New home a ‘blessing’ for Millerton family after home evacuation

MILLERTON — More than three months after a malfunctioning furnace forced the Watson family from their Main Street apartment, Tim Watson said life is finally beginning to stabilize.

The Watsons were tenants of 7-9 Main St. on Jan. 31 when a malfunctioning furnace filled the apartment building with carbon monoxide, forcing emergency responders to evacuate the building. Authorities ruled the building unsafe after the emergency and it has remained vacant since. The Dutchess County Supreme Court granted a foreclosure to US Bancorp for the property in late March.

Watson and his family have found a permanent home in a former office space on Route 44 just outside the Village of Millerton. The office space was originally available for just 30 days, but North East’s recent commercial rezoning now permits residential use on the property. He said the move — made possible through help from relatives, friends and local organizations — has dramatically improved life for his family.

“Our whole life has changed,” Watson said as he sat in his new living room that used to serve as a waiting area for a dentist’s office. He pointed to the space, from the walls to the sofas, as an example of Millerton’s impact.

Family and friends donated furniture to replace what had been ruined at the Watsons’ old apartment. Members of the Millerton Fire Company initially provided a warm place to stay in the firehouse on Century Boulevard in the blistering cold hours following the evacuation. The owner of the family’s new residence on Route 44 — Millerton local Basil Gabriel, owner of local mechanic shop Basil Auto Service — discounted their rent at the beginning of their stay.

Other circumstances have changed for the family, too. Michelle, Tim’s wife of 37 years, recently finished her first round of chemotherapy. She was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer over a year ago.

Shortly after beginning treatment, Michelle broke her femur and had to start using a wheelchair. She said another benefit of the new space is its accessibility. Michelle and Tim, who also uses a wheelchair after losing both his legs, had to install a stair lift on an exterior staircase to get in and out of 7-9 Main St.

Michelle said the new home will allow her more comfort during her cancer treatments.

“It’s a better place to live,” Michelle said. “This is a blessing.”

Although the evacuation was stressful, Tim said it put his family in a better, more stable place. The long-term viability of the space was under question during the Watson family’s first weeks there. But they were allowed to stay after North East passed its overhaul of zoning regulations that now permits residences and updated commercial zoning along Route 44.

Tim said he wants to stay there indefinitely.

“I think we found our forever home,” Watson said.