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Impact of federal cuts on county gauged by comptroller via survey

POUGHKEEPSIE — The Dutchess County comptroller’s office has launched an online survey to collect information on residents and organizations impacted by the loss of federal employment or funding as a result of cuts from the Trump administration.

The data gleaned from the survey will be verified and eventually will be provided to state, local and federal officials. Its purpose is to serve as a means of evaluating community impacts while guiding fiscal planning for the county.

According to the comptroller’s office, nearly $35 million in federal support to the county has been lost, impacting projects on the local level. Town of North East supervisor, Chris Kennan, had raised concerns on local funding cuts at a town board meeting on March 13.

For more information on the online survey, visit: www.dutchessny.gov, navigate to “Departments,” navigate to “County Comptroller,” and click on “Loss of Federal Funding/Job Survey.”

Krista A. Briggs
government

Latest News

Time for harvest

Time for harvest

Throngs of visitors crowd Amenia’s Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the town’s second annual Harvest Festival. The event filled downtown Amenia with vendors selling food, jewelry, trinkets, decor, books and art — and a stage on each end of the street filled the air with music.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

Throngs of visitors crowd Amenia’s Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 17, for the town’s second annual Harvest Festival. The event filled downtown Amenia with vendors selling food, jewelry, trinkets, decor, books and art — and a stage on each end of the street filled the air with music.


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community events

Copake solar farm permit denied by state energy officials

Copake solar farm permit denied by state energy officials

The hamlet of Craryville in the Town of Copake, New York, will no longer be the home of a 42-megawatt solar farm following New York’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting denying a permit for the facility to Chicago-based Hecate Energy LLC.

Photo by Nathan Miller

COPAKE — New York State denied Hecate Energy LLC’s application for a more than 700-acre Shepherd’s Run solar project, pointing to two factors: floodplain and community protection issues and identification of and protection of wetland resources in this rural hamlet.

Jason Zehr, interim executive director of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission,issued the decision on Wednesday, Oct. 14, five days before the clock was to run out for the state to approve or deny the Chicago-based company’s application.

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renewable energy

Dutchess County towns explore regional EMS coverage model

Dutchess County towns explore regional EMS coverage model

Four northeastern Dutchess County communities are exploring a shared ambulance service that officials say could improve emergency coverage and reduce municipal costs.The proposed EMS network would include resources from Dutchess County, Empress Ambulance and Northwell Health, as well as local emergency services.

Under the proposal, ambulances would be allowed to move throughout the participating communities as calls come in, replacing an arrangement in which towns contract for dedicated coverage.

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emergency medical services
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State legislators allocate $400,000 toward North East’s new Town Hall

State legislators allocate $400,000 toward North East’s new Town Hall

State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, left, Assemblymember Didi Barrett, center, and North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan enjoy the scenes of fall south of Millerton on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the site of the new North East Town Hall.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett have directed $400,000 in state funding to North East’s plan for a new Town Hall.

The money covers about 28% of the $1.44 million renovation estimate that will transform the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Route 22 into municipal offices.

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north east government

Dutchess County to cover Flock cameras despite Serino’s objections

Dutchess County to cover Flock cameras despite Serino’s objections

POUGHKEEPSIE — A resolution to cover Dutchess County’s Flock Safety cameras will still go into effect, despite County Executive Sue Serino’s decision not to sign the measure. The resolution, which passed unanimously in the legislature, directs county personnel to cover any remaining license plate readers with opaque, non-damaging materials, so residents know the devices are no longer recording.

Serino argued that the resolution is unnecessary and could expose the county to liability if equipment is damaged. A formal demand was issued to Flock on Sept. 30 to remove its equipment by Oct. 30. If Flock misses that deadline, Serino said, the county will work with the district attorney and sheriff to take further steps.

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dutchess county

Millbrook Library receives money for roof repairs

Millbrook Library receives money for roof repairs

From left, state legislators Didi Barrett and Michelle Hinchey visit the library with library board member Vicky Contino, library director Courtney Tsahalis, and board member Dann Kenefick. The library recently won $300,000 in state grants to help repair the building’s roof and update its HVAC system.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — The Millbrook Library has been awarded$300,000 in state capital grants to help fund roof repairs and heating and cooling upgrades expected to cost at least $2 million.

The grants, announced last week, were the result of advocacy by the offices of state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and Assemblymember Didi Barrett.

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millbrook library
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