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.
Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.
AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.
“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.
“Megan’s job is not an easy one,” Blackman said, honoring Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent who has served the town for 20 years.
Also among those honored was Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner for 20 years of service as Court Clerk.
Maureen Moore, Court Clerk, was also honored in absentia for her 20 years of town service.
In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.
AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.
A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.
As with the first historic market installation at the Old Amenia Burying Ground, held in April, Amenia Union Cemetery graves of Revolutionary War veterans had been marked with American flags in advance.
Jim Middlebrook, representing the Columbia Mid-Hudson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, attended along with other members of his chapter. Speaking before the unveiling, Middlebrook said that the historic marker project had begun in August 2024, and included a detailed process to certify the names on the graves.
Middlebrook described the work of the William C. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse whose mission is to promote “pride of place” by providing grants in support of installing historic markers and plaques nationwide to honor patriots for their service. Active now in seven or eight states, Middlebrook said, the foundation will soon add Connecticut and Massachusetts to the list.
The new Amenia Union marker honors “at least five veterans of the American Revolution interred between 1787 and 1810,” although Town Historian Betsy Strauss lists six veterans buried in the cemetery. The sixth, Gerhard Winegar, whose burial had been in 1781 could not fully satisfy the certification standards.
Strauss provided the following listing of six names:
Col. Colbe Chamberlain, 1739-1796
Capt. William Chamberlain, 1745-1810
Lieut. Samuel Snyder, 1712-1808
Gerhard Winegar, 1750-1781
Ensign Henry Winegar, 1723-1787
Capt. William Young, 1747-1806
Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.
MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.
Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.
“The Millerton Street Fair will celebrate everything we love about this community — its spirit, its dedication to service and its creative energy,” said James Clark, publisher and CEO of The Millerton News.
Local nonprofits will showcase their work and impact, including Climate Smart Millerton, Eddie Collins Memorial Park, North East Historical Society, Townscape, Tri-Corner FEED, Village of Millerton, and the Webutuck Elementary School.Participating businesses include Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT, The Elephant’s Tusk, and many more.Local retail and dining establishments will be open with special promotions. NECC’s Farmer’s Market will run during the event.
Among the planned festivities are live music from John Stey and the Resilience Brass Band, performances from Bee Bee the Clown, face painting by students from Webutuck High School, and a community-wide scavenger hunt for kids.Other kids’ activities include egg and spoon races, and a “touch-a-truck” open house at the firehouse.The Irondale Schoolhouse will be hosting a special exhibit, and the North East-Millerton Library will be offering signups for the Summer Reading Program, a science show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lawn games, and a cookie cook-off.
For more information, go to millertonnews.com/street-fair.
The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.
MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.
For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.
The second talk, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m., invites Carl Lounsbury of the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg to speak on the architecture of the Nine Partners Meetinghouse. His talk is titled, “Nine Partners Meetinghouse Plan: A New Form in the Hudson Valley.” Expert in early American architecture, Lounsbury’s talk will compare Nine Partners with other later houses of worship in New York and New England.
Both lecture events will be held at the 1780 brick Nine Partners Quaker Meetinghouse in Millbrook. An earlier meetinghouse on the site had burned. The building has remained largely unchanged since the 18th century.
Given the age of the structure, handicapped access is limited and there are no rest room facilities.
Visitors should enter through the cemetery gate entrance.
The lectures are free and open to all, supported by a grant from the county and offered as part of Dutchess County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.