Rail trail addition set for discussion at Oct. 15 talk

MILLERTON —  The Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association (HVRTA) invites the public to attend a discussion about the expansion of the rail trail from Philmont to Ghent on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 2237 Route 66 in Ghent. 

After the discussion by MKM Landscape Architecture of New York, which is undertaking the 8-mile addition, there will be time for questions from the audience. Also on the agenda are board members of HVRTA, a nonprofit group that oversees the expansion and general maintenance of the trail. This session will also be the group’s annual membership meeting. 

“We encourage residents of our local communities, as well as the many people who use our existing trail and our members, to turn out for this informative session,” said HVRTA board Chair Phil Meeks. 

The new section will be fully paved and extend the trail into central and northern Columbia County, meandering through woodlands, farms and other scenery. The trail will run over a stone arch railroad bridge, a relic from the 1800s, and will end in the Village of Chatham, not far from where the new Shaker Museum is planned. 

The rail trail is a destination for many, with 26 paved, scenic miles for hikers and bikers to enjoy. It is only a part of the ultimate goal of the association, which is 46 miles of paved trail from Wassaic to Chatham along the path of the former New York and Harlem Railroad. Currently the trail links the Metro-North Railroad station in Wassaic to Copake; another section goes 1.5 miles southeast from Hillsdale’s Hamlet.

The cost of the new section of trail has not yet been determined, but it will require additional funding from both local and government sources. The $500,000 construction plan is from funding that has to be raised by HVRTA from state and local grants, as well as the New York State Office of Parks and Recreation.

Latest News

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Giana Dormi, no. 3 of Pine Plains, and Michelle Blackburn, no. 12 of Pine Plains, put the pressure on Juliana Manginelli, no. 11 of Tuckahoe, as she tries to find a pass during the second round of the regional tournament at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. on Tuesday, March 11.

Photo by Nathan Miller

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — The Pine Plains Bombers were knocked out in second round of the Section IX regional tournament after a hard fought game against the Tuckahoe Tigers on Tuesday, March 11.

The Bombers won the tip and got off to an early lead, but the Tuckahoe Tigers outpaced them quickly and finished the game 59-25.

Keep ReadingShow less
basketball

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

Dan Aymar-Blair

Photo provided

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair released a special report early last week on federal monies and how they move through the county level, including the disbursement process in the county; how federal funding benefits Dutchess residents and whether any fiscal distribution issues have surfaced locally as a result of actions taken on behalf of the Trump administration.

According to Aymar-Blair’s report, federal programming represents roughly 10% of Dutchess expenditures, not including any COVID-19 assistance. As an illustration of federal- to county-level distribution and spending, in 2023, under the Biden administration, the county received approximately $65 million from the U.S. government with $25 million going toward direct aid in support of such programs as home energy assistance and food stamps. Federal monies were also disbursed — and continue to be directed — toward county-level agencies, programming and supports such as adoption, foster care and child care needs, emergency/disaster assistance, infrastructure development and maintenance, and workforce initiatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
government

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

The Stissing Center was bustling just before the show on Sunday, March 9.

Photo by Alec Linden

PINE PLAINS — The Stissing Center was packed on Sunday for an afternoon performance of podcast and NPR series “Selected Shorts.” The sold-out show, which was recorded for national broadcast at a later date, brought a lineup of four accomplished actors and storytellers to the Pine Plains stage to recite a selection of short stories from award-winning authors.

“Selected Shorts,” a product of Manhattan-based performing arts powerhouse Symphony Space, features prominent actors who recite works of short fiction. The full program usually revolves around a theme; Sunday afternoon’s focus was “transformations.”
Comedian, writer and actress Ophira Eisenberg — or “renaissance woman of storytelling,” as Stissing Center Executive Director Patrick Trettenero introduced her — assumed hosting duties, warming up the crowd with jokes about Brooklyn egg prices and doctors with self-esteem issues — “I want a megalomaniac with a god complex and no hobbies.”

Keep ReadingShow less
events

Amenia Board funds comprehensive plan update

Amenia Board funds comprehensive plan update
Town Hall in Amenia on Route 22.
Archive photo

AMENIA — Updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan will proceed following action by the Town Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 6, to provide funding for the services of professional town planning consultants.

The committee had suspended its work for several months feeling that its planning would benefit from expert planning advice.
By unanimous vote the Town Board agreed to allocate $37,500 to hire the services of Nexus Creative Design of Mount Kisco, New York, the collaborative arm of Pace University’s Land Use Law Center. Together, the planning experts will work with the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee to facilitate local forums, gathering and interpreting residents’ input regarding visions and aspirations for the town’s future.

Keep ReadingShow less
government