
Leonard’s Skipper Hesperia leonardus
Aaron Carlson, Flickr

Leonard’s Skipper Hesperia leonardus
HILLSDALE — Avalon Bunge, the Ecological Projects Manager of Partners for Climate Action Harlem Valley will be speaking from 6 to 7:30 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Roeliff Jansen Community Library at 9091 Route 22 in Hillsdale on simple actions that all residents can take to help to preserve the planet and it’s critical ecological system.
Bunge, speaking on “Protecting Pollinators” will explain that when it comes to helping to build our local ecology by providing food sources for native pollinators, every effort helps — from a flower pot on a porch to corner of a yard to a meadow filled with wild flowers.
She says that adding native plants to the environment is key because “these are the best — and in many cases — the only food source for our native pollinators” which, in turn, “are really important to our food system.”
She adds, “They are also a really important part of climate resilience needed ... to preserve our biodiversity. We don’t know what kind of environmental shocks we are going to suffer going forward. We want to prevent extinction as much as possible.”
Bunge defines pollinators as “any agent that transports pollen between flowers, a process which allows plants to be fertilized. This can include many different types of insects as well as birds and bats.”
Bunge’s talk will center on the organization’s “The Pollinator Action Guide” which “focuses on bees, butterflies, and moths,” noting “planting native plants to support these pollinators is likely to benefit lots of other pollinators too, like wasps, beetles, flies, hummingbirds and more.”
Bunge explains that the guide, which is available at pollinatehv.org, provides detailed information on the way anyone can help using a little effort and a certain amount of patience as the plants will take a season or two to reach full bloom.
She says to prepare a plot, existing grass or other vegetation can easily be removed by covering the area with a tarp or cardboard for about a year.
Seeds can be scattered or plants distributed either randomly or by design with Bunge recommending that they be set as densely as possible since that has the dual benefit of cutting down in weeding and producing more flowers for the pollinators to visit.
She suggests that if planters are concerned about reactions of neighbors, they might add a sign to explain what they are doing and encouraging others to join in the effort in their own spaces.
The guide provides lists of which kinds of plants will attract which sorts of pollinators such as milkweed attracting monarch butterflies and where those plants may be purchased locally.
Bunge notes that in addition to providing information, the group sponsors activities and provides grants to non-profit organizations such as schools, libraries and municipalities working on climate action. Private farms and the like might also be able to partner with eligible groups to receive funding.
For more information, go to climateactionhv.org.
AMENIA — Revisions to the town regulations outlining the separate roles and structures of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will be considered at public hearings on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Town Hall, beginning at 7 p.m.
Amendments to the local code seek to clarify the structure of both boards, along with the appointment of alternates, training, attendance and the process for removing members. Residents are invited to comment on the proposed regulations during the public hearings or to provide written comments in advance.
The five-member ZBA, whose members serve five-year terms, would be expanded with the addition of two alternate members appointed by the Town Board for one-year terms, should the changes be adopted. If a ZBA member is absent or must recuse due to a conflict of interest on a particular application, the chairman would seat an alternate in their place.
Requirements for four hours of training annually would apply to all members, as well as alternates under the new code.
Under the proposed attendance requirements, ZBA members may not be absent for more than three consecutive meetings or for more than eight meetings within a calendar year.
Under the amended codes, the seven members of the Planning Board would serve for seven-year terms. The Town Board would appoint two alternate members, each for one-year terms. Four hours of training would be required for all members annually. No member would be allowed to be absent for more than three consecutive meetings or a total of five meetings in a calendar year.
Copies of the proposed local laws can be viewed on the town hall website at https://ameniany.gov.
North East Town Hall in Millerton, where officials continue to discuss updates to the town’s zoning code.
MILLERTON — Planning Board members raised a mix of broad and detailed concerns about the Town of North East’s proposed zoning plan during a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 3 — their final discussion before the public hearing set for Jan. 8.
The 181-page draft plan represents a rewrite of the town’s decades-old zoning code, updating definitions, commercial use rules, and standards for parking, lighting and design. Town officials say the overhaul is meant to eliminate inconsistencies and give applicants and reviewers a clearer, more functional set of rules.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Planning Board members offered comments that ranged from line-by-line concerns to questions about how cohesively the document functions as a whole.
Planning Board member Dan Sternberg offered the widest critique. “I think as a whole, this draft is not well drafted. I think as a legal document — as a piece of legislation — it’s got a lot of problems. It reads like something drafted by committee.”
Sternberg suggested the document should be considered more holistically, and the language of the proposed draft should be more consistent and clear.
He said lifting examples of codes from other towns likely contributed to the disjointedness of the draft. “The language used in it may not be consistent with some of the language of the rest of our code,” Sternberg said. “I’ve read lots and lots of agreements, lots and lots of legislation over the years, and seeing the drafting process, I can tell that this was kind of stitched together.”
Board members appeared reluctant to scrap the draft outright, arguing that doing so would dismiss several years of work by volunteers and consultants. Instead, they expect to recommend that the Town Board focus on clarifying sections where the language is not clear.
Planning Board member Bill Kish, who served on the Zoning Review Commission that drafted the commercial zoning overhaul, offered a defense of the draft.
Kish emphasized that nothing in the draft was borrowed casually. He said that anything that was borrowed was the subject of at least one full meeting and it was discussed again. “This is about as good as you can get using the process that we had,” Kish said. “That’s all I can say.”
Nevertheless, Planning Board Chair Dale Culver said he agreed with Sternberg's criticism. "I'm never in favor of lifting other towns' codes that are a long ways from our town," Culver said. "Because we tend to get their slant of their view for their code for their town. And our town may be different. It quite often is."
It remained unclear at the close of the meeting whether Sternberg’s broader criticism would be included in the Planning Board’s formal memo to the Town Board. The implications are significant: if the critique is included, it signals that the full board believes the draft needs broader revision. If it is not included, the Town Board receives a narrower set of recommendations, and Sternberg’s concerns will arrive only through his individual memo.
Board members did have consensus on other comments that will be included in the board's memo. Board member Leslie Farhangi requested that the phrase "cage-type poultry" be removed from the draft entirely.
Farhangi also recommended — and the board agreed — that approvals should include an expiration date. Board members noted that a plan could be approved and then remain unbuilt for years, while the town changes.
The Planning Board's memo has not yet been drafted as of press time. Planning Board members were also encouraged to submit individual letters to the Town Board expressing any concerns that the board didn't have consensus on.
"We can't have it be all unanimous consent," Culver said. "Because if that's the case, are we all thinking or are we just listening and agreeing?"
CARE GIVER NEEDED: Part Time. Sharon. 407-620-7777.
SNOW PLOWER NEEDED: Sharon Mountain. 407-620-7777.
Weatogue Stables has an opening: for a part time or full time team member. Experienced and reliable please! Must be available weekends. Housing a possibility for the right candidate. Contact Bobbi at 860-307-8531.
Deluxe Professional Housecleaning: Experience the peace of a flawlessly maintained home. For premium, detail-oriented cleaning, call Dilma Kaufman at 860-491-4622. Excellent references. Discreet, meticulous, trustworthy, and reliable. 20 years of experience cleaning high-end homes.
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.
The Villas Cleaning Team: Owner-Operated. Reliable, detailed cleaning by a trusted husband-and-wife team. Homes & Offices. Airbnb. Small Post-Construction. Commercial. Windows. Laundry. Consistent cleaners every time. Competitive rates. Flexible scheduling. Call/Text: 903-918-2390. Dave Villa for a free estimate.
Estate/Tag Sale: 168 Johnson Road, Falls Village CT. Friday Saturday Sunday, December 5th-7th. Total house contents, furniture, antique and vintage collectables, costume jewelry, shed stuff, basement stuff, stairs chairlift, some art. Fri, Sat 9-4 and Sunday 9-noon. A Tommy sale, come and get it!!
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.
Sharon, CT
TAG SALE: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 135 Sharon Mountain Road, Sharon, CT 06069. Clearing things out before the holidays! Stop by for a great mix of items, including: Kitchenware, Small pieces of art, A few pieces of furniture, Clothing, Books, And more assorted household items. Easy to find, everything priced to sell. Hope to see you there!
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC
Notice of Formation of Studio Yarnell LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on October 20, 2025. Office location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 279 McGhee Hill Road, Millerton, NY 12546. Purpose: Marketing consultancy.
11-13-25
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12-18-25
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC). The name of the LLC is: Kim’s Business LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) office on: 11/8/2025. The County in which the Office is to be located: Dutchess. The SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC is: 420 Quaker Hill Rd Pawling, NY 12564. Purpose: any lawful activity.
11-20-25
11-27-25
12-04-25
12-11-25
12-18-25
12-25-25
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of DULCIFY LLC Art. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/04/2025. Office Location: 56 South Center Street, Millerton, Dutchess County, NY 12546. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the Dulcify LLC, 56 South Center Street, Millerton NY 12546.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
11-27-25
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01-01-26
Legal Notice
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Pine Plains Town Board will hold a Special Meeting on December 10, 2025, at 6:00 pm. Said meeting will be held at the Community Center, 7775 Rte.82, South Main Street, Pine Plains, NY 12567. Purpose of the meeting is a public forum about the New Town Hall. The meeting is open to the Public. Dated: November 20, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD
Madelin Dafoe
Town Clerk
12-04-25
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC SALE OF
PERSONAL PROPERTY
GLOBAL SELF STORAGE
Notice is hereby given that the undersigned self storage unit(s) will be sold at a public sale by competitive bidding, in their entirety to the highest bidder, on or after December 26th, 2025, to satisfy the lien of Global Self Storage for rental and other charges due from the undersigned. The said property has been stored and generally described below is located at the respective address. Although, the auction will be held via www.StorageTreasures.com, the sale is made in person at the facility: 3814 Route 44, Millbrook, NY 12545.
Friday, December 26th, 2025
#224 Eva Mort
The terms of the sale will be cash only & must be paid for at the time of sale. All goods are sold as is. Global Self Storage reserves the right to withdraw any or all units from the sale at any time. All contents must be removed within 72 hours or sooner.
12-04-25
12-11-25
PINE PLAINS
TOWN BOARD
NOTICE OF
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED INCREASE IN WATER RATES AND FEES FOR THE PINE PLAINS WATER IMPROVEMENT AREAS
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Pine Plains Town Board shall hold a public hearing on December 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pine Plains Town Hall, located at 3284 Route 199, Pine Plains, New York, on the proposed increase in water user rates and fees for services of the Pine Plains Water Improvement Areas. The proposed water user rates shall be increased from the current minimum usage fee of $45.00 to $50.00 for the first 9,000 gallons recorded, and from $5.80/1,000 gallons to $6.20/1,000 gallons recorded over the initial 9,000 gallons recorded. The purpose of these rate increases is to offset substantial increases in electricity, materials and supplies to operate and maintain the Pine Plains Water Improvement Area Water System. Any person wishing to be heard shall be given an opportunity to do so at said public hearing. A copy of the proposed rate change will be available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office at regular business hours. Dated: November 20, 2025.
BY ORDER OF THE PINE PLAINS TOWN BOARD
MADELIN DAFOE,
Town Clerk
12-04-25