Margaret Irwin, lead consultant with River Street Planning and Development and one of the grant writers and consultants for the application for the NY Forward Grant, presented the projects that Copake hopes to develop if they win the 4.5 million dollar grant. The grant will help revitalize downtown Copake.
COPAKE — Members of the New York Forward Advisory Committee held their second community meeting to discuss their progress and to invite public comment at Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 10.
Margaret Irwin, lead consultant with River Street Planning and Development and one of the grant writers and consultants for the application, opened the meeting saying that this year they have “stronger projects” and “a shared vision and the backbone to succeed” in winning the grant. It is the third time they will try for the grant.
Irwin said there are twenty projects under consideration for the 20 page application. Important to the application are 39 proposed affordable housing units and a possibility of 174 new jobs in Copake.
The “Copake Spur” is a key element to the revitalization plan. This is a foot trail that will connect the town of Copake to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail.
Included in the plan are three catalyst projects. One is the renovation of the historic Copake Grange. Repairs and upgrades are proposed for the whole building as well as the 94 seat theater.
The second catalyst will be improvements to Route 7A, with plans to reconstruct and pave 1.74 miles of road, add storm water drainage, curbing, sidewalks, and lighting to improve safety.
The third catalyst project is the Astor Court Gardens. A proposed agrotourism hotspot, the bed and breakfast will host wellness workshops, fitness classes, spa treatments, event space, a farm market and 24 rooms.
Other projects include restaurants, farm stores, renovation of the Copake schoolhouse and the Copake Inn and rehabilitation of fire damaged buildings for apartments.
Winners are to be announced in January and if Copake should win, the entire process begins again with projects being reviewed and picked.
In response to a question from the crowd, Irwin advised the best way to help Copake win the grant is to write a letter. Irwin also urged the crowd to take the survey on the Copake Waterfronts website.
Go to www.copakewaterfronts.com/nyforward to find the email address to send letters to, take the survey and find out more about the New York Forward Grant and the projects that are being proposed.
Nathan Miller
Washington Town Hall
MILLBROOK — A private community-supported agriculture operation can continue after garnering support from Washington Planning Board members.
Mindy Yang and William Harris, the married duo behind Silverbrook Manor on Route 44 west of Millbrook, appeared before the board on Tuesday, June 2, after they received a letter from the town’s zoning enforcement officer noting complaints that the property’s use was noncompliant.
Harris explained that the letter from ZEO Jonathan Ialongo advised the couple to seek a special use permit for their farm, requiring an application to the Planning Board.
Yang and Harris founded a membership-based CSA on a farm property near the intersection of Route 44 and Route 82 in Washington after purchasing the property in 2021. The pair described the venture as an education-focused CSA, where members may join or lead educational hikes, harvesting fruits and vegetables or foraging for wild food.
“We really advocate on human experience and connection,” Yang said. “Especially now with AI, it’s about IRL.”
Following Ialongo’s advice, Harris and Yang applied for a special use permit to run an educational club at their farm property.
But Planning Board members said such a permit was unnecessary. Planning Board Chair Doug Giles argued that Silverbrook Manor doesn’t fit within the definition of an educational institution or a private club under town zoning code.
Giles said that Silverbrook Manor’s operation was actually permitted by right under sections of the town’s zoning code that address agricultural production and under New York State’s Agriculture and Markets law.
“The agricultural part of it, the CSA, the nature walks — all of those are pretty much permitted by right,” Giles said.
Board members determined — with the advice of the board’s attorneys — that a special use permit was not necessary. They advised Harris and Yang that they may continue operations but should seek an official determination letter from the zoning enforcement officer.
Two other discussions — one a pre-application for a “glamping” business and the other for a bed and breakfast — also caused some confusion among board members.
Engineer Jim Teed presented plans for a glamping setup comprising two seasonal, impermanent yurts and a permanent a-frame house on the Millbrook Beef & Dairy farm property at the intersection of Shunpike and Route 44.
On behalf of property owner David Baldwin, Teed is preparing plans to eventually pursue a special use permit to operate a private camp. He said the yurts will consist of a permanent concrete pad that will hold impermanent tents during the summer months. The a-frame will serve a dual purpose as a check-in location and an additional rental unit for campers, Teed said.
The confusion stemmed from the appropriate definition under the town’s zoning code. Planning Board consultant Aaron Werner found a provision during the meeting relating to “glamping” that he said seemed to apply and regulate yurts, but not the permanent a-frame.
Werner continued, explaining the applicant would likely need permits for accessory dwellings in addition to the campground, and that wetlands on the property increase the complexity of the designs and what information would need to be included.
“I don’t think this board has seen an application like this in recent years,” Werner said. “We’re going to be looking at potentially many different approvals that will need to take place.”
The bed and breakfast application came at the end of the meeting, prompting yet another debate over definitions in the town’s zoning code.
James Meagher applied to convert his parents’ former home on Welwyn Road into a bed and breakfast, seeking to generate revenue from the home to offset the cost of property taxes.
Meagher explained he did not primarily live at the residence, spending weekdays in New York City and weekends in Millbrook. That revelation, along with the fact that Meagher’s anticipated business partner and chosen innkeeper at the proposed B&B, Emily Hay, was the person who submitted the application, prompted Planning Board members to inform Meagher that his application did not fit within the town’s B&B regulations.
Washington zoning code requires a bed and breakfast to be the owner’s primary residence, and requires applicants for a bed and breakfast special use permit to be the owner of the property. Because Meagher does not live at the home and the application was actually submitted under Hay’s name, board members suggested Meagher should instead seek a short-term rental permit from Town Hall instead.
Under the town’s short-term rental law, property owners must reside in the primary structure for at least 100 days per year to qualify for a permit.
“I don’t mind doing the short-term rental,” Meagher said. “We were under the impression this might be more straightforward.”
Nathan Miller
The Millerton 175 fair is set for Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
MILLERTON — Plans for Millerton’s 175th anniversary celebration are taking shape, and organizers are seeking volunteers to help staff the community fair scheduled for July 17-19 at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
The three-day fair will follow a week of anniversary events held throughout the village and at the park. Planned attractions for the fair include live music each day, inflatable rides and games, food and beer vendors, commemorative merchandise, a petting zoo and giveaways.
Anna Clune, a member of the Millerton 175th Committee, is leading the volunteer recruitment effort.
Clune said volunteers for the fair are needed in four primary areas: directing parking, staffing the merchandise booth, chaperoning the children’s zone and assisting at an information booth.
Friday and Saturday will be divided into two shifts, Clune said, with volunteers having their choice of working the first half, the second half or both.
The fair is set to operate on Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday will have only one shift, with fair activities scheduled to run from noon to 6 p.m. in Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
Interested volunteers can sign up under the “Volunteer” section of the celebration’s webpage, villageofmillerton-ny.gov/175th.
Clune is also available to provide more information by email at annaclune1023@gmail.com.
Leila Hawken
Site of the new Amenia Town Garage and Salt Shed construction project in Wassaic. Some site prep work has been completed. Specs to bid on the construction phase became available starting June 11.
AMENIA — The town’s new Highway Department garage and salt shed is one step closer to construction after officials opened bidding for the project.
Since approving a $6.33 million bond issuance in late 2024, the town has continued preparation for the construction phase for a new highway garage and salt shed to be built in Wassaic to the east of Route 22.
The Town Board voted unanimously at its meeting on Thursday, June 4, to open the bidding process.
Notice was officially posted last week inviting bids for the project’s general construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, specifying that the project plans will be available on Wednesday, June 11.
The Amenia Town Clerk must receive bids by Thursday, July 9, at 1 p.m. when bids will be opened.
A pre-bid informational meeting with representatives from CPL Engineering, the planning team, will be held at the construction site on Monday, June 22, at 9 a.m.
The entire project for the 5-acre site involves construction of a 12,620 square foot building housing 6 double-bays and an office/breakroom, mechanical bay with lift and washing bay. Also to be constructed will be a 60 by 80-foot salt shed and attached storage building of four closed bays and two open bays, and a fueling station for diesel and gasoline.
A state Water Quality Improvement Project grant in the amount of $600,000, applied for early in the project’s planning stages, will assist with construction of the salt shed portion.
Site preparation work has been ongoing for the past year and a half, in anticipation of the current construction bidding process.
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Nathan Miller
Eddie Collins Memorial Park will serve as a central hub for Millerton’s 175th anniversary celebration.
MILLERTON — The Village of Millerton is foregoing celebrations on the 4th of July this year, opting instead to focus on plans for the 175th anniversary celebration.
The week-long celebration — set for July 11 to 19 — is packed with events at Eddie Collins Memorial Park and along Millerton’s Main Street.
Opening day on Saturday, July 11, will kick off with a craft vendor fair at Eddie Collins Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The park will also serve as a central hub for a community-wide flea market sponsored by environmental advocacy group North East/Millerton Climate Smart set for the same time.
The Millerton Moviehouse is set to show a free screening of the 1992 film “A League of their Own” at 10:30 a.m.
Kids are invited to “Touch a truck” at the Millerton firehouse on Century Boulevard from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shortly after those early-day events will be a parade down Millerton’s Main Street at 3:30 p.m., followed by a groundbreaking ceremony for Millerton’s new pool and poolhouse at Eddie Collins Memorial Park at 4:30 p.m.
The groundbreaking ceremony will feature live music from Dutchess County-based band 5 Day Knights.
Sunday, July 12, in the park will feature a basketball tournament and a cornhole tournament.
The Millerton Inn is planning a special dinner on Monday, July 13, and a party on the front lawn on Wednesday, July 15.
The “Summer Stroll,” which invites businesses along Main Street to participate in a block party, is set for Thursday, July 16. The annual event is sponsored by the Millerton Business Alliance.
The week culminates with the Millerton 175 Fair at Eddie Collins Memorial Park, beginning Friday, July 17, and running through Sunday, July 19.
Festivities at the park run from 2 p.m. to 10 on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. to 6 on Sunday.
Included at the fair will be inflatable rides and games; a petting zoo; vendors selling goods, food and beer; commemorative merchandise and giveaways. Foregoing fireworks, the village is planning a drone light show where remote-controlled drones will perform a synchronized aerial display of images relating to Millerton’s history.
All three days of the fair will feature live music, with performances running throughout the afternoons and evenings at the park.
Leila Hawken
AMENIA — The Amenia Fire Company has taken on planning for a 4th of July Celebration at the firehouse on Mechanic Street this year.
An evening of food, games, live music and historical presentations is set for Saturday, July 4, at the Amenia firehouse on Mechanic Street. A parade is planned for 5:30 p.m., with lineup beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the intersection of Railroad Avenue and Old Route 22.
The highlight of the evening will be a fireworks display put on by the Amenia Fire Co. at 9 p.m.
Marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, foundational to the nation, the Amenia Historical Society has been actively planning, guided by Society President Judy Westfall.
Restoration of gravestones at the Old Amenia Burying Ground (1740) on North Road is ongoing, along with planned tree work to slow deterioration due to weather and lichen growth.
Watch for the Amenia Historical Society float in the parade with prominent members to be seen sewing a flag or engaged in writing with a plumed pen. Amenia’s first fire truck, a 1937 Sanford, now under restoration, may be feeling energetic enough to participate in the parade. Work continues on that feature.
There will also be music, the huge draw of the Amenia Fire Company’s cook-out, and a large helping of community and national spirit to bring neighbors together for patriotic family fun.
The Amenia Fire Co. is still accepting donations to help fund the event. Contact Scott Boardman at 845-518-6742 for more information about donating.
Community members are encouraged to sign up to drive a float in the parade. Those who are interested can sign up by following a QR code on a flyer posted to the Amenia Fire Co.’s Facebook page.
Graham Corrigan
STANFORD — Stanford will light up the skies for July 4th. The celebration is the tentpole event of the town’s REV 250 programming, and took the the combined efforts of the Stanford Fire Company, the Town of Stanford, Stanford Historical Society, and Stanford Grange #808.
At 8 p.m., attendees can watch the fireworks from Stanford Recreation Park or Town Hall. But before the fuse is lit, a barbecue chicken dinner will be hosted by the Stanford Fire Company. Grange Secretary Ryan Orton will read the Declaration of Independence at 5 p.m., followed by remarks from Town Councilmember Eric Haims.
The dinner starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6-16 if purchased in advance. Children under 5 eat free.
Stanford’s REV 250 programming continues on July 18 with a lecture at the Stanford Library. A discussion on “Everyday Governance in Revolutionary Dutchess” will be led by Dillon Streifeneder from 7 p.m. to 8. Then, on Sept. 19, Streifeneder will return to the library with “Looking Backward, Looking Forward: Change and Continuity in Stanford, NY from the Revolution to the Era of Good Feelings.” Both events are presented by the Stanford Historical Society.
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