Pine Plains begins journey toward new town hall

PINE PLAINS —  Discussion split between the Monday, May 15, monthly workshop meeting and the Thursday, May 18, town board meeting included dialogue on the potential costs, constraints, and a host of other non-binding ideas centered around the construction of a new town hall.

On Monday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at the community center of the Pine Plains Free Library community center, 7775 S. Main St., the town board will host a public information and comment session, where it will receive ideas and feedback from the community.

Citing the Stanford Free Library as a rough equivalent in terms of the desired size and look, Councilman Don Bartles noted that building costs have risen significantly in recent years, running as high as $500 per square foot. For a building that would meet the board’s minimum needs, costs would likely surpass $3.5 million for building alone.

Proposed by Councilman Matt Zick, the session will mark the true beginning of the plans, which are now in their most preliminary stages. Before the board makes anything concrete or even contacts architects for bids, it is intent on gathering community support for what it characterizes as a big project, with Councilwoman Sarah Jones stating “Ultimately, we’re going to be asking for them to vote in favor, so it’s very important that people be on board.”

Though some factors have been discussed in detail, such as the source of heating—geothermal was floated—and the fact that the building would likely have to be carbon-neutral, Bartles indicated that the board is very open minded: “I want ideas to come to us, not necessarily us dictating ideas to them.”

Latest News

Governor Hochul implements temporary statewide burn ban

The LED sign in front of Amenia's Town Hall on Route 22 warns passing motorists of the current temporary burn ban, in effect from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15.

Photo by Nathan Miller

A statewide burn ban is in effect as of Thursday, Oct. 2, the New York State Governor's office announced in a press release.

The temporary ban is in effect until at least Oct. 15, and the statement released by the governor's office said the restrictions will be re-evaluated prior to the Oct. 15 deadline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 76 Sharon Rd., Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford’s Haunted Fortress gearing up for opening day

Volunteers were hard at work putting the finishing touches on the crucial creepy decorations for the Haunted Fortress of Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Nathan Miller

STANFORD — Greg Arent led a devoted team of volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 28, in a final push to prepare Stanford’s Haunted Fortress for opening day.

Final touches included cleaning the bottomless pit, scrubbing the pirate ship, raking the graveyard and dressing the dolls. By 2 p.m., about 20 volunteers had assembled to creepify the beloved local landmark.

Keep ReadingShow less
Horses heal: Time Out Foundation partners with Healing Hoofbeats in Lakeville

Corinne Kalser, MD, left, talks about the benefits of animals as therapy partners, as Renee Bouffard, LCSW, of Healing Hoofbeats of CT, on right, watches Harry Potter, a young horse at Time Out.In the background, Finnegan, lead horse at Time Out comes to see what’s going on.

L. Tomaino
“Horses and other livestock maintain their wild instincts. They sense what we are feeling and that makes them amazing therapy partners.”
— Renee Bouffard, LCSW

In 2008, Time Out Foundation became an official rescue and therapeutic riding facility, fulfilling a lifelong dream of founder, Corinne Kalser, M.D.With her husband, David McArthur, LCSW, and the rest of their staff, they offer a haven for children and adults through gentle, relaxed therapies centered around animals — rescued horses, dogs, cats, and goats — on their 35-acre farm in Lakeville.

To ensure the foundation continues, Kalser is partnering with Healing Hoofbeats of CT, an organization with a similar philosophy of care.

Keep ReadingShow less