Stissing Mountain’s 2024 class
Fifty-eight Stissing Mountain graduates received diplomas on June 22.
Gavin Marr
Latest News
Michael Joseph Carabine
Millerton News
Apr 15, 2026
SHARON — Michael Joseph Carabine, 81, of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away on the morning of Friday, April 3, 2026, at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He was the beloved husband of the late Angela Derrico Carabine and loving father to Caitlin Carabine McLean.
Michael was born on April 23, 1944, in Bronx, New York. He was the son of the late Thomas and Kathleen Carabine of New York.
Michael was an alumnus of St. Jerome’s Catholic School (Bronx, New York) and later attended St. Joseph’s School (Barrytown, New York), where he studied briefly to become a Christian brother (which he ultimately decided was not his path in life). He served in the infantry branch of the Army of the United States during the Vietnam War from Feb. 1968 to Jan. 1970, where he earned a National Defense Service medal, a Vietnam Service medal, a Combat Infantry badge, a Vietnam Campaign medal, a Bronze Star medal and two (2) Overseas bars, as well as the title of M14 Expert.
He married Angela Derrico Carabine on Sept. 9, 1978, and they welcomed their only child, Caitlin, on Oct. 11, 1985.
Michael had a storied career in hospitality, acting as general manager for several of New York City’s private clubs. He later translated his love for hospitality into the corporate world, where he worked for Hess Corporation and the Episcopal Church.
In his youth, Michael was an impressive athlete, with a love for handball, softball and swimming. In his later years, he enjoyed reading and listening to music, with his loving (and furry) companion, Henry, and most enjoyed spending time with his beloved grandson, Will.
He is survived by his daughter, Caitlin, son-in-law, Andrew; and grandson, William, all of whom he loved deeply; as well as his sister, Catherine Turpin. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Catherine Carabine, and his brothers, Thomas and William Carabine.
A private service will be held at St. Bernard’s Church in Sharon. Memorial contributions may be made to: the Sharon Historical Society & Museum, the Sharon Fire Department Inc. & Sharon Ambulance, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of all arrangements.
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Pine Plains board tackles propane truck violation, storage business expansion plans
Nathan Miller
Apr 15, 2026
Stissing Storage on Church Street across from Stissing Mountain High School. Owner Steve Hobson met with the Pine Plains Planning Board on Wednesday, April 9, to further discuss his plans to expand the business onto adjacent parcels he recently purchased.
Photo by Nathan Miller
PINE PLAINS — Representatives of a vehicle storage facility appeared before the Planning Board seeking clarification after the town issued a violation order for parking propane trucks at a site not approved for that use.
Planning Board members said on Wednesday, April 8, the lot at 2775 Church St., used byCrown Energy employees, was originally approved only for seasonal storage of boats and campers — not commercial propane trucks. Planning Board attorney Warren Replansky explained that the discrepancy is problematic because the board never got the chance to review whether the site was appropriate or safe for propane trucks.
“I don’t know what the rules and regulations for these trucks are, but that would have been explored in a site plan and special permit review process,” Replansky said.
Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile said board members were led to believe the property would only be used for boats and campers, referencing the November and December 2022 regular meetings of the board when the site plan was reviewed and conditionally approved.
Replansky also noted that a required driveway maintenance agreement remains outstanding— a condition tied to the 2022 approval because access to the property is via a driveway that crosses a neighboring parcel. He said the board needs to see that New York’s Department of Transportation has signed off on the driveway that accesses Church Street.
Stabile told an attorney representing property owners CEEN Properties LLC that they can return to the board with an amended site plan that outlines the intended use for the property. Replansky warned that the board could not issue any more permits while the property remains in violation.
“We want to see the driveway maintenance agreement,” Replansky said. “And DOT approval.”
Stissing Storage discussion
Steve Hobson outlined plans to expand his Stissing Storage business on Church Street, including the addition of a small retail space near the road.
Hobson plans to convert 2814 and 2812 Church St. into an extension of the existing storage facility, which currently operates on an adjacent parcel. He is also seeking approval for a small retail store that he intends to rent to local farmers selling fresh produce and other agricultural goods.
Hobson first presented the proposal in January. At that time, he described the retail space as a “farm stand,” prompting questions from officials about how that term is defined in the town’s zoning code and whether it applies to the project. Since then, the board and Hobson have agreed to classify the structure as a “retail store,” a designation that allows broader use, including leasing the space to farmers or other businesses.
Board members identified several missing elements in the application, prompting them to delay setting a public hearing until those items are addressed. Among board members’ concerns were the lack of an exterior lighting plan, details on an electric vehicle charging station and a required stormwater plan.
Re-zoning questions
The board’s final discussion Wednesday concerned a proposed wedding and event space at 7685 Route 82.
Angela Somma, who organizes concerts at a barn in Clermont, New York, said she is considering buying the property for use as a general event space with lodging for event guests.
The discussions prompted an exploration of Pine Plains’s zoning districts, leading board members and Somma to discover the property crosses over both the Main Street district and the restrictive Hamlet Residential district. That bifurcation complicated Somma’s plans for lodging, board members said, citing uncertainty on whether the town’s code addressed properties that are divided by multiple districts.
Town code states that regulations for the less restrictive district may extend up to 30 feet into the more restrictive portion of a divided property.
Board members suggested Somma may want to seek redistricting the parcel from the Town Board.
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Pollinator gardens: a vibrant community of purposeful plants
Leila Hawken
Apr 15, 2026
A springtime visit to the dormant pollinator garden he designed at the Millbrook Library provided landscape expert Andy Durbridge with the perfect setting to discuss the garden as a community of plants, as part of the Garden Matters monthly talk series..
Photo by Leila Hawken
MILLBROOK — Millbrook Garden Club members led a talk on gardens with a purpose beyond beauty in the April installment of the monthly Garden Matters series at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, April 11.
Expert garden designer Andy Durbridge of Wassaic gathered a rapt audience eager to get tips on selecting and nurturing plants attractive to birds and insects who serve as pollinators for area gardens and beyond.
About 25 attended the talk titled “Plant Communities in a Community Garden.”
“Gardening with a purpose” was a recurring theme, as Durbridge described how and why a garden is a community of plants, sometimes providing support for one another if well planned.
“Thousands of creatures work as pollinators,” Durbridge said, although most only think of birds and insects, the flying pollinators. Bats are major pollinators, as can be crawling insects.
Aim to have a garden that is not a monoculture was Durbridge’s advice. Native plants last longer, comfortable in the existing climate.
Done right, such a pollinator-friendly garden can look good, too, and no matter its size, whether grand or manageably tiny, it can contribute well to the Pollinator Pathway program being implemented throughout the region. Such gardens, dotted over the landscape, are beneficial to the passing pollinator, and remembered as a good place to visit.
“Change your gardening habits incrementally,” Durbridge said, noting that starting small is fine. “I don’t know if I could have a garden without ornamental grasses,” he added as a hint.
A proponent of no-till gardening, Durbridge urged gardeners to resist cultivating, and prepare the surface only.
“When you do big disturbances, you are making more work for yourself,” Durbridge advised.
He said the right selection of plants will lead to natural ground cover, reducing a need for mulch.
Next in the monthly series will be “Root to Flower: Honoring the Whole Plant,” on Saturday, May 9, beginning at 11 a.m.Presenting the program will be Kristen Essig of Stonewood Farm. The Garden Matters program is sponsored by the Millbrook Garden Club in partnership with Stonewood Farm and the Friends of the Millbrook Library.
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Webutuck's talents
Nathan Miller
Apr 15, 2026
Webutuck students Esvin Soto, Nelson Choc Coc, Anibal Cuc Coc, Emely Cordova and Mariana Martinez Reyes perform a heritage dance during the Webutuck PTA-sponsored talent show in the High School auditorium on Friday, April 10.
Photo by Nathan Miller
AMENIA — Webutuck students showed off their talents during a PTA-sponsored talent show in the High School auditorium on Friday, April 10.
The show featured singing, dancing, piano performances and even a presentation of mixed-media art over the course of an hour and a half.
Lois Musgrove performs a rendition of “Love Song” by Sara Bereilles.Photo by Nathan Miller
Giana Kall, left, performs carol of the bells on piano while Gabriella Artega sings.Photo by Nathan Miller
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North East home prices edge higher on lower volume
Christine Bates
Apr 15, 2026
Located in the historic hamlet of Irondale built around the Millerton Iron Company, 21 Irondale Road dates from 1870 and was remodeled in 2020. The three-bedroom home sold for $255,000.
Photo by Christine Bates
MILLERTON — The 12-month trailing median price for a residential property in the Town of North East was $415,000 for the period ending Feb. 28, 2026, representing a 7% jump from last year.
That figure includes all types of residences — from single-family homes and mobile homes to large estates — in both the Village of Millerton and the Town of North East, but excludes land and commercial sales. The median price for a home in the village alone was $388,000.
The townwide median was 7% higher than the $387,000 recorded for the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2025, but both figures were below the 2023-24 median of $565,000. In contrast, village home prices steadily increased over the last three years from $320,000 in 2024 to $385,000 in 2025 to $388,000 as renovated homes came on the market.
The number of residential sales in North East, measured on a 12-month rolling basis, remains within its three-year range of 25 to 35 annually, including the village. A total of 26 residences were sold in the 12 months ending on Feb. 28, 2026, down from the 32 sales in the period ending Feb. 28, 2025, and 31 sales for the 12 months ending Feb. 28, 2024. As village prices rose, the number of sales declined from nine in 2024 and 11 in 2025 to seven in the last 12 months, roughly one in three sales in the town.
Inventory of all homes remains limited. As of early April, there were nine single-family homes on the market townwide. Three were listed above $1 million, with only one listed below the current median price of $415,000. In contrast, 10 parcels of land are listed for sale on the MLS, with listing prices ranging from $129,000 for a building lot to $3,000,000.
February transfers
21 Irondale Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home on .44 acres sold to Victor Manual Molano for $255,000.
278 Sawchuck Road — 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home built in 1975 sold to Flor Maria Valle for $365,000.
5 Homestead Lane — 93.65 acres of vacant land sold to 5 Homestead Farm Lane LLC for $1.25 million
124 Cooper Road — 14.7 acres of vacant lane sold to Sheri Graham Trustee for $240,000.
* Town of North East and Village of Millerton property transfers for February 2026 are sourced from Dutchess County Real Property Office monthly reports. Property details are from Dutchess Parcel Access. Annual sales data is extracted from New York State Sales Web. Current market data is from OneKey MLS. Twelve-month median values and sales activity are from New York State Sales Web and include all residential property types, including single-family homes, multi-family properties, estates and mobile homes. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in Connecticut and New York.
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