conservation

Partnership for Manageable Growth hits 5,000 acre preservation milestone

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino announced the preservation of the 143 acre Obercreek Farm in the Town of Wappinger, bringing the total land preserved by the county’s Partnership for Manageable Growth to over 5,000 acres.

The County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth is a program aimed at protecting agriculture and open space resources. It provides a local fund for purchases of land for preservation, covering up to 50% of the total cost. So far, the program has helped protect 5,722 acres of both farmland and open space, including awaiting projects, in Dutchess County.

Obercreek Farm marked the 29th farmland preservation that has been completed by the Partnership for Manageable Growth since 1999. However, through the program, the County has protected a total of 39 projects including both open space and farmland proposals, totaling over $42 million. Dutchess County’s Partnership for Manageable Growth program provided 25% of that funding, $481,981, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets contributed $1,442,378 and the Dutchess Land Conservancy gave $6,000.

Alongside the environmental benefits, the preservation of land through Partnership for Manageable Growth allows support of the agricultural industry’s economic viability. This allows farmers, who participate in the program, to protect their land and further benefit the community by farming for more generations to come.

conservation

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Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

Millerton Police Dept. rebuilds after fire; new cruisers on the way

The borrowed Pine Plains cruiser parked on Main Street in front of the Millerton Inn during the Millerton Street Fair on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissy

MILLERTON — After receiving substantial state grant funding in July 2024 and beginning to roll out new equipment that fall, the Millerton Police Department suffered a setback when the February fire at the Village Water and Highway Department building destroyed much of its newly acquired gear — including patrol vehicles outfitted with cutting-edge technology.

Thanks to full-value insurance coverage and swift support from the Town of Pine Plains — which loaned the department a vehicle — Millerton officers were able to remain active in the community. Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik said two custom-built, four-wheel-drive Ford Interceptor cruisers are now in production and are expected to arrive by the end of the summer.

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Archive photo

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The primary setback stems from a still-pending permitting process, as the village awaits final approvals from the Dutchess County Board of Health and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding septic placement and wetland buffers. A patch of wetlands on the site — roughly five feet by five feet, Najdek said — requires a protective buffer, which could range anywhere from 5 to 100 feet. That determination will dictate whether the current pool design needs to be altered or moved altogether.

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Chris Virtuoso reorganized parcel records in the North East Town Hall basement by parcel number during the process of scanning and digitizing the documents.

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As the Town Hall works to relocate to 5603 Route 22 at the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, the consolidation and digitalization of records, as well as the disposal of those unneeded, is a time-sensitive project. Marcy Wheatley, the Deputy Town Clerk, emphasized their current heavy focus on organizing and scanning. “Now, when we move, we can get rid of a lot,” Wheatley stated.

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Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Fun, food and facts bring crowds to downtown Millerton

Nora Garcia, 6, of Millerton, bottom right, gets a face painting treatment from Maddy Rowe, a Webutuck High School senior. Nora’s sister, Juliana, 8, top right, is decorated by Giana Kall, a Webutuck senior. The program was sponsored by the Webutuck PTA.

Photo by John Coston

Locals and visitors packed into downtown Millerton Saturday, June 28, for the first ever Millerton Street Fair hosted by the Millerton News, the Millerton Business Alliance and Townscape. Representatives from local nonprofits, businesses along Main Street, Bee Bee the Clown and face painters from Webutuck High School drew in crowds all afternoon.

Festivities officially opened at 10 a.m., and a steady stream of visitors soon followed. Volunteer firefighters hosted a bouncy castle, a duck pool, a “put out the fire” ring toss game, and the “touch a truck” event at the fire department’s garage.

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