The 18th Annual Berkshire International Film Festival
Actor Freddie Gibbs in “Down With The King,” which was filmed in Berkshire County and screened at BIFF.
Film still by Visit Films
Latest News
Millbrook trustees adopt 2026-27 budget with 0.25% increase
Nathan Miller
Apr 15, 2026
MILLBROOK — Millbrook’s Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to adopt the 2026-27 town budget following a public hearing at its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 8.
The budget for the coming year totals $2,538,844, up 0.25% from $2,532,541 in the current year.
Mayor Peter Doro said the increase falls within the 2% property tax cap imposed on local governments by New York State since 2012. Budget lines showing anticipated increases include utilities, paid ambulance service and insurance.
“We’ve all worked hard in the past months,” Doro said, describing the budget review process that involves each of the village’s departments.
Separate unanimous approvals were adopted for the 2026-27 water and sewer budgets. The Water Department budget totals $425,500, up from the current year of $411,950. The Sewer Department budget totals $470,425, up from $435,100.
Although no public comment was offered during the hearing, one trustee suggested that the village should remain vigilant about rising costs.
“There are things we could do to mitigate costs,” said Trustee Shannon Mawson.
To view a copy of the budget as adopted, go to www.villageofmillbrookny.com.
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Robert E. Stapf Sr.
Millerton News
Apr 15, 2026
MILLERTON — Robert E. Stapf Sr. (Bobbo), a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to many, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026, at the age of 77, happily at home surrounded by lots and lots of love and with the best care ever.
Bob was born Jan. 16, 1949, to the late Peter and Dorothy (Fountain) Stapf. He began working at an early age, met his forever love, Sandy, in 7th grade and later graduated from Pine Plains Central School.
Following graduation, Bob and Sandy (Snyder) were married on Sept. 18, 1971. Bob soon began as a diesel mechanic, working at H.O. Penn and then Dutchess County Diesel for most of his career. He also loved every minute at Orvis Sandanona and all the other clubs where he worked with his dogs for over 50 years.
While Bob was happy outdoors hunting, snowmobiling and playing golf whenever he could and spending a lot of time customizing his 1949 Chevy Pickup, winning a lot of trophies at car shows all around, he was happiest spending time with family and friends. He could be found almost every morning having coffee with his buddies at Talk of the Town where he was “the mayor.”
Bob is survived by his loving wife of 54 years and best nurse, Sandy, of Millerton, his four children; Michelle Cianfarani and her husband Vinnie, Robin Stapf and her husband Rob, Bobby Jr. and his wife Jean and Kristofer Stapf and his wife Lauren, his 7 grandchildren; Zachary, Adriana, Mackenzie, Addison, “Bobcat,” Audrey and Maddie and his 2 great grandchildren; Nevaeh and Leiana. Bob is also survived by his 3 sisters; Barbara Holdridge (Everett), Debbie Bryant (Terry) and Wendy Lind (George), his 2 brothers: Peter Stapf (Donna) and John Stapf (Jane) along with many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to send our love and sincere appreciation to all of the wonderful nurses and doctors at Vassar Brothers Medical Center along with the nurses from Hospice Care who always took such great care of Bob for us.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and offer condolences on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 7749 South Main Street, Pine Plains, New York.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a small donation to Hospice Care for continued support to those who need it most. For directions, share a favorite memory or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.peckandpeck.net
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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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