Village Board candidate Katie Cariello plants roots, seeks growth for Millerton

Katie Cariello is cross endorsed by Democrats and Republicans in the June 17 election.
        Photo by Aly Morrissey
    

Katie Cariello is cross endorsed by Democrats and Republicans in the June 17 election.
MILLERTON — Katie Cariello, the uncontested Democratic candidate for one of two open seats on the Village Board, is becoming a familiar face around town. As the food programs coordinator for the North East Community Center, she helps lead the Millerton Farmers Market, which kicked off its 2025 outdoor season on May 17.
“I’m realizing I need to have something on me that says I’m staff,” Cariello jokes of her new role at the helm of the market. “I want people to know I’m there to help and not just peering into their bags asking what they’re getting.”
Jokes aside, Cariello says she has a big vision for the market — one that supports both vendors and shoppers. “I want to focus on the growth of the market,” she says. “And not only growing our vendors, but growing our audience.”
Raising awareness is her first order of business. “We see a lot of folks come in for the weekend, but we want to make sure that people who live here know it’s accessible to them, too.”
She emphasizes that prices at the Millerton Farmers Market are often comparable to — or even more affordable than — those at local grocery stores. The market also accepts SNAP benefits and credit cards. “Not only are you getting local, fresh food that’s coming from 20 minutes down the road,” she adds, “you’re supporting your neighbors.”
Cariello and her husband were among the many who relocated to Millerton during the pandemic. Arriving in 2022, they quickly decided to put down roots and bought a home in the Village the following year. A Long Island native, Cariello has lived and worked in New York City and Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania, with experience spanning education, youth programming and food insecurity.
Her interest in food justice began with a chance encounter outside a Queens coffee shop. “There was a small farm stand outside, and I happened to start talking to these folks from Hellgate Farm in Astoria,” Cariello recalls, remembering how she bought figs grown in someone’s backyard. “I started volunteering with them, and that opened my eyes to urban farming, food insecurity, and what other professional and volunteer opportunities could look like.”
Later, while living in Pittsburgh, Cariello worked on youth initiatives at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. One program, “Weekend Meals,” provided pre-packaged food for students who relied on school lunches. “We would pack small bags that were discreetly placed in their lockers,” she says, noting how she also worked to reduce stigma by using inclusive language and ensuring easy access.
Her career also includes several roles in New York City government. She worked for a city council member, fundraised for the Queens Borough president, and helped launch the Department of Education’s Pre-K for All initiative in 2014.
Through those experiences, the concept of growing your own food became increasingly important to her. “It’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to be working for the NECC farmers market right here in Millerton,” she says.
Outside of work, Cariello brings that passion home. She tends to both a vegetable garden and a native garden designed to support the local ecosystem. “We’ve got pepper plants — Shishito, which I’m really excited about — winter squash, pepprocha, basil and radishes.”
As Cariello looks to shape Millerton’s future as a Village Trustee, her garden feels like a fitting metaphor for her political aspirations: bringing together local and outside elements in thoughtful harmony.
“I like to see the bigger picture,” she says. Her goal, she explains, is to make residents with diverse viewpoints feel heard. “I want to bring people back to politics. I know this is a little corny, but I do believe it: It takes a village. I believe in the idea that we need each other to survive and to grow. You have to learn things to grow. You have to change to grow. And it can be prickly, it can be uncomfortable, maybe. But at the end of the day, at least you can say you tried.”
In addition to her work at NECC, Cariello serves as secretary for the North East Planning Board and sits on the Dutchess County Youth Council Board — roles that helped spark her interest in running for office. She has received endorsements from both the Democratic and Republican caucuses.
Current Trustee David Sherman is also seeking reelection as he completes his second two-year term. Sherman is a Millerton native. “I grew up in Millerton and I’ve lived my adult life here,” he says, reflecting on how the village has evolved, especially on the commercial side.
Sherman points to infrastructure work, such as improving sidewalks on Main Street, as accomplishments he’s proud of. “Those of us at the local level are the ones who have to bang on the doors of the bigger agencies to get things done — things that can have a dramatic effect on our community,” he says.
He also emphasized the importance of participation, regardless of whether a race is contested. “I’m always appreciative of the support of residents in our community who come out and vote,” Sherman says. “Whether they think it’s a competitive race or not, it matters.”
Elections will take place on June 17. In addition to Cariello and Sherman’s uncontested bids for Village Board seats, current Mayor Jenn Najdek is also running unopposed for a third term after first being elected in 2021.
Sherman and Najdek also are endorsed by Democratic and Republican caucuses.
Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27
MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.
The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.
One village official is particularly invested in seeing the process move forward. Caroline Farr-Killmer, the village’s fire project manager, has been working closely with Mayor Jenn Najdek and the Board of Trustees to oversee every phase of the recovery. She has coordinated contractors and engineers, tracked inventory losses, and ensured compliance with building codes.
 
“This milestone is a significant one,” Farr-Killmer said. “It has been a work in progress that individuals have poured a lot of their time and effort into.” She acknowledged that while it may have seemed like progress was slow, this process required thoughtful and thorough management. “It is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I am grateful for the team effort put in by all of those involved.”
In the weeks after the fire, Farr-Killmer visited the charred building almost daily and documented damage to the structure and inventory. She said the fire itself was only the beginning, and pointed out that navigating insurance, rebuilding plans and deadlines have been hidden challenges.
The demolition marks the first physical step toward rebuilding. Farr-Killmer and Village leaders are developing plans for two replacement facilities — one for the Highway Department and another for the Water Department, designed to meet modern building codes and accommodate future needs.
“For the Village, it means we are starting from scratch, but things will continue to run smoothly, efficiently and effectively,” Farr-Killmer said.
With demolition underway, the Village of Millerton will begin a new chapter — one that will be complemented by the upcoming renovations that are planned at Eddie Collins Memorial Park. Construction for that major project, which will include a short-course Olympic pool and pool house, is scheduled to begin in July 2026 after the 175th celebration.
A preliminary draft of an impact analysis study for a Keane Stud subdivision application drew residents to a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
AMENIA — Residents had the opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to weigh in on the proposed Keane Stud subdivision, a plan that would divide roughly 605 acres into 27 mostly residential lots, during a meeting of the Amenia Planning Board.
The session was part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, following the board’s decision that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared to evaluate potential environmental and scenic impacts from the project.
The study will help inform the board’s review and approval process.
Wednesday’s meeting served as a public scoping session, allowing residents to suggest which environmental and community issues should be analyzed as part of the study.
Peter Feroe, an environmental planner with AKRF, Inc. of New York City representing the developer, presented an overview of the project and outlined the preliminary scope of analysis.
About 35 residents attended the meeting at Town Hall, where Feroe explained that the plan calls for 23 residential-agricultural lots and four lots to be set aside for conservation and equestrian use. Two of the preserved parcels would remain forested as conservation areas, while the other two would support equestrian activities.
The 23 lots would be sized at 10 acres each. Since the entire area is within a designated Scenic Protection Overlay District, the layout requires Planning Board approval.
The proposal calls for the 23 lots to be served by three roads that presently exist as farm roads on the acreage, Feroe said, although the three roads would need to be improved for use.
“This is not a public hearing on the subdivision application,” Planning Board attorney Paul Van Cott said, noting that the decision will be made after the completion of the impact studies.
“There will be full public hearings on the impact studies and on the full Keane Stud subdivision application, perhaps two months from now,” Van Cott said.
Feroe reviewed maps of the property located on Depot Hill Road, off Old Route 22. Nine of the ten acres on each lot would be conserved.
“A full 90% of the site would be reserved for agriculture,” Feroe said, noting that no buildings are envisioned as part of the subdivision application. Purchasers of the lots would need to come before the Planning Board for site plan approval.
The Planning Board had asked the applicants to consider the effects of future potential residential build-out on the acreage.
“The goal is to continue to promote agriculture to preserve the rural character,” Feroe said, noting that the town’s comprehensive plan favors balance in development.
Since planning for the subdivision began in 2021, Feroe said, multiple project modifications have been made, including reductions in size, removal of lots, and revisions to the layout. The maximum home footprint was scaled back, and the maximum home height reduced to 28 feet.
All development restrictions imposed by the Planning Board would be included in covenant deed restrictions to be adhered to by lot purchasers, Feroe noted.
Residents’ comments centered on the theme of a feared loss of agricultural heritage inherent to the community’s character, and the desecration of the view from the DeLaVergne Hill lookout to the west.
Resident George Bistransin spoke of diminished agriculture in the area and its impact on farming, noting that he now buys hay from a Salt Point supplier for his animals.
Mark Doyle, representing the Conservation Advisory Council, described potential impacts on water bodies and active farmland.
“There should be no division or construction on the viewshed area,” said resident Sharon Kroeger, secretary of the Committee to Save the View from DeLaVergne Hill, an organization dedicated to protecting the viewshed seen as key to the community’s identity.
Recalling his past experience serving on the Planning Board, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman spoke of the iconic view from DeLaVergne Hill, called by many the “Gateway to the Berkshires.”
Blackman said he was troubled by the idea that the unobstructed agricultural land would be broken up, suggesting the house lots should be separated from the agricultural expanse.
The next Planning Board meeting, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, is expected to include adoption of the final draft of the current scoping analysis. The study can be viewed in full on the town website.
AMENIA — Amenia budget officer Charlie Miller has been accused of submitting the town’s tentative budget with an old signature from Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner.
Klingner said she reported the issue to the Town Board in executive session on Oct. 3, prompting members to assign the town’s labor attorney, Robert Schofield, to investigate.
Officials say the issue stems from Miller’s use of an old cover page that included Klingner’s digital signature. Miller, who serves as the town’s budget officer, said the incident was unintentional.
Miller said the problem began with a computer error while assembling the file. He said he failed to save the document properly and lost most of his work. When he went back to recreate the file, he said he hastily put it together with the wrong cover page and sent it to Klingner and Blackman by email.
“It’s an honest mistake,” Miller said.
But Klingner said the action circumvented her duties as Town Clerk.
“I’m legally responsible for receiving and certifying the budgets, and my responsibility was taken from me when someone else used my signature and seal without my knowledge or consent,” Klingner said.
Miller reports directly to Blackman, who serves as chief financial officer for Amenia as part of his duties as Town Supervisor. As budget officer, Miller said he assists in drafting the budget but has no other control over the town’s finances.
Miller said he has cooperated with the investigation.
“The town board — I think rightly — engaged the town’s labor attorney to look into it, and so I completely support that process,” Miller said. “But that process should play out, in my opinion.”
The investigation comes as Miller, who is running for Town Board, faces a wave of rumors in the days leading up to the election that he said are unfounded. Rumors — which surfaced on now-deleted public posts on FaceBook — range from breaking in to the Town Clerk’s office to forging notary seals.
“There are a lot of extremely false accusations being thrown at me, which to me, looks very much like a political hack job,” Miller said, noting the election is just days away. “It’s almost bordering on libel at this point.”
Klingner said her report only concerned improper process in submitting the tentative budget and denied Miller broke into her office or forged a notary seal.
“I don’t want this to become a political matter,” Klingner said. “It’s not good for this board or this town — and I respect the work that Charlie has done here — but this is not the first time that we’ve had issues with process.”
The Sun River Health Center in Amenia welcomed visitors to its Rural Health Fall Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Assembling for a photo at Sun River’s booth were, left to right, Cherise McDaniel, Director; Crystal Marr, Associate Vice-President of Substance Use Disorders; Yvette Ramirez, Outreach Coordinator; and Elizabeth Phillips, Vice-President of Community Engagement.