
Identified as key real estate for the town’s revitalization plans, the Pine Plains Town Board unanimously agreed to make an offer of $100,000 for the property at 12 North Main St. this past February.
Photo by Kaitlin Lyle
PINE PLAINS — In making an offer on the property at 12 North Main St. this past February, the Pine Plains Town Board seized a rare opportunity to make headway on the town’s long-standing goal of revitalizing its downtown. While the board received several shows of support on the buy, it also contended with a recent petition for a referendum vote on the purchase during a permissive referendum period. Between the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and bringing the petition to the Dutchess County Court, the board made itself available to the community to explain the significance of this purchase and how it will pave the way for a more vibrant town.
As reflected in its Comprehensive Plan — both in the original 2004 version and the newly updated 2019 version — the town has had its heart set on enhancing its downtown area for several years. Along with improving public infrastructure, town leaders have envisioned moving Town Hall from its current location at 3284 Route 199 to the center of town to make it “more accessible to residents” and “help concentrate communal activity in the hamlet center and contribute to the vibrancy of Pine Plains,” according to the Town of Pine Plains 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
To fulfill this goal, the town purchased a parcel at 8 North Main St. back in August of 2019. The property at 12 North Main St. became available for purchase that October. As written in the board’s application to the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of Dutchess, Pine Plains town Supervisor Darrah Cloud explained that since the 12 North Main St. property is adjacent to 8 North Main St., both properties are located next to the municipal parking lot and the town’s historic Graham-Brush House and is “a mere 50 feet from the hamlet’s main intersection.”
Envisioning the property’s purchase as a multi-purpose opportunity to improve the town’s infrastructure and facilities, Cloud elaborated via the application that, after being purchased and cleaned up, the site could be used to expand public parking to support the hamlet. In an interview with The Millerton News, she said that owning the two pieces of real estate next to the municipal parking lot is key to its revitalization. Looking at the future, she said the land could be used to construct “a Town Hall large enough to accommodate town offices and meeting rooms, as well as Town Court and State Police functions.”
“I think that it will put a beautiful Town Hall in the middle of town where people will be able to see and use it more,” agreed Councilman Matthew Zick. “I just think it’s a good idea.”
Owned by Andrea Replansky, the wife of Attorney to the Town Warren Replansky, the property at 12 North Main St. had been appraised at $232,600 by its seller, Pine Ridge Properties LLC. Over the course of various sessions, the board was able to get the price down to $100,000. After negotiating the price, the town hired Gary Murphy as its lawyer for handling the contact.
The board unanimously agreed to make an offer of $100,000 for the property at its Feb. 20 meeting. Pine Ridge Properties LLC accepted the offer and sent the contract for the board to review at its April 13 workshop meeting. Immediately recognizing the rare opportunity to purchase key real estate at a reasonable price, the board voted to go forward with the contract at its April 16 meeting. Cloud was also pleased to report the town’s negotiation for a 2% interest rate through a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN).
“When 12 North Main St. quickly became available to us, we thought it was an opportunity because we’d be able to build Town Hall and enhance town parking,” said Deputy Supervisor Don Bartles. “I’ve been in favor of it, especially when the opportunity to purchase 12 North Main became available at a reasonable price.”
“Once again, we will never be in a place historically to buy something like this at a price with that interest rate again in our lifetimes,” Cloud said.
Yet the board’s excitement to move forward was soon diminished by the arrival of an email in late April that claimed to be a “petition” to call for a referendum on the purchase of 12 Main St. At that time, the board was in a permissive referendum period, which is required on a Town Board motion when bonding a purchase of property. During a permissive referendum period, the public has 30 days to ask for a referendum on an issue by submitting a petition.
However, in lieu of a traditional hand-written petition, the board instead received an online document with 190 names typed on it, of which on the face of it were a number of names of people who are not Pine Plains residents, names that were signed with only first names or names of known children, according to comments from both Zick and Cloud. Cloud added she has now spoken with a few people whose names are on the petition despite saying that “they did not sign it.” Additionally, the document did not contain any addresses or actual signatures, as required by law.
Though she assured the community in one of her recent e-newsletters that the Town Board is sensitive to any concerns the community may have, Cloud said “it would have been wholly irresponsible to accept this document as a real legal petition necessitating the instigation of a referendum, which is a very costly undertaking for a town.”
Nevertheless, she said on a later date, “We wanted to take it seriously because we wanted to listen to the fact that people wanted to talk about it.”
Hiring a lawyer to handle its case, the board brought the document to the attention of the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of Dutchess. The document was ruled by the court as invalid, given its lack of actual signatures and authentication of signatures; its failure to articulate a purpose for the petition; and the respondent’s “little effort to oppose this motion,” even during the pandemic.
“The respondent made very little effort to conform with the formalities of a petition, and specifically failed to articulate a purpose for the petition, so that the town or anyone else would know why a referendum was wanted… ” stated Judge Hal Greenwald.
Cloud shared plans to purchase the property as soon as the pandemic is over and the property’s tenants have vacated. In the meantime, residents have been encouraged to attend virtual Town Board meetings by going onto the “Town of Pine Plains” YouTube channel. Cloud mentioned that the town is in the process of creating a page on its website to address current projects; once that page is finished, residents can go to www.pineplains-ny.gov for more information about the purchase.
“At this point, we’re going to make sure people understand what’s going on, the history of this decision and what is at stake and that the town can handle it financially,” Cloud said.
With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.
By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.
Also approved by a margin of 185 to 92 was a vehicle purchase proposal totaling $249,190 to cover the cost of acquiring one 65-passenger school bus and two Chrysler Voyager vehicles to serve the students’ transportation needs.
Two School Board candidates seeking re-election were unopposed. Nichole Reyes received 260 votes and Anthony Robustelli, 234.
“Thanks to the community for supporting our children’s programs,” commented School Superintendent Raymond Castellani, immediately after the vote count was announced. “Thank you to the voters,” he added. “It makes the work so gratifying when you have the support of the voters.”
By a margin of 816 to 331, voters approved the proposed school budget for 2025-26. The budget totals $35,649,651, a 3.1% increase of $1,074,576over the current year. Of the total, the amount to be raised by taxes after expected revenues are deducted, is $27,782,136, a 2.61% increase over the current year.
Extensive repairs and renovations to maintain and improve the middle school and high school at a projected cost of $37,381,383, defined as Proposition 2, passed by a margin of 748 to 399.
Proposition 3 to cover upgrades to the elementary schools at a cost of $1,883,099, passed by a vote of 706 to 439.
“With these results we will be able to ensure the safe and health upkeep of our facilities as we plan for the future of our district,” said Superintendent Caroline Hernandez-Pidala, commenting on the vote. She went on to thank the voters for having come out to vote.
Hernandez Pidala also thanked the students and constituents who helped share information within the community about their schools’ needs and the importance of voting.
Unopposed candidates for re-election for three-year terms as members of the school board were Dena Ghobashy and Jennifer Carnecchia. Voters also approved the election of Perry Hartswick, seeking to continue his service as Board President.
By a margin of 294 to 102, voters turned out to approve the proposed school budget totaling $38,712,336, a 2.71% increase of $1,022,592. The amount to be raised by taxes is $27,885,802, an increase of 3.2% over the current year.
A proposition that will create a Capital Reserve Fund to aid with future expenditures passed by a vote of 309 to 87, and another proposition to purchase two new 71-passenger school buses and an eight-passenger Chevy Suburban passed by a vote of 284 to 110.
Total cost for the two buses and the van is estimated at $396,369. The proposition also added $118,911 in anticipated tariff costs. The proposition costs are to be supported by the Bus Purchase Reserve Fund that had been approved by voters in 2022.
Re-elected to serve three-year terms on the school board were Fred “Chip” Couse with 333 votes and Amie Fredericks with 330 votes. There were 16 write-in votes.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community and are looking forward to a successful 2025-26 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm, commenting on the positive vote result.
A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.
AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.
An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.
“Aware of the dangers but responding to the call of duty,” Woodard spoke of those who bravely served and ultimately sacrificed their lives. On behalf of those gathered, he extended deepest respects and “the highest tribute we can offer.”
VFW Post Chaplain Rick Butler offered a prayer asking for help in supporting families of those who gave their lives for their country.
“How far back are the losses,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, reflecting on the losses over centuries of battle. He spoke of the ongoing historical society project to erect signs at each local historic cemetery where Revolutionary War veterans are buried.
The ceremony included donation of a defibrillator by former local Fire Chief Bob Boyles to VFW Post #5444, Auxiliary President Charlene Mayville.
Closing prayer was offered by Fr. Andrew O’Connor of Immaculate Conception Church who read Psalm 127.
In closing the ceremony, Commander Woodard thanked all who contributed to the ceremony, including the local fire departments, the Honor Guard of the Wassaic Fire Company, the Community Enhancement Committee for Fountain Square floral planting, Vicki Doyle, Leo Blackman and the Honor Guard and Auxiliary of Post #5444.
Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.
The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.
Other filming locations included Washington, D.C., New Haven, and Shelter Island in eastern New York.
Red, white and blue Memorial Day planting by Townscape’s volunteers ahead of Memorial Day ceremonies.
The Townscape team was out in force in time for Memorial Day in its 25th year of flower planting.
Planting were place throughout the village, and they can be found at the War Memorial in Veterans Park, in the boxes and planters on the bridge on Main Street, and at the Rail Trail crossing. As always, Tracy Hanselman and Jim Lambertson gave Townscape assistance with their expert horticultural direction, and they will maintain and water the plants throughout the season.
This year, Paley’s Farm Market has supplied Townscape’s colorful assortment of flowers: red and white geraniums, blue salvia, Dusty Miller, yellow petunias and many others.
Over the summer, Townscape will be hosting a Raffle Tent on Saturdays at the Millerton Farmers’ Market on Dutchess Avenue from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Raffle tickets (5 for $20) to help raise funds - not only for flowers, but also for Townscape’s many other community beautification initiatives such as tree plantings, holiday lights, benches, park tables and chairs.
Townscape volunteers Catherine Fenn,left, Teri Goetz, center, and Claire Goodman,withstood the cool temperatureson W ednesday, May 21, in Millerton as they placed planters along Main Street in advance of Memorial Day activities.Photo by John Coston
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