MILLERTON — Congratulating Hope Rising Farm Therapeutic Riding Center as a recent recipient of the county’s “Learn, Play, Create: Supporting Our Kids” program, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature Gregg Pulver (R-19), of Pine Plains, toured the Millerton therapeutic riding facility on Friday, Dec. 3.
Their goal was to achieve a better understanding of the facility’s offerings and how local youth have benefited from its programs.
In November, the county’s grant program awarded $3 million to fund 147 projects of local nonprofit organizations that directly serve children. The projects aim to enhance and empower opportunities for children to learn, play and create “while filling an educational, financial, social and/or emotional void because of the quarantine and stay-at-home orders necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to the county.
Of those recipients, Hope Rising Farm, located at 19 Morse Hill Road in Millerton, received $17,900 to purchase equipment for therapeutic means.
According to its website, www.hoperisingfarm.org, the facility was founded in 2017 “to enhance the physical, sensory, emotional, cognitive and social skills of adults and children with special needs through equine-assisted activities.”
Allison Dunne, a volunteer and soon-to-be certified therapeutic riding instructor at Hope Rising Farm, said the riding facility plans to purchase an equicizer, a SureHands Lift & Care System, an Inky-Dinky therapeutic saddle, a larger therapeutic riding saddle, ladder reins, gait belts, a Hippo Helper and a seat shrinker.
Dunne said the equicizer and the SureHands Lift & Care System will take up the bulk of the grant funding. She explained an equicizer is a mechanical horse used to instill confidence and strength in riders, so that they may practice riding without being on a live animal. The SureHands Life & Care System will be used to help students in wheelchairs get on the back of the horses to ride.
“It meant the world,” Dunne said in regard to receiving the grant. “It kind of signifies the next step for Hope Rising Farm. As a nonprofit, there’s so much you can do and there’s so much we can offer.”
She added that out of all of the grant recipients, Hope Rising Farm was the only one that Molinaro and Pulver actually visited in person.
On Friday afternoon, the two county officials toured the riding facility with Hope Rising Farm Founder and Executive Director Jackie Wikane. They met some of the students and Wikane gave an abbreviated lesson to show Molinaro and Pulver what the riding facility does with those who go there.
Parents also met with the officials to share how the facility’s programs have benefited their children.
“It was one of the most amazing experiences that I’ve had at a farm, quite honestly,” Pulver said, a lifelong farmer himself.
In describing what it was like to watch the programs being demonstrated by the young people who use them, “who don’t normally have an opportunity to ride a horse or the physical ability to get on a horse,” Pulver said seeing the emotional connection between those youth and the horses floored him.
He said he was touched to see the connections the riders make at the facility with the horses. He said he was quite impressed by how much the students seem to have benefitted from attending the various programs and services offered at Hope Rising Farm.
“We are very fortunate to have them in our community,” Pulver said.
“To me, to have the county executive and chair of the Legislature there was just phenomenal,” Dunne said, likewise impressed. “To see how engaged they were in what we do at the farm really helped us identify potential opportunities down the road to take us to the next level… We put our best foot forward and were rewarded.”
To contact Hope Rising Farm, call 845-797-8365 or go to www.hoperisingfarm.org.
People leaving the voting booth at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex expressed support for the library's budget increase. “I wanted to come out and support the library,” said Leslie Farhangi of North East, referencing a NorthEast-Millerton Library budget increase on the ballot. “It’s always heartwarming to see the community come out to vote, and the poll workers are great, I’m always grateful for them.”
Democrats had a strong showing across northeast Dutchess County, with democratic candidates winning both seats in the Washington and Pine Plains Town Council races and an upset victory in the race to represent District 25 in the County Legislature.
Voters also overwhelmingly supported local libraries. Ballot questions to increase the budgets of the NorthEast-Millerton Library, Amenia Free Library, Pine Plains Free Library and Stanford Free Library all passed.
“I wanted to come out and support the library,” said Leslie Farhangi of North East, referencing a NorthEast-Millerton Library budget increase on the ballot. “It’s always heartwarming to see the community come out to vote, and the poll workers are great, I’m always grateful for them.”
Poll workers and voters said turnout was higher than usual early in the afternoon. In Amenia, 404 votes had been cast by 1:30 p.m. when The News checked in.
“I think it’s always important to vote,” said Ed Downey, President of the North East Historical Society. “At the town level, the races can be uncontested but it’s still important to vote. And there are certainly contested races at the county level. The library budget is very important. It looks like a good turnout. I was pleasantly surprised to see so much participation, especially this early.”
Here's a breakdown of the results:
Incumbent Republican Chris Mayville and Democrat Rachele Grieco Cole will each serve a two-year term on the Town Council following uncontested races.
Katherine Johnson ran unopposed for re-election as Town Assessor and will serve an additional six-year term.
Casey McCabe also ran unopposed for re-election as Town Justice. She will serve a four-year term on the bench.
The proposition to increase the NorthEast-Millerton LIbrary's operating budget by $50,000 to a total of $225,000 passed with 587 yes votes and 169 no votes.
Democrat Rosanna Hamm won the Town Supervisor race with 686 votes. Republican Terrence McCauley had 402 votes. Hamm currently serves on the Town Council as Deputy Supervisor.
Republican Nicole Ahearn with 574 votes and Democrat Walter Dietrich with 527 votes will serve two-year terms on the Amenia Town Council. Democrat Charlie Miller came in a close third with 525 votes and Republican Brad Rebillard trails the race with 464 votes.
Democrat Vicki Doyle will serve the remaining year of an unexpired term on the Town Council, winning 625 votes to beat Republican Jamie Deines's 446 votes.
Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner, Highway Superintendent Megan Chamberlin and Town Justice Christopher Klingner will all retain their seats after uncontested races.
The local proposal to increase the Amenia Free Library's operating budget by $20,000 passed with 690 yes votes and 394 no votes.
The local proposition to opt-in to retail cannabis sales failed with 515 yes votes and 560 no votes.
And the third local proposition to increase the term length of the Town Supervisor to four years failed with 446 yes votes and 631 no votes.
Republican Gary Ciferri will continue to serve as Town Supervisor following an uncontested election.
Democrats Maxine Verne and Susan Mancuso will each serve two-year terms on the Town Council following their victory over Republicans Nicholas Galente and Douglas Giles.
Theodore Briggs will serve on the Village of Millbrook Board of Trustees following an uncontested race.
Incumbent Republican candidate Brian Walsh holds a narrow lead in the race for Town Supervisor with 423 votes to Democrat challenger Kevin Walsh's 414 votes. That's a margin of only nine votes. The New York State Election Law requires a recount for races with a margin of 20 votes or less.
Democrats Trevor Roush and Murphy Birdsall will each serve on the Town Council, winning 447 and 406 votes respectively to beat Republicans Robert Ambrose and David Prentice. Prentice trailed Birdsallby just 20 votes with 386 total.
The proposition to increase the Pine Plains Free Library's operating budget to $220,000 passed with 572 yes votes — a staggering 68.7% — and 261 no votes.
Democrat Julia Descouteaux won the Town Supervisor seat with 798 votes. Republican Michael Roche claimed 575 votes.
Democrats Teddy Secor and Charlie Cunningham secured seats on the Town Council, beating Republican opponents Durga Taylor and Frank Marcin for two-year terms on the board.
Ritamary Bell will continue to serve as Town Clerk following an uncontested election. James Myers was also re-elected as Highway Superintendent — and Town Justice Dennis Smith will serve another term — after uncontested races.
The proposition to increase the Stanford Free Library's budget to $200,400 passed with 1,053 yes votes and 283 no votes.
Incumbent Chris Drago, D-19, won his re-election bid to the Dutchess County Legislature. He accumulated 2,359 votes to Republican challenger Tonya Pulver's 1,584 votes. He will serve a second two-year term representing the towns of North East, Pine Plains, Stanford and Milan.
Democrat Eric Alexander won a slim upset victory against incumbent Republican Deirdre Houston in the race for the district 25 county legislature seat. Alexander leads with 1,746 votes — about 50.6% — to Houston's 1,705 votes — 49.4%. Alexander will serve a two-year term representing the towns of Amenia, Washington and southeast Pleasant Valley.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair is in the lead for the county comptroller race. Preliminary results from the Dutchess County Board of Elections show Aymar-Blair won 55% of the vote to defeat Republican challenger Will Truitt. Aymar-Blair won a total of 40,159 votes and Truitt secured 32,814 votes.
Democrat Kara Gerry is ahead in the county court judge race, marking an upset defeat of incumbent Republican Ned McLoughlin. Gerry leads with 56% of the vote — a total of 40,745 votes — to McLoughlin's 44% — a total of 32,047.
Tracy MacKenzie, who ran unopposed for Dutchess County Family Court Judge, will retain her seat. She's served on that bench since 2015 and will serve another 10 year term.
Water from the damaged pipe has bubbled up to the surface of Route 44 near Park Avenue in Millerton on Monday, Nov. 3. Water department crews are expected to repair the leak between 5 p.m. and midnight.
MILLERTON — Drivers passing through Millerton should expect delays on Main Street/Route 44 around Park Avenue as a Water Department crew works to repair a leak under the westbound lane.
Interim Superintendent of Public Works Joe Olenik said the work will begin around 5 p.m. tonight, Nov. 3, and he expects repairs to be finished by midnight. “There’s concrete under that, so it’s going to take a little longer,” Olenik said, pointing to a picture of the puddle that has accumulated on Route 44 because of the leak. “It’s not just blacktop and dirt.”
The crew will close one lane of traffic on Route 44 to complete the repair.
Residents and businesses in the area of Park Avenue and Main Street/Route 44 should expect water outages while the repair is being made.
Village officials sent out a notice of the repair work around noon today, Nov. 3.
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
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.
One village official is particularly invested in seeing the process move forward. Caroline Farr-Killmer, the village’s fire project manager, has been working closely with Mayor Jenn Najdek and the Board of Trustees to oversee every phase of the recovery. She has coordinated contractors and engineers, tracked inventory losses, and ensured compliance with building codes.
Mayor Jenn Najdek noted in a Monday, Oct. 27, meeting of the village's Board of Trustees that air quality management is one of the aspects of demolition that contributes to the price tag.Photo by Aly Morrissey
“This milestone is a significant one,” Farr-Killmer said. “It has been a work in progress that individuals have poured a lot of their time and effort into.” She acknowledged that while it may have seemed like progress was slow, this process required thoughtful and thorough management. “It is not something that can be accomplished overnight. I am grateful for the team effort put in by all of those involved.”
In the weeks after the fire, Farr-Killmer visited the charred building almost daily and documented damage to the structure and inventory. She said the fire itself was only the beginning, and pointed out that navigating insurance, rebuilding plans and deadlines have been hidden challenges.
The demolition marks the first physical step toward rebuilding. Farr-Killmer and Village leaders are developing plans for two replacement facilities — one for the Highway Department and another for the Water Department, designed to meet modern building codes and accommodate future needs.
“For the Village, it means we are starting from scratch, but things will continue to run smoothly, efficiently and effectively,” Farr-Killmer said.
With demolition underway, the Village of Millerton will begin a new chapter — one that will be complemented by the upcoming renovations that are planned at Eddie Collins Memorial Park. Construction for that major project, which will include a short-course Olympic pool and pool house, is scheduled to begin in July 2026 after the 175th celebration.
Millerton and North East residents crowded into the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex on Friday, Oct. 24, to hear from 10 candidates seeking office.
MILLERTON — A crowd of about 60 people filled the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex for a political Q&A session with candidates for local and county offices on Friday, Oct. 24.
Panels of candidates rotated across the stage, answering questions submitted beforehand and impromptu questions from audience members in the room.
Each candidate was given four minutes to make an introductory statement and one minute each to respond.
Election Day is set for Tuesday, Nov. 4, with polls open countywide from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Early voting began Saturday, Oct. 25.
North East Town Board candidates Rachele Grieco-Cole and Chris Mayville, each running unopposed for a two-year term; North East Town Justice candidate Casey McCabe and Family Court Judge candidate Tracy MacKenzie took the stage first.
Grieco-Cole focused on her experience in grant-writing and fundraising during her opening remarks, promising to aid the town in securing funding for crucial projects.
Mayville, who has been on the board since 2023, highlighted concerns over the rising cost of emergency medical services — and ambulance service more specifically — and said he focuses on growth and development that works with the town’s values and needs.
Millerton resident Lenny Sutton asked the board candidates for a timeline on the wastewater treatment system.
“It’s still a recognized need in town,” Mayville said. “Unfortunately, the original grant that we anticipated getting was taken back.”
Mayville said town and village officials are still pursuing the wastewater treatment project and asked moderator John Coston, the former executive editor of the Lakeville Journal and Millerton News, if Village of Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek could offer an update from the audience.
“No,” Coston said to laughter in the room. “The Mayor’s off the hook tonight.”
A submitted question from North East resident Bill Kish centered on transparency in the town government.
“I’ve been attending North East Town Board meetings for many years, and in all that time I don’t think I can remember a meeting where the board actively discussed or debated an action they were contemplating,” Coston read on behalf of Kish. “Do you think this is the right way for government to function? If yes, why? If not, how would you change things?”
Grieco-Cole said she values robust debate and conversation, and asserted an appreciation of differing opinions.
“I’m pretty forthright and I speak my mind,” Grieco-Cole said. “And I believe in debate. I think it’s the bedrock of our democracy.”
Mayville offered a defense of his record while acknowledging he agrees with the premise of Kish’s question.
“If there’s a resolution up on the agenda and it’s not something I feel I have enough information on, or there hasn’t been — in my mind — adequate discussion, I will and have asked that that be tabled so discussion can occur,” Mayville said. “Additionally, I’ve also asked for the Town Board to consider adding an additional meeting just for that purpose.”
North East Town Justice candidate Casey McCabe opened by explaining her role as the town’s sitting judge and how the local court system works.
“We are the court closest to the people,” McCabe said. The town court handles misdemeanor offenses, traffic tickets, landlord/tenant disputes and small claims suits.
“We work really hard to make sure the court is accessible, it’s user-friendly,” McCabe said.
Sitting Family Court Judge Tracy MacKenzie described her work on the county-wide bench of four judges handling custody and juvenile delinquency cases.
Both MacKenzie and McCabe are running unopposed for reelection.
Questions focused on bail.
“Bail is not something we see very often,” McCabe said, explaining that misdemeanors don’t qualify for bail under New York State law. But bail is a tool, she said, that just needs to ensure people return to court at a later date.
Dutchess County Court Judge candidates Ned McLoughlin, an incumbent, and his challenger Kara Gerry took the stage second.
Gerry opened by outlining her career, beginning as a prosecutor in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office before moving briefly into private practice. She has spent the past 13 years with the Dutchess County Public Defender’s Office.
“People aren’t born criminals,” Gerry said. “Circumstances such as childhood abuse, poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, addiction, mental illness are really the driving factors that seem to push people into being charged with crimes.”
McLoughlin highlighted his 23-year career as a prosecutor in Dutchess County, saying he never lost a trial. He said he has presided over murders, burglaries, domestic abuse and other serious cases, also serving as a Supreme Court judge.
“When it comes to violence against women and children and vulnerable people, I’m known as a very strong, law-and-order judge,” McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin also mentioned addiction, saying habitual drug abuse is a disease that drives people to hurt those they love the most.
“The cases I’m really most proud of are the ones where I bring somebody in and they’re addicted,” McLoughlin said. “And I use the levers that I have to motivate them and encourage them to use an entire diner menu of programs that we have to get them past it and be able to get back to their family.”
Questions for the candidates focused on the rule of law and how they would defend the U.S. Constitution.
“A judge needs to handle every case that comes before the court with an open mind,” Gerry said. “Consider the individual, consider the background — but apply the law fairly, evenly and consistently.”
“The Bill of Rights and the criminal procedure is here to protect every one of us,” McLoughlin said. “When I see someone come into my courtroom it’s a very stressful moment for them. They’re afraid, they’re not sure what the future looks like. It’s my role to make sure they understand that they’ll be treated fairly.”
County legislature candidates for District 19 Chris Drago, a Democrat, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, took the stage next.
Drago, the incumbent representing Pine Plains, North East, Milan, Stanford and the Village of Millerton, highlighted his first-term record. He cited his work securing grant funding for low- and middle-income residents to build or upgrade accessory dwelling units through New York’s PlusOne ADU program and raising awareness about the rising cost of emergency medical services in rural areas.
Pulver, a school psychologist for the Millbrook Central School District, said she is running to expand mental health services and give voters a choice at the polls. Her husband, former Legislator A. Gregg Pulver, held the seat until Drago unseated him in 2023.
Both candidates asserted county government could be doing more for residents of northeast Dutchess County, saying mental health services and emergency medical services are major challenges for the region.
Drago noted his efforts to bring more accessible mental health care to the area, including arranging for the county’s Mobile Health Unit to visit Millerton monthly. Pulver said she would continue advocating for the Dutchess County Crisis Center and Mobile Crisis Center to strengthen mental health support.
Incumbent Democrat Dan Aymar-Blair, who was elected to serve the remainder of a term in a special election in November 2024, and his challenger Will Truitt, the current Chair of the County Legislature, took the stage last in the forum.
Aymar-Blair highlighted his career managing budgets and operations for New York City Public Schools and working in finance at Goldman Sachs. He said the comptroller must remain independent from policymakers, arguing that a long tenure in the legislature should disqualify a candidate.
“I need, as comptroller, to look at the work that passes through our office with clear eyes and an objective lens,” Aymar-Blair said. “If I had been involved in passing that policy — if I had been in the county legislature for the past ten years — I would tell you that I should not be your comptroller.”
Truitt cited his 10 years in the county legislature and his experience as CFO of Hopewell Junction-based Metzger Construction. He said his experience on the budget and finance committee and now as chair prepared him to oversee county finances.
He studied finance and accounting at Marist University. “Most people would think, ‘Will, you like politics. Wouldn’t you have majored in political science?’” Truitt said. “No, because I never wanted politics to be a career. I wanted to make sure I had a background that prepared me for the real world — for the business world.”
Audience questions about government waste prompted Aymar-Blair to list a series of expenses that he said could have been avoided with proper planning.
Truitt countered that his legislative experience was an asset.
“Ten years serving in the legislature — while my opponent may think it’s not good experience — I do believe it’s good experience,” Truitt said. “Building relationships with our county employees and the people who do business here in the county.”
