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

Millbrook approves plan to create new apartments

MILLBROOK — An application to renovate the second floor of the Reardon-Briggs Hardware store on Franklin Avenue to create new apartments was approved unanimously by the Planning Board at their regular meeting on Monday, July 8.

The second floor of the hardware store presently offers two apartments standing adjacent to underutilized space that owner Dawn Carolei intends to renovate, gutting the second floor and creating one two-bedroom apartment and one single-bedroom apartment.

Plans were reviewed by architect Steven Hackbarth of Clinton Corners at a public hearing on Monday, June 10.

The public hearing brought few comments from residents about the plans for the hardware store space, designated as the first phase of a two-phase plan, the two phases considered separately by the Planning Board.

Planning Board Chairman Frank Redl said the second phase will be presented for public hearing at a future meeting. That second phase proposing conversion of an existing garage at 4 Merritt Avenue, expanding the building to create four one-bedroom apartments drew considerable concern from residents at the June meeting.

In a second action, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve plans submitted by Katherine Fitta to create an accessory apartment at her home, to provide housing for a family member. The garage apartment at 92 Maple Avenue would measure 586 square feet, Fitta had explained.

Comments from neighbors offered at the June public hearing were mostly favorable, although one neighbor was concerned about uses of the apartment in the future.

A public hearing has been scheduled for the next Planning Board meeting on Monday, Aug. 12, on plans to re-establish a restaurant at 16-18 Alden Place, an application submitted by owner Nunzio Incorvaia of Naples, Florida, who operated a restaurant at the location for 30 years.

Latest News

Friends of Irondale Schoolhouse awards $4,000 in total scholarships

Friends of Irondale Schoolhouse have awarded two scholarships of $2,000 each to:

— Jeiny Tun Xo - attending Hartwick College, Oneonta to study Accounting
— Kylei McWhirt – attending University of Albany to study Business

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia residents voice concerns over rural character

Wassaic resident Leo Blackman addresses the Amenia Planning Board at a Sept. 23 public hearing on the environmental impacts of the proposed 27-lot Keane Stud subdivision. More than 70 people attended the hearing at Town Hall, where speakers raised concerns about the loss of farmland and the town’s rural character.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — More than 70 people gathered in the Town Hall auditorium Wednesday, Sept. 23, for a public hearing on the environmental impacts of a proposed 27-lot subdivision at the Keane Stud horse farm on Depot Hill Road.

The hearing was part of the Planning Board’s environmental review of the proposed subdivision, which would divide 605 acres into 27 lots. Speakers raised concerns about the loss of farmland, scenic views and Amenia’s rural character, while one supporter said the project would increase the town’s tax base.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook library seeks $50,000 budget increase

In advance of the Nov. 3 election, residents attended information sessions at The Millbrook Library to learn more about a ballot resolution to increase the library’s annual operating budget by $50,000. Library Board member Albert Yoon led the session on Friday, Sept. 25.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — A proposal to increase the Millbrook Library’s annual funding by $50,000 to support its daily operations was the subject of two information sessions, ahead of a vote on the resolution set for Tuesday, Nov. 3.

The information sessions were held at the library on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and Friday, Sept. 25. If approved, the annual operating budget for the library would increase from a total of $349,000 to $399,000, the total that supports daily operations.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Beatrice Humes Bunce

Beatrice Humes Bunce

NORTH CANAAN — Beatrice Humes Bunce, 89, of Brooksville, Florida, formerly of North Canaan, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Sept. 13, 2026.

Born on July 29, 1937, in North Canaan, to Douglas E. Humes Sr. and Claudine Goodsill Humes, Bea grew up in Clayton and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

Keep ReadingShow less

David L. Davis

David L. Davis

NORFOLK — David L. Davis, 84, of Norfolk, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Sept. 15.

Born in Nottingham, England, David was educated at Bromsgrove School and later graduated from hotel school in Birmingham, England. His education and natural talent for hospitality became the foundation of an extraordinary career that took him from England to some of the finest hospitality establishments in the United States.

Keep ReadingShow less

David A. Godding

David A. Godding

WINCHESTER — David A. Godding Sr., 82, of Winchester Center, Connecticut, passed peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. He was the loving husband of Cheryl Godding for 36 years.

David was born Oct. 17, 1943, in Sharon, to the late Leonard and Gladys (Robertson) Godding.

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.