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.

Latest News

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

A scenic 32-mile loop through Litchfield County

Whenever I need to get a quick but scenic bicycle ride but don’t have time to organize a group ride that involves driving to a meeting point, I just turn right out of my driveway. That begins a 32-mile loop through some of the prettiest scenery in northern Litchfield County.

I ride south on Undermountain Road (Route 41 South) into Salisbury and turn right on Main Street (Route 44 West). If I’m meeting friends, we gather at the parking area on the west side of Salisbury Town Hall where parking is never a problem.

Keep ReadingShow less
bike route

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

Biking Ancramdale to Copake

This is a lovely ride that loops from Ancramdale north to Copake and back. At just over 23 miles and about 1,300 feet of elevation gain, it’s a perfect route for intermediate recreational riders and takes about two hours to complete.It’s entirely on quiet roads with little traffic, winding through rolling hills, open countryside, picturesque farms and several lakes.

Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of farmstands that are worth a quick visit. There is only one hill that might be described as steep, but it is quite short — probably less than a quarter-mile.

Keep ReadingShow less
bike route

North East town records brought into the digital age

North East town records brought into the digital age

Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

Photo by Grace DeMarco

MILLERTON — Within the walls of the two-story Victorian housing the North East Town Hall lies a room-full of town records dating back to the late 19th century. Stored in labeled cardboard boxes and protected by dehumidifiers, the records are in the process of being dated, organized, and scanned into categorized online programs.

As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

Keep ReadingShow less

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Correction: the Millerton News Street Fair was a collaborative effort between the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center.

MILLERTON — Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and the North East Community Center. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Keep ReadingShow less