Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Amenia awards contract for water district upgrades

Amenia awards contract for water district upgrades
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — Town Board members awarded a contract for improvements to the Lavelle Road water pump house at their regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 20.

The award is a significant step forward for upgrades to the town’s water district, which serves the central Amenia hamlet surrounding the intersection of Route 44, Route 343 and Route 22.

The successful bidder, Trinity Construction of Selkirk, New York, estimated that it will cost $1,298,633 to complete the work of upgrading the existing pump house and the well fields nearby. The bid, the lowest of four submitted, was approved by project engineers Delaware Engineering.

During public comment, resident Ken Topolsky read the letter he had presented to the Planning Board urging adoption of a moratorium on new development applications while the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee completes its work to revise the plan. Exempted from the moratorium, Topolsky suggested, could be any application that was initiated with the town two or more years ago.

Resident Judy Moran spoke in support of the proposed moratorium, finding it “reasonable.”

Planning Board member James Walsh spoke of the high volume of applications coming before his board, significantly adding to the daily workload of the board’s secretary. He asked the board to consider a remuneration increase in view of that load.

Latest News

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wassaic Project opens new gallery space in historic Gridley Chapel
Samuelle Green turned paper, wire, and glue into a honeycombed hive at Wassaic Project’s Maxon Mills in Wassaic.
Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project started its 2026 season in style on Saturday, May 16, with an exhibition that featured 39 artists whose work was showcased at its flagship Maxon Mills location and plans for its new space at Gridley Chapel.

The chapel, which was erected in 1873 and is located across the street from Maxon Mills, is a recent addition to the Wassaic Project.

Keep ReadingShow less

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Last Week’s Question

What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Memorial Day paraders brave wet weather

A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.

Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia to split rail trail maintenance with county
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — The Town of Amenia has approved a shared maintenance agreement for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail with Dutchess County and the Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association.

Town Board members accepted the agreement by unanimous vote at the regular meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, May 21.

Keep ReadingShow less
A blessing for pets — and a lifeline for their health
Lazarus, a Eurasian eagle owl, poses with Dr. Laura, his longtime handler. The rescue raptor — known as the event’s “wow factor” for his striking presence and six-foot wingspan — will appear as the Raptor Ambassador at Rhinebeck’s Blessing of the Animals.
provided

For many pet owners, animals are family. On Saturday, May 30, that bond will be celebrated in a uniquely practical and heartfelt way when the Blessing of the Animals returns to Third Lutheran Evangelical Church in Rhinebeck alongside a free rabies vaccination clinic hosted by Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.

The event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., is free for Dutchess County residents and open to dogs, cats and domestic ferrets three months and older. While the clinic itself provides an important public health service, organizers say the day has become about much more than vaccinations.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.