An architect’s rendering of the Ancram Center for the Arts, which will allow for the expansion of the Ancram Opera house to include space for artist and intern housing as well as community programming. Photo submitted
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Science confirms: It was a cold winter
Mar 26, 2025
Spring has officially arrived with freezing night time temperatures forecast through the first week of April.
Photo by Krista A. Briggs
Victoria Kelly, Cary Institute Environmental Monitoring Program Manager and Senior Ecologist, prepared this report.
MILLBROOK — Since 1988 the weather station at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the Town of Washington has been keeping track of our local weather — precipitation, temperature, wind, air quality, etc.
The News asked Cary’s Victoria Kelly what records showed about this winter. Were these months colder and snowier than last year? How do they compare to historic winters? Is this a normal winter?
December’s average temperature was 30.3 degrees Fahreneit, 1.3 degrees below the 1991-2020 average, which is what weather people refer to as “normal.” The January average temperature was 25.2 degrees, 1.1 degrees below normal, and the February average temperature was 28.4 degrees, 0.3 degrees below normal. So, it’s not your imagination, this has been a cold winter. Note that the 30-year average used to determine “normal” changes every 10 years and doesn’t include the warm winters of the last few years in the comparison.
The record high winter temperature was a balmy 78 degrees Fahrenheit on February 21, 2018, and the record low was a very chilly minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit on January 27, 1994.
Less snow than normal
Overall, the winter of 2024-2025 has been colder with less snowfall than normal. It’s not over yet though. Remember the blizzard on March 14, 2017? Or the April Fool’s Day blizzard March 31-April 1, 1997? March has been known to go out like a lion before, it could very well do it again. Total snowfall this winter so far is 22 inches. Our last accumulating snow was February 15-16. As with many of our events this winter, it began as snow and changed to ice and then rain. We call that mixed precipitation. If we get no more accumulating snow this winter, it will be the fourth winter in a row with less than average snowfall. Our record low snowfall was 13 inches in the winter of 2015-2016. Our record high snowfall was 92 inches in the winter of 1994-1995.
Reports from the suppliers or heating oil and propane estimate that demand increased 15% to 30% so far this winter confirming the findings of the Cary Institute.
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The North East Fire house on the south side of Century Boulevard.
Photo by Krista A. Briggs
MILLERTON — The commissioners of the North East Fire District recently held their monthly meeting at the firehouse to discuss their current needs and general business.
Discussion centered around the current work on the 2025 budget and proposed expenditures, which ranged from upgrading their heating/cooling system to the possibility of replacing car no. 3.
The possibility of obtaining a new vehicle, such as a pickup truck, was also considered. In the end, the discussion was put on hold with chair Dave McGhee saying, “We have time.”
Updates on planning and training were discussed. Fire chief Keith Roger reported that 15 calls for medical assistance came in for the previous month, two calls came in for motor vehicle accidents, one call for a fire and one call came in for a propane issue which was quickly resolved. There were 35 calls for downed wires.
Physicals were also a topic of conversation. The fire district currently has 47 members, some of whom still need physicals. The district’s plan is that all members will be caught up on physicals by autumn.
The Easter egg hunt to be held on April 19 was discussed in addition to the need to look into hay wagons for the event.
As part of the chief’s report, Roger discussed equipment. Hose-testing is scheduled to be conducted on April 9. He also stressed the need to order brush equipment and side mirrors. Roger stated he needs to figure out exactly what is needed to fill department needs, but “bib overalls, radios and wands,” are on his wish list as well as new labels for equipment.
The discussion then turned to two events. On March 27, assistant county executive Gregg Pulver will be holding a closed meeting to discuss EMS issues. On April 18, Kelly Roger will be utilizing the firehouse for an event. Building use was approved for both events.
The subject of air packs then came up as one had sustained damage. Chief Roger also reported he is looking into which responders are in need of new equipment. Additionally, he has been trying to meet with new vendors. He has also started a log book for recordkeeping purposes around equipment to enable the department to track its movement and usage throughout the department.
Responder Chris Reyes discussed his work on the annual dinner and requested that $15,000 be made available for associated expenses. A motion was made to allow, which was officially passed.
No new members have recently joined the fire department, but recruitment efforts remain ongoing with interested parties being encouraged to come to the fire district on Monday evenings at 6 p.m. to learn more.
The next meeting at the firehouse will be a workshop on April 1. A regular meeting will be held on April 15.
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MILLBROOK — For the next two months beginning on April 1, the town will pick up brush placed streetside throughout the village, a free service for village residents. The service will continue until May 31. However, there are strict rules and prohibitions to follow.
Only brush is being picked up. The definition does not include leaves — leaf pickup begins on Oct. 1 — tree trunks, grass clippings or soil. Fines may be levied against property owners who attempt to discard these non-brush materials.
Definition of brush specifies that branches be less than 4 inches in diameter and shorter than 8 feet in length.
The brush pickup program is guided by additional specific instructions. For more information, go to www.villageofmillbrookny.com or phone the Public Works Department at 845-677-3022 before placing anything curbside.
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MILLBROOK— Helping those in need in Dutchess County, the Village of Millbrook is teaming with the Millbrook Police Department collecting handbags and toiletries. Donated items can be dropped off at Village Hall until April 30.
The program is in collaboration with the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program and the “Taking it to the Streets” national nonprofit initiative. The latter volunteer group provides hot meals, clothing and hygiene projects locally in Dutchess County, with other chapters serving communities throughout the U.S.
Collected handbags filled with toiletries and hygiene products will be distributed during the month of May.
In addition to the call for new or slightly used handbags or purses, unused/unopened products being collected are toothpaste and toothbrushes, soap, deodorant, feminine products, make-up remover, face wash and creams, shampoo needs and lotions.
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