Lynch-VandeBogart tapped for Planning Board chair

Lynch-VandeBogart tapped for Planning Board chair

Patti Lynch-VandeBogard

Photo provided

MILLERTON — Village trustees on Monday, March 24, voted to appoint Patti Lynch-VandeBogard to serve as chair of the Planning Board, filling a vacancy created by the recent resignation of Lance Middlebrook.

Lynch-VandeBogard was elected to the Planning Board in July 2023 for a five-year term that ends in 2028.

“I thanked Lance for his 17 years of volunteer service on the Board,” Mayor Jenn Najdek told the Village Board.

Najdek said that she spoke with Lynch-VandeBogard about assuming the chair at the Planning Board following Middlebrook’s resignation.

Middlebrook, who has been chair for more than a decade, made his surprise exit at a regular meeting of the Planning Board on March 12.

He cited frustration about the large sign on Route 22 which displays the message “Community + Kindness” as in violation of village code.

“That should have gone to us. They just took it upon themselves. That was it for me,” he said.

The sign went up in December with the support of the Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights and Townscape, a volunteer group focused on revitalization of the Village.

Wastewater grants

Mayor Najdek informed Village trustees that federal-funding earmarks for Millerton’s proposed wastewater system were removed from the Congressional continuing resolution, and she recommended that the Village resubmit its application for funding.

“It’s the exact same application,” Najdek said.

Trustees voted unanimously to reapply for the funding.

The Village of Millerton and the Town of North East had been anticipating the earmarked funds that weresupported by Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY. U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, D-18, had secured $1 million, a grant that remains intact, Najdek said.

Fire update

The Village has received two payments to date from its insurance company related to the costs of the early February fire at the Water Department building, which remains off-limits.

A third payment is anticipated, Najdek said, noting costs the Village will incur as it moves some operations into the Town of North East’s old town garage on South Center Street as a temporary storage and operations center.

The trustees approved an agreement with North East to lease the facility at a cost of $500 per month to be covered by insurance.

Summer Camp canceled

Due to planned construction for the pool at Eddie Collins Memorial Park starting in August, Village trustees concluded that holding a summer camp would be problematic out of concern for the safety of the children.

This past December, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation awarded the village a matching grant of up to $675,000 in support of the project. With these monies, funding for Phase II, which stems largely from a NY SWIMS capital grant, is now at $7.56 million.

Trustees gave preliminary approval to Oblong Books to hold a 50th anniversary block party on South Center Street in August.

The March 24 meeting also focused on the upcoming budget, and trustees worked through a line-item examination of budget items. Plans call for a special Village Trustees meeting to be held April 3 at 6 p.m. to continue the budget workshop that will lead to an eventual public hearing sometime in mid-April.

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