MILLBROOK — The day may have been rainy, but the outlook was sunny as more than 350 community members toured the future Thorne Building Community Center (TBCC) on Saturday, May 28, some for the first time.
George Whalen, Oakeigh Thorne and others from the Millbrook Community Partnership (MCP), the 501(c)3 nonprofit behind the years-long project spoke of how much transforming the historic one-time high school means to the them, as did the response to the day’s event.
“The MCP, along with our many volunteers who assisted in the Open House Day, are delighted with the huge turnout, positive suggestions, and overwhelming enthusiasm received from the community for the TBCC. We hope the community will continue to stay updated by visiting our website: www.thornebuilding.org.”
The building, which was given to the newly incorporated village of Millbrook in 1895, has been in a serious state of disrepair for many years. After no longer being used for educational purposes after 1962, it served as various venues over several years, but eventually was left to lay dormant.
During Saturday’s tour, its stately elegance was evident as its stripped-down brick walls were bare, the asbestos recently removed. It ‘s not hard to envision a finished project, which was what the tour was all about.
The first floor has an auditorium and stage that will allow for theater events and could also accommodate social engagements like weddings. There are plans for possibly an art gallery and some community work spaces too. Many large windows allow an abundance of natural light.
Plans for the second floor include possibly a dance studio, classrooms, a room for seminars and kitchen/catering space. S
The third floor might be designated for office space, and the basement offers many possibilities, including a culinary center and kitchen, recording studio, technology center and more.
Many of those who attended were back for the first time since high school at the Open House. Others, such as Lois Marder, have been back more recently for events like antique shows; she praised the MCP’s progress.
“After all these years it is delightful to see the elegant interior of this building and listen to all the stories that people recall,” she said.
Resident Irene Wing said she was just glad the building would be put to good use.
“I’m glad it will be returned to its former glory,” she said.
Resident John Kading celebrated his 94th birthday on Saturday. He recalled going to school at the Thorne Building and was glad to see old friends and former classmates on the tour to share memories with of their high school days in those very halls.
Whalen, Justice Betsy Shequine, Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy and Patsy Pollack were among the many who volunteered to greet and guide the visitors on tours of the first floor. There were 14 volunteers in all, and the hundreds who showed up seemed to be impressed and delighted a the renovations thus far.
The former Presbyterian church on Main Street in Millerton, which Millerton resident Alex That has proposed converting into a private education center
MILLERTON — Millerton resident Alex That presented plans for the former Presbyterian church on Main Street to the Millerton Planning Board at a rescheduled meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16.
That is proposing to convert the church into a private education center offering classes in music, video production and DJing for people of all abilities.
The Millerton site would be the second location for Caffeine Academy, which opened its first location in West Babylon, N.Y., in 2013.
The meeting was marked by confusion over the village’s application approval process, with That and his architect repeatedly asking board members to clarify what steps were required and in what order they would occur.
During public comment, Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Kelly Kilmer explained there are two potential paths forward for the application.
One option would require That to apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a parking variance, a process that would involve a full environmental review and public hearings separate from those required by the Planning Board.
The second option would be to wait for a recently passed local law to take effect. The law exempts buildings in the village’s General Business District from additional parking requirements, which would eliminate the need for a parking variance.
“The Village of Millerton Board passed a local law amending the village code for the General Business District and parking variances, which, in all honesty, Alex, works in your favor,” Kilmer said.
Kilmer said Local Law C must be stamped and filed by the New York Secretary of State before it officially goes into effect. The process typically takes between 30 and 60 days and could be further delayed by the holiday season.
Until that approval is finalized, the Caffeine Academy proposal would require parking variances from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
“If you want to move forward, you would fill out an application,” Kilmer said. “I’ll make sure that we get a meeting together.”
Planning Board members recommended that the application move to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a parking variance. However, it remained unclear at the end of the meeting whether That would proceed with that option or wait until Local Law C is officially on the books.
The former agricultural weigh station at 7723 S. Main St. in Pine Plains, where the Planning Board approved plans for the proposed Upstate Pines cannabis dispensary.
PINE PLAINS — Planning Board members granted final approval Wednesday, Dec. 17, for two major commercial projects: the proposed Upstate Pines cannabis dispensary and a large lumber mill and showroom.
The site plan for the dispensary was approved by a 6–0 vote.
The proposed cannabis dispensary will be the second location of Red Hook-based dispensary business Upstate Pines, founded by Brian Seiler, Ben Abrahams and Ben Abrahams in 2024. Planning board members approved site plans that propose to utilize the former historic weigh station building at 7723 S. Main St. across from the Pine Plains Post Office.
The proposal, designed by architect Kristina Dousharm, underwent a lengthy approval process that included public comment earlier in the fall. Residents urged the board to be mindful of the building’s historic character — as the community’s former agricultural weighing station — and raised concerns about its proximity to the Pine Plains Firehouse on an adjacent parcel and the Post Office.
Although Pine Plains’ local law prohibits dispensaries within 300 feet of the firehouse or the Post Office, state law supersedes those restrictions. Planning Board members ruled in October that the local provisions are unenforceable, eliminating the need for a waiver.
Board members also approved the site plan and granted necessary waivers to The Hudson Co., which plans to build a 50,000-square-foot lumber mill, office building and showroom just south of Stewart's Shops gas station on Route 82 at the southern entrance to downtown Pine Plains.
Approval was unanimous with a 7-0 vote and no abstentions.
The lumber mill will produce wood beams, flooring and paneling.
Hudson Co. representatives proposed the large mill and expanded campus because the operation had outgrown a manufacturing facility it currently occupies at 2290 Route 199 in Pine Plains. LaBella Associates engineers designed the expanded campus.
The Upstate Pines cannabis dispensary first went before the board in August, and the Hudson Co. mill and showroom has been under review since May.
The Upstate Celtic Allstars perform celtic versions of holiday tunes at Amenia Town Hall on Dec. 15, 2024.
AMENIA — Fast becoming a local holiday tradition, the Amenia Town Recreation Department is presenting a free concert by the Upstate Celtic Allstars on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Amenia Town Hall Auditorium, beginning at 2 p.m.
The five-member Celtic Allstars ensemble will rouse the audience to holiday cheer with a varied program of holiday tunes and rhythmic dance numbers. Appearing in the ensemble are Vermont’s Claudine Langille, vocals and banjo; Dave Paton, hammer dulcimer and concertina, Isa Simon, fiddle and vocals; Joseph Sobol, contemporary cittern (related to guitar); and Ambrose Verdibello, fiddle and guitar.
Refreshments will be served during intermission. Bring the whole family to revel in the lively festivities.
AMENIA — Thomas Ford was elected to the Amenia Fire District no. 1 Board of Fire Commissioners at the district’s annual election on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Ford received 11 votes and will serve a five-year term on the five-member board.
The Board of Fire Commissioners serves as the governing body of the fire district, overseeing finances, personnel and operating policies. Each fire district is governed by an elected board of commissioners.
The Amenia Fire Company is a nonprofit organization of volunteer firefighters that provides fire protection and rescue services. The company owns and operates the Mechanic Street firehouse and the district’s ambulance.
