Connecticut hears case for Northwell’s merger with Nuvance Health

Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut
Archive photo

Sharon Hospital in Sharon, Connecticut
HARTFORD — The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy held a Certificate of Need hearing on the proposed merger between Northwell Health and Nuvance Health Wednesday, Nov. 6.
Nuvance, parent company of Sharon Hospital, is seeking to merge with Northwell, the largest private health care system in New York state, primarily for financial stability. Nuvance has reported a deficit of $99 million in 2024 and is in need of a partner to survive.
“The risks of trying to pull this off as a standalone system are simply too great,” said Nuvance CEO John Murphy.
Murphy said Northwell was chosen from an initial pool of 25 potential partners. Northwell has had success reviving struggling hospitals in the past and claims to have never closed down a hospital.
He said Northwell “demonstrated a willingness to make a significant capital commitment” to Nuvance’s seven hospitals in Western Connecticut and New York’s Hudson Valley. Murphy praised Northwell’s “distinguished history of turning hospitals around that were facing financial distress.”
If the merger is approved, Northwell will become the parent company of Nuvance Health. Nuvance’s board of directors would continue to oversee its hospitals, but six new board members would be added from Northwell’s team. Northwell will oversee approval of capital and operating costs.
Northwell CEO Michael Dowling explained his organization’s values: “We want to be the best place to receive care and the best place to work.”
Northwell described a model of assimilating cultures with the hospitals it takes over, focusing on engagement with the staff to attract new professionals and minimize turnover.
Dowling said Northwell’s health care network serves more than two million individuals annually and offers medical care from birth to the end of life.
Northwell currently operates 23 hospitals and more than 900 care locations. More than 85,000 individuals are employed by Northwell.
“We are not a hub and spoke system,” said Dowling. “We have a record of expanding care as needed in each local community. We believe in providing care as close to where people live as possible as long as it can be done safely and with the highest quality.”
The community-driven group Save Sharon Hospital was granted intervener status for the Nov. 6 hearing and expressed support for the merger between Nuvance and Northwell.
Sharon Hospital’s Dr. Howard Mortman, labor and delivery specialist since 1991, stated his trust in Northwell to “do what is right for Sharon Hospital and our community.”
Northwell representatives have visited Sharon to meet with the community group several times in the past year to discuss concerns and goals for the future of rural healthcare in the Northwest Corner.
“They do not plan to cut any services and instead plan to grow services at Sharon Hospital,” said Mortman. “[Northwell] has shown they greatly care about Sharon Hospital.”
Dr. David Kurish of Sharon Hospital spoke in favor of Northwell’s plans to increase intensive care services. In 2023, Nuvance applied for a certificate of need to replace the ICU with a progressive care unit.
Kurish said Northwell’s pledge will “lead to fewer patients being transferred” from Sharon Hospital.
Overwhelmingly positive remarks filled the public comment session of the hearing.
State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) said, “This affiliation is in the best interest of my constituents.” She felt Northwell demonstrated an “impressive record” of investing in community hospitals and praised its commitment to engaging with stakeholders.
Sharon Hospital board chair Richard Cantele said he supported the merger because “hospitals are the cornerstone of our communities” and Northwell will preserve “a long-term future for Nuvance Health and Sharon Hospital.”
Following public comment the hearing was closed. The Office of Health Services will review the filings before making a ruling on the certificate of need.
Aly Morrissey
Bulk items set for disposal at the town’s old highway garage on South Center Street.
MILLERTON — Residents of the Town of North East and Village of Millerton will have the opportunity to dispose of bulk household items during a scheduled bulk trash day on Saturday, April 18.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the town’s old highway garage on South Center Street, at the corner of Fish Street.
Hosted by The Town of North East and the Millerton Climate Smart Task Force, the event allows residents to discard a range of bulky items, including furniture, carpeting, lawn equipment, tools, scrap metal and appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners.
Fees will vary depending on vehicle size and item type, with charges ranging from $15 to $60 for vehicles, $20 for items such as mattresses and couches, and $10 to $30 for most appliances. Units containing Freon will cost $30, and oversized items may be accepted at a fee of $50 at the discretion of staff. Tires will also be accepted for recycling at $15 each, with rims permitted.
Payments must be made by cash or check.
Electronics, paint cans, propane tanks, batteries and heavy construction debris will not be accepted. Box trucks are also prohibited.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early and review accepted materials in advance.
Leila Hawken
Michelle Boynton, who began last month as Youth Programming Assistant at the Amenia Free Library, plans to incorporate her puppetry talents into Story Hour and other upcoming children’s programs.
AMENIA — Settling into her duties at the Amenia Free Library, Michelle Boynton — who was hired last month — is already planning imaginative children’s programs in her role as Youth Programming Assistant.
“I am passionate about puppetry for everyone,” Boynton said during an interview last week. She is so passionate, in fact, that Boynton plans to add a tabletop puppet show to enliven the library’s popular story hour for kids.
“I make all of the puppets and adapt the stories to incorporate them,” Boynton explained, showing a collection of her bunny puppets that soon would be making their debut.
Appropriate for all ages, Boynton has planned a community puppet show to be held the first Saturday of each month. The first installment will be Saturday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m., with a second performance at 12:30 p.m.
“It is expected to grow from there,” Boynton said, envisioning a crafting group where she could offer instruction in needle-felting to create a variety of puppets.
“I believe that a library is a service-oriented community center, the heart of a community,” Boynton said. “I’m excited about that.”
Looking to the future, Boynton said she is gathering ideas to attract tweens into the library to experience and participate in the community space.
Boynton resides in Goshen, Conn., having moved there from New Paltz, New York. She has 18 years of experience as a Waldorf School handcrafts specialist within an arts-oriented curriculum. She has earned a Master of Education degree from San Diego State University in Education and Curriculum with an emphasis in instruction.
Leila Hawken
AMENIA — Citing recent Town Board action to subdivide a town-owned parcel for a Habitat for Humanity home, the Housing Board on Monday, March 23, applauded what members called a significant step toward creating the town’s first unit of affordable workforce housing.
The board also unanimously elected new officers. Juan Torres was named chairman, succeeding Charlie Miller, who remains on the board.Torres said he will recuse himself from any matters involving Silo Ridge or the Keane Stud development to comply with conflict-of-interest rules. Joshua Frankel was elected vice chairman, and Kenny Merritt was elected secretary.
The board agreed to shift its regular meeting schedule to the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The next meeting is set for April 13.
Members highlighted recent progress by the Town Board in subdividing a parcel on Depot Hill Road, a move intended to allow Habitat for Humanity to purchase the site and construct a single-family home.
If completed, the project would mark Amenia’s first affordable housing unit, an effort several board members noted has been in development for roughly four years.
Miller said Habitat for Humanity has specific criteria for selecting a participating family, including having school-aged children enrolled in the Webutuck School District and a commitment to volunteer service.
Since February 2025, Amenia has been designated a pro-housing community, making it eligible to apply for state funding to support the development of affordable workforce housing.
Looking ahead, board members discussed the potential creation of a Housing Trust Fund and how it could be used to support initiatives such as accessory dwelling units, multi-generational housing, housing for volunteer firefighters, and rental assistance programs for tenants or landlords.
The board plans to further outline ideas for administering a housing trust fund at its April 13 meeting.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — Following weeks of departmental budget review, the Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a final draft of the proposed 2026-27 town expenditure budget at their regular meeting on Wednesday, March 25.
A public hearing on the budget has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, beginning at 6 p.m. at Village Hall. After the hearing, the Board of Trustees will vote on final budget adoption.
Increases in the total budget as proposed are within the 2% property tax increase cap imposed by the state for the past five consecutive years, Mayor Peter Doro said.
Budget totals indicate that $1,217,486 would need to be raised by property taxes after expected revenues are received. Proposed expenditures are expected to total $3,860,202 for 2026–27.
Doro noted that savings have been achieved in the Highway Department by having the crew perform equipment repairs in-house.
The trustees also presented the annual budgets for water and sewer district users. The water budget totals $851,000, up from the current year’s $822,900. Capital expenses account for the increase.
The sewer budget totals $940,850, up from the current year’s $870,200. The increase is due to a multi-year program to upgrade the wastewater plant.
“Everyone has worked hard on the budget,” Doro said of the budget process, thanking all village departments.
The 2026–27 proposed budget is posted on the village website at www.villageofmillbrookny.com.
Millerton News
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of CGM Freight, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/13/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 27 Whinfield Street, Poughkeepsie, New York 12601. Purpose: any lawful purpose.
02-26-26
03-05-26
03-12-26
03-19-26
03-26-26
04-02-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Dreamcatcher Holdco, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/18/2026. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 79 Kent Street, Beacon, New York 12508. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
02-26-26
03-05-26
03-12-26
03-19-26
03-26-26
04-02-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Rosie Rosenthal, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with NYS Dept. of State (SSNY) on 2/21/2026. Office location: 108 Salisbury Turnpike, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: 108 Salisbury Turnpike, Rhinebeck, NY 12572. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
03-05-26
03-12-26
03-19-26
04-02-26
04-09-26
Legal Notice
Notice of Formation of Shared Gooods, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/13/26. Office location: Dutchess County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Shared Gooods, 56 S Center Street, Millerton, New York 12546 Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
03-26-26
04-02-26
04-09-26
04-16-26
04-23-26
04-30-26
LEGAL NOTICE OF ESTOPPEL
The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on March
20, 2026, 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 Town of North East, 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 complied 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 herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Town Clerk for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.
Dated: Millerton, New York, March 20, 2026.
Elizabeth Strauss
Town Clerk
BOND RESOLUTION DATED MARCH 20, 2026.
A RESOLUTION to AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL $50,000 SERIAL BONDS OF THE TOWN OF NORTHEAST, DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, TO PAY THE COST OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW HIGHWAY GARAGE FACLITY WITH FUEL DEPOT ON A TOWN OWNED PARCEL OF LAND ON ROUTE 22 IN MILLERTON, NEW YORK, IN AND FOR THE TOWN OF NORTH EAST, DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AT A REVISED MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $4,325,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF NOT EXCEEDING $50,000 ADDITIONAL BONDS OF SAID TOWN TO PAY THE COST THEREOF.
Specific object or purpose: Construction of highway garage facility and fuel depot on Route 22 in Millerton, New York (Phase 3), additional costs (constituting Phase 4)
Period of probable usefulness: Thirty (30) years, limited to five (5) years
New maximum estimated cost: $4,325,000
Previously authorized: $2,929,000 bonds; $1,051,000 bonds
Amount of obligations to be issued: Additional $50,000 bonds
SEQRA status: Unlisted Action. Negative Declaration. SEQRA compliance materials on file in the office of the Town Clerk where they may be inspected during regular office hours upon appointment.
04-02-26
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 5, 2026 at 6:30 P.M., for the purpose of presenting the budget document for the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 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 28, 2026, 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 19, 2026 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 three (3) members to the Board of Education: All three seats are for three-year terms commencing July 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2029 to fill the vacant seats of incumbent Board Member Judy Moran, and incumbent Board Member Jerry Heiser and incumbent Board member Aimee Wesley, whose terms expire June 30, 2026.
B. Proposition I: 2026-2027 North East (Webutuck) CSD Budget
To adopt the annual budget of the North East (Webutuck) Central School District for the fiscal year 2026-2027 and to authorize the requisite portion therefore to be raised by taxation on the taxable property on the District. C. Proposition II: 2026-2027 Transportation Vehicle Purchase
Shall
Board of Education of the Webutuck Central School District be authorized to: (1) acquire two (2)
school buses and one (1) Bobcat Multipurpose Vehicle, at a cost not to exceed $429,327, 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 $429,327, 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 20, 2026, 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.orgbeginning March 1, 2026.
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, 2026 but may not be returned to the District clerk any earlier than April 20, 2026, and must be returned to the District Clerk by May 12, 2026 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election, May 18, 2026, 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 19, 2026.
The 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, each of the five (5) days prior to the day of the election, 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 24, 2026. 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 20, 2026; 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
04-02-26
Christine Bates
A ranch-style home with a separate two-family unit on 1.29 acres sold for $700,000. The property backs up to the Silo Ridge garden.
AMENIA — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Amenia came in at $396,420 for the period ending Feb. 28, 2026 — its highest point since May of 2024 as home values across Dutchess County continued to edge higher.
The figure marks a signficant increase from the $349,900 median recorded for the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2025, but less than $405,00 for the comparable period ending Feb 29, 2024.
Single-family home sales in Amenia, measured on a 12-month rolling basis, remained within their typical range of two to three transactions per month. A total of 32 homes sold in the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2026, up from 23 sales during the same period a year earlier and largely in line with the 31 sales recorded for the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2024. (Sales figures exclude condominium transactions at Silo Ridge.)
As of March 25, 2026, eight single-family homes were listed on OneKey MLS, including three priced below the current median and three listed above $5 million.
An additional seven parcels of land were on the market, with asking prices ranging from $79,000 to $2.379 million — unchanged from the previous month. The rental market included four apartments and four single-family homes.
February transactions
18 Prospect Avenue – The former 62.1 acre Ramalia Farm with a bungalow, greenhouse, large outdoor kitchen, barn and shedwas sold to DLV SC SR Opportunity LLC for $1,625,000
40 Glen Avenue – 3 bedroom/1 bath home built in 1930 with .46acres was sold to Marc Passantino for $315,000
5251 Route 44 – 3 bedroom/2 bath house built in 1976 on 3.37 acres sold to Jacob Hay for $645,000
263 Bog Hollow Road – 4 bedroom/3 bath home on 2.9 acre sold to Gabriela Mateo-Saja for $380,000
4377-4379 Route 22 –Three 1 bedroom/1 bath units built in 1960 on 1.29 acres located across from the Wassaic Metro North station sold to DLV SC SR Opportunity for $700,000
Redtail Pass (#678740) - .42 acres of rural vacant land within te Silo Ridge Club sold to KOFA 1 LLC for $2,350,000
* Town of Amenia real estate transfers recorded between Feb. 1, 2026, and Feb. 28, 2026, provided by Dutchess County Office of Real Property. Transfers without consideration are not included. Current market listings from Smart MLS. Note that recorded transfers frequently lag sales by a number of days. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Salesperson with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.