Samuel Johnson, 8, and his 10-year-old brother Emmett, right, of Amenia, build a car out of legos that they will then use a computer to program and drive at the Amenia Free Library on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Samuel Johnson, 8, and his 10-year-old brother Emmett, right, of Amenia, build a car out of legos that they will then use a computer to program and drive at the Amenia Free Library on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Ruth Epstein
SHARON, Conn. — Sharon Hospital will receive $13.1 million in federal funding to expand care for older residents, improve access to specialists and establish an outpatient rehabilitation facility outside its campus.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Sept. 16 that the award is part of $50 million in first-year agreements finalized by the Connecticut Department of Social Services under the Rural Health Transformation Program.
The statewide funding package includes $46 million for four rural hospital systems and nearly $4 million for technical assistance.
Sharon Hospital, part of Northwell Health, plans to combine its $13.1 million award with investments from the health system to support three initiatives: a healthy aging program, a staffed virtual health office and an off campus rehabilitation facility.
The healthy aging program will bring blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring and cholesterol screening to community settings where older residents already gather. Hospital officials said the gatherings will also provide opportunities for social interaction.
The virtual health office will provide a dedicated space at Sharon Hospital where patients can consult remotely with specialists, with clinical staff available to assist. The service is intended to help older residents, working families and patients whose medical conditions make travel difficult.
The planned rehabilitation facility will provide an additional location for physical therapy and rehabilitation, which hospital officials described as among the area’s most sought-after services. Existing rehabilitation services on the hospital campus will continue.
“These resources will help us strengthen access to care, invest in services that meet the unique needs of our rural community and continue building a healthier future for the patients and families we are privileged to serve,” Sharon Hospital President Christina McCulloch said in a statement.
Other first-year awards include $20.2 million for Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam and a combined $12.7 million for Hartford HealthCare’s Windham Hospital and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital in Torrington.
The grants are intended to help rural hospitals address challenges that include staffing shortages, aging facilities, low patient volumes and a heavy reliance on public insurance programs. Projects statewide will include equipment upgrades, building renovations, expanded telehealth capacity and efforts to stabilize the health care workforce.
“Connecticut’s rural hospitals are essential to their communities, and they have unique challenges in ensuring that people who live in these areas can access the healthcare they need,” Lamont said.
The announcement follows other investments since Sharon Hospital became part of Northwell Health in May 2025, when Northwell merged with Nuvance Health, the hospital’s former parent organization.
Earlier this year, McCulloch described upgrades to the hospital’s radiology department, including a replacement CT scanner, and an expanded training program that brings family medicine residents to Sharon for experience in rural health care.
Connecticut is expected to receive approximately $154.2 million during the first year of the five-year federal program. The $50 million announced Sept. 16 represents the first group of finalized agreements with hospitals and a technical-assistance provider.
Sharon Hospital has not specified when its three initiatives will begin, where the offsite rehabilitation facility will be located or how the $13.1 million will be divided among them.
Nathan Miller
AMENIA — Smoking and vaping tobacco and cannabis is now banned on town-owned property in Amenia after Town Board members approved new regulations Thursday, Sept. 17.
Town Board members unanimously approved the new local law during their regular meeting following a public comment period that drew no response.
Town officials introduced the legislation in August, intending to bring the town’s local laws in line with updated guidelines from health authorities and anti-smoking advocates. Those guideline updates are driven by increased use of cannabis following legalization in New York and the prevalence of nicotine vapes, Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm said.
Hamm said the updated guidance led her to realize the town did not have any smoking regulations. She said that realization spurred town officials to implement a formal ban on town property including Town Hall, the basketball courts and public space along Main Street, Beekman Park, Fountain Square, the town’s Highway Garage, town-owned cemeteries and at the playground behind Town Hall.
The town will now install “no smoking” signs at the impacted locations. Violations of the law carry fines — $50 for a first offense and between $200 and $500 for subsequent offenses.
Hamm said the town’s constables and Dutchess County Sheriff’s deputies will have the authority to issue tickets for violating the law. But she said she expects most people to respect the signs and refrain from smoking on town property.
“It’s going to take time to get it in full swing, but you have to start somewhere,” Hamm said in September before the law was approved.
Graham Corrigan
PINE PLAINS — A proposed wedding and event venue at the former site of Lia’s Mountain View restaurant may move forward after the Pine Plains Town Board approved a change to the zoning code.
Town Board members approved multiple changes to the town’s zoning code on Thursday, Sept. 17, including adjusting rules for properties that are divided over multiple zones and adjusting definitions for retail farm stands.
The first change amends a local law pertaining to properties that are split by multiple zones. Instead of applying for a variance, a property owner may now extend the less restrictive zone to the entire parcel — as long as the parcel is less than 5 acres.
Angela Somma, who runs The Tin Barn in Clermont, has planned to rehabilitate the property on Route 82 for the better part of a year. Somma wants to open a venue in the space, complete with food, drink, music, and dancing. Her application was delayed, however, when it was discovered that the Pine Plains parcel was split in two.
With the matter now resolved and codified into law, the rehabilitation may continue.
Farm Market or Farm Stand?
The Town Board approved another tweak to the local laws last week. The difference between farm markets and farm stands had been batted back and forth between the board and the county for months, but at September’s meeting, Town Attorney Warren Replansky filed a resolution addressing the distinction.
Under the new resolution, a farm market requires the available products to be grown in the larger Hudson Valley area. It’s not required to be seasonal and may sell goods produced at a different location.
The debate came about after a proposed storage property at 2316 Church Street wanted to include a farm stand at the front of their property. Under Pine Plains’s zoning regulations, a “farm stand” refers specifically to retail operations on the same farm property where the goods are produced.
Whether the application will now be amended remains to be seen.
Patchin’s Mill tour
After a summer of renovation and rejuvenation, the historic Patchin’s Mill — a lumber mill building that has seen significant renovations this year at the hands of Friends of Stissing Landmarks — is ready for its closeup. FOSL will host a Patchin’s Mill Day on Oct. 11, where they’ll walk through the restoration work that has brought the local landmark back from the brink. Both the mill and its adjoining house will be available for tours.
Flock public forum
Councilmember Jeanine Sisco reminded residents of a public forum on Sept. 23 concerning surveillance company Flock Safety. The forum will start at 5 p.m. and be held at the Pleasant Valley Town Hall. It’s being organized by County Legislator Eric Alexander, and will include Sheriff Kirk Imperati, District Attorney Anthony Parisi, and County Legislator Yvette Valdés Smith.
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Millerton News
VILLAGE OF MILLERTON — Mark Edward Peck, 70, a lifelong area resident died peacefully at his childhood home in Millerton, New York, just as his beloved father had several years prior. Mark worked as a self-employed roofing contractor for MCM Construction in Millerton, prior to his illness.
Born June 5, 1956, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Alan G. and S. Jean (Bathrick) Peck. He was educated in the Webutuck School District and he graduated high school with the class of 1974. On Sept. 22, 1984 in Copake Falls, New York, he married the love of his life, Jane E. Robertson. Mrs. Peck survives at home in Millerton.
Mark was an avid musician and played and sang in multiple bands throughout his life. He loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed caring for his lawn and yard work in general. He was an avid New York Giants fan and greatly enjoyed long rides over Mount Riga with his beloved wife Jane. Mark will forever be remembered as an all-around good guy and he will be dearly missed by his family and many dear friends.
In addition to his wife Jane, Mark is survived by his son, Edward Brammer III and his wife Amy of Sandisfield, Massachusetts; two brothers, Bruce Peck of Au Sable Forks, New York, and Glenn Peck and his wife Lynn of Webster, New York; two grandchildren, Jessica Stevens and her husband Will of Canaan, Connecticut, and Abby Magner and her husband Alex of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and five great grandchildren, Brayden, Lyla, Eli, Wyatt and Noah. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Gary Peck of Copake, New York.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, New York. A funeral service will take place at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor William Mayhew will officiate. A reception in Mark’s honor will follow at the Millerton Firehouse. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree is Mark’s memory, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546.
Millerton News
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. — John H. Belter Jr. 77, of South Burlington, Vermont died on Tuesday Sept. 15, 2026, at home, following a battle with liver cancer.
He was born on June 12, 1949, in Sharon, Connecticut, the son of John and Doretta Beaupre Belter. He graduated from Housatonic High School and the Ag School at the University of Connecticut. He was married in St. Marks Church in New Canaan, Connecticut to Joyce Nelson.
John and Joyce started their adventure with their own dairy farm by renting a farm in Lakeville, Connecticut just down the road from his family’s homestead. They leased it for three years until they were able to purchase Ethan Allen Farm in South Burlington, Vermont. John enjoyed being able to raise his family on his working dairy farm. He received numerous awards in FFA, the National Corn Growers Association, Farm Bureau, and Jaycees. Being selected as one of four Outstanding Farmers in America in 1984, lead to having breakfast with his family at the White House with President Ronald Regan.
John served on the South Burlington planning commission for many years and was active in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, 4-H Leader and Holstein Fresian Association. John enjoyed many sports including golf, basketball, and tennis.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, his son Todd (Caroline) and his daughter Sarah (Anthony); five grandchildren; Jackson, Brayden, John, Cole, and Hadley; his brothers; Tom (Terry), James (Mindy), Stephen (Lori), and his sister Ann (Steve). John is also survived by Joyce’s sisters, Pam, and Sherry (Ken), along with many other loving family members.
He was predeceased by Jennifer, his daughter, who passed on Sept. 9, 2026, at the age of 49 from Ovarian Cancer, and by his parents.
Visiting hours will be from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, at LaVigne Funeral Home,132 Main Street, Winooski, Vermont. A graveside service will follow at 5:00pm at Merrill Cemetery, Route 15, Colchester (Across from St Michael’s College). In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in John’s name to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
Millerton News
MILLERTON — Joseph J. Stoeckert (Uncle Joe), of Millerton, New York, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2026, at the age of 87.
Joe was born in Brooklyn, New York on Nov. 15, 1938, to Anthony Stoeckert Sr. and Martha Kirchman. He served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s before settling down in the Hudson Valley, where he opened Taconic Sports and Camping next to Rudd Pond. He also worked at the main library on the SUNY New Paltz campus, where he became a mentor to many students.
Joe was a beloved uncle, and he will be missed by his family; Karen, Joe, Ellen, Allyn, Oliver, Tim, Chris, Ryan, Pat, Lena, Mimi, Carl, and Anthony. He also enjoyed spending time with his neighbors, Kathleen and Carl, and his other friends in town. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Sr., mother, Martha, and brother, Anthony Jr.
Joe was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed fishing, cars, photography, reading, hunting, archery, mega stuf oreos, triscuits, and birdwatching. He introduced his nieces and nephews to the outdoors at early ages, and they still use his original camping equipment and hand-tied flies to this day. He was a collector of antiques, local artwork, and anything related to Buffalo Bill. His collection and legacy continues with his nieces and nephews.
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