GALLATIN — History buffs will have a chance to dip their toes into the stream of time during a celebration of the listing of the Gallatin Community Church on the Interior Department’s National Register of Historic Places on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.
A descendent of one of those families, Rodney Bathrick, will speak about his eight decades in the area. Two members of Rhinebeck chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution will also attend.
When they do so, it will surely be with a nod to those who have come before and who now rest in the gentle hillside cemetery, which, along with the former parsonage, is included in the honor.
Originally the Greenbush Dutch Reform Church of Gallatin, its first baptism was recorded in its inaugural year of 1748, with the first grave marked in 1770.
The white church at the base of the cemetery, a replacement for the original, has gone through many name changes over the years but, according to the registry application the “property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.”
According to Pastor Robert Rogoshewski, the church’s historical importance in the area cannot be overstated as it was the “mother church to all 14 associated congregations in the area,” a fact that was pivotal in the acceptance to the registry.
Although the original building was eventually condemned, a replacement, erected between 1823 and 1824, was recognized by the registry “to be historically significant as an example of the Wren-Gibbs type Protestant meetinghouse,” a widely used construction, explained Pastor Rogoshewski.
That building was modified in 1872 to allow the installation of the church’s pride and joy, a Boston Steep organ, which will be featured at a musical presentation at the Oct. 3 celebration.
The registration, which was approved on July 29, was accomplished after a four-year process that required extensive local research and a 48-page report, in addition to two detailed inspections of the entire property by a representative of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Approval there led to the inclusion on the state historic registry and the nomination to the national registry.
Rogoshewski said when he and his wife, Melissa Curtis, arrived at the church nearly six years ago, they were surprised to learn that it was not listed on any registry despite its rich history, which included strong support for independence by its pastor, John H. Livingston, both before and during the American Revolution.
The couple decided to take on the registry project when their natural interest in that period grew after moving into their own historic home, which is located about a mile from the church.
That building began its life in 1770 as a general store and stagecoach stop. It once sheltered General Henry Knox and his company as they stopped during the arduous wintery 1775-76 and their 300-mile trek from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston.
There, they captured 60 tons of cannons and artillery that were key to the American victory at The Battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill.
Their home was built by Militia Captain Hugh Rea, who is buried in the cemetery with more than a dozen of his Minutemen, whom Rogoshewski describes as “patriotic heroes.”
With them are numerous members of the area’s founding families — many of whose names are recognizable today — whose tombstones also contributed to the inclusion on the registry as they provide “a broad range of funerary art.”
Although the “all volunteer” church is currently home to only 10 congregants, Rogoshewski said he feels it is in good hands with painting and repairs funded in part by the Ladies Auxiliary and its twice a month soup sales, which run from October through April.
With the inclusion of the Gallatin Community Church on the National Registry, other funds may become available to help fulfill future needs to maintain the historical nature of the building, which Rogoshewski said, “you feel just as soon as you walk in.”
Nathan Miller
Voters also passed a resolution to purchase two new 72-passenger school buses.
AMENIA — Webutuck Central School District voters approved a 2026-27 budget on Tuesday, May 19, that triggers the district's first property tax increase in over five years.
The approved spending plan locks in a 1.35% increase to the tax levy. Under the new rate, property taxes will sit at approximately $8.77 per $1,000 of assessed home valuation. According to Webutuck Business Administrator Robert Farrier, a homeowner with a property valued at $200,000 can expect a total school tax bill of about $2,036 for the upcoming year.
That tax bump will cover a 4.45% increase in overall expenditures, largely driven by salary increases and health insurance costs.
Farrier said the district has multi-year agreements with labor groups that mandate increases to employee salaries, meaning those costs are predictable year over year. Salaries are set to increase by a total of $515,344 over last year’s budget, including special education positions that were added during the 2025-2026 school year.
Health insurance costs are projected to rise sharply next year. Farrier said he expects regular annual increases averaging 8% to 10% going forward.
In addition to the budget, voters also approved a bus purchase and reelected three incumbents to the school board.
Voters approved the purchase of two 72-passenger buses and a Bobcat UW56, a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle.
Judy Moran, Amy Wesley and Jerry Heiser were all reelected to the school board. The three incumbents ran unopposed for an additional three-year term on the board.
Superintendent Ray Castellani said the vote reflects a supportive school community. He thanked voters for coming out to the polls at Webutuck High School on Tuesday.
Graham Corrigan
MILLBROOK — Millbrook Central School District had its proposed budget ratified Tuesday, May 19.
Residents voted 391-221 in favor of the $37,992,751 plan. It’s a year-over-year increase of 6.57%, and the tax levy will rise at a rate of 7.02%.
Millbrook’s budget does not exceed the allowed state tax rate — meaning the budget needed a simple majority to pass. While some program and staffing cuts are included, the district was able to avoid a contingency budget and the additional $1.5 million in cuts it would have necessitated.
The district is faced with rising insurance and transportation costs, and is still waiting on state aid from the to-be-determined New York budget. Governor Kathy Hochul announced a broad agreement on key priorities earlier this month, but state legislators filed for their twelfth budget extension last week.
The next year at Millbrook will include a number of capital projects aimed at repairing the school’s aging buildings. Leaks and roof damage have been a persistent problem at the school’s buildings, and a capital project fund transfer is set to address the damage.
Further down the ballot, Howard Shapiro and Chris Rosenbergen were both reelected to their Board of Education seats.
Nathan Miller
Wassaic-based cannabis grower Douglas Broughton in his basement greenhouse at his home on Old Route 22 on Sunday, May 17.
MILLERTON — A cannabis dispensary planned for Main Street is facing lengthy delays that the Wassaic-based grower behind the project attributed to bureaucracy at the Office of Cannabis Management.
Doug Broughton, who operates a commercial cannabis farm at his home on Old Route 22 in Wassaic, plans to open a retail wing of his licensed cannabis microbusiness at 32 Main St. in downtown Millerton. Broughton first announced the plans earlier this year, targeting March and April openings that were later pushed back
He now hopes to open the shop in early summer, but said he can’t peg a specific date due to delays at New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management.
Broughton attributes sluggish administration at OCM to interference from larger cannabis businesses. Those businesses, he said, consume much of the agency’s time and resources, creating delays that can place significant financial strain on smaller microbusinesses like his own.
He said selling his cannabis wholesale to retailers has been keeping him afloat as he pays $1,800 per month on rent for the space on Millerton’s Main Street. Despite that, he’s confident the quality of his products and his shop will make up for the wait once it’s over.
“We have a lot of options and we can be very competitive,” Broughton said, adding he believes his cannabis is of a higher quality and better value than larger, corporate producers. “They threw huge amounts of money into bullying their way into a market and now nobody wants their weed.”
Broughton’s business has also faced other challenges. Rising fuel and commodity prices due to the Trump administration’s conflict with Iran have increased shipping costs, cutting into Broughton’s wholesale profits.
Those price hikes hit Broughton in multiple ways, affecting the cost to purchase packaging for his cannabis and the cost to ship it to retailers.
“I just got containers. I ordered a year ago and the shipping cost would be $2.50,” Broughton said. “Now, it was $6.50.”
The situation isn’t dire, though. Standing in his basement greenhouse in his Wassaic home, Broughton explained that he’s only utilizing just over one-tenth of his legally allowed grow area.
Under OCM regulations, licensed microbusinesses such as Broughton’s are allowed up to 5,000 square feet of mixed-light growing space, his preferred growing method.
Mixed-light growing means Broughton uses a combination of artificial and natural light to grow his cannabis plants. He said he exercises scientific precision over his crops, manipulating artificial light color, humidity levels, nutrients and temperature to ensure his ideal product.
Broughton said he uses just over 600 square feet of his allotted growing space currently, so the business has plenty of room to expand to cover rising costs. But Broughton encouraged proponents of small business and legal cannabis to write to state officials about the effects of long licensing periods on small businesses.
“If people want to get this open, write a letter,” Broughton said. “I’m wholesaling still. It’ll be fine, but I’m excited to get it open.”
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Nathan Miller
A Life Flight medical helicopter carried a man to Westchester Medical Center after he sustained injuries to his foot caused by lawn mower blades.
MILLERTON — A man was flown by helicopter to a regional hospital Friday after a lawn mower caused injuries to his foot.
New York State Police troopers arrived at 43 Scenic View Drive in the Scenic View trailer park at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, May 15, after a 52-year-old man had gotten his foot stuck in the blades of his lawn mower.
A police spokesperson said the man sustained serious injuries. A helicopter operated by private ambulance company Life Flight landed in Eddie Collins Memorial Park to transport the man.
He was taken to Westchester Medical Center for treatment. The man’s identity and current conditions are unknown as of press time.
Leila Hawken
Enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Millbrook Central School District since 2001, the Millbrook Educational Foundation took part in the Millbrook Volunteer Fair on Saturday, May 16. Residents were invited to learn about volunteer opportunities with the foundation and a variety of other local and regional organizations. The event, now in its fifth year, was held at the Millbrook Library.
Millerton News
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Harlem Valley area activity report May 10 to May 13
May 10 — Deputies responded to Kings Apartment located at 20 Pine Drive in the Village of Pawling for multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance. Three tenants at that location reported getting into a verbal and physical altercation with a female at the same location. The matter was resolved without further police intervention.
May 11 — Deputies responded to a residence in the Town of Stanford for a fraud complaint. The caller reported that she was contacted by a local realtor who made her aware of the fact that he received correspondence through a messaging app where the sender was trying to sell her home. Caller reports that another realtor showed up at her home to look at it after receiving similar correspondence. Caller reported that her home is in fact not for sale. Investigation on-going.
May 12 — Deputies responded to Oak Summit Road in Washington for a verbal domestic dispute between a mother and son. The matter was resolved without further police intervention.
May 13 — Deputies responded to Old Route 22 in Amenia for a domestic dispute between a boyfriend and girlfriend. The matter was resolved without further police intervention.
PLEASE NOTE: All subjects arrested and charged are alleged to have committed the crime and are presumed innocent until proven guilty and are to appear in local courts later.
If you have any information relative to the aforementioned criminal cases, or any other suspected criminal activity please contact the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 845 605 CLUE (2583) or email dcsotips@gmail.com. All information will be kept confidential.
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