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Letters to the editor — Thursday, June 11
Millerton News
Jun 10, 2026
Misleading headline in The News confuses readers
The Our Towns article (MN date 5/28/26) about the Webutuck school budget vote was lacking in three respects: reporting, editing and headline writing.
The reporter said the vote was approved, but he failed to include the vote count. How is the voter to know if it was a squeaker or a ground swell of approval? The voter is entitled to know.
The editor failed to catch this oversight. That’s what they’re there for!
The false headline misled the reader: that it was the “first tax increase in five years.” Or, in the reporter’s words in the lede, “the first property tax increase in over five years.” That is patently false and reflects a complete misunderstanding of property taxation.
The school district’s story line was presumably that it was the first property tax LEVY increase in five years. The levy rate is the percentage increase (or decrease) in the school budget, before NYS funds are added. If true (and I don’t track school district property tax levy percentages, so let’s presume it’s true), that is commendable and deserving of driving the narrative that the school district is spinning.
But, the reader should expect a truthful, more sophisticated and balanced presentation of the news. With no modifications to my property (except depreciation), my school district taxes did not increase in 2022, but they did increase in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and they will most assuredly increase again in 2026.
The reason my school district taxes have or will increase in four of the last five years is that property assessments throughout the town of Amenia – with the notable exception of SILO RIDGE – have increased substantially over the last five years. My assessment has increased by 11% in 2022, 11% in 2023, 4% in 2024, 10% in 2025 and 4.5% in 2026. Total increase 46.5% in 5 years!
I understand and can accept the need for some equalization and rebalancing of the town’s total assessment, but…1) the school district shouldn’t be allowed to get away with spinning their message without some accountability and 2) the town’s assessor and the town board need to feel a little pushback from Amenia homeowners to the pressure they feel from the Silo Ridge homeowner litigants over their property tax assessments.
I’m sure I am not alone on both these points of grievance.
Dan Brown
Amenia
Experience matters and Barrett has it
As we officially start the primary election season in June, I write to urge voters in New York’s Assembly District 106 to vote for our good friend and Assembly member, Didi Barrett, who faces a primary challenge before the general election this Fall.Early voting begins on June 13 through June 21, 2026.Election Day is June 23, 2026.
Didi continues to work hard to deliver for her Hudson Valley community every day. As a skillful legislator and relationship builder, she is responsible for a number of “firsts” in legislative accomplishments.Her bill to restore benefits for veterans discharged under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and for PTSD became the first in the country and a role model for other state legislatures. As Chair of the Assembly’s Energy Committee, she has fought to lower utility costs and make energy bills more transparent.She recently passed legislation to create the first statewide moratorium on data centers in the country.Didi also wrote and advocated for the passage of legislation that creates a pilot project for regenerative agriculture that allows farmers to sequester carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gases while promoting resiliency and productivity.This is a mere sampling of Didi’s many notable accomplishments over the years.
New Yorkers need experienced leaders now more than ever.Please remember to VOTE this month for a proven leader in this race, Didi Barrett.
Adelaide Camillo
Dutchess County
Barrett’s performance needs scrutiny
I’ve been receiving a lot of postcards and emails from Didi Barrett heading into the primary election on June 23rd.Each of them proudly assert Didi’s credentials on climate.
Here’s a line from a recent email: “Didi is a lifelong environmentalist and was one of the few legislators who just voted against rolling back our landmark climate law. She’s been leading the charge to lower utility costs — and the fossil fuel companies have been fighting her tooth and nail! “. I’m supposed to read this and think That’s great, I want to see action on climate and I hate that Gov. Hochul just trashed that law Didi’s talking about, I guess I’ll vote for her!
But Didi’s email uses carefully crafted language to mislead.As chair of the powerful Assembly Energy Committee, Didi has tremendous influence over State energy policy. The amendments gutting our climate law could not have passed without the cooperation of the Committee she chairs. In fact, one of the key elements of that gutting was introduced by Didi in 2023 as Assembly Bill A6039. A gift to the oil and gas industry that discounts the disastrous effects of methane on climate. Didi knows that she’s vulnerable on these issues and as is often the case she was able to vote no after Hochul rounded up sufficient votes to ensure the amendment would pass.
Didi’s claim about her vicious battle with fossil fuel interests doesn’t stand up either. Why would the utilities, companies that stand to make millions from Didi’s climate rollback work, pour tens of thousands into her campaigns if they didn’t see her as an ally?
Didi Barrett has held office for 14 years. Voters don’t need to rely on campaign mailers to judge her performance; they can examine her record for themselves. That’s exactly what I hope they’ll do before heading to the polls.
Bill Kish
North East
Didi Barrett has delivered for district
I write to remind Democratic Party voters of how hard Didi Barrett has worked for us and how much she has accomplished since she entered the Assembly in 2012.I think it is also important to discuss the disingenuous attacks on her by her primary opponent, Sam Hodge.I have received at least 3 or 4 mailers from Hodge saying that Didi refuses to support legislation to tax the rich.Since a refusal to impose higher taxes on wealthy New York State residents seemed at odds with the many progressive positions that Didi has taken and fought for during her 14 years in the Assembly, I did a little research and found out that Didi has NOT refused to “tax the rich.”
The fact is that the “tax the rich” bill, A8953, has not come up for a vote yet and is still being discussed in and not yet finalized by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, of which Didi is not a member.
Space limitations prevent me from listing anything near all of the legislation that Didi has worked on, sponsored, or passed.Some of these are: bills to protect reproductive freedom, raise the minimum wage, protect the Hudson River from federal efforts to create anchorages for petroleum-carrying barges, help farmers increase soil resiliency and productivity for their farms, support family leave, provide strong rent regulation, restore benefits to veterans denied honorable discharges due to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and support veterans with PTSD.Didi has also backed legislation to criminalize “ghost” guns and to ban “disguised” guns and “bump stocks.”
Didi currently is a co-sponsor of the New York for All Act, to better protect New Yorkers from ICE’s cruel tactics.And just this past week, the Assembly passed a bill Didi sponsored to impose a one-year moratorium on data centers and create a separate utility rate class for large energy users.
Didi’s efforts to bring money into our District – and elsewhere in the State - have also been extensive and impressive.She has delivered millions of dollars to strengthen schools, expand public libraries and day care centers, repair roads, support first responders, house community college students, block tuition increases at SUNY colleges and help create a tuition-free program for low and middle class SUNY and community college students, and support cultural spaces like the Stissing Center.
Didi’s work for us has been bold and progressive – qualities that Mr. Hodge claims for himself.However, making false statements about one’s opponent – let alone a representative who has been as energetic, hard-working, and effective as Didi – may be, in Mr. Hodge’s word, “bold,” but not in a good way.And it is definitely not progressive.The absence of honesty and integrity in government officials has a devastating effect on us.Mr. Hodge’s repeated dishonest attacks on Didi are shameful and, in my opinion, disqualify him for the job as our Assembly member.
Amy Rothstein
Pine Plains
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Calligraphy lessons
Leila Hawken
Jun 10, 2026
Student members of the Olivet Academy calligraphy club prepare to demonstrate their skills and teach youngsters at the Amenia Free Library on Friday, June 5. Left to right are Ruby Yoon, 17; Sophia Tran, 16; Joel Wu, 16; and Ezra Yu, 18, who founded the club in January 2025. Yu continues to build on his five years of calligraphy experience and love for the art. The club has been creating Appreciation Cards as a school activity. Yu plans to enroll at the University of Chicago in the fall, pursuing Economics and Mathematics.
Town Board approves plan for Wassaic road closure for classic car show
Leila Hawken
Jun 10, 2026
Keeping raindrops from staying very long on his lava orange Porsche convertible, featured at the Flowers and Fenders car show event in Wassaic on May 31, 2026, Peter Smith of Sharon was tending to both his car and the “carsage” floral installation on the car’s rear. The floral decoration was the work of Floral and Field Consulting, bringing floral design to car show events.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — Officials approved the closure of Main Street in Wassaic ahead of a car show and flower event.
Anticipating the classic car show and flower event to be held on Saturday, June 13, the Town Board unanimously approved a resolution to close Wassaic’s Main Street to accommodate the event and visitors. Hours of the closure will be from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. This will be the second year of the popular event that combines classic cars and floral displays in profusion.
The board also looked ahead to another upcoming road closure. Town Supervisor Rosanna Hamm announced that the town has secured state permission for the closure of Route 343 in Amenia for the Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 17.
In other business, the board considered maintenance needs at one of the town’s historic cemeteries. Concerns about the condition of the Old Burying Ground on Old North Road brought George Bistransin before the board to request funding for tree work at the cemetery. Bistransin said overhanging shade trees are encouraging lichen growth on historic gravestones and preventing grass from growing in some areas. The lichen is damaging the stones and obscuring their inscriptions, he said.
One full day of tree work by Lee’s Trees, tree experts, would cost $2,700, and get a lot done, Bistransin said.
The Town Board voted unanimously to proceed with the tree work.
“It needs to be done,” said councilmember Walter Dietrich. “It’s only going to get worse.”
The discussion then turned to planning and personnel matters.
Councilman Dietrich spoke in favor of awaiting completion of the review and update of the town’s Comprehensive Plan, which is nearing its final draft. Once approved, the plan is likely to lead to clarification of the town’s zoning regulations. He felt that a short delay in consideration of applications would benefit the town’s residents.
Dietrich also favored implementing of town employee performance reviews. He emphasized that reviews are not opportunities to criticize employees, but rather to praise their accomplishments and the talents they bring to their work. Such reviews can also give employees a chance to express concerns or ideas.
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Washington Planning officials say no permit required for local CSA
Nathan Miller
Jun 10, 2026
Washington Town Hall
Archive photo
MILLBROOK — A private community-supported agriculture operation can continue after garnering support from Washington Planning Board members.
Mindy Yang and William Harris, the married duo behind Silverbrook Manor on Route 44 west of Millbrook, appeared before the board on Tuesday, June 2, after they received a letter from the town’s zoning enforcement officer noting complaints that the property’s use was noncompliant.
Harris explained that the letter from ZEO Jonathan Ialongo advised the couple to seek a special use permit for their farm, requiring an application to the Planning Board.
Yang and Harris founded a membership-based CSA on a farm property near the intersection of Route 44 and Route 82 in Washington after purchasing the property in 2021. The pair described the venture as an education-focused CSA, where members may join or lead educational hikes, harvesting fruits and vegetables or foraging for wild food.
“We really advocate on human experience and connection,” Yang said. “Especially now with AI, it’s about IRL.”
Following Ialongo’s advice, Harris and Yang applied for a special use permit to run an educational club at their farm property.
But Planning Board members said such a permit was unnecessary. Planning Board Chair Doug Giles argued that Silverbrook Manor doesn’t fit within the definition of an educational institution or a private club under town zoning code.
Giles said that Silverbrook Manor’s operation was actually permitted by right under sections of the town’s zoning code that address agricultural production and under New York State’s Agriculture and Markets law.
“The agricultural part of it, the CSA, the nature walks — all of those are pretty much permitted by right,” Giles said.
Board members determined — with the advice of the board’s attorneys — that a special use permit was not necessary. They advised Harris and Yang that they may continue operations but should seek an official determination letter from the zoning enforcement officer.
Glamping, bed and breakfast applications also cause confusion
Two other discussions — one a pre-application for a “glamping” business and the other for a bed and breakfast — also caused some confusion among board members.
Engineer Jim Teed presented plans for a glamping setup comprising two seasonal, impermanent yurts and a permanent a-frame house on the Millbrook Beef & Dairy farm property at the intersection of Shunpike and Route 44.
On behalf of property owner David Baldwin, Teed is preparing plans to eventually pursue a special use permit to operate a private camp. He said the yurts will consist of a permanent concrete pad that will hold impermanent tents during the summer months. The a-frame will serve a dual purpose as a check-in location and an additional rental unit for campers, Teed said.
The confusion stemmed from the appropriate definition under the town’s zoning code. Planning Board consultant Aaron Werner found a provision during the meeting relating to “glamping” that he said seemed to apply and regulate yurts, but not the permanent a-frame.
Werner continued, explaining the applicant would likely need permits for accessory dwellings in addition to the campground, and that wetlands on the property increase the complexity of the designs and what information would need to be included.
“I don’t think this board has seen an application like this in recent years,” Werner said. “We’re going to be looking at potentially many different approvals that will need to take place.”
The bed and breakfast application came at the end of the meeting, prompting yet another debate over definitions in the town’s zoning code.
James Meagher applied to convert his parents’ former home on Welwyn Road into a bed and breakfast, seeking to generate revenue from the home to offset the cost of property taxes.
Meagher explained he did not primarily live at the residence, spending weekdays in New York City and weekends in Millbrook. That revelation, along with the fact that Meagher’s anticipated business partner and chosen innkeeper at the proposed B&B, Emily Hay, was the person who submitted the application, prompted Planning Board members to inform Meagher that his application did not fit within the town’s B&B regulations.
Washington zoning code requires a bed and breakfast to be the owner’s primary residence, and requires applicants for a bed and breakfast special use permit to be the owner of the property. Because Meagher does not live at the home and the application was actually submitted under Hay’s name, board members suggested Meagher should instead seek a short-term rental permit from Town Hall instead.
Under the town’s short-term rental law, property owners must reside in the primary structure for at least 100 days per year to qualify for a permit.
“I don’t mind doing the short-term rental,” Meagher said. “We were under the impression this might be more straightforward.”
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Millerton’s 175th committee seeks volunteers for three-day fair
Nathan Miller
Jun 10, 2026
The Millerton 175 fair is set for Friday, July 17, to Sunday, July 19, at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Plans for Millerton’s 175th anniversary celebration are taking shape, and organizers are seeking volunteers to help staff the community fair scheduled for July 17-19 at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
The three-day fair will follow a week of anniversary events held throughout the village and at the park. Planned attractions for the fair include live music each day, inflatable rides and games, food and beer vendors, commemorative merchandise, a petting zoo and giveaways.
Anna Clune, a member of the Millerton 175th Committee, is leading the volunteer recruitment effort.
Clune said volunteers for the fair are needed in four primary areas: directing parking, staffing the merchandise booth, chaperoning the children’s zone and assisting at an information booth.
Friday and Saturday will be divided into two shifts, Clune said, with volunteers having their choice of working the first half, the second half or both.
The fair is set to operate on Friday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday will have only one shift, with fair activities scheduled to run from noon to 6 p.m. in Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
Interested volunteers can sign up under the “Volunteer” section of the celebration’s webpage, villageofmillerton-ny.gov/175th.
Clune is also available to provide more information by email at annaclune1023@gmail.com.
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Officials open bidding for Amenia’s new highway garage and salt shed
Leila Hawken
Jun 10, 2026
Site of the new Amenia Town Garage and Salt Shed construction project in Wassaic. Some site prep work has been completed. Specs to bid on the construction phase became available starting June 11.
Photo by Leila Hawken
AMENIA — The town’s new Highway Department garage and salt shed is one step closer to construction after officials opened bidding for the project.
Since approving a $6.33 million bond issuance in late 2024, the town has continued preparation for the construction phase for a new highway garage and salt shed to be built in Wassaic to the east of Route 22.
The Town Board voted unanimously at its meeting on Thursday, June 4, to open the bidding process.
Notice was officially posted last week inviting bids for the project’s general construction, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work, specifying that the project plans will be available on Wednesday, June 11.
The Amenia Town Clerk must receive bids by Thursday, July 9, at 1 p.m. when bids will be opened.
A pre-bid informational meeting with representatives from CPL Engineering, the planning team, will be held at the construction site on Monday, June 22, at 9 a.m.
The entire project for the 5-acre site involves construction of a 12,620 square foot building housing 6 double-bays and an office/breakroom, mechanical bay with lift and washing bay. Also to be constructed will be a 60 by 80-foot salt shed and attached storage building of four closed bays and two open bays, and a fueling station for diesel and gasoline.
A state Water Quality Improvement Project grant in the amount of $600,000, applied for early in the project’s planning stages, will assist with construction of the salt shed portion.
Site preparation work has been ongoing for the past year and a half, in anticipation of the current construction bidding process.
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