PINE PLAINS — Hailed by many for their patience and perseverance, the Stissing Mountain Class of 2020 was at last rewarded for their hard work with the graduation ceremony they had been waiting for these last few months on Sunday evening, July 12.
“We waited patiently to give the students the best graduation ceremony we could given the circumstances,” said Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School Principal Tara Grieb, “and I believe that patience paid off. We are so happy for them.”
Yet just when the district anticipated smooth sailing for its long-awaited graduation ceremony, inclement weather prompted the district to postpone the ceremony date on Friday, July 10, and then the rain date on Saturday, July 11. Graduates, families and faculty members breathed a sigh of relief when the weather cooperated on Sunday, and they proceeded to move ahead with the ceremony that evening.
Graduation was closed, limited to graduates, a handful of administrators, the necessary district staff and two seats per graduate’s family. The ceremony was also live streamed to the district website at www.ppcsd.org. By the stroke of 6:30 p.m., the graduates were ready to accept their diplomas.
With the music of “Pomp and Circumstance” starting to swell, the graduates stepped onto the football field behind Stissing Mountain Junior/Senior High School, dressed in their Bomber blue graduation caps and gowns. In the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, they maintained a 6-foot distance from one another as they advanced onto the field in the direction of their seats, also set 6 feet apart.
Superintendent of Schools Martin Handler welcomed all, and recognized the challenges this year’s graduates faced in the last three months of their senior year — from the outbreak of COVID-19 to having their graduation date postponed by Tropical Storm Fay — and all they had missed out on. Handler commended the Class of 2020 on their perseverance.
“Whatever came their way, they bounced back,” he said.
Handler added he admired their resilience, character and patience.
“I am so proud of this class, the Class of 2020, and I’ll remember you folks always,” he proclaimed.
Though he took a moment to acknowledge “the elephant on the field” in terms of what his class had missed out on, essayist Timothy Roach II shared the memories he said he’ll cherish from his time in the Pine Plains Central School District, amusing the crowd with anecdotes about his classmates and stories of all the little mishaps they shared.
“Even with an outcome like this, there is still a silver lining,” Timothy said. “We may not have the memories of our senior trip, I may not be getting the proper pandemic-free graduation, but what I do have is the memories that got me to where I am now, the times that built all of us from the ground up.”
“We’re finally getting our outdoor graduation,” valedictorian Leah Schmid declared. “All it took was a global pandemic.”
Even as she acknowledged all that they had lost from their senior year, Leah shared her admiration in seeing how the graduates had made their families proud and created an unbreakable tie among each other.
After reflecting on the lessons he learned as a Stissing Mountain student and admiring the Class of 2020’s diverse population of athletes, scholars, musicians, artists and activists, salutatorian Ryan Marino said, “These unexpected circumstances have shown what my peers and I have known all along: That the Class of 2020 is the best class at Stissing Mountain and will go on to great things.”
Turning the crowd’s attention to the current tensions surrounding racial injustice and inequality, essayist Mikayla Quinn reminded her fellow graduates, their families and the faculty of the ways they could engage in the evolving call for change.
“I know this may not be the right time or place to talk about this,” she said, “but it is always the right time and place for these conversations.”
At long last, it was time for the graduates to accept their diplomas, officially closing the book on their time as Pine Plains scholars. For each name that was announced, graduates savored their moment in the spotlight and the celebration of their labors of the last four years.
“Ladies and gentleman, this is the Class of 2020,” Grieb announced, and the crowd went wild as they rose from their seats to applaud the new graduates.
KENT, Conn. — The effects of federal cutbacks are beginning to trickle down to the local level. Last week, area librarians were alarmed to learn that programs important to rural populations, such as the interlibrary loan service provided through Connecticut State Library, were abruptly defunded effective April 1.
The Connecticut State Library was notified by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, which oversees grants to states, that its 2024-25 federal grant award was terminated. The grant was scheduled to cover the current federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
The entire IMLS staff, a relatively small federal agency with around 70 employees, was placed on administrative leave for up to 90 days after a brief meeting between DOGE staff and IMLS leadership.
Connecticut was among the first three states to receive notification of termination, and State Attorney General William Tong joined a lawsuit with 20 other states opposing the elimination of IMLS. The State Library is also working with the Governor’s office, the Office of Policy Management and other state agencies regarding this situation.
Kent Library Director Sarah Marshall, who joined six other Northwest Corner librarians in decrying the federal action, said it is not clear what the full impact will mean, but said it does not mean that local libraries will close their doors. “These are not funds we use to stay open,” she said. “They provide services to our patrons.”
The State Library had $2.2 million to underwrite services such as a van to deliver interlibrary loan books for free. “We process about 24 books through interlibrary loan three times each week,” Marshall said. “Without the van, it costs $4 to $6 a book to mail them. That could amount to $1,800 a year and there is no way to replace that on an individual basis.”
Another service affected would be the e-rate program, which provides funds for schools and libraries to improve their broadband access, saving 76 Connecticut libraries $497,221 in fiscal year 2024.
Marshall said the library’s internet service is fiber optic and expensive. The loss of the federal funding could increase annual expenses by $6,000. “A lot of people use our Internet,” she said, and they are not just families who don’t have home access, but also visitors and hikers passing through town who want to check their email.
“Those are the things Kent will feel most, but there are other things as well,” Marshall said, including funding for summer reading and enrichment programs, professional development for librarians, circulation of audio and braille books to more than 5,000 patrons, including 316 veterans, and the statewide eBook platform which provides to a collection of 50,000 books, periodicals and databases.
“Right now, there are more questions than answers,” said Marshall, who noted that some of the programs were authorized through state statutes. “We don’t know if the state will step in to provide funding or not,” she said.
State Attorney General William Tong was quick to join a coalition of 20 other states in challenging the federal action. “We had to sue to stop Trump from defunding our schools and cancer cures, from defunding energy assistance and vaccines, from defunding disaster relief and the police. Now, we have to sue again to stop him from defunding summer reading programs and audiobooks for disabled veterans,” said Tong in a statement.
Beyond the scope of state funding for services, Marshall said there could be impact from tariffs if they are ultimately imposed. On April 2, Trump signed an executive order imposing a minimum 10 percent tariff on all U.S. imports effective April 5. Higher tariffs on imports from 57 countries, ranging from 11 to 50%, were scheduled to take effect on April 9 but were almost immediately suspended for 90 days for all countries except China.
The library is planning a $6.8 million expansion this year and a lot of the equipment needed would come from Asia. “We are estimating it could cost 15 to 20% more,” she said, “and we don’t have 15 to 20% more. That’s another sticky wicket.”
Still, she said there have yet to be any changes to the plans approved last year for the expansion. “It’s business as usual,” she concluded. “We don’t want to react so strongly to something that hasn’t happened yet. We can’t throw away what we have been doing when we don’t know what the outcome will be.”
Kathryn Boughton is the editor of Kent Dispatch.
Legal Notice
Amenia Drugs NY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/12/2025. Office: Dutchess County. Hema Patel, designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Hema Patel at 5094 Route 22 #48, Amenia, NY, US, 12501. Purpose: Retail Pharmacy.
03-27-25
04-03-25
04-10-25
04-17-25
04-24-25
05-01-25
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Haultra LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 04/06/2025. Office: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: Haultra LLC, 2878 NY-9D, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Purpose: lawful activities.
04-17-25
04-24-25
05-01-25
05-08-25
05-15-25
05-22-25
LEGAL NOTICE
OF ESTOPPEL
This bond resolution, summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on January 12, 2023, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the Wassaic Fire District, Town of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially compiled with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this Notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution. A complete copy of the resolution summarized herein is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Secretary of the Wassaic Fire District for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice,
Dated: Wassaic, New York
March 6, 2025
Pamela Butts,
District Secretary
BOND RESOLUTION DATED JANUARY 12, 2023
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $990,000 SERIAL BONDS OF THE WASSAIC FIRE DISTRICT, DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, PURSUANT TO THE NEW YORK LOCAL FINANCE LAW TO PAY THE COST OF PURCHASING A NEW 2023 CLASS A FIRE PUMPER
Class of objects purposes:
purchase of new 2023 Class A Fire
Pumper and accessories
Maximum estimated cost:
$990,000.00
Period of probable usefulness:
Twenty Years
Maturity of obligations: Twenty Years
Amount of obligations: $990,000.00 bonds
04-24-25
Legal Notice
Please take notice that a meeting of the lot owners in Irondale Cemetery Located in Millerton N.Y 12546 will be held at North East Muffler at 5654 rt 22
Millerton N.Y 12546 on May 8, 2025 at 6:00 pm for the purpose of electing trustees and for such other matters that may properly come before the meeting.
The annual meeting of the trustees will immediately follow the meeting of lot owners.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE WE WILL DO A CLEAN UP OF ALL DECORATIONS, PLANTS, PLASTIC PLANTS AND ANYTHING PAST ITS PRIME OR DEAD ON FRIDAY THE DAY AFTER THIS MEETING SO IF YOU WISH TO KEEP ITEMS PLEASE REMOVE BEFORE THEN. THANK YOU.
Cindy L Heck
Irondale Cemetery Sexton
04-24-25
05-01-25
05-08-25
NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET,
ANNUAL MEETING, SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTION AND VOTE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Board of Education of the North East Central School District, Dutchess and Columbia Counties, New York, will hold a Public Hearing on the Budget in the High School Library at the Webutuck High School Building, 194 Haight Road, Amenia, New York, on Monday, May 6, 2025 at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2025-2026 School Year.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required to fund the budget for the 2025-2026 school year, exclusive of public monies, may be obtained by any resident of the District during business hours, between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., prevailing time, at the Webutuck Elementary School, Eugene Brooks Intermediate School, Webutuck High School and at the District Administrative Office between 9:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., prevailing time, effective April 29, 2025, except Saturday, Sunday or holidays. Copies of the Budget will also be available at the Northeast-Millerton Library and the Amenia Free Library. A report of tax exemptions, showing how much of the total assessed value of the final assessment roll or rolls used in that budgetary process is exempt from taxation, shall be annexed to the budget document.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Annual Meeting, Election of Members of the Board of Education and Vote on the Budget of the qualified voters of the Northeast Central School District, will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the Webutuck High School gym, 194 Haight Road, Amenia, New York, between the hours of 12:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, when the polls will be open for the purpose of voting by voting machine:
A. To elect two (2) members to the Board of Education: Both seats are for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2025 and ending on June 30, 2028 to fill the vacant seats of incumbent Board Member Nichole Reyes, and incumbent Board Member Anthony Robustelli.
B. Proposition I: 2025-2026 North East (Webutuck) CSD Budget
SHALL the 2025-2026 Budget as adopted by the Board of Education in the amount of $28,665,850, with anticipated revenue exclusive of taxes in the amount of $9,262,543 and the amount to be raised through taxes of $19,403,307 be approved?
C. Proposition II: 2025-2026 Transportation Vehicle Purchase
SHALL the Board of Education of the North East (Webutuck) Central School District be authorized to: (1) acquire one (1) 2025 65-passenger school bus and two (2) Chrysler Voyager LX transportation vehicles, at a cost not to exceed $249,190, which is estimated to be the maximum cost thereof; (2) expend such sum for such purpose; (3) levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education taking into account state aid; and (4) in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District and/or enter into installment purchase agreements at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $249,190, and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
D. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting pursuant to the Education Law of the State of New York.
The election and budget vote shall be by machine, early voting or absentee ballot. The hours during which the poll shall be kept open shall be from 12:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, or for as long thereafter as necessary to enable qualified voters who are in the polling place at 9:00 P.M. to cast their ballots.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions for the nomination of candidates for the office of member of the Board of Education must be filed with Clerk of the District no later than Monday, April 21, 2025, by 5:00 P.M., prevailing time, in the form and manner prescribed by Section 2018 of the Education Law. Vacancies on the Board of Education are not considered separate, specific offices; candidates run at-large for the vacant seats. Such petitions must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the School District, shall state the residence address of each signer and the name and residence address of the candidate. The petition shall also describe the length of the term of the office and contain the name of the last incumbent. Petition forms may be picked up on any school day at the Office of the District Clerk, at the Webutuck High School building, 194 Haight Road, Amenia, New York between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M or on the district’s website at www.webutuckschools.org beginning March 1, 2025.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the qualified voters of the School District shall be entitled to vote in said annual vote and election. A qualified voter is one who is (1) a citizen of the United States of America, (2) eighteen (18) years of age or older, and (3) resident within the School District for a period of thirty (30) days preceding the annual vote and election. The School District may require all persons offering to vote at the budget vote and election to provide one form of proof of residency pursuant to Education Law section 2018-c. Such form may include a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card. Upon offer of proof of residency, the School District may also require all persons offering to vote to provide their signature, printed name and address.
NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that early mail ballots and absentee ballots will be available for this Election and Vote. Applications for early mail and absentee ballots for the School District Election and Vote may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk at the Webutuck High School building, Haight Road, Amenia, New York on school days during school hours, or on the district’s website at www.webutuckschools.org beginning March 1, 2025 but may not be returned to the District clerk any earlier than April 21, 2025, and must be returned to the District Clerk by May 13, 2025 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, May 19, 2025, if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Early mail and absentee ballots must be received at the Office of the District Clerk no later than 5:00 P.M., prevailing time, on the day of the Election and Vote, May 20, 2025.
Education Law makes special provisions for absentee voting by“permanently disabled” voters of the District and any questions regarding these should be directed to the District Clerk.
A list of all persons to whom early mail ballots and absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District at the said District Administrative Offices during regular office hours, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., prevailing time, including the day of the Election and Vote. Any qualified voter may file a written challenge the acceptance of the ballot of any person on such list, by making his/her challenge and reasons therefore known to the Inspector of Election before the close of the polls. A challenge to an early mail voter may not be made on the basis that the voter should have applied for an absentee ballot.
The Education Law also makes special provisions for absentee voting for “military” voters of the District. Specifically, the law provides a unique procedure for “military ballots” in school district votes. Whereas absentee ballot applications and absentee ballots must be received by the voter by mail, a military voter may elect to receive his/her absentee ballot application and absentee ballot by mail, email or facsimile. The military voter must, however, return his/her original military ballot application and military ballot by mail or in person. The Clerk of the Board shall transmit the military voter ‘s military ballot in accord with the military voter’s preferred method of transmission, or if no preferred method is identified by mail, not later than twenty-five (25) days before the vote, April 25, 2025. The Clerk of the Board must then receive the military voter’s military ballot by mail or in person not later than 5:00 P.M. on the day of the vote.
AND FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a rule adopted by the Board of Education in accordance with Education Law §§ 2035, 2008, any referenda or propositions to amend the budget, or otherwise to be submitted for voting at said election, must be filed with and directed to the District Clerk at the District Office, on or before April 21, 2025; must be typed or printed in the English language; must be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District; and must state the name and residence of the candidate, and the name and residence of each signer. However, the Board of Education will not entertain or place before the voters any petition or any proposition if its purpose is beyond the power of the voters or is illegal, or any proposition requiring the expenditure of monies which fails to include specific appropriations for all such expenditures required by the proposition.
Therese M. Trotter
Clerk of the Board
Northeast (Webutuck) Central School District
194 Haight Road,
P.O. Box 405
Amenia, NY 12501
04-24-25
NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF TENTATIVE ASSESSMENT ROLL
Pursuant to Section 506 & 526 of the Real Property Tax Law, notice is hereby given that the Assessor of the Town of Amenia, County of Dutchess, has completed the 2025 tentative assessment roll which will be available at the Town Clerks Office and online at: https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Real-Proper...
https://ameniany.gov/assessor-contact/
An Assessor, or Assessor’s Designee will be in attendance with such tentative roll located at 4988 Route 22, Amenia, NY during the following dates and times, by appointment; 2025: Monday, May 5th, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 10th, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Tuesday, May 13th, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, May 20th 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Written complaints with respect to the assessments may be filed with the Assessor any time prior to or on Grievance Day, May 29, 2025, and shall be transmitted by the Assessor to the Board of Assessment Review on or before Grievance Day. All Grievance applications must be originals. Scanned or emailed copies will not be accepted. Applications must be fully completed and include applicant’s signature in part five.
All documentation must be presented by grievance day. No exceptions. Confirmation of receipt of all documentation presented is incumbent on the owner/petitioner/applicant.
A publication containing procedures for contesting an assessment is available at Assessor’s office or online at: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/contest/contes....
DONNA DIPIPPO, ASSESSOR
GRIEVANCE DAY - Pursuant to Section 508 & 525 of the Real Property Tax Law:
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Assessment Review for the Town of Amenia, Dutchess County, will meet at the Town of Amenia Town Hall, 4988 Route 22, Amenia, NY 12501 to hear and examine all properly filed complaints in relation to assessments of Real Property on May 29, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Contact the Assessor’s Office by May 29th for details or to schedule an appointment. All original RP-524 applications must be accompanied with the supporting documentation relative to the request for an assessment review, no later than 8:00 p.m. on May 29, 2025.
Applications may be delivered in person or by mail. In person: during normal business hours of Monday & Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. By mail to: Board of Assessment Review, C/O Amenia Assessors Office, 4988 Route 22, Amenia, NY 12501. The Board of Assessment Review will file a copy of the determination with the Town Clerk to become a matter of public record.
Steven Benardete
Board Chairperson
04-24-25
PUBLIC NOTICE
TAKE NOTICE that the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Wassaic Fire District will accept sealed bids at the Wassaic Fire Company Firehouse, 27 Firehouse Road, PO Box 176, Wassaic, New York 12592, up until 6:30 p.m., on the 8th day of May, 2025, for a contract to perform repair work to the roof of the Fire House including replacing the roof shingles, removing the cupola and installing a ridge vent.
At the aforesaid time and place all bids will be opened and publicly read aloud.
Bid packages containing the required specifications can be obtained by contacting Commissioner Brian Whalen, at (845)290-2086 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from April 15, 2025 to May 5, 2025.
The Board of Fire Commissioners reserves the right to reject all bids.
Dated: Wassaic, New York
April 11, 2025.
By Order of the Board of Fire Commissioners
Pamela Butts,
Secretary
04-24-25
Experienced horse equestrian: to train three-year-old white Persian Mare for trail riding. 860-67-0499.
Help wanted: Small Angus Farm seeks reliable help for cattle and horses. Duties include feeding, fence repair, machine repair. Will train the right person. 860-671-0499.
The Town of Cornwall has several job openings for the Town Beach: Beach Director, Water Safety Instructor, and Certified Lifeguards. For more details and to apply, contact First Selectman’s office 860-672-4959.
Hector Pacay Service: House Remodeling, Landscaping, Lawn mowing, Garden mulch, Painting, Gutters, Pruning, Stump Grinding, Chipping, Tree work, Brush removal, Fence, Patio, Carpenter/decks, Masonry. Spring and Fall Cleanup. Commercial & Residential. Fully insured. 845-636-3212.
Hay For Sale: Round Bales. First Cutting covered hay, round bales. First cut hay covered with plastic. $25 for bale loaded. 860-671-0499.
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE: Equal Housing Opportunity. All real estate advertised in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1966 revised March 12, 1989 which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color religion, sex, handicap or familial status or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. All residential property advertised in the State of Connecticut General Statutes 46a-64c which prohibit the making, printing or publishing or causing to be made, printed or published any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, age, lawful source of income, familial status, physical or mental disability or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.
3b/3b home in Sharon:fully furnished, lake access, 3.84 acres. $5000 per month. 860-309-4482.
MT RIGA Two Bedroom LAKEFRONT: Log cabin. Private beach, canoes and kayaks. $1350/Week. 585-355-5245.
Seasonal rental: Very private and comfortable 4B/3B home set back from the road. 6/15-9/15. sun rm/dr, upper and lower decks, ping pong and knock hockey, den, FP, W/D, fully equipped. 15K seas. 917-887-8885.
Sharon Rentals: 1b/1b home on a private lake. Avail 4/1/25. Yearly. $2750/Furnished, weekly house--keeping, garbage, water, ground maint. included. utilities addtl. 860-309-4482.
