Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 12-9-21

Thank you, Darrah Cloud

I am writing as one of many Pine Plains residents who are very thankful for all that Darrah Cloud has contributed during her four-year tenure as town supervisor.

Darrah Cloud worked persistently and effectively with unflagging optimism for Pine Plains. Having encouraged people to stop by, Darrah was often for long hours at her desk.

She discovered funding sources and got nearly $200,000 in grants, an amazing number for a town our size. She spoke to the community through weekly newsletters, monthly town supervisor statements, and White Papers — reports on big projects like the sewer feasibility study. 

Darrah built a positive public face for Pine Plains. She attracted new businesses, encouraged the Durst project in directions more environmentally sound and responsive to town needs and forged relationships with other towns and county and state offices to reach goals we couldn’t on our own, like broadband and road improvement. 

She co-founded the Tri-Town Coalition on Affordable Housing and served as secretary for the Dutchess County Mayors and Supervisors Association and was appointed to several councils for the county.

Darrah worked with Town Board members and staff, the police and many volunteers on town committees. Together, they did great things for our town. Citizen participation, the environment, infrastructure, town administration and life for families improved.

For example, relevant to citizen participation, the environment and infrastructure: We enjoy a new forum, the Town Workshop, where people learn what is happening and discuss issues.

Pine Plains is now designated a “Climate Smart and Clean Energy Community,” and work continues on a Solar Law that includes the management of large-scale solar farms, and the study and upkeep of our lakes.

We have an EV charging station and Annual Town Clean-Up Day.

We look forward to even more resources through ongoing work on a proposed sewer district and a new town playground.   

How have town administration and community life improved? The Comprehensive Plan for Pine Plains was updated. We have a re-vamped Investment Policy for the Town’s General Fund, a re-instated Ethics Board and new policies for social media, health benefits and town police. The town purchased land in the hamlet for future development, making possible a centrally-located Town Hall. There are standing committees on Town Beautification, Playground and Broadband.   

Simply put, Pine Plains is a better place for people and families. Events are held for senior citizens, and starter and senior housing projects are encouraged. 

The town maintains a necessarily small and tight municipal budget, enabling people on limited incomes to continue to live in Pine Plains. A recovery coach comes to help people struggling with addictions. Our town recreation includes an ice rink and easy access to activities through a Family ID System.

We have an ongoing Hometown Heroes Project commemorating those who served in the Armed Forces.  

Thank you, Darrah Cloud, for your leadership in making Pine Plains a very special place in a world very much in need of special places of civility and good citizenship.

Suzanne C. Ouellette

Pine Plains

Help fill the Mitten Tree

The First Presbyterian Church of Pine Plains is again sponsoring our annual Mitten Tree.

Our congregation has participated in this 30-year project by collecting new purchased or handmade children and adult gloves, mittens, hats, scarves and socks, which we divide between The Pine Plains Food Locker and Willow Roots Food Pantry for distribution to their recipients.

As we all know, winters in upstate New York are chilly and we invite everyone in our community to participate!

During December, donations of new items listed above may be dropped in a plastic bin on the covered back porch at the Presbyterian Church (the stone church), 3039 Church St.

If you have questions, please phone our church, 518-398-7117.

Thanks everyone!

Jeanne Valentine-Chase

Pine Plains

Millerton Fire Company in critical need of volunteer firefighters

The recent fire on Route 22 that destroyed the Yang house was a terrible catastrophe that stole two lives and devastated the whole town and all those that knew the family. This horrible situation sheds light on the issue that Millerton does not have enough qualified firefighters at the fire department.

If another deadly blaze occurs, the people of the town should not have to wait for other towns to arrive, as the wait could result in someone losing their life.

The volunteers that are currently at the fire department are doing great work and everyone appreciates them, however if another crisis happens to occur, the town should be able to provide qualified firefighters to assist, in order to avoid any unnecessary losses.

The fire at the Yang house is a horrific and incredibly sad situation that shows how important fixing this matter is.

Providing qualified people at the Millerton Fire Company would make everyone living and visiting the town feel safe in their homes and in their places of work.

With the growing popularity of the small town, we should take the extra precaution in hope to avoid another calamity.

Kaitlyn Johnson

Millerton