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Pine Plains building expansion could add six apartments, three storefronts
John Coston
Mar 18, 2026
Planning Board members view sketched plans for expansion of a commercial building on Pilch Drive, a private road, in Pine Plains near the Post Office during a regular meeting of the board on Wednesday, March 11.
Photo by Nathan Miller
PINE PLAINS — More apartments could be coming to Pine Plains after Planning Board members gave a positive reception to plans to expand a commercial building on Pilch Drive.
Representatives of Poughkeepsie-based contractors Evolution Energy described at a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, March 11, plans to add three additional commercial spaces at ground level and six residential apartments above the existing and proposed commercial spaces. Board members responded warmly to the plans, citing a need for more housing.
The building currently hosts a bakery and a physical therapist’s office. A self-service car wash also sits on the property.
Board members said they supported the new apartments, but questioned whether the town could support three more commercial spaces.
“There’s already a lot of empty storefronts in town,” Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile said. Stabile, along with the support of other board members, suggested the new units at ground level should be additional apartments rather than more storefronts.
Construction company representatives said they would explore adapting the plans with the owner of the property, Fakhouri Enterprises Inc.
Discussion of the proposal focused on the projected rent rates for the apartments and septic requirements.
Board members asked what the apartments would cost renters, prompting construction company representatives to describe the apartments. Plans call for one bedroom apartments with a second room to serve as an office or den.
Company representatives said market rates for similar apartments are between $1,800 and $2,100 per month, but in Pine Plains the apartments may fetch about $1,500 per month.
Board member Kate Osofsky bristled at those figures, citing the town’s need for affordable housing.
Septic requirements prompted Evolution Energy Chief Operating Officer John Pagano to push back on board members’ suggestion to change the planned new commercial units into additional apartments.
Pagano said residential units require greater daily capacity than commercial units, and the property may not be able to accommodate the necessary septic system for nine residential units.
“The only issue that we see when we’re dealing with the Department of Health is the gallons per day,” Pagano said. “I know we were able to hit it with the three commercials in the bottom.”
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George Laurence McGowan
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
NEWTOWN — George Laurence “Larry” McGowan, 82, died on Feb. 28, 2026. A man of integrity and long-standing friendships, Larry leaves behind a legacy of professional achievement and a family who loved him dearly.
Born on Nov. 27, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York to George Laurence and Grace Harding McGowan, Larry grew up with a foundation of faith and education.
He attended St. John’s Preparatory School (Brooklyn, New York) and Garden City (New York) High School before graduating from Niagara University.
After graduation, Larry completed his ROTC training and became a first lieutenant in the United States Army.
Following additional specialized training, he was stationed in Vilseck, Germany, on the Czech border, where he led a missile unit for most of his military service. He was immensely proud of his time spent in the military and spoke of it often.
Upon returning to civilian life, Larry dedicated his professional career to Real Estate Development and Construction. His work left a tangible mark across the Northeast, and he remained committed to it, actively engaging in projects until his courageous battle with pulmonary disease led him to retire two years ago. He was known by colleagues for his expertise and his commitment to the projects that shaped the local landscape.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Larry was a husband, loyal friend, and cherished family member. He is survived by his wife, Brigid Mary Hutchinson McGowan; his sister, Kathleen McGowan Metz of Longboat Key, Florida and Sharon, Connecticut; his nephews, James Thornton Metz (Victoria) and Robert Harding Metz (Robin); and his nieces, Alicia Harding Metz, Lauren Harding Simons, Kathryn Metz Helm (Lloyd), and Margaret Thornton Metz.
Larry was a proud great-uncle to nine grand-nieces and nephews, all of whom held a special place in his heart.
Larry also shared a close and affectionate bond with Aldina Vazão Kennedy and Ana Monica Vazão. He valued lifelong friendships, particularly those formed during his years at Garden City High School and found immense joy in nurturing those connections, especially through their annual golf outings he so enjoyed organizing and attending.
A Mass of Christian Burial with military honors will be celebrated at 11 a.m. June 6, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia. The interment at Calvary Cemetery will be at a later date.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
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Ralph Henry Stanton Jr.
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
CANAAN — Ralph Henry Stanton Jr. of Canaan, passed away on March 7, 2026, after a prolonged battle with his heart. He leaves behind his wife Patricia, twin sons Thomas and Wyatt and grandson Gunner Stanton.
Visiting hours are 5 to 8p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT. Ample parking is available in the town parking lot behind the library. Burial will be private at Mountainview Cemetery in Canaan when weather permits.
A more complete obituary will be forthcoming. A celebration of life is being planned for June. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Inc., 15 Main Street, P.O. Box 178, Canaan, CT 06018 and/or the Canaan Fire Company, 4 East Main Street, P.O. Box 642, Canaan, CT 06018.
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Mary “Molly” Hinchman
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
WEST CORNWALL — Dr. Mary “Molly” Hinchman, 78, passed away on March 12, 2026, at Noble Horizons following a brief illness. She was the beloved wife of Russell E. Guerin for 33 years.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 4, 1947, she was the daughter of the late John and Catharine (Sellew) Hinchman.
Molly was a devoted and compassionate psychologist for over 40 years. She received her MSW and her Ph.D. in Psychology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She went on to complete her postdoctoral internship in Family Therapy and received her license for independent practice in 1981.
Throughout the years, Dr. Hinchman was dedicated to and worked with many people including children and families in residential treatment and partial hospital programs, adults and couples through her private practice and specialized in the treatment of substance abuse and addiction.
Molly enjoyed teaching at St. Joseph College and Northwestern Connecticut Community College where the focus was centered on families and their cultures. For the last 30 years, Molly has been a student and presenter at the Jean Baker Miller Advanced Training Institute where she worked with her colleagues to incorporate Cultural/Relational Theory into her clinical work.
In addition to her husband, Russell, Molly is survived by her siblings, Betsey Polglase and Joan Hinchman; two nieces and three stepchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the United Church of Christ in Cornwall, 8 Bolton Hill Road, Cornwall, CT06753. Burial will be private. Calling hours will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at Thurston Rowe Funeral Home, 283 Torrington Road, Litchfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to United Church of Christ in Cornwall, 8 Bolton Hill Road, Cornwall, CT 06753 or to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, 32 Union Street, Winsted, CT06098
To send the family an online expression of sympathy kindly visit www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com
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Letters to the Editor — Thursday, March 19
Millerton News
Mar 18, 2026
Thanks from Fire Co.
On Sunday, March 15, the Amenia Fire Company sponsored our monthly Pancake Breakfast. We were pleased to have a nice crowd of 202 people in attendance for our monthly meal. We rely on the breakfasts to raise needed money for general operations and we always appreciate the support of the community. We thank everyone who attends our events and hope you will join us at our final breakfast of the year on April 19 at the firehouse.
Andy Murphy,
on behalf of the Breakfast Committee, Amenia Fire Co. & Auxiliary
Don’t weaken climate law in budget talks
At a time when we see more clearly than ever the global dangers of our dependency on fossil fuels for reasons even beyond the existential damages of climate change, we should not support a movement in Albany to weaken Climate Law as part of the budget negotiation.
CLCPA is not causing the energy cost crisis. It is clearer than ever that costs are out of control due to the cost of oil and tariffs, not the Climate Law. Since the start of the Iran war we can see them rise every day. Contrary to the actions of the Trump administration, we should have continued to invest in the research and manufacturing of wind and solar energy and worked to free the U.S. from our dependency on foreign oil and all carbon burning fuels. Our high prices are the result of the high price of oil, having nothing to do with CLCPA. We should all work to protect the Climate Law and the slow but steady progress we have made over many years.
Louise Meryman
Pine Plains
Harlem Valley Rail Trail accident is horrifying
I was horrified to read about the bicycle accident on the Rail Trail, resulting in a fractured vertebra and a long healing process for someone who was enjoying a ride on a path specifically built for that purpose.
I am an active cyclist who rides 150+ miles per week in warm weather. I occasionally ride parts of the Rail Trail, almost always during the week when there is little activity, and only to connect to a road.
The Rail Trail is NOT for serious cyclists. Whenever I approach walkers I call out well in advance and coast my bike past them at a slow speed. If they don’t turn around, I stop. I would never pass another cyclist, especially a casual rider, on any of the elevated wooden walkways. It is infuriating that an accident like this is completely foreseeable, yet happened anyway.
I don’t walk the Rail Trail but if I did I would be very vocal (but friendly) in telling cyclists to slow down and, if on a walkway, to dismount. It is for their safety as well. The woman who was injured could have just as easily turned into the cyclist, which could have put them both in the hospital.
I was strongly tempted to suggest litigation here, but I am sure friends long ago offered that advice. As warm weather approaches you might consider an article about local bike safety, perhaps focused on the Rail Trail. The tiny silver lining here is that the article is not about a small child being hit by cyclist,
Terry Vance
Sharon
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