Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Site visit to the Trail to Train underscores need for repair

Site visit to the Trail to Train underscores need for repair

Residents’ concerns about the condition of the Trail to Train between Wassaic and the train station, particularly the presence of warped planks, led local officials to meet with county and state officials for a site visit on Sunday, Sept. 15. Left to right are Anil Beephan, 105th district state assemblyman; Deirdre Houston, 25th district Dutchess County legislator; and Amenia councilmembers Nicole Ahearn and Rosanna Hamm.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Severely warped planks distorting the handrails along the Trail to Train boardwalk led to a site visit by county and state officials accompanied by Amenia town council members on Sunday, Sept. 15.

During the brief inspection, discussion turned to responsibility for maintenance and any funding that could be available through county or state sources.

“The Town Attorney needs to read over the agreement that is likely to be a town contract,” said Anil Beephan, state assemblyman representing the 105th District. He noted that the majority of towns maintain their own stretches along the rail trail.

About some of the wood planks warping, Dierdre Houston, Dutchess County legislator said, “any wood will dry out,” particularly the wood that is directly exposed to the sun.

Councilwoman Rosanna Hamm observed that she believes that the town owns the trail and would therefore be responsible for the repair.

“You have to address the issues that are in front of you,” Houston agreed.

Doubting that any state or county funding would be available for the repair of the 6-year-old boardwalk, Beephan suggested that Town Attorney Ian Lindars begin by examining the contract. He suggested that the town obtain some estimates on cost of repair or replacement.

Beephan felt that the cost of replacing the warped planks could be as little as $2,000.

The original construction of the Trail to Train, from The Lantern to the station, had cost more than $1M, Beephan noted.

Hamm agreed to follow up on some of the questions raised during the site visit and she intends to report on the issue at the next meeting of the Town Board on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Latest News

Firefighters’ Fourth of July

Firefighters’ Fourth of July
Photo by Nathan Miller

The Amenia Fire Co.’s Fourth of July parade, fair and fireworks extravaganza drew a crowd of over 100 people to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, peppers, fried dough and a fireworks display that carried on despite heavy rain.

Keep ReadingShow less
celebrations

Millerton gets ready for 175th anniversary celebration

Millerton gets ready for 175th anniversary celebration

The Millerton 175th Anniversary Committee's logo.

Illustration Courtesy Village of Millerton

MILLERTON — Months of planning will culminate this weekend as Millerton kicks off nine days of events celebrating the village’s 175th anniversary, with festivities running from July 11 through July 19.

Lisa Hermann, a veteran festival organizer who has been leading the planning effort for Millerton 175, said the process intensified this year as the July start date crept closer.

Keep ReadingShow less
celebrations

Solar farm project ordered to obtain Copake flood plain construction permit

Solar farm project ordered to obtain Copake flood plain construction permit
Farmland vista where the proposed 42 megawatt Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm is planned along Route 23 at the entryway to the rural hamlet of Copake.
Photo by John Coston

COPAKE — New York State has ruled that a proposed commercial solar farm in Copake cannot move forward until its developer obtains a permit from the town to build in a flood zone.

The ruling affects Hecate Energy LLC’s proposed Shepherd’s Run Solar Farm, a 42-megawatt project that would occupy about 215 acres of a 723-acre site near the intersection of Routes 7 and 23 in Craryville. The Chicago-based company has spent years seeking state approval to build the facility, which has faced sustained opposition from the Town of Copake and local residents.

Keep ReadingShow less
solar power
google preferred source

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

Recovery continues after strongest storm to hit Northwest Corner in years

Recovery continues after strongest storm to hit Northwest Corner in years

An aerial view of the damage in downtown Salisbury, where a tree was uprooted in front of the Scoville Library.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Days after an extreme storm caught the Northwest Corner by surprise after an otherwise sunny Fourth of July, communities are still picking up the pieces as clean-up efforts persist. Blocked roads, downed trees and power lines, and widespread power and water outages continued to affect the region as of Monday, July 6. While more than 1,000 people in Salisbury remained without power Tuesday morning, businesses started to reopen.

Continued rain made clean-up efforts difficult as the week began, and some major roads remained partially blocked.

Keep ReadingShow less
weather

Millbrook sidewalk improvement’s final phase awaits additional funding

Millbrook sidewalk improvement’s final phase awaits additional funding

A traffic cone draws attention to a sidewalk hazard along Franklin Avenue in Millbrook on July 4, 2026. The final phase of a sidewalk-improvement project for the north sidewalk on Franklin Avenue is expected to begin by the end of the summer.

Photo by Eloise Pickering

MILLBROOK — The final phase of a three year long sidewalk-improvement project on Franklin Avenue is slated to begin later this summer with funding almost in place.

The fourth and final stage covers the north side of Franklin Avenue from Friendly Lane to Front Street. According to Millbrook Mayor Peter Doro, the focal point of the project is to improve safety and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. As of Tuesday morning, July 7, a detailed funding plan for the construction has yet to be announced.

Keep ReadingShow less
millbrook

Libraries, Town Halls open as cooling centers during heat wave

Libraries, Town Halls open as cooling centers during heat wave

Community cooling centers opened across Dutchess County last week as temperatures climbed into the upper 90s, prompting officials to warn residents about dangerous heat just days before the powerful July 4 storm swept through the region.
Many libraries, town halls and community facilities offer cooling center services during heatwaves, offering air-conditioned spaces, drinking water and restrooms. Temperatures reached into the triple digits in some areas of the county on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3.

Northeast-Millerton Library, located at 28 Century Blvd., is open and air-conditioned during its normal business hours during heatwaves, offering an air conditioned space and drinking water. The North East Town Hall, at 19 N. Maple Ave., is also available during normal business hours.

Keep ReadingShow less
weather
google preferred source

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