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Holidays at Smithfield Church
Dec 10, 2025
Ringing in the holidays with musical flair, the historic Smithfield Church filled to capacity on Saturday, Dec. 6, for its 20th annual Christmas Concert and Tea, featuring a performance by the 15-member Smithfield Chamber Orchestra.
Photo by Leila Hawken
A full-capacity crowd listens to a collection of jazzy holiday tunes at the Smithfield Church in Amenia on Sunday, Dec. 7.Photo by Leila Hawken
Crowds of visitors watch light-covered floats travel down Franklin Avenue in Millbrook for the annual Parade of Lights on Friday, Dec. 5. Spectators braved frigid temperatures for the half-hour long parade.
Photo by Nathan Miller
Amenia Town Hall on Route 22.
Photo by Nathan Miller
AMENIA — Responding to residents’ concerns about parking, the Town Board on Thursday, Dec. 4, unanimously approved a new local law following a public hearing at its regular meeting. Residents were invited to comment on rules for EV charging station parking as well as plans to limit parking along Mechanic Street near the intersection with Route 343.
The new regulations, drafted by Town Attorney Ian Lindars, also prohibit through truck traffic along the length of Sharon Station Road that lies within the town.
Under the new law that concerns charging stations for electric vehicles, the space is limited to that single purpose and none other.
Mechanic Street parking prohibitions are specific. On the east side of the street, cars will not be allowed to park within 107 feet measured southward from the stop sign at the corner of Route 343. On the west side of the street, parking is now prohibited within the 40 feet that extends southward from the southern end of the crosswalk. And then, only one car will be permitted to park between that 40-foot point and the telephone pole that stands 62 feet to the south.
An important new provision within the law establishes fines to enforce the parking regulations. The first conviction will carry a $100 fine, the second a $200 fine, and the third, $300, if all three occurred within an 18-month period. There are also provisions for towing at the owner’s expense.
Resident Vicky Doyle asked whether the new law will apply to EV charging stations on private property. An EV charging station is being contemplated for installation adjacent to the Wassaic Project.
Board Attorney Ian Lindars replied that the new local law would not apply to EV charging stations on private property.
Doyle also asked whether parking configurations, similar to those now in effect on Mechanic Street, could be formalized in Wassaic to correct the current haphazard parking arrangements.
“That’s why we recommend hiring a landscape architect to resolve that,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman.
“You can amend parking regulations on any town road at any time,” Lindars noted.
Verizon Tower Lease Agreement
By unanimous vote, the Town Board agreed to sign an amended lease agreement with Verizon Wireless, increasing the annual lease fee and allowing for equipment upgrades on the Washington Court tower. This amended agreement is the third in a series. The most recent amendment was signed in 2020.
In addition to a lease fee increase of $6,600, the agreement permits Verizon to replace three Samsung antennas and upgrade cables and connections.
Appointment
The Town Board voted unanimously to appoint Stephen Johnson to serve as part-time clerk to the both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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Santa makes a stop in town and brings smiles to local children Lillian Perusse, Tillman Perusse and Joey Murtagh-Robert.
Photo by Aly Morrissey
MILLERTON — Sirens and red, white and blue lights swirled through the village and town on Saturday, Dec. 6, as members of the all-volunteer Millerton Fire Department completed their fifth annual Santa Run. The all-day event, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to spread holiday cheer, proved to be so successful that it has since become a cherished community tradition.
This year, volunteers delivered gifts to nearly 100 local children, traveling in a parade of seven vehicles — five fire trucks and two chief vehicles, plus Santa’s wooden sleigh — and stopping at homes across Millerton’s neighborhoods. The run kicked off at 9:00 a.m. and wrapped up around 3:45 p.m., just as the late-afternoon light began to fade.
“It’s always nice to see the kids and how grateful they are,” said volunteer Heather Mullen, who has driven Santa’s truck for five years. “We had a child on a side street who said, ‘I didn’t even know I was getting anything!’ If that doesn’t absolutely bring you joy, I don’t know what will.”
Event organizer and Fire Police Captain Kelly Roger begins preparations each Halloween, handing out letters at the firehouse to kids and families. Throughout November, children then return their holiday wish lists to a decorated, vintage mailbox on Century Boulevard.
“I read every letter,” Roger said. “We make sure every child gets something they actually like. It’s a lot of work — but it’s worth every minute.”
Roger also takes an extra step to wrap additional gifts for any children who may not have submitted letters to Santa, ensuring that no one feels left behind.
Community donations help make that possible. Ahead of the event, Roger puts out a call for unwrapped toys, and she said residents delivered this year.
The sleigh that carries Santa’s presents has become a holiday staple of its own. Built more than 15 years ago by Santa himself, it makes appearances outside of the Santa Run, including holiday parades in Millerton and Amenia.
Fire Chief Keith Roger praised the volunteers who dedicate an entire Saturday to bringing smiles to local children.
“These guys put in all the time and dedication,” he said, adding that his favorite part of the day is seeing the kids jump up and down when they spot Santa and the fire trucks. “Their excitement makes it all worthwhile.”
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