide a view of conceptual plans for a new facility.
Hosting the open house were Highway Department Superintendent Megan Chamberlin and Finance Officer Charlie Miller. Conceptual drawings of the proposed new town garage facility were on display.
“We cannot stay in this building,” Miller said, citing cramped quarters and deteriorating conditions. “The equipment should not be out in the weather.”
Chamberlin recalled that she first joined the highway department in 2004, rising to the position of superintendent in 2017.
Constructed before 1955, the yellow cement block garage building measures a scant 80 by 50 feet and stands on a 2.5-acre parcel, along with a 2006 salt shed and a separate small pole barn for equipment storage. Road maintenance vehicles are larger today and the old garage does not accommodate their garaging and maintaining, evident to those attending the open house.
The Amenia Highway Department maintains the 31 miles of town roads, bridges and culverts, paving needs, tree and brush maintenance, winter plowing and sanding, and more.
A new facility is proposed to be built on five town-owned acres south of the Ten Mile River rail station next door to state DOT property. The new 16,000 square foot facility would offer a spacious garage with six double drive-through bays, a higher-capacity salt shed, fire suppression and generator.
The capital project costing an estimated $6.3 million would be funding through grants, ARPA funds, and bonding, Miller said.
For more information about the project, go to www.amenia.gov/highway.
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
January 4, 1934
‘Flood Selected For Auto Show’; Tom Flood, of the Dutchess Auto & Supply Company staff, was selected as one of the salesmen to present the new 1934 Chevrolet at the New York Automobile Show starting Saturday, Jan. 6. The salesmen for the work were selected principally on account of their past sales records.
Mr. Flood has been in New York for the past week attending a sales school to become thoroughly versed in the many changes in the new 1934 Chevrolet.
‘Central Hudson Minimum Rural Charges Made Permanent By Ruling’; According to an explanation made Tuesday at the office of the Public Service Commission, the revision of the rural extension line schedule of the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, recently approved by the commission, is a modification of the “rule for fixing the number of customers per mile of line” on which the minimum monthly charge is based. Dutchess, Greene and Ulster Counties and parts of Albany, Columbia, Putnam and Sullivan Counties will be affected by the decision.
‘Slip-Up On Boulder Dam Construction’; In the preliminary work of so huge an enterprise as the Boulder Dam, slip-ups are liable to take place at any time. These slip-ups very often impose tests on equipment which are quite beyond normal expectations. Such a slip-up befell one of the Exide batteries used on the storage battery locomotives hauling muck and rock during the construction of the diversion tunnels. In some manner, as the workmen were skidding the battery up an inclined railway, control was lost and the battery turned over and slid, upside down, into the river.
‘Telegram Merged WIth Amenia Paper’; It was announced in the last issue of the Millerton Telegram that beginning with the week it will be consolidated with the Harlem Valley Times and published on Thursday instead of Friday. The Telegram was established here November 1, 1876, and at the time of its discontinuance as an individual newspaper was in its fifty-eighth year.
January 1975
‘4-County Force Formed to Save Harlem Line’; A task force will be formed in January from the four New York State counties served by the Harlem Line of the Penn Central Railroad. The task force will concentrate in gathering data to present at hearings proposed abandonments [sic] of the branch line. The counties oppose an abandonment of the line.
‘Millerton Theatre Closes Due To Lack Of Patrons’; Lack of patronage has forced the Millerton Theatre to close its doors. Tony Bancalari, managing director of Victory Theatres, reported Monday, the day the Moviehouse closed down, that he did not really know if the theatre corporation would open the Millerton Theatre, again, but added that the company would be willing to rent it.
Last winter citizens protested the XX-rated movies that the theatre presented and demanded that the theatre corporation change its policy.
January 6, 2000
‘NE Town Board Sports New Look’; NORTH EAST - There were very few surprises during the annual organizational meeting of the Town Board last week, but a new councilman will give that body a new look.
Town Supervisor David Sherman, who appeared relaxed and confident in his role as chief executive at the start of his fourth term, welcomed Councilman David McGhee to the town council. Mr. McGhee was elected on the Republican and Good Government lines in November. Mr. Sherman and Councilman Carl Stahovec were also re-elected on the GOP ticket.
The Millerton News was once again named official newspaper.
‘To the Relief of Merchants, Two-Hour Parking May End’; MILLERTON — A truce may be declared soon in the seemingly never-ending downtown parking war which has been going on for decades.
At issue is the two-hour parking limit on Millerton’s downtown streets and the impact the parking restrictions have on local merchants. The Greater Millerton Chamber of Commerce resubmitted its June 16 letter to the Village Board, again requesting removal of the two-hour regulations and existing signs.
‘Editorial, Y2K: What Was All the Fuss About?’; A scriptwriter couldn’t have come up with a catchier theme for a blockbuster motion picture: The Millennium Bug — Will It Devour the World at Midnight?
As we know by now … the hype surrounding the change of the calendar from 1999 to 2000 lost its fizzle faster than uncorked champagne as the world watched the time change around the globe.
“I will continue the work we have been doing to ensure a sustainable future, environmentally and economically.”
— Assemblymember Didi Barrett, D-106
With the dawning of 2025, lawmakers at the county and state levels have set out their plans for the year ahead.
For Assemblymember Didi Barrett, D-106, her targets remain on area-specific needs which set Northern Dutchess apart from the downstate communities. She said the region’s challenges can be addressed, but only with a collective understanding of the particulars of her district.
“I will continue the work we have been doing to ensure a sustainable future, environmentally and economically, for our region,” Barrett said. “Affordability is top of mind … and my goal is to ensure that our region’s unique needs are being addressed when we look at statewide solutions. My district has nearly 30 municipalities — many of them rural towns and small villages — and the scale of these communities is very different from both downstate municipalities and the upstate cities.”
One of Barrett’s challenges — housing — is on the minds of many people. She supports the rights of all area residents having access to safe and affordable living spaces, but a suitable framework must also be in place. “When we look at the need for more housing, we also must look at adequate water and sewer infrastructure,” Barrett said. “But it’s often challenging for small rural towns to access state and federal funds for water and sewer infrastructure, so we must educate the state agencies.”
For the coming months, Barrett is looking at employment, education, energy and the environment — among other things — as target areas on which to focus, saying, “We must prioritize an approach that recognizes the diversity of our state, and brings the whole state along with us to reduce our carbon footprint and create good-paying green jobs.” Barrett is also grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve her constituents. “It is a joy and an honor to represent this very beautiful and historic district and the wonderful people who live here,” she said. “I’m looking forward to continuing our work together in the year ahead.”
Coming together for a common purpose is something New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey, D-41, also supports. Said Hinchey at the transition of 2024 to the New Year, “I’m reflecting on all we’ve achieved together and the work ahead. Representing the Hudson Valley and Northern Dutchess is an honor, most of all because it’s a partnership with every neighbor, every local leader and every family who calls this region home.”
Over the past year, progress has been made in areas of concerns to the district. “We made important strides in several priority areas, like enacting my bill to help EMS get paid for treating patients on scene and authorizing ambulances to give blood transfusions,” Hinchey said. “We had major wins for agriculture, too. My legislation laid the foundation to create the first-ever protections for prime agricultural land through the Office of Renewable Energy Siting, ensuring that our local farmlands are protected in an evolving landscape.”
As with Barrett, Hinchey’s focus is on remaining cognizant of evolving community needs. She explained how keeping the lines of communication open with her constituents has guided her work, saying, “I’ve met with countless neighbors and heard about what’s working, what isn’t and where we can do better. Some of our best legislative ideas have come directly from those conversations — whether improving healthcare access, expanding cell service, supporting EMS, or ensuring every family has a safe place to call home.”
For Hinchey, the transition to January is a chance to continue the work she’s started for Northern Dutchess. “A new year is always an opportunity to come together and build on the progress we’ve made with renewed energy and focus,” she said. “I’m confident that in 2025, we’ll continue to deliver practical solutions that bring positive changes to our daily lives.”
Republican County Executive Sue Serino, whose first year in office saw her undertake initiatives in transportation, veterans affairs, EMS, composting and farmland preservation, is also working on plans for the upcoming year. She is continuing her support of ThinkDifferently, an initiative focusing on individuals of varying abilities, mental health programs and the launching of the Real Time Crime Center. Continuing to partner with residents and Dutchess-based businesses and organizations is important to Serino in meeting her targets in the coming months. “I’m grateful to so many people throughout Dutchess County who have been instrumental in helping us achieve these goals in the past year,” she said. “Through their continued collaboration, and as we engage new partners in 2025, I’m certain the New Year will bring even more success stories.”
Democratic New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has many of the same priorities as Barrett, Hinchey and Serino. In a statement from her office, her spokesperson weighed in, saying, “As we look toward the New Year, Gov. Hochul is laser-focused on advancing efforts like the state’s first Inflation Refund to improve affordability and put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets … Whether increasing access to affordable housing in the region, investing in infrastructure improvements to ensure access to clean drinking water, investing in the agricultural industry, or traveling to the county to sign Melanie’s Law to better protect victims of domestic violence, Gov. Hochul is delivering for Dutchess County residents.”
MILLERTON — The past year was one of progress for Millerton with major changes over 2024 and more to come in 2025 for both the Village and the Town of North East.
One of the year’s biggest announcements was the sale of the Millerton Square Plaza to Chris and Kim Choe, owners of the Sharon Farm Market, who are poised to bring a new and much-needed supermarket to the venue.
The Village saw visible improvements over the past year with the installation of new fire hydrants and new LED streetlights, an ongoing project which is expected to wrap up in the New Year. Additionally, a county grant, the 2024 Community Development Block Grant provided the Village of Millerton with $150,000 to improve the Veteran’s Park sidewalk.
Developments in wastewater activities are expected to be forthcoming with the awarding of the $5 million-plus Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grant (IMG) to fund various projects which continuously monitor and improve local water quality.
Some affordable housing strides were made with the assistance of Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County. This past summer, the Macagnone family was approved by the organization’s board of directors for the purchase of a home on Rudd Pond Road. Construction of the house has been completed, and the family is in the process of settling into their new living space.
The year also saw developments for Millerton in other areas as well.
New EMS Contract
EMS needs were addressed over the past year with the Town of North East entering into a new three-year contract with EMS provider Northern Dutchess Paramedics. Prior to the new agreement, a five-year contract, which expires on Tuesday, Dec. 31, was in place.
This calendar year, North East spent $376,858 on EMS services, which is about 10.5% of the Town’s budget. The first negotiation with Northern Dutchess Paramedics resulted in a quote of $646,300 for its services next year, a proposed 71.5% increase.
The contract’s terms were eventually renegotiated, with the Town receiving ambulance services starting at $511,558 for 2025, $696,345 for 2026 and $746,345 for 2027.
Eddie Collins Memorial Park
The Eddie Collins Memorial Park saw many different upgrades and plans throughout the year.
The Village was granted nearly $6.4 million from the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming initiative and $500,000 from New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to help with the costs of construction of the new pool.
Phase II for the new construction of the pool within the park has been one of the biggest projects the Village has been working on.
The Village selected LaBella as the contractor for the new design, which includes a 3,600 square foot pool house and community room and a five-lane Olympic short course swimming pool. The Village is hoping to begin construction by spring 2025 and complete the project within six to eight months.
The biggest challenge for the pool project will be the septic system on the premises. A small section at the corner of Eddie Collins Memorial Park has come to the attention of the contractor as LaBella works to complete this project.
Library Budget
The NorthEast-Millerton Library Board of Trustees aimed to secure a $50,000 tax revenue increase on Election Day during this year’s budget vote.
Currently, the library receives $125,000 annually in tax revenue, the result of its last budget vote in 2007. The Town of North East has been donating an additional $50,000 every year since 2019 in support of the library’s work. Whether this annual donation will continue has yet to be decided.
According to the library’s website, the additional funds may be withdrawn, contingent on fiscal needs. The budget vote this year was implemented to secure the $50,000 for the library on an annual basis.
The library funds its services through a combination of tax revenue, donations and grants, yet the disbursement of some of these funds can be complex. Many contributions are earmarked for specific projects, and grants cannot be used for operating expenses, leaving labor costs and materials up to their tax revenue.
Highway Garage
The new highway garage was completed at the beginning of 2024, with an open house viewing for the first time in September.
The process started in 2022 when the foundation was laid. The majority of the construction took place during 2023, and the final touches and details were wrapped up at the beginning of 2024. The new garage is more than double the size of the previous space.
Comparatively, the old structure was 5,700 square feet, upgrading the current square footage to 12,720. With the extra space, more equipment can be stored and the garage has enough room for equipment to be worked on, if needed, unlike the previous garage.
The Highway Department allowed the Fire Department to use the new garage while the floors were being resurfaced at the firehouse in October. In the past, requests from the Fire Department for use of the former garage were unable to be accommodated as their vehicles were too large to fit in the previous space.
Climate Smart
Climate Smart played a crucial role in the Village of Millerton and the Town of North East this past year.
This year, the Village of Millerton joined the Town of North East in their Bronze Certification in the Climate Smart Communities program, showing the importance of keeping the Earth clean.
The certification promotes sustainability, increasing zero-emission transportation, and reducing pollution. Millerton now joins 140 other municipalities in New York State which have achieved this status.
Receiving points for tracking the Village’s energy levels for vehicles and facilities with an annual analysis to control consumption, the new sidewalks and water meters have also earned the village points toward its bronze certification.
In July, Climate Smart Community launched a new campaign to promote the use of heat pumps within the Millerton area. Heat pumps have the lowest-known emission of any heating source. They are able to heat and cool buildings more efficiently than propane, oil or other traditional systems. These pumps also do not emit carbon monoxide, which is associated with fossil fuels, making the surrounding areas healthier to the public.
“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night.”
Bette Davis
“All about Eve”
Will the environmental policies and actions of the upcoming Trump administration be a continuation of the Biden agenda? No, definitely not. Trump has made no secret of his intentions. One of his first moves would be to rescind the more than 100 environmental Executive Orders installed by President Biden (many reinstating ones originally put in place by President Obama). Next he might remove the United States from the United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 countries at the UN Climate Change Conference covering climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance.
More than two dozen agencies and other federal organizations have some role in environmental affairs. Among the major entities are the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department, the Commerce Department, the Transportation Department, the Agriculture Department, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services. Here are a few of Trump’s candidates to run these agencies.
Lee Zeldin, a former congressman from eastern Long Island is an “election denier” who refused to certify Biden’s election in 2020. He campaigned against the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the largest environmental bill ever (but since most of its funds are being spent in Republican districts, he will no longer try to block it). The League of Conservation Voters gave him a score of 13% for his voting record covering his 8 years in Congress, a terrible record for one about to lead the nation’s leading environmental agency.
Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Interior, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, a billionaire businessman is unlikely to follow the path of his predecessor Deb Haaland, known for expanding the country’s National Parks and Monuments, Burgum plans to play a key role in greatly increasing coal, oil, and gas production in public lands.
Proposed for Secretary of Transportation is former (2011-19) GOP congressman from Wisconsin, Sean Duffy. Recently he has been a host on Fox News “The Bottom Line”. He has no particular experience for the job but is a devoted Trump supporter.
Trump has chosen Chris Wright, the head of a fracking company, to be the next Energy Secretary. A vigorous enthusiast for fossil fuels, he minimized the contribution of cleaner energy. An MIT grad, he may alter his views somewhat in the future in response to scientific knowledge.
Howard Lutnick, proposed Secretary of Commerce, might become involved future plans for its subsidiary agency NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The current Republican guidebook, Project 2025, has called for it and its ancillary organization, the National Weather Service, to be dismantled. Calling NOAA “a primary component of the climate change alarm industry”, Project 2025 calls for NOAA to be downsized and the NWS to be sold to commercial interests.
Proposed Secretary of Education, Connecticut’s Linda McMahon was the chief of the Small Business Administration during the first Trump administration. Brooke Rollins, the proposed Secretary of Agriculture is a Texas attorney, active in state Republican politics, she has no prior federal government experience.
Health and Human Services proposed Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy has little to recommend him but his famous family name; he has no medical training or experience running a large organization. His attacks on various aspects of the medical profession, especially vaccines, have made him many enemies.
However, should he be confirmed, he might possibly help foster something positive; his enthusiasm for better nutrition and improved school lunches, and his condemnation of industrial agriculture would be welcomed by environmentalists as would his hostility to pesticides and other poisons so prevalent around us. Although he won’t get far inveighing against corn syrup and ethanol. The main key to success here would be keeping Trump happy.
Unless they have a major falling out, Elon Musk, Trump’s benefactor and, some say “co-president” will likely reverse Trump’s hostility to electric vehicles, a major environmental accomplishment. And who knows what else?
Trump’s appointments, especially Cabinet Secretaries, tend to have little experience directly relevant to their proposed new positions. Also, nearly all are very wealthy; several are billionaires. And (without any evidence), many are referring to Musk as “the world’s richest man”.
Trump’s victory is a massive blow to environmental progress. But even though slowing, much less halting, climate change, may be stymied for a few years there are countless other significant accomplishments that may be possible. We need to remain positive and hopeful. As Monty Python put it, “Always look on the bright side of life . . . ”
Architect and landscape designer Mac Gordon lives in Lakeville.
