MILLERTON — The Eddie Collins Memorial Park Revitalization Committee (RC) publicly presented the phase two plans for Millerton’s community park on Thursday, Aug. 17, at the park’s pavilion.
Over the background sounds of the players on the improved basketball courts and children in the refurbished playground, Stephen Waite, RC chair and spokesperson, gave an update to 30 or so residents on future plans for the park. Waite, who started the volunteer committee when the park’s pool closed in 2016 due to structural issues and high maintenance costs, highlighted the project’s progress.
A public survey in 2016 confirmed residents’ desire for an improved park with a new pool, basketball courts and playing fields. Next, the village received a grant to create a master plan for an improved park including a pool, which was approved by the village board after public hearings.
Construction on phase one—which included substantial regrading of the park, a new entrance and paved parking areas, a soccer field, accessible playground upgrades, new basketball courts and pavilion improvements—was completed in 2022.
Conscious of taxpayers, Waite was proud that half of the funds for phase one were from grants and half from private donations, and thankful that so many people showed up to learn about phase two and offer their feedback. Any resident with written suggestions may present them to the village of Millerton clerk before Friday, Sept. 1.
Project manager Jeanne Vanecko introduced the designers of phase two: Kevin Hasselwander, an engineer from LaBella Associates, for the pool area; and Larry Wente, a principal of New York City architectural firm Gertler & Wente, for the all-season community pool house. Hasselwander, with the help of design boards, explained the layout of the L-shaped pool with four lanes for lap swimmers abutting 2-foot and 4-foot-deep sections, that are accessible for those with disabilities and older adults.
There will be a deck between the pool house and pool for sunbathing, a water slide, a diving board, and a landscaped stormwater treatment buffer. A terrace at the side will accommodate summer camp. The pool complex will be raised to protect the town’s aquifer below. The committee staked out the area by the pavilion to show the size and footprint of where the pool and pool house will be located as the centerpiece of the park.
Wente contributed his design expertise to the four-season pool house. A light-filled passageway will lead to the pool, flanked by locker rooms on one side and a kitchen, concession area, offices and community room on the other. Solar panels on the roof will produce energy to power the facility.
Wente explained that a rectangle is the most cost-efficient design, and that sustainability guides all the design decisions. The community room will be available for programming by local not-for-profits, could be used as an emergency shelter, and will also produce event rental income. The existing bath house will remain and be used as storage for pool and grounds equipment and supplies. The old pool and septic system will be removed.
Mayor Jenn Najdek, an RC member, stepped in to remind everyone that the plans are not final and that the village board, after hearing from the public, will decide on the final design. She thanked the all-volunteer RC for the time and effort given to making the project happen.
The public did have questions. Yes, there will be exterior lighting. Hasselwander did not know how many people could use the pool at the same time and promised to check and get back. RC hopes that the pool can be open from early spring to late in the fall if it can be heated.
No fees have been established for pool usage but there will be one fee for village and town residents and another for nonresidents. It’s too early to know if the pool house will be LEED-certified.
Vanecko addressed the question of the cost of phase two. The total amount is $4.3 million, which includes $1.77 million for the pool with decking, utilities and accessories; $1.3 million for the pool house with community room and locker room; $400,000 for electrical and site lighting; $170,000 for softball field improvements; and $710,000 for design, administration and contingency.
The timing of the project depends on the implementation of the village-planned sewer system, which will extend to the park. Without the sewer system, another $500,000 would be added to the cost to build a septic system. The scheduled completion date is 2025.
Another member of the audience asked about the cost of maintaining the park. According to Hasselwander, operating expenses tracked this season will provide an idea about the cost of maintaining the grounds. An endowment has been established to help fund these expenses in the future. Edie Greenwood, RC treasurer, said that, so far, the fund has a balance of $250,000.
It was emphasized that the park would generate revenues through renting its soccer field, pool fees, concession income and community room rental. County Legislator Gregg Pulver stated that he thought it was wonderful that the town is building a new pool when so many other communities are closing theirs.
Village trustee Matt Hartzog asked if it might be possible to include village offices in the plan. The response was that there just isn’t enough room in the park. Kathy Fenn, a member of the RC Steering Committee, which helps raise money for the project, asked if it could be a saltwater pool and was informed that public pools must be chlorinated.
One woman from the audience wanted to know if there would be swimming lessons. “Absolutely,” was the answer. Waite commented that youth recreation is both a health and a safety issue.
The design boards used in the presentation will be moved to the Village Hall, where they can be viewed by the public. Donations for the park may be made online at www.millertonpark.org
Ben Coon, 10, on the “mound,” practiced his pitching on Tuesday, March 4, in the Webutuck Elementary School gym, with Coach Colby Dunlap, left, giving pointers.
AMENIA — The 2025 Webutuck Little League season is around the corner and the League said players are still needed to fill out teams for games to be played in Millerton and Amenia.
Registration remains open for T-ball, majors, minors, seniors and girls’ softball teams. Some scholarships are available to cover costs.
League President Matt Deister said the League is planning tryouts to be held on Saturday, March 15, and on Thursday, March 20, at Webutuck high school and middle school gyms. Exact times will be announced but the expectation is that March 15 tryout will be in the morning and that the March 20 event will be in the early evening.
Volunteers and parent coaches are also welcomed for teams that range from 4-6 years of age to seniors at 13-16 years.
The start of the season is targeted to be mid-April, though an exact date has not been set. Teams play in Millerton at the Eddie Collins Memorial Park field and at Beekman Park in Amenia.
The Webutuck Little League season is bookended with an Opening Day celebration that amounts to a party for players and parents and a celebration at the end of the season when play is wrapped up and players receive trophies and more hot dogs and hamburgers.
At an organizational meeting on Tuesday, March 4, at the Webutuck Elementary School gym, where pitching practice was underway for players already signed up, the Webutuck Little League Board discussed plans for sponsorships, tryouts, safety training for coaches and other events planned for the spring.
Besides Deister, other officers include Eric Eschbach, vice president; Judy Moran, treasurer; and Jessica Deister, secretary. The next Board meeting is March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Webutuck Elementary School gym.
For more information about registration or volunteering, email webutucklittleleague@gmail.com.
The League’s Facebook page is WebutuckLittleLeague.
Signs have gone up in the window at the Millerton Square Plaza advertising a grocery store is coming to the site soon. The North East Planning board set a public hearing for the project for March 12 at the North East Town Hall.
MILLERTON — The North East Planning Board scheduled public hearings for the proposed grocery market in the Millerton Square Plaza and the planned fast-food restaurant in the former Macdonald’s building on Route 44 at its regular meeting Wednesday, Feb. 26.
The Board also received a presentation from developers of Hudson Valley Racquet, a planned tennis and sports center that would be located on the north side of Route 44 near the Connecticut line. Plans call for the facility to be operated on a membership club basis, and open to the community.
Public hearings were scheduled for March 12 at 7:35 p.m. in Town Hall for the applicant to operate a nutrient-conscious restaurant at the old McDonald’s site, which has been vacant for more than eight years. Austin Cornell addressed Board member questions about lighting and septic arrangements, including whether the off-site septic setup meets the standards of the Dutchess County Board of Health.
After a few minutes of discussion which focused on ‘what-if’ scenarios relating to proper functioning of the septic system, Board Chair Dale Culver pressed for clarity regarding the septic arrangement and recommended lawyers from the Board and the applicant confer. Tallow’s attorney in the application process is Hilarie Thomas of Downey, Haab & Murphy in Millerton.
Board members acknowledged there was enough agreement on Tallow’s site plan to move forward with a public hearing.
Town Gourmet Market’s site plan application also was set for a public hearing following a review of project plans presented by Millerton architect Ray Nelson, who reviewed lighting arrangements for the facility as well as the parking lot configuration that included trees and a Tesla EV charging station.
Board members asked how late into the evening the lights would be on, considering that the market expects to be open until 9 p.m., and there was discussion about lighting that would be operational after closing. Some board members expressed concern about the risk of micromanaging the project, noting the strong interest in town to have a grocery market.
Kim and Chris Choe are owners of the Sharon Farm Market. The couple purchased the property in November from Joseph “Skip” Trotta and have ambitious plans to develop a supermarket to meet the needs of the community, which has been close to a food desert for half a decade since the former supermarket closed. The Choes have said they plan to offer full-service meat, a deli, seafood, sushi, a bakery and produce.
The public hearing on the Town Gourmet Market is scheduled for March 12 at 7:45 p.m., to follow the Tallow hearing.
Randall Blumenthal, a businessman from Connecticut, presented his proposal to build a new building that would house a racquet-sports complex that envisions tennis courts, possibly padel — a fast-growing sport played in doubles in an enclosed court — a common area with a small workout setup, a juice bar and pro shop. Memberships would be available to the public, including day memberships.
Hudson Valley Racquet would be built in segments, ultimately culminating in a 50,000 square foot building on a 9.38-acre open parcel west of the veterinary practice on Route 44.
Peter Sander of Rennia Engineering Design in Dover Plains presented an overview of the proposed project, as well as mentioning that the site includes a flood plain and a potential for wetlands. The plan calls for a new septic system.
“We are not at the beginning,” Blumenthal said, referring to the project’s status, “but we’re not at the end.”
After hearing Sander and Blumenthal, Planning Board members recommended that Blumenthal come back with a commercial application.
AMENIA — A well-appointed automotive service establishment with accommodating staff is ready to serve the area’s automotive repair needs. Citywide Automotive North, located at 3387 Route 343, has been open for business since Feb. 1, following a few months of building renovation.
“I grew up around the automotive industry,” said owner and chief mechanic Toby Kiernan during a conversation on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Getting the building ready to open included “a ton of cleaning,” Kiernan said, along with painting the interior, carpeting the offices and applying epoxy to the shop floor.
Services offered to the community include 24-hour towing service, all automotive mechanicals, body repair and auto sales, Kiernan said. Services also include oil changes, brake service and tires. The tow services offer a flatbed tow truck and a standard wrecker tow.
Citywide Automotive is equipped and experienced with all makes and models of vehicles, including high end luxury and classic cars. Electric vehicles, however, are not a specialty.
Kiernan’s uncle, Peter Kiernan, brings 45 years of auto repair experience to the business, delighting in serving as a personable volunteer assistant in the shop.
“We love it here,” Peter Kiernan said of the town. He divides his time between Amenia and his home in Florida.
Completing work on a car belonging to a veteran, Peter Kiernan set about giving the car a washing, a small, and yet appreciated, reward for that customer’s military service.
“It’s the least I could do,” he said.
While customers wait for their vehicles, there will be time to admire the classic cars Pete Kiernan has lovingly restored to their original glory.
“The cars are most certainly his pride and joy,” Toby Kiernan said of his uncle’s cars.
“My uncle Pete is my mentor in the automotive industry and business. What I am doing here I could not do without his knowledge and support,” Toby said.
Veterans and senior citizens receive a 10% discount on service.
“We come from a long line of veterans who served. We support our troops and first responders as much as possible in appreciation for their service,” Toby Kiernan said.
“My uncle loves to BBQ,” Kiernan said, and there is plenty of room. Once the weather gets warm, on Fridays at lunch time Citywide Automotive expects to have the grill going, welcoming all comers for a festive free lunch.
Toby Kiernan recognized the challenges in finding qualified shop workers today, He said that as the shop gets busier, they expect to contact the local BOCES training program to find help and to explore ways that they might help to mentor the next generation of expert mechanics.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The business is closed on Sundays. Towing services are open 24 hours. To contact Citywide Automotive, phone 845-789-1300.
“We appreciate the people we’ve met from Amenia and surrounding towns. They have been kind, helpful and courteous. We are happy to be in business here,” Toby Kiernan said.
Lent: Time to consider social gospel movement
We are entering the annual Christian season of Lent this week.With its 40 days of contemplation and “little Easter” Sundays, it is a time to remember the healing ministry and the sacrifice of Jesus.During this season, we are invited to think deeply about our role as agents of grace and love in our hurting world.
There is a long history of making sacrifices and commitments for Lent, modeling our discipleship and hopes for a more heavenly world. It is through this lens that I invite you to join us in considering what gifts and services the community needs that we can commit to bringing forth in the weeks leading up to Easter.While many lean into solitary introspection during Lent, it may be particularly advantageous to use our meditations and sacrifices for the greater good this year.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, advised his followers centuries ago that “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love is the length and depth and breadth and height of Christian perfection.”These words are connected to the firm belief of Wesley that a Methodist was fundamentally one who loved God with all their heart, mind, strength, and soul, along with loving one’s neighbor as oneself.He believed that being in love with God naturally also required loving other people, as every person was a beloved soul coming from the same source of life that we are.
Consequently, Wesley stood against slavery long before it was a popular view, prioritized caring for those who were poor and imprisoned, and made a point to do good to as many as he could for as long as he was physically able.
Indeed, the Methodists are not the only Christians who believe such things.These thoughts are primary messages of the Christian faith.In more recent history, we can note that during the time of the Golden Age, at the end of the late 19th century, the Christians mobilized to counteract the abject poverty, child labor, dangerous working conditions, and lack of education of the time.Famous theologians such as Washington Gladden, Walter Rauschenbusch, and W.E.B. DuBois began the Social Gospel movement, enacting with new verve the passion of Christ that empowers the community toward building the Kingdom of God.As Christians, they believed in uplifting the downtrodden and creating a community where all had a chance to thrive.Child labor laws were enacted, better working conditions were secured, Sunday School helped provide education, settlement houses were created, and the Salvation Army was born.
The social gospel movement continued in another wave of reforms and empowerment through the Civil Rights era.Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his intellect, energy, and life to help secure the reforms that enabled persons of color to vote, go to non-segregated schools, and have the right to share public spaces without discrimination.Like Christ, he paid the ultimate price for his prophetic vision.However, his impact on our society was formidable, lasting far beyond his short lifetime.
As Christians, it is very clear what to do in times of hardship, crisis, or challenge.Throughout the centuries, our call has been to help heal the world, doing whatever we can to uplift and transform loneliness into community, reminding each one how precious they are and how important it is to unite for the sake of the whole.Individually, the challenges can be overwhelming, even too much to bear.Collectively, we can do all things through the One who strengthens us.As they say, “We have the receipts!” We can do it again.
This Lent, let us give up our pessimism and fear, replacing it with a commitment to community and hope.Yes, things can seem dreadful, but our souls are not served by allowing ourselves to descend into the dark.We are keepers of the light.Let us do all within our power to create brightness so that its warmth may strengthen all as we live into the Social Gospel movement for our time.Chin up, friends, we can do this.We simply must be willing to get serious about doing it together.
Rev. Dr. Anna Crews Camphouse is pastor of Canaan, Lakeville, Millerton, and Sharon United Methodist Churches
Lead Pastor of the Northwestern Hills Cooperative
Parish UMC