Amenia Town Board continues public hearings on cannabis dispensaries

Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston
AMENIA — Two public hearings on whether or not to permit a cannabis dispensary to join the town’s business landscape and consideration of term limits on the Town Board were some of the topics discussed at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, Jan. 16. Councilmember Brad Rebillard was absent.
The first of the public hearings on the topic of a cannabis retail establishment concerned opting in to state regulations, a necessary step to reversing a 2022 local law that had opted out of those state regulations. The second of the public hearings would incorporate a new local law into the zoning code to regulate cannabis dispensaries in the town, detailing permitted locations and rules regarding operations.
Both public hearings heard residents’ concerns about the wisdom of allowing such establishments.
Councilmember Rosanna Hamm suggested continuing both public hearings to allow more public input at the next Town Board meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5.
All residents who offered comment favored holding a town-wide referendum on the question of allowing a cannabis dispensary to open and operate within the town.
Citing years of experience as a member of the Town Board, resident Darlene Riemer opposed allowing a dispensary, detailing the dangers of the use of drugs particularly among young families.
“I don’t think cannabis is necessary,” she said, favoring provision of more recreational opportunities for the town’s young families.
Seeing a link between drug use and mental health issues, resident Bob Riemer strongly opposed the proposed dispensary, urging the Town Board to take a hard look at the proposal.
Resident Judy Moran also opposed the proposal, although she would favor helping those who need it for medicinal use to find more convenient, safe access.
Before the meeting ended, councilmember Paul Winters defended the cannabis dispensary proposal indicating no referendum was held on the Town Board’s 2022 opting out of the state regulations, and questioned whether a referendum should be held to opt in. He noted the town of Pine Plains has opted in to allow for dispensaries.
“Drugs will be here whether you regulate or not,” Winters said, adding, “Society is changing.”
Councilmember Hamm said she would like to hear from the voters on the matter.
Councilmember Winters introduced two measures to effect a change in length of terms on the Town Board suggesting that the questions be voted on at referendum.
Under one proposal, the term of service for the Town Supervisor would change from two to four years, to equal the length of term of councilmembers. Under a second proposal, councilmembers would be limited to four consecutive four-year terms, or a limit of 16 years.
Councilmember Hamm did not see a need for the limits, recalling that a 2016 ballot question proposing term limits was rejected by voters by a wide margin.
Town Supervisor Leo Blackman expressed his opinion that the idea of term limits seemed undemocratic, that voters make their determinations when they vote.
Following discussion, the board agreed to allow voters at referendum to determine whether the Town Supervisor’s term should be lengthened from two to four years. The vote was 3 to 1, with Hamm voting in the negative.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The residence at 35 Amenia Union Road in Sharon was damaged after being struck by the Jeep Grand Cherokee around 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
SHARON, Conn. — Emergency crews were called Saturday, Oct. 11, to Amenia Union Road in Sharon for a report of a vehicle into a building with entrapment.
Connecticut State Police reported Charles Teti, 62, was driving his Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on Amenia Union Road when, for an unknown reason, the vehicle veered across the southbound land and exited the roadway where it struck a tree and home. Airbags deployed.
Teti and front seat passenger Aidan Cassidy, 63, sustained serious injuries. Teti was airlifted to Hartford Hospital and Cassidy was transported by ambulance to Sharon Hospital for treatment.
Back seat passenger Shea Cassidy-Teti, 17, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Cassidy-Teti was a senior at Kent School. He played on the football and tennis teams.
The residence that was struck is located at 35 Amenia Union Road.
The case remains under open investigation. Witnesses are asked to contact Trooper Lukas Gryniuk at Troop B 860-626-1821.