
The NorthEast-Millerton Library hosted a competition for the Best Masks this past summer to encourage mask-wearing. In the children’s division, 2-year-old Darla Gangloff won in the online voting division. Archive photo submitted
By KAITLIN LYLE
Part II
HARLEM VALLEY — Last week The Millerton News reviewed the top stories of the first half of 2020, a year with challenges including a global health pandemic and a collapsing economy. In this week’s edition, the year in review will take a brief look the headlines between July and August.
July
As New York State and Dutchess County to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, summertime activities in the Harlem Valley continued — including summer camp, summer school, fundraisers and other area celebrations — altered to fit the new normal (or canceled) or a virtual platform.
Responding to the urgent call for police reform, local police agencies — including those in Millerton, Pine Plains and Millbrook — began to review their policing strategies, policies and procedures to develop plans to address community needs, promote community engagement and address “any racial bias and disproportionate policing of communities of color,” as mandated by Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police also re-examined procedures through this and other months.
The town of North East created a Zoning Review Committee (ZRC) and appointed the nine-member board.
While the Stissing Mountain Class of 2020 celebrated its graduation at a ceremony held on Sunday, July 12, New York State Senator Sue Serino (R-41) officially announced her breast cancer diagnosis to the public in an effort to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining routine health screenings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, July 29, the town of Pine Plains officially closed on the sale of a property at 12 North Main St., bringing it a step closer to plans to revitalize its main hamlet area.
Having served the village of Millbrook since the start of 2017, Mayor Rodney Brown submitted his letter of resignation on Friday, July 31. Brown announced his intent on June 9; he gave no reason for his decision to leave office just months before his term was scheduled to end. Village Trustee Mike Herzog served as interim mayor until year’s end and was just re-elected to serve as village trustee again in 2021.
August
With the start of a new school year, Harlem Valley school districts began submitting their individual re-entry plans to the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York State Education Department (NYSED) between the end of July and the start of August. The Webutuck, Pine Plains and Millbrook school boards held multiple virtual meetings to discuss the logistics and complications that could potentially arise once students and staff returned to campus.
New York residents Creek Iversen, Ben Schwartz, Monica Hunken and George Elliot each received one year probation on Monday, Aug. 3, for climbing the smokestack to protest the Cricket Valley Energy Center power plant in Dover on Nov. 16, 2019.
Hundreds of thousands of people lost power in the wake of Tropical Storm Isiais on Tuesday, Aug. 4, throughout the Tri-state region, with fallen trees and wires.
On Tuesday, Aug. 11, Pine Plains voters cast their ballots in a special election to authorize the Pine Plains Fire Company to issue $275,000 in bonds to finance the purchase of a new 2021 Class A pumper to replace an old firetruck. Out of 77 votes cast, 68 voted in favor of the purchase; nine votes were against the buy.
Though Election Day was still months away, Gov. Cuomo signed a new law into effect on Thursday, Aug. 20, to make absentee ballots permissible in the 2020 election.
In Millbrook, the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies received support in the amount of $11 million through its Campaign for Cary for a renovation project, with the hopes of raising the remaining $2 million.
After more than 20 years of planning and saving, the Amenia Free Library held a ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 29, to celebrate its long-awaited expansion, with an opening date for the new addition scheduled for Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.
By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.
Also approved by a margin of 185 to 92 was a vehicle purchase proposal totaling $249,190 to cover the cost of acquiring one 65-passenger school bus and two Chrysler Voyager vehicles to serve the students’ transportation needs.
Two School Board candidates seeking re-election were unopposed. Nichole Reyes received 260 votes and Anthony Robustelli, 234.
“Thanks to the community for supporting our children’s programs,” commented School Superintendent Raymond Castellani, immediately after the vote count was announced. “Thank you to the voters,” he added. “It makes the work so gratifying when you have the support of the voters.”
By a margin of 816 to 331, voters approved the proposed school budget for 2025-26. The budget totals $35,649,651, a 3.1% increase of $1,074,576over the current year. Of the total, the amount to be raised by taxes after expected revenues are deducted, is $27,782,136, a 2.61% increase over the current year.
Extensive repairs and renovations to maintain and improve the middle school and high school at a projected cost of $37,381,383, defined as Proposition 2, passed by a margin of 748 to 399.
Proposition 3 to cover upgrades to the elementary schools at a cost of $1,883,099, passed by a vote of 706 to 439.
“With these results we will be able to ensure the safe and health upkeep of our facilities as we plan for the future of our district,” said Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, commenting on the vote. She went on to thank the voters for having come out to vote.
Hernandez Pidala also thanked the students and constituents who helped share information within the community about their schools’ needs and the importance of voting.
Unopposed candidates for re-election for three-year terms as members of the school board were Dena Ghobashy and Jennifer Carnecchia. Voters also approved the election of Perry Hartswick, seeking to continue his service as Board President.
By a margin of 294 to 102, voters turned out to approve the proposed school budget totaling $38,712,336, a 2.71% increase of $1,022,592. The amount to be raised by taxes is $27,885,802, an increase of 3.2% over the current year.
A proposition that will create a Capital Reserve Fund to aid with future expenditures passed by a vote of 309 to 87, and another proposition to purchase two new 71-passenger school buses and an eight-passenger Chevy Suburban passed by a vote of 284 to 110.
Total cost for the two buses and the van is estimated at $396,369. The proposition also added $118,911 in anticipated tariff costs. The proposition costs are to be supported by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund that had been approved by voters in 2022.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the school board were Fred “Chip” Couse with 333 votes and Amie Fredericks with 330 votes. There were 16 write-in votes.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community and are looking forward to a successful 2025-26 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm, commenting on the positive vote result.
A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.
An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.
“Aware of the dangers but responding to the call of duty,” Woodard spoke of those who bravely served and ultimately sacrificed their lives. On behalf of those gathered, he extended deepest respects and “the highest tribute we can offer.”
VFW Post Chaplain Rick Butler offered a prayer asking for help in supporting families of those who gave their lives for their country.
“How far back are the losses,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, reflecting on the losses over centuries of battle. He spoke of the ongoing historical society project to erect signs at each local historic cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
The ceremony included donation of a defibrillator by former local Fire Chief Bob Boyles to VFW Post #5444, Auxiliary President Charlene Mayville.
Closing prayer was offered by Fr. Andrew O’Connor of Immaculate Conception Church who read Psalm 127.
In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Honor Guard of the Wassaic Fire Company, the Community Enhancement Committee for Fountain Square floral planting, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and the Honor Guard and Auxiliary of Post #5444.
Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.
The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.
Other filming locations included Washington, D.C., New Haven, and Shelter Island in eastern New York.
Red, white and blue Memorial Day planting by Townscape’s volunteers ahead of Memorial Day ceremonies.
The Townscape team was out in force in time for Memorial Day in its 25th year of flower planting.
Planting were place throughout the village, and they can be found at the War Memorial in Veterans Park, in the boxes and planters on the bridge on Main Street, and at the Rail Trail crossing. As always, Tracy Hanselman and Jim Lambertson gave Townscape assistance with their expert horticultural direction, and they will maintain and water the plants throughout the season.
This year, Paley’s Farm Market has supplied Townscape’s colorful assortment of flowers: red and white geraniums, blue salvia, Dusty Miller, yellow petunias and many others.
Over the summer, Townscape will be hosting a Raffle Tent on Saturdays at the Millerton Farmers’ Market on Dutchess Avenue from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Raffle tickets (5 for $20) to help raise funds - not only for flowers, but also for Townscape’s many other community beautification initiatives such as tree plantings, holiday lights, benches, park tables and chairs.
Townscape volunteers Catherine Fenn,left, Teri Goetz, center, and Claire Goodman,withstood the cool temperatureson W ednesday, May 21, in Millerton as they placed planters along Main Street in advance of Memorial Day activities.Photo by John Coston
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