This two story garage building built in 1967 on Route 44 on one acre was sold privately by Audia Realty for $350,000. At the time of sale it had an appraised fair market value of $277,700 for property tax purposes.
MILLBROOK — In September and October there were ten property transfers in the Town of Washington including two homes over $1 million and three under, three parcels of vacant land, a commercial building on Route 44 which sold off market, and a property on 18.9 acres with multiple residences sold after foreclosure by M&T Bank for $900,000.
The median price of a single family residence hit an all-time high of $785,000 in February of 2023 and hovered below $500,000 in August; however, median home prices have started to climb again, reaching $609,000 in October.
The Town of Washington’s real estate market, where the 2,079 acre Hitchcock Estate remains for sale at $65 million, has six other properties listed for over $5 million. Currently there are 36 single family homes listed for sale, including six under $500,000 and 20 over $1 million. There are seven rental units available including four for less than $3,000 a month.
September Transfers
Hibernia Road (Parcel # 715086) — 5.39 acres of land sold for $185,000.
3707 Route 44 — Commercial building classified as an auto dealership on 1 acre sold for $350,000 in a private sale.
296-302 Stanford Road — 18.92 acres with multiple residences including a 4,253 square foot main house was sold by M&T Bank after foreclosure for $900,000.
339 Mabbettsville Road — Temple Farm, an estate on 141.66 acres was sold for $6.9 million.
October Transfers
521 Hibernia Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath home in Salt Point on 5.38 acres sold for $910,000.
53 Shanks Road — 3 bedroom/2 bath ranch style home on 4.11 acres sold for $335,000.
78 South Road — 4 bedroom/2.5 bath historic home built in 1776 on 21.05 acres sold for $1,715,000.
377 Valley Farm Road — 3 bedroom/1 bath home with barn on 20.28 acres sold for $920,000.
123 Milewood Road — 5 acre parcel of vacant land sold off market for $160,000.
Route 82 (Parcel #350789) — 5.17 acre rural vacant lot sold off-market for $130,000.
* Town of Washington real estate sales recorded between Sept. 1, 2024, and Oct. 31, 2024, sourced from Dutchess County Real Property Tax Service Agency. Information on active listings taken from First Key MLS which may understate available properties. Parcel numbers refer to parcel designation by Dutchess County and may be accessed on Dutchess Parcel Access. Only transfers with consideration are included. Compiled by Christine Bates, Real Estate Advisor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, Licensed in CT and NY.
Kathy Chow, pictured here standing, addresses the room during public comment on the proposed overhaul of North East's zoning code. Chow suggested more farming opportunities should be permitted in the code.
MILLERTON – Community members crammed into the North East Town Hall on Thursday, Jan. 8, for a highly anticipated public hearing on the town’s proposed commercial zoning overhaul.
With the 21-seat meeting room at capacity, several attendees were forced to listen from the lobby. After listening to public comments, the town board opted to adjourn the hearing rather than close it, scheduling a continuation for Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m.
The hearing marked a significant milestone in a process that has been four years in the making and represents the first comprehensive rewrite of the town’s zoning code since the mid-1970s.
The proposed zoning overhaul is intended to modernize regulations that have remained largely unchanged for decades, aligning them with the town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan and current economic and housing needs. The revisions place a strong emphasis on encouraging reinvestment in commercial districts, expanding housing options — including multifamily, mixed-use and affordable housing — and updating standards to reflect modern land uses and technologies. Town officials have said the goal is to support local businesses, streamline approvals, and provide clearer, more predictable rules while preserving neighborhood character and quality of life.
While approximately 35 members of the public attended – not including members of the town board and legal counsel – only seven residents chose to speak. Most expressed general support of the draft, thanking the Zoning Review Committee (ZRC) and town board for their work and volunteer efforts. Some brought up targeted concerns while others made recommendations. North East resident Tyler Graham – founder of the newly formed Save Millerton group, which has publicly challenged the zoning revision process and specifically the town board – was more critical.
Prior to opening the public hearing, Town Supervisor Chris Kennan summarized the steps that were taken to update the zoning code. He noted the process began with the Town and Village Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted on Nov. 14, 2019, which recommended hiring a consultant and attorney to draft new language to update the zoning and subdivision laws.
A significant undertaking, the board broke the process into two parts. The objective of the first phase was to focus primarily on the commercial districts in the town. Kennan said some aspects of the residential zones, as well as the land conservation zone, were included. The ZBA presented its work on Nov. 14, 2024 and the town board completed its review on Nov. 4, 2025.
Rich Stalzer, chair of the town’s Conservation Advisory Counsel, said he viewed the zoning review process as “open and inclusive,” while raising several technical concerns. He asked the town to clarify zoning document provisions related to backup generators and noise impacts, strengthen pedestrian safety requirements for off-site parking and address ambiguities around accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on properties owned by trusts or LLCs. Stalzer also recommended aligning school use requirements across residential zoning districts.
Kathy Chow, a North East resident and chair of the Millerton Climate Smart Task Force, focused her remarks on agriculture and economic development. She said current permitted uses limit farming opportunities and called for greater flexibility to allow market gardens, greenhouses, community gardens and a broader range of farm animals. Chow also urged the town to encourage artisan workshops and food-based businesses in the Irondale area, suggesting it could become a hub for small industry and capture Route 22 traffic.
Kathleen Spahn, a member of the village Zoning Board of Appeals and who also works at the NorthEast-Millerton Library, expressed support for policies that would increase housing opportunities while protecting the town and village from an influx of short-term rentals and part-time residents.
Rob Cooper said he welcomed the proposed relaxation of setback requirements, supporting changes that would make it easier to build or expand without needing a variance.
Kevin Webb of Skunk’s Misery Road said “the spirit of the work seemed good and seems like the product of a lot of hard work.” He said provisions related to ADUs appeared stronger than those in the previous code. “I don’t want to make perfect the enemy of good,” Webb said. “This can’t be a perfect product, but I support it.”
Ed Covert, a resident of Cooper Road, thanked the ZRC “for their hard work,” and efforts to improve the town. He added, “It's just a shame that it had to be handed over to the town [board], who added things that the ZRC didn't even address.”
Covert criticized what he described as a lack of zoning enforcement on Cooper Road, citing years of tension with a neighbor who he said constructed an illegal dwelling and a lack of response to multiple complaints filed by residents. “Fix problems before you change things,” Covert said.
Tyler Graham, founder of Save Millerton, used his allotted time to question the process, including the timing of the draft’s release over the holidays and classification of the rewrite as primarily commercial when, he argued, it would also impact residential zoning. He also criticized the lack of a reader-friendly summary explaining what changes were made and why.
The town board will continue to accept written comments in advance of the Feb. 3 continuation of the public hearing, all of which will become part of the official record. Copies of the draft zoning code remain available at Town Hall, on the town’s website and at the NorthEast-Millerton Library.
The board and Dutchess County Planning officials will also review written submissions and feedback provided during the hearing as they consider potential revisions to the draft. The town board will also complete a State Environmental Quality Review to assess any significant adverse impacts before closing the public hearing and adopting amendments with the New York Secretary of State. Once approved, a committee will be appointed to dive into phase two, an overhaul of the residential zoning code.
Following the public hearing, the board resumed its regular monthly meeting and routine business. Members voted to sign an agreement with the Town of Pine Plains, designating its facility as North East’s official dog shelter. They also approved minutes from the Dec. 11, 2025 meeting, shared committee reports and agreed upon budget adjustments for the 2025 fiscal year.
The Millerton Inn on Main Street will host the first dinner in this year's Dine Out for History series on Sunday, Jan. 18. A local history quiz including a free glass of wine will precede dinner service at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are requested.
MILLERTON —Diners will once again have the opportunity to support the North East Historical Society this winter while enjoying meals at local restaurants with the return of “Dine Out for History.”
Seven restaurants across Millerton and the Town of North East will be participating in this year's event, marking the highest number since the COVID-19 Pandemic shuttered the event from 2020 to 2022.
On select dates from Jan. 18 through March 23, participating restaurants will host their own Dine Out for History night, with 10% of the evening’s proceeds donated to the historical society to support research, digitization of its collection and efforts to make historic content more accessible to the public.
“We’re very happy to see the significant support we are getting from local restaurants,” said Edward Downey, president of the North East Historical Society. “We aim to bring them more business at a tough time of year, and from the feedback we’ve gotten, their patrons enjoy rallying to support local history.”
The series will begin Sunday, Jan. 18, at The Millerton Inn, 53 Main St. An optional brief presentation — a participatory local history quiz — will be held at 5:30 p.m. for those who wish to arrive early. The program includes a complimentary glass of wine, with dinner to follow. Reservations are requested.
The other participating restaurants include Taro’s at 18 Main St. on Thursday, Jan. 29; Willa at 52 Main St. on Thursday, Feb. 12 (reservations requested); the Oakhurst Diner at 19 Main St. on Sunday, Feb. 22; Pasture Kitchen at 130 Route 44, on Thursday, March 5; the Golden Wok at Railroad Plaza, 2 Main St., on Sunday, March 15 (takeout only); and Round III at 5523 Route 22, on Monday, March 23.
To get a reminder, please sign up for the North East Historical Society newsletter by contacting Ed Downey at eddowney12@gmail.com.
The North East Historical Society is on the second floor of the NorthEast-Millerton Library, 75 Main St., Millerton. Its hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays or by appointment. For more information, contact Ed Downey at eddowney12@gmail.com.
Millerton Fire Company crews directing traffic as they waited for a tow truck large enough to haul the wrecked box truck away from a crash site on Route 44 just south of the entrance to the Millerton Gun Club on Friday, Jan. 9.
MILLERTON — A crash involving a box truck and a passenger vehicle blocked traffic just outside the Village of Millerton for much of the early afternoon Friday.
North East Fire Chief Keith Roger told The News on-scene that no one was injured in the crash that occurred around 12:30 p.m. on Route 44, just south of the entrance to the Millerton Gun Club.
Details of the incident were limited as emergency crews worked at the scene. Roger said a box truck and a passenger car were the two vehicles involved, but additional information was not immediately available.
A box truck involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle blocking a lane of traffic on Route 44 outside the Village of Millerton on Friday, Jan. 9. Millerton Fire Company crews directed traffic around the truck until just before 2 p.m. when a tow truck arrived from East Fishkill.Photo by Nathan Miller
The passenger car was towed from the scene by about 1:45 p.m. A heavy-duty tow truck from East Fishkill arrived shortly thereafter to remove the box truck.
The disabled box truck blocked a lane of traffic on Route 44 just outside of the village, causing significant delays for motorists and prompting many to take a detour on Mill Road to avoid the congestion.
"It takes a minute," Roger said. "We don't have any large vehicle tow companies nearby."
MILLERTON – The Village of Millerton Board of Trustees will convene on Monday, Jan. 12, for its monthly workshop meeting, with updates expected on the village’s wastewater project, Veterans Park improvements and the formal recognition of a new tree committee.
The board is scheduled to receive an update from Erin Moore – an engineer at Tighe and Bond, an engineering and consulting firm – on the status of the village’s wastewater project. The presentation will focus on funding secured to date, as well as additional grant opportunities that may be pursued to support the long-term infrastructure effort.
Trustees will also discuss a proposed local law to formally establish a village tree committee, a group that has been in development for several months. The committee aims to improve the overall health and sustainability of Millerton’s trees, and plans to seek funding to support its work. An initial tree audit would be the first step in assessing the condition of existing trees, but the group must be officially recognized by the village to do so. The law will be discussed during Monday’s meeting and a public hearing will likely be set for a later date.
In addition, the board will review the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process related to planned renovations at Veterans Park. Required by the state, this process will examine any potential environmental, social or economic impacts on the renovations that will be made to the park. In the works for more than a year, the renovations will include both landscaping and hardscaping improvements intended to enhance the space as a central gathering space in downtown Millerton. The work is funded through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) awarded in 2024. Village officials previously secured an extension on the grant, and construction is now expected to be completed by Memorial Day.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at Village Hall at 5933 N Elm Ave. at 6 p.m.
