Tentative North East budget could bring 1.16% tax bump

North East Town Hall on Rudd Pond Road in the village of Millerton.

Archive photo

Tentative North East budget could bring 1.16% tax bump

MILLERTON — The Town of North East expects tax increases with the new draft of its preliminary budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

One of the most significant cost increases on the draft is for Emergency Medical Services with the provider Northern Dutchess Paramedics (NDP).

The town spent $376,858 on EMS during 2024 under its five-year contract with NDP, alongside the towns of Dover and Amenia. Now, NDP has pitched a new contract that could cost the Town of North East $646,300, a 71% increase.

“As currently budgeted, Town residents outside of the Village of Millerton would see an increase in their tax rate of 1.16%,” Chris Kennan said. “However, that does not take into account the amount by which all properties outside of the Village have had their underlying assessments increased, which in 2024 was by 3%.”

Other areas of increase include the Fire District’s means, which have risen from $756,222 in 2024 to a tentative budget of $771,366, a 2% increase. The Water District also has a 2.7% increase, which only adds $1,010 to its costs. On the other hand, the Highway Department budget was lowered by 15.2%, going from $1,775,706 in 2024 to $1,504,963 for the draft of 2025, saving the town about $270,000.

“These numbers are different for residents of the Village, who pay taxes on a combination of the Town Budget and the Village budget,” Kennan said.

The town is looking for ways to decrease these large price changes on its budget, especially with EMS provider NDP. Kennan has an upcoming meeting to discuss logistics, and the hope is to bring new information to a public hearing on Nov. 14.

“We will still see some further changes in the budget,” Kennan said. “After negotiations with NDP are complete, hopefully by the time of our next Town Board meeting on Nov. 14.”

Latest News

Congressional budget omits Millerton wastewater grants
North East Town Hall on Maple Avenue in the Village of Millerton.
Archive photo

MILLERTON — Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan had some bad news to share at a regular Town of North East Board meeting on Thursday, March 13 — $3.2 million in wastewater grants were dropped from the continuing resolution Congress was considering.

The next day, the Senate passed the stopgap measure to avert a government shutdown.

Keep ReadingShow less
Serino highlights Dutchess gains as officials press for EMS, funding solutions

In her March 11 address to county residents, the focus was on the fiscal health and wellbeing of Dutchess, but some officials felt county executive Sue Serino missed the mark by avoiding such topics as funding cuts and other concerns.

Photo Provided

HOPEWELL JUNCTION — On Tuesday, March 11, Republican county executive Sue Serino took to the stage at John Jay High School to deliver commentary on Dutchess in her State of the County address.

The evening began with a welcome by Wappingers Central School District superintendent Dwight Bonk and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dutchess County sheriff Kirk Imperati. Ava Dvorak, a senior at John Jay, offered her rendition of the national anthem followed by an invocation from Reverend Dr. Edward L. Hunt of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. The Evergreen Chapter of Sweet Adeline’s International performed “God Bless the USA (Proud to be an American)” with the Roy C. Ketcham High School Step Team closing out the pre-speech segment of the evening with their “Formation” demonstration.

Keep ReadingShow less
Northlight art show opens at Historical Society Gallery
One of a dozen artists participating in the Northlight Art Center’s 14th annual student exhibit is Cathleen Halloran, above, who paused for a photo by one of her several works on display. The opening reception at the Sharon Historical Society’s Gallery on Saturday, March 15, brought out a robust group of local art fans.
Leila Hawken

Fans of fine art filed into the Sharon Historical Society’s gallery on Saturday, March 15, for the opening reception of student works from the Northlight Art Center in Amenia, New York.

Northlight was founded in Sharon by Pieter Lefferts in 2010 and later moved to Amenia. This is the 14th year of the annual student exhibit.

Keep ReadingShow less
Century Boulevard redevelopment session focuses on parking options
Century Boulevard’s redevelopment will be partially funded through the Hudson River Green Community Planning Grants Program and the Northeast Dutchess Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Residents along with nearby neighbors of Century Boulevard received a second presentation of plans to redevelop the village thoroughfare.

Much of the meeting, held on Saturday, March 15 at the NorthEast-Millerton Library Annex, focused on parking options that were presented by Brandee Nelson, a senior project manager for Tighe & Bond of Rhinebeck.

Keep ReadingShow less