MILLERTON— When the Millerton Fresh Market vacated the space formerly occupied by Grand Union at the Millerton Square Plaza in June of 2019, local residents went into a panic. The harsh reality again hit that easy access to grocery shopping could not be taken for granted. It’s a truth that’s surfaced every time a supermarket in that location has turned over, which has happened more times than some residents would like to remember.
The Route 44 plaza has now seen all of its tenants leave. Riley’s Furniture store closed in November of 2018. Also gone are the stand-alone drive-thru McDonald’s, which closed in 2015, as well as the gas station island, which shut down years before that. In fact, by the start of 2022, only the Davis & Trotta Law Offices and Trotta’s Fine Wine & Liquors, both owned by Millerton attorney Robert Trotta, remained in Millerton Square Plaza, owned by his brother, Joseph “Skip” Trotta, of Sharon, Conn.
By the start of the New Year, both of those businesses had posted signs they are now operating out of other locations, leaving the plaza without any actual commerce taking place.
For more than a decade, Skip Trotta has been working determinedly to draw a grocer back to his plaza. Initially, it seemed as if Hannaford would lease the space; those plans were stymied back around 2011. That’s when a consortium of regional grocers fought Hannaford’s plans before the North East Planning Board under the leadership of Sharon Kroeger, owner of Calsi’s Market in Wassaic.
The battle made it all the way to the courts. Even the Justice Department weighed in, determining Hannaford was becoming too large and the company needed to sell off some of its stores. It did; the Maine supermarket company merged with Stop and Shop in North Canaan, Conn., bringing goods to area shoppers, thus ending its interest in opening a store in Millerton.
“They spent half a million dollars of development money,” said Trotta in an interview on Friday, Feb. 18, still bitter about his plaza missing out on Hannaford becoming a tenant. “So I have some sour grapes on it. The Planning Board should have welcomed them with open arms.”
He noted Millerton was lucky at the time such a large corporation was willing to do business with it. The village of Millerton has a population count of 919, according to the 2020 Census; it lies within the town of North East, which has a population of 3,290, according to the town’s 2021 demographics.
North East town Supervisor Chris Kennan noted local residents have not been without food options; there’s Peck’s Market in Pine Plains; Freshtown in Amenia; Marona’s Market in Millbrook; the Hillsdale Supermarket IGA; and others, but none are as convenient as a food store in Millerton would be.
“There are markets in nearby towns, but we would very much like to have one here in our town,” he said.
Trotta agreed, but said because local towns have such small populations, it’s difficult to draw large grocery chains.
“We don’t have national brands here, and there’s a reason we don’t have them… This is not a terribly strong retail market; it’s a terribly spread out market,” said Trotta. “We don’t have 50,000 people within a couple of miles of the front door, and those are the kinds things they ask when they come.”
Which is why, he said, it makes sense for a buyer to come to Millerton with the intention of opening a smaller grocery market versus a massive supermarket. And that, said Trotta, is exactly what has happened.
A contract is on the table
Last June, said the lifelong grocer and businessman, his plaza went under contract. It has not been sold. Yet. Trotta is hopeful once a few more details are ironed out, the sales contract will be signed.
“It is under contract, and we have still got a couple of little things to do,” he said. “All I can tell you is they work with shopping centers. I know their intention is to put a supermarket in there. That’s obviously the need for the community. I wish I could do it myself — because I would do it myself — but I’m 78… a time comes when you can’t do it anymore.”
Trotta, when asked, would not reveal who the buyer is, where the buyer is from, if the buyer is an individual or a corporation with supermarket experience.
“I can’t speak… due to confidentiality,” he said, adding the contract is for the entire plaza. “The buyer is motivated, and I think it’s going to be a very nice thing for the community.”
Kennan has been keeping track of the negotiations since last summer. He knows the buyer, and is keeping his fingers crossed that all of the details can be hashed out to allow for a smooth sale.
“I’m looking forward to that transaction getting completed,” he said. “I can just say that I’m very much looking forward to the potential of redeveloping not only that property but all of the Boulevard District of Route 44 to be a more vibrant and welcoming commercial district for Millerton.”
He stressed the importance for everyone to keep in mind that while the property is in contract — it cannot be considered sold until that contract gets signed.
He acknowledged that news of the contract will surely be both welcome and exciting for local residents who have been anxiously awaiting a grocery store in the community — especially one within walking distance for villagers without vehicles. Still, he urged patience and caution.
“Just because it’s under contract does not mean it will sell,” Kennan said. “For anyone who has had a house on the market, they know it’s one thing to have a house under contract but until you get it to closing it hasn’t happened.”
When Trotta was asked if he would share the selling price he and the buyer settled on, his was response was as expected.
“Tell you the price?” he said. “Of course not.”
He said he “believes we’re getting closer to bringing things to a head. It’s been a long ordeal because there are a lot of details.”
Among those details, Trotta said the buyer will have to appear before the town’s Planning Board for the requisite environmental impact review of the property.
He noted as of this time the buyer is not looking to raze the plaza, but is hoping “to remodel the face of the building and to expand the offerings there… so it takes a while.”
Trotta added as far as he’s concerned, he won’t have to deal with any local bureaucracies. Bottom line, Trotta said he’s just happy to be under contract and headed toward a sale.
“The town deserves it — you can’t leave a community without a supermarket,” he said. “You have a good buyer; he has what appears to be a very good, strong commitment for the community to improve the shopping center and give the community something nice… I think people will be pleasantly surprised.”
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
The North East Community Center's Early Learning Program uses the research-based Creative Curriculum, which features a flexible, play-based approach with lots of time outdoors.
MILLERTON — In its third year, the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program has become a vibrant, nurturing space for children and an invaluable resource for families in Dutchess County, an area identified as a child care desert by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. There are openings in both the toddler and preschool rooms for children ages 18 months to five years.
The ELP follows what’s known as the Creative Curriculum, a research-based early childhood program that builds confidence, creativity and critical thinking through hands-on, project-based learning.
“Kids are natural explorers,” said Emily Redmond, Early Childhood Programs Director. “Oftentimes, they tell us what they need to learn, so we leave plenty of room to follow the child.”
Before joining NECC, Redmond spent 13 years at Washington Montessori School in Connecticut, working in both classroom and administrative roles.
She explained that the Creative Curriculum allows teachers to stay flexible and build on children’s natural curiosity. For instance, worms appearing on the playground after a rainstorm can spark endless questions, leading to unexpected learning opportunities in math, science and beyond.
Redmond noted that children in the ELP practice pre-writing skills, work with small manipulatives to build fine motor skills, immerse themselves in nature and hone social-emotional skills. All the while, NECC’s team of educators understand that play is central to early childhood development.
One thing that sets the ELP apart from other child care programs, Redmond said, is “the mythical Chef Lenny.” Lenny Sutton, NECC’s longtime food service coordinator, prepares multiple meals and snacks for the kids each day in the on-site commercial kitchen, often using locally sourced ingredients. Known for his colorful aprons and bubbly personality, he has even been spotted in the classroom playing a few songs on the guitar.
So beloved is Chef Lenny that some students incorporate his role into their own play at home, pretending to cook and serve just like him. “Not many child care programs have an on-site chef to prepare daily meals,” laughed Redmond.
The only thing more colorful or bubbly than Chef Lenny is the new classroom fish tank, a favorite feature that provides both a calming presence and learning opportunities. A lively mix of fish adds to the ambiance, including several types of goldfish, a student-favorite pictus catfish, one powder blue gourami, a halfmoon blue betta, two dalmatian mollies and more.
The ELP is fully licensed by New York State, allowing NECC to accept state subsidies and help families access financial assistance.
“We truly value all forms of diversity, including socioeconomic diversity, and as a hallmark of NECC’s mission we strive to eliminate barriers to accessing quality education,” said Redmond, noting that the organization’s Family Programs department can provide support throughout the application process, including bilingual assistance.
NECC’s Early Learning Program is a New York Office of Children and Family Services-licensed day care center located at 11 Park Street in Millerton. Contact emily@neccmillerton.org for more information.
