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Town of Washington gains four EV chargers

Town of Washington gains four EV chargers
From left: Kate Kruk, director of community engagement for Livingston  Energy Group, holds one end of the ribbon at a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 10, highlighting the new electric charging station at Washington Town Hall. Village Board Trustee Vicky Contino holds the shears, Melaine Rottkamp, president and CEO of Dutchess Tourism looks on, and Washington Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri  holds the other end of the ribbon. 
Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

MILLBROOK — With the snip of a very large pair of blue scissors, Millbrook came into the electric charger age on Thursday, Aug. 10, when a ribbon was cut in front of the chargers recently installed at Washington Town Hall.

“In the center of Millbrook, the four public EV charge ports are a vital amenity which will attract visitors to the Village,  serve employees who drive EV’s here and want to top off before heading home, and benefit residents who have or want an electric car but don’t have a charger at home,” said Village Board Trustee Vicky Contino.

After initial research and outreach, in early 2021, Contino was contacted by Livingston Energy Group through the New York Conference of Mayors.

In early fall 2022, Livingston had alerted the municipalities that new grant money was available. Grants were applied for to cover the $59,200 cost of hardware, installation and service fees for four ports.

After a Livingston site visit, a deal was negotiated for a five-year contract for the ports, which would be installed, maintained and networked at no cost to the town or village for the duration of the contract.

By spring 2023, permits were issued, the site was prepared and the installation was completed. This summer the inspection was done, Central Hudson made the connection, the spaces were paved, and, on Aug. 5, the charging station had its first official customer.

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North East finalizing plans for new Town Hall

North East finalizing plans for new Town Hall

The former Jehovah’s Witness hall at 5603 Route 22 south of the Village of Millerton awaits interior renovations to retrofit the building for use as North East’s new Town Hall.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

MILLERTON — Plans to renovate the former Jehovah’s Witness hall on Route 22 to serve as North East’s Town Hall will move forward, with construction expected to begin this winter, Town Supervisor Chris Kennan said.

North East Town Board members are expected to move ahead with existing plans for a new Town Hall building, scrapping an earlier idea to remove a courtroom from the floorplan.

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Millbrook Fire Department calls for budget increase

Millbrook Fire Department calls for budget increase

MILLBROOK — Representatives from the Millbrook Fire Department appealed for aid at the Washington Town Board meeting last week.

The department is underfunded, fire district officials said. Old equipment, aging infrastructure, and a glut of new members have stretched the department to its breaking point. “Usually we’re the ones doing the helping,” said Fire Captain Kelly Tomasulo, “but today we’re asking you for help.”

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Capturing nature in writing at Great Mountain Forest’s inaugural writing retreat

Capturing nature in writing at Great Mountain Forest’s inaugural writing retreat

The retreat featured frequent walks through the woods around Yale Camp to take inspiration from nature.

Photo by Jacquelyn Drain

FALLS VILLAGE, Conn. — I know nothing about nature aside from my reverence for its beauty. I took one environmental science class nearly four years ago but that is the extent of my knowledge. Despite this I had the pleasure of being surrounded by not only nature enthusiasts but also experts at the inaugural Yale Camp Writers Retreat held at Great Mountain Forest.

The background of the retreat was an essential, calming character. The rustic and historic Yale Camp, founded in 1940, is nestled amongst 6,500 acres of woods on Canaan Mountain. With 15 hiking trails, the forest is home to beautiful scenery and creatures.

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North East apartment conversion moves to public hearing

North East apartment conversion moves to public hearing

Lilly Simons and Lauren Simons are proposing to turn the building at 185 Route 44 into an eight-unit apartment building. The structure once served as a restaurant and then as office space but has been vacant for several years, Lauren Simons said.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — The Greyhouse Apartment conversion occurring on 181-185 Route 44 made progress this week toward bringing the first housing to the Town of North East’s boulevard district following the area’s rezoning in April.

The North East Planning Board continued discussions on site plans for the apartments at their meeting on Aug. 12. The project, proposed by local petroleum distributor GRJH Inc., seeks to convert a former office building into eight apartments. Plans call for five one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom units and one studio.

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housing

Grocery plans delayed, timber harvest planned in Pine Plains

Grocery plans delayed, timber harvest planned in Pine Plains

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains Planning Board met last week to discuss the new grocery store at 7723 S. Main St., hear a request for timber harvest at 3228 Route 199, and review site plans to settle an easement dispute at 2775 Church St.

Only one of the three went as planned — the South Main street owners postponed their appearance, and site plans for the easement on Church Street were not submitted in time.

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Jeff Rosati

Jeff Rosati

WEST CORNWALL — Jeff Rosati, 72, of West Cornwall, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026.
Born in New Milford on January 18, 1954, Jeff was the devoted son of the late Kathren Valtrum.

After graduating from New Milford High School, he began his career with Eversource as a meter reader, dedicatedly serving the company for 42 years before retiring in 2014 as Chief Garage Mechanic.

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