
Rebuilding Together volunteers at a National Rebuilding Day project in Poughkeepsie in April 2022.
Rebuilding Together
Rebuilding Together volunteers at a National Rebuilding Day project in Poughkeepsie in April 2022.
POUGHKEEPSIE — Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (RTDC), a leading nonprofit in repairing homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives with more than 40 years of experience, is rebranding as Rebuilding Together Hudson Valley (RTHV) with an expansion into Ulster County.
With the expansion, its reach now extends across the Hudson, continuing its mission to help those in rural communities often overlooked by traditional assistance programs.
At the helm of this organization is Darcy McCourt, who took the reins as executive director in April 2022. McCourt’s vision for Rebuilding Together reflects the organization’s core values, as she stated, “We repair homes, we revitalize communities, and we have a deep impact on people’s lives.”
This impact is not just measured in bricks and mortar but in the restoration of dignity, independence and safety for those in need, said McCourt.
“We’ve been around for 32 years here in Dutchess County,” she said. People know about us, and they’ve been begging, literally, since I joined and prior to see if we would expand into additional counties.”
Not only were homeowners with critical home safety needs asking for support, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was identifying rural communities, in both Dutchess and Ulster counties, with needs that Rebuilding Together could help meet in its expansion.
HUD has identified that up to 75% of the population in these counties live in a rural community which they define in one of three ways: 1. A place having fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. 2. A county or parish with an urban population of 20,000 inhabitants or less or 3. Any place with a population not in excess of 20,000 inhabitants and not located in a Metropolitan Statistical Area.
By leveraging census data and collaborating with local officials and community partners, Rebuilding Together identified Ulster County as the next frontier for its mission. “For all of the housing support that agencies give,” said McCourt, “we’re only touching 5% of the population in those same rural communities.”
Reaching those in need isn’t just about physical presence, but about meaningful outreach, said McCourt. She emphasized the importance of meeting people where they are, whether it’s through community events, partnerships with local organizations or even bulletin board postings at grocery stores. The application process, though time-limited — applications are sent out in June and must be received by September — ensures that those who qualify can access services regardless of technological barriers.
“Those who live in rural communities may not have computers,” said McCourt. “They may not know about us. Perhaps they don’t go to their local library or food pantry. In the past three years, we’ve spent a significant amount of time with our outreach coordinator to touch all corners of our county.”
Central to Rebuilding Together’s success is also a robust volunteer engagement platform, with over 14,000 volunteers lending their time and skills over the years. In addition to providing services for low-income homeowners, RTHV is also providing jobs for those in the skilled trades.
“Since COVID, we have identified that there is greater need for skilled labor,” said McCourt. These relationships have also allowed for a greater number of in-kind donations from contractors. “They can charge us for the labor to put a roof on, but maybe they have extra roofing materials so they’re able to do the work without the cost,” McCourt explained.
Financially, Rebuilding Together relies on a mix of direct donations, grants and in-kind contributions. Its annual golf tournaments serve not only as fundraising events but as opportunities for community engagement and support. McCourt invites individuals and businesses alike to join the cause, whether through donations, volunteering or simply spreading the word.
A consistent grant it has received is through the Office for the Aging. Said director Todd Tancredi: “Rebuilding Together has long partnered with Dutchess County’s Office for the Aging as we fulfill our mission of keeping older adults in their homes safely for a long as possible. To accomplish that, our organizations have worked together to oversee vital repairs and modifications to houses for older adults in Dutchess, allowing them to continue to live independently. We wish Rebuilding Together similar success as they expand into Ulster County.”
The impact of Rebuilding Together’s work extends far beyond the homes it repairs. McCourt shared poignant stories of homeowners whose lives have been transformed by their services. From empowering seniors to remain in their homes to providing communities resources to care for their own, Rebuilding Together’s ripple effect is profound.
Warriors left-fielder James Singleton, no. 4, made it to base on all four at-bats he had Tuesday at Beekman Park.
AMENIA — The Pine Plains boys baseball team travelled to Beekman Park in Amenia to face off against the Webutuck Warriors.
The game ended with a Pine Plains win of 13-7.
The Bombers' Austin Mielich, no. 35, only made one hit in three at-bats, but it was productive. Mielich secured two runners batted in and a run himself in a later play.Photo by Nathan Miller
The Bombers racked up an early lead in the first two innings, scoring four runs in the top of the first and a fifth in the top of the second before the Warriors managed to score two runs in the bottom of the second.
Webutuck defenders held back the Bombers in the third inning and scored another run, bringing the score to a manageable 5-3 Pine Plains lead going into the fourth inning.
Then the Bombers let it rip. Six more runs in the fourth inning brought the score to 11-4 Pine Plains going into the fifth.
Webutuck managed to score another three runs before the end of the game, but the Bombers nearly matched with two more of their own for a finishing score of 13-7.
Bombers catcher Matthew McGhee, no. 10, put out six batters, including Webutuck's Albert Bailey as he tries to cross home plate on Tuesday, May 13, at Beekman Park in Amenia.Photo by Nathan Miller
The Bombers’ pitchers — Warren Lounsbury, no. 11, and Luke Blackburn, no. 4, only gave up four hits to Warrior batters through the game. Between the two pitchers, the Bombers struck out 13 of Webutuck’s batters. The Warriors’ pitchers — Zach Latrell, no. 1, Gabe Domingez, no. 9, and Pearse Williams — managed to strikeout 11 of the Bombers’ batters.
Mickey Stringer of of North East, left, checks in with Chris Virtuoso, volunteering on Saturday, May 12 at the Old Town Garage on South Center Street as a Climate Smart Task Force member. Stringer’s loaded pickup was part of a long line of vehicles along South Center as residents used the opportunity to dispose of air conditioners, mattresses, lumber, and other bulk items. Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan said he didn’t recall seeing such a long line of vehicles in past years.
Elm Drive Elementary School in Millbrook.
MILLBROOK — Preparing for the village-wide vote on the proposed 2025-26 school budget scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, the Millbrook Central School District held a public hearing on Tuesday, May 6, to review the budget and hear residents’ comments.
The CSD proposed 2025-26 budget to be voted upon as Proposition 1, showed total expenditures of $35,649,651, an increase of $1,074,576 (3.11%) over the current year.
“We’re trying to trim as much as we can,” said Elliott Garcia, Assistant Superintendent for Business, during his budget summary.
Two additional propositions are included on the ballot, both anticipating a bond issue to fund repairs, renovations and improvements to school buildings.
Proposition 2 would bring repair to the Middle and High School buildings, with more work at the middle school estimated to cost $37,381,383. Work would include HVAC, electrical, window replacement, roof and ceiling repair, elevator service and doorway improvements.
The high school work would include HVAC at a total estimated cost of $1,883,099.
The total amount would, however, be reduced by $12 million in currently available funding, so that a bond issue would be needed to cover a total of $27,264,482, to be repaid over a number of years. Taxpayers would need to pay the annual interest on the bonds during the life of the bonds.
Separate funding of energy efficiency improvements at the middle school and high school would carry at total estimated cost of $3 million that would also need to be bond-financed, but that funding would return to the school budget in the form of energy cost savings.
Proposition 3 would bring HVAC, electrical and window replacement at the elementary schools at an estimated cost of $21,779,259, also to be financed by bond issue.
Students from the Middle School Student Council presented a report on a recent survey they conducted and analyzed. Their report was titled, “Repair Our School.”
For their building conditions study, the nine students conducted an in-school survey of students, teachers and staff, receiving 228 responses.
Interpreting the responses as percentages, the students reported that 90% indicated that the middle school does not look as good as it could; more than 80% said they were concerned about the state of the building; 67% had classes interrupted by roof leaks; 75% said it was difficult to learn because of the roof leaks; and 94% said that if the school were their home, they would not stay.
“Our student government never stops working,” said Principal Steven Cabello, adding that the students’ efforts have been invigorating.
School superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala praised the students’ project, the time and care invested in their survey study and their reporting of the results.
“I’m super impressed,” Hernandez-Pidala told the students.
The May 20 polling location is at the Middle School, in the Band room adjacent to the auditorium. Polls will be open between noon and 9 p.m.
The proposed budget, details of the propositions and a copy of the ballot are posted on the CSD website at www.millbrookcsd.org.
Voters in two other school districts will decide on higher spending plans for the coming school year on Tuesday, May 20.
Webutuck Central School District and Pine Plains Central School District propose higher K-12 budgets for the 2025-2026 school year.
The proposed budget for Webutuck, with an enrollment of 637 students from K-12, shows a 5.96% increase from the previous year to $28,665,850. Pine Plains proposes spending $38,712,336, an increase of 2.71%.
Ray Nelson, Earthwise Architecture, requested two variances for 7-9 Main St., one to allow a 9-unit floorplan and another to waive the parking requirements for the building, at a public hearing held by the village Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday, May 6.
MILLERTON — Ray Nelson of Millerton presented two possible updated floorplans for the apartment building at 7-9 Main St. to the Zoning Board of Appeals at a public hearing on Tuesday, May 6.
Nelson, on behalf of the building’s owner, is seeking two variances for the property: one allowing a density increase and another waiving the parking requirements for the property.
Village code requires at least 5,000 square feet of lot space per unit for multi-unit properties and 1.5 parking spaces per unit.
The building was configured with 12 units under previous ownership, a non-conforming use.
Nelson submitted a 9-unit plan and a 6-unit plan. He argues the 9-unit plan, which would house one fewer total bedroom than the 6-unit layout, would not require additional parking because the smaller units attract tenants that use fewer parking spaces — young couples, single people and very small families.
“There’s a need for apartments that are in the village,” Nelson said.
The submitted 9-unit floorplan is a reduction from a previously declined 12-unit plan that sought to maintain the current number of units in the property.
Zoning board members concluded the public hearing after brief discussion with the three Millerton residents that attended the meeting.
Zoning board members could not reach a final decision on the variances that night, citing required further deliberation, but they indicated a positive attitude to Nelson’s new plans.