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Public debate on North East’s zoning rewrite to continue March 20
Nathan Miller
Feb 18, 2026
The Town of North East’s Boulevard District — a stretch of Route 44 between Millerton and the New York State border — is the town’s largest commercial zone. The proposed zoning rewrite would allow mixed-use buildings with residential apartments above ground-floor retail.
Photo by Aly Morrisey
MILLERTON — Town Board members voted last week to continue the public hearing on the town’s proposed zoning overhaul, setting a new date of Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
The North East Town Board also scheduled a special workshop for Tuesday, March 3, at 5 p.m. to review public comments and concerns raised during February hearings, including calls for clearer explanations of the new code’s intent and requests to expand permitted uses in commercial districts. Board members set those dates at their regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, which included a public hearing on the zoning rewrite along with routine department reports.
North East’s 181-page draft zoning code would update much of the town’s existing regulations, with a particular focus on revising standards and approval processes in commercial districts to encourage development and expand housing opportunities. Public comment on the new zoning code during the hearing was brief. Just two people — North East residents Rob Cooper and Kathy Chow — offered comments at the third public hearing on the zoning overhaul since the Town Board opened debate on the draft on Jan. 8.
Cooper requested more permitted uses in the west Boulevard District, but he didn’t specify what additional uses should be included. The Boulevard Districts comprise parcels along Route 44 between the eastern border of the Village of Millerton and the Connecticut state line, and was a central focus of the current re-zoning effort.
Cooper said his property — the historic Mobil gas station on Route 44 across from CVS — is divided by the village border. “It divides the building in half,” Cooper said, explaining that Millerton land use regulations are more permissive than the Town of North East.
“Part of the property is in the village, and I’m allowed to do a tremendous amount of things over there,” Cooper said. “It wouldn’t look too uniform if I did everything on the left side of the property and we couldn’t do anything on the right side.”
Chow suggested the Town Board include purpose statements for each of the altered sections of the code. “Especially the Irondale district,” Chow said. “It’s a very different character than the boulevard and I’d like to see that explained.” She said some narratives explaining the changes and the purpose of the new code would be helpful for residents and developers seeking a deeper understanding of the process and how it benefits the community, echoing North East resident Ed Downey’s comments at a prior hearing.
In other business, Town Clerk Tilly Strauss read a complaint about gunfire noise at the Millerton Gun Club. Millerton resident David Decker submitted the complaint and asked to have it read into the public record, Strauss said.
The newly-formed Communications Committee provided an update following its first-ever meeting.
Councilwomen Rachele Grieco-Cole and Meg Winkler said the committee has set its sights on improving the town’s website, laying out short- and longer-term goals including basic readability and organization on the site’s homepage, revitalizing the town’s FaceBook page, and starting a regular digital newsletter to aid in proactive communication efforts.
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Former church building approved for multimedia academy
Nathan Miller
Feb 18, 2026
The former Presbyterian church on Main Street in Millerton will soon become the second location of Caffeine Academy, a multimedia education center originally founded in West Babylon, New York.
Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — The long-vacant Presbyterian church on Main Street is poised for a new life after the Millerton Planning Board granted approval to a new education business Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Caffeine Academy, founded by Alex That in West Babylon, New York, plans to transform the prominent building into a center for multimedia production training, offering instruction in digital music, video production and related arts.
That sought site plan approval to renovate the building and bring it into compliance with current accessibility standards.
The next phase for That is to obtain building permits from Ken McLoughlin in the village’s building department and begin construction. That said he expects to make changes over the course of 2026, with a targeted opening for the business in 2027.
That’s Caffeine Academy — which he runs with assistance from his sons — began in 2013 as a school for DJing and music production that grew to accommodate and cater to people with special needs and abilities. Now, Caffeine Academy offers classes for all abilities in video production and multimedia arts in addition to the digital music classes.
The application passed with little discussion. That previously appeared in front of the Planning Board in December, but delayed the application to wait for a local law to go into effect that waived increased parking requirements for changes of use in Millerton’s commercial district. The law allowed the application to avoid seeking a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
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Be my Valentine
Leila Hawken
Feb 18, 2026
Photo by Leila Hawken
Ashlyn Price, 7, designs a festive Valentine’s crown with sticky hearts and pipe cleaners during a craft session at Amenia Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 14. Children and parents created red-and-pink heart headpieces and other holiday crafts at the event, organized by the Amenia Recreation Commission. Recreation Leader Cassidy Howard said she was pleased with both the turnout and the enthusiasm.
Kathleen Rosier
Millerton News
Feb 18, 2026
CANAAN — Kathleen Rosier, 92, of Ashley Falls Massachusetts, passed away peacefully with her children at her bedside on Feb. 5, at Fairview Commons Nursing Home in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Kathleen was born on Oct. 31,1933, in East Canaan to Carlton and Carrie Nott.
Kathleen retired from Housatonic Curtain Company where she was a machine operator for many years.
She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, John A.Rosier Sr., her son John A Rosier Jr., her son Frank H. Rosier and her brother Jerome Nott.
Kathleen leaves behind her son, Brian Rosier and his wife JoEllen of East Canaan, her daughter, Theresa Morin of Ashley Falls, her daughter, Lisa Dawson of Great Barrington, a brother Henry Nott, her sister Ann Percy, 11 grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a celebration of life held in her honor on Feb. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bitterman Center in North Canaan. All are welcome to come.
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Ronald Ray Dirck
Millerton News
Feb 18, 2026
SHARON — Ronald Ray Dirck, affectionately known as Ron, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Jan. 17, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 85. Born on Jan. 31, 1940, in Sedalia, Missouri, Ron lived a life filled with warmth, laughter, and deep devotion to his family.
Ron shared an extraordinary 62-year marriage with his high school sweetheart and beloved wife, Jackie. Their enduring partnership was a shining example of living life to the fullest.
Ron served his country as a captain in the US Marine Corps, flying helicopters during the Vietnam War. He then flew commercially for TWA for 25 years, both domestically and internationally. He finished his flying career with Nippon Cargo Airlines. Ron enjoyed the outdoors and enjoyed taking care of their beloved Sharon, home for more than 50 years. He was also an avid builder and enjoyed his many projects over the years.
In retirement, Ron and Jackie split time between Sharon, and Phoenix, Arizona, before settling full-time in Phoenix two years ago. Ron loved his evening cocktails with Jackie and their many friends, as well as a hand or two of gin rummy.
He was a devoted father to Melissa Dirck Appel and her husband, Jeff Appel, and Patrick Dirck and his wife, Lisa Dirck. He carried the memory of his son Kevin with enduring love throughout his life. His legacy continues through his cherished grandchildren; Alexandra, Caroline, Emma, Natalie, Evan, Cooper, Elle, and Tanner. Ron is also fondly remembered by his brother, Jim and wife Lena.
Ron had a tender heart for animals. The loyal companionship of his beloved dogs Mini and Mae brought him comfort and joy over the years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jackie, and parents, Raymond and Gladys Dirck.
In honor of Ron’s love of animals, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Aussie and Friends Rescue, www.aussiefriendsrescue.com.
His light lives on in the hearts of all who knew him. May his memory continue to bring comfort and smiles to those he touched.
A private celebration of life for the family will be held at a later date.
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Supervisor Walsh defends role in Flock surveillance contract
Nathan Miller
A standing-room-only crowd listens as Supervisor Brian Walsh reads a statement addressing controversy over an unauthorized contract with Atlanta-based Flock Safety at the Feb. 19 Pine Plains Town Board meeting. Walsh said he did not sign the contract and believed Flock was providing a demonstration of camera hardware at no cost to the town.
PINE PLAINS — More than 50 residents packed Town Hall on Thursday, Feb. 19, as Town Supervisor Brian Walsh sought to address continuing controversy over a proposed license plate reader surveillance system.
At issue is a February 2025 contract with Atlanta-based surveillance company Flock Safety. Residents questioned when the agreement was signed, who authorized it, and whether it was reviewed by the Town Board or Town Attorney Warren Replansky, as required under town procurement procedures.
Walsh addressed the matter about 15 minutes into the meeting, following a hearing on an unrelated local law. Before opening public comment, he read a prepared statement, asserting once again that he had no knowledge of a contract with Flock Safety and addressed specific comments from a phone call he held with company officials that were recently revealed in a report by The New Pine Plains Herald.
The contract in question came to light two weeks ago on Feb. 9 during an emergency meeting of the Pine Plains Town Board following the discovery of markers for surveillance cameras across town. The New Pine Plains Herald reported Sgt. Michael Belliveau, who resigned from the town's police force last year, signed the $80,000 contract with Flock on Feb. 25, 2025.
Under New York State Law, town funds can only be spent with Town Board approval. In Pine Plains, police department equipment is jointly owned with the town government.
"At no time was it ever stated to me that a contract had been executed," Walsh said. "I contacted Flock, instructed them to halt all activities, and stated I had no idea that mark-outs were being performed."
Walsh said Flock Safety representatives had approached him and the town's police department about a nine camera system in February 2025, but Walsh told the company at that time the town could not afford such a system and declined the cameras. Walsh said company officials then offered a limited trial including four cameras at no cost to the town, at which point Walsh agreed. He said he had no contact with the company between July 2025 and February 2026 when markings appeared across Pine Plains for what appeared to be permanent camera installations.
Reports in the New Pine Plains Herald revealed Walsh told Flock Safety officials during a phone call on Feb. 5 that camera installations were "going to get done." At Thursday’s meeting, he addressed the remark in his prepared statement, saying he was referring to the county.
"If the county wanted to place cameras in the Town of Pine Plains it would be done, but the town is not."
Walsh and Town Board members declined to answer questions regarding Flock Safety at the board meeting.
The statement did not immediately put residents' minds at ease. Matthew Lebaron, of Pine Plains, voiced concern over procedure, asking questions about town and police department officials' capacity to pursue demonstrations–or enter into contracts–without first consulting the town board.
"If equipment was installed, marked, tested or contracted without a formal public vote or proper procurement process, that raises serious questions about compliance with town law and fiduciary responsibilities," Lebaron said. "My request is simple — any agreements, any communications made to the public about these agreements, all be given to us with good warning over multiple communication streams."
Keary Hanan voiced further concerns about procedures, asking during public comment whether the town's counsel, Warren Replansky, had read or provided advice on the contract. Hanan expressed broken trust with the town's officials, asking "how does this town board plan on restoring the trust of this community after this egregious breach of honesty and trust with its constituents?"
Michael Cooper, who serves with the Pine Plains Volunteer Fire Department alongside Walsh, offered a defense of the town's supervisor, saying he believed Walsh's comments were being misunderstood.
"I have personally known Brian for 10 years since joining the fire company," Cooper said. "Knowing Brian and how he communicates, I believe his words are being misrepresented, and I would encourage anyone who has problems with what he has to say to examine what he has in fact done."
Cooper said he does not support surveillance systems in Pine Plains, citing abuses of surveillance technology by bad actors, but praised the Town Board and Supervisor Walsh for swift action regarding the controversy.
"I hope the Town Board and community can move past this and continue to maintain Pine Plains as a wonderful place to live," Cooper said.
Pine Plains resident Alice Nuccio objected to what she described as the politicization of the issue, referencing a comment Walsh made to Flock Safety officials in which he said, “I think we’re a decent blue area right now, unfortunately.”
"This is not a red or a blue issue," Nuccio said. "This is a humanitarian issue. We need to stop dividing everyone between this and that and really try to do the best for the town."