MILLBROOK — Kelly Lattin is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army. When she left the service, she found herself in need of therapy. Having been born and raised in this area of Dutchess County, she was familiar with many animals, but she had a special love for horses. Because of that, she chose equine therapy to aid in her recovery, in turn using it for a number of people in need of help.
Lattin also seems to attract other animals. She is currently housing cats, dogs, guinea pigs and quite often, two miniature horses names Bug and Baku, all in her house, along with her two grown children. She noted that the house needed to be “toddler-proofed” for the horses, as they, like any youngsters, can get into lots of mischief.
The other part of the family is housed in a barn and consists of four large horses, all rescued by Lattin. There are several other horses housed there, but Lattin’s are all close to each other, and seemed to be — on one rainy, very cold day — enjoying themselves with hay, snickering and snorts, and a lot of love from Lattin.
Jurney, acquired at the age of 4, is now 10, the first of the equine rescues, and Lattin credits Jurney with teaching her to “be in the now, to be in the present.” At first, Jurney wouldn’t go anywhere near Latin because she felt her high anxiety. But as Lattin calmed down, they were able to begin building a relationship. Jurney also happens to be very fond of dogs.
Next came Felix, a handsome male Tennessee Walking Horse, who had some serious problems. He could barely walk and needed some work on his feet. Within three days, when a rescue group was coming to take him back, Lattin offered to take him on.
The third of Lattin’s much-beloved horses is Kivi. A quarter horse, “Kivi is a lover,” said Lattin. “Kivi loves cows, people and everything else.” Yet when she got him, it was from someone who had found him at auction.
He was emaciated, sick and depressed. She didn’t have any information on his background, but he was very sweet.
Kivi, 18, works well with the residents at The Fountains in Millbrook, an assisted living facility where the horses visit every month.
All three of her horses were flat racing horses.
Esperance is also 18, and another Tennessee Walker. Lattin got her sight unseen, a rescue who had been neglected. Lattin saw a picture and decided she needed to rescue her, and Esperance was delivered from New Jersey.
Why use horses for therapy? Lattin explained that horses read people better than humans do. They can recognize unhealthy anxiety. Horses are animals of prey; they aren’t predators, so they can quickly assess situations and, if not threatened, return to a calm state almost immediately.
Lattin believes that horses can teach people how to be alert, how to assess and how to return to a baseline calm. They can pick up heart rate and breathing patterns as well, and horses have a lower resting heart rate than humans.
One person Lattin and her horses have worked with was a teenage boy with anger issues. He learned to release the anger, and how to focus and be grounded.
Another advantage of horse therapy is lifespan. Horses can live for 30 years or more.
Miniature horses and their very large counterparts have some things in common, but while Lattin brings the smaller boys, Baku and Bug, to the farm, they don’t graze in the fields with the big horses. Kivi loves the minis but Felix can’t figure out what to do with them. They can’t eat much grass because it has too much sugar. They could also get hurt if the running or frolicking gets too animated.
Horses can migrate because they can graze, but miniatures need to be cared for and fed. One major difference is that large horses can be ridden and miniatures can’t be. Lattin also finds that the Bug and Baku are calmer than the full-sized horses as a rule. But even the little horses have different personalities. “Baku is brilliant,” stated Lattin. “Bug just doesn’t care.” Baku is in training to go into service, so caring is a good thing.
Horses are more expensive to maintain than many other “pets.” They eat a lot of hay, and all of the horses receive vitamin supplements. They also take up a lot of room, needing stables and pastures for grazing.
So far, Lattin has been able to manage the finances, and she doesn’t charge for her horses’ services, but she gratefully accepts donations. Currently she is working on obtaining a 501(c)(3) to be able to get funding and could hire a trainer or other help. Lattin spends much of her time cleaning stalls and grooming the horses.
Lattin and her horses, both big and small, enjoy going to The Fountains every month, and the residents love having their company.
In the warmer weather, Jurney, Felix and Kivi are the big draws because they can all be outdoors and enjoy the weather as well as the company. In the winter months, Baku and Bug are the frequent guests because they visit indoors.
For more information about equine therapy with Lattin and her horses, email myjurney05@gmail.com.
Leila Hawken
Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly reported the Planning Board voted to require a full environmental impact analysis of the proposed 28-unit workforce housing subdivision in Amenia. In fact, the board will further discuss the issue at its March meeting. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, board members voted 4-2 to prepare a draft positive declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, which could delay the subdivision six to twelve months if board members adopt it.
AMENIA — The Planning Board signaled support on Wednesday, Feb. 11, for a full environmental impact review of the proposed 28-unit Cascade Creek workforce housing subdivision.
Board members voted 4-2 to prepare a draft statement to be discussed further in March, identifying concerns over impacts to local schools, water supply and visual impacts.
Under the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act, the statement — known as a positive declaration — means the board determined the project may have significant environmental impacts that require further study before it can proceed.
Developer Hudson River Housing, a Poughkeepsie-based nonprofit, would be required to prepare a full environmental impact statement for the subdivision planned on 24.13 acres across Route 44/Route 22 from Freshtown Plaza if board members vote to adopt the draft.
“The positive declaration is a procedural vote to set the board on a path to create a full impact analysis, including completing a scoping process,” Planning Board attorney Victoria Polidoro said.
Board members identified four areas of potential impact, reflecting concerns raised by residents: a possible rise in local school enrollment, adequacy of water supply for firefighting, increased traffic, and visual impacts that may be inconsistent with community character.
The developers of the Cascade Creek subdivision have appeared before the Planning Board for more than a year, drawing a mixed reception from board members and the public.
Detailed site plans cannot be prepared until the environmental review process is completed.
Residents provided input most recently during an informal public comment session at a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, expressing concerns over impacts on groundwater supply and other issues. George Bistransin presented a petition opposing the development with 204 signatures.
Project Engineer Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering reported that all concerns from the January meeting had been considered and responded to in reports to the planning board. Changes had been incorporated into the plans based on comments voiced, he said.
Cascade Creek is classified as a conservation subdivision. Sander said 59% of the acreage would be set aside for open space.
Sander said that since November, he has submitted additional data on construction phasing and timelines, completed a second traffic study in addition to one conducted in September 2025, and met with fire officials to incorporate their suggestions, including increased spacing between homes and the use of fire-retardant materials.
“We feel we have provided sufficient information,” Sander said, asking that steps be taken to complete requirements for the conservation analysis phase, allowing the project to reach the design process when actual plans can be presented.
Sander projected that an estimated seven to 15 students might be added to the Webutuck School District as a result of the development, noting that he had difficulty in receiving a response to questions about Webutuck School District’s capacity for students.
Board members discussed how best to estimate potential enrollment increases and the difficulty of predicting how many school-age children might live in the homes.
“We are not school district predictors,” said Mary Linge, HRH vice-president for Real Estate Development, reasoning that other sources should be able to provide reliable data.
Adequacy of water supply to combat a home fire was a focus of board discussion, particularly a suggestion from local fire officials that a 180,000-gallon water tank would be needed for the purpose. Planning Board members debated how the matter could be resolved through compromise and the difficulty of reaching a decision without expertise in water supply standards.
“We’re just here for SEQRA impact now,” Sander said. “We’ve responded to fire department and citizen input. We’re going to work with you. We need your guidance.”
Planning Board member Nina Peek said the board should continue the process and move toward a public hearing once the impact statement is prepared.
Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Town Board members voted last week to continue the public hearing on the town’s proposed zoning overhaul, setting a new date of Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
The North East Town Board also scheduled a special workshop for Tuesday, March 3, at 5 p.m. to review public comments and concerns raised during February hearings, including calls for clearer explanations of the new code’s intent and requests to expand permitted uses in commercial districts. Board members set those dates at their regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, which included a public hearing on the zoning rewrite along with routine department reports.
North East’s 181-page draft zoning code would update much of the town’s existing regulations, with a particular focus on revising standards and approval processes in commercial districts to encourage development and expand housing opportunities. Public comment on the new zoning code during the hearing was brief. Just two people — North East residents Rob Cooper and Kathy Chow — offered comments at the third public hearing on the zoning overhaul since the Town Board opened debate on the draft on Jan. 8.
Cooper requested more permitted uses in the west Boulevard District, but he didn’t specify what additional uses should be included. The Boulevard Districts comprise parcels along Route 44 between the eastern border of the Village of Millerton and the Connecticut state line, and was a central focus of the current re-zoning effort.
Cooper said his property — the historic Mobil gas station on Route 44 across from CVS — is divided by the village border. “It divides the building in half,” Cooper said, explaining that Millerton land use regulations are more permissive than the Town of North East.
“Part of the property is in the village, and I’m allowed to do a tremendous amount of things over there,” Cooper said. “It wouldn’t look too uniform if I did everything on the left side of the property and we couldn’t do anything on the right side.”
Chow suggested the Town Board include purpose statements for each of the altered sections of the code. “Especially the Irondale district,” Chow said. “It’s a very different character than the boulevard and I’d like to see that explained.” She said some narratives explaining the changes and the purpose of the new code would be helpful for residents and developers seeking a deeper understanding of the process and how it benefits the community, echoing North East resident Ed Downey’s comments at a prior hearing.
In other business, Town Clerk Tilly Strauss read a complaint about gunfire noise at the Millerton Gun Club. Millerton resident David Decker submitted the complaint and asked to have it read into the public record, Strauss said.
The newly-formed Communications Committee provided an update following its first-ever meeting.
Councilwomen Rachele Grieco-Cole and Meg Winkler said the committee has set its sights on improving the town’s website, laying out short- and longer-term goals including basic readability and organization on the site’s homepage, revitalizing the town’s FaceBook page, and starting a regular digital newsletter to aid in proactive communication efforts.
Nathan Miller
The former Presbyterian church on Main Street in Millerton will soon become the second location of Caffeine Academy, a multimedia education center originally founded in West Babylon, New York.
MILLERTON — The long-vacant Presbyterian church on Main Street is poised for a new life after the Millerton Planning Board granted approval to a new education business Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Caffeine Academy, founded by Alex That in West Babylon, New York, plans to transform the prominent building into a center for multimedia production training, offering instruction in digital music, video production and related arts.
That sought site plan approval to renovate the building and bring it into compliance with current accessibility standards.
The next phase for That is to obtain building permits from Ken McLoughlin in the village’s building department and begin construction. That said he expects to make changes over the course of 2026, with a targeted opening for the business in 2027.
That’s Caffeine Academy — which he runs with assistance from his sons — began in 2013 as a school for DJing and music production that grew to accommodate and cater to people with special needs and abilities. Now, Caffeine Academy offers classes for all abilities in video production and multimedia arts in addition to the digital music classes.
The application passed with little discussion. That previously appeared in front of the Planning Board in December, but delayed the application to wait for a local law to go into effect that waived increased parking requirements for changes of use in Millerton’s commercial district. The law allowed the application to avoid seeking a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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Leila Hawken
Ashlyn Price, 7, designs a festive Valentine’s crown with sticky hearts and pipe cleaners during a craft session at Amenia Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 14. Children and parents created red-and-pink heart headpieces and other holiday crafts at the event, organized by the Amenia Recreation Commission. Recreation Leader Cassidy Howard said she was pleased with both the turnout and the enthusiasm.
Millerton News
CANAAN — Kathleen Rosier, 92, of Ashley Falls Massachusetts, passed away peacefully with her children at her bedside on Feb. 5, at Fairview Commons Nursing Home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Kathleen was born on Oct. 31,1933, in East Canaan to Carlton and Carrie Nott.
Kathleen retired from Housatonic Curtain Company where she was a machine operator for many years.
She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, John A.Rosier Sr., her son John A Rosier Jr., her son Frank H. Rosier and her brother Jerome Nott.
Kathleen leaves behind her son, Brian Rosier and his wife JoEllen of East Canaan, her daughter, Theresa Morin of Ashley Falls, her daughter, Lisa Dawson of Great Barrington, a brother Henry Nott, her sister Ann Percy, 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a celebration of life held in her honor on Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bitterman Center in North Canaan. All are welcome to come.
Millerton News
SHARON — Ronald Ray Dirck, affectionately known as Ron, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Jan. 17, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 85. Born on Jan. 31, 1940, in Sedalia, Missouri, Ron lived a life filled with warmth, laughter, and deep devotion to his family.
Ron shared an extraordinary 62-year marriage with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife, Jackie. Their enduring partnership was a shining example of living life to the fullest.
Ron served his country as a captain in the US Marine Corps, flying helicopters during the Vietnam War. He then flew commercially for TWA for 25 years, both domestically and internationally. He finished his flying career with Nippon Cargo Airlines. Ron enjoyed the outdoors and enjoyed taking care of their beloved Sharon, home for more than 50 years. He was also an avid builder and enjoyed his many projects over the years.
In retirement, Ron and Jackie split time between Sharon, and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling full-time in Phoenix two years ago. Ron loved his evening cocktails with Jackie and their many friends, as well as a hand or two of gin rummy.
He was a devoted father to Melissa Dirck Appel and her husband, Jeff Appel, and Patrick Dirck and his wife, Lisa Dirck. He carried the memory of his son Kevin with enduring love throughout his life. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren; Alexandra, Caroline, Emma, Natalie, Evan, Cooper, Elle, and Tanner. Ron is also fondly remembered by his brother, Jim and wife Lena.
Ron had a tender heart for animals. The loyal companionship of his beloved dogs Mini and Mae brought him comfort and joy over the years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, and parents, Raymond and Gladys Dirck.
In honor of Ron’s love of animals, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Aussie and Friends Rescue, www.aussiefriendsrescue.com.
His light lives on in the hearts of all who knew him. May his memory continue to bring comfort and smiles to those he touched.
A private celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date.
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Supervisor Walsh defends role in Flock surveillance contract