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

Voters approve Webutuck school budget, vehicle purchases

Voters approve Webutuck school budget, vehicle purchases

Voters also passed a resolution to purchase two new 72-passenger school buses.

Photo By Aly Morrissey

AMENIA — Webutuck Central School District voters approved a 2026-27 budget on Tuesday, May 19, that triggers the district's first property tax increase in over five years.

The approved spending plan locks in a 1.35% increase to the tax levy. Under the new rate, property taxes will sit at approximately $8.77 per $1,000 of assessed home valuation. According to Webutuck Business Administrator Robert Farrier, a homeowner with a property valued at $200,000 can expect a total school tax bill of about $2,036 for the upcoming year.

Keep ReadingShow less
school budgets

Pine Plains Central School District budget fails in vote

Pine Plains Central School District budget fails in vote

Stissing Mountain High School in Pine Plains.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

PINE PLAINS — Voters in Pine Plains rejected the school district’s proposed budget Tuesday, May 19.

While the measure achieved a majority — the final count was 458-432 in favor — it failed to reach the 60% supermajority necessary after the district’s budget pierced the state tax cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
school budgets

Voters approve Millbrook CSD budget in 391-221 vote

Voters approve Millbrook CSD budget in 391-221 vote
Administrators balanced Millbrook Central School District’s budget with staffing and program cuts after insufficient revenue and ballooning health insurance costs caused a deficit of about $1 million.
Photo By Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Central School District had its proposed budget ratified Tuesday, May 19.

Residents voted 391-221 in favor of the $37,992,751 plan. It’s a year-over-year increase of 6.57%, and the tax levy will rise at a rate of 7.02%.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Cannabis dispensary faces uncertain timeline as grower navigates OCM red tape

Cannabis dispensary faces uncertain timeline as grower navigates OCM red tape

Wassaic-based cannabis grower Douglas Broughton in his basement greenhouse at his home on Old Route 22 on Sunday, May 17.

Photo By Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — A cannabis dispensary planned for Main Street is facing lengthy delays that the Wassaic-based grower behind the project attributed to bureaucracy at the Office of Cannabis Management.

Doug Broughton, who operates a commercial cannabis farm at his home on Old Route 22 in Wassaic, plans to open a retail wing of his licensed cannabis microbusiness at 32 Main St. in downtown Millerton. Broughton first announced the plans earlier this year, targeting March and April openings that were later pushed back

Keep ReadingShow less
cannabis

Millbrook Winery plans upgrades, ends bring-your-own seating policy

Millbrook Winery plans upgrades, ends bring-your-own seating policy

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery’s winemaker Ian Bearup surveys ongoing landscaping work from the wedding loft on Monday, May 18.

Photo By Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — The owners of Millbrook Vineyards & Winery are changing how visitors may use their property, ending a longtime policy that allowed guests to bring their own food, beverages and lawn chairs onto the vineyard grounds.

The changes come as the winery introduces new seating areas, expanded food offerings and updated visitor accommodations ahead of the summer season.

Keep ReadingShow less
local business

Washington officials eye improvements to town pool

Washington officials eye improvements to town pool

The Washington town pool in the hamlet of Mabbetsville along Route 44 sits ready for the start of the 2026 season.

Photo By Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — Members of the Washington Town Board are calling for upgrades to the town’s recreation area in Mabbetsville along Route 44, saying the park’s roughly 80-year-old pool is outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain.

Former Washington Councilmember Mike Murphy presented a new report to the Town Board during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, detailing the needed updates to the park.

Keep ReadingShow less
parks and services
google preferred source

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