Kent Hollow Mine case resolved after years of litigation

Kent Hollow Mine case resolved after years of litigation
Amenia Town Hall
Photo by John Coston

AMENIA — The Town Board signed a resolution bringing an end to a history of litigation between Amenia’s Zoning Board of Appeals and principals of Kent Hollow Mine at a special meeting on Thursday, April 24.

It was a brief meeting with no public discussion before the vote except to make a clarifying change in the resolution’s wording, suggested by the Special Counsel to the town, George Lithco.

Under the conditions of the settlement, Kent Hollow will limit its soil mining work to 33 acres on its 82.3-acre Kent Hollow Road property, as agreed to in a 2017 permit application, and will limit the amount of mined materials to 15,000 yards annually, limiting the amount that may be taken from the property for its own use to 750 yards each month.

Operations are also to be limited to weekdays, with no operations on weekends, holidays or after sunset. The amendment made by Lithco before the resolution’s approval was to indicate that the word “annually” was to refer to a calendar year.

Mining phases are to be limited to five-acre parcels at any one time, with Kent Hollow agreeing to reclaim the mined areas as part of each phase whenever two acres have reached their final grade and are no longer used for mining.

Kent Hollow Mine has operated a small-scale sand and gravel mining operation since first applying for and having been granted a permit in 1978 as a non-conforming use. That original permit expired in 1989. The mine sought to expand operations through a 2016-17 application process.

It then submitted an application to the town of Amenia to increase operations in 2016 but withdrew that application shortly afterward, resubmitting it in February 2017.

The ZBA denied that 2017 application based on the mine’s non-conforming use designation and other issues, leading Kent Hollow to appeal. Litigation suing the town and officials resulted seeing the case considered eventually by the Dutchess County Supreme Court and the Southern District of New York.

During a special meeting on Monday, April 28, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to authorize the settlement that had been agreed to by the Town Board. ZBA members David Menegat and James Wright recused from the vote.

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

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.

Leila Hawken

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

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.

Photo by Leila Hawken

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

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.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

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.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

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.

Keep ReadingShow less