Grange at county fair, Hurricane Belle, Dairy compact

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

August 15, 1935

Exhibit Of Grangers To Be Fair Feature

Tent Housing Display Will Cover 8,000 Square Feet

The Dutchess County Fair opens its gates at Rhinebeck on Monday evening. Aug. 26, this year and continues night and day through-out the entire week with auto races on Saturday, Aug. 31. An outstanding feature as usual will be the Grange exhibit which is shown under a tent covering 8,000 square feet. Each year $1,000 is paid in prizes for this exhibit, and already eleven subordinate granges and four juvenile granges have entered the annual competition.

This outstanding event attracted hundreds of visitors each day at last year’s fair. Red Hook Grange, with a unique market basket exhibit, won the blue ribbon last year in the subordinate Grange class, while Wiccopee Grange, with an old-fashioned kitchen display, was the winner in the juvenile Grange division, both of these Granges will exhibit again this year.

Marshall Knapp, Clinton Corners, superintendent of Grange exhibits at the fair, has just announced the complete list of Granges which are scheduled to exhibit this year. In the subordinate division, the following Granges will compete: Red Hook, Arthursburg, Pine Plains, Silver Lake, Rhinebeck, Stanford, Sylvan, Wiccopee, Fallkill, Washington, Upton Lake. Juvenile class: Upton Lake, Arthursburg, Wiccopee, Oak Grove.

Prevailing Rates Govern PWA Wages

State Department Replies To Inquiries Of Labor Leaders

ALBANY - The State Department of Labor will not take into consideration “security wages” to be paid on WPA projects in setting the prevailing rate of wages for public works projects in the state, Industrial Commissioner Elmer F. Andrews announced today in answer to inquiries by labor representatives.

“The ‘security wages’ to be paid on WPA projects are primarily for relief, not for standard employ-ment and therefore are not in competition as employment wages,” Commissioner. Andrews declared. “The ‘security wage’ is paid by the month and is to be the same amount whether a worker actually works 120 hours or fewer hours per month. Were we permitted by law to consider the ‘security wage’ rates, these wages would not offer any hourly rates on which to make an estimate.

“The Department has, in the past, disregarded CWA and TERA wage rates in making surveys and setting prevailing rates of wages. The WPA security wages are in the same category.

“Any other decision would be unfair to the employees, to the contractors and to the taxpayer and contrary to the intent of the state prevailing rates of wages law and of the WPA. Our surveys and computations must be confined to laborers and mechanics employed by contractors in competitive industry if we are to provide fair wages for the workers, equal opportunity to contractors to bid, and the assurance to the state that its work will be done by competent workmen.”

About Millerton

Mrs. Estelle Paine of the Harlem Valley State Hospital Wingdale, spent a few days in town. last week.

George Kaye of New York City spent the week-end with his family at Mt. Riga.

Russell Palmer Jr. has been suffering from poisoning in one finger.

Donald Mathews had his tonsils removed at Sharon Hospital Monday. Dr. Gilbert S. Tabor operated.

Clarence McGhee of New York City spent the week-end with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George McGhee.

$500,000 Work Relief Program Presented To Board For Approval

Between 500 And 600 People Would Receive Employment

Resolutions providing for expenditures aggregating approximately $500,000 by July 1, 1936, were presented to the Dutchess County Board of Supervisors at its meeting Monday as steps were begun to transfer the TERA program to the new WPA. The list of projects including twenty-two county road jobs, a storage shed at the county highway property, a county planning and zoning enterprise and several other projects, was referred to the finance committee for consideration. The extensive program will be voted upon at the adjourned meeting of the board Aug. 20.

Work will be provided for between 500 and 600 people up until July 1, 1936, it is expected. Materials and equipment will cost the county $185.532. The federal government will pay the balance of the cost through the WPA which is now being organized. The national government expends $750 per man per year under regulations of the federal public works program.

A project is provided for each township under the road program, and in seventeen cases projects previously approved under the CWA and TERA have been adopted under the WPA. allocation of funds being provided in the resolution for the county’s contribution. Five new road jobs were designated in addition. Proposed projects include $8,060 as the county’s contribution to a $16,000 Infirmary at the county home at Oak Summit, $3,300 for remodeling the caretaker’s home at the county home, $1,870 for a men’s hospital and $1,500 for painting and repair work at the county home.

The county’s contribution for the Taconic Parkway project is limited to $5,000 under a separate resolution. Provision for the zoning and planning work, being directed by Harold R. Dean, executive secretary of the county planning commission, is also made under a separate resolution.

Among the projects listed under the WPA program, together with the county’s contribution were: 33-Bangall road, $8,500; 35-Amenia Union-South Amenia road, $6,000: 36-Dover Plains-Chestnut Ridge road, $3.050; 38-Little Rest road, $2,650; 46-Pulvers Corners-Knickerbockers Corners road, $7.700; Indian Lake-Coleman Station road, $8,800; county highway 1760 to Oak Summit, 1.7 miles, $6,600, a new road project.

Allocation of $81,000 from the county highway fund for additional county highway department projects was asked by the highway committee of the board of which Supervisor Frank L. Minor of the Town of North East is chairman. Resolutions for these projects were referred to the highway committee for consideration.

Proposed projects included:

No. 29 - Mt. Riga-Boston Corners road, Town of North East; additional allotment of $18,000 for completion of job. Previous allotment was $25,000.

No. 67 - Bangall-Hunn’s Lake road, town of Stanford, $10,000.

Snow removal fund of $30,000, the county and state to cooperate in clearing 284.70 miles of state highway and 214.93 miles of county roads next winter. Work will be done with county machinery and by employees engaged by the county highway department.

LANNY ROSS BUYS FARM IN TOWN OF STANFORD

Lanny Ross, radio, stage and screen star, has purchased the Johnson farm of 470 acres situated in the Town of Stanford in the Millbrook Hunt section, it was disclosed the first of the week by the George Whalen real estate agency of Millbrook who made the sale. The farm was formerly owned by Alva Warren and is considered one of the best farms in the township.

Star of the Maxwell House Showboat and Log Cabin radio programs, Mr. Ross appeared at the Millbrook Theatre this summer in “The Pursuit of Happiness.” His home is in New York City.

August 12, 1976

General Store Closes Doors In Ancramdale

The Ancramdale General Store, part of a restoration and revitalization plan for the village center, closed its doors Sunday, Aug. 8, after holding a week-long going out of business sale. The store’s fate had recently been the subject of much speculation because, among other unusual goings on, the gas pumps weren’t being refilled and the license to sell beer was allowed to expire.

With all the merchandise selling for half price, it was “like everyone won a prize to go shopping” said Shelia Brower, an employee who lives in the apartment above the store. By the time the store opened in the morning, a crowd of 20 or more people had gathered.

One resident termed the store’s demise a “great tragedy.” Margery Hoystradt, Ancramdale postmaster, said it is “kind of sad”. She said it draws a lot of people in the summer” into town.

“I’ll miss it,” said Audrey Clarke, another employee, adding “the people will miss the store.”

Just why Ancramdale’s only general store closed its doors is not very clear. Hoystradt attributes its failure to “too much deadwood” in the stock, citing “lamps, sherbet cups, yard goods, and tee-shirts with “I’ve seen Ancramdale” printed on them. Clarke said the lessee Dan Button, a former Congressman, gave the store up and the owner has been unable to find someone to run it. The former Mrs. Charles Rudnick, owner of the store, refused comment when contacted by The News.

Whatever the reason for its death, Ancramdale is now without without[sic] a general store.

Hurricane Belle Pays a Visit

Hurricane Belle paid a visit to the Millerton area late Monday night and early Tuesday and though she toppled trees, tree limbs and electric lines, she didn’t wreak as much damage as everyone had originally feared.

Belle, with her rains and high winds, made her way up the eastern seaboard and hit the Millerton area around 1 a.m. on Tuesday. “The major impact of the storm was felt between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, said a spokesman for the Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation.

Central Hudson reported that the hurricane kayoed power in approximately 36,000 Central Hudson homes in Dutchess and surrounding Counties by topping[sic] trees down onto power lines. Central Hudson serves 200,000 customers in parts of 7 Counties.

Many Millerton area homes lost power in the storm beginning at 1 a.m. on Tuesday but Central Hudson had no specific estimates on exactly how many of their Millerton area customers were hit.

Central Hudson workers were busy all day Tuesday repairing lines. “We expect the majority of our customers will have had their services restored by Tuesday evening,” said a spokesman.

The N.Y. State Police and Millerton Police Officer David Decker reported that no major accidents took place because of the storm. Spokesmen for the State and County Highway Departments reported no major flooding. The State Highway Department reported that Route 22 in Amenia was closed around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday after a huge tree fell across the road. Route 22 was clear by daybreak.

North East Superintendent of Highways Ronell Kilmer and Millerton Highway Superintendent Larry Merwin said Belle mostly brought down tree limbs and branches and not much more. Kilmer, who was out at work at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, said, “A lot of small stuff went down. Nothing too much.”

Three electric lines were reported down in the Millerton area. One toppled over on Elm Avenue just north of the checkerboard and 2 went down on Rudd Pond Road. No injuries were reported.

Sharon Hospital reported no injuries resulting from the storm.

“A Big Crash”

While most area residents managed to avoid the worst of Belle, Howard V. Scutt and his family were not quite so lucky.

At around 9 p.m. on Monday, the Scutts were sitting in their house on Main Street in Millerton, opposite the IGA. As Mr. Scutt described it, “We heard a great big crash. It sounded like the side of the house went down.”

What happened was a giant maple tree (that’s what Mrs. Scutt says it is) had toppled onto the Scutt home. Mr. Scutt said he didn’t think there was much wind at the time but he explained that the tree roots were dead and at the 1st sign of Belle, the tree went down.

Millerton Fire Department responded quickly to the scene but there were no injuries and not much damage was done to the house. (Mr. Scutt said a telephone line went down). Workmen were busy Tuesday removing the giant tree from its resting place.

The Millerton firemen have Belle to thank for a busy couple of days Monday and Tuesday. From Monday night to Tuesday late morning they answered 3 hurricane-related calls — one at the Scutt home and 2 wires down on Rudd Pond Road. No fires resulted at any of the scenes. The firemen also answered 3 other fire calls over Monday and Tuesday….

Cumberland Farms Plans Millerton Opening Soon

Despite persistent rainfall which has held up construction this past week, the Cumberland Farms being built on Main Street in Millerton is expected to open by the end of this month.

Also holding up construction, along with the rain, is the need for a curb cut permit, which has been applied for with the New York Department of Transportation. The permit, which would allow workers to cut down the existing curb and allow access to the lot, is expected by next week at the latest.

Like other branches of the Cumberland Farm chain, the Millerton store will be an almost full-time grocery when in full operation. Construction supervisor Roy Terwilliger emphasized, though, that, “We are a dairy company first and foremost and will specialize in those products.” In addition to food services, the lot will contain self-service gasoline pumps. At full operation, the store plans to stay open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.

Terwilliger commented, “If we’re not in operation by the end of this month, we’ll certainly be darn close to it.”

August 9, 2001

NE PONDERS SHARED SERVICES

NORTH EAST — In a town board workshop held last Thursday, members shared their concerns regarding the proposal to create one planning board and one zoning board of appeals that would encompass both the town and the village.

A draft of the Intermunicipal Agreement for Cooperation and Consolidation of Services had been presented at a joint meeting between the town and village boards on July 26.

In particular, members of the town board wanted to hear the thoughts of Warren Replansky, town attorney, on the proposed agreement. Like most of the board, Mr. Replansky supported the idea of combined services, but cautioned that there needs to be a lot of changes to the agreement in order for consolidation to be successful.

The main concern was the village’s zoning laws, which haven’t been updated since 1977. Mr. Replansky, who referred to the village’s codes as “the Model-T of zoning codes,” emphasized that these should be updated before the town agrees to combine planning and zoning boards.

“I wouldn’t do it unless [the law] was brought up to date,” he said.

Mr. Replansky explained outdated codes would be frustrating for residents trying to make changes to their homes or businesses, especially in cases where old village codes might supersede newer town codes.

Catherine Fenn agreed, saying although she supported the idea of consolidation, the new boards would need updated codes to work with. Referring to the village’s “antiquated” codes, she said, “I don’t want to thrust that on another board.”

Ms. Fenn, who is also chairman of the village planning board, said she has been trying to get the village to update its codes for five years. She said that the village hasn’t updated the laws because of cost.

Mr. Replansky said that the village “can’t afford not to” update their zoning laws, and Ms. Fenn concurred, saying there are “a lot of issues that could be addressed by the village board,” in terms of planning and development, that are not because the codes are out-dated.

As to the size of the proposed boards, Mr. Replansky said that he didn’t think the number of members was too small.

Concern had been raised at the joint meeting between the village and the town boards as to whether the size of each board should be increased to handle applications from both municipalities.

“Quantity hasn’t proven better,” said Mr. Replansky, explaining that the dedication of the members would be of more value.

In the same vein, Mr. Replansky did not support the proposal to have alternates who would attend meetings in a regular member’s absence. Mr. Replansky said he felt that, unless the alternate was present at each meeting, he or she would not be qualified to vote on pending decisions. He was not sure as to the legality of alternates, either.

Mr. Replansky said that the most important aspect of the consolidated boards would be to maintain consistency. He suggested that the building inspector and zoning enforcement officer be the same for each municipality in order to avoid different interpretations of the codes.

David Sherman, town supervisor, expressed concern that the efficiency of planning and zoning in the town would be diminished if those boards were to combine with the village. Mr. Sherman explained that the town had been progressive in updating town codes and records, citing the grant it recently received for $42,000 from the New York State Archives as evidence of this. He said he would like a strong commitment to expenditure and improvement from the village before consolidating planning and zoning boards.

In Other Business

Members of the board reviewed a draft, presented by Mr. Replansky, on accessory use composting. The board made minor changes to the document.

After the board settles on the draft, it will be presented to agrimarket affiliates for their comments and then eventually open for public comment.

The board briefly discussed David Trotta’s application for a go-cart track.

Mr. Replansky told the board the danger of re-zoning, in this situation, would be the creation of “spot-zoning.” He explained “spot-zoning” occurs when zoning laws are changed just to accommodate an application for a particular project.

In order to avoid spot-zoning, the applicant needs to justify why his or her project benefits the whole community.

Mr. Replansky suggested that, before the board goes any further with this application, Mr. Trotta should present an argument to the board as to why this project would benefit the community, and why re-zoning in this situation would not be considered spot-zoning.

He explained the board is under no legal obligation to even consider re-zoning for this application.

The board set the agenda for the next meeting to include a discussion with Mr. Trotta, but it is far from beginning any decision making process.

NE Dairy Compact Good for NY

ALBANY — In testimony submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee, New York Gov. George Pataki asked Congress to include New York state in the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact, which currently encompasses New England dairy farms and sets the price of wholesale milk above the federal minimum.

According to the governor’s statement, federal minimums do not account for the varying costs of milk production in different regions. Under this “one size fits all” policy, farmers in the Northeast, where milk production is more costly because of higher tax rates and expensive water, make a smaller profit than their Western counterparts.

Described as a “regional price coalition,” the compact would ensure that farmers receive a fair price for their milk in periods of low prices and that milk bought by consumers would be from local farms.

According to the governor’s testimony, rather than subsidizing an inefficient farm, the compact would serve as a safety net for productive farms in times of decreased profit. “We have also found, as we had expected, the compact will not save or artificially preserve the inefficient farm or prevent an aging farmer from retiring. What it has done is provide stability to farm businesses and hard-working farm families.”

Some New York dairies are already receiving compact prices because they sell their product to the New England region.

John Perotti, owner of a dairy farm of about 150 cows in North East, said that with compact prices, his profits have increased $2,000 to $4,000 a year, depending on the market.

He supports the compact, stating, “It’s kind of a lifeline when prices get real low.” When prices are high, he explained, farmers do not receive the compact price.

Mr. Perotti said the compact price would not significantly affect the consumer and, according to the governor’s statement, a New York resident who consumes 24 gallons of milk in a year would only pay an additional $4.30 per year.

Mr. Perotti explained that retailers often take advantage of the compact and raise their prices, blaming the compact for the increase.

Consumers stand to benefit from the compact, he explained, because it ensures a constant supply of local milk to the Northeast region, including major cities like Boston and New York.

Without a local milk supply, Mr. Perotti explained, the alternative would be to purchase milk from Midwestern farms and the shipping process would involve reconstituting milk.

Currently, Midwestern farmers are pushing a bill which would allow them to sell their product in the Northeast.

Mr. Perotti described the compact as “a safety net to keep farmers in business,” and believes that if more consumers were educated about the bill, they would agree with it.

The legislation, which is currently supported by New York county governments, the New York State Legislature, both U.S. senators from New York and a majority of New York’s congressional representatives to the House, must be ratified in Congress.

Saperstein’s Mural to Return

MILLERTON — An old landmark is set to return to the village. The railroad mural on the wall of Saperstein’s will be coming back.

For years, visitors to Millerton were treated to the railroad mural on the wall of the old Saperstein’s store. In 1986, a fire destroyed the store and the landmark with it.

Now, 15 years later, an effort is underway to bring back the train mural.

Moira Kelly, a New York City elementary school art teacher, began work Aug. 3 to paint a new mural on the wall along Dutchess Avenue. “It will be an updated railroad train mural, but similar to the old one,” she said.

“I hope it will be a community effort. I want to invite anyone down to help in this project. It doesn’t matter what skill you have, we’ll be glad to teach you,” Ms. Kelly said

Murals are a hobby of Ms. Kelly. She has panted[sic] dozens of murals in such places as California, Chicago and most recently outside the G. W. Tavern in Washington Depot, Conn.

She teaches at the Bronx Charter School and finds urban mural projects invigorating. And she said she usually gets a lot of help from the community.

The project is being commissioned by the owner of Saperstein’s. Lew Saperstein said the original mural was “my dad’s idea.” It was reflective of when Millerton used to be the hub for two intersecting railroads.

Saperstein’s is featuring a display on the project, including a photo of the old mural, in its front window.

Signs of the Times in Millerton

MILLERTON — Some shops in Millerton have recently spruced up their appearance. Both the Village Diner and the (former) Millerton Deli have changed their storefront signs. The latter has a new name as well.

Peggy McEnroe, owner of Back in the Kitchen (formerly the Millerton Deli), said that after seven years, she decided the establishment needed a new name. She bought the store when it was called the Millerton Deli, but, she explained, “it never has been a deli.” She said that often people come in expecting a typical deli, but her store features salads, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and a set menu.

The name comes from a phrase Syd Byron, a frequent customer, is always saying to Ms. McEnroe and her employees: “Get back in the kitchen.”

The picture on the sign is from a drawing Ms. McEnroe’s friend did in college.

“I kept it all these years,” she said.

Marco Elbakly, owner of the Village Diner, said he decided to change the sign for the Village Diner simply “because the other one was old.” The sign was made by a local sign company and includes new neon lighting.