Town Supervisor Brian Walsh set a public forum to discuss the new Pine Plains Town Hall design for Dec. 10 at the Pine Plains Community Center above the Pine Plains Free Library on Route 82.
PINE PLAINS — Members of the Town Board approved the 2026 Town Budget at the regular Thursday meeting on Nov. 20.
The increase to the Pine Plains Free Library revenue was the only change since the public hearing on Nov. 6.
Of the biggest line item increases was the sidewalk budget — which climbed to $30,000 from $4,000 in last year’s budget in anticipation of a sidewalk overhaul through downtown Pine Plains.
Overall, budgeted expenses for the town government increased 4% compared to the 2025 Town Budget.
Board members followed the budget approval with a discussion of the new Town Hall. LaBella engineers presented early conceptual drawings of the Town Hall at an October meeting of the Town Board. Board members expressed satisfaction with the preliminary plans, but board member Jeanine Sisco pressed for extended discussions of the interior plans.
“I think the outside design looks good,” Sisco said. “I think that the interior — there should be some discussion about space utilization.”
Supervisor Brian Walsh set a public forum for community feedback on the plans for Thursday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. The forum will be hosted at the Pine Plains Community Center on Route 82.
Town Attorney Warren Replansky led the meeting with a brief discussion of short-term rental laws. He said he sent members of the town board example local laws from Rhinebeck, New York, and Pleasant Valley, New York.
Highway Superintendent Carl Baden said in his report the town’s Kubota tractor was in disrepair and needed replacement. The Town Board voted to sell the old tractor and Supervisor Brian Walsh asked Baden to assemble specifications for a New Holland tractor to replace it. Baden estimated a purchase price of $200,000 for the tractor.
By any other name, it’s still as sweet. Robin’s Candy in Great Barrington re-branded as Coco’s.
Robin’s Candy, the iconic Main Street candy shop in Great Barrington, has a new name, a refreshed look and a new owner. Now rebranded as Coco’s Candy, the beloved destination continues to offer its signature mix of nostalgic favorites and modern sweets.
The new owner, Elise Contarsy, who purchased the store from founder Robin Helfand in June, said stepping into ownership felt natural after being a customer for more than 15 years. “I was excited about the shopping experience she had built and the possibilities for the shop going forward,” she said.
Coco’s Candy is named for Contarsy’s poodle, Uncle Coconut, affectionately called Coco. “He’s the uncle of Sammy and George, our friend’s poodles,” said Contarsy. “We call him Coco for short.”
While the shop has been updated with a fresh look and an evolving assortment of candy, Contarsy said the heart of the experience remains the same. Coco’s will continue its mix of nostalgic treats and contemporary confections, along with the local chocolates and imported licorice that have long made the shop a destination. “Would you be surprised if I said licorice is my favorite candy?” she added.
Holiday shoppers will find plenty to explore this season, from treats offered for a limited-time only and fun-size classics to stocking stuffers available only during the holidays. The store will also be open seven days a week from Nov. 20 through Dec. 24 for all your sweet tooth needs.
“Our goal is to continue being a joyful part of the community,” Contarsy said. “Whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming in to check out the new look, we’re excited to welcome you to Coco’s Candy.”
Coco’s Candy is located at 288 Main St. in Great Barrington. Visit www.cocoscandy.co.
The Joint Chiefs will perform at The Center on Main in Falls Village on Nov. 29
Local folk heroes the Joint Chiefs will visit the Center on Main in Falls Village on Saturday, Nov. 29, for a special concert. The band has been a linchpin of the Berkshire music scene for more than three decades, and founding member Eliot Osborn feels a special kinship with next week’s venue. “It’s a community space, and the Joint Chiefs are really a community band.”
It all started in northwest Connecticut. The group began playing together regularly in the mid-1990s and steadily amassed a devoted following in the area’s folk and country music circles. With a handful of studio and live albums at their disposal, this week’s audience can expect a little of everything. “People have been listening to us for so long now that we’re part of their nostalgia,” said Louise Lindenmeyr, the band’s mandolinist. “It’s almost like we’re part of their scrapbook — everybody’s just chiming right in.”
Lindenmeyr also plays the button-box accordion and sings. But she’s not the only one. Rich, complex harmonies have always been one of the Joint Chiefs’ calling cards, but lead vocals are a shared responsibility. Their instruments are always changing hands. “Music is always evolving in a healthy environment,” said Osborn. “It has to change and grow. What has stayed the same is that nobody’s really in charge. That’s why we chose the name the Joint Chiefs. There isn’t one person who dictates the musical direction.”
Guitarist George Potts and percussionist Diana Harold round out the group. The Center on Main show promises songs old and new, a welcoming holiday spirit and some of the region’s best local musicians.
The Center on Main is at 103 Main St., Falls Village. Admission is $15 at the door and doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Graham Corrigan is a writer and musician from Philadelphia currently living in Lakeville.
AMENIA — Town Board members awarded a contract for improvements to the Lavelle Road water pump house at their regular meeting Thursday, Nov. 20.
The award is a significant step forward for upgrades to the town’s water district, which serves the central Amenia hamlet surrounding the intersection of Route 44, Route 343 and Route 22.
The successful bidder, Trinity Construction of Selkirk, New York, estimated that it will cost $1,298,633 to complete the work of upgrading the existing pump house and the well fields nearby. The bid, the lowest of four submitted, was approved by project engineers Delaware Engineering.
During public comment, resident Ken Topolsky read the letter he had presented to the Planning Board urging adoption of a moratorium on new development applications while the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee completes its work to revise the plan. Exempted from the moratorium, Topolsky suggested, could be any application that was initiated with the town two or more years ago.
Resident Judy Moran spoke in support of the proposed moratorium, finding it “reasonable.”
Planning Board member James Walsh spoke of the high volume of applications coming before his board, significantly adding to the daily workload of the board’s secretary. He asked the board to consider a remuneration increase in view of that load.
Children in Millerton have little more than a week to drop off their wishlists for Santa Claus at the North East Firehouse on Century Boulevard in the Village of Millerton before the annual Santa Run on Dec. 6. The deadline for letters to Santa is Dec. 2.
