Huge rattlesnake killed; water rate hike; library summer program runs

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

July 19, 1934

‘Lumbermen Kills Huge Rattlesnake’; A huge rattlesnake four feet ten inches in length and having sixteen rattles was killed last week on East Canaan Mountain by lumbermen who exhibited it in Millerton Wednesday evening. The reptile is said to be one of the largest ever seen in that section.

July 17, 1975

‘Town Planners To Make Report Public’; The North East Planning Board met in executive session on Wednesday night, July 16, in order to formulate its position and write up its report on the shopping center proposed for Route 44 on the State line.

The Planning Board is charged with the task of submitting a recommendation to the North East Town Board on whether or not the controversial center should be built.

Planning Board Chairman Harry Schroeder said he hopes to have the report written and ready for the Planning Board’s final approval at its scheduled July 23 meeting: “We should have it written up by then. I should hope so.”

‘Board Plans Increase Of Village Water Rates’; For the first time in 60 years the Village Board has decided to greatly increase the water rates in Millerton. The scale of increase is still being considered.

At a Board meeting on Wednesday night, July 9, Jack Dean, Village superintendent of public works, reported that between 250,000 and 280,000 gallons of water was pumped to 450 customers every day in the Village. The revenue from that brings in an estimated $12,000 to $13,000 a year.

By comparison, asserted Mayor John Hermans, Pine Plains pumps 40,000 gallons a day to 280 customers but takes in revenues of $16,000 a year.

Hermans said this week that “the water system is getting more and more expensive. We can’t give it away anymore. We’re close to running in the red every year.”

Hermans also contended that local industries are not paying for the percentage of water used. He cited that Taconic Products uses approximately 33 per cent of the water, but is not billed accordingly.

The Board is considering a plan to double the present flat rate for water to Village residents. Customers will be billed according to the number and type of water outlets they own.

‘Bicentennial Quilt Contest Continues’; A sewing square competition continues in 3 area towns for the benefit of the Dutchess County Bicentennial Quilt, according to North. East Town Quilt Chairperson Joan Hicks.

The North East Committee will judge the squares made in the town for the county quilt. The entries must be completed by Sept. 1 and left at the Millerton Free Library.

The competition is open to all organizations and citizens in the Towns, of North East, Pine Plains, and Milan. The squares are to depict an historic event, a noted historic building or artifact or a mode of lifestyle, representative of the locale such as farming, candle making, weaving, mining or other industries.

The square must run 12 inches by 12 inches when finished. It should be cut to the measure 13 inches by 13 inches, allowing a ½ inch seam in cotton or cotton blend. The color in the background should be neutral or pastel since the joining strips will be medium blue to incorporate the county colors. The square can be designed by applique or embroidery or any combination.

Ms. Hicks said that she hoped that there would be enough entries in the contest so that the squares not sent to the county could be made into a quilt for the Town of North East. For information contact Joan Hicks or Marion Byron.

July 20, 2000

‘Summer Program Continues at Millerton Library’; MILLERTON - The NorthEast-Millerton Library began its summer reading program July 18. “Discovery 2000 Read,” will last for five weeks and end with a celebration party Saturday, Aug. 19.

Children of all ages are encouraged to sign up at the library so that the books they read throughout the summer may be recorded. For each book that is read, a ticket will be awarded and the child will be eligible for the daily raffle for a chance to pick a prize from the Treasure Chest.

Each week, there will be a different “Guess the number” jar on our registration desk. Guess the number of items in the jar and, at the end of the week, the child who has guessed closest to the actual number will be the winner of the contents of the jar. In previous summers, the jars have contained balls, cars and trucks, candy or school supplies.

Story and craft hours will also take place during the summer program.

Infants to 36 months will have a short nap-time session (20 minutes) Thursdays at 11:30 a.m.; preschool ages 3 to 5 years will enjoy a 45-minute story hour and craft project Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.; and school-age children are invited Saturdays, at 10:30 a.m., for a craft project and story.

‘Rail Trail Association Will Sponsor Celebration’; MILLERTON - The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) will sponsor a daylong celebration of the Rail Trail’s arrival in Millerton Saturday, July 29. The day’s activities include a Fun Run for kids and a spike-driving ceremony to mark the connecting of Millerton and Amenia by the Rail Trail.

“The arrival of the trail in Millerton has been long awaited and is a huge milestone for the trail,” said HVRTA chairman Dick Hermans. Mr. Hermans said the number of users on the 8.2-mile Amenia-to-Millerton section has skyrocketed since Dutchess County officially opened the new section from Coleman Station to Millerton June 22.

The celebration July 29 will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a Fun Run for kids on the Rail Trail behind the North East Community Center. “This is just a prelude to bigger, higher caliber races that we hope will be run on the trail in the future,” added Mr. Hermans.

After the Fun Run, there will be a bike parade to Coleman Station for the spike-driving ceremony. Simultaneous bike parades from Millerton and Amenia to Coleman Station, along the Rail Trail, will commence at 10 a.m.

Amenia Town Supervisor Arlene Juliano will lead bicyclists from Amenia, while North East Supervisor David Sherman and Millerton Mayor Michael Cawley will lead bicyclists from Millerton. A panel of judges will select the best-decorated bikes and prizes will be awarded.

At 11 a.m., a golden spike will be driven into the ground at Coleman Station in a ceremony similar to the one that marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad in the 1800s.