School districts tally board votes

DUTCHESS COUNTY —  The three local school districts of Millbrook, North East/Webutuck and Pine Plains held their board of education elections on Tuesday, May 16, with votes for school board seats and resolutions on the ballot. According to the district clerks, Webutuck’s turnout was a bit below average while Millbrook and Pine Plains were about average.

There were two openings for school board positions in the Millbrook Central School District (MCSD). The only two candidates for the positions were incumbents Howard Shapiro with 218 votes, and Chris Rosenbergen with 219 votes.

The 2023-24 budget was the only proposition on the ballot for MCSD and it passed 212-58.

The North East/Webutuck Central School District (WCSD) had four openings for board of education seats, with incumbents Aimee Wesley garnering 150 votes, Judy Moran getting 137, and Richard Keller-Coffey with 135. Jerry Heiser, who received 143 votes, ran for the seat vacated by Chris Mayville, who chose not to run for reelection.

The propositions on the ballot for WCSD were the proposed budget and approval of the Tax Report Card. The vote was 136-58.

The vote on whether the WCSD board of education would be authorized to acquire two school buses at a cost not to exceed $293,164 came in at 128-52.

The third WCSD proposition was for the creation of a capital reserve fund to finance the construction, reconstruction, renovations and general improvements to the district’s buildings and grounds, which passed 127-52.

Pine Plains Central School District (PPCSD) had two seats open on its board, which were won the two incumbents, who ran with no opposition: Heidi Johnson received 455 votes and James Griffin had 463. There were 53 write-in votes for various others.

Pine Plains voters said yes to the budget Proposition One, with a vote of 422-137. Proposition Two was for authorization to purchase two 71-passenger school buses at a maximum estimated cost of $151,997 each, which passed 394-161.

All three school districts expressed thanks for those who took the time and initiative to come in and vote and make their preferences known.

Latest News

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

AMENIA — The concept of “rewilding” the environment will be the focus of a discussion at Troutbeck in Amenia on Saturday, Nov. 8, featuring environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and Dr. Joshua R. Ginsberg, president of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The program begins at 3 p.m.

Admission is free, but registration is requested. Troutbeck encourages attendees to arrive early for lunch or stay afterward for dinner in its dining room.

Keep ReadingShow less
environment and conservation

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.

The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.

Keep ReadingShow less
water department

Rural Health Fall Fest highlights care options

Rural Health Fall Fest highlights care options

The Sun River Health Center in Amenia welcomed visitors to its Rural Health Fall Fest on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Assembling for a photo at Sun River’s booth were, left to right, Cherise McDaniel, Director; Crystal Marr, Associate Vice-President of Substance Use Disorders; Yvette Ramirez, Outreach Coordinator; and Elizabeth Phillips, Vice-President of Community Engagement.

Photo by Leila Hawken

Photo by Leila Hawken

Representing Astor Services of Poughkeepsie was Athena Galarza, the home-based services coordinator, visiting with Alexa Cruz, 10, who had come through Astor’s Head Start program some years earlier.

health

Millerton Fire Commissioners adopt $787K budget

Millerton Fire Commissioners adopt $787K budget

MILLERTON — The North East Fire District held a public hearing Tuesday, Oct. 21, to review its proposed 2026 budget. With no public comment, the Board of Fire Commissioners approved the $787,813 plan during its regular monthly business meeting, which followed.

Fire District Chair Dave McGhee read a resolution to override the tax levy limit established under New York’s General Municipal Law Section 3-c for the 2026 budget year. In a roll-call vote, the Board approved the resolution and adopted the budget.

Keep ReadingShow less
budgets