Carl Baden, Pine Plains Highway Superintendent, shown in a photo last year with one of the town’s trucks. A study is underway by Dutchess County Comptroller Gregg Pulver to determine whether using a brine mixture on county roads instead of rock salt for winter storms would help save both the environment and money for Dutchess County.
POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess County Comptroller Gregg Pulver has launched a study to consider alternatives to using road salt on county roads.
Pulver said, “We are always looking to save taxpayer’s money and launching environmentally friendly road salt is a great way to accomplish both saving your money and protecting our environment.
“The brine solution may significantly reduce costs for our highway department while removing the harmful impact traditional road salt has on our waterways, roads, and soil in Dutchess County, not to mention the excessive damage it does to vehicles by prematurely rusting.”
Pulver said he has long been aware of the effects road salt can have.
“My parents well was contaminated from road salt years ago. Since then, I’ve always advocated for less usage.”
The inspiration for the study came from Rhinebeck where highway superintenden Bob Wyant saw a video on how to make a brine mixer.
The brine mixer churns salt and water to make a mixture, which when applied to winter roads has been shown to be more effective and cheaper than the traditional rock salt used now. It is also safer for the environment.
Once it is applied, the water in the brine evaporates, leaving a coating of salt which sticks to the roads. Traditional rock salt tends to bounce and roll off the roads and into waterways where it gets into drinking water and raises salinity, which can be unhealthy, especially for people with high blood pressure.
It also affects fish, plants, gets into soil, and affects ecosystems, according to “ROAD SALT, The Problem, The Solution, and How to Get There,” a study by the Cary Institute of Ecosystems Studies in Millbrook.
Where rock salt must be applied right before or during a storm, brine can be applied up to forty-eight hours before a storm, which also can save on labor.
The Cary study recommends “a 23% salt brine solution to pre-treat roads before the onset of storms. Estimates suggest that road pre-treatment with brine can yield a 75% savings in total salt applied.”
It is noted that brine, while a good solution, is not a perfect one.
Studies note winter rains can wash brine away and into waterways. Brine may not be as effective as rock salt in certain conditions. Rock salt is more effective on ice caused by freezing rain.
In Halifax, Canada, municipality spokesperson Erin DiCarlo noted, “Conditions must be correct in order to apply this liquid chemical to a roadway and be effective. If the storm is forecast to begin with rain, the city may avoid using brine. Also, the temperature can’t be too low, and the humidity can’t be too high.”
It is also more caustic than rock salt and can cause rust on cars and trucks.
As brine sticks to roads, it will also adhere to automobiles. It is recommended to wash cars periodically.
According to ADK Action (Adirondack Mountain Club), which has studied the effects of salt on the environment, particularly in the Adirondacks, brine should be used in conjunction with other methods of reducing salt use, such as precise application (computerized release of salt/brine), listening to RWIS (Road Weather Information System) to plan ahead for storms, making a map of sensitives areas (such as near waterways), upgrading equipment, improved training of plow drivers, educating the public, good storage and clean-up of salt, including the possibility of recycling water from washing plow trucks for the brine mixture, and monitoring and evaluating salt use.
Comptroller Pulver said, “We are putting together the scope of the study now and hope to have that complete early next week. I have already reached out for preliminary information from several sources including Cornell Local Roads Program and Washington County DPW. Once we get the facts, we will be able to make evidence-based recommendations on whether or not to proceed.”
He added, “This is a brand-new study, we’re going to begin immediately, and I’m not sure I can place an exact timeline on an implementation. My office provides oversight and official recommendations. It would be on the Department of Public Works to implement.
“And to clarify, this would be for county roads. We will of course share the results of our studies with local municipalities like Pine Plains, but I have no control over their decision-making process,” he emphasized.
CANTON — Luigina A. Dzenutis, 91, of Canton, died peacefully on Jan. 16, 2025, in her home. She was the wife of the late Peter A. Dzenutis Sr.
Luigina was born in Bronx, New York, on May 17, 1933, the daughter of the late Jack and Medie (Tonelli) Grecco.
Luigina’s life was full of family, friends and celebrations. She enjoyed her last Christmas season surrounded by everyone she loves, singing and dancing her way through December.
Luigina is survived by her seven sons; Peter Jr., John, Ralph, David, Stanley, Thomas and Rah; and four daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Ann and Luiginia. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren; Jolene, Sherri, Cassie, Michael, Britney, Nicholas, Gabriela, Sydney, Page, Terry, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Jacob, Maximilliam, Gabriel and Luigina, along with thirteen great-grandchildren; Payton, Aubrey, Aman Jr., Carmela, Landon, Hailey, Hayden, Jayden, Grayson, Malia, Bennett, Rowen and Landon Jr.
Besides her husband, Peter, of 69 years she was predeceased by a son, Michael and grandson Aman.
Luigina leaves behind a legacy of stories and memories to be told by her 11 remaining children and a multitude of grand and great-grand children, nieces and nephews.
Members of her community, and friends of the family, may pay their respects at Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, CT, Jan. 22 from 4 p.m to 6 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Amenia, NY on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery. The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Troutbeck's sign at the intersection of Leedsville Road and Route 343 in Amenia.
AMENIA — Public hearings continued from the previous meeting concluded at the regular meeting of the Amenia Planning Board on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Having considered public comment, the board approved applications from Troutbeck for an indoor pool and from DaVinci Windows for a sign installation.
No public comment was heard in connection with the Troutbeck proposal to construct an outdoor pool as briefly described by project engineer Rich Rennia of Rennia Engineering of Dover Plains. The application is part of Phase 8 of Troutbeck’s adaptive reuse application, revised recently to reduce the environmental impact.
Plans call for renovation to the existing pool, the bathhouse and the snack bar — all contained within the wellness area — and construction of a new indoor pool inside the Amenity Barn, Rennia said, explaining that the wellness area will not expand in area, only configuration.
Planning Board attorney Paul Van Cott said that the Phase 8 plans remain consistent with previous planning board approvals and are consistent with the site plan. Board engineer John Andrews indicated that the application was in order and ready for planning board decision, clearing the way for the unanimous vote to approve.
Residents’ concerns about traffic safety were repeated during the continued public hearing to approve installation of a two by six sign at the Route 343 location of DaVinci Windows’ showroom. However, following discussion, the planning board voted unanimous approval of the sign permit, providing that a site plan be submitted showing details of the new sign.
Resident George Bistransin echoed neighbors’ concerns that the sign might pose a dangerous distraction for motorists negotiating a nearby highway curve. He also offered his opinion that conversion of a residential property into a commercial enterprise should have been subjected to further review.
Engineer Andrews reported on his visit to the site accompanied by town highway and building officials. Andrews said that the property is located in a mixed-use district and that the project renovates a single-family residence to add a commercial use.
Andrews added his findings that the sight lines would not be impacted by the sign’s location.
Atty. Van Cott advised that Andrews will need to sign off on the sign’s site plan, a plan that will show illumination details.
Board member Nina Peek suggested that approval be delayed until the site plan with sign details is submitted, but board member James Vitiello favored moving ahead with a vote to approve, pending receipt of the site plan.
The Planning Board heard a preliminary review of impending plans for a Cascade Road affordable housing development to be proposed by Hudson River Housing of Poughkeepsie.
Plans were introduced by Senior Planner Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering. The site would use the land for workforce housing, envisioning a potential layout of 28 small lots to hold single-family, 4-bedroom homes with on-site shared water and septic systems. Half of the land would be conserved, Sander said, asking the board to provide any preliminary comments to assist with preparing for the application process.
Engineer John Andrews asked for a detailed analysis of the conservation elements on the property and he said that the precise acreage needs to be determined.
Atty. Van Cott noted that the planning board is not going to be looking at the subdivision plans at the current early stage. Rather, the board will be considering the plot of land as a whole including the conservation value.
“The applicant’s job is to design around these land resources,” Van Cott added, indicating the presence of a stream corridor at the site.
Board member Vitiello asked about impact on any wildlife to which Van Cott responded that the applicant would need to acquire the services of a professional biologist who would define any habitats. An alternative, Van Cott noted, would be for the Planning Board to hire a biologist at the applicant’s expense.
Spotted salamander is present at the site, as noted by board member James Walsh who indicated that he has caught trout when fishing the site.
Water and septic concerns were of interest to board member Kenneth Topolsky, including water quality, wastewater treatment plans, and run-off from storm water and Cascade Creek and how it might affect surrounding properties.
MILLERTON — Calling the ongoing revitalization of Eddie Collins Memorial Park “the largest project the village has taken on,” Mayor Jenn Najdek has disclosed additional funding has come through in support of its upgrade.
This past December, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded the village a matching grant of up to $675,000 in support of the Eddie Collins Memorial Park Swimming Pool Project. With these monies, funding for Phase II of the project, which stems largely from a NY SWIMS capital grant, is now at $7.56 million.
This most recent grant, which Najdek explained was the final one for which the village had applied, will go toward planned improvements for the park which include a new swimming pool and bathhouse, a community room and an on-site septic system. Additionally, all sections of the park will be accessible, making the venue ADA-compliant. The hope is to have complete and final designs of the project submitted over the next month or so. Completion of the project is expected by spring of 2026.
“It’s going to be great when it’s all done,” said Najdek, who acknowledged the need for quality outdoor recreation in Millerton, and who fondly recalled the swimming pool which was previously in place. “I’m excited,” she added.
The revitalization of Eddie Collins Memorial Park has been a work in progress for just under a decade, but strides have been made in recent years with the implementation of a soccer field, the recent installation of donated lights for the baseball field, and the paving of the parking lot as well as other revisions.
This 3 bedroom/2 bath renovated raised ranch at 7760 Main St. in Pine Plains sold for $590,000.
PINE PLAINS — From August through November there were 14 sales in Pine Plains with only one on Lake Road selling for over a million dollars and two homes for over $500,000 — a midcentury modern in town closing for $590,000 and a historic house on 8.5 acres for $660,000.
Since September 2021 the median price for publicly listed properties in Pine Plains has hovered at around $350,000. Properties listed in mid-January include seven residences ranging in price from $150,000 to $8.95 million, six pieces of land and Harvest Homestead Farm on 343 acres with a fully functioning distillery formerly associated with 1930’s mobster Dutch Schultz.
23 Willow St. — 2 bedroom/2 bath house sold for $362,500.
50 Meusel Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath house sold for $339,200.
7760 Main St. — 3 bedroom /2 bath renovated raised ranch sold for $590,000.
2812 Church St. — a mobile home on .69 acres sold for $107,000.
North Main St. (#414425) — 2.7 acre residential lot sold for $80,000 in a private sale.
4-8 Stissing Mountain Lane — 3 bedroom/1 bath house on 1 acre sold for $475,000 in a private sale.
62 Britton St. — 3 bedroom/1 bath house sold for $235,000 in a private sale.
3 Carla Terrace — 3 bedroom/1 bath house sold for $345,000.
30 Myrtle Ave. — 3 bedroom/2 bath house sold for $202,000.
3831 Route 199 — uninhabitable 2 bedroom/1bath house sold for $50,000 in a private sale.
Bean River Road (3307440) — 2.87 acre lot sold for $112,000.
243 Lake Road — 4 bedroom/3.5 bath home on 1.38 acres sold for $1,525,000.
421 Carpenter Hill Road — 2 bedroom/2 bath house on 1.13 acres sold privately for $214,000.
3327 Route 199 — 4 bedroom/2 bath house built in 1787 on 8.51 acres sold for $660,000.
* Town of Pine Plains real estate sales recorded between August 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024, sourced from Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service Agency. Information on active listings taken from First Key MLS which may understate available properties. Parcel numbers refer to parcel designation by Dutchess County and may be accessed on Dutchess Parcel Access. Only transfers with consideration are included. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY
