Presenting the annual Citizen of the Year award to Aaron Howard Jr., right, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman spoke of Howard’s many contributions to the Amenia community. The traditional ceremony took place at Fountain Square on Sunday, Dec. 1, as part of the Parade of Lights holiday celebration.
AMENIA — During a traditional event at Fountain Square that occurs just before the annual Parade of Lights, the Citizen of the Year award for 2024 was presented by Town Supervisor Leo Blackman on Sunday, Dec. 1, to Aaron Howard Jr.
While residents awaited the presentation and endured a frigid breeze, a contingent from the Webutuck high School Band, led by Band Director Eric Weiner, performed a program of holiday-themed music. Freshtown volunteers were distributing hot beverages.
The new Silo Bakery, slated to open around mid-February, opened its doors to distribute freshly baked cookies to passers-by. By all accounts, the cookie effort was successful and the cookies received great reviews.
Key to the selection of former Fire Chief Aaron Howard was the breadth of his volunteerism detailed by Town Supervisor Leo Blackman who said that it was difficult to keep track of the myriad ways in which Howard has served his community as a lifelong resident. Upon graduation from Webutuck High School in 1999, Howard served in the U.S. Marines in the Middle East for seven years.
Since high school, Howard has been a member of the Amenia Fire Company, serving as Chief from 2017 to 2022. He presently serves as vice-president of the Fire Company Board and is a member of the Fire Advisory Board. He has also served in a variety of leadership roles within the Dutchess County Chiefs Council.
His memberships include the Lions’ Club and both local VFW posts, and he remains active in local and area youth activities, coaching youth soccer and baseball, along with teaching 6th grade catechism at Immaculate Conception Church.
At Webutuck High School Howard is a technology and career teacher, one of the programs that helps students to look ahead to their years after high school.
Howard and his wife, Kathleen, married soon after his service in the Marines and have two children, Nolan and Elaina.
AMENIA —Two public hearings drew little comment at the Planning Board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, but a packed agenda still brought residents out to hear updates on several major proposals, including Wassaic’s Northern Red Oak Trails project, septic upgrades at Cumberland Farms, and the proposed Cascade Creek and Keane Stud subdivisions.
Northern Red Oak Trails
By a unanimous vote, the Planning Board accepted an application for the Northern Red Oak Trails Project, which proposes 10–12 miles of mountain-biking and hiking trails on a 450-acre Wassaic parcel first outlined to the board on June 11. The project was presented by Lauren Zane.
Planning Board engineer John Andrews reported that the Town Board reviewed the plan and adopted a resolution moving the matter to county officials for review, although aspects of the application remain to be completed. An environmental impact on endangered species needs to be determined, particularly any impact on bog turtles, and the fire department needs to be satisfied with the plans.
Andrews said the remaining items were not significant and that circulating the application would allow input from county officials and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Cumberland Farms
Representing Cumberland Farms was Caryn Mlodzianowski, a project engineer with Bohler Engineering in Albany, who noted that she last appeared before the board in February 2025 to discuss the proposal. She explained that the site’s undersized septic system would be replaced with a higher-capacity system featuring new tanks and a pump chamber.
As the improvements would stand within a flood plain, a wetlands permit is required, Planning Board Engineer John Andrews said.
“The site is subject to flooding and located in a floodway,” Andrews noted. “When you seek to fill in a floodway, the site needs to be examined by county officials.”
Planning Board member Nina Peek added her recollection of earlier discussion about water run-off along the western side of the property that can transport trash deposits along with it.
Following discussion, the planning board agreed to the drafting of a resolution to approve the application, provided the applicant received a wetlands permit from the county and satisfied the fire department. The drafted resolution is likely to be discussed at the planning board’s December meeting.
Cascade Creek
After a year of reviewing the conservation analysis for Hudson River Housing’s proposed Cascade Creek subdivision, the applicants returned with additional details on how they plan to address and reduce stormwater runoff from the site.
Project engineer Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering and Mary Linge, Hudson River Housing’s vice president for Real Estate Development, responded to planning board questions, expressing eagerness to move on to the next phase when site plans would be considered by the board and the public.
Sander reported that the 24-acre site, zoned suburban rural, would hold 28 residential lots plus two controlled by the homeowners’ association for community utilities. A community garden would be open for town and development residents.
“We want to provide affordable workforce housing,” said Linge, as defined by town code. “No federal funds are involved in the development,” she added, indicating that her organization builds the homes; the homeowners buy the homes.
A professional biologist has studied the site and determined that bog turtles are unable to get to the site and therefore, there is no habitat possible, Sander said.
Planning board member Ken Topolsky expressed concern about occasional rainwater flooding on neighboring properties.
“There will be no increase in water runoff,” Sander reported, describing drainage swales that will channel the runoff. The flow will be directed to the lower end of the site where it will be infiltrated into the ground.
“There is no more information we can provide at this point in the project,” Linge said.
Considering the number of planned homes, planning board member Nina Peek asked whether the number could be reduced without affecting viability of the project.
“The tipping point number is the 28,” Linge replied.
Pedestrian safety concerned planning board member Walter Dietrich, noting that plans do not include sidewalks and streetlights, and the development is close to Freshtown Plaza, saying that residents would likely walk to the plaza.
Andrews noted that the board was getting sidetracked into design issues that will be discussed in future site plan discussions.
Planning board attorney Paul Van Cott reminded the board that it must agree by resolution to be the agent for a required environmental impact analysis.
Andrews noted that his review did not identify any negative environmental impacts.
“It’s going to be a phased multi-year project,” Andrews said.
Silo Ridge
Following a request from the Silo Ridge development to alter condominium sizes, the planning board agreed to schedule a public hearing for its December meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
“We’re just making the affected condominium units smaller,” said Silo Ridge consultant Patrick O’Leary, describing a request to change the condominium buildings from six condos to eight within the previously approved buildings. The building footprint would remain the same, O’Leary explained, terming it a “minor modification.”
Keane Stud
Discussion continued on the final scope analysis in connection with the Keane Stud subdivision. The scope analysis presents the visual impact of the developers’ plans.
Representing the Keane Stud developers was attorney Diana Kolev, Partner of DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise Wiederkehr, LLP, of White Plains.
“The board has what it needs to adopt the final scope analysis,” Kolev said.
Because the planning board received several comments about the drafted final scope analysis, the board agreed to direct Van Cott and Andrews to meet with the developers to “iron out residents’ concerns.”
The resulting draft will be discussed at the Wednesday, Dec. 10 meeting.
Board member Nina Peek reminded the audience that the public hearing processwill follow once the scope analysis drafting is completed.
ANNUAL ELECTION OF AMENIA FIRE DISTRICT #1
DECEMBER 9, 2025
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Annual Election of the Amenia Fire District #1 will take place on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at the firehouse located at 36 Mechanic Street, Amenia, New York for the purpose of electing (1) Commissioner to serve a five (5) year term commencing of January 1, 2026 and ending on December 31, 2030.
Candidates for District Office of Commissioner shall file their names and the position they are seeking in writing to the District Secretary, Dawn Marie Klingner, PO Box 214, Amenia, New York 12501 no later than December 4, 2025. Only residents of the Fire District duly registered with the Dutchess County Board of Elections as of November 17, 2025 shall be eligible to vote.
Dawn Marie Klingner
Secretary
Amenia Fire District#1
Board of Commissioners
11-20-25
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC
Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 20, 2025. Office location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 279 McGhee Hill Road, Millerton, NY 12546. Purpose: Marketing consultancy.
11-13-25
11-20-25
11-27-25
12-04-25
12-11-25
12-18-25
Legal Notice
Notice is hereby given that a license, number NA-0340-25-206209, for liquor, wine, beer, and cider has been applied for by the undersigned, Williams Hospitality Group LLC d/b/a Del’s Roadside, to sell liquor, wine, beer, and cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcohol Beverage Control Law at 6780 Albany Post Road, Rhinebeck, New York 12572, for on premises consumption.
Applicant:Williams Hospitality Group LLC d/b/a Del’s Roadside
11-20-25
11-27-25
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The name of the LLC is: Kim’s Business LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) office on: 11/8/2025. The County in which the Office is to be located: Dutchess. The SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC is: 420 Quaker Hill Rd Pawling, NY 12564. Purpose: any lawful activity.
11-20-25
11-27-25
12-04-25
12-11-25
12-18-25
12-25-25
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of North East, Dutchess County, New York, on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM, or soon thereafter as possible, in the Town Hall, 19 North Maple Avenue, Millerton, New York, on the application of Evolution Energy, NY on behalf of Tracey Altman and David A. Berger, owner of tax parcel # 7070-00-136686, for a special permit in order to erect a ground-mounted solar array. The parcel is located at 1566 Route 83 in the A5A Zoning District of the Town of North East.
The above application is open for inspection at the Town Hall.
Persons wishing to appear at such hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative. Communications in writing relating thereto may be filed with the Board at such hearing. Dated: November 14, 2025
Edith Greenwood
Chair
Zoning Board of Appeals
11-20-25
TOWN OF AMENIA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to NYS Town Law § 277 and Chapter 105 of the Town of Amenia Code, the Planning Board of the Town of Amenia will hold a public hearing on the application by Barlow Farm, LLC for a 2-lot subdivision of lands located on Kent Road in the Town of Amenia (Tax Parcel # 132000-7165-00-182419-0000). The parcel is located in the Rural Agricultural (RA) and Rural Residential (RR) Zoning Districts.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Planning Board will hold the public hearing on the Application on December 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22, Amenia, New York 12501.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the Application is on file in the Amenia Town Clerk’s Office for public viewing and inspection during normal business hours. The Application can also be viewed and downloaded from the Town’s official website at www.ameniany.gov.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Planning Board will hear all persons interested in the Application at the public hearing noticed herein. All persons may appear at the hearing in person or by agent and may also submit written comments to the Planning Board at or prior to such hearing by emailing comments to Planning Board Secretary Judy Westfall at jwestfall@ameniany.gov.
Dated: November 13, 2025
Robert Boyles, Jr., Chairman
Town of Amenia
Planning Board
11-20-25
TOWN OF AMENIA PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Chapter 105 of the Town of Amenia Code, the Planning Board of the Town of Amenia will hold a public hearing on the application by Silo Ridge Ventures, LLC (the “Applicant”) for amended Subdivision approval (the “Application”) on lands located within the Silo Ridge Resort Community at 4651 NYS Route 22 in the Town of Amenia (the “Project Site”). The Project Site is located in the Rural Agricultural zoning district and the Resort Development and Scenic Protection overlay districts.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Planning Board will hold the public hearing on the Application on December 10, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Amenia Town Hall, 4988 NYS Route 22, Amenia, New York 12501.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that a copy of the Application is on file in the Amenia Town Clerk’s Office for public viewing and inspection during normal business hours. The Application can also be viewed and downloaded from the Town ‘s official website at www.ameniany.gov.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the Planning Board will hear all persons interested in the Application at the public hearing noticed herein. All persons may appear at the hearing in person or by agent and may also submit written comments to the Planning Board at or prior to such hearing by emailing comments to Planning Board Secretary Judith Westfall at jwestfall@ameniany.gov.
Dated: November 13, 2025
Robert Boyles, Jr., Chairman
Town of Amenia
Planning Board
11-20-25
TOWN OF PINE PLAINS
DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that a public hearing will be held by the Town of Pine Plains Zoning Board of Appeals on the 25th day of November 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Town Hall, 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York, for the purpose of hearing all persons for or against the area variance application submitted by Richard Nannetti for property located at 29 Birch Drive, Town of Pine Plains, Dutchess County, Tax Map ID #134200-6872-17-165128-0000.
All interested parties will be given the opportunity to be heard regarding the proposed action requesting a proposed garage to have a side yard setback of 2-3 feet, in lieu of the minimum of 15 feet. The application is available for review at the Pine Plains Town Hall during regular business hours.
By order of:
Scott Chase,
Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals
11-20-25
Chris Drago
Democrats scored significant gains across northeast Dutchess County in the Nov. 4 municipal elections, strengthening their position in multiple towns, winning competitive board seats, and capturing a key county legislative district. The results reflected a strong showing for the party across the region.
Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, who was reelected to his district that includes North East, Pine Plains and Stanford, said the outcome demonstrates a shift in voter engagement and a renewed focus on local races. He said national politics also played a role.
“The federal political environment woke up a lot of people,” Drago said, citing the recent government shutdown and his belief that residents are unhappy with how President Donald Trump is governing.
He also said Democrats are doing a better job reaching out to voters on a local level. “We’ve been speaking about the importance of local elections for years, and the message resonated.”
Drago added that Democrats traditionally face challenges in off-year elections without federal races on the ballot, but he said stronger organizing changed the picture this cycle.
“In odd years, it takes some work — and we’re doing a better job,” he said. “We’ve been able to identify good candidates, raise more money and knock on more doors. Democrats haven’t always turned out in off-years, but we’re seeing a trickle-up effect.”
Amenia: Democrats expand representation
Amenia continued to show strong support for Democratic candidates. Rosanna Hamm won the supervisor’s race decisively, defeating Republican Terrence McCauley 686 to 402 and keeping the office in Democratic hands.
Democrats also strengthened their presence on the Town Board. Walter Dietrich won one of the two full-term seats, while Vicki Doyle won the remaining year of an unexpired term. Republican Nicole Ahearn secured the second full-term seat.
Amenia voters additionally rejected Local Proposition No. 2, opting 560 to 515 to keep the town’s ban on retail cannabis sales.
Washington: Democrats take both board seats
In Washington, Democrats Maxine Verne and Susan Mancuso won the two Town Council seats, defeating Republicans Nicholas Galente and Douglas Giles. Supervisor Gary Ciferri, a Republican, remained in office after running unopposed.
Pine Plains: Democrats win board seats
Pine Plains delivered notable gains for Democrats as Trevor Roush and Murphy Birdsall won Town Council seats. The supervisor’s race moved to a recount, with Republican Brian Walsh, the incumbent, holding a nine-vote lead over Democrat Kevin Walsh.
North East: Mixed-party slate elected
North East saw no competitive races, with incumbent Republican Chris Mayville and Democrat Rachele Grieco Cole elected to two-year Town Council terms without opposition. Incumbent Town Supervisor Chris Kennan (D) also ran unopposed.
Stanford: Strong Democratic performance
Stanford saw one of the strongest Democratic performances in the region. Julia Descouteaux won the supervisor’s race, and Democrats Teddy Secor and Charlie Cunningham won both Town Council seats.
County results: Democrats hold key seats and flip District 25
Democrats also performed strongly at the county level. Drago secured re-election in District 19, defending a seat Republicans had targeted and winning by a much greater margin than two years ago.
The most significant county-level shift came in District 25, where Democrat Eric Alexander narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Deirdre Houston, flipping one of the most competitive legislative districts in Dutchess County. The district covers Amenia, Washington and Pleasant Valley.
Alexander credited the victory to organization.
“I benefited from a strong team, and we worked with Democrats in all of the towns,” Alexander said.
Millerton’s signature holiday lights shine across Main Street, a community tradition kept alive by Townscape’s all-volunteer crew.
MILLERTON — In Millerton, the lights are strung, the decorations are hung, and the beloved Festival of Lights is just around the corner. This year, Main Street will glow even brighter as volunteers hand out candles and carol sheets before the annual parade, creating a wave of neighborly cheer that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie.
The celebration takes place Friday, Nov. 28, with longtime organizers emphasizing an even stronger hometown feel as Millerton heads into its 175th anniversary year in 2026.
“We really put it on for the community, the locals,” said Dana Scarpa, owner of Designer Finds on Main Street and co-chair of the Millerton Business Alliance (MBA). “We just want to come together as a community for this special time of year. We all love doing it.”
The celebration will begin early in what Scarpa describes as an all-day affair. Families can begin with a cozy screening of Arthur Christmas at The Moviehouse at 10 a.m. Pro tip: Each child who attends the movie will receive a free raffle ticket for prizes from local businesses.
The excitement will continue with the annual community raffle featuring gift certificates and holiday treats in Veterans Park at 12:15 p.m.
Sweet treats and crafting opportunities will be held throughout the morning and early afternoon, with NBT Bank offering complimentary cookies and hot chocolate and the Bank of Millbrook hosting crafts, cookies and eggnog between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The Northeast Community Center (NECC) will host cookie decorating from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and the Irondale Schoolhouse will host a woodworking craft sale throughout the weekend.
As evening falls and the lights begin to glow, residents and visitors will receive candles and books of carols for a holiday sing-along on Main Street.
“To look up and down Main Street and see everyone holding candles and singing — it’s going to be beautiful,” said Scarpa.
And the Festival of Lights wouldn’t be complete without the annual parade, hosted by the Millerton Fire Company, which kicks off with the tree-lighting ceremony. The carols will begin at 4:45 p.m. and the tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m.
“It’s like the Whos in Whoville,” Scarpa said with a laugh. “Or a Hallmark movie. Really — it’s such a special time of year.”
