MILLERTON – At a glance, Millerton’s year was marked by striking contrasts. Moments of division were set against moments of community building. Major municipal milestones were followed by delays and missed deadlines. And years-long efforts to prepare for the future unfolded alongside planning efforts to celebrate the past.
A Feb. 3 fire shaped what would become a year of rebuilding and resilience for the Village of Millerton. The early-morning blaze destroyed the highway and water department building, incinerating the village’s police vehicles, snow-removal equipment and everything inside the building.
What followed was an impressive effort to replace critical infrastructure, secure emergency funding, file and manage insurance claims and reimagine long-term plans for the site. The loss ignited nearly a year of logistical challenges, but also revealed a supportive community of workers, volunteers and neighbors. Demolition of the building began on Oct. 27, and efforts to build two new structures will begin early this year, although an official construction timeline has not been released by the village.
Decaying equipment and infrastructure still greet those walking through the parking lot at the Millerton Square Plaza on Route 44 just east of the Village of MIllerton.Photo by Nathan Miller
One of the biggest questions on residents’ minds this year was the long-awaited return of a full-scale grocery store to Millerton. Early optimism followed the 2024 sale of the Millerton Square Plaza to Kim and Chris Choe, veteran grocers who own the Sharon Farm Market. After the Town of North East Planning Board approved their site plan earlier this spring, many hoped the new “Town Gourmet Market” would open in 2025. The owners even floated an October target.
But as fall came and went, the plaza’s parking lot remained cluttered with debris, and visible disrepair raised new questions about timing. During a recent visit to the couple’s newly opened New Haven store, Market 360, co-owner Kim Choe said extensive interior renovations have delayed progress and that no updated timeline is available. Still, Choe emphasized that the project is moving forward.
In May, a group of residents and neighbors concerned about national immigration enforcement urged the Village Board to adopt a local law prohibiting Millerton police from assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without a judicial warrant. Their request was heard at a May 21 board meeting, but momentum surged ahead of a July 29 follow-up meeting that drew nearly triple the crowd. The discussion revealed a deeply divided community. Ultimately, trustees declined to pursue the proposal, and Millerton Police said they would fully cooperate with federal authorities, including ICE, even without a judicial warrant, while noting that the department does not collect immigration status information.
In spite of that decision, local advocates have continued to organize independently. Residents have sought “Know Your Rights” training and rapid-response preparation through regional organizations such as the Columbia County Sanctuary Movement and Vecinos Seguros 2, building informal networks to support neighbors who may be vulnerable. While the village chose not to adopt the new policy, these community-led efforts reflect a broader regional movement to ensure residents understand their rights and have support in an increasingly uncertain enforcement landscape.
Eddie Collins Memorial Park on Route 22. Construction on the proposed pool is set to begin in 2026.Photo by Nathan Miller
Millerton’s long-awaited pool at Eddie Collins Park saw both disappointment and progress this year. In July, Mayor Jenn Najdek announced that construction – originally scheduled to begin in spring 2025 – had been pushed to 2026 due to ongoing wetlands and septic-related reviews by county and state agencies. Residents and officials alike were disappointed that the pool will not be ready for the village’s upcoming 175th celebration in July. Trustees chose to delay construction until after the event, ensuring residents have a place to gather.
Even so, planning continues. Architects from LaBella Associates presented updated designs in December 2025, and trustees finalized several key decisions, including opting against a heated pool because of cost and choosing a fully equipped commercial kitchen for the pool house. With design details now refined and ready for county review, village officials say the project remains very much alive – just on a longer timeline than originally planned.
Zoning, often an overlooked topic, became one of the year’s most contentious issues, as the Town of North East moved toward a rewrite of its commercial zoning code for the first time since the 1970s. After four years of work by the volunteer Zoning Review Committee (ZRC) and nearly a year of Town Board review, officials released a 181-page draft in November outlining major updates intended to modernize the code. Officials stated that additional goals were to encourage new housing options, streamline approvals and support local business growth. A public hearing is set for Jan. 8, where residents will have an opportunity to weigh in.
In recent weeks, however, a group called “Save Millerton” has challenged the process, publishing information that alleges poor transparency, overly dense housing allowances and lax zoning enforcement. Town officials reject those claims, calling them misleading and emphasizing that the rewrite reflects years of public meetings, professional planning input and the goals laid out in the 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
Supervisor Chris Kennan said revisions may still follow the Jan. 8 hearing and stressed that the updated code is designed to encourage much-needed housing and welcome new and existing business development.
Even amid delay and division, Millerton continued to show up for one another. The community turned out in numbers for major events like the Oblong Books 50th Birthday Celebration, the Millerton News Street Fair and the Memorial Day Parade. And while zoning will continue to take center stage and shape Millerton’s future, planning is in full swing to honor its past with the 175th committee working alongside business owners and residents to create a birthday bash in July.
John Satre, one of the original Satre brothers, is credited with pioneering the sport of ski jumping in the United States.
While spectators look skyward to watch the high-flying athletes, Jumpfest will also invite the community to look back on Salisbury’s deep-rooted ski jumping history.
Ski jumping originated in Norway in the 19th century and is a tradition familiar to most Nordic children. That was the case for the five Satre brothers — John, Magnus, Ottar, Sverre and Olaf — who grew up competing in ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
When John Satre moved to Salisbury in 1923 to work as a chauffeur, he brought the tradition with him. The rolling hills and heavy winters of the Northwest Corner resembled those of Norway, allowing John to seamlessly integrate his passion into his new community.
Magnus SatrePhoto Provided
Within a year, his brothers followed him to Salisbury.
In 1926, John Satre captivated roughly 200 spectators by skiing off a snow-covered barn roof.
The brothers soon formed the Salisbury Outing Club — now known as the Salisbury Winter Sports Association (SWSA) — and began construction of a permanent ski jump in the same location it sits today: Satre Hill.
By 1933, the Satre brothers had won numerous championships and helped popularize the sport across the United States. Salisbury hosted the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1932, and the following year hosted the National Championships.
Tragically in 1934, at the age of 40, John Satre was killed in a car accident. The New York Times hailed him as a pioneer in U.S. skiing and his legacy is carried on in the winter sports culture that is nurtured in Salisbury today.
During this time, local children were introduced to the sport, creating makeshift jumps in their backyards out of crates and hay bales. One of these children was Richard Parsons, who became the first Salisbury resident to earn recognition for cross country skills. He earned a spot for the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games and in 1936 competed in the Winter Olympics in Garmisch, Germany, where he was the leading American-born cross-country skier.
During World War II, young athletes who would have normally been jumping were enlisted in the service, causing a lull in the sport and deterioration of the jump itself. After the war, however, community members eagerly worked to rebuild the jump, and another Salisbury athlete emerged.
Ottar SatrePhoto Provided
Roy Sherwood was first introduced to ski jumping when his father built him and his brother their own ski jump in their backyard. Sherwood quickly gained ground, earning himself the title of “hometown hero.” By 1954, Sherwood was offered a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team for the 1956 games in Cortina, Italy.
Sherwood’s path to the Olympics was far from easy. A year before the Games, he was diagnosed with polio, threatening his ability to compete. He recovered enough to travel to Italy, only to hit an icy patch during a practice run.
Sherwood rebounded and competed the next day, placing 36th out of 51 — the second-highest finish by an American — and was later inducted into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.
Today, four jumps line Satre Hill — K10, K20, K30, and K65. The 65-meter jump is used for competitions, and the smaller jumps are used to teach local youth during winter camps.
Islay Sheil, a Housatonic Valley Regional High School student and Lakeville resident, is the current SWSA athlete on the rise in ski jumping today. Her passion for the sport emerged during one of the SWSA winter camps, and last March earned gold in the Junior National Championships. The next Junior National Championships will be hosted in Salisbury in 2027.
While Salisbury celebrates the 100th anniversary of its own ski jump this year, the Olympic Games will be held in Milan and Cortina, Italy, the same place that Sherwood gained global recognition.
To honor the town’s remarkable history and tradition of ski jumping, Jumpfest will begin early with a Winter Warmer on Jan. 31 between 5:30 to 8 p.m. It will be at the home of Salisbury First Selectman Curtis Rand. Small plates and drinks will be served. Limited tickets are available for $50 and more details can be found at Jumpfest.org/100years/
Photo provided The Satre brothers, of Norway, brought ski jumping to Salisbury in the 1920s. Clockwise starting at lower left, John, Olaf, Ottar and Magnus Satre pose alongside their large collection of trophies earned for accomplishments as ski jumpers. Photo Provided
On Feb. 1, a double feature screening of On the Hill and Downhill Racer will be held at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a panel discussion on winter sports and SWSA’s role in Salisbury’s history. There will also be a raffle and SWSA merchandise for sale.
Tickets for the showing are $16 and details can be found at Jumpfest.org/100years/.
On Friday, Feb. 6, Jumpfest will host community night at Satre Hill. SWSA will offer free admission for the night. Gates open at 6 p.m. and “Target Jumping Under the Lights” will begin at 7 p.m. There will be fireworks sponsored by NBT Bank, bonfires, and food and drinks available for purchase. The Human Dogsled Race is set for 8:30 p.m. Teams of five can register at Jumpfest.org
On Saturday, Feb. 7, the Junior Competition on K20 jump will begin at 9 a.m. The Salisbury Invitational Ski Jumping Competition will practice from 11 a.m. to noon and compete at 1 p.m. Community members are invited to the Snow Ball at the Lakeville Town Grove at 8 p.m. Dancers will be accompanied by live music from the Steve Dunn Band. Entrance to the Ball is $20 with children 12 and under free of charge.
On Sunday, Feb. 8, Satre Hill will hold the Eastern U.S. Ski Jumping Championships. Athletes will practice between 11 a.m. to noon and compete at 1 p.m.
Willie Hallihan of SWSA explained that the length of time and number of people involved on an emotional level has made the sport “iconic to Salisbury.”
Hallihan recounted in the PBS documentary “The Jump” that the ski jumps are “like a family member to a lot of people”.
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