Town Board considers new sign, trail to train, and cannabis law

Town Board considers new sign, trail to train, and cannabis law

Amenia Town Hall sits in town along Route 22. The town board considered installing a sign along the road that would inform passersby on upcoming meetings and other town news.

Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — Progress was made on a variety of topics at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, Sept. 5, including installation of an electronic information sign at the Town Hall, concern about maintenance of the trail to the train in Wassaic, and drafting of a law to govern local cannabis sales.

In a continuing effort toward improved information access for residents, the board discussed installation of an internally lit LED sign to be installed at the Town Hall. Easily visible to passing motorists, the new sign will carry announcement, upcoming meetings and town events.

Town Supervisor Leo Blackman said that he had heard from residents with concerns that they are not informed about what is happening in the community. He also noted that the town has immunity from zoning regulations, allowing the town to move ahead on plans for an electronic sign to hold messages that will be able to be posted by remote computer.

“Because it’s the town, we need to get messages out to residents,” Blackman said.

Councilman Brad Rebillard agreed, feeling that the sign is a public service.

During public comment, resident Tonia Shoumatoff of Wassaic raised two issues of needed maintenance, the first describing urgent action needed along the boardwalk of the Trail to the Train and the other concerning the trails around the retired landfill property.

Warped wooden handrails along the boardwalk have separated from the guard rails creating a hazard, said Shoumatoff who served as chairwoman of the Trail to Train Committee. She also said that vegetation has overgrown the boardwalk in places, damaging the wood underneath. Feeling that maintenance is likely to be a town responsibility, she asked that the Town Board take necessary action.

Blackman agreed to research the issues raised by Shoumatoff and report back at a future meeting. Rebillard confirmed that snow removal along the trail to train boardwalk is the town’s responsibility and town Finance Director Charlie Miller also confirmed that the town is responsible for boardwalk maintenance, suggesting that snowplowing may have contributed to wood surface damage.

Reminding the Town Board that Thomas Young Park and walking trails around the decommissioned town landfill were to be kept open to the public for recreation, Shoumatoff said that the gate is now locked and the park and trails inaccessible, although there is what she termed a “nice parking area.” She noted that the Town of Sharon is charged with maintenance and mowing of the landfill expanse in perpetuity, and asked how their maintenance crews are managing access.

Having reviewed maps showing areas where a cannabis dispensary could be allowed while meeting all requirements for distance from parks, schools, and churches, the board continued discussion of the drafting of a law by the board attorney. The drafted wording would then be passed on to the Planning Board for their review.

Blackman noted that the Planning Board will be likely to consider its regulations about agricultural growers allowed to have a farm stand that sells cannabis. He also asked about parking requirements.

Councilmember Paul Winters responded that New York state regulations governing cannabis sales fully specify parking arrangements.

Board attorney Ian Lindars agreed to draft a local dispensary law for consideration at the next Town Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Resident Judy Moran suggested that the Town Board implement a second “Public Comment” segment near the end of each meeting to allow residents in attendance to comment on what was discussed. Blackman and the board seemed amenable to the idea.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less