government

Annual re-organizational meeting begins a new year of service for officials

Annual re-organizational meeting begins a new year of service for officials

Immediately following the swearing in of elected town officials by County Clerk Brad Kendall, left, the officlals stood for a photo on Thursday, Jan. 8. Left to right are Kendall, Highway Superintendent Megan Chamberlin, Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner, Court Judge the Hon. Chris Klingner, Deputy Town Supervisor Nicole Ahearn, Councilmember Walter Dietrich, Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm and Councilmember Vicki Doyle.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — After taking a solemn oath of office promising to serve the town and its residents lawfully and to the best of their abilities, the Town Board settled in to complete the ritual of the annual reorganizational meeting, colloquially known as a reorg, on Thursday, Jan. 8, voting on numerous resolutions to establish the town’s governance for the next year.

Administering the swearing in of officials, including the Town Board as well as Highway Superintendent Megan Chamberlin, Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner and Court Judge The Hon. Chris Klingner was County Clerk Brad Kendall.

“We need to listen,” said Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm, as she began her first term in that position, although she had served as a member of the Town Board in the previous term.

Defining her goals for the coming year, Hamm said that she intends to bring the town together, citing the success of the town-wide Harvest Festival that was held in October as a concept to be built upon.

The construction phase for the new Town Garage is expected to begin with a groundbreaking in May, Hamm said, and the sidewalk project along Route 44 is expected to be completed in spring.

Another goal, Hamm said, will be to tie up loose ends referring to numerous initiatives that are underway. And, of course, there will be the unanticipated things, she added.

Newly elected councilperson Walter Dietrich said that he completely agreed with Hamm’s stated goals.

Councilperson Vicki Doyle echoed that sentiment, saying, “I will help in any way I can to move projects forward,” and praised the work of former budget officer Charlie Miller, noting that his efforts contributed to several successful grant applications.

Doyle said that she will continue working with local groups including the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee, the Conservation Advisory Council and the Enhancement Committee.

Dietrich added his thanks to past members of the Town Board and he congratulated the newly seated board members elected by the town’s voters.

government

Latest News

'We need more daycare' — rural parents say

'We need more daycare' — rural parents say

Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago addresses the crowd at the end of a discussion on challenges facing parents and child care providers in rural northeast Dutchess County on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Drago hosted the forum to collect feedback from local stakeholders ahead of an expected $20 million in state funding to establish a universal childcare program in the county.

Photo by Nathan Miller

PINE PLAINS — Parents and child care leaders gathered Wednesday, Feb. 25, to discuss concerns about early child care access and affordability in the rural northeast corner of Dutchess County.

County legislator Chris Drago, who represents the towns of North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Milan and Red Hook, hosted the event at the Stissing Center on Church Street to seek community feedback following news about a proposed pilot program that would expand funding for child care, particularly for children under three, in Dutchess County.

Keep ReadingShow less
funding

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
the ungardener

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
our community

Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care

Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
film
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.