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

Voters approve Webutuck school budget, vehicle purchases

Voters approve Webutuck school budget, vehicle purchases

Voters also passed a resolution to purchase two new 72-passenger school buses.

Photo By Aly Morrissey

AMENIA — Webutuck Central School District voters approved a 2026-27 budget on Tuesday, May 19, that triggers the district's first property tax increase in over five years.

The approved spending plan locks in a 1.35% increase to the tax levy. Under the new rate, property taxes will sit at approximately $8.77 per $1,000 of assessed home valuation. According to Webutuck Business Administrator Robert Farrier, a homeowner with a property valued at $200,000 can expect a total school tax bill of about $2,036 for the upcoming year.

Keep ReadingShow less
school budgets

Pine Plains Central School District budget fails in vote

Pine Plains Central School District budget fails in vote

Stissing Mountain High School in Pine Plains.

Photo by Graham Corrigan

PINE PLAINS — Voters in Pine Plains rejected the school district’s proposed budget Tuesday, May 19.

While the measure achieved a majority — the final count was 458-432 in favor — it failed to reach the 60% supermajority necessary after the district’s budget pierced the state tax cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
school budgets

Voters approve Millbrook CSD budget in 391-221 vote

Voters approve Millbrook CSD budget in 391-221 vote
Administrators balanced Millbrook Central School District’s budget with staffing and program cuts after insufficient revenue and ballooning health insurance costs caused a deficit of about $1 million.
Photo By Graham Corrigan

MILLBROOK — Millbrook Central School District had its proposed budget ratified Tuesday, May 19.

Residents voted 391-221 in favor of the $37,992,751 plan. It’s a year-over-year increase of 6.57%, and the tax levy will rise at a rate of 7.02%.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Cannabis dispensary faces uncertain timeline as grower navigates OCM red tape

Cannabis dispensary faces uncertain timeline as grower navigates OCM red tape

Wassaic-based cannabis grower Douglas Broughton in his basement greenhouse at his home on Old Route 22 on Sunday, May 17.

Photo By Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — A cannabis dispensary planned for Main Street is facing lengthy delays that the Wassaic-based grower behind the project attributed to bureaucracy at the Office of Cannabis Management.

Doug Broughton, who operates a commercial cannabis farm at his home on Old Route 22 in Wassaic, plans to open a retail wing of his licensed cannabis microbusiness at 32 Main St. in downtown Millerton. Broughton first announced the plans earlier this year, targeting March and April openings that were later pushed back

Keep ReadingShow less
cannabis

Man flown to Westchester hospital after lawn mower injury

Man flown to Westchester hospital after lawn mower injury

A Life Flight medical helicopter carried a man to Westchester Medical Center after he sustained injuries to his foot caused by lawn mower blades.

Archive photo

MILLERTON — A man was flown by helicopter to a regional hospital Friday after a lawn mower caused injuries to his foot.

New York State Police troopers arrived at 43 Scenic View Drive in the Scenic View trailer park at 3:15 p.m. on Friday, May 15, after a 52-year-old man had gotten his foot stuck in the blades of his lawn mower.

Keep ReadingShow less
emergency services

Local volunteers

Local volunteers

Enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Millbrook Central School District since 2001, the Millbrook Educational Foundation took part in the Millbrook Volunteer Fair on Saturday, May 16. Residents were invited to learn about volunteer opportunities with the foundation and a variety of other local and regional organizations. The event, now in its fifth year, was held at the Millbrook Library.

events
google preferred source

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