License plates, Sharon Hospital, Christmas in April

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

April 25, 1935

New License Plates Would Cost Millions To Motorists

The Senate, in the closing hours of the session just ended, passed a bill providing for the adoption of new type of automobile license plates which, if Governor Lehman signs the measure, will result in a cost of millions of dollars to the motorists of New York State. After passing the Assembly by a close margin, the bill went through the upper house with every Republican member present and two Democrats voting against it.

Fire Company Sponsors Entertainment; Proceeds To Benefit Pumper Fund

The Millerton Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a vaudeville and moving picture entertainment to be presented at the Millerton Theatre, Tuesday night for the benefit of the pumper fund. Members of the department are hopeful that proceeds of the entertainment will substantially increase this fund which is to be used to purchase a new fire truck, replacing the antiquated apparatus now in use.

Stanford Woman Saved From Fire

STANFORDVILLE - Caught in the path of a raging brush and grass fire that burned over an area of more than 100 acres in the Town of Stanford here Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Clinton Field was saved from almost certain death by Charles Osterhout, a neighbor, who rushed into the flames and carried her to safety. Unconscious from shock, the woman was not revived until late Sunday night. She suffered slight burns.

Starting from a rubbish blaze on Mrs. Field’s property, the fire was finally subdued by the Stanford and Clinton Fire Departments with the assistance of rangers and neighbors after a long battle.

April 22, 1976

Vandals Desecrate Millerton Church

Vandals smeared human excrement over the walls and curtains of the Sunday School room of the Millerton Methodist Church on Main Street on Wednesday night, April 14. They caused $600 worth of damage.

Gas Station Burglarized

New York State Police Investigators are looking into the possible connection between an April 13 burglary at Conklin’s Texaco in Millerton and recent burglaries in the Lakeville area.

On April 13, thieves broke into the Route 44 service station in Millerton and stole 1 radio. Connecticut State Police recently apprehended 26-year- old Roy Duntz of Salisbury and Raymond Sprague, 20, of Millerton, on charges that include burglary and attempted burglary in Lakeville.

A spokesman for the N.Y. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation said his office is investigating the possible connection between the New York and Connecticut crimes. Duntz and Sprague are being held in Litchfield County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail each.

April 26, 2001

Sharon Hospital Resubmits Application a Third Time

SHARON - What seemed like a collective sigh of relief, similar to one heaved upon completion of a major term paper, emanated from Sharon Hospital this week.

On Tuesday, all the information requested by the attorney general’s (AG) office to complete the application needed to proceed with the sale of the hospital to Essent Healthcare, was sent. Two previous submissions were deemed incomplete, but officials feel confident the third time is the charm.

“We’re patient and confident,” hospital CFO Rob Wright said during an interview Wednesday morning.

“We’ve gone through an exhaustive search to get all the information.”

The search involved tracking down documentation about gifts that had been given to the hospital since its opening in 1909. That information, along with material about conflicts of interest and Sharon’s proposed affiliation with St. Francis Hospital and Health Center in Hartford, were lacking in the last application.

If the application is approved, Sharon Hospital would become the first in Connecticut to convert from non-profit to for-profit.

In a cover letter from Reid & Riege, the law firm hired for the application process, attorneys John Horak and John Newman stated, “The Hospital and its advisors have worked long and hard to provide you with detailed information about the proposed transaction and the Hospital. We believe that the Notice satisfies all the established requirements for ‘completeness’ ...and that the 120 day review period should commence.”

In a return piece of correspondence issued from AG Richard Blumenthal’s office Wednesday, he said, “These additional documents are a welcome step toward completing the application. They seem to address many of our concerns that made previous filings incomplete or inadequate. We have done only a preliminary review since the documents were received just hours ago, but our hope is to move forward as promptly as possible to public hearings that will give citizens and others an opportunity to comment.”

Christmas in April: Volunteer Group Will Paint Village Firehouse

WEBUTUCK — Webutuck students, parents and staff will be busily at work Saturday, April 28, as part of “Christmas in April.” This not-for-profit agency raises funds and organizes volunteers to provide home repairs for individuals who are unable to do so for themselves.

Instead of assisting an individual homeowner this year, the Webutuck volunteers have an unusual project, painting the interior of the Millerton firehouse. Millerton Mayor Mariley Najdek suggested this undertaking to technology teacher John Roccanova. Fire Chief Al Andrews said it was time for the chore to be done and was all for the idea of having the Webutuck group tackle the job.

At present, there are 12 students and seven parent and staff volunteers signed up. They will work in shifts of 7:30 a.m. to noon and noon to 4:30 p.m. Students can use their hours towards earning a school and community service credit.

Ed Herrington Inc. and Westchester Modular Homes have contributed paint and supplies for the day’s activities. Volunteers are also asked to bring roller handles, brushes and drop cloths.

So far, the Millerton Deli, Broadway Pizza and Christina’s Garden Restaurant and Gourmet Greek Deli have offered to provide food for the volunteers.

Additional contributions of supplies and snacks would be greatly appreciated. Call Mr. Roccanova at xxx-xxxx.