MILLBROOK — In this new world of pandemic and need, there are things people depend on: the generosity of others, kindness and caring from strangers, and the hope that the youth of today will help support a brighter tomorrow. This country’s 4-H Clubs have long toiled to make that possible, and many of those young future farmers are more important than ever in helping to feed communities with healthy food choices at affordable prices. Jane Rodd is the 4-H program leader at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCEDC) in Millbrook. She was recently given a donation of an undisclosed amount from Mike Polasek, owner of the Poughkeepsie catering business Simply Gourmet, in support of healthy food and today’s youth.
Simply Gourmet held a food pop up sale for three days in June, with proceeds going to the CCEDC 4-H program. People came from around the region to purchase and enjoy some of the items Simply Gourmet is famous for, and, of course, to support the 4-H.
“We are all facing difficult times as individuals and as businesses,” Polasek said. “But even in these adverse times we have to continue to support our communities and our nonprofit organizations. They need us more now than ever. We chose 4-H because of the incredible educational opportunities that it provides children.”
4-H members learn to work with agricultural products and livestock, and then present what they have learned to the public. Some of those presentations, including their annual involvement in the Dutchess County Fair, will not take place this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The health crisis has also curtailed the club’s fundraising efforts.
Polasek said that was one reason he wanted to contributed to the local 4-H Club.
“We hope that our donation brings joy to the membership by helping to continue their programs,” he said.
Simply Gourmet opened in 2008 and tries to use mostly local ingredients, which means it works closely with local farms and other purveyors. It hopes to continue its relationship with the 4-H, and to celebrate farms, food and community long into the future.
Demolition of the old Millerton Water Department building is nearly complete, clearing the way for construction of a new permanent facility that will house essential testing and mechanical equipment. Mayor Jenn Najdek said during the Monday, Nov. 10, meeting of the Village of Millerton Board of Trustees that the design will be “no-frills but fully functional,” allowing both village wells to tie into one coordinated system once final plans are approved.
MILLERTON — The Village Board of Trustees used its Monday, Nov. 10, workshop meeting to tackle long-discussed zoning reforms and parking pressures in the business district, while also advancing several infrastructure and policy items.
Much of the meeting focused on what trustees and residents described as “outdated” zoning code and a process that can be slow and confusing for applicants. The discussion was sparked by an idea raised by Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Kelly Kilmer to consider merging the ZBA and Planning Board.
The village attorney outlined three broad options under state law. One would eliminate the Planning Board entirely and give the ZBA authority over site plans and special permits. A second would give the ZBA most of those powers but keep some higher-level reviews with the Village Board. A third option would keep both boards, but rewrite the zoning code to reduce how often applications require formal board review.
Officials agreed the core problem goes beyond board vacancies, which were resolved for the foreseeable future with village trustees appointing two members and an alternate to each board with a renewed expectation of regular training and clearer procedures.
The Board also returned to a familiar complaint of the shortage of parking in the business district. The conversation related to zoning in that the code still requires spaces that often don’t physically exist. Officials noted that existing buildings frequently need variances to make modifications, which the board noted can lead to empty buildings or stalled requests.
To address that, trustees are considering a local law that would exempt existing commercial buildings in the business district from off-street parking requirements unless they expand their footprint. The Board voted to set a public hearing on the proposed parking law for Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. The measure will also be referred to Dutchess County Planning and Development for comment.
In her mayor’s report, Mayor Jenn Najdek said demolition at the damaged water and highway building is nearly complete. Engineers are finalizing plans for a permanent, no-frills water department building. Once plans are in hand, Najdek said “time is of the essence” to move quickly into construction.
In other business, trustees approved a franchise renewal agreement with Optimum/Altice securing, among other items, free WiFi at Eddie Collins Memorial Park and at Village Hall/Police Department for municipal use.
The Board also adopted a plain-language website privacy policy required for municipalities operating .gov domains, formally explaining how the village collects and uses online contact and payment information.
CANAAN — Grace Cranmer Miller, cherished daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of Sunday, Oct. 26.
Grace was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Sept. 16, 1939.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Robert, and her cherished daughter Sue Ann, who both held special places in her heart. She is survived by her two sons, Robert (Deb) and Rick Miller, who were a great source of love and pride in her life.
Grace and her husband owned and operated an antique store, Way Back When, in North Canaan for quite some time, where they shared their love of history and beautiful treasures with the community.Above all, she adored her family — her seven grandchildren, Tommy, Dara, Amanda, Samantha, Shanna, Rebekah, and Michael, and her sixteen great-grandchildren.
Grace was a true lover of cats and music — melodies were always playing softly in the background whenever you visited her home or her antique shop, filling the air with warmth and charm. She took great pride in her appearance, faithfully getting her hair and eyebrows done once a week and never leaving the house without wearing her finest jewelry and the perfect shade of lipstick. She carried herself with poise and style, a reflection of the beauty and care she brought to every part of her life.Grace will truly be missed.May she rest in peace.
Service details will be announced at a later time.
Amenia Town Board adopts 2026 Town Budget
AMENIA — Amenia Town Board members adopted the 2026 Town Budget following limited public comment at a regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Councilmember Brad Rebillard had been present for a portion of an executive session that preceded the regular meeting but had left the meeting before the public agenda opened.
Two public hearings were conducted during the meeting. The first that concerned passing a law to override the tax cap in connection with the 2026 town budget, drew no comment from residents.
The second public hearing on the proposed 2026 town budget drew a single comment from newly-elected historical society president Judy Westfall, who sought Town Board comment on why the line item for the historical society did not reflect her request for an increase.
With no further comment the public hearing closed.
Blackman sought the advice of town attorney Ian Lindars, asking whether a budget public hearing and a vote to adopt a budget could occur at the same meeting, receiving Lindars’ assurance that it was allowable.
Adoption of the proposed budget for 2026 was included in the consent agenda for the meeting, so no further comment or discussion occurred.
By unanimous vote the consent agenda passed and the Town Budget for 2026 was adopted.
A history of complaints from residents concerned about parking on Mechanic Street led the Town Board to seek to create changes to the local laws on parking, an issue that was discussed at the regular meeting on Thursday.
In response to residents’ parking complaints, the Town Board had asked attorney Ian Lindars to draft changes to the parking regulations to include rules for parking at electric vehicle charging stations and specifying allowable parking along Mechanic Street.
A public hearing on the changes to the local law has been scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, beginning at 7 p.m.
At the request of Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, Lindars reviewed the changes to the local laws that will be the subject of the December public hearing.
Lindars indicated that the new regulations will also answer residents’ concerns, prohibiting through-truck traffic along the length of Sharon Station Road that lies within the town.
The portion of the new law that concerns charging stations for electric vehicles specifies that the space is limited to that single purpose and none other.
Mechanic Street parking prohibitions are specific. On the east side of the street, cars will not be allowed to park within 107 feet measured southward from the stop sign at the corner of Route 343. On the west side of the street, parking would be prohibited within the 40 feet that extends southward from the southern end of the crosswalk. And then, only one car will be permitted to park between that 40-foot point and the telephone pole that stands 62 feet to the south.
Fines are specified to enforce the parking regulations. The first offense will carry a $100 fine, the second a $200 fine, and the third, $300, if all three occurred within an 18-month period. There are also provisions for towing at the owner’s expense.