Bertha M. Moody



FALLS VILLAGE — Bertha M. (Davis) Moody, 87, of 45 Facchin St. went home to the Lord on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Canaan, surrounded by her loving family. Bertha was the wife of the late Charles Moody. Bertha was born on July 25, 1937, in Dunn, North Carolina. She was the last surviving child of the late Milton and Daisy (Gould) Davis.
Bertha worked at Becton Dickinson in Canaan until retirement. Bertha was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church in Great Barrington where she sang in the choir for many years. Bertha’s greatest love was spending time with family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Most importantly, she was a faithful servant of God. She also enjoyed watching sports, tending to her garden, and cooking.
Bertha is survived by her children; Dwayne Moody of Falls Village, Robin Williams Standburry and her husband Herbert of Torrington, Steven Moody and his fiancé Emily Vitale Aronow of Canaan. Bertha was predeceased by her daughter, Tonia Moody of Falls Village. Her grandchildren; Sade Williams and her companion Eric Blalock of Waterbury, Donyell Williams and his wife Theresa of Westfield, Massachusetts, and Aaron Vitale Moody of Canaan. Her great-grandchildren; Jayden, Emi, and Kamari along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday April 24, 2025, at 12 p.m. in the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home 118 Main St. Canaan, CT 06018. Calling hours will precede the funeral service on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Lower City Cemetery Undermountain Road, Falls Village.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated first responders and the compassionate medical professionals at Sharon Hospital, Sharon Rehabilitation Center, Danbury Hospital, and Geer Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the loving care they provided to their mother.
Memorial donations may be sent to Macedonia Baptist Church 9 Rosseter St. Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Alec Linden
Lynn Kearcher and her husband, Carl Chaiet, pull brush from within the pound’s walls just off Sharon Mountain Road. Kearcher said the boulder embedded in the slope at the back of the pound is a unique architectural feature.
SHARON – While many think of the “pound” as a place for stray dogs, a century and a half ago town pounds were a fixture of life in rural Connecticut, used to temporarily contain wandering livestock. Today, a Sharon resident is working to restore one of those long-forgotten stone enclosures.
Lynn Kearcher, a town selectman pursuing the project independently, has spent months restoring an old-fashioned pound on Sharon Mountain Road in an effort to preserve a little-known piece of the town’s agrarian history.
“It’s a structure that links us to our past in what was a very important period,” she said June 4, while pulling brush from the pound’s low stone walls. The site, near the intersection of Sharon Mountain and Jackson Hill roads, is owned by three private landowners, all of whom have given permission for the effort.
The now-tidy plot looked very different just several months ago, Kearcher said. Since then, she, her husband, Carl Chaiet, and other volunteers have spent many hours clearing weeds and brush, while several community members donated money to hire Applewood Tree Care to remove several dead trees from the site.
Kearcher is continuing to raise money to restore the pound to an appearance she believes reflects the dignity such a vestige of town history deserves.
In pre-barbed wire days, when farms were more numerous and often smaller with limited means of monitoring livestock, New England towns built special corrals for animals on the loose. A resident known as the pound keeper rounded up rogue animals in a common pen. Farmers could either pay a fee to collect them or surrender them to the town, which could then auction the animals and keep the earnings.
Town pounds emerged in New England from the earliest days of livestock husbandry up until the late 19th century, and their importance in that era is hard to overstate, said history writer Matthew E. Thomas, author of a 2023 book on New England’s remaining animal pounds.
“You had to have a pound to be able to prevent all of these different livestock animals from escaping from their farms and wreaking havoc in neighbors’ property, which did not make for good neighborly dealing sometimes,” Thomas said.
“These are wonderful monuments to the past,” he added, noting that a runaway cow could wreck someone’s food stores for the hard winter ahead.
Thomas’s research identified approximately 170 known pounds intact today in New England, but he said he’s grateful to residents like Kearcher who show that there are likely many more lost to time in yards and woods across the region.
“It just makes it so much more meaningful to know that there are people out there that genuinely care about preserving our early American history,” he said.
Kearcher has identified two more suspected pounds nearby, with one hidden in the woods farther south on Sharon Road and the other sitting in a thicket next to Fairchild Road. Both are located on land owned by the Sharon Land Trust, which has given permission for future restoration.
The goal, Kearcher said, is to protect these sites with an ordinance that would herald them as artifacts of Sharon’s history, potentially dating back to the early 18th century. Kearcher has been communicating with the state archeologist to organize a visit that may shed some light on the specific stories of the structures.
For his part, Thomas said the pounds, while forgotten by many, are a strong reminder of a different way of living in the countryside: “A time,” he wrote, “when nearly all social, economic, religious and political issues were handled primarily at the local level.” In that bygone era, sometimes locking up a cow or pig for a few days was another means to keep the peace.
Alec Linden
In July, Nikki Blass, right, will take over as Sharon’s Land Use Administrator when Jamie Casey retires after more than three decades in Town Hall.
SHARON – Nichole “Nikki” Blass of Sharon will take over as Land Use Administrator on July 1, following the retirement of longtime town employee Jamie Casey. Blass is a seven-year veteran of the Land Use Office and also serves as the second lieutenant and secretary for Sharon Ambulance.
Casey said Blass’ experience working as the Office’s assistant has set her up well to succeed in the role.
The Land Use Administrator is the town’s zoning enforcement officer, responsible for handling all applications related to construction, development and landscape alterations and issuing citations when zoning code is broken. It is a paid role that is appointed by the First Selectman.
“To me, she was the only choice for the job,” Casey said. “She knows the town inside and out, and she grew up here. That’s important, too.”
Blass’s appointment was announced during the Board of Selectmen’s May 26 meeting. In previous weeks, selectmen interviewed Blass and another candidate for the position.
Blass said she was first introduced to Casey and the Land Use Office through her involvement with Sharon Ambulance. She was initially hired to handle filing duties but quickly took on additional responsibilities as the workload increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When Covid hit, we were so inundated with projects and work that I just jumped in,” Blass said, saying that she and Casey worked naturally together. “It was sink or swim.”
Blass said when she takes office in July, she plans to focus on organization to support several large-scale projects that are ongoing or pending review. Those include the development of an office facility for Jasper Johns-affiliated nonprofit Low Road Foundation and a controversial housing development on Hospital Hill Road which is currently facing litigation from neighbors.
She said replacing Casey will be a challenge. Still, she said her time working in the office with Casey has prepared her well for the flexibility and depth of knowledge the position requires.
“Every situation that comes through the door is not the same as the one that was before it,” Blass said. “Being able to handle that kind of thing is the most valuable lesson she could have taught me.”
Blass is stepping into a complex role, Casey said, “but I know she’s more than capable of doing it.”
Plus, “she’s a Sharon girl,” Casey said.
Meanwhile the Selectmen have been conducting interviews to replace Stanley MacMillan Jr., the town’s building inspector and fire marshal of three decades, who is also retiring at the end of the month.No hire had been announced as of June 4. Town Hall is also seeking to hire a replacement for Blass’ current position to assist both the Land Use Administrator and Building Inspector, and will be soliciting candidates this month.
Millerton News
AMENIA — The Amenia Free Library is gearing up for its Sips & Sweets fundraiser.
The fundraiser is set for Saturday, June 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library on Route 343.
Tickets cost $30 per person and are available for sale at the library prior to the event or at the door the night of. The cover price includes drinks, food and two raffle tickets.
The fundraiser is limited to adults 21 and over.
The Amenia Free Library is located at 3309 Route 343 in Amenia.

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Millerton News
DENTAL ASSISTANT Part Time: Tuesday to Friday, for exclusive private practice in Sharon, CT. Flexible schedule and hours, competitive salary. 860-364-0200, office@drnweeia.org.
Isabella Freedman Jewish Re-treat Center is a year-round 120-person retreat facility that is located in Falls Village, CT. Want to work at a beautiful, peaceful location, with great people? This is the place to be! We are currently seeking positions for Seasonal Lifeguard(s), Cook, Retreat services associate (banquet server front of house) and Mashgichim (F/T or P/T) for our summer season. For more details please visit our website at Careers - Adamah or email a copy of your resume to rebecca.eisen@adamah.org
SEEKING LAND USE ADMINISTRATOR/ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (FULL TIME, SALARIED) The Town of Salisbury is seeking a qualified, motivated professional to serve as its full-time Land Use Administrator. Details are available at www.salisburyct.us/employment/
TOWN OF SHARON HELP WANTED. Building Department /Land Use Office Support, part-time, approximately 25 hours per week, $24.70 per hour. Position provides administrative support for the Building Official, Fire Marshal, and Land Use Administrator. Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED (Associates Degree Preferred) with 4 years increasingly responsible work experience, preferably in administrative work, public con-tact, and field of municipal government. For full job description, see the Town of Sharon Website (sharonct.gov) or con-tact the Selectmen’s Office at 860-364-5789. Applications and resumes are to be received in the Selectmen’s Office, P. O. Box 385, Sharon, CT 06069 by 4:00PM June 15, 2026. The Town of Sharon is an equal opportunity employer.
Come sailing with us on Twin Lakes. Our 21’ sailboat can host 4-5 crew in a private charter for 2 hours out of O’Hara’s Marina, Salisbury CT. We offer sailing lessons too! www.nashallasailing.com 413-229-9042.
Héctor Pacay Landscaping and Construction LLC: Fully insured. Renovation, decking, painting; interior exterior, mowing lawn, garden, stone wall, patio, tree work, clean gutters, mowing fields. 845-636-3212.
Old Houses and Barns my specialty: Renovations and Re-pairs. 25 years serving the tri-state area. Licensed and Insured. Based in Canaan, CT. David Valyou 917-538-1617. davidvalyou@yahoo.com
SHARON
TAG SALE! Sat, June 20 10-4 22 Dug Rd @Low Rd, Sharon. Housewares, books, clothes, toys/kids stuff, ski stuff, records & more! Free table & Lemonade with purchase! No early birds pls.
Looking for a small farm to board my 22 year old mare ideally located near trails. She gets along well with other horses. No drama. Available to help with feeding and or turnout if needed. 860-786-2546.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or:rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
Millerton, rural, newly renovated house: 2 bedrooms, split air/a/c system, dishwasher, decks, views, pets considered. $2675. Call 518-567-8277.
Millerton News
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Kaits Kleaning LLC. Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 05-22-2026. Office Location: Dutchess county. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 24 Attlebury Hill Road, Standfordville NY 12581.
06-04-26
06-11-26
06-18-26
06-25-26
07-02-26
07-09-26
LEGAL NOTICE OF ESTOPPEL
A resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on May 21, 2026, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be here-after contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Town of Pine Plains, in the County of Dutchess, New York, is not authorized to expend money or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this Notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. MADELIN DAFOE, Town Clerk
Town of Pine Plains BOND RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF PINE PLAINS, NEW YORK, ADOPTED MAY 21, 2026, FOR THE PURCHASE OF A HIGHWAY MOWER AND ATTACHMENTS AND ISSUANCE OF A STATUTORY INSTALLMENT BOND TO FINANCE SAID PURCHASE IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $159,953.14, AND THE TRANSFER OF$42,100 FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND$10,000 FROM THE MACHINERY CAPITAL LINE, STATING THE ESTIMATED MAXIMUM COST THEREOF IS$212,053.14, APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT THEREFOR, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $159,953.14 SERIAL BONDS OF SAID TOWN TO FINANCE SAID APPROPRIATION. Object or purpose: Purchase of a highway mower and issuance of a statutory installment bond to finance said purchase in the amount not to exceed$159,953.14
Period of probable usefulness: Eleven years Amount of obligations to be issued: $159,953.14 A complete copy of the bond resolution summarized above shall be available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Town Clerk, 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York. Dated: May 21, 2026 Town of Pine Plains, New York
06-11-26
PINE PLAINS TOWN BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
that the Pine Plains Town Board will hold a public hearing on the adoption of a for the Adoption a Local Law No. A of 2026 Entitled “A Local Law Amending
Article XVIII, Section 275-116 of Chapter 275 of the Town Code” on June 18, at 7:05 p.m. at the Pine Plains Town Hall, located at 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York. A copy of the proposed Local Law is available for inspection on the Town’s official website and at the Town Clerk’s office during normal business hours. Any person desiring to be heard on the adoption of said Resolution shall be given an opportunity to do so. Dated: May 22, 2026 BY ORDER OF THE PINE PLAINS THE TOWN BOARD.
MADELIN DAFOE,
Town Clerk
06-11-26
SECTION 001112 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
(N.Y. PUBLIC WORK) THE TOWN OF AMENIA
Invites bids for GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, PLUMBING, MECHANICAL, and ELECTRICAL Work for New Highway Garage & Salt Shed located at 3754-3756 NYS RTE 22, Wassaic, NewYork, 12569. Separate sealed bids will be received by Town of Amenia at 4988 NY-22, Amenia, NY 12501, until 1:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure that the bid is received at the designated location prior to the designated time that bids are due.
Complete sets of the drawings, specifications, and bid forms, becoming available to the public on Thursday, June 11, 2026 and may be viewed and downloaded at www.cplteamplanroom.c om under the ‘New York’ section.
A Pre-Bid Meeting for the Project will be conducted by the Architect/Engineer and Construction Manager on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 9:00 am, local time, at 3754-3756 NYS RTE 22, Wassaic, NY 12592.
Bidders shall promptly notify the architect if any errors, omissions, conflicts, ambiguity, etc. within the contract documents. The above item and/or questions shall be submit-ted in writing via email to JDirocco@cplteam.com.
Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary will be issued via Addenda posted to the CPL planroom website at www.cplteamplanroom.com.
Questions must be re-ceived on or before 12:00 p.m., EST, Friday, June 26, 2026. Questions received after this date may not be answered. Only questions answered by formal written Addenda will be binding. Oral and other interpreta-tions or clarifications will be without legal effect. Where state and local requirements differ from federal, the federal requirements shall be fol-lowed. Final addenda will be issued by end of day on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The Town of Amenia hereby reserves the right to waive any informalities and reject any or all Bids or to accept the one that in its judgment will be in the best interest of Town of Amenia.
A Bid Bond or Certified Check in the amount of five percent (5%) of Base Bid is required and must accompany proposal. Performance Bond and Labor Material Payment Bond equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Contract Sum are required to be delivered at time Contract is signed with Owner.
Attention of the Bidder is particularly called to the following:
1.The Owner’s sales tax exemption.
2. The minimum wage rates to be paid under the contract.
3. The requirements pertaining to certification of Non-Collusion in preparation of proposals submitted for this Project. No bidder may withdraw their bid within forty-five (45) days after date of bid opening.
In addition, the Bidding Documents for this project contain detailed requirements for the qualification of Bidders as follows:
1. Rigid bonding and insurance requirements.
4. Financial statements and bank references.
5. Lists of lawsuits, arbitrations or other proceedings in which the Bidder has been named as a party.
6. A statement of Surety’s intent to issue Performance and Payment Bonds.
7. A description of other projects of similar size and scope completed by the Bidder.
Bidders will comply with New York State prevailing wage and supplement requirements.
Town of Amenia
Dutchess County State of New York
Town Clerk
06-11-26
Nathan Miller
Millerton volunteer firefighter Shane Watson sprays water and firefighting foam on brush at 375 Schultz Hill Road after a brush fire broke out on Friday afternoon, June 5.
PINE PLAINS — A brush fire tore through about a half acre of grass at 375 Schultz Hill Road on Friday, June 5.
Fire crews from Pine Plains, Millerton and Milan, New York, responded to the scene. Pine Plains Fire Chief Brian Walsh said crews were dispatched at 1:11 p.m.
The fire was largely doused by 2:15 p.m., with crews continuing to spray water and firefighting foam on the brush to suppress any latent flames. No injuries were reported.
Trevor Slater, who rents the house on the property, said he didn't notice the flames until a neighbor drove by on the road and alerted him and emergency responders.
"I was on the back side of the house and the smoke was all going the other way," Slater said.

Walsh said the exact cause of the fire was unknown at the scene, but he said the blaze was not intentionally set.
Slater said he believed the fire was a reignition from embers. He said his landlords had informed him several days before that they would be burning brush. A similar incident had happened before, Slater said, causing a brush fire that spread to within feet of his home.
"It burned all the way up to the side of my house," Slater said. "That took a couple days to reignite as well."
Walsh confirmed Pine Plains firefighters have responded to blazes at the property before.
"We've been here multiple times," Walsh said.

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