Assemblyman Anil Beephan, speaks about Melanie’s law, which will close a loophole in protecting victims of domestic violence. Assemblyman Brian Cunningham stands next to him. Cheryl Chianese, who lost her daughter when her ex-boyfriend murdered her, stands in the first row, far right, next to Cunningham. She has advocated for the law. Photo from the State Assembly.
ALBANY — New York state took another crucial step in the passage of Melanie’s Law, a law which will protect the families of domestic violence victims, whatever their age.
On Tuesday, May 21 the Assembly gave its approval to the measure.
Assemblyman Anil Beephan, who represents the 105th Assembly district, announced that the law passed in the Assembly and was be on its way to the governor’s office for signature. The 105th district includes parts of Dutchess County: Amenia, Dover, and Wappingers. Melanie Chianese, for whom the bill is named, was from Wappingers.
As it stands now, the law only protects those family members who are under eighteen.
Melanie was stabbed to death by her mother’s ex-boyfriend, Paul Senecal, in May of 2022. While Melanie’s mother and three-year-old son were granted protective orders against Senecal, Melanie, then twenty-nine, did not qualify for one. Melanie’s Law will correct this loophole if signed into law by the governor.
Beephan introduced Melanie’s Law in February of 2023 and it failed to pass the Assembly. He is “proud to confirm” its passage this year.
“The bill was able to pass this time because we were able to secure more bipartisan co-sponsors who advocated for the bill to be reported out of committee. As this was a new bill introduced in 2023, it sometimes takes the full session to get things to the floor. None of this would have been possible without the support of Assemblyman Cunningham.” Brian Cunningham, a Democrat, represents the 43rd district. As part of the majority in the Assembly, he helped Beephan introduce the bill.
State Senator Michelle Hinchey, who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, commented about the Assembly’s passage of the bill, “The tragic murder of Melanie Chianese reminds us of the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence and the work that must be done to better protect victims and their loved ones. I’m proud to sponsor Melanie’s Law, developed in her memory, and heartened that both houses of the Legislature were able to pass it before the end of the session. We remain hopeful that the Governor will see the need for this common-sense legislation and sign it into law.”
Beephan said of the law and the work put into it, “I want to thank Cheryl, Melanie’s mother, for sharing her story and bringing awareness to this issue. I feel incredibly honored to have been part of this body of advocates and legislators to enact real change that will protect people in the future. The best of government is people coming together to solve problems, and in Melanie’s memory, I was glad we could do that here.”
Graham Corrigan
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery’s winemaker Ian Bearup surveys ongoing landscaping work from the wedding loft on Monday, May 18.
MILLBROOK — The owners of Millbrook Vineyards & Winery are changing how visitors may use their property, ending a longtime policy that allowed guests to bring their own food, beverages and lawn chairs onto the vineyard grounds.
The changes come as the winery introduces new seating areas, expanded food offerings and updated visitor accommodations ahead of the summer season.
To support the shift away from open lawn-style seating, the winery is installing several designated seating areas across the property. A newly created adults-only patio will feature Adirondack chairs, private tables and sofa seating available for a small table fee that has not yet been finalized. Guests will also be able to reserve tables in advance, though walk-ins will still be welcome.
Additional picnic tables are also being added to the winery’s existing all-ages seating area.
Weekend food trucks are scheduled to return beginning June 1, but they will now be supplemented by expanded local food offerings inside the winery’s renovated tap room space, now renamed The Overlook. Local producers, including Millbrook Beef & Dairy and Chaseholm Farm, will offer cheese, charcuterie and prepared foods.
“We want to reinvigorate the brand,” said Ian Bearup, a winemaker at the vineyards.
The changes come during a period of broader transition for the wine industry, which has seen declining consumption levels following a pandemic-era surge, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. Owner John Dyson recently reduced his stake in a California winery to refocus on Millbrook.
Millbrook’s winemaker Bearup said the renewed focus on Millbrook Vineyards & Winery exemplifies Dyson’s commitment to his hometown. “We take a lot of pride in still keeping agriculture in Dutchess County,” Bearup said. “This pullback has forced us to ask, how can we change things? And how can we still stay authentic to who we are, which is really just a family farm winery.”
Bearup acknowledged some visitors may be unhappy with the changes, but said growing crowds have made it increasingly difficult to manage the property during busy weekends.
“It’s gotten difficult for us to oversee the grounds during busy weekends,” Bearup said. “There’s a lot of liability. There’s a lot of garbage, and the grounds get quite beat up.”
The winery said visitors will still have access to the property’s ponds, trails and vineyard views, but the new seating arrangements are intended to better organize crowds and reduce wear on the grounds.
“We’re already hearing from a lot of upset people, which I completely understand,” Bearup said. “But we can’t operate this business as a park anymore, unfortunately.”
Graham Corrigan
The Washington town pool in the hamlet of Mabbetsville along Route 44 sits ready for the start of the 2026 season.
MILLBROOK — Members of the Washington Town Board are calling for upgrades to the town’s recreation area in Mabbetsville along Route 44, saying the park’s roughly 80-year-old pool is outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain.
Former Washington Councilmember Mike Murphy presented a new report to the Town Board during its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, detailing the needed updates to the park.
His report is part of a larger Washington project called the Recreation Area Strategic Planning Committee. Starting in 2024, Murphy and a committee of 11 community members undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the property, focusing on the town pool and its facilities. “It’s nobody’s fault,” Murphy said. “But over the years, it’s just aged out.”
The committee was made up of various community experts including contractors and environmentalists. The group used last year’s Community Day to field suggestions from local residents, asking what changes they’d like to see at the park.
An online survey followed, and the committee compiled those suggestions for the town board. Suggestions included indoor facilities, a children’s playground, a dog park and pool improvements.
The Town Park consists of the pool and several athletic fields. The town bought the lower part of the property in 1946 for $16,000, and it became a municipal pool soon after. The athletic fields were added in 2006.
The 29 acres “are a jewel within the town,” Murphy said. “We need to figure out how to get people to use it.” But the pool’s aging infrastructure has made maintenance and upkeep unwieldy. It also lacks modern amenities popular in other municipal pools, like splash pads or fountains. Millerton and Newburgh, Murphy noted, both included those elements in their new pool plans.
Washington has more serious fixes to make, like updating the pool’s filtration system. One estimate Murphy received approximated that cost at six figures. “The tax structure of this community will never be able to handle the major costs that are coming down the road,” Murphy said.
Instead, the Committee to Re-Imagine the Town Park proposed several non-structural ways to stimulate the park’s activity, and resulting revenue: extended hours, a third pavilion, more athletic facilities, and an easier way to access the park.
Currently, there’s only one way in or out of the park. It makes for a crowded drop-off — especially when summer camp is in session. Murphy said connecting the park’s entrance to Little Rest Road to the west is one feasible solution.
Leila Hawken
Enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Millbrook Central School District since 2001, the Millbrook Educational Foundation took part in the Millbrook Volunteer Fair on Saturday, May 16. Residents were invited to learn about volunteer opportunities with the foundation and a variety of other local and regional organizations. The event, now in its fifth year, was held at the Millbrook Library.
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Christine Bates
Known as the “Ice House,” 12 State Line Road on 3.81 acres was sold by the mortgage holder after standing vacant for years. The property was later renovated and resold for $400,000 on April 15.
MILLERTON — North East’s housing market continued to cool this spring, with home prices holding relatively steady and sales activity slowing compared with the post-pandemic surge that drove prices sharply higher across the region.
The 12-month trailing median sale price for residential properties in the Town of North East, including the Village of Millerton, was $420,000 for the period from May 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026. That figure remained essentially unchanged month-to-month, but marked the second consecutive year of declining annual median prices.
The residential median includes all types of housing sales — from modest village homes to large estates with significant acreage — but excludes commercial properties and vacant land sales. Among the higher-end transactions during the period was the sale of 5-15 Homestead Lane for $3.1 million.
Outside the village, where homes are generally situated on larger parcels, the median sale price reached $575,000. Within the Village of Millerton, where lots are typically smaller, the median price for the 10 homes sold during the period was $410,000.
The townwide median price of $420,000 was down 2% from the $430,000 median recorded during the 12-month period ending April 30, 2025. It was also 4% below the median recorded the year before that, continuing a gradual market slowdown following the price increases seen during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sales activity has also slowed considerably. North East recorded 24 residential transactions on a trailing 12-month basis at the end of April, down from 37 sales during the previous year.
Housing inventory showed modest improvement entering the spring market. In early May, 14 homes were listed for sale in North East, including four properties with asking prices above $1 million. Among them was the Hudson Valley Magazine “design home,” listed for $3.99 million.
Only two residential properties were listed for sale within the Village of Millerton in early May. Meanwhile, four commercial properties remained on the market in the village, along with eight parcels of vacant land throughout the town.
Town of North East March and April property sales
710 Smithfield Road — 23.89 acres were sold on April 20 for $190,000.
26 South Center St. —An investment property in the Village of Millerton was sold on April 15 for $700,000.
12 State Line Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath renovated home on 3.8 acres sold on April 15 for $400,000.
5-15 Homestead Lane — 3 bedroom/2 bath home built in 1950 on 258 acres sold on March 27 for $3.1 million.
Town of North East and Village of Millerton closed sales for March and April from realtor.com with property details from Dutchess Parcel Access. Median price and activity calculations for all residential properties from NY State Sales Web transfers through February 2026 with updated residential sales for March and April. Current market data from One Key MLS. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
Graham Corrigan
MILLBROOK — Innisfree Garden is set to welcome northeast Dutchess residents for its annual Spring Community Day.
The beloved community event returns Saturday, May 23 — with free admission for residents of Millerton, North East, Amenia, Wassaic, Pine Plains, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Pleasant Valley, Stanford, Wingdale, Washington, and of course, Millbrook. Visitors seeking free admission must present identification showing residency in one of the listed towns or hamlets.
There’s a day of programming in store, too. The garden opens at 10 a.m., then Qigong exercise lessons with Cris Caivano kick off at 10:30 a.m. Discounted tickets for the day’s events are available to Dutchess County residents, who are invited to “stretch like a tiger, twist like a dragon,” through guided stretching and acupressure exercises.
Then at 2:30 p.m., visitors are invited along on The Great Pollinator Ramble. Part scavenger hunt, part live theater, the Ramble features larger-than-life pollinator puppets spread across Innisfree’s 185 acres. Nature lovers can use the provided habitat map to find and identify 10 key pollinators that frequent the garden.
“We’re always looking for ways we can introduce the arts into Innisfree,” said Innisfree Executive Director Laura Palmer. “It’s a celebration of the natural environment and all the richness of the natural world.”
Birds, butterflies, beetles and other pollinators will be represented through the oversized puppets, which were designed by Processional Arts Workshop, a Red Hook-based collective led by co-directors Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles.
The concept dates back five years, when the COVID pandemic challenged Processional Arts to develop outdoor programming that could activate public spaces.
“The idea was, if you set loose pollinator puppets in a natural environment, you can encourage people to look deeper at their surroundings,” Kahn said. “It becomes a kind of hide and seek with these species.”
After successful rambles at Catskill’s Thomas Cole House, Hudson’s Olana State Historic Site, and Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Kahn and Michahelles are bringing their pollinators to Innisfree.
The puppeteers are instructed to be elusive and shy, hiding in the garden’s remote corners — as their real-life counterparts might. In that way, visitors are encouraged to investigate parts of the grounds they might bypass.
Spring Community Day is in its sixth year at Innisfree. It serves as the kickoff to the garden’s warm-weather programming season, which includes guided nature walks, wellness workshops, calligraphy classes and live music. A full calendar is available at innisfreegarden.org/events
Nathan Miller
Tim Watson sits in his living room that used to serve as a waiting area for a dentist’s office on Route 44 in Millerton.
MILLERTON — More than three months after a malfunctioning furnace forced the Watson family from their Main Street apartment, Tim Watson said life is finally beginning to stabilize.
The Watsons were tenants of 7-9 Main St. on Jan. 31 when a malfunctioning furnace filled the apartment building with carbon monoxide, forcing emergency responders to evacuate the building. Authorities ruled the building unsafe after the emergency and it has remained vacant since. The Dutchess County Supreme Court granted a foreclosure to US Bancorp for the property in late March.
Watson and his family have found a permanent home in a former office space on Route 44 just outside the Village of Millerton. The office space was originally available for just 30 days, but North East’s recent commercial rezoning now permits residential use on the property. He said the move — made possible through help from relatives, friends and local organizations — has dramatically improved life for his family.
“Our whole life has changed,” Watson said as he sat in his new living room that used to serve as a waiting area for a dentist’s office. He pointed to the space, from the walls to the sofas, as an example of Millerton’s impact.
Family and friends donated furniture to replace what had been ruined at the Watsons’ old apartment. Members of the Millerton Fire Company initially provided a warm place to stay in the firehouse on Century Boulevard in the blistering cold hours following the evacuation. The owner of the family’s new residence on Route 44 — Millerton local Basil Gabriel, owner of local mechanic shop Basil Auto Service — discounted their rent at the beginning of their stay.
Other circumstances have changed for the family, too. Michelle, Tim’s wife of 37 years, recently finished her first round of chemotherapy. She was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago.
Shortly after beginning treatment, Michelle broke her femur and had to start using a wheelchair. She said another benefit of the new space is its accessibility. Michelle and Tim, who also uses a wheelchair after losing both his legs, had to install a stair lift on an exterior staircase to get in and out of 7-9 Main St.
Michelle said the new home will allow her more comfort during her cancer treatments.
“It’s a better place to live,” Michelle said. “This is a blessing.”
Although the evacuation was stressful, Tim said it put his family in a better, more stable place. The long-term viability of the space was under question during the Watson family’s first weeks there. But they were allowed to stay after North East passed its overhaul of zoning regulations that now permits residences and updated commercial zoning along Route 44.
Tim said he wants to stay there indefinitely.
“I think we found our forever home,” Watson said.
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