Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 8-17-23

Questioning Amenia Planning Board waiver

I believe the Amenia Planning Board counsel and engineer are working for the interests of developers and not the people of Amenia.   

On August 9 the Planning Board approved the Site Plan for 108 Westerly Ridge to build a house on the highest point of the hill. Included in the Site Plan was a waiver to the Amenia Zoning Regulation that doesn’t allow buildings 40 feet from the crest line. Waivers from zoning laws should only be given if there is compelling public good. The reason for the waiver should be explained and a public hearing should be held.   The Planning Board Counsel said that no public hearing was necessary because this Site Plan is a small matter.   As a neighbor, this is no small matter to me.  I do not want the wooded hills around me made into suburban housing tracts.  Building a house that will be highly visible from two scenic corridors will adversely affect all of Amenia.  If scenery isn’t important to you, then consider the economic benefits of Amenia’s scenic corridors.   

Answering my question, what was the reason for granting this waiver, the engineer responded that the lot was difficult and since there were trees in front of the crest, the house would be hidden by these trees.  But 108 Westerly is a 27 acre lot.  There are many other very suitable locations 40 feet below crest and out of view of the scenic corridors.  When I looked at the visual plan, it was obvious that the reason the house was to be placed on the summit was to give it a 360 degree view and increase the sale price.

The Planning Board Counsel then seemed to say that house wouldn’t be seen because of the color it would be painted and only certain materials, such as non-reflective vinyl, would be allowed to be used.  It’s laughable!

The Planning Board engineer said that the Board’s Consultant George Janes approved the buildings materials but he omitted the most relevant part of the consultant’s report:

“The biggest potential visual impact of this project is tree clearing that would impact the appearance of the ridge line.  Currently, trees cover the top of the ridge.   Substantial clearing of the trees at or near the top of a ridge can create a notch in the ridgeline that may create a substantial impact.”   

Amenia must have a Planning Board, starting with counsel and engineer, that respects zoning laws, encourages public input, and doesn’t give developers carte blanche.  Otherwise the rural nature of our community will be destroyed.

George Bistransin

Amenia

About helping the natural world

The Millerton News articles covering The Homegrown National Park organization are excellent. They shed light on the importance of sustaining biodiversity in the natural world that surrounds us. There is so much we can do, taking small steps and giant ones on our own property to attract and nurture our diverse wildlife and these articles help lay the groundwork.

A significant and related need is to improve the health of our trees and forests. Everywhere one looks, there are trees literally being strangled to death by invasive vines. In addition to wild grape and supercharged poison ivy spread by increased carbon dioxide, there are non native vines like the rampant Oriental Bittersweet which are choking native trees and shrubs. In many places, the trees along the edges of roads have already succumbed to these vines. Anywhere the sun shines, these vines will find their way, seemingly with nothing to stop them.

This is where we all have a roll to play. We can begin to notice what’s going on with our own trees, inspect our own hedgerows and our own forests. We might be able to save some of the suffocating trees and woodlands before it’s too late. It’s a big job, but even going out with a pair of lopers and pruning saw in hand, will over time make a big difference. After the first frosts when the foliage dies back and all winter long is the ideal time to get out and start cutting and pulling.  It’s great exercise and so rewarding when new leaves form in the Spring and you’ve saved a tree!

Joan S. Redmond

Pine Plains

Raising the Dakin Obelisk

Spencer’s Corners Burying Ground is one of the oldest burying grounds in Dutchess County with the oldest monument dated 1701. It was ceded to the town by New York State in 1987 as an “abandoned cemetery”. Since then, the town has been responsible for mowing the site with light maintenance. With the passage of time, weather has taken its steady toll and many monuments have fallen.

As of March 2022, a group of volunteers interested in conserving and restoring the site has formed a not-for-profit entity, “Friends of Spencer’s Corners Burying Ground”. To date, progress has been made in mapping the site. Standing monuments have been carefully cleaned. Application has been made to list the burying ground as a designated historical site.

With the help of the North East Historical Society, a temporary dedicated line in their budget allowed funding the project.

The current goal is to raise and restore the Simon Dakin Obelisk in October. This obelisk is the most significant monument at the site and its restoration will highlight efforts to save the old cemetery.

With your help, raising the obelisk this year will highlight efforts to continue further work next year. Please send your tax deductible donation to “Friends of Spencer’s Corners Burying Ground” c/o Claire Goodman, P.O. Box 1031, Millerton, New York 12546 marked “Obelisk Restoration Project”

Ralph Fedele

North East Town Board

Cemetery Committee

North East