Planning Board schedules Troutbeck public hearing and hears site plan change for Silo Ridge

Troutbeck's sign along the side of Route 343 in the town of Amenia.
Photo by John Coston
Troutbeck's sign along the side of Route 343 in the town of Amenia.
AMENIA — Following a report on the plans for Phase 8 of the adaptive reuse plan submitted by Troutbeck, the Planning Board at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 23, voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Reviewing the Troutbeck plan, Engineer Rich Rennia of Rennia Engineering of Dover Plains explained that Phase 8 would see “a small rearrangement of components.” An indoor pool to be enclosed within a pole barn will be connected with the wellness area. A small bathhouse containing rest rooms is also planned.
A net reduction in impact will result from the rearrangement, Rennia said, including reduction in wastewater generation by 240 gallons and lowered water demands.
“There is no increase to the overall project,” Rennia said, although minimal lighting will be added for pedestrian safety.
Planning Board engineer John Andrews indicated, although a health department approval is needed, he had reviewed the overall plans and found that the application is ready for public hearing. Planning Board attorney Paul Van Cott agreed, clearing the way for the board to schedule the December public hearing.
Citing a change in demographics since the existing Silo Ridge master plan was approved by the town in 2020, representatives of Silo Ridge reported to the Planning Board indicating an interest in changing two planned three-story town house structures into three-story condominium buildings to be designated on the plans as Condos D and E.
The existing approved master plan shows 245 units. No new units would result from the change.
Engineer Andrews indicated that the townhouses totaling ten units divided evenly between two buildings would have had fee-simple ownership. The change would bring condominium ownership structure.
Under fee-simple, the townhouse owner would own both the land and the building on the land. On the other hand, a condo owner owns only the condo, while the land belongs to a condo association in which the owner is considered a shareholder.
“Administratively, there are a lot of steps needed,” Andrews said, adding that although the project has changed, he felt the changes were insignificant. He noted that the Silo Ridge Design Review Committee will need to sign off on the proposed change from townhouse to condo.
To Planning Board member Ken Topolsky’s inquiry into progress on providing the board with a Silo Ridge organizational chart, O’Leary assured the board that the chart is being worked on, along with an updated progress report on the status of construction of the Silo Ridge development as a whole.
Members of the Planning Board praised the Silo Ridge Masters Show Jumping Competition held in early October at Keane Stud on Depot Hill Road, noting that the world’s top riders were attracted to compete in the four-day event. The benefit to the town of Amenia was measurable.
Keane Stud owner Juan Torres told the Planning Board that he is working on design of a new site plan for the Depot Hill area acreage to be submitted for the board’s consideration before the end of this year.
“We believe that our goals are more aligned with the community,” Torres said, adding that the aim is to protect the woods, land, habitats and natural amenities, goals outlined in the town’s Comprehensive Plan of Development.
Architect Nicole Emmons, of Hart, Howerton Architects of New York City, asked the Planning Board to describe their concerns on behalf of the town when thinking of Keane Stud Farm’s future.
Reading directly from the town’s Comprehensive Plan of Development, planning board member Topolsky said that the document guides the board’s vision.
“This is the voice of Amenia,” Topolsky said, noting that the plan emphasizes repeatedly that Depot Hill is one of the town’s most scenic features. He stressed the importance of protecting the viewshed.
Planning Board chairman Robert Boyles, who also serves the Wassaic Fire Company as Captain, mentioned a need for fire protection ponds as water sources, as well as voicing concern about runoff drainage toward properties located downhill from Depot Hill.
Board member James Vitiello said it would be important for the planners to arrive at a proposal that would be visually appealing.
“We have to turn to you, as a designer, to design something that doesn’t just maximize the dollar value but to find something the town can be comfortable with,” Vitiello advised.
“Our goal is to work together,” Torres said.
George Janes, the town’s visual resources consultant, said that he was in agreement with the concept of 10-acre agricultural parcels as initially described.
“What makes the Depot Hill viewshed special is its present agricultural landscape,” Janes said.
“You’re subdividing, not developing,” he pointed out to Torres.
Discussion included the role of deed restrictions in limiting the eventual development of each 10-acre piece by those who will purchase them.
Board member John Stefanopoulos indicated the possibility that parcels can be developed in ways that will blend with the scenery and add value, constrained by deed restrictions written correctly.
“The Planning Board is not going to design it for you,” Janes told Torres and Emmons, suggesting that they find guidance within the town’s comprehensive plan.
Before the Planning Board adjourned, Wassaic resident Sharon Kroeger provided notice of a petition gathering signatures intended to preserve and protect the Delavergne Hill viewshed that includes Depot Hill.
Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.
AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.
“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.
“Megan’s job is not an easy one,” Blackman said, honoring Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent who has served the town for 20 years.
Also among those honored was Town Clerk Dawn Marie Klingner for 20 years of service as Court Clerk.
Maureen Moore, Court Clerk, was also honored in absentia for her 20 years of town service.
In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.
AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.
A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.
As with the first historic market installation at the Old Amenia Burying Ground, held in April, Amenia Union Cemetery graves of Revolutionary War veterans had been marked with American flags in advance.
Jim Middlebrook, representing the Columbia Mid-Hudson chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, attended along with other members of his chapter. Speaking before the unveiling, Middlebrook said that the historic marker project had begun in August 2024, and included a detailed process to certify the names on the graves.
Middlebrook described the work of the William C. Pomeroy Foundation of Syracuse whose mission is to promote “pride of place” by providing grants in support of installing historic markers and plaques nationwide to honor patriots for their service. Active now in seven or eight states, Middlebrook said, the foundation will soon add Connecticut and Massachusetts to the list.
The new Amenia Union marker honors “at least five veterans of the American Revolution interred between 1787 and 1810,” although Town Historian Betsy Strauss lists six veterans buried in the cemetery. The sixth, Gerhard Winegar, whose burial had been in 1781 could not fully satisfy the certification standards.
Strauss provided the following listing of six names:
Col. Colbe Chamberlain, 1739-1796
Capt. William Chamberlain, 1745-1810
Lieut. Samuel Snyder, 1712-1808
Gerhard Winegar, 1750-1781
Ensign Henry Winegar, 1723-1787
Capt. William Young, 1747-1806
Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.
MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.
Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.
“The Millerton Street Fair will celebrate everything we love about this community — its spirit, its dedication to service and its creative energy,” said James Clark, publisher and CEO of The Millerton News.
Local nonprofits will showcase their work and impact, including Climate Smart Millerton, Eddie Collins Memorial Park, North East Historical Society, Townscape, Tri-Corner FEED, Village of Millerton, and the Webutuck Elementary School.Participating businesses include Bes, Little Red Bird Studio, NBT, The Elephant’s Tusk, and many more.Local retail and dining establishments will be open with special promotions. NECC’s Farmer’s Market will run during the event.
Among the planned festivities are live music from John Stey and the Resilience Brass Band, performances from Bee Bee the Clown, face painting by students from Webutuck High School, and a community-wide scavenger hunt for kids.Other kids’ activities include egg and spoon races, and a “touch-a-truck” open house at the firehouse.The Irondale Schoolhouse will be hosting a special exhibit, and the North East-Millerton Library will be offering signups for the Summer Reading Program, a science show from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., lawn games, and a cookie cook-off.
For more information, go to millertonnews.com/street-fair.
The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.
MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.
For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.
The second talk, scheduled for Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m., invites Carl Lounsbury of the College of William and Mary and Colonial Williamsburg to speak on the architecture of the Nine Partners Meetinghouse. His talk is titled, “Nine Partners Meetinghouse Plan: A New Form in the Hudson Valley.” Expert in early American architecture, Lounsbury’s talk will compare Nine Partners with other later houses of worship in New York and New England.
Both lecture events will be held at the 1780 brick Nine Partners Quaker Meetinghouse in Millbrook. An earlier meetinghouse on the site had burned. The building has remained largely unchanged since the 18th century.
Given the age of the structure, handicapped access is limited and there are no rest room facilities.
Visitors should enter through the cemetery gate entrance.
The lectures are free and open to all, supported by a grant from the county and offered as part of Dutchess County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration.