Amenia discusses "opting-in" on cannabis dispensaries
Town Board continues discussion of of state regulations
Town Board continues discussion of of state regulations
AMENIA — Preliminary discussion over whether or not the town will “opt in” to state regulations that guide the opening and operation of a local cannabis dispensary continued at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, March 21.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman introduced the discussion, noting that to move ahead on zoning questions related to location of a dispensary, the board might need the services of a town planner.
The potential cost for those services was estimated at about $30,000, but following exploratory discussion, it was clear that any planner would need more project detail, particularly state and local restrictions to be imposed.
Following brief discussion, the board agreed that potential locations would be identified in advance of the next Town Board meeting on Thursday, April 4.
Board member Brad Rebillard mentioned required setbacks from roadways.
“It should not be in the town center,” said board member Rosanna Hamm, leading to general agreement that a possible site might be within a shopping plaza. Adequate parking will also be a consideration.
— The March 21 Town Board meeting included a welcome to interim member Nicole Ahearn, appointed to fill the seat vacated by Leo Blackman when he won election to the post of Town Supervisor.
— In response to a request from the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA), the board voted unanimously to provide a letter of support for a grant application the HVA is preparing. If successful, the grant would fund work to improve conditions along and within Wassaic Creek.
“It’s an effort to clear up flooding issues,” Blackman explained.
The Town Board also unanimously approved a resolution to adopt the HVA Ten-Mile River Watershed Management Plan. The plan formalizes a collaboration among 15 towns in two states to preserve and protect waterways within their region.
— Speeding traffic in the vicinity of the Maplebrook School crosswalk was a public safety issue raised by Hamm, who had determined that the Department of Transportation (DOT) could be asked to install speed control devices, but they would need a resolution from the board.
Blackman indicated that he would schedule a meeting with the DOT. Hamm suggested that Maplebrook School should issue a letter of concern and support to assist in the effort.
— Recent years have seen deterioration of the Town Hall gym floor, leading the Town Board to consider options for replacement; in 2023, the Town Board obtained repair or replacement estimates.
Presently, the gym floor tiles are cracking and unstable.
At a regular Town Board meeting on Thursday, March 21, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman noted that the tiles now in place rest on top of plywood.
Under the plywood is a solid maple floor. Under the maple floor is another layer of plywood.
An option to refinish the maple floor was estimated to cost $27,000. A vinyl floor could run up to $55,000, but vinyl wears out, Blackman said. A poured floor of Herculan seamless floors made from synthetic polyurethane- — a.k.a. plastic — is estimated to cost $39,500, but an advantage is that the floor would offer a cushioned surface.
The board voted unanimously to ask the board attorney, Ian Lindars, to draft a resolution to be discussed at the next meeting, which will take place Thursday, April 4.
AMENIA — The first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School went smoothly, with teachers enthusiastically greeting the eager young students disembarking from buses. Excitement was measurable, with only a few tears from parents, but school began anyway.
Ready for her first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 4, at Webutuck Elementary School, Liliana Cawley, 7, would soon join her second grade class, but first she posed for a photo to mark the occasion.Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — While the courage and perseverance of Revolutionary era patriots is well understood and celebrated, the stories of the fate of British loyalists in New York are not as clear.
Seen as the initial event in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Amenia Historical Society will present a talk titled, “The Plight of a Loyalist in Revolutionary New York,” examining the journal of Cadwallader Colden, Jr., spanning the period of 1777-1779. The speaker will be noted author, genealogist and historian Jay Campbell.
The talk is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. The handicapped-accessible church is located at 656 Smithfield Valley Road. Refreshments will be served.
Colden was the son of a New York Lieutenant Governor. He was a surveyor, farmer and mercantilist, serving as a judge in Ulster County. His fortunes changed dramatically with the dawn of the Revolutionary War when he remained loyal to the British Crown. His arrest came in 1776, just before the start of his journal.
Campbell is a historian specializing in Hudson Valley history, and the regional stories of Revolutionary era families.
Erin Rollins of Millbrook in the Fashion Feed booth, open year round, at the Millbrook Antiques Mall. All proceeds from Fashion Feeds go to the Food of Life Pantry. As an interior designer by trade, Rollins designed this booth to evoke a high-end department store to align with the designer brands she carries.
MILLERTON — The Townscape 50/50 raffle drawing has collected a pot of more than $7,000.
That raffle drawing will take place this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Veteran’s Park. The moment is not just about picking a winner, but also about reflecting on how far Townscape has come since its humble beginnings in 1998, when founder Catherine Fenn — alongside Renee Vollen and Jan Gilmor — first set out to beautify her beloved village.
Fenn’s connection to Millerton runs deep. “I moved here from the Bronx when I was eight years old and fell in love with the place, even as a child,” she recalled, remembering camping trips at Rudd Pond and enjoying the quiet pace of life.
At 15, her family relocated to southern Connecticut. “My dad didn’t think there was much here for us, so we moved. I left kicking and screaming, literally, and I said, ‘Someday I’m coming back.’”
Years later, after marrying, divorcing, and raising children, Fenn kept that promise. She returned to Millerton and married a childhood friend who was very involved in the fire department. After his passing, Fenn threw herself into her own way of giving back.
“I care about this village deeply. Townscape is my way of helping Millerton be the best it can be,” she said.
What began as an informal effort to gather volunteers and plant flowers eventually blossomed into something larger. “We started with flowers up and down Main Street — barrels of them everywhere. Then it grew into benches, tables, trees and even events. It was such a fun world, a really wonderful organization with so many people involved.”
Fenn’s service to the community extends beyond beautification. She spent roughly two decades on the Planning Board, served as Town Supervisor and worked with the county housing authority. Still, her passion for flowers, trees and landscapes has left the most visible mark on Millerton — shaping not only how the village looks, but how it feels.
In 2006, Townscape became a nonprofit organization. But beautification, Fenn admits, isn’t always the easiest cause to fund. “We’re just putting flowers out — and I shouldn’t say ‘just,’ because to me it’s really important. The trees, the benches, all of it matters. But it’s not high on most people’s list when they think about charitable donations. Still, people have been wonderfully generous over the years.”
This Saturday’s raffle drawing is one way neighbors can show their support. The winner does not have to be present to claim the prize, but those who stop by can enjoy cookies, lemonade and artwork by local creators on display in the park.
MILLBROOK — Local crows should prepare to become highly spooked as planners of Millbrook Community Day, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, have announced that a Scarecrow Contest will be part of the festivities.
Residents are invited to get creative and devise their own renditions of a scarecrow from traditional to whatever imagination might come up with.
Judging criteria will include creativity, including originality, new ideas, or perhaps whether the scarecrow tells a story. Design criteria include the creator’s technique, materials — recycled materials are emphatically a plus — and durability.
Rules include that scarecrows be free-standing, able to stand on their own or with minimal support. No scarecrow can be store-bought. Entries must be able to fit within a 6 x 6 foot space once assembled. A stand is available upon request. Scarecrows must be non-political, family friendly, and in a good-natured spirit.
Entrants are responsible for set-up, scheduled from 9 to 10 a.m. on Sept. 20, location to be assigned the week before. Judging will begin at 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
For more information and to register to participate, email mba@millbrooknewyork.com or go to www.millbrooknewyork.com/community-day-2025