North East Town Board approves truck loan, hears school funding concerns

MILLERTON — North East Town Board members approved a $168,000 loan from the Bank of Millbrook to purchase a new truck for the town’s Highway Department at their regular meeting Thursday, Dec. 11.

The meeting marked the board’s final session of the year.

The town received financing offers from three banks, with interest rates of 3.9%, 3.6% and 2.25%. Board members unanimously approved the lowest bid — a 2.25% rate from the Bank of Millbrook.

Town Supervisor Chris Kennan also updated the board on plans for the new Town Hall, which will be located in the former Jehovah’s Witness Hall on Route 22, south of the Village of Millerton. Kennan said interior renovation design drawings are expected soon and that he hopes to schedule a special meeting in January to allow residents to review the plans and ask questions. A date has not yet been set.

Kennan further briefed the board on a dispute with Suburban Propane involving a buried propane tank discovered at the former Jehovah’s Witness Hall property. After the tank was uncovered, Suburban Propane asserted ownership and demanded the town purchase it for $2,500.

Further investigation revealed the tank bears a sticker reading “Suburban Propane customer-owned property.” In response, board members authorized town attorney Warren Replansky to push back against the company’s claim.

“We’ve been asking, you know, since this started, for proof of ownership,” Replansky said. “We’ve never gotten that.”

Pine Plains Central School District Superintendent Brian Timm addressed the board to outline the district’s anticipated funding challenges, saying officials are preparing for a potential $4 million reduction in state aid and are exploring ways to mitigate the impact.

Timm said the district has historically received about $6 million in annual “foundation aid” from New York state, but ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and state officials have prompted Albany to take a closer look at public aid disbursements.

In the past, New York maintained a policy that protected school districts from reductions in foundation aid, Timm said. That safeguard, however, is now under review as the state responds to cuts in federal funding.

“I think the governor has some difficult decisions that she needs to make in her preparation of her budget,” Timm said. “So, I’m not 100% sure that we will be fully funded in foundation aid.”

Timm said the district is proposing to close its elementary school building in an effort to “right-size” operations. He said the district’s two remaining buildings would be sufficient for current enrollment, and that closing the elementary school could reduce costs and generate revenue through a potential sale or lease of the property.

More information is available on the Pine Plains Central School District’s website at ppcsd.org.

The meeting also marked the end of Ralph Fedele’s 12-year tenure on the Town Board, prompting members to approve a resolution of commendation.

Kennan praised Fedele for his commitment to public service and his work revitalizing and maintaining historic landmarks throughout the town.

“Ralph Fedele has served three four-year terms as a councilman on the Town Board of the Town of North East with good humor, kindness to all, and a deep concern for the community’s senior citizens and for those living on fixed incomes,” Kennan read from the resolution. The resolution was approved by a unanimous roll-call vote.

Community members used the public comment portion of the meeting to further praise Fedele and his service.

“The way you laugh, it opens my heart,” said Claire Goodman, a Millerton resident and volunteer with the Friends of Spencer’s Corners Burying Ground. “It doesn’t matter whether we’re standing out in the cold, scrubbing tombstones at Spencer’s Corners, or whether you’re ringing the bell at the schoolhouse. You always have such grace, and you’re a true gentleman, and one of the reasons I decided to stay here. Thank you.”